Katrienne Roncevaux

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Ishgard.jpg Katrienne Roncevaux
Katrienne.jpg
Lady of the House Roncevaux
Gender Female
Race Elezen
Clan Wildwood
Citizenship Ishgard
Age 45
Allegiance House Haillenarte
Deity Halone, the Fury
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Katrienne Roncevaux (née "Rosaire", sometimes "Lady Roncevaux") is the de-facto matriarch of the House Roncevaux and the wife to Lord Phillipot Roncevaux. She is the mother of three children, Estienne, Hersendis, and Guillelmus, though the eldest has since died. Although not very outspoken politically, she is a staunch isolationist and feels that a great many evils have already resulted from the opening of Ishgard's gates to outsiders. Noteworthy in her often officious and traditional mannerisms, she is not a woman to whom compassion or geniality are often attributed.

History

Born the eldest child of Ser Almaricus Rosaire and his gentle wife, Emelina (née Pellicier), Katrienne was a naturally gifted combatant. Her father's exploits in the Autumn War against the expansionist desires of the Ala Mhigans was such that the daughter could not help but aspire to follow in her father's footsteps. While her younger brother was expected to prove the more martially gifted, Katrienne's surprising discipline and poise made her a ruthless competitor and one of peerless dedication to a task once it was accepted. Her perfected form with the lance saw her aspirations to become the "thorns by which the Haillenarte Rose would be guarded," seem far more than a child's dream. Despite her aptitude with the lance though she was studied in many subjects, paramount among them histories, religion, arts, and the crafting of delicate metals. This fully rounded education came at great expense to her household, but rounded her into an appealing and attractive member of society.

As the House Rosaire served beneath the House Roncevaux, it was little surprise that Lord Launceloix Roncevaux's eldest son, Phillipot, found himself smitten with this woman who seemed to be the Fury reborn. It was after her successful showing in several battles against the Dravanian Hordes that Phillipot found the courage to ask for the hand of this woman born of a lower caste and with the troubling tendency to risk her life in defense of Ishgard with frequency. Surprisingly, it was Katrienne that protested this engagement even after Lord Launceloix agreed — not because she held some grievance with the institution of marriage, but because she felt her overlord's son would be better served by another woman. Yet Phillipot, showing surprising tenacity, continued to pursue her until she finally agreed to his proposal.

Despite the fact Katrienne was born of the gentry and was more prized as a banneret than a bride, she quickly acclimated to the expectations that were held of her. An agreement was reached that once Phillipot became the Lord of Roncevaux she would commit to her familial obligations with absolute clarity. This was not so long in the distance and, after very little effort, Katrienne was seen with her first child. Estienne, not surprisingly, took after his mother's martial prowess and was soon being trained even as she saw him with two more siblings. However much she may have focused upon raising her children though, if the House Haillenarte required her then she would be swift to answer their call. This proved surprisingly convenient as Phillipot's lukewarm interest in astrology saw him home more than at the observatorium.

Yet there was tragedy to soon find the House of Roncevaux. As the Dravanian Horde's attacks became more frequent Katrienne returned to the battlefield and served through several tense engagements. Estienne, by this point, had come of age and served in his own capacity as the heir to the Roncevaux name with marked distinction. Yet a surprising ambush by the Horde saw Katrienne, fatigued, forced to rush to the aid of Estienne's beleagured forces. As she arrived her energy failed her and she made a key mistake, which would have cost her life were it not for Estienne rushing to his mother's side. Incapable of protecting her son despite her best efforts, the strength that Katrienne for so long valued failed her and she found herself holding her son in her arms as he perished.

Following Estienne's death, Katrienne refused to fight for an extended period of time. Phillipot's indifference to leadership saw her begin to guide the House of Roncevaux in earnest. As lesser lords beneath the great house of Haillenarte, the Roncevaux maintained little independent say and often moved as their superiors indicated. Despite this, Katrienne has been noted to hold marked disinterest in the attempt to bring Ishgard closer to the city-states. After her long period of seclusion, with her youngest child no longer needing to be cared for she found herself no longer capable of suffering the depression of absence without taking action.


Personality

Although an arrogant woman, Katrienne has never been particularly outspoken. Comfortable to allow her excellence to speak for her, she is not a woman that enjoys arguments and is often quick to leave one if she feels there is nothing to be gained from it. Because of the many losses she has seen during the Dragonsong War, Katrienne has absolutely no desire to see the war end without the complete destruction of the Dravanians. Additionally, she feels that outsiders are largely not to be trusted and tolerates them only to a small degree in matters dealing with exports and imports.