The Kretrin don’t really have a pinpoint spot on a map. They are nomadic and travel all over the empire. They serve as traders, swapping furs in the far north for jewelry in the far south, and everything in between. They tend to be distrustful of non-Kretrins, but they are always civil to everyone. They come off as very private to outsiders, but among their own social groups they are quite open.

The Iande Empire: An interactive RP-style Contest

Cora of Kretrin 

Cora is 18. She is the youngest child, and only daughter, of Raoul D’ugdon, leader of the Kretrin people. Cora is a girl with high morals and is said to be loyal to the end. She is literate and fluent in many of the different languages of the empire. Due to the nature of her up( )inging within a nomadic, trading community, her mapping skills and knowledge of the land and weather is second to none. Cora despises extremes of temperature; she therefore loathes the far north and far south of the empire; coastal areas and the woodland are her favourite regions. Her mother has tried to teach her the art of being a lady, but the life of a nomad is very different to that of the court and so in ‘civilised’ society, Cora’s honesty can come across rude and her lack of trust as cold. She finds most people uninteresting and stupid, but is ladylike enough to keep this to herself.

 Cora has a secret. She is in love with Braith, a man she had met while her tribe were trading in the Vandrea region. They first met five years ago, and in addition to the occasions when the Kretrin pass through Vandrea to trade, they have kept in communication over the years. Cora has kept her relationship with Braith to herself as the Kretrin do not hold the people in other regions in high regard due to a history of unpleasant trade deals.

Cora wants to settle down; she is tired of travelling from place to place, carrying her belongings with her and never being able to call anywhere home. She longs for the courage to tell her father that she wants to marry Braith and settle into a sedentary life, but her loyalty to her family and culture holds her back from doing this and it is ripping her apart inside.

After months of withdrawing into herself, Cora’s father sits her down to speak to her. Only she does not disclose the full truth, only that she desires to settle down with a man and have her own family. Her father is delighted about this, for he has received a letter from the Emperor, decreeing that each region of the empire is to send a suitable maiden to the capital. She will then be presented as a possible wife for one of his three sons. Raoul D’ugdon is thrilled with the prospect of his daughter becoming a member of the ruling family. He sees this as an opportunity for Cora to have her wish of a husband and family and the Kretrin people to be given the respect and attention they deserve.

Cora’s heart is broken. Braith cannot save her.

No one can refuse the Emperor.