| Prosperity Through Devotion |
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[COA Maker]
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Founded as a ‘cadet branch’ to the House Blanchi, The House of Bellecote was raised by the youngest of four siblings to the Blanchi line. Genoveva Lucilia, a young woman who sought to make her mark broke from her family line to venture anew, within the settlement of New Sansretour. With this, she chose to create her own family line with its own standards, expectations and beliefs, free from the strict requirements of her former name.⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact first records of the name Blanchi. It is believed that the family originated from a kinship of farmers and homemakers, who sought to forge their own path. Documentation was not well kept, especially within the homes of common folk, and so the first record originates some hundreds of years past- well into the times before the Cataclysm.
That first record stated that a young male purchased a shop-stall for the cost of half a gold piece, under the name of ‘Robert Blanchi’. His wares offered were described as ‘Penmanship and the Transcribing of the Spoken Word’- this business remained in operation for decades, and was passed through to two further generations before it dissolved.
Records began to extend further through history, with children of children raising businesses, joining political ranks and so on. Many Blanchi individuals, particularly the men, seemed to venture into accounting and the like, whilst the women were traditional homemakers or occasionally, maids and seamstresses.
That first record stated that a young male purchased a shop-stall for the cost of half a gold piece, under the name of ‘Robert Blanchi’. His wares offered were described as ‘Penmanship and the Transcribing of the Spoken Word’- this business remained in operation for decades, and was passed through to two further generations before it dissolved.
Records began to extend further through history, with children of children raising businesses, joining political ranks and so on. Many Blanchi individuals, particularly the men, seemed to venture into accounting and the like, whilst the women were traditional homemakers or occasionally, maids and seamstresses.
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An individual by the name of Henrik Arnald Blanchi settled himself and his wife, Karlotta, within a small coastal town. With child, Karlotta sought to provide her children with a modest and comfortable life, whilst Henrik reached for further. Days and nights he toiled away at work- his tasks of notating documents for the local government paid well, and he had been able to purchase a place amongst higher society.
The family eventually, over several years, welcomed four children to their line. Each was gifted a high standard of education, beautiful clothes and practically anything they could wish for. As it stood, the Blanchi family fared well. Henrik had secured his family line in a comfortable position, the richest it had been for decades.
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In the year of 121ac the youngest of the mainline Blanchi children, Genoveva chose to seek her path away from the family home, and the youth took to the shoreline of Manaan to begin this journey.
For several years she visited various settlements, met a plethora of individuals and overall ingrained herself within society as best her temperament allowed. She settled within a small, modest home and set about garnering a comfortable pocketful of coin through her work of tailoring and art.
Two years into her journey, Genoveva came upon an opportunity to aid in the revival of New Sansretour. A beautiful, coastal settlement not too different from her home, she found the opportunity impossible to turn down, and she began the work set before her.
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Art played a key part in the family, be it music, painting for other forms of craft. Each child raised was introduced to one in which they would pursue for a lifetime, as part of their coming of age tradition. They were taught manners and etiquette- so much so that one might mistake them for higher ranking individuals. Demure, Elegance, each Bellecote child was expected to follow these social cues impeccably.
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A child of the Bellecote family was drawn into society as they reached a certain age. For boys, this age was sixteen whilst girls waited until eighteen. This was the age in which the children finished their education, and when they were deemed ready to partake in the working, artistic, and social world.
This was introduced through a large celebration of family and friends, usually many of the surrounding high ranking and the noble citizens of the area in which they resided. It was considered a formal celebration and all were expected to wear their finest. The child being celebrated was expected to outshine their guests in terms of garb. It was not uncommon for the Patriarch or Matriarch to spend a small sum on their child's outfit.
Food was often kept light; pastries and small cakes were accompanied with teas, coffees and lemonade. Decorations were kept minimal but elegant, with the family colours of red, white and hints of gold flecked through bunting and embroidery upon tablecloths and the likes.
The featured child was expected to showcase their knowledge at some point throughout the ceremony. They displayed their chosen path of art in the form of song, poem or painting and expressed the meaning behind it. Now was their chance to weave their name into the surrounding society, and it was expected that they would not fail.
This was introduced through a large celebration of family and friends, usually many of the surrounding high ranking and the noble citizens of the area in which they resided. It was considered a formal celebration and all were expected to wear their finest. The child being celebrated was expected to outshine their guests in terms of garb. It was not uncommon for the Patriarch or Matriarch to spend a small sum on their child's outfit.
Food was often kept light; pastries and small cakes were accompanied with teas, coffees and lemonade. Decorations were kept minimal but elegant, with the family colours of red, white and hints of gold flecked through bunting and embroidery upon tablecloths and the likes.
The featured child was expected to showcase their knowledge at some point throughout the ceremony. They displayed their chosen path of art in the form of song, poem or painting and expressed the meaning behind it. Now was their chance to weave their name into the surrounding society, and it was expected that they would not fail.
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Whilst the family upheld a reverence for nature and its gifts, the house members were taught and expected to follow the teachings of the Prothymía and particularly, the God of Honour. This came as a requirement due to the settlement of which they called home and was a non-negotiable part of the family life.
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Throughout its history, the house- as its Blanchi counterpart- was known for instilling a fear into its children through its head of house. This in particular, was a trait that Bellecote wished to veere from.
Children were no longer to be raised strictly, and instead were to be awarded the small pleasures in life. Able to learn and enjoy themselves, as long as they upheld the etiquette and laws of New Sansretour. Education and intelligence was still an important requirement for the family, so children were still expected to aim high.
The heir to the house was to receive a slightly stricter way of life, though in very different ways to the house's former self. This child, elected by the house head, was to ward under a high ranking figurehead of either Manaan, or New Sansretour to receive the best education possible.
Marriage remained important within the family. Whilst the expectation to remain together until death was set aside, there was now a higher importance on the choice of partner. A courtship period of at least two years was expected of the couple, particularly if an individual was to wed into the family. This was to ensure that the two were a correct fit.
The celebrations for the wedding were, therefore, more likely to be lavish and expensive- intended to be a once in a lifetime celebration.
Now more than ever, the family sought to contribute to their home and charity in particular was now a key value- one held higher than most in importance. Giving to the needy, contributing to its settlement and so on, these were all things encouraged by the head of house.
Children were no longer to be raised strictly, and instead were to be awarded the small pleasures in life. Able to learn and enjoy themselves, as long as they upheld the etiquette and laws of New Sansretour. Education and intelligence was still an important requirement for the family, so children were still expected to aim high.
The heir to the house was to receive a slightly stricter way of life, though in very different ways to the house's former self. This child, elected by the house head, was to ward under a high ranking figurehead of either Manaan, or New Sansretour to receive the best education possible.
Marriage remained important within the family. Whilst the expectation to remain together until death was set aside, there was now a higher importance on the choice of partner. A courtship period of at least two years was expected of the couple, particularly if an individual was to wed into the family. This was to ensure that the two were a correct fit.
The celebrations for the wedding were, therefore, more likely to be lavish and expensive- intended to be a once in a lifetime celebration.
Now more than ever, the family sought to contribute to their home and charity in particular was now a key value- one held higher than most in importance. Giving to the needy, contributing to its settlement and so on, these were all things encouraged by the head of house.
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With the demand of the house to start anew, requirement called for house guards, as well as some uniformed outfit that properly represented the family within Manaan and surrounding territories.
This uniform consisted of a light leather and padded ensemble for practical wear. It was then topped with plated steel shoulders.
To tie the piece together with the Matriarch was a long tabard of red. This tabard, a red piece which echoed the cloak of the head of house, was embroidered with golden, five pointed stars
This uniform consisted of a light leather and padded ensemble for practical wear. It was then topped with plated steel shoulders.
To tie the piece together with the Matriarch was a long tabard of red. This tabard, a red piece which echoed the cloak of the head of house, was embroidered with golden, five pointed stars
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Arts and crafts were what separated the Blanchi family from others. Not simply finger painting or the likes, but of true arts from the heart.
Poetry, writing, art- these featured as some of the more traditional paths in which members of the family took. However, hobbies such as flower arranging and gardening appeared as more modern examples.
It was rare that members of the family took to the military or to forms of combat. Occasionally one or two might find their way into their cities armed forces but generally, they steered clear.
Their talents lay in their arts and administration work. Handling finances, documents and so on- these were the types of careers you would find Blanchi individuals in.
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As typical as they come, the family were the visual representation of the Valian people. Tall and lithe, these people were not an overly imposing sight unless gathered together to form a sea of blonde hair and pale complexion.
With many of their career paths favoring the less physical, they usually showed little to no signs of hard work. Hands devoid of calluses, few scars and overall a pampered outer appearance.
The current mainline of the family featured mousey blonde hair; the women were encouraged to style it decoratively whilst the men were instructed to style it clean and short. Their eyes ranged from a dull gray to an oceanic blue, or some concoction of the two.
Overall, the family dressed modestly- but with style. Their outfits usually covered all but their hands and head, but they were decorated with trinkets or cloaks, shawls and so on. Each displayed their family colors in their own way, though these were not the only hues worn. Any rich shades- reds, purples and what not were worn alongside to add the visual of wealth.
[Left: Genoveva - Middle: Evangeline - Right: Sterling]
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Patriarch-Consort: Nil
Heir: Nil
Some characters are open and playable. Feel free to ask. 18+ players only, please.
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I’m sure this will forever be a WIP.
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