Personalities at court in Minas Anor.
Eärnur III, King of Hyarlondie. Eärnur is a man like his father in valour, but not in wisdom. He is a man of strong body and hot mood; and his only pleasures is in fighting, the exercise of arms, and in the vilest debauchery (for Anadúne, which is kind of mild for elsewhere). The loss of Dor-Annun three years before, has driven King Eärnur, who was already somewhat unstable and paranoid, over the brink. He is suspicious of especially Belegund, his capable Captain of The Left Wing, who tries to uphold traditions and purity of old, and this has filled the King with paranoia, corruption and fear. The king will treat the characters with honour and courtesy at first, but also seem suspicious of especially Eirenion, and as the façade slips a more depraved man than you had thought. So be courteous and kingly at first, then more and more depraved and paranoid. He skillfully plays factions, personalities and concubines against each other to avoid unity at court and potential threats. The only people he seems to trust somewhat are Dobraine and Captain Tauran á Lebennin.
Captain Tauran á Lebennin, Arato (Duke) of Lebennin, Captain of The Realm, and First Advisor to the King (who he manipulates and controls, but allows his excesses in order to create a false feeling of communality with the depraved Eärnur). The real power and ruler of the Kingdom; Captain Tauran is a tall, broadshouldered man beginning to age, with shoulder-long grey hair and a piercing grey eye, with a black patch over the other, and a broad chin. He always dresses in black due to some loss or dishonour suffered in his youth, and is a military mastermind who has yet to be defeated. He exudes command and always expects to be obeyed. As he usually is. But he also looks like a master chessplayer that calculates every move and piece when he has time. He will be friendly enough towards the characters, for he is utterly ruthless, but not evil. He understands their plight, but what he wants is to not risk the King getting into a battle that might kill him.
Various minor noble and merchant houses vying for power by saying what they think the King wants to hear, and present an endless stream of daughters to him. Of which he currently uses four as concubines.
Beruthiel Eýenna of Pel Nesra near Umbar, Black Númenorean with some Harad blood. Very much supports The King’s Men and wants King Eärnur to wage war in the south and give her family power and land. Mysterious and enticing.
Gaerwen Balimur of Amlaich Vale, fiery redhead with some Dunnish blood. Warrior blood, really likes the Dwarves and Ereinion for their warrior skill. Not a schemer, but charming, bright and with few limits on what she is willing to do for King Eärnur.
Linuviar Serendur from Pelargir, daughter of a minor house of the city. Here to gain money and influence. Supports The King’s Men, openly hostile towards The Ghosts of Rishaill.
Athranabeth Sulimar, blonde, doll-faced daughter of a merchant house from Linhir, with a huge bosom, whose looks belies her intelligence. Seems friendly, is a skilled schemer. Opposes The King’s Men. Fancies Dobraine Sianerin, but knows enough to not do anything about it.
Dowager Queen Lisriel of Linhir, functioning Steward of Hyarlondie. Not too bright, but still quite beautiful. She dotes on her only surviving child, and lets him indulge himself as he pleases. While enjoying the power the role of Steward gives her to further her family’s power and influence and wealth. It does nothing good for the realm though.
Irngold of Salquenor, Treasurer of the Household. An anonymous funtionary, grey on grey, rarely noticed. He works with the Lord Chamberlain Eradan, but finds it very difficult to get money out of Dowager Queen Lisriel for actually fulfilling his official duties.
Calmacil Dagatur of Dor-Annun, refugee Hir of Dor-Annun living in Minas Tirith and spending the remains on his fortune on court intrigue, bribes and a luxurious life. Nephew of former Hir and no warrior. Rather a schemer and coward who got the title as his cousin Edar The Bastard killed his two half-brothers and was outlawed.
Míriel Dagatur, his sister; fairer than silver or ivory or pearls. Wise, strong and intelligent. The contrast to her brother, and while Calmacil loves the depravity and debauchery of the court, she hates it, and knows that only her high title has spared her rape till now.
Giancomo Corezze; the half-brother of Duke Lorenzo “The Magnificient” Corezze as ambassador from Florēre, is a very skilled diplomat and politician. Travels with his son Giuliano Corezze, a very friendly and handsome young man, who will in fact want to befirend the characters. He looks like Errol Flynn in his moustache days.
Elfhelm of Eastfold, Captain/Earl of Eastfold, as a mission from Andësalce. Eomer-type learning about politics and making connections. He very much does not like what is happening at court, but is adapting as best as he can. And it was a shrewd move of his uncle, Fréaláf Hildeson, to send him instead of a normal ambassador, as he is a great warrior, so King Eärnur likes him. Brannor and Bharack will probably remember Fram and the old feud with the Eotheod. Elfhelm will immediately show respect to Ereinion and temerity around Finduilas "Mycht Hlædige".
A delegation from the Dwarves of Grænnklettur (Green Rock) is there on invitation from Steward Mardil to see if it is possible to open a small colony/community/ business here to supply the army. Very dignified and important Dwarves who will frown upon the antics of your Dwarves. Led by Fundinn, Dagfinnr the Smith, Andvari The Smith, and Burinn, Grer, Vifir and Sviðr. Has great respect for Eitri, who they call The Heir of Durin and the best smith of all Dwarves.
Eradan of Amranaur, Lord Chamberlain. A tall lanky man with spectacles, his near-sighted eyes belies a very organised mind that can juggle hundreds of things at a time. He is officious and quick, as well as quick-witted despite his advancing age. He is present at court, but it conflicts with his quiet nature, so he withdraws into himself a lot as evening progresses. He usually shows up at court with some optimism, then slowly disappears into himself as evening progresses.
Achad Caidur, Master of The Horse. Young, handsome, charismatic, outgoing and boasting, as well as very vain- but not very bright, and usually drunk. Achad is a low-ranking noble friend of King Eärnur and Angamaitë that is clearly not qualified for high military rank, but who is rumoured to be the handpicked choice to be the next Captain of The Realm. All these traits and rumours have made Captains Tauran and Belegund hate and despise him, of which he is well aware. He is full of talk of his martial prowess and how the soldiers of Hyarlondie are warfighters, but he could not fight his way out of a wet paper bag according to Tauran, and has never actually showed any zest for being a warrior at all. He does like the drinking, boasting, shagging parts of the new court culture though. He will hate the characters if they went against his friend Angamaitë, like them if they helped him.
Ohtar of Amon Mallen (Golden Hill), Grandmaster of The Order of The Star and Hir (Count) of Amon Mallen. A silent and loysl young man. Tall, blonde, handsome and loyal to the death to his sworn oath to The Realm, King, and Tauran, his liege-lord. He hates the depravity of the court as he is a well-read, disciplined and intelligent- as well as heroic- young man, but he sees his Lord’s actions as necessary to keep even worse from happening. Will like the warrior characters.
Malborn The Seer, usually not present these days. Wise man and seer of Hyarlondie.
Mindacil Curathuin, Prince-President of Minas Anor and maternal uncle of King Eärnur. Prince-President of Minas Anor is a (usually) non-hereditary title given to a minor member of the royal family. presides over Minas Anor's council (the Guild Heads and great, but not Noble, families). Also governs Anorien. He gets on well with Council although he seldom exerts firm control. Mindacil prefers to take advice and then side with the most popular faction, so he is able to blame them if anything goes amiss. He is much the same at court, and swings the way he feels the wind is blowing. He will be polite but cautious.
Belegund Araduin, Captain of Realm and commander of the left wing, Arato (Duke) of Assariand. A noble Dunedain of Royal blood. And it tells. Brave, noble, commanding, intelligent, learned and wise, while still handsome and kind; this middle aged Hir of Assariand is a model of a Dunedain Lord, and King Eärnur hates him for it. The only reason he is at court is to keep him close, so he cannot plan a coup (which he would probably not), and the reason he is not banished or killed is that he and his distant kinsman Galdor of Dor-In-Irnil are the most popular men in Hyarlondie. But also that he is utterly loyal even though disgusted by the court as it is. Very friendly to the characters, and almost big-brother like to Ereinion. He favours a quick strike to retake Dor_Annun, but the plight of Rishail will move him to plead their cause.
Galdor, head of the Trader’s Guild. A weatherbeaten, shrewd man of mixed blood, in his sixties. Represents the traders who trade over long distances and in bulk. So a lot of money. He wants nothing but peace, and is very interested in discussing trading deals with the characters till he finds out they are powerless. Then, they are nothing to him.
Appelion, Minister of Works, a rotund jovial man, whose friendly and happy-go-lucky demeanor hides a very sharp wit that somehow always gets the best deal out of any business deal and is an engineer to rival almost any Dwarf.
MardilVoronwë, Steward of Estates. In charge of The Kings personal Estates as well as his personal Vassals. An aging, wise and calculating man with slightly stooping shoulders and balding head. Serves faithfully, but try to avoid the worst excesses of the King at least towards his subjects. Would prefer if no war was fought at the moment.
Echtelion the Tall, Warden of The Keys (Chancellor), Most powerful Administrator and a noble of Hir (Ducal) rank in his own right. A brave, noble and stern man, whose conscience and loyalty wars over the current King. 62 years old pure Dunedain with rare blond hair and piercing blue eyes. Quietly supports The Yellow Rose. Utterly dislikes Calmacil Dagatur and blames him for the loss of this beautiful fief of the Kingdom that he loves and has dedicated his life to serve. Will be cordial and sympathetic, but not outright supportive.
Commander of The Royal Guard, Lord Ruthion, a pure Dunadan, tall and dark and awesomely skilled with the blade. 99 years old and purely driven by duty and loyalty. A skilled commander, but no politician. Ideal for protecting his King.
Company Commanders of The Royal Army of Minas Arnor all of them are not political, serve their duty with no stance on factions;
Company, White Tree, Rodhel Harnastin of House Harnastin, Young-ish, tall, broad shoulders, the look of a warrior, and very competent. Well-read, thoughtful, loyal. Serves because it is his duty, and when he feels his duty is done, he will quit and retire to grow wine. With things as they are in the court, he feels that day approaching before he had planned.
Company, Fountain, Tindiath Malréd of House Malréd, not handsome, not tall, built like a brick, very smart and intelligent and capable. Also a competent politician. Middle aged.
Company, Star and Sword, Anarond Astirian of House Astirian, young, dashing, handsome. Not too wise and smart, but good at war. Unlikely to rise further.
Company, Shield and Warhammer, Dursëvagor risen from the rank, hopes to found a House. Middle aged, unmarried, looking for a suitable wife in city. Very intelligent and capable, risen from the ranks on pure merit. Guarded. Friendly enough when you get to know him, but has seen much derison from nobles.
Gumprecht of Heiligenbrunn a Cardolani Lord and mercenary that laid with Leos representing his company and city. All his body language says that he hates Adanedhel, but he says nothing. He will often be whispering with both King Eärnur and Dobraine Sianerin. They seem to get along greatly.
Heads of the Noble Houses (most of them are very rarely present during these debauched days).
Daron Dunmardo of House Dunmardo. Never present, despices the current court culture. Keeps a low profile and waits for a change of winds.
Dior Usulúni, Keeper of Rath Dinen as much of this very religious family has been. Should be present often due to his title, but is stigmatised and not welcome due to outspoken criticism of the King’s behavior. Probably only his wealth, power, title and spiritual influence in the entire realm is keeping him safe. Tall, gaunt and utterly devoted to The Valar and Eru.
Carnam Astirian, retired officer from a house that was always martial. An older but still powerful man. Loyal, disciplined, principled, and very conflicted about the debauchery of the court. He wants a more militant realm and to take Dor-Annun back, but he does not like the depravity.
Tarassar Elena of House Elena. Most traditional Numenorean house, and staying even more aloof these days than usual. They never mingled much with the common folks, but are now keeping away from court as well. None of this family will be present until power changes.
Bards;
Belewén is a singer from the theater who is often asked and paid to sing at court as she is perhaps the greatest human voice in the West. Of common blood, she has sung her way to the top, and is willing to accept singing in most surroundings to stay there. Mixed common-Dunedain blood, chestnut hair, beautiful if slightly big-boned” middle-aged.
Loreto Vittori is a Potesdan Castrato Singer, young, handsome slender, with unusually long limbs (as Castrati do). voices were also extraordinarily flexible, and quite different from the equivalent adult female voice. Their vocal range was higher than that of the uncastrated adult male. the lower part of the voice sounds like a "super-high" tenor, with a more falsetto-like upper register above that.
Gilraen is a raunchy cabaret singer with an ample bosom. And she looks and sound it. King Eärnur loves her performances.
Huntsmaster Maeron is a Ranger from Emyn Arnen, a stoic, tall, broadshouldered man mostly clad in his brown and green leathers- even at court. And mostly not present at court, spending most of his time in the forests of Anorien. He is a simple man, who despises intrigue and debauchery, and the forests are where he thrives in any case.
Saeros of Lossarnach, Herald of The Court. A large man built like a bear, with a booming voice and encyclopedic knowledge of the families and coats of arms of Hyarlondie, as well as their genealogy. As such he will often spend time in his friend Tarassar Elena’s house, researching and talking genealogy. He is also in charge of tournaments and court ritual, limited as it was. But also of messengers in and out of the court. As a traditionalist he disapproves of what is going on, but he does his duty as ever. Sounds like Brian Blessed.
Iowarn, Master of The Houses of Healing. No less physician than The Master himself will do as court physician for Eärnur. He is a rotung, aging man, much distracted in the learning of his craft, and will waffle on for as long as you will let him about it. Usually he keeps to himself, lost in thoughts of healing, treatments, herbs and magic.
Gilraen Celbdur, High Almoner. A kind, stately, elderly lady, very grandmotherly, is in charge of handing out charities. And in contrast to what one would think, she has a lot to do, as Tauran has convinced King Eärnur that Bread and Circuses will keep the plebs docile. She does not know this, but is just happy to hand out alms.
Minohtar of Lossarnach, Cupbearer of The King. A minor noble from Lossarnach, who has gained a reputation as an alchemist, he was brought in by King Siriondil, and still serves his son Eärnur. Absolutely loyal to the Crown, whoever sits on the throne, he is perfect for the job, and has a variety of scientific and magical means to detect poisons that would be hidden from others. A medium-sized, balding man looking to bear near 50, he will often seem distracted, but in reality notices almost anything that goes on at court.
Celendis, King’s Secretary. A slender, pretty, blonde young Bard with pouting lips and apple cheeks. You suspect that Charisma, not intelligence is this one’s strongest suit. She is utterly loyal to the King, who lifted her from being just a common wench singing in taverns, and will lie and gaslight for him. Cause if he goes, so does she, she knows this. Getting a straight answer from her on anything is almost impossible, and she has no opinion of her own, she just proclaim the King’s messages.
Imrazor, younger brother of Galador of Lond-Irnil, Page at the court. 15 years old and thus at the end of his time as a Page. A natural leader. Tall, strong, handsome – pretty even – noble, obvious Elven blood, and very intelligent. He is here because he has to, he watches and learns (and spies for his brother). Dark hair and a quick smile. Many a maid have sighed over this young man. Already 6’5’’ as his 16th birthday approaches, he looks like a younger version of his noble brother Galador, of whom Aralas The Elf has said; “That is a fair Lord with Elven Blood in his veins, and a Great Captain of Men. If Hyarlondie has such Men still in the Days of its Fading, great must have been its Glory in the Days of its Rising.” He is very friendly and curious towards the characters, obviously looking up to Ereinion, and almost worshipping the Elves, but in measured sorts. He will be very curious and ask intelligent questions. His sister Finduilas of Lond Ernil used to be the head Maid of Honour, but left the court for her brother’s as Eärnur’s nature became clear. She is a white rose of the sea shore, not suitable for such depravity.
Mablung, leader of The Rangers of Hyarlondie. A tall, strong, grim, hard-looking man, with short-cropped, greying hair, scarred face and hard grey eyes that never rests or misses anything in the room. He keeps to himself and does not talk much, and also does not give a shit if his uniform and demeanour unsettles anyone. Said the be the best archer and scout in the realm, and to have Elven friends and visit Edhellond on occasion.
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