Gaspard de Chalons

"A good war unites the empire."

Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons (born 8:74 Blessed) is an Orlesian nobleman and the ruler of Verchiel. A renowned Chevalier, he has won many victories for Orlais. Gaspard was trained in the arts of The Grand Game by Dowager Lady Mantillon, like his cousin Empress Celene, but Gaspard retains his chevalier code of honor when dealing with opponents.

Background
As the eldest surviving grandchild of Emperor Judicael I, Gaspard was raised from birth believing he would become Emperor. However, when Emperor Florian died, Celene outmaneuvered her cousin and had herself crowned Empress instead by appealing to the Council of Heralds.

Gaspard de Chalons eventually married the daughter of Duke Bastien de Ghislain, Lady Calienne de Ghislain. After the death of Emperor Florian she orchestrated the death of Celene's mother, Clarisse de Montfort, by arranging for "a hunting accident." Celene's father, Prince Reynaud, killed Calienne in retaliation, and then died himself of "illness" caused by Calienne's poisoned stiletto.

After doubting that Celene’s diplomatic approach to the mage problem or the elven uprisings has any chance in keeping Orlais safe, Gaspard becomes disillusioned with the empress' rule and believes it is time for a new leader to make Orlais strong again.

Trivia

 * Gaspard wears a Puzzle Ring of the Black Fox as a gift for excelling at The Grand Game from Lady Mantillon.
 * In the Arbor Wilds, if selected, Gaspard will still be erroneously identified as "Grand Duke Gaspard", if he is now Emperor.