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Coby the King of Spades
Coby McQuaid was a big surprise to the Country of Spades when he became king. He always made a big deal to live by the thrill and go with the flow. Coby was never the one to follow rules or take responsibilities seriously. And it was true, Coby originally didn’t have any interest in running a country before his friend, Duncan Ashe, gave him the idea. Still many had held suspicion towards the new King or didn’t take him seriously. Yet, as Coby continued his reign, he continued surprising the people with everything he did.Coby McQuaid has shown Spades that despite his reckless and confident nature, he can be kind, selfless, and incredibly generous. He works hard and is overly ambitious, yet he doesn’t let his drive blind him from helping others. And while he’s extraordinarily generous, he rarely takes credit for his actions. Leadership comes naturally to him, and because he and Duncan are great examples of teamwork, people tend to respect them.While the other regions had their own annual event, Spades had only recently hosted their own. The monarchs before Coby were all serious and dutiful and mostly focused around the work. There was hardly a moment for the people to take the time and enjoy a week of fun and relaxation. To Coby it was all very boring. He lived for excitement. With the help of Duncan, and his family’s influence, he started Spades’ very first event, Steam Car Racing. Due to it being the first event, Coby kept it within Spades just to test it out. When the first event was a success, they opened it to the other regions to take part in and enjoy.On Veruca's birthday they were in the palace garden having their own little party to celebrate. Because he was more focused on his sister, Coby didn’t realize an assassin was nearby until they attacked. Veruca's safety was Coby's priority, determined to protect her from the assassin. Unfortunately because Veruca was nearby, the assassin made a move against her causing Coby to take the hit. His body fell into the river, never found, and was later proclaimed dead by the Ace.Through the river, Coby's body was eventually found by King Orion of Clubs. Recognizing him as the king as well as Veruca's brother Orion takes him to the healers, where he’ll be staying until he wakes up again. Meanwhile, Veruca stuck in Spades with no answers on her brother's assassins, pretends to be fine while also making her own plans to put an end to a suspicious and dangerous Ace.
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Former Jack of Spades
Duncan Ashe, the esteemed Jack of Spades, also known as the Chancellor. Before his role, he was a mischief maker and enjoyed causing trouble alongside his friend, Coby McQuaid. Since they are good friends, Duncan acts as the voice of reason for the ambitious King Coby. They share a strong bond and both comrades can rely on the other in times of need. Even as Coby is the King, Duncan still refers to him by name rather than his title. Coby would even insist that their friendship shouldn't be treated differently due to their roles.Duncan is a calm and flexible leader with universal capabilities. Praised for his determination and cunning, he does his best to inspire several of the younger members of his court, as he finds them to be the hope for their country should something happen to him. He carefully arranges his words to be as concise as possible; his eyes catch onto minute details; his actions are never wasted. Whenever a problem occurs, he acts upon the most efficient solution available to him.Like with his second in command, Jacob Cromwell, Duncan also viewed Rakepick with suspicion and confided in him, "Patricia Rakepick is a person who does her actions on her own accord and will one day be someone who cannot serve under another." He then told Veruca to avoid the Ace at all costs after her brother's death. Rakepick and Duncan’s ideals would clash when it came to running Spades now that Coby wasn’t around. Duncan became worried when Rakepick was issuing stricter laws and rules over the country against his approval. His predictions of her character proved correct as she took full control not too long afterward.There was too much tension between the Jack and Ace, the entire country could see it. And it wouldn’t be too long if Duncan had gained the support from the people to dismiss Rakepick from her position. Knowing he had to be dealt with immediately, Rakepick had invited Duncan to the clocktower under false pretenses that she was willing to let him handle human affairs. However, Duncan was aware of what Rakepick was planning and cut their conversation short by drawing his weapon. The two officials engaged in a duel, Rakepick having more experience in combat had no problems holding her own against Duncan. While he had more skills in marksmanship, Duncan was a decent swordsman. Rakepick commended Duncan for his insight, especially when he figured out what she had originally intended for him. Yet mocked him for thinking she’d be the one to deal the final blow. Duncan was caught off guard when he got stabbed in the back. When he finally sees who the perpetrator was, he is more than shocked to see the director of the museum, Verucca Buckthorn-Snyde brandishing a knife. The two women left Duncan in the clocktower. If the poison didn’t kill him, the blood loss would.When it was announced that Duncan was assassinated, many of the people mourned his death. Some time after the civil war, and Veruca had claimed the throne, a monument was made as a memorial of Duncan. The country still celebrates his birthday with people placing flowers by his monument. Only a few people know that Duncan’s ghost haunts the clocktower. Rowan Khanna seeks Duncan’s advice on her position as the new Jack. Veruca, Olivia, and some members of Duncan’s court visit him just to keep him company.
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Former Ace of Spades
Patricia Rakepick, the former Ace of Spades, is depicted as a ruthless and sadistic commander. She is driven to gain power and is determined to cross any line to obtain it. Rakepick takes pride in her position as the Ace of Spades and vows to strike fear in the minds of her enemies. Rakepick is extremely confident in her own power. Due to this, her confidence not only spreads within her but also to the rest of her court.She also appears to be ambitious and demanding in her role as a leader, expecting her subordinates to execute exactly as she demands. She does not tolerate failure, preferring that her goals be successful regardless of the situation. Rakepick prefers that such problems be solved quickly and is seen to give very direct orders, keeping her subordinates on a strict need-to-know basis. However, she does display a cunning streak, as her allegiance revolves around having Kazuhiro Shiratori kill Coby McQuaid so Rakepick will not raise suspicions of her involvement.Her cunning shows in her successful manipulation of events and people throughout the country. Rakepick is also arrogant and egomaniacal and, as such, relishes in dominance and gloating, displaying shameless pleasure in the misery she has caused others. For example, after Coby's assassination, she mocked sympathy for Veruca, leaving the young woman distraught in the middle of the street.After the civil war, Rakepick and her cronies were taken into custody. Despite the public’s call to execute Rakepick, Veruca refused to stoop to Rakepick’s level by stopping the bloodshed with more bloodshed. Many thought Veruca was too kind for her act of exiling Rakepick, something she started to feel conflicted about as she ruled the country.