Antebellum Character Profiles

‘The Poetess’: A poet-laureate of sorts, and a speechwriter for the nation’s monarchy, The Poetess is the main character of the Antebellum series. Her family situation is unusual in that she is an only child in a world where multiple children are expected and encouraged, and her father was an Equal (one of the few men considered to be on the same social level as women). When she chooses her first slave from a lineup of Nameless, based on sympathy instead of function, The Poetess has no idea of the vast changes his presence in her life will require, and is hopelessly unprepared to live in close quarters with a male she cannot help but consider equal to her. As a national celebrity, mascot to her native region, and government mouthpiece, living in equality with a male would mean certain social rejection, if not imprisonment. Despite this, as the relationship between The Poetess and her slave intensifies, ruling over him becomes an impossibility and even worse – a harsh betrayal of their complicated friendship. Plagued with an internal physical battle as well as a mental one, time grows short to reconcile what she inherently knows -that her slave is an equal to women in all respects- and what she has grown up believing: that all men are meant to be enslaved.

The Poetess is a genuinely kind person who may not always be aware of current events or happenings in the world outside her own isolated home, but is smart and resourceful, and will grow to be the leader the country needs when the distant revolution becomes eminent.

Shaedyn (Shae) Suspected to be the progeny of a secret, heretic village, Shae was found at the age of five in the outer country and integrated into the slave system. As our secondary main character, he is the catalyst for revolution, and The Poetess’s first slave, eventually named Shaedyn (meaning ‘gift’). His unusual, complicated relationship with The Poetess incites a storm of insecurity about their world’s religious and social dogma. Shae’s physical abuse at the Nameless factories and continuing, puzzling muteness only complicate the issues between them, as he is unable -or unwilling- to reveal the past and its affect on him. Meanwhile, as they struggle to reconcile the intellectual and spiritual battle taking place, Shae’s extraordinary beauty (ugliness was bred out of the slaves long ago) and traditional obligations become the elephant in the room, turning every chance of physical reconciliation into a battle for trust, respect, and ultimately the forbidden freedom of choice.

Charoleen de Barbero (Share-oh-lean): Charoleen (Original spelling Charolyn, which was later changed because of its similarities to Carowyn in Apostasy) is the Representative of the North Hall and an old-time friend of The Poetess. Charoleen’s agenda is uncertain; she hints at support of the Rebellion and seems to use The Poetess as a pawn in its advocacy, yet can be oddly insensitive to the pain of individual slaves. As a politician, Charoleen is driven by morality instead of compassion, and treats her friendships as alliances. Despite this ruthlessness, Charoleen falls in love with Mercoush, an Equal from an old political family who works with her in the East Hall. Together they form a powerful partnership intent upon orchestrating social revolution, and probably stand to inherit the brave, new government they are desperate to create.

Mercoush Adia Amazu (Mare/Mir-Coosh Ah-dee-uh Am-uh-zoo): Mercoush’s family originates in the South Hall, where the majority of public government officials reside, including the Empress herself. He grew up in the political arena and works as an Advisor to the Baroness of the East Hall, where he lives with Charoleen. Mercoush balances Char in that he is driven to support the Rebellion based primarily on compassion and not morality. Mercoush is kind and wise, with a strong heart filled with love of his people and country. Mercoush was one of the first early advocates of revolution, and had the great fortune to personally witness some of the defining evidence for the secret history of a world since lost.

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