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Known Information
Following the slaughter of her mother and siblings during the Festival of Light at Béziers, Desarae, a novice of Rose Sauvage, was removed from the salon. Later that same year, her father was also to lose his life to the hands of an assassin. The last of her line, she is the sole heir to the Marquisate of Chavaise, though fortune seems now to have finally smiled upon her: a prudent match organised by her aunt, the Duchesse d'Eisande, with her distant cousin Lord Leonard Mereliot, a vassal whom has managed the marquisate's economic and finanacial affairs for many years.
Background
Desarae Mereliot's parents married amidst the magic of a whirlwind romance. Her mother, Monique Ariane Mereliot was besotted by the rogueish charm of Armand Luc de Morhban, a dark-haired unlanded noble whom she met at the celebration of the Longest Night whilst wintering in Elua in 1289. Family feathers were ruffled since Monique was second in line to the Duchy of Eisande at that time, and there were many that uttered the adage 'Marry in haste, repent at leisure'. Monique and Armand took it all in their stride however, producing a succession of children over the coming years with which to seal their union.
Desarae is the third born of five, and was solemnly offered to the service of Naamah on attaining her sixth natality. With having inherited the Kusheline blood of her father, it came as a surprise to none that she veered towards the canons embraced by La Rose Sauvage, and she was immediately fostered within that Salon. More than stubborn at times, she carries a certain arrogance and pride in her bearing that many might find challenging upon first acquaintance, and compliant she is not.
Inspiration
Quirks:
- Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend: Her father once told her that she should never wear anything but diamonds. And so she doesn't. If someone's looking to catch her eye, they'd be well advised to go the route of diamonds. Anything else will not be well received, though she never returns a gift.
- Stubborn: A less usual trait for a Valerian to possess. There have been challenges in her years of training, and she's proved interesting on more than a single occasion.
- Stargazer: She's an interest in the constellations and the art of astrology inspired by the stars. Not that she'd ever allow such things to influence her life and decisions… would she?
- Unforgiving: The tragedy of her family has taught her that life's not fair. The weight of what's passed has gifted her with a sudden maturity, and where once a brattish and arrogant girl stood in her shoes, now there's a young woman with a steely and unforgiving resolve. Loyalty and vengeance go hand-in-hand.
- Sudden Heir: The wholesale slaughter of her family has left her the sudden heir to the Marquisate of Chavaise. Having never expected the weight of that title, she's a whole world of things that she now needs to learn.
- Rose-No-More: She's been pulled from Rose Sauvage before her debut. She no longer bears the name of Rose Sauvage, and the price for doing so was met by the Sovereign Duchesse.
- Mereliot: She's niece to the Sovereign Duchesse Armandine, and enjoys the many privileges of moving within that circle.
- Morhban: There's that darker side to her nature which she's inherited from the paternal side of the family. Arrogant and aloof at times, she's no stranger to the art of intimidation to obtain what she wants.
- Scion: Kushiel has her back.
Date | Giver | Item | Description |
---|---|---|---|
20-04-1310 | Vicomte Jean l'Envers | Silver Ring | Shaped like an ouroboros of rose vines, with ruby-petalled flowers and gold-tipped thorns that poke inward into the wearer's finger for an added, poignant reminder of the ring's presence when worn. Given one evening at la Rose Sauvage. |
26-04-1310 | Vicomte Jean l'Envers | Silver Garter | A silvery garter studded with sharp diamonds, the points of the shards turned inwards. Gifted to Desarae when the Vicomte expressed his intention to bid on her debut. |
19-05-1310 | Vicomte Jean l'Envers | Gold Anklet | A thorned anklet of gold, with a diamond near the clasp. Received on news of her family's slaughter. |
29-05-1310 | Vicomte Jean l'Envers | Severed Head | The severed head of Samir, nephew of Naimah and slaughterer of her family. It was placed on an armoire in her room where it rotted for several days. Servants finally removed it at the height of Desarae's sickness. |
05-06-1310 | Vicomte Jean l'Envers | Rose, thorns and bracelet | A rose stem, completely devoid of thorns. The rose blossom itself is left intact and a vibrant red. Rose thorns, conserved and placed into a small tin round box. A rendition of those thorns in white gold in a bracelet, the central one tipped with a tiny diamond. A note explained the meaning of the gifts. |
09-06-1310 | Vicomte Augustin Trevalion | Dagger | A dagger in a black leather sheath, with a lacquered handle of such a dark blue that it appears almost black. The unexpected presentation of it in the Jardins d'Eisheth so soon after the family deaths almost caused Desarae to faint, but it's now a treasured possession. |
16-06-1310 | Lord Elliot Rocaille | Diamond Necklace | A stunning and delicate work of art, crafted from the purest silver and diamonds of various sizes. The silver chains reach around the throat, stringing together the diamonds which form a perfect resemblence of the Pheonix constellation seen in the southern sky. A gift commissioned for Desarae's sixteenth natality, and the only jewellery that she wore for the day. |
19-09-1310 | Emmadame | Black Pearl and Diamond Choker | A three-row choker of luminous, precisely-matched black pearls, fastened with a silver clasp set with two brilliantly glittering fishes. The sigil of House Mereliot, in diamonds. |
26-09-1310 | Brother Nicolas Guillard, Cassiline | A miniature carving of the mythical simir bird. | A seemingly delicate thing, made out of fragrant wood of a pale honey sheen. It has a bit of weight to it, however, the thing sturdier than it looks. A fantastic creature with a long elegant neck and elaborate tail and crown feathers, like water waves or tendrils of fire given tangible shape and form. There are several stories associated with it, one of which is that it gifts the protagonist of the story with its much-coveted feathers - beautiful, wondrous things that one has to burn in order to receive its blessing or aid in a difficult task or another. |
31-01-1311 | Lord Balian Ferraut | Diamond Necklace | A gold necklace of Hellenic origin, depicting a cluster of roses, with the petals studded in multi-faceted diamonds. An unexpected gift from an unexpected person. |
12/02/1311 | Lord Balian Ferraut | Diamond Ring | A white gold and diamond ring. Unusually, the inside surface of the band is inset with another diamond, this one sharp to the touch. |
16/06/1311 | Emmadame | Engraved Ring of Gold | A narrow golden ring, a trifle thicker than is usual for a lady's finger. The collaboration of a master jeweller and a master astronomer, its circumference is engraved with the twelve houses of the Zodiac — with a tiny diamond substituting for the sign of her birth. Worn, it will remain closed; unworn, it unfolds at a touch into an impossibly dainty miniature Ptolemaic armillary sphere, composed of six delicate bands charting the courses of celestial bodies about an imaginary earth. |
16/06/1311 | Vicomte d'Orange | Small Painting | This particular piece of artwork is small; a landscape depicting a country road, upon which a young woman dressed in dark riding clothes can be seen on horseback. The horse, a white mare, is stretched in a full gallop, and the rider is clearly meant to be Desarae. It's a good likeness, though it's clear she'd been painted from memory. She's smiling- and while her position on the horse has a hint of unsurety, she's still keeping her seat. The painting itself is well made- done by an artist with perhaps more talent than training. |
04/06/1312 | André Montfort van Westerlo | Painting | A leaden sky that's touched with gold, a tree stripped naked of its summer finery, and a frozen canal that's congested with muffled up figures that skate hand in hand or ride upon sledges. Painted with the eye of someone in love with their subject, and a master of their art. |
07/08/1312 | Vicomte Jean l'Envers | Bracelet | A gold bracelet, studded with diamonds and Ch'in jade. |
Contacts
Key:
♡ Acquaintence/Friend/Relative
♡♡ Regarded fondly
♡♡♡ Be Still My Heart
Lord Jean l'Envers/Vicomte de Tonerre : "You brought me the head of one of those involved in the slaughter of my family, and for that earned my thanks. " |
Lady Ortolette Tyran Mereliot/First Cousin : ♡ "You are one of my most favourite of people dear cousin, and I love our excursions about the city when your health permits." |
Key:
♡ Acquaintence/Friend/Relative
♡♡ Regarded fondly
♡♡♡ Be Still My Heart
Baptiste/Mandrake Courtesan : ♡ Tutor, mentor, friend. From you I have learned so much, and hope to learn so much more. |
Danielle Blanchard/Commoner Healer : "My aunt wished for the best to nurse me whilst the curse did its worst. The best was Danielle, and I owe her much. |
Key:
♡ Acquaintence/Friend/Relative
♡♡ Regarded fondly
♡♡♡ Be Still My Heart
Lord Ashton de Morhban/Vicomte de Malroix : ♡♡ "My cousin. He would make the streets run red with the blood of my enemies. There's a strength in him that I find comforting." |
Kalisha/Foreigner : "If it looks like an animal, acts like an animal, and smells like an animal, is it not an animal?" Banished from Terre d'Ange. |
Lord Marco de Mereliot/Cousin : "Our meetings have been brief, but there is something dark in your soul that calls to me. Now married, your duty calls you home to Toulon." |
Logs
Duel at Night! Apr 23 2018
Two ladies are chatting at the Wine Cellar, whilst going through a few local wines.
"Did you hear? There was horror and bloodshed on the market promenade last night.", asks the older of the two, a distinguished lady of House Baphinol.
"Horror?", the younger of the two responds with a giggle. "More like a duel. I hear some Mereliot ladies were there to witness. Lady Imogen, and that young Rose novice, as well!"
"That young Eresse lord got almost killed, or so they say. He was bleeding all over the place! I wonder whether he's died from all of the blood loss.", says her aunt, swirling her red wine in the goblet with morbid fascination. "Ferraut. I wonder what will come of it. Do we have a new feud in the making?"
Her niece seems to be slightly more emotionally attached as she shakes her head vehemently. "I don't know what you heard, aunt. But I know that Lord Belmont d'Eresse was brought to the infirmary, to have his injuries looked at. The city guard escorted him all the way there. There was a handkerchief, a lady's sort of handkerchief they have used for him to stop the bleeding. Now I'm wondering which of the ladies gave it to him? Or was it from another lady, a token of affection, perhaps?"
"You are far too romantic, my dear," her aunt tells her with a dry twist of a smile. "Could be it was merely a piece of his torn shirt. Cut to shreds by the Ferraut's blade. Either way… There may be consequences, and I would tread very lightly in the weeks to come, if I were that scoundrel of Ghislain de Ferraut."
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Lack of Control May 15 2018
Two young women sit outside at a small cafe, having tea as they chatter about. One, a pretty blonde with blue eyes in a fine gown starts to giggle as she finally seems to remember something.
"Did you hear?" The blonde's lips simply tug into a mischievous smirk.
"Of what? There is so much going on…." Her companion was a busy brunette with green eyes that seems to lean forward though not lowering her voice.
"Well…that young courtesan that is to debut….Desarae? Apparently she was beyond rude to that Menekhet ambassador! Simply because she was…Menekhet." A twinkle in those blue eyes as she lifts her cup to take a sip.
Those green eyes go wide as she hears that. "Oh my! I know not everyone is keen on foreigners but an official representative of that country? Goodness. And she is supposed to be related to Her Grace? That is utterly shocking behavior. At least feign respect to someone like that. You never know how they might take it." A tsk is heard as she goes back to her tea.
The two women continue to speak amongst themselves, sharing the latest gossip of the city.
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Bloodshed at Béziers! May 19 2018
Horrendous tidings arrived with a messenger to yesterday's Ducal Court. The Festival of Lights at Béziers, held traditionally by the Duchesse's sister, Monique Ariane Mereliot, Marquise de Chavaise, found an unexpected conclusion, when the gathering at the harbor shifted into chaos and bloodshed. Accounts become a bit blurry here. The marquise and her family were taken to Castle Chavaise, but later on, her two sons and two daughters who had been there were found killed in the courtyard. Monique Mereliot and her husband Armand were nowhere to be found.
Apparently, these dire news brought the court session to an end. And while some of those present were ready to offer their help. the Duchesse voiced indeed the wish to have the matter investigated - and her sister and brother-in-law found!
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Investigations and Dreams May 24 2018
Late last night a messenger arrived from Béziers. He brought with him word that confirmation as to the identity of the bodies found slaughtered in Castle Chavaise's courtyard had been given by Lord Marco de Mereliot, and that they are indeed the nieces and nephews of the Sovereign Duchesse d'Eisande.
The whereabouts of her sister, the Marquise de Chavaise, and her husband is still unknown, and whilst investigations continue apace in Béziers to track down and bring the murderer or murderers to justice, staff at the Ducal Palace tell of their remaining daughter being kept under a close and constant guard.
Gossip is rife as to whether this is an attempt by someone holding a grudge against the Marquise and her husband to assassinate the whole of the family line, or whether something more supernatural is somehow at play. Others speak of being visited by dreams and visions, disturbing insights as to what might have happened, or may yet come to pass.
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Mereliot in Mourning May 24 2018
Two handmaidens are talking quietly in the corridors of the Family Wing at the Ducal Palace.
—
Celeste rubs a hand over her face, a shake of her head given. "I worry for her. She's scarcely eaten a thing since Her Grace had her brought here. Was all I could do to coax her into a few spoonfuls of soup."
Her companion nods, a pat given Celeste's shoulder. "Blessed Elua keep her. I'm sure she'll come through it. She's got spirit, that one."
"I know, Monique. But even so. All her siblings. All of them." Another shake of her head. "Poor mite. She's asked me to find her a dressmaker since mourning clothes are now needed. She'll be a long time in those."
"A long time, poor mite.
"Poor mite."
Sighs are heavy as further shakes of heads are given, and their conversation tails off as they move further along the corridor.
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The Delegation Returns May 27 2018
The delegation sent to Béziers has apparently returned to Marsilikos, confirming the deaths of Armandine Mereliot's four nieces and nephews - and they brought more news, both bad and good. The Marquis Armand Morhban de Mereliot could be saved, and apparently an evil woman of Bhodistan was apprehended as well, going by the name of Naimah. The similarity in name to the Bright Lady seems to be an ill-fated mockery. Especially since Naimah is to be blamed now, not only for plotting the deaths of the four, but also for taking the life of Marquise Monique Mereliot. Currently kept in the dungeons, there has been no word on her since their arrival a few days ago.
There are many accounts of the heroic storming of her lair, when those investigating the matter managed to track Naimah and her two relatives, Samir and Farukh down. Near the ruin of Fougère, there was a skirmish, involving not only the two fearsome Bhodistani warriors but also a number of guards Naimah held under her spell. In the end, the d'Angelines were victorious, due to the combined efforts of the Houses l'Envers, Morhban, Trevalion, Valais and Eresse.
The bodies of the dead members of the Mereliot family were brought along, and received a funeral in a more private context of family alone; a funeral held by the Duchesse of Eisande herself shortly after the return, with - as rumor has it - a very pale looking Desarae Mereliot in attendance, who now appears to be the only surviving member of that branch, along with her father. Armand has withdrawn for a few days, and some claim to have spotted him entering the Tempel of Kushiel. He has not been seen ever since.
It may be from all the grief she has been put to, but there is gossip of Desarae not having left her room ever since the day of the funeral.
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Pungent Present May 29 2018
A visit by the Vicomte de Tonerre to Desarae de Mereliot has left staff at the Ducal Palace all of a twitter. His gift to her of a severed head has been carefully placed upon a dresser where she can clearly see it from her sick bed. Several days old, her chambers aren't now the most fragrant, and she's refusing to allow its removal until the witch in the dungeons has been brought to justice.
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Curse Cured? Jun 04 2018
It would appear that the efforts of Lord Alexandre de Morhban in his hunt for a cure for the curse which afflicts his cousin, have paid off. Those in attendance at the time of the cure speak of oddly flickering candles and the feeling of an eerie presence within the room as the Vicomte concluded the ritual. Whether there was ever a curse, or even a cure, or whether it was simply an unfortunate coincidence that struck the young Mereliot down might never be known. What /is/ known however, is that the Vicomte was seen leaving her rooms, spent and exhausted, and colour has now returned to the young woman's cheeks.
The city's attention now turns to the Bhodistani Witch, and what her own fate will be.
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Thus Endeth the Witch Jun 18 2018
On the late morning of the 17th of June, the so-called Witch of Béziers was brought to audience and trial before a stern looking Duchesse de Mereliot. The Bhodistani woman was found guilty of all crimes she had been accused of, such as murdering part of the Mereliot branch of Chavaise, of poisoning and of using evil magicks to achieve her goal. She remained silent and refused to give testimony, and even if she had, the outcome would have been the same. Naimah of Bhodistan was found guilty and sentenced to death. It is said that Armand Morhban de Mereliot was among those watching, but the Duchesse refrained from requesting any sort of testimony of him, focusing on the list of other witnesses, such as various common folk from the city of Béziers, and some nobles that had helped to capture the evil woman.
The only surviving child, Desarae Mereliot, was seen sitting through all of the trial, pale and yet composed. It was only towards the end that she spoke up, asking her aunt, the Duchesse for the honor of carrying out the sentence by her own hand. This caused quite the uproar, and yet, Armandine granted the request. And so it happened, that a very young maiden, on the day after her 16th natality swung the executioner's sword under the instruction and help of the head executioner, in a public execution carried out upon the grand plaza in the City of Marsilikos.
They say, it took more than one strike to take the head off.
And that it was anything but a clean business.
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Tide and Time. Jul 02 2018
There was much activity at the docks today, when a ship flying the Mereliot colours was boarded by the the young heiress to the Marquisate of Chavaise and her retinue. They sailed west with the morning tide, heading in the direction of Béziers. Word has it that she's returning home to spend some time with her father — to grieve and to mourn the loss of her family.
She's expected to return to Marsilikos before the commencement of Fall.
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Time and Tide Two Aug 22 2018
As the sun sets on an evening at the tail-end of August, a ship bearing the Crest of House Trevalion on its sails, arrives in the Port of Marsilikos. Tucked upon the arm of the Vicomte de Rouen, and shadowed by a figure in grey, a dark-haired young woman is led down the gangplank and onto the dock. Whilst the party are quickly bourne away by carriage to the Ducal Palace, it'll take a deal longer for the quantity of chests and trunks which have accompanied her on the short voyage to be unloaded and similarly transferred.
Desarae Mereliot, tragic heir to the Marquisate of Chavaise, has finally emerged from her period of mourning.
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More Bloodshed at Beziérs Oct 28 2018
Two handmaids are gossiping together in one of the suites at the Ducal Palace:
"Poor mite…" Marie, the older of the two grumbles, shaking out a gown of ink black silk before hooking it over the other maid's waiting arm.
"One of the grooms at the castle told my cousin that it was another bloodbath," Yvette, the younger one whispers, her eyes enormous.
"I heard it was too," Marie nods, pulling another of the black silks from the wardrobe. She gives a shake of her head. "Both his Excellency and his cassiline killed, right there in the Marquis' study."
"But thank the Companions that her cousin, Lord Leonard, survived." Yvette quickly adds. "I heard he was injured something terrible, and that it was Lady Desarae herself that found him."
"It was the castle /guards/ that found him. At least I /think/ it was," Marie corrects her companion as she pulls another gown of obsidian from the depths of the closet and hands it to her. "And from what I understand, Lady Desarae's lucky to be alive herself. Had it not been for her Cassiline, Brother Nicolas Guillard, well…"
"Nicolas…" Yvette's voice grows dreamy and a small sigh is given.
"Stop day-dreaming, you silly child." Marie chides. "Take those gowns downstairs and make sure they're cleaned and pressed. The Lady will be returning to Marsilikos soon enough, and she'll be back in full mourning for /goodness/ knows how long!"
—
Word has reached Marsilikos that Marquis Armand de Merliot and his cassiline have been killed by an assassin at Castle Chavaise, and that it was only the quick-thinking actions of her own cassiline, Nicolas Guillard, that saved the Lady Desarae from a similar fate.
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A Stay of Execution May 03 2019
Two stablehands in the ducal stables are clustered around a newly arrived horse, making much of it as another prepares a feed of oats and bran for it.
"It was her, the Lady Deserae and Lord Cyriel what brought 'im in," says one to another as he rubs at the sweating animal's coat with a handful of straw.
"But you're sure that it's him?" says the other, hanging on the first one's words.
"It is!" comes the grim reply. "An' such a fine animal too. Ordered to be butchered because someone can't take a loss with good grace."
"Not a sportsman then…"
"Not a sportsman, no."
"So what will she do with it now?"
"Don't know." the first says, tossing aside the straw as the bucket of oats and bran is brought through.
—
Word spreads like wildfire that a certain young heiress, whilst in the company of a Kusheline nobleman, liberated a horse from the butcher's knife. Why, is something that many will ruminate and debate about, whether it was a feeling of indignation at the unfairness of such an action, or perhaps it was simply the fact that the young woman despises slaughter for slaughter's sake.
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Betrothal Banns Jun 27 2019
House Mereliot is pleased to announce the betrothal of Lady Desarae de Mereliot, heiress to the marquisate of Chavaise, and Lord Léonard Gabriel de Mereliot of Cerdagne. Since the tragic and untimely loss of the previous marquise Lord Léonard has been a capable and devoted regent stewarding the fortunes of Chavaise in Lady Desarae's name, a rôle he will be well-suited to continuing as her husband and her partner in this match arranged to consolidate Mereliot interests.