Rosaire Ledigne
Rosaire Ledigne | |
aka | Rosaire de Saincourant Rosaire the Staid |
Pronunciation | (something like:) ʀo.zεʀ lə.diɳ |
Gender | Male |
Race | Elezen |
Age | ≈55 |
Occupation | Holy Inquisitor (retired) |
External Links | IC tumblr OOC tumblr |
Contents
Appearance & Personality
Rosaire Ledigne, né Rosaire de Saincourant and known in the Holy Inquisition as "Rosaire the Staid", does not quite cut a conventionally imposing figure; stout, short, and now largely dependent on a cane to walk, he nevertheless still carries himself with considerable gravitas and an aura of dignified authority. With a face usually set in a serious, unreadable expression and an unflinching ice-blue stare made to pierce a sinner's secret heart, at times his presence can still intimidate. But times have changed, and events have brought out his humanity and gentleness.
Since the stroke that partly paralyzed his left side, he has settled into a pleasant retirement. His polite yet easy manners, his generosity and kindness, and the courtesy he extends to nearly everyone, including the lowborn and unbeliever, are marked by his many friendly acquaintances; but perhaps as many Ishgardians remember him as a ruthlessly ambitious, arrogant, endlessly scheming political climber. At least for now he seems to have given up on power, devoting himself to his new wife and the peaceful life they share.
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 and 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 was resigned to a quiet and lonely life spent at home when not attending 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 another stroke of Halone's hand, a second attack of apoplexy — this one in so public a place there was no chance of keeping it secret, though to his great surprise, the friends he'd assumed would abandon him for his frailty instead rallied around him. Regretting his hubris, he confessed and forswore his counterrevolution — and confessed and swore his love — to Gwenneth Gilrouis. Six moons of recovery later, they married.
Today he is officially retired and devoted utterly to his wife. He occupies himself with tea, gossip, and nurturing a philanthropic organization he founded together with his wife, the Institute for the Greening of Coerthas and Dravania.
Birth Year
| 1527th Year of 6th Astral Era
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Nameday
| 2nd Sun of 1st Astral Moon
| Residence
| apartment in the Pillars, Ishgard
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Birthplace
| Ishgard proper
| Employer
| Special Office of the Holy Inquisition (until recently) |
Height
| 6 fulms 5 ilms
| Sexual Orientation
| heterosexual
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Shape
| pleasingly round
| Marital Status
| married to Gwenneth Ledigne
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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 shepherd one final plot, and thus aware that he might 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.
- 28 Menphina: Though its last scheme goes off "successfully," the Ardently Faithful effectively falls apart afterwards due to Gentiane's sabotage.
- 26 Thaliak: After Rosaire's right arm and clavicle mostly heal, he can begin physical therapy.
- 17 Nymeia: The paperwork for Rosaire's retirement begins official processing.
- 23 Nymeia: After Rosaire finally asks Miss Gwenneth Gilrouis if she would consent to his courtship, he writes to Eliane Dufresne, acting head of the House under which Gwenneth is a ward, to begin properly.
- c. 7 Llymlaen: Rosaire visits the Shroud in the company of Perrine and Gwenneth, secretly to seek new treatments for his paralyzed side.
- c. 7 Llymlaen: Rosaire meeds Oleander and Dogsbane in the East Shroud and there observes Baelsar's Wall and meets the sylphs.
- 8 Llymlaen: Rosaire gives access to a good part of his intelligence network to House Dufresne in order to help them hunt a particular enemy.
- 16 Llymlaen: Rosaire writes to the Baron Dufresne, seeking his approval for his courtship of Miss Gwenneth.
- 27 Llymlaen: Rosaire's meeting with the Baron Dufresne, which goes surprisingly(?) well.
- 31 Llymlaen: Hyacinthe Aubeheraut pays a surprise visit to Rosaire at Manor Pepin to discuss Rosaire's gift of his house to Hyacinthe. Hyacinthe accepts, but permits Rosaire to live there with minimal rent -- the situation effectively as if Hyacinthe were to inherit the property on Rosaire's death.
- 11 Oschon: Rosaire proposes to Gwenneth.
- 16 Oschon: Rosaire moves out of Manor Pepin and back to his (or rather Hyacinthe's) apartments -- and is confronted by his sister-in-law about his relationship.
♥ Romantic Interest - ★ NPC/alt - ☠ Deceased |
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Common Rumors (Easily overheard)
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Moderate Rumors (More difficult to overhear)
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Rare Rumors (Very difficult to overhear)
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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
- ...
- ...
Though he is now retired, 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.