Temperance Minerva Yardley
Temperance Minerva Yardley grew up sheltered and cared for as the daughter of a rural noble family. She lacked nothing: she was educated by renowned private scholars, was taught horseback riding and fencing, learned to play the spinnet, and the servants of the house of Yardley read her every wish from her lips. Her parents were affectionate and benevolent, even if they did not maintain the closest contact with their daughter. Temperance, however, never felt alone and the manor house and the surrounding farmsteads were her playground where she spent her childhood with her best friend Lilly Evangeline Castleton. The Castletons were no less wealthy than the Yardleys, and the parents of the two girls had always maintained close relations: They hosted soirees, went hunting together, or made mutually beneficial trade agreements. Thus the two girls had known each other since the cradle. And they were indeed inseparable. Where one appeared, the other was not far away. They even finished each other's sentences. They played pranks on the chambermaids and were taken on trading trips to Carhyrst by their fathers. Temperance and Lilly were as close as sisters. More than that.
Lilly was the first person to learn of Temperance's burgeoning magical talent. Late one night, the two girls lay awake in bed, whispering under the covers, imagining the faraway lands they would travel with their fathers. They dreamed of mighty cogs in busy harbors, of bustllng port cities, of elegant ladies in faraway noble courts, exotic peoples and wild primeval forests full of mysterious ruins. Despite them needing to be careful to not wake the nanny or, even worse, their parents, the girls' excitement reached a giggly climax. Temperance imagined a particularly fantastic jungle creature, with whose imitation she made Lilly squeal. She portrayed its long, sharp claws and pointed teeth, which could be seen in the torchlight at night, the dense jungle vines not quite succeeding in hiding it. She described the terror of the expeditionary force. And: All this they could see! Silhouette-like the scenery was shown on the blanket covering the girls. They could see the trees of the jungle as they rustled in the wind, humanoid forms running for their lives with arms raised high and the monster that was chasing them! Temperance continued to narrate, making the scene come alive. Lilly stared open-mouthed at the spectacle shown. All at once Temperance became aware of what had just happened. Shocked, she dropped the illusion and stared at her hands. "How did you do that?" Lilly asked. "I don't know." said Temperance. "Sometimes when I make things up, I can paint them in the air. Or on the wall. But they can move!" Lilly looked at Temperance for a long moment. Then a big grin showed on her face. "Do it again!"
So the years passed and the girls became young women, who sometimes, spurred on by Lilly, played tricks with Temperance's magic: A tumbling, precious vase, which was then saved from being smashed by a panic-stricken servant; a little salt in the tea to annoy a nasty aunt. The girls were as thick as thieves. As the two approached their sixteenth birthdays, the attention of the young men in the area fell on the girls. Both were slim and tall. Elegant, charming, intelligent and well-bred. Only in their temperament they differed somewhat. Lilly was impetuous and carefree. Almost fearless. Temperance was more reserved and thoughtful. So it was not long before a young Corporal, the heir of a rich noble family, cast his eye on Lilly. At a ball at the Castleton estate, she met the nineteen-year-old Henry Lucas Ward. A tall, proud young man with black hair and an impressive moustache for his age. Lilly took a liking to him and she spent the evening dancing and giggling with him. Temperance quietly watched the goings-on. For the first time in her life, she felt that something could take away her friendship and bond with Lilly. Her trust was shaken. Late in the evening the guests took their leave. The Corporal kissed Lily goodbye, who afterwards, reeling with happiness, went to her dearest friend: "Oh, Temperance. I am in love. Have you seen? He kissed my hand. My hand! Oh, he is so handsome and has already experienced so much. He was stationed at a garrison in the Outer Provinces. Can you believe it? He is so handsome and brave. Father will like him. And you will surely too!" Temperance listened impassively, a smile frozen on her face, and she shared lip service about her joy at the happiness of her friend. But that evening in bed jealousy kept her from sleeping. Why had she not yet attracted the attention of a young man? Wasn't she as pretty as Lilly and not as educated? And her family not of as high a standing? Was she not just as worthy?
"No. More so..." a voice spoke. Subtle. Barely audible. "Do you not feel the power that dwells within you? It separates you from all the other country girls. Great things lie before you. Take what is rightfully yours..." With these thoughts, Temperance fell asleep.
Outwardly Temperance did not let on and she went to visit her friend as usual. Together they bought beautiful fabrics and jewelry, for Lilly's father had already agreed to a date for his daughter with Henry. A few days later, the Castletons received the young corporal for tea and Temperance was also present. Lilly beamed the whole afternoon and was constantly hanging on the Corporal's lips. Temperance was barely able to conceal her disgust at her friend's devotional behavior, but outwardly she succeeded. "Look how simple-mindedly the silly goose hangs on the ass's lips. Not a complete sentence can she manage. You, on the other hand, are made of a different kind of wood. Yes! No man would be able to silence you. On the contrary, they will pay homage to you. They will beg for your attention in droves. A kiss from you would drive them mad with longing!"
Clink! Temperance's teacup, complete with saucer, had fallen from her hand. "Please excuse me," she said, jumping up and leaving the solarium in the direction of the gardens. She found it difficult to breathe. Such feelings, such desire she had not felt before. Yes, as a young woman she was aware of her body and her burgeoning desires. But with this almost abysmal clarity, in which she had almost lost herself, she had not yet experienced them. Temperance was disgusted. Of herself. And yet she was full of self-pity. Since her friend did not come to check on her....
After a few weeks, Corporal Henry Lucas Ward asked for the hand of Lilly Evangeline Castleton and almost a year would pass, as the Corporal was called away on a mission. The date for the wedding was set for late summer of the coming year. Contact between Temperance and Lilly had cooled considerably. Lilly, however, was too preoccupied with her own happiness to consider the growing distance between the two young women.
In the meantime, Temperance had applied to the mages' academy at Carhyrst and her parents were overjoyed about the arcane talent she had shown. A mage in their own family. What prestige! Temperance threw herself into her studies and tried to suppress the cravings she had felt. And the memory of them. With success. She excelled in her academic achievements and showed great strength in exercising her magical abilities. In the arcane application classes, Temperance initially performed only averagely. While she was able to use her powers more often and more reliably than her fellow students, her power was erratic and she did not always succeed in correctly carrying out the assigned tasks. Her professor Tylora Avorel, a half-elven woman, worried early on that Temperance's magic was guided by frustration and anger.
So the spring and summer took their course and the two young women reached the age of eighteen. Soon the date of Lilly and Henry's wedding arrived. All the noble and influential people of the region were invited. Attachés from Carhyrst and trade partners from all over Irimond were present. Lilly was beautiful and radiant, the clear focus of the festivities. At her side proud Henry, the epitome of a gentleman. There was dancing and celebrating. Drinking and laughing. Temperance's mind, however, was darkened throughout the day and the voice inside her head resonated with her own thoughts of envy, jealousy and pride. In the afternoon the couple was married and were to set off as newlyweds on their honeymoon the next morning. But for the evening the Castleton estate was a hive of activity. Couples who had been married for years or who had been together for mere minutes found themselves in the many nooks and crannies of the estate in intimate embrace, whispering shy nothings or suggestive propositions into each others' ears. It was a magical night. Not so for Temperance. Sullenly, she sat alone in the kitchen of the mansion until late, staring into the darkness.
"YOU should have him. No, SEIZE him for yourself. You are so much smarter than they are. And more powerful. He should submit to you."
"Temperance?" Staggering, Henry appeared in the kitchen. Temperance silently looked up at him. "What are you doing here all alone? Is there any wine left? Lilly said that there would be more wine in here." he said with a slight slur to his speech. "Look at him. Proud. Tall. With broad shoulders and strong hands. He shall be yours!" "There's another bottle over there," Temperance said. "Pour me a drink." Henry grabbed the bottle and started to look around. "Hm, there are no glasses." Henry replied. "Well, we'll have to do without them then." Temperance said, taking the bottle from Henry's hand and taking a deep swig. Henry looked at her, amused and impressed at the same time and sat down next to her. "He is all yours!"
"What a celebration. You guys from around here really know how to throw a party," Henry said.
"He is all yours!"
"How long have you guys known each other, anyway? I mean, You and Lil..."
"HE IS YOURS!"
Temperance abruptly turned to Henry and kissed him fiercely on the mouth. Startled, he backed away at first. But Temperance was demanding.
"HE IS YOURS!"
And soon Henry yielded, either to the appetites of his weak sex, or weakened in his principles by alcohol. Or both. It did not matter. Passion was reaching out for him and had already driven into Temperance. Kissing him fiercely, she sat down on top of Henry and pulled up her dress. His strong hands gripped her hips and breasts. She moaned with pleasure.
"Yes, yes! Let go! He is yours! YOURS!"
"Henry? Where are you? Are you in here?" Lilly entered the kitchen. She found Temperance disheveled, her face flushed with lust, sitting on the lap of her newlywed husband, his shirt half open, his hands on Temperance's body. An eternity passed. Lilly just stood there, struck silent. No emotion showed on her face, no movement on her body. She did not look at Henry. Only at Temperance. Looked at her. Without blinking. Looked at her, turned, and then wordlessly left the room. "Lilly? Lilly. Wait, I can explain this...." Henry exclaimed as he pushed Temperance roughly away from him and ran after Lilly. The voice in Temperance's head was finally silent....
The marriage was annulled the next day. The corporal returned to his regiment in disgrace and the Castletons publicly distanced themselves from the Yardleys. Lily never spoke another word to Temperance and any attempts at contact from Temperance's side were rebuffed. After the coming winter was over, Lily went on a trading voyage with her father. And did not return alive...
Temperance threw herself into her studies and was plagued by feelings of guilt. The voice that for a while had planted the seeds of evil thoughts in her head was silent for a long time, but it eventually returned. One night, Temperance saw her dear friend Lilly in a vision. Whether she was a ghost or a projection, Temperance could not say. Lilly said that she did not have much time and that this one attempt at contacting Temperance would remain the only one of its kind, for Lilly's soul was held captive in the netherworld. Temperance learned that Lilly had been taken by a demon or a powerful being from the underworld and that Temperance had actually been under the influence of the whispering entity. Lilly was unable to elaborate further, for abruptly her aspect, her essence was torn from the world, and in its place emerged a distant laughter and a familiar voice.
"Seek me out, if you dare..."
Filled with rage, Temperance vowed to track down the demonic culprit and she concentrated her studies on the veil that separates life and death. Determined to save the soul of her friend and to destroy the seducer, she searched incessantly for ways to reach into the nether realms. She quickly learned, however, that this would not be an easy task and an extremely dangerous path to tread. Her teachers regarded her research with concern, even as her academic performance soared. A fire in Temperance was lit. A focus engaged. The masters of the academy warned Temperance about the dangers of her studies. However, she showed strong will in the mastery over the lower spirits of the nether planes. Temperance was now certain: She would destroy her tormentor and save Lilly's soul.
For that she would cross many boundaries....
This character is heavily inspired by the character of Vanessa Ives of the series "Penny Dreadful", sublimely played by the incredible Eva Green.
Current Location
Species
Ethnicity
Year of Birth
1231 TM
29 Years old
Children
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