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paracelsus_mods) wrote2014-02-07 04:20 pm
paracelsus_mods) wrote2014-02-07 04:20 pm
Entry tags:
House Profile: House Patisse
House: House Patisse
Also Known As: Chefs, Backstabbers
House Patisse is a fairly new House, which came into being in the seventeenth century at the height of the French monarchy's power. It originally was a minor House, subservient to the far greater House Seine that backed the Bourbon kings. Patisse, however, was the lone French House to back the French Revolution, and achieved a primacy during the Revolution that it was never dislodged from. Their power is drawn from the consumption of food, especially magically created food. They are known for being astounding cooks, holding truly epic parties, and for a frightening political acumen.
The founder of House Patisse is long dead, but its current leader, Jean Jacques Patisse, has led the House since 1862. Members of House Patisse draw their magic directly from their bodies; casting spells deprives them of calories and nutrients, so the Patisse family likes to keep themselves well-fed. However, in a pinch, their members have been known to rapidly drive themselves towards starvation to cast spells. Many of them are left quite hungry after intensive spellcasting, and more than one magical commando raid has been preceded or concluded by a bank-breaking trip to Golden Corral.
As a newer House, Patisse is sensitive about its political role. Other Houses tend to view them as rebellious upstarts; they have strong republican traditions, and their glory days recall the Revolution and Napoleon's conquests, instead of aristocratic glory. To make up for this, House Patisse is incredibly politically active both in House and national politics. Members of House Patisse have been elected to national and local offices, served in the French military, and then some.
They are also one of the most widespread Houses; they expanded with the French empire, and members of the House can be found throughout former French colonies across the globe. They have acquired liberal sensibilities in that time; a number are outright socialists. While they backed the West during the Cold War, they also reflected the French tendency to go their own way in that conflict.
This culminated in the massacre of House Almagoras. House Patisse felt that Almagoras had taken the Cold War too far, by holding up peace talks and trying to dominate Western-aligned Houses. After Almagoras refused to listen to entreaties to dial back activities, Patisse worked with House Castillo to destroy them. At a massive banquet in Tours in 1983, House Almagoras was ambushed and killed to nearly a man.
The sudden violence tempered House competition in the 1980's, which helped to end the Cold War. However, other Houses have not forgiven House Patisse for the destruction of an entire House; the destroyed marriage alliances, murdered kin, and broken families have left many Houses embittered. Patisse has found that politics has turned frosty, and alliances are shifting in the wake of the Cold War. Their hope is to rise to the top of House politics, but the blood on their hands from the Massacre of Tours makes that a challenging prospect.
Living in House Patisse:
House Patisse is one of the most modern Houses. It styles itself as part professional organization, part extended family. Unlike the more aristocratic Houses, it has done away with bylaws like arranged marriages and overt ties to religious and noble orders. Its scions are encouraged to live entirely among the people; some have famously married mortals, and quite a few live in the Third World. However, traditions and unspoken rules are powerful: marriage partners are often strongly recommended and House members are expected to have children, just not required on pain of death.
Rather than place incredible power at the heads of families, House Patisse has a democratic structure. The adult members of House Patisse vote fifty members of their House into the Assembly every ten years, which governs over the House. The Assembly elects one of its own as leader. However, Jean Jacques Patisse has won every election since the nineteenth century, and the same people are often put into power. Democracy in House Patisse is something of a convenient illusion.
Its children have high expectations put upon them. House Patisse wants them to excel and be the best of the best; they only have two hundred years of history, and they try to make up for it by dominating the markings at academies. Patisse students often receive letters from every relative they have never heard of, admonishing them fiercely if they should ever shame the family by getting a "C." When they grow up, they are expected to be useful to their House.
Despite this, House Patisse is known for having a lot of fun. Many of them are award-winning chefs and Patisse parties are simply the best: the best food, the best locations, and the best drinks. Children get to socialize freely with their peers, and they're taught to see themselves as especially gifted citizens, rather than akin to nobility because of their (admittedly enchanted) blood.
Politics:
House Patisse is politically active and has cultivated marriages and alliances with nearly every House, even their enemies. Their betrayal of House Almagoras, however, has raised serious questions about their trustworthiness. House Weatherford and House Schellenberg, which had a number of marriages and alliances with Almagoras, have turned exceedingly cold to them after the Massacre at Tours. Patisse retains an alliance with House Castillo and House Skraelling, and has tried to go on as if nothing happened.
Major Personas:
Jean Jacques Patisse: The current leader of House Patisse, who first gained experience working as a bureaucrat under Napoleon's administration. He presents himself as a cultured elder statesman, now, and somewhat grandfatherly; he is known to bake cookies personally for every young member of Patisse. However, it is well-known that he is a ruthless schemer who has and will kill whoever stands in the way of his House. He traditionally holds a Bastille Day party for the entire House every year, which is very popular.
Nwabudike Patisse: The Senegalese born lieutenant of Jean Jacques Patisse, who has managed much of the House's internal affairs. He is a large man, and rather jolly, but that hides an absolutely brutal streak. He arranged and orchestrated the massacre of House Almagoras at Tours. He is known to have a sense of honor, though, and be incredibly forthright after he betrays someone. His reasons for the massacre have never been fully expounded on publicly, as no victims survived for him to discuss the matter with, but even some of House Patisse's enemies grudgingly concede that Nwabudike Patisse must have had a reason.
Also Known As: Chefs, Backstabbers
House Patisse is a fairly new House, which came into being in the seventeenth century at the height of the French monarchy's power. It originally was a minor House, subservient to the far greater House Seine that backed the Bourbon kings. Patisse, however, was the lone French House to back the French Revolution, and achieved a primacy during the Revolution that it was never dislodged from. Their power is drawn from the consumption of food, especially magically created food. They are known for being astounding cooks, holding truly epic parties, and for a frightening political acumen.
The founder of House Patisse is long dead, but its current leader, Jean Jacques Patisse, has led the House since 1862. Members of House Patisse draw their magic directly from their bodies; casting spells deprives them of calories and nutrients, so the Patisse family likes to keep themselves well-fed. However, in a pinch, their members have been known to rapidly drive themselves towards starvation to cast spells. Many of them are left quite hungry after intensive spellcasting, and more than one magical commando raid has been preceded or concluded by a bank-breaking trip to Golden Corral.
As a newer House, Patisse is sensitive about its political role. Other Houses tend to view them as rebellious upstarts; they have strong republican traditions, and their glory days recall the Revolution and Napoleon's conquests, instead of aristocratic glory. To make up for this, House Patisse is incredibly politically active both in House and national politics. Members of House Patisse have been elected to national and local offices, served in the French military, and then some.
They are also one of the most widespread Houses; they expanded with the French empire, and members of the House can be found throughout former French colonies across the globe. They have acquired liberal sensibilities in that time; a number are outright socialists. While they backed the West during the Cold War, they also reflected the French tendency to go their own way in that conflict.
This culminated in the massacre of House Almagoras. House Patisse felt that Almagoras had taken the Cold War too far, by holding up peace talks and trying to dominate Western-aligned Houses. After Almagoras refused to listen to entreaties to dial back activities, Patisse worked with House Castillo to destroy them. At a massive banquet in Tours in 1983, House Almagoras was ambushed and killed to nearly a man.
The sudden violence tempered House competition in the 1980's, which helped to end the Cold War. However, other Houses have not forgiven House Patisse for the destruction of an entire House; the destroyed marriage alliances, murdered kin, and broken families have left many Houses embittered. Patisse has found that politics has turned frosty, and alliances are shifting in the wake of the Cold War. Their hope is to rise to the top of House politics, but the blood on their hands from the Massacre of Tours makes that a challenging prospect.
Living in House Patisse:
House Patisse is one of the most modern Houses. It styles itself as part professional organization, part extended family. Unlike the more aristocratic Houses, it has done away with bylaws like arranged marriages and overt ties to religious and noble orders. Its scions are encouraged to live entirely among the people; some have famously married mortals, and quite a few live in the Third World. However, traditions and unspoken rules are powerful: marriage partners are often strongly recommended and House members are expected to have children, just not required on pain of death.
Rather than place incredible power at the heads of families, House Patisse has a democratic structure. The adult members of House Patisse vote fifty members of their House into the Assembly every ten years, which governs over the House. The Assembly elects one of its own as leader. However, Jean Jacques Patisse has won every election since the nineteenth century, and the same people are often put into power. Democracy in House Patisse is something of a convenient illusion.
Its children have high expectations put upon them. House Patisse wants them to excel and be the best of the best; they only have two hundred years of history, and they try to make up for it by dominating the markings at academies. Patisse students often receive letters from every relative they have never heard of, admonishing them fiercely if they should ever shame the family by getting a "C." When they grow up, they are expected to be useful to their House.
Despite this, House Patisse is known for having a lot of fun. Many of them are award-winning chefs and Patisse parties are simply the best: the best food, the best locations, and the best drinks. Children get to socialize freely with their peers, and they're taught to see themselves as especially gifted citizens, rather than akin to nobility because of their (admittedly enchanted) blood.
Politics:
House Patisse is politically active and has cultivated marriages and alliances with nearly every House, even their enemies. Their betrayal of House Almagoras, however, has raised serious questions about their trustworthiness. House Weatherford and House Schellenberg, which had a number of marriages and alliances with Almagoras, have turned exceedingly cold to them after the Massacre at Tours. Patisse retains an alliance with House Castillo and House Skraelling, and has tried to go on as if nothing happened.
Major Personas:
Jean Jacques Patisse: The current leader of House Patisse, who first gained experience working as a bureaucrat under Napoleon's administration. He presents himself as a cultured elder statesman, now, and somewhat grandfatherly; he is known to bake cookies personally for every young member of Patisse. However, it is well-known that he is a ruthless schemer who has and will kill whoever stands in the way of his House. He traditionally holds a Bastille Day party for the entire House every year, which is very popular.
Nwabudike Patisse: The Senegalese born lieutenant of Jean Jacques Patisse, who has managed much of the House's internal affairs. He is a large man, and rather jolly, but that hides an absolutely brutal streak. He arranged and orchestrated the massacre of House Almagoras at Tours. He is known to have a sense of honor, though, and be incredibly forthright after he betrays someone. His reasons for the massacre have never been fully expounded on publicly, as no victims survived for him to discuss the matter with, but even some of House Patisse's enemies grudgingly concede that Nwabudike Patisse must have had a reason.