KINGS

King of Spades: Ntare (name) / 46 (age) / 1.94m (6ft 3") / Brave, Strong, Wise (personality)

Ntare was the greatest King the Kingdom had ever seen. According to the legend, the deity Gihanga would send the Prince-that-was-promised to save the Kingdom from chaos and fragmentation and restore order in the land. He was born during a storm, some say that his bravery and power came from the thunder and lightning that wrecked the sky during this fateful night. His name itself bears a significant meaning since intare means lion in Kinyarwanda. Much like a lion watching over his pride, Ntare watched over the Kingdom with care. The legend says that he was born holding sorghum (amasaka) on the one hand and maize (ikigori) on the other, the elders (abirus) interpreted this as a sign of a long and prosper reign. Indeed, they were right, at a very young age he mastered the arts of poetry, warfare, and sports. He was especially good at high jumping (gusimbuka urukiramende). When the time came for him to be King, few were happy to see the former King’s most-favored son take the crown, especially in a time when the Kingdom was under attack in the North. However, his charisma and military might brought peace and prosperity throughout the Kingdom.

King of Clubs: Gisa / 38 / 1.88m (6ft 1") / Ambitious, Deceitful, Intelligent

Gisa was King Ntare’s younger brother. He always lived in his brother’s shadow. Being the second-born, and consequently the second in line, it always bothered him. He used to ask his mother, one of the courtesans, why was he only the second-preferred son? Growing up he received an education in the arts of warfare, poetry, and dance. His father forced him to join the elite squad of warrior-dancers: the Intore. But his mind wasn’t made for warfare, he was more interested in the arts and sciences as taught by the elders (abiru). They molded him to their image: slick, sneaky, and not afraid to use ruse to get their way. He overthrew the heir to the throne, Nganji, the King Ntare’s first-born. In an ingenious plan to get rid of his nephew, Gisa spread the rumor that the Prince had died in battle. Much to everyone’s surprise, the crowned Prince eventually came back. When the time came to confront him, he forced his nephew into exile. Although his reign was contested throughout the Kingdom, he managed to rule over the Kingdom with might and achieved many great things. He’s remembered as a force to be reckoned with.

King of Diamonds: Nganji / 27 / 1.94m (6ft 3") / Strong-willed, Good-hearted, Reasoned

Nganji was the King Ntare’s first-born son and twin brother of Princess Irebe. At the time he was born, the Kingdom was more prosperous then ever and had gone through a favorable harvest (umusaruro). This was the sign that he would live on to achieve great things. He was much like his father, a great warrior and an even greater leader. When he came of age, the King appointed him as head of the army. In this capacity he contributed to the expansion of the Kingdom alongside King Ntare. When his father became too old to wage war, he was left in charge and eventually sent north to fend off an attack. However, this military campaign ran too long. At his return, he found out that his father had died while he was away. His Father’s brother Gisa was made King instead, as people thought he had perished. The new King saw Nganji’s return a threat so took the decision to banish him from court forever. Although the prince never became King, but he was remembered as a great leader, and true exemplary man (impfura), like his father and forefathers before him.

King of Hearts: Cyubahiro / 27 / 1.90m (6ft 2") / Fearless, Honest, Honorable

Cyubahiro was the King Ndahiro’s first-born son. He was next in line for the throne once his father passes away. He ruled over the neighbor Kingdom to the West, along with Queen Irebe, daughter of King Ntare. As a young prince he was admired for his abilities to hunt (guhiga), shoot arrows (kurashisha umuheto), and to perform traditional dances. His physical abilities aside, he was also known for his bravery, honesty, and for standing for what’s right. As King he represented the unity of the Kingdom under the sign of the drum (ingoma). Cyubahiro ruled over vast lands, and led long and prosperous reign. He was known to be kind, but he never was afraid to be firm and to punish trouble-makers with might. Alongside him was his must trusted advisor, his wife Queen Irebe. They completed each other and formed a duo to be reckoned with. Together, they brought the two Kingdoms closer than ever.

QUEENS

Queen of Spades: Irebe / 27 / 1.78m (5ft 8") / Witty, Graceful, a force to be reckoned with

Irebe was King Ntare’s first-born daughter and Prince Nganji’s twin sister. At the time she was born, the Kingdom was more prosperous then ever and had gone through a favorable harvest (umusaruro). This was the sign that she would live on to achieve great things. She was smart and graceful; she would often play board games (igisoro) with her siblings and always beat them. She had the strategic mind of a general. As the first-born daughter of the King, she was promised to the Prince of a neighboring Kingdom in the South. The Prince, Cyubahiro, was smart, well-respected, and a seasoned warrior. However, Irebe never liked being told what to do, let alone being told who to marry, even if it came directly from her Father. In an act of rebellion, she convinced her twin brother to challenge her betrothed in a series of intellectual and physical challenges, in the hope to discourage and ridicule the Prince. Nevertheless, Prince Cyubahiro proved to be an accomplished resourceful athlete, intellectual, and a worthy contender. Despite her stubborn nature, she fell deeply in love with the Prince and they went on becoming King and Queen.

Queen of Clubs: Gaju / 25 / 1.72m (5ft 6") / Fearless, Passionate, Relentless

Gaju was King Ntare’s second-born daughter. She was smart and fearless. She wouldn’t comply to the formal education other girls of the court received, instead she would sneak out and play with the boys training to be warriors. She would learn how to shoot the bow (kurashisha umuheto), run, and even high jumping (gusimbuka urukiramende) which was exclusively reserved for boys. Her father never minded her tom-boy like personality, however the council of the elders (abiru) and the Queen Mother (umwamikazi) saw things differently. One fateful day, when her Father and brothers were leaving for war, she decided to join them. But she knew her Father would never accept it, so wouldn’t her Mother and siblings. Nevertheless, she ran away during the night dressed as a boy and went on to join the war campaign only armed with a spear and a shield (ingabo). She lived an adventurous life filled with unexpected mysteries and dangers. She would never let anyone tell her what to do. She was remembered for generations, people would tell the tale of Gaju the greatest female warrior the Kingdom has ever seen.

Queen of Diamonds: Isaro / 21 / 1.74m (5ft 7") / Smart, Elegant, Compassionate

Isaro was King Ntare’s third-born daughter. She was given the most beautiful name her mother could think of: Isaro (pearl), because she truly was a gem. Growing up, she would always visit her grandmother, they would drink milk and talk for hours. She would tell her tales and stories of past heroes (intwari), Kings and Queens. But her favorite one by far were the stories of Bakame the hare and how he always got his way! Isaro went on to become a traditional healer (umuvuzi). Her grandmother taught her a few tricks, she taught her the name and use of plants and herbs to make traditional medicine. She could heal anything and anyone. Her talents were even put to use when her father, the King, felt ill. In ancient Rwanda, only women were allowed to and this knowledge would be passed on from generations to generations. Isaro’s life was fully lived, her talents became famous throughout the Kingdom and her prowess even spread outside of the Kingdom. Eventually, she grew old and had many grandchildren (abuzukuru) of her own to whom she would tell stories and teach them how to become healers. Like her grandmother used to be.

Queen of Hearts: Keza / 18 / 1.69m (5ft 5") / Joyful, Colorful, Confident

Keza was the youngest of her family ubucura. She got along very well with all her brothers and sister at court. Although she is not the Queen Mother’s daughter, but as the daughter of a courtesan she incarnated everything that is beautiful and pure. Her beauty was known throughout the Kingdom, but very few brave young men would dare ask her hand, for she was her father’s favorite. Keza was good at weaving baskets (ibiseke) and loved to style her hair following different patterns (amasunzu) of the newest trends. One day, a fearless warrior named Ntabwoba, the captain of the Intore, the best warrior-dancers of the Kingdom asked her father for her hand and formally presented himself in front of the family and the King (gufata irembo). However, the Queen Mother along with the council of the elders, were not in favor of the arrangement because he didn’t suit their interests. They had other plans for the little princess. The King knew of the pure bond of love between them, and Ntabwoba being a respectable figure and loyal subject, the King acquiesced and gave his blessing on their engagement. They married, had many children, and lived a happy life.

JACKS

Jack of Spades: Ntabwoba / 33 / 1.91m (6ft 2") / Fearless, Charismatic, Loyal

Ntabwoba was the greatest warrior the Kingdom had ever seen. According to the legend, at aged 16 while hunting, he defeated a lion with nothing but a spear. Legends aside, Ntabobwa was a leader even at a very young age. He joined the Intore warriors at age 13, and even then, he managed to distinguish himself in every aspect. As a result, he was made captain of the Intore warrior-dancers. It didn’t take much time for people to hear about his accomplishments, thus, he became famous and was respected throughout the Kingdom and beyond. Henceforth, he was nicked-named “the fearless”, Ntabobwa in Kinyarwanda. Serving under King Ntare was a pride for him. He respected and loved the King like a father. However, their relationship started to worsen when he fell in love with Princess Keza, the King’s youngest daughter. He felt like he was betraying him. After seeking advice from the experienced Ruzidana, he built-up the courage to ask the King for the hand of his daughter. Unexpectedly, The King accepted but under one condition, that he would leave the Intore to return to a simpler life, leaving everything he had built and everyone he held dear behind. Without much hesitation he went on to live a simpler life married to Princess Keza.

Jack of Clubs: Ruzidana / 60 / 1.86m (6ft 1") / Experienced, Intelligent, Reasoned

Ruzidana was the King Ntare’s right-hand man. the Kingdom was prosperous thanks to him and his wise management of resources. He was born during a period of turmoil, chieftains, and local notables contesting the rule of the King, leaving the country prone to chaos. But this was before King Ntare’s reign. When he was still young, he was orphaned in a series of uprisings against the Monarch in the North of the Kingdom. This tragic event forged his character and his strong will to make law and order prevail before anything else. An accomplished warrior as he was, he always stood up for what was right and good for the Kingdom. He was amongst the first to recognize the then crown Prince Ntare as the only suitable candidate for the throne. Nevertheless, the transfer of power was not smooth. A rival clan thought the true heir to the throne was Prince Gisa, because of his mother’s lineage to the Clan. Almost by force, Ruzidana, stood up for Ntare and convinced the elders (abiru) to appoint him as King.

Jack of Diamonds: Rukenampunzi / 30 / 1.88m (6ft 1") / Ingenious, Resourceful, Intelligent

Rukenampunzi was born with bad sight. When he was young, his parents took him to see every healer (abavuzi) in the Kingdom, even those who practiced the arts of magic (abapfumu). Regardless, none were able to save his sight and eventually his condition worsened. Unfortunately, the illness got the better of him at the end of his life. Being disabled did not stop Rukenampunzi to achieve great things. He was the smartest and brightest of the lot, excelling in sciences and logic. He was known for his resourcefulness in dire situations. One day, he prevented the spreading of a malaria plague by ordering people to burn out the breeding habitat of mosquitoes. While serving in the army despite his disability, he encountered the crown Prince Nganji. His intelligence and straight forward personality earned him the trust of the Prince, and they went on to form a long-lasting friendship. He eventually even followed him in exile.

Jack of Hearts: Kamanzi / 26 / 1.90m (6ft 2") / Humble, Ambitious, Righteous

JOKERS: Council of the elders (abiru)

The council of the elders was the plinth upon which the realm rested. They acted as the shield that guarded the realm of mankind from the most dangerous threat any civilization can encounter: oblivion. Indeed, by acting as the keepers of memory, through their exhaustive knowledge in sciences, traditions and history transmitted orally from generations to generations, they prevented the culture to be lost forever. Sent by the Deity Gihanga, Abirus were also the keepers of the faith and acted as intermediaries between the will of God and the that of men. This special bond bestowed upon by God, is the main reason they willed much political power. As advisers to the King and most importantly as King-maker (indeed when the King dies the next in line for the throne is chosen in a small council of elders).