Ysabel de Fedorias

Witch of the First Circle

AC 1017

"No matter how improbable, true love shall in the end prevail."

Appearance

Though all Belcadiz elf maids are lovely, Ysabel de Fedorias is breathtaking even by elven standards. A tiny confection of large emerald eyes and spun-glass cheekbones crowned by a waist-length tumble of wavy black hair, Ysabel sparkles with an inner glow which bursts out through her irrepressible smile and ready laugh. Whether at the Great School of Magic or on the town, she can always be seen in gaily colored dresses in soft silks or velvets (for Ysabel shuns "scratchy" Belcadiz lace), cinched tight to better accentuate her slim waist and hips. She is never seen without her silver locket (actually a magical treasure), worn about her neck on a fine silver chain.

Background

Ysabel was born in Nuevo Alvar in AC 910, the third child (and only daughter) of Don Francisco de Fedorias and his wife Doña Alma. As her uncle, Don Miguel de Fedorias, was son-in-law to the Prince of Belcadiz, Ysabel grew up quite close to the inner circle of Glantrian society—close enough to feel the sting of embarrassment when gossip of Don Miguel and Doña Carnelia's marital woes spread. But though Ysabel inherited her father's sensitivity to criticism, she also had her mother's high spirits. Resolutely ignoring the slow fall from grace of her family at the Belcadiz court, she found her own happiness in music and in exploring the countryside.

Ysabel's adventurous spirit and her insistence at independence drove her, on her 100th birthday, to beg her father for permission to attend the Great School of Magic, rather than studying magic privately (as did high-born young elven ladies). Francisco refused. But Ysabel, never one to give in, nagged and cajoled until her father received assurances from Princesa Carnelia de Belcadiz herself (who liked the spirited young girl) of her safety. Ysabel entered the School in AC 1011. While her marks were never excellent, they were high enough for the Princesa to offer to train the girl in the ancient Belcadiz ways of magic.

But Ysabel would never be a scholar-mage, nor even a reliably serious wizardess—she loved the Glantrian night life too much. Ysabel was soon a staple at Doña Carnelia's famous parties, as well as on the town. Though she ran with the in crowd, her reputation could never be impugned; she was fun, but not immoral.

Dominick Haaskinz, son of Prince Harald Haaskinz of Sablestone, was a common escort of Ysabel's to many of the better parties; one of her closer friends of the younger party set, Ysabel considered Dominick "safe," as his reputation as an officer and a gentleman was irreproachable. Besides, Dominick was fun, and knew all the speakeasies and dance halls of the capital. It was on one of these outings that Dominick introduced Ysabel to his best friend, Ralindi Virayana, eldest son of Prince Jherek Virayana IV of Krondahar. Dominick had dragged Ralindi to an underground music hall; the Krondaharan sat, visibly bored, against the wall... until Ysabel walked in. The couple spent all evening talking, then dancing the shocking new "waltz," where there was actual contact between partners. Dominick might as well not have been in the room. Ysabel and Ralindi fell instantly, passionately, in love.

From that moment on, the trio was inseparable—except, of course, when Ralindi and Ysabel were alone together. There was hardly a party in Glantri City where the "Terrible Trio" did not breeze through the door, Ysabel tucked neatly between her lover and her friend. Tongues wagged; even Prince Harald cautioned his son as to the rumors floating about. From Belcadiz, Ysabel's father sent a letter demanding that she stop being seen in public with two "older" men. But the three were the best of friends, were young, and did not care. Those were their golden years.

The good times could not last forever. The first blow came in early AC 1015, when Dominick was stationed at Skullhorn Pass. Soon after, Ralindi told Ysabel that his father was said to be looking for a bride for his heir—a Krondaharan bride. Ysabel was heartbroken; could not Ralindi marry her? Ralindi explained that Krondaharan tradition demanded a pureblooded first wife and heir. He had bucked tradition even in his affair with Ysabel, and his family was worried. Ysabel was shocked; in her naive happiness, she had not realized the price Ralindi had been paying for his love of her. But neither could she sacrifice her family's honor by becoming a second wife or—worse yet, a concubine. The issue became the couple's constant sore spot; neither could, or would, compromise.

Then, so soon after, Prince Jherek was killed in the war against Ethengar. Ralindi was suddenly gone, whisked back to Krondahar to take on the mantle of leadership. Ysabel, utterly alone, buried her worries in school, and in parties. Ralindi visited as often as he could, secreting her away for a few minutes here or there. Their liaisons often caused a stir, as when Ralindi sneaked out of the opera to rendezvous with Ysabel in her gondola, and was seen. Rumors abounded that the young Prince would set aside tradition and marry his beloved elf maid.

Such a happy thing was not to be. In AC 1017, while celebrating Dominick's return to the capital, Ralindi and Ysabel quarreled once again over marriage. Ysabel, worried more and more over her father's letters (Don Francisco continually mentioned a widowed friend of his.), urged Ralindi to elope with her. Irritated, the Prince revealed that he was actually in negotiations to marry Rina Krinagar, niece of Prince Urmahid Krinagar. Ysabel must agree to be second wife, and they could be together forever. Ysabel was crushed; she knew that Ralindi was forcing her hand, and resented it deeply. Again, she refused to be a lesser wife; that night, she and Ralindi split permanently.

Ysabel mourned the loss of her love with a depth of grief only an elven heart could understand. Friends worried about her health as she languished in her room at the Great School, berating herself over her inability to settle for being second in Ralindi's life. But she had been raised the daughter of a Belcadiz nobleman, and the honor of her family was paramount: they would tolerate an affair of the heart (for did the Belcadiz not honor Love above all?), but they could never countenance her marrying "in disgrace" as a lesser wife. In her despair, Ysabel forgot even to eat and sleep, and fell ill. Finally, alarmed acquaintances sent for Grand Master Harald Haaskinz, and Ysabel's father was summoned to take her home.

Ysabel, resigned to her loneliness now, and wishing only for the comfort of her family, turned to her father for solace when he arrived, only to be treated coldly. She had ruined herself, and had justly learned her lesson, Don Francisco proclaimed. And now she would marry, to a man willing to accept her—her father's widowed friend.

Ysabel was stunned by her father's harshness, and pleaded for more time, in which to recover from her heartbreak. Don Francisco refused: Ysabel would marry the next day.

Panicked, Ysabel ran away, dashing through the doors of the Great School just ahead of her father's shout to the guards. Running through a capital which seemed suddenly hostile, she ended up at one of the Terrible Trio's old haunts. The doorman was kind enough to send for Dominick, who spirited Ysabel back to the Haaskinz manor. There, as Dominick held a shivering Ysabel, he whispered words which stole her very breath: he had always loved her.

Personality & Quirks

Ysabel is a force of irrepressible happiness, whose tinkling laughter easily infects everyone around her. She remains one of the most popular persons on the social scene due to her love of "good, clean fun" (for although the Glantrian scene is undoubtedly debauched, it openly admires one of its own who is not). A common scene in the capital is Ysabel dancing the wildest new step, singing the latest tune in her clear elven voice, or even literally "painting the town red" (the Terrible Trio were once rebuked for splotching the fun places of Glantri with red paint—Ysabel's offbeat idea). But inside the fun-loving party girl lies a heart of gold, with unswerving faith in True Love and the ultimate triumph of Good. The loss of Ralindi, while hard, will fade as Ysabel awakens to find that love has found her in the guise of her best friend, Dominick.

Web of Intrigue

Ysabel has been the darling of the Glantrian social scene since her arrival at the capital in AC 1011. Even through her latest turmoil, she has never lost the support of Princesa Carnelia, who admires her passionate spirit and untouchable principles. Prince Ralindi, though forced to marry another, still loves Ysabel deeply (he had been certain that she would agree to be his second wife, once she had no choice); he would do anything for her, though her new romance with his best friend may strain his feelings a bit. Prince Harald considers Ysabel a "dear girl," and will use his influence to pressure her father into approving Dominick's suit.

Style of Magic & Combat

Statistics: 7th-level elven wizard, Witch of the 1st Circle; Str 9, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 16, Wis 11, Cha 17; AL L (D&D), LG (AD&D).

Languages: Elvish (Belcadiz dialect), Thyatian (Glantrian dialect).

Weapon Proficiencies: none.

Skills: reading/writing, spellcraft, etiquette, singing, dancing, riding (land-based).

Items: Ysabel's Locket of Unwavering Principle and Ralindi's Silken Sheets of Dreampleasures, one of the Treasures of the Secret Craft of Dream Magic

Ysabel was never a particularly good student of magic, though she has potential if she were not so distracted by "real life" (meaning, fun). She still attends the Great School of Magic full-time, while living at the Haaskinz manor (Her continued education was Prince Harald's condition to her residence). Thus, her spells are an eclectic mix, picked up in one lightweight class or another; Ysabel shuns personal research. She is virtually useless in combat, though she might frighten dirty attackers away with a well-placed finery and freshness spell. Prince Harald finds her lack of interest in magic irritating, but concedes that the elf has "many more years to find herself."

"Ahh, the Flower of Belcadiz. I beg that I might gaze into your glittering eyes, as my unworthy lips taste the nectar of your sweet skin; even if it be only that of your lily-white hand."

(The ever romantic Prince Morphail Gorevitch-Woszlany, just before finding out, much to his chagrin, that he mysteriously has no power over Ysabel.)

References: Dominick's Heart 

Author: Jennifer Guerra