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Family History
The Lafayette name didn't originate until sometime around 265AC with members originally born under the name Le Seur, a relatively well known Ithanian noble house. William Le Seur, a member of the Regalian Navy born in 235AC. William identified himself with the Leutz-Vixe culture despite being of Ithanian birth and opted to join the Regalian military as soon as he could alongside his older brother, Benoit, adopting the name 'Wilhuff' with the desire to appear more Alt-Regalian. For years the brothers progressed as soldiers but Wilhuff retained a ruthlessness that his brother did not and during their careers Wilhuff was promoted to Field Officer ahead of his older brother despite being considerably fewer years of experience. Benoit observed corruption in his brother, accusing him of slander to achieve his rank and the anger shared between them forced them to split with Wilhuff adopting the name 'Lafayette' as a Leutz-Vixe alternative in order to sever his cultural ties with Ithania and his family. For a handful of years Wilhuff continued his military career, becoming a highly ambitious and ruthless leader but opted to retire after an investigation was brought about after accusations were made that he had tortured his own soldiers to boost obedience and fearlessness amongst his ranks.
Wilhuff retired from the military in 279AC aged 50 and decided to purchase a large plot of land in Loiree, Regalia. Wilhuff initially invested in small livestock farms in Loiree but quickly acknowledged that meat produce was a highly profitable business, expensive meat was in high demand from the growing wealth in Regalia and as the noble court grew, so did the demand for cheap and local meat to feed the emerging Baronies and Counties further North. Wilhuff targeted low noble houses and set up extremely profitable deals that would see his farms be the soul provider for some lands which allowed him not only to build a militarised compound to live in to the West of Loiree, but it also enabled him to expand his investments into farms further North. Lafayette farms began to emerge in Vixhall and then further yet in Anglia. In 282AC however, Wilhuff's nephew deserted his family and moved to live with him, an event which initially was of no interest to Wilhuff until he realised he could use the situation to get back at his brother for the years of animosity they had shared.
Bastien Le Seur was only thirteen when he ran away to live with his uncle, fascinated with a military education and career which his father despised and refused to allow him to pursue. Wilhuff prepared Bastien as well as he could for military education and began to turn the boy against his father, hiding letters asking after his well being and corrupting his young mind to reject and despise his family and parents. Bastien went on to complete a fourteen year education in the School of Leadership and over the course of those years accepted Wilhuff as his guardian, never knowing the truth behind his family's desire to see him returned well. Bastien and Wilhuff worked closely on versing him in politics and noble practices so that he could travel to Regalia and establish their name, what was once a young boy with dreams and enthusiasm, Wilhuff had turned into a stern, militaristic and bullish individual that represented a far more fiercely polished and better educated version of himself.
The Lafayette family had always been wealthy thanks to Wilhuff's ruthless business strategies and has been growing financially at a steady rate thanks to their impressive business portfolio and expansion across the archipelago. With this wealth Bastien moved to Regalia in 305AC to establish their name in political and business circles. The family's political reputation was of the utmost importance, it was established in the early months as Bastien committed the Lafayette name to the Jingoist Lobby and their reputation was enhanced by Bastien's appointment into the Regalian State Council. The family's commitment to the Empire's military and political structures saw them entitled as Duke Palatine of [...] with Wilhuff passing the patriarchy of the family down to Bastien to cement their name in Regalia and thus the wider Empire. The region is run with strong agricultural production rates in mind and a strong emphasis on military service to grow the region's contribution to Regalia's armies.
Basic Information
Name: Lafayette
Sigil: Imperial Stag Deer with one broken antler
Words: He conquers who endures
Colours: Navy, Silver, Gold
Culture: Quasi-Regalian [Ithanian by blood]
Values: Respect, Honour, Loyalty
Titles and Honours
- Grand Duke -
305AC - Present
The title of Grand Duke was perhaps reluctantly granted to Bastien Lafayette for the family's healthy contributions to the military forces of Regalia. The Duchies of TBD and TBD sit to the West of Pays-Sud.
- Regalian State Councillor -
305AC - Present
A position granted to Bastien Lafayette by the Imperial Prerogative of Emperor Cedromar I. The State Council serve as a government for the Regalian archipelago and implement legislation by means of majority voting.
Business
Lafayette retains the majority of its wealth across various assets, the majority of which are livestock farms. Meat produce is the main source of profit for the Lafayette family with a number of farms across South Anglia, North Vixhall and West Loiree. The farms produce primarily meats; rearing sheep, cows, goats, chickens and pigs across a handful of farms however land is completely dedicated to animal rearing and pastures with none set aside for crops. The business is very profitable with all products of livestock considered commodities across the Crown Isles; the meat is sold to various lands, towns and cities across the Archipelago along with the additional cow hide, sheep's wool, milk and eggs which enable further profits. The business was founded by Wilhuff Lafayette and continues to operate by his word but Bastien has been tasked with creating economic allies in Regalia to further the business' expansion.
Characters
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First Generation
Benoit Valmont Dechamps Le Seur
Age: 72
A level headed and calm former military man. Benoit built up the family from the ground, joining the military to gain the family respect in the Empire but raising his children in the hopes they would become intellectuals and not have to serve as he and his brother did.
William 'Wilhuff' Lafayette
Age: 70
A notoriously ambitious former military man and business owner, the first patriarch of the Lafayette family. Wilhuff despises his older brother and had the satisfaction of raising his nephew who he in turn corrupted against his former family and adopted like a son.
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Second Generation
Bastien Montier Lafayette
Age: 36
A machiavellian Field General and State Councillor, thriving on ambition and greed to push him toward the highest echelons of power and influence in Regalia. Well known for his verbal abuse, incessant scheming and undying loyalty to the Jingoist ideology, he has become a thorn in the side of many since moving to Regalia.
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