Personal History
The town of Groenode in the Ruvellian Republic is a thriving commercial settlement that prospered through the sale of wool and cashmere products to the United Dominions. Dubbed the Knight's Nation, the Republic of Ruvila maintains a hereditary knightly class comprising one-tenth of its populace. To most commoners, knights embody honour, authority and prestige. Yet in Groenod, the true authority lies with Shilf, the merchant guild's president of commoner origin, a knight's word is no match for hers. Though occupying the apex of the town's hierarchy, Sylph was a straightforward soul, lacking guile. Her likes and dislikes were written plainly on her face. Those who found favour with her enjoyed every advantage, while those who displeased her faced immediate retribution. Anyone who dared to...
The town of Groenode in the Republic of Ruvila is a thriving commercial settlement that prospered through the sale of wool and cashmere products to the United Dominions. The Republic of Ruvila, hailed as the Knight's Nation, boasts a knightly class comprising one-tenth of its populace—a hereditary privileged order. To most commoners, knights symbolise honour, power, and distinction. Yet in Groenod, the true authority lies with the merchant guild's president, Sylph, a commoner by birth. Even the knights must heed her commands.
Though she occupied the pinnacle of the small town, Sylph was a straightforward soul, devoid of guile. Her likes and dislikes were written plainly on her face. Those who found favour with her could count on her favour in all matters; those who displeased her would face her immediate wrath. She would repay kindness with everything she possessed, but should anyone dare to harm her... well, needless to say, their fate would be dire indeed.
Sylph was every bit the stereotypical nouveau riche: fond of revelry, fond of flaunting her wealth and thus exceedingly lavish in her spending. For her birthday celebrations, she would host banquets for the entire town, changing her attire three times daily without repeating a single garment. She frequently purchased expensive handicrafts or peculiar Earth artefacts without discerning their true value. She was also a straightforward soul, quick to take sides in disputes. For her, the most important thing was undoubtedly parading about with a squadron of tall, striking maidservants whenever she went out. To the townspeople, the lord's pomp and circumstance seemed no more impressive than hers!
Sylph was born into a family of shepherds, receiving little formal education and learning no specialised skills. Her sole "expertise" lay in herding sheep. Whether selling wool, running an inn, or leading her maid knights against rogue knights (those who, after bankruptcy and disgrace, turned to raiding caravans, a pack of bandits, to put it bluntly), she never micromanaged. She believed professionals should handle professional tasks, demanding only results.
The Guild of Groenode Town is chiefly comprised of wool merchants and those in the property services trade, and Sylph is a major player in both these sectors: she sells the greatest quantity of wool whilst also owning the most respectable tavern and inn in the town. Among her workforce were numerous knights, nominally members of the Republic's garrison stationed in the town, who ought to have been sustained by military stipends donated by the local lords. Yet these lords themselves lacked surplus provisions and naturally paid them no heed. Left with no alternative, the knights abandoned their training to seek employment elsewhere.
Sylph rather fancies employing knights, claiming they're more dependable and all locals, unlike vagabonds who might vanish without warning. Quite a few knights work for her, driving carts, herding sheep and guarding the gates. And her team of maidservants? Needless to say, they're all knights too. Sylph was rather partial to maidservants, displaying a keen interest in their attire and their obliging, attentive service. Consequently, she demanded the utmost diligence from her knight-maids: they were to anticipate her every gesture, ensure the tea was perfectly brewed in both temperature and aroma, and meticulously iron her daily garments to a crisp, immaculate finish, with each pleat precisely in place...and so on, the list being endless. This proved rather trying for the head maid, Leahdwinnie, who had to constantly train her staff in their conduct and manners to meet Sylph's ever-changing demands.
These knightly maids not only attend to Sylph's daily needs, arrange her affairs and satisfy her every whim, but also assist in running the tavern, guarding wool shipments and warding off sheep thieves and bandits, the workload is truly overwhelming. However, Sylph paid them handsomely, often offering substantial bonuses for completing specific tasks. Her business philosophy was simple: spend more to earn more, only through investment could one reap rich rewards.