Celesse Raoliss

**Age:** 39

**Birthday:** 27th of Miff, 3L 960

**Height:** 5'5

**Hair:** Brown

**Eyes:** Blue

**Alliances:** Asonas, Wheaserin, Rymlin

**Occupation:** Queen of Eridor

**Family:**

* Hedrick Raoliss (Husband)
* Daegan Raoliss (Son)
* Solaea Raoliss (Daughter)
* Navis Magralai (Daughter-In-Law)
* Laren Adquen (Brother)
* Tomaz Adquen (Brother)
* Ivon Adquen (Brother)
* Theoren Adquen (Father, deceased)
* Laora Adquen (Mother, deceased)

### **Profile**

Celesse Raoliss is the current serving Queen of Eridor. She is one of the primary protagonists in Kingdom of the Fallen Sun

#### **Life**

Celesse was born on the 27th of Miff in 3L 960. The youngest of her family, her father was overjoyed to finally have a daughter, mainly to use her as a political pawn. From the time she was born, Celesse was raised to be a diplomate's wife, learning to be quiet and submissive to her future husband's biddings. She was taught all of the skills a noblewoman of Eridor should know: hospitality, sewing, cooking, childrearing, reading, gardening, writing, and many other homely tasks. Celesse's mother was incredibly harsh on her, punishing Celesse anytime she didn't behave ladylike. From a young age, Celesse knew her destiny was to marry a powerful man and be a mother to his children, but she didn't realize that's all she knew.

Celesse's father, Theoren, was Chancellor of Foreign Affairs to King Remgel Raoliss. Due to his position and her father's desire to secure a beneficial union for her, Celesse was brought to court often. She trained to become a lady-in-waiting to Queen Seda Raoliss. Around the court, Celesse frequently interacted with many notable nobles, including Prince Hedrick and his best friend Master Dalton Spriggs.

While she was growing up, Celesse developed a passion for gardening. Celesse spent many years perfecting the craft, and became quite a green thumb by the time she came of age. She especially loves growing flowers. Apples are a special crop in Eridor, and Celesse has worked on growing her own breed of Eridoran apples.

As Queen of Eridor, Celesse's primary responsibility is maintaining the hospitality of Ossin Keep. She is in charge of guest arrangements, food choices, party organization, and arranging public visitations. She is responsible for making sure everyone in the Keep feels welcome and at home. She is responsible for the public image of the Royal Family. She will often go out on behalf of the family, interacting with common folk and foreign nobles alike. If Hedrick is invited to a celebration or gathering, Celesse usually will go in his place.

##### **3L 976**

When Celesse turned 16-years-old, she was instilled as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Seda, and officially moved into Ossin Keep. She quickly became close to the Queen, who even though she was vain, she treated Celesse kindly, much kinder than Celesse's mother. Celesse loved her new duties and life, but still longed for the husband and family she had been taught to strive for.

##### **3L 977**

In Felles of that year, Celesse was approached by her father one night. Her father informed her that Prince Hedrick was interested in marrying her. Celesse was overjoyed; she had a crush on Hedrick from a young age, but never thought she would marry or court him due to the limited benefits their union would bring. The Adquen family had already been loyal to the Raoliss family for over 400 years, they didn't need a marriage to unify them. But Hedrick needed to get married soon, and there were no other readily available options. From the moment they were properly introduced, they were both smitten with each other, and Hedrick proposed marriage to Celesse a month later. They were married on the 1st of Jono, 3L 977.

Now that she was married, Celesse couldn't wait to be a mother. As hard as she tried, Celesse wasn't conceiving, and six months into their marriage, there was still no pregnancy. Unsure of why she wasn't conceiving, she and Hedrick hired the best healers and midwives they could find, but no one could produce any answers. Celesse faced much scrutiny from the court, but even more so from her mother. Celesse's mother blamed her for "not trying hard enough", making Celesse feel guilty and worthless without her heavily anticipated child. Fortunately, Hedrick was optimistic, and hadn't placed much pressure on Celesse yet, even though it was obvious he desperately wanted a baby.

##### **3L 978 - 3L 979**

The beratement didn't end anytime soon unfortunately, and came to fruition when Hedrick's father died unexpectedly at Ane Novus in 3L 977. Celesse was crowned Queen of Eridor on the 12th of Jessis 3L 978. With no children and siblings that were too young to marry, Hedrick was a major political target, and the urgency for a child was draining for Celesse. Her health dropped from the constant stress and pressure, causing her to fall ill and lose weight frequently. As they approached a year of marriage with still no child, Hedrick struggled to support Celesse. He loved her, but they needed a child more than anything, and he was incredibly frustrated it wasn't happening.

In Jono in 3L 978, after their first wedding anniversary, Celesse was experiencing another illness spell. Something felt different about this illness than previous bouts, and her healers were able to confirm that Celesse was finally pregnant. Elated and overjoyed, Hedrick and Celesse couldn't wait for their child to arrive. While she had anticipated pregnancy her whole married life, Celesse's pregnancy was far from what she expected. She suffered from horrible sickness throughout most of the pregnancy, was exhausted, and developed anemia. On top of a harsh pregnancy, Celesse experienced a long and hard labor. All the trouble paid off though, and Celesse gave birth to her long awaited son Daegan on the 20th of Jessis, 3L 979. She immediately fell in love with her baby, and spoiled and coddled him endlessly.

##### **3L 980 - 3L 981**

After Daegan's birth, Celesse began to heal from the stress and pressure placed on her for the last 19 months. She loved being a mother, and insisted on being the main caretaker for her son, shooing off many maids and wet nurses. Daegan was a happy and healthy baby, but Celesse still worried about him constantly. She knew Daegan was safest by her side, and constantly fought with Hedrick over his upbringing.

Two months after Daegan's first birthday, the toddler fell deathly ill. High fever, harsh coughing, and breathing trouble plagued the young toddler. Celesse was distressed by her son's condition, and she and Hedrick worried he wouldn't be able to pull through. Unfortunately at this time, Hedrick's only brother died in a rockslide while visiting Taillis. Hedrick risked losing both his brother and his son in a short period of time. To upkeep the longevity of the Raoliss family, Hedrick needed another child, preferably a son, but Celesse did not want to be pregnant again. Daegan needed her as he recovered from his illness, and with how harsh her first pregnancy was, Celesse wasn't exactly eager to go through with it again. She loved being a mother, but hated being pregnant. Unfortunately, Celesse had no say in the matter; she was going to conceive again whether she wanted to or not. Daegan eventually recovered from his illness, but the desire for another child still loomed, and Celesse was pregnant again later that year.

Celesse's second pregnancy was similar to her first: horribly sick, anemic, and exhausted. She still insisted on taking care of Daegan during this time, which didn't help her feel better. While this pregnancy wasn't much different than her first, Celesse wasn't as excited for this baby as she was Daegan. Celesse drudged through her pregnancy, waiting for it to end. While Hedrick was excited for his new son to arrive, Celesse had troublesome thoughts throughout her whole pregnancy. This baby was not conceived in love like Daegan was, and Celesse already resented the child for taking her body and love away from Daegan. She also suspected the baby she was carrying was a daughter, which was fine with her, but she knew Hedrick needed a son.

When Celesse's labor finally came, she was met with many complications. Two days passed and there still wasn't a baby. The midwives called in a surgeon to investigate why the labor wasn't progressing. The surgeon discovered the baby was being born feet first, and could likely die during birth. Celesse had to make the heartbreaking decision to either save herself or save her baby. Without consulting Hedrick first, Celesse decided to save the baby. Hedrick could always remarry if Celesse died. If Celesse saved herself instead of the baby, she faced the chance of never conceiving again, and Hedrick needed a second child, regardless of their gender. Celesse was sedated and cut open, and the surgeon delivered her daughter Solaea on the 6th of Moz, 3L 981. The baby survived the procedure, but Celesse was barely holding on. Cradist ministers came to bless the queen, and the people of Leroy gathered around Ossin Keep in prayer. With everyone focused on the queen, the newborn baby was set to the side. Fortunately her grandmothers came to her and loved her. Three days after Solaea's birth, Celesse awoke from her repeated sedation. Celesse was grateful she and her daughter survived, but Celesse was now unable to have anymore children. Hedrick was livid with Celesse's decision, and refused to see his new daughter. After another hard pregnancy and a traumatic birth, Celesse wondered if she had actually made the right decision, especially when she didn't fall in love with Solaea immediately like she had with Daegan.

Celesse tried to love her daughter the same way as she did Daegan, but she couldn't do it. If Daegan needed something, she would put Solaea aside to attend to him. While they were growing up, Celesse was particularly harsher on Solaea than she was Daegan. She wanted her daughter to be raised how she was: to be a wife and mother. But Solaea had an untamable spunk that drove Celesse insane, and she realized her daughter was going to be defiant and troublesome no matter what. She stopped bothering to train Solaea, turning her attention back onto being a mother to Daegan.

##### **3L 999**

With both of her children grown and married, Celesse eagerly awaited to be a grandmother, especially to Daegan's future children. When Solaea married, Celesse tried to be comforting and supportive. She knew how she was treated leading up to Daegan's birth, and didn't want her daughter to face that same pressure. Unfortunately, Solaea's husband died before they could have children, and Celesse tried to make herself present for her daughter during this tough time, but Solaea shut her out. Celesse was overjoyed when Daegan married Navis Magralai. Celesse loves Navis like she's her own daughter, and believes she will be a wonderful mother to Daegan's children when the time comes.

#### **Personality**

Celesse is overbearing and loving to everyone she meets. She always takes the comfort of others into consideration. Celesse is slightly brainwashed by Hedrick and her mother.  She has problems thinking for her own, and always seeks her husband’s approval for anything.  After Solaea’s birth, Celesse knew her marriage was on thin ice.  To prevent Hedrick from finding any more reason to divorce her, she became submissive to his every word, and gave up any individuality she still had.  Celesse can’t let Daegan grow up.  She smothers him and treats him as if he’s still a baby, and it’s affected how he’s grown up.

#### **Relationships**

Daegan and Solaea are Celesse’s children.  Daegan is her pride and joy.  She smothered and coddled him while he was growing up.  She would often hand Solaea off to her maids if Daegan needed attention.  To this day Celesse is still overbearing towards Daegan, even though he is a grown man.  Celesse loves Solaea, but regrets that she could not love her the same way she loves Daegan. Celesse tries to conform Solaea into being more womanly, irritated by her daughter’s defiance and spunk. Even though her daughter isn't who Celesse believes she should be, she still loves her and wants to support her, but she is overly critical of everything Solaea does.

Hedrick Raoliss is Celesse’s husband.  When their engagement was first announced, Celesse was ecstatic.  Growing up around the court, she had always had a crush on Hedrick.  Before they were married, Hedrick would woo her with flowers and trips to the theater.  Celesse genuinely loves Hedrick, even after all the hardships, and unlike most couples in arranged marriages, the two have always shared a bedroom.

Laren Adquen is Celesse’s oldest brother.  He currently serves as Lord of Brea and is part of Hedrick’s court.  Celesse was never close to any of her brothers growing up, but since becoming queen she has been able to spend more time with Laren.  She cares about him and his children, sending them presents often.

Navis Magralai is Celesse's daughter-in-law. Her intended betrothal to Daegan was announced many years prior to their actual engagement, so Celesse spent that time getting to know Navis and introducing her to her lifestyle. Navis works close to Celesse as one of her ladies-in-waiting, simultaneously training to be the next queen of Eridor. Celesse loves Navis and thinks she's the perfect wife for her son. Celesse is oblivious to Daegan's true nature.

#### **Trivia**

* To compensate for her inability to have more children, Hedrick gifts Celesse with lap dogs
	+ These dogs all get the comical title of "lady", and Celesse names them after her flowers
* Her favorite food is sage-rubbed turkey
* Hedrick gifted Celesse with her own private garden for their first wedding anniversary
* Even though she is a gifted green thumb, Celesse has never been able to get roses to live long enough to bloom.