Character Avatar: Leonel Mangieri
Character Name: Josse Chausseur
Age: 26
Height: 6'2
Rank/Title: Displaced Noble
Race: D'Angeline
Country/Province: Camlach/TdA
Townhome Request:
Country Home Request:
Player: Merle
Appearance/Personality: Josse is a tall, fit young man with a well-honed physique - from broad shoulders to shapely calves. The latter courtesy of being an active fellow used to demanding labor. He is also quite often tan from all the time he spends outdoors, but even winter pale his skin is more buff than milky and holds the promise of warmer tones. He keeps his hair fairly short, a rakish mane of ebon locks. Only in certain light, or when compared in contrast to those with true black tresses (like the Shahrizai), does one see that Josse's isn't actually that, but rather darkest brunet.
Aside from his impressive physical presence, he is a beautiful man with captivating features. Many a head has been turned by those nigh luminescent green eyes, which are all the more striking for the dark lashes that frame them. Just as many have wished to kiss his full lips or trace the strong line of his jaw. Or been intrigued by the expressive twitch of his winged brows... Josse is a man who can say much with naught more than a look.
That isn't to say that he is reticent. Though he can be mulish, for good or ill, Josse is far more likely to speak his mind than brood. Displaying typical Camaeline bluntness. Mostly he's friendly and outgoing, willing to lend a hand when needed and not afraid of doing work others might consider beneath them, but he can be rather snarky, too. Some find his candid observations and sharp remarks endearing, others... grating.
It is said that Camaelines think with their swords, but that is not entirely true for Josse. At least, not the one that slices through flesh - like many others in the prime of their youth, he is easily swayed by his loins. He knows how to fight, and has, but isn't so quick to resort to violence as a solution. Not that he's averse to aggressive means when called for, it's more that he is not so single-minded. Fighting is an option he considers, simply not before (or to the exclusion of) all others. As many of his fellow provincials do.
History: In the small villages along the Skaldic border life is harsh but uncomplicated. The cold, unforgiving mountain terrain and the constant struggle with Terre d'Ange's hostile neighbors has left its mark on the residents. Tough as Camael, who chose the land for his own, they not only survive, but thrive there. A stoic, martial populace.
From one such village comes the Chausseur family, a minor noble house. Josse's father was a decorated Chevalier, and fiercely dedicated man, his mother the cousin of the local Marquise. Together they had five children, four sons and a daughter. As was customary, the boys were given swords almost as soon as they could walk, and their second born was sent to the Cassiline Brotherhood at ten. Even their little girl often practiced and trained with her brothers when she wasn't learning more domestic endeavors at her mother's feet.
Living in such close proximity, there were some (tense) communications and trade between the D'Angelines and the more peaceful of their Skaldi neighbors, but occasional raids and skirmishes were a part of life, and the Chevalier was often away patrolling, fighting. Soon enough he was bringing along his eldest son on these ventures, and it was expected that Josse would join them in time. However, that day never came. He was little more than ten when his brother came home, alone, bearing the news of their father's death.
It was not easy for Iris to raise and care for the children on her own, but it was the grim reality of many Camaeline women and their families. With the help of her cousin and eldest son, and much effort and perseverance on everyone's part, they managed. Until war came.
The conflicts started to become more frequent and savage, those who had once been familiar -if not exactly friends- becoming hostile or absent altogether. The village boys' training, already vigorous, increased in intensity. While more and more were being conscripted to join the heavier fighting elsewhere. Josse's older brother was one of these, and only his youth saved him from the same fate.
No matter, the fighting came to him.
The attack was much more organized and brutal than the usual, and there were few able-bodied soldiers left to form a defense. Only fifteen, Josse nevertheless fought to protect his home and his family. They escaped the worst, but he will never forget the wails of other women and children that didn't. Nor his first taste of real combat.
Josse's home was left decimated, the survivors demoralised, and the Chausseur family picked up and left. With the unrest growing, there was little safety to be found in Camlach, so Iris took her youngest three children further in, eventually landing in the City of Elua. Unfortunately, this did not offer them the escape she had hoped, and once again Josse found himself embroiled in the defense of the nation before even reaching his majority.
It was rough going through the war and the aftermath alike. Their family was noble, but not particularly wealthy or powerful, so Iris was reduced to whatever menial work she could find to provide for them, with Josse soon following suit. Having little skills outside of his martial training, he struggled, but eventually settled into city life.
