Lilleth Elizabeth Snow
The only authority to which a king bows is a god's, and mine abandoned me long ago; I had to become my own god.
King Lilleth Elizabeth Snow (a.k.a. Lilly, Viper)
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Lilly's build awkwardly combines the two dominant strands of her heritage: athletic but slight build like an elf but shorter and with wider hips. Too plain to be a beauty and too strange to be plain, she ill fits in any company.
Facial Features
Lilly bears a heavy similarity to her patron and does all in her power to disguise this fact. She possesses defined cheekbones and a far stronger jaw than suits her generally elvish appearance, but it balances to a heart shape. By far the stand out feature of her face is her eyes: slanted, expressive, and intense.
Identifying Characteristics
A hard life begets a variety of scars... but the most significant is the brand on her left hip.
Physical quirks
Lilly is right hand dominant, light-footed, and well trained to royalty. She moves with a natural grace honed by her near century of experience as a warrior and is rarely off her guard. Her mannerisms are dictated by her early lessons - precise and generally polite but tinged with her own irreverence.
Apparel & Accessories
Her style alternates between two precise variations depending on her activity.
- Gowns in dark, rich colors made after a distinctly elvish fashion.
- Tunics in earthy tones and sturdy black pants designed for travel and activity
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Bio
Early Life
Long before dawn on a cold winter morning, a little northern town's local accoucheuse had successfully brought two beautiful daughters into this world --Lilleth Elizabeth Snow and her sister Veronica Snow. Like any mother would, Marie raised them supportive of their spirituality and curiosity, careful to never overwhelm them. Lilleth's childhood was typically carefree, of course excepting her sister's schemes or the end of a good book. Then, one innocent summer day was brutally interrupted by Urgal war cries. Veronica disappeared into the forest while Lilly ran back to their home; to their mother. Marie was locked in battle with five of the massive creatures and, in her efforts to save her daughter, was cleaved nearly in two. Riddled with fear, Lilly sprinted as fast as her tiny legs would carry her just out of sight and up into the concealing branches of a willow tree, where she passed the night as her home went up in flames. The next morning she was woken by the deep thrum of dragon wings as Galbatorix and Morzan circled down to review the conclusion of their planning. It did not take the skilled mages long to sense Lilly, drag her down, and listen to her account of the attack. A moment of humanity crept through the madman's rough shell when he heard his abandoned love's name. Ever a slave to his whims, he took the girl away with him. The forsworn were amused by the new addition at first, though they quickly grew bored and even resentful of the burden she presented. They were forced to watch this thing and train it to be useful as her father ignored her, so they lashed out in any way they could. She grew increasingly timid as her every word and gesture got harsher reactions, over the years not even speaking in full sentences. The only one that did not encourage this devolution was the newest forsworn member and her self-proclaimed guardian, Xanist. Xanist saw in Lilly a chance to raise the daughter that the riders snatched away. He encouraged her and taught her all he was allowed (even some that he wasn't). Though he remained unyielding around the others, when they were alone he found a genuine smile for his adopted little girl. She looked up to him but desperately wanted the one thing he couldn't give: an escape. As she grew older, her ability and eagerness to leave grew exponentially until she finally managed to escape into the surrounding forests. By pure chance, she stumbled upon a dragon egg (ostensibly abandoned when it’s courier fell to a forsworn attack) and the silent night was soon shattered by the scratchings and squeaks of the emerging hatchling. Though the force of their bond startled her, the presence of the second consciousness comforted the traumatized child and she huddled with the hatchling through the night, sharing body heat and curling their thoughts curiously around each other like winding clouds. The very next morning, Xanist recovered the frozen bean and (reluctantly) brought the development straight to her father. Galbatorix was informed immediately and he took a personal interest in her training, becoming both her master and her most fearsome tormentor.Fall of the Riders
Lilly witnessed Xanist's final struggle against two enemy riders. His arm came up moments too late to stop his foe’s sword from removing his head. Lilly reacted in a manic rage, slaughtering his killers like a savage animal before they could even register their new opponent. Then she remained, pouring out her hurt and loss in shuddering sobs over his cooling body until the sun dipped low in the sky and disappeared over the horizon. Within months, Galbatorix conquered Uru'baen, killed Vrael, and crowned himself King of Alagaësia. Suddenly, Lilly was expected to not only be an asset but also respectable royalty. The role sat uneasily with her, and she resisted her new responsibilities. The only thing she really enjoyed was the added leg room the capital provided. Galbatorix took a far keener interest in her activities, demanding to know her whereabouts at all hours of the day and smothering her with tutors of every kind. Despite the ceaseless attention, the new Princess had no one she could trust (save her dragon), and the years drudged by in dreary isolation.Romance and Rebellion
Anthony was a soldier, newly come to the capital. Lilly was a princess, newly brought to her station. Her father’s ills left her isolated, and his low origin made him clumsy to the perfumed lords he now served. Yet, they found what they craved in each other: the pleasure of human company. This humanity brought them close and kept them that way until humanity became understanding, understanding became comfort, and comfort became love. She admired his resolve, kindness, tenacity and purity of intention. To him, she was controlled chaos; a fire dancing gracefully as it deals out warm light… or terrible burns. They loved each other as simply, purely, and wholly as could be expected of two kindred spirits, and only ill fortune could have separated them then. The young paramours knew to keep their relationship secret as to not risk her domineering father’s wrath. However, Galbatorix had loyal eyes on his daughter at all times and it was a few scant months before their intimacy was revealed to him. He immediately had Anthony arrested on trumped-up charges of treason and sentenced him to death by beheading the next dawn. His final act of cruelty and brutal warning; he bade Lilly deliver the sentence herself. She never knew if he really had betrayed her, but she would still mourn him deeply for the rest of her life. Now embittered against her callous family, Lilly sought out opportunities to undermine Galbatorix's ambitions. Her father, however, wanted to use her limited ability to his advantage and sent her south to investigate the growing unrest therein. Instead of following his orders, she offered her service to these rebels (which would give her both her revenge and a chance to be close again to her long-lost sister). It was easy enough for the two to communicate with magic over long distances and, thus, pass crucial information from Galbatorix’s court straight to their allies’ ears. With this assistance, the rebels were able to carve out part of Galbatorix’s empire and create the independent kingdom of Surda. Though Verra was allowed to find her own place in the new land, Lilly was scorned and driven out as an oathbreaker grown by traitor’s hands. Burned by this excursion and insult, she remained faithfully in her father’s service as her rage faded to a dull acceptance over the long years.Forbidden for a Reason
The mad man got it into his head to seduce the spirited girl. She was suspicious and disgusted at first, but rare is the human that can resist the full, maddening attention of a charming king. He showered her with pleasantness unlike anything he’d shown before; gave her the first bittersweet taste of pleasure at his clever hands. He offered her warm support and tugged at her heartstrings so tenderly that she fell utterly within his spell. She enjoyed more authority and freedom than ever, and he seemed to find his center in her presence. In truth, he likely felt nothing meaningful for her at all. Lilly, the king’s esteem firmly in hand, was tasked with infiltrating Farthen Dur; a plan designed to take years of strenuous effort. Before her mission was finished, her identity was betrayed by one of her accomplices and she was brought before Hrothgar, the king of the dwarves. She was put to work in a prison mine until they could find a way to use her against Galbatorix. She would have remained there all her days had she not managed to murder her guards and escape back to the capital (nearly ten years since she had left). When she came home again, it was in the guise of a peasant. She presented herself to her father in front of all the court but, to her confusion and disappointment, he was outraged at the sight of her. Many more of his finest servants had perished in her near decade of absence and, with them, much of his sanity. In his twisted and tormented mind, she had abandoned him when he needed her. Lilly barely managed to preserve her place in his confidence, but he was lost beyond recognition to her and any intimacy they had ended without even a formal dismissal.Theives Guild
After years of having her new handmaiden around, Lilly finally noticed that her desk was often disturbed behind her back. Fearing betrayal, she decided to keep tabs on Felice and followed her from the castle all the way down to her true origins: the Thieves Guild. It was a barely formed group of minor pickpockets and thugs scratching out a living /beneath/ the capital itself, and the mysterious servant was not only their leader but had been using her position in the castle to plan bigger and more profitable jobs for her family. Far from rebuking her, Lilly decided to make new friends; control the under ground rather than let it consume her. With her dual-wielded, poison-laced daggers and deadly elven speed, she gained the name "Viper" and became Felice's unofficial lieutenant.Selena: A Doomed but Welcome Friend
Morzan didn’t even give a warning of his engagement before he introduced the remaining Forsworn to his new wife, Selena. The two women resolutely decided to disregard each other, assuming the worst, but, as their work and associates drove them together more and more, they saw more than they expected to see and ended up becoming close friends in the process. Lilly hadn’t actually had a friend in years, so she was fiercely loyal to the younger woman. Selena inevitably had to introduce her secret love to her stalker friend. Brom then served as Lilly’s contact with Aijihad and, through him, the rest of the varden. Despite their protests, Lilly refused to do more than spare innocent lives. This stance earned her no admirers, but between the two women many of Galbatorix’s plans fell short and the rebel group managed to make steady progress towards freeing the last egg. Little did anyone know that this very act would send so many lives into ruin. In the midst of their scheming, Selena discovered her second pregnancy and fled to her family’s home. Lilly only had the time to join her for the handful of days leading up to the birth, assisting as a midwife. The next time the two women spoke it would be on her deathbed with her eldest son snuggled between them. Lilly also had to inform Brom of his love’s fate; an act which immediately separated the already unfriendly pair completely.Fate's Fools
There was no chance that the young orphan would be neglected; he had a substantial inheritance and the blood of the king’s dearest friend. His greatest danger came from the court itself (many tried to use him in their petty plots) and his safety was technically Lilly’s responsibility. Between her efforts and that of Tornac, they avoided the worst … all but one. Lilly did her best to keep Murtagh alive and safe. She failed on many occasions, but he recognized one of his only allies for what she was. As he grew older, the two became dear friends. She passed on her resolute survivalism to her crimson shadow, and he gave her a reason to continue in her otherwise empty life. Murtagh, sworn to the king and thoroughly regretting it, asked his friend for advice. She told him to run… and he said he couldn’t. When pressed for his reasoning, he confessed having feelings for her. Without hesitation she rejected him and told him to flee the capital, an act which gave her a deep and painful sorrow.Cannon Plot Threads (Through Eldest)
The moment Galbatorix learned of Durza’s failure, all of his servants were mobilized; starting in areas close to the abduction site and spiraling outward. Lilly went straight for familiar territory; seeking out Garrow and offering to help on the farm in exchange for a roof. Once Saphira hatched, it didn’t take the woman who grew up around dragons (and knew Eragon’s heritage!) very long to figure out the whole mess. Between her and Brom, the four escaped Carvahall alive… though perhaps not unscathed. She went along with the renegade riders, observing Eragon’s growth and slowly gaining an understanding of/with Brom. Until, in Dras Leona, the ra’zac cornered her and offered a trade she could not refuse: they would give her Murtagh’s location (with just enough time to warn him of his peril) if she abandoned Eragon and Brom to their efforts. She took the deal, tipping off her charge and retreating for three days. Outside Gil’ead, Lilly ran into an unpleasant messenger: Durza. The shade smugly informed the princess of her precarious position with her father, of the plan to take the rest of the band captive (which he played off as already successful), and a set of orders from the king himself: she was to return if Murtagh was to survive. Cornered again - and frankly, sick of the back and forth threats- she complied. Spoiler warning for the end of Eldest.
Show spoiler
Murtagh’s abduction and her subsequent order to transport him was the ultimate insult to all involved. She willingly removed him from the Twin’s custody, but thereafter attempted to resist her oaths and allow him to escape. He refused to let her risk anymore for his sake and refused her offer. They returned to Uru’baen as slowly as they dared, but no amount of dragging their feet could prevent the inevitable.
She was then forced to watch and assist in the systematic destruction of the very person that gave her drive to live. First with the introduction of Thorn and then the binding oaths immediately following, she was completely powerless. Once he was returned to hospitable conditions, she tried to ease his suffering… but it was largely in vain. The horrors drove them closer, but also put an undeniable barrier between them: trauma he couldn’t help but associate with her.
Education
Lilly had a series of teachers throughout her life.
- Marie: Basic life skills,general education with emphasis on reading and writing
- Xanist: General Education (cont.), Beginings of gramyre
- Morzan: Primary combat trainer
- Galbatorix: Took over as Ebrithil once Katana hatched.
Current Location
Age
108
Circumstances of Birth
Younger of a set of twins to a single mother in the heart of winter.
Children
Gender
Female
Eyes
Naturally black, usually altered with magic to appear green
Hair
Naturally bone straight and void black. Alt: Red Curls
Height
5' 3"
Weight
145 lbs
Aligned Organization
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