People
This section provides information about some well-known people, past and present, of whom your character may have heard.
There are also many others just as famous mentioned in other areas of this website, such as the History, Nationalities, and Documents sections (among others). Those are generally not repeated here.
Professors
The Professors at the School of Seven Virtues are known throughout Armandy. If you keep up on world events or have studied the school at all, you might well know something about the Professors and the Headmaster. Other Teachers at the School are also often prominent in their fields, but are mostly less well known.
Headmaster
Raghnall Quillan is the headmaster of the School of Seven Virtues. Prior to becoming headmaster, he was the Compassion professor at the school. Headmaster Quillan is a highly gifted healer, and his empathy and understanding are well known. This may may well account for his rapid rise to the position of headmaster, in spite of some rumored opposition due to his being a Wyr. He has worked closely with Professor Caelia supporting her efforts in trying to find a way to cure the Touched, and has worked hard with the staff from the professors to the grounds keepers in preparing the school for reopening to the next generation of heroes.
Wholeness
Evona Ollihir is Professor of Wholeness at the School of Seven Virtues. Professor Ollihir teaches a rather unorthodox curriculum, which includes arcane topics like "mindfulness" and "covert awareness." Known for her serene demeanor, the Professor is generally regarded as either a fount of insight and arcane wisdom or a total crackpot and charlatan. A cousin to the prominent Lostwood royal advisor Anrothan the Wise, Evona is relatively old for an elf, and in fact taught at the school of Seven virtues decades ago when it was last open.
Courage
Colonel Anton Westerveldt is the Professor of Courage at the School of Seven Virtues, with additional rings in Honor and Selflessness. Professor Westerveldt began his career in the Torheim army at the age of seventeen. He served with honor and distinction for over twenty years before being handpicked by the newly-crowned Empress Johanna to lead her personal guard. His quiet efficiency and understated, unerring competence earned him respect and his willingness to share his knowledge and skill earned him admiration and affection among his colleagues. Professor Westerveldt held the position of head of the Imperial Guard for a dozen years before retiring from active duty to study and later teach at the School of Seven Virtues. Until the fall of Torheim, he stayed in frequent contact with many of his friends and protégés back home, among them Lammert Behrendt, Captain of the City Guard and Major Martje Hendricks, his replacement as the head of Her Imperial Majesty's Guard. Since the Mahori invasion, Professor Westerveldt has been very active in his efforts both to ascertain the true situation in Maurheim and to learn the Mahori's weaknesses. He is said to be eager to train a new class of heroes for the upcoming war.
Selflessness
Strowan Turvey has been the Professor of Selflessness at the School of Seven Virtues for over fifty years. A native of Braemoor, he became well known in his youth for his instrumental role in helping coastal areas recover from the depradations of the sea raiders and in working to cement the stability that made the Long Peace possible. He designed and implemented some of the magical protections that ward the School of Seven Virtues to this day. He has many contacts in the Lostwood, where he is welcome and visits often, and is said to have originally recruited Headmaster Quillan to the school as a student on the Path of the Teacher. Professor Turvey obtained rings in Courage and Wisdom as well as Selflessness, and has been a strong force at the School of Seven Virtues over the years, though some expect him to retire soon due to his advanced years.
Compassion
Levin Kenward is the Professor of Compassion at the School of Seven Virtues. In addition to his Mastery of Compassion, Professor Kenward holds a ring in Honor. Hailing from a merchant family in Dunwick, Albion, he was known for negotiating trade contracts before he left the family business to attend the School. His natural aptitude for Compassion led him to achieve his ring unusually quickly. Despite his relative youth and newness to his position, Professor Kenward is well-respected and well-versed in his virtue. He has a close rapport with many of his students, as well as students pursuing other virtues, and is often a source for guidance and assistance. Since the Mahori invasion, he has been working to assist the governments of Armandy in addressing the complications that have arisen with the vast influx of Torhi refugees.
Honor
Sephonia Chade is the Professor of Honor at the School of Seven Virtues. While her father hails from a prestigious branch of the Scarthan House Varicus in Tropaena, Sephonia resembles her exotic Changeling mother. Raised in Tropaena, she was privy to private tutors and education through which she began a lifelong pursuit of seeking to understand the various forms of honor. She later traveled widely throughout Armandy while engaged in her research and offered tutoring to many influential households before accepting an offer to settle in Rasna as an attache and academic mentor in House Scalfaro. When the Mahori invasion came, she escorted a number of Scalfaro youths to the school to be enrolled at the request of their family, then sought to further pursue her own family-inspired studies in the perfection and comprehension of Honor to find the means to defeat the Mahor.i. As her own writings and teachings are fairly well known, she was welcomed at the school, where she works tirelessly to enhance knowlege on various interpretations of honor and honor codes. She also endlessly endeavors to teach students a greater understanding of, and means to develop, their own Code of Honor. Among students and staff alike, she is reputed to have a serious and strict demeanor.
Wisdom
Tertia Caelia is the Professor of Wisdom at the School of Seven Virtues. She is known for her research into various branches of magical theory and her practical knowledge of the Aether. Her most notable recent magical discovery was a means to cure death itself, though as of yet no one else has been able to duplicate the experiment. She is a Scarthan of the Parvum (lesser nobility) class, a skilled Mystic, and a scholar of some repute. Before the Mahori invasion, Prof. Caelia published a series of articles and short books explaining some of the more obscure and mysterious aspects of magical theory in simple terms for laymen and novices. Some scholars felt this work to be insufficiently serious for a Professor of Wisdom; others lauded the attempt to bring knowledge to more than just the intellectual elite. After the Mahori breakthrough, she has shifted her efforts to tirelessly seek ways to defeat the Mahori and cure the Touched.
Grace
Vespasia Lucchetti is the Professor of Grace at the School of Seven Virtues. A member of the prominent and scholarly Lucchetti family in Vortica, she has studied both at the University of Lucaria and in the Vortican royal court prior to her time at the School. She is a courtier and diplomat who has helped to negotiate treaties and assist with resolving conflicts all over Armandy. An occasional item in certain society publications, Professor Lucchetti has been known to enjoy the company of a wide range of social circles, often bringing her students along with her for various occasions. In addition to her Mastery of Grace, she has attained a Ring in Compassion, indeed even those who have sat across from her at the negotiation table have spoken of her warmth and understanding. Since the Mahori invasion, Professor Lucchetti has, with the help of her students, been following in the footsteps of her virtue's famous founder and has been striving to achieve a certain degree of cooperation among the various countries of Armandy in their efforts against the Mahori.
Other School Staff and Personalities
Lilli van Lillienthal - The School of Seven Virtues' Torhi librarian, she has a maternal demeanor, and is particularly kindly towards the students, always helping them out with research tips, some words of personal wisdom, or a homemade cookie. In addition to playing mother hen to many of the students, she's a whip-smart researcher who can dig up obscure references and rare volumes when no one else can.
The Bloody Knave - This is a place, not a person, but a well known and controversial fixture at the School of Seven Virtues. The Bloody Knave is an independently operated tavern that has been on the edge of school grounds since before its founding. The original owners of the tavern had been awarded the tiny patch of land on which their tavern was built for a great service to the crown of Albion during the Mahori War. They worked out an agreement with the school to continue to run the tavern once the area around it was bequeathed to the School of Seven Virtues, and the tavern served as a more neutral meeting place where outsiders to the school could come to do busines with heroes. However, over time, the descendants of the original proprietors developed a somewhat less savory reputation, and renamed the tavern from the Scarlet Knight to the Bloody Knave. Now there is some controversy over whether such a dubious establishment should be allowed to operate on school grounds, but the tavern’s ancient deed renders it untouchable.
Scholarly Figures
For other important scholars, see the authors of the in-game documents in the Documents and In-Depth History sections.
Professor Maredoc Leannta – Professor Leannta studies and teaches ancient history at the University of Enniscrone. Widely published and well-respected by his peers, he is something of an institution at the university, having taught there for the past forty-five years. While his mind is as sharp as ever, Professor Leannta's advanced age has led some to gently encourage him to retire, or at least reduce his teaching schedule and curtail his activities. Refusing to listen, the professor still eagerly takes on new students and occasionally leads trips and expeditions to various historically significant sites around Armandy, causing delight for his pupils and worry for university officials.
Social and Political Figures
For other important political figures (in fact, in many cases, the most important ones), see the rulers, nobles, and noble houses mentioned in the full Nationality writeups.
Lady Tristonia Marcovicci - A well-known socialite whose father is from a small but wealthy Vortican noble family and whose mother was from the Plerique class in Scartha before her marriage and move to Voltinia. Lady Tristonia is famous for her parties, which are lavish, opulent and always exciting. Her guest list varies widely, from courtiers to candlemakers and from generals to farmhands. The only constant requirements are that everyone is interesting and that everyone is well-behaved. Rumors about Lady Tristonia abound, among them that she is a spy for Vortica, a spy for Scartha, a spy for the Mahori, a secret sponsor of the Torhi resistance, an actress hired to impersonate the real Lady Tristonia, and, most recently, that she is engaged to an Aetherial Lord with a wedding planned in the autumn. When asked about any of these stories, she laughs and coyly encourages them, the more outrageous the tale, the better.
Baroness Aleydis Mandeviel — The Maurheim Ambassador to Scartha. Subject of endless speculation. Before the fall of Torheim, she was a patroness of the arts and hostess of well-attended parties, known for a decadent streak. Now she is the ambassador from Maurheim to Scartha (the only country maintaining diplomatic relations with Mahori-controlled Maurheim), and probably the only person known to go freely to and from Maurheim.
Legendary or Notorious Figures
These are past or current figures who became famous for excelling at what they do... whether what they do is saintly or unsavory.
Quinn Wicker - A name spoken in whispers, and the most daring (and some say dashing) spy in all the land. No one knows what he (or she?) looks like, for s/he is a master of disguise, among other things. Tales of him or her have appeared all over Armandy for years, and the only thing known for certain is that s/he leaves behind a small, artfully displayed sprig of branch as a calling card, only to be found after s/he is already gone and the job already done. No solid facts are known about Wicker, but the abundance of stories and rumors nearly makes up for it.
Past Heroes
The School of Seven Virtues has many graduates known in song and story for their brave deeds. These are only a small sampling. For information on the first Seven Heroes, see the In-Depth History section.
Peta and Kaspar Van Alstyne were siblings from Torheim who earned Rings in Courage and Grace. In the height of the battles with the Sea Raiders, they sailed a small ship to the Raider Isles and managed to infiltrate and sabotage many Raider ships. The culmination of their efforts came when they coordinated with the Torhi navy to free an encampment of prisoners. Peta was killed in that battle, but Kaspar survived and led the prisoners to safety on Torheim shores.
The Knights Crepuscular were a large order of heroes (varying in size from 10-15 members over the group’s 40-year history) whose mission was to defend Armandy from the darkest and most violent sorts of Aetherials. They worked with finely developed tactics and coordination, often with the blessing or assistance of both Aetherials and Ancestor Spirits; at times they ventured to the Aether itself to deal with threats that affected the mortal realms. They met a tragic end while attempting to defend a remote Vortican village from the Midnight Horde. They fought for two nights without rest, but their foes kept coming under the banner of their laughing captain. Soon half of the Knights Crepuscular were slain, including the husband of their leader, Caesario della Vedova. Stricken with grief and facing certain defeat and the deaths of the innocents they defended, Caesario invoked the Furies against his enemies. The Furies in their cold and deadly wrath destroyed the Midnight Horde and their dark captain, but also slew the knights who fought among them; in the end, Caesario was the only survivor. It is said that he afterwards threw himself off the Cliff of Ravens in despair.
Aiora Galangal, also known as The Woodlark, earned Rings in Honor, Grace and Compassion. A Changeling who was born in the Lostwood, but traveled throughout Armandy after gaining her rings, Aiora was well-known and much beloved for her ability to resolve problems and disputes, sometimes openly and sometimes with more subtlety. She spent much of her time in rural areas, lending her skills to the members of small, largely isolated communities. Occasionally, she would indulge her fondness for high society events by showing up at a party, although whether by actual invitation or by inviting herself was a matter for much debate. It may be said, however, that no one minded her presence, be it in the village or the marble halls of a manor house.
Lord Donal MacTiernan, the younger son of a minor noble house in Braemoor, earned rings in Selflessness, Courage and Compassion. During the war with Albion, he served in the Braemoor army as a Battle Healer and was known far and wide for his daring forays to heal downed soldiers and to rescue prisoners. While he preferred to work solo, at the insistence of his commanding officer he trained a small, elite squad both to assist him and to conduct their own missions. Lord Donal was killed in battle shortly before the end of the war and was widely mourned. Both his descendants as well as the descendants of those rescued by him continue to remember him in their prayers to their ancestors. It is something of a custom in Braemoor for soldiers to call on or pray to him when wounded and in dire situations, far removed from their allies.
The Company of the Rose is generally seen as the last great hero team produced by the School of Seven Virtues. Their many accomplishments included the capture of Esmerelda the Bandit Queen, slaying the Gorgon of Smoky Crag, and defeating the Creeping Gloom, as well as freeing the town of Mundrey from a year-long plague of Ghost Spiders. Members included Kellary the Bold (a daring swordswoman), Trevinius Lio (a devastating Sorceror and scholar), Rialleth Emryn (an elven Blood Witch), Sir Ulric Lancashire (the group's tactician and a highly skilled fighter), Alaria Nerella (a Hearth Mage and archer with a biting wit), and Pearson Bittingsly (an Albion-born Changeling duelist of impeccably fine manners and fashion). They were at their prime five years before the closing of the School; most members are still alive (though retired from action) to this day.
The Wave Riders – a group of heroes that came to prominence during what was known as the Season of Storms in 1367, a year in which there were an unusually high number of fierce, sudden and destructive storms all over Armandy, causing havoc and wrecks for ships all around the continent. The Wave Riders seemed to have a prescient ability to tell when and where the worst wrecks would occur and would often appear in the nick of time, their ship weaving through the churning sea, to rescue sailors from drowning. After the Season of Storms, they were instrumental in the conflict with the Sea Raiders, executing daring raids and rescues, often during some of the worst weather imaginable. While most of their names have been lost to history, their captain was Janus Oedegaard, who had rings in Courage, Wisdom and Selflessness.
Lady Auverin Ullfrey was an elven warrior whose skill with a blade had few, if any, rivals. She surprised her clan by going straight from her training lodge to the School of Seven Virtues, not long after its founding, where she earned rings in Courage, Grace, Honor, and Wholeness. She went on to defeat the Fell Beast of Tullworthy and the Grey General in single combat before becoming captain of the Lady Regent of the Lostwood’s personal guard. After 120 years of keeping the Lostwood safe from the Aetherial horrors from the Court of the Monstrous that occasionally stalked there, she rode forth one last time alone to face the Black Dragon Morchalion, which had overcome legions of the Lostwood’s finest warriors. She slew the beast, but received mortal wounds before returning to the Citadel of Niallan.
The Amaranth League – a team of heroes that traveled Armandy from around 1460-1480. They were occasionally also referred to as The Gentry, as most of them were nobles from various countries. Among their many achievements include the vanquishing of the Mage of the Thunder Grove, the rescue of Duchess Elspeth Westmoreland and her children, the freeing of several villages in southwest Braemoor from the stranglehold of the Coruscating Cabal, and the recovery and restoration of the Flame of Constantius. Their members included Lady Zölestine De Marest, (their leader and a fierce warrior), Sir Marcovaldo Corsini, (a Hearth Mage and a dashing socialite), Vesonius Tullis, (a serious and focused Sorcerer and Monk of the Plerique class), Dame Cynehild Winbold, (Blood Witch, Guardian and Bard, who was fiercely devoted to her friends), and Teimuraz Slypaw (fox Wyr, rogue, and self-described "friendly scamp"). Since they retired about 30 years ago, most of their members have died, but Sir Marcovaldo and Teimuraz are rumored to still be alive.
The Order of Eventide – A team composed of some of the first heroes to graduate from the school, the Order of Eventide accomplished many great deeds, including the defeat of the Cult of the Withered Hand; the capture of the infamous assassin, Lady Rannva Dal Soglio; the destruction of the Infinite Hive; and most famously the trapping and binding of the FireWyrm of Slachtburg, which had devastated the Torhi countryside for years. They were notable not just for their martial prowess (which was without question) but for their cleverness and innovation, often defeating dangerous foes with minimal use of force.
Groups
The Acanthus - Protectors of the Regent and keepers of the borders of the Lostwood, The Acanthus are as deadly and graceful as they are rarely seen. Masters of stealth, survival, and guerilla tactics, the techniques and training of these elite units are some of the best kept secrets in the Lostwood...and the Lostwood has many secrets. Their symbol is a three-lobed black leaf with a thorn on each lobe.
The Dainty Rag - This popular publication, which is distributed throughout Armandy, is a bit of a scandal sheet and gossip rag. Readers love devouring the juicy tidbits and outrageous stories. Occasionally there is even some real news amidst all the entertaining fluff, but one must search to find it.
Maurheim Mercenaries - The Maurheim Mercenaries are an organization that for a Very High Price will go into Maurheim to try to rescue your aunt/find your dog/retrieve your lost valuables. Occasionally, they can be convinced to take stalwart individuals with them on these expeditions. They are hard to contact and harder to afford, but are generally considered to have a much better success rate than one might expect, given the situation in Maurheim.
The Protectors of Armandy – a loosely organized but highly dedicated organization, the Protectors have members all over the continent except, of course, in Maurheim. Their mission is to find any and all Touched, particularly those in sensitive or powerful positions and see that they are dealt with appropriately. Their detractors list all the lives they have ruined while their advocates point out that some of the Touched they brought to light were in crucial political or military positions that, when they became Fallen, would be devastating for the effort against the Mahori.
The Silk Merchants of Dunwick - Dunwick, of course, does not produce silk. Those savvy in such matters sometimes use “silk merchants from Dunwick” as a euphemism to refer to organized crime networks everywhere, due to the powerful hidden guilds in Dunwick that are among the most notorious in all the shadowy corners of Armandy. It is said that crime in Albion is more organized than anywhere else, and that the unsavory “silk merchants” take great pride in aping the manners of the gentry and holding to their own twisted standards of etiquette in their dens of vice.
Clan Altherix - A tiny and very reclusive Changeling clan dwelling deep in the Forbidden Grove. The fabled enchanters of Clan Altherix are the sole producers of magical scrolls much in demand across Armandy. The Clan sends an agent to sell their scrolls for surprisingly reasonable prices in Eldfaire, often in odd ways or strange places such that Eldfaire shoppers never know when they will stumble across an unobtrusive basket of rare scrolls for sale. Merchants tend to snap them up and then sell them for greatly increased prices across Armandy. The scrolls’ value is further inflated by rumors that the Clan (which never passes on its secrets to outsiders) has dwindled to only a dozen or so members. PCs cannot play members of Clan Altherix.