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

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.