Name: Claude-Henri Deschamps
Age: 17
Sex: Male
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 135lbs
Birthplace/Origin: Maisons-Lafitte, France
Description: A good-looking lad with a slight frame, noticeably good posture, blue/gray eyes, and brown hair. Has a tanned, even complexion and calluses on his fingertips from the violin. His rumpled clothes are good quality, European style, and he wears a silk, paisley patterned cravat.

Background: Claude-Henri Deschamps was born to an affluent family in Maisons-Lafitte, France. He is the youngest, and most disappointing, child in a family with four children (two girls, two boys.) Throughout much of his life, Claude was reminded of this fact as he failed to meet his parents' rigid expectations time and time again.

His parents ensured he received a classical education, where he studied the Western canon of literature, languages, maths, and decorum. He was ostracized as a poor student and heckled constantly. Even character building hobbies that he once enjoyed, such as archery and music, eventually became an avenue for criticism and misery for young Claude. The only passion he had for himself was a love for drama. He habitually shirked academic duties to sneak away and study performing actors in the city's theatre.

For most summers, as punishment for underperforming in his studies, he was sent to work at his uncle's tailor shop while his family vacationed in the south. Claude actually enjoyed the work and spending time with his uncle. He learned a lot about fashion and tailoring. He wanted to stay with his uncle, who had no children of his own, to help with and eventually inherit the shop. This was seen as a lowly aspiration and a waste of the educational resources the family had invested in Claude. His brother was a doctor. Claude was to become a politician.

Eventually, he was sent to Paris to continue his education. Rather than politics, as they'd planned, his parents resigned to have Claude study the arts. He spent some time in the theatre, under the tutelage of a reputable director/costume designer. This period was the first time Claude was free from the suffocating structure of home. He quickly flew off the rails. He spent most of his newfound freedom in Paris partying, flaunting his money, and gambling. After bailing him out of several gambling debts, his parents cut him off financially and demanded he come home to straighten up.

Instead, Claude absconded with a German friend who was going to America to start a textile business. They thought they would eventually start a tailor shop of their own. They would make their own fortune and bring all the latest fashions of France to discerning Americans.

It was a poorly thought out, impulsive notion on Claude's part. Within the first month, their combined lack of street smarts saw Claude's business partner slain in a robbery after a night of poker. This left Claude effectively stranded, with no money, no stake in a business, and no connections.