Vedris fer Toren

From the Tamora Pierce Wiki

Duke Vedris IV of Emelan is the ruler of Emelan and member of House Toren, a line which has ruled over the country for eight hundred years^[1]. He is Sandrilene fa Toren's great-uncle^[2] through her father, Mattin fer Toren. He has three living sons. Another son died after his marriage to Inoulia fa Juzon.

[edit] Biography

During his younger days he was known as a pirate chaser, due to the amount of piracy that Emelan has. He has since retired from such activities though he lives an active life.

A few years before Sandry returned from Hatar his wife died. He allowed his court functions to effectively end, causing his nobles to socialize on their own estates. These include his three sons who do not live with him.^[3]

[edit] His niece and her family

When Sandry returned to Emelan he offered for her to stay with him rather than return to her Namornesse relatives. The idea, however, wasn't very pleasant for the ten year old girl due to the end of court functions in the citadel. He gave into the idea of Niklaren Goldeye bringing her to the Winding Circle Temple, as it was close to Summersea.

In the same year he helped arbitrate an incident involving Trisana Chandler when she lost control of a water sprout in the market. In doing so he gained the respect of Sandry's foster family, especially Tris.

That same summer he had to deal with several earthquakes as well as a well coordinated pirate attack on the city.

During the fall he traveled to his northern fiefs due to a three year drought. He was accompanied by his niece and her foster family, who aided him in his efforts to reduce the damage on the lands' craps and economies.

The next year the Blue pox epidemic broke out in Summersea. He was given aid by Winding Circle to stop the city from being wiped out.

[edit] Sandry's role increases

In 1039 KF, a little while after Briar Moss, Daja Kisubo, and Trisana Chandler leave Emelan with their teachers, the Duke suffered from a heart attack. He survived, but was weakened. The now fourteen year old Sandry moved out of Discipline and into the citadel to help with the matters of the Duchy. It was during this time that a series of murders erupted in the city, targeting a prominent merchant family. With the aid of Sandry, Winding Circle, and Sandry's student Pasco Acalon he and his guards were able to put an end to the murders.

Because of these events he would meet retired dancer Yazmín Hebet, who would later become his lover.

[edit] Struggle with the Empress

Once Sandry's brother and sisters returned the Duke enlisted them to be her companions and body guards during her travel to visit her cousin Berenene dor Ocmore, Empress of Namorn. While they were gone the Duke was a constant reminder of Sandry's duties in Emelan, and one of the main reasons that she refused to stay in the country.

During this time it became apparent to the world that the Duke might change his will so that Sandry inherits Emelan, rather than his own son. However no official changes to the will have been made.

[edit] Personality

The Duke is a good ruler, caring very much for his people. He doesn't only listen to his fellow nobles but also considers the opinions of commoners. While staying at Gold Ridge he even minds the servants, a major difference between him and Lady Inoulia^[4].

[edit] Physical description

Duke Vedris has deep-set brown eyes and heavy features.^[2] Vedris' head is shaved.^[5] He has a hooked nose, which is also referred to as "beak"^[6], and "fleshy visage".^[1] The Duke is stocky, muscled, broad-shouldered and commanding.^[5] Despite his position as ruler of Emelan he prefers simple clothes,^[2] only wearing a gold hoop as earring and a heavy signet ring to show his wealth. Nonetheless he radiates power.^[4]

[edit] Relationships

                                             ? ┬ ?
                    ┌——————————————————————————┴——————————————————————————————————————┐
                    │                                                                 │
   unnamed wife ┬ Vedris fer Toren                                            unnamed man ┬ unnamed woman    House Landreg
                │                                                                         │                      │
       ┌————————┴——————————————┬———————————————┬—————————————————————————————┐    Mattin fer Toren ┬ Amiliane fa Landreg
       │                       │               │                             │                     │
  Frantsen fer Toren  Gospard fer Toren  unnamed son - Inoulia fa Juzon  Franzen fer Toren    Sandrilene fa Toren

The Duke has a close familial relationship with his great-niece, Sandry, and a friendship with Baron Erdogun fer Baigh, his seneschal. Yazmín Hebet is his lover. He also fosters a friendship with Trisana Chandler, Sandry's foster-sister; he gives her books from his library and has commented that he believes she's mildly infatuated with him.

[edit] Appearances

• Sandry's Book
• Tris's Book
• Daja's Book
• Briar's Book
• Magic Steps
• The Will of the Empress

[edit] Notes and references

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Sandry's Book, Cp. 2 (p. 24; Scholastic paperback)
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Sandry's Book, Cp. 2 (p. 23; Scholastic paperback)
3. ↑ Sandry's Book, Cp. 2 (p. 25; Scholastic paperback)
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Daja's Book, Cp. 3 (p. 52; Scholastic paperback)
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Tris's Book, Cp. 5 (p. 65; Scholastic paperback)
6. ↑ Tris's Book, Cp. 1 (p. 10; Scholastic paperback)

[edit] See also