Your immediate family

Your sister - 'Royal Champion' Ariadne Laskaris

While you were taught the boring political game, you sister was given extra time to train her martial and magical abilities. That is not to say she is a better fighter than you, that has been a long undecided question between you siblings, but she is more of a rival to you than any other. It is unsurprising that she was chosen to be the king's royal champion. His representation in tournaments and chosen duelist for any transgression against the crown. Most people would assume this would bring a rift between the two of you, but your sister is your closest friend outside of the sacred band. In fact, she often seems jealous when you have to spend your time as you cousin Anna's personal guard.

Your father - 'First Spear' Alexander Laskaris

Your father and Ariadne had very similar paths in life. While his older brother, the king, was learning the game of politics, your father served under a high ranking officer in the Illaean army. Over time he honed his craft, excelling at not just the martial aspect, but also the strategic aspect of military life. Which is why upon your uncle's ascension to the throne, you father was made 'First Spear' of the Illaean military. He is in control of every single unit in the Illaean army, including your sacred band. As your unit becomes more experienced, however, he has given you more autonomy while in the field.

Your mother - 'High Priestess' Irene Skleros

Your mother is a part of the main branch of the oldest Illaean family. They descend from the founder of the city, Priam, and through him also descend from Caelus, the god of the sky and heavens. Her family has been gifted a stronger magical attunement due to their heritage and so they often take positions in the college of Pontiffs or work as Augurs. Your mother herself is a direct descendant of Caelus. Her attunement is stronger than any other, which led her to the position of high priestess as just a teenager. She has spent much of her free time training you and your sister on your abilities.

Your uncle - King Andros III Laskaris

Your uncle is the seventy-eighth king of Illaus. He was born many years into his father's reign, and ascended to the throne after his father's **** at the age of seventeen. Luckily your grandfather had foreseen this and had your uncle and father tutored by the greatest political and military mind in the kingdom. Politics have always bored you, but even you can recognize the genius of your uncle. Coming to power at such a young age meant he was often dealing with detractors and threats of secession. Twice he has had one of his father's generals mutiny against him. The first time he went alone to speak with the legions that served the general. With a single speech he had turned the legions into faithful servants. They are now his most trusted military units. The general was **** to flee to Isauria, where your uncle later traveled to. After spending a week with the Archduke of Isauria, he admitted to hiding the general and handed him over to your uncle. The second time it happened, your uncle took no prisoners. Instead of a speech, your uncle sent your father to crush the opposition. After a decisive victory, your uncle had every single soldier and officer that mutinied enslaved and sold to the Njorns. It was a strict order, sure, but that was nearly thirty years ago and there hasn't been a whisper of mutiny since.

Your aunt - Queen Helena Doukas

Like your mother, your aunt is from an old and respected Illaean family. Also like your mother, her family descends from a god, the sea goddess Thalassa. The two were friends from a very young age, which quickly turned to a rivalry as they began developing their powers. Their schism lasted years, with each of them refusing to give in. Day and night the two would do nothing but pray and train, trying to increase their favour with the gods. It was bitter, and they often found themselves arguing with each other over the littlest things. It was because of this rivalry, however, that the two met your uncle and father. The two brothers were preparing for war and required blessings from the gods before they could leave, as is customary for Illaean tradition. When they went to the temple, they met the two girls, who quickly began showing off their powers for the royal pair. And while the two women look back with only regret about that day, the brothers look back with admiration. After the war was over, both returned to the temple to thank the rivals. They began inviting them to events and parties, where over time they began to fall in love with each other. What started as a friendship, which then became a bitter rivalry, has now become a sisterly bond between the two women. In fact, when you were born it was your aunt Helena who was at your mother's side while your father was campaigning in the east. Your mother returned the favour by doing the same at your cousin's birth. It was also your aunt who suggested you be the personal guard for her daughter and urged your family to have you tutored in both politics and warfare as opposed to just one like all the others had.

Your cousin - Princess Anna Laskaris

Your cousin is possibly the most sought after maiden in Kosmia. She is by far the most beautiful woman you know, and you've met many foreign princesses during your lifetime. The commoner's whisper that she was blessed by the goddess of love herself. You wouldn't be surprised if that were the case. When the two of you were children and being tutored by the same scholars and historians, you had the biggest crush on her. You've since outgrown that crush, though it is mainly from the stress she puts you under. While everyone else in your family was taught either magic or fighting, your cousin was left out. She was **** to learn the game of politics and nothing else. And yet she is the most reckless member of your family. Every other day she finds herself in some type of danger, whether it be travelling through and unmarked forest or admiring the sea a little too close to the edge of a cliff. Her excuse is always the same: 'But I know you're right behind to help me'. No matter how many times you plead for her to be a little more careful, you always end up having to save her from something.