Daena Rogare

Daena Rogare is the First Magister of Lys and the current head of the noble and ancient House Rogare. She was born the only daughter to the previous holder of her titles, Lysarus Rogare, and his second wife, Nesora Rogare. As two older brothers had held primacy over her in the line of succession, she was never meant to inherit much, let alone titles. The unexpected shift - unexpected at least for her family - came in the year 435 AC, when upon his deathbed, her father named her as his sole successor.

Only nine and ten at the time, and bearing the ill-will of her Rogare seniors, Daena claimed the despot's vacant seat without hesitation and set out to exert her influence over the city. Though at first she was met with a strong opposition from the Conclave, relying on her charms and diplomatic finesse - and indubitably the efficient delegation of her assets - she was swift to garner popularity. She gained allies, and her method of rewarding loyalty with considerable benefits and answering malice with merciless reckoning has done well to silence the voices of discontent.

Her most notable accomplishment thus far, however, was the pivotal role she had played in bringing about the Alliance of the Narrows in 436 AC. It had led to an expeditious growth of her reputation outside the walls of Lys, and it was arguably the event that had simultaneously allowed her to consolidate her power as a despot.

Though much of her political success is rightfully attributed to the interplay of her late father's immense wealth and the expert counsel given by her confidante, Serala Maar, it would be unwise to deny the credit that is owed solely to the force of her personality. As First Magister, Daena Rogare has proved herself a natural leader of great ambitions, and under her reign, the Lovely City continues to thrive.

Appearance and Character
A young woman of Lysene descent, Daena carries the mark of Old Valyria in every aspect of her bearing and appearance. Whilst she does not stand out as tall at the modest height of five feet and seven inches, her svelte figure is augmented by long years of training as a water dancer, and she moves with feline grace and fluidity, wielding her natural beauty with confidence and design.

She wears only scarce make-up upon her heart-shaped visage, which is further defined by her thin upper lip lining against a somewhat fuller lower counterpart, a dainty nose in the centre, and soft angled brows above her pair of almond eyes. Pairing that, her fair and nigh flawless complexion is what one would expect from a Rogare of Lys, and the bright aquamarine of her irides - a unique characteristic as far her ancestry goes - creates a vivacious image with the silver-blonde colour of her hair.

Depending on the activity, Daena prefers to unleash her long strands over her back or keep them in a compact updo, yet not a stranger to diversity by any means, she regularly has it curled as is common in her city, and tries new styles on a near-daily basis. The warmer climate of her idyllic island leaves her with an abundance of options for clothing as well, and sparing no coin on the richest fabrics, she consumes fashion with the fervor of a spoiled princess.

Delicate the youthful First Magister may seem on the surface, however, her pleasant smiles and genteel demeanor shadow an imperious nature. She enforces her will with words sweet as honey, and preserves her popularity as a despot just as effortlessly; whilst a hand is a solid iron fist, the other is an open palm of gold. On top of her wealth and the counsel she is readily provided, Daena is well aware that it is her charisma, resolve, and visionary ambition that hold the machinery of her reign together. She has the makings of a leader, but her unflinching quality gives her a fair share of shortcomings.

Daena had been wilful as a child, and that trait barely faded as she had made towards adulthood. Stubborn to a fault, and sometimes overly reckless when her mind has already been made up, it is fair to say that she yet lacks wisdom. Having taken up the responsibility of rulership so early has done little to temper her vices; in her pursuit of respite, Daena embraced the boundless delights her elevated status had to offer, and in the years since her ascension, she has developed quite the hedonistic streak.

Conflict and Resolution
In the early 410's AC, the free city of Lys was engulfed in turmoil. Backstabbing and shifting alliances were the hallmarks of politics between her wealthiest and families, and the House of Rogare, despite the then-matriarch's efforts to claim a high ground of neutrality, was caught in the middle of it as well. At the worst time, the family was split between two rival factions furthered by a disagreement over the role House Rogare should assume in the reshaping of Lys.

The factions were spearheaded by Nyessa herself, and her cousin and head of the Rogare Bank, Lysarus. Where the former promoted the approach of prevailing in the Conclave through tested means, Lysarus - himself hailing from a more militant background - sought to exert the Rogares' influence over the city through finance and if need be, force. Words soon turned into violence, and the strife culminated in the Year of Knives, which saw to a tragedy in the murder of Nyessa Rogare, and the end of several schemes in the free city.

Lysarus was the first to be accused of the dishonourable deed, but as the culprit had never been found, he was absolved. In the following year, he appeared in public for the first time alongside Nyessa's successor, Nohia, and after an exchange of apologies between the two, the rivalry was officially considered ceased. Likewise, to demonstrate the newfound unity within the family, Lysarus was allowed to retain his position at the bank, and at Nohia's behest, he wedded her younger sister, Nesora.

Political in nature and not moved by much passion, the marriage between the sellsword-turned-banker and the sharp-witted businesswoman was unfulfilling at best, yet it nonetheless bore fruit. In 416 AC, Nesora gave birth to their only child, a beautiful girl whom they named Daena. Though only the third in line after two sons sired by her father, the newborn of House Rogare was the product of a match forged by conflict and resolution, and both sides of her parentage would leave a deep impact on her fate.

Pristine Youth
During her childhood years, Daena wasn't obliged to meet any of the high expectations that were usually set for young ladies like her. Lysarus himself paid little heed to family matters as he paved his influence as a magister, so the girl was left in the care of her mother when the latter was not busy herself, and a myriad of servants tending to her every need. Daena wasn't spared any of the luxury that came with her name, and she loved being spoiled.

Everything a child could want, Daena did have, and still, no material possession could satisfy her want. Excitable, wilful, and helplessly boisterous, the young silver-headed Rogare ran rampant in her family's manse. Characterized by a perpetual need for activity and distraction, she was always searching for trouble and much to the chagrin of her nurses and tutors over the passing years. Pulling pranks on servants and telling them lies, throwing insults and bullying other kids, she was frequently insensitive but rarely imprudent.

Her sharp tongue was an indicator of intelligence and wit, and all she needed was the right kind of distractions to contain her rambunctious tendencies. Few things interested Daena enough to hold her attention for prolonged periods of time, and it was her mother, who discovered, that in her daughter's case, the lessons had to be adjusted for the student. And so it was, that Daena's peculiar education began.

She was a quick learner, it turned out - especially when the subject at hand sparked her interest. The trivial skill of literacy was mastered with some difficulty, but once she had it, there was no pause. Daena had a deep fondness for language and its most sophisticated uses, and she would often spend hours upon hours in the Rogares' grand library to read books filled with Valyrian tales and poetry. The latter, which she would recite even to slaves on her quest for attention. As but a wee lass, however, she had discovered her true affinity for a craft far more mundane; gardening.

Beside the boundless opulence and thousand delights one could find in the Pristine Gardens, what the palace complex certainly did not lack, were gardens. And Lady Nesora's own were the most extensive; featuring greenhouses, multi-levelled terraces, long pathways amidst sceneries reminiscent of untouched nature, the rarest and most exotic flora that could be found in the known world breathed life into them, in ever so colourful patterns. Daena would find herself regularly accompanying her mother as she walked the gardens and took care of their vast content with her bare hands.

Nesora was a patient and eager teacher, and Daena enjoyed every lesson with her. Be it practical or theoretical, she drank her mother's knowledge of botany like milk, and she looked gleeful even when she thoroughly dirtied herself with the black of earth. Within a few years, she learned about the qualities and applications of dozens of herbs, and through hard and diligent work, she built a small garden of her own as well. Naturally proud of her achievement, she wanted to share her joy with others.

Daena hadn't a lot of friends as a young child, and at most times she had to make do with the company she could find within the boundaries of her home. And truth be told, that wasn't much. The one time she tried to invent herself, her father scolded her for gifting flowers to the house slaves, and had it not been for Nesora, she would have likely received a beating too. Her mother was her only true friend then, and her unconditional love gave Daena strength and solace. It was unfortunate that she had to be robbed of her at such a young age.

Immediate Family

 * Laena Rogare b. 355 AC d. 408 AC
 * m. Vhalaso Votar b. 354 AC d. 397 AC
 * Lysarus Rogare b. 383 AC d. 435 AC
 * m. Saera Lohar d. 409 AC
 * Cerion Rogare b. 406 AC d. 427 AC
 * Aelyx Rogare b. 408 AC
 * m. Nesora Rogare b. 396 AC d. 423 AC
 * Daena Rogare b. 416 AC
 * w. Serala Maar b. 407 AC
 * Fredo Rogare b. 430 AC

Extended Family
See the page of House Rogare.

Household

 * Serala Maar - Confidante and Advisor, Governor of the Rogare Bank
 * Ulysses Rogare - Commander of Lys
 * Aerillos Sathmantes - Admiral of Lys
 * ...TBD...