Voivode Adela Fletza

Worn and ropey, this woman has been outside on a daily basis for most of her years, threatening the environment with her vibrant and stubborn existence. There is nothing excessive about her: she moves quickly and quietly, stirred into motion by her reedy limbs, and her pale brown hair is neither too long nor too short: it is just enough to be stuck into a bun and out of her sea-turquoise blue eyes. Though her presentation is still entirely noble, sunspots have begun to mar the backs of her hands and her cheeks like swollen freckles.

Adela has spent nearly thirty years either aboard a ship or spending no small number of her waking hours thinking of ships. She began learning about them as a child, not uncommon for a Fletza, but in Adela's case, even in her spare time, she would venture to the port of Chelm and watch the work happening on ships there. As a younger woman, after she initially sought a posting on a fleet vessel, she was instead shooed out to go and see some of the continent first. She duly did so, and has sailed on vessels out of numerous ports across Elthos and Salthos.

Deciding at around 30 that she had spent quite enough time seeing the world, she was appointed an officer in the fleet, then, quickly enough, a ship's captain. In 628, with the former Voivode of the Wailing Sea relinquishing the post, the Fletzas were quick to seek an appointment for Adela, and the king promptly granted it.

She has spent some time now as the Commonwealth's chief military officer for the Wailing Sea. The fleet is stationed in Chelm, but her responsibilities extend far north of there, all along the coast of Lonin too. She has been remarkably effective in the post, so much so that some call her fleet the Wooden Wall, or just call Adela herself the Wall. The tempo of attempted raids is increasing though, and she might not be able to sustain the flawless defence indefinitely.

Adela is eager and earnest, and being appointed one of the most senior officers in the Commonwealth has done nothing to curb that. She possesses apparently perpetual vigour, or at least the ability to seem vigorous, no matter how much responsibility one would think might be weighing her down. She has a deep well of experience to draw on, from visits to many ports and any number of clashes in the Wailing Sea. She is an incredibly able mariner but, more than that, she excels at planning the disposition of the Commonwealth's fleet, which has been able to ward off many raids under her guidance. She still spends her share of time in Sanctuary, and her very favourite place to be there is in the haven; she has never lost that fundamental fascination in ships or the people who crew them. She shares her knowledge readily, though always hopes to learn something in turn.

Adela is an extraordinary mariner and admiral, and an adept fighter.