Captain Doña Sir Kestrel of Avalon

GM Secrets:

Kestrel's stats are on her character sheet.

Kestrel was not always a legendary hero. Once, she was merely Elizabeth Richardson, a minor noblewoman married to an Avalon Lieutenant sent to Castille as part of the contingent protecting the embassy. She came to love the vibrant nation while there, learning swordplay from Master Baltasar (the man she would later rescue) alongside Don Rodrigo Sandoval de la Vega (whom she would adventure beside as the "main" El Vago she worked with, and later her beloved).

Her husband was killed in a tragic accident, and she was summoned home. Reluctant to leave but obedient to her duty, she bought passage on an ordinary merchantman. The ship never reached Avalon's shores; the ship was looted and sunk by Rufier's Dark Hawk and Elizabeth herself was taken prisoner.

While the Avalon noble was terrified at first, she came to love life on the sea, and many of the crew became her friends, particularly the men who she would come to call her "Three Hermanos," the First Mate Carlo, the Ship's Master Domingo, and the Bosun's Mate Ambrose. Elizabeth became first competent, then excellent in her seamanship. Rufier, too, was kind at first. A member of the Rilasciare, he was a pirate with a mission, seeking to undermine noble rule and establish a type of government called "democracy." Alas, Rufier became his own worst enemy, becoming a petty tyrant and eventually, a monster. When he hung a crewman for being too cheerful in his presence, the "Three Hermanos" came to Kestrel with a plan to take the ship. Most of the crew was behind them, but if one of the trio were to become captain, it might look like a power play. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was almost universally liked, and as the idea wasn't hers, no one could say she supported them for the power.

They took the ship as quickly and easily as can be expected; Ambrose became the Bosun when he was forced to kill his predecessor, but Rufier was taken alive. Though spared, he swore revenge. He had a patron in one Marquis du Gascon, it turned out, who 'rescued' Rufier and turned him into the menace they would face for many months.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth decided to remain "missing," hiding her identity behind the now-famous mask. Her nickname had already been "Kestrel," and she kept it as the new captain of the refitted and renamed Ladyhawk.

Her other major secret is how deeply she is involved in the effort to save Avalon from itself. Derwyddon was there when she arrived in Cardican and prophesied that she and El Vago would save their kingdoms, or they would fall into ruin. Since then, the enigmatic druid has taken her into his confidence on numerous occasions - or at least, as much as the ancient wizard does with anyone. As the most famous Traditionalist hero in Théah (assuming one does not count Elaine), it appears Derwyddon's trust was well-placed, but they both know that her greatest challenges are ahead.

As a result of her involvement with the High Druid, Kestrel has become embroiled in the intrigues in the Avalon court. Piram has little love for her, but uses her popularity when ever he can against his enemies. The O'Bannon, more sane than he's ever been, has taken an interest in her as well, but how good a thing that is for an Avalon heroine remains to be seen. Elaine has found Kestrel to be extremely devoted to her personally, even for one of the Twelve, and has involved her in some of the most secret matters of the realm, Meryth in particular. Derwyddon has given Kestrel a weapon against the leader of Meryth's undead knights, one that he claims will be pivotal in the coming civil war. He has made it clear that Kestrel must not fail.

The origin of the Kestrel Knack is older than most think, though not by much. While in Ussura, she faced an Eisen spirit-monster named Fleishwulf. Using Jack, she managed to transform his figurine of her into an actual falcon, which came to life (much to their mutual surprise) and landed on her shoulder. It then vanished, and she found that by wrapping imaginary wings around herself, Kestrel could make herself unobtrusive to the point of being almost invisible. Fleishwulf fled in pain, anger and fear, swearing they would meet again. To this day, Kestrel wonders if Matushka had something to do with her Knack.

While Heilgrund's transformation is no secret, and most of it had nothing to do with the Ladyhawk, Kestrel feels responsible for the Eisenfurst getting hold of Rufier's Syrneth limbs (which are now Heilgrund's Syrneth limbs), something she seldom speaks of. Unlike her other duties, which she does out of love of country or devotion to good, Kestrel takes Heilgrund's recent rise in power personally. Sooner or later - probably sooner - she's going to have to deal with him herself. While the Golden Phantom hopes she can talk sense into Stefan - he could, in fact, make a decent Imperator, if he changes his ways - if necessary, Kestrel will do what she must.