Avannais Duchies
This page provides additional information on the PC Duchies on the game, meaning that there is a Duke or Duchess (or heir) character running the duchy. You are welcome to play a character from an NPC Duchy, but information about the Duchy, such as what is provided before, is set by the faction leader. If you are interested in joining one of the factions below, contact the faction leader in each one mentioned below.
Members
Duke Lourein de Bastine - Faction Head
Aubrianne - Marquessa de Bastine
Duchy Standard: The standard of Duchy Bastine is a gold olive branch superimposed on a red sun set on a white field.
Duchy religion: Orienite
Duchy Information
Duchy Bastine, in the southeastern corner of Avanne, benefits greatly from a number of natural resources that combine to make it one of the wealthiest duchies in the nation. Vast olive groves, some of the only mineral mines in Avanne and control over the port at the mouth of the Rive Rychein are the major sources of income for Duchy Bastine. It is considered a strongly Orienite duchy, sharing a border with the Vicenan Empire. Though the Dukes of Bastine have long borne a stubborn independent streak, that independence has almost always fallen in line with the Orienite Church.
The current Duke of Bastine, Lourein, is rather notorious among the nobility for three things: his size (he is enormously obese), his appetites (for food as well as a long list of other vices) and his wealth (which he is not afraid of spending). His presence in Gesarien, along with other members of his immediate family such as his sister Aubrianne, have caused a bit of stir and many wonder at his intentions toward the throne.
Duchy Chaveaux
Members
Duchess Joanna de Chaveaux - Faction Head
Armand - Brother to Joanna
Melisse - Countess de Gallerneault
Alain - Marquis de Veraux
Morena - Marquessa de Monnier
Tibault - Commoner, servant in Gallerneault household
Duchy Standard: The standard of Duchy Chaveaux is a white lily on a dark blue field.
Duchy religion: Vesperan, with a small number of Orienites.
Duchy Information
Tucked in the picturesque southwest corner of Avanne, the duchy of Chaveaux is renowned for wool, wine, and coastlines of profound beauty. Its location has allowed a burgeoning commerce thanks to well-tended port cities - including the city of Chaveaux itself - but has also invited the occasional border issues with neighboring Castana. Furthermore, the verdant river valley of Rive Mirvil (called Rive d'Arte in Chaveaux) was a source of contention with eastern rival Mirvil until made crown lands some time ago. Though separated by that river, Chaveaux and Mirvil remain bitter foes to this day.
Duchy History
The Dukes and Duchesses of Chaveaux are individualistic, forward-thinking nobility with a familial trait of charisma that endears them to their subjects...even those who figure them to be altogether too altruistic. Several decades ago, in fact, this more open ideal gave rise to a marriage between then-Duke Armand and a Northern woman - Elisabeth - of questionable nobility but undeniable beauty. Since then, red hair has been a frequent trait in the Chaveaux line, most notably in the coppery mane of the late Queen Oriabel, eldest daughter of the current generation.
Until recently, Chaveaux was ruled by Duke Armand's elder son, Charles. A deft politician, a shrewd negotiator, and a charming courtier, Duke Charles and his wife, Duchess Helene, were blessed with three children - Oriabel, destined to be Queen, Joanna, and young Armand - and enjoyed popularity at court that offset the lack of open acceptance by the Orienite Church, thanks to certain growing sympathies toward the Vesparan Church. Being father to the Queen and father-in-law to a decidedly older King Giraut did not hurt Charles' popularity, either. After the tragic deaths of his daughter and grandson, Duke Charles was considered forerunner for the throne of Avanne until, as aforementioned, his death some eight weeks ago.
In the three years of the Regency, Avanne's strength gathered - as did its enemies - and the reliance on religious support waned. Spurred by rumors that Queen Oriabel could have been saved by a Vesparan healer, Charles, Helene, and a large majority of the duchy converted to the Vesparan faith, eshewing the strict Orienite faith that was, in their estimation, too constricting in any event. As such, when Duke Charles perished - of precisely what is not entirely known - the duchy was given to his eldest surviving child, Joanna, rather than to Armand, two years her junior. Young Count Armand has been highly supportive of his sister in public; how he feels privately about losing the duchy to a woman is unknown.
Counties and Noble Houses in Duchy Chaveaux
This is a listing of houses and counties in the Duchy that either have PCs from that county and/or house, or it is tied in one way or another to a particular player. If you have a county or house to add to this list, please send email to memorium@silverselene.com with all the information about the county or house. Click on the link for more information about a particular county or house.
County Gallerneault
County Veraux
House Abinet
House Langlais
Members
Duke Durand de Mirvil - Faction Head
Cyon - Count of Soncerre
Caroline - Countess de Mirvil
Teresa - Lady-in-Waiting to Caroline
Duchy Standard: The standard of Duchy Mirvil is a dark blue rearing stag on a field of pearl white.
Duchy religion: Orienite
Duchy Information
Though small, Mirvil is known for two things: the strength of its militia, and the vastness of its food stores. Located in the heart of Avanne, it shares borders with four of the seven duchies and the land claimed for the crown. The Dukes of Mirvil, all proclaimed Orienites, have historically been infamous for their war-like tempers and their deviousness in trade. Robbed of their river ports by the Crown generations ago, the duchy has learned to exist merely on its agricultural exports. Various grains, potatoes, sugar beets, and textiles have found fertile ground in the fields of Mirvil. In order to protect their goods across land, each Count has raised a strong militia of each of their cities, with proud knights of noble lineage to lead the combined forces.
Duchy History
Lost in the annals of history was the account of how the feud between Mirvil and Chaveaux began. None truly know the story now, but it involved an abusive husband, an annulment of marriage, a refusal to return a dowry of land, and the retaliation by the wronged party. Of course, both Duchies are convinced /they/ are the wronged party. Generations ago, the King was forced to remove the border between the two lands, stripping both of them access to the Rive Mirvil. Since that time, the Duchies have continued their aggressions quietly in matters of trade, commerce, and law, rather than with swords. Who knows how long the mutual peace will last, as both parties have a nearly fanatical hatred for the other?
Current Status: The current Duke, Durand de Mirvil, has been reigning since his father fell ill almost a decade ago. Of the numerous children born to his parents, three younger siblings have survived to adulthood. Due to its small size, Mirvil has only a handful of counts, with their own small collection of barons. However, the Duchy does boast a large number of knights within its borders. With the death of the King, Durand has relocated his small court to the capital city of Gesarien. Few know if the Duke wishes the throne for himself, or if his public claims towards ensuring a proper succession are honest.
Members
Julien - Faction Head, Son of the Duke de Racaille
Duchy Standard: Coming Soon
Duchy religion: Orienite
Duchy Information
Racaille has long been one of the poorer, some would say "backwoods", duchies in Avanne. In Recent Years, Duke Arnaud has turned that around, pulling Racaille out of near poverty on the benefits of a valuable horse breeding program. This has allowed Racaille to become more independent, to the slight dismay of its neighbors in Bastine, who will miss the taxes Racaille had provided them. Arnaud was rewarded for his tenacity by the king with a marriage to his cousin. Arnaud and his wife had one child, Julien. Julien's mother died in childbirth, leaving him to be raised by servants and his father. Julien has lept at any opportunity to leave the duchy, on hunting trips and "goodwill" missions to Mirvil and Chaveaux, in order to avoid the responsibility of running a duchy. With the King's death, however, and the line of succession in question, Duke Arnaud sees his son as the true heir to the throne. He is sending Julien to the capital to vie for the throne.