My Entry into the RPG Adventures Character Skin Contest!

She belongs to a Medieval Fantasy universe, centred around a Imperialised Society.

Let me elaborate on her story,


As the firstborn child to the then Crown-Prince Marius II and his consort Valera of Adria, Mariya Angelika's birth was widely celebrated throughout the Haeseni lands. Though much of the population longed for a son and future heir, the birth of a healthy child to the couple brought upon great joy over the young Princess-Consort’s fertility. Mariya was bestowed the honorary title of ‘Princess Royal of Reza’, being the first royal daughter born to the new capital.


Growing up after her mother’s death in childbirth, the princess was known for her wildly volatile and snide temperament, having largely assimilated into the renowned image of her distant aunt and primary carer, Aleksandra of Vidaus. Raised not in the typical world of etiquette and manners, however one of exploration and wildness- the princess grew to crave the thrills and adventure that life posed. After a difficult engagement ordeal, leaving an emotional scar upon not only Mariya, she was wed to Adrian Sarkozic- the reigning Duke of Adria. They married within Reza’s cathedral, followed by a procession in which she moved her primary residence to the duchy’s capital, Renz.



She immediately thrust herself into her duties as Duchess, finding solace in the straightforwardness and simplicity of her work. Two years after their marriage, the ducal pair welcomed their first child- a son. Struggling to connect emotionally with her child, Mariya found motherhood inherently difficult, often times leaving her son's early upbringing entirely to the staff of the court. It was that same year in which her husband was declared as the Lord-Protector of Oren following the death and legitimacy scandal of Alexander II. The house of Sarkozic, now rebranded as de Sarkozy, then took residence within the Imperial city of Helena- beginning to rebuild the fractured pieces of the empire.



Throughout her residency within Helena, and further her positions within the Empire, Mariya is regarded to have somewhat lessened in her former cold and detached demeanour. The Duchess took upon her role with pride, hosting a variety of guests within the Palace's walls, as well as arranging for a varying amount of events to be held. Despite a lacklustre marriage, Mariya and Adrian confided within eachother, sporting plans for an empire of new- an Empire beneath the rule of Sarkozy. The pair began preparations for a likely ascension following the conclusion of the Orcish war, to which Mariya regarded with wary anticipation. Yet after numerous consolations with both her family and close companions, she learned to embrace the coming responsibility- a position she was certainly not born nor raised to hold. Alongside her cousin Helaine Sarkozy, she drafted extensive plans for a revival of Imperial courtly life.



Allegedly, the Duchess furtively had Coronation garments tailored, as well as a variety of crowns worthy of an Empress-Consort. Correspondence spoke of a cascading golden gown, decorated with intricate embroidery symbols of both her Hanseni and Imperial heritage. To accompany, both a red sash and a historic headpiece- the crown in which her Mother Valera had worn in a single instance, her wedding to Marius II of Haense, and never again. Yet even still, the existence of said gown has yet to be confirmed.

However tragedy would strike the Empire, with the Lord Protector, Mariya's husband, falling ill and passing away shortly after the Orcish battle. With her plans shattered, now both widowed and without power, she fell into an extreme depressive state. From there onward, she lived between Helena and Haense- finding much grief in the memories held within the new Imperial Capital. She was known to rarely leave the confines of her room, wearing the darkened colours of mourning for the remainder of her life.




The princess was murdered nearly a year later, her body found in the ruins of the Prikaz palace, her homeland. Few could know of what truly occurred that night- yet most chose not to ponder over the matter.

This skin depicts her Imperial Coronation gown, one that never truly saw the light of day- and to the story, its very existence is a topic for debate. She has the trademark blue eyes and black hair of her household- the Barbanov Dynasty.

A few different character things I have of her:

Bio:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16SREExPBPVB7lpd05Juh4l5LjgjOgdQLnH2IyKYBuQQ/edit?usp=sharing