Clara Duval: from nobility to the sisterhood

Finally got around to putting some of Clara's backstory together! Here's a look into her life before the journey started.

Same story below in text, in case it makes for easier reading!

(EDIT: noticed a typo in the images, woopsie!)

THE HOUSE DUVAL

The Duvals are a noble house that has stood proudly for generations, but its fortune is dwindling. The current head of the family, Lord Gerivald, stood to lose his position to his younger brother, if he did not produce an heir. After many attempts, his latest wife had granted him a son, but not before saddling him with six daughters. 

The youngest of these six is our heroine, Clara Duval.

MAGICAL STUDIES

Clara lacked nothing during her childhood, food, clothes…Parental love, perhaps, but whatever attention she missed from her caregivers, the house’s library more than made up for. She was found to be gifted at magic at a young age, and a tutor was hired to help her develop this skill. 

Clara adored her tutor, and looked up to him greatly. He instilled in her the wish to become a great sorceress one day, so she could teach others just like he did. But behind closed doors, the family’s coffers were emptying out, and Clara’s tutoring came to an abrupt stop when they could no longer pay the man.

ARRANGED MARRIAGE

Clara’s life changed very suddenly. Her studies had been cut short, and not a year later her mother announced that the Duke Alain Du Maraquette was looking for a bride, and had accepted her parent’s proposal for Clara’s hand in marriage, a proposal Clara knew nothing about prior. 

Not only was the Duke cold and distant whenever they spoke, behind closed doors it was common knowledge that he had a mistress among the commoners whom he held very dear, but of whom his parents did not approve. The marriage was a business arrangement, specifically to pacify both the Duke’s parents as well as her own. 

At first, Clara did as expected from a noble daughter, and accepted her fate quietly. Until she found out that her dowry consisted of money they had saved from firing her tutor. 

This little detail crumbled her facade, and she became desperate to escape this arranged marriage. Rumour has it she even resorted to (smudged out) 

JOINING THE SISTERHOOD

It’s unclear what exactly happened, but the Duke mysteriously called off the marriage very suddenly. A change of heart, perhaps. Clara’s parents did not get much of a chance to process the withdrawal, as shortly after Clara announced that she would be joining the Sisterhood to do charity work.

Among the nobility, reactions were mixed. Some thought it idiotic to give up her status, others found it noble and inspiring. Her parents were content to have one less cost in their house, and went back to focusing all their attention on their only son and how he would restore their family’s former glory. 

Among the common folk, Clara made a name for herself in the sisterhood. Not only was she a talented healer, she was a kind and very devout woman, who had given up her nobility for charity. She continued her magic studies in the sisterhood, experimenting and trying to find new ways to cure diseases and lift curses.

But the library at her disposal could only help her so much. So, she left on a journey to develop her skills and discover the world, broadening her horizon. Or so she said.