Great Lady of Nimala

Nuovi Ilkitala, daughter of Surcount Garret of Ashcastle, would become one of the most influential noblewoman in the Grand Duchy of Canyndor in the build-up, outbreak and conclusion of the Doric-Aijian War. Though she was born into a particularly disparaged branch of the Ilkitala family tree, she would be a ward of the much loved Grand Duke Tapani VII, allowing her to mingle with the many important people of the royal court.   Over time, she would also become known as the lady of whispers. Being a great beauty, Nuovi had the ear of many powerful noblemen and was very successful in swaying these men to act in her favour. A particularly notable example was her relationship with the late Prince Turo who had become infatuated with the Great Lady despite the near three-decade age gap between them. It is thought the lady, who had refused a slew of repeated proposals from Turo, had declared she would only accept if he would end the war by bringing her the sword of the King-Elect Justus of Aijia himself. Needless to say, this rumour spread quickly and added to the many spurious negative claims of the Lady's wrongdoings, though no one of note would dare speak them aloud less they insult one of the many friends of the beauty of Nimala.   Her father saw fit to grant her the Lordship of Nimala not too long after her twentieth birthday, a gift for the well-connected lady would see her looked after in any case, especially as females were not entitled to inherit the land of their kin except through marriage or custodianship. She would use her estate in Nimala and familial connections throughout Doria to form a great network of allies and friends, most often through hosting gatherings where she would entertain her guests with revelry and sometimes performances on her Keysalla. Her travels throughout the land to build this network would see her make impressive journeys from court to court, from Canyndor to Rydant and back again within weeks.