Rosaire Ledigne

Rosaire Ledigne
aka	Rosaire de Saincourant Rosaire the Staid
Pronunciation	(something like:) ʀo.zεʀ lə.diɳ
Gender	Male
Race	Elezen
Age	≈54
Occupation	Holy Inquisitor (retired)
External Links	IC tumblr OOC tumblr

Appearance & Personality

A glimpse of Rosaire Ledigne, né Rosaire de Saincourant, in a state of better health would have left little doubt as to the reason he received the epithet "the Staid": with little expression and palpable gravitas, he commanded an aura of dignity and authority, though 'twas one that derived not from violence but from experience and internal strength.

His friends remember him for his polite yet easy manners, his generosity and kindness, and his willingness to extend courtesy to nearly everyone, including the lowborn and the unbeliever. Those less favorably inclined are quicker to recall his unflinching, unfeeling, unsmiling eyes, his ice-blue stare fixed, as though seeking out a sinner's secret heart. All would agree that, despite his modest height and substantial waistline, his was a presence to be felt indeed.

But things are different now.

Biography

The second son of a minor Ishgardian noble house descended from a branch of the Fortemps, Rosaire entered Saint Endalim's Scholasticate at an early age, receiving a classical religious education and minor orders. Not long after graduating with a seat in his year's Trinity, he transferred to the service of the Tribunal of Halonic Inquisitory Doctrine; soon enough he was appointed a Holy Inquisitor by the then-reigning Archbishop. From there, the young man — not even thirty summers — began a swift climb in power and influence.

To those who encountered him outside the Tribunal, Rosaire — who had begun to refer himself not with his House name but with the chosen byname "Ledigne" — became known as an Inquisitor with an uncommon dedication to evidence and reason, one who would pursue the truth with caution and persistence both. His impartiality and investigative skills led him many times to exonerate the falsely accused; equally as many times did those same virtues enable him to identify and execute the true heretics behind acts of terror across Coerthas. On this basis would many nobles framed by rivals, as well as commoners disregarded by others, speak highly of him, even describe him as a paragon of justice.

Inside the Church and Tribunal, opinions were more mixed; while Rosaire proved a pious servant of the Holy See, his rapid rise as well as his tendency to intrude on others' investigations earned him some enmity among his peers. But despite his rivals' best efforts, it proved impossible to find a scandal with which to disgrace him, so immaculate did he maintain his record; indeed, it was far more common for those who sought to destroy him to have their own shameful secrets coincidentally revealed.

But about seven years before the Calamity, at the relatively young age of forty-two, Rosaire was incapacitated by an attack of apoplexy. In the year it took him to recover the power of speech and the function of his right side, new factions had taken power within the Tribunal. The First Inquisitor at the time, concerned that the episode may have compromised Rosaire's mind and thus judgment, allowed him to stay on the official roster of the Inquisition only as a courtesy, refused to hand him control over any more cases, hoping he would choose to gracefully retire. Rosaire did not, instead clinging on for another twelve years, unpaid and practically powerless but too stubborn or proud to relinquish his title.

Unable to work, he was forced to stand by and watch as the seat of the First Inquisitor passed to Charibert de Leusignac, a man who stood for every retrograde vice Rosaire would have liked to see purged from the Inquisition. His own downfall and the Inquisition's slide back into a Dark Age put Rosaire into a deep depression, one that worsened after the Calamity, and for many years he resigned to a quiet and lonely life spent at home when not at Church services or attempting to be relevant at the Tribunal.

It was only after the messy events of recent days — particularly the downfall of the 'True Brothers of the Faith' — that Rosaire once more emerged into public sphere. Despite his own personal reformist and even radical tendencies, he was motivated to defend the Holy See and the traditional faith not only — and perhaps not even chiefly — by piety, but rather by an intense feelings of loyalty and obligation, feelings born from a choice he made long ago.

But once more, things did not go as he planned. His resolve, pierced by Menphina's most unexpected dart, was dashed decisively to the floor by a recurrence of his illness, a second attack of apoplexy — this one in so public a place and known to so many of his acquaintances that this time, he'll have no chance of keeping his infirmity a secret.

Though if he will even recover enough to worry about such things is yet to be seen.

[edit]

• Minutae
• Recent Events
• Relationships
• Rumors
• OOC

Birth Year	1527th Year of 6th Astral Era
Nameday	2nd Sun of 1st Astral Moon	Residence	apartment in the Pillars, Ishgard
Birthplace	Ishgard proper	Employer	Special Office of the Holy Inquisition (until recently)
Height	6 fulms 5 ilms	Sexual Orientation	heterosexual
Weight	≈235 ponz	Marital Status	single, celibate

Likes	Dislikes	Favorites
Peace, quiet, and privacy Reading just about any non-fiction Listening to gossip Teatime sweets	Noisy crowds Brutish and violent people Exploitative nobles Physical labor, especially outdoors	Food: bilberry-snurbleberry pie Drink: perry Tea: malty black, straight or with milk Colors: blue, crimson, velvet black

Year 1580 (by outdated Sixth Astral Era reckoning)

• 30 Thaliak: Rosaire's aide, Valroit Faucheux, is asked to investigate the new pamphlets being spread by the "Ardently Faithful."

• 11 Nymeia: Rosaire arranges a meeting with "Lady Fafnir" to persuade her of the Church's friendly intentions and invite her to speak at Saint Reymanaud's Cathedral.
• 12 Nymeia: Following an inflammatory posting in support of Fafnir, Rosaire tries to get in contact with her again. He ends up falling asleep on the couch of Gwenneth Gilrouis while waiting for Fafnir to appear.
• 19 Nymeia: Rosaire finally meets again with Fafnir and discovers her true identity.
• 24 Nymeia: Rosaire is accosted and beaten by ruffians in the Brume who shout slogans in favor of "Saint Fafnir" and against the Church before escaping. He suffers a broken rib which is healed by Gwenneth.
• 26 Nymeia: In an attempt to gently ward Miss Gwenneth off from forming an inappropriate attachment to him, Rosaire sends her an awkward bouquet. This scheme spectacularly backfires.

• 1 Llymlaen: In an attempt to determine whether or not Fafnir is, in fact, a dragon, Rosaire, Aurege Davilles, and Deyaenoux Bouchard send bitterdrake to be mixed in with the meals of the seminarians of the Scholasticate. The subsequent outbreak of food poisoning may or may not be their fault.
• 4 Llymlaen: Rosaire assists with security at Fafnir's speech at Saint Reymanaud's Cathedral; she is unharmed, but Father Deyaenoux Bouchard is assaulted, and Rosaire is forced to balance politic mercy against the priest's (and the law's) demand for vengeance.
• 6 Llymlaen: Aramis Dumas attempts to recruit Rosaire to help deal with the former's enemies within the Tribunal. Rosaire tentatively agrees but proceeds with caution.
• 6 Llymlaen: The "one transgression" against Miss Gwenneth. (It does not end up the last.)
• 20 Llymlaen: Rosaire meets and ends up providing guidance to Defiant Bride, a new visitor to the city.
• 20 Llymlaen: Rosaire gives Gwenneth a raven trained by the falconers of House Fortemps to be a companion and guard; she names him Clavis.
• 24 Llymlaen: The eldest brother of Perrine Pepin, a squire in the service of Dzemael, introduces her to Rosaire, officially as his bodyguard but tacitly with hope that the young woman might strike Rosaire's fancy. Rosaire accepts her employment but not her brother's creepy matchmaking.
• 27 Llymlaen: Inspired by his acquaintance with Ishgardian reformers (or at least, let us be honest, with Gwenneth Gilrouis,) Rosaire begins to organize an open Colloquy to discuss Ishgard's future. He is half motivated by an honest desire for dialogue... and half hoping to use it as an opportunity to hear the radicals' arguments and then formulate eloquent rebuttals.

• 1 Oschon: Rosaire presides over a first Colloquy of Ishgard on the steps of the Vault.
• 7 Oschon: Nidhogg and his Horde attack the city of Ishgard directly. During the fighting, Rosaire and his bodyguard, Perrine, assist on the walls by administering first aid to the wounded and bearing them to safety.
• 10 Oschon: As the number of critically wounded dwindles at last, Rosaire finally returns home, but not before checking on Gwenneth -- herself injured in the fighting -- and making a feeble attempt to help her with the housework.
• 24-25 Oschon: Rosaire attends the Grand Tournament of the Fury hosted by House Dufresne, to observe and show support.

• 9 Byregot: Rosaire attends the Charity Ball subsequent to the Grand Tournament and, despite an initial resolution to abstain, ends up dancing with Miss Gwenneth Gilrouis.
• 15 Byregot: In the uncertain period between Nidhogg's defeat and the reorganization of the Ishgardian government, Rosaire begins to plan a Second Colloquy, hoping to persuade the nation's powerbrokers to choose temperate reform within the Holy See's traditional structure.
• 23 Byregot: The date of the Second Colloquy of Ishgard, over which Rosaire presides.

• 6 Rhalgr: Despite some personal trepidation, Rosaire accompanies Gwenneth and Perrine to the opening of a tea shop by Iieha Beautemps and Mandalina Elendil.
• 13 Rhalgr: The date of the Third Colloquy of Ishgard, over which Rosaire presides.
• 18 Rhalgr: Perrine seeks permission to become a knight of House Dufresne, which will mean the end of her employment with Rosaire.
• 20 Rhalgr: Rosaire and Perrine are invited to join Graeham Ridgefield and other members of the Dufresne Bellworks for a brief vacation to Vylbrand. While there, Rosaire arranges to meet Ceridwen Shadowstar and secretly transfer ownership of his fine apartments to her, officially becoming a tenant-renter... and giving her instruction on what to do with the property should something happen to him. ... It also becomes obvious to him that the feelings between Miss Gwenneth and himself have already developed to a dangerous point.
• 27 Rhalgr: Following Aymeric's announcement of the secularization of the Ishgardian government, Rosaire regrets his support of a diplomatic approach towards the radicals. Nevertheless, he plans to host a fourth and final Colloquy, as he already promised.
• 29 Rhalgr: Rosaire sends his aide, Valroit Faucheux, on an unofficial assignment to assist House Dufresne with its security and potentially help them catch a corrupt inquisitor.

• 3 Azeyma: The date of the Fourth Colloquy -- which, to Rosaire, marks the end of his trying to save Ishgard through open persuasion.
• 14 Azeyma: Rosaire meets with Sirus Shadowstar again for the first time in many years, receiving from him a pet... fish? called a "Moogle Spirit."

• 1 Nald'thal: Phi Atsuho appeals to Rosaire for help bringing her friend, a priestess of Nald'thal, to Ishgard.
• 8 Nald'thal: The death of Miss Louisine Portier, whom Rosaire helped enter Saint Endalim's Scholasticate, hits him particularly hard; he is dispirited for quite a long time afterwards.
• 18 Nald'thal: Rosaire attends a housewarming party for Ceridwen Shadowstar's new apartment, there meeting Cassandre Voleaux and Amra Baker.
• 29 Nald'thal: Rosaire makes a confused and roundabout confession to Gwenneth.

• 4 Nophica: Rosaire interviews Bryce Starshield, a suitor for the hand of Ceridwen Shadowstar, to help her gauge his suitability.
• 13 Nophica: Rosaire finally gets to meet Xanadu Mol, the infamous Auri (ex-)inquisitor, at a tea hosted by the Dufresne Bellworks.
• 26 Nophica: Already-strained relations between Rosaire and the priest Deyaenoux Bouchard are torpedoed when Rosaire learns that not only has Bouchard been keeping a mistress, he has been doing so long enough that she has nearly carried a child of his to term already.

• 7 Althyk: Although the assignment Valroit Faucheux was originally given at the Dufresne Bellworks is by this time mostly resolved, Rosaire decides to ask him to stay on in the hopes it will give Faucheux some marketable skills, if the boy proves unable to become a Holy Inquisitor.
• 8 Althyk: On a trip to the eastern lowlands of Coerthas, Rosaire wanders a graveyard in the cold and, after fainting, ends up a mild case of hypothermia.
• 17 Althyk: Rosaire hosts a dinner party for the Starlight Celebration, inviting some of the friends he'd made in the past year. The Starlight pudding ends up giving him the ring charm and Miss Gwenneth, the bell...
• 18 Althyk: A pair of Ardently Faithful woodcut blocks are delivered to Gwenneth; on them are carved messages that threaten Rosaire, if she does not keep away from him.
• 26 Althyk: Rosaire finalizes the paperwork on a trust that will provide for the education of Josquin Travert's child, Bellamy, even if something should happen to both Rosaire and Josquin.
• 32 Althyk: Deyaenoux visits Rosaire and they argue, leading to Deyaenoux attacking Rosaire and attempting to choke him.

Year 1581 (by outdated Sixth Astral Era reckoning)

• 3 Halone: Rosaire reports the incident of 32 Althyk to the Tribunal after Martiallais Heuloix threatens to arrest him.
• 4 Halone: Prompted by an anonymous note, Rosaire begins to compile a confession intended for Miss Gwenneth Gilrouis which he hopes she will someday uncover.
• 28 Halone: Demoralized by revelations regarding "the Expurgators," Rosaire gives up effective leadership of a certain group of counterrevolutionaries.
• 30 Halone: Still planning to guide the shepherd one final plot, and thus aware that he might likely be killed, Rosaire says a variety of things to Gwenneth that he might otherwise have not.
• 30 Halone: To be even more confident of Hyacinthe's safety far away from Ishgard, Rosaire contrives circumstances to have the squire sent to Camp Bronze Lake.

• 17 Menphina: On practically the eve of his plot, Rosaire suffers a second attack of apoplexy while at the Tribunal.
• 18 Menphina: Rosaire's colleague, Michandel de Pepin, has Rosaire moved from the care of the Knights Hospitalier to that of House Pepin, a course that Rosaire's brother Aleaume resents.

Key

♥ Romantic Interest - ★ NPC/alt - ☠ Deceased

Warm

★♥☠ Marguerite Aubeheraut, née Cueilleur: ... Show text A woman dead some five years now, about whom Rosaire will not speak. ★ "Morning Glory", a.k.a. "Elena Clara," etc.: an old friend, sort of. Show text This madam of many names first met Rosaire when he was investigating a heretic's predations on the streetwalkers of the Brume. The two earned each other's respect and formed an unlikely working partnership; she has since been his longest-serving informant and helper, though he regrets that he never succeeded in persuading her to give up her profession. Ceridwen Shadowstar : a family friend... and his landlord. Show text Rosaire was pleased to see his actions allowed Ceridwen to grow into an intelligent and capable lady. He entrusted his home to her to manage if aught befell him; now that it has, their fates are bound up together. ★ Valroit Faucheux : a young inquisitor Rosaire is mentoring. ★ Margie Faonbeau, or "Helenne" : his housekeeper. Show text An Elezen-passing half-Midlander woman who has served Rosaire for ten years. She is now the only full-time servant at his apartments, charged with both cooking and cleaning. ★ Gentiane Pavée : a minion turned successor. Show text The daughter of a woman who was rescued from an unjust execution by Rosaire, she offered to help him against the heretics now in power in the government; when Rosaire backed down from the counterrevolution, she stepped up to briefly guide it. Josquin Travert : a trusted employee. Show text The son of a printmaker who was saved, years ago, from execution in part by Rosaire's investigation, Josquin was called upon by Rosaire to do secret work in the name of the Holy See. Protectiveness of Josquin and his family led Rosaire to order him into hiding in Coerthas for his own protection -- but it remains to be seen if Josquin intends to obey. ♥ Gwenneth Gilrouis  : a... friend. Show text What Rosaire would describe as an "infatuation" on his part proved strong enough to make him give up his schemes. But now that (at least some of) her ignorance has been dispelled and Rosaire has been struck down, perhaps she'll want no more to do with him... Ignera Arbell : one of the few souls he knows who has both the correct allegiances and at least ten onzes of sense. Perinne Pepin : his former bodyguard. Show text Rosaire regards Perrine with paternal protectiveness and pride... and they can even argue like a well-intentioned father and a daughter shrewd enough to call out his worse hubrises. Eliane Dufresne : Show text While cautious that their politics may not exactly align, Rosaire feels that Eliane is worthy of esteem -- and he certainly wishes to stay in her good favors, as she is the bosom friend of Miss Gwenneth Gilrouis. Ysia Lemieux : how is she even real. Show text Even after only a short acquaintance, Rosaire developed a real fondness for this poor, pitiable young Sister. He'd very much like to support her and help mould her into the clergy of tomorrow -- though that is not really his place.

Ambivalent

★ Hyacinthe Aubeheraut : a squire in the service of Haillenarte. Show text For whatever reason, Rosaire closely and covertly watches his progress, something with which the young man is not entirely comfortable. Riven Pendragon : a... friend? of Rosaire, with whom he sometimes talks politics. Mandalina Elendil: a woman who is hopefully not about to become a statistic. Show text Rosaire is rather worried about Miss Mandalina's relationship with the debauched and violent Deyaenoux Bouchard, but as he is not her friend, he thinks it inappropriate to voice his concerns; instead he wrings his hands and stays out of it, worried that he'll someday learn bad news. Iieha Beautemps : a poor little abomination about which Rosaire has complex feelings, mainly consisting of headaches.

Cool

★ Aleaume de Saincourant : his older brother and head of House Saincourant. Show text When Rosaire is ill, they fight bitterly; when he is well, they avoid each other as much as possible. Rosaire nurses a serious hatred for his unprincipled brother; Aleaume, for his part, hopes Rosaire will die of his most recent stroke and leave his wealth at the disposal of House Saincourant. Deyaenoux Bouchard : the worst stereotype of a corrupt clergyman, made flesh. Show text What tattered bridges may have remained have been rather burned by Deyaenoux thanking Rosaire for attempts to help him by assaulting him in his own home. For the sake of Bouchard's poor bastard child, Rosaire has no wish to make the man's life more difficult, but his inclination to do him any further favors is gone. Aramis Dumas : well, certainly not an ally now! Show text Although Rosaire was once willing to help this man with his personal affairs, he now finds the thought repugnant, and now must weigh the risks of wholly aligning with this enemies. Launce Jeaumis and Olivier Laurent : obnoxious brats. Show text Though circumstances compel Rosaire to play nicely with these young noblemen, he privately considers them examples of the worst vices of the highborn: ignorance, entitlement, short-sightedness, arrogant wastefulness. They are, if nothing else, a good reminder of why Rosaire loathes involving himself in House affairs... Martiallais Heuloix : an unfortunately typical example of the Lord Commander's Temple Knights. Show text While Rosaire allows that the man should be commended for loyalty, his opinion of him (and his profession) has predictably dropped after the Temple Knight threatened to have him arrested for being assaulted.

Mere Acquaintances

Sirus Shadowstar : Though Rosaire has an overall positive opinion of him, he has conversed much more with Ceridwen than her twin. Haleine Charbonneau Felixient Grinnaux Josette Reeves Aurege Davilles : a younger inquisitor in the Special Office. Show text Though Rosaire has only known him for a short time, he finds the young man's piety and resolve heartening, and he feels that if the Special Office has such men in it, he doesn't need to worry quite so much about its future. The boy could stand to be a little less bloodthirsty, though... Kistenian Haillenarte Gideloix Baudhuin Tatsumi Hanateru Defiant Bride Arcian Martell Graeham Ridgefield Laurentoix Beaujolais Wu'rexa Norh Cassandre Voleaux Amra Baker Phi Atsuho Xanadu Mol: though merely her acquaintance, he would very much like to know her better. ... and others, most like, who've escaped my feeble mind.

Common Rumors (Easily overheard)

"The most wise and just man who ever wore that mantle -- he represents the very best of the Holy Inquisition. ... Or... represented, I suppose." -teary-eyed Inquisitorial Aide Valroit Faucheux "His was a kindness and generosity rare 'mongst the highborn. I make sure to remember a little prayer for him, for Halone to bring him back to good health." -Pillars pâtissier "Who'd've expect an inquisitor to have the sort of politics he did!" -gazette-reader in the Forgotten Knight

Moderate Rumors (More difficult to overhear)

"Good riddance, I say. Taking up office space in the Tribunal that could've gone to someone useful years ago!" -upstart inquisitor "My niece says she heard from the footman what works at the Dufresne Manor that the inquisitor was going to be courting a Hyuran maid half his age! For shame -- we'd all thought he was a good pious sort, and then he goes chasing Hyuran skirts! Lucky for the girl that he keeled over when he did." -questionably goodwife "I heard that he'd suddenly started spending piles of gil, not long before he fell ill. An endowment on the Scholasticate, a bunch of big donations to the guilds, that sort of thing. Don't ask me what to make of it!" -off-duty acolyte

Rare Rumors (Very difficult to overhear)

"Ledigne went down to apoplexy, right? I've just heard this wasn't the first time. Maybe that's why he hadn't any work for ages -- they knew about it, that he wasn't all there, you know. Up here." -whispered in the Tribunal "You didn't hear this from me, but my mentor heard from an old friend that years ago, a number of churchmen secretly petitioned the Archbishop to ban the use of torture in certain interrogations. Rumor has it that Ledigne was a signatory! Can you believe that!?" -dubious junior inquisitor "Look at his record and you'll not find a blot -- apparently the most chaste, respectable inquisitor we've ever employed. ... You ask if I think you ought to believe that? Hmph! Look at all those minions he surrounded himself with, all those deals, all those favors. Look at how that man sat at the center of his web, ne'er dirtying his hands with a single evil deed... only plucking, plucking light at those sticky, sticky strings. Look for yourself and tell me what you think." -retired bishop, with an ominous laugh

Player Rumors

Please feel free to add rumors of your own below!

• "I've never met a truer gentleman. Granted, one would have an easier time reading a slab of stone than his general demeanor, but...I've heard enough to know he is likely to be trusted." - Eccentric Noblewoman
• "Though he has the facial expression range of a statue, you shan't find a truer, more pleasant gentleman than he. So, basically, he's a nice statue!" - Ignera Arbell
• ...
• ...

Although Rosaire will be mostly-unavailable for general roleplay for the next several months, if you have need of a reasonable(?) Ishgardian Inquisitor for your character's backstory, please do not feel shy about contacting me to see if Rosaire will fit. :)

If you are curious about Rosaire's player and my other characters, you may like to check out my OOC, FFXIV-related Tumblr, hasty-touch.

I am in EST and tend to be available, if not in-game, from afternoon to late-night. If you want to get ahold of me, you should probably check if my main/alt A'mrhael Tia is online or send me a message out-of-game, such as on Tumblr.

I tend to be an easygoing sort of player who does his best to be flexible and accomodate other players' needs and preferences. I am always happy to communicate OOC and plan or shape things according to our wishes (or to wing it! It's all good.)

On my own I usually gravitate to slice-of-life, "tea-party roleplay" with interpersonal intrigue and political/philosophical discussion, but I'm open to a variety of things. On the rare occasions I've done combat RP it's been freeform, so if you prefer some /roll system you may need to coach me through the process!

While I am 18+ (10+ years over 18 actually...) and willing to roleplay topics considered "Mature RP," I'd prefer to be warned OOC before diving into heavy topics. Furthermore, my characters are usually not available for romantic or sexual roleplay except with the characters of my longtime friends. Sorry!

And please do not kill or maim my characters without planning it out with me beforehand. XD

Credit

Infobox style copied from Template:Infobox-roe. Further inspiration pulled from Bancroft Gairn and all the pages that his have inspired.