Salia Blackwater
The Honourable Salia Blackwater
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Salia is in excellent physical condition, her reflexes and stamina boosted by her milliget blood. She maintains a strict training regimen and diet to keep herself in peak physical condition.
Body Features
Salia's skin is tan, inherited from her Father's southern disposition, and she has aqua scales on her neck, wrists and ankles.
Facial Features
Salia possesses sharp, aquiline features. Her ears are longer than those of a Bediz and tapered to a point, but maintain a similar position and orientation. Her eyes are one of her most distinctive traits, goldenrod yellow with vertical slit-like pupils, resembling those of a reptile.
Pale aquamarine scales cover her neck, becoming more visible when she is flushed.
Apparel & Accessories
Salia is typically seen in a modified uniform of a Lethan Windguard. This includes a pair high black leather boots extending to just below the knee, white trousers and a black jacket with tails. This jacket, made of a wool-Crystalsilk blend, is snugly fastened with five golden buttons. The wrists and collars are highlighted with red cloth and golden thread, while the tails are trimmed with golden thread. The shoulders are capped with the silk cloth of the Ermine, which in turn are beneath a pair of golden epaulettes with golden fringe. A pair of cloth-of-gold cords are slung along her right side from the shoulder to the second button of her jacket. The whole assembly is secured by a white belt with a golden clasp.
At her side, Salia wears a basket-hilted saber with a solid brass guard, secured to her belt.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
In 1218 SI, the Pastoureaux Uprising was in full swing, a peasant army, driven by a spiritual zealotry, marched south from the Duchy of La Manche through Per-Ys and the Duchy of Akitainia towards The Shatterlands. Chaos gripped the Silvercoast, as the mob attacked castles, Church officials, tax collectors and Korrigan settlements.
Seeing an opportunity in the chaos, House Blackwater of the Barony of Dourdu dispatched Salia's mother, Elara Blackwater, to the Kingdom of Navarra to serve as an advisor to her cousin, Alfonso, the prince of Navarra. While there, she met the dashing Asturian nobleman, Julen Herensuge and the two began a passionate whirlwind romance. Salia was born in the Asturian city of Izareremua
Salia's infancy and childhood was marked by weakness and sickliness, and it was feared that the child had contracted the Yellow Plague. Desperate to save their daughter, Julen and Elara traveled deep into the Shatterlands, making a deal with one of the creatures who dwelt in the labyrinth of jagged cliffs. Salia was saved from the sickness, but left forever changed. The child's ears were long and pointed, her reptilian eyes containing a slitted pupil, and teal scales appeared in patches on her skin. Nevertheless, she soon grew healthy enough to survive the long voyage back to Letha.
The Hidden Rose
Back in Dreger, things had grown tense following the death of the Biskont-Archperfect of Landreger, and the appointment of his Staunchist successor by The Southern Church. Elara's own father passed away shortly after her return to her homeland, and she was promptly crowned as Baron. A result of the staunch opposition of the Biskont-Archperfect, Julen, suspected of having Fae blood himself, was prevented from exercising the right of jure uxoris, his official rank reduced to that of Baronez-consort, rather than Baron. The Staunchists, supported by powerful allies in neighboring regions, pushed against the idea that any milliget could sit the throne. Knowing that the revelation of Salia's, the first in line for the baronial seat, condition would provide ammunition for the ascendant movement and weaken a key Ermine ally of Morgan, Kont of Dreger, Elara, Julen and the Kont conspired to keep Salia sequestered away in relative secrecy, out of the public eye. To keep the child safe, Salia was kept cloistered in the gardens of House Blackwater's compound at Plistin. Rumors circulated around the "Rose of Blackwater", sequestered from the world. Some presumed she was a monster, others that she held such great power and beauty that she was selfishly kept away from the world. All the while, Salia was trained in ettiquette, history and tactics, honing her into a powerful tool that would ensure not only the continued primacy of her House, but also that she would personally thrive in the hostile political reality surrounding her very existence. Salia quickly proved to be an impressive prodigy at numerous disciplines, but her childhood was a lonely one. Things changed when the headstrong and rebellious Anjela du Berry arrived at Plistin with her Father, the Kont de Berry, brother to King Philippe "le Fortuné" V. Bored with the diplomatic maneuvering, Anjela snuck off during the meal to break in to the gardens by climbing over a wall. Once inside, she was attacked by Salia, who mistook her for an assassin. The pair sparred, continuing even after it became clear that Anjela was nothing more sinister than a rudely nosy houseguest. The pair became fast friends and Salia, finding newfound confidence, was ready to make her debut to the world.Debutante
Despite the initial chaos, Salia adapted quickly, her training and natural poise making her a popular fixture at the social gatherings around Dreger. She regularly corresponded with Anjela, the two prodigies becoming friends and rivals during their rare visits together. House Blackwater, Kont Morgan, and their Ermine allies found themeselves pressed by Staunchist factions led House Frihep and House Roc'han, emboldened by political and economic victories in Pentevr and Gwened. Paol Frihep, the Biskont-Archperfect of Landreger made overtures to void Salia's potential ascension to the baronial seat. But, the Blackwaters proved difficult opponents, and Salia's practiced grace and natural charm became a scalpel in the games of court. When Anjela du Berry made a state visit to Landreger with her father to win support for the Blackcrown cause, she was appalled by Paol and his allies treatment of their servants and her dear friend. The Staunchish cause suffered an embarrassing defeat when, in the midst of the dinner, Anjela stood up and announced she was throwing her support behind the Ermine cause of House Monforz, Blackwater's allies vying for the Ducal throne. Anjela, true to her word, remained in Letha as Salia's ally as the pair formed the Dragons of Dreger.Sexuality
Heterosexual. Salia is a romantic at heart, and is a secret fangirl of Courtly Love romances. Her favourite Trouvere, whom she met at Kastell-Paol, is Marie deCygne.
Employment
Salia is the nominal center of the Dragons of Dreger, an elite Ambaxtoi serving Kontelezh Dreger, although she most commonly defers to the more energetic and demanding Anjela.
Social
Hobbies & Pets
Salia enjoys music and gardening, and spends much of her free time in her family's private garden, where she cultivates roses, including an exceedingly rare blue rose, her personal botanical achievement.
Relationships
Wealth & Financial state
House Blackwater is one of the most powerful and affluent noble family's in Dreger, holding sway over the Barony of Dourdu, including the port cities of Kermaria and Montroulez. Sizeable income from agricultural, maritime and textile industries, bouyed by the wealthy julod classes, ensure that the House is well funded and accustomed to a high standard of living.
Species
Other Ethnicities/Cultures
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Year of Birth
1218 SI
21 Years old
Birthplace
Izareremua, Asturias
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Pronouns
She/Her
Sex
Female
Gender
Woman
Presentation
Feminine
Eyes
Goldenrod Yellow with slitted pupils
Hair
Cool black, with subtle blue highlights, usually styled in twin pigtails
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Tanned
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
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