Mattéu Fyrfox

Mattéu Pierre Fyrfox du Pioresná, Earl of Arose is an ethnic Volontéan currently residing in Valreach. He originally lived in North Volonté, known for his activity in the Senát of North Volonté and for his nationalistic policies, which ultimately led to his downfall. He was a fierce advocate for the reclaiming of historic Volontéan lands to the nation's east and south. He owned The Twisted Oak Public House in Pioresná's Gran Mercao district, which he inherited from his father. He also owned property in Frostwall and Invicta.

Early Life
Mattéu was born in the fall of 267 TE in Pioresná, North Volonté, to two ethnic 'New Volontéans,' Jean Pierre Fyrfox du Pioresná and Amélie Le Fonteau. Jean Pierre was of Neolo-Volontéan descent and owned a tavern in the Gran Mercao district of Pioresná called 'The Twisted Oak Public House,' which Mattéu later inherited ownership of. His mother, Amélie, comes from a wealthy Volontéan family from Kirvograd, but she was forced to move to Pioresná with her family at a young age to flee from the Kirvograd War of Independence.

As a child, Mattéu enjoyed chasing all aspects of knowledge, specifically topics regarding world history and cultures. He learned Middle Kryvonean from a young age and also learned to read the Norterran script from his father around this time. Mattéu was also a natural when it came to politics, so when he reached the age where he needed to choose a career path, he decided he wanted to try and become a senáteur and a diplomat. Mattéu took classes to learn Traveler's Tongue (and also Mariner's Tongue) for this reason.

Mattéu was an alumnus of the University of Manitell in Frostwall, Prübensia, majoring in law and minoring in business. He also learned both Kivèvis and Prübensian Samoran during his time in Frostwall.

Political Career in Volonte
Mattéu first became a sénateur in the fall of 286 TE at the age of 19. Despite only just appearing on the political stage, he began to make his mark early on by proposing numerous projects for North Volonté. He is credited with initially developing North Volonté's highway designation system, the flag of the city of Fréris, and the architecture for the new North Volonté Sénat building in Fréris, among many other things.

In Spring 287 TE, Mattéu became an honorary citizen of Prübensia due to his contributions in better connecting Prübensia with North Volonté, both physically (through his expanded highway system) and diplomatically.

In Winter 289 TE, Mattéu was granted the Fyrfox Estate, a large property south of Durnhol that was once a dwarf settlement.

In Spring 289 TE, after Invicta was incorporated into North Volonté, Mattéu was trusted to run the city as the mayor.

In Winter 294 TE, the Loisur Agence de Renseignement de la République, or Republic Intelligence Agency Act, was passed by the Senát and the Conseil of North Volonté. Mattéu played a huge part in the drafting of this bill, along with fellow Senáteurs Charles Astilor and TD.

Failed Coup
In Spring 299 TE, Mattéu was discovered to have had serious plans to launch a coup against the Volontéan government. Although a surprise to many, Mattéu claimed to have been considering it for years, believing that the Sénat was too ineffective and inactive to best represent the Volontéan people. He was hunted down by the Volontéan military, forced to flee north to evade capture.

Mattéu took refuge in Netrion, Xineria, after being run out of Volonté. Suffering from severe depression due to feeling betrayed by his friends and his people, Mattéu contemplated suicide in Fall 299 TE, even prewriting his suicide note.

However, he was saved when he was contacted by Karl Astilor, whom Mattéu had befriended in the Sénat, with Karl revealing that he also had plans to take absolute control of North Volonté and incorporate it as a feudal territory of Valreach. He invited Mattéu to move to House Astilor's lands in Valreach, where he would be promised titles and feudal land. Mattéu knew this was an offer he couldn't refuse, a gift from the Will itself, and so he packed his bags, then set fire to his residence in Netrion, with only his suicide note remaining:"'Tout ce que j'ai toujours voulu, c'est le meilleur pour mon peuple. Je m'étais donné pour mission d'améliorer la vie de chaque Volontéan... À mes Conseillers et à mes collègues Sénateurs, je suis désolé d'avoir fait ce que j'ai fait. J'aurais aimé ne pas avoir recours à la trahison, mais j'ai fait ce que je pensais être nécessaire pour améliorer la vie des personnes que je servais. J'espère que vous comprenez tous au moins mon point de vue...'""'All I ever wanted was the best for my people. I made it my mission to improve the lives of every Volontéan... To my Conseillers and my fellow Senáteurs, I am sorry for doing what I did. I wish I hadn't resorted to betrayal, but I did what I thought was necessary to improve the lives of the people I served. I hope you all at least understand my point of view...'"""

New Beginning, Earl of Arose
Mattéu originally lived in the House Astilor capital of Raghrena before he moved to the village of Arose in 300 TE. In 301 TE, he attended to coronation of Karl Astilor as he was crowned the King of the West. During the ceremony, after Karl granted titles to many of his relatives, Mattéu was called forward by his friend, who gifted Mattéu his new title: Earl of Arose.