Aliswen, born during the frigid winters of Valsk, spent most of her childhood like any other Valski: playing in the snow, playfighting and almost escaping into the wilderness at any chance filled her days - every lesson taught her to not only survive the north but flourish in its harsh beauty. Statecraft, academia and politics did not come naturally to Aliswen (and honestly, it still doesn’t), days were crammed between studying with exasperated tutors and exploring her lands.

The young woman buckling under the pressures of expectation found escape in the wilderness, hunting, and the companionship of Tyrsten Tyrstenssen. Their young love felt like a breath of fresh air, something new and unique that Alis desperately clung to. But a love born out of a need for escape would never last, the stark reality caught up to her when Tyr asked for her hand. She simply couldn’t, and the magic was gone.

Alis enjoyed being sheltered from the full burdens of her duties for many years by Alis’ father, Iorwyn, who unfortunately became bedridden with sickness in her early 20s. Those duties that she had been poorly preparing for finally fell on her shoulders, taking the mantle of Margrave of Valsk. At the time being the youngest of the Kingdom’s leaders, she leant heavily on the teachings of her father, their people, the guidance of Karmenie Valence of Cantor and Kronos Bracken of Belport. With a fire newly lit under her arse to govern well, Aliswen desperately turned to elders once more. Learning more about their traditions and history, Alis, supported by the community, started to find the style of leadership that suited her.

As Margrave her small world of ice and forest opened up to the countries and cultures beyond. Her beliefs, stereotypes and patience were tested, and she’s certain she gained the fame of a northern brute in response. But even as the peace between the Empire and Kingdom shakily stood, she was too distant and protected far in the North to notice the cracks.

The world started to fall apart with the death of Karmenie, and the disappearance of Bracken. The death of Prince Fabian and the declaration of war opened her eyes to the worst yet to come. Not faltering to answer the horns of war, Alis fought by Gideon’s side against the Empire and Cassair. Valski pride burned bright with their victories and shows of power, Alis didn’t expect to lose everything overnight. Forced to leave her burning home with so many of her kin, feeling guilt and shame, she threw her circlet into the sea. She swore to herself that she’d earn back the honour, to win back her homeland and deal with the criminals that dare hurt her community with no mercy.

Alis spent her time split between Valevo and Miras, trying every day to keep spirits up in the new settlement and push her political power to rally support to retake the north. She even spends some time reconnecting with her Mirian cousins on her mother’s side, trying to learn how to work the courts in her favour, but her northern manners temper only by a fraction. Her work comes to a screeching halt at the death of King Giovan, mourning the loss of another leader and the hard work she had put in with the King, she finds herself floundering and frustrated by the lack of respect or care for the Valski people who desperately needed support and action to return home. She and her supporters become thorns in Miras’ and King Silvan’s side until their voices are finally heard and answered, and the north will be reclaimed through blood and tears. 

Badly injured during the battle, Alis like many others spend the first days of her return shellshocked and barely picking up the pieces. Despite the dire situation many of her kin had lived under for many months, she was confident the Valski would find the flames that fueled them once again and Valsk would become the rowdy place it once was. Months and years pass as Alis focus on her recovery and the rebuilding of her home, building her people’s confidence in their walls and capabilities to defend their home for future generations. She loses track of the events happening outside the North but put her support behind the King who led the Valski to victory and remains part of the Western Kingdom.

As the news of the quests reaches Valsk, she descends on the Mareus mission to keep a close eye on the unwelcome Koben visitors. Even though throughout the mission she felt out of her league and unable to comprehend the scale of effort needed to rise a god, she offered every skill or resource she had available to her. Only to stare in horror and wonder as Mareus and Maraenal irrevocably change her homeland. The sinking feeling of seeing her efforts to rebuild Valsk going to waste slides even further as Maelog bursts from the mountain range that imprisoned her. Not wanting to deal with the fallout and knowing that they could rebuild again, she sets off on her undine to her love and the Therras Questers deep within Alva's crust.