¤ The Artois Family

Far from all the nobility of Flandres and Couronne have fallen under the spell of the Dumourieux. Several groups remain opposed to the Cardinal and his regime, for not only does he have a tight grip on central government, but he has arranged it so that his faction can gang up on any one other family in Flandres if they have dealings with the De Semblancy or show resistance to the Cardinals' wishes. Those who are not part of the Dumourieux faction are forced into a brooding and tense inactivity by fear of reprisals. A potential exception is emerging in the Artois family.

Based in the small town of the same name, famed for its mighty castle which guards the bloody eastern border, Paul d'Artois is a staunch and restless soldier who harbours an ancient family grudge against the Dumourieux (said to date back to an apparently rigged jousting match in 2269 IC). Ever since the Cardinal came to power he has put up as much of a fight as he can, and in the last couple of years has begun to forge alliances with other nobles in eastern and northern Flandres who have not sided with the Dumourieux. He also has a few secret contacts within the faction; those who are now lukewarm about the Cardinal's supposed patronage and seek a more secure and equal association. More importantly, Paul d'Artois is engaged in covert talks with the De Semblancy, who hope to create a fire in the rear for the Cardinal, possibly leading to an uprising against the heart of his territory and power base.