Horrors of Averoigne: Chateau de Chalisse
The eldest member is Grand Mére Constance, age 73, widow of Bernard de Chalisse - first victim of the curse. Constance is quite religious, and as knowledgeable on scripture and doctrine as any priest but her interests run to theologies unpopular with the Church, which she keeps to herself.
The second eldest is Marie, age 51, widow of Henri de Chalisse (Bernard’s eldest son). Marie likes to travel and see other places, an interest she indulges with pilgrimages. She often travels to cathedrals and saints’ sites to pray for the lifting of the curse on her family.
The Sieur and his wife are Etienne de Chalisse (age 29) and Isabelle (née Bouchet, age 28). Their children are Mathilde (female, 7), Bernard (male, 5) and Caliste (female, 3). Etienne was an irresponsible youth, his 'live for today' lifestyle being driven by the knowledge of the doom hanging over him. However, he found marriage a stabilizing influence and even moreso the births of his children. Bernard’s birth made him more determined to restore his family for his son. He is even taller than Robert, a bear of a man. He is currently an energetic and engaged lord of his fief.
Isabelle is a helpful wife and at heart more of a warrior than her husband, prone to being very direct with people and can be impatient with delays and setbacks.
Others present
The household is small. Etienne is assisted by a monk, Brother Guillaume as both spiritual advisor and secretary, and a steward Gaston Duret who deals with stables and servants other than the kitchen and associated staff. Duret is 53 and has been Steward for 20 years, he is the son of the previous steward. He was de factor father to Etienne and Robert after their father's death.
Isabelle oversees the household directly, having a cook and several maids, of which Aude (a village girl) is her most trusted personal maid.
The cook, Gertrude has been with the family for 31 years and rules her underlings with an iron hand.
Yves Fayard, bailiff, has overseen the village and surrounding farms for the past 13 years.
Michelle Foret the gamekeeper seems to have been absent lately (he is overseen by Yves).
The last Steward is still with the family but has retired to the care of his family in his final years. He is 79 and the only person other than Grand Mére Constance who recalls the previous years.
The castle armourer is named Olivier (skill 60)
Timeline of Events
Given in years before the present.
-84 Bernard de Chalisse born
-61 Curse falls on family (not believed yet) with the burning of the Sorcerer Ghiselbrecht
-55 Bernard marries Constance de Vernay (who is 18), Constance is his second wife, his first wife Beatrice died in labour along with her child. (Note Bernard had a younger brother, Denis – born -80, who went into the clergy and since passed away, also at 33, in -47)
-54 Henri de Chalisse born (his father is 30)
-51 Bernard de Chalisse dies (at this point the deaths of Denis and Bernard both at 33 are remarked upon and the curse is spoken of but more rational minds dismiss it)
-33 Henri de Challisse marries Marie de Croy (age 18)
-29 Etienne de Chalisse born
-26 Robert de Chalisse born
-19 Henri de Chalisse (father of Etienne and Robert) dies (at 33, the idea of the curse is now fully established and widely known)
-11 Robert de Chalisse leaves region as squire to a knight in Comte's court (this knight lost an arm and became Brother Gerome)
-8 Etienne marries Isabelle de Bouchet (at that time, he is 21, she is 20, large dowry required to arrange the marriage)
