Name: Lady Protector Riven "The Smiling Death" Koralia
Race: Human, specifically Southern Altranorian
Gender: Female
Age: 29 years old
Appearance: Anyone with eyes can see Riven possesses several distinctive features of the Koralia bloodline. Like the first Altranorian Royal Protector, Macarius Koralia, she has black hair and rarely lets it grow beyond her jawline. Ignoring the current trend among Altranor's nobles, the Lady Protector keeps her bangs short so they don't distract her in the heat of battle. Riven's fair skin and dark hair create a striking contrast, one the Koralia family is known for, though her bright green eyes are just as noticeable. They almost always seem to shine with barely restrained joy and are part of the reason why Riven is called the “The Smiling Death.” Titles and nicknames aside, Riven's heart-shaped visage is rounded out by large ears, a button nose marked by freckles, and full lips. A slender neck leads down to a pair of strong, if slightly bowed, shoulders, and Riven tends to look shorter than her actual height of 5’8”. The Royal Protector’s arms are toned and end in dexterous, flexible hands. Despite the numerous taproom stories about her “assets,” Riven’s bust and rear are both small and she prefers them that way. Her flat stomach gives way to admittedly wide hips, an unwelcome gift from her mother's side of the family. Lastly, the Lady Protector’s legs are muscular and strong, which allows her to perform acrobatic feats many fighters cannot. Surprisingly, Riven has remarkably dainty feet.
Normally, the Lady Protector can be seen wearing a tight-fitting suit of black-dyed leather armor, which was given to her by the Alagos leatherworkers’ guild. This suit includes a beautifully crafted chestpiece, leggings, thigh high boots, bracers, gloves and a gorget. Riven also wears a chain mail belt around her narrow waist, and she usually has dozens of pouches hanging from it. Gold pieces, vials containing unspeakable substances, and the occasional beaker filled with Altranorian whiskey can all be found in these bags. Riven's twin gladiums, curved iron blades her mother gave her as thirteenth name day gifts, can be found dangling from her hips as well. The Lady Protector often wears a hooded gray cloak made of wool, which is thick enough to absorb lighter or glancing attacks. Arrows, direct sword or knife attacks, and similar assaults can punch through this garment with ease. Riven tends to wear loose-fitting silk shirts, her leggings, and boots when she’s not battling King Erasmus' foes.
Position and Abilities: Royal Protector-The position of Royal Protector is only a few hundred years old. One of King Erasmus VI's ancestors, the quick-witted Erasmus the Second, was responsible for the creation of this prestigious and burdensome title. Why did he do this? Because King Erasmus II, also known as Erasmus the Wise, knew that not only are the Fanged Isles dangerous but he'd also inherited one of the most successful kingdoms in the archipelago's history. The eyes of Soven, Thandonia, and countless others were on him now, searching for any weaknesses they might exploit so they could claim his lands for themselves. Erasmus the Wise knew and anticipated there would be countless attempts on his life. It only made sense to always have a highly-trained and devoted man or woman at his side to defend him if the royal bodyguards fell in battle.
The only problem was the elderly king didn't know of anyone who would willingly shoulder this incredible responsibility. He also wasn't entirely certain who he could trust.
For a few years, Erasmus the Wise thought on this matter until he found his kingdom embroiled in a colossal battle against the forces of Warlord Baldric of Soven. This conflict would come to be known as the Battle of Warspear since it was fought at the foot of the Warspear Mountains. As the battle between the Altranorian army and the Soveni soldiers raged, King Erasmus II felt uncomfortably vulnerable despite the reassuring presence of his royal bodyguards all around him. If there was ever a time to appoint the first Royal Protector it was now, and the king did have a candidate in mind. And so, less than a mile from the front lines, King Erasmus II took a small cadre of soldiers as well as his childhood companion Lord Theron Invidia of the Iron Keep to a secluded glade. This is where the monarch intended to conduct a brief ceremony to appoint his dear friend as the First Lord Protector of Altranor. Before Erasmus the Second could open his mouth, however, Lord Invidia drew his castle-forged blade and lunged towards the man he'd grown up with. Several of the footmen joined the betrayer in his assault, which took the king's bodyguards completely by surprise. Chaos erupted in the thicket as the Altranorian loyalists fought against the traitors in hopes of saving their liege lord.
When the dust settled, only one soldier stood between the fear-stricken Erasmus the Wise and his treacherous countrymen. The royal bodyguards lay dead or dying while most of the traitors had sustained only minor injuries. This valiant footman's name was Macarius Koralia, the lowborn son of a blacksmith from the small town of Redstone Village in southern Altranor. He also happened to be one of Lord Invidia's indentured servants. Armed with his father's spear and clad in a rusting chainmail hauberk, Macarius was a pitiful sight yet he didn't waver as the remaining traitors prepared to finish their task. Smiling like the viper he was, Lord Invidia led the charge against Macarius and his terrified liege lord. The battle was over in moments. In the end, Macarius and King Erasmus the Second survived the attack thanks to the fearless peasant's determination and skill.
Realizing he'd found his Royal Protector at last, a grateful Erasmus the Wise was stunned when Macarius initially refused to accept the honor. "I've slain Lord Invidia, my master and a man with noble blood in his veins," Macarius lamented, fearing to meet the king's eyes, "I deserve no honors, sire. I am as much a traitor as these men I've killed today. Do with me as you see fit." The second king of Altranor calmly reassured Macarius he'd done a great service to his kingdom and his king before offering him the position of Royal Protector once more. The peasant accepted. In addition, the Altranorian king gave Macarius the lands and titles the treacherous Lord Invidia held when he was still among the living. Suddenly, Macarius, a peasant from the Taladar Swamps, not only took ownership of the Iron Keep but also became the ruler of Redstone Village, his birthplace located less than a day's journey from the keep itself. With his newly appointed Royal Protector at his side, King Erasmus the Second won the Battle of Warspear and scattered Warlord Baldric's forces to the four winds. He also sent a small contingent of battle-hardened soldiers to help Macarius drive Lord Invidia's supporters out of Redstone Village and the surrounding areas. Since the Battle of Warspear there has always been a Royal Protector and each one has done his or her best to live up to Macarius' legacy. Many have succeeded while others have failed.
At any rate, the talents and skills needed to protect a king aren't easy to learn. Starting with Lycus Koralia and his descendants, the Koralia family has developed a grueling training regimen to prepare the next individual who stands to inherit the title of Royal Protector. Courtly etiquette, reading and writing in all the major languages of the isles, and at least a basic understanding of chymistry are included in this extensive curriculum. There's also a great deal of combat training, including some basic hand-to-hand fighting techniques, though how this part of a Royal Protector's education proceeds depends on the individual. While Macarius always preferred to wade into the thick of battle with his pike, Brutus Koralia was one of the most feared archers in Altranor before his fall from grace. Each member of the Koralia bloodline feels drawn to a particular style of fighting, and this determines what weapons they train with starting at age thirteen. Obviously, Riven was most comfortable wielding two blades at once, a complicated art in its own right, and she's become quite good at it.
Besides their choice of weapon, each Lord and Lady Protector's individual attributes are taken into account during their education. Riven is a slender, yet wiry, woman and she's not as physically capable as the larger, more muscular warriors found throughout the Fanged Isles. She's been trained in stealth and acrobatic techniques to compensate for this so she can kill enemies as quickly as possible. The swifter an enemy falls the less chance they have of successfully landing a crippling blow. Keeping this in mind, Riven prefers to remove as many enemies from the battlefield as possible before exposing herself to any remaining adversaries. It's a time-consuming strategy, and one that tests the Third Lady Protector's limited patience, but it has worked flawlessly for her. There's also a great deal of mental conditioning involved in what is probably one of the most comprehensive training regimens in the history of Altranor. Defending and obeying the king at all costs are the two primary goals every Royal Protector keeps at the forefront of their minds. Ensuring his happiness and that of his family is less important, though it's still essential. A happy monarch is less likely to make mistakes then one who is constantly displeased or upset. Unfortunately, being able to cope with the constant presence of death is one part of Riven's schooling she never quite completed. Her mother, Galene, was planning to personally help her daughter overcome this issue at some point in the future. Sadly, her death at the hands of several bandit clans kept this from ever happening. Ultimately, what it means to be a Royal Protector can be summed up by a common saying amongst the Koralia family's members. "You don't inherit the title of Royal Protector. You must become the Royal Protector."
Basic Chymistry-Her inability to cook aside, Riven is a competent, if somewhat unoriginal, chymist. Vials, mystical and mundane reagents, and various herbs are all familiar objects to the Lady Protector. While she doesn't possess any magical abilities, Riven can still make a variety of simple potions and poisons, though her options are further limited by her inexperience. Still, the Royal Protector enjoys the process and methodology involved with brewing serums and elixirs. Two of her favorite potions to make are cat's eye serums, which allow the drinker to see in the dark for a brief period of time, and numbing drafts. A numbing draft can be used as a temporary pain-killer so a wounded companion can keep fighting despite debilitating injuries. At least until the potions' effects wear off. As far as poisons are concerned, however, magebane is Riven's favored toxin, and her swords are often dripping with this sticky purple substance. It is, after all, her only dependable way of removing enemy spellcasters from battle. This potent concoction causes the victim to become paralyzed for roughly ten minutes, which is plenty of time for the Lady Protector or one of her allies to slay the afflicted mage. Also, goblin's kiss is a simple yet useful mixture that causes the target to become uncontrollably itchy. It's difficult to focus on the sword slicing towards your head when it feels like a swarm of angry ants is skittering all over you, biting every inch of flesh with reckless abandon. In short, Riven can create some helpful and potentially lethal mixtures, though she lacks the knowledge and capabilities of a more experience chymist.
Connections-Over the course of their respective terms as Royal Protector, Riven and her father formed a vast network of contacts, spies, and informants spanning several islands across the archipelago. From the bustling halls of Castle Altranor to the fishing villages of the Elatha Atoll, it's rare to find a place where the Royal Protector's eyes and ears aren't present in some form or another. It's amazing how focused and thorough people become after you promise them a few gold coins in exchange for whatever they find. Innkeepers, merchants, whores, artists and gods only know who else all belong to the ranks of the Koralia family's "rats." Their dedication to the continuation of King Erasmus the Indomitable's rule would be touching if it wasn't motivated by greed. On the other hand, many courtiers are well aware of how close the current Royal Protector is to their liege lord. It's certainly worth tolerating, or pretending to tolerate, someone who isn't from noble stock if it means she might put in a good word with the realm's ruler. Needless to say, this immense web of individuals also allows the Royal Protector to obtain anything the king might need at a moment's notice. Does King Erasmus VI want a new helm crafted for his duel with a rival warlord in three days' time? The Koralias know an Altranorian smith who'd love nothing more than to take on this difficult task. Protecting and obeying the king are only two parts of what it means to be a true Royal Protector. Keeping your charge happy might not seem important yet it's part of the reason why the Koralia bloodline has maintained their grip on the title of Royal Protector for so long.
Miscellaneous-Can read and write in over ten different languages, has written two awful collections of poetry under the pseudonym Albrecht the Annoying, possesses a powerful sense of smell, something of a connoisseur when it comes to alcohol and tends to ruin any food she attempts to cook
Personality: Riven is a curious individual. She dislikes her role as Lady Protector yet fully understands her family's identity is completely bound to this two-hundred year old title. The Koralia bloodline was granted status far beyond their humble roots because of Macarius' dedication to King Erasmus II. Now, the entire family has a reputation for being loyal, steadfast, and dedicated to preserving the monarchy on Altranor even if it costs them their lives. How could anyone turn their back on such a legacy? Riven knows this yet the obligation to uphold the honor of the Koralia name weighs heavily on her at times. While she's certainly determined to do everything in her power to protect King Erasmus the Sixth, the Lady Protector has never been entirely comfortable with the act of taking another person's life. Riven knows it's an essential part of defending her charge, not to mention an important part of living in the barely tamed wilderness of Altranor, yet no amount of rationalization or combat training has alleviated her profound sense of discomfort. Ironically, the Third Lady Protector isn't just good at killing people, she's great at it. During a peasant uprising in the Taladar Swamps, "The Smiling Death" infiltrated a heavily fortified tower occupied by no less than twenty enemies and butchered them all in a little under two hours. It was a bloodbath. Despite her impressive fighting abilities, Riven often struggles with the ramifications of killing another person, though she certainly understands the concept of murder as a necessity. If someone threatens to harm her or the man she's bound to protect then death is the only response. Riven doesn't have to like it, however.
Whenever she prepares for battle, the Royal Protector becomes fixated on completing the task at hand as swiftly and efficiently as possible. This often gets Riven into trouble because she can't adapt to rapidly changing conditions without a major shift in thinking. When you're focused on the ultimate goal and nothing else then it becomes harder to cope with unexpected obstacles. Curiously, the Third Lady Protector of Altranor also has a bizarre tendency to make ribald and often indecent jokes while fighting for her life. Serfs who've witnessed her in combat have even gone so far as to claim Riven sings during battle. While this isn't necessarily unusual, the woman's song choices always seem more appropriate for a seedy brothel than life-or-death conflict. Thus, the commonfolk of Altranor have taken to calling the Royal Protector "The Smiling Death," and mothers often scare their children into obedience with tales of a pale woman with a ghastly smirk on her face. This fearsome reputation has also spread beyond Altranor, and it's safe to say Riven Koralia is one of the most easily recognizable members of King Erasmus' court.
While the thought of a laughing madwoman cutting throats with two iron blades might fill the hearts of Riven's enemies with fear, the truth behind her behavior is much less intimidating. Without her songs and jests, Riven would never be able to cope with the constant, chilling presence of death in her life. The look of terror, the mindless, animal fear, in a man's eyes when you shove a sword into his chest makes her feel like something less than human. Riven understands death better than most yet she derives no pleasure from it. In fact, one might even think she was afraid of it.
On the other hand, Riven is a warm, friendly, and headstrong young woman when she's not gutting people like fish at a market stall. While she rarely seeks the company of others, with a few exceptions, the Lady Protector almost never turns away new drinking partners or fellow members of the royal court. It might take her awhile to warm up to people, but once Riven is comfortable enough around someone then her loyalty knows no bounds. Of course, she's always on the lookout for people who think they can influence the king by befriending his guardian. The Royal Protector has little patience for sycophants and idiots. With both dear friends and strangers alike, however, Riven often displays an earthy, almost vulgar attitude when she's not confined by the demands of courtly etiquette. Her vocabulary is remarkably colorful for a woman who spends most of her time watching over Altranor's king. Perhaps the one group of people Riven always treats with something almost like begrudging respect are mages. After all, it's rather difficult for even the most skilled and competent warriors to kill someone who can shoot bolts of lightning from their hands or call down pillars of magical flame. Riven normally doesn't go out of her way to give mages a reason to dislike her for this very reason.
At any rate, Riven certainly enjoys meeting new people, even if she doesn't always show it, and having new experiences. This doesn't mean she won't leap at the chance to have a few private moments alone. Being the Royal Protector doesn't allow for much privacy so Riven always takes advantage of those precious moments when she's not needed. She uses this time to relax or write poetry, though more often than not there's alcohol involved. During these rare and sacred times, the only people the Lady Protector will tolerate having around are Taula, the royal Master of the Hunter, and King Erasmus himself. And it's not just because he's her liege lord. The monarch and his defender certainly didn't take to each other initially, but their relationship has changed over the last seven years into one of the strongest and deepest friendships Riven has ever had. They constantly challenge each other while providing support when it's needed yet their behavior is nothing but professional. Peasants love to gossip and a bawdy story about the Lady Protector and the king is something they'd be talking about for years to come. Riven obviously has needs just like anyone, but she isn't about to try anything with the man who has become her best friend. Besides, it wouldn't be fair to the queen or her children.
In the end, the Third Lady Protector of Altranor is an impatient, focused, and strong-willed woman who wants to see what life has in store for her beyond Altranor. Unfortunately, Riven swore an oath to protect her king until her dying breath, and she isn't the type of person to break such a vow. So, she makes the best of a bad situation by cussing like a drunken sailor and focusing on nothing more than the task at hand.
Backstory: Riven was born on a stormy night to the Fourth Lord Protector of Altranor, Agathon Koralia, and his wife, Galene Koralia-Petrides. As the wind and rain battered the crumbling walls of the Iron Keep, the green-eyed child wailed loudly as if she was trying to overpower the howling gale outside. Or perhaps it was a lament because she somehow knew what fate had in store for the Koralia family. Either way, Agathon departed from the Iron Keep and Redstone Village a few days after his daughter was born. He was destined for Altranor's capital where a fleet was preparing to launch against an encroaching armada of Soveni warships. While the forces of King Erasmus the Sixth emerged victorious in the end, the Lord Protector was lost at some point during a boarding action against the Soveni flagship, the Sea Blade. Riven remembers almost nothing about her father with the exception of a pair of piercing green eyes. Just like hers. A few days later, Galene traveled to Altranor's capital city and offered her services to her late husband's liege lord. While he was initially hesitant to allow someone not of the Koralia bloodline to assume the title of Royal Protector, the king and Agathon had discussed this possibility at length over the past few years. A king without his Royal Protector was a king at risk.
Thus, Galene became the Second Lady Protector of Altranor and the first Royal Protector who wasn't born a Koralia.
During this time, Galene often brought Riven to court with her as part of the improved training regimen she was developing. Whenever her mother was away serving her king, however, Argon Petrides, Galene's older brother, educated his niece to the best of his abilities. As a veteran of several conflicts, Argon knew a great deal about battle and combat, which he passed on to Riven. By the time Riven was twenty-two years old, she could handle her twin gladiums with relative ease and dance around her uncle with all the grace of a river flowing around a stone. She was ready to see the world beyond the Iron Keep's massive walls. Regrettably, Riven's opportunity to begin her duties as Royal Protector came only a few days after her twenty second name day celebration ended. A coalition of bandits, led by former Dion's Dogs mercenaries, came together with the sole purpose of slaying Galene the Widow. She'd become far too much of a nuisance to ignore, leading Altranorian soldiers against known bandit encampments and disrupting their operations around the capital. During a routine patrol outside of the city walls, Galene was killed and her murderers escaped into the surrounding forest. Without warning, Riven Koralia became the Third Lady Protector of Altranor.
Once she traveled to the capital to accept her appointment, Riven begged King Erasmus the Sixth to give her leave to hunt down the men who killed her mother. This is perhaps the only time she ever begged for something in her life. Graciously, the king allowed it with the stipulation that she take a contingent of soldiers with her. Losing another Royal Protector wasn't going to do anyone any good. Within a few weeks, the marauding bandits were dead and Riven's thirst for vengeance was sated. Adjusting to life back in the capital was difficult for Riven, and her initially troublesome relationship with her charge didn't help matters much. Both Erasmus the Sixth and his protector were strong-willed, which meant arguments sprang up almost constantly. In the end, however, Erasmus was king and Riven eventually came to realize the man was far more insightful than she gave him credit for. Over the course of the next seven years, the twosome grew accustomed to each other and actually became dear friends. Just as her relationship with the king developed so too did Riven's reputation. Battles such as Lord Decimus' Folly, the Battle of Eurotas Mere, and the Sons of Altranor peasant revolt gave the newest Royal Protector a chance to show what someone who'd gone through a lifetime of training was capable of. While she constantly struggled with the deaths she inflicted, Riven had to admit her skill in battle was a useful tool to ensure the king's enemies knew she wasn't to be trifled with.
Shortly after her twenty-ninth name day, King Erasmus the Indomitable asked her for a favor. He wanted to start negotiating with Warlord Lennart Virtanen of Tyr to see if he was open to allying with Altranor. The small, prosperous island of Tyr was located almost equidistant between Altranor and the island of Soven, which meant it could provide an excellent vantage point to spy on the rival island's activities. Besides, Lennart's sons had been slain by Soveni soldiers in a naval battle several years ago so he had no love for Queen Evangeline's people. Negotiations were only supposed to take a few weeks since the king had been in contact with Warlord Virtanen for some time. Bidding farewell to her friends and reminding the royal bodyguards to stay vigilant, Riven left for Tyr to speak with Warlord Virtanen. She received a royal welcome upon arriving on Tyr's verdant shores and everything seemed to be going apace. Yet, for some reason, Riven sensed something wasn't quite right. Why did the warlord claim he needed more time to think about allying with Altranor? Hadn't Erasmus told her he was eager to join forces with anyone who hated the people of Soven as much as he did? Why was he being so hesitant? It was almost as if Warlord Virtanen was purposefully trying to keep Riven preoccupied.
A few days after Riven's arrival, a messenger from Altranor arrived bearing news of a massive army advancing on Altranor's capital city. Without even speaking to Warlord Virtanen the Royal Protector boarded the next ship home and paid the captain a ridiculous amount of coin to sail as swiftly as he dared. She arrived in the capital city almost an hour after the castle's walls were breached. Sneaking and occasionally fighting her way through men wearing the colors of Soven, Thandonia, and Ghant, the Lady Protector managed to reach the foot of Castle Altranor's highest tower. That's when King Erasmus the Sixth's body plummeted out of the window and crashed into a nearby pigsty. Now, Riven has become the second Royal Protector to fail in her appointed task and there's only one thing she wants. Vengeance.
Notable Possessions: Two iron gladiums, a beginner's chymistry kit including beakers, vials, and various reagents, almost one hundred gold pieces scattered throughout her pouches, a ceramic badge marked with the king's personal crest and an old whetstone
Former Royal Protectors: -Macarius Koralia: First Lord Protector of Altranor and progenitor of the Koralia family, given both the settlement of Redstone Village and the Iron Keep as a reward for saving King Erasmus the Second's life, died during the Battle of the Silver Marches, the Koralia family's heraldry is a white spear on a red field in memory of Macarius' courage, one of Riven's favorite oaths is "Macarius' fucking spear!"
-Brutus Koralia: Second Lord Protector of Altranor and Macarius' younger brother, reviled for being the first Royal Protector to fail to protect his charge, died moments after King Ampelius the First was butchered by members of the Dion's Dogs mercenary company
-Charmion Koralia: First Lady Protector of Altranor and Brutus' eldest daughter, obsessed with regaining the honor the Koralia family lost after King Ampelius' death, not only strengthened the defenses of the Iron Keep but also had an earthen wall built around Redstone Village, often referred to as Charmion the Repentant, provided King Erasmus III with a constant source of inspiration before she drank from a poisoned chalice intended for her charge
-Lycus Koralia: Third Lord Protector of Altranor and Charmion's son, probably the most easily overlooked member of the Koralia family since he accomplished little during his time as Royal Protector, created the first draft of the extensive training regimen used by all subsequent Royal Protectors, died protecting King Erasmus the Fourth and his children from a group of Soveni assassins
-Agathon Koralia: Fourth Lord Protector of Altranor and Lycus' only child, known for being the first member of the Koralia family to suggest having people outside the bloodline take on the Royal Protector's duties, believed there should always be someone ready to take on the task of protecting Altranor's king, served both the ailing King Erasmus the Fifth and his son, died during a brutal naval conflict between Altranor's forces and the Soveni armada
-Galene Koralia-Petrides: Second Lady Protector of Altranor and wife of Agathon, called Galene the Widow since she assumed the role of Royal Protector following her husband's death, spent a great deal of time learning how to be a better guardian than those who came before her, substantially improved the training system created by Lycus Koralia, devoted to King Erasmus the Sixth, Galene was slain by a coalition of several bandit clans during a routine patrol outside of Altranor's capital
-Riven Koralia Third Lady Protector of Altranor and daughter of Agathon and Galene, current Royal Protector, called "The Smiling Death" due to her habit of singing or joking while fighting, a close friend of King Erasmus the Sixth, achieved notoriety during conflicts such as Lord Decimus' Folly, the Battle of the Eurotas Mere, and the Sons of Altranor revolt
