GM Lera Shu

Common knowledge

  • Age: Middle-aged, having undergone several rejuvenation treatments. Her pale skin shows faint, visible veins—a sign of both her age and the artificial means used to keep it at bay.
  • Height/Build: Tall and slender, though her frame appears frail and elongated due to the effects of extended life through rejuvenation.
  • Race/Species: Human, noble blood from the Calixis Sector.
  • Demeanor/Personality: Lera is a habitual meddler, known for inserting herself into the affairs of others, whether for gossip or personal gain. Despite her outward charm, she is deeply insecure about her position in the house and seeks constant validation.
  • Nature/Core Identity: Lera is driven by insecurity, especially regarding her family’s view of her usefulness. She channels this anxiety into her role as a manipulator within the political sphere of Scintilla’s nobility, where her charm becomes both her weapon and defense. However, beneath her veneer of confidence lies a deep fear of being discarded, especially through a political marriage arranged by her house.
  • Background/Origin: Hailing from House Tremayne, one of the noble families in the Calixis Sector, Lera holds a critical but precarious position within the hierarchy. House Tremayne, ambitious and entrenched in political maneuvering, relies on Lera to further its interests, though she often feels the strain of living up to the house’s expectations.
  • Goals & Aspirations: Lera’s primary aspiration is to secure her independence and continue to be useful to the patriarch of her house, ensuring her position and avoiding the fate of a political marriage that could strip her of autonomy.
  • Fears & Insecurities: Lera is terrified of losing her independence to a political marriage, a common fate for noble women. She dreads the possibility of becoming a pawn in the machinations of more powerful men, and this fear drives many of her actions. Her desire to stay in control manifests in her manipulations and schemes.
  • Motivations: Her primary motivation is to remain indispensable to her house, especially in the eyes of the patriarch. She craves approval from her family and the high society in which she moves.
  • Strengths/Skills: Lera is adept at charm and manipulation. Her ability to maneuver conversations, collect secrets, and use them to her advantage has made her a valuable asset within noble circles. As Mistress of Vox on the Ignis Aeternum, she uses her position to access and record sensitive communications.
  • Weaknesses/Flaws: Despite her charm, Lera is deeply self-centered and often alienates others when her true motivations become clear. She views people as tools or obstacles, and her relationships are fragile and often transactional.
  • Alignment/Values: Lera aligns herself with the interests of her family, though her values are opportunistic rather than strictly loyal. She cares more about personal survival and advantage than larger ideals.
  • Quirks/Habits: Lera is known for applying heavy makeup and wearing a large, extravagant red wig, drawing attention wherever she goes. She is never seen without her perfumes—each tailored to her environment or audience. She changes her fragrance based on the situation:
    • Charm Fragrance: A delicate floral scent with notes of rose and jasmine, used when she needs to sway opinions or charm others.
    • Public Appearance Fragrance: A powerful blend of amber and sandalwood, designed to give an aura of authority and control.
    • Bridge Fragrance: A cool, clean scent, reminiscent of mint and eucalyptus, worn when she is working on the bridge of the Ignis Aeternum to keep her mind sharp.
  • Speech Patterns/Accent: Lera’s speech is formal and measured, reflecting her noble upbringing. She uses courtly language and often sprinkles her conversations with veiled threats or implications when speaking to those she considers beneath her.
  • Appearance/Style: Lera dresses in opulent, flowing gowns, often embroidered with the crest of House Tremayne. Her face is heavily made up, concealing her insecurities behind layers of makeup, and her large red wig is both a symbol of her station and her vanity.
  • Occupation/Role: As Mistress of Vox on the Ignis Aeternum, Lera manages and monitors communications, eavesdropping on private vox conversations to gain leverage. She uses this position to further her interests within both the military hierarchy and Scintilla’s noble circles.
  • Relationships: Lera is connected to the young ladies of Scintilla’s court, sharing gossip and participating in political games. However, these relationships are fragile, as Lera’s self-serving nature often leaves others wary of her true intentions.
  • Reputation/Influence: Lera is both admired and feared in equal measure. Her role as Mistress of Vox gives her access to sensitive information, making her a formidable force within the social and political spheres she inhabits. However, her reputation as a manipulator makes it difficult for her to build true alliances.
  • Secret: Lera harbors a deep fear of being replaced or rendered obsolete by younger, more ambitious nobles. Despite her outward confidence, she constantly fears losing favor with the patriarch of House Tremayne.
  • Likes/Dislikes: Lera adores the luxurious lifestyle of the Scintilla court, surrounding herself with opulence and status symbols. She dislikes the lower classes, considering them beneath her notice, and is particularly disdainful of those who cannot further her ambitions.
  • Emotional State: Lera is typically calm and calculating, though this masks an underlying anxiety. She is opportunistic, always looking for ways to turn any situation to her advantage.
  • Notable Equipment/Items: Lera carries a poisoned dagger, which she uses as a last resort in combat or intrigue, preferring to strike when her target least expects it.
  • Beliefs/Religions: Lera follows the Imperial Creed, though her faith is largely performative, meant to maintain appearances rather than being a source of genuine conviction.
  • Combat Style: Lera avoids direct conflict whenever possible, relying on her poisoned dagger for surprise attacks when cornered.
  • Social Status: Lera is well-connected to the most influential families in the Calixis Sector, though her relationships are often strained due to her self-serving nature.
  • Lera Shu is a figure of both admiration and suspicion—a noblewoman balancing on the edge of power, constantly scheming to maintain her standing while fearing the consequences of failure.