FortunesFaded
Spiffy
Scrawl BandittaName of Lord/Lady Duchess Anfel Allard
Physical Description:As a half-elf Anfel has the slight build and pointed features of her mother's side, though softened by her human blood. Her pale auburn hair reaches past her shoulders though is usually tied into thick braids for sake of ease. A smattering of freckles goes across the bridge of her nose and her shoulders. It is agreed between both the common folk and the nobility that the lady of Enea has a most lyrical voice and her slender hands are skilled with both a lyre and a mandolin, though given her station she very rarely puts on any kind of performance except perhaps when hosting a party where such things would be appropriate. There she can show off her knowledge of poetry and legends, indeed Anfel's library back in Stag's Hearth is quite famous, having aquired many texts from passing merchants from Osteria and beyond.
Her eyes are an exceedingly dark blue and she is often seen wearing garments in her family colours, favouring jade greens and silver jewelry. Anfels outfits are often practical in nature, in her daily life she prefers loose fitting trousers and doublets, claiming to always want to be ready for whatever the rugged lands of her duchy may require (Of course these garmants are still clearly of fine make and design). While for more formal affairs such as dealing with other nobles and ceremonies she summons forth her gowns and dresses, a situation she relishes.
Claimed Fief: 4. Enea
Basic History: House Allard have had a long and respected history in Osteria. Although not the origional lords of Enea they were loyal vassals to the first Dukes and have a bloodline that can trace itself back to the dawn of the Kingdom. Their ascension to this higher rank did not come through some bloody rebellion or dark plots, simply the winds of fate and birth. The old Duke Cawdor did not leave and heir to carry on his line and his last remaining relative was a niece married to the current lord Osren Allard (fifth of his name) and so the passing of the torch came. Of course that was nearly a century ago, to those living now the Allards have always been associated with Enea, their home town of Stag's Hearth with its roots growing deep throughout the province.
The new arms of Enea are a white stag, laying calmly on a green field, shown with a crown of ivory coloured flowers adorning its antlers. The Allards were never considered one of the grandest houses. Noble, yes. Respected in their way but humble as well. Their lands lacked the great farmlands of Marethia or the industrious mines of The Summit. Yet they worked the woods to their will, hunting, farming and growing strong. No one went hungry and thanks to their roads sending timber to all the realm few fell into poverty. The Allards were considered a handy ally to have but a house easily forgotten compared to others.
That was until their last house patriarch, Osrick, married himself a damn elf! It was always considered a duty of the house to keep the peace with the wood elves of Cilhedon. Osteria could ill afford being sandwiched between the orcish hordes and the elves of the east. No one ever expected a noble to marry one though! That was something the woodsmen in the border hamlets did. So the seat of the east fell to a half-elf, something the common folk are still getting used to.
Background: Diplomat (Bonus to Diplomacy Rolls)
As a lady of high birth Anfel has been taught manners and etiquette from a young age for both human and elven courts. Given the prickly response her heritage tends to bring out in others she had to learn quickly how to navigate her way out of hostile situations. Better to try making a friend before creating an enemy.
Of course she isn't the only one of her house who has a way with words. Given their mysterious foreign neighbors and the number of trade routes going through their lands the Allards have made sure to keep competent liaisons within the merchant guilds and a small cadre of professional envoys and diplomats on hand.
Accepted. Excellent application.
I'm adding 2 additional landholds now.