"Ah, so thou hast come. Now tell me, what dost thou seek of mine, noble Lady of Kiefernwalde?"
-Lady Elke von Kiefernwalde
Welcome to the Manor of Kieferwalde, home of Lady Elke. High vaulted ceilings and large doors are for more than just show. You see, Lady Elke stands at some ten feet tall. Born from the union of Frost Giants to the north, and Human settlers, the von Kiefernwalde family has served as the nobility of the region for centuries. Possessing the blood of giants and royalty has given rise to such fair complexions bestowed upon such towering people. More than that, the family is not to be wronged, possessing strength superior to their human kin, as well as the ability to harness sorcery based on the frigid chill of the land. All of these traits are manifest through the stunning azure tresses and icy eyes. She provides a truly imposing guardian of the quaint town far in the northern pine forests.
The town of Kiefernwalde is located along the northern sea, tucked within a dense forest of tall, old pines. Often dusted with snow, the region is frequently alive with the glittering of smaller flakes as they settle once the weight becomes too much to bear. Defended by a high stone wall, due to the presence of wolves that might harm the livestock, the township only expands as is necessary. The primary resources in the area are fish, lumber and the limited mining of iron ore. Secondary resources are through the limited summers, which provide access to a number of rare herbs, as well as some ship repairs and ship building fueled by the easy access to lumber. The town itself was purposefully founded along the shores, and so much of its infrastructure originates from there. The main street, as it is, follows the coast line, the piers and wharfs on one side, whilst central businesses remain on the other. Despite being settled by land, it was inevitable that the sea became the mainstay for trade, given the harsh weather further inland. From there, housing becomes increasingly poor, out to the walls, where housing disperses to give room for farming and livestock. A number of fields outside the main city walls have access through gates to allow livestock to roam during the day.
The industrial sector lay to the north, towards the forest. The northern gate opens, and the lumber camp lay just beyond. A trail meanders into the woodlot, so that lumber can be harvested not only locally, but from further in. This is an attempt to selectively cut, and allow some wood to remain to fertilize future trees. Beyond that, the mining camp lay as an outpost further north, at the base of a grand set of twin mountains. Surrounded by its own wall, smoke can oft be seen billowing from the intense furnaces. The jewel, however, is the home of their Lady.
A town of only a couple thousand, still it is steeped in tradition from the lavish manor sitting on the cliff overlooking the coast. An impressive building, built from the finest stone and erected in part like a great cathedral to overlook the stormy seas, the attached living area breaks out into a wall that surrounds the central chapel. Few see beyond the church, which gives service every seventh day. The nobility is always present, one of the chances to see the Lady, who rarely leaves her homestead.
As a person, Elke von Kieferwalde is quiet. Especially devout, she can be seen praying every day at the church. Though it is her lineage that grants her magic, she believes in the Gods and their contributions to both her and her peoples’ wellbeing. From an early age, prayer was used as a form of meditation in order to relax her mind and give her resolve. A refined mind was necessary for the use of her powers, which are emotional by nature. Unlike wizardry, sorcery is not an exact art, and without proper control on the flux of mana disastrous results are sure to emerge. Knowing this, her family has used worship of the divine as an appropriate training regiment in restraint, with varying results. Her father, for instance, was much like her, but her mother was a bit more rebellious.
An aside, the blood of the family manifests regardless of the gender of the heir. For instance, her mother was a half-giant like her, but her father was a human. Nonetheless, it is more fortunate for a female heir, given the reverse is apt to force a woman into sacrifice in order to produce further heirs. During her youth, her influences were more from her father, despite reaching his height before even becoming an adult. Not a tall man, but one who was strict, yet humble. By contrast, her mother was about a foot taller than Elke now. From her mother she learned of magic, though her mother left on her own journey once Elke was old enough to rule.
The loss of her father to the sea while abroad to visit allied townships forced her into reclusiveness for a number of years. Currently aged 29, she was merged as a seemingly mature lady. A bit less sporadic than her mother’s rule, she has ushered in a sense of stability. However, underneath it all, she is a curious woman. While she fears the sea (perhaps rightfully so, given her stature) due to father’s circumstances, she holds a sense of wonder towards people. Particularly foreigners. They are like sparks of excitement in an otherwise pristine world. Many close to her attribute such flairs in her personality a result of her mother’s influence.
Another such quirk is her formal way of speaking. She is a bit condescending, treating the world around her as needing soft gloves.
