Lady Kathryn of House Eldren

Article from Cordor Press

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How much of our reputation is owed to the history of our fathers? To our mothers? To ancestors long gone? How much attention should be given to others in the same regard? Should we fault the sins of the father onto their children? Are they all one and the same by nature? Or can we trust that the machinations of this world turn a crucible on our personhoods, and thereby we are beholden only to our own actions?

Our editor, H.C. Alder, sat with Lady Kathryn Eldren of Minmir to discuss these very questions. We do not start there, but trust that our path's journey will lead us to answers satisfactory in our pursuit. We begin with the question of "Nobility". What is Nobility to Lady Eldren? Her answer stirs something inside her as she develops it. Her eyes glint and her back stiffens. Her answer is curt and firm; "My father would say that to be a Noble is to be given a title with rights above the common people in exchange for certain responsibilities in return."

  "My mother," she pauses with a soft smile, "would say being loyal to one's family and faith is to be Noble."

  "Where do you fall between the two?" We ask, trying to find where Kathryn Eldren may reside in her parent's views on the subject.

  "I do not have an answer to give; for I have not yet found a true meaning for the word." She answers. A brave moment to admit, in truth. It is a great journey to find one's own meaning for such fundamental words. The journey for a word is worth many tales and song, for it can truly change a person when they find meaning. For Kathryn Eldren, we leave that word behind.

  "Perhaps [finding one's meaning] is interesting to some. I find it quite vexing." Lady Eldren replies, "I was raised learning of our family's deeds and those of the faith upon these sacred lands. I feel any child would find such expectations hard to stand beside."

  And there we land on one of our first tenants of Nobility; expectation. Perhaps it is quite obvious to some, but the actions of a noble-blood are carefully scrutinized by all; your life is distilled through the lenses of your family, your noble house, the people you serve, and your own self-concious thoughts. Is it any wonder why so many leave their names behind to be free of those burdens of privilege? It isn't to say Kathryn is considering this. Far from it, in fact.

  "We have a lot to answer for." She says, on the expectation thrust upon her. The history of the Eldren family is closely tied to Arelith, in the region of Minmir and the hills surrounding Guldorand. If you're the adventurous type to travel there, you may hear of a "madman's ball", or perhaps the hushed whispers of the name of "Manfried". This name carries shame for Kathryn.

  Manfried is a distant cousin of Kathryn Eldren, the Earl of Undeath, who rules in a manorhouse near Nexus Falls. His actions against those in Minmir are reproachable, and for that she would do her utmost to restore confidence in the Eldren Name, but her faith and her family history have a way of turning people away.

  "Folk here can carry grudges, even for those they've never met." She says, of her family and the history of her faith as a Banite. For her family, she would welcome discussion as to ways to restore its honor, but on faith she directs those asking for specifics to study the clerics in Waterdeep and not listen to the fearful zealous cults that spring from the core church. Many faiths have such outliers, but Lady Eldren is not one of them.

  "I would see the past corrected and the honor of my family and faith restored. If I can do such, then I could return to Waterdeep, and my Father, with head held high." she answers, on the subject of her goals while here in Arelith. Perhaps we will see the end of the Earl's Ball, and something a bit more civilized from the Banite church in Arelith; here at the Cordor Press, we challenge all to judge those of the faith on their action, rather than their dogma. It is a fickle thing to build a foundation of peace on the murky waters of implicit bias; but we in Cordor and the rest of Arelith are strong enough to weather such challenges. It is up to us to see the good in all of our neighbors.

  We hope you enjoyed this interview series; if you would like to see more like this in the future, please consider donating to the Cordor Press, as we endeavor to deliver the truth in our perspective. Until next time, be good to each other!

21st Day of Leafall 178 AR
Day 21, Month 10 (Marpenoth (Leafall)), 178 AR