Aelinor Rodas

Aelinor Rodas is the third daughter of Sael Rodas, and the current head of House Rodas.

Born last in the line of succession, it came as a great surprise when she found herself Lady of a noble house. Inexperienced with this level of politics and facing troubles on all fronts, she tries her best to save House Rodas from ruin.

Appearance and Personality
Even for a family rumored to be descended from the Valyrians of old, Aelinor was incredibly beautiful. Her hair shines brightly like starlight, and her eyes are like the faintest lilacs. In recent years, the youthful fire that once burned in her eyes has slowly been replaced with far-off sadness.

From her earliest years, Aelinor was an avid connoisseur of the arts, especially music. She longs nearly all forms of sensory pleasures, and these interests have led her across many interesting experiences one may not experience normally. She maintains this curiosity even after becoming Lady of House Rodas, and considers the normal duties of her position to be rather dull in comparison. Despite this feeling, she grits her teeth and smiles, doing whatever it takes to survive.

She is typically quite friendly to those who show kindness in return, but has mastered the art of the political smile. Though not quick to admit it, especially to herself, what she desires most is a partner to share her life with.

Early Life (390-405 AC)
Born during prosperous times, Aelinor's youth was filled with happiness. Being the fifth child of her lord father, she was granted a greater deal of freedom in what interests she chose to pursue than her siblings. Though she could never fully escape her lessons, Aelinor spent much of her time pursuing the arts. She developed a particular affinity for music, and made it the focus of her efforts. *The Pristine Gardens* was a favored spot of hers, and on the warm days she learned from whatever musicians were around.

She tried to make her time at home interesting, but it was never as exciting as time spent away. Her family emphasized the history of the Valyrians, and even the Targaryens during the lessons. Naturally, the stories of dragons were the more interesting than the never-ending lessons of etiquette, history, and other ladylike subjects. It was always baffling to her how easily her family took to these lessons, and it left her feeling perpetually out of place within her family.

When the War of the Three Thieves broke out, it didn't take long before it became the talk of the island. Now there were actual dragons flying around - the monsters from the books had come to life, and were truly living up to their reputation. Along with news of these beasts, news of the dead returned home. Her father and oldest brother were both slain in battle, leaving her oldest sister in charge. Lyaena was someone she had always looked up to, she was the sole family member who understood her in some way, but the position brought out the worst in her sister. Soon Aelinor could barely stand her, and spent more time than ever away from home. No matter where she went though, talk of the war was always close at hand. It was too much for the young girl to process, and she withdrew further into her music, trying her best to ignore the worries of the world around her.

The forced bliss could not last forever,, as the war's end ushered with it the Scarlet Winter. Already shaken from losing her father and brother, Aelinor was further distraught with the loss of her mother, and two nephews due to winter illness. This was only the begin of the hardships for her family, however. A horrible precursor to a long decline.

Stormy Weather (406-415 AC)
Despite her sister's best efforts to keep the House together, losses were adding up - a missed opportunity here, and a lost ally there, and before long House Rodas was in a rough place. Of course, this made Lyaena unbearable to deal with, and she began to lash out at Aelinor. Before long, these constant arguments became too much to bare, and Aelinor began spending weeks away from home at a time with little more than her trusty lyre, a purse of gold, and a chip on her shoulder. She spent most of her time at the pillow house run by her family, as the public spots in the city had long lost their appeal. While she had the looks to be a highly desirable courtesan, she instead enjoyed watching the customers as they came to escape from their troubles. As far as she was concerned, the world ended at the edge her skin, and the people around her were little more than opportunities. Whenever a particularly enticing client came in, she would make her move, use them, and leave them.

With the decline of House Targaryen of Lys, the Magisters made their move and seized. At first, her sister Lyaena stayed quiet with the change in politics, but ever her father's daughter, Lyaena couldn't keep her opinions on the dragons to herself. It was heard all too well, and in 409 Lyaena, her husband and twin daughters were slaughtered in the family estate. Aelinor came home to a distraught family. She never considered how her siblings might feel about her frequent disappearances, but they made all too clear about where the black sheep belonged. Her brother Baelon in charge of the House now, and he demanded that she get in line or leave for good. Aelinor stayed for the better part of a year, trying desperately to fit in, but her personality simply didn't meet her brother's standards. The misfortunes for their Houses never ceased, and on one rage filled night, he banished her from the family estate.

Left with nothing but a paltry amount of gold and depression, she turned to drink and gladly let herself be taken by any customer at the pillow house. These were truly dark times for the young woman of House Rodas, now into her 20's with her life stagnant. She lived this lifestyle for over two years, but eventually she was able to break from the cycle due to the kindness of several of the working girls, and slowly regained her old composure and form.

The true wake-up call came in 412, the Year of Knives. Her brother had made no friends of the Magisters, and when the wave of bloodshed spread across the island, he and his family were butchered on the streets. Times were truly desperate for House Rodas, as there were only two members left - Aelinor, and her older sister Visera. Always an odd one in Aelinor's mind, Visera was proved a shaky head for the House. She was plagued by indecision, and what decisions she did make did little to prevent the decline of their House's wealth and power. Aelinor returned home to try and salvage some form of relationship with her last remaining family member, but the situation grew ever worse. Visera had gotten pregnant for the sole purpose of creating more Rodas', but her husband was cruel and left suddenly. Worse still, soon after her birth the little girl died in the cradle. This last straw broke Visera's mind, and she declined into madness, eventually committing suicide later in that year. Left with no other family, it fell upon the youngest of Sael Rodas' children to take up the mantle.

Lady of House Rodas (415 AC - )
The first years of her Ladyship were rocky, yet informative. Aelinor had never been meant to become head of the House, and had never been required to have the same standard in education as her siblings. Luckily, she was a smart, and with her limited memories and resources, managed to get a grasp on her position. It's been a slow, but gradual stabilization. For now, House Rodas has stopped it's rapid decline. Though it pains her to turn her back on the values of her family, Aelinor voiced support for the recent decisions of the Council of Magistrates, including the reformation of the Triarchy. In private, Aelinor would never wish to see a repeat of the War of the Three Thieves, but she knew better than to be vocal with such discontent. She is the last Rodas, and it is up to her to save her house, no matter the cost.

The world has begun to change again, and despite numerous setbacks, Aelinor is ready for what may come. Rumors from the Stepstones are proving to be very interesting. Have the dragons come back to destroy again? Recently traveled to Myr for the Festival of Three Daughters, she hopes to learn the truth of these rumors, and hopefully to find that glimmer of hope that will save her family.