#aetheon

Yanessa is a known conwoman, and she speaks with a working-class accent with her family when they're behind closed doors (presumably her natural accent, since she puts on a much more upper-class accent when speaking publically). She's also quick to drop any semblance of upper-class decorum in private. But she's familiar enough with the culture and politics of noble society to be able to play their games with great skill. If she was actually a bastard of the original House Halovar, I wouldn't be too surprised, especially if she was the only surviving member of the family following the Shaper's War.

However. I don't think she's a Halovar child born out of wedlock. I think she's not a Halovar at all.

The theory that Yanessa was originally a servant of the old Halovars who passed herself off as a Halovar following the extinction of the House in the Shaper's War ties back to a lot of the evidence I mentioned already. However, I think there's one more piece of evidence that may have been overlooked. One that could be the clincher in solving this mystery and proving this theory fact.

The ritual the Tachonises were using to create an angel of death doesn't work on Halovars.

Now. Initially, I had thought this might have something to do with the Halovars being Aasimar instead of humans. However, an Aasimar descendant of the human house of Halovar would still carry the bloodline of the priestly houses, which was (if I'm remembering correctly) the only major stipulation for the sacrifice required to make the angel. Also, Goddard, Wick and his siblings should be the only Halovar Aasimars, since angelic blood was only introduced to the family with Yanessa's child/children. Filoneus (and any kids he might have) could also potentially be part-angel - though if he is, he bears very little resemblance to his brother, which makes me think he and Goddard might be half-brothers.

(We also know that the ritual apparently doesn't work on sorcerers - or at least, not on Tachonis sorcerers, but based on the correspondance between Primus and Segundus, that might have more to do with their connection to the underworld than with their innate bloodline magic.)

Now, a bastard of the Halovar family may not be eligible for inheritance (under normal circumstances), but they would still carry the bloodline. King Gus was likely made king of Timmony because he was the direct descendant of the previous ruling lord. If the previous ruling lord had no other legitimate children who could inherit, then, bastard or not, Gus would still be next in line for the throne. The bloodline is what matters here.

The name Lloy is a reference to "alloy".

Zebani Halovar’s name is likely a reference to Zabniyah, angels called the “wardens of hell” who carry out torture on the souls of the dead.

Occtis is the eighth son of Primus. Primus or "prime" typically indicates "the first" and "oct" the eighth.

Ethrand being another Tachonis son’s name means the naming convention may be after gasses since "eth-" is a prefix within gasses, being the second. In this case "oct-" is still the eighth.

The name Bolaire could refer to bolar earth, which is a ferruginous clay purified by grinding in water and then decanted. Lethalia contains the term "lethal" and wearing the mask proves lethal for many.

Azune's name may be a reference to “azure” which is a term used to describe the blue of the sky, typically.

Wiccander is a reference to a candle wick. The piece of the candle that burns and produces light. Additionally, you can be “burned down to the wick”.

The last name Halovar includes the word “halo”

Felonious is possibly a reference to "filament". And also, yeah, felon.

Godard is pretty clearly a play on “god”.

Aetheon means “burning”, “blazing”, or “shining”. Could also be a reference to “aether” or “ether”.

Thjazi is the name of a god in Norse mythology who could could transform into a giant eagle. He had a daughter named Skadi.

Alogar’s name may be a reference to "allegory".

Hal and Hero play lyres. Hal now carries Thjazi’s weapon, the Liar’s Blade.

Vaelus wears a mourning veil at all times since losing her god, Sylandri, the goddess of life. (Personal note: I played an astral elf named Vela in a spelljammer campaign. Vela meaning "candle")

Could Mag’nesson be an allusion to “magnanimous” which means to forgive a rival or less powerful person?

Toying with the idea that Davinos is a play on "divine".

oh I am actually FULLY on board for them, I want a side game that’s all just her and her demon coterie breaking his ass out of the Halovar Hell Basement

Presenting, Lady Zebani Halovar.

Or, Whoops! I Got Attached to Another NPC Who Appears for One Scene with Two Lines of Dialogue! feat. Bonus Terrible Aspirant being Terrible.