Livaelore

The fantastical land of Livaelore is normally hidden from view, full of magical people and creatures alike. Except recently an evil wizard placed a curse on the land that allowed Livaelore to be seen by all! Determined to make the most of it, the people of Livaelore have welcomed their newfound visibility and set up their wares for those who wander through their realm. Luckily the wizard is not very powerful and the curse will end as the sun begins to set, hiding the inhabitants of Livaelore away from prying eyes for another season.

the captain

The Captain spent most of her life in the sea. Before she decided to take on a humaoid form she was a green sea dragon, taking on any ships that dared enter her waters.

Until one day she met a pirate who convinced her to join them on their adventure.

The Captain took to adventuring like a fish to water and now spends her time as the leader of a group of pirates know as the Sea Rogues.

the Fairies

For some time the lands of Livaelore and the realm of the fairies lived in harmony. Occasionally the fairies would cause so much mischief that the rulers of Livaelore were forced to intervene, but for the most part there was a quiet agreement between the humans and the fairies.

Often the fairies did not participate in Livaelore customs, citing no understanding of currency or bemoaning that dance should be for every hour and not just for festival merriment. (This was fundamentally untrue as fairies were known to “borrow” coins from Livaelore citizens as they knew the value that was placed on them. The fairies might have been correct about the dancing, however.) This often led to periods of history where no fairies were seen in the lands of Livaelore. It was unclear where they went or why they would go, however due to fairies also not understanding the brevity of mortal life these periods would often be for many years.

It has been a great age since fairies were seen in Livaelore and some had given up hope that they would ever be seen again. There were stories that if an adventurer found one of the great hidden jewels of the fairies that they would return to the lands of Livaelore.

It is most likely a coincidence that The Captain and the Sea Rogues recently came into port claiming to have found “a rare and great treasure” and no less than a day later the fairies returned to Livaelore. It’s also probably a coincidence that the ruler of the fairies appears to be quite furious and is looking for “a pirate of green renown”.

All such a coincidence.

trinity’s trinkets

High up in the tallest tower of Livaelore resides the strange and unusual wizard Trinidelis Tadyrin Temonar the Third however most just know her as Trinity. While most wizards spend their time in towers creating various potions and magical items, Trinity spends her time listening to the magic of the world. She says that by just listening one can find the magic already within and bring it to the surface.

Her unconventional methods have led her to finding a passion for small and unusual objects, as she often discovers a magic within that brings joy and merriment to the citizens of Livaelore. A simple key might have a magic within that once activated allows the user to unlock the potential inside themselves or a small token, given freely, might be imbued with a magic that grants the user the ability to pass through crowds with ease. Through this Trinity has built up a large store of magical trinkets that she has made available for all to partake in.

Trinity is also unusually shy and prefers to spend her time alone in her tower. After having built up such a collection of trinkets she sought out help to be able to distribute these small but robust magical items.

Lady Elowen

Lady Elowen’s Early Years:

Lady Elowen grew up in the heart of the Luminea Court, surrounded by the splendor of Livaelore’s magical wonders. From a young age, she displayed an insatiable curiosity about everything around her. Her parents, High Chancellor Elandor and Lady Seraphine, were deeply involved in the governance and magical affairs of Livaelore, which often kept them occupied. This allowed Elowen a great deal of freedom to explore her interests and imagination.

Even as a child, Elowen had an unusual gift that set her apart from her peers: she was occasionally able to catch glimpses of the outside world The Realms of the Unseen through the magical veils that shielded Livaelore. These veils were designed to protect the realm from being seen by the Veilerie, the people beyond the veil, but Elowen’s perceptive abilities allowed her to see fleeting images of landscapes, people, and objects beyond their borders. These glimpses were often disjointed and incomplete, which only deepened her fascination and sense of wonder.

One of the defining moments in Elowen’s early life involved an enchanted Locket that she discovered in an ancient, forgotten chamber of the palace. This Locket, a relic from a bygone era, had the unique property of reflecting not just the present but also distant scenes from The Realms of the Unseen. While playing with the Locket, Elowen was captivated by the sights of bustling human cities, intricate buildings, and colorful festivals. The images sparked her imagination and curiosity about a world she could only partially perceive.

Elowen’s fascination with The Realms of the Unseen led her to secretly observe it whenever she could. She would often sneak away to hidden vantage points where she could catch glimpses of the realm beyond the barrier. Her observations fueled her curiosity, and she developed a collection of sketches and notes about The Realms of the Unseen, inspired by the things she had seen.

Her fascination sometimes puts her at odds with the laws of Livaelore, which strictly prohibited any interaction with The Realms of the Unseen. To avoid trouble, Elowen kept her interest and observations a closely guarded secret except for confiding in her one true friend a Duck named Sir Quibbleton.

The Mysterious Sir Quibbelton:

Sir Quibbleton appears as an exceptionally charming duck with glossy, emerald-green feathers and a distinctive white patch on his chest. He has a small golden pendant around his neck, which he claims is a family heirloom. His eyes are bright and intelligent, often glinting with a mischievous sparkle.

Sir Quibbleton, an enchanted duck with a penchant for playful antics, became Lady Elowen’s closest companion during her childhood. He was a gift from a mysterious traveler who visited Livaelore one fateful day. Sir Quibbleton quickly endeared himself to Elowen with his amusing antics and apparent wisdom. The duck’s ability to communicate with her in a playful and articulate manner only strengthened their bond.

Unbeknownst to Lady Elowen, Sir Quibbleton is actually the “Evil” wizard who cast the curse that revealed Livaelore to the outside world. The wizard’s true name is Malgoran, a dark sorcerer who has taken on the form of a duck as part of his plan. He wanted to cast a powerful curse that would permanently unveil Livaelore to The Realms of the Unseen, causing significant disruption and weakening the realm's magical defenses. His ultimate goal was to exploit Livaelore’s resources and knowledge for his own gain. However, as he took on the form of Sir Quibbleton and spent time with Lady Elowen, his perspective began to change. His time spent with Elowen in his duck form has led to unexpected feelings of aection and admiration for her.

Despite his malevolent intentions, he finds himself conflicted due to his genuine friendship with Elowen. The duck’s disguise has allowed him to witness the kindness and integrity of the people of Livaelore up close, and he has grown fond of Elowen.

His decision to proceed with the spell ahead of schedule and albeit in a less drastic form, was influenced by his desire to grant Lady Elowen the opportunity to experience the one thing she loved the most for her birthday—the ability to interact with and explore The Realms of the Unseen that has fascinated her for so long. He hoped that by giving her this experience, he could fulfill her dreams and desires, even if it meant his own plan would be less effective.

So he decided to cast a modified version of the spell to reveal Livaelore to the outside world. The spell did not go as planned and he was forced to use a fraction of his true power, and this reduction in power had significant consequences.

Missing Sir Quibbelton:

The diminished potency of the spell left him unable to maintain his duck form for the entire duration of the festival and the spell is not strong enough to sustain the transformation. So as the sun dips below the horizon, the weakened spell will once again shroud Livaelore and the Realm of the Unseen in their respective veils, restoring the ancient barrier that will once more obscure their worlds from each other’s gaze.

Lady Elowen’s Search:

Unaware of the true nature of Sir Quibbleton’s disappearance, Lady Elowen is deeply concerned about her missing friend. Throughout the festival, she searches tirelessly for Sir Quibbleton, believing he has simply gone missing amid the excitement and activity.

What Livealore is doing with the curse:

So in the early light of the morning when Lady Elowen saw that Livealore was revealed to The Realm of the Unseen she took this as a chance to act as a cultural ambassador. Lady Elowen stood before the council of Livaelore, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and anticipation. The grand hall was filled with the murmurs of the heads of the realm, their eyes fixed on her with a blend of curiosity and skepticism.

“Esteemed Elders and Heads of our cherished Livaelore,” Lady Elowen began, her voice clear and passionate. “ The curse that has revealed our land is not merely a trial but a chance for us to open our gates and hearts.”

She paused, taking in the gravity of their solemn expressions. “I beseech you to allow the Valeerie to attend our grand festival. This will not only showcase our wonders but also immerse these Valeerie in our heritage and customs. Now is the time to bridge the gap between our worlds, and this festival is our chance to teach them about our ways, our magic, and the very essence of who we are. WE SHALL HIDE NO MORE.”

Lady Elowen’s eyes sparkled with determination. “Imagine the joy of seeing their awe as they experience our crafts, our dances, and our stories first hand. We can guide them in understanding the beauty of our traditions and perhaps even inspire them to cherish the magic in their own world. Let us seize this moment to foster goodwill and create memories that will endure beyond the setting sun.”

written by Karen Biebel