Overview -
Description:
Emperor Harold Belmont, the 47th Emperor of Ethyn, resides in the bustling port city of Harbour Bay. At 42 years old, he stands as a figure caught between tradition and progress. His most striking feature is his prematurely white hair, which combined with his sharp Etherean features and piercing blue eyes, gives him an almost otherworldly appearance that many say befits his station.
As one of the first rulers to witness the dawn of the Steam Age, Harold finds himself at the center of a growing crisis. The Harbour Bay Trading Company's rapid advancement of steam technology has created deep divisions within his kingdom and the other Six Kingdoms of Nysonia. Traditional noble houses, who have maintained their power through ancient magical practices, see their influence waning as the Tinker Gnomes' innovations gain prominence in everyday life.
From his palace in Harbour Bay, Harold must balance these competing interests while maintaining the delicate peace that has held since unification. His marriage to Empress Victoria Blackwood, a powerful mage from an old noble family, was intended to bridge this growing divide between the old ways and the new. Their three children - Crown Prince Edward (19), Princess Eleanor (17), and Prince Henry (14) - represent the uncertain future of the Belmont dynasty in this changing world.
Despite his power and influence, Harold is known to be personally modest and scholarly, with a particular interest in ancient history and magical artifacts. He often spends his free time in the Royal Library of Harbour Bay, studying texts about the pre-Cataclysm era, perhaps searching for answers to help navigate the current crisis. His court has become a delicate balance of traditional mages and innovative engineers, each vying for influence over the empire's future direction.
Physical Traits:
Skin Color: Pale, characteristic of Etherean nobility
Hair: Pure white, worn short and slicked back in the formal imperial style
Eyes: Piercing ice-blue, a trait common among the Etherean bloodline.
Height: Tall and imposing at 6'2"
Weight: Lean but not thin, around 180 pounds. His frame suggests someone who maintains their physical condition despite the demands of rule, though he's not overtly muscular.
Apparel & Accessories:
Favors formal attire in deep blues, silvers and golds, the traditional colors of House Belmont
Typically dressed in finely tailored coats with intricate embroidery
Often seen wearing a cloak lined with white fox fur, clasped with a gold brooch bearing the Belmont family crest
Wears the Imperial Seal Ring of Ethyn on his right hand
Personal:
Employment: Emperor of the Kingdom of Ethyn (crowned 1192 AC)
Education: Extensive private tutoring in statecraft, military strategy, and diplomacy
Accomplishments & Achievements: Strengthened diplomatic ties with neighboring kingdoms through strategic alliances
Morality & Philosophy: Believes in maintaining balance between magical tradition and technological innovation
Sexuality: Married to Empress Victoria Blackwood
Taboos: Disdains excessive displays of wealth or power
Known Languages: Etherean (Common) and Some knowledge of Elvish and Dwarven diplomatic phrases
Social:
Place of Birth: Harbour Bay, Kingdom of Ethyn, Nysonia
Current Residence: The Imperial Palace in Harbour Bay, the capital city of the Kingdom of Ethyn
Organizations: Head of the Seven Kingdoms of Nysonia
Titles: Emperor of Ethyn, Protector of the Realm, Lord of Harbour Bay
Wealth: Immense wealth derived from the imperial treasury, family holdings, and royal estates and lands
Relations: Allied with traditional noble houses and diplomatic ties with neighboring kingdoms
Family Ties:
Married to Empress Victoria Blackwood (a powerful mage from an old noble family)
Father to Crown Prince Edward (19)
Father to Princess Eleanor (17)
Father to Prince Henry (14)
Last of the direct Belmont bloodline
Religious Views: A devoted follower of the Faith of the Seven
Pets & Hobbies: As a scholarly ruler, Emperor Harold maintains an extensive private library within his chambers in the Harbour Bay palace, where he collects rare manuscripts and artifacts from before the Cataclysm. His particular fascination lies in studying ancient texts that might help him understand the growing divide between traditional magic and emerging steam technology. In his rare moments of leisure, he can often be found on horseback, riding through the countryside surrounding Harbour Bay with his pack of four prized hunting hounds - massive mastiffs bred specifically for the imperial family. These rides serve both as recreation and as opportunities to contemplate the weighty matters of state away from the pressures of court life.