[attr="class","enc_line"] | Upon a Horse; Borrowed Freedom | [attr="class","enc_line"] |
Realm:
The Greek Realm
Pronunciation
Tan-jee-uh.
Sacred Symbol
The Peacock
Current Ruler
King Stephanos of Mikaelidas
Queen Olympia of Mikaelidas
Heir Apparent
Price Irakles of Mikaelidas
Heir Successive
Lord Achilleas of Mikaelidas
Patron Gods
Dionysus, God of Wine
Aphrodite, Goddess of Love
Poseidon, God of the Sea
Orders
— The Order of Vasiliadon
Development
— Pinterest Board
— Spotify Playlist
— Spotify Playlist (Instrumental)
— Trailer (Youtube)
Taengea sits upon several of the largest islands in the Grecian kingdoms, to the south of the realm. With low sea-levels and low altitudes, the islands are flat, with roaming fields and meadows. Perfect for animal grazing and crop growing, Taengea is one of the largest producers of food stock and luxuries only wide expanses of flat land can accommodate - such as vineyards and fruit orchards. Comprised of three islands - Serenn is the largest and holds most of the provinces. Macendia is a single province all its own to the east of Serenn and Emae is an island that solely supports provinces under the Dimitrou family name. All three islands, however, are close knit and require only a short voyage by boat (nought but a few hours) to journey between them.
Taengea is a beautiful kingdom with vast areas of greenery and meadow. Its capital lies on the edge of Serenn and is considered one of the great beauties of the Grecian realm. The people of Taengea believe that the Gods created the world to be enjoyed and they take great pride in celebrating that enjoyment in times of leisure or festivals, as well as giving back to that beauty in their work attending the fields and animals that they grow. Taengea is famous for its wines, cattle meat and the horses that it raises and trains for chariot racing and the military. Many people find that the Taengean way of life seems irresponsible and overtly-leisure based but they also take their work seriously, as they believe wine to be the ambrosia sent by the Gods and horses to be the most beautiful and divine of animals - such as the ones that pull the chariots of Apollo and Ares. Taengeans tend to be loud, overtly-friendly and have limited respect for personal space. Their focus, in terms of industry and trade, is a balanced and overarching one: they have much land for crops and food sources, they have livestock and livery, they are surrounded by rich and abundant seas.
Taengean's are the most hospitable in the Grecian kingdoms. They are loving, welcoming and sometimes a little too close for comfort. People from other kingdoms often find their hosts too touchy or too personal. If you ever need anything, however, you should always ask a Taengean; it is their pride and honour to help assist others however they can. Due to their love of festivals and their appreciation for the finer things in life - like wine and parties - the Taengean people have a reputation across the realm for being laissez faire and idle. This is, however, not the case. Taengeans believe just as strongly in hard work as they do in celebrating but their firmest ethos is in the importance of balance. That life is to be enjoyed, once a day's hard work is done. And to not celebrate after labouring would be to reduce a life to nothing more than toil; a dishonourable way to repay the Gods for all they have given.
In politics, Taengeans tend to like the argumentative element of the Senate. They enjoy open discussion and banter and will often come to decisions only after a long period of argument; even when - or especially when - no argument was actually necessary. The Taengean Senate and Houses, however, are also some of the most corrupt, as they are a passionate and money-driven people. Many of the politicians have standing agreements based on money for certain laws to always be passed or for certain groups of the Senate to always agree with a beneficiary Lord. The king and queen are considered to be important but, more often than not, the deals and arrangements go in favour of the royal House, so, in general, they have little to argue with the Senate. Unfortunately, if anything of a serious nature that the king and queen have a firm stance on does reach the Senate, they often have a hard time breaking through the agreed cliques and groups that the lords have worked in for so many years. As such, the king and queen of Taengea, plus other more independent members of the Senate have learned to be incredibly cunning and handle a lot of their politics either in Court or outside the legal congregations altogether, else they are reduced to arguably the least powerful monarchy in Greece.
[attr="class","enc_line"] | The Capitol | [attr="class","enc_line"] |
Vasiliádon is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean. Built around a wide, crescent harbour and then encircled by a large and impressive wall, the city is designed in a wheel shape with the streets the spokes and the buildings beautifully crafted at fine angles to fill the spaces between. In the north-eastern side of the city, the wealthy and the upper class live in one particular section of the circular city. The Quarter (as it is known) houses the royal residence; the Mikaelidas Paláti, the homes of all other Dynasteías and large and important buildings of state (such as the Dikastírio). In this area of the city, the streets are wide and open, with archways down every passage and sculpted statues on every corner. The entire area looks to be a stonemason's playground and offers art from every angle, as far as the eye can see.
The rest of the capitol city offers just as much to shock and awe the senses as its richer district. But instead of the eye being drawn to art that stands the test of time, here it is drawn to the art of the moment; fine wines, fine foods and fine women are on offer in every street and block of the Outer City, for Vasiliádon is Elysium on earth to many. Its large Plateía (dead centre of the wheel of the city) offers part of itself to the weekly market with its remaining space becoming a hive of gossip and intrigue for those too low in rank to attend the Court. In Vasiliádon there is rarely an ugly thing in site - be it a person, building or traded good. But outside the city - where new buildings have not been constructed for the expanding population - wooden structures and shanty towns are slowly forming up against its elegant walls.
[attr="class","enc_line"] | The Provinces | [attr="class","enc_line"] |
The Taengean isles are closer than most and were once joined until the sandbars that attached them were worn away to sink beneath the ocean's waves. Only a few hours apart by boat, all three of the Taengean islands are low bearing and close to sea level. They enjoy mild to rich sunshine and healthy doses of rainfall. There is rarely a sudden extreme in weather or temperature in Taengea and their greatest risk, climate wise, is the skies being too mild, as it produces mediocre wine for the year. The open lands and meadows of Taengea are covered either in vineyards and livestock or in forestry, all three isles being predominantly green, healthy and abundant with life.
Barony: Open
Population: 1,800
Military Unit: The Chimera Chiliostys
Description: A seaside town which has a perfect mix of tranquility and fun, Acaris has a stunning beach right next to its main port of Gaios, where ships are perpetually entering and exiting. A busy port for merchants and slave traders to stop by for a drink or to spend a fun day off, Acaris is very much a town with a laid-back vacation vibe. The town of Acaris is the final point for all of the exports of winery by the House of Condos, before it is exported to other kingdoms.
Main Export: Import/export taxes
Sub-Exports: Fish, trinkets, jewellery, wine.
Barony: Konstantos of Leventi
Population: 1,600
Military Unit: The Red Hearts
Description: With wide rolling plains, it is no surprise that the House of Leventi would be great at producing top notch equines. With fresh luscious grasslands and small houses dotting the landscape, Acharist is peaceful and tranquil, with disturbances few and far between. Many have said that Acharist is quite a rejuvenating province, especially when one just stares at the landscape dotted with horses and humans both at peace together.
Main Export: Horses
Sub-Exports: Land tax, grain, fruit
Barony: Open
Population: 1,100
Military Unit: Poseidon's Own
Description: Located on the tip of the kingdom, Aetotist is most well known for the ancient temple of Poseidon, located in Cape Sounion. Perched above sea at almost 200 feet high, the temple has six columns, rectangular with colonnades on all of our sides. The hall of worship is located right in the centre, where a 20 feet bronze statue of Poseidon stands tall.
Main Export: Temple taxes
Sub-Exports: Fish, shellfish, trinkets
Barony: Open
Population: 2,900
Military Unit: The Fearless
Description: A confusing blend of the modern and historical, Argothia retains a fair amount of historical architecture, yet the people of Argothia are anything but traditional. Sporting colourful clothing and with many odd food concoctions, Argothia is a province of experimentation and fun. When night comes, Argothia provides a very different set of entertainment - including the famous Argothian Hetarias, always hanging around the Stadium Cronion every time an event is held.
Main Export: Games-runner taxes
Sub-Exports: Textiles, jewellery, pottery
Barony: Iason of Dimitrou
Population: 2,600
Military Unit: The Storm of Arrows
Description: Located in the beautiful center of Taengea, Chaoedia is surrounded by luscious green and verdant forests. Emerald landscapes is as far as the eye can see, with a gentle breeze a constant presence around the province. The buildings retain basic Taengean architecture, with pretty colourful houses nestled in the craggy hillsides. The dense forests are kept beautiful and abundant, and all of which are managed by the Dimitrou family.
Main Export: Timber
Sub-Exports: Grain, rice, vegetables, fruits
Barony: Nikos of Condos
Population: 3,800
Military Unit: The Knives
Description: A small unassuming town in Taengea, perhaps the most drawing thing about this town was the large glass-blowing factory situated right in the centre of Doralis, with an attached tavern. Owned by the Condos family, the glass blowing factory functions mainly to produce the bottles used to contain the wine produced by the Condos vineyards. However, the glass-blowers also produce small knick knacks which they put for sale. On the edge of the town, is a small shrine dedicated to Dionysus, where a glass of wine is presented every other day as an offering for the god.
Main Export: Glass
Sub-Exports: Wine, trinkets, jewellery
Barony: Open
Population: 3,400
Military Unit: The Leventi Blood
Description: The province of Elopia boasts great natural diversity. From high mountainous regions to striking beaches, Elopia holds towns that are just waiting to be discovered. Due to its variety in biodiversity, Elopia is also known for producing the different types of timber exported and produced by the House of Leventi, for different occasions and uses.
Main Export: Timber
Sub-Exports: Woodwork, flowers, grain
Barony: Open
Population: 4,500
Military Unit: The Beasts of Burden (Tongue-In-Cheek)
Description: Known for its narrow valleys and beautiful picturesque areas, Epirus celebrates a festival once almost every a month, especially when they have a vast and easy supply of wine for festivities. It's vast amounts of lush grounds makes it so that everything that grows out of Epirus's grounds would definitely be vibrant, ensuring the quality of wine produced by the House of Condos would be the best in the region.
Main Export: Wine
Sub-Exports: Fruits, flowers
Barony: Achilleas of Mikaelidas
Population: 5,100
Military Unit: The Taengean Lions
Description: A small cozy town that runs on a laid-back tempo, Euttica has nothing to boast of that would be mind-blowing, yet something about Euttica's small, easy-going attitude would put even the toughest warrior at ease. With a large populace of people able to be called on should a battle ever need to be fought, Euttica is thought of as the Gentle Giant of Mikaelidas provinces.
Main Export: Grain
Sub-Exports: Vegetables, fruit, bread, goat's milk
Barony: @georgios
Population: 3,900
Military Unit: The Macendian Giants
Description: A stunning landscape of greenery and rolling hills regardless of which angle you see it from, Macendia is a province flanked by dramatic snow-capped mountains, and a quaint charm that is retained in their quiet town. Most of the fields are filled with the horseflesh owned and bred by the Leventi family but explore the area on the walking paths that winds itself around the town, and you will discover the unique charm that is Macendia.
Main Export: Horses
Sub-Exports: Land-taxes, fruit, vegetables
Barony: Open
Population: 4,000
Military Unit: The Aphrodite's Chosen
Description: Situated at the mouth of the Kouklia river that runs through Taengea, Maliania has often been touted as the most romantic province in Taengea. It's flowers are often in bloom, many weddings have been performed there. Perhaps it has to do with the hilltop temple of Aphrodite that lends the town its romantic aura. The temple has an open court which is surrounded by limestone monumental walls, and right in the centre of the courtyard, the Fountain of Aphrodite stands, flanked by her sacred animals: a dove and a goose, with a rose in her hand. Many couples in love would visit the fountain in hopes of gaining everlasting happiness.
Main Export: Flowers
Sub-Exports: Luck trinkets, fruits, timber
Barony: Gavriil of Dimitrou
Population: 1,800
Military Unit: Hammer of The Sky
Description: Considered one of the most beautiful towns in Taengea, Meganea is built on a sheer cliff, and provides a breathtaking view of the kingdom - if you manage to scale its sides, that is. The hike up is not easy, and definitely not for the untrained but the view is worthwhile.
Main Export: Horses
Sub-Exports: Timber, flowers, grain
Barony: Open
Population: 1,800
Military Unit: The Crimson Diamonds
Description: A town full of life, Melis is full of taverns, and gets their wine direct from the Condos vineyards. Its cobbled streets are often dotted with drunkards or bottles of empty spirits - meaning Melis may not be the most picturesque of the kingdom. But it is where you should head if you want a damn good bottle of wine.
Main Export: Wine
Sub-Exports: Mead, mulled wine, wood-work
Barony: Open
Population: 3,000
Military Unit: Heaven's Blessed
Description: Messenis is a wonderful display of fusion between art and culture, nature and mankind. The people of Messenis are wildly creative, and it is a constantly happening province. There is always an art festival or wine appreciation party going on somewhere, so if you want to find the life of the island, you know where to go.
Main Export: Art and textiles
Sub-Exports: Clothing, jewellery, shoes, sculture
Barony: Open
Population: 2,300
Military Unit: The Taengean Sharks
Description: If you want good food - get to Oettias. Seemingly producing the best chefs in the kingdom, Oettias chefs have often been hired as palace chefs, which makes the natives of this province horribly proud. They pride themselves on great seafood, and the seafront promenade has plenty of vendors selling freshly caught fish.
Main Export: Fish
Sub-Exports: Shellfish, octopus, squid, shark meat
Barony: Open
Population: 2,100
Military Unit: The Jilted Lovers (Tongue-In-Cheek)
Description: Known as one of the seedier provinces of Taengea, the people of Phossis take partying a bit too seriously. There is never an hour of he day where the alleys of Phossis aren't filled with either 'flute girls' or whores garnering for your attention, or music going on somewhere within the town square. With the amount of celebration constantly going on, Phossis have also become a hotspot for street crime, and is notorious for having numerous pickpockets running around.
Main Export: Wine
Sub-Exports: Prostitution taxes, land-rent, textiles
Barony: Open
Population: 4,200
Military Unit: The Life Warriors
Description: The province with the mildest climate whole year round, Thesdiki is protected from the harsh changing climates of seaside port towns, and is situated right in the centre of Taengea. As such, the province enjoys lovely weather year round, attracting many during the monsoon season or stormy season. The people of Thesdiki enjoy their weather so much, they even have a small shrine for the Theoi Ouranioi sky gods, to protect their good weather.
Main Export: Fruit
Sub-Exports: Wine, grain, rice, vegetables
Barony: Open
Population: 3,600
Military Unit: The Monsters Below
Description: As a province closest to one of the oldest active volcano's in Taengea, Thessmea is home to abundant thermal springs on the upper levels of their province. The groundwater of Thessmea is heated by geothermal activity, and over time the pools of Thessmea has become a respite for many seeking relief from musculo-skeletal pains and other issues. Water can reach scalding 60 degree Celcius, and a public bath area was erected for the people.
Main Export: Visitor taxes
Sub-Exports: Fresh water, volcanic rock, fruit
Barony: Open
Population: 2,900
Military Unit: The First Ones
Description: Many stories swirl around the historical province Thestus. Many are connected to myths regarding few gods and goddesses of the Greek culture but no one has any found any actual connection to the myths. One of the oldest inhabitated towns in Taengea, it breathes history from its very cobblestoned paths and alleyways.
Main Export: Accounting and law services
Sub-Exports: Visitor-taxes, sculpture, stone-work, leather
[attr="class","enc_line"] | The Royal Houses | [attr="class","enc_line"] |
The canons of the Taengean royal lines are listed below. Please note that all untaken characters are open to creator interpretation. So long as an application does not directly contradict the information listed on this page, a creator is welcome to build a canon to their liking and create something wholly their own. Please also note that these characters are only the ones listed as members of the royal bloodlines. We also have wanted characters the the Taengean Varónos (Noble Houses) which can be found in our Character Compendium.
To apply for a Canon Character, simply create an account with their first name as your username (e.g. "nikolias" for Nikolias of Condos). If the username is listed as unavailable, another member is already creating that character. All Canon Character applications must be completed within two weeks or they will be returned to Open status and the username will become available for claiming again.
Dynasteía of Condos
Birth House: Condos
Age: 52
Gender: Male
Face Claim: Dermot Mulroney
Province of Birth: Epirus
TakenNikolias missed out on becoming king of Taengea through the sole fluke of his royal parent being born a woman. While it can't be said that Nikolias is happy about this chain of events he is certainly not bitter, being raised by a father who was head of his own noble House and determined to instill a sense of pride on his son for his family name. Nikolias has grown up comporting himself as the king he might have once been, while also caring greatly for a woman his marriage was arranged to when they were children. He and Olivia now share a strong bond of respect and affection and Nikolias deeply loves his children.
Birth House: Condos
Age: 50
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Kim Cattrall
Province of Birth: Maliania
Engaged to her second cousin Nikolias of Condos from a young age, Olivia has always seen to do right by her duty. That being said, she was exceptionally happy to find that her duty tied her to a young boy who grew up to be mature, honest, noble and caring and while Nikolias may feel only deep affection for his wife, she returns it with pure love. Her children equally share in this love and it was primarily Olivia who insisted that their eldest daughter Marissa should marry the man she fell in love with in Colchis, rather than the man she went to become engaged to. Olivia finds courtly politics distasteful and shameful but is also aware that they are important to the position of her family, so attends Court reluctantly.
Birth House: Condos
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Face Claim: Steve Lund
Province of Birth: Doralis
TakenNikos is the only son of the Condos family and will, therefore, eventually take on the name. While his father may not be bitter about the missed opportunity for the crown to fall down their bloodline, Nikos most certainly is. Ambitious, decisive and brave and smart to boot, Nikos firmly believes that the father he idolizes should have been king, before passing it down to himself. Nikos is known to be a ladies man and has flirted, seduced or bedded most of the women in the Taengean Court.
Birth House: Condos
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Lauren Bittner
Province of Birth: Doralis
Ophelia is a strong-minded woman with very similar views to her mother. Adoring of her parents and determined to aid in securing the Condos name as one of respect and honour, Ophelia has stayed out of political games and never gone near a man she wouldn't consider marrying.
Dynasteía of Dimitrou
Birth House: Dimitrou
Age: 56
Gender: Male
Face Claim: Sean Bean
Province of Birth: Oettias
TakenWith a gravelly voice and an irritable disposition, Gavriil is a harsh but fair leader of the Dimitrou family. Gavriil believes in nothing more strongly than family unity and he has and would stand by his brother and his children to the very end. Unlike some of the other noble family's whose affection is based in duty and blood, the Dimitrous are a real family in that they actually love one another, as individuals, and Gavriil sees to the maintaining of these relationships by insisting that they all dine together every evening. A strong leader and a phenomenal hunter, Gabriil's harsh attitude and lack of personal subtlety has led many in the Taengean Court to think of the Dimitrou House as almost savage.
Gavriil of Dimitrou is baron of Meganea on the Island of Emae. He is a rough, reserved man who is much more comfortable in the wild, wilderness than in the elegant, stone halls of court. A man of virtue, he is a rarity among the elite of Taengea. His family are often forgotten and overlooked in politics, even though their name is old and interwoven through the annals of history with the Taengean throne. This is partially by design and partially because Gavriil of Dimitrou cannot be bought. If his opinion is sought, it is usually by scrupulous men, rather than the real power players who know not to bother approaching him with their twisted intrigues.
A widower, he is the father of Iason, Dorothea, and Alexa Dimitrou as well as the brother of Queen Yanni and of Lord Dorotheos. He is an avid hunter whose skills are second to none in the kingdom. Though he is older, he is far more fit and able than most men of his age can boast. Most of his time is spent outdoors, where the serenity and brutality of nature have taught him how to endure more than his fair share of sorrow.
Because he does not spend much time in the city, he is not quick of tongue, though it is sharp. He doesn’t mince words or play to the niceties of others. Compassionate but withdrawn, brutal, yet gentle, Gavriil is a man that some people find difficult to understand. And he does not make it easy to try.
Birth House: Dimitrou
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Face Claim: Jake Gyllenhaal
Province of Birth: Chaoedia
TakenThe sole male heir to the Dimitrou line, Iason is a brave but smart young man. An exceptional charioteer, Iason has never raced in the Circus against other noble families, due to the bets and prestige being too great a risk to the small Dimitrou House. Well educated and determined to keep the Dimitrou line strong and powerful after his father's death, Iason is picky when it comes to women and fastidious about any man who comes to court his sisters. Over-protective of his family and with a strong sense of self-discipline, Iason has been labelled as "boring" and "dull" in the Taengean Court.
Birth House: Dimitrou
Age: 23
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Anna Popplewell
Province of Birth: Melis
TakenA woman with two sides to her, Dorothea is a shy, quiet and highly educated young lady who is able to speak multiple languages from around the Greek realm and beyond. Knowing, however, that she will never measure up to the great beauties of the Leventi family, Dorothea is less concerned with her suitors or possibilities of love and, instead, loves to go hunting with her father. A skilled archer and fantastic horse rider, Dorothea may act like a shrinking violet but there is more to her than meets the eye.
Birth House: Dimitrou
Age: 14
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Connor Dwelly
Province of Birth: Doralis
Alexa is a brave young girl and possibly the most outspoken in her family. With zero interest in men (for reasons her father cannot understand) and a distaste for the frilly dresses and etiquette of a Court lady, Alexa is determined to grow up like her sister and become skilled at the hunt. While her father Gavriil is pleased at her strength of character, he recognises a mistake in allowing Dorothea to take on more manly pursuits in the sense that there have been no suitors at her door and, seeing Alexa as his little girl, has banned her from following her sister's pursuits.
Birth House: Dimitrou
Age: 48
Gender: Male
Face Claim: Aaron Eckhart
Province of Birth: Oettias
TakenDorotheos is a proud and confident man, skilled in the hunt, like his brother, and well educated like their mother he is the brother of the family leader and a man in his prime yet he has never been married and never had a lover. If, however, one was to ask around the Taengean Court, there are many a rumour of his voracious love affairs with foreign women, and that he has no interest in is own country-ladies. It is a deep secret that Dorotheos's preferences have nothing to do with women at all.
Dynasteía of Leventi
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 48
Gender: Male
Face Claim: Greg Bryk
Province of Birth: Thestus
TakenFotios is a ruthless man. As the head of the Leventi House, he finds it his sole purpose in life to excel the family name to its highest possible position. Due to the apparent family curse of only producing girls, Fotios has become a master of marital law and is making deals with only the most powerful men for the hands of his daughters and nieces. He has also taken over the personal tutelage of his only nephew.
Birth House: None
Age: 46
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Monica Belucci
Province of Birth: Vasiliádon
TakenA cunning, ambitious and entirely shallow woman, Eirini is a perfect fit for her husband, and managed to convince him of that despite her poor beginnings. Together they share an insatiable hunger for power and prestige and while there is no love between them, their shared mentality creates a strong sexual connection. Her seductive qualities are not solely employed on her husband, however, and it is an open secret in Court that Eirini likes to bend men to her will - just only the ones that improve her and her husband's standing.
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Tommie-Amber Pirie
Province of Birth: Vasiliádon
Agape has the same delightfully wicked mind as her mother but an entirely different temperament. With the anger of her father a constant threat over her childhood, Agape has a fear of men that isn't easily quashed but a selfless protective instinct that is just as strong, from when she has been the barrier between her father and her sisters. Because of this, her younger siblings are far less aware of the lengths their father will go to when enraged.
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 22
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Alison Scagliotti
Province of Birth: Vasiliádon
Melina is a bookworm at heart but a girl desperate to satisfy her mother. Admiring Eirini's strength, confidence and the awe with which she inspires the men around her, Melina secretly tries on dresses and make-up while self-deprecating her natural timid nature.
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 19
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Emily Browning
Province of Birth: Vasiliádon
TakenThe youngest and most protected of the three sisters, Dafni has grown up with a naive and gullible nature but also the desire to be loved and fawned over. Selfish most of the time, Dafni can, however, be called on to do the right thing when the chips are down - usually because she cares for her older and more responsible sisters and will always have their backs.
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Face Claim: David Boreanaz
Province of Birth: Thestus
Hard but firm, Georgios has a very different disposition to his two brothers. In fact, it is often remarked how very different he is: his calm temperament, his genuine affection for his children, his appearance... Many have made remark of the Leventi matriarch's faithfulness to the late head of the House... but they were immediately shut up by Fotios and Konstanos, who are devoted to their house and the glory that Georgios' beautiful daughters will help to bring about.
While much of Greece holds their title and house at the most importance, Georgios challenges that view by holding those who are his kin most important. This has been his only solace to knowing that one day all of his daughters will be leaving the nest to move on to other houses. He hopes that he will be able to remain close to them and be Papa Leventi forever.
He also struggles with wishing that his relationship with both of his brothers was better. He comes across lazy at times, which is the exact opposite of the others. It causes them to butt heads and see the world in a different light. Being the middle child has never been easy, however, Georgios is good at finding the silver lining.
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 45
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Sigrid Thornton
Province of Birth: Argothia
TakenEvelli, while respectful of her husband, has more in common with his brothers. Determined to marry off her daughters to the highest and more impressive bidders, she insists that this is for the good of her children and that the more powerful a man they have as their husband, the safer and happier their lives will be. One wonders what has happened in her past to make her so determined that a husband promotes safety...?
Having lived her whole life as a noble lady of the House Leventi, Evelli knows no other life. With her mother's stories of her life as a slave lingering in the back of her memories, and how her mother was a beauty beyond compare, Evelli made the relation between beauty and marriage by herself at a young age and has prized beauty to ensure great matches.
With the knowledge that all have had are daughters, Evelli wants for nothing more than to secure the safety of her daughters with marriages, especially as she grows older. She was to ensure that they will not be left vulnerable should anything happen to either herself or her husband. A realist at heart, Evelli has more logic on her head then dreams and insists that her daughters deserve nothing but the best, for she would not wish any of them to live a difficult life after she and Georgios have done their best to provide them with the best lives they can have.
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 29
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Jennifer Morrison
Province of Birth: Macendia
TakenSelene is often heralded as the most beautiful woman in Taengea. Alongside her sister Olympia (and Theodora pre-engagement) she is considered to be the greatest prize available for any man in the three Grecian kingdoms. As such, Selene has an over-inflated sense of self-importance and arrogance and is flakey and contrary to boot. She is, however, genuinely compassionate and has a great love of music. She has little time for Court gossip and isn't vapid. Instead, she spends her time with her sisters or playing her harp.
The firstborn daughter in a family with no sons, Selene is seen as the prized mare, awaiting the perfect stallion for breeding by her mother and uncles. But to her father, she is the sweetest gift for one lucky man. Perhaps if she had spent more time with her father, her disposition would have a bit more depth. But as her time was mostly spent in the company of her mother, she has been raised to believe that her wealth is simply in her beauty. Being beautiful will bring her a solid match, and that was the focus of her upbringing.
That didn't mean that she didn't spend time with her father. Her horse was the finest, her stable always kept immaculate by the slaves; her quiet love of horses something she and her father had in common. And their relationship is part of the reason she is not yet married; no one is good enough for his daughter. And he indulges her in her desire to find someone who actually deserves her as a wife.
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 21
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Lily James
Province of Birth: Macendia
TakenNana is perhaps the most naive and vapid of the Leventi women. With little to concern her throughout the day besides whether her sandals match her dress, and if her hair is curled just right, it is understandable that she has been given no opportunity to grow as a human being. As she is now, however, old enough for marriage, her world may start to expand... or she'll find herself a new gilded cage to sit in so beautifully.
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Olivia Holt
Province of Birth: Macendia
Imma is artistic like her eldest sister but prefers paint over music. As such, she is often paint splattered and struggles to meet the same beauty standards, grace and poise that her siblings manage so effortlessly. Considered a failure by her mother but doted on by her father - who will often dabble in painting with her - Imma is, so far, able to avoid the toils and plots of her mother due to her age. This will not hold out forever...
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Face Claim: Richard Speight Jr.
Province of Birth: Thestus
Like his older brother Fotios, Konstanos is cunning and ambitious. He is also, however, a bit of a coward, and is more likely to find a way of poisoning his enemy than he would simply run him through (as Fotios would), just so he can avoid coming face to face with danger. Occasionally, however, Konstanos shows moments of true compassion - as if his plots and schemes have been taught to him through experience, rather than being his true nature. It was only after witnessing one of these such moments that Ava agreed to marry him.
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 39
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Amy Adams
Province of Birth: Elopia
A lot of women love a project and that is exactly what Ava got when she married her husband Konstanos. Raised to be wily and deceitful and to believe that the ends always justify the means, she watches as her husband makes immoral choices when he feels cornered. And yet, there are times of great compassion and generosity that suggest a kind heart beneath all the ugly teachings he has learnt from his father and older brother. It is this that Ava holds onto.
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 21
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Katherine Barrell
Province of Birth: Acharist
TakenEvangelina is a passionate and open-minded young woman and essentially a cardboard cut out of her mother, in terms of temperament. With regards to morals, she falls somewhere between the two of them; believing that deceitful actions are never to be someone's first choice but that sometimes they are necessary. Evangelina enjoys horse-riding and one day hopes to be a trainer or trader of the animals.
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 14
Gender: Male
Face Claim: Riley B. Smith
Province of Birth: Acharist
The only male heir of the Leventi family, Konstantinos has a lot to live up to. To that end, he is encouraged by his father - who is openly out for his own skin - and taught by his uncle - who is only out for his own glory. Too young to understand what either man is truly up to, Konstantinos is yet blind to the fate that is to befall his future. On a personal level he enjoys spending time with his mother, his sister and his cousin Imma.
Dynasteía of Mikaelidas
Birth House: Mikaelidas
Age: 71
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Holland Tayler
Province of Birth: Messenis
The exact opposite of her late husband, Queen Elise is open, compassionate and treats everyone around her as if they are her best friend - as if rank and crown mean nothing to her in terms of divided her from the people she wants to talk to.
House: Mikaelidas
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Face Claim: Cam Gigandet
Province of Birth: Vasiliádon
TakenPassionate and impulsive, Stephanos is an easily angered individual who releases his tension in the circus steering a chariot or in the Court seducing women. Stephanos is generally thought to be a powerful military Commander but ultimately a loose canon. Now that he is king, Taengea is watching to see if he can rise to the challenge and be the king they expected from his deceased brother.
Stephanos is the second son of King Zenon and Queen Elise, and the younger brother of the late Crown Prince Zacharias. He has two younger sisters, Xene and Gianna. He was content with his place in the family, having no wish to rule directly and deal with the headache that comes with that responsibility. Tragedy struck in the Circus during the Festival of Dionysus when a faction called The Creed set the whole arena on fire and revealed the head of King Zenon and the blood soaked cloak of Zacharias. This elevated Stephanos to the role of king, the position he never wanted.
He is now dealing with the fallout of that situation, attempting to do what he believes his father and brother would have done but also not letting go of bad habits either. Prior to being king, his proclivities towards excess, with both wine and women were not seen as anything to worry about. Now that he is monarch, advisors and courtiers alike are growing concerned. All of this being stoked by Prince Irakles of Mikaelidas.
The once peaceful life Stephanos knew in Taengea is long gone and darker days loom ahead.
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Tuppence Middleton
Province of Birth: Macendia
TakenSecond only to her sister in the rankings of most eligible women, Olympia is sharper and wittier than Selene. With a stronger character and firmer attitude, she is less soft and more in control of her own destiny with regards to who she may or may not marry. Especially as there are rumours of her harbouring a secret lover...
Always a bright child, Olympia has grown into a woman who observes the world and her place in it, and seeks for how she can step up. With an eye to a title as high as she can grasp, Pia is not above or -below- as it were, using her looks and sensuality for her own ambition and gain. As the new queen of a realm that has been thrown into turmoil, she is every day struggling to keep a balance and stay alive.
Birth House: Mikaelidas
Age: 27
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Lea Seydoux
Province of Birth: Vasiliádon
TakenThe eldest princess of the Mikaelidas family, Xene is a powerful woman with a sharp mind and cunning strength of character. A dancer, singer, and musician, she also has a head for political and military matters and is greatly respected by both the Court and the Senate.
Dutiful, cunning, intelligent, and ever observant, Xene is the eldest princess of the Mikaelidas family. A respected musician, dancer, and singer, the princess can even hold the attention of most senate members as she is educated and confident in politics and military strategy. She holds her kingdom and her immediate family above all, though she has been known to sweet talk courtiers or lead men on from time to time. Mature, protective, and willing to advise, Xene is certainly one of the most powerful women in Taengea.
Birth House: Mikaelidas
Age: 22
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Hayley Pullos
Province of Birth: Vasiliádon
TakenThe youngest of the royal Mikaelidas line, Gianna has none of her sister's strength and all of her mother's emotive thoughts and attitude. Intent on being a friend to everyone, and helping every lost animal she finds, Gianna is naive, gullible and in many eyes seen to be silly and inconsequential. What most fail to notice is that to open your heart makes you vulnerable to every little thing, and Gianna has an inner strength able to conquer all of this.
Gianna is one of four children born to King Zenon and Queen Elise. As the youngest, she has had very few responsibilities in her short twenty-two years, resulting in a carefree, almost sanguine disposition. However, she is not totally unaware of the shadows cast and expectations set by her older siblings. With three older, rather court-adept siblings, Gianna has always felt out of place. The residual childhood jealousy has since given way to admiration for her politically-oriented sister, her youthful veneration for Stephanos has matured into a more cautious reverence as she slowly accepted herself and come into her own.
Birth House: Mikaelidas
Age: 54
Gender: Male
Face Claim: Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Province of Birth: Thessmea
TakenBorn of the late king's second marriage, Irakles had always believed he had no hope of becoming king of Taengea, until the sudden death of King Zenon changed his chances. Now acting as the advisor to the new and young King, his reputation as a decorated leader of the kingdom's military forces and a benevolent figure of authority has many in Taengea looking upon him favorably - all which works well in his long-term plans for the throne.
Firstborn son of Queen Meras, Prince Irakles of Mikaelidas has lived a life believing he had been cheated of his rightful claim to the throne, simply by a turn of fate. Raised alone in the Taengean royal palace as a lone prince, Irakles was brought up with all the trimmings and training of a crown prince... only to have that snatched away from him when his brother returned for the coronation upon their father's death. And the spare prince had never been entirely happy with that. A strong force to be reckoned with when it came to the military, Prince Irakles has had a good forty years of nursing a growing dissatisfaction and dislike to his half-brother's belief of how to rule their kingdom, and he is done with taking it lying down.
Birth House: Dimitrou
Age: 58
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Jane Seymour
Province of Birth: Melis
Irakles's wife but no longer his lover, Myrto is ostracised in Court for having zero sway over her husband and therefore zero power at all. Despite being his official wife, it is his current lover Meena who holds all the cards and her sons are devoted to their father. Instead, she holds onto the maternal connection she has with her offspring which she can occasionally tug on, in order to get her way, and the tenuous connection she still has to her birth House, Dimitrou.
Birth House: Mikaelidas
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Face Claim: Henry Cavill
Province of Birth: Euttica
TakenBold, confident, courageous and defiant, Achilleas is the prime example of a son of royal blood. A Commander in the Taengean army and a close friend of his cousin Zacharias, Achilleas has done everything he has been asked by his father or uncle, including becoming betrothed to the beautiful Theodora of the Leventi family, never letting on that he's been in love with Theodora for years.
Birth House: Leventi
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Gemma Arterton
Province of Birth: Macendia
TakenTheodora was widely considered, along with her sisters Selene and Olympia, to be one of the most beautiful unmarried women in Taengea - until she was arranged to be wed to Achilleas of Mikaelidas and became officially uncourtable. Since her engagement to the lord, however, interest in her has not been stifled in one individual - her future husband's brother Emilios. Devoted by duty to the older brother but easily seduced by the younger, Theodora is in a precarious situation of the heart...
Birth House: Mikaelidas
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Face Claim: Matt Bomer
Province of Birth: Euttica
TakenStrong, handsome and everything else his brother is, Emilios has been destined to finish second against Achilleas simply because he has achieved everything first. A skilled archer, while Achilleas is a swordsman; a skilled horse-rider, while Achilleas rides chariots, Emilios has tried to find his own path to success, until he fell in love with the woman due to be Achilleas' wife. Under the mistaken impression that Achilleas is only married to Theodora because of duty, Emilios feels little contrition for his on-going affair with his sister-in-law.
Emilios has spent the majority of his life living in the shadows of his older brother. All his life, he has been compared to his brother. As children, it was easy to view the comparisons as a compliment. 'You can almost do it as well as Achilleas can.' 'Keep trying and you will be as good as your brother'. Into his teens, it became more and more apparent that he was going to have to find a way to be more, to be better, than his brother.
So he acted out a bit more than he should have, tested the waters to see how he could best make a name for himself. Once he discovered that he was finally better at something that his brother, he began to adore the chance to show him just how much better he was. As they grew, the competition became far more friendly, even if his own ego still made it difficult for him to lose to his older brother. But as long as the challenges were even, one sword spar for one archery match-- he was fine.
As an adult, the distance between him and his brother seemed to mellow him out. He can handle losing, and has done far better now that his brother is no longer his main competition. While he still has an overinflated ego, he can now lose. But don't expect him to walk away gracefully. He will certainly have a sarcastic comment or two to say in parting.
Birth House: None
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Marisa Tomei
Province of Birth: Vasiliádon
TakenThe mistress of one of the most powerful men in the kingdom, Meena has a calculating and manipulative way about her that has her married lover bent around her little finger. An open secret in the Court, she holds far more sway than Irakles' official wife and has, so far, produced him two illegitimate children that she intends to turn into political tools just as effective as herself.
Birth House: None
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Face Claim: McKaley Miller
Province of Birth: Vasiliádon
Tasia is very like her mother, intent on securing fame and love through any means necessary, despite her young age. At the moment, she utilizes these skills as best she can and is known as a cunning and snide young woman in the Taengean Court - at least among her peers. To all of the older ladies (and especially the young officers), she is thought to be sweet and unassuming. Butter wouldn't melt in the mouth of young Tasia.
Birth House: None
Age: 15
Gender: Female
Face Claim: Georgie Henley
Province of Birth: Vasiliádon
Sara is actually everything her sister pretends to be. Softly-spoken, sweetly timid and genuinely compassionate for others, Sara is a complete disappointment to her mother, is ignored by her father, and has been taught to be ashamed and depressed of her natural kindness, yet has no idea how to change her instinctive behaviour.