Medieval Masquerade

The kingdom's most decorated knight with an impeccable reputation for honor and valor. Recently returned from the Crusades with mysterious new wealth and a haunted look in his eyes. Though still loyal to the crown, he seems distracted by personal matters. Rumors suggest he's seeking the hand of a noblewoman far above his station, creating tension with her powerful family. As the Captain of the Royal Guard, he has access to all areas of the castle and knowledge of its secret passages. His sudden interest in court politics after years of avoiding such matters has raised eyebrows.

A sharp-witted noblewoman known for her uncanny ability to solve riddles and uncover secrets. As the king's distant cousin, she enjoys certain privileges at court despite her modest wealth. Lady Anita maintains a vast network of informants throughout the kingdom and keeps a journal of court gossip that many would kill to possess. Though outwardly proper, she has progressive ideas about women's roles in society and secretly authors controversial political pamphlets under a pseudonym. Recently, she's been investigating the disappearance of several valuable artifacts from noble houses.

The wealthiest landowner in the kingdom whose family has served as royal treasurers for generations. Despite his enormous influence, he craves the one thing he cannot buy: the throne itself. Known for his extravagant lifestyle and collection of exotic curiosities, he publicly advocates for peace while privately building a personal army. Recently widowed under somewhat suspicious circumstances, he's now seeking a new political alliance through marriage. His knowledge of poisons is extensive, as he claims to study them only to protect himself from assassination attempts.

A mysterious fortune teller of unknown origin who appeared at court one year ago and quickly gained the queen's favor through her seemingly accurate prophecies. Her exotic appearance and cryptic manner of speech have made her both feared and sought after by the nobility. Though dismissed as a charlatan by some, her predictions have an unsettling way of coming true. She claims to have had a vision of great bloodshed at the masquerade ball but refused to name names. Her quarters in the castle tower are filled with strange artifacts, herbs, and ancient texts in languages few can read.

The king's jovial and fashionable cousin who serves as Master of Ceremonies for all royal events. Behind his carefree facade and impeccable timing lies a shrewd mind that notices every social slight and breach of etiquette. As keeper of the royal calendar, he controls access to the monarch and can advance or delay matters of state with a simple scheduling change. His extensive knowledge of noble bloodlines and potential scandals makes him both valued and feared. Recently, he's been researching ancient royal succession laws that could dramatically change the line to the throne.

The queen's chief lady-in-waiting and the true power behind many court decisions. With a smile as sharp as her mind, she has mastered the art of using secrets as currency in the royal court. Born to minor nobility, she's risen through the ranks through careful alliance-building and strategic marriages of her many relatives throughout the kingdom. She maintains an extensive correspondence with nobles across the realm and abroad, giving her unparalleled knowledge of political developments. Recently, she's been advocating for a controversial new trade agreement that would enrich her family but potentially bankrupt others.

A haughty aristocrat obsessed with bloodlines and proper breeding, both in his prized hunting hounds and in noble marriages. Despite his family's ancient title, their fortunes have dwindled, forcing him to maintain appearances while living on credit. His extensive knowledge of heraldry and genealogy makes him the final authority on questions of legitimacy and inheritance. He vocally opposes the king's recent policies of elevating commoners to nobility based on merit rather than birth. A skilled hunter and marksman, he's known for his collection of exotic weapons and his temper when contradicted about matters of tradition.

A cunning and ambitious noblewoman who has expanded her modest inheritance into a commercial empire through shrewd investments and strategic marriages to wealthy merchants who conveniently died soon after. Known for her exquisite taste in jewelry and her ability to infiltrate even the most exclusive social circles. Her trading company has exclusive contracts with exotic lands, giving her access to rare poisons and unusual weapons. Recently, she's been lobbying for changes to inheritance laws that would benefit women, while privately investigating the legitimacy of several noble bloodlines.

The charming and roguish head of the Merchants' Guild who has risen from common origins to noble status through his financial genius and generous loans to the crown. His network of informants rivals the kingdom's official spies, and his knowledge of everyone's debts gives him leverage in any negotiation. Though now legitimate, rumors persist of a criminal past and connections to the kingdom's underworld. Recently knighted for funding the king's military campaign, he's still viewed with suspicion by old nobility. He's been researching ancient treasure maps and legends of hidden royal wealth.

A scholarly monk from the royal monastery who serves as the king's archivist and keeper of ancient knowledge. His unassuming demeanor and simple robes hide a brilliant mind and photographic memory that can recall the smallest details from texts read decades ago. As the royal genealogist, he has discovered several irregularities in noble bloodlines that could disrupt the current power structure if revealed. Though he presents himself as unworldly, he has traveled extensively to collect rare manuscripts and may have been exposed to radical political ideas abroad. Recently, he's been researching ancient prophecies about the royal line.

The beautiful young wife of an elderly duke who is rarely seen at court due to his poor health. Her rapid rise from lady's maid to duchess raised eyebrows, but her charm and apparent devotion to her husband eventually won over most critics. She has a remarkable talent for languages and serves as a translator during diplomatic visits. Her private correspondence with nobles from enemy kingdoms has raised suspicions, though she claims these are distant relatives. Recently widowed, she now stands to inherit vast estates unless her husband's children from his first marriage can prove their claims of foul play.