Player character updates

Misteline
In the twenty months that have passed since Misteline moved into his new home, the Friar's Gate Tower, his circumstances have changed for the better. As yet another token of royal gratitude, the aging artist received several new commissions, foremost of which was a request for a series of four giant paintings to adorn the Royal Council chamber. This placed a severe burden on Misteline's time, so he took on several new apprentices and rented the building which was formerly the Cock-a-doodle club in which to house them.
Such royal patronage raised a few eyebrows in the artistic community, not least with the younger generation but few questioned Misteline's right to it, not least after Bagangelo loudly sang Misteline's praises in his first public appearance since his disfigurment in a duel.

In the summer of 1625, Misteline was approached by representatives of the Crown who informed him that the King and Queen wished to honour Misteline in some way but were  unable to do so by the traditional method since as a mere artisan he was uneligible to be knighted. Instead they had decided to create a Royal Society, the purpose of which would be to elavate those who had distinguished themselves in the artistic, philosophical or scientific fields of endeavour. Misteline, as the first appointee would be both first member of the order and, for as long as he accepted the role of Chairman, responsible for recommending its future members. There would be no limits placed on membership (and women were allowed to join), but only a few worthy candidates would be considered each year. The King would grant membership based on the chair's recommendations and a budget was provided for a suitable property to house meetings. Naturally Misteline accepted the honour, and the not-so-modest pension which went with the role of Chairman. In 1622, Four new members were enrolled into The Order of the Royal Society. These were the composer Isaaq Bellbottom, the natural philosopher Tomas Quartermoon (an uncle of Marshal Quartermoon), the alchemist Ivan Grindlestick and the poet/author Janis Porterstreet.

Rufus
Having married Bellinda Faustini, Rufus suddenly found himself in the unknown situation of being a very rich man, and a land owner to boot. Bellinda became infatuated with Rufus and for the first few months of their marriage, showered him with love and affection, but she very quickly became pregnant and as her belly grew, so her attentions to her husband changed. Rufus found himself becoming ever more attentative to the needs of his pregnant wife, and this state of affairs didn't change with the arrival of his first children; twin baby girls, quickly named Lucrezia and Catarina. Bellinda required a larger house, preferably outside the city, and so the family moved to nearby Clophill where Rufus purchased a comfortable villa over looking the rolling pastures which bordered the River Weyr. In such idyllic surroundings, it didn't take long for Bellinda to fall pregnnat again, and now surrounded by servants, and several female members of her family, she became ever more demanding. "Shes not so much a tyrant" Rufus mused to his dog Balzo as they walked his lands one afternoon. "She just needs so much more than a man can give". Balzo agreed. Eventually Rufus began to find reasons for going to Takshendal and as Bellinda happily accepted the concept of her 'husband's business' being none of her concern, Rufus found a comfortable balance between being with his loving, but needy wife and having the freedom afforded to a man of means in Takshendal. he soon took to staying with Misteline whose grand tower residence had several guest rooms.

Marmaduke
One morning, some few months after his adventures with Misteline and Rufus, Marmaduke suddenly found his mother dead in her bed. As he stared at her body, he realised he hadn't seen her for several days and he had no idea when or how she had died. He also found that he didn't much mind her passing at all. Ever since his adventures with Misteline and Rufus there had grown a coldness between them caused by her never retracted outburst that he wasn't her son at all. As time wore on, Marmaduke often pondered this statement as he worked, for it followed that if he were not his mother's child, then he probably wasn't his father's either and ever after, regarding himself in the looking glass, he would dryily note how little he resembled either of his parents. Since he now often worked for Misteline on various jobs, he aired his thoughts one evening after they had put down their tools. Misteline listened, but could offer no suggestions as to who Marmaduke's real parents might have been.

In the meantime, Marmaduke got on with his life, working in the room which had once been his father's shop, steadily building up his savings and wondering if perhaps he ought to do as Rufus and take a wife. The trouble was, Marmaduke knew no suitable women, and most of the people he worked with were homosexuals. The only women he met and talked to on a semi-regular basis were Hilda Grimbleflax and her girls, so eventually he asked Hilda for advice. Hilda considered the matter and promised to help and there after, began to send young women around to 'tidy up' Marmaduke's house. At first Marmaduke found this distracting, but since Hilda sent a new girl every two weeks or so, Marmaduke began to meet a lot of attractive young women. Unfortunately Marmaduke's powers of seduction are so undeveloped that so far he has yet to work up the courage to ask even the nicest, for so much as a kiss.