Jacqueline was born to two somewhat wealthy merchants, who showered her and her many brothers with tutors and left them to be with that. Her father showered her in gifts and praise, but after his death as a footman at the Siege of Valwyck during the Scyfling War, she was shoved off onto governess after governess, her mother far too occupied with managing her new fortunes. Desperate for attention after her fathers untimely death, she acted out whenever possible. Befriending peasants and others seen as beneath her, or even having a small love affair with a minor noblemans son. As she aged, she began to realize something. If she were to maintain any sort of happiness, she must have the power to hold onto it. All she'd wanted was taken away from her, and she had no power to stop it. From afar, she admired her mother for her shrewdness and ruthlessness. She scorned the humility taught by the Canonist clergy, seeing it as nothing but a falsehood designed to keep people subservient. Unable to inherit land due to her older siblings and sex, she ascended into the salons of her betters, speaking flatteries and falsehoods to a great many ladies who offered their gossip in exchange. She peddled this for influence. After many years, she came into the possession of a Count's secret after a bribed servant brought her a letter. She brought the scandal information forward to the count's liege, an Orener nobleman. Her competency to discover scandals in court, and her reputation amongst the darker circles, led to her employment under the lord. After several years of employ, she had a spout with the Noble's wife. After a not so subtle threat from him, she set off, unknown, under a pseudonym for safety, and to reestablish herself as a force in politics.
"Ah, friend, I thank you for the hospitality. All of them, I suppose? Is this not a land of opportunity?" She would step further off, smiling as she nodded her head to the man. "You are dressed well, I see? Perhaps you could help a poor woman and lead me to a place to stay for now?" Regardless of the mans answer, she would continue along her path, noting street signs and kindly asking for directions until she was able to find a place to put her feet up, paying the inn fee and tipping generously, before taking a good nights rest after a long month of ship travel.
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