Edria Meredith
From Changeling Venue
It was inevitable that she should accept any inconsistency and cruelty from her deity as all good worshippers do from theirs. All gods who receive homage are cruel. All gods dispense suffering without reason. Otherwise they would not be worshipped. Through indiscriminate suffering men know fear and fear is the most divine emotion. It is the stones for altars and the beginning of wisdom. Half gods are worshipped in wine and flowers. Real gods require blood. - Their Eyes Were Watching God
| Seeming | Fairest Flowering |
|---|---|
| Court | Autumn Court •••• |
| Freehold | House of Cards |
| Player | Lana Q minxlette@gmail.com |
Contents |
Overview: The steel beneath the petals
Alias(es) and nicknames: Edaria, Eda, Eddie, Spooky, Thrice Damned Floral Fiend
Real Name: Edria Llewelyn
Location: Orlando, FL, previously western Massachusetts
Age: Apparant age: very early twenties. Actual age: 31
Seeming: Fairest
Kith: Flowering
Court: Autumn
Keeper: The Lord of Sable and Aster
Concept: Priestess, Herbalist, Sorcerous, Follower of Epona
Physical description: 5'2", Edria is curvaceous and earthy, the sort of young woman that might come out of a John Waterhouse or other pre-raphaelite painting. Strikingly beautiful, that beauty is more the result of not caring than it is any artiface or court grace. She has long dark brown hair has streaks of auburn, gold, and red at intervals and is usually half-braided in some sort of intricate fashion. She favors long dresses in rich colors, but still clothing she can move in. She is, after all, a horse-woman and priestess. The nails on her hands are marked by dirt and the occasional callous. In her fae mein, her ears are pointed and the scent of crisp flowers and ripes autumn harvest fruits follows in her wake.
Relevant Mechanics: SL x 4
Character Livejournal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/feyfire
Timeline & Background: Down the path of legends
Basic Timeline:
1976 - Born, Western Massachusetts
1989 - Edria starts attending local wiccan/pagan meetings at first just interested academically and then following the faith eventually. She picks up herb lore during this time and makes plans to become a homeopathic doctor in the future.
1992 - Sixteenth birthday party and kidnapping of Edria and Eden
1992 - 2000 - In the hedge. Edria's keeper seduces her, enchanting her and making her believe that her new lover and "husband" loves her and she him. She has frequent nightmares regarding her sister, unaware her twin was also kidnapped, and is often settled and re-enchanted by her keeper who is toying easily with her mind and emotions.
She is able to keep a grip on herself by working the keep's gardens, often creating poulstices and remedies for the wounded gladiators and Lost
who live in the area. While she has great sympathy for those around her, she feels apart from them, not fully realizing how enslaved she is - and ultimately just like those she has compassion for as a result. The more she works with the earth and the other Lost, the more she returns to herself. She has brief periods of clarity in which she attempts to escape. She is dragged back several times and punished/rewarded for the attempts at her keeper's hands. Each subsequent attempt further erodes his solid hold on her.
2000 - Successful escape from the Gentry, return to mundane world, as part of the Red Nettle Revolt
2001 - Edria returns home to find that her fetch has taken over her life and that her sister was also kidnapped. Unable to uproot the fetch that now has her own budding doctorial career, has taken Edria's place in the mortal pagan circle, and has utterly replaced her in her not-so-close-knit family, she manages to secure herself a new identity and falls into the Changeling courts. She spends a year in seclusion with Isadora near Boston, letting the Spring Monarch soothe the fractures in her mind. The inquisitiveness she once showed in studies links her into the Autumn court; she is initiated into the Leaden Mirror by the Ashen Pilgrim of New-New Amsterdam, the Fachan Alexander Delapore. She realizes the bright sunniness of her previous life is mostly obliterated at the hands of her keeper's tortures and games (both mental and physical). While she is still good-hearted and compassionate, she is a far more somber individual. The fire is, in a word, banked.
2007 - in order to gain a poltiical alliance, the freeholds of Boston and Orlando arrange a mutual defense pack of a connecting trod by arranging the marriage of two of their locals - Gaius and Edria. The betrothal is met with hostility from both, however, she's managed to work herself into this position with her own talent. Her fears - and the severe mental issues with marriage after her ordeal in Arcadia - not withstanding, she literally packs up her life and relocates at the behest of her court. After all, without the other Changelings, what would she do?
2007 - Relocation to Florida and betrothal to Gaius Arctorus.
Turning to what she was always good at, Edria picks up her studies as a priestess, healer, and herbalist, and her skills with horses. She sets up a small farm south of Boston and works with student riders, tending her garden, and using her knowledge in the changeling courts. Her quick intellect and the desire to use that intellect to protect herself via magic pushes her up fairly rapidly in the ranks of the autumn courtiers and local freehold.
Known Background:
Edria is known as a down to earth woman, particularly for the autumn court. Blunt to the point of pain one moment, elusive and mysterious the next, she swings back and forth like the moods of autumn from warm to cold and with all the glory in between. She prefers the company of her horses - which she rides, trains, and breeds - and fellow compatriots in the Order most of the time, but is no stranger to social situations and always seem to have time and a kind word to everyone. While the autumn courtiers sometimes whisper that she is an odd addition to their number, there is no doubt that Edria - particularly to those that know her - is a master of fear in all its subtle nature and in understand how it affects both the human and Lost mind and body. Rather than cause it, she seeks to understand it and wield it as her own weapons through that understanding. Her library is extensive and she spends as much time on scholarly pursuits as she does lugging bales of hay and digging in the garden.
She is an accomplished herbalist and homeopathic healer, though not a part of the summer court. She prefers to heal by her own hands and the grace of her skill rather than the magically blessed contracts she shows an affinity for.
Current Activities: Edria serves double duty in the mundane world as a homeopathic healer and a horse breeder. For the Lost she is the Penderwyyd for the Order of the Isle for the southeast and a followe of the old ways.
Merit Details: Striking looks x 4, new identity x 2
Ar Hyd a Nos: I'll stand and guard thee
Motley:
Sophia McCarthy
Cerulean
(still being solidified icly)
Organizations:
Order of The Isle and The Praesidium - Edria leads the South Eastern branch of the Order of the Isle and serves as one of the Orders founders.
The Great Library (correspondant)
Red Nettle Revolt - Part of the organization for the large scale escape that was the red nettle revolt
Brotherhood of Chains - Edria is responsible for the arcadia (and mundane) healing of several of the Brotherhood's members, including saga.
The Feral Hunt - followers of the old ways and protectors of the Lost, Edria served as a priestess for the Feral Hunt while in the northeast and still does as needed today.
Followers in the way:
Rattenkonigin - What possible connection could Dar and Edria have? Most people often wonder what the Rat Queen and the Priestess have in common.
Nujalik - Everyone loves a good story and Edria often loved telling them to Nujalik
Green Man - One of Edria's druidic brothers in the Order.
Durendal - One of Edria's druidic brothers in the order
Orion_The_Hunter - What does a beauty see in a wolf? Only she knows.
Cerannen - Feral and savage, the priestess and the horned one have an odd and typically distant relationship that both are heated and quick to defend. The Old ways must be preseved.
Merlin - a fellow scholar and follower of tales, Merlin and Edria can spend hours sharing tidbits of lore and history. A fellow brother in the Order of the Isle.
Vayne Cruxis - A wanderer who found his desire in learning the ways of magic and lucky for him, found me one day while following his desire to travel.
Jandori - Initiate of the order and arcadian and mundane friend. Jandori briefly served as a lady's maid to Edria - a relationship that didn't go spectacularly well. They've managed to work out old resentments and are now fast friends.
Touchstone Madwise- Warns Edria her of her impending fate at the hands of the Gentry. Unaware of the peril about to befall her, Edria gently consoles and ignores the seer - a mistake she will not ever make again.
Kin:
Gaius Arctorus - Edria's betrothed husband-to-be. She doesn't much seem to like him though she remains where she was sent out of duty and a sense of honor to her former northeastern freehold
Ae Lament - Edria's twin sister
Erised - One of Edria's druidic brothers in the Order and her real brother as well.
Kalen Blazenheart - Edria's aunt. The two are an unlikely pair and just as often don't get along with one another.
Arcadian memories:
Bandabras Pelinor - an old friend and fellow Arcadian "adventurer." Edria and Bandabras would often explore and poke about their Keeper's estates when they had the chance. Bandabras would also be the one to help Edria rebuild her identity upon her return and remains one of her closest friends today
Tanith - One of the women that Edria healed in Arcadia, the two would later re-meet outside the hedge and renew a friendship based on mutual hardship if not total understanding.
Phantom Dark - Phantom was often responsible for tormenting Edria's dreams at the behest of their keepers. He was just as often responsible for sending her memories of her sister or some other small hint to bring comfort and sanity.
Justice Drago Verdetti - Edria first met him at a Gentry gathering but has since gone to him several times for consultation on matters of judgement outside the Hedge.
Rossignol Browne - Fellow performer and Bard, she sometimes still works with the Order but Edria first met her in Arcadia. Rosagnil rescued Edria from a humiliating performance for the gentry by singing with her.
Varyn - Tinkerer and creator, Varyn made the mechanical bird that Edria's keeper tormented her with. Varyn would later be remet in the Brotherhood of Chains.
James Daniels - Warrior and friend, Edria and James seem to run into eachother in the most unusual of places.
Lilium - A shared keeper, friends remembered.
Saga - Beast she showed compassion to and took the thorn from his paw.
Vestigere the Usurper - A hunter for the Gentry who thwarted many of her previous escape attempts.
Ryver - Flautist at her fae "wedding" Edria later remet Ryver on her move to Florida
On the return home:
Alexander Delapore - The Fachan and former Ashen Pilgrim of New York City. Edria's first mentor and initiator into the Leaden Mirror. He taught her that fear is as much a tool for healing as it is a weapon for harm. She still visits the oneiromancer when the weather turns cold.
Valentine - Keeper of Thornwatch, Edria spends several months there providing spiritual guidance for Lost as they are helped out of the hedge. She's unwilling to leave her fellow escapees entirely at the Perfidy's disposal and while she is not rude about it, quietly teaches a philosophy much the opposite of Lord Valentine's.
Maze - Maze often watched Edria for clues on relearning how to be human. Unfortunately her relationship and romantic skills are somewhat lacking for being a role model.
Clockwork - fellow herbalist, trade secrets and supplies
Ozwald Savile- Tailor asked to make her wedding gown for said betrothal. One of Edria's favorite designers. Period.
Race - served as Edria's bodyguard during her exodus to the south.
Nemo - transport via ship to Florida
Althea Sexton- Meets Edria traveling in the northeast.
Elizabeth Ann Sexton - A potential initiate, Edria quietly makes certain that Elizabeth is well and cared for, visiting the girl in the northeast when she visits her other friends there.
Gallowglass - Edria occasionally patches the courier up just as often has he occasionally runs messages for her.
Captain Adonis Von Catterwaul - Originally met before their kidnapping, Adonis is a fellow lover of theatrics and stories.
Myo - Fellow healer in the northeast
Rigger - Met in the Boston hospital system and worked with him on holistic healing as a fellow "healer"
The Colonel - Fighter in the Praesidium and ally
Caius Arctorus Paendragon - Caius and Edria have a mutual respect and knowledge based on the first hand experience of being traded off like cattle. Feh.
Caleb- "Grandfather Time" and one of the founders of Orlando's freehold, Edria regards him with great respect.
Toi Breaker - Dominatrix ogre and flowering fairest? Never an odder pair so why they get along so well is anyone's guess.
Character Inspirations: Does thy beauty inspire?
- Epona
- Oisin (twisted story)
- Guenevere (Welsh and celtic version)
- Morgaine (welsh and celtic version)
Soundtrack: A nightengale's songs
Once upon a time: The beginning
Ribbons Undone - Tori Amos
Once In A Million Years - Blackmore's Night
The Sky and The Dawn and The Sun - Celtic Women
Samhain - Heather Alexander
The Capture
Mordred's Lullaby - Heather Dale
Snow White Queen - Evanescence
The Gentry Suite: Arcadia
Self Portrait - Blackmore's Night
Good Enough - Evanescence
Adrift - Heather Dale
Missing - Evanescence
Eurydice - Sleepthief
Escape
Home - Daughtry
25 Years - Blackmore's Night
So Ghostly Then - Katie Price
Azure Hills: A place to recover
I still remember - Blackmore's Night
Days to Dust - Grey Eye Glances
Ghost - Indigo Girls
Acoustic #3 - Goo Goo Dolls
Azure Hills: Waking Up
Tiger - Paula Cole
Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
Three Queens - Heather Dale
House of Cards: Sent away and the Founding of the Order
Road to Camelot - David Arkenstone
Queen of Argyle - Bedlam
Only Hope
Cartouche - Blackmore's Night
Sacred Fire - Heather Alexander
House of Cards: Gaius
Hero - Enrique Iglesias
In need - Sheryl Crow
If it's a rose - Empty Hats
Ghost of a Rose - Blackmore's Night
Green Apples - Chantal Kreviazuk
House of Cards: Triangles
A step too far - Aida
Firecracker - Lisa Loeb
Exile - Heather Dale
Separate Lives - Phil Collins
Carry on Dancing - Savage Garden (out with Ox)
Gone Forever - Three Days Grace
House of Cards: Finding Balance
Hunter - Heather Dale
The Old Ways - Loreena McKennitt
Beneath a Phyrgian Sky - Loreena McKennitt
House of Cards: Visions
Kingsword - Heather Dale
War Between Brothers - Heather Dale
Crashing Down - Heather Dale
House of Cards: A Gentry's return
Control - Poe
Me - Paula Cole
Fear - Sarah McLachlen
House of Cards: Beltane Wedding
Fumbling Toward Ecstasy - Sarah McLachlen
Huron Beltane Fire Dance - Loreena McKennitt
Wosley's Suicide - The Tudors
Absence of Fear - Jewel
Quotes: Words of wisdom or lacking such
(feel free to add quotes about the character)
"You act as though all of the autumn court wore halloween masks and made ooglie booglie noises. Fear is deeper and more subtle than that. You do not have to cause it to understand it. You do not have to love it to use it. It simply is, and when the summer forgets its existence - they die in foolish bravado. When the winter embraces it to hide, they forget to live. When the spring masks it in glory and dance, they deny it. None of that erases it's presence. It is always there, eating at you, day after day. You had best learn to live with it and live around it then, haven't you?" - Edria
"Don't you have something more important to be doing... elsewhere?" - Gaius Arctorus
"The only thing that never changes in our world is change itself... darkness turns to light, and back to darkness in it's time. The sun and moon alternate each day in their endless chase. Things change, and even the hardest stone can be worn away by an autumn rain." - Gaius Arctorus
"In a far darker place than this, she told me a truth that woke me up." - James Daniels
"You know what I like about Eddy? She's got a faith that's pure, My daddy tol' me a long time ago that God smiles on all his children no matter what they call him. Eddy makes me believe that more than ever." - Horace "Race" Ardent
"I don't know if I ever had half the sense of caring or responsibility she has. She reminds me of Rodin and 'The Fallen Caryatid'" - die Rattenkonigin
"Roman wives have a place. Someday she'll learn it." - Lady Zephyr
"This is the Woman my Brother is betrothed to? And he complains, WHY??? How's about we switch? He guards this trod and I marry the Priestess. Sounds fair to me." - Caius Arctorus Paendragon
"I want to understand the person my niece has become... Truely I do. But everytime I look at her I am torn between seeing the smiling, happy four year old I used to carry around on my hip, and this woman who is younger and prettier than I... and betrothed to my Shieldmate." - Kalen Blazenheart
"I was shocked, to say the least...but I also have never been as proud of my niece as I was on that day. In her righteous anger she proved not only that she could be the light... be his light... But also that she has the will to sacrifice all, even her heart and happiness, to see that right is done. I suppose it's true... we really are more similar than most would believe."- Kalen Blazenheart
"Tell another, please?" - Nujalik
"I was there, the day she became the new Autumn Queen of O-town, after the last one came down with a fatal case of 'being stabbed.' Sheesh...poor lady. Yeah, yeah...I know she's Autumn Court, and a Fairest to boot, but call me crazy if I don't have some goddamn sympathy for someone who gets jumped by weird magical shit and suddenly finds herself totally changed as a result. Ain't her fault, or choice, and I'll be damned if I don't give any Seasonal Queen or King their fucking due." - Dzxoxian Brokehorn
"I'm not real sure why she's in the Autumn Court...compared to most of the Autumns I know, she's a blooming rose in the middle of a weed-choked garden that only grows broken glass, skunk cabbage, spite, and straight-to-DVD torture porn flicks. She just doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of them. So, I started thinking, which is always a bad idea. I thought that, hey, the Summer Court causes wrath and competition and shit, but they're usually the dudes most in need of anger management training, and while the Spring Court causes desire, they're the guys most looking to stick parts of themselves in anything with a hole that moves, and while the Winter Court is usually out breaking hearts and encouraging everyone to drink themselves to death, they're also the most sad-sack, depressed, morose motherfuckers you'll find in a Freehold. So I gotta ask myself...if Eddie ain't exactly scary, what is it that she's so afraid of?" - Dzxoxian Brokehorn
"I never expected to see it, but anger looks good on her...she should indulge it a little more often. God knows, she has more than enough reasons." - Dzxoxian Brokehorn
"Though her ways and means are not always clear to me, I take heart that we pursue similar ends, albeit differently. - Erised
"Ms. Meredith... may her reign be longer and end better than that of her predecessor. That's the best I could ever wish of anyone in her precarious position." - James Cornoa
When we are outside, with the trees and horses, she seems to be part of it. She doesn't fit in the city...like Central Park in the middle of Manhattan. It's a lovely surprise, but it's not quite right. - Elizabeth Ann Sexton
"Eh? Are you an idiot? Do you think the Queen Boogity-Boogity of O-town would be the type to just play with horses and raise Sunflowers. Sure... if those horses burned with unholy flame and the sunflowers could cleave a man in two. I think I'm just fine over here in the swamp full of villains thank you very much. - Kei
"The strategist emerged on Earth. Saw her at the Winter Market, nary a care in the world, watching with eyes that blink less than mine. She plans now, as she planned then, draped in the only mantle that would fit the ones willing to engage in unending war. What, would you think, is moving behind those eyes? What plans are in store now? This time, she has more clarity for thought...more time to prepare. We shall watch, then, and see what this one is made of...yesss..." - Vestigere the Usurper
"She pretty, crossed eyed sometime when Raph talk to her, might need glasses but still pretty" - Rapheal "Raph" Carddec
"Ah Edria. Her and I are long acquainted. It's funny really. Some will never see it but she hides a deep sorrow under all of the subtle fear that is her mask for the world. I just wish she'd come talk it out with me one day before it consumes her." - Ryver
"The Flowering Autumn from the North. So many people only see the flower that she is. So much more lay beneath the loving exterior. Her magics almost rival some of the fighting prowess of others within The Praesidium ... with only her heart being more powerful then that. She is someone I have come to know and trust. Her ways may not be my own, but I am willing to learn." - Drake
"My favorite Queen of O-town I have ever met! But I probably shouldn't have given her a foot rub. I think it pissed everyone there off." - Rift Hendrix
"When her passions burn hot, I know her as thought I know myself. When I tremble with concern and take swift action; is when I am most clear to Edria. It is in the doldrums that we are more like polite strangers than dearest, most precious blood."~ Seraphim
"Edria's totally my girl. At first glance I didn't think we'd have anything in common, but now... She and I get along pretty well. We actually have a thing or two in common. I think I might have even made her smile once. Wait, don't quote me on that, I'm not 100% on that one..." - Toi Breaker
"My favorite thing she does is get this broody look on her face when she's thinking. Then all of the sudden everyone in The House of Cards is terrified that she's upset. That's the cool thing about fear. Everyone is so afraid of her being sad or unhappy that they would bend over backwards to change her mood. Anyone who says she's not Autumn court is a fuckin' moron. She knows how to work fear better than anyone I know. All she needs to do is look a little broody and all of Orlando quakes in dread of her in a slightly off mood." - Toi Breaker
"I have no idea why anyone that smart chooses to be that stupid. Sad, really." - Laurel Thorn
"If she were an elemental I would have added her to my family. But she runs around with that Gaius fellow, how sad for her." - Nwabudike Osi-Kofi
"She's really nice. She's smart too, really helped me out figuring out all that Cuthulu talk from that random book I found in the cursed tower... wait, I think that came out wrong... nope, that was pretty much what I meant to say!" - Van Silverstorm
"Have you ever wrestled with a feeling you know you shouldn't have? The uncertainty as two sets of behaviors war for precedence? That's what it's like to be in a room with Edria." - Bandabras Pelinor
"I know I disappoint her, constantly, but in the long run, she will understand everything I've done for her. She may send me away, but I will always be there.. keeping her safe, I love her more then anyone could understand." - Durendal
"Very sweet woman. She seemed shocked though when Gaius showed her of what I truly am. Though she as well with Gaius said that they will keep secret safe till I am ready to tell others. She smells pretty and is willing to help, this is good thing I think -- I'm sure I can trust Edria." - Tani
"She knows her place, and if she alone comes for guidance I will give it....but if she brings her rabble and worthless, I will turn away..and they shall never see nights the same again....Revenant
"She perhaps like so few others know what I am capable of, too bad it takes tragedy for all of us to come together. We she asked me personally for help it was perhaps first time I felt alive again. She let me have free rain in her library, which makes me almost always obliged to help her. That makes her cool in my book, which remindes me she has one of." - Nicadeamus
"With the Priestess, sometimes, I can almost feel what it must be like to know peace." - Cerannen
"I noble lady with a grand heart. Many do not listen to her hear in Orlando. But I would. And I have. And I would do such again. I think perhaps I should stop talking." -Drake
"People assume I'm scared because I shake. People assume she's not, because she doesn't. People are silly sometimes." - Holly O' the Thorns
"Funny thing is she said she owed me for my "moment of confidence." The thing is, she has already paid me and then some, for her assistance in learning more about my life. Our fears can control us, and much like how Winter attempts to control their sorrow, so to does Autumn with fear. I'm beginning to learn that lesson...again though, the funny thing...she did all that by simply being herself." - Falcon
"It IS Beltaine." Spoken several times by Edria in conversation with Velios, Lord of Leaves on May 1st.
"It's disgusting. The plant drops these fruits, hedge beasts eat them and die and decompose. They rot apart and the plant uses them as fertilizer. Ugh." - Kei
"That's so... cool." - Edria
"That's why I call you Spooky." - Kei
"You know... Edria, Its kinda scary and I'm sure that Gaius wouldn't like me sayin this -- But I kinda see the two of you as parents... I hope you don't mind." Tani
Rumors
- Lord Valentine and Edria were once ensorcelled in a torrid and bittersweet affair. She remains one of Valentine's paramours that never suffered a Hearthook for her heart was never truly broken by him. In Edria was Valentine's greatest challenge and failure.
- Edria isn't a seeker of power. She in fact nearly drove her four by four off the road when the autumn crown appeared rather suddenly on her steering wheel.
