Broggnottii of Balluuraa: Empress of Caddreikk Urkenthest.

Empress of Urkenthest. Broggnottii Balluuraa

Upon her reluctant ascension to the throne Broggnottii was given control of an empire in ruins. For years Urkenthest had groaned under the weight of discontent, rebellion, and atrocity. Her father's death at the hands of an Elven assassin widened the cracks still further, causing a handful of ambitious clans to mount insurrections of their own. Each desperate bid for power weakened the authority of the Imperial throne a little more.
In her time as part of her father's personal guard she had visited the war room on many occasions. In the days following her coronation it seemed she would never leave it. Broggnottii inherited a dying empire, and it was her task to restore it to life, not through the mercy of a healing salve, such methods had lost their efficacy long ago. Her only options (as presented to her by her counselors) were surrender or war.
Nowadays she rules a fragment of her former domain. Her enemies press her forces back, year by year, and talk of insurrection within the Imperial court itself has begun to circulate... there are even rumors of a second assassin. Broggnottii wades in a churning sea of chaos, kept afloat by a diplomatic tongue and a warrior's discipline, but woefully unprepared for the turmoil yet to come.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

As first imperial bodyguard then warrior empress, Broggnottii has made sure to keep herself in peak physical condition. Her strength and swiftness are the stuff of local legend, and her skill at arms is unquestionable. Shorter than some but broad-shouldered and muscular, Broggnottii could not be a more obvious athlete or warrior if she tried.

Body Features

Full-figured and strong, Broggnottii's body is a mighty fortress of bone, blood, and sinew.

Facial Features

Broggnottii has a strong a jaw, a small nose, cheekbones that are neither low nor high, and dark, expressive eyebrows. Her ears lie unobtrusively close to her skull, and her eye are neither deep-set nor protuberant. Of course it is worth noting that much of this is rendered invisible by her traditional Urken mask, a masterwork of silver-white wood carved with scenes from folk tales and myths.

Identifying Characteristics

Broggnotti may be identified by her distinctive mask and Suurikaa, both of which are suggestive of royalty and power. If she has shunned such garments for one reason or another, it would be useful to study her body language, which typically bears some resemblance to a coiled viper: apparently relaxed, but ready to strike at a moment's notice. Other than her impressive physique there are few ways to reliably distinguish her from an average Urken noble-woman.

Physical quirks

Broggnottii's eyes bear a slight crust of green crystal around their edges, a result of an ineptly performed stone charm.

Special abilities

Broggnottii has the ability to cast a variety of different stone-based spells. Some of them are focused on offense, like a mild stone-curse or a heavy-limb hex. Others have more utilitarian uses, such as allowing Broggnottii to see great distances by using crystals to focus her vision or giving her the power to adhere to steep stone surfaces. Apart from dabbling lightly in star-magic and a couple flame hexes Broggnottii does not have many other spectacular abilities apart from her martial prowess.

Apparel & Accessories

Broggnottii's mask is her most frequently worn item of apparel, with the rest of her body covered by an ever-changing array of loose trousers, light tunics, and Suurkiaas. This last item typically consists of a long ribbon of heavy fabric more than six inches in width. It can be wrapped about the human form in a number of different ways, forming a variety of garments from a single piece of cloth. Cloaks, coats, belts, over-shirts, dresses, and other such articles are routinely created via the precise arrangement of a Suurkiaa. Officially Broggnottii should be seen wearing the Suurkiaa of Urkenthest at all times, as it is her primary badge of office as empress. This ornate item is crafted from the finest silk in blue, gold, green, and white. Sometimes the colors interweave but at other times they dominate the Suurkiaa's entire width. Many such sections are sown with designs reminiscent of waves, wheat, sands, trees, grass, and snow-capped mountains. These represent the vast and diverse scenery found in Urkenthest.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

In Broggnottii's relatively short existence she has gone from being a quiet dreamy child to a martial arts prodigy to, to both royal guard captain and diplomat, to empress. Donning the Suurikaa of Urkenthest at nearly thirty years of age, she rules as the competent yet reluctant monarch of a crumbling empire. She remains unmarried, having never found a lover that suited her, and without children, Broggnottii makes a prime target for any of her more ambitious courtiers or siblings. However she was not named as the captain of the Wyrm-Coil Guard without merit. Broggnottii is a skilled general, a masterful negotiator, and an expert on personal security. Her father was never a fighter, always preferring the pen in place of the sword and the psychic missive instead of a cannonball, but she isn't nearly so passive. Broggnottii was unable to stop the assassin that cut her father's throat, but hers will be guarded much more closely.
Broggnottii, ever a secretly compassionate soul, finds herself identifying strongly with the rebellious peasants her monarchy opposes. She must decide if she will surrender her power to the masses by establishing a republic, hand her empire over to the Vuukkelldii (peasants) entirely, or redouble her efforts and win this war of attrition. She must also consider the opinions of her vassals. If she turns Urkenthest into a republic will she be forever hunted her former courtiers? If she hands the reigns to the mob will they strangle her with them? Can she win this war, or will it bring a dark and bloody end to her glorious empire? Such are the questions that torment her, day and night without relief. In the end, only the future can say which path finds the sweetest berries, but we must choose one before it arrives.

Gender Identity

Although Broggnottii does not do many things some other cultures would consider womanly, she takes no issue with being labeled as such. Urkens place no particular importance on either biological gender, and often disregards gender entirely, referring to individuals by gender-neutral terms such as Urken, Vuuk, etc.

Sexuality

Urken culture is accepting of almost any sexual orientation and has no taboo against pre-marital relationships so long as all participants are willing. As a result it is common for youths to engage in sexual behavior freely and openly, flitting from one encounter to the next without any unpleasantness. Such was very much the case with Broggnottii. For although she was more withdrawn, even after gaining a modicum of confidence, she was never as flirtatious as many of her siblings. She preferred to let her relationships develop more slowly, creating a stronger bond between herself and her partner. However this method was not only slower but also resulted in more painful separations, making new relationships difficult.
It is likely that this more personal means of finding a lover explains why Broggnottii never found one she truly loved. Sometimes she came close, but always there was a glaring fault in her lover's personality or character that drove them apart. To this day Broggnottii will tell anyone who asks that she all her past lovers have: "lacked a certain spark.".
Broggnottii has also never been one to use her sexuality as a weapon, or as a means of placating a rival. In her mind: weapons are for war, and placation is best achieved through words.

Education

As a member of the royal family Broggnottii was tutored extensively on many subjects. These included: mathematics, history, linguistics, martial arts, literature, science, and magic. Despite the efforts of her teachers, Broggnottii was rarely considered above average in most fields of learning save languages and combat. In such areas she excelled, mastering eight different tongues by the time she was nine and becoming proficient with twice as many different fighting styles. It was this aptitude for warfare and translation that earned her a place in the Wyrm-Coil Guard.

Employment

All children of the royal family are required to take up some position within the imperial court, with heirs encouraged to work close to the current emperor or empress so they might learn the intricacies of ruling an empire. However the Wyrm-Coil Guard (the bodyguard of the imperial ruler) is an organization that demands more than a connection to royalty. It's members are selected for their skill at arms and mastery of tactics, not the political influence of their families. This makes Broggnottii's appointment all the more impressive, an achievement surpassed only by her eventual elevation to Wyrm's Tongue. Holders of this title function as the Guard's leader and typically communicate any requests or concerns it may have to the imperial monarch.
Broggnottii was twenty-nine when an elven killer took her father's life. After considering self-imposed exile to atone for her failure she agreed to take the throne. Donning the green, gold, blue, and alabaster Suurikaa of Urkenthest brought her no pleasure, no sense of contentment nor accomplishment. To her it was yet another duty to be performed, one she swore she would not fail.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Despite her lackluster performance in most academic fields Broggnottii is and has always been a skilled linguist and a nigh peerless warrior. These skills earned her a place in the Wyrm-Coil Guard, a position that put her in command of the emperor's legions when she was not at his side, and safe-guarding his life when she was. As the leader of his personal protectors she was privy to his meetings with advisers and envoys from foreign powers. Her immense linguistic talent proved indispensable in these latter scenarios. In her time at the emperor's side Broggnottii learned a great deal about the world. She found a way of reading those she spoke to, and discovered when it was best to guard her tongue and bide her time instead of lashing out. She became a wise and conscientious diplomat, augmenting her father's significant talents and helping him secure a a long and peaceful future for Urkenthest.

Failures & Embarrassments

Broggnottii's upbringing was awash with failures. She failed to outdo or equal her younger siblings in fields such as mathematics and science, she failed to find a lover in the ranks of the nobility, and she could not seem to stop instigating brawls (drunken or otherwise) whenever she left the imperial palace. However, her greatest failure came in the form of her father's assassination. She was the commander of his personal guard, it was her job to give her life for his if necessary, and when the time came she was unable to save him. He breathed his last in her embrace, his severed windpipe trying in vain to deliver a final message. Although she did not hear him, Broggnottii's linguistic abilities made her more than capable of reading his lips, but she has never revealed what they had to say. In addition to the shame she bears for failing her emperor in his time of need, Broggnottii must now also carry the burden of suspicion and mistrust. Her father's killer was only seen by scattered few, and there are many more that believe the elf was merely a fabrication, and that Broggnottii herself was responsible. These rumors, coupled with her previously pugnacious behavior have given Broggnottii a violent and treacherous reputation amongst the peasants and nobles of Urkenthest. What remains of her empire now views her as a strong yet bloodthirsty monarch, and her every action is seen through a lens of perceived aggression and tyranny.

Mental Trauma

The fear of inadequacy has haunted Broggnottii since she grew old enough to know it. This dread has been reinforced at every turn. Each disappointed tutor deepened it, and the dismay of courtiers urging her to find a lover made it greater still, but it was her father's death that gave it true power. Warfare and the martial arts had been in Broggnottii's bailiwick for years and had been joined by her new-found wisdom and knack for diplomacy. However the successful nature of the emperor's assassination and the fact that it had been ordered in the first place meant both had failed her. She had been more than a guardian to the late emperor, she was his eldest child, his heir, and she had stronger ties to him than any of her siblings. Yet she had always felt like a disappointment. He never said she was, she received his full support in everything she did, and she could count on a warm smile, warmer hug, and open ears if she went to him with her concerns. Emperor Trriilaan of Balluuraa never missed an opportunity to express the pride he felt for his heir, but she never felt she deserved it. In her mind, nothing she could do would ever be worthy of the praise he placed on it, and she was doomed to fail when he needed her most. An unfortunate prophecy.

Intellectual Characteristics

Broggnottii was never considered clever as a child. Her mind reacted slowly to new situations and new problems, while her tongue obstinately fumbled and it's way through any attempt at a quick response. In her early years she was a shy. quiet child with a habit of drifting off in the middle of conversations, her thoughts unfocused and dulled. All that changed after her first session in the training yard. Nothing came to her quite so naturally as fighting. Hands, feet, knees, elbows, staves, swords, spear, maces, axes, and guns, she allowed no weapon to go unmastered, no form unlearned, and no opponent to go undefeated. Once she learned the motions her mind was no longer needed, replaced by instinct and muscle memory. Languages filled a similar niche for her. Although the syntax was challenging, her mouth soon became accustomed to the words and phrases of each new tongue, filling in the gaps when her memory stumbled. These new-found talents imbued her with a rash confidence. In the years following her education she would grow wiser and less impulsive, learning much of the way of the world.
Broggnottii is a fiercely energetic individual, every emotion she experiences is keenly felt by those around her. Every task laid before her is pursued with the utmost vigor and determination. She has become increasingly more guarded after taking the throne but those who knew her remember a time when she could be brought to laughter as quickly as tears. Broggnottii was easily the most approachable of her siblings, for her pugnacious facade concealed a kind heart, overflowing with compassion and empathy. It was often said of Broggnottii that she was as glad to receive another's pain in some shadowed corner as she was to inflict it in the training yard. It is likely that her capacity for understanding emotion and motivation contributed to Broggnottii's success as an envoy later in life.

Morality & Philosophy

Urken culture is riddled with paradoxical and contradictory teachings: It demands that Urkens wear masks so they might be judged by their actions instead of their appearances, yet much of Urkenthest's nobility wears finer clothing and grander masks to denote their power and importance. Urkens are taught that humans of all genders, ethnicities, and sexual orientations are equal, yet Caddreikk Urkenthest still operates under a rigid class system that places groups with political power and royal blood above those without. All her life Broggnottii has been forced to acknowledge all these teachings as true whilst obeying only half. Despite her kindness and gift for empathy, Broggnottii has lived much of her life in the shadow of the throne. That shadow cast all those beneath it into darkness, painting them as small, insignificant specters, faceless, and without ambition. Broggnottii's interactions with such people were fleeting, for they were like beings from another world: alien and aloof. Curiously, it was only after her ascension to the throne that Broggnottii was able to rise above it's shadow. Only then was she able to see with clarity the damage her behavior and the behavior of those like her had wrought. Every poorly chosen word or carelessly flung fist returned to her a hundred-fold, and for most it was far too late to make amends.
Broggnottii has always believed that people deserve to be treated as people, not as objects, and certainly not as possessions. She regrets the years spent in ignorance, the decades of her life when she did not see the people of Urkenthest for what they were: downtrodden, disregarded, taken fore-granted. Even as one war rages at her borders, another, fiercer conflict has sprung up inside her head: the crown against the people. Should she give up her throne and establish a republic? Would it be better to reassert her authority over the Vuukkelldii (the peasant class) before seeking to make things right? How would the nobility react to either option? If she proposed the establishment of a democracy would she lose what support she had or would they pounce upon the idea, grabbing what power they could and leaving her out? For years these questions have vexed her, but now she is all but decided.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Broggnottii wants more than anything to do what's right for her people. For years she ignored them, viewing them like half-people, mindless specters laboring in the gloom. Upon her ascension to the throne she saw they were so much more than that. They were down-trodden and stunted, as far from inequality with the nobility as the sea is from the clouds. Before becoming empress, Broggnottii was only concerned with those who lived inside the imperial palace, and with her father most of all. It was her task to guard him, to aid him, and to ensure his rule continued without contest... she failed. But that failure opened her eyes, letting her see the failures of the imperial decrees she had sworn to uphold. Now she looks to right the wrongs of monarchs past, to reconcile herself with a once alien people.

Savvies & Ineptitudes

Broggnottii was never a skillful mathematician, nor was she any great historian, scientist, painter, writer or baker. Numbers and letters rearranged themselves before her eyes, and no matter how long she tried to memorize a recipe or significant event she always came up empty. Her mind always seemed to move too slowly for biology or chemistry, and every work of art she tried to make ended up as little more than a facade, a false front with no meaning or emotion. One of her greatest agonies during her childhood was having to say "I don't know." over, and over again. She was the eldest child, the heir. Everyone (her siblings included) expected more from her than from any other child, and to her horror she found she often had less to give.
Broggnottii's life led her from one disappointment to the next. That is, until she stepped onto the training yard. It was there amidst the racks of blunted weapons and padded armor that she found her calling. Although she was still young and lacked the strength of her elders every hilt and haft flowed smoothly through her hands. Each blade weaved and danced like an extension of herself. After a time she began to miss the weight of her training gear when she wasn't in it. Her hands felt empty without so much as a dagger in them, and long dinners invariably gave her a bad case of the jitters. When she wasn't practicing with weapons she was learning to climb, leap, and twist through the air like an acrobat. And when she was exhausted physically she would meditate, attuning her mind to the sources of magic, practicing spells by candle-light. Broggnottii found at an early age that she had an affinity for learning languages, with new words easily memorized and syntax proving to be only a moderate challenge. Some unreliable sources say that Broggnottii also has a beautiful singing voice, but this has never been confirmed.

Likes & Dislikes

Broggnottii has an abiding love for martial arts, sports, and athletic activities in general. She is documented as one of the few monarchs of Urkenthest to spend almost a quarter of their day engaging in some form of physical activity. Despite her confident and open demeanor, Broggnottii is also quite introverted and relishes time to herself when she can get it. She never had many true friends during her childhood and has even fewer now, but she takes pleasure in conversing with those she has. Broggnottii has also found solace in arcane meditation, connecting to sources of elemental power and clearing her mind of all else. She also heartily enjoys her meals, typically taking large portions to satisfy her aching muscles.
Long meetings (a necessity for on in her position) are irksome to Broggnottii, as are the endless pages of statistics and messages that come with them. After seeing her people clearly and walking amongst them for a time she finds the nobility hard to stomach. Their pompous disregard for the general population and it's desires irritates her most of all, as it contradicts highly revered Urken ideals. Very likely it is only her diplomatic experience that keeps her composed during council meetings and other, more casual discussions. More than anything, Broggnottii hates doing the wrong thing, or worse, being unable to do what is right. She has had to bow before the decisions of her council members too many times, issuing decrees that favored them and no others. She wonders to herself: "How much longer can I put up with this?", but that is an answer only the passage of time will reveal. Broggnottii also has a well-known hatred of reading. For her it is a slow and tiresome process that always seems to give her a headache. She isn't particularly fond of spending time with large crowds, but unfortunately she is an empress and is obligated to do so.

Virtues & Personality perks

Broggnottii is kind, empathetic, and generous. She dedicated most of her young adulthood to serving others besides herself. First her father would tell her to do so because she would one day have to serve the people of Urkenthest. When she became the captain of his personal guard she did so because his safety and success were her primary concerns. After his fall she did so out of a determination to avoid yet another failure. Although she is often guarded when in the presence of courtiers, when she is finally free to express herself Broggnottii is a font of pure and unbridled emotion. No feeling is tempered by courtesy or shyness, and there is no topic she will avoid through fear of the sentiments it might unleash. She is as quick to share in another's pain as she is to delight in their happiness, but always has the fortitude to pull herself together when the time for misery has passed. Like-wise, she is eternally concerned for the physical and mental well-being of her close friends and will stop at little to comfort and aid them. Broggnottii is also surprisingly principled for an Urken noble. She believes in upholding the rights of every group, regardless of wealth or social standing. Likely the only thing preventing her from establishing a republic where all have equal say is fear of her fellow nobles. For though she is a masterful tactician and combatant she knows all too well she would be lucky to survive a coup if one rose against her. Broggnottii spent a number of years as the captain of her father's personal guard and gained a great deal of diplomatic experience as a result. For though a low-ranking bodyguard may be concerned exclusively with the protection of their master, a guard captain (particularly one who is also heir to the throne) can be of great assistance during negotiations. Broggnottii's skill with languages aided her a great deal in this role.

Vices & Personality flaws

Broggnottii's uneasiness when still, coupled with her dislike of reading has rendered her less than knowledgeable on a variety of topics. There have been occasions when her advisers have convinced her to approve a decree without fully understanding the consequences involved. Also, despite being fantastic at detecting lies and subtlety and discerning their true meaning, Broggnottii is not as proficient when it comes to creating her own falsehoods or sly gestures.
While still young and exceedingly active, Broggnottii's habit of consuming mountainous platters of food may catch up with her in time if it goes unchecked.
Broggnottii is also prone to being quick-tempered when tired, frustrated, or hungry. This led her into a number of violent altercations during her youth and still sometimes sees her lash out at those in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Broggnottii has frequent difficulty when engaged in active debate as her mind often moves slower than her opponent's. She is no less intelligent, but her wit is far from keen.
She has a s,oldering hatred for the majority of nobles that clutter her court. Her dislike is well hidden most of the time, but if caught off guard she can behave in a most ignoble and undiplomatic way. It is likely that such outbursts have cost her many allies made just as many enemies.

Personality Quirks

Broggnottii's eyes are incredibly emotive, with a single glance often being enough to discern her mood. She is prone to practicing dagger forms with her cutlery in an absent-minded fashion. Additionally, she has been known to reflexively dodge or catch flying objects that enter her personal bubble, even if they are entirely harmless or have nothing to do with her. Broggnottii scans every room as she enters it. The movements she employs to do this are slight but she never relaxes until after completing a full visual sweep. This reflex was likely fostered by her time in the Wyrm-Coil Guard and became all the more important when she was named empress. Broggnottii is excellent at detecting lies but unused to hiding her recognition. Her eyes tend to harden and narrow when she suspects someone is not being entirely truthful.

Hygiene

Being the empress of an empire that still holds onto some remnant of it's power and prestige, Broggnottii cannot afford to remain sweaty, dirty, or tired for very long. So although she may be drenched with perspiration after training, her shoes caked in dust and sweat, these conditions are remedied shortly thereafter by the palace's servants. Broggnottii takes full advantage of her position when it comes to grooming: her hair is washed and styled daily, baths are made ready for her at any time of day or night, and skilled sea mages are always ready to rejuvenate her skin.

Social

Social Aptitude

Broggnottii was shy and quiet for most of her early years, only gaining a modicum of confidence after discovering her ability in the fields of athletics and martial arts. This introversion has carried over into her adult life, along with a slightly lethargic mind and duller than average wit. Although her manners are exquisite (as expected from an empress) she is occasionally prone to outbursts of violent or otherwise unseemly behavior when irritated or weary. Broggnottii's charisma comes mainly from her empathetic nature and diplomatic aptitude, as she is withdrawn and reclusive by nature.

Mannerisms

Martial arts find their way into every aspect of Broggnottii's life. If she isn't practicing in the yard she can be seen absentmindedly using a fork imitate various dagger forms, or scanning the faces of those she speaks with like the face of an opponent. Broggnottii's hands are rarely still. They gesticulate energetically when she speaks and fidget if she remains stationary for more than five minutes.

Hobbies & Pets

Although she has a known love of animals Broggnottii does not typically keep one of her own. She reasons that she wouldn't have the time needed to feed it, care for it, and appreciate it to the extent it deserved.
In terms of hobbies Broggnottii has many, with her favorites being the martial arts, acrobatics, and minor spell-casting.

Speech

Broggnottii's voice is deep and rich, refined by years of speaking with foreign dignitaries and people around the palace. She has been known to stumble over the odd word every now and then. However she has learned to carry on speaking when she does so instead of compounding the error by repeating the misspoken word. Her accent is very much like the accent of most Urken. If she were to say something in English she would draw out her vowel sounds and place unneeded emphasis on consonants, likely rolling her r's as well. Her dialect is quite evidently Northern Urken, which means she tends to exaggerate the vowel-based suffixes at the end of her words and say Urken with an "I" prefix.

Wealth & Financial state

As the empress of a formerly large and influential empire, Broggnottii has access to considerable wealth, despite the losses Caddreikk Urkenthest has suffered at the hands of the Vuuk. Her nation has been on the verge of asking foreign powers for money or support several times, but on each occasion something or someone has ruled against it. Some say that requesting funds would make them look weak and invite attacks from opportunists, whilst others believe Urkenthest should stand or fall based on it's own merits and it's own earnings. Broggnottii, who frequently considers surrendering the country to the Vuukkelldii regardless often sets herself against the idea of incurring debts or attracting the attention of other nations.
Due to it's ongoing war, Broggnottii's nation invests much of what it gathers in it's military. As a result Broggnottii has undisputed control of what many consider the best equipped and trained fighting force of the known world.

Alignment

Neutral Good.

Species

Humans

Ethnicity

The Urken.

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Empress of Urkenthest and all Urkenthestine nations, Blood of the Uniter, Protector of the Vuukkelldii and Shield of the Clans. These are the traditional titles of an empress of Urkenthest, and Broggnottii bears them all, even though most of the Vuukkelldii have rebelled and more than half the clans have gone with them. Additionally, Broggnottii holds the rank of Wyrm's Egg within the Wyrm-Coil Guard. This position indicates her as the individual the guard is tasked with defending and grants her complete control over it's actions.

Current Residence

Luubrattall.

Gender

Female.

Eyes

Emotive green.

Hair

Long, curly, and black.

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Brown as dark caramel.

Height

5'8"

Weight

155 lbs.

Aligned Organization

Caddreikk Urkenthest

Ruled Locations

• Luubraattall