THE LAIRS OF THE COUNCIL OF SAGES 6: ĒRIA'S LAIR

Hook: Bridge Town has grown in prominance on the frontier of Calibor next to The Wilderness. The Erämi, though they are reluctant to claim full alliance with anyone, have honoured the agreement put forth in The League of Four Crowns, which includes the Caliphate of Asham, Calibor, the tribal lands of Antŵra, and the wild Erämi. The elves stayed away from any agreements, remaining in the depths of their wild forests, but, it was guaranteed, if the need were great enough, the elves would emerge to defend the lands from aggression. They needed no binding terms to know what was right, much as the Erämi claim. The mountain gnomes also remain hidden away, save for rare instances when they emerge to travel the lands to gather greater knowledge of the world to use in their making. The League agreement has proven to be a good failsafe against the forces of evil, as Xoár and the Strixians have continued to prove troublesome, but, manageable. Enough of a threat to remain watchful... The Marcher Lords, Taryŵnish purists responsible for watching the thin western border of Calibor, have been left to their own wild devices building fortified villages along the frontier to keep watch on any invading forces and to indulge their own civil strife between clans. The Crown simply requires them to assemble and answer its call, during times of war and great need. The northern clans living in the Marcher Wolds and southern Hundred-Headed Mountains, are lesser royalty, marcher lords, knights, lesser chieftains and governors, in charge of fortified villages on the frontier. The southern clans, two larger political entities, The March of Tŵrk, and the March of Mabinŵg, are ruled by marks, a title equivalent to Lumenorian princes (minor nobles and military commanders), or Caliborian lords, or chieftains. The Lumenorian purists rule militarised mercenary units as tacticians and mercenary princes, who make their money as guards and leaders hired to lead as generals, specialised foot soldiers, and elite cavalry in times of war. It is by this uncertain backdrop that the Mark of Mabinŵg, Bryŵn, has grown increasingly suspicious of one of the local wizards, Lŵgon, upon hearing rumours of his gathering forces in The Wilderness, and finding evidence of those same forces ambushing caravans on the roads. It may be that he is planning a coup. The Mark has sent word throughout town that he desires a group of individuals go to Lŵgon's lair, find him, and bring him back to Bridge Town for questioning, and, if he does not wish to return, they are permitted to deal with him, as they please. Any goods stolen from local craftsmen are to be returned, should anything be found.

Details: Ēria is a Lumenorian. She is young for her power, dreamy and, some say, slightly mad. Even Uronos thinks she's not entirely present, most of the time. But, she is intelligent, and skilled with magical procedure. She is very quiet, soft-spoken, dresses in blue, wool robes. Her large, vacant eyes are dark as rich earth, but filled with a glittering quality that makes her seem much more alive than she acts. Uronos took her in when her people, a community of Lumenorians living in northern Calibor, were sure Ēria was some kind of monster. She was often found torturing anyone or anything in quiet, manipulative ways. She was not very communicative as a child, but, would speak cryptically of the future and speak to people directly about their lives, unbidden, often cryptically. Uronos foresaw tragedy, when he stumbled upon the girl. He agreed to take her under his tutelage, to keep her safe, and train her to use magic, and her mind, so she wouldn't lose what mind she had. Her focus was so strong, she quickly excelled. She even exceeded many of Uronos's other apprentices, at a very young age.

Ēria learned how to be self-sufficient, but, her calm demeanour is near-devoid of emotion. She doesn't understand how people feel. She is a thinker, and has gained methods and skills from her master to help her control her naturally dreamy mindset. She serves Uronos as his eyes, and ears, and councils him, often. He sees the woman as his daughter, and protects her at all costs, often spoiling and aggrandising her. It is at his urging and his insistence, and expense, that she accept a more fortified dwelling and suitable guards to keep her safe from harm. She is sociopathic, and manipulative.

Uronos's 'help' kept her sheltered and somewhat ignorant of the world. She sees nothing wrong with being cruel to get what she wants. Ēria is highly political, to a point, but, she doesn't care what others think of her personality, so long as she can get what she wants from them. She completely supports Uronos's vision. Ēria is pretty and dark-haired, and uses her looks to her advantage. She is also entitled, waited on hand and foot by everyone in her life. Those who resist or deny her wishes find themselves on the receiving end of a quiet, manipulative rage that she will use to destroy, punish, and torture. She cares little for worldly wealth. Instead, she uses people as property in order to get what she desires.