Erengaar Valayne
The only son of Lord Emperor Emkai Valayne and his third wife, the Lady Empress Ildirale, Erengaar will inherit the throne when his ailing father finally passes away. Like his father, and his grandfather before him, Erengaar is politically savvy, ambitious, conniving, and more than a little spoiled. He is eager to ascend the throne, but smart enough to know what's required to keep it.
Vatra Inehl
The older half-sister of Erengaar, Vatra is the only child of Emkai and his second wife, the Lady Empress Thrayph. When Vatra was very young Thrayph was convicted of conspiring with a few of the other nobles of the court to overthrow Emkai and ascend the throne. She and her cohorts were executed for treason, and Emkai issued a new edict barring all of Thrayph's progeny from ever inheriting the throne. Even though Vatra was spared her mother's fate, she has always known that her position in the royal family is a precarious one, at best. Like Erengaar, she's well versed in the politics and machinations of the court. She and Erengaar have shared a physical relationship that they have kept secret for many years, but, as of late, her half-brother has been more abusive than loving. The fact that he will soon be lord emperor, as well as his recent engagement to the Lady Larewyn of House Tannit, has Vatra more afraid of the future than ever before. But she knows how to survive, and she will protect herself and her son, Jharek, at all costs.
Jharek Inehl
The only child of Vatra, twelve year old Jharek has been mostly oblivious to the politics of the royal court, thanks in large part to his mother. His father, an imperial senator, was killed by terrorists of the Shouk Drigald when Jharek was only three. Since then, Vatra has been extremely protective of her son, keeping him close at all times. While he does have a few friends his own age, most of his time is taken up with private tutors and his Skelperi instructor. (Skelperi is an ancient form of swordplay, taught to all young Jha'Drok men once they attain a certain age.) Jharek has left the imperial palace on only a few special occasions, and is thus somewhat naive of the outside world.
N'Ro Ryomekk
First Lovar Ryomekk is head of the Talik'Jhor, the crown's secret police that ensures the loyalty and protection of all citizens of the Imperium.
Sierik Grel
Vatra's cousin and one of the lords of the court. He, too, has a secret romance with Vatra, though it only came about more recently than her relationship with Erengaar. Unlike Erengaar, Sierik is more of a friend and confidant. He and Vatra grew up together in the court, and they share a bond that has been a source of great strength and stability for the lady princess.
The only son of Lord Emperor Emkai Valayne and his third wife, the Lady Empress Ildirale, Erengaar will inherit the throne when his ailing father finally passes away. Like his father, and his grandfather before him, Erengaar is politically savvy, ambitious, conniving, and more than a little spoiled. He is eager to ascend the throne, but smart enough to know what's required to keep it.
Vatra Inehl
The older half-sister of Erengaar, Vatra is the only child of Emkai and his second wife, the Lady Empress Thrayph. When Vatra was very young Thrayph was convicted of conspiring with a few of the other nobles of the court to overthrow Emkai and ascend the throne. She and her cohorts were executed for treason, and Emkai issued a new edict barring all of Thrayph's progeny from ever inheriting the throne. Even though Vatra was spared her mother's fate, she has always known that her position in the royal family is a precarious one, at best. Like Erengaar, she's well versed in the politics and machinations of the court. She and Erengaar have shared a physical relationship that they have kept secret for many years, but, as of late, her half-brother has been more abusive than loving. The fact that he will soon be lord emperor, as well as his recent engagement to the Lady Larewyn of House Tannit, has Vatra more afraid of the future than ever before. But she knows how to survive, and she will protect herself and her son, Jharek, at all costs.
Jharek Inehl
The only child of Vatra, twelve year old Jharek has been mostly oblivious to the politics of the royal court, thanks in large part to his mother. His father, an imperial senator, was killed by terrorists of the Shouk Drigald when Jharek was only three. Since then, Vatra has been extremely protective of her son, keeping him close at all times. While he does have a few friends his own age, most of his time is taken up with private tutors and his Skelperi instructor. (Skelperi is an ancient form of swordplay, taught to all young Jha'Drok men once they attain a certain age.) Jharek has left the imperial palace on only a few special occasions, and is thus somewhat naive of the outside world.
N'Ro Ryomekk
First Lovar Ryomekk is head of the Talik'Jhor, the crown's secret police that ensures the loyalty and protection of all citizens of the Imperium.
Sierik Grel
Vatra's cousin and one of the lords of the court. He, too, has a secret romance with Vatra, though it only came about more recently than her relationship with Erengaar. Unlike Erengaar, Sierik is more of a friend and confidant. He and Vatra grew up together in the court, and they share a bond that has been a source of great strength and stability for the lady princess.