Supreme General Althea Dragonbane

Supreme General Althea Dragonbane is the sovereign queen of the Kingdom of Grasynnia and chosen champion of the Red Knight, Goddess of Strategy. Known for her tactical genius and iron fist, she continues the Dragonbane dynasty's long legacy of martial supremacy and conquest.

Biography

Born as the second child of King Merxellis Dragonbane the Great and Queen Siana, Althea was not expected to rule at first, and therefore dedicated herself from a young age to the military arts, becoming an unparalleled warrior in the Order of the Red Knight, and serving in their ranks until she came of age. During the later years of the Zenith War, her father brought her into the Falchions, and gave her a contingent to command in the west while he personally continued the more important fight against the Kingdom of Dergeria.
During the war, Althea was known for being one of the most determined and awe-inspiring leaders the Falchions had ever known. She resented the title of Princess, and always insisted to be referred to by her military rank - those who ignored this would often feel her anger. Her military accolades include the unconditional surrender from and annexation of the City of Yearwood, as well as the annexation of Warsenfeld, the Garlondish offensive, and the creation of Gernet's Wall to keep the Senuan tribes at bay. By the end of the war, she had attained the rank of General, one of only a few, and was seen by her father and the nation as a popular, powerful leader.
After the end of the war, Crown Princess Phyllis vanished without a trace, and when the nationwide search yielded no result, Althea was suddenly elevated to Merxellis's heir in her sister's stead. When a few years later, the Strategist King passed away, Althea thus took the crown and was subsequently chosen by the Red Knight to also succeed her father as Her divine champion. At her coronation, she refused the title of queen, instead forcing the nation to call her Supreme General, in line with her wartime stance. She claimed that Grasynnia's war would not end until all of Galessia lay under its control, and that she would personally complete her family's mission. Due to her accrued goodwill during the war, many patriotic Grasynnians gladly support and swear their fealty to their Supreme General.
As monarch, her rule has been characterized by a strong and harsh rule of law, very little diplomacy, and few public appearances. Where many assumed that after her declaration at the coronation conflict would quickly ensue once more, this has not been the case, even when other factions have been slowly recuperating. The only exception to this is maintaining an iron grip on the puppeted Kingdom of Dergeria, where she has personally appointed known Dragonbane sycophant Wilfred of Engham as king. The Supreme General dispatches a considerable amount of resources and manpower to keeping the kingdom in line.
Twenty-one years into her rule, her long-lost sister Phyllis returned, explaining that the Red Knight had instructed her to disappear and let Althea rule in her stead. Phyllis's return was celebrated, and she has since become a prominent advisor of Althea's.

Personality

Althea Dragonbane is a curt, intelligent, and cold-hearted ruler, finding little enjoyment in the life of a royal and preferring to think of herself as a military leader. When in combat, she leads the vanguard from the front, and is often the most fearsome fighter on the battlefield. As chosen of the Red Knight, she wields divine magic and weaves it into her swordplay. She has been known to even carry out executions herself on occasion, such as the beheading of Governor Pitt, the last ruler of Yearwood.
A highly religious woman, Althea also takes her religious responsibilities seriously, often handling matters at the Grand Temple of the Red Knight personally. Financial matters and other aspects of governance are almost all delegated to her advisors. In general, the people of Grasynnia know: if the Supreme General gets personally involved in something that isn't military or religious in nature, you should be terrified, as she is not known for mercy or kindness.
Beyond this, little is known of Althea's private life. There are rumors abound that she has at least one child, since at age 49, she could not be expected to bear any children anymore, yet she needs to continue the dynasty. However, whether this is true, and if so, who the father is, is not commented on by any member of government. Any other interests or hobbies are similarly mysterious, though many assume she is just that single-minded, plotting away in the Royal Palace to plan the conquest of all of Galessia.

Althea Dragonbane

Supreme General of Grasynnia

State portrait of Dragonbane

Race
Human

Age
49

Birthplace
Hartmere