Character from A Practical Guide to Evil by ErraticErrata
The Thief who became a Princess — Callow's conscience and Catherine's political heir, the woman who stole the Sun of Arcadia and used it to light a kingdom's future.
Vivienne Dartwick started as a thief who stole exclusively from the Praesi occupiers of Callow. She was part of William's heroic band before defecting to Catherine's side — not because she agreed with Evil, but because she decided Catherine was actually going to help Callow and the heroes weren't. She's sharp-tongued, principled, and devoted to Callow above any ideology. She served as Catherine's conscience — the person who would tell the Black Queen when she was going too far, and mean it. Her spy network, 'the Jacks,' gave Catherine intelligence capabilities that rivaled Malicia's. Her character arc is about growing from someone who defines herself by opposition (anti-Praesi thief) to someone who defines herself by construction (ruler of Callow). Catherine named her heir because Vivienne understood something Catherine didn't: that Callow needed a queen who loved the kingdom more than she loved power. Catherine was in love with her. Vivienne didn't reciprocate. The series treats this with the quiet dignity of an unresolved ache rather than drama.
Skinny and pale-skinned with blue-grey eyes and dark brown hair — initially a short tomboy cut, later a long milkmaid braid that looks like a crown. Two inches taller than Catherine. Light-colored blouses and skirts worn over practical pants and boots. A silver circlet after being named heir to Callow.
Also known as: Vivienne, Thief, Princess, Dartwick