Time to meet the cast of Debaucherous.
And who's crazy enough to serve before the mast aboard the "Pearl Necklace"?
The Necklace was never built with a dedicated purpose in mind. Only after the Marquis de Ceas'd was given it as a parting gift
and inheritance that it's true purpose was finally defined. It was provisioned with perhaps a few too many guns, but
certainly not enough to trade blows with an imperial warship. And being that it's narrower about the beam & shallower
on the draft, it's not afforded the cargo carrying capacity of a true square-rigged merchantman. But the ship is certainly good
at a few very important skills. Being agile & very stealthy. Perfect for a crew that values cunning over brute strength. But a
ship is nothing without a crew. Carefully constructed timbers, sails, and an unwieldy degree of rigging that would fall into ruin
if not continuously maintained. Much of the hired hands passed in & out of employment for as long as their interest sustained.
The permanent crew, however, weathered every storm, treacherous mission, and internal conflict that arose aboard the ship. The
most prominent of those key players are:
Lord James Levesque - The Marquis de Ceas'd
Monsieur James Levesque was the illegitimate son of a French nobleman & was exiled from his home country under suspicious circumstances. As severance pay for his expulsion, he was given a small sloop rigged vessel named "The Pearl Necklace" & the title of Marquis over a region in Quebec, Canada that had no citizens in its kingdom. It was meant as a mockery of his position in the royal family's hierarchy. Though he had no lands, holdings or tangible measure of wealth, he was still expected to uphold the duties of his title for the crown. He was lord of nothing, save for that title. And was further banished from the Bayeux countryside. Aside from his courtly duties, he's a guitarist, bassist, percussionist, vocalist, song writer & composer for the show. At live engagements he predominantly focuses on guitars & vocals. As a disenchanted royal, he greatly despises the double standards afforded the wealthy & entitled, but recognizes his power to change it is insignificant. He makes a difference where he can, but is more concerned with his own absolution as a rule. His youth was much mis-spent with less than honorable deeds following his name. But time & wisdom is a stern teacher. He's stoic, sometimes perceived as melancholy, certainly calculated & an unshakable creature of habit & protocol. Described as a smoothly flowing river that hides a rocky undercurrent. He's not a social butterfly, nor a leader of men, but his other qualities make him an invaluable member of the crew.
The Ship's Captain - Madame Ginou Bourassa
Madame Ginou Bourassa (Played by Actress Christie Farias) was once the daughter of an Italian shipwright who was commissioned by the King of France to construct many vessels of the line. But the local Baron who oversaw the monarchy's shipbuilding operations passed away suddenly, leaving his next of kin in charge. The new Baron proved to be an over-priveleged, pretentious, condescending & sadistic prick who fired her father, had him thrown in prison & cast her out in the street. Fate would have it that she'd become Marseille's most successful madame & ran a brothel of legendary status. That is until she was convinced by the Marquis to change professions to ship's Captain. Lady Bourassa is our main story teller & vocalist. In the show she's a woman of many talents, including Saleswoman, negotiator, disciplinarian, entertainment director, accounts receivable & collections, and has the ability to slip out of the most precarious situations. Amiable until you cross her. But as a rule a very charismatic, classy & cultured traveler who's wit surpasses those who would call themselves her betters. She is the formidable captain of the vessel, known for her unwavering discipline and keen strategic mind. She'll suffer no fools.
The Ship's Cabin Girl - Betha Ní Cheallaigh ( Gaelic for Kelly).
When Captain Farias came to the Necklace, she brought along her most trusted & attractive escort. Like Lady Farias, her father was a shipwright who was dismissed by local royalty, ostracized publicly, and thrown in debtor's prison for a disproportionate amount of time. Betha is an expert prostitute, but unknown to most, an accomplished shipwright, an aspiring medic, canonier, culinary artist, and dancer. All while being blind. She plays the helpless & fragile lady to the T, but you'd be wise to know better. She's our backing (and sometimes lead) vocalist, bass guitarist, and percussionist. She's of Irish descent which explains her stalwart temperament, unfathomably deep love of those close to her, and apparent lack of discrimination towards those of different persuation than her own. Very crafty like her boss, but subject to emotional distraction & impulsivity when boredom & routine starve her appetite for life.
The Ship's Blacksmith - (As of yet unnamed.).
Our Blacksmith is a fearsome, powerful & intimidating looking man from the outside. Serious & resolute. Unwavering of determination even in the gravest of circumstances. He spent several years as a captive at Chateau d'If, but managed to retain his indomitable spirit. Beneath that weathered smith's apron & chainmail, you'll find a kind hearted protector of the meek & downtrodden. And in the right company you'll have the privilege of watching his comedic side blossom into the most deft wielder of sarcasm aboard ship. If Poseidon's wrath should come upon us & you're thrown overboard, rest assured it'll be his strong arms extending the gaff hook to save you from drowning. A clown, protector & all around great shipmate. He's our drummer & primary percussionist.
The Ship's Deep Diver & Boatswain. Jaques de Conde.
Our Boatswain followed the Marquis to freedom when a small pack of juveniles escaped imprisonment at the monastery in Dijon & headed for the coast. Never was a lad so eager to escape the treachery of the clergy there, or the inumerable count of wolves lurking in the woods throughout most of their journey. This adventurer is a fine guitarist in his own right, plays keyboards, and sings like a bard of the theater house. His other duties include Salvage expert, dive coordinator, lookout, disaster preparedness & security detail. He's one of the more charismatic & energetic souls aboard ship & has been with us since the "Necklace" first set sail. Chief among his other talents is the ability to get other crew members to play la petanque while under way, which ends up being a hilarious exercise in futility.
The supporting cast.
There will of course be many other talented and colorful characters who contribute to the adventures and daily life aboard the ship. And we'll do our due diligence in introducing them as their stories unfold. The legend is huge & has no shortage of spurious personalities making their appearance. Until then, keep a weather eye on the horizon and an ear to the wind. ~ The Marquis de Ceas'd.