Greetings,
Xermillion Glass, at your service for our special spotlight about one Pilvi Glass, the long-dead daughter of Saren Glass and the subject of numerous, unfounded rumors spreading through Riilavkava.
Pilvi was born of Saren and some unknown woman. If I had to hazard a guess, I would assume that Pilvi's mother was nobility of some sort as Socor Glass was of new nobility and those of new nobility often wreathe themselves in the trappings of their new stature.
In any case, shortly after Pilvi was born, her unnamed mother stole her away, fleeing from the newly named Castle Glass.
Pilvi's life from that point onward is a mystery. All that is known is that, sometime later, her mother dies of some illness or another and Pilvi winds up homeless. She lives in the wilds for a time, before a chance encounter with her father, Saren, brings her back to her place at Castle Glass.
As one would expect, Pilvi is taught to properly fit in her new stature through rigorous lessons; matters of: state, warfare, theology, decorum. Pilvi especially takes to the theology lessons, becoming a devout Congregationist, from whence her association with the stars comes.
Shortly after Pilvi has made herself at home, the Storm Wars break out with a Särönen leading the rebellion. Ultimately, Saren Glass is slain in the courtyard of Castle Glass by the forgotten Faulder. Records are unsure, but some, primarily those from my family, claim that Pilvi slew the Faulder mere moments after Saren fell, others claim that the Faulder lived to old age. I am unsure which to believe, but in either case, Pilvi is forced to flee Castle Glass with nothing - save an unborn child, Saren's unborn child, who would one day grow to be Xertain the Reclaimer.
Between Pilvi's flight and Xertain's conquest the records are scant, indeed. It must have been at least 20 years that Pilvi and her son were missing, where and with who, none can say. But, they returned, as Socor did some 50 years before, and took Castle Glass. The army that was fielded that day was, by all accounts, larger than any single army that was ever fielded in Xerenia prior.
Castle Glass was restored and Xertain crowned. That is not why we are here though. Pilvi herself is scarcely mentioned from that point onward. It is assumed that she died one day, of something less exciting than death by single combat or the wasting disease. There are many stories, however, mostly from the commoners, of the Witch of the Stars.
But once, is the Witch attributed to Pilvi Glass. A local legend from a small harbor village in the north of Xerenia tells of Pilvi Glass visiting one day in search of something. So the legend goes, Pilvi found her way to the tallest tree in the entire town and climbed to the top. They say that the Witch of the Stars was born that day as Pilvi devoured the very stars from the night sky, absorbing them into herself. This is absurd, of course, as clearly the stars can attest. But, that is all the evidence that connects Pilvi and the Witch.
The Witch, herself, if she ever existed, is blamed for many things, both good and bad. Ignorance will do that. The Witch is claimed to be a great healer, a helper to those in need, someone that the common folk can count on. With the next breath, however, a different story is told. That the Witch will steal your soul. That the Witch will destroy you crops. That the Witch will bring down the stars to burn your home.
The Witch of the Stars has been referenced for hundreds of years across Xerenia and the rest of the Wind Kingdoms. She is simply folklore or, if not, an exaggeration of what Pilvi Glass once was.
Our current specter, however, is nothing but idle talk by damned souls. They need something to distract them, so it may as well be the ghost of Pilvi Glass.
This was the last spotlight, as it were, that I have for now. I will be keeping my eye out for any more of our brood and, when one has been found, will be writing another explanation. You have my word.
Until next time,
Xermillion Glass