The Characters of Adirai~

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I: The Inmedae and his Companions Page-- Located here

II: Being The Family, Siblings & Connections of Inmedae Menanceté

Grand High Inquisitor Menanceté III; Lord Ignacy Ethesaire.

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The current Inquisitor of Adirai, the father to Inmedae and his siblings-- an eccentric, erratic, extremely (and not always rightfully) righteous, morally cruel but excellent and revered leader (revered for his lack of ostentation, seriousness, piety, intellectualism, asceticism and excellent politics)-- the patriarch of the House of Menanceté. Inmedae 'hates' him more than anything on earth, stemming from the harsh treatment and mental abuse given to his mother by him; and his favoritism from which Inmedae was inevitably excluded. To this day, he still has a silly belief that his father murdered Lady Menanceté, and the Inquisitor views Inmedae also in a very poor light, for his insecurity, cowardice, rebellion and high-living, pleasure-seeking, 'blasphemous' lifestyle. He is "the slimy sodomite son" of his; "the fat one"; and "the big, lazy lout, devoid of all natural gifts"-- normally, simply "The Son". Inmedae is the most grievous disappointment known to him, and reminds him far too much of his dead wife-- whom he dosen't want to think of, for reasons of guilt. A very complicated man.

Here we see the Inquisitor dressed formally-- for a parliamentary meeting-- in the Inquisitorial robes of state. He's known for his solemn and severe nature, his plain dress, religious bearing and intellectual manner, and is very odd, coloring his hair with a subtle violet hue-- and is, of course, very imposing.

By the way--he is known as I. Menanceté III for the previous Inquisitor pairing in the family, from the late 1400s-mid 1500s. Menanceté is the third in the line to gain control of government. Inmedae is therefore 'IV' when he takes over. Aristocratic houses usually have more than one Inquisitorship in their past. See Info for more detail on the subject of Inquisitors.

A Younger Inquisitor Menanceté

A state portrait of the Inquisitor in his mid forties.

The Lady Amrie Alline Evizia-Menanceté

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Inmedae, Algernon, Lizzy, Julian, Aurilla and Evgeny's mama, formally known as the Lady Amrie Alline Evizia-Menanceté. Perhaps at age 30; informally painted. Well-loved by the people and incredebly popular as an intelligent and elegant hostess; a loving, though rather over-loving mother to her children, especially her favorite, Inmedae-- whom she doted upon and spoiled monstrously-- and unhappily married to the Inquisitor from age 14. Three years after this portrait was painted, her eldest son, Julian, died, and she had her brakedown. (See Info).

Seeking refuge from the mental abuse she had grown accustomed to in her marriage, and to escape her son's death, she enclosed herself within her circle of friends, and acquired several lovers, one constant; across the course of her later life. This stemmed from the total absence of pleasure acquired from her arranged marriage with the Inquisitor. She had been eager to please her husband, albeit the fact that he disliked her immensely from the start-- for the untimely marriage, and her very nature, her sweetness. With the advant of her descent, she had relinquished. When she did sleep with her husband, it was in duty only-- as the Inquisitor was involved entirely with his mistresses, mainly Miss Avergine Amarinth (who was, at age fifty, a stout and rather unattractive woman). The Inquisitor had become incresingly incensed subsequent to the death of his one favorite son and heir. Lady Menanceté suffered enormously when her scandals emerged publicly and, of course, was abused by her husband. Then, defamed at the age of 36, she poisoned herself, declaring illness-- which is how her death is publically thought of.

Though, it goes without saying, that the circumstances of her death are generally known, and even mentioning her name in proper social circles is taboo-- based on the highly Catholic attitudes on suicide.

A fragile woman, mentally. Inmedae is still very much possessed by her memory.

As a note, Miss Amarinth looks -very- like her, though the latter was always a mid-sized, smallish sort of woman, and Cassisa is much taller than Inmedae. Here she is painted informally as a young woman, perhaps age 17, when she'd had Julian-- & again here, around the same time-- by renowned Englishportraitist Sir Joshua Reynolds-- & here in her mid-twenties, with the child Evgeny. (born when she was 26.)

The Lady Menanceté's ages when bearing the each of the Menanceté children:

Lady Genevré Eurasie Evizia-Hilenzy

Lady Hilenzy, the younger sister of Lady Menanceté. Aged 49, an intelligent, stately, and good-humordly witty socialite-- and a motherly friend and aunt to Inmedae. The only other (living) sibling left in the Western branch of the old Eastern-Adiraian Evizia family-- which Lady Menanceté was born into, besides Lord Arcady Evizia, the petty (but still good-natured), bon vivant, society-oriented brother (much like herself) who is also a close friend of Inmedae's. She is the wife of a politically-active aristocrat, the Eastern-Adiraian Valérin Hilenzy; has children (from eldest downward-- Cerny, Alezé, Imry, and Isédora); and is of the Amarinth 'set' in society.

Lord Arcady Evizia

The older brother of Amrie and Genevré, one of Inmedae's closest companions. The owner of one of the largest amassed fortunes in Adirai, and the current head of the Evizia family-- the powerful, noble, East-Adiraian 'Medici-esque' dynasty. A high-living, womanizing, debauched old socialite.

Hon. Lord Yélezy Menanceté

The brother of the Inquisitor, and a fixture of Inmedae's childhood. An immensely rich, fatuous, arrogant and lordly man, and the right-hand associate of the Inquisitor. Inmedae has always hated him, as he represents to him all that is unchangable, conservative, and grotesquely stuffy about higher Adirian society and government. The only thing he reveres him for is thae fact that he was "grossly fatter than even I; and I laughed as a child when he creaked the floorboards, pacing in a lecture."

The old Lord dies, and it is his death in the early arc of the story that forces Inmedae to return to his family, duties, and father in particular; after a haitus of nearly nine months.

Lady Sergia Eleny

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Inmedae's unmarried and high-class, snobbish, shrewish illegitimate half-sister, product of the 40 year plus relationship of the Inquisitor and Miss. Avergine Amarinth. One of Cassisa's half-siblings, as well. Which is interesting, because that would technically make Inmedae and Cassisa half-siblings, though not by blood. Very close to the Menanceté side of the family, and views the Evizia group as backwards, from their Eastern roots. Close mainly to Aurilla, and cold to the others.

Miss Avergine Amarinth

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A portrait of Miss Amarinth's mother, Avergine. The lover and companion to the Inquisitor for over 40 years, she is a very respected dowager and one of the most important women in Adirai. Shown here at greatly advanced age and weight, looking as she does at the time of the main story-- she is a proud, massive, reckoning force of a woman. Shrewed, intelligent, and strong, as all the practicing Amarinth women are taught to be, she has been behind the scenes of Adiraian politics for over four decades. Her older sister Lydian is another, albeit retired Amarinth-- the true head of the family, and also very renowned-- longtime mistress to two previous Inquisitors. Inmedae is close with her also, but abhors Avergine as an enemy of his mother.
Although, it was Avergine who persuaded and orchestrated the match between her daughter Cassisa and Inmedae-- proving an extremely deft & intelligent move.

The younger Avergine and her daughter by Lord Axle Vierny, Cassisa-- later mistress to Inmedae.

III: The Menanceté Siblings

The Brothers-- Algernon & Julian Menanceté (Inmedae not pictured.)

A painting of Algernon, in the millitary dress; and Julian, in civillian clothing.

Officer Algernon Menanceté

The oldest living son of the Menanceté family, 34-year-old Algernon. His father's favorite, and a skillful officer of the West Armies. Rational and fairly likeable, though a stoic and ascetic sort of man who keeps his thoughts rather to himself; he is handsome, straight-laced, honorable and gracious. Not at all driven by pleasure and passion; he is driven more by duty, to his family, the army, and the country; and sees the world straight in the face. He is also Inmedae's adversary (though only in Inmedae's mind), and all he is not.
Usually in very plain, albeit elegant clothes-- like his father; or in uniform. Quite opposite the tastes of his brother Inmedae.

More Algernon

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A young Algernon during the war, at age 16-- 16 being the age permitted to serve in the millitia. A commemorative portrait and such.

And...

A painting of older, middle-aged Algernon.

Lord Julian Menanceté
(deceased)

Just a good show of what Inmedae's brother Julian would've looked like before he died in service, fighting the civil war between East and West Adirai, at age 19. With the beautiful light-brown hair and dark eyes of his father. Madly handsome (and looking almost exactly as the Inquisitor had at this age), intelligent, politic, witty, socially popular, generous and genial; he was an incredibly promising heir to the Inquisitorship, and loved by the people. At the news of his sudden death, the whole of Adirai mourned publicly, in black, for six weeks. But the family's mourning never really ended. It was the first outward wreckage, one major factor of the self-inflicted death of his mother, and the growing resentments of his father.
Inmedae walks in his shadow more than anybody's.

More Julian

How Julian would appear in life, looking concentrated and frustrated, as a high Officer, during his time in service.

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The Sisters-- Evgeny, Aurilla, & Larissa Menanceté

A portrait of the three as children.

Lady Aurilla Menanceté

The second-youngest Menanceté child, at age 24-- named Éva, though known by her second name, Aurilla, and called Rilla. A precocious, liberal, intriguingly unpredictable and monstrously intelligent, as well as astute, woman; and the mistress of a leading (and very communist-inclined) politician and assistant to the Adiraian Ambassador, Lord Sargeny Verity. He sees her as his intellectual equal, which is an unusual attitude in the day and age. Rebelious, yet, at heart, heavy traditionalist like her father, she is a 'rational' free spirit. Full name: Lady Éva Aurilla Constanzé Menanceté.

Aurilla Again

Aurilla, who takes after the Menanceté side in her dark hair and eyes.

More Aurilla

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A portrait of Aurilla in 1600s masquerade ball attire, complete with wig.

&-- Aurilla with Inmedae.

Painted when children.

Lord Sargeny Verity

The current appointed Western Ambassador, liberal activist and recognized leader of the radical left-wing Cavaelia Adiraia Council faction. Long-established lover of Aurilla, whom he lives with, unmarried and "in sin", according to most. He also has several illegetimate children from previous liazons. Regardless of his leanings and dubious morals, thoroughly Enlightenment-driven ideals and philosophy, he does outwardly respect the current Inquisitor, maintaining a cold and aloof public relation. The Cavaelia grouping believes strongly in full Rule by Council, with neither Inquisitorial or Church authority. The Inquisitor is well aware of this, of Verity's atheism, and scandalous relations with his daughter, yet for respect for her and his own political prowess (particularly fear of the anti-Inquisitorial state), he turns a blind eye.
Mostly, he views it as all too horrible to dwell on.

Lady Larissa Menanceté

Inmedae's much-beloved sister Larissa (Full title: Lady Larissa Elezé Heléne Menanceté), or affectionately Lizzy-- aged 22. She lives in England, in Devonshire, with her rather ne'er-do-well English Lord, Jameson Rosbury-- with whom she eloped and married against her father's wishes. Extravagant, frivolous, happily coarse in manner as well as massively reckless, rather a sort of 'loose woman', in constant search for something better, and sentimental. She is very like Inmedae in character as well as looks, blonde and pretty, taking after their mother. A massive self-professed Anglophile, and not in any hurry to return to Adirai.

Lizzy Again

Lady Evgeny Menanceté

A painting of plain, sweet, mousy Evgeny, or affectionately Effie; eldest daughter of the Inquisitor-- at age 26, her current age in the story. An older, wiser, less outspoken and introverted Menanceté-- very like her brother Algernon, albeit kinder and simpler. A very pleasantly demure, content, and 'knowing' sort of personality. Her full title is: Lady Evgeny Iolanthé Lucia Menanceté-Lely-- after marrying. She lives continuously and contentedly in Adirai with her husband, Aléyzian Lely-- a nobleman of German and Adiraian parentage, and her three children-- Cenzie, Adie, and Augustus.
She is her father's favorite daughter, for her conservatism, her sense of complacency and responsibility, and is, on the exterior, an excellent example of Adiraian matronhood.

Another small painting of Evgeny.

Information Worth Mentioning:

Ages, Heights and Weights of Re-occuring Principles at the time of the main storyline:

Other Notables:
Mr. Snidebottom (Mr. Cyran Sézerny)
The Cavertys-- Axle & Amadéa
The Poet Mr. Viezly
The Malingerer Mr. Ilreny