Eluviel Cariele

Background

A woman of free spirit, whose small stature denies her force of personality, lady Eluvie has held on to power in Coeranys for almost twenty years now. Though Coeranys is traditionally a duchy, lady Eluvie has not accepted the title, preferring to be addressed simply as lady. She often jokes that this simple title allows the woman in her to shine when she does not have to compete with the radiance of her title.

She was carrying a child and a marriage ring when she arrived, and she has never considered marrying again. Never marrying, often dallying, she has given birth to a succession of royal bastards, all of unknown parentage. None of these has been appointed her heir; a national assembly may have to be called to decide the issue.

Originally from Cariele in the north, lady Eluvie came to Coeranys as a young girl. Escaping the fall of her realm, she was taken in by Isaelie, the emerald queen of Sielwode. She came to Coeranys in 1499 when the country was in turmoil, and became regent as a neutral candidate between the rival noble houses. Her main sponsors were the Justharts of Caudraight. She has deftly balanced the different power groups against one another while retaining influence. Mayhap this is because of her extravagant lifestyle; whenever a baron felt slighted, she would make him her lover. Many a baron feels he can get his child to be the next ruler.

Lady Eluvie is usually gay, forthright and a capable ruler, but sometimes a dark mood falls upon her. At those times she raves and may even become violent, especially towards her children. The people closest to her know of these spells and hide her madness from the public eye, and she tolerates their care, but this prevents her from ruling at full efficiency. As these spells of madness come more and more often, the realm has stagnated somewhat from lack of attention.

She practices no profession; she is a noblewoman through and through. Her only weapons are her wit and wiles, and these have served her well on many occasions.