Marike Esper *

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Marike-Merin Seraphim Esper

Marike-Merin Seraphim Esper
The Lady Mother
Lady Eleki Beach
Lady Heir	475 – 480
Succession	475
Predecessor	Merin Esper
Lady	480 - September 12, 507
Heir-Presumptive	Matthanias Esper
Background
Spouse	Elymas Esper
Offspring
Matthanias Elymas Fairfax Esper
Full name
Marike-Merin Seraphim Esper
Detail Titles and styles
Lady Eleki Beach
Family	House Esper
Father	Lord Mastin Esper
Mother	Lady Marion Esper
Born	November 1 460(460-11-01) Eleki Beach, Crescent Coast, Mists
Died	September 12 507 (aged 46) Crescent Coast, Mists
Biographical Information
Height	5'3" (1.60 m)
Weight	150 lbs.
Eye Color	Copper
Hair	Brown/Gray

Lady of Eleki Beach, Mists. Marike was an aging woman with an intense fondness for children, though she did not marry or have children until much later in life, she had been known to 'adopt' many nieces and nephews at a time. Nurturing and likable, but also mothering to any that may seem younger than she, Marike embodied the intense urge to guard and protect her people as well as the nurturer to do what is best for them...even if they disagree.

Born the second of a pair of twins, Marike and her elder brother, Merin, were born to Lord Mastin and Lady Marion Esper, who were both renowned for their Elemental skills in magic. While her brother took after her parents, Marike found herself swayed toward the sphere of Illusion, aiding in mostly the enhancing of the senses rather than degrading. It was then she discovered her love for care-giving, aiding and being of use to others with her gifts, especially that of the lessening of pain.

In their fifteenth year, Merin became the Lord of Eleki Beach. Five years later, after a somewhat hushed 'accident' in which the details are still shifty, Merin died quite suddenly. With little formal training and a deep depression on her head, Marike took on her Brother's role as well as his name in honor of his memory

Studies came first, though soon she took on the course of Scrying, coupling her illusions with transportation to keep a watchful eye on her people. They say you can't be everywhere at once, but she made a valued effort. It wasn't until Marike had heard of the increasing trouble in Gateway that she traveled here in hopes of touching base with the hub of the Empire, upon the insistence of others.

While in Gateway, she had been proven to be a bit of a hermit, sticking close to her rooms or the Court Wing of the castle. When she was spotted, she was more often than not looking a bit more like a witch from a child's story than a noble woman mage, contrary to her kind and warm nature.

• On one of her many visits back to Mists, she returned with Adeline Myrddin, bringing the girl to Gateway as a favor to her father, who grew up with the Lady and a long time friend. After the girl's mother died, Marike agreed to take her on as an etiquette instructor.

• On Evernight, December 21, 504, Baroness Phoebe Forester announced her approval of her betrothal to Elymas Borak at a dinner which included the Duke of Mists, Mogur Imperius and other fellow mages from around the isle. The pair finally wed a near month before the Double Eclipse, August 02, 505 A.G., giving Elymas the title of Lord and some hope for the Esper line continuing.

• And continue it did when the elderly Lady (somewhat miraculously) gave birth to a son. Matthanias Elymas Fairfax Esper was born on December 17th, 506. The boy showing no signs of his mother's illness in the winter, and seeming perfectly healthy.

• The Double Eclipse is a notable date for any mage, and yet on September 12, 507 as the double came around again, Marike and Elymas did not return home from a ritual they were to be conducting. Others are also noted to be missing, including the Lady Roslyn Vervoer. Eventually, it became commonly known that the Lady and her Lord were murdered with a slew of other nobles in a cultist ambush.

Rumor Has It...

It was rumored that before her brother's untimely death, she was to be wed to a craftsman from Kraken Shoals and was to abdicate her title before Merin died. When she had the title thrust upon her, the craftsman called the betrothal off. She still wears a crafted tortoise shell amulet.

It is commonly whispered that her brother, the former Lord of Eleki Beach, was poisoned with tainted fish from the sea by a man who suspected the young Lord of seeing his daughter in private.

Marike is infamous for 'adopting' youngsters of her friends, but one particularly pair of twins were adopted outright by the Lady; Michael and Melissa Hyperion. Now, well into their adult years, her children prove to be warm-hearted people, much like their 'mother' was.

It was during an Evernight celebration hosted by Michael and Melissa that it was first announced that Marike would be seeking a husband. This was around the same time that the Barony of Crescent Coast was brought under the new leadership of Baroness Phoebe Forester, people figuring that the frosty ice princess was pressuring the Lady.

After six months of being seen touring the estate and in close company with former Mogur, Elymas Borak, the official announcement coming on Evernight 504 A.G. that the two were betrothed. It might be notable to mention that rumors had previously stated that Elymas was to marry Phoebe, years earlier.

Regardless of the rumors that Marike had been pressured to marry Elymas, it's been observed by some that the Lady and Baroness seemed to hold a very warm rapport. Marike also publicly supported the Baroness' betrothal to Guardian Lord, Garett Lytton, of Knife's Edge before his untimely death.

It is no secret that Marike is fond of children, but since arriving on Gateway she formed a friendship with young Fairfax Brandivere. Most recently she's formed the same bond with the shy Miss Rosette, coincidentally her Liege's ward and half sister. Curiously enough, some might be confused to hear the young girl calling the noblewoman 'mother'.

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