Lanthevel

The Marquess Lanthevel is a noble of Thu-Athamar, and the Presider of the House of Blood in the Parliament. He is a scholar of the University of Ashedro, and studies philology. His niece is Iviro Lanthevin.

Appearance
At the dinner with Maia Drazhar, Lanthevel “was tall and thin, with graceful, long-fingered hands. . . His eyes were vivid blue, and he dressed to accentuate them: blue brocade jacket and lapis lazuli beads.”

Personality
Lanthevel sometimes made insults using a bland voice, so as to make them almost missable. He had a sense of humor, enjoyed drinking, and was very interested in his scholarly pursuits. He also had a mind for gossip, particularly when it came to important political events, such as the marriage of noblewomen.

Lanthevel held bigoted views of the Nazhmorhathveras.

Life
Lanthevel was "a scholar of the University of Ashedro" and studied philology, particularly how languages change. After Lanthevel's "elder brother became a votary of Cstheio when he was forty", Lanthevel seemingly left the university to take his position in Parliament. Lanthevel continued his studies "in small ways".

Lanthevel "presided over the House of Blood in the Parliament" of the Ethuveraz.

After Setheris Nelar seemingly attempted to become the Lord Chancellor, Uleris Chavar told Lanthevel the story: how Setheris had attempted to persuade Varenechibel IV against Uleris, and that Varenechibel IV "construed it as an attempt to exert undue influence on the emperor", for which Setheris was imprisoned in the Esthoramire for 3-4 months.

After Maru Sevreseched declared an intent to travel to the Untheileneise Court for Maia's 19th Birthday and Winternight, and Maia arranged to attend a meal with Barizhan's Ambassador Vorzhis Gormened to prepare, "Maia had to agree to dine with the Marquess Lanthevel" in order to avoid seeming to grant "undue favor to Barizhan". Lantheval also invited Lord Pashavar, Captain Verer Orthema, Iviro Lanthevin, Ailano Pashavaran, and Reneian Orthemo.

Maia did not want to go to the dinner, but was ultimately persuaded, and Maia and Lanthevel crossed conversational swords. Maia took an interest in an ancient wedding stole hanging on one of Lanthevel's walls, and brought up that his mother, Chenelo Drazharan, embroidered like that, which piqued Lanthevel's interest. Lanthevel also told Maia why Setheris was relegated. When Pashavar noted that Varenechibel IV was wrong to ignore due process as he did, Lanthevel noted, "And you are confident . . . that Edrehasivar will not throw you in the Esthoramire for criticizing the later emperor his father?" When Pashavar noted that if Maia wanted to, he'd have already started doing so, Maia replied that he could always change his mind, which shocked the rest of the group, and ultimately made Lantheval burst out laughing.

When Verer mentioned a potential alternate use of "morhath", Lanthevel practically pounced on him for information.

When Maia suggested ending the war with the Nazhmorhathveras, Lanthevel noted that Varenechibel IV had tried.

Lanthevel later asked for confirmation about the halting of the negotiations with the Tethimada for the marriage of Vedero Drazhin and Eshevis Tethimar. Lanthevel noted the decision seemed rash.

When Maia brought up the potential bridge over the Istandaärtha, Pashavar noted it was a "cloud-fancy of Varenechibel's", and when Maia was surprised Varenechibel IV was interested in it, Lanthevel replied, “He felt that if a way was not found to bring the east and the west together, the Ethuveraz would split apart again. And we think he could not help but see that the Istandaärtha would always be a weakness unless a way could be found to bridge it.”

After Uleris and Sheveän Drazharan's attempted coup that involved kidnapping Maia, Lanthevel sent Maia a message of support.

Lanthevel sent Maia "a scholarly book about embroidery" for Maia's 19th birthday.

During the Winternight Ball, Lanthevel danced with Csethiro Ceredin.

Skills
Lanthevel knows a lot about philology.

As the Presider of Blood, Lanthevel is "the most powerful member of Parliament."

Iviro Lanthevin
Lanthevel seems to disapprove of Iviro's inability to find a husband.

Maia Drazhar
Lanthevel and Maia were initially wary of each other, but seem cordial, and perhaps even friendly.

Lord Pashavar
Pashavar and Lanthevel are genuine friends, and quite close.

Uleris Chavar
Lanthevel and Uleris seem to be somewhat close, at least as colleagues.

Varenechibel IV
Lanthevel noted that Varenechibel IV "was always very stubborn".

Quotations

 * To Maia: “Tact is a fine trait in an emperor. Varenechibel had it not”