Obituary: Perished in a fire in Iriscal

Description: There is a tale in the Lyceum of a lovelorn artisan beseeching Jayus for inspiration. "Let me but find the very aspect of my true love as I shape this block of marble, so that I may know her when I meet her, O Jayus! I will give you everything," he said, making formal vow to the god in Limerance's name. Jayus answered. From that cold stone the artist's hands drew forth perfection. Gazing on her when he was finished, he wept until his heart burst because he knew he would never, ever meet her in life. It's a very popular tale in the South, particularly in the embellishment of his death agonies. Sabine could be that statue. Perhaps some conspiracy of the gods breathed life into heavy marble and set her loose upon the world, aloof and lovely, perfect in form. Perhaps, if she allowed someone near enough to touch, they would find her flesh to be firm and cool, or that the gleam of her green eyes is but paint and gilt, or that her thick sable hair is a fortune of silk plucked loose into individual strands and arranged upon her head.

Or perhaps the story is nonsense and she's only a woman, though one who has been blessed in every aspect of her appearance.

Personality: Stoicism is not a popular philosophy in the Lyceum. Someone really ought to have informed Sabine of this before she went and grew up to be a serenely composed young woman but at least her family and people speak proudly of the Countess' strict control over her emotions. Rumours of the glimmer of deeper feelings being observed behind the drawn veil of downcast lashes or a glance turned aside are generally held by House Tessere as slander by jealous parties. They counter with first-hand accounts of her devotion to absolute reason and her rational approach to decision making-- an approach which stands sharply in comparison to the previous Countess' more tempestuous nature.

Background: Sabine was not born under a fortunate arrangement of stars.

House Tessere's fortunes have been, in recent centuries, slowly reversing from the earlier scandal and disgrace which had plagued their name. The work begun generations ago has been of late bearing very lucrative fruit. But it is well-known that her mother, the Countess Lucrezia, was of a temperamental nature. Her preference for deliciously fiery wars conducted against both husband and consorts meant that there was little peace in their household, and less attention paid to the delicate business of shepherding the County into more prosperous waters. This coupled with the exile and excommunication of the Count-Consort's family, the Forza, from the Compact, and then Sabine's birth being followed very shortly thereafter by the Countess bearing a child to her favourite consort, set it in stone that she and Nurie-- and the other children who followed, full- and half-blooded-- were destined to be raised in something very like chaos.

Somehow they made it work. It took the combined effort of staff, servants and advisers, people whose life's sweat and tears were spent in securing Tessere's security and the well-being of its next generation. They saw to it that Sabine was tutored as befitted the heir and if she insisted Nurie was always at her side for these lessons, they took it as a sign of the girl's willingness to accept the acknowledged bastard child as a sign of her generous nature, and nevermind she had never been a particularly warm or expressive child. It simply proved those things existed beneath the controlled exterior, and they believed it would come to show more in time as she grew in years and maturity.

Those predictions did not hold true but in all other ways, it was clear Sabine intended to excel. She pursued her childhood and adolescence as if diligently following a primer written on How To Be The Best Heir and Future Countess, and even before her majority, it was noticed. Lucrezia began to use her daughter as proxy and Voice very early, beginning with simple ceremonial roles and eventually progressing to meeting with dignitaries and fellow nobles, or sitting in at council. By twenty, mother and daughter were all but dividing the role of Countess, giving Lucrezia more time with her favourites, and Sabine more opportunities to become comfortable with her hand on the reins of the County.

When Sabine was twenty-two, against her father's objections for he would have preferred a Lycene match, Lucrezia arranged her marriage to Lord Martinus Harthall, a cousin to that family's central branch. The bride did not blush but neither did she bat a lash at being wed to a man she'd met only twice before the nuptials. The expectation was that she would perform in this duty as she had in all other things-- with diligence and distinction, by rapidly producing an heir. It wasn't to be. Sabine proved again, and again, and again to not be pregnant. When the Gyre's forces approached Arvum, Lord Martinus was tasked with leading the House's small military in support of Hawkmour and Fidante. He didn't return, dashing all hope that the young couple would do right by their families.

But that was not the end of Tessere's troubles. Details have been scarce-- suppressed, some say-- but Countess Lucrezia was announced dead, murdered, in late 1008 AR. Still newly a widow, Sabine was ushered into her place. Her first act as Countess was to order an investigation into her mother's death.

Her second was to command her staff to begin packing for a journey to Arx.

Relationship Summary

Spouse:

Martinus (Rip) - Failed in his duty.

Karadoc (Rip) - Did not fail in his duty but he fell all the same.

Gaspar - Not yet fallen. He is quite the gift.

Ally:

Madrien - Loyal Minister. The Hand.

Lora - Glorious purpose not yet unleashed.

Frenemy:

Berenice - Fierce little kitten all grown up.

Family:

Cosimo - Cerebral Little Brother. The Mind.

Nurie - Bastard Half-Sister. The Heart.

Elysio - Courtly Cousin. The Sword.

Rhea - Creative Cousin. Marquessa.

Riagnon - Snacking Cousin. Menace.

Piccola - Martial Cousin. My General.

Daturo - Knightly Cousin. Capable.

Reve - Wandering Cousin. Provocateur.

Constantin - Lord and Heir to Iriscal. Born 9/1011

Ginevra - Lady and Second in Line to Iriscal. Born 10/1013

Acquaintance: