The Lady Beneath the Waves
From Changeling Venue
Description
The Lady Beneath the Waves appears as a woman of incomparable beauty. In regards to her appearance, she is a creature of whim and fancy, with her only constant her sheer magnificence. She has taken to calling herself Siren or Loreley on occasion and will shift her fashion and the style and color of her hair to match that of ancient Greece or old Germany to suit her mood and whatever name she uses for herself that day.
Her eyes are one of her most striking features, however. They can be the bright blue of a clear day at sea one moment, and then flash to a gray so dark as to be almost black, a gray the color of storms that promise death for all those who risk their lives upon the waves. Hardened sailors, men-at-arms, and other stout hearts, mortal, changeling, and Fae alike, have been struck speechless and unable to move by her commanding gaze. The sea may be your love or your bane, but you cannot deny her sheer presence.
Court on the Ocean's Floor
The Lady Beneath the Waves holds her court in the darkest depths, in a grand domain built upon the ocean's floor. In a realm untouched by the light of the sun, captive fish that glow with a strange light of their own swim in spheres hung like lamps along the walls and even certain unnatural plants glimmer along the twisting pathways of her estate. It is often a realm of darkness and shadow here on the sandy bottom, save for those places where The Lady wishes all to bear witness and marvel at what she has wrought.
A considerable portion of all that mankind has lost to the sea now rests in the possession of The Lady Beneath the Waves. A collector of fine taste for all things beautiful, countless wrecks and relics from all points in history have been painstakingly restored and perfectly preserved in a courtyard museum that stretches on for miles. Her collection even extends to living artwork, with the occasional handsome sailor or beautiful drowning victim (human or beast) saved for her appreciation in a cage of rock and coral.
Her home set in the center of her collection is a masterpiece in and of itself. Stunning feats of architecture that defy mortal physics with delicate arches and latticeworks supporting entire ballrooms at times awe and inspire envy in visitors. Fine furnishings, artwork, and delicate carvings adorn the manor and continue to emphasize the splendor and beauty that lies in every last inch of her domain. Musicians and artists are taken beneath the waves to entertain her court and traveling performers often find a pleasant welcome, though if they are not careful or hold enough station of their own, some may never leave.
Her tastes have also included an interest in the beauty of violence and blood, and on a whim a great depression was carved into the ocean's floor and high walls and seating of a Roman-style Colosseum were shaped and grown out of stone and coral. Gladiators are invited from other courts to participate, and allowances are even made to allow surface-dwellers a way to breathe. Exotic and dangerous animals and magical beasts are brought in for sport on occasion as well, set against the combatants for a deadly show.
Those Who've Reached the Surface
Manta - Manta was an assassin and dispenser of revenge for slights both real and imagined against The Lady Beneath the Waves. To intimidate rivals and keep followers in line, she displayed his talents in the gladiatorial arenas, and to keep people guessing she also had him trained to sing and perform for her court. If The Lady Beneath the Waves offered to send Manta to your domain for a visit, was it a threat or an offer of entertainment?
Murphy - Known as Typhus then, Murphy served The Lady Beneath the Waves as a prized gladiator. Renowned for his penchant of feeding on his fallen foes, Typhus was guaranteed to draw a crowd and put on a marvelous show for all spectators.
