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Storyline: From the Royal Archives, A Survey of the Ducal Families

Warning: this page may contain spoilers for Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel’s Legacy series.

From the Desk of Helisende de Toluard, Royal Archivist  

What follows is a survey of the current ducal families of the D’Angeline provinces.  Listed below, in alphabetical order by province, is the information compiled by the Royal Archives to detail the history and standing of the D’Angeline ducal families.  

Azzalle – Duc Jourdain de Trevalion 

Following the disgrace three generations ago, the ducal title had been stripped from the Trevalion family and given instead to House Somerville, a decision that caused no few ripples considering the Somervilles were not even an Azzallese family.  After the disowning of the Somervilles by their ducal heir, however, and his adoption back into his maternal Trevalion family, the ducal title has been restored to the Trevalion family with Bertran, the firstborn of Ghislain and father of the current Duc Jourdain.  

Camlach – Duchesse Laetitia D’Aiglemort

Even following the shame of that unspoken-of Aiglemort ancestor and the raising of the Unforgiven, the traditions of a place like Camlach are difficult to break.  Though the Unforgiven answered to the Anguisette, her passing left them with only the leadership of their military commanders and military commanders do not a ducal power make.  The Unforgiven still guard the borders to reclaim the honour they believe Camlach lost but it is once again an Aiglemort that claims the ducal title.  Duchesse Laetitia D’Aiglemort spent her time training with the Unforgiven and earning their respect and loyalty before she petitioned the Crown to restore the honour of her House by serving as Duchesse of Camlach.  With the support of the Unforgiven and the Time that passes to ease the wound, Queen Anielle de la Courcel granted the request and Duchesse Laetitia D’Aiglemort was instated. 

Eisande – Duchesse Iselette de Mereliot 

The Lady of Marsilikos has distinguished her rule as have the other women of her line. Her mother was an accomplished chirgeon and patron of the medical arts.  Duchesse Iselette succeeded her mother and balanced her mother’s medical interests with her own interests in architecture to authorize building projects to preserve and strengthen the beauty of Marsilikos.  She will be succeeded by her daughter Eleanore.  

Kusheth – Duc Thiebault de Morhban 

The standing of the ducal power in Kusheth is forever in debate among those families that claim it.  Though it has not yet, this Archivist believes that fight will only grow.  The current Duc de Morhban is a stern and uncompromising man, weathering the storm of Shahrizai objections, complaints, and accusations as steadily as the Morhban stronghold weathers the winds and waves.  However, his only daughter, Lorelai de Morhban, has chosen for her wife a daughter of the Shahrizai line, Roxana Shahrizai.  The Shahrizai family now has even more of a claim to the ducal title than before, despite their arguments about blood purity.  However, as part of the marriage between the noblewomen, one of the requirements for the union was for Roxana Shahrizai to give up any claim to her family titles and lands and to consent that any children borne or adopted by this union would bear the Morhban name.  Regardless, the Shahrizai family is now closer than ever to the ducal seat.  

L’Agnace – Duc Roland de Chalasse 

Though the Somerville family had held the ducal title of the region since the reign of Queen Ysandre and the Skaldic Invasion, the subsequent actions of that House, as with the ruling of Azzalle, prompted the stripping of the title from them, allowing it to revert back to the Chalasse family who had held it for generations before it was gifted to the Somervilles.  The current Duc de Chalasse is a tall and strong man for his age and his line is secured by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  

Namarre – Duc Sebastien L’Envers

With the history of House L’Envers marrying into foreign houses and ruling families, the succession of the ducal seat of Namarre was watched with interest by not only D’Angelines but Aragonians and Akkadians as well, each country believing they had a scion of that house with a claim to the ducal title, and viewing that ducal title as a way to sway D’Angeline politics toward foreign interests.  Some of Nicola L’Envers’ line, members now of the Aragonian Royal Family, were interested in establishing further influence over Terre D’Ange but their children were much more interested in remaining in Aragonia.  Valère L’Envers Shamabarsin, wife of the Lugal of Khebbel-im-Akkad, gave birth to three sons and it was there that the answer was found.  Her oldest two sons were raised as princes of Khebbel-im-Akkad but the youngest was returned to Terre D’Ange to foster with a D’Angeline family and it is his son, Sebastien, that has inherited the ducal title.  Sebastien has been a longtime friend of Prince Gustav de la Courcel.  

Siovale – Duchesse Niniane de Perigeux

A distinguished scholarly family, there is little to disrupt the passing of the Siovalese ducal title.  Duchesse Niniane will be succeeded by her son Lancelin.  There is little of note to offer about the Perigeux family, an old House with firm loyalties and a history of scholarship and service.  House Perigeux is close friends with House Rocaille.  

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Storyline: Petrea’s answer to Marco

Petrea, Second of Cereus House, held out her sealed letter to the messenger bound for Tuberium.  She handed him a gold coin.  “You know where to deliver this?  You’re certain?  This is highly important that it reach its destination with all haste.”  She spoke insistently, with almost an air of desperation.

The courier smiled.  “My lady, I will put it in the gentleman’s hands myself.  I know him well and will see he gets it as soon as I am able.”  

He winked at her and grinned.  “I am certain that any correspondence from you is of the utmost importance.”

He took her letter and placed it in his saddlebag.  He patted the bag firmly.

“I shall protect this with my life!” he said with mock bravado, spurring his horse.

Petrea laughed and waved to the young man as he rode away.

My dearest Marco, 

I cannot, at present consent to becoming your wife, much though the thought intrigues me.  I offer you instead a counterproposal.  As a sort of trial engagement, I propose that I join you on your next trade voyage wherever that may take you.  I know not of your life, other than your stories, and should like to experience it for myself before making my decision.

I shall await your reply, and instructions as to the garments I should bring.

All my love,

Petrea

One week later an exhausted courier delivered a hastily scrawled letter to Cereus House.

My darling,

I will return within the week to collect you.  Pack for Alba.  I shall take care of everything else.

Yours,

Marco

Three days later, he arrived.  

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Masque Prep Fanfic: Aliksandria nó Cereus

“I am Aliksandria nó Cereus, Dowayne of Cereus House.”  I repeated this to myself again.

I looked around the hall at the members of the City Judiciary. The magistrate, the leaders of the trade guilds, and representatives of the nobility. I had been Dowayne for five years, and I still felt I was play acting at leadership. I could list the reasons I had been chosen to this role, the steps of the ladder I had climbed to reach this seat and, yet, I felt an imposter still. I feared I would always feel this way.

My predecessor had warned me about this part of the job. He had told me that the Night Court’s seat on the Judiciary was always in jeopardy and that the guild leaders would look for any way to oust us. He had also told me that this had been the way of it for hundreds of years, and that they have never succeeded. But I don’t think he could have prepared me for this.

The guild leaders had spent the bulk of this session railing about how the Night Court held unfair advantage by holding both the seat in the Judiciary and our seat on the Council of Religious Orders. In truth, it was a tired argument that I had heard since I was Dowayne’s Second, and had been old even then. They then shifted their argument to one of undue influence, again an oft used argument due to our history of giving counsel to members of the nobility, including house royal. This argument was, however, made more poignant due to the Dauphin’s current tryst with Odilia.

“We, the leaders of the trade guilds, put forth that while one or the other advantage might be overlooked, the occurrence of both cannot,” stated the leader of the silversmiths guild, a Monsieur Jacques Halceaux. “The trade guilds put forth that the Night Court must cease to give counsel and succor to the Scions of House Courcel, specifically and most urgently, ending the affair of the Dauphin and the adept of Dahlia House.”

The magistrate weighted the words carefully before turning to me:  “How does the representative from the Court of the Night Blooming Flowers respond?”

I took a deep breath.

“I am Aliksandria nó Cereus, Dowayne of Cereus House,” I reminded myself.

“The Night Court is not in the practice of refusing to conduct business with members of noble houses so long as guild law is enforced and heresy does not occur. Furthermore, while I am a representative of the Night Court in this Judiciary, I am not its de facto leader and cannot dictate to other Dowaynes. As to the relationship between Odilia nó Dahlia and the Dauphin Gustav de la Courcel, it is not within the Night Court’s purview to sanction or forbid this union, as her marque has been made and he has reached his majority.”

This appeared to be the response Monseiur Halceaux had hoped for, as a triumphant smile flashed across his face. “If that is the Night Court’s response, than we put forth that its seat on the Judiciary is forfeit.”

The Magistrate raised his hand, “The leader of the silversmith’s guild is reminded that such an action would require a discretionary period and a vote by two thirds of the members of this body.” He then turned to me, “My Lady Dowayne, I recommend you bring this issue to your fellow Dowaynes and discuss amongst your guild how you wish to proceed. We await your final word on the matter when we reconvene after the Longest Night.”

The Longest Night.

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Read the story of our Masque here and submit your fanfic story.

Masque Prep Fanfic: Eirini nó Gentian

“Stay still, Corinne,” Eirini nó Gentian tried to sound firm even through her smile as the young adept squirmed with excitement, “If I stab you with this hair pin, guess whose fault it is.”

“I’m sorry,” Corinne tried to sit still, “It’s just….my first Midwinter Masque!  Eirini, I’m so excited!”

“I know,” the Dowayne said with a patient smile, remembering how excited she had been for her first Masque years ago.  She secured the last part of the intricate hairstyle and shooed the girl away, “Go find Eva for final checks.”

The adept curtsied and left, closing the door to the Dowayne’s apartments silently behind her.  Finally alone, finally with the time to prepare herself, Eirini nó Gentian sat behind her desk, poured herself a cup of tea, and took a moment to breathe.  The awareness of the breath was the first thing Gentians learned upon arriving in the House, for it was the foundation of life and the basis for all meditation and trance-work.  She breathed, in and out, and it was only too easy to close her eyes and sink into the meditative state she had been resisting all day.  It was Midwinter, the shortest day of the year and the longest night.  It was a tipping point between dark and light, winter into spring, night into day.  It was a sacred and magical day.  And there was much riding on this day and the Masque this night.  

Eirini had heard the news, heard the gossip in her dreams and in the salon as well. The young Dauphin, the new Crown Prince Gustav de la Courcel, would be standing Cassiel’s Vigil tonight, not attending any of the fetes throughout the city, not in the Royal Palace and not in Cereus House.  But lest his absence be considered an insult or offence, he had chosen a representative to send in his place.  His Official Companion would be attending the fete at the Palace, playing nice with the court and courtiers.  But to the Court of Night Blooming Flowers, the Dauphin had chosen to send a Dahlia. A deliberate slight?  An innocent action?  After the unrest and the loss that had gripped the nation at the beginning of the year and changed everything, there was too much riding on this night to risk entering Cereus House unprepared.  

So Eirini reached for her deck.  Six cards, arranged around the teapot still steaming on her desk.  Six cards, turned over one at a time.  Six cards, each whispering in her mind, trying to give their wisdom and warnings.  The spread had become a vine, a single stalk with two unfurling branches, a single momentous choice with two potentials revealed.

Tarot Card Spread

The Wheel of Fortune and the Fool warned the Gentian about grand changes, changes that the country may not be fully prepared for.  The right branch spiralled from the Lovers reversed into the upright Seven of Cups.  Shallow intimacy and lack of deep and true connection that would lead to dreams impossible to achieve and a time of stagnation for Terre d’Ange. The left branch rose from the Fool, through the upright Two of Cups to end at the Devil reversed.  Connection and communication and community would bring freedom and a Terre d’Ange in control of their own fate.  

Eirini sat back in her chair.  She reached for a flask from one of her desk drawers and spiked her tea.  She would need it.  

“Joie to us all,” she muttered.

Masque Prep Fanfic: Odilia nó Dahlia

This begins our fanfic series of our roleplaying characters preparing for the Masque.  Read the story of our Masque here and submit your fanfic story.

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“What are you afraid of?”

“What am I not afraid of?”

“Odilia.”

Odilia nó Dahlia turned from her vanity, turning from her reflection to look at the Dowayne standing behind her, “Jocaste, everything has changed. How am I supposed to do this? This wasn’t what I expected.”

“Odilia nó Dahlia,” Jocaste said, her silver and black hair gleaming in the lamplight, “You have done so well. You have brought pride and honour to this House. You have supplanted the Cereus as the rulers of the Night Court and you did it because of what you are. What are you, Odilia?”

“A Dahlia.”

“And our words?”

“Upright and Unbending.”

“You will do this. It’s just one more impossible thing and I have watched you eat the impossible for breakfast. There is a reason I chose you for my Second and it is because no matter your parentage, you were born to be here.” The Dowayne drew herself up to her full height and said, “You will enter that Masquerade at my side with your head held high because that is where you belong. And you will continue to do us proud. You charmed a prince, you can charm a ballroom just as easily. Now, set your hair, paint your face, and dress in your costume. It is the Longest Night Midwinter Masque and Dahlia will represent.”

The Dowayne closed the door to the Second’s apartments firmly behind her, already speaking to Aurelie waiting in the hall. Odilia exhaled and turned back in her chair to face herself in her mirror. Who was she fooling? She was as common as they come. Born to a jeweller off Rue Courcel, from a mother who was a painter. An artisan family. Dahlia had found her and raised her up to be a queen of her own little court, proud and fearless, confident in her power. But no matter all of that, her peasant heart still beat with common blood. And somehow she was supposed to be fit for a prince? The Crown Prince, no less.

She covered her face with her hands and dared to wish that he hadn’t come to her. She had been happy as the Second, content to lead the House and ready herself to move up to the Dowayne position when it was time. She was happy to give back to the House and the family that had educated her and trained her and shaped her to be part of a grand legacy of courtesans in Terre d’Ange. And then he had come. And he had chosen her. And he had been young and still learning himself and she had listened and given advice and he had followed it and he kept coming back and she had teased him; people will say we’re in love, and he had turned red and she had seen it in his eyes. And he had set the fashion, more nobles and courtiers were coming to Dahlia, coming to see what courtesan could have turned the prince’s head from mourning his older brother, coming to look at her and gossip about her.

She had heard the whispers. Heard the speculation. She knew there were bets on whether he would ask her to be his Official Consort, whether she would survive court, whether she would crack under the pressure. And then he had asked her to represent him, asked her to attend the Masque with his voice, in his place, and she had felt fear. What was she afraid of? She was at the edge of a precipice, staring into the unknown, terrified to take that step because what if she fell?

Then again, what if she flew? And those gossip-mongers, those blue-blooded nobles, those who were waiting for her to fall and fail, they didn’t know her. They didn’t know that the best way to get Odilia nó Dahlia to do something was to tell her she couldn’t.

She took a deep breath and picked up her dahlia necklace. How better to remind everyone at the Masque who she was than by wearing her flower with pride? She was Odilia, Second of Dahlia House, favoured by the Crown Prince Gustav de la Courcel. And her Dowayne, Jocaste nó Dahlia was right. She ate impossible for breakfast. She held her head high and clipped the necklace around her throat.

Odilia's necklace