Queen Ellaria is the 3rd generation monarch who rules over the Ennead. A system of governance conjured up by her late grandmother, Lady Athenia Shadoon, as a means of seceding from the Dobashi Empire. We touched on this in detail last week.
I’d mentioned the school Ellaria started during her first pregnancy wherein she teaches noble Athean children civics, philosophy, and the like. I want to go into a bit more detail here on that very subject. I studied philosophy as an undergrad in University and I’ve always been fascinated by the subject, so much so that it’s still an integral part of my day to day life. I wanted a unique way to sneak some of the more interesting topics of philosophical discussion into Ennead; the idea that Ellaria would operate as a sophist1 while also ruling seemed like the perfect way to do it.
The first discussion we see her lead, also the scene we get introduced to her in, is one that permeates Ennead as a whole.
When is violence justified?
An ever present question. The answer is typically tied directly to a particular culture and their values and beliefs. Their social stratification and stance on class relations. Whether or not they are religious, and if they are, what their gods do or don’t say on the matter. When a society allows violence says a lot about them. Which is why I chose to center so much of Book 1 focused on violence.
As Arc 1 and 2 progress we get insight into how each and every player in the game feels about violence- intra-personal, military, and verbal- all of its forms are examined.
Let’s dive into the script:
*NOTES TO THE ART TEAM:*
Ellaria (the queen) is leading 9 teens in a discussion using what most would recognize as “The Socratic Method.” This is important to the way the students are sitting, they should be arranged more or less in a semi circle, each able to see the other as they speak.
Students of note: Nyedera Gidious, Rohan Glendor, Livi Maceio, and Atiq Fatyan. Check ref # 14 for clothing ideas.
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In the bailey of Evermore Castle, seat of the Royal Family, QUEEN ELLARIA SHADOON (see ref #15) leads a discussion with some of the most prominent children in the kingdom in a large atrium.
Some students sit in the grass, others on seats of stone or wood. Ellaria walks among them as she speaks. NYEDERA, daughter of Ellaria’s top guardsman, sits with her legs crossed. Her curly hair flows loosely and her olive skin is a bit darker than most of her classmates. She is of Latin descent.
1 ELLARIA These “crimes against innocents,” are they always unjustified?
1 NYEDERA Yes… Common people have little to do with the decisions of their rulers and should hold even less responsibility for what comes of them.
Panel 2
Ellaria paces as the discussion continues. LIVI, with her bright blonde hair a soft features, adds her voice in agreement while ATIQ, looks down with his doe like eyes, tows the line. Livi looks almost nordic while Atiq is of a similar complexion to Nyedera, he looks as though he is of Mongolian descent. The rest of the students listen patiently with ROHAN’S face giving away his disagreement. Rohan has short black hair, almost in a bowl cut. He looks like as though he is of European descent.
1 LIVI The Ennead has *one responsibility*: honor the Divine by upholding the Rule of 9.
2 LIVI Balancing the just treatment of all Atheans and applying an evenhanded approach to our enemies ensures we do just that.
1 ATIQ I’d say one’s innocence is dependent on who they choose to lead them *and* how well those chosen live up to their titles.
2 ATIQ Men and women who make poor choices must bear some responsibility, no?
1 ELLARIA Should the majority be held accountable for choices of a few, Sir Atiq?
Panel 3
Ellaria continues to move through her group of students. Rohan steadies himself and sits upright. His face portrays a bit of arrogance.
1 ATIQ The people have a means of expressing their discontent. We certainly cannot till the fields, haul the crops, or push the wagons…
2 ATIQ …aren’t we free to assume they approve of our actions when they do nothing to show us otherwise?
1 ROHAN The people show little desire for protest while they are benefiting from our choices. They should deal with their ramifications in the same manner.
2 ROHAN Sometimes the use of force is warranted to send a message. Even if it seems a bit *excessive*.
Panel 4
Ellaria walks over to Rohan to engage with him. The rest of students turn their attention and their bodies towards them in order to follow what is certain to be a good exchange.
1 ELLARIA Is that always so? No matter the means?
1 ROHAN It is not my place to say. Though when my time comes to replace my father - -
Panel 5
Rohan thinks highly of his own ideas and doesn’t take well to Nyedera when she interrupts. He looks angry.
1 NYEDERA May I remind you, the House of the Treasury has *no authority* to issue any commands of force.
1 ROHAN Nor does the daughter of an *over-glorified sword-for-hire* have any right to be educated amongst the- -
Panel 6
Ellaria stops walking to address Rohan directly. His ego has taken a hit and his face shows it. Though he is not ready to back down completely, he sharply cuts his eyes towards Nyedera as he speaks.
1 ELLARIA *Sir Rohan.* If the burden of mistaken judgement or misapplication of justice is not all of ours to bear, then whose is it?
1 ROHAN Notwithstanding inevitable lapses in judgement, the people are going to have to elect an Ennead they trust to serve for *3 generations*- -
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Rohan pauses briefly and Nyedera leans forward as she jumps back in. Ellaria displays a calm, neutral demeanor as she listens. Atiq adds a wisecrack, though he seems to be the only one impressed by it. Livi holds back a laugh
1 NYEDERA You mean *serve* in the ways men like my *father* have?
2 NYEDERA The Divine guided the founding Houses, like *yours*, to break from leaders who sought to quiet the people.
1 ROHAN And have we gone and cut out all of their tongues?
Sanctuary inside Athea doesn’t grant a permanent platform from which one can air their grievances.
1 ATIQ Of course not. Though in exchange for their fealty- -
2 ROHAN For their *fealty* they get food, protection, and the freedom to worship The Divine.
Panel 2
Nyedera stands as she passionately responds to Rohan. She has the attention of everyone. Ellaria’s face now shows she is proud of the argument Nyedera is making.
1 NYEDERA That is *rich* Rohan. Athea was *built* by those who grew tired of such talk! You dishonor the people you wish to serve- -
1 ELLARIA *Nyedera*. Would you say that actions taken by the Ennead are always dishonorable if they do not put the people of Athea first?
2 NYEDERA Yes.
Panel 3
Nyedera and the other students look intently at Ellaria, deep in thought. Every student except Rohan—who looks down at his feet.
1 ELLARIA And Lady Livi, are actions always righteous if they consider the people first?
1 LIVI Always.
2 ELLARIA Even if the Ennead were to sanction the slaughter of an entire army? Or razing an entire city to the ground?
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Use as many panels as you need on this page to display all the emotions.
All the students paused, their faces displaying a range of emotions from dumbfounded to shameful; pensive to confused. Rohan confidently gives his response.
1 ELLARIA What say you then?
1 ROHAN If that city were harboring an enemy or that army stood in the way of our ambitions…
2 ROHAN …then we have the right to do what we must.
Ellaria has a lot to juggle: end a war, prepare her people for a first of its kind transition of power, make sure her grandmother’s legacy is honored, all while making sure she survives long enough to see it happen. The inner thoughts of a literal Philosopher Queen are on full display in my next short!
Make sure you check it out!
JL
A sophist was “a paid teacher of philosophy and rhetoric in ancient Greece, associated in popular thought with moral skepticism and specious reasoning.”