Remigne Chateau
Near Agneaux, Bourgogne
The oldest part of the Chateau was built in 1468 by the newly ennobled Remigne family. It was only a small tower which now sat at the rear of the newer building. Though minor nobility, they had become vastly wealthy in the 1670's and in 1707 began to build the more modern home. It was completed in 1711 and was not large by the standards of its day. The Remigne family had become quite influential in the 1840's but suffered decline after near bankruptcy in 1893. The last inhabitant of the chateau and the last Remigne died at 106 years of age. August Remigne had been one of the few nobles allowed to stay at the rise of the Republic- partially due to his charity work and partially because he was beginning to turn mad. By the time of his death, alone in hospital, he had totally lost touch with reality. The chateau therefore fell to the ownership of the state. Republican officials used it as a summer retreat and sometimes a place for more nefarious activities. Now it had reverted to Ducal ownership. Most vacant estates had been either turned over to a public trust or had been sold. A select few were absorbed by the Ducal family itself. Now it was playing an important role....hopefully.
The Grand Duke had greeted the two representatives personally. Standing on the steps which looked down on the circular drive, he had been clad in a brown tweed with blue dress shirt, topped off with a bowtie. The Grand Duke looked more professor than monarch. Accompanied by translators, the Grand Duke showed the gentlemen the rooms at their disposal should they choose to stay at the chateau instead of the hotel and quickly escorted them to the meeting room. The room was relatively untouched since the death of August Remigne. It was approximately 40 feet by 50 feet and the walls were white plaster. On either side of the door were velvet tapestries with the Remigne coat of arms. At one end, 3 tall windows dominated the wall and at the other, a fireplace. A long table of black ash had been placed in the center of the room with bright yellow upholstered chairs that were mid 19th century original at the latest. They contrasted with the red tinged wood flooring and the modern brass ash trays which were at either end of the table. 3 chairs were on either side of the table and 2 chairs at the ends. The Grand Duke however sat in a wing-back leather chair which had quietly been modified due to his bad back. At the other end, a secretary would take notes of any French translations. The Grand Duke had invited the representatives to sit on his left and right with the translators seated towards the notary.
The Grand Duke began by simply stating "Gentlemen, I would like to suggest some ground framework. First, let us agree that any yelling be resolved by an immediate 10 minute cessation of this meeting. Second, we should pledge to interrupt as little as possible. Third, we should agree that if this meeting should last longer than today, we agree to break at each day for lunch at noon, not matter the circumstance" he said; glancing for confirmation.
OOC- I skipped past arrivals
Near Agneaux, Bourgogne
The oldest part of the Chateau was built in 1468 by the newly ennobled Remigne family. It was only a small tower which now sat at the rear of the newer building. Though minor nobility, they had become vastly wealthy in the 1670's and in 1707 began to build the more modern home. It was completed in 1711 and was not large by the standards of its day. The Remigne family had become quite influential in the 1840's but suffered decline after near bankruptcy in 1893. The last inhabitant of the chateau and the last Remigne died at 106 years of age. August Remigne had been one of the few nobles allowed to stay at the rise of the Republic- partially due to his charity work and partially because he was beginning to turn mad. By the time of his death, alone in hospital, he had totally lost touch with reality. The chateau therefore fell to the ownership of the state. Republican officials used it as a summer retreat and sometimes a place for more nefarious activities. Now it had reverted to Ducal ownership. Most vacant estates had been either turned over to a public trust or had been sold. A select few were absorbed by the Ducal family itself. Now it was playing an important role....hopefully.
The Grand Duke had greeted the two representatives personally. Standing on the steps which looked down on the circular drive, he had been clad in a brown tweed with blue dress shirt, topped off with a bowtie. The Grand Duke looked more professor than monarch. Accompanied by translators, the Grand Duke showed the gentlemen the rooms at their disposal should they choose to stay at the chateau instead of the hotel and quickly escorted them to the meeting room. The room was relatively untouched since the death of August Remigne. It was approximately 40 feet by 50 feet and the walls were white plaster. On either side of the door were velvet tapestries with the Remigne coat of arms. At one end, 3 tall windows dominated the wall and at the other, a fireplace. A long table of black ash had been placed in the center of the room with bright yellow upholstered chairs that were mid 19th century original at the latest. They contrasted with the red tinged wood flooring and the modern brass ash trays which were at either end of the table. 3 chairs were on either side of the table and 2 chairs at the ends. The Grand Duke however sat in a wing-back leather chair which had quietly been modified due to his bad back. At the other end, a secretary would take notes of any French translations. The Grand Duke had invited the representatives to sit on his left and right with the translators seated towards the notary.
The Grand Duke began by simply stating "Gentlemen, I would like to suggest some ground framework. First, let us agree that any yelling be resolved by an immediate 10 minute cessation of this meeting. Second, we should pledge to interrupt as little as possible. Third, we should agree that if this meeting should last longer than today, we agree to break at each day for lunch at noon, not matter the circumstance" he said; glancing for confirmation.
OOC- I skipped past arrivals