Post by Admin on Aug 18, 2014 17:46:16 GMT -5
It was wonderful living in Vulcanis; the trees carpeted the region and the forests called to them. It was like second nature to be there to the clan. Then it happened - the Volcano erupted and everyone had no choice but to leave.
They headed to the north with the other clans, hoping that some day, they would be able to return to their forests. The clan didn’t want to believe they would have to leave forever. One of the sons from this clan didn’t travel with the majority of his family. Instead, he headed back south to see what was around the area they were in. He found forests, surprised at how rich and wonderful they were, a poignant reminder of the area they’d been forced to abandon.
He returned explaining everything about where he had travelled. This interested the family. The family while he was out had stayed loyal to their clan chief. They were by their sides, waiting and serving as what they always did. Service was well known among them.
Hearing of the son’s exploits, the clan’s leader went to his clan-chief. They needed stable food supply, medicines, and such. He desired to start a small humble home in the forests allowing for them to send whatever they cultivated to their chief. It was agreed upon that this would be good service for this family. They went at once to do all of this hoping to store up against the coming winter, turning to the bounty of the forest to sustain them.
Time passed and all seemed well as the Sandovals took control to forge the kingdom. Their clan leaders, now known as the Deverauxs, went under their rule, and with them so did this family. The leader conformed, so it was only natural that this family take a name too. They became known as Deschênes from then on.
It wasn’t easy to see another rule them. Often they wondered what Deveraux was waiting for in taking over, but it never came. They remained loyal in the eyes of those that ruled not questioning anything. The day came when Deveraux was elevated. With all the hard work of Deschênes, they too were elevated in status, named as Barons of Forestier.
The plagues came, and with it a threat of extinction for Deschênes. They received the cure with very few members of their family surviving; only one son and his mother survived, along with several nieces and nephews. Many thought all would be lost during this time of mourning. Eventually the family moved forward, rebuilding their clan.
Things moved forward. They worked the fields and forests, tended their crops and foraged, and built storehouses. They figured in times of trouble for the kingdom they would be able to send the excess out to aid the others. Always watchful, they noticed the changes in the kingdom, endeavoring to be ready for anything.
War - the very thing they hated came from the originating lands from which their Sandoval overlords had arrived. The men of the family were sent off to fight, but someone had to keep the lands from desolation. In those times, the women both noble and common rose up and took care of the crops and herds, tending to a good food supply for their region.
Twenty years of war and it was finally over. Victory was theirs, repelling the foreign invaders. Life could move on again although it didn’t feel like it at first. Returning home, the men did their best to forget what they saw in battles. Eventually life resumed as it had before the war.
Years passed, the Sandoval line was in trouble. Deveraux took control of the situation. By that time Deschênes didn’t care about the outside world. They were more interested in building up what was theirs although if called, they would respond. With the Deverauxs now in charge, the tension that had been felt for centuries, eased. The Deschênes felt that the natural order had been restored.
Their service and loyalty to the Deveraux line has never faltered or changed, despite being a largely insular family. It is rare to see a Deschênes in Bordelaix, yet the new Baron is aware that this tendency to isolation could prove a problem, especially with the rumbles of discontent with the King’s erratic behaviors. Though loyal as ever, the Deschênes are able to see trouble on the horizon, emerging from their forests to prepare for what the future holds.
Forestier produces some of the finest hardwoods available in Archades, along with animal hides, resins and stains, natural dyes and of course, sap-based syrups. As a result of the hardwoods, the city is known for its excellent wood furniture and for producing the new product called paper, which is made from the pulp of the trees. A thriving region, it strives to be a credit to the Kingdom, engaging in open trade.
The Deschenes family is made up of average to tall men, small to medium height in their women. Brown or red hair is most often found, usually with brown or green eyes. Occasionally hazel eyes appear, but blue is very rare. Their complexions are often sun-browned, as the family works along-side their people for the good of all.
Written by Wolfie and Dara.