Léonce Chevalier

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Character Sheet

• Léonce Chevalier's Notes

Goals

• To find a way back home to daughter.
• To find wife and bring her back home.

Background

Léonce Chevalier was born in France at La Côte-Saint-André, near Gronoble at the foot of the French Alps. His father, Grégoire II, an officer in Napoleon's army, did not support Chevalier's education in the Arts. Luckily for Chevalier, his mother Aurélie (with the help of her family), secretly enrolled him in art school while his father believed him to be away serving in Napoleon's army.

At the age of 18 he was sent to Paris to study in military school, a field for which he had no interest.

1810-1815: Court Musician to Count Brancaccio in Naples, Italy (gave many performances on the Brancaccio Stradivarius Violin)

Family

• Cédric & Brigitte (Great-Grandparents)
  • Grégoire Sr. & Claudette (Grandparents): Fought and died during (???) War, leaving behind his wife, four sons and one daughter.
    • Grégoire II (Father): Oldest of his brothers. Imperialist (Napoleon Supporter). Doesn't respect Léonce's soft "educated" career or his "gypsy" lifestyle. His brother Fortuné (uncle) was MIA in French Revolution (1798) and never returned.
      • Léonce & Loréline (wife, deceased: drowned)
        • Julliette (daughter)
      • Grégoire III (Brother) & Monique (Sister-in-law): Brother followed in Father's footsteps, so he is the well-liked, appreciated son, which has created a significant rift between the brothers. His wife is an alcoholic nag, who Léonce does not care for.
        • Grégoire IV (nephew): still young, but already showing signs of being a bullying brat.
    • Aurélie (Mother): Always more supportive of Noel, she helped balance out rough side of her husband.
  • Jean-Noel & Corrine (Grandparents):
• Remy & Arcadie (Great Grandparents): Gypsies

Death

July 1820, Strasbourg, France. A rare cool breeze blew up along the Ill River into the grassy park, momentarily relieving the overly dressed festival attendees from the otherwise stifling heat of the summer afternoon. In spite of the heat, the annual festivities were in full-swing. Flags and banners were strung all about the park. Couples danced a waltz to music played by a small orchestra. Small children chased each other around through the maze of tables where the adults sat drinking, feasting, talking and laughing. And many, kids and adults alike, were involved in various games of entertainment. Everyone was enjoying themselves, even Léonce's father, which was obvious from the lack of insults and harsh indifference towards Léonce that normally existed.

On the fringe of the fest, where it was more quiet, Léonce and a couple of his companions were lounging in the lawn on the bank overlooking the river, playing a nice melody on your various instruments, enjoying the bliss of the wonderful summer day. However, his peace was about to be shattered. Little Julliette, determined not to be "tagged it" by her younger cousin Andre, was focused so thoroughly only her pursuer that she did not see the danger that loomed up in front of her as she sprinted across the grass. Who would have expected a tragedy could occur on that glorious day? No one. So most were completely unaware of the danger Julliette was in and although Léonce could perceive the threat, his relaxed mind and body were slow to react. There was nothing he could do to stop her from rushing head long over the edge of the steep bank, into the deep, dark waters of the river.

Once the adrenalin kicked in, Léonce burst up and sprinted across the grass. The others sat, gaping in shock at his sudden flight, still unaware of Julliette's peril. Yet they were even more stunned as they watched him leap past Andre and dive headfirst into the river, as if his mind had suddenly gone mad from the heat.

Forcing his eyes open added little advantage in the murky darkness of the river, but below Léonce could see the pale colors of Julliette's cloths. He kicked hard, diving ever deeper, desperate to reach her before it was too late. Deeper he went. Darker it got. He could see her open eyes, looking back into his eyes, pleading for help. Her outstretched hand beckoned for her father's grasp, which seemed just out of reach. The harder Léonce tried, the faster it seemed she sank away from him. Soon his lungs were beginning to burn and his legs were weakening. Just when he was about to admit defeat, having nearly lost all hope of rescuing her, her hand fell lightly into his. With the last of the energy remain in his oxygen starved body, Léonce turned and pulled her upward. As both rose, he could see the shimmering silhouettes of those standing on the bank above, those that had come to help, but he knew it was too little too late. His mind clouded, his vision darkened. Léonce's last sensation was of the others pulling Julliette from him just before he was consumed by utter blackness.

Time passed, but Léonce could not judge by how much. Still in darkness, his mind struggled to assemble coherent thoughts. Slowly, awareness and memories returned. "Julliette drowning..." Soon he could feel the cold, hard ground beneath him. His eyes flicked open, or so he thought, but all he could see was more darkness. "Must move... must save her..." Still holding his breath, his lungs burned, but no longer was the weight of water crushing him. In fact, he laid in dry air. Suddenly, desperately, Léonce gasped for breath, taking several long, deep breaths before cautiously sitting up. Then he marveled at what he saw.

Gone was the lake. Gone was the park full of his family at a picnic. Gone was any semblance of the world he knew. Sitting on hard black rock, overlooking a vast dark canyon, Léonce gawked at the star-filled night sky obscured only occasionally by shadowy stone spires. All around was darkness, except for a torch of violet flame that lit the ground next to him. "Where the hell am I?"

Symphonie Fantastique

To keep his sanity, Chevalier has begun composing a new programmatic work in his head. Each part of the composition is marked with compositional, lyrical, and programmatic quality (based on the degree of success of each category, more may be added).

The piece is scored for a full symphony orchestra and chorus.

Part I: Scène aux carnaval (Scene in the carnival)

The artist finds himself in the most diverse situations in life, in the tumult of a festival, in the peaceful contemplation of the beautiful sights of nature, yet everywhere, whether in town or in the countryside, the beloved image keeps haunting him and throws his spirit into confusion.

• Composition:
• Program Notes:

Part II: Saisir la mort (Enter death)

• Composition:
• Program Notes:

Part III: Terre de ténèbres éternelles (Land of eternal darkness)

The artist wakes in a land of eternal darkness. Hideous gathering of demons and monsters of every kind have come together for the artist's funeral. Strange sounds, groans, outbursts of laughter; distant shouts which seem to be answered by more shouts. The beloved melody is barely audible covered by the black, churning waters cascading down cliffs with a mighty roar. The funeral bell tolls and the demons call forth the artist.

The music begins with a low D in the basses held out for what seems an eternity. The violas enter barely audible with an ascending five note melody.

• Composition:
• Program Notes:

Part IV: Araignée démoniaque (Spider demon)

The artist wakes with his companions in a heavenly landscape. A cool breeze blows across the fertile land. Birds chirp, butterflies frolic in the meadow. The folkspeople speak of a demon that threatens the land. A foreboding, barely audible wail is heard in the distance - the Ua'Milroor beckons the heroes. The heroes travel meeting others to join them to defeat the Ua'Milroor. The land grows dark. The bird song rapidly turns sour. The heroes are upon the face of a black cave strewn with bones left over from the Ua'Milroor's victims. The music grows softer. Suddenly, the creature's terrible wail penetrates the fearful silence! The bones snap under the Ua'Milroor's rushing eight legs. Spears set for the charge. A glancing blow, flesh rendered, bones snapping, screams, interspersed with a fearful silences. More sounds of battle - a swift cut, a rolling head, screams - followed by a fifth fearful silence. An glowing white angel descends (the violins play the melody of the beloved) filling the Ua'Milroor with a white light. The creature's wail tapers as it is defeated.

• Composition (musical content): +11 (Critical Success!)
• Poetry (lyrical content): +1
• Program Notes (written content to accompany composition): +4

Part V: Terre en friche (Wasteland)

The artist and his companion are hurled into a maelstrom of desolation. The wind swept sands claw at their eyes, the rumble of the wind deafening. The heroes have no option but to cross the vast wasteland with a sliver of hope that something lies beyond (the melody of the beloved is soft amid a cacophony of sound). Strange creatures out of nightmares circle the artist and his companion but only watch from afar. The artist carries a symbol of his devotion that leads them on.

• Composition:
• Program Notes:

Part VI: Démon chevalier (Demon Knight)

A heavily armored demon emerges on horseback from the sands (repeated timpani strokes marked fortissimo). His heavy axe crashes down upon the heroes. The artist and companion defend themselves knocking the great demon from his horse. The demon rises to his feet, laughing (trombones slides). Knowing that the artist is no warrior, the companion courageously attempts to get the attention of the demon and loses his hand to the demon's axe blow! The demon crushes the heroes under his shield and plants his axe into the belly of the artist (the whole orchestra holds an unconventional dissonant chord). All is black (complete silence).

• Composition:
• Program Notes:

Other Compositions

Nostalgie

Violin Solo

The artist wanders looking for his lost love only to find nothing. Moments of hope emerge with increasing tension but never resolve to give the listener a sense of finality. The piece ends softly trailing off in silence.

• Composition:
• Program Notes:

Berceuse pour Juliette (Lullaby for Juliette)

Violin Solo

A girl is led to a grove by her father where her mother eagerly awaits for their arrival. She is beautiful, dressed in simple linens, and adorned with flowers in her hair. The mother and daughter embrace. The family lies sun-kissed upon a bed of flowers. A peaceful sleep washes over them.

• Composition:
• Program Notes:

Beauty (Monroe)

Violin Solo

The Tower

A tragic grand opera. A race of giants feed on human emotions of fear and greed. They engineer a society where everyone fights each other to satiate their gross hunger. The heroes unite all the noble houses together to battle the giants. A mysterious group warns them that their efforts are fruitless as the cycle will reset - the only escape is lifting the veil. The united houses amass a large army, defeat the giants, and gain riches beyond their wildest dreams. The giants are reborn from the heroes and the cycle once again begins. The mysterious individuals depart the realm.

• Composition: Music Composition by 9
• Performance: Musical Influence by 8

Chant de la Liberté

A song with a chant-like chorus to raise the spirits of those going to war for freedom.

• Poetry +5, Composition +8

Notable Performances

• Simmelton. Part IV: Araignée démoniaque
  • Singing +3, Group Performance +5, Dancing +1, Acting +1, Musical Influence +3
  • Em: Singing -1; Rambohl: Singing +4
• Other Town. Part IV: Araignée démoniaque
  • Singing +3, Group Performance +5, Dancing +1, Acting +1, Musical Influence +3
  • Em: Singing +3; Rambohl: Singing +4
• Monroe Pit. Nostaglie
  • Great performance. Won favor for favor from Marilyn Monroe.
• Kakaranishu. Nostaglie
  • Performed to protect against her charms.
• Kehbress. Traditional French Lullaby
  • Performed to lull the beast to sleep.
• Harrumfal: Soldier's Field. The Tower
  • Musical Influence +8
• Harrumfal: Ruuabi-har Faction House. Chant de la Liberté
  • Poetry +5, Composition +8, Perform +7, Musical Influence +9 (hope)
  • Em Singing +5, Rambohl Singing +4