Characters
The Falkazenn Imperial Family
Crown Princess Isolda (pronounced I-sold-ah) Murdock
Protagonist & POV Character. From a young age, Isolda has been trained to carry the weight of the empire on her shoulders. As the eldest daughter of Emperor Edmund and Empress Lydia, she grew up steeped in the traditions, politics, and expectations of Falkazenn’s imperial court. But unlike the generations of firstborns before her, Isolda has been untested by war—a fact that gnaws at her deepest insecurities.
In a world where strength is often measured in battle scars, she fears being seen as soft, weak, or unworthy. The United Nalavaris Peace Federation, brokered by her parents, has kept the world of Nalavaris at peace since her childhood. While she understands the importance of diplomacy, she also feels the weight of history pressing down on her—reminding her that Falkazenn’s rulers have always proven themselves through war. How can she be the leader her people need if she’s never had to fight for them?
Determined to prove herself, Isolda throws herself into every challenge with her sharp mind and relentless drive. While she gets along with her parents, their differences create an unspoken tension: her father believes in diplomacy, while she feels the need to forge her own path—to show that she is more than just a princess raised in peacetime.
Princess Odette Murdock
A storm wrapped in silk and ink, Odette Murdock is the second-born princess of Falkazenn—a role she embraces with studied indifference. Unlike her elder sister, Odette has never felt the weight of the imperial throne pressing down on her shoulders. Instead, as a secondborn, she has been trained in the scholarly disciplines of history, law, and prophecy.
Last year, she left the palace for the Sevoseon Guild Sanctum in the east, where she began her formal studies in the Guiding Texts, choosing The Nalavaris Chronicles—the vast, intricate record of Nalavaris’ history—as her field of devotion. Now, at seventeen, she has only just begun the long ascent through the ranks of scholars, but she is already certain of one thing: history is power.
Returning home for the Bloomtide Festival and her younger sister’s Skyfledging is an obligation, not a desire. She has little patience for the spectacle of court life, preferring the certainty of ink and parchment to the posturing of nobles and warriors. Where Isolda sees duty, Odette sees a performance—one that has repeated across the ages, each ruler believing themselves the exception to history’s cycles. This friction often puts her at odds with Isolda, whose sense of duty she finds frustrating, while Isolda, in turn, sees her as over-dramatic and detached.
Yet for all her cynicism, Odette is not as indifferent as she pretends. She may claim that the empire’s fate is merely another chapter in a book waiting to be written, but the truth is more complicated. She is fiercely intelligent, endlessly curious, and—despite her claims otherwise—deeply invested in the empire’s future. If knowledge is power, then she intends to wield it well.
Emperor Edmund II "the Peaceful" Murdock
Emperor of Falkazenn and Isolda's father. Edmund is more than just the ruler of Falkazenn—he is its foundation. A seasoned leader who has weathered war, political upheaval, and the burdens of the crown, he is a man of both strength and wisdom. His rule is defined by pragmatism; he is not one to chase glory for its own sake but rather seeks stability and longevity for his empire.
After decades of war, Edmund played a pivotal role in brokering the negotiations that led to the formation of the United Nalavaris Peace Federation, an alliance that reshaped the political landscape of the continent. In a bold move, he took the uncommon step of leveraging his eldest daughter’s hand in a marriage treaty—an unusual and controversial decision, given the rarity of such alliances in the world of Nalavaris. While this move brought peace, it has left Edmund with lingering doubts. He finds himself wrestling with the consequences of using his daughter as a political pawn, even if the alliance was necessary for the survival and prosperity of Falkazenn. To the world, Edmund is the unwavering emperor. To his family, he is a man who has sacrificed much to keep them safe, and now must face the personal cost of those sacrifices.
Empress Lydia Murdock
A devoted wife and mother, deeply committed to her family and the empire. While Edmund has trusted her to serve as regent in his stead many times, Lydia has always gravitated toward the more personal and humanitarian aspects of leadership rather than the rigid demands of administration. She has a strong sense of duty, yet she is more comfortable fostering diplomatic relationships, overseeing cultural endeavors, and ensuring the well-being of the imperial family. As such, she is quietly relieved as her eldest daughter, Isolda, takes on more Imperial responsibilities.
Princess Elleanore Murdock
At fourteen, Princess Elleanore is on the cusp of her Skyfledging, the long-awaited coming-of-age rite where she will claim her gryphon and take her place as a full-fledged royal of Falkazenn. Bright, eager, and endlessly curious, Elleanore carries the spark of adventure in her heart, often dreaming beyond the confines of courtly life. She idolizes Isolda, though she does not share her sister’s burdens, and she watches the Crown Princess’s every move with a mix of admiration and youthful impatience. As her fifteenth Emergence Day draws near, excitement and nerves war within her—she yearns for the freedom that Skyfledging promises, yet fears she may not be ready to take that leap.
Princess Sybilla Murdock
At only nine, Sybilla is the youngest of the imperial siblings and the least burdened by duty—at least for now. Sharp-eyed and observant, she sees more than people give her credit for, often slipping through the palace like a quiet shadow. She has a mischievous streak, but her antics are rarely disruptive; instead, they are clever, well-timed, and always executed with a knowing smirk. Unlike her sisters, Sybilla is in no hurry to grow up, preferring stories over strategy and laughter over responsibility. Yet beneath her playful nature, there is an undeniable cleverness—one that suggests she may be far more formidable in the years to come.
Imperial Employ & Falkazenn Forces
Dacia (pronounced Dach-e-ah) Witfield, Isolda's Sworn Sword
Bound by duty and forged in loyalty, Dacia Witfield is more than just a protector—she is Isolda’s shadow, her shield, and her closest friend. As a member of the Falkenguard, the elite protectors of the imperial family, she has sworn an unbreakable oath to safeguard the Crown Princess with her life. A firstborn herself, she understands the weight of expectation—but unlike Isolda, her path has always been clear: she was born to fight, and she will fight to the end.
Dacia is orphaned, the eldest child of Empress Lydia’s late brother, raised within the imperial palace alongside Isolda. She and her younger brother may have lost their parents young, but they gained a second family among the royal household. Fiercely independent and unswervingly loyal, Dacia has never questioned her place—her duty is to protect, and she does so with unshakable resolve.
As Isolda’s Sworn Sword, she is rarely more than five paces from her cousin’s side, always watchful, always ready. But her protection is more than just an obligation; it is a promise between kindred souls. Though their bond is steeped in duty, the two are sisters in all but blood, their friendship unshaken by rank or title. But for all her skill, she is still young, still learning, and still testing the limits of what it means to be both protector and person.
Amberley Rodas, Mistress of the Suite
Amberley Rodas is Isolda’s Mistress of the Suite, a role that demands constant precision, grace, and an unshakable sense of duty. Raised as the thirdborn daughter of a Falkenguard warrior, Amberley learned early how to balance responsibility and sacrifice. With two older siblings who have long since moved on to their own lives, much of the care for her younger siblings has fallen to her—especially as their mother’s health continues to decline. Even as she navigates the meticulous demands of court life, she carries the weight of home on her shoulders, struggling to balance both worlds.
Though her position requires decorum, her bond with Isolda is more than that of servant and sovereign—it is one of quiet, steadfast friendship. Where others might tread carefully around the Crown Princess, Amberley meets her with honesty and dry humor, unafraid to voice her thoughts when needed. Isolda, in turn, trusts her in ways she trusts few others, relying on Amberley’s keen instincts and level-headedness to keep her grounded. As preparations for the Bloomtide Festival threaten to overwhelm her, she finds herself stretched thinner than ever, That is, until Lydia steps in, ensuring Amberley can focus on her role.
Ahren Barclay, Sworn Shield of the Crown Princess
A man of iron will and unwavering loyalty, Ahren has spent his life in service to Falkazenn. Once a warrior who fought alongside Emperor Edmund on bloodstained battlefields, he now serves as Master Guardian and Sworn Shield of the Crown Princess—charged with her training, her safety, and, when necessary, her restraint.
When Edmund took the throne and moved his family to Lacot, he entrusted Ahren with Isolda’s protection and education in the art of war. In many ways, he has been as much a father to her as a mentor, shaping her into the warrior and heir she strives to be. Though his role demands discipline and unwavering focus, he sees the weight Isolda carries and pushes her not just to be stronger, but to be wise.
Years spent training incoming Falkenguard recruits have left him with a no-nonsense demeanor—stern, all business, and sometimes relentless in his expectations. Yet those who know him best, particularly Isolda and Dacia, have seen past the hardened exterior. Beneath the Falkenguard steel, there is warmth, humor, and a heart that remembers war too well to wish it upon another generation.
Johan Thorne, Imperial Advisor
Lord Johan Thorne is the Imperial Advisor, a steady and ever-present fixture in Falkazenn’s court. A man of measured words and careful deliberation, he has long served as one of Emperor Edmund’s most trusted counselors, offering wisdom honed by years of navigating the complexities of politics and governance. He is not a man who seeks the spotlight—instead, he works in the background, ensuring the empire runs as smoothly as possible.
When Isolda is granted regent duties in the days leading up to the Bloomtide Festival, Johan is tasked with aiding and advising her, a duty he takes seriously. But Edmund has also given him a personal charge—to keep Isolda at the palace, no matter what unfolds at the military camp near the border. It is a promise Johan intends to keep, though he knows the Crown Princess is not one to be easily dissuaded.
The Kingdom of Trunsiph
At Eddal Palace
Prince Alphaeus Purcell
The younger brother of the late King Ranulph, Alphaeus was raised as a secondborn scholar, dedicating himself to the Testaments of Fates, the Guiding Text of prophecy. But when Ranulph struggled to produce an heir, he recalled Alphaeus from his studies, placing him in command of Trunsiph’s military forces. When his niece, Queen Cisely, the King's long awaited heir finally came of age, Alphaeus was meant to step aside, return to his studies once again.
Having read a prophecy that he believed foretold the fall of his family’s kingdom, Alphaeus became convinced that he alone could prevent fate’s unraveling. Now, with Queen Cisely mysteriously vanished, he has declared himself Protector of the Realm, ruling in her stead while claiming to act in Trunsiph’s best interest.
But there is something strange about him—something unnatural. A force he wields that should not be possible. Isolda cannot explain the way his presence unsettles her, nor the way shadows seem to gather in his wake. The whispers surrounding Trunsiph’s court only deepen the unease. What power does Alphaeus command? Where are the Prince Consort and princes? And what, exactly, has become of Queen Cisely?
Tobias Edgecomb
A seasoned member of the Serpent’s Vow, Tobias Edgecomb once swore his blade to Queen Cisely’s family, standing as a loyal protector to her youngest son Cathal- Isolda's own betrothed. When the Trunsiph royal family fled the palace, Edgecomb and the rest of the Serpent’s Vow were left behind and forced to swear fealty to Alphaeus, though whispers persist that Edgecomb’s loyalty remains uncertain. Perhaps that’s why Alphaeus keeps him close—watching, waiting, never fully trusting him.
Edgecomb is sharp-witted, irreverent, and dangerously perceptive. To Isolda, he is an enigma: his sharp remarks keep her on edge, his smirks never quite give away his thoughts, and his apparent ease in Alphaeus’ service makes it impossible to tell where his loyalties truly lie. A man like Edgecomb doesn’t make his move until the moment is right. The question is—when that moment comes, which side will he choose?
Thedric Purcell
Thedric never expected to be the heir to Trunsiph’s throne. Raised far from the royal court by his mother, he grew up away from the weight of his father’s ambitions. But when Alphaeus seizes power, first as Protector of the Realm, then as King, he summons his only son to take his rightful place at his side.
Unfamiliar with the intricate web of court politics and unaware of the full truth behind his father’s rise, Thedric accepts his new role without question. He is not a scholar like his father—his place is on the battlefield, leading Trunsiph’s forces as their new commander. And if that means launching raids across Falkazenn’s borders, striking against those who would challenge his father’s rule, so be it.
Yet war is an unforgiving teacher. As Thedric follows his father’s orders, he begins to learn that loyalty is not the same as blind obedience—and that the battlefield is not always the greatest threat to a soldier’s fate.
Queen Cisely Purcell
As the late King Ranulph's long awaited heir, Cisely has spent her life as the pride of Trunsiph. As Queen, she has been known for her sharp mind and steady rule, a monarch raised from birth to lead both her kingdom and its forces. But now, she is little more than a whisper in the halls of her own palace—a missing queen, absent from court, her whereabouts seemingly unknown to all.
Her sudden disappearance left Trunsiph without a ruler, allowing Alphaeus to step in as Protector of the Realm. While he claims she has retreated due to illness and grief at her family's abandonment of the kingdom, rumors spread like wildfire. Some say she is imprisoned. Others believe she is dead. And still, others fear the truth may be something far worse.
Yet despite her absence, Cisely remains a presence in every whispered conversation and troubled thought—especially for Isolda, who cannot shake the feeling that the answers she seeks begin with Trunsiph’s lost queen.