Age: 23

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Hermia is a queen who never wanted to be one.

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She never aspired to own and maintain her own kingdom and finds it difficult to separate her conscious from what is expected of her as Queen. As we meet her in the story she is coronated as Queen after her father Elden Starshield passed a few months prior. Hermia's mother Lania died during childbirth. Hermia has two brothers Eldarion Starshield and Aldric Starshield. Eldarion secretly wants Hermia to abdicate so that he can rule the territory with an iron fist like his Father did. Aldric just wants to live life to the fullest, learning about the territory, it's people and what he can do to help. Hermia and Aldric have a good relationship and get on well.

 

Hermia also has a tricky relationship with magic.

 

In Starshield it is completely banned and those suspected of using it are hunted down by Lantern Jack, the Magic Finder to the Crown, but Hermia doesn’t think that all magic is evil and believes it is the person who uses it for evil means that is the problem. Although she has the power to change this, she knows that doing so will throw the territory into disrepute and may even cause internal division and even possibly an uprising. Hermia therefore has to tread a very fine line in order to ensure her role is secured and her subjects are done as they are expected to.

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Hermia Starshield

Name: Hermia Starshield
Age: 23
Titles: Queen of Starshield (later reformer and abolitionist of the monarchy)
Status: Alive

Background

Hermia Starshield is the reluctant ruler of the Starshield dynasty, a royal bloodline that has ruled its territory for nearly five centuries. Crowned queen at the age of sixteen after her father Elden’s death, Hermia never aspired to rule. Her reign is marked by the tension between her compassion for her people and the rigid expectations of her crown.

She is the daughter of Elden III and Lania Starshield, with two brothers: Eldarion (ambitious and jealous) and Aldric (her neglected but loyal half-brother).

Personality

• Strengths: Compassionate, intelligent, reform-minded, empathetic toward the oppressed, especially magical folk.

• Weaknesses: Hesitant, idealistic to a fault, struggles with indecision, prone to guilt.

• Fears: Becoming like her father, losing her people’s faith, failing those she loves.

• Values: Justice, fairness, freedom of choice, loyalty to family (especially Aldric).

• Conflict: She must constantly balance duty to the monarchy against her moral convictions.

Appearance & Traits

• Tall, graceful presence but carries herself with humility rather than dominance.

• Long auburn hair, sharp blue eyes that reveal both weariness and resolve.

• Dresses modestly compared to other nobles, often incorporating Starshield heraldry.

• A habit of clasping her hands when anxious, betraying her inner tension during council meetings.

Relationships

• Elden Starshield III (Father): Loved him as a parent but despised his cruelty as a ruler; his legacy haunts her choices.

• Lania Starshield (Mother): Late mother who nurtured Hermia’s empathy and faith in people.

• Eldarion Starshield (Brother): Her greatest rival; seeks her throne and embodies the authoritarian path she rejects.

• Aldric Starshield (Half-brother): Her closest ally, whose tragic heritage (the son of a warlock) ties them to the outlawed world of magic.

• Cornelia Griswold (Handmaiden): Lifelong friend and confidante; her execution for aiding Hermia deeply scars her.

• Sidney Quinn (Guardian): A loyal protector and friend; their bond is built on mutual respect and trust.