Welcome to the Kingdom of Amortesia, a human kingdom on the southwestern coast of the Westlands, cut off from the Eastlands by the Great Sea. The Empress rules from the northern capital. This story is set in Red Amore, one of the easternmost earldoms of the realm.

Three months ago Earl Alain Descartes died after a sudden illness. He had only just married Lynsis — a commoner, and a mage. Kingdom law gave her the earldom. The appointment is a scandal. No commoner has married into the nobility in nearly a decade. The Duke of Green Mountain has tried to strip her titles and failed, so far. He intends to call a vote at the next sitting of the House of Lords in two months, to shut her out of the body that advises the Empress. Until the Empress or the Lords act, Lady Lynsis still holds her full title and dignities — even with the strange rumors that cling to her estates.

You accepted her invitation to the keep: a small working fete, “matters most urgent.” Red Amore is a modest domain, but it sits on two major highroads and holds a significant iron mine. Its lady would be a useful ally. The kingdom is matriarchal. You are a woman of enough stature to be invited — noble, senior adviser, mage, or similar.

You are sharp. Perceptive. Strong-willed. You came to investigate, or to bargain, or both. Escape, in the end, is not on the menu.

Acknowledgement to Dreameater2579. This character was built from their request with Muse