Head Mistress Valenthia Liguria Preshyra, Mrs (a.k.a. The Dark Beauty, The Raven Witch, Mistress of Shadows)
Mrs Valenthia has been the head mistress of the Imperial Academy for almost a hundred years, guiding it from a pitiful backwater excuse for a school to the greatest academy of
Ebreolia. That in itself is an impressive achievement, yet her true joy comes from her daughters. Her eldest daughter,
Mariella Preshyra, is already on her way to becoming an archmage, while
Persephone Preshyra is close behind.
Physical Description
Valenthia has always had plentiful admirers, with the form of a goddess and an aura of power to match. Each motion brings her beauty to life in intricate detail, as if she were made from spun gold and polished diamonds. Her hair flows in dark pools about her shoulders and down her back; with eyes of amethyst's and lips of crimsons flame. Yet for all her beauty; few have seen her smile, much less look at them with anything other than disdain or loathing.
Valenthia's figure is one of lithesome beauty, with pale skin glistening along supple yet elegant curves. Under her usual robes, it is entirely hidden save for her chest, which puffs out proudly from its plunging neckline. Beneath her flowing robes, however, lays the unmistakable form of a curvaceous and well-endowed woman.
A single glimpse of her beautiful amethyst eyes is enough to enchant the mind, yet few have ever truly peered into those orbs and seen what lies within. The dark violet of their colour bespeaks a depth that many cannot fathom; even if they should be allowed inside, there would always remain more secrets hidden behind them.
Though every student of the academies knows well the countenance of mistress Valenthia, further still know of the unmistakable robes which mark an archmage.
Valenthia's gaze is oft one of deep contemplation and a tilt of the head, as if listening to something she alone can hear. Whenever she walks, her hands trail over the nearby furniture with careful movements, as if to distract from any hint that might reveal her true nature.
Though Valenthia's wardrobe has a vast array of gowns and garments, she has a particular fondness for her signifying robes. Though she would never admit it, the satisfaction she feels at disproving her sister's doubts brings her such joy and happiness. Though, as with all archmages, her garments are highly stylised for her own desires, as well as having plentiful jewellery to adorn herself.
Mental characteristics
Born in
Liguria during the era of turmoil, Valenthia had only spent a few years of her childhood with her family before being sent to a foreign vacation home for safety. It was there, with her sister and only a few maids, that she first became enthralled by illusions. It began as simple tricks upon her elder sibling, to which she was chastised each and every time. Yet as she grew older, it grew to trickery of the mind, subtle hints and temptations. Soon she had mastered the magic of dream crafting; able to influence the very thoughts and desires of others, a skill which she used thoroughly to get her way.
Valenthia has always enjoyed pleasures of the flesh, a fact which greatly bothered her sister. When Valenthia began to look at her in such ways that she became more than an annoying little girl,
Arlayna Preshyra did what came naturally; she would at the very least teach her how to be proper and behave like a lady should. Yet Valenthia would prove to far outmatch her elder sister time and again, bedding her countless times, far before their betrothal. Each time, when it was over, Valenthia insisted they partake in one or two more encounters just for fun, never wishing for them to end.
From her earliest years Valenthia has had the greatest tutors available, as befit any royal daughter. Yet though she excelled in magic and grace, she often grew bored of such matters. It was only at the side of her sister that she ever truly found what to do with all that potential, and so she strove to best her in all matters great or small. Her mother has oft wondered if, without this rivalry, she would have ever reached the height she stands at today. Yet now Valenthia's ambition has softened, if only to mould her daughters into their own little archmages, able to rival those of centuries past.
The
Timniara Grand Assembly is an ancient
Ligurian institution, organised as a magocracy where the most powerful sorceresses rule as archmages over its operations. It is no wonder then that Valenthia would desire the position; to prove to her sister that she was not just some silly girl. Yet before any such ambitions could progress, she was forced to secure her position in the
Ebreolian Warring states . Ever loyal to her childhood friend and future empress,
Delimira Liguria, the two exchanged letters during the war, until her eventual return to Ebreolia. Once the new empire had been instated, Valenthia was one of the first to be rewarded; given ownership of the imperial academy for her loyalty.
Valenthia was crowned the first archmage since the The Ligurian Devesation almost as soon as the
Timniara Grand Assembly was reinstated. Since then, she has seen to the crowning of three more, as well as her favourite, the young
Elisen Rosatra, who her daughter,
Persephone Preshyra, is ever more jealous of.
Personality Characteristics
Ever since childhood, Valenthia has always been second to her sister. As the heir to their house it was simply expected of her to succeed in all matters, yet all that was expected of Valenthia was to simply be raised as a perfect wife for her sister. She would not have it be so; from the day she was born her desire to disprove their parents, yet beneath it all and deep inside her heart, she simply wishes to make her sister proud.
Though her magical abilities have great range, her aptitude in illusions is unmatched. From the great enchantment hiding the academy's location to swaying minds with ease, Mrs Valenthia has a particular gift for the manipulation of others.
Valenthia has always loved the finer things, such as banquets, balls and all manner of noble pastimes.
Social
As the founder of the modern Ebreolian archmages, Valenthia is respected amongst the academics and practitioners alike. Her web of connections runs deep across Ebreolia, with countless whom owe her their positions.
Blood ties run deep through all, yet strongest inside Liguria. From a young age she was wed to her sister, with her two daughters coming from that union. Family comes above all else, and loyalty is ever present.
Though most of the great houses are devout followers of the wyrm, Valenthia has never cared for such matters. All she has ever cared for is her sister, with now the addition of her daughters. Yet she could not be called a disbeliever; she simply cares little to be bothered.
Born of an enchanting presence, Valenthia’s mere presence is enough for the entire room to fall silent. She has no need for words, though her voice is like a spell that weaves itself around your mind and body as it speaks. Yet though she is adept at wordplay, having given countless speeches, few need listen to her words to swear fealty, fewer still attempt to argue, for she holds complete sway over the mind and heart.
Each elegant motion and graceful gesture carries with them its own beauty; there isn't so much as one wasted movement on her part. Though it is expected etiquette of all noble ladies; her grace is that of a dancer who could captivate anyone in moments by the sheer magic she exudes.
Although it began as a simple pastime, the collection of books has become essential in Valenthia’s duty as head mistress of the imperial academy. Yet apart from the learning of spells, she greatly enjoys the reading of romance novels and tales about her homeland. Yet matters of courtship are what truly excite her; especially that of the waltz and singing, which she is quite adept at.
Valenthia has always had a wonderful voice, low and sultry in tone, with a light resonance which makes every word seem like it was spoken for you alone. Her accent and dialect is one of ancient Ligurian royalty, a proper and graceful cadence that rings out to the rhythm of her song.
History
The heirs to house Preshyra have ever been in conflict, at least to the outside world. From their very first days of stealing toys and causing trouble for their parents, to an eternal rivalry over supremacy. Though the elder would never admit it, she is proud of her sister and all she has accomplished, yet there will always be a part of her that wishes she was far more obedient.
Nicknames & Petnames
Valenthia has ever been one for fondness, taking to calling her sibling Layna, or leya, both of which were met with disdain. Yet through the centuries it has stuck, with nothing able to abate it. Many a time there have been attempts by the younger to trick the elder into a petname, yet Arlayna remains ever stoic and proper.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
Though Arlayna hates to admit it, she can never refuse a dance from her sister. And though Valentia could not possible bring herself to care for poetry, she enjoys the simple pleasure of listening to her beloved's voice. Arlayna would oft read her to sleep as a child, and even now she has learned to love the sound of words from paper.
History
Though Arlayna may have her complaints about her sisters obedience, she can not deny that she has dutifully carried out her duties as wife. Ever since their union, the two have seemed closer. Though their relationship as sisters may be strained, their romance is in no way faltering. Yet not all has been so ever prosperous, for Valenthia has ever been one for pleasures. Far before their betrothal was when the temptations began, with her becoming ever more brazen by the day, until Arlayna was utterly powerless to do anything but watch as her sister did whatever pleased her fancy. And so, their union was consummated, far before their parents had planned for a betrothal of at least several years.
Nicknames & Petnames
It is a rare event indeed for Arlayna to show any sort of affection, yet on rare occasions, if Valenthia behaves perfectly proper, she may give her a quick hug and pat on the head. To hear the words darling from her lips, that has become one of Valenthia's truest goals in life. But even those times are few and far between; though she does not mine. To play the part of the sweet little sister bores her greatly, for seeing the blush upon Arlayna's cheeks makes her wish to tease and mock as only sisters can.
Relationship Reasoning
It keeping with the ancient Ligurian traditions, it was destined from birth that they would be together, for the blood of siblings runs thick in such cases. And so when the two grew of age, they were betrothed and wed soon after. Their union took place during the first day of winter, under a blue sky filled with clouds on which snowflakes drifted to melt on the earth below. The ceremony was not long, though replete with meaning. The ritual of blood bounding is one of ancient times, dating back as far as records have been kept.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
Though Valenthia thoroughly enjoys ballroom dances, Arlayna would much rather that time be spent alone, in private. To have her younger sister rest against her shoulder as she sews is a great joy of hers, though rarely is she allowed such pleasure. Though the harp is also one of her greatest pastimes, in which Valenthia would sing whilst she plays.
Shared Acquaintances
Both mother's look fondly upon their two daughters, who have ever been loyal to them and one another. Yet though their eldest seems to be well on her way to becoming an archmage, the younger seems to lack ambition entirely. For Persephone only ever has eyes for her sister. Ever the obedient sister, her only motivation in life is to live up to her sisters expectations. Though, as both parent's say often, Mariella is far too easy on her beloved little sister.
Being a member of house Preshyra brings with it plentiful wealth, though, as archmage, Valenthia has her own fair share of it. Much of her earnings as archmage and head mistress go to her many projects in the further enhancement of the academy’s, yet still she lives in opulence.
Comments