 About Etienne GaucherShort Backstory:
Abandoned at the gates of Cayden’s Home in Sud Rivière during the short reign of the Common Council, Etienne Gaucher was born into abject poverty. As a boy, he was left to his designs by the orphanage’s too few attendants and, like so many others, he turned to begging and stealing to survive. He would surely have been condemned to a life of crime were it not for the leniency and generosity of Claire Rioux who, when she caught him nicking her kitchen supplies, saw something in him and agreed to allow him to work for her in lieu of punishment. Is this acceptable? If not, I’ll think up another saviour of sorts. He was twelve years old then, and getting caught was the best thing that ever happened to him. For years, he worked at Claire’s Kitchen, helping to feed the hungry but also learning the inner-workings of her business and the intricate art of negotiation in an age of ever-dangerous intrigue. She instilled in him a deep sense of community-minded responsibility and a profound love for the teachings of Erastil. He had a mind for numbers and a way with people, and he soon found his place – and something akin to a family – in Le Commune. However, he wanted more. When he found out that the Gaetan National Bank was looking for a clerk, he jumped at the opportunity, much to Mme Rioux’s chagrin. He was twenty years old, and the New Revolutionary Council had just taken power. Hopeful and ambitious, he very much then believed that Chairman Korran Goss would set the nation on the right path. Any leads on how I could further develop his time spent at the Gaetan National Bank? For years, he dedicated himself to banking, learning the concepts, principles and intricacies of finance, and acquiring the means to ensure timely payments and respect of terms. He proved to be among the finest of clerks and was promoted quickly. Now a banker, he wanted to return to Le Commune and give back to those who had once taken care of him. Today, Mr. Gaucher runs La Caisse d’Escompte, a recently-established bank in the outskirts of Le Commune that offers small loans at fair rates. While ensuring his bank’s profitability, he endeavours to help honest merchants and tradespeople who are starting or having difficulties. Mr. Gaucher and his employees take an active interest in the success of their clients by drumming up business, offering expert advice, and introducing clients to potential partners and investors. Mr. Gaucher himself oft invests in promising business ventures to influence trade positively in Le Commune. A pious follower of Erastil, Etienne Gaucher is confident and industrious and prides himself on his honesty and integrity. Like most in Le Commune, he supports the Egalitarian Party and believes that all should be equal in the eyes of the law and that justice should be fair and impartial. Driven by his desire to improve the lives of good people, he is a deliberate and even-tempered professional with an engaging and empathic demeanour. When he’s not at the office, he can be found standing watch on Deadeye’s Perch, helping out in the Orchard or in Claire’s Kitchen, or having a pint at the All for One pub. Etienne Gaucher appears in every way to be a fine and upstanding citizen who plays by the rules. However, in confidence behind closed doors, the ever-so-careful man may admit to being unhappy with the current state of affairs. Truth be told, he has become disillusioned and disappointed by the current regime. He is adamantly against the government’s meddling in banking and, furthermore, opines that things have been getting only steadily worse in recent years. Increasingly, given his opinions and his business practices, Mr. Gaucher has found himself at odds with the demands of the government upon his business. Higher fees and rates, as well as increases in dues, have created contentious conundrums to which Mr Gaucher has had to find creative solutions such as rate reductions in exchange for profit sharing and fee rebates for payments in kind. Needless to say, his bottom-line has suffered. Now, he finds himself having to consider if and how he can continue to help the people while respecting the rule of law... At this point, I am not sure how far the character’s backstory should go. Is he already involved in illicit activities, or is he to be recruited? I have in mind that he could have a Persona, Le Chiffre, who would offer unlawful loans… Of course, if and when his bank is audited, his ledgers would have to explain the sums in the bank’s coffers, which implies cooked books. I’ll have to learn more about that if the character is chosen!
Etienne Gaucher
Underhanded (Inspiration pool: 5)
Judgement (2/day)
GEAR:
WORN Scholar's outfit with Inside Pocket Masterwork Armored coat (attuned) Amulet of Natural Armor (+1) Filter Scarf Wooden Holy symbol Gloves of Larceny CARRIED
BANK
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BANK Create 39 Goods, 3 Influence, 35 Labor (1,570 gp) Rooms 1 Guard Post, 2 Offices, 1 Secret Room, 1 Storefront, 2 Vaults A secure building for storing coins and valuables, and for making loans to those in need. + Kitchen (160 gp) + Bedroom (300 gp) + Lavatory (120 gp) Note: one of the vaults has a superior lock (150 gp) and is Fortified (300 gp) BUREAUCRATS
ELITE GUARDS
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