| Baroness Natalia Paggion (Natalia Hope Paggion; born 10 July 493) is the second daughter of Jarl Paggion, Baron of Amphorae and Arissa Winthrop. Upon Jarl's death, Natalia--at the age of nine--attempted to subsume his duties as head of household at the Paggion Manor in Amphorae, while her elder sister Khalani went to Gateway to live with the Claremont family and assume her role as Baroness. Natalia remained in Amphorae, living with and caring for (with the aid and oversight of nannies and servants) her two younger sisters until the age of twelve, whereupon Khalani asked her to come and spend time on Gateway.
In 505, Baroness Khalani appointed Natalia Exchequer of Amphorae, and although her work was verified by a more accomplished accountant, Natalia handled the budget and tax-levying for the barony, herself. During this period, Natalia studied alchemy, astronomy, history, and mathematics, alongside the Marquis Draught, Dorian Claremont. The two became close friends, and were rumoured to share an affection for one another. In addition to her regular studies and tutoring, Natalia learned much from Duchess Catelyn Claremont about leadership and governance.
After Catelyn's death in 506, Natalia secluded herself in her family home in Amphorae. e did not emerge until the next month, upon the announcement by Baroness Khalani Paggion that she was to be granted the title of Lady Elixir Vitae, pro-tempore, with Vernor Attis regent. Following the announcement, Natalia began a several month tour of Elixir Vitae, and returned to Draught with a renewed fervor for alchemy and the sciences. Natalia also began employing Roland Artax as her bodyguard, rarely entering the public arena without the sellsword nearby.
Natalia also renewed her relationship with Duke Dorian Claremont, and rumors circulated that the pair had become lovers, although those rumors have never been substantiated. The renewed relationship was short-lived, however, as the need for a solid future to the Claremont name drove Emperor Rourke Caprios to forge a betrothal between Dorian and Khalani. In response, Natalia once more withdrew, taking a private room in the castle, where she fervently devoted herself to her studies and to the governance of Elixir Vitae.
With Khalani's ascension to Duchess on 1 January 508, Natalia became the heir-incumbent of the Baronial Seat of Amphorae. She bequeathed governance of Elixir Vitae to Nicodemos Crowley, who had proven his legitimate claim to the title of Lord Elixir Vitae. Natalia's control over Amphoraen affairs was severely limited by her appointed Regent, her cousin Willem Paggion. Reportedly due to strained relations and disagreement over matters of governance, Natalia did not return to the Baronial suite in the Castle, and instead lived primarily in her small apartment in the castles' Noble Wing. She traveled often to Amphorae during Willem's regency, studying Alchemy and Healing, and spending time in the various settlements and communities in the Barony. She met frequently with the Lords of Elixir Vitae and Healer's Hall, gaining insight into their needs and requirements as governors of her future Barony.
Upon coming of age in 510, Natalia was named Baroness Amphorae, and given all of the powers and duties implicit in that title. Over the following year and a half, the newly appointed Baroness remained primarily in Amphorae, with several trips back to Gateway to appear in court and maintain relationships. She has kept distant contact with the Lady Protector Helena Soranus, but has always been prompt to provide information regarding the state and direction of Amphorae upon request.
After the lifting of the quarantine levied on Gateway in late 512, Natalia announced that she would be returning to Crossroads to assist with the recovery of the city from the plague's more long-term damage. She took up residence in the Baronial Suite on 23 September, bearing with her several journals marked by the personal seal of Catelyn Claremont.
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| All information provided on this page is likely available through IC means. If one is interested enough in Natalia to ask around, this information can probably be found out.
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Since the death of Duchess Catelyn Claremont, Natalia has almost never been seen outside of her private suites without the faithful escort of Roland Artax. He is a man of Guardians, employed by the Paggions to care for Natalia's safety. Usually, Roland treats Natalia as something of a daughter; carrying her umbrella in the rain, handling her cloak, and otherwise remaining unobtrusive. If one catches them while they are walking and believe themselves alone, it is clear that Natalia includes Roland in her thought process, allowing him to advise her opinion on matters she is unable to reach a conclusion about on her own.
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Once upon a time, Lord Copper Run might have been considered Natalia's 'just friends' companion. Somewhere along the way, their relationship blossomed into something more, yet not so far that anyone would notice. Now, though, Natalia is clearly chasing after yet another castle in the sky. It's only a matter of time before she realises she can't fly.
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Although Natalia found her Duchess to be an intimidating woman, she also imminently trusted and admired the woman. Despite a few social gaffes on Natalia's part, Catelyn was always swift to encourage the young Paggion girl to grow and learn, and although she forced Natalia to accept her mistakes and learn from them, Natalia was always left with the impression that Catelyn's methods and reasons were for Natalia's own benefit, rather than some honest desire to upset the young Baronet.
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Natalia's interactions with the Marquis were supposed to be nothing more than a chance for a young girl to teach a young boy about the stars, as his tutor. Despite her intentions, though, Natalia once found herself thinking of Dorian as far more than just her pupil on Astronomy. Dorian was the first friend Natalia ever had simply for her own sake, and their relationship quickly moved from simple friendship to a young romance. Since his marriage to her elder sister, however, their relationship has drifted apart, and Natalia is rarely seen seeking the Duke's company anymore.
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Natalia and her eldest sister sister have run the gamut of hot and cold. The pair are fiercely devoted to the protection of one another, and yet they fight like demons—and usually over their differences of opinion on matters of propriety. Still at the end of the day, the sisters do love one another dearly, and their fights usually end with tearful hugs and apologies.
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Although her next youngest sister frustrates her to no end, Natalia still adores the younger girl. If only she could find a way to tie her down, make her attend her studies, and stop getting her fingers where they don't belong!
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Of all of her three sisters, Shala is perhaps the one Natalia feels the most empathy towards. The young and artistic Paggion daughter is of a like mind with the scientifically-focused Natalia, and the pair of them often as not simply enjoy one another's company, quietly going about their own tasks.
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Although Natalia has traditionally maintained few close friendships outside of her immediate family, the Pyrean noble has clearly made the short list. While not an inseparable pair by any means, Renata and Natalia have a long-standing tradition of impromptu pedicure/manicure sessions that frequently last into the late hours of the night.
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