Other Dementlieuse Noble Houses

[ThatOneGeneralGuy]

House d'Averine

House d’Averine holds an unremarkable history in Dementlieu and has almost never been at the forefront of any political involvement, often keeping away from disputes throughout its existence. The family all started due to the increasing success of textile merchant Bureau d’Averine, who quickly made a small enterprise and later earned the recognition by becoming Baronet. After his death, his son Robert d’Averine inherited the charge of his miniscule dynasty and title. Robert, to the knowledge of the public, had a fruitless marriage that bore him no children.

At his deathbed, Robert had shocked both the gentry and his own retainers, by confessing in his will that his family had an heir, legitimizing the bastard son known simply as Tezoh. This alarming and confusing revelation had led to controversy throughout the gentry, but the legal documentations were later deemed as legitimate by the magistrate and that Baronet Tezoh d’Averine was officially deemed as the rightful heir to the family.

Despite this, House d’Averine’s future remains uncertain, for despite its new head, Tezoh remains as the sole surviving family member, and his questionable appearance makes the public wonder how long he will last.

DM DISCLAIMER: No characters can be created nor can they originate from this family. The only living family member is Tezoh d'Averine.

[Lion El'Jonson]

House de la Cour is an older house, its founding goes back at least three generations with Louis de la Cour during a now forgotten war. A military commander, House de la Cour found its beginning on the battlefield under the tactical wisdom Louis offered. His excellence on the field was rewarded with an honorable baronetcy, the unlanded title pushing them into noble courts, typically as military advisors.

Their influence would fade more with time, House de la Cour would be known for producing military men and women, typically on the homefront. Professors of military sciences, gendarmes, military officers, with this trend only being disrupted recently. With the passing of Gaspard de la Cour, his eldest son Tristain became the current baronette. Known as a bleeding heart and a compassionate man, his personal philosophy has kept the vast family out of the nation's major conflicts this last decade, much to the chagrin of many of its members.

His younger brother, Andre, has finally convinced Tristain to let him go to the capital to seek glory for the family. With his eldest son Devereux in tow, the traditional man is determined to end the family's recent stagnation and bring them to the forefront of the nation's politics.
 

[Ambroiseux]

House Ambroiseux

House Ambroiseux began in 730 BC with its founder, Percival Ambroiseux.  Percival had invested heavily into the trade and manufacture of perfumes.  Recognized for its importance in Dementlieuse culture, he was ennobled with the honorary title of Baronet, as well as the title of Maitre by the Council of Brilliance.

The blossoming House Ambroiseux made its own share of enemies along the way.  After the Grand Conjunction in 740 BC, an inexperienced Baronet began to fall prey to the scandals and schemes of the aristocracy, all while experiencing harsh decline in their fortune.  After months of the threat of attainment of his Baronetcy, Percival was narrowly able to escape the scandals dragging his house down, unscathed, through a series of byzantine deals at the hands an enigmatic solicitor once in his retinue.

For years following, their perfume trade became a staple in Dementlieuse fashion, curiously avoiding further scandal over the years and even proceeding to prosper further in wealth.  Percival and his wife, Imogene Ambroiseux, went on to have several children, though each generation, including the first, seem to always lose their firstborn sons within a year.

In 777 BC, Algnernon Ambroiseux arrived in Port-a-Lucine with his wife, Marianna Ambroiseux, and his four daughters.  Beautiful and full of ambition, the identical twin sisters Françoise Ambroiseux and Florentine Ambroiseux, and their two younger siblings, Éléonore Ambroiseux and Genévieve Ambroiseux all set out to forge their own mark.  Though, gossip and rumors follow Algneron's branch of the family, talking of when, or if, they will ever have a son to further the line of succession for the title of Baronet.

In 778, the youngest among Algernon's scions, Genévieve Ambroiseux, married a sitting member of the Council of Brilliance, Sieur Regnier, the Cultural Advisor and became now  Dame Genévieve Chaboteaux.  Her appearances in the city have dwindled since events regarding her kidnapping by traitors to the state, and its subsequent trauma was led to believe to be a major cause in the decline in her health and memory.

[House de la Lôze]

House de la Lôze



"Notre flamme vacille encore."

Our flame flickers still.

------------------------------------------------------------

House de la Lôze stretches it curious roots as a family of bustling grain merchants and import & export mercantile traders from Chateaufaux, firmly entrenched in the middle class seeking to raise itself in status among the nobility having desperately sought to by any means necessary to no avail, not even assisting acute food shortages that plagued Dementileu in times of war was enough to raise themselves from their place. It was not until the Falkovian incursion of 724 BC in the Executioner’s Campaign, that the House’s future patriarch Augustin de la Lôze fought a brave rear guard action in the early stages of the Falkovian incursion that prevented the annihilation of Augustin’s company, a Caporal at the time during the initial invasion and allowed the remnants of his company to return back to what would be the frontline of the Campaign and eventually repulsing the Falks with what little ground they made.

The Council could no longer ignore them and were rewarded with the creation of House de la Lôze and Augustin the title of Baronet, bringing generations of ambition to fruit. The de la Lôze’s were busy tending to their new status, their import and export business blossomed with the rise of station, acted as consultants of agriculture and vinification for Houses looking to improve their yields but otherwise largely left the busy work to their newly hired workers while they sought to enjoy the splendour of nobility. Their ambitious natures were never tempered and further inflamed by the rebellious Duc d’Ameranthe, perhaps the de la Lôze’s sought opportunity, had deals lined up with the Duc d’Ameranthe or just out of spite for the perceived insult of a Baronet for their years of loyalty to the Republique, but the de la Lôze's were one of the first houses to support what would be the Covenant and were fierce supporters of them, riding the highs of victory and suffered the shame of defeat with the restoration of the Council.

Sylvain de la Lôze survived the Siege of Ameranthe as a retainer of House Mortigny as did his father, Gabriel de la Lôze and eldest brother of Sylvain,Vincent de la Lôze while Gabriel's wife Cécile de la Lôze and two daughters Catherine de la Lôze & Helaine de la Lôze waited for her husband and son at their estate in anguish. However Augustin de la Lôze was rumoured to have attempted to take his own life over the mental, physical and financial strain of warfare, but thankfully survived with only superficial wounds. It is said that this attempt on his own life has further caused a decline in his physical and mental health, having become withdrawn and quiet, largely letting his wife Josepehine de la Lôze be the face of the House, though rumours circle that she is all but the de facto head of the household and makes all the decisions for her husband behind closed doors.

[House de Courcillon]

House de Courcillon

"A travers l'acier, l'ascension."

Through steel, ascension.

House de Courcillon is an old family originally known as skilled blacksmiths and earned an early fortune selling their best swords to a number of prestigious Noble Families of Dementlieu.  During the Falkovnian Invasion of 707 BC and then again in the Executioner’s Campaign of 724 BC it became quickly apparent that the de Courcillon men were just as capable using their weapons as they were making them, and Alexandre de Courcillon was granted the title of Baronet in recognition for bravery on the battlefield.

For the next several years the de Courcillon established themselves as diehard traditionalists and supporters of an empowered aristocracy.  Alexandre married Jacqueline de Senecey, a minor Noblewoman from the South, to strengthen the family’s ties at home.  His oldest sister Anne did the same while his youngest sister, Marie, married a wealthy Borcan aristocrat of the Caetani family.

While loyalty to the Council of Brilliance was never questioned in the early days, the de Coucillon still tended to keep to themselves.  Alexandre de Courcillon had two sons, Emeric and Etienne. Emeric followed in his father’s footsteps by marrying a Southern Noblewoman, Catherine de Brassac, and following a life of exemplary military service. Etienne by contrast showed little interest in martial pursuits and instead dove into the political landscape and grew the family’s business.  His wife, Henrietta Dumée, was a lesser known noblewoman from Port-a-Lucine.

Most who knew the family would say that tensions between the brothers were often high, with arguments frequently breaking out about how the family should proceed as their father grew older and more sickly.  A familial dispute saw the brothers distance themselves, Emeric residing in Port-a-Lucine while Etienne took up residence at the traditional family estate.  While the specifics of this dispute have never been known to the public most implications seem to suggest that Etienne betrayed Emeric in some way.  Rumors abound, with anything from Etienne abusing a servant to him coveting his brother's wife being whispered in the shadows by those brave enough.

During the Revolution, tragedy struck and Emeric’s three sons were all killed during the fighting in Port-a-Lucine.  Despite this he remained unwavering in his belief in the ideals of the Republic and his House was one of the earliest to swear allegiance to the Maitriser and his Solemn Covenant, with Emeric serving personally during the war.  At this time Etienne returned to politics within the capitol but didn’t fight in the war, though his eldest son did, much to Etienne’s annoyance if not outright fury.  While his brother fought, Etienne expanded the de Courcillon arms business and while the operation seemed to thrive there were often questions, albeit quietly, about the legitimacy of some of his sales and partners.

While House de Courcillon saw some increase in prestige with the victory of the Maitriser during the Civil War, the eventual re-emergence of the Council of Brilliance finds the House in a precarious position both internally and on the political stage.  While the family remained considerably wealthy despite the various hardships of the realm, their political weight diminished drastically with the eventual collapse of the Covenant.  Furthermore, Emeric’s lack of living heirs leaves the Baronetcy seemingly in the hands of Etienne.

Even his enemies - Council Loyalists or Revolutionaries both - would be hard pressed to claim Emeric de Courcillon isn’t a man of honor.  By comparison, Etienne is a man not well liked, doing very little to mask his ambitions behind social niceties.  This is readily apparent due to his recent command for his many progeny to return from abroad and come home to the capitol, a firm display that suggests he wishes to consolidate his power in the face of a potential succession.

Of particular note is the return of Baudouin de Courcillon, Etienne’s oldest son and a veteran of the Siege of Ameranthe.  Having spent a good portion of his adult life in some manner of self imposed exile, trudging about in foreign lands such as Borca and Invidia, Baudouin has long been considered to be a wastrel, womanizer, hedonist, and rake.  More dangerous rumors suggest that he is even a bastard, an insult that particularly stands out during the rare times father and son are seen together, where the only thing he seems to have in common with Etienne is his temper.

[Ambrosius]

House Aureval

By Wisdom and Foresight, the Noble Prosper
Par sagesse et prévoyance, le noble prospère

House Aureval was founded in 735 BC. Originally a mercantile family tracing their line back many generations who made their wealth through shipping and trade. An unremarkable family who were never at the forefront of politics nor amongst the wealthiest of families. They managed to gain a position amongst the gentry of Dementlieu and had the title of Baronet bestowed in the year of 735 BC, thus founding the House, only the letters of patent were granted and no parcel of land was gained.

For many years the family prospered continuing and expanding their shipping business until 770 BC. During the revolution of 770 BC, much of the family's wealth was lost during the unrest. The three ships which made up the Aureval’s business enterprise; being the Madeleine de Brest, the Audacieux and the Argonaute, all Flor de la Mar, Carrack types of ships were looted, stolen or sunk. For several years following, the family failed to recover from the loss and fell into debt.

Further calamity struck the House when civil war erupted across Dementlieu, though quietly backing the Duc d’Ameranthe from the side, as the family were traditional supporters of the aristocracy and it seemed as though at least, during the early days of the war that the Duc had the upper hand and he’d be supportive of those who supported him, however his surrender to the council in 775 BC ruined any hopes the family might seek salvation from the Duc. The current Baronet, Henri Luc d’Aureval is an aging man of a withering house and his eldest son and heir Édouard struggles to maintain the finances of the family, while attempts have been made to revive the family business, all attempts have failed.

As of 777 BC Édouard resides in Port-a-lucine, seeking investment towards the purchase of a ship to start anew and grow the family once more. His younger brother, Charlemagne has returned from his trips aboard with his wife Coralina with hopes of assisting the ailing family financially. However to the current date, the house is in stagnation and quickly wilting away. Desperate attempts are being made to save the family fortune and these attempts are becoming ever more reckless and foolish by Édouard. The future was never so uncertain for the Aureval’s.

[Onkel Bob]

House Quesnel
Grâce à la confiance nous prospérons - "Through trust we prosper"

House Quesnel was founded many generations ago and was awarded the status of nobility through the title of Baronet because of their distinguished and thriving business and foreign relations. The title had been passed down through approved succession for many generations and is today held by Gaston Quesnel, an elderly but healthy man.

House Quesnel's rise to prominence began with the successful establishment of a banking business. Through careful planning and hard work, they built a highly respected finance house with a reputation for integrity and expertise. The family finances were managed exclusively by members of House Quesnel, a principle that stands to this day. Since the early days, house Quesnel has diversified their business and extended their reach beyond the Dementlieuse border.

Most current business partners of House Quesnel hail from foreign lands. Primarily Mordent, but also Richemulot and Borca. Because of the focus on foreign trade the family built their property near Chateaunoir on the way to the Mordentish border in order to have close proximity to their primary business partners. Over the years House Quesnel has often made marriage pacts with other respectable families abroad, which has resulted in members of house Quesnel being born with recurring traits such as freckles or red hair that are otherwise uncommon in Dementlieu.

House Quesnel is not without its share of controversy and rumors. During the early years of their business, the Quesnel family attempted to expand into port cities and overseas, and each time it ended in disaster: ships sunk, investments wasted, and heirs lost to the waves forever. Although the family is largely intelligent and well-educated, superstition persists that House Quesnel is cursed in all its oceanic endeavors. Also, the family remains bitter in their grief over the loss of Lysette, a grand-daughter of Gaston, who was kidnapped during a trip to Richemulot and never seen again.

In more recent events, Henri Quesnel, the eldest son of Gaston Quesnel and most probable heir to the title, has become deathly sick and is unlikely to survive and inherit. Because of this, the most prominent members of the family are vying for the possibility of succession, which has led to some fierce competition between cadet branches of the family. Despite the pride House Quesnel takes in its certainly unfashionable austerity, younger and older members alike are known to indulge in esurient vices and displays of wealth, to Gaston's great displeasure. Even Gaston himself is not without his own vices, as rumors persist of a mistress who fled with his bastard son and a considerable portion of the family fortunes. As House Quesnel guards its finances greedily, even those within the family may be unaware of just how large their fortune truly is, or isn't.

Despite these hardships, the House of Quesnel continues to thrive and largely maintain their nonparticipation in Dementlieu's politics, particularly that of Port-á-Lucine, focusing instead on their foreign trade relations. As competition within the family increases due to the open ended succession, its younger scions are rumored to consider bucking tradition to expand the family's trade to Port-á-Lucine and across the seas.

[JustMonika]

House Vouivre




"Ce qui est perdu peut toujours être retrouvé"

"What is lost, may always be found again."

House Vouivre is the very lowest of the Dementliuse nobility. It's glorious history extends but one generation, to Sean Vouivre, a wealthy merchant whose wealth came from the importing of luxuries, artifacts and arcane rarities from abroad. This service, including the importing of various rare foods in times of dire need, was sufficent to procure the nominal title of Baronet, in return to for services to the Republique (And some might whisper, for services provided to specific individuals within the republique). This good fortune did not endure, however, as Sean was recently subsequently lost on an expedition, missing, presumed dead. With him, the business and connections he built have abruptly collapsed. The title, such as it is, now notionally passes to his son, Henri Vouivre, though young Henri has yet to turn ten years of age. What little remains of Sean's fortune appears to have disappeared with the missing Baronet, though steps have been taken to provide for Henri's care and education as his mother had already passed from a terrible wasting sickness the year prior to her husbands disappearance.

This leaves Sean's daughter, Larissa Vouivre, as the face of the house. A young woman in her early twenties, she has yet to make any impact on the Port-a-Lucine social scene, instead seeming intent in following in her fathers footsteps - Abroad. Additionally, rumor has it that the young Vouvire is some sort of radical, rarely seen in a dress, and more often seen hunting game in the sprawling countryside outside the capital.

In recent days, another face as arisen to contest the voice of House Vouvire, Emilie, Sean's brother, has recently returned from chasing down business connections in Borca and has been glimpse in Dementlieu and Barovia. An effiminate man, little is known about Emilie Vouvire and unmarried man with no children, known for his behind the scenes involvement in managing his brothers vast business empire. Rumors speak of a cunning and cutthroat businessman, but that's not all they speak of...

[Imperial]

House de Mazin




"Un sourire pour les amis, que de l'acier pour les traîtres."

"A smile for friends, only steel for traitors."

Rather than being an old house with a long, storied history, this family instead was graced with a meteoric rise to power and prominence within this decade. Originally solely a merchant family specializing in the importing and exporting of exotic teas and coffee, a young Chastain de Mazin would see himself knighted for exemplary leadership against the Covenant and their forces in the Battle of the Frost in 772. Many in the Company of the Fox whom he fought alongside would later dub him “the Knight of the Frost”.

Of course, being knighted wouldn’t confer upon him nobility; that would come later. Following the Covenant’s seizure of Port-a-Lucine in 773 BC, Chastain de Mazin was said to be one of several who would shelter the Council of Brilliance and facilitate their movement elsewhere, when necessary. A modest winter home that Chastain de Mazin purchased near Lamordia’s border would serve as a home for the beleaguered and ousted Council for at least two months before it found itself raided by the forces of the unlawful Provisional Government.

When the Council of Brilliance was restored, Sieur Chastain de Mazin was not forgotten, and a new march was carved out from the holdings of the rebellious east, largely sliced off from the lands of the Maitrisier’s even more unscrupulous second, the attainted Comtesse d’Azerac Michelle de Froissart, though the title continues to exist. Recently, tragedy has developed into opportunity, as the recent demise of the Baron de Miseaux saw Maison Fré's fate uncertain; the Council of Brilliance themselves have guided the Baron de Miseaux's young heir to marry Sieur Chastain de Mazin's sister. The nobility have quietly called this a bloodless coup, and it seems to be one that is backed by the Council.

Outside of the hamlet of Givrémont, the new Marquis struggles to keep order; some claim bandits are responsible for disappearances along the roadways there, others suggest Covenant loyalists led by the disgraced Froissart are to blame. Still more fantastical rumors say monsters stalk the roads leading out from the hamlet, including spiders are large as a man; any rational human being would dismiss this as utter poppycock, of course. In addition to the exporting and importing they did before, House de Mazin has established a modest vineyard near their hamlet and newly-constructed estate, hoping to compete with the likes of the Houses Artois and Roquette.

The most recent piece of news is that the Marquis de Givrémont has wed a radiant red-headed woman from Richemulot named Manon. Theirs is said to be a happy and joyous union and the stuff of fairytales, one that mirrors the mythical beast House de Mazin features on its coat of arms. Notably husband and wife seem to share an almost rabid hatred for the Covenant and the families that joined the Maitriser and took arms up against the Dementlieuse government, vocally declaring that the Council of Brilliance were too forgiving of these traitors. The Marquise de Givrémont has proven to be rather vocal about this, but whether this or other business calls her to the capital and away from her family's holdings remains yet unknown.

[Sainted Crown]

House de Biron

House de Biron has proud roots in Mordent, having migrated to Dementlieu around 600 BC. House de Biron was historically a militant house who always heeded to call to the defense of Dementlieu from the early days of the first Falkovnian invasion and even as late as the Silent Fields campaign. For their various service some hundred years ago, House de Biron was granted the Barony of Challignac as their once-proud familial lands. Though not well-documented, the prevailing theory is that the Duc d'Amaranthe acquired the family's title through cleverly arranged marriages, capitalizing on House de Biron's failures to produce a male heir. Many in the family still feel a lingering entitlement to old familial lands, though the fallen house has bided their time through the years.

The family head at the time of the Dementlieuse Civil War, Norbert de Biron, chose to follow in the footsteps of the Solemn Covenant against the will of the Council. Not all members of the opulent de Birons, however, followed suit. The head of house would change sides and hands following a fateful duel between the current head, Norbert de Biron, and his second cousin Barthelemy de Biron. Barthelemy, a Warden of Ezra’s Third Revelation, proclaimed the divine providence of Ezra guided him and judged the path the Baron had steered them on was the wrong one. In a duel to the death, Sieur Barthelemy emerged victorious and immediately threw House de Biron’s support behind Hélène DuSuis and the Council of Brilliance.

The Council of Brilliance recognized the sacrifice and dedication Warden Barthelemy de Biron had made for the state, intending to honor the sacrifice that came with challenging one's kin in blood. The Lady-Governor, Hélène DuSuis, required Barthelemy to decide between his position as Warden and the honor of being recognized as a Chevalier of the Republique in perpetuity. Determined to do his duty for his family once again, he became Sieur Barthelemy, stepping down from the church officially, being given a perpetual knighthood grant that would pass from him to his firstborn son, and on.

In his fervor, Sieur Barthelemy dedicated House de Biron to uphold the values of Ezra and swore to raise his children in her teachings, changing the family's words to: "No Hand Forgoes Duty, No Heart Forswears Faith." While it is rumored other members and relatives to Norbert de Biron plot to overthrow Sieur Barthelemy as head of house, Sieur Barthelemy guides his immediate family towards the practices of the third sect. His firstborn and ambitious heir, Thaddeus de Biron, seems to have made it his mission to reclaim the lost Barony of Challignac, even suspect to be working with the descendants of Norbert de Biron behind his father’s back. His other children seem to be content with following in their father’s footsteps in their dedication to the Church of Ezra and upholding traditional Dementlieuse values and fundamentalist Third Sect teachings. Despite stepping down as Warden, he is still rumored to seek the council often of his older brother, a Warden of Ezra's Third Sect, Jean-Louis de Biron.

Jean-Louis de Biron, as some still recall, was once poised for an influential political marriage in 715 BC prior to his involvement with the Church of Ezra. However, in a shocking scandal, he spurred his bride-to-be, eloping with a commoner named Heloise Jourdain. The two returned to Port-a-Lucine to announce their child to be, much to dismay of many in House de Biron and their now-slighted political allies. Alas, tragedy took both the young de Biron's wife and babe during childbirth, with neither surviving. Sometime after, Jean-Louis took up the mantle of anchorite in the Church of Ezra and departed the city without glamour or fanfare. It was not until 779 when he formally and unexpectedly returned to Port-a-Lucine, taking residence in Ste. Mere des Larmes.

[Moshimo]

House Détourné

“Je trouverai ou tracerai un chemin.”
I shall either find or make a path.

House Détourné holds its roots firmly within the City of Lights as do many other minor houses among Dementlieu. Coming from their simplistic origins, House Détourné stood strong as a merchant family for many of their early years, at least up until the determined brilliance of their now patriarch, Alphonse Détourné, could be held back no longer. For it was he that realized while there was money to be made in the transport of goods, there was far more to be gained from the production of these goods. So, in a grand leap of faith, which the rest of his family thought to be foolish, he took what little wealth he had managed to secure and made the decision to pour it back into the businesses he had been trading for all these years.

Since he did not have much capital to work with, Alphonse aligned himself closely with businesses on the brink of closure. He offered them a deal they simply could not refuse, some might even say they were compelled to agree. One became two, two became three, and so on until he had unified a portion of the market, breathing life back into what was quite nearly pronounced dead. These actions surely did not go unnoticed. For the great effort put forth into the Dementlieuse economy in light of their most recent militant endeavors, Alphonse Détourné was awarded the honorary title of Baronet, further securing his relevance and prosperity in the years to come. Yet, among his not so fortunate peers, tongues began to spin rumor after rumor of the snake who struck at their weakest, taking advantage of their desperation. Rumors that made their way through the grapevine, thus, the crest of House Détourné now bears the charge of serpent in flippant mockery of these claims.

In this golden era of the family, Alphonse managed to secure for himself a healthy marriage with his proud and beautiful wife, Chantal. Together, in their upcoming abundance, they conceived many children. Most notably were the first four children, Marcel, Gaspard, Laurent, and Madeline. Quick to follow suit, their children armed themselves with the knowledge necessary to prolong their family’s status in the years to come. Yet, Laurent saw the path of a Gendarme more fitting for himself, taking up arms to defend the city he called home. However, tragedy struck the family when Laurent was brutally murdered while investigating a string of crimes, scarring the house in a way they wouldn’t soon forget.

By now the reach of the family was beginning to branch out further than any of them might’ve expected. In this scramble to keep up with their growth, Gaspard uprooted himself and his wife from the City of Lights and took up new residence in the neighboring Chateaufaux under the order of his father. How well he took to this new direction is unknown, but sure enough it was followed. In time, Gaspard coiled the family name into the threads of the settlement’s economy, focusing more on agricultural investments than the cultural endeavors of the main line. Here in their quiet existence, Gaspard and his wife produced several children and continue to sew themselves into the politics of the country.

In true Dementlieuse fashion, Madeline was prepped and polished to be ushered off into marriage for political ties. Rather quickly, she was locked into engagement with a spry young nobleman for ties within the church. An arrangement the family was happy to have, as it would surely become a blessing down the line. All the while Marcel, the oldest, remained in Port-a-Lucine with his father, to prepare himself for the burden of inheritance. Though, even under such a heavy weight, he managed to secure a wife, children, and the slightest grasp at happiness. Their children would be placed under an extraordinary spotlight in the coming years, plenty of watchful eyes eager to see if the slew of children would make anything of themselves or let it all go to ruin.

Yet, the third generation of House Détourné was born into what is marked as the end of an era for the family. Placed into their hands would be the remnants of their family’s empire, shattered by the Revolution of 770. Some might even call it a debt repaid, considering the questionable rise of Alphonse to his Baronetcy. With Alphonse on his deathbed, the children of the broken house have been sent out into the heart of Dementlieu so that they might call upon the serpentine ambition of their grandfather, and lay claim to a new empire. All while their parents are left to deal with the dwindling remains of their network.

The first of the children sent off into the concrete jungle of Port-a-Lucine would be Marcel’s middle child, Auguste. He is rumored to be starting off the resurgence with a carefully arranged marriage to the youngest of twins from House Épineux, a prominent name in the medical field.

[bunnie]

House Épineux

From the French word, 'épineuse' meaning 'thorny'

“Il vaut mieux prévenir que guérir.”
It is better to prevent than to heal.

A lineage of but three generations, the minor House Épineux of Chateaufaux owes much of its prominence to its dear patriarch, the elderly Dr. Clotaire Épineux, and his wife, Faustine. Originally having immigrated to Dementlieu from their home in Souragne, the couple and their children are known to have entirely abandoned their former culture, assimilating into the proverbial arms of their new nation promptly and with fervour. The pair have long since become known for their doctoral and botanical endeavours thusly, and it was through years of medical retain to far greater, more influential families that Clotaire was originally granted citizenship prior to being graciously ennobled with the honorary title of Baronet. Events that some speculate have a tad more than a touch of bribery involved.

The couple’s children have understandably followed suit in the professions of their parentage, as those of the Épineux line have become well known for both brilliance and respectability in their scientific fields. With their only remaining link to their heritage being the workhouses they covet upon the far island, it is no surprise that the family maintains a comfortable living through its organized distribution of these medicinal — though more often enjoyed for indulgence’s sake — teas, cigars, and even collections of florals. A business overseen each generation by a newly blossoming doctor.

Nonetheless, with the mature Baronet getting along in age, whispers of worries are heard on the lips of those in the family’s employ. An irony — an inability to produce healthy heirs, let alone those who make it into adulthood; of which brings distinct risk to their already delicate line of succession. Even now, the heir apparent, Achille Épineux, is said to be struggling to keep hold of his position in wake of rumoured delusions. A secret only barely kept due to the family’s recent reclusiveness — a silence that has spanned almost a decade.

Yet in the year 778, the reticence of the family is abruptly broken as the heir arrives in Port-a-Lucine with his wife, Gervaise Épineux, and their three children — the first of a truly Dementlieuse generation. Still amidst his boyhood, a sickly Clotaire Épineux II is only ever seen clutched to his mother’s side, as his two elder sisters — the twins, Régine and Rosalie Épineux — are ushered promptly into polite society to find their path. Speculation lingers that the young Rosalie has had her hand promised to a gentleman of House Détourné for quite some time, though doubts linger that their union shall ever be. She seems far more interested in her studies, after all.

With the introduction of his cousins into fair society, a young François Épineux has seemingly emerged from the woodwork, claiming to be seeking the 'thriving social and intellectual’ scene of the city. Whether he actually intends to pursue such is still to be seen, as brief flights of fancy are not far from the man's mind at the best of times.

[mariasochism]

House Vouivre



"Ce qui est perdu peut toujours être retrouvé"

"What is lost, may always be found again."

House Vouivre is the very lowest of the Dementliouse nobility. Its glorious history extends but one generation, to Jean Vouivre; once an intrepid explorer, the connections and discoveries he made in his travels made him a succesful merchant. Through the importing of luxuries, artifacts and arcane rarities from abroad the Vouivre family's wealth was formed. This service, including the importing of various rare foods in times of dire need, was sufficent to procure the nominal title of Baronet, in return to for services to the Republique (and, some might whisper, for services provided to specific individuals within the republique).
Good fortune did not endure, however, as Jean was lost on an expedition in early 777, missing, presumed dead. With him gone, the business and connections he built have abruptly collapsed. The title, such as it is, now notionally passes to his son, Henri Vouivre, who had yet to turn ten years of age at the time; with his mother having passed from a wasting sickness, the boy had become an orphan. Though what little remained of the missing father's fortune seems to have disappeared with him, steps have been taken to provide for young Henri's care and education by servants still loyal to the Vouivre name.

Jean's daughter and Henri's older sister, Larissa Vouivre, had become the face of the house in early 778. A young woman in her early twenties, she made an impact on the Port-a-Lucine social scene with her radical and outspoken ways. A fierce capitalist following in her father's footsteps, she cared not for customs and traditions, but all for profit and power.
These pursuits eventually lead her to be wed to a wealthy merchant-noble from Rokushima; with this the bride's brief but intense foray into politics came to a close.

During the chaos another voice had arisen to represent House Vouivre in late 778: Émile, Jean's younger brother and the underdeveloped runt of the family. Though frail, feminine, and unmarried - shameful in Dementlieuse eyes - he has become the acting head until Henri would come of age.
Having returned from fruitless efforts to convince Jean's former contacts to remain in business with House Vouivre, Émile now shoulders the unstable future of the baronetcy's validity.