> "*I had almost mistaken his palace for another massive smithy. Columns of smoke bellow from its gold-laced towers, soot stained boots tread across polished stone floors. He may be the only noble that wishes he was born a common smith.*" > *Excerpt from a letter by Sir Leon Coucher* # Overview Count Esclamonde "the Twain" is the father of First Councillor [[Lucien Verfille]] and current Count of [[Crownlands|Villefort]], making him the traditional head of House [[Verfille]]. He is the older brother of Count Leomund who rules the County of [[Crownlands|Monteu]]. He gained his epithet in his youth, during a particular encounter with the soon-to-be [[Leverge|Duke Vestelier Leverge]]. Nobody knows exactly what transpired between the two of them but it resulted in Esclamonde's leg being cut "in twain" by Vestelier. Count Esclamonde is known to be rough and unforgiving. He enforces the laws of Villefort fairly but brutally. He believes the law is black and white and that its his vocation to dispense it. Esclamonde gained a reputation as a gifted smith of [[Sol Steel]], forging blades personally for the [[Fleurier Order]] although he was never a knight himself.