Gisele Archambeau
| Appearance: |
| Presently in her mid-fifties, Gisele has aged with astounding grace - no surprise for a woman of such immense wealth, luxury, and arcane trickery as herself. She wears her crows feet, smile lines, and battle scars with pride though, never shy about showing the well-earned marks of a life truly lived. Gisele cuts a shapely figure at 5'5", is never dressed in anything that doesn't cost at least a hundred gold pieces, and is perpetually accompanied by her Familiar - a tawny owl named Tannant. Gisele is rarely seen to ever set foot on any surface as she enjoys being able to magically hold herself aloft far too much to not fly everywhere she can. |
| Personality: |
| If there is one thing that can be taken as truth beyond all else, it's that Gisele loves being Gisele. Many nobles are selfish, narcissistic sorts who put far too much stock in their own less-than-impressive standings. Though Gisele is cut from silken cloth, her self-assurance and utter relish of being who she is holds true merit. She's talented, powerful, wealthy, accomplished, widely beloved; not only does she know it, but she delights in it. Gisele bears an intense love of life itself, be it her own or others, and savors each day to its fullest. Many might dismiss her at first brush as little more than a silly noble with more enthusiasm than sense, or take her fondness for the adventuring life as uncouth, but everyone who's underestimated her in the past quickly became stepping stones for her continued ascent. Followed immediately by her helping them back up to their feet, because she really is quite a friendly soul after all. |
| History: |
| Gisele Archambeau; a name known far and wide throughout the realm even before she joined the ranks of chivalrous heroes. The eldest daughter of a grand noble family - her life of acclaim, success, and prestige was planned for her decades before she was even a twinkling in her father's eye. But where many would-be debutantes caved under the pressure of their assigned role, Gisele flourished. She proved her parents' aspirations considerable underestimations and far, far outpaced their expectations of her through savvy political movement and remarkable arcane prowess from a young age. When Gisele saw fit to leave the gilded gardens and join the ranks of a lowly adventurer's band, it made quite the scandal indeed! But rather than having her shining star dulled by the company of ruffians and warriors, she instead helped raise them to prominence; she could open doors and avenues they'd never reach on their own. And, as their feats ascended to the level of realm-spanning heroics in service to the greater good, those who once gossiped at Gisele's "slumming about" had no choice to but to see her involvement as either divine guidance or incredible foresight on her part. But for as much as Gisele treasured her years out and about in the strange, wild world, her obligations to her noble standing drew her once more to civilization. In her years since she's settled into a station of public service and influence; through her magical talents and wise investments, not only has her own noble family soared through the societal ranks, but she's brought about substantial improvements to the lives of the commonfolk. Schools and arcane academies have been opened under her name to bring tutelage to the masses, charities and honest labor thrive under her banner. Gisele went from a rising star, to a hero of the realm, to a publicly beloved patron saint. There were even hopeful rumblings of her ascending further still to take a seat of true authority as the next Open Lord of the region. But with new threats on the horizon that demand the attention of once-retired heroes, Gisele has eagerly rallied to the challenge and set out with the cheers and hopeful blessings of the masses at her back. |
