Ser Alvar Flowers

Faction: Antagonist (Falcon Faction Leader) | Status: Active - Whereabouts Unknown
Race: Human | Class: Knight
Tags: #npc/antagonist #npc/conspirator #npc/tournament #npc/bastard #npc/leader

Description

Middle-aged but young-looking and calculated knight. Wears chromed armour with crimson plumed helmet. Bastard son of Gaelin (High King's first son, deceased) and Elincia Flowers (the White Falcon Knight). Granddaughter of High King Everglade. Co-leader of Falcon faction conspiracy attempting to seize throne of Odessia through force. Commands retainers including Ser Anfalen.

Initially attempted to win Grand Tournament to gain influence over Kingdom. When tournament was suspended due to civil war, escalated to full military assault on palace with mother Elincia Flowers leading Falcon forces.

Key Details

Physical Description

Middle-aged but young-looking (unusual - magic? good genes?)
Calculated and strategic demeanor
Chromed armour (distinctive, expensive)
Crimson plumed helmet (signature look)
Commanding presence

Family Status

Bastard son of Gaelin (High King's first son, deceased)
Mother: Elincia Flowers (White Falcon Knight, Falcon faction leader)
Twin sister: Yavanna Lightwhisper (co-conspirator)
Grandfather: High King Everglade (deceased, assassinated Session 23)
Cousins with: Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade (enemy) and Avicia (rightful heir, hidden)
Surname "Flowers" marks bastard nobility status
No legitimate claim to throne (illegitimate birth)

Political Goals

Originally: Win Grand Tournament to gain control of Kingdom
Currently: Military seizure of throne through Falcon faction
Leading conspiracy with mother Elincia Flowers
Commands Falcon faction forces (orange/blue mercenaries)
Goal: Install self or mother as ruler? Unclear exact endgame

Royal Family Position

Bastard Status & Succession

His Lineage:

Son of Gaelin (first son of High King Everglade)
Born out of wedlock with Elincia Flowers
"Flowers" surname marks royal bastard status
Excluded from succession by illegitimacy

Generational Context - Third Generation Grandchildren:

Ser Alvar Flowers (Gaelin's bastard son - conspiracy leader)
Yavanna Lightwhisper (Gaelin's bastard daughter - his twin)
Avicia (Second son's legitimate daughter - rightful heir, hidden)
Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade (Third child's daughter - currently ruling)

Succession Order (Legitimate):

First son Gaelin's line: Only bastards (Alvar & Yavanna) - excluded by law
Second son's line: Avicia - rightful heir
Third child's line: Crown Princess - currently ruling

His Problem:

No legal claim to throne (bastard status)
Would need legitimization by current ruler (impossible - she's his enemy)
Or needs to seize power by force and legitimize himself
Crown Princess has weak claim (junior to Avicia)
But he has no claim at all unless laws changed

Possible Justifications for Claim

What Falcon Faction Might Argue:

Secret Marriage: Gaelin secretly married Elincia Flowers (making him legitimate)
Retroactive Legitimization: New ruler (himself/mother) legitimizes bastards
Birth Order Rights: First son's children should inherit regardless of legitimacy
Remove All Others: Kill/discredit Crown Princess and Avicia, take by force
Mother's Claim: Elincia Flowers as "My Queen" (Mysterious Cloaked Man's words)

Evidence:

Mysterious Cloaked Man called Elincia Flowers "My Queen"
Suggests some believe she has/had royal claim
Could indicate secret marriage to Gaelin
Or pretender claim to throne
Conspiracy may have documentation (real or forged)

Timeline & Escalation

Before Tournament (Sessions 19-21)

Competing in Grand Tournament
Goal: Win tournament to gain control/influence
Suspected of drugging Elincia Flowers (White Falcon - his own mother!)
Commands retainers including Ser Anfalen
Party tasked to stop him from winning

Tournament Suspended (Session 22-23)

Coordinated assassination attempts on party (Session 22)
- Town square ambush targeting Elik'r Stormswallow and Elvva Beltavar
- Ser Silvar Glinnan's mansion burned
- Multiple casualties including Guy (Elik'r's squire)
High King Everglade assassinated by Thalas (Session 23)
Civil war erupted immediately
Tournament abandoned
Escalation to full military conflict

Palace Siege (Session 24)

Leading Falcon faction assault on palace
Orange/blue forces attacking throughout city
Four siege wyverns deployed (magical soldier transformation)
Black Knight commanding ~500 troops
~700 forces at palace approach
Full-scale siege warfare
Whereabouts of Alvar himself: Unknown

Current Status (Session 24)

Location: Unknown during palace siege

Not personally seen at palace assault
Not at ramparts combat
Black Knight leading forces (not confirmed as Alvar)
Could be:
- Commanding from rear position
- In safe location directing strategy
- Leading forces in different part of city
- Dead/captured (unlikely, would be mentioned)
- Preparing next phase of assault

Forces Under Command:

Orange/blue mercenaries (Falcon colors)
Siege wyvern transformations (4 total, 1 destroyed)
Black Knight commander with ~500 troops
~700 forces at palace approach
Unknown reserves elsewhere in city

Strategic Position:

Palace under full siege
Multiple wyverns attacking
Lightning barrier holding but strained
Enemy attempting to scale walls
Fresh reinforcements arriving

Known Criminal Acts

Confirmed Actions

Leading armed rebellion against Crown (treason)
Palace siege with intent to kill/capture ruler (treason)
Coordinated assassination attempts on party (Session 22)
- Town square ambush (14+ assassins)
- Mansion burning (multiple deaths)
- Murder of Guy (squire)
Conspiracy to seize throne (treason)
Use of magical warfare (siege wyvern transformations)

Suspected/Unclear

Drugging Elincia Flowers (his own mother) - motive unclear
- Was she drugged by him?
- Or by enemies and he's innocent of this?
- Strange to drug own mother unless controlling her
Connection to Thalas - did he hire assassin?
Ship pursuit of Avicia's family - was conspiracy active years ago?
Other royal deaths - pattern of family members dying

Relationships

Family

Twin sister: Yavanna Lightwhisper (co-conspirator, whereabouts unknown)
Mother: Elincia Flowers (White Falcon Knight, Falcon faction co-leader)
Father: Gaelin (High King's first son, deceased)
Grandfather: High King Everglade (deceased, assassinated by Thalas)
Cousins (likely unaware of relationship):
- Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade (enemy, besieging her palace)
- Avicia (rightful heir, hidden - may not know she exists)

Political Allies

Elincia Flowers - Mother, White Falcon Knight, Falcon faction leader
Ser Anfalen - Retainer, Lord of Sylobelle
Duke Vallandor Firebloom - High-ranking noble conspirator
Baron Roderick Stonewall - Border security conspirator
Ser Tristan Blackwood - Knight conspirator
Black Knight (unnamed) - Military commander (Session 24)
Mysterious Cloaked Man - Called mother "My Queen" (identity unknown)
Orange/blue mercenaries - Falcon faction forces

Enemies

Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade - Current ruler, target of siege
Riders of the Storm - Defending Crown Princess
Eagle Faction - Crown loyalists
General Thailander Oakwood - Commanding palace defense

Complicated

Elincia Flowers - Mother but also possibly his victim (drugging?)
Thalas - Ally? Hired assassin? Or independent actor?

The Drugging Incident (Session 19)

What Happened:

Elincia Flowers (White Falcon Knight) was drugged at royal feast
Ser Alvar Flowers suspected of poisoning her
Both have bird-related heraldry (Eagle vs Falcon symbolism)
Tournament was abandoned shortly after

Mystery:

Why would he drug his own mother?
- Control her for conspiracy purposes?
- She wasn't cooperating with his plans?
- Trying to eliminate her to take sole leadership?
- Frame someone else for drugging?

Alternative Theory:

Someone else drugged Elincia Flowers
Ser Alvar Flowers innocent of this specific crime
Eagle faction trying to weaken Falcon leadership?
Third party trying to disrupt both factions?

Current Relevance:

Elincia Flowers now leading Falcon forces alongside him
Suggests she recovered or it wasn't serious
Or she's under his control somehow
Relationship between mother and son unclear

Connection to Thalas

Possibilities:

Theory 1: Alvar Hired Thalas

Paid assassin to kill grandfather
Triggers succession crisis benefiting him
But couldn't control aftermath (civil war)

Theory 2: Thalas is Independent

Assassinated king for own reasons
Alvar opportunistically exploited chaos
Both want Crown Princess dead for different reasons

Theory 3: Elincia is Thalas

Mother is the assassin
Crown Princess suspects this (Session 23)
Alvar supporting mother's plot
"My Queen" comment suggests her royal ambitions

Theory 4: Alvar is One of the Black Knights

Multiple Black Knights exist
Alvar could be one of them
Would explain military command capability
Session 24 Black Knight could be him

Evidence:

Black Knight specifically targets Ser Tessell Highfrost (tactical awareness)
Elvva Beltavar's backstory: Black Knight with hammer killed father
Multiple Black Knights mentioned
Alvar's whereabouts unknown during siege
Could be the Black Knight commanding assault

Military Capabilities

Known Skills:

Knight class (armoured combat specialist)
Tournament competitor (skilled warrior)
Commands retainers (leadership)
Strategic planning (coordinated attacks)
Resource management (large mercenary force)

Resources:

Chromed armour (expensive, high quality)
Retainers including noble lords
Orange/blue mercenary army
Access to siege wyvern magic
Black Knight commander (possibly himself)
~1,200+ troops at palace siege

Tactical Approach:

Patient and calculated
Tournament route first (political solution)
Then assassination (removing obstacles)
Finally military assault (overwhelming force)
Uses magical warfare (wyvern transformations)
Willing to sacrifice troops for victory

Character Traits

Publicly:

Calculated and strategic
Young-looking despite middle age (unusual)
Charismatic enough to command loyalty
Tournament competitor (public profile)
Knight with retainers (respected position)

In Conspiracy:

Ruthless (assassination orders)
Patient (tournament plan, then escalation)
Ambitious (wants throne despite no legal claim)
Willing to attack family (drugging mother?)
Treats siblings/mother as assets or obstacles

Leadership Style:

Commands through hierarchy (retainers)
Uses mercenaries (paid loyalty)
Deploys magical assets (wyverns)
Tactical awareness (Black Knight targeting Tessell)
Willingness to sacrifice troops

Goals & Motivations

Stated/Apparent Goals:

Seize throne of Odessia
Remove Crown Princess from power
Establish legitimacy for bastard line
Install self or mother as ruler

Possible Deeper Motivations:

Revenge: Bitter about bastard status and exclusion
Legitimacy: Prove worth despite illegitimate birth
Family Honour: Restore father Gaelin's line to throne
Mother's Ambition: Serving Elincia Flowers's goals
Personal Power: Pure ambition regardless of justification
Mysterious Figure: Serving Cloaked Man's agenda

Unknown:

Does he know about Avicia?
Would he kill her if he knew?
Is throne his goal or means to other end?
Is he puppet of mother/Cloaked Man or true leader?
What would he do with throne if successful?

Mysteries & Questions

Personal:

Why young-looking despite middle age? (magic? genetics?)
What are his full capabilities? (just knight or more?)
Did he know father Gaelin before death?
How does he justify his actions morally?

Political:

Where is he during palace siege?
Is he the Black Knight commander?
What's his relationship with mother really like?
Did he drug her or is that false?
Does he know Avicia exists?

Strategic:

What's his endgame if palace falls?
How does he plan to legitimize claim?
What role does Mysterious Cloaked Man play?
Is Thalas his ally or independent?
Can Falcon faction actually win?

Moral:

Does he believe his cause is just?
Is he reluctant or enthusiastic about violence?
Would he negotiate or only accept total victory?
Could he be redeemed or is he too far gone?

Threat Assessment

Military Threat: HIGH

Commands large mercenary force
Access to magical assets (wyverns)
Skilled knight himself
Strategic and calculated approach
Willing to use overwhelming force

Political Threat: MEDIUM-HIGH

Bastard status weakens legal claim
But force can overcome legal issues
Has conspiracy backing (nobles, Cloaked Man)
Mother's "My Queen" status suggests claim angle

Personal Threat to Party: HIGH

Already ordered assassination attempts (Session 22)
Killed Guy (Elik'r's squire)
Party defending his enemy (Crown Princess)
Will target party as obstacles
Has resources to keep trying

Succession Threat: CRITICAL

If he wins, Crown Princess dead/deposed
Avicia (rightful heir) would be hunted
Legitimate succession line destroyed
Bastard precedent set for throne
Kingdom under his/mother's control

Possible Outcomes

If He Wins:

Crown Princess killed/deposed
Alvar claims throne by force
Legitimizes self retroactively
Hunt for Avicia if he learns of her
Mother Elincia Flowers as power behind throne?
Or mother takes throne directly?

If He Loses:

Executed for treason
Falcon faction defeated
Sister Yavanna's fate determined
Mother Elincia Flowers captured/killed
Crown Princess's rule secured
But Avicia's claim still unresolved

If Negotiated:

Possible legitimization in exchange for peace?
Exile instead of execution?
Recognition of grievances?
Power-sharing arrangement?
Unlikely - both sides too committed

Comparison to Other Conspirators

vs Elincia Flowers (Mother):

She's the White Falcon Knight (military prowess)
"My Queen" comment suggests her claim primary?
Older and more experienced
Alvar may be her tool, not leader
Or they're equal partners

vs Yavanna Lightwhisper (Sister):

He's public military leader
She's unknown role (intelligence?)
He commands openly, she works secretly?
Different approaches, same goal

vs Mysterious Cloaked Man:

Cloaked Man called mother "My Queen"
Suggests Cloaked Man is true leader?
Alvar and mother serving his agenda?
Or Cloaked Man serving their agenda?

Appearances

Session 19 - 16 November 2024 - Competing in Grand Tournament, suspected of drugging Elincia Flowers
Session 21 - 23 February 2025 - Tournament competitor, party tasked to stop him from winning
Session 22 - 15 March 2025 - (Implied) Ordered coordinated assassination attempts on party
Session 23 - 6 April 2025 - Civil war erupted after king's death, Falcon faction escalated to military action
Session 24 - 4 May 2025 - Palace under siege by his forces (personal whereabouts unknown), true identity and lineage revealed by Patriarch Siegfried Wildner

Quests - Active#Eagle vs Falcon Faction War - Leading Falcon faction conspiracy
Quests - Active#Rally the North - Party commissioned to counter his influence
Quests - Mysteries#Elincia's Triple Identity - Mother's true nature (may or may not know)
Quests - Completed#Avicia's True Identity - Unaware rightful heir exists (likely)
Quests - On Hold#Stop Tournament Victory - Original goal, now moot (tournament suspended)

Family:

Elincia Flowers - Mother, White Falcon Knight, co-leader
Yavanna Lightwhisper - Twin sister, co-conspirator
Gaelin - Father (deceased)
High King Everglade - Grandfather (deceased)
Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade - Cousin, enemy
Avicia - Cousin (likely doesn't know she exists)

Allies:

Ser Anfalen - Retainer, Lord of Sylobelle
Duke Vallandor Firebloom - Conspirator
Baron Roderick Stonewall - Conspirator
Ser Tristan Blackwood - Conspirator
Black Knight - Commander (possibly himself)
Mysterious Cloaked Man - Unknown role

Enemies:

Riders of the Storm - Party defending Crown Princess
Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade - Target of siege
General Thailander Oakwood - Opposing commander
Eagle Faction - Crown loyalists

Belendar - Palace (target of siege)
Belendar - City streets (civil war fighting)
Sylobelle - Ser Anfalen's domain (retainer)
Tournament grounds (where he competed)

DM Notes

Character Complexity:

Not pure villain - bastard with genuine grievance
Excluded from succession by birth circumstances
Could view self as restoring rightful line (first son's)
Ruthless methods but possibly justified anger

Plot Significance:

Central antagonist of civil war arc
Represents illegitimate claim vs rightful heir (Avicia)
Forces party to choose sides in complex situation
No claim legally but military power matters

Future Considerations:

Where is he during Session 24? (reveal opportunity)
Is he the Black Knight? (dramatic reveal)
Does he know about Avicia? (changes everything)
Can he be redeemed or must die? (player choice)
What happens to conspiracy if he dies?

Player Engagement:

Clear antagonist but complex motivations
Personal stakes (killed Guy, attacked party)
Political intrigue (succession crisis)
May create divided party opinions (some sympathy?)