lennox, master of kinnies

some basic worldbuilding: the country of idris is an oppressive monarchical regime, set in a time about technologically equivalent to the mid-1800s. the universe exists on the same earth we live on, but is organized into entirely different countries than ours. idris exists on swedish, norweigan, finnish, and some russian territory. it is mainly governed by the alistair family monarch, the kaldaver family high priest, and seven other noble families. the vast majority of idris is fiercely loyal to the country’s polytheistic religion of halcyonism.

brief (enough) character descriptions

brinne alistair - twenty two years old, ruling monarch of idris. grew up resentful of the monarchy and its oppression, but after a traumatic rebel attack that came to be known as “artemis’s massacre,” she became so obsessive over her own safety that she couldn’t bring herself to care about the good of the people anymore. generally a cold and unstable individual who should not be trifled with, but she has incredibly nuanced feelings and beliefs inside. an artist at heart. prone to fits of mania and depression. betrothed to kori for political purposes, but has been adrian’s forbidden lover for years.

adrian kaldaver - twenty two years old, high priest of idris. resident poor little meow meow. knows a lot about halcyonism, but deeply insecure about his place in it and where he really belongs. complete wet noodle of a man who has net negative spine, but tries his best to do the right thing anyway. he has no direction and is manipulated very easily. actually smart, but his lack of confidence prevents him from being truly intelligent. getting involved with brinne at a young age greatly changed his perspective, and he would do virtually anything for her sake. not a virgin and he’s still freaking out about it after six years. betrothed to zuri.

rowen zeysra - twenty five years old, co-leader of idris’s underground rebellion. she goes by the alias “artemis” among revolutionaries, and only a very select few know her real name. extremely passionate about the cause, but can be callous and reckless. gets much more credit for the rebellion than evander, her brother and co-leader. the name artemis is feared throughout idris after her revolution’s massacre in the royal palace five years ago. trained knife-fighter, and very much a product of her environment. she’s gentle with the innocent, but reveals a sadistic streak from time to time. crushing on grace.

evander zeysra - twenty seven years old, co-leader of the rebellion, and rowen’s brother. goes by “apollo” among revolutionaries (see what i did there). not as famous as rowen, but acts as the architect of operation planning. an extremely level-headed and focused person. kind, too, although sometimes he worries he shows it too much. he serves as a major source of balance within the revolution. he’s the kind of crafty that’s perfect for a ren fair. wants a lot out of life and is okay taking his time to get there, so long as it gets done. great with his hands, but not in the way you’re thinking, perv. he’s aroace.

grace odessa - twenty two years old, firstborn noble of idris’s house of education. wholly aware that most of her job is maintaining state propaganda. secretly joined the rebellion after artemis’s massacre and natal’s death*. a tough person through and through, and an intellectual until the end. deeply idealistic, despite her skeptical personality. she’s much more scarred than she lets on, and has a very high tolerance for pain. hates lennox in particular. previously betrothed to natal, now betrothed to another noble. crushing on rowen.

lennox warryn - twenty two years old, firstborn noble of idris’s house of criminal justice. endlessly calculating and manipulative, a manspreader and a mansplainer. the entire noble court looks up to him--even those who dislike him for one reason or another. there are layers under his mask. he genuinely loathes both brinne and adrian for their political incompetence, and underhandedly assumes the position of regent when brinne goes through depressive episodes. he could crack at any moment from the amount of pressure he puts on himself, but he won’t. betrothed to nesrin.

zurielle (zuri) tessing - twenty years old years old, secondborn noble of idris’s house of agriculture. sweet and hard-working. one of the few nobles immune to the court’s cutthroat politics. head over heels in love with adrian, and is convinced there’s something wrong with her because of his lack of interest. no matter how hard she tries, she can’t seem to get close to much of anyone. a little desperate for attention at this point. betrothed to adrian.

nesrin theoris - twenty years old, secondborn noble of idris’s house of military forces. she’s serious, and sometimes harsh, but overall she acts in good faith. she isn’t especially powerful within noble court, but she uses her connections extremely wisely. an expert at accomplishing what needs to be done (unlike many of her peers). she dislikes social niceties, and will tell you what she thinks regardless of if you want to hear it. weird girl at heart with nowhere to show it. has a thing for lennox’s sister. betrothed to lennox.

alya volkotya - sixteen years old, refugee from the neighboring country of zaseov. fled to idris after her parents died from malnutrition and her older sister was killed in gang violence. she first despised idris for its religious oppression, and after being taken in by the revolution, has come to hate the country for nearly everything else as well. she’s gentle in appearance and nature, but won’t hesitate to resort to hostility when her wrath is earned. a good hunter and avid music lover. very cottagecore in general. dating zephyr.

zephyr siles - fifteen years old, ex-soldier of idris. grew up in the squalid slums of idris with no father and a neglectful mother. somehow maintained an attitude of unadulterated optimism throughout his childhood and enlisted in the military at thirteen years old, hoping to make something of his life. he had a mentor in the military who meant everything to him, but was discharged after he snuck into an armory and accidentally caused an explosion that rendered him half-blind. found the revolution while wandering on the streets looking for shelter days later. still desires only to be useful and fulfilled. dating alya.

finnovamina “nova” twyvek - twenty one years old, the heir to idris’s biggest press company. hates his family, hates the monarchy, hates idris’s religion. he’s really just a little hater boy. very interested in medical sciences, but has never had the opportunity to explore it. sometimes gets a little morbid in his curiosity. extremely socially awkward, but voracious for knowledge and what people have to offer by way of it. dresses like he has five bucks and a gum wrapper to his name, much to his parents’ chagrin. wears a signature scarf. joined the revolution because he believes in justice and also because he craves being a hater.

koriandarius “kori” twyvek - seventeen years old, pure golden child of his family. he’s friendly to all seven of his siblings, but feels the tension between himself and nova. not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but remarkably earnest. loves putting smiles on other peoples’ faces. craves approval and success. ecstatic to be marrying the monarch, both for his personal sake and for his family’s name. new to halcyon's castle at the beginning of the story, and acclimating to the brutal politics and interpersonal dynamics. betrothed to brinne.

vantamarial “vanta” twyvek - fifteen years old, fourth child to the twyvek dynasty. a generally emotionless, bitchy teenager who happens to be extremely devout to halcyonism. centers his life around worship and prayer because he has no inner life to propel him. his feelings of connection toward his family are only out of cultural/religious default, and he knows virtually no one outside his relatives and family friends. aspires to be a halcyonist priest one day, and is encouraged by everyone around him because they know he’s too bland to find other passions.

*natal maravei - dead, executed at sixteen. haunts the narrative a little. used to be grace’s fiancé from idris’s noble house of diplomacy. following artemis’s massacre, he tried to find the rebellion and join it, but was caught in the process and executed by brinne. a little shit when he was alive, but was always intellectually savvy and charming. daring to a fault, and was deeply convinced that he was destined for greatness. unlikely friend to lennox (lennox definitely did not have a big gay crush on him). his death serves as a symbol of brinne’s onset paranoia following artemis’s massacre, although different nobles believe different things as to whether her paranoia is truly justified or not.

here’s a link to my uquiz to find out which one of these guys you’re most like!!!

i have a fun little modern au where they all exist chilling in la as struggling slice of life adults :) i occasionally tag for it, but don't really talk about it. hmu if you're interested. honestly i just dick around with my little guys here and everyone is along for the ride.