Nicholas Roux

The Most Reverend Archbishop

"If one were to ask, 'Whose policies have had the greatest impact on Caibrox as a whole', the answer is simple, Nicholas Roux" - Lore Keeper Kalena Starre

HISTORY

Nicholas was abandoned by his parents, a poor unwed human couple, hours after his birth. Left on the doorstep of Courveil's Temple to Praveda, Goddess of Truth, Nicholas was taken in by the priests there as was raised among them. A Cantor, Davin Knill was Nicholas's caretaker, although he made sure that the boy was cared for and was educated, his methods were very coarse and he and Nicholas argued frequently.

Nicholas's childhood was difficult, he was sickly and suffered from Asthma, physically weak, and was not treated well by other children in town. These years left a strong impression on the young Nicholas, finding solace in Praveda's teachings and discovering that he could only truly rely on himself. Being unable to fight off other children due to his physical weakness, Nicholas learned how to use words to get himself out of bad situations. When he turned thirteen, the Age of Minority, Nicholas chose to become an Acolyte of Praveda's and left Courveil's Temple to travel to Bergeris to attend seminary training, if only to get away from the other children and Cantor Knill's lessons.

Nicholas excelled at seminary school, he was surprised that Cantor Knill's lessons had thoroughly prepared him for his time in Bergeris. He also discovered that his charming ways became more refined as he got older. When he was not sure about something, Nicholas learned he could talk his way through it, or out of it. There were few in the school, including the Chaplin's that had the intelligence or savvy Nicholas had. Nicholas often found himself in a leadership or teaching role among his peers, finally it felt as he had found his place.

At the age of sixteen, Nicolas graduated from his seminary training and reached the Age of Majority he was offered and took a roll as a Chaplin with the seminary school. Over the next two years Nicholas's stirring talks with students and visitors, as well as his outreach to the poor in Bergeris drew the attention of several of Bergeris's minor nobles who sought to attach themselves to the charismatic youth. Nicholas was approached by a Nobel named Baron Jarrod Roux, who offered Nicholas a unique opportunity. Since in Caibrox women are not allowed to hold direct noble titles; if Nicholas would marry his only child, his daughter Inbar, take the family name of Roux and produce a male heir, allowing the family name and noble line to continue, then he would help finance Nicholas's social programs. Nicholas quickly agreed.

A Return to Truth

Shortly after Nicholas wed Inbar the world as he knew it began to change rapidly. Inbar was with child and the now nineteen-year-old Nicholas was a member of the nobility by proxy. As such Nicholas was afforded opportunities and respect that he had not previously had. His outreach programs gained much traction in Bergeris and had now found other supporters. Nicholas found himself speaking at civil engagements as well as continuing his teaching duties. He had become quite the popular voice in Bergeris politics, and he used this to his advantage. Nicholas sent word to the Bishop of Bergeris Temple to Praveda that he was seeking ordination into priesthood and he claimed that he would be able to bring in even more donations due to his status and popularity.

After much debate among the Priests and the temple Bishop, the decision was made to ordain Nicholas as a Priest in the Temple to Praveda. Nicholas served as priest for five years in the Temple. During that time, he became well known for his charity to the downtrodden and his quite vocal call for social change. Just as he had claimed once he was made a Priest, donations to the Temple tripled. At home, Inbar had blessed the Roux family with two more children, a girl and a boy and the eldest son turned five. Everything seemed to be going right in Nicholas's world.

Two Masters, One Goal

In July of 178 P.C. The Bishop of the Temple Éric Dufour became ill. Always a strong supporter of Nicholas, Bishop Dufour knew that his time on Eirath was running out. He wrote a letter to Archbishop Basile Lambert asking for Nicholas Roux to be promoted to Bishop. While the Temple leadership contemplated this Baron Jarrod Roux fell ill as well and died. Nicholas now found himself in an difficult position as he now ascended to fill his fathers-in-laws vacant position of Baron.

Nicholas became a Baron on 17th of September 178 P.C., two days later on the 19th of September 178 P.C he was installed as the Bishop of the Bergeris Temple. At first Nicholas felt the weight of serving two masters, the Count of Bergeris and the Archbishop of the temple. There were many times when he felt he would have to give up one of his positions. One day he received a missive from Courveil's Temple and that changed his outlook on all things. His old caretaker, Davin Knill, now a Bishop himself, had sent him correspondence, congratulating Nicholas on his ascension, apologizing for his failings at raising Nicholas, and telling him he was proud of the man he had become and that his policies to help others were noble. This acknowledgement from his old caretaker helped to confirm to Nicholas that he was on the right path.

With renewed fire Nicholas began more outreach programs at the Temple. Using his new connections as a Baron and a Bishop, Nicholas was able to raise money to fund housing and job programs for the poor and within three years homelessness in Bergeris was effectively eliminated. Nicholas Roux was a hero to the people of Bergeris, young, old, rich, or poor everyone it seemed was a supporter of his. He now held as much if not more power than any other person in Bergeris, and people took notice.

A Voice for Change

With gold filling the coffers of the Temple and people praising the name of their Bishop and Baron, the Temple's Patriarch came to Bergeris to meet his Bishop in person. When he arrived, the Patriarch was greeted in the streets by people who spoke of Bishop Nicholas Roux with reverence the Patriarch had never heard from the commoner before. It mattered not whom he spoke too, no one it seemed had anything unpleasant to say about Nicholas.

When he finally arrived at the temple the Patriarch and Nicholas spoke at length about many things. The Patriarch believed that Nicholas had the power to change the world for good and to make it a better place for all. He wanted Nicholas to give up his civic, noble title and accept a position as an Archbishop. Nicholas told the Patriarch that he would do so, but he needed some time to make the change happen. The Patriarch told Nicholas not to keep him waiting for too long but agreed to give him some time.

Nicholas immediately set out to work on his next big change to Caibrox society. Travelling to Mainnois, the capital of Caibrox, Nicholas used his considerable political clout, and used his political allies to seek an audience with the Parliament of Peers. After six weeks of petitions and appeals, Nicholas was granted his audience. Nicholas presented a plan to allow noble peerage to pass through women as well as men. This would allow families complete control over their hereditary titles. Always the compelling speaker, Nicholas tore apart every objection levied at the plan. Using his knowledge of Parliament policy and with the help of his allies in the parliament he forced a vote on the issue. Although the vote was close, the legislation was passed.

With this Nicolas returned home to Bergeris, where he passed his title to his wife, now Baroness Inbar Roux. Sending a missive to the Patriarch, Nicholas told him he was now able to accept the position of Archbishop. On December 1st, 182 P.C. was installed as the Archbishop of the Besnait Region of the Temple to Praveda.

The Final Ascension

In the early spring of 196 P.C. Nicholas woke one morning with a dreadful sense of apprehension. He could not determine the reason for it and descended into the dining area for breakfast. Once there he found himself disoriented, nauseous and unable to eat. While sitting at the dining table suddenly Nicholas began to shiver. He asked Inbar for help and she helped him back to bed and summoned a chirurgeon and Nicholas's personal Cleric.

When questioned by the chirurgeon, Nicholas who was violently shivering at this point claimed to have a headache severe pains in his neck and back. The cleric attempted a healing prayer, but it did not seem to have an effect. Within an hour the shivering stopped but was now replaced with a sweating fever. Nicholas became delirious, hallucinatory, and agitated. He lashed out at unseen people as well as the cleric and chirurgeon, until he final collapsed in bed. The chirurgeon attempted to treat Nicholas and the cleric tried his most powerful prayers, however neither seemed to work. By midday Archbishop Nicholas Roux passed. His remains were consecrated, and he was buried in the Roux family graveyard.

Alignment

Lawful Good

Age

42

Life

154 PC 196 PC 42 years old

Circumstances of Birth

Nicholas was born to an unwed couple and was given up at birth. He was left outside of a Temple to Praveda, Goddess Of Truth

Circumstances of Death

Complications due to sweating sickness.

Gender

Male

Eyes

Hazel

Hair

Short, Auburn Color

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Pale, with red bloches

Height

5'8"

Weight

122 lbs.

Quotes & Catchphrases

"Those who lighten the burdens of others shall be thrice blessed." - Nicholas Roux