Post by moulinous on Mar 16, 2007 15:36:15 GMT -5
Much has been made, over the years, of what one scribe of Suzail called "the wayward wife-conquerings" of King Azoun IV of Cormyr. "A womanizer among the oh-so-willing," another writer termed the monarch's romantic career. There's a general belief in the kingdom (that's not far beyond the truth) that almost every major noble family -- to say nothing of many lesser nobility, and commoners, too -- has at least some of Azoun's blood among its progeny.
One much-retold tale concerns an annual spring "promenade" at court, wherein young noble lordlings and ladies are presented to the King for the first time. This is their "coming out" in Suzail society after they've passed puberty, been trained in etiquette and whatever interests they show aptitude for. Their families desire them to have a higher profile so they can gain social connections and influence in the realm. It's customary during such promenades for the younglings to be announced by heralds (in the order of their birth, eldest first) and paraded one-by-one in their finest garb through the throne chamber before the enthroned king and all who desire to attend. It's also been customary for Vangerdahast to stand behind the throne, staring steadily at each of them (and, so the rumors run -- correctly -- mentally co-ordinating War Wizards who are scrying, prying, and spell-recording the images of every young noble). It's usual for many of the young nobles to resemble Azoun in some way, but on this particular promenade, almost all of them looked very much like the king. In the silence that followed the last presentation, ere the King rose to invite the assembled into adjacent state chambers for revelry, to meet "the bright new blood and hope of the realm," Vangerdahast was clearly heard to remark to Azoun, in carefully neutral tones -- "Moderation, my liege?"
Given these "royal habits," Azoun had many offspring (sometimes called "the Dragon's bastards," or more politely, "the Brood" by Cormyreans). Only a few, however, have been openly and publicly acknowledged as such. They include --
Malaglan Spurbright (male LG Chondathan human Ftr9/Ari2/Cav2; noble): A proud, hot-tempered, handsome, avid hunter and lady-chaser, loyal and diligently learning how to some day head his noble house. He has no head for finances and diplomatic half-lies, being impatient to "buy what I want right now" and "speak plainly."
Vorndren Longlance (male CG Chondathan human Ftr6, Str 17; not noble): A respected-by-his-fellows swordcaptain of the Purple Dragons of Immersea -- easy-going, loyal, and apparently content to just be a good warrior, popular with local citizens because he is kindly and understanding. Vorndren is large, handsome, and looks just like Azoun IV did when young and clean-shaven.
Wyndghallow "Wyn"Scatterstars (male NG Chondathan human Ftr6/Ari4; noble): A homely, sarcastic-tongued cynic who's loyal to the Obarskyrs but bitter about his heritage and how it made the elder Scatterstars -- his aunts and uncles, now dead -- treat him. He has had several awkward meetings with King Azoun IV, who liked him, and has recently been recruited by Laspeera to be a secret agent of the Crown and future Highknight. Wyn is hopelessly in love with both Laspeera and Dowager Queen Filfaeril and is now devoting himself to enriching the Scatterstars through investments.
Tavantra Indimber (female CG Chondathan human Sor4/Ari6, Int 18, Wis 17; noble): A plain but keen-witted young woman possessed of long, dark hair, plain, dark gowns, and bookish interests. She is seldom seen at Court or in society. Tavantra is both staunchly loyal and a Harper agent. She is watched so closely by the War Wizards (and she knows it) that she does very little beyond observe and report to agents who visit her. Tavantra is restless to "go out into the country" far from watching eyes and practice and perfect her magic. If she pulls her hair back, she looks eerily like a young, clean-shaven Azoun IV.
"Everyone knows" the nobles Beliard Cormaeril, the brothers Dauntryn and Delce Dauntinghorn, Brace Skatterhawk, and Ondryn Thundersword are Azoun's sons, but the Crown (probably to avoid potential trouble among the most powerful noble families) has never confirmed their lineage.
One much-retold tale concerns an annual spring "promenade" at court, wherein young noble lordlings and ladies are presented to the King for the first time. This is their "coming out" in Suzail society after they've passed puberty, been trained in etiquette and whatever interests they show aptitude for. Their families desire them to have a higher profile so they can gain social connections and influence in the realm. It's customary during such promenades for the younglings to be announced by heralds (in the order of their birth, eldest first) and paraded one-by-one in their finest garb through the throne chamber before the enthroned king and all who desire to attend. It's also been customary for Vangerdahast to stand behind the throne, staring steadily at each of them (and, so the rumors run -- correctly -- mentally co-ordinating War Wizards who are scrying, prying, and spell-recording the images of every young noble). It's usual for many of the young nobles to resemble Azoun in some way, but on this particular promenade, almost all of them looked very much like the king. In the silence that followed the last presentation, ere the King rose to invite the assembled into adjacent state chambers for revelry, to meet "the bright new blood and hope of the realm," Vangerdahast was clearly heard to remark to Azoun, in carefully neutral tones -- "Moderation, my liege?"
Given these "royal habits," Azoun had many offspring (sometimes called "the Dragon's bastards," or more politely, "the Brood" by Cormyreans). Only a few, however, have been openly and publicly acknowledged as such. They include --
Malaglan Spurbright (male LG Chondathan human Ftr9/Ari2/Cav2; noble): A proud, hot-tempered, handsome, avid hunter and lady-chaser, loyal and diligently learning how to some day head his noble house. He has no head for finances and diplomatic half-lies, being impatient to "buy what I want right now" and "speak plainly."
Vorndren Longlance (male CG Chondathan human Ftr6, Str 17; not noble): A respected-by-his-fellows swordcaptain of the Purple Dragons of Immersea -- easy-going, loyal, and apparently content to just be a good warrior, popular with local citizens because he is kindly and understanding. Vorndren is large, handsome, and looks just like Azoun IV did when young and clean-shaven.
Wyndghallow "Wyn"Scatterstars (male NG Chondathan human Ftr6/Ari4; noble): A homely, sarcastic-tongued cynic who's loyal to the Obarskyrs but bitter about his heritage and how it made the elder Scatterstars -- his aunts and uncles, now dead -- treat him. He has had several awkward meetings with King Azoun IV, who liked him, and has recently been recruited by Laspeera to be a secret agent of the Crown and future Highknight. Wyn is hopelessly in love with both Laspeera and Dowager Queen Filfaeril and is now devoting himself to enriching the Scatterstars through investments.
Tavantra Indimber (female CG Chondathan human Sor4/Ari6, Int 18, Wis 17; noble): A plain but keen-witted young woman possessed of long, dark hair, plain, dark gowns, and bookish interests. She is seldom seen at Court or in society. Tavantra is both staunchly loyal and a Harper agent. She is watched so closely by the War Wizards (and she knows it) that she does very little beyond observe and report to agents who visit her. Tavantra is restless to "go out into the country" far from watching eyes and practice and perfect her magic. If she pulls her hair back, she looks eerily like a young, clean-shaven Azoun IV.
"Everyone knows" the nobles Beliard Cormaeril, the brothers Dauntryn and Delce Dauntinghorn, Brace Skatterhawk, and Ondryn Thundersword are Azoun's sons, but the Crown (probably to avoid potential trouble among the most powerful noble families) has never confirmed their lineage.
