Maeve

Backstory

Maeve’s origin story begins with her birth to the fey enchantress Gisela in the mortal world. Betrothed from birth to Prince Fredrick of Mountainheart, Maeve and Fredrick were destined to be the epitome of love and devotion. However, their idyllic romance was shattered when King Edward, Fredrick’s father, broke off the engagement to secure a political alliance.

Refusing to accept their separation, Maeve and Fredrick attempted to elope, hoping to defy the odds and be together against all odds. Yet, their plans were thwarted by the intervention of Gisela, Maeve’s mother, who, with the assistance of Fionnuala, tore the veil between the mortal realm and the feyrealm asunder.

The resulting chaos unleashed twin tidal waves of magic and seawater over the alpine region of Mountainheart, sweeping Maeve and Fredrick away in its powerful current. Transformed by the magical energies, Maeve emerged as a newborn high fairy, deposited amidst the rose bushes of the gardens of Lùchairt Glamour.

It was there that Fionnuala discovered the infant Maeve and decided to raise her as her daughter. Spoiled and indulged by her mother and the court, Maeve grew up surrounded by luxury and adoration, yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that something crucial was missing from her life.

Subconsciously yearning for her lost love and the dreams they shared, Maeve grew increasingly restless with her sheltered existence in Loch Slanach. Despite the lavish lifestyle and artificial social circle crafted by her mother, Maeve longed for a deeper connection and a sense of purpose beyond the confines of her gilded cage.

Driven by a desire to fulfill the unspoken promises of her past life, Maeve dreams of creating her perfect kingdom, ruling alongside the perfect king by her side and raising perfect children in a realm where she reigns supreme. However, the path to achieving her ambitions is fraught with challenges and moral dilemmas, as Maeve grapples with the consequences of her actions and the legacy of her past.

Current situation

Following a visit to Mountainheart in the aftermath of the defeat of her vassal Vasrock, a hobgoblin warlock, and warlord who sought to use the kingdom as a stepping stone to conquer the entire Märchenweltgrenze, Fionnuala made a startling discovery: Fredrick, now an immortal beast-man king, was deeply in love with her daughter Maeve, or at least the person she once was. Recognizing an opportunity to strengthen her influence and expand her power, Fionnuala orchestrated a strategic alliance by offering Maeve’s hand in marriage to Fredrick in exchange for vassalage. To her delight, Fredrick eagerly accepted the proposal, captivated by Maeve’s charm and beauty from the moment she arrived in the kingdom.

With Fredrick completely enamored and under her sway, Maeve has quickly assumed a position of considerable influence within Mountainheart. Leveraging her newfound status as queen consort, she has wasted no time in shaping the kingdom according to her vision of perfection, gradually transforming it from a large city-state into a sprawling empire under her and Fredrick’s joint rule.

Empowered by her husband’s unwavering devotion and bolstered by her own cunning and ambition, Maeve is determined to mold Mountainheart into a realm worthy of her aspirations.

Appearance

Maeve shares many stylistic traits with her mother, although she has a penchant for the color pink. Resembling a young elf maiden in her early twenties, she boasts flowing brown hair that she often wears in intricate braids, adding to her enchanting allure. Despite her youthful appearance, Maeve exudes an air of sophistication and elegance, carrying herself with the grace and poise befitting her station as queen consort of Mountainheart.

Roleplaying Guide

  1. Master Manipulator: Maeve possesses a keen intellect and remarkable insight into the motivations and desires of others. She excels at manipulating situations to her advantage, often employing charm, wit, and flattery to achieve her goals. As a DM, portray Maeve as a subtle puppet master who pulls the strings behind the scenes, orchestrating events to serve her interests.
  2. Spoiled Brat: Despite her charming facade, Maeve is accustomed to getting her way and will stop at nothing to ensure her desires are fulfilled. She is accustomed to a life of luxury and expects nothing less, often throwing tantrums or resorting to manipulation when things don’t go her way. As a DM, showcase Maeve’s entitlement and petulant behavior, emphasizing her disdain for anyone or anything that stands in the way of her desires.
  3. Flirty and Airheaded Persona: In public settings, Maeve adopts a persona of flirtatiousness and innocence, presenting herself as a frivolous and carefree young woman with a penchant for gossip and romance. This persona serves as a clever disguise for her true nature, allowing her to manipulate others without arousing suspicion. As a DM, roleplay Maeve’s flirty and airheaded demeanor, using it to disarm potential threats and lull others into complacency.
  4. Shrewd Operator: Beneath her facade of frivolity lies a cunning and calculating mind. Maeve is a skilled strategist who excels at assessing situations and devising clever schemes to achieve her objectives. She is adept at manipulating others to do her bidding, leveraging their weaknesses and desires to further her agenda. As a DM, highlight Maeve’s strategic prowess and ability to outmaneuver her adversaries, presenting her as a formidable and unpredictable opponent.
  5. Self-Centered Motivations: Maeve’s primary motivations revolve around her desires and ambitions. She craves attention, adoration, and power, and will stop at nothing to attain them. Her ultimate goal is to become the queen of her own empire, where she can indulge in a life of luxury and extravagance without consequence. As a DM, emphasize Maeve’s selfish motivations, portraying her as a relentless pursuer of personal gain who will exploit anyone or anything to achieve her ends.

How to use Maeve in your campaign

  1. Romantic Rivalry: Maeve can serve as a romantic rival for King Fredrick’s affection. Her presence could complicate relationships within the party or create tension in the kingdom’s court as Fredrick struggles between his feelings for Maeve and his duties as a ruler.
  2. Quest Giver: Maeve may offer quests to the players that align with her goal of reshaping Mountainheart into a fairytale kingdom. These quests could involve diplomatic missions, retrieving rare artifacts, or dealing with political rivals.
  3. Court Contact: Players may interact with Maeve as a contact within the Mountainheart court. She could provide valuable information or assistance in navigating the complexities of court politics, but players must be wary of her manipulative nature and hidden agendas.
  4. Potential Enemy: Depending on the players’ actions and allegiances, Maeve could become an adversary within the court. Her selfish ambitions and manipulative tendencies may lead her to oppose the players’ objectives or plot against them to further her own interests.

Stat block

Princess Maeve,

Medium Fey, Neutral Evil

Armor Class 14

Hit Points 75 (10d6 + 40)

Speed 30 ft., Fly 30 ft.

STR 8 (-1)

DEX 16 (+3)

CON 18 (+4)

INT 14 (+2)

WIS 14 (+2)

CHA 18 (+4)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Wis +5, Cha +7

Skills Perception +5, Insight +5, Persuasion +7

Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 15

Languages Common, Sylvan

Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)


Fey Ancestry. Maeve has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put her to sleep.

Innate Spellcasting. Maeve’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). She can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: Mage Hand, Minor Illusion

1/day each: Blink, Dimension Door

Fey Resilience. If Maeve spends a spell slot during her turn, she can regain hit points equal to the level of the spell slot.

Actions

Fey Touch. Maeve can touch a willing creature and restore 2d8 hit points. This ability can be used once per short or long rest.

Fey Glide. Maeve can fly up to 30 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.