Class: Mage (level 10+)
Nationality: French
Open Allegiances: Henry of Champagne
Suspected Allegiances: The Dragon Court, the Unseelie Court.
Known as Master Doombeard (because of his long, doleful greybeard). Francois Demaire, Baron of Ambres is the current keeper of the Hound-Staff, a royal artifact that summons spirit the Pack Arcana. Born in 1114, he was the oldest son of Phillip, also Baron of Ambres. He married the half-elf Marie Talmont in 1152, a marriage that was recognized with extreme reluctance by Church, Crown, and father.
The arcane has always been an interest of the Barons of Ambres, but Francois's interest was exceptional even by their standards. Recruited into the Arcana Dorceus at an early age, he was angered by the Church's refusal to allow magi to participate in the Second Crusade. Despite this, he maintained cordial relations with the pious King Louis VII and his early trusted advisor, the late Abbot Suger.
Having climbed to prodigious heights in sorcery at an early age (he was said to be able to cast his first spell of the 5th circle when he was 22), he ascended to the position of High Hound of the Arcana Dorceus in 1157. Furthermore, he did not surrender that position when he assumed the role of baron on his father's death in 1159, becoming the only High Hound who also held a lordship.
Master Doombeard is cunning and inscrutable. Noted for his pessimism and callous nature, he is more feared than loved. His loyalty to the Crown is unquestioned as his affection for his family. He and his wife do not shy away from displays of tenderness. Furthermore, despite being a boy of only 6 years, Demaire's third son, Alain, is already showing signs of being able to wield magic at a prodigious level.
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