Lady Daphne Kournis

Daphne was just a young child when House Kournis took the throne of Dyria. Members of House Kournis tend to be raised either in Elis or in Voros, one on an island and the other about as far from the sea as one can get while still being in Dyria. Daphne was born and raised in Elis, but her parents had nothing whatsoever to do with the sea, but rather were diplomats and administrators. As a teenager, Daphne took more and more of an interest in maritime matters, first because she saw so much of the trade flowed from ships, which was one part of her lessons, and later in the operation of vessels themselves. That there was a fleet to be commanded followed later. None of it was driven by any great fascination with the sea, but rather with the skill and knowledge required to operate even one ship, the logistics of operating a substantial fleet, and how it all fit together.

As a young woman, she spent time serving under the command of others, including nobles from minor houses, as she learned the full functioning of a ship. Eventually, she was granted command of her own galley, then a squadron. She began to take responsibility for more and more over time, until by the late 620s, she was overseeing much of the maritime security of the eastern Encircled Sea, at least as far as House Kournis can cover.

The sea is certainly not in Daphne's blood. Her family had nothing to do with the sea before she was born. There is no inherited family tradition, nor in fact any great love of the sea on her part. What there is is a deep sense of professionalism and pride in doing a difficult job, and doing it well, at that. Daphne is methodical and meticulous, leaving no detail uncovered in her work. She might be filling a military position, but she thinks of herself as a mariner before she does a soldier. The risk to her and her people is not any foe, but the sea itself, and carelessness.

She enjoys her time ashore, and as her responsibilities have grown, has needed to be ashore more often than not to even be in one place to issue orders from. She spends ample time in Sanctuary, where she seeks all sorts of intellectual discussions, and on occasion parties too, though she tries to steer clear of political entanglements, deeming those to be out of her range of responsibility.

Daphne is a fine admiral and mariner, astute and well read.