Nobles Earl Lorick of Dougal A peculiar ruler, Lorick is a somewhat unseelie nocker who lords over Cante Shire. He is both eccentric and brilliant, and his rule is often haphazard at best, though his realm is most certainly strong enough despite this. Unimpeeded by his dreadful eyesight that is mostly made up for by complex goggles of his own design, Lorick takes care of the craftman's trade in the empire. Aspiring artisans are sent first to him for appraisal, then ushered into training under one of his craft masters. Lorick has little like for formalities and rank, and would seem content to forget them entirely - much as he is content to forget his goggles much of the time - to his subjects' dismay. Baroness Urwen of Eiluned Buffered by the distance between her shire and the others by distance and the mad Earl Lorick, the Baroness keeps many of her secrets just that; secret. While many might cast dispersions on a sluagh wilder ruling a realm, it is quite appropriate, for the regions of Otago and Dunedin are traditionally seats of University learning and the power of youth. Indeed many of the most prominent New Zealand politicians today spent their youth in Otago and students still flock to fill the halls today. Because of this, Urwen's court is filled with many chrysalids to whom she teaches the rudiments of fae lore before sending off to another shire for fostering. Sir Michael Kane This dynamic young sidhe of house Fiona presses hard on the heels of the departed prince Rhynn. Though still a young wilder, his exploits are numerous and Empire bards sing of his tales and adventures (greatly exagerated of course) against agents of banality. He seems to swing freely between unseelie and seelie much of the time, though most of his work is seen as honourable and just in the eyes of his adoring fans. Fostered in Hawke Shire, but now serving Duchess Althea, he longs to slay Duke Morlyn for taking the life of his childhood hero, Rhynn, though he has yet to come close to succeeding. Indeed, the Duke Morlyn accepted a challenge of a duel from Michael, and the young knight was promptly disarmed and told to return when he was a grown man. Sir Scythrim Morlyn This recently returned sidhe from the house of Varich was immediately adopted into Duke Morlyn's court and rose exceptionally quickly to the rank of knight. His ability with the blade is matchless amongst all his peers and he is completely fearless in battle. Though only 16 mortal years of age he is already one of Duke Morlyn's most trusted retainers and is often entrusted with vital missions more suited to one with more wisdom and experience. He has yet to cross blades with Michael Kane, but many wait with baited breath for what must surely become a legendary rivalry and hatred between the two most prominent young knights of the Empire.