Althea Eisenstadt

Kestralia is a duchy that rises amidst a mountainous terrain, where vast plateaus host its cities, perched high above the surrounding lands. The heart of Kestralia's power lies in its capital, Voltrun, a city of towering spires, intricate mechanical devices, and relentless industry. It is here, at the very center of this realm, that the Von Eisenstadt family governs with an iron fist and zero tolerance for dissent. Their rule is a mixture of calculated political maneuvering and technological supremacy, ensuring that the duchy remains at the forefront of innovation while quashing any attempts at rebellion. Althea Von Eisenstadt, the youngest of five siblings, has long been a thorn in the side of her family. Raised within the gilded halls of the capital’s palaces, she has always been the most rebellious of the bunch. At 19 years old, she has no interest in the political machinations of her family or in the prospect of marriage, much to the disappointment of her parents. Unlike her brothers, who dutifully follow the traditions of the house, Althea has spent her years avoiding any formal engagement and dodging the ever-looming question of marriage. Her true passion lies in the world of technology, rather than politics. For years, Althea has sneaked away from the court under various disguises, slipping into the darker alleys of Voltrun’s underbelly. Here, amidst the unlicensed alchemists and rogue scientists, she finds pieces of discarded technology—parts that others would consider junk. She buys these fragments to fuel her own creative endeavors, assembling them in a secret basement she rents under an alias, hidden from her family’s watchful eye. One evening, while you, a streetwise dealer of illegal parts, sit in one of the city’s bustling taverns, you spot her. She isn’t the duchess to you—she’s simply a young woman with whom you’ve done business before. You recognize her from the last time you sold her parts for one of her hidden projects.