The Queen of Hearts is the fae ruler who helped the party transport humans back to the material plane. She was consort to the King of Hearts and has been managing power struggles in the Feywild.
Description
- Fae nobility with royal authority
- Has a personal guard led by Archer
- Coat of arms: “LIVE AND LET LIVE”
- Commands significant military forces
Background
- Was consort to the King of Hearts (now deceased)
- “Clutching at lost power” since her husband’s death
- Has been navigating power struggles with other fae houses
- Seized control during the chaos when humans from Lyric were transposed into the Feywild
Abilities
- Commands fae military forces
- Can grant writs of authority
- Has access to powerful artifacts and resources
- Connected to dark powers (temporarily influenced by Prince of Darkness)
Relationships
- Guarded by Archer, captain of her guard
- Opposed to the Princess of Diamonds (who was actually a Green Hag in disguise)
- Seized control when the Ace of Spades disappeared
- Made deals with the party to help transport humans home
- Issued writ of authority to the party
Chronology
Introduction
- Party rescued a woman claiming to be Princess of Diamonds from execution
- “Princess” claimed Queen of Hearts had seized control
- In reality, the “Princess” was a Green Hag trying to trick the party
The Ball Massacre
- Hosted a grand ball with “LIVE AND LET LIVE” heraldry displayed
- Entered with Prince of Darkness in tow
- 8 of spades raised a toast, but was decapitated by a red cap demanding “Blood”
- Brought in Vadu (Head of Law) to make speech about “live and let live”
- Combat erupted at the ball
- Vadu was killed by red caps (LIVE AND LET DIE)
- Queen fell unconscious during the combat
- Prince of Darkness was knocked unconscious then killed
- Red caps were killed, one spitting out “I finally have all the blood I can drink, but it’ll never be enough for him”
Aftermath
- Archer had arranged for party to enter with forged invitation
- Guards were told to let party pass through
- The Priest of Darkness had temporarily influenced the Queen (changed her to red livery)
Portal Demonstration
- Woke up after the ball massacre
- Met with party and Archer to exchange information
- Learned about Feywild Riots that occurred 2 full moons ago
- Red caps became dominant political force after riots
- Meeting at ball was organized by red caps, first time meeting priest of darkness
- During the ball, Archer was separated and Queen was put under a spell
- Learned humans appeared last full moon (~1500 people from Lyric)
- Witnessed party demonstrate Knife of Transposition portal creation
- Discovered time in Feywild moves twice as fast as material plane
- Asked party to help transport humans back home
- Provided resources and evil souls (red caps) to power the portals
Philosophy Discussion
- Explained nature of gods: “A reservoir of power, a place to exemplify their values, and a person to shape the world in their vision”
- Revealed contact between planes hadn’t occurred for hundreds of years, not since time of Belle
- Explained man of strings pulled together seven nation army to eradicate Belle’s influence
- Mentioned Tensegrity as Piano Man’s stronghold with presence in every plane
- Discussed Chords of Power - house of Spades last held the chord for Feywild
Human Transport
- Granted party:
- Helia Oriela received banner of Queen of Hearts
- Harloc received one large black arrow
- Hanzo received a wagon
- Party received sealed writ stating they act under her authority
- Party traveled to town of diamonds with her writ
- Used writ to gain access to commander holding humans
- Party transported ~1500 humans back to material plane using portals:
- First rip: ~200 people
- Second rip: ~400 women with children (easier to maintain reused portal)
- Third rip: ~600 people
- Fourth rip: remaining people
- Ura was found trying to escape, learned Vadu was dead