Mrs. Turner

11x14" oil on canvas Mrs. Turner (1612-1678) The wife of a lowly painters apprentice, she became the fixation and lover of many well-known artists and sculptures of her day. In fact, her derriere is said to grace many marble and bronze statues throughout the city of Kilsa (on the backsides of nymphs and goddesses) due to an extended affair with the noted sculptor Byramorri. He later conceded, 'she broke my heart, and you never forget an ass like that'.

Dinara of Terra

11x14" Dinara of Terra (1490 - 1560) Known for having the ability to possess both a serene dignity, and crassness matched only by drunken rouges, she was able to balance her duties as a Lady while indulging her rebellious nature. It was said the aura of graciousness could lessen even the most audacious remark or action. Perhaps this is why the 3rd Earl of Luc found himself proposing marriage, even after thwarted attempts and sarcastic insults; such as one evening when Dinara stated curtly at a dinner party, 'I hear that all Earls have tiny penises, do you find this to be true?' Whether true or not, three children would come as a result of their nuptials.

Cordeleia of Kronin

11x14" - SOLD Cordeleia of Kronin (1440 - 1504) A carnival performer since childhood, she was raised in a nomadic tribe known as Brothers of the Serpent -- infamous for gambling, grave robbing, and juggling. It was during her acrobatic horse riding at a festival that she caught the eye of a wealthy architect and was sold to him by her uncles. She had a small career as a courtesan to wealthy, but politically unimportant men. While drunk on ginger ale at a ball, she began to strip her clothes, and perform her acrobatic routine for the guests. She was an overnight success; invited to perform in most affluent homes of the day. She was no longer dependant on wealthy partners, but became trapped into supporting relatives who squandered her fortune. When her youth faded, she went back to her horse routine performing for carnivals.

Margaret of Vienwray

8x10" - SOLD Margaret of Vienwray (1780 - 1846) The illegitimate daughter of Lord Frederick bore to him by a chamber maid, it was Lord Fredericks' quick thinking that led to Margaret being raised as part of his brood. He simply placed her in the nursery with the other children. His wife and Governess had already lost count as to how many children there were - the addition went unnoticed. Although tender as a child, in time she became spoiled and extremely bored. There were four annulled marriages to various diplomats by the age of 16. With each annulment she was given a horse in hopes that riding would occupy her time instead of unsuitable men. When her marriage to the riding instructor was annulled, her father sold the horses, and gave her a parakeet instead.

Franz, Earl of Elsso

16x24" Franz the Earl of Elsso (1654 - 1724) Known as pleasant and forthright, it was after inheriting his gambling uncle's estates in several provinces that he became fascinated with the military and threw himself into writing about warfare and strategy, publishing thoughts and theories. He would then abandon writing after attempting to assist with the battle of Kronin. Upon donning armor for the first time, he proclaimed it too heavy and was unable to walk more than 7 feet. It was then that he realized his writings never took into account the weight of armor.

Annabel of Alia

16x24" Annabel of Alia, Countess of Elsso (1656 - 1728) To have been born in the county of Alia was not easy, known as 'the land of tarts' as it was a popular starting point for ladies before moving to bigger and better brothels. Raised in a convent and given a proper debut by her parents, she still managed to lose her virginity to the Earl of Elsso in a broom closet -- within the first hour of her debut ball. It was a splendid union; she was to be the emblem of class and sophistication within their social circles.

Varuca, Duchess of Scovelica

11x14" - SOLD Varuca, Duchess of Scovelica (1512 - 1579) First daughter to the 2nd Marquess of Terra. Married at the age of 14 to the Duke of Scovelica, her exotic looks and passion for horses made the rumors of her supposed Mongolian heredity popular within many social circles. Self-conscience about her height, she began wearing her hair in up in spikes as means to appear taller. This began a trend that would move in and out of fashion, for centuries.

Adolphus

8x10" Adolfus, Marquess of Vienwray (1610 - 1687) Known as difficult, reclusive yet charming when the time suited him, his penchant for gambling led to his marrying Lexia, not only for her beauty and reputation, but her social prowess as a means to mask his own short-comings both social and political. In time, however, he became disenchanted with humanity and retreated from public life.

Lexia

8x10" Lexia, Marquise of Vienwray (1608 - 1674) First daughter to the 3rd Duke of Mollowray. A reputation for beauty and gambling, she was content to marry late at age 34 to the Marquess of Vienwray - much to her father's relief. Her clothing and extensive jewelry collection was legendary, for her husband saw her as a showpiece as much as a wife. Copies of her jewelry were made well into the 19th Century and are a source of inspiration for designers even today.

Beatrice, Duchess of Bruenza

11x14" - SOLD Beatrice, Duchess of Bruenza (1527- 1589) First daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Scovelica, she was known as much for her lavish finery as the powerful ancestors she came from. Where her parents had been reluctant about their duties, Beatrice was haughty, imperious, and had political aspirations. Marrying the Duke of Bruenza in 1550, motherhood softened political hopes into that of becoming a playwright. When her first play resulted in oceans of angry spitting from the audience, she settled for being a curtain puller.

Baron Luca and Elizabetta of Moravic

18x24" Baron Luca and Baroness Elizabetta of Moravic (1556-1628) Responsible for the construction of several Forts along the border for Kessan military, as the family fortune grew so did their passion for collecting artifacts and artwork. Renowned for the sculptures they acquired, the entire collection is still on display at the museum housed in their former residence, Tally Hall.

Lady Fulvia of Terra

8x10" oil on panel Lady Fulvia of Terra (1484 - 1511) The youngest daughter of the Marquess of Terra, she was her father's favorite, always referred to as his 'little joy'. Betrothed to a Lord while still child, her husband-to-be became smitten, thanks steady stream of portraits sent to him over the years. They were married when she was 15, and he was 33. After bearing two daughters, both Lord and Lady were killed in horse carriage accident.

Alexi of Bravad

8x10" Alexi, Marquess of Terra (1461 - 1589) Despite family tragedy, his travels with his mother and meetings with medicine men had inspired a career importing, breeding and supplying royalty with his botanical creations. This would earn him an advanced title and eventually made him Kessa's first Master of the Horticulture. He married in 1486 to Charlotte of Bravad, whom it was rumored, was the orphan of a Mongolian warlord before her days raised in a convent. They would have five children.

Lady Christina of Albramere

11x14" Lady Christina of Albramere, Countess of Vienwray (1730 - 1778) The daughter of an eminent Lord, she was described as a high priestess of social arts. A formidable woman with a desire for perfection in every facet of her life, she ran her establishment with precision and luxury. Her clothes, her home, her friends and her children were all perfect, as she could expect no less. Despite having achieved perfection, her husband strayed not only to women such as servants in their own home, but to Christina's own sister, Lady Marcella

Laszlo, Duke of Scovelica

11x14" oil on panel - SOLD Laszlo, Duke of Scovelica (1510 - 1580) The largest private landowner in Kessa and a cousin to the King. Though he was the subject of much envy, he was known to be shy and socialized rarely, preferring to put important decisions in the hands of the chancellor. His child bride would inspire him to pursue writing prose and philosophy as occupations.

Lady Lenor

11x14 inches Lady Lenor of Terra (1513 - 1538) Second daughter to the 2nd Marquess of Terra. After marrying a lowly Lord, she began collecting exotic animals and created a zoo on her estate. A small cottage was even built for her 37 cats. She was known for walking a black bear on a leash every evening. Over the course of time the bear would eat all five of her children -- she still walked him regularly. She died from a bee sting in 1538.

Lady Alexis

8x10 inches, oil on panel. Lady Alexis of Veron (1556 - unknown) Married at age 15 to Lord Armand, second son of the Duke and Duchess of Bruenza. She was the daughter of an architect with a gambling problem, a problem great enough that she was handed over to Armand to settle a debt. Though she was spoiled and doted on, treated more as a daughter than a wife, the years of her fundamental discontent ended with a decision to run away with a harpsichord player she had hired as dinner party entertainment.

Duchess of Mollawray

8x10 inches Violante, Duchess of Mollawray (1530 - 1591) After the sudden death of her husband Henri the 2nd Duke of Mollowray in a hunting accident, she went into a lifetime of mourning. She stopped dying her hair and powdered her face a ghostly white to show that she herself was now living-dead. Little did she know this would spark a fashion trend; women stopped dying their hair for nearly forty years.

Friederica of Vienwray

8x10" oil on panel Friederica of Vienwray (1804 - 1874) Born into an old aristocratic family with a predisposition for smallpox, she spent her youth being passed from one distant relative to another (each dying within a year of the next) until age 16 when she was hired by the royal court theater as an actress. She gained the Queen's favor as an amusing and attractive social weapon; when the Queen's friendship with a lady in her circle had cooled, Friederica was invited to salons and galas as a replacement, a resounding snub against anyone who had fallen out of favor. Described by men who came to pay her tribute as 'the highest creature', it is not clear if they flocked to her for her charm, her acting, or her influence with the Queen. Setting her sights on those of the most eminent condition, she retired from the stage and married the Duke of Lernigo.

Alexia de Luc

8x10" oil on panel Alexia de Luc (1503 - 1577) Starting her career at 17 as the mistress to a string of prominent political figures, she married the Earl of Luc in 1523. Acquiring a title and a large estate, she became a patron of sorts, funneling money into publications that would support the agenda of former lovers.