Clarysse Darklyn

**Clarysse Darklyn** is the granddaughter of Lady Genavene Darklyn and first child to be born of Rylene Rosby and Ser Tristifer Darklyn, heir to Duskendale. A well-groomed and ambitious woman, Clarysse works to better her family's fortune as an advisor on her grandmother's council.

## Appearance and Character

Clarysse is a woman of medium height, standing taller than her sister, Melantha, and resembling her mother in the graceful way she presents herself before the court. She wields light brown hair with hints of gold tumbling past her shoulder, appearing a honeyed colour in the sun. Her eyes are a tired, piercing green - emeralds glimpsed in the height of summer with a few of her grandfather's blue flecks. Slender as she is, her flowering has left her to blossom into the body of a woman, with a full bosom and wide hips.

She enjoys riding, dancing and hunting, all hobbies which have helped her keep her figure pleasant and in-shape. She usually dresses in the colours of her family, black and red dresses edged in gold, the Darklyn sigil worn prominently on her chest.

Clarysse was born with ambition above all. Her love for numeracy and diplomacy put her in a good mindset as she started to appreciate the worth of gold from her early teen years. She is strong willed and witty when need be, though when around her family and court she tends to loosen up, never taking to anger. When dealing with matters affecting Duskendale, a stony expression is plastered on her face, not willing to give anything away. This is not to say that she is a stranger to a smile, as Clarysse enjoys many aspects of the finer life.

Like her grandmother, Clarysse cares much about her position in society and has hoped to keep a mostly positive reputation among the lords and ladies of Westeros - she follows etiquette, known for her soft voice throughout the Crownlands. Her hands are soft and careful, and feet no stranger to the dances of Westeros.

## History

'Clara', born Clarysse in the early moons of 80 AC is the daughter of Ser Tristifer Darklyn, their heir to Duskendale, and his wife, Rylene Rosby. Both parents were expecting a boy, and from what the Maester had been telling Tristifer, their planning seemed to have gone all wrong. As the Rosby pushed Clarysse into the world, everything seemed to have changed. The babe had her grandmother's authentic golden crown and green eyes, just not the exact gender they had been hoping for. Perhaps it was the motherly instinct that took over Rylene and the joy that took over Tristifer, and they'd both forgotten that they wished for a boy. Instead, they were presented with a healthy baby girl, ready to serve her house in the coming years.

She was born during the few days that all flowers blossomed in the gardens of the Dun Fort. Lady Genavene brought Rylene to the field with young Clarysse in her hands. They were accompanied by a few guards, court members and handmaidens of Genavene's and sat on a table arranged by their servants. When asked of the gift she would provide for the newest member of House Darklyn and her first grandchild, Genavene picked up a rose and placed it right next to where Rylene was holding Clarysse, making sure that even the infant herself could inhale its sweet yet thorny scent.

Clarysse had a relatively good childhood, being taught by nobles residing near the Dun Fort. Many vassal lords wives also stepped forward to welcome the girl into the hands of the Faith, wishing for her to have a more zealous upbringing than anything else. This was decided by the girl's early passion that held books, stories and calligraphy. Lady Genavene, however, declined their requests and declared their granddaughter would receive an education in diplomacy. Taking right after her grandmother, Clarysse spent nearly all of her time with her mother and Lady Darklyn, her father being too busy learning how to be the future ruler of their lands. She was meticulously good with numbers and always managed to bring a smile to her grandmother's face when showing off her mathematical skills. This did not only boost her confidence, but also reputation as she was often praised in front of the court, bringing both happiness and jealousy to the faces of many courtiers.

Due to being from a more fortunate home and born years before her brother, Jon, Clarysse never felt herself to be a victim of any neglect. With his birth in 85 AC, she was finally out of the spotlight, and the pressure that was usually placed on the heir of a house was something she no longer had to worry about. She was loved by her mother growing up, but never liked the knightly motives of her father, the 'hot-headed' man, as she called him. Early into their childhood, Clarysse saw her brother soon adapt more and more of their father's arrogance and traits, and would often run off on her own rather than ask to play with the younger Darklyn.

After the birth of her Melantha, Clarysse devoted her life to her family and the ruling of Duskendale. Should anything have happened to her brother, she was the one that all eyes would turn to, once again, and yearned for their approval. Despite appearing such a gleeful child she was pressured left and right, whether it was by her septa, her father or her tutors. The two Darklyn girls grew close in the end, disturbing many of their family in the process, giving them sleepless nights.

Her moodiness and resentment towards her father and brother proved to be a teenage phase as she stepped right out of it and returned to her more caring and respectful ways. In the end, her father's arguments and war-strolling only led to him training Clarysse to defend herself, as a lady should be able to. She took lessons with one-handed weapons, leaving the other spare for shields. Whilst her aim wasn't perfect, her ability to stab the dummy with the tip of her blade put on quite the show for the spectators. The court said that if she was ever to inherit, she would be seen as a benevolent ruler, even for her young age. At just thirteen namedays the lady was growing into her mother's beauty. Her breasts became more voluptuous, her cheeks higher and her lips more plump. And although she didn't look to be as pious as the smallfolk, the girl prayed to the Father everyday, praying for her grandmother's health to the gods above. Perhaps if they decided to listen her smile would've been brighter, for it hung as low and weak as the fragile lady's health. The thought that her grandmother would not be there to see her bloom into a young woman terrified Clarysse, and her mother noted that the girls spent more time with Lady Darklyn than any other of her confidantes.

Despite her many efforts, she is still trying to perfect her knowledge on the world, and look forward to the day of her father's ascension as lord.