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==Physical description== |
==Physical description== |
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==Notes and References== |
==Notes and References== |
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Revision as of 03:21, 2 August 2013
Berenene dor Ocmore is the Empress of Namorn and the title character in The Will of the Empress. Based upon the Russian Empress Catherine the Great and Elizabeth I of England[1], but more on Catherine the Great[2], Berenene serves as an antagonist to the book's four protagonists, especially Sandrilene fa Toren.
Biography
Early life
Berenene is the only surviving child of her father, the last emperor. While she was still a princess, she was kidnapped twice in an effort to force her hand in marriage. She escaped both times and both kidnappers were executed by her father.
Even as a child, Berenene had a love for gardening, a hobby that her father scolded her for. He claimed that it was a waste of money to grow flowers in the cold lands of Namorn. When she succeed her father as empress, she almost gave up her gardens, but decided later that she deserved them after several assassination attempts.
Empress
Berenene ascended the throne on the death of her father and started a strong rule. She gave more power to the monarchy by tricking and ruining the other great Houses. By the time Sandry returns to Namorn House Landreg is the only one remaining, and is too under attack from the empress (though her attacks are only because she wants Sandry, who is a wealthy Clehame or countess, to remain in Namorn.Her motive is not to ruin Clehamat Landreg.)
She has kept her three daughters in hiding so they would not be kidnapped as she was. Because of the tendency of noble women giving power to their husbands she has kept the identities of her daughter's fathers a secret so no one could use them to threaten her power. Her eldest daughter Princess Maedryan dor Ocmore is heiress apparent to the Namornese throne
The empress's rule has been marked with an on and off eight year long war with the emperor of Yanging, which has drained her funds and caused her to bring up taxes.[3]
Sh has also brought a great amount of reform to her land. Berenene has built multiple schools and hospitals, as well as roadwork. She cares greatly for her land and her people, she views her country's needs as her needs and will do anything to bring power and greatness to Namorn.
When her cousin Sandry and her friends come to her court she devises several schemes to keep them in the country. She uses her power, money, and mages to entice them to remain in Namorn, and in the end she attempts to force them.
Relationships with the other characters
Sandry
Sandry and Berenene are first cousins, related through a mutual grandmother.[4] Since Sandry's mother, Amiliane fa Landreg, married Sandry's father, Count Mattin fer Toren, the nephew of Duke Vedris, the money from the Landreg estate had been siphoned out of Namorn, first to Amiliane and then to Sandry.
In the opening to The Will of the Empress, Sandry reviews her account books and realizes that the Imperial taxes on her estate have been growing every year; it is Berenene's way of reinforcing her standing invitation for her cousin to visit the Imperial Court in Dancruan. Once she arrives, it is the Empress's mission to keep her and her money in Namorn, despite Sandry's continual statements that she makes her home in Emelan. The Empress becomes a very antagonistical figure in this book, and is shown as a sort of villain.
Briar
Briar comes to Namorn with Sandry, and Berenene takes a special interest in him as he is a plant mage and Berenene has an interest in gardening. She grants him special permission to do what he likes in her personal gardens, and tries to get him to stay in Namorn by offering him the post of imperial gardener.
Pershan fer Roth
Shan is Berenene's lover and Master of the Hunt during Sandry's visit to Namorn. She is unaware of his flirtations with her cousin, and places a tight collar on him when she finds out. By the end of the book she discovers his plan to marry Sandry and he falls from her graces.
Quenaill Shieldsman
Quenaill was Berenene's lover before Shan. He is extremely loyal to her and will do anything to get back into her good graces. When she finds out about his involvement in a plot to kidnap Sandry with Shan is extremely angry, as she feels like she's lost control over him.
Court
Bernene maintains court year round[5] which includes her chief mages, Ishabal Ladyhammer and Quenaill Shieldsman, as well as many of her nobles in their twenties and thirties. She keep herself as the center of attention, passing out favors and punishments to make sure everyone is thinking about her instead of fighting and rebellion. Rizu is Mistress of the Imperial Wardrobe and Pershan fer Roth is her Master of the Hunt.
Physical description
The empress has russet hair and brown eyes. She is very attractive, with a shapely body that she uses to catch the interest of young men at her court. Her face reminds Sandry of an old picture of her grandmother.[6]
Notes and References
- ↑ Did you base Berenene on a historical figure?, SheroesCentral, 2006-02-26.
- ↑ Random Buzz; "Famous Women"; April 23, 2009
- ↑ The Will of the Empress, Cp. 1 (p. 34; Scholastic)
- ↑ The Will of the Empress, Cp. 3 (p. 65; Scholastic)
- ↑ The Will of the Empress, Cp. 3 (p. 61; Scholastic)
- ↑ The Will of the Empress, Cp. 3 (p. 64; Scholastic)