Lady Elenora Lorathas

Lady Elenora Lorathas

Race: Human

Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Class/Occupation: Wealthy landowner, influential widow

Age: 52

Location: Barrenford, resides at Lorathas Estate

Overview

Lady Elenora Lorathas is a stern and influential figure in Barrenford, a frontier town facing economic and social decline. As the widow of the Lorathas family, known for their once-thriving merchant trade, she holds considerable wealth and sway over local matters. Despite this, her reluctance to fund a town militia has led to criticism from the townsfolk, many of whom believe she prioritises her personal wealth and safety over the security of Barrenford.

Lady Elenora’s estate overlooks the town, and although she tries to maintain an air of stability and composure, a sense of gloom pervades her household. Rumours swirl about her family’s crypt, and the recent mysterious disappearance of her cousin, Yorick, has only added to the unease surrounding her. Although she doesn’t believe in the supernatural events rumoured to be occurring in Barrenford, she is willing to employ the adventurers to investigate Yorick’s disappearance.

Appearance

Lady Elenora is a tall, regal woman with greying brown hair neatly tied up, and she dresses in expensive but subdued clothing that reflects her wealth and status. Her face shows the signs of stress and age, though she maintains an air of strict control. Her gaze is sharp and calculating, revealing a mind constantly assessing her surroundings and the people she interacts with.

Personality

Lady Elenora is pragmatic and practical, with little time for nonsense or superstition. She holds firm control over her estate and the servants, expecting efficiency and silence in her household. She is not easily rattled, though she can be scathing in her judgement of those she deems incompetent, such as Mayor Varn. Despite her stern exterior, she shows a softer, albeit possessive, side when it comes to her family, especially her cousin Yorick, whose recent disappearance deeply concerns her. However, she struggles with control issues, and her relationships, particularly with Yorick, have been strained due to her overbearing nature.

History

• The Lorathas family rose to prominence after the Dark Ages by seizing key trade routes and securing lucrative supply contracts during the rebuilding of Pacedonia and neighbouring towns. In the wake of the chaos left by the vampire plagues and the decline of central authority, the Lorathas family, under the leadership of Elenora’s great-grandfather, capitalised on the growing demand for goods and resources needed to reconstruct the devastated regions.
• They diversified into several industries, including textiles, mining, and agricultural exports, rapidly accumulating wealth. Their savvy investments in post-Dark Age infrastructure, such as the construction of fortified bridges and roads connecting frontier towns like Barrenford to coastal trade hubs, helped solidify their status as one of the wealthiest merchant families in the region.
• Lord Lorathas, Elenora’s father, was instrumental in expanding the family’s influence, using political connections and strategic marriages to gain favour with powerful houses in Pacedonia. His leadership during the family’s golden age ensured their lasting control over local commerce until his death.
• After her father’s passing, Elenora inherited the estate and much of the family’s wealth, although the family’s fortunes have slowly dwindled with the stagnation of trade and Barrenford’s recent decline.
• She married a prominent trader from Pacedon, though her husband died five years ago in what she describes as a tragic hunting accident.
• Since the death of her husband, Lady Elenora has taken sole control of the Lorathas estate, continuing the family’s mercantile ventures from the sidelines. She now spends most of her time managing her estate and the family’s remaining wealth, as well as maintaining her position within Barrenford’s high society. Despite this, Lady Elenora remains one of the town’s wealthiest and most influential figures.

Key Relationships

• Yorick Lorathas: Lady Elenora’s cousin, who mysteriously disappeared two days ago after a late-night meeting in Barrenford. Despite their strained relationship, Lady Elenora is determined to find out what happened to him and has offered a reward for information.
• Mayor Roderick Varn: Lady Elenora holds a low opinion of Mayor Varn, viewing him as incompetent and ineffectual in managing Barrenford. She frequently criticises his leadership and longs for the days when her father had more influence over the town’s affairs.
• LorathasEstate Staff

Key Locations

• Lorathas Estate: A large, three-story stone mansion perched on a hill overlooking Barrenford. The estate is well-guarded, with a gloomy atmosphere inside due to the few servants moving silently and the distant, disinterested attitude of its lady.
• Lorathas Family Crypt: Located in the town graveyard, this crypt holds the remains of her ancestors. Though Lady Elenora hasn’t visited it in years, its presence may hold further secrets about the family.

Current Concerns

• Yorick’s Disappearance: Lady Elenora is deeply concerned about Yorick’s fate and offers the adventurers a reward to investigate. She has no leads beyond his last known visit to The Rusted Crown and suspects something foul has occurred.
• Town Security: While she dismisses the need for a formal militia, Lady Elenora has invested in private guards to protect her estate. She hints that her wealth would be better spent on personal defence rather than protecting the town as a whole.
• Supernatural Claims: Although she is aware of the strange rumours in town, Lady Elenora dismisses them as nonsense. However, she cannot entirely ignore the dark clouds gathering over Barrenford and the increasing tension among the townsfolk.

Adventure Hooks

• Yorick’s Disappearance: Investigating the whereabouts of Yorick could reveal deeper connections to the rising unrest in Barrenford. His journal hints at a secretive meeting and a contact named “Fred” at The Rusted Crown inn.
• Lady Elenora’s Influence: PCs may need to earn Lady Elenora’s favour to gain access to her estate or learn more about the dark history of her family and Barrenford’s decline.
• Family Crypt: The Lorathas family crypt might hold dark secrets, possibly related to the necromantic forces stirring in the region, providing a lead for further investigation into the undead activity nearby.