Lydia Brante

Lydia Brante

## Summary

*"Your mother is devoted to her faith and insists that her children observe their lots." - In game description of Lydia Brante*

Lydia Brante is a fastidious and traditional woman who values serving one's Lot in life above all else. She is your mother, and a commoner by birth, making you a commoner as well. Lydia observes her Lot strictly, and never steps out of her place. She is so intent on the commoner's Lot that it borders on self-depreciation.

Her marriage to Robert Brante, a noble of the Mantle, was highly controversial, and it took a lot of work on Gregor Brante's part to cover up the scandal. Still, the ramifications of this constantly weigh on the family, disrupting unity and reputation at every turn. Gloria's presence makes the scandal even worse, as she brought a bastard child into a noble family.

## Relationships

### The Brante Family

#### Player Character (Sir Brante)

Lydia Brante is kind to you, her son, from birth, treating you gently. However, that is not to say she is never strict. You will upset her greatly if she believes you are disrupting your Lot. In childhood, she scolds you for not honoring the commoner's Lot of humility, patience, and especially suffering. She will reward you for knowing your place. If you work to become a Noble, she will advise you to stay in your Lot just the same, begging that you stay away from pain and suffering, for this is the commoner's Lot. The same occurs if you opt for Priesthood. It is not your place to suffer, or rule, as a priest. She is intent that you honor the ways of the world. The more you understand and respect this, the closer you will become to your mother.

#### Robert Brante

Lydia is Robert's wife, and her marriage to him was quite the scandal. She met Robert after she had Gloria. She petitioned the council, of which Robert was a part of, to assist her, as an unnamed nobleman had forced himself upon her and left her alone with a child. They fell in love then and there, and Robert assured Lydia he would protect her and her child in his home, forever. Though it was born of good intentions, the marriage has left a horrible mark on the family name, and it takes everything to hold on to the Brante Family's reputation because of this. Not only is Lydia a commoner, but she also has a bastard child.

#### Stephan Brante

Stephan Brante is not related to Lydia by blood, but she still believes him to be important to her, and treats him like her son. Lydia met Stephan when he was three years old, and he was initially shy to practice his music in front of her, so she would listen from the other room. Until year 1124 when Stephan is taken to study in the capital, he respects her and calls her his mother. After Grandfather's and the capital's influence on young Stephan, he treats her only with cold hostility save for a few rare moments, and refers to her as Lydia Brante rather than Mother.

Gloria

Gloria is Lydia's invalid daughter, but she loves her greatly and wants nothing more than for her to be accepted by the family at large. That is not to say their relationship is without strife. Gloria is rebellious by nature, constantly questioning the state of the world, demanding answers and justice for the way things are. This upsets Lydia, because Gloria defies her commoner's Lot by the very nature of questioning it. Gloria refuses to play by the rules, constantly writing poetry that is forbidden to commoners, wearing men's clothing, and hanging out with other rebellious commoners, in direct objection to Lydia's steadfast will that each person remain firmly within their Lots.

#### Nathan Brante

Nathan is Lydia's third biological child, and by far, her meekest. Nathan's constant crying and whining cause tension from the very beginning, and at some points, even threatens Lydia taking a lesser death from her own son. She loves him, but ultimately, he is the product of his own unwillingness to strive for anything greater, and so he is a disappointment to many, including his own mother. They are close, especially seeming to bond over religious texts and prayers, of which Nathan is especially fond. Importantly, Nathan does not necessarily defy his lot most of the time, expect in instances when he indulges in pleasure only reserved for Noblility.

#### Grandfather

Lydia's relationship with Grandfather is nothing but strife. It is upon which the family home is turned into a battleground. Grandfather has nothing good to say about his daughter-in-law, considering her a filthy commoner who is freeloading on the success that he worked so hard to bring to the family. Lydia takes his insults and internalizes them, often locking herself in her room while Grandfather is around and crying often. There is hardly a moment that Grandfather fails to bring up his disapproval of Lydia and Robert's relationship, and it creates constant tension whenever he is anywhere near. No one is able to convince him that Lydia has value. To him, she is utterly and completely worthless.

### Other Characters

Lydia doesn't have many other associates or friends beside her own family and Robert's friends, if any at all. Her past relationships are largely unknown. When she was working at a crockery as a young woman, an unnamed nobleman of the Sword took a particular fascination to her, and would not leave her alone. She was highly suspicious of his behavior. At some point, he raped Lydia and left her alone with a child, Gloria. This caused her to petition the Judge's council, where she met Robert and they wed soon after.