CISLUNAR DHASANT: THE CITY OF GARGOYLES

Family Overview: Valere is the middle son of the noble family headed by Haskar and Ellinor Hunabar. The Hunabar estate was built on a successful textile design/import business that now includes fashion design and importing as well. All of the beautiful people (and those who wish to appear as "beautiful people") wear Hunabar designs, and seamstresses and tailors desire Hunabar materials for their creations.
Haskar spends his time between overseeing the operation of his business and socializing with the elite (and best customers). Valere's older brother Cleante is often seen with his father, listening intently or taking down notes. Valere's older brother has his father's favour as being adept and interested in the family business, and Haskar and Cleante spend many hours together.
Valere's youngest brother Phillipe is at the University, and Ellinor is constantly sending him things or writing him letters. He is Ellinor's pride and joy, as he is fulfilling her dream to have a son in the University.
Valere tried to learn the family business, but other than cultivating in him a taste for finery, he didn't take to it well÷the drudgery of running a business was too dull and tedious for his adventurous spirit. Besides that, Cleante jealously hoards his time with his father and went out of his way to make Valere look worse than he was. Ellinor sent Valere to the University, but the studies were difficult and there always seemed to be something better to do. Ellinor was extremely disappointed until Phillipe showed his interest, and then she turned her attention completely on her youngest, and now favorite, son. Meanwhile, Valere is in the middle between two favorite sons, without another parent to favor him.
Valere finds his excitement in swapping tales with the duellists in the park and working with several local acting companies. His charm and wit serve him well on the stage. Although he doesn't always have a great deal of respect (or memory) for the playwright's words, his ability to improvise has always held him in good stead with the companies as well as with the women in the crowd.
Haskar Hunabar: Haskar doesn't disdain Valere as much as Valere thinks he does. There is much of the father in the second son. Haskar would have much rather been hanging out with the duellists than working in the family business, but being the oldest son had its responsibilities, and Haskar dutifully took his father's place at the head of the family business. Haskar has been secretly following his son's exploits; sending agents to witness duels and even appearing in person (in disguise) when possible. Haskar envies his son and is proud of his ability with the blade and his success with women, but can only support him secretly, as he must keep up appearances for the good of the business.

Ellinor Hunabar: Ellinor is the daughter of Challas Amcathra and sister of Mourngrym Amcathra. From Ellinor's family Valere gained an appreciation of good wine, good swords, and fast horses. It was Ellinor who taught all of her children how to ride, and horse riding is still one of her favorite pastimes. Ellinor is always a gracious hostess, seeing to her guests' every need and bragging about her children (especially Phillipe) as often as possible. Although raised to be nothing more than an excellent hostess and a bearer of children, Ellinor inherited her father's shrewdness in business and she "advises" Haskar on his business dealings quite frequently, most often with excellent results.
On his 16th birthday Ellinor gave Valere a dapple-grey stallion from the Amcathra ranch (a Percheron). Well bred and well trained, the horse was magnificent, and Valere was truly impressed. "Smoke" was the pick of the crop that year and Valere values him highly.

Cleante Hunabar: Cleante is Valere's older brother. Cleante has a natural way with figures and organization and other abstract ideas and will be a natural when he takes over the operation from his father. If he has a fault, it's that he places success in business and figures over all else. Haskar is working to teach Cleante the value of morale and the state of the mind of the workers. Cleante is not evil, just preoccupied.

Phillipe Hunabar: Phillipe is Valere's youngest brother. Phillipe got the brains in the family. Always very quick and perceptive, Phillipe is doing very well at the University and is thinking of taking up the art of Magic when he gets out. Physical strength, however, is not one of Phillipe's gifts. He was always being picked on by his larger and stronger peers, and Valere more than once came to his rescue. These two brothers get along very well, outside of the influence of their parents, but Valere's jealousy over Ellinor's attention and Phillipe's jealousy over Valere's strength and bravado sometimes get in the way.

Religion/Philosophy: Valere doesn't spend a lot of time thinking about religion; he is more of a secular humanist and determinist. Events occur based on previous events. What will be, will be. He is interested in making his life better as best he can and works toward his own enjoyment. He adventures out of boredom with the established beliefs of "right" and "wrong." The Hunabars were generally worshippers of Bel before the war, although much of the tradition has been abandoned in light of current events. Valere knows a little about Bel and his religious heritage, but he doesn't dwell on it÷partly to avoid legal conflict and partly because he doesn't care all that much.
Valere doesn't very much like the current state of the world but doesn't see anything he can do about it. He feels that the more terrible things the Powers That Be inflict on others, that much more will be their anguish in the end. What comes around, goes around. Meanwhile, Valere respects the satamharanthu only as much as he needs to and has no problem with breaking the laws concerning duelling and other such things.

Other Info: Valere's fine matching rapier and parrying dagger were a gift of his grandfather Challas, who was initially responsible for Valere's training in swordsmanship. When Challas discovered that Valere was ambidextrous, he immediately started him training hin the two-handed style.

Valere often stays at one of the family's second houses in town rather than at the main estate. This is a mutual agreement between Valere and his father, who found that there were too many questions to ask when Valere was staying at home. Valere does go home frequently, by request of his father, to check in and catch up on all of the business goings-on. Valere often acts as a type of "artistic advisor," helping pick out and design the new materials and fashions for the season.
When not on family business (adventuring, duels), Valere assumes the name Valere de Poquelin, dropping the family name in order not to bring dishonor on his family should he fail or be caught in something less than scrupulous. Much of the local constabulary knows this, however, and more often than not Haskar is called to bail his son out of trouble. Hey .... money talks.