Princess Melissa Gardener

[Princess Melissa Gardener]

Name: Princess Melissa Gardener
Age: 19 (born 180)
Kingdom: The Reach
Position: Princess of Highgarden



Backstory:

Born the only daughter of King Grayson II Gardener and his Queen, Lena of House Redwyne, Melissa grew up in the luxurious surroundings of Highgarden. Her earliest memories are of playing with her brothers in the vast gardens. Though she shared some lessons with her brothers Melissa was taught needlework, singing and other feminine arts, while the boys learned swordplay, jousting and other martial skills. Though her sewing was adequate, she never developed a love for embroidery and could neither sing nor play an instrument. Her mother, an accomplished harpist, despaired of her tone deaf daughter, and the young Melissa soon grew frustrated at her failure to perform even the simplest tunes.

One day, after a particularly difficult singing lesson, the eight year old Melissa stumbled into the yard, where her brothers were at their swordplay. She had played at stick fighting with them from time to time but Septa Ravella had always forbidden her to join their lessons. This time, though, King X was present. Seeing his daughter in tears, he gathered her to him and they watched the boys together, until Melissa was calm again. The king was feeling indulgent that day. He allowed Melissa to take up a wooden practice sword and participate in a training match against one of the younger boys. Displaying a talent for swordplay, Melissa beat the other boy then announced her intention of joining the boys at their swordplay. The older boys laughed, as did the master at-arms, but the king kindly explained that swordplay wasn't for girls. Melissa stamped her foot and reminded the king of her victory, reasoning that any girl who could beat a boy in a duel should be allowed to train with him. The king refused but Melissa did not give up easily. She begged shamelessly to be allowed to exchange her music lessons for sword practice. After a month of relentless begging every time they met, the king agreed, much to the queen's chagrin. Elated, Melissa was allowed to take lessons in swordplay, but only with the private tutor engaged by the king, who did not want his daughter being treated like "one of the boys." It was the hope of both king and queen that their daughter would grow out of her boyish phase, yet Melissa never lost her taste for swordplay.

It was three years before Melissa was officially allowed to join the boys and men in the yard and then only under her tutor's supervision. If her tutor, Ser Damon, knew about the occasions she sneaked off to join the boys for illicit swordplay sessions behind his back, he never said a word.

As Melissa grew, it became obvious that she favoured outdoor pursuits such as riding and hawking to indoor activities. Fortunately the grounds of Highgarden were large enough to grant her sufficient freedom. The king had explained to her once that the price for her continued lessons in swordplay was the necessity of learning to become a lady, so Melissa did her best to learn all that her mother and septas taught her, though she never again picked up a musical instrument. In time, she developed an interest in fine clothing and jewels and was fortunate enough to possess a talent for choosing clothes that suited her figure and colouring. This skill served her well at feasts and tournaments, while the grace she learned at her swordplay helped her become a skilled dancer.

At age thirteen, Melissa was betrothed to Arthur, the heir to House Hightower.  While she had no particular desire to marry, she reluctantly accepted that marriage lay in her future and, since the young Hightower seemed pleasant enough, made no great fuss about the match and took comfort in Oldtown's proximity to Highgarden.  After all, it was still part of her father's kingdom.  Queen Lena sensibly arranged for her daughter to spend several months in close proximity to her betrothed, hoping to foster good relations between the pair.  The plan was partially successful; though Melissa developed no romantic feelings for the youth, she soon came to consider him a valued friend and look more favourably upon their future.  Sadly, Arthur died a few years ago.  In order to retain the union between their houses, Melissa's brother, Prince Geralt was married to Lord Hightower's heir.  Melissa has not yet been betrothed to another man.

In recent years, Melissa has spent a fair portion of time travelling in the company of her former tutor, Ser Damon Osgrey.  She has visited many castles of the Reach, as well as joined diplomatic embassies to the Westerlands and to Dorne, though her motives have been somewhat selfish, since her goal was simply to have adventures.    One of Melissa's more notable adventures, whispered of at court, though never in the hearing of the king and queen, took place at Bitterbridge, when she hamstrung Clayton Caswell during a duel.  Nobody at Highgarden is quite sure why the duel took place, but it's known that Ser Clayton has never again picked up a sword.  Another of Melissa's exploits concerns a duel with the Bastard of Darkdell, in which she defended a serving maid from the man's unwated advances.


Personality:

Melissa is a bold, determined girl who loves travel, swordplay and tales of old heroes. Though she likes to do outdoor things, she can play the lady when necessary. She is worried about the prospect of marriage, fearing that it might curtail her freedom to do as she likes. She dreams of one day meeting up with the Steel Mermaids to hear tales of their exploits.


Skills:

Fighting

-Weapons
--One Handed
---Swords 80
--Small Blades 50
--Unarmed 30
--Chain (25 Points)
--Shield (25 Points)

/////

Leadership:
-Battle
--Land
---Ambush 50

//////

Political:
-Persuasion
--Charm 52

Physical abilities: Only 100 total points can be split between strength and agility. Strengths over 49 will require PCs to be sized appropriately.
--Agility 44
--Strength 20
--Stamina 40
--Swimming 20
--Horsemanship 50

Miscellaneous
-Art
--Dancing 40
--Writing 40

-Languages
--Valyrian 40

-Survival 60

[Princess Melissa Gardener]

Name: Septon Titus, formerly Prince Titus Gardener
Age: 42 (born 157)
Kingdom: The Reach
Position: Septon, member of the Most Devout, and brother to King Grayson II




Backstory:

Titus grew up as the youngest child of King Edmund I Gardener.  As a boy of 10, he was sent off to the Starry Sept to be trained as a septon.  Having been raised to expect this destiny from infancy, Titus was content to go, though sad to leave behind his childhood friends.  He soon made new friends among the young novices in Oldtown, and spent happy years studying with his fellows.  He learned many things besides religious doctrine and was even permitted, during his teenage years, to occasionally study in the Citadel's library, in order to further his knowledge, a tradition he continued in later years as well.  

Titus was twenty when he took his final vows as a septon.  His first posting was to the Honeyholt, where he served ably, and was able to move his flock with impassioned speeches on many on occasion, though some might have said he did not typically display the proper humility of a septon, due to his royal blood.  During his time at the Honeyholt, Titus fell in love with a common girl, Jenny, daughter of the local smith.  Blessed with a stipend from his royal father, Titus kept Jenny as his mistress, playing at husband and wife together in the little house he rented on her behalf.  But when Jenny fell pregnant with her first child, her fuming father demanded reparations.  Titus was given a new post, this time in Vinetown on the Arbor.  Jenny's father was paid off and the young woman accompanied Titus to the island.  As time passed, the pair had three children together and managed to live a pleasant, if disjointed family life, as Titus pursued his religious duties and further studies.  Ultimately, his ambition put paid to his romance with Jenny and he eventually paid her off in 187, promised to provide for their children and helped her secure a marriage with a merchant's son.    

Titus was later posted to Oldtown, where he serves as a member of the Most Devout.  He is widely respected among Faith circles, and a frequent visitor to his brother's court.  Titus' current mistress is Talia Sloane, with whom he has another daughter, Zhoe.  His daughter Alys serves as lady in waiting to Queen Lena, his son Jason is a knight of the Green Hands and Desmond, the younger boy, is a novice at the Starry Sept.  


Personality:

Titus is a proud, ambitious man.  Nobody quite knows whether his primary loyalty is to House Gardener or to the Faith itself. He is a fond, if sometimes distant father, and is usually to be found with a book to hand.  


Skills:

Fighting
-Weapons
--Small Blades 80
--Unarmed 30

/////

Political:
-Persuasion
--Seduction 50
--Charm 40
--Diplomacy 60

Spy craft:
--Forgery 50
--Espionage 40
--Observation 30

Physical abilities:
--Agility 10
--Strength 10
--Stamina 20
--Swimming 20
--Horsemanship 30

Miscellaneous
--Writing 40
-Languages
--Valyrian 40
-Medical Knowledge 80


Family


-Septon Titus, of the Most Devout (b. 157)
+his former mistress, Jenny of Honeyholt (b. 160)
--their first son, Ser Jason Flowers, of the Green Hands (b. 179)
--their daughter, Alys Flowers, a maiden (b. 181)
--their second son, Desmond Flowers, sworn to the Faith (b. 185)
+his current mistress, Talia Sloane 
--their daughter, Zhoe Flowers (b. 196)

[The Forgotten God]

Approved.

[Princess Melissa Gardener]

Improvements


Melissa

+1 agility - Bicentennial tourney (Limbo)
+3 agility - Bicentennial tourney (Musical Chairs)
+2 charm - rolling bonus


Titus