Chevalier Henri Lacrosse

The first things one notices are his halting grey eyes and easy smile; the last is a long-lingering satisfaction.

Chevalier Henri Lacrosse

Knowledge 13-Family's glorious past 13-The arts and sciences 13-Excels in all his pursuits

Fighting 18-Dueling with blade and pistol

Skills 20-Bright star of the Guild 15-Typifying the Enlightened Gentleman 13-Gambling 13-Piloting luxurious shuttlecraft 13-Equine sports 15-Cuisine

Social 15-Halting grey eyes 15-Lingering satisfaction 15-Uncanny wit and charm 15-All the right circles

Resources 13-born to prominent aristocracy 13-substantial influence

The Lacrosse family of Bernadette wields power and influence through business and politics and it's fingers reach far from the manor house sat astride the Rose River, many miles from the city of New Paris. The Lacrosses were known for the previous century as philanthropes, socially active politicians, artists, intellectuals, and for throwing shindigs at the estate that drew all the right people from all over the Alliance. All of this stopped the day Robert Lacrosse became the Patriarch. In stark contrast to his ancestors, Robert adopted a strict religious outlook during his youth as a missionary out on the Rim. The power and influence of the family did not wane during Robert's ascent, and he used it to wage a personal war on indecency, immorality, and hedonism.

One day, when Robert's great-grandson Henri was old enough to know one thing from another and to take advantage of an uncanny natural charm, he broke away from his governess on the Rue Royale in New Paris and ran round the corner to the prettiest house at the end of a row of pastel manors and went inside. The name above the door of the four story bright yellow mansion was The Rising Sun. The elderly matron caught the boy in the foyer before he could witness first hand what made this house the finest Guild House on Bernadette. The mistress saw something remarkable in the boy's manner and admired his exuberance and asked his name which he answered proudly. Upon hearing the name of Lacrosse, and after checking the door finding no one running up the street after him, Vella, the Mistress of The Rising Sun House proceeded to tell young Master Lacrosse the story about the generous patronage of the Lacrosse family in years past, and how important it was to foster the Guild traditions, and how long ago, more than one Lacrosse had become what she was. A Companion.