#solange codex

an overheard conversation about your OC

a letter written by your OC’s family member

a report written by your OC’s teacher or mentor

a letter from your OC to their love interest

letters between two of your OC’s companions about them

someone describing a time your OC helped them

someone describing a time your OC hurt them

your OC’s doctor/healer talking about their injuries

a future historian’s account of your OC’s actions

a description of your OC by someone who hates them

your OC’s description of their game’s events

your OC overheard while drunk

transcript of an interview with your OC

your OC talking about your favorite quest

a letter to your OC from a companion they haven’t seen in a while

a conversation between your OC and their best friend

a description of your OC’s family by a future historian

"As a follower of Shelyn and court historian of Cinderscrip, I consider it a sacred duty and honor to restore the official portraits of the older ruling families. In my years of service, I have rarely seen one hold up so well as this, of the founding royal family.

"There are several reasons this could be, ranging from greater care given due to Queen Solange's signifigance and legacy, display in an area that shielded it from sun damage, or an enchantment placed by the artist when it was painted. The most persistant belief, however, is the rumor Queen Solange I and her family carried some sort of deific blessing. Not unheard of, when one has done great deeds in service of a god or goddess. And the sum total of familial accomplishments bears that out at least somewhat.

"Everyone is familiar, of course with everything Queen Solange and her companions accomplished in the establishment of Cinderscrip as a barony and then its expansion into a kingdom. The monsters slain, the Season of Bloom weathered and solved, the barbarian incursion, the clashes with Pitax and efforts of the nymph Nyrissa to undermine an destroy that were thwarted. Likewise, I'm sure you're all familiar with Prince-Consort Tristian's role as companion, betrayer, and then companion again owing to our founding queen's love and good grace. A redemption he neither expected, nor wasted, if tales of his future devotion are any indication. Now, can anyone list for me accomplishments from their children? No volunteers? I'll excuse it seeing as you're a fresh crop. But sweet Shelyn, tell me you at least can pick each out in the portrait? Even if they all inherited blond hair and golden eyes, surely they can be told apart.

"Prince Elion? Yes, correct, the tall one, standing in mirror of his father beside the throne. Now, this postion was simply due to being eldest, as the queen was adamant all her children be trained in all aspects of leadership and the best suited inherit the throne. Prince Elion took well to the military strategy and logistics from early on, led the army in several successful campaigns to defend the borders when threatened and always seemed to have a head for which resources could and should be spared for various towns or cities. Whether due to being firstborn or some other reason, he most strongly showed the dragon blood inherited from his mother, which made him cut quite a sight leading the troops; hair tied back, dragon and sun on his breastplate brass scales of his heritage curling from eyebrows to cheekbones. He did eventually become heir to the crown, but only after showing a thorough grasp of leading a kingdom and care for its people.

"Princess Arora's skill at diplomacy still is the stuff of legends, and her reforms to many functions of city life remain in use today, ushered by her heart for the people she served. They dwarf even the reputed beauty she inherited from well, both parents. She was quite canny and charming in equal measure, and used these gifts to strengthen the communities of Cinderscrip, earning the loyalty of many. No small number hoped to see her succeed her mother as queen, however, she had no interest in ruling, even before her romance with the envoy from Qadira, which is the stuff of wholly different legends. There is some evidence of a... fractious relationship with her mother during the early stages of this romance, but those fade and stop long before the princess married this foreign suitor and opted to live in Qadira with him. If any of you have read a sensationalist novel of romance between royalty from nations at odds, that would also be her lingering influence.

"Princee Matteo was born several years later--yes, he is very attractive, please save your whisper and pay attention, that's actually relevant--and unlike both his siblings, was perfectly happy staying in Emberheart, never caring for travel. He was very close with both parents, particularly drawn to Sarenrae like his father, and had a head for money like few seen since. He completely revamped the treasury and tax systems with reforms that met near-universal approval before his twentieth birthday, and shortly after became a priest of Sarenrae. This caused no small stir, as many had been eyeing him as a political or love match. Joining priesthood, of course, didn't carry bound vows of celibacy, but it removed from succession of the throne, disappointing many. And his devotion to Sarenrae was such he semed not to care for... pleasures of the flesh, disappointing the rest. Also. unlike his siblings, there is no mention of him marrying, or even a paramour of any sort. Whether this means he never took up with anyone, or they simply managed to avoid historical record, has been hotly debated for decades.

"An accomplished family, all around, who did much undeniable good for this kingdom right close to its founding, which gave us the strong start and solid foundation we still enjoy today. Any questions?"

a conversation between your OC and their best friend

"Hey, Linzi, what makes you pick some of the words you use?"

"Hm?"

"I read the draft of your chapter about, um, the abandoned keep and defaced sister and Tristian and I'm not trying to get you to change anything because I know you won't. I'm just... curious what made you phrase things the way you did?"

[skeptical, probing] "...Anything in particular?"

[fidgets] "Just general wondering."

"It really depends. Sometimes I feel strongly about a person or event and have words in mind to describe them. Sometimes I just get in the flow of writing and the words that come as the first association I make with what I'm recording. And sometimes I get stuck and have to ask Octavia or Jubilost for suggestions."

"Mmm...."

"Sola. What're you really wondering about?"

"I told you, why you write things the way you do. I know how hard it is phrase things just right for edicts and speeches and those don't usually get remembered as lo-"

"Solange."

"I... [sigh] the way you described Tristian right before we came home.... was that...?"

"Look, Sola, first of all. I'm stil furious at him and kinda want to kick his shins for all the harm he did and tryin' to destroy Cinderscrip when he helped build this place and knows what it means to you. Being brutually honest, I don't think I would have forgiven him. BUT. I am sworn to be honest on the pages of this book. An' it was pretty obvious on his face, he still loves you."

"..."

"What you wanna do with that under the circumstances, that's your call. I'm not making the choices, just recording them."

"..."

"... [deep sigh] You still love him, too, don't you?"

"...Yeah."

"Guess that's your answer to your real question."

a letter to your OC from a companion they haven’t seen in a while

Dear Sola,

I hope you enjoyed your honeymoon! And that everything is well in Emberheart. (The new regent seems quite good at her job) Sorry I missed your return, but I'll want to hear all about it when we see each other next. Reg and I got a tip about a Technic League caravan looking shady near your north-western border and went to scare them off, turned out to be more involved, I'll tell you about it when we see each other. Short version, I talked him into following them a bit before we do anything because they're collecting slaves. Longer we wait, more we can free. So far I've been able to keep him reined in. You know how he is.

But that's not my main reason for writing: I found the darlingest shop in Brevoy! It sells cosmetics, jewelry, other accessories, and the owner has an arrangement with a nearby tailor who makes the prettiest dresses. They were genuine works of art, Sola. II couldn't afford those--we were in a hurry anyway--but I did get you a little something. Call it a welcome home present. I know you can't really leave again so soon after a long trip, and I'm busy, but at some point we'll have to make a girls' trip. I think we'd have fun! And you'd love this place, they have every kind of jewelry wih every kind of gemstone, or just simpler things in silver or gold. The clerk was charming and helpful, and I'd love to visit together someday.

All my best, Octavia

your OC talking about your favorite quest

Even with everything I've done and seen since coming to the Stolen Lands, my favorite thing so far is easily when I went to the Inconsequent Debates with Jubilost and Linzi. I've been sworn to secrecy about some parts of it, but I got to meet a fey who wasn't trying to destroy everything I'd built and there was an adorable kobold who wanted to be dragon. I hope he did, eventually. And Jubilost got... some information to help him understand why the gnomes left the First World. Sure it was a riddle, but he's smart, and surely he didn't expect a straight answer from a fey. And he figured it out later and got to crow about his intellect some more, which always makes him happy, so really it was a win.

transcript of an interview with your OC

~Thank you for taking the time to speak with me, Your Grace.

~Of course! Your request was so polite. I do have to warn you, though, Linzi insisted on recording the conversation. For posterity.

~Linzi would be...?

~The furiously scribbling halfling off to the left, yes.

[Linzi waves, goes back to writing]

~Well, I suppose that's as good a segue as any; who is she to you and why is she doing that?

~Oh, Linzi's one of my first and best friends! Also my biographer. We met at Jamandi Aldori's banquet commissioning those of us seeking a barony. She was looking for an adventurer whose journey she could chronicle and picked me. She's very fun to talk to, and I appreciate her dedication to recording everything, savory or not.

~Why were you seeking this kind of adventure, if you don't mind my asking?

~[laughs] Oh, not at all. I'm the third youngest of seven in a Taldan noble family, and grew up hearing stories of my great-great-grandfather's heroics and adventures. I decided I wanted to go on one of my own. It's also, despite being a bit risky, a good way to secure my future; having a holding like Cinderscrip. Prospects back home were a bit thin and boring, so being a baronness was enticing, I can't lie.

~Enticing enough to leave a fairly comfortable life in Taldor, from all reports. What would you say was the biggest adjustment, leaving that behind to rough it in uncharted territory like this?

~Sleeping on the ground. The others were very gracious about my ... lack of expertise cooking, and I'm decent at adapting to an unusual sleep schedule so I can take a watch. But the first night I had to sleep in a bedroll? [laughs] I've never missed my featherbed so much. I've mostly adjusted by now, through experience and necessity both, but there's no denying I miss my bed when we're out.

~No shame in enjoying creature comfort, Your Grace. Everyone has them. Wha's been your favorite part of the experience?

~Oh, the new friends, definitely. [beams] I'm closest with Linzi and Octavia, but I'm still friends with a bunch of the rest of them, as well as some of my other advisors, like Jhod or Kassil.

~A 'bunch'? Not all of them?

~[wrinkles her nose] I can't be friends with everyone, and some of them have... deeply held beliefs at odds with some of mine. I can work with them, but we're never going to be close, you know?

~Mm, true, I suppose. Admirable you can put aside differences to work together. Now, we've covered friends, we touched on... more difficult relationships, the burning question for many will be: do you have a paramour?

~Hm? [blinks, shifts]

~A 'someone special', Your Grace. A lover?

~[deep sigh, cuts a glance to the left] Did Linzi put you up to this?

~Hm?

[Linzi shifts and studying the rafters with rapt attention, darting glances at the conversation]

~Never mind. She's been badgering me for weeks and doesn't like it when I play coy. I don't know if I'd go as far as lover yet, we're not to that stage, but I am... developing feelings for someone, yes. I'd not been planning to be bald-faced about it until he and I had things... more sure. Trying not to jinx it, you could say.

~Ah. Well, then, I'll not ask for a name, but if you had to describe him in three words....?

~Kind, shy... [bites her lip, thinking] beautiful

~Interesting choices.

[Linzi is grinning, scribbling something extra]

~[smiles] If you met him you'd understand.

~Fair enough. Let's see.... Are there any projects you have in progress for your barony you;d like to talk about?

~Oh, yes! We're restoring the old Taldan silver mine, and my court alchemist--not the one who's my treasurer, the other one, Bokken-- is experimenting to create a rejunvenating potion, something that helps restore your energy during hard work. And there's the festival Octavia and Tristian are planning! That's in... two more months and by Aroden's signet I can't wait, it sounds like it's going to be so fun.

~That's a lot to look forward to for a young barony. It will be interesting to see if things turn out as well as you're hoping. I'm sure you're veyr busy, with all these happenings on the horizons, so I'll take my leave.

~That's all you want?

~Mm-hm, this is just for a small flyer about the new baronies in the Stolen Lands. I'm headed to Varnhold next. We're just looking for a small... personality sketch of what you consider important, how you got here, those sorts of things. Thank you for your time, and your answers.

~Oh, you're welcome. Tell Maegar I said hello when you talk to him.

your OC overheard while drunk

"No, no, L'nzi. 'M not makin' this up. He actually said that an' thought it would impress me! Twelve year ol's aren't int'rested in warhorses 'cept as horses. I didn't care about formtions or successful campaigns, I cared about how pretty the main charger's mane looked and how bad I wan-ned t' pet it.

your OC’s description of their game’s events

Oh, Aroden's eyes, I hardly know where to start. [laughs] This was definitely more than I expected where I struck out from Taldor, but it's still been fun. For the most part, at least. I wouldn't dare call the Season of Bloom fun; that's disrespectful to all the people who died. But camping, traveling, making friends, building a barony into a kingdom? I did have fun doing that. More than I would have sitting home, eavesdropping coucil meetings and attending other people's parties. No new conversation and always the same crowd. I would never have met someone like Amiri or Jubilost or Ekun at a Taldan soiree, never gone to the First World, or fought a lich, or... or even encountered a troll, let alone dealt with a chieftain.

I wouldn't have forged the alliances I have, and I-I don't know if [her fingers brush over one of her rings, white gold set with citrine and opal] I would have fallen in love. Oh, my mother and older sister--and various other associates--tried to 'find me someone', but I'm too far down the line to be worthwhile to any but the most desparate social climbers in Taldor. Not the sort I'd want, and because I'm, we're, so far down the line, my parents didn't see the sense of forcing me into misery. So I was free to pick my own beau. [laughs again] Can't say I expected to find I'd aimed quite so high as a deva. And while, yes, the rumors of his... role in the Bloom are true, mostly, that has been forgiven and recompensed as much as is possible. He's gone to almost excessive lengths to make amends, and will always carry the guilt, regardless, I think. So I don't add to it.