Estelle von Roland

Crown Princess, First Rose of the Garden Estelle Katherine von Roland (a.k.a. Hermit Princess)

Troublesome and obstinate, Princess Estelle von Roland, also known as the Hermit Princess, came into adulthood lost in childish fantasy and ancient history. While she initially showed aptitude in her schooling for political debate and legislative fervor, as soon as she completed her mandatory two-year term in office, the would-be-sovereign retreated back to that solitary castle tower, with her equally ineffective father King Oliver the Distant to protect her.

- Royal Biographer, Archivald Baladi

Daughter of heroes, caught in a world of conflict, and in her hands she wields the power to shape history. It is not lost on the young monarch that what becomes of her lifetime will define not only the destinies of countless others for generations to come, but that her decisions lie solely at the edge of international diplomacy and the ever looming specter of total and civil war, whichever comes first.
That said, with all that obligation at her doorstep, if you were to ask Estelle yourself she would tell you that the cogs that move the wheels of society are bigger than any one person can stand to bear, and that the words she says and the words she mean often share only the semblance of commonality. For Estelle, the trappings of politics was a battle she has no interest in, and at best, begrudgingly accepts because to deny it would plunge the world around her into uncertainty and chaos.

Author's Note:

Eingestahl is an industrialized low magic, high tech world with a 1940's aesthetic. Radio, electricity, and sometimes television are daily pleasures around the world and international trade and migration is common, though the distances between settlements and inequity in development can make just a few miles different appear at a stark contrast.
For their part, the Rolandite naval machine allows the Empire to reach around the world at a moment's notice, and this edge allows Roland to have a presence globally that their Irohan rivals cannot compete with. That said, while pre-modern history is embroiled in war, battlefields were centralized towards the Avarician continent, where vast and untold caches of ancient relics remain to be discovered. Both the Irohan and Rolandite sides wish to exploit these resources in order to gain an advantage over the other.
High magic does exist, and is far more common in other isolated parts of the world where the tendrils of the first world have yet to reach. Relics such as Estelle's sword possess immense power allowing her to fight with a superhuman ability. Elsewhere, magic is most often used in electrical fixtures such as lamps and batteries. Despite most high magical relics being weapons, modern technology such as mechanized walkers and battleships have rendered the power of any one individual, even a powerful magician, somewhat stunted in the face of a modern army. Those that stick out as remarkable in the face of battle go on to be revered legends.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Estelle is in good health, having practiced swordfighting most of her life, but as she stopped a few years ago, she is often surprised at how her body has lost its vitality from her younger days. Owing to the mystical nature of Aberdeejian swordfighting, and her magical sword Stormshadow, Estelle is able to fill the gap and propel herself with superhuman strength and agility, but this only lasts so long before she has to rest.

Body Features

Estelle has a slender, short frame and long legs, which enhances her figure, but compared side by side to others makes her look even smaller.

Facial Features

Rounded cheekbones, a low jawbone, and a pointed chin form a full reverse bulb shape around Estelle's pointed button nose, subdued smile, and sharp, piercing eyes. Estelle's gaze stands out, as if to invite a challenge, highlighted by the light color of her eyes and focused pupils with thick eyebrows resting on top. Estelle also has a beauty mark under her right eye. Estelle is abysmal at hiding her emotions in her face, and will often reveal her feelings unless she is trying hard not to.

Identifying Characteristics

Estelle's hair forms a bell shape that cuts in at the base of her pelvis. Owing to her short temper, as her hair flails about when she gets angry she is often described in snide remarks as resembling an octopus.

Physical quirks

Estelle is right handed, but can use a sword ambidextrously. Reflecting of her direct nature, Estelle walks quickly, at a forward and direct pace as if to spear through the air, but can also pivot and curve her posture to weave through a crowd. Estelle is present minded, and positions herself to try and maintain awareness of her surroundings at all times. For example, Estelle will stick to the wall of a room, but if she has to cut through the crowd she lines up her movements as if following a thread pulled through the bodies in motion. This is a habit Estelle has kept so long that for her its natural, giving the appearance of a relaxed, calm posture, but her eyes betray the deception.

Special abilities

Estelle is adept in Aberdeejian swordfighting, a rapid, powerful fighting style thought to describe a snake's lashing strike with a particular focus on the use of powerful sweeps and cuts with little thrusting.

Apparel & Accessories

Estelle dresses in a simple office chic, with strong, dark colors and a wide hemmed skirt. Her sword is fastened with a travelers' belt with a wide ended loop buckle.

Specialized Equipment

On her hip Estelle carries the Stormshadow, a long Aberdeejian styled saber with a rich cherry wood scabbard, crimson cording, and gold fittings. The original owner of Stormshadow was considerably taller than Estelle, so as a result the sword is oversized for her and hangs down past her knees. Additionally, Estelle carries a small, discreet handheld radio phone, reserved exclusively for members of Aristinian Garden society to communicate quickly and remotely and a pair of fencer's gauntlets.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Estelle's father, King Oliver von Roland , held a largely private personal life following his coronation, and even after marrying Katherine von Silphi in 1880, Oliver still kept to himself even from her. Through the end of the The Roland-Irohan War in 1885, he held company only with his trusted advisors, Edward Crowley and Marcus Foxwood Jr.. After the birth of his daughter in 1887, Oliver began to distance himself from even Ed and Marcus, and would take the young princess to read storybooks in his private library. Oliver's fondness for his study soon took to Estelle as well, and even as Oliver's body began to fail him and his trips to his library lessened, Estelle often wandered the halls all on her own at all hours of the night.
At the age of 8, Estelle began to learn Aberdeejian swordfighting from Edward, who learned it in his homeland, the Free Cities of Aberdeen. Edward had a son of his own, but due to outlander prejudice in the Rolandite capitol, as well as his own personal family troubles, Edward regarded Estelle as a surrogate niece, and lived with Estelle and her father in the Royal Castle while his own family moved to @Millward . As Estelle grew into a young adult, she invested herself in the junior political circle that dominated the social ecosphere of her alma mater, the Royal Academy of the Rose Garden. There she worked alongside her cousin Sophia von Gebler, and childhood friend Gene Corte to forward political causes on behalf of Gene's sister, Carol. Upon graduation, Estelle was rewarded the title of First Rose of the Garden, a coveted position held for the most tenacious junior politician over a period of 4 years. However, in 1905, while on deployment to oversee the Rolandite invasion of Ilsbard, her mentor Edward Crowley died under mysterious circumstances. While Estelle initially led an effort to investigate the death, the Garden Legislature largely avoided to pursue to the topic further. Estelle completed her mandatory two year term of office in 1906, and has largely exited the public eye for the last five years.
Notably absent Estelle's childhood was her mother, Katherine von Gebler-Roland. While at a very young age Estelle and her mother were close, quickly after Estelle began to spend her time torn between schooling, swordfighting practice, and wandering the halls of the library, that relationship began to strain. As Estelle came into adulthood, the two would bicker constantly about their differences in opinions on politics and the direction Estelle intended to take her life, that their relationship fell to the point that they largely stopped talking to each other except under the most formal of circumstances. Estelle's mother Katherine had the social graces and aptitude to navigate the Garden courts, but while Estelle could put up a face, her resolve to stomach the diplomatic circus would wilt, and Estelle would quickly run away to go read a book or duel with Edward's other students.
After the death of Edward Crowley however, Estelle has largely held to the private tower in the royal castle by herself.
In 1911, Estelle was chosen by the Garden to represent the Roland government in the Si'vali capitol of Si'veras, over a thousand miles from her home in Aristia. Estelle resigned herself to this fate, and currently sails past the ruins of Ilsbard.

Gender Identity

See: Gender Binaries and Sexuality in Aristinian Culture 
Estelle identifies as a woman, her assigned gender at birth, she uses she/her pronouns.

Sexuality

See: Gender Binaries and Sexuality in Aristinian Culture
Estelle identifies as heterosexual.

Education

Estelle attended primary school in the Royal Academy of the Rose Garden, until transferring to the St. Aristia del Baelsar Upper Row Secondary Academy for secondary school until the age of 20. Already withdrawn due to the death of her mother and mentor, Estelle attended university at the Artel del Baelsar University of Maritime History, where she obtained an Understudy's Degree in History, which was something she was already familiar with to begin with.

Employment

In Estelle's school years, she worked as a Junior Legislator in the parliment office of the Upper Garden, but found the day to day machinations of bureacracy a drain on the soul. As a result, while Estelle was able to carry through a handful of successful arguements, she was often content to just attach her name to the work her cousin pushed through.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Estelle's public accomplishments include a campaign to provide relief to the city of Millward, following a vicious fire that tore through the largely Irohan and Outlander neighborhood districts, known as the Long Afternoon. In private, Estelle considers herself to be considerably adept at world history and Aberdeejian swordfighting, and begrudgingly can carry herself in a political shark tank though her patience for it is exceptionally short.

Failures & Embarrassments

Estelle and her father both have reputations as ineffective leaders, and Estelle herself is known to sway whatever direction her far more connected cousin tends to go, so long as it means she can avoid needing to go to the floor herself. This combined with her penchant to stay at home has earned her the nickname "The Hermit Princess".

Mental Trauma

After the death of her mother, whom Estelle had already suffered a fraught relationship, and very shortly after concerns of foul play were dismissed by the Garden Courts, Estelle's mentor Edward Crowley took Estelle with him on a late night trip to a remote outskirt south of the capitol city. There, in front of Tao, Claribo, Gene and several of Edward's other lieutenants, he forced her to execute the person responsible, her uncle, the head of the von Gebler family.
She initially refused, Estelle thought Edward had concocted an elaborate test but Edward remained steadfast in his resolve even as Estelle's father, Oliver von Roland, emerged unescorted from the capitol and demanded Edward release the accused man on penalty of death. But as Edward and Oliver squabbled and Edward's lieutenants tried to stop them, the Gebler head begged and pleaded for Estelle to show mercy.
Gene, who had mostly stayed quiet, emerges to behind Estelle's shoulder and remarks,

And here I thought something was going to change around here...

- Gene Corte

As the others bickered, Estelle cut the Gebler patriarch clean through, and although Oliver was furious the entire incident remains a closely guarded state secret. Though the damage it caused to her relationship with her father remains a wide gap between them.

Intellectual Characteristics

Estelle is intellectually very sharp, with a quick wit and keen power of observation. While she may not speak often, her mind is always churning and her eyes are always watching. Unfortunately, this can often result in Estelle underestimating others, thinking that she has them figured out just by her own assumptions.

Morality & Philosophy

Estelle is prone to contradict herself, holding views of tolerance and acceptance of others, while also having a callous disregard for those she has deemed an opponent or a threat. For example, she is generally accepting of non-heteronormative lifestyles, but has refused to advocate on their behalf in the courts in order to sway other political ambitions. Estelle enjoys a fair fight, but will calculate and exploit weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the heat of a fight. While Estelle puts forth a cool and charismatic face, and there is a bit of truth to that, she is also a solitary and isolated being.
In some respects, Estelle feels that she has to accept what she has done, such as killing her uncle, but even a decade later she still wrestles with the memory of that action. Estelle's philosophy is to move ever forward, and to push through until her body gives out, but that often leads to her failing to see the world and people around her.

Taboos

For better or worse, Estelle embodies many of the same taboos as are common in Aristinian society, these taboos are often centered around a perception of decency and report, with things that would cause one to lose face or embarrass themselves to be of particular scrutiny.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Estelle appears in Khandha without explanation, with the equally unexplained Felix Crowley fast in tow. The two of them are traveling together back to the Roland capitol of Aristia, though they won't go into why.
Behind the scenes, Estelle is using the opportunity to see the Si'vali outback, and search for an adventure to write down that she can look back on as she prepares to take the throne and surrender from her private hopes and dreams. She is also pursuing those she thinks may be responsible for her mentor's assassination, though her justification for that is somewhat flimsy.

Savvies & Ineptitudes

For as much as it makes her sick, Estelle is gifted in engaging with others with an agenda in mind, manipulation and verbal debate, the negotiation of information between adversaries. Estelle is also a talented fencer, and possesses a textbook knowledge of one-sentence summaries of historical events. That said, she is also lousy with hiding her emotions through her eyes, and needs to focus intently to not key off when she's hiding something.

Likes & Dislikes

Tea, with a touch of honey, and more sugar than she would admit publicly, Estelle also enjoys contemplating world history to the point that her eyes light up as she talks about it. As well, Estelle loves to duel, the rush of moment to moment back and forth sends the adrenaline pumping, to the point that she will go out of her way to fight fair even in situations that don't call for them, if it means extending a good fight even longer.
That said, despite her own use of social subterfuge, she detests indirect or deceptive practices, and can be exceedingly reserved with her commitment if she thinks things are being carried about dishonestly.

Virtues & Personality perks

At her best, Estelle is strong willed, resilient, and puts forth everything she has until the very end if it is a cause she believes in. Estelle is also kind, light hearted, and tries to seek out the best in people and listen, rather than talk. Estelle is just, fair, and tolerant, more so than other Rolandites her age.

Vices & Personality flaws

Estelle would admit that her responsibilities as a stateswoman don't align with her own personal aspirations of adventure and exploration. She recognizes that her disinterest already causes problems for her responsibilities, but Estelle's arrogant and sure attitude prevents her from acknowledging that she is not suited for that kind of responsibility, she insists she can both be a free agent, while also being the best leader for her country. Just as well, Estelle relishes in combat, and has trouble expressing joy in much else. As a result, she has a strong, bordering obsessive competitive edge.

Personality Quirks

Estelle tends to rest on one leg as opposed to standing up straight, and slouches in chairs to the point of almost sliding out of them. When irritated, she will also click her tongue to make a "tch" sound, a trait she gained from Edward.

Hygiene

Estelle showers daily, is quick to clean up for herself, and carries multiple pairs of socks and other hygiene items in her belt pack just in case.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Additionally, Estelle can boast a considerable network of contacts across Roland high society, including the Corte Company, the Millward City Council, members of the Molobello Manufactory, and the Rolandite Outlander Dragoon Knights, Rolandite Kingsguard, and Garden Knights. Whether or not these contacts feel their relationship is as mutually solidified or not remains to be seen.

Family Ties

Estelle's closest family ties are with her father, Oliver, and Oliver's closest friends Edward, and Marcus. Estelle's mother was distant, owing to events early in Estelle's life that drove them apart from each other, a rift that they were able to mend just before Katherine was assassinated in 1905. While extended von Roland does exist, they are distant and removed even without considering Oliver's intention isolation.
The notable exception to this is the sister family, the von Silphi, of which her cousin and confidant Sophia von Silphi is a member.

Religious Views

Estelle is not of the religious nature, but at the same time the leading religious institution in the The Kingdom of Roland is a library, and those that actually worship the saints as religious deities are uncommon as a whole. Rather, the The Royal Papal Library of Roland Historycontend that the Predominant Event, that is the progenitor event that brought the First Explorers to the planet of Eingestahl is established fact, and to presume any further extends past the realm of history, and is thus not worth considering. Estelle doesn't know if she believes exactly that, but it's something to lean on in those more lonely and listless nights.

Social Aptitude

Estelle can command a strong charisma and social presence, when needed, for a limited time in situations where she's under stress, but otherwise she can be reclusive and only let in those she's particularly comfortable with. Once those walls come down however, Estelle is friendly, funny, and a good listener.

Mannerisms

Estelle tends to stick her feet on the ground and shift on her ankles, switching between leaning on one leg or the other. This shifting can make it seem like waves are riding up from her feet to the top of her head.

Hobbies & Pets

Estelle keeps a garden of flowers at the tallest spier of Castle Van Roland, poised to take in sunlight from sunrise to sunset, and she appreciates a good book and a good duel.

Speech

Estelle uses short, sharp phrasing like a knife in conversation. She's quick to boom her voice to grab a room's attention, and speaks with a slight Garden inflection, resulting in a wavy pitch and heavy use of vocal fry.

Wealth & Financial state

Estelle has access to the bulk of the von Roland family coffer, in excess of 16,000,000,000B, however she can be somewhat frugal with a keen financial sense, almost stubbornly so.

Alignment

Chaotic Good

Current Status

On a diplomatic mission to Si'val.

Current Location

Ilsbard

Currently Boarded Vehicle

HSF-87A "Rhongomyniad"

Species

Human

Ethnicity

Aristinian

Realm

Eingestahl

Church/Cult

The Royal Papal Library of Roland History (Religion)

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Her Grace, Crown Princess, First Rose of the Garden

Age

24

Date of Birth

22nd of Belon, 1887

Birthplace

Aristia

Family

The von Roland Family

Parents

Oliver M. von Roland

Katherine E. von Roland-Silphi

Current Residence

Castle Van Roland

Pronouns

Her/She

Sex

Female

Gender

Female

Presentation

Feminine

Eyes

Small sapphires with a dash of icy white color with small, focused pupils. Estelle's eyes invite confrontation, with thick eyebrows slanted downward, so that even her resting face seems to evoke an intimidating aura.

Hair

Long, down to the length of her lower back with a shimmering platinum hue. Estelle's bangs are sloped behind her head to form a neat braid, while the hair on the back of her head forms a slender bell shape behind her.

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Pale from an infrequent relationship with direct sunlight, but behind that is a rosy, peach skin tone.

Height

5'6"

Weight

155lbs

Quotes & Catchphrases

For as long as we’ve been traveling together, I didn’t think we’d ever see common ground before last night. But I think I finally understand a part of myself that I feel connects us.
I think we’re are a cursed breed.
With as little thought as we use to touch the wind, the land quakes under our footsteps. To you and I, the world is nothing but fleshy bodies and dry kindling, and our penance is only that we live aware of how effortless our actions truly were. And yet, though the weight of that fearsome powerful is never far from my mind, I still find myself unable, or unwilling, to entertain an alternative.
To tell you the truth, I’m actually excited.
There is a voice that speaks to me at times — it uses my voice and my words, but it beckons only at times when the road I walk finds itself at a crossroads. Even should I be so fortunate that guidance comes from down on high, it compels me to go the other way. When a passerby suggests a finding, I seek to disprove it. Where others make the reasonable decision to avoid conflict, I choose to dash toward it as fast as I can.
If the fates have ordained to not give me an adversary, I’ll go to find one.
I’m wired for it, predisposed to rival and obsessed with the rush of combat. So many battles to fight, so little time. Challenge calls and I always listen.
This macabre dance is certainly a rhythmic addiction. My only real goal is to assert myself, to place my feet on the earth and proclaim to the world that I hold this ground. That I am what happens here — but with so much world around us… conflict is inevitable.
In this instance we find ourselves with the semblance of a moral high ground, and it’s not like I didn’t at least attempt to persuade her out of it — but it is not lost on me that my justification is as sturdy as a light breeze.
And after all that, in these moments before we cross the threshold… I can still only try to contain myself. I know its awful… but I can’t help it. Come what may, at least the decision was my own.
You feel the same way, don't you?

- Estelle to Felix on the eve of assaulting the Farreach Military Airfield

Belief/Deity

Aristinian Orthodox Historicism

Aligned Organization

The von Roland Family (About)

Other Affiliations

• The Kingdom of Roland

Related Myths

• The Way of the Void

Known Languages

Aristinian Common (Fluent) Aristinian Gardenspeak (Fluent)

Appears in...

• The Princess and the Thief

Character Prototype

Direct prototypes:

• Elhaym Van Houten (Xenogears)
• Falis/Alita Forland (Murder Princess)
• Milla Maxwell (Tales of Xillia)
• Y'shtola Rhul (Final Fantasy XIV)
• Alisaie Leveillure (Final Fantasy XIV)
• Arcueid Brunestud (Tsukihime/Melty Blood)
• Artoria Pendragon (Fate franchise)

Indirect/aesthetic prototypes:

• Kuwabatake Sanjuro (Yojimbo/Sanjuro)
• Kuroda Jubei (Red Sun)
• Sasaki Kojiro (Fate franchise)
• Kikuchiyo (Seven Samurai)
• Samuel Rodrigues (Metal Gear Rising)