Amber

Eleanora 'Amber' Van Gelder Castellan and Countess of Johburg, Standard Bearer of the Holy City, Lady of Gulf and Sea, Head of House Quote He who does not stand firm on principles and has neither wide knowledge nor penetrating judgment is not worthy to be a companion ~~ Mo Tzu Basic Information A former troubadour and privateer, who has risen to both the leadership of her House and to hold Great Office in the Crusader State - but her renown as a defender of her people's lives and traditions has put her at odds with the more radical, bloodthirsty, and land-hungry elements of the Crusade. A disreputable youth, a teenage marriage contract was terminated amidst a scandal, before she toured the Gulf as a troubadour. Comparative responsibility was achieved by undertaking one of the family professions and going to sea, though even there she served as a privateer rather than a 'conventional' naval officer. And her hedonism remained pronounced - her sole surviving child (and heiress), Nathalie, was born out of wedlock in 4985. Over time - and especially as more of her elders in the family died - she came to assume greater responsibility, participating in the failed defences of both Rabaq and Tyche (though in the latter, she helped to secure Taifa status for the Barony of Lattakieh), and the short-lived success of the Golden Season. Her current reputation is mixed: though a heroine to her people (and the participants of Count Joscelin's Crusade) for tying up a Kurgan army throughout 80 weeks of (unsuccessful) efforts to take the fortress of the Johburg from her, she is also known as a kinslayer - having killed one of her elder brothers after accusing him of treason and complicity in the Betrayal. Politically, she is a firm supporter of the Crusader State's laws and traditions, and is reputed to be devoted to her liege, Geoffrey de Moley. She also appears to have ties to the Imperial contingent on Yathrib, and though she's been declared an enemy of the Chainer faction of the Muster (for supposedly opposing slavery) her family tends to have close relations to the guilds, especially in the Free City of Rotdam. And though she is at odds with the 'radical' wing of the Crusaders, she has been vocal in her support for the rights of the Inquisition - clashing with both Sir William and his radical supporters on their efforts to usurp Inquisitorial powers. Personally, she has had great success in rebuilding her County from the results of years of occupation and combat, though it suffers continually from attacks from the two most potent Kurgan raiding fleets in the region, and the area of Teldam in particular remains an active target for renewed Kurgan expansion. Full Name: Eleanora Justine Amber Carlotta din Alt van Gelder Social Traits: Heroine; Kinslayer Description Tall, elegant, and striking, she favours military uniforms, often wearing an anonymous grey one without insignia, though formal dress uniforms are used for official occasions. Tanned, fit, and the beneficiary of at least a couple of anti-agathic treatments (rumoured to have been 'acquired' from an Hydessan al-Malik tribute shipment prior to their liberation from the Kurgans), she looks both much younger and more active than might be fashionable - by looks alone, she is far more likely to be taken for a thirty-something officer on active service rather than a mother in her late 40s. When she speaks, her voice is richly musical - a vibrant alto, only slightly roughened by years of command. Physical Traits: Striking Looks; Beautiful Voice Contacts Active Agravain van Gelder: cousin separated by a thousand years Anja Torenson: personal aide and trusted deputy Arkady Decados: entrusted with her precious air force and her cousin Sonja Caelwyn Li Halan: talented general, trusted friend; sadly the vassal of a crude thug Cephus Justinian: hero and comrade returned to life, frequent guest Hugh Justinian: talented general, frequent guest, fellow veteran of the State's wars Lysandra Justinian: fellow scholar, and participant in Joscelin's Crusade Raoul: personal bodyguard, and project in civilisation and education Renaud de Moley: highest-profile ally and fellow supporter of Geoffrey Samina al-Malik: fellow (and superior) musician, allied emissary Seraphine de Moley: nee van Gelder; cousin, friend, ally Valentijn van Gelder: sole surviving sibling, dear friend, and trusted deputy Zakaria al-Malik: vagabond, headache, friend, kindred spirit, and ally Inactive Abiku: Courtesan, in the Countess's employ Anton Thana: Duellist, gentleman, long-term guest Aureliana Harmon: Protege, loyal friend, recently deposed mayor of Rotdam Linnea Torenson: moral, civilised diplomat and friend Lucien LaGrange: War-colleague, friend, Prior of Saint Claude's Roshan Keddah: writer, provider of precious offworld books Zebediah Hawkins: Friend, Prior of Saint Claude's NPC Fredo Hawkwood: Formal ally, fellow Count, participant in Joscelin's Crusade Geoffrey de Moley: beloved liege Godric de Moley: the heir who must be protected Nathalie van Gelder: headache, daughter, heiress, hope Logs Reformed buccaneer Countess, Head of House of the Van Gelder Date of Birth: 1st of December, 4963 Homeworld: Yathrib Home County: Johburg Height: 5'9" Weight: 135lb Physical Effects: Striking Looks; Beautiful Voice Status: {{{Status}}} Gallery Soundtrack