Pelleamena Novenarius

**Pelleamena Novenarius** *(Pelly-AM-enna Noh-ven-ARE-ee-us)* is the Reverend Mother of the House of the Ninth, wife to Priamhark Noniusvianus, and mother to Harrowhark Nonagesimus. A loyal and devout guardian of the Locked Tomb, there is nothing she would not do for her House.

## **Biography**

### **Early Life**

Pelleamena and her husband tried and failed to conceive a necromantic child. With time running short to secure an heir, they devised a terrible plan. The Reverend Father and Mother, with the aid of Sisters Aisamorta and Lachrimorta, released an organophosphate nerve gas into the vents, killing 200 children and creating enough thanergy to conceive a powerful necromancer, Harrowhark.

When Harrowhark was ten, she opened the Locked Tomb. Seeing this, and knowing it to be wrong, Gideon Nav informed the Reverend Father and Mother, and their cavalier, Mortus. Believing her to have betrayed God, Priamhark, Pelleamena, and Mortus hanged themselves in shame and fear. After their death, Harrowhark discovered dark theorems and learned to puppet their bodies. She enforced this charade with religious vows of silence, fasting, daily contemplation, seclusion, etc. to prevent the secrets discovery.

### **Gideon the Ninth**

#### Act I

The preserved bodies of Priamhark and Pelleamena attend muster under the necromancy of their daughter. She manipulates their bones, causing them to nod and shake their heads appropriately in response to her questions. They give her permission to lead the muster and read the summons from the Emperor. When the time comes for Harrow to leave Drearburh, she sends them into a prolonged vow of seclusion to cover for inability to puppet them.

## **Appearance and Personality**

Gideon first describes Lady Pelleamena as thus:

> *"Lady Pelleamena and Lord Priamhark sat side by side, one gloved hand place on a knee, the other joined to their partner's as they prayed simultaneously on a string of ornate bones. Black cloth swathed them toe to neck, and their faces were mostly obscured by dark hoods: Gideon could see their pale, waxy profiles, streaked with luminescent powder, the mark of Harrow's handprint still visible on both. Their eyes were closed. Pelleamena's face was still frozen and fine as it had been the last time Gideon had seen her, the dark wings of of her brows unsilvered, the thin fretwork of lines next to each eye uncrowded by new."*
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Pelleamena's private personality is not remarked upon, but as a leader she appears deeply religious and effective. She does not balk at horrific acts when she deems them necessary for the survival of her House, and carries through on her duty no matter the cost. She is not unkind or tyrannical, but many (including her daughter) question the legitimacy and morality of her decisions.

## **Relationships**

### Harrowhark Nonagesimus

> *"We could never discuss it, unless--this was my mother's rule--we were immersed in salt water. [...] It was cold and deep and I hated every moment I was in it. But my mother is dead, and I find that now--if I really am to betray my family's most sacred trust--I am obliged at least to keep, intact, her rule."*
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Harrowhark is Pelleamena's only daughter, dearly bought and impressively powerful. Though it is clear she loved and cared for her, they also did not shy away from the reality of her birth or her position. Pelleamena laid an impossible weight on her shoulders, and she died believing they had failed as parents and Keepers of the Tomb. Harrowhark does not give the impression that it was a particularly affectionate relationship.

### Gideon Nav

> *"It took the stentorious, short-changed breath when Priamhark saw her and breathed it again in horror, not in repugnance. One small kid who, to two adults, was a walking reminder of the day they had chosen to mortgage the future of their house."*
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Pelleamena and her husband allowed Gideon to be treated abhorrently as a scapegoat to their guilt. A hideous reminder of their sins, they allowed her to be shoved away in a cell and tortured by their daughter. It was simply easier for everyone if she were a disgusting and rude child, rather than a living example of the bright youth that might have inhabited Drearburh.

## **Trivia**

* Pelleamena is named after Peleus, the father of Achilles.

## **References**

1. ↑ "Gideon the Ninth," Act I, Ch. 3
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Gideon the Ninth," Act IV, Ch. 31
3. ↑ "Gideon the Ninth," A Little Explanation of Naming Systems