Name: Anora Rhoswen

Age: 25

Nationality: Andoran

Gender: Female

Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual

Allegiance: (Not in effect until later)

Rank: Queen of Andor

Appearance:

Anora is moderately sized, by general female standards. She is nearly 5’6”, neither short nor tall, and she weighs around 130 lbs, neither very thin nor chubby. Like most royalty, the young woman’s skin is remarkably fair, showing only the slightest hint of sun, and without deformation. Her hair is a rich chocolate brown that falls in soft curls to below her shoulders, often perceived as pitch unless she is spotted outside of her domain. Her eyes are a pale, hard, icy blue, a gaze that is frequently responsible for bringing Lords and Ladies and all manner of royalty to their knees.

Anora’s hairstyle varies upon what suits her mood from dawn to dawn. Some days she will pin it up intricately, others she will let it down, but no matter the fashion, she is always complete with a cap of jewels or circlets or crowns. As it is, the recently appointed Queen is not wary of flaunting her wealth or beauty, often strutting around the castle in elaborate gowns of rich silk and embroidery that could be deemed profligate at times. There is never a time when the young Queen would go about “dressed down”, per say, keeping her steadfast image at all times no matter the audience.

Personality:

Putting it lightly, Anora is an outstandingly vile, treacherous, and conceited young woman. Her primary concerns when ruling over a nation are her political and monetary advancements and gains, but that is not to say that Anora is blind when it comes to the other areas of import. She rules with an iron fist, as the saying goes, her people much more apt to fear her formidable wrath and tyranny than really love her. She’s never one to garner respect by being kind. She believes that people are too tempted to take advantage when they see such weakness.

She’s incredibly intelligent and well-spoken, quick to outwit those who challenge her with her sharp tongue. Despite the odds and icy facade, the woman possesses a peculiar sense of charm, like the flame of a candle. Glorious in all its beauty, yet painful if manipulated or used in the wrong manner. She knows how to hold an audience and how to convince those who do not agree with her, however trivial the subject at hand may be, that it would be in their best interest to do so.

Given the aforementioned information, it is safe to assume that Anora has a very short fuse. It does not take much to ignite her temper, and when its lit, most of her council, servants, and even friends tend to steer clear until she calms down. She does not rage and scream, as one might imagine. Rather, one might wish instead for the outburst instead of the sharp, succinct, condescending words that make one feel as insignificant as a grain of sand.

Lastly, Anora positively despises Aes Sedai and all who elect to fraternize with them. Stemming from an incident in the past, she has made it her goal of her campaign to disassociate Andor with any ties they may have had previous to her reign, declaring them, unofficially, unwelcome within her nation, and furthermore, her city of Caemlyn. Of course, outside of her immediate domain she cannot effectively enforce such a decree, but it is widely known that Queen Anora’s tolerance of Aes Sedai and the using of the One Power is supremely low.


Items:

Aside from her extravagant collection of jewels and other valuables, Anora keeps with her a small square of fabric. While she is not keen on showing much compassion, she often tucks a small embroidered handkerchief within the bosom of her dress, a gift from her mother as a child.


NPCs:

Carolynn Lyandra: As with most Queens, Anora has an assembly of women who are her “ladies in waiting”, or her personal female assistants. The numbers range from four to ten at any given time, the number often determined by Anora’s tolerance for said women, or if she is particularly keen on strengthening alliances.

She considers Carolynn her closest lady in waiting, the closest thing she has to a true friend, in any case. The woman is practically Anora’s polar opposite, offering advice and suggestions when the Queen may become too brash and lose sight of the importance of things. Carolynn is a calm, collected individual, nearly two years Anora’s elder, and it shows. She is the Queen’s voice of reason, though of course this information is kept within the confines of her chambers and between the two women. Friend or not, Carolynn knows how terrible the Queen’s temper can become, and she does well to stay on her good side.

She’s comes from the wealthy House Lyandra, daughter to a prominent Lord who resides in an extensive estate outside of Caemlyn.

Pandolir Cladon: In addition to her ladies in waiting, Anora also possesses a group of men and women who are her council, individuals who aid her in the task of ruling over a nation and take care of the finer details, such as economical welfare. Most of are noble rank, ranging from members prominent Houses to mayors to Lords, figures who have a well-rounded background.

Pandolir Cladon is Anora’s Chancellor, the head of this council, and a man who has been often mistaken as her father, given that they are so alike in personality. He is nearly forty-five years old, the only sign of his aging evident in the white wings that flare along his temples through oily black hair.

As mentioned prior, his personality does not venture far from Anora’s. He is a deceitful, cunning man, able to manipulate almost any situation into his and, ultimately, the Queen’s favor. He looks out for her wellbeing, certainly, but only if he is to profit from the deal as well.

Weapons:

Knowledge of herbs and poisons: While wit and charm are valuable assets to possess, Anora does not always achieve her desires...fairly, if you will. As she was coming of age, Anora studied extensively the various types of poisons and herbs that existed between the Spine of the World and the Aryth Ocean, to help her better understand medicines and poultices that needed such ingredients. This knowledge proved much useful later on in life, as Anora has been known to use certain facilitators to help her sway her subjects, or perhaps eliminate them if they become too much of a threat.

Personal "Assistants": It is common knowledge that rulers generally tend to have a close ring of confidants. People they know they can trust, ones who demonstrate unflinching loyalty. Plainly put, people who would go to the ends of the earth if it meant pleasing their King or Queen. Naturally, Anora has her fair share of said figures in her life, though a few are simply just more than liaisons and supporters. A few who take care of the dirtier jobs, where her poisons and other methods simply won't do. She prefers to call them her assistants, but assassins and murderers would be a more fitting title.


Talents:

Aforementioned, the young Queen has a knack for juggling her political pawns both within and outside of Andor’s borders. While it is not as prominent in the western countries, she is extraordinarily skilled at the art of Daes Dae’mar, having learned the nuances of the great game as she grew up in Cairhien. She has many friends (Whether it is by choice or in trepidation of the retribution that might ensue if they did not follow her), in many key cities, despite whatever ancient feuds may reside, such as Illian and Tear and of course, Cairhien.

While it is generally frowned upon for a Queen, or any lady of high nobility to soil her hands or participate in physical activities, Anora has always made herself an exception. She enjoys going off on hunts, and her shot is impeccable, though such behavior often drives her guardsmen and servants fairly insane, always fearful of injury that may come to her.

Her strongest talent lies in her ability to captivate an audience and in an uncanny flair for persuasion. Anora’s presence is always alluring, commanding, and in a sense, intoxicating, if one considers a lethal predator cornering its prey in any way appealing. She knows fully well that her demanding nature is what makes her stand above the rest, and she also knows fully well that it is precisely why she gets what she wants.



History:

Anora Rhoswen was born into an incredibly wealthy House in Cairhien, the only daughter of Therdon and Leahtha. Her coming was a blessing to the family, as Leahtha had been trying to get with child for several fruitless years in hopes of providing an heir to House Rhoswen. There were great things planned for her, ones that would, unfortunately, shape the bitter, angry person she would evolve into.

As she grew, Anora was blessed with the many opportunities and advantages that came with belonging to a prosperous family. She was educated by a private instructor in all the fields of study, given flute and stringed instrument lessons by the finest in Cairhien, taught embroidery and dancing—essentially polished into a perfect young lady. She attended social events with her parents, enchanting their friends and acquaintances with her exquisite behavior, earning a reputation within their network as a presence to watch out for in the future.

As was tradition in the Rhoswen family, the young women were to be sent to the White Tower to be tested and enrolled as Novices, if they wished. It was not a concrete custom that forced any women who did not want to join the ranks of Aes Sedai, but it had always been considered a great honor to be a part of such an influential and powerful group of women.

Anora was sent to Tar Valon the age of ten, thoroughly excited to become part of the organization she had heard so many stories of. She remembered all the times when she was able to meet with actual sisters and question them, when she had listened to the fathomless history that surrounded the deeds of sisters long passed. It delighted her, entranced her, and she wanted nothing more than to become one of them.

Despite what she had been told, the tests had proven difficult for her. She did not understand half of what was asked of her, provoking frustration and a side of her that was rarely seen. The sisters assured her that it was not her fault, but that she did not have the spark, whatever that was supposed to mean. She could not touch the Source, and for that Anora hated herself. Every woman within her family had been able to at least grasp it, but not she.

Her family quickly quieted this revelation, her parents brushing it aside with the cover that she simply did not wish to become a sister upon learning the details. No matter the reassurance from her mother and father, though, Anora could not stifle the lingering sense of failure that plagued her for years after her testing. She was a disgrace to her ancestors, bringing a taint to House Rhoswen because she didn’t have the bloody spark.

After that, Anora changed drastically. She became embittered, quiet, and even malicious with her parents. While any normal teenager would be seeking out the pleasures of such a time in life, Anora sought only the means to further her career and future. She began to meet with her parent’s allies, using every ounce of her teachings to sway them, to earn their trust and respect. She flaunted her strengths, boasting at dinners and celebrations at how she was meant for greater things in life. Much to her relief, all of her hard work paid off, and at the tender age of eighteen, Anora made the decision to leave her home.

She traveled westwards to Andor with Peter, Kierdren, and Lyren Hesteth, close friends of her parents, friends who had ties to the King, Haren Delve'soli. Peter Hesteth was an active member of Delve’soli’s court, his appearances numerous and his dealings with the King’s council often. He had assured Anora that he would find a liaison for her, one that would prove lucrative in the end.

Inevitably, she grew close to Lyren, the Hesteth’s only son. Friendship blossomed into stronger feelings, though they were feelings that were bittersweet for Anora. She reveled in the companionship and love that Lyren offered her, but such things made her feel vulnerable and weak, as she did the day she was turned away from the Tower. Despite her better judgment, she let the feelings grow and flourish, too preoccupied with her sudden rise in the nobility chain to fret over it.

Just as Peter had promised, Anora became a favorite amongst the King’s closest confidants, her presence requested so frequently that the King himself invited her to stay at court. She entertained the men with her sharp tongue and keen mind, something they were not so often exposed to. They listened to her, heeded her, and respected her opinions, no matter how insignificant the subject. Most of them, that is.

Her popularity grew, but it was not solely from her wit and intelligence. She had grown into a beautiful woman, her presence magnified by her strong will. It was captivating to some of the men, and, naturally, they began seeking her out for purposes other than conversation. They came from both single and married men, men nearly twice her age, men who were almost as prominent a figure in Andor’s hierarchy as the King himself.

Anora rejected the invitations at first, appalled by the behavior of men she had grown to admire. She vented to her new family, the Hesteths, hysterical and fearful, so upset that events could take such a drastic turn. Lyren offered her support, insisting that everything would pan out fine, that she would never have to even fathom stooping to such a level to secure her position. Peter, though, thought differently.

After committing deeds that Anora was hardly proud of, acts that would haunt her dreams and flush out whatever embarrassment she still clung to about her failed testing, she found herself in the very spot she had wanted since she was a child. Peter had risen to a formidable rank, and her influence was strong and her word revered, and she steeled herself against the regret and the price that came with such a position. She was so close to the top, so close, and it was only a matter of time before she breached the final obstacle.

That opportunity came when she was nearly twenty-four years old. A scandal flared around Haren, some labyrinth of lies revolving around stolen money and associations with Darkfriends, things that did not matter to Anora. She saw this blow to the King as the window to push her luck and persuade the council to investigate matters. She marred the Delve’voli name any chance given, insisting that he was a problem that should be dealt with swiftly and as painlessly as possible, for the peoples’ sake. The longer he remained King, the more damage that would need repaired.

Once the council took the bait, the true work began. She delivered speech upon speech, whether it was to prominent court members, merchants, traders, or even working class citizens. She ensured them of the prosperity that Andor would face if they supported her, of the bright future that it held if they only backed her. She spoke of tax deductions and of promoting new trade routes, of peace and the elimination of citywide hunger.

It was as if a wildfire had taken Caemlyn by storm. Word of her spread swiftly, and it was only a matter of time before the Council had Haren deposed and she was anointed Queen of Andor. Change came just as quickly as her appointment, though it was not without surprise to the nobles who had so firmly supported her. She removed the men who had sought her out for more than just idle talk, banishing them to their estates deep within Andoran countryside. Women were elected to have seats upon her personal council, and, lastly, she sent the Hesteth’s away from Caemlyn, strong suggesting that any visit would be frowned upon by her guardsmen.

It took several months for her to establish herself once things had quieted, earning herself the harsh and commanding traits she is so well known for now. While she kept a majority of her promises upon campaigning, some people grew to fear her, though it did not matter whether or not they liked her. Just that they respected her.

Politics/Philosophy:

After deposing Haren, the previous King of Andor, Anora’s clean up job was fairly extensive. Of course, she made her own amendments to the various laws laid down by him, that or she simply did away with them entirely.

As is tradition in Andor, Anora acquired a fairly extensive Guard (Numbering in the mid hundreds right within the city, though there is probably over one thousand spread across Andor), not only to ensure her safety, but the general welfare of her city. She reduced crime and the overpopulation of the homeless, thus increasing the prosperity of the city. Order was restored within Caemlyn, but Anora did not simply stop within the confines of the city walls. She extended her reach across the nation, making her presence known in Baerlon, Four Kings, and the lesser towns and villages.

With the increase of security she also brought about a harsher set of laws concerning theft, murder, and all manners of crime. Simply, she has little tolerance and little sympathy for any sort of crook, and she makes it a point to demonstrate to the people just how serious she is, often publicizing hangings or beheadings. It may be strict, but it did help reduce felonies within the city.

A majority of Andor’s wealth lies in its mining industry, garnered from the Mountains of Mist to the west. Trading is also fairly popular and growing in prominence, as Anora is seeking to strengthen ties between her neighboring realms, striving to disregard the age-old quarrels and increase her allies.