Erida of Galland

By @marcellamac\_art

**Erida of Galland** is the Queen of Galland.

## Biography

### Early Life

Erida is the daughter of King Konrad Righand III and Queen Alisandra Reccio. Erida has always been a leader. Even as a child, she was set apart from the rest of the children. She was eager to smile, laugh, and play, but was also isolated. As a princess, she didn't have the freedoms of a page boy, maiden, or servant child. She grew up studying diplomacy, languages, as well as some Spindle lore. As a child, Erida loved sailing. All the children of the palace used to accompany her out into Mirror Bay. When her parents died of sickness four years ago, Erida became Queen of Galland at only fifteen years old.

### *Realm Breaker*

Erida received a mysterious letter from the Monarch of Iona calling for Galland's aid. Her curiosity about the Elders led her to answer the call.

Erida marries Taristan of Old Cor and makes him her consort. She then begins working on behalf of What Waits alongside Taristan and Red Ronin. They want to take over all the kingdoms of the Ward, even if it means sitting on thrones of ruin and ashes.

At the border with Madrence, Galland wins the battle, but loses a thousand men. The nobles and generals celebrate their victory with Erida and Taristan at Castle Lotha.

## Personality

Erida is a fierce and determined woman with a spine of steel. She has a logical mind and is often seen to be thinking about different plans and which is most fitting for the current situation. She is well bred, educated, and skilled in all the talents of a proper noblewoman. She has a sharp wit. She is often depicted as cold and practical, but shows a slightly softer side from time to time; especially if the matters are about her kingdom. Erida believes she has a legacy to live up to and is determined to prove to the men around her that she is a strong and capable ruler by returning Galland to an empire. Her father raised her on the belief that Galland is the glory of the Ward. When she became queen, Erida says she had to stop being the girl she was and start wearing a mask of stoic authority. She's undeterred and undeniable.

Erida's gentleness is an act, and underneath it is a resolute stone. Ambition is in her blood and she hungers for conquest. She believes it makes her endeavors easier if no one expects them of her. Upon realizing that she has married someone possessed by What Waits, she knows she should feel regret or remorse. Instead, her "ambition is stronger than any shame."

## Physical Description

Erida is nineteen years old. Erida is young and beautiful, with fine bones, porcelain skin, ash-brown hair, and piercing silver-blue eyes. She's petite, but her presence is dominating. When unbound, her hair falls in waves over her shoulders. She has a lovely, gentle face and skin like a polished pearl. Her face is as still as the surface of a pond. Her voice is light and musical. However, her smile does not reach her eyes and her brow is sterner than her years suggest. She wears the ring of state, a dark emerald in a gold setting, rough-cut and hundreds of years old.

## Relationships

### Taristan of Old Cor

At the start of their relationship, Erida views Taristan as “the promise of empire.” He is someone who “held value as much as weakness. High enough to help her, low enough not to control her.” They are like "wolves sizing each other up." They are fourteen years apart in age. Erida finds herself increasingly attracted to Taristan. When What Waits isn't possessing him, Taristan seems to also be growing in attraction to her.

## Quotes

* "History gorges itself on women raised high and then brought low by men grasping for their power. I will not be one of them. I will not lose what my father gave me. I will make it greater." - Erida to herself
* "The Lion should take you as its sigil. You're twice as fierce, and twice as hungry." - Taristan of Old Cor to Erida

## Trivia

* She has a residence in the Castlewood.
* She always holds Crown Council in one of the high towers of the keep, the fortress heart of the New Palace.
* Before her father's death, he made his wishes known. There were only two, and one was that Erida choose her own husband.

## Gallery

Taristan of Old Cor and Erida; by @morgana0anagromErida by king-maven-calore
## References

1. ↑ *Realm Breaker*: pg. 443
2. ↑ *Realm Breaker*: pg. 332
3. ↑ *Realm Breaker*: pg. 143
4. ↑ *Realm Breaker*: pg. 342