This article is about the lord of Kingston Citadel. For the other character referred to as Lord Blackstar, see Fleck Blackstar.
| “ | Then, Your Highness, we shall have to figure out how to be lucky more often. And we shall have to be blind to the impossibilities. I think we have the crazy part covered. | ” |
— Victor Blackstar to Smalls, Ember Falls, p. 23
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Lord Victor Blackstar is the Citadel lord of Kingston Citadel. He is the father of Coleden and Heyna.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Heir to the legendary Blackstar family, Victor served King Jupiter faithfully alongside many others. He was acquainted with Lord Lokken of the Black Lake region, and also met Grare of that area on several occasions over the years. Like his colleague Lord Booker, he witnessed Morbin Blackhawk at war on at least one occasion, and by that sight deemed it impossible for him to be defeated by combat. Despite this and the tragic loss of his wife, for which he blamed himself, Victor remained a staunch loyalist and a firm friend of the loyal members of the Longtreader family.
The Green Ember[]
Lord Victor is among the various citadel lords and soldiers who attends the Citadel Congress at Cloud Mountain. He is among the few to display no ill will towards Wilfred, Heather, and Picket Longtreader, even defending the latter two from Captain Frye, who accuses him of treason. He also dissuades Picket from attempting to confront the older rabbit, and encouraged the youngsters, advising them to seek counsel from Wilfred. He later is among the leaders of the charge that saves Prince Smalden Joveson at Jupiter's Crossing.
Later, he joins the Longtreaders at a campfire before leaving at the prince's summons, addressing Helmer by his long hidden title of Lord Captain as he urges him to come along.
Ember Falls/The First Fowler[]
Lord Victor is part of a force that travels to a prison camp where Whittle Longtreader was believed to be held, only to find it deserted. He and Helmer remain behind with most of the soldiers while Smalls and Picket scout ahead. After spotting three approaching raptors, they quickly advance to the aid of the two, and shoot one of the attackers down with fire arrows. As usual, Lord Victor does his best to encourage the others and remain hopeful despite the great odds they face.
Returning to Cloud Mountain, Victor attends a meeting of the prince's council where they discuss plans to get Prince Smalden safely to Halfwind Citadel, as a stopping point on a journey to Kingston for a conference with those citadels who have not yet recognized him as the rightful heir. At Smalls' nod, Victor dismisses the attendees of the meeting, and later joins Smalls' party in traveling to Halfwind. The group is nearly set upon by Preylord Solus, but are saved by the timely intervention of Helmer's advance team.
Lord Victor later attends a meeting of the prince's inner circle at Halfwind Citadel, accompanied by his son Cole and his daughter Heyna. After news of an approaching army of rabbits is shared, Lord Victor is among those who urge Smalls to travel to Kingston for the conference that has been arranged there. He assures Smalls that he will not be leaving the others in danger and heading to safety, as the conference will be meeting in the shadow of Morbin Blackhawk's mountains, the High Bleaks. Before leaving with Smalls' party, Lord Victor leaves his children at Halfwind in the care of Lord Ramnor and to be of what service they can.
Ember Rising/The Archer's Cup[]
After Smalls' party is ambushed attacking a prison camp in the Shade Hills, Lord Victor is among those who escapes alive, though he is injured. He makes his way to Cloud Mountain as its inhabitants are being evacuated, and vouches for Wilfred's account of Smalls' apparent death. Victor also brings a few of Smalls' saved possessions to Emma, including his scarf which she gifts to Picket. He later accompanies Princess Emma's retinue as they make their way from citadel to citadel, walking with the aid of a cane.
After visiting Vandalia Citadel, Lord Victor and Captain Frye recommend waiting a night before traveling to Blackstone Citadel. On Heyna's advice, Emma countermands this decision, seeking to reach Blackstone early for safety and to unsettle the troublesome Lord Ronan. At this same time, Emma learns of the fate of Victor's wife, and after learning of their familial connection through Lucianne Blackstar accepts Victor and his children as cousins. Emma also decides to split their party, taking Cole, Heyna, and Jo Shanks with her to Blackstone while Victor (who is injured) and Maggie Weaver lead the remainder of the group to Corby. Victor accepted this change with some reluctance, wishing to remain with Emma but also recognizing the wisdom in her decision, with the promise that they will reunite at Harbone Citadel.
Victor is mentioned by Lokson and Cole when the two meet at Blackstone, and later by Grare when he meets Heyna. He and Mrs. Weaver send the Bracers to Blackstone to help Emma out. He later serves as Emma's field commander during the Battle for First Warren, filling in for the fallen Lord Hewson. He stands watch over Cole after his son was injured in battle against Daggler.
Ember's End[]
Following the Retaking of First Warren, Victor Blackstar attended Emma's council. He informed Emma that reinforcements from the secret citadels should be arriving shortly but would not help much in the battle against Morbin's army. Emma tasks him with preparing the reinforcements if they arrive. Lord Blackstar expresses doubt that the Terralains will be much help, as Tameth Seer has been convincing them that Emma's rabbits are evil.
Emma later sent him and his daughter Heyna to meet with a group that may have had Lady Glen in it. Soon after, Dalla arrived and told Jo Shanks that Lord Blackstar and Heyna were with a group containing Lady Glen. When Jo arrived, Lord Blackstar welcomed Jo and said he was glad that Jo had come. Lord Blackstar's son Cole stood in for his father as lord of Kingston Citadel when the citadel lords all pledged their forces to Emma through Helmer. During the Siege of First Warren, Lord Blackstar arrived with Lady Glen, the Pilgrim, and their band. He later discussed strategy with Helmer, Emma, and Mrs. Weaver, saying that he thought Morbin was surprised that First Warren had survived the first attack waves. Emma sent him to see if there was anything that could be repaired or set up to help with the next wave. He later arrived breathing hard to tell Emma that he could find none.
He participated in a huddle atop the palace, and recognized Morbin when he came.
After the Mending, he helped Smalls and Heyward scout potential sites for Newcity.
Physical appearance[]
Lord Victor is a tall, grey rabbit with a black face. His chest has the Kingston Citadel emblem and he wears a gold chain with a bright medallion similar to Lord Rake's. On his shoulder is a black star patch.
Personality and traits[]
| “ | ...as long as we're dishing out maxims to live by, how about this one: 'Cowards taunt children.' | ” |
— Victor Blackstar to Captain Frye, The Green Ember p. 293
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Lord Victor is a kind, patient rabbit, among the most trusted leaders of the Cause. Slow to both anger and despair, he is nonetheless quick to speak against slanderous talk and rash action. Eloquent and blunt by turns, he addresses those to whom he speaks according to what will serve best. Lord Victor is a great voice of optimism, refusing to accept any notions of hopelessness despite the dictates of logic or the sad experiences of both his people and his own family. He is also wise, while somewhat quieter than the other lords, what he says is always well said and worth listening to.
Lord Victor is a loving father, his children being the dearest thing to him, particularly in the wake of their mother's death. He holds himself responsible for his wife's loss, and afterwards was willing to accept Heyna's pleas that she be instructed in the fighting arts. Though older and more experienced than Smalls or Emma, he has humbly deferred to them both, displaying no resentment at having his counsel overruled. Victor is also kind, smiling encouragingly at Heather upon their first encounter, and later again when she urges Smalls to leave the expected trouble at Halfwind in order to travel to Kingston.
Family tree[]
| Jon Blackstar | Unnamed wife | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Whitson Mariner | Lillie | Fleck Blackstar | Unknown wife | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jon Blackstar II | Dane Blackstar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lucianne Blackstar | Lord Blackstar II* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unnamed descendants | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lady Blackstar | Victor Blackstar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coleden Blackstar | Heyna Blackstar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Relationships[]
Lady Blackstar[]
| “ | It was no one's fault but mine when your dear mother died. You were only children. | ” |
— Victor Blackstar to Heyna and Cole, Ember Rising, p. 206
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Lady Blackstar was Victor's wife, whom he dearly loved, and the mother of their children. After she was killed by their enemies, Victor considered himself responsible, and sought to alleviate any sense of guilt felt by Cole and Heyna, who were only children when the tragedy occurred.
Cole and Heyna[]
Lord Blackstar did not shelter his children but enabled them to live full lives, and also respected their abilities. He tried to comfort them when they felt guilt over the loss of their mother, assuring them it had not been their fault. Cole loved his father very much, and held him in very high esteem. However, he sometimes would humurously imitate his father to his friends.
Victor and Heyna loved each other very much. They listened to each other, Victor agreed when Heyna wanted to be trained to fight, and Heyna agreed to protect Princess Emma. Heyna could recognize and point out when her father struggled because of his age. When Heyna thought something different would be better, she did not hesitate to contradict her father's council, but at the same time respected one another deeply.
Helmer[]
| “ | Helmer: Why me? I'm no lord.
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” |
Lord Blackstar was the first to reveal Helmer's true identity, at the same time expressing faith that Helmer can continue to be what he was. After attacking the abandoned slave camp, he quietly disagrees with Helmer's belief that the war is impossible, then puts his hand on Helmer's shoulder while praising Helmer's spirit and abilities. The two participate in many councils together, as both are among the council members.
Trivia[]
- The name "Victor" is of Latin origin and means "victor" or "conquerer."[1]
- Additionally, the surname "Blackstar" is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "blaecan," which means "to bleach."[2]