Profile Summary

Race
Elezen

Age
45

Alias
Mr Lupin

Citizenship
Ishgardian

Rank
Lowborn servant

Pledged to
Looking for a new family to serve

Alignment
Neutral Good

Favorite party
Ser Aymeric De Borel

Key items
A gold pocket watch with letters engraved (From G.D.B. to my dear V.L.)
A notebook filled with important information and personal researches/drawings.

Distinctive marks
None

*

Valerius Lupin@Malboro (Crystal)

Story

Background

This includes spoilers. Do not read if you wish to discover things IC at your own pace. You might prefer reading the rumours instead.

This summary is mainly here for those who wish to have more information on how to tie their background with my character's past.

For a full and thorough overview of the character, IC documents have been produced in a murder mystery genre, which were meant to be found IC during past events. If, and only if, you are able to split your OOC knowledge from IC knowledge and avoid meta interactions, then feel free to browse and see if connections may be made:

Lupin's notebook

Lupin's chest

Valerius has always been secretive about his past, and few now that he actually grew up at St Reinette's Orphanage without having a clue of who his parents might be. It was not an uncommon thing to find lost children abandoned during the war, be it willingly or because death's veil fell too soon upon brave families.

His education as a kid was conventional, strict, and the orphanage provided him all he needed. He never complained about his fate. He was friendly, helpful and perhaps a little bit of a day dreamer. Raised in the reassuring embrace of Halone's Church, Valerius repaid the kindness received by singing at the Cathedral as a choir boy. He spent a few years sharing the warmth in his heart to those in need by singing canticles and praying with the families.

A minor high House family, by the name of De Beauchene, took quite a fancy in the boy, and decided to adopt him. Not as part of the family, mind you, but more like a companion to their only son, Gabriel de Beauchene. Valerius being older, he would grow up taking care of the boy and being there to entertain and protect him. And so Valerius became the family's pet.

Up until the age of 12, he was displayed at the church as an example of charity. Then, his education was handled by the De Beauchenes. They first tried to make a squire out of the boy, but quickly realized how utterly bad Valerius was with weapons. As a matter of fact, they changed their mind and sent him to train as a high house butler for their son. And so Valerius became a highly skilled servant, perfectly trained to be a beautiful flower pot in a noble house.

Unfortunately, a few years before the end of the war, the Head of the House was reported dead, slayed in battle. Or so was the official version of the facts. His spouse followed him in Halone's Halls a week later, supposedly succumbing to her grief. Private funerals were held, and only a few weeks later did fate harassed the family again.

The heir of the House, Gabriel, was accused by one of his servant to be a heretic and unfitting of ruling the House. The Inquisition investigated these accusations. The official reports mentioned that they found cult rosaries and dragon blood vials among other illegal items where the servant claimed they would be, and therefore the Inquisition arrested the young lord. They “questioned” the entire household servant by servant, including Valerius, who was "kindly invited" to oversee the interrogations in his status of head butler. There was a public trial during which Gabriel admitted his guilt, and a few days later he was tossed from a mountain peak to fall to his death. If not for the intervention of a priest, Valerius would have jumped to follow his lord in his fall.

Being found “innocent” among the rest of the household after questioning, he and the other servants were sent to serve under other noble houses pledged to Durendaire, and this is when Valerius entered the service of Simeon’s father, Lord Sibaruse. With the frivolous and chaotic reputation of Ser Simeon of House Sibaruse, it all felt like a perfect manœuvre to bury him under shame and break his insignificant career. Sent away from Ishgard after the war to join Ser Simeon's household in the Mist, Valerius struggled to adapt to the "country side of Eorzea", and remained away from Ishgard where so many things were left unsaid.

During his time as a servant under Ser Simeon, he met the sweet Iselle Greystone, a maid for whom he fell in love at first sight. He also met Mr Liamont, a housecarl with a very eventful past. Their relationships led them into many troubles and household shenanigans, that ultimately ended up with Valerius' letter of resignation following Liamont's trial in Ishgard.

Valerius traveled from city to city to provide his servant and artistic skills anywhere there was a need for it: usually big events, or very private and elitist parties in which he blended in perfectly due to his education. He settled for a few months in Ul'dah to work in a high-class restaurant, and somehow ended up back to Ishgard once he managed to spare some gils. There was no escaping Guilt and the trap of Time.

Through some odd unexpected turns of events when arriving in Ishgard, he was led to accept Ser Clement Faucheux' offer to become a chef for the Temple Knights of the VIth company... Something Valerius could not refuse. Intrigued by the man, Mr Lupin grew closer to the company. He also felt responsible for the young men within the company and decided his time in the IVth could help redeem himself for the past.

Fervor of Life

The soft white light of dawn shined through the stained glasses of the Cathedral, colouring the walls with hundreds of rainbows and laying on the children's hairs a holy crown. The choir of Sainte Reinette was gathered on the steps of the holy church of Sainte Reymanaud, smiling brightly under Her watchful gaze.

Valerius was among them. A little choirboy dressed in a cute white robe, his long black hairs breaded. He stood a little aside of the group: a solist they made of him. When the choir's voices faded, the cue was given, and his voice filled the stone walls with the grace of the Fury. His velvet voice rang in the air and caressed the attendees' souls with the softness of feathers and the warmth of a the sun.

"See upon your path
Children who've strayed
Give them a hand
To lead them
To other tomorrows

In the dark of the night
A surging wave of hope
Fervor of life
A path to Glory

Joys of childhood
Too quickly forgotten, erased
An everlasting golden light shines
at the end of the path"

And the whole chorus of voices now singed along the canticle of Life, and Hope, and Charity. Values that were very much needed in the despair of war.

When the choir stopped, polite clapping were heard. Nobility enjoyed the simple display of fervor and faith. Their pockets and their hearts felt less heavy when they left the Church.

The children were sometimes lucky to get treats from the nobles. They knew whomthey had to smile to, whom they had to look miserable with, or whom they should give puppy eyes to. And it worked all the time! By the time they were going back to the orphanage, they had already traded caramels against muffins or pearl chocolates, and the struggle of their daily lives was forgotten for a moment.

It was on a day like this that Valerius met the De Beauchene for the first time. A young distinguished elezen couple, of minor nobility. They came in St Reynette dressed in fantastic clothes, clean and proper. Valerius was brought to them, still in his white robe, peering up with obvious shyness.

"Valerius... You'll be no longer a Myste. My dear wife and I have decided to welcome you in our household. Come here, come! Say hello to Gabriel."

Valerius' gaze fell upon the one they named Gabriel. A boy, much younger than he was, holding the hand of his mother and half-hiding behind her skirts. The moment he saw another kid, his demeanour softened. He walked up to young Valerius and offered him a bright friendly smile, extending his hand to him. Valerius held it for a moment. Their gaze met. They did not need words. Their bond was forged on that day, never to wither, only to grow deeper.

A surge of hope had coloured his nights.

Time Stands Still

"And it is known that a butler's duty is first and foremost to accomplish all of his lord's desires..."

The crystalline voice of the young lord was shaking with irrepressible laughter. He was holding a book in his hands, his footsteps echoing in the great marble halls as he was running away from an older young man dressed in a butler suit.

"Young master!" Valerius called out, attempting to snatch the book out of his hands.

"...and his lord ordered him a taste of the lowborn's coffee he just happened to drink! His lips still wet, he leaned cl-"

He was cut short in his reading as Valerius leaped forward. The young lord masterfully dodged him, running the opposite way, his laughter drawing the attention of the maids casting confused glances at the butler rushing after him.

"Young master, please!" He begged, panicked.

"...he leaned closer, pressing them against his lord's. His hands firmly grasped his --"

This time, the book was stolen away by the butler. He quickly hid it under his waistcoat, blushing with obvious embarrassment while young master Gabriel was crying with laughter.

"Come on, Valerius, it was the best part!"

"Young master, if your mother ever learns about your new hobby, I will undoubtedly be fired." Valerius scolded with a desperate frown.

"You can't be fired for something so trivial, Valerius. You are part of this family. I won't allow anyone to take you away. Now, tell me honestly, how does my future as a scandalous novelist sounds like?"

Valerius scoffed, shaking his head.

"I am not sure whether I prefer your new hobby or the ancient one..."

Gabriel grinned. He shrugged and with an uncaring yet endearing simplicity, answered right away:

"What's wrong with astrology? Don't tell me you're afraid of the hear-says? Please, Valerius, not you."

The butler sighed heavily, before offering a genuine smile. He took the scandalous erotic book out of his waistcoat and handed it back to the young master, who seemed delighted.

"Ha, where did we left off again..." Gabriel teased.

" Don't read it out loud!"

"But it's meant to be!"

Another roaring laughter at Valerius' terrified expression. Gabriel slid the book under his arm and opened the door to his private aisle of the house. A few steps inside the huge library of the young lord, and here they were in renewed privacy. The scandalous little book found its way on a shelf of similar manuscripts.

"Help me write the next one, Valerius!" he mused, relishing in the butler's distress.

Valerius scoffed once more.

"If it pleases you." he shrugged it off.

Gabriel chuckled. He climbed the stairs of a ladder and picked up a fancy jewelry box. Valerius gave a questioning look at his lord as the latter jumped down and almost rushed to his side, pushing the little box inside his hands.

"Here. I meant to give this to you today."

Valerius blinked with confusion. Gabriel added almost immediately:

"For your nameday."

"But I do not have a n--"

"Today is your nameday."

Gabriel smiled warmly. Valerius opened his mouth to protest, but...

"Won't you open it?"

And so he did, so very carefully. Inside the box sat a white golden pocket watch, engraved, from G.D.B. to my dear V.L.. Valerius' fingers caressed the letters for a moment, his mind going blank, his stomach fuzzy with butterflies.

"Young master, I... I don't know what to say..." his voice was heavy with emotions. Tears gleamed in the corner of his eyes.

"Promise me you'll be by my side, always." Gabriel asked, a fond smile extending his lips.

Perhaps, at this time, he did not know what the lord truly meant by that. He nodded.

"I will never leave your side." he promised.

And at this time, he really thought he would.

Time stood still. And moons later, the memory of this day felt unreal.Time stood still. And how did he wish it had stop here.

Love Transcends All

Gabriel was leaning against the balcony railing, bathing in the cold sun of Coerthas. His gaze was lost in the tranquil scenery of the Pillars, following the shades of highborn walking the alleys up and down endlessly.

"...these 3 wines will be paired perfectly to the traditionnal 12 courses diner. I've also arranged everything with the florists; the room will be decorated with ishgardian blue, purple, red and white dominant colours. I've taken appointments with the aesthetician. I'm also pleased to announce that the guest list has been finalised and..."

Gabriel's gaze was lost in the distant horizon now, his face turned towards the sky as Valerius' voice echoed distantly behind him. The butler sounded so enthusiastic, so filled with bright delight...

"...as for the wedding rings, we've just received the most elegant samples from the goldsmith, if my Lord would be curious to see them today..."

Gabriel's expression stiffened, and he kept a significant silence. Valerius' words died in his throat. His excited smile faded as he realized something felt off. He closed his notebook, putting it on a desk as he allowed himself to step forward and stand next to his young master. Gabriel's smile seemed weak. His gaze lingered on the clouds for a while, then only did it fall upon Valerius.

"What is on your mind, my Lord?"

Valerius' tone softened. Gabriel shrugged, struggling with his thoughts.

"Pray tell me, Valerius... Do you remember the poems of Valentione we used to read?"

Valerius nodded, quoting a few words from Lady Anabelle with a fond smile.

"The fragile echoes of your heart, beating so fast against your chest. The butterflies dancing inside, shaking the depths of your very soul. The lingering warmth coveting your skin, like a cloak of feathers brushing your cheeks. Gazes telling thousand of words in an instant. A hand holding yours no matter how many thorns stand in your hollow paths. A beacon of light in a world of grey shades..."

Gabriel's smile was tainted by an infinite sadness. He peered into Valerius' eyes. The seriousness of the conversation caught him off guard.

"Have you ever felt this way before, my Lord?"

"Not for her."

Valerius felt silent. Gabriel's eyes lingered on him for an intimate amount of time, before he finally added:

"I am trapped in a cage, Valerius. 'Tis true that I must comply, and my duty is to ensure my parents' name lives on. But what for? What in my blood is different than yours, that my name is more precious than others? Why must it be so important now, to ensure that my children will open eyes in a world filled with misery, crualty and hatred? A world so shaken in its foundations that it only revolves around our own city. Children, born in a city at war, whose fate has already been decided, blind to the weight of expectations crushing their frail shoulders at the second they will cry for the first time.

Am I to fake feelings, and keep this smile forever on my lips, while in my bones and soul I deem all of this but an unfair lie? It is wrong. I shall never love her. I do not wish her to intrude upon my intimacy, nor have her anywhere close to my library. I do not want her to steal a place in my life that she has never earned. She is but a stranger to me, imposed on me at the most unconvenient times. I feel sorry for her, but I have no intention in keeping my studies aside. She doesn't know me. She never will. Everything about this wedding is a lie."

Gabriel's voice faded. The melancholy he kept in his heart was slowly showing through the cracks of his social mask. There was a hint of repulsion, a subtle sign of a rebelious mind enslaved to the heavy codes of nobility.

"Forgive me, my-- ... No. I am sorry, Gabriel."

Valerius broke the rules of propriety. After all, there was no one but the two of them, and Gabriel did not need another reminder of the same-self cage he felt trapped in.

"You're the only one who belongs here, Valerius. You're the only one I will allow near me."

Gabriel's tone was firm. And the creeping sadness of the situation weighted heavily on Valerius' shoulders. The butler forced a reassuring smile, as he adjusted Gabriel's tie and waistcoat with slow and caring movements.

"I am afraid there is no escape from your duties, Gabriel. 'Tis the way of our world. But you do not have to tread this path alone. I shall ever be by your side to carry this weight alongside you."

Valerius' tone was apologetic. The guilt he felt by encouraging Gabriel in a path that made him so miserable broke his heart at the very second he told him those words. Gabriel's fingers rested on the butler's wrist for a moment. In a single gaze, all was said between them.

Whatever others said things had to be like, no one and nothing shall ever dissever the soul of Gabriel De Beauchene from the soul of Valerius Lupin. Amidst the lies, they had found their beacon of light in each other's.

Hemophobia

“Is your lord a heretic?”

The inquisitor’s tone echoed within the stone walls of the underground chambers. The candles’ wax had melted over the wooden tables, their flickering flames casting shadows over the stained grounds. A watery sound reverberated. Drop by drop. A tranquil rhythm broken by the guttural groan escaping the dried throat of an elezen strapped to a chair. His wrists, his legs, his neck: trapped in black iron. His long grey hairs were glued to his face with blood dripping from his split arcade.

“Is your lord a heretic?”

The question was repeated relentlessly.

But no sound escaped the man’s lips.

The Inquisitor, cladded in a bright white and reddened cloak, approached his gloved hand to a silvery knife. The thin blade found its way under the man’s nails.

Valerius watched. Long had he peered into these cold chambers. He stood there, for hours, for moons, until seconds became hours and hours became weeks. Watching. Listening in agony. Time had trapped them into this maze, and there was no escape.

Another scream roared in the darkness. The iron stench of blood flared in his nostrils. His stomach could not keep up anymore, but he somehow managed to hold everything inside. He watched. He had to. His fingers clenched harder and harder on his own flesh, trying to hold grasp on reality. His vision, tunneled, could not flee the cruel red splatters. The dreadful sensation of imminent doom was crawling under his skin like millions of thorns. He could barely breath, but he had to. His own heart felt like a dead weight in his chest, but he had to.

A hand rested on his shoulder. A warm breath on his neck, like the one of a tale’s monstrous beast.

“Sit down, Mr Lupin.”

The tone held authority. One he could not challenge. Valerius sat down as asked, feeling the grasp on his shoulder getting tighter. Squeezing. Squeezing harder and harder until the pain was obvious in the butler’s features. But his eyes would not shut. He would not back down.

“This will take a while.” the voice promised.

And it did. Scream after scream. Drop after drop. And each time, the same question was asked to the very same servants he supervised for all these years. The servants he was responsible for. And he watched. He watched every last second of their sufferings, of their pain, of their despair; engraved in him forever. Alongside the sickening stench of blood and burnt flesh.

“Is your lord a heretic?”

There was no end to this masquerade. Halone had no mercy in her heart for them. Their prayers never reached the heavens, words burnt by the flames, tears shed in the intimacy of their souls. Hundreds of servants were questioned, yet none was bold enough to betray their lord. All those who were sent there were innocents! Why couldn’t they see it…?

It was the head butler's duty to see this through up until the end. Up until he would be asked the very same question too.

“Is your lord a heretic?”

There was no answer to give. None that would avoid the bitter poison of betrayal. Be it for the young lord, be it for the servants he was responsible for, be it for Ishgard and his faith to the Fury. There was no answer to give.

“Is your lord a heretic?”

“I am.” answered Gabriel de Beauchene.

The Sleeper

The wind was howling on the bleak mountain top. It was silent as silent could be. Crowds of shadows and blurred silhouettes, their white gowns blending in the snow, red lining standing out like splatters of blood. They were circling around the young lord like starving coeurls.

O miserable did he look, his dear Gabriel. His youth sacrificed on the altar of hatred. Only skin and bones in rags. His fair skin scorched, his lips splitted, his eyes deprived of joy and hope and life. He stood there, so very close to the edge, with the void below and the heavens weeping tears of ice.

And Valerius watched. An Inquisitor's hand squeezing his shoulder. His gaze remained on the young lord, praying for this nightmare to end.

Halone, I beg thee! Take my life instead, save my Lord. Save Gabriel! O Fury! His soul was screaming.

But the Heavens remained silent. As silent as it could be. In the blink of an eye, everything was over. A murder, witnessed by hundreds of gazes, and none mirrored naught but indifference.

Gabriel's tortured gaze met the hopeless one of Valerius as a hand pushed him forward. His body fell quietly, swallowed by the brumes, until it hit the sharp rocks in a crual sound of broken bones and torn flesh. The seas of snow welcomed him, tainted with shades of red waves.

That sound, Valerius could never forget. Nor did he ever forget the promise he made to his Lord.

To be by your side, always.

He had no tears left anymore to cry. The faceless anonymous crowd around him felt unreal. His body was numb. So were his emotions. The deaf pain left his ears buzzing so loud he ignored whatever the crowd was yelling now. The silence...was only his mind's trick. A withdrawal from this reality. From this world. In a few seconds, his body stood near the edge. He felt his legs collapsing under the weight of guilt.

I will join you in Halone's Halls...

Such were his thoughts, for how could the young lord be there without his butler? No. It was more than that. It has always been.

He felt sucked in by the empty void below...until a firm grasp pulled him away and left him stunned in the cold wet snows. Was he denied such a simple wish? Judgemental gazes fell on him like guillotines. But amidst the chaos of empty souls, warm compassion wrapped his shoulders and he was pulled away from the mountain top. Away from his lord.

He must be so cold... So lonely now... Let me go... I should be by his side. Gabriel...Gabriel!

The accusations. The arrestations. The questionning. The trial. The Witchdrop. All these moons of agony all led to this wretched day that plundged his life into an abyss of despair. Emotionnaly and physically exhausted, his last lucid thoughts went to his young master, as his mind shut down. There was only darkness now. And when he opened his eyes once more...
He wished he never had.

Family

Valerius' Parents ( ? )

Valerius has no clue who his parents might be, nor if they are still alive. He might even have siblings he knows nothing about. The name Lupin was given to him by a nurse at the Orphanage.
Opened to discussion if any player would like to build a plot story with it.

Ser Gabriel de Beauchene ( ✖ Deceased )

The young lord of the De Beauchene family. Valerius' former master, and one he grew up with. The bond Valerius had with Gabriel is one that knows no match. Valerius is pretty secretive about the young lord's tragedy, and never talks about his feelings towards Gabriel, since he was condemned by the Halonic Inquisition.

Iselle Greystone ( Fiancée )

Valerius asked the lovely maid to marry him, and...she said yes!

Skills

Basic skills
Fashion flower pot model
Aesthetician (hairs, make up)
Realistic sketches drawing
Ishgardian cuisine
Cake baking
Tea brewing
Artisanal Liquors
Gossips and rumours monger
Chocobo riding

Advanced skills
Household supervision
Wine pairing
Fashion Advices
Superb communication
Sense of calm under any situation
Charming smile and manners
Ishgardian History & Heraldry nerd
Tenor lyrical canticle singer

Special Skill
Breaking tea pots, cups and flower pots whenever Iselle calls him by his name.

Personality Traits

Valerius is a snarky little snide with a high mastery of sarcasm. When first meeting him, his stern yet charismatic demeanour may be striking. Despite being a servant, his good education truly shines in fields such as history, poetry, heraldry, cuisine, fashion, or surprisingly complicated fields such a theoretical aetherology. It would seem Mr Lupin, despite his absolute lack of field knowledge, is a book nerd with a good memory!

As a trained butler, Valerius knows absolutely mandatory things such as how to pair the perfect wine with your 12 courses traditionnal ishgardian diner. He will also gladly tell you all about the poor choice of colour of Lady Framboise's wedding dress last week.

Motivations

To unveil and reveal the truth about his young lord's death, and to protect Iselle and Liamont like he wished he could have protected Gabriel - such are the driving motivations of the man.

Strenghts & Weaknesses

Strenghts

Love - As cliché as it is, Valerius would do anything to prove his love to Iselle. Even things he'd be terrified to do in other circumstances. As much can be say regarding his cherished memories of Gabriel, but that is his own secret garden.

Art - Be it drawing, singing, writing poetry, or mastering the latest trends of aesthetism, Valerius is pretty good in these fields. Too bad he's a bit embarassed to use his talents publicly.

Weaknesses

Dodos - The wretched birds of evil from the Void! Valerius is terrified by the damn birds, and will not hesitate to courageously run away to hide from them.

Hemophobia - Due to an old trauma, Valerius cannot withstand the smell and/or sight of blood. As a consequence, he will faint whenever in presence of blood, be it his own or someone else's.

Likes

Iselle, the Goddess
Gabriel's pocket watch gift
Ishgardian tea
Ishgardian red wine
Ishgardian rolanberry tarts
The Enchyridion
Halonic Canticles
Love Poems of House Valentione
His aesthetician Tools

Dislikes

Anything or anyone going against his Goddess
Blood
Dodos
Adventuring
Breaking the rules of propriety
Unfair treatment of servants
Lack of fashion sense and curtesy

Relationships

PCs

Iselle Greystone ( ♥ Goddess )
Valerius fell in love at first sight with the lovely maid. Since then, he considers her like the incarnation of Halone Herself, and never ceases to try to impress her. Recently, he proposed to the Goddess -- and she might have accepted!

Clement Faucheux ( Loyal )
Valerius met the Knight Captain through some unexpected turn of events. Offering his skills as an aesthetician for the company, he ended up being recruited by the man as a chef, with the vague promise of being his personal servant should he manage to impress him. Valerius doesn't feel quite at ease with him, and is very diplomatic and cautious, as he doesn't quite know how to read the man's intentions. But, so far, he has been treated fairly, and his loyalty for the Captain is growing slightly.

Liamont Arbeau ( Positive )
Valerius is torn between fatherly affection and mild disdain for the young boy. Despite obviously getting upset at Liamont quite often and mixing up his name all the time, he can't help but watch over the boy in his own way.

Gerivien Greystone ( Positive )
Valerius has been assigned his etiquette lessons. And the task is tremendously hard. But he can't help feeling the same way towards Gerivien as he feels for Liamont. Bunch of broken kids who needs some discreet support, really.

Darcy Mayfield ( Positive )
She seemed like a decent person, and her reactions towards gossiping made Valerius' opinion on the squire somewhat positive.

Ser Lanval ( Positive )
Valerius has met the man but a few times but never had to complain. His happiness about his wedding is, moreover, something Mr Lupin can definately bond over with.

Lord Auguste Flambeaux ( Positive )
Valerius has trusted himself in the Lord Chef supervising the Temple Knives and is well decided in trying to impress him. They do share a common passion for the culinary arts!

Lady Marcelle ( Unsure )
An intriguing person, whom Valerius is only curious about because of her affiliation to Edith and that weird planisphere-user. He'd like to know where she stands in regards to his new master.

Simeon Sibaruse ( Unsure )
Valerius somewhat appreciate Ser Simeon for his kindness and his attitude towards the lowborns and servants. However, Simeon's reputation and obvious disregard for the codes and propriety of ishgardian society leaves Valerius quite unsure of how much he can allow himself to appreciate the blunt noble.

Lady Delphine ( Negative )
An absolute nightmare to deal with. Mean for the sake of it, insulting and thinking herself a proper lady. Valerius has nothing but half-hidden scorn for the woman.

Lady Edith & affiliates ( Negative )
Having the displeasure of eavesdropping her gossiping and the amusement of witnessing Ser Clement's answer to the situation, Valerius has labeled the lady as a worthless idiot and a disgrace to proper ishgardian etiquette.

Rumours

Last updated: 06.27.2020

Some of these rumors are untrue, speculation, or are greatly exaggerated.

Common Rumors - Easily overheard

"Ha, dear Mr Lupin is a charming man. A dedicated reader of the Valentione's poems, this sweetheart. He comes here quite often. I trade some of his aesthetician products against my newest books. Can you smell fresh green apple in my hairs? And look at this lovely shade of honey in my locks!" - A book seller at the Crozier.

"Valerius? The choirboy? Could you ask him to come next moon? I've been meaning to make the boy sing this canticle here but his teacher said he was no longer in the choir!" - An old senile priest at the Cathedral.

"The tea cups plague? Don't let him approach my kitchen anymore! He's broken enough glasses and cups already!" - An inn-keeper at the Mist

"Have you seen how this butler behave around women? Men these days, they have no shame anymore!" - A grumpy old lady at the markets

"Master Lupin's services were always satisfying. I have no complaints to make. Unfortunately, we do not wish to hire his services anymore. Now, leave us be." - A lord taking a stroll at the Pillars

Uncommon Rumors - A little more difficult to hear.

"Valerius? The young De Beauchene's servant, wasn't he? He quite often climbed our stairs up and down to provide the young lord many of our books upon astrology. Not a common hobby back in the days. I dare say the young lord was quite bold in his choice of literature..." - An astrologian at the Observatorium

"Oh, how could I not remember Valerius! He's been quite popular at some of our...private parties... He would always read a little poetry for us... And sometimes entertain us with one particular story about a very..very bored..lady..and her butler... But I've said enough!" - A seductive noble lady at the Vigil

"Stay away from him, the man is cursed! I heard he keeps fainting at the sight of birds or wolves. Something is wrong with him!" - A gossiping girl at the Crozier.

Rare Rumors - Very rarely overheard.

"Valerius Lupin? Wasn't he in service of Gabriel De Beauchene? I had him under care. It was...twenty years ago? More or less? My memory fails me sometimes. But I have never forgotten this man's eyes. It haunted me for years. I was so young, and he was amongst my first patients. It was as if...he was alive but...could not hear us. Like his mind has left his body entirely. There was nothing wrong with his body, really, just some minor bruising. It was all in his mind. He'd just not eat or drink anything without assistance. He'd just lie there all day, clutching his watch in eerie silence." - An old healer at the Congregation.

"Valerius? Of course I remember him! Such a good boy! And such a cute little voice, too! I was so proud of him when he was adopted by the De Beauchene!" - A teacher at St Reinette.

"Leave me alone, I do not know him! I have nothing to say!" - A 40 years old maid who worked for the De Beauchene

"Valerius Lupin. Yes, I remember the name. I remember the soul. The eyes. Everything. A very loyal servant. But a blind one. So we made him see." - An 60+ years old Inquisitor

OOC Notes

Player Notes

Hello, I am a european player, therefore I split my time between Chaos and Crystal DCs, with alt characters I only use for RP. Due to my time-zone (GMT+1), meeting for RP may require some time to work around schedules, but I am always available on discord!

Personal RP Limits
I am a chill player interested in co-creating fantastic storylines and in depth characters development. I rarely DM events but it is something I can do, and I also offer to NPC. I like my life drama-free, so if you start OOC arguments you'll never see me again.

I will play pretty much everything with a preference for dark mature RPs, inter-personnal conflicts, psychological dilemmas and character relationship building.

I won't play any themes around rapes and pregnancy. Please respect my boundaries.

Character Lore Adherence
I abide by the lore and try my best to respect the background of the game. I usually read a lot before taking IC decisions and I like to keep myself informed on everything revolving around my characters' themes.

I am not perfect, so if you are a lore nerd I'll gladly accept your constructive feedback to refine my characters' background and roleplay.

As a matter of fact, I am slightly elitist and will avoid playing with players who makes 0 effort to stick with the lore. I also consider myself neutral in the balance of realistic playstyle and high fantasy: I am usually flexible as long as you don't play OP high fantasy characters for the sake of "winning".

RP Hooks

Friends or Rivals
I am up for anything.

Romance
Please keep in mind that Valerius is engaged, loyal to his fiancée, therefore romance plots are unlikely to go anywhere.

Family
Valerius was abandonned to the Orphanage as a baby and has no clue of who his relatives are. I am opened to discuss family ties as long as it brings some drama!

Ishgardian Antagonists
Contact me if you would like to play Valerius' antagonist(s) and the one(s) responsible for the fall of House De Beauchene. You'd need to be of a higher rank to be able to pull the strings of political games. I'd be delighted to tie your character(s) in the background and build some plot-lines with you.

Inquisitors only
You may have been among those who interrogated the servants of House De Beauchene and condemned the young lord. You may highly dislike the fact that Valerius poked his nose in the Inquisition's business and accused the Holy See of overlooking evidences. Revolting!

Gabriel's betrothed
Gabriel De Beauchene was betrothed to a lady whom he never had the chance to properly get to know. He was soon after accused of heresy, trialed and executed. Maybe you were linked to the political scandal? Or you wished to unravel the mysteries around the fall of his House? Or you were undirectly a victim of the scandal which had consequences on your own House? In any case, Gabriel's old servants had turned out to be difficult to track, but recently you may have heard about his head butler coming back to Ishgard...

Artwork

Guilt by Moffaj

Loving Embrace: Valerius & Iselle made by Sumie

Marry me by Ianhjuytyu

Wedding Ring by Indrac Gunawans

LZN Boysband Parody by Arizky-kun

Glasses pose by Arizky-kun

The Servants' Trio by Ianhjuytyu

All emotes made by Elbaraa

Contact

Ekidna#3626

Valerius Lupin@Omega (Chaos)