Vertiline Sterling
Duchess Vertiline Liza Radcliffe née Sterling
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
She is thin, not very strong nor athletic, and prefers not to exert herself.
Body Features
Has pale skin, and a spattering of freckles across her nose
Facial Features
Has a spattering of freckles across her nose, has a sharp chin and nose
Identifying Characteristics
Has the signature dark red hair of the children of Morwenna Sterling
Physical quirks
Right handed, has perfect posture. When she lies, she instinctively tucks her hair behind her ears.
Apparel & Accessories
Dresses in simple but elegant clothing complete with a corset, prefers dark and neutral colors, always wears dresses- never pants
Specialized Equipment
As a force of habit growing up in Essend, she always carries a small ornamental knife in her boot.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Vertiline Liza Sterling was born to the famous "whore-for-hire" Morwenna Sterling, to a father unknown. She is the twin sister of Dario Sterling. They were both left at Mercy Children's Home, located at 476 Burylow Road in Essend Main. She grew up largely dependent on her brother, who had a knack for finding resources and work. Eventually, Vertiline found work as an underpaid maid for a Wessend business owner. Through that job, she was paid passage from Essend Main to the rest of Victoriam, and it was also here where she met her first love. At sixteen, she met a young man from Sussend who often found her to be his muse for painting. The two were in a relationship for a year, until the entitled son of the governor-Radcliffe Wyverstone- had a painting commissioned by the very artist she was in love with.
The artist went, and while there, a fine painting of Vertiline fell out of his bag, and Radcliffe looked in the eyes of the woman he wanted to marry. He immediately ordered her found and demanded they get married. She rejected his proosal at first, put due to social pressure and the promise of stable finances she relented, and agreed to leave behind her former life to become the governor's wife. Before they were married however Radcliffe's mother forced her to go through two years of etiquette training at St. Catherine's School for Girls.At eighteen, they were married, and at twenty, she became pregnant for the first time, which resulted in a miscarriage. She continued to be unable to bear a child, until Miranda was born when Vertiline was 36. Vertiline almost died in childbirth, but survived and resolved to protect her only child at any cost.
Gender Identity
Female
Sexuality
Heterosexual
Education
Educated at St. Catherine's school for Girls
Employment
She was employed as a maid for a Wessend merchant's home until marriage.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Rose from the ashes of Essend to a prominent position in the Governor's family.
Came out of St. Catherine's School for Girls at the top of her class.
Mental Trauma
Has a phobia of rats
Morality & Philosophy
Believes that humans are independent of any higher power, but should strive to do good to every other person.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Always dreamt of rising above her station as an Essend Orphan. Shifted over time to focus on protecting her family and herself.
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Very poised. Knows how to sew fairly well. Very good at drawing, particularly portraits. Horrible at Public Speaking, not musical whatsoever.
Likes & Dislikes
Likes art, likes salty food, favorite flower is the bluebell. Dislikes snobs, dislikes old literature, hates the rain.
Virtues & Personality perks
Patient, loyal, poised, quietly intelligent
Vices & Personality flaws
Cold, secretive, evasive, judgmental
Personality Quirks
Twists wedding ring around her finger when nervous, fiddles with hem of sleeves when scared.
Hygiene
Keeps her home and herself immaculately clean, doesn't tolerate dirtiness
Social
Contacts & Relations
She can easily get a favor from Dario Sterling, and has some information on most of those in the Victoriam City Council.
Family Ties
She is the sister of Dario Sterling, the disreputable leader of Essend Main. She denounced him many years ago, but could still have a favor to call in from time to time.
Religious Views
She is not religious whatsoever, but as a dutiful wife she makes a shows of attending church every Sunday with the rest of the Wyverstone family.
Social Aptitude
Vertiline is not very charismatic, and tends to come off as aloof and cold. She has impeccable etiquette, however, but her etiquette is noticeably by-the-book, not by immersive learning.
Mannerisms
She often twists her wedding band around her finger when thinking. She also lapses into extremely informal speech when angry or stresses, due to her upbringing in Essend Main.
Hobbies & Pets
Loves to read and to draw.
Speech
Has a high, melodic voice, and clips the ends of her words. She is prone to lapsing into informal speech and swearing when she is stressed.
Relationships
History
From the moment Radcliffe Wyverstone saw the painting of Vertiline Sterling, he knew she had to be his wife. Vertiline, however didn't agree. After weeks of courtship (and mounting social pressure by the people of Victoriam) Vertiline accepted his proposals, albeit with a heavy heart. She eventually grew to appreciate the opportunities her positions as the governor's wife entailed, using it to donate to the orphanage that raised her. Eventually, Vertiline birthed an child, a girl, whom she christened Miranda. After this first pregnancy, she was unable to bear any more children, and Miranda was named the sole heir. This strained their relationship, but ultimately Radcliffe loved his wife more than his legacy.
Nicknames & Petnames
Radcliffe sometimes calls Vertiline "Lina." She pretends that she hate the nickname but in truth she likes it. Vertiline never uses nicknames toward Radcliffe.
Relationship Reasoning
The two are happily married. Of course they have disagreements as any couple will, but their love and mutual appreciation always wins out.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
They are both very invested in the future of Victoriam City, and are even more invested in the future of their daughter Miranda.
Shared Secrets
Radcliffe is the only person who knows Vertiline is related to Dario Sterling, and was born in Essend.
Legal Status
Legally married
History
Vertiline and Dario were born on August 31, 1929 in a cold dark slum of Essend Main.
Wealth & Financial state
Quite wealthy due to her position, but prefers to let her husband handle finances. Every month she anonymously donates a small sum to an Mercy Children's Home in Essend Main. She has free reign over the large estate that the Wyverstone family possesses.
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Duchess of Victoriam
Year of Birth
1929 AD
Circumstances of Birth
Born to the famous "whore-for-hire," Morwenna Sterling, and was abandoned in an Essend Orphanage
Birthplace
Essend Main, Victoriam City
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Current Residence
Wyverstone Estate, City Center
Gender
F
Eyes
Hazel, wide
Hair
Sleek dark red hair, rather unique to the children of Morwenna Sterling
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Pale white
Height
6'0"
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
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