House Bonvivant
Bellevaux | Ishgard
Related Events and Locations
Information
House Bonvivant is a minor Ishgardian noble house with holdings in the Coerthas Central Lowlands.
Pledged to serve High House Fortemps, House Bonvivant serves as the stewards of Bellevaux and its surrounding lands.The House specializes in goods made via carpentry and leatherworking. It also engages in trade both within Coerthas and beyond it.Given its distance from Ishgard, the town of Bellevaux has developed its own distinct culture based on its past and its natural surroundings. This culture extends to the local cuisine, music, and practices.Minor Houses Quatrevaux and Robichaux are currently under the stewardship of the Lord Bonvivant.
Locations
Bellevaux
The town of Bellevaux can be found in the region of Ever Lakes in the Coerthas Central Lowlands.
At over a century old, Bellevaux has seen various owners, rulers, and the development of House Bonvivant. Most of its buildings exist near the town center, which is protected by a reinforced and warded stone wall. Some log cabins, mostly belonging to the town's woodworkers, can be found outside of the walls.
Ingame Location: Observatorium (used as stand-in)
Bonvivant Estate
This is a respectably-sized house within the stone walls of Bellevaux. Its owner of record is the appointed Lord or Lady of House Bonvivant. Currently occupied by Lord Marcelloix and Ser Natsume, it is generally open for the townsfolk to use and enjoy as needed.
Ingame Location: Coeurl Empyreum Ward 6, Plot 5
Seraph Down
Once a small but thriving village closely allied with Bellevaux, Seraph Down was abandoned following a series of tragedies that are not discussed outside of the town. Seraph Down was folded into Bellevaux after that, and its buildings have since fallen into disrepair. Visitors may feel an unsettled, confused state of aether in this region.
Ingame Location: Hemlock (used as stand-in)
Bonvivant Manor
Not to be confused with the Estate, Bonvivant Manor is a newer building in Ishgard's Empyreum district. It is the private residence of the current Lord or Lady of House Bonvivant. It is sometimes used to entertain guests passing through Ishgard.
Ingame Location: Coeurl Empyreum Ward 20, Plot 57
Members of House Bonvivant
Marcelloix Axios, Lord Bonvivant
The current Lord of House Bonvivant. Gridanian by birth, Marcelloix was married to the House's intended heir, Adele Bonvivant. Following her death, he was appointed Lord by Adele's mother, Liliane Bonvivant. Marcelloix is an expert in magicks and the applications of aether, and his mother's family is an ancient line from the Twelveswood.
Gabriel Quatrevaux, Captain of the Guard
A former mercenary who fought on behalf of the revolutions in Ala Mhigo and Doma as well as with the Temple Knights in the Dragonsong War, Gabriel is a seasoned combatant and leader. He is also the heir to two defunct minor Houses, Quatrevaux and Robichaux. After quickly replacing the Captain who was lost in a voidsent attack, Gabriel earned the permanent role on his own merits.
Crystalline Fosterman, Master of Trade
Crystalline was born and raised in Bellevaux, to a pair of woodworkers. Her skill in carpentry is unparalleled, and she has built a successful business that operates out of Ul'dah. She serves the House by developing and nurturing trade relationships across the star, which leads her to travel extensively. She is also a proficient dancer and machinist.
History of House Bonvivant
The history of House Bonvivant begins with a tiny hamlet amidst a verdant swamp.
These lands had been cared for by the Fortier family for generations. Being swampland, the value of the land was more symbolic than monetary. But the Fortiers made a living anyway, growing what produce could be sustained and also developing a bit of a seafood trade.The family and the neighbors that soon trickled into the area mostly kept to themselves. The first product of their budding village, Bellevaux, to venture to Ishgard proper was Toussaint Fortier, who trained with the Temple Knights and became a dragoon. Toussaint served with distinction and was commended for his efforts in leading a defense against the Dravanian Horde in the Northlands. The commendation became a knighthood, and then a lordship once he retired. He was awarded official stewardship of his family's lands.House Fortier persisted as a minor house for three more generations, when Liliane Fortier was born. The family's only heir, she was trained in the ways of managing a noble house from an early age. By then, more settlers had expanded to the region, which by then was known as Ever Lakes. These settlers formed families who contributed to the local economy, working as carpenters and leatherworkers and providing goods that were then sold in Ishgard and other Coerthas towns.When Liliane inherited the lordship, she chose to focus on growing Bellevaux into a respectable settlement. She married Theroux Delachaise, a Duskwight man from the Shroud. By tradition, this made Theroux the Lord Consort. The House's most radical changes came during his tenure. He encouraged trade beyond the borders of Coerthas, despite this being banned (but largely unenforceable in the swamps) in the Holy See at the time. He also developed a more organized guard for the town and successfully petitioned for the House to serve High House Fortemps. When the minor House's moves were met with derision from other nobles, Theroux changed the House's name to "Bonvivant," flipping the pejorative term with Liliane's support.
At this time, Bellevaux also developed a close relationship with the nearby village of Seraph Down. When the village was targeted by a relatively small Horde attack, Bellevaux's guards came to its rescue. The village then began supplying Bellevaux with timber and other goods, while Bellevaux continued to protect it alongside its own residents.Meanwhile, in addition to managing the House's business and politics with Ishgard, Liliane gave birth to a daughter, Adele, who likewise was raised to lead the House from a young age. Her birth was considered auspicious, but misfortune followed over the next few decades. The village of Seraph Down was destroyed under mysterious circumstances; Bellevaux was also damaged, though the only significant loss was the town's aetheryte. The surviving residents of Seraph Down moved to Bellevaux, and House Bonvivant officially took stewardship of the blighted land.Then Theroux Bonvivant was found deceased at an inn in Ishgard. His death was declared to be of natural causes, but the House never accepted that conclusion. Liliane was left to lead the House alone, as Adele had refused to serve as an heir and moved to the Twelveswood to raise her daughter with Marcelloix Axios. Although Adele did not present him as a suitor, Marcelloix was rejected as one by the House, mostly due to unsavory rumors regarding his business and magicks.The Seventh Umbral Calamity dealt Bellevaux a glancing blow, but the shards of Dalamud that struck Coerthas impacted hard enough to alter the region's climate, changing Bellevaux's land from temperate swamplands to permafrost. Much of the wildlife and plant life died out, and the town saw significant changes to its way of life. Some of the population had to be moved to Ishgard as repairs and adjustments were made; these residents lived in the Brume.
Liliane steered Bellevaux toward recovery, but this came at the cost of her hopes for growing Bellevaux further. She was also forced to abandon most of the House's trade deals due to the loss of most of the town's industries and broken communication with Theroux's trade partners. Also, with Adele and her daughter, Aalisette, having been lost in the Calamity, the House had no heir. Liliane and Marcelloix finally bonded over their shared grief, and Marcelloix began contributing to the House's rebuilding efforts. Following his contributions at the end of the Dragonsong War, Liliane asked him to serve as the House's heir, and Marcelloix accepted.For the next few years, Liliane trained Marcelloix in how to run a minor noble House. Eventually he set aside his other responsibilities to lead Bellevaux more directly, and now serves as the House's lord in full following Liliane's resignation.
Products & Services
Woodcrafting: Furniture, home decor, toys, and knickknacks. Lumber is usually sourced locally, but imported lumber can be used by request. The House's carpenters can build custom works given enough lead time and a deposit of 50% of the total cost.Leatherworks: Apparel such as coats, jackets, and trousers. Purses, wallets, and backpacks. Saddles, reins, and boots. Various leathers are used, including boar, raptor, and alligator. Apparel can be custom made and/or monogrammed.Trade Goods: Items offered seasonally by partners of House Bonvivant. Contact the House's trade representatives for more details.
House Contacts
For general information, please reach out to Marcelloix Axios de Bonvivant.
He can be reached via mail delivered to his home in Ishgard or any Bellevaux address.
Out-of-Character Notes
Welcome to House Bonvivant!This House was designed by me (Alecto), and I direct all of its lore and activities. You can direct any questions regarding both directly to me, preferably via Discord.
The culture of Bellevaux is based heavily on that of real-world New Orleans (but frozen over). Generally, the foods, music, and themes that you'd find there (or via Google) should broadly apply.
Note that there are some scenarios we do not RP:
Racism and bigotry are completely unwelcome. We are proudly LGBTQIA+.
We don't engage in ERP. (Nothing against ERP, it's just not our style.)
For dark themes, we ask for consent from RP partners, and acknowledge that the consent can be changed or withdrawn at any time, as different scenes require. We also check in with RP partners regularly just to ensure they're feeling alright OOC.
All scenes are 18+ IC and OOC (apart from children being NPC'd by an adult), for the safety and security of everyone.
Special thanks to Vargorm for designing the Heraldry seen on the home page!
Blitzball Season Two
House Bonvivant is proud to sponsor the Ishgard Sky Strikers in the Etheirys Blitzball League's second year!Champions of Season One, the Sky Strikers have proven adept and resilient representatives of the Holy See, from the blitzsphere to the ballroom and everywhere in between.As a team sponsor, House Bonvivant has pledged to promote the team and its games, as well as the EBL itself. As such, the House's venues and other initiatives during the blitzball season will feature the Sky Strikers as well as their honored peers.From the Skies!
Blitzball Season Two Merch
Game Day Merch
Stop by the House Bonvivant booth at various EBL Blitzball games to pick up team- and league-themed game day merch, House Bonvivant goods, and hand pies!
The items on offer will be the variants of each of the teams playing on that particular day. Ishgard Sky Strikers variants will also always be available, as well as EBL variants!
Insulated drink koozies--These handcrafted beverage holders are insulated to keep your bottle cool!
Seat cushions--Grab one of these in case your tush gets sore in between wild cheering for your team.
Folding fans--Keep cool in all the excitement with these wood and silk fans. Made for durability and style both!
Painted birds--These sweet little wooden birbs are painted in league colors so you can show your blitzball spirit at your home or office!
House Bonvivant doubloons--These decorated wooden coins are traditional collectibles and keepsakes in Bellevaux. They feature designs celebrating the local culture and wildlife.
Bead necklaces--Similar to the beads given out during Bellevaux's yearly celebration of Mardi Gras, the wooden and glass beads have been painted in EBL colors for more sportsball spirit!
Hand pies--Why do we have hand pies? Why don't we have hand pies? Everyone loves a hand pie. Hey, while you're here, why don't you have a hand pie? Flavors: Rolanberry, Blueberry, Lemon, Pixie Apple, Chocolate!
Note: Actual gil is not required, even if ingame goods are exchanged. However, tips are always welcome!
Blitzball Snoballs
Snoballs are shaved-ice desserts served in carry-out cups. Syrups, fruits, and other toppings are added atop the shaved ice; the syrups and liquids diffuse among the ice and slowly melt with it, creating a delicious blend of flavors and textures.
Gridania Greenswrath -- This woodsy syrup combining Gridanian chestnut and maple syrup captures the mysterious spirit of the Twelveswood.
Limsa Lominsa Barracuda -- Blood orange and rich local chocolate make a harmonious blend reminiscent of calm seas and sunny skies.
Ul'dah High Rollers -- Black cherry and desert saffron pair for an eclectic and “rich” taste. Includes a slice of the rare and valuable golden berry! It’s definitely not a rolanberry dipped in edible luster dust!
Ishgard Sky Strikers -- Flavorful vanilla and cheesecake syrups are topped with blueberries, whipped cream, and fresh cheesecake as fluffy as the clouds!
Ala Mhigo Liberators -- Loquat syrup is dashed through with lavender and sweetened with sugar beet for a full-bodied and authentic flavor profile.
Sharlayan Archon Aces -- Students rely on coffee and simplicity, and this snoball is literally just drip coffee poured over the shaved ice. Keep it simple, Sharlayan!
Garlemald Ceruleum Knights -- This snoball uses ceruleum in place of syrup. And well it should. It’s blue, so clearly it is ceruleum. (It’s elderberry.)
Radz-at-Han Radiance -- Amra, mango, and coconut syrups dance in this fun and colorful fruit concoction, just like Thavnair itself!
Kugane Daigoro -- Based on the traditional dessert shirokuma, this snoball trades syrups for condensed milk, tiny mochi, sweet bean paste, and small fruits lining the cup.
Doma Nine Tails -- Also based on a traditional dessert, pat-bingsu, this simple but delicious snoball is topped with red bean paste, with fruits that can optionally be added.
Valnain Red Comets -- Who ordered the Choco Meteor? This snoball features lime and grenadine syrups topped with a dusting of cayenne.
Snoball Add-Ons
Condensed milk
Seasonal fruits
Ice cream
All syrups are made in-house.
Snacks
Crepes -- Your choice of sweet or savory, and packaged in easy-to-carry cardpaper wrapping! Flavors: Crawfish, shrimp etouffee, bananas foster, rolanberry cheesecake
Scrim Po-boy -- A simple fried-shrimp sandwich on a crispy Ishgardian bread loaf. The shrimp is slathered in a spicy house-made remoulade sauce. Get it 'dressed' with tomatoes and shredded lettuce!
Hand pies -- Why do we have hand pies? Why don't we have hand pies? Everyone loves a hand pie. Hey, while you're here, why don't you have a hand pie? Flavors: Rolanberry, Blueberry, Lemon, Pixie Apple, Chocolate!
*Special thanks and h/t to the Twitch chat that inspired the Scrim Po-boy!
Note: Actual gil is not required, even if ingame goods are exchanged. However, tips are always welcome!