Winifred, Freifräulein von Bischoffsbaum
Winifred Bischoffsbaum is a noblewoman from a newly established but wealthy house. Her parents died when she was young leaving her older brother Kaspar to care for her and the Bischoffsbaum estate. She is a troubled young woman who has experienced some health issues, and sometimes doubts her sanity. From a very young age, some family members and servants have whispered that her red hair is a mark of magical powers, and that she would grow up to become a witch. This has caused her brother much worry, though he has striven to make an advantageous alliance with the house of Horstkopf by marrying her to the Margrave's second son Vilaris, thereby considerably raising the prestige of the Bischoffsbaum name. Winifred feared that she was cursed, and would cause untold harm to the family name, but she acceded to her brother's wishes and traveled with him to Schloss Horstkopf even as she sought for a way out.
Shortly after arriving, the Margrave's wife Alama died in childbirth, and Kaspar redoubled his efforts to conclude the alliance. Soon the Margrave's third son, Sigisar, arrived for the funeral, and offered himself as another potential match to Winifred. His older brother Vilaris had a checkered past - a fact confirmed by Kaspar - but Sigisar had a spotless reputation and seemed to be giving up a chance to enter a holy order to do right by his family. As she considered her options, Winifred found support from unlikely quarters - she befriended another noblewoman, Narcissa Krokus - a relative of the Margrave who had been staying at the castle. She also found an understanding ear from the Margrave's brother-in-law Renfrid - an elderly knight who seems to have some magical talent. Renfrid promised that with time, the unpredictable surges that Winifred experienced would subside, as she learned to control them.
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