#basil edgecombe

🌻 Introducing the playable families of Moira’s Hope! 🌻  (There is a fourth family, but they won’t be introduced for a little while yet)

#1 - The Compton/Merridew Household

When young Amelia Merridew* received a letter informing her that Moira Compton - an aging witch famed both for her prodigious magic skill and her reclusive nature - wanted to take her on as an apprentice, her family was overjoyed, in spite of her protestations. It was a golden opportunity, so Amelia was swiftly and unceremoniously shipped off to the sleepy little village Moira had called home for as long as anyone could remember to begin her training.

#2 - The Edgecombe Household

Basil Edgecombe is the Mayor of Moira’s Hope, which makes him a very busy person: although the village is small, overseeing its day-to-day activities is still a challenge for one man. Basil doesn’t complain though; he enjoys being in charge, and he is in charge, no matter what some might whisper when he isn’t around to hear. The rest of the family is made up of his wife, Alice, his two children, Duncan and Esther, and Roxy the dog.

#3 - The Devereux Household

Alcide Devereux grew up in San Myshuno and holds a law degree, but the fast-paced life in the big city was never his dream. When his elderly uncle passed away and left him his farm in a remote village, Alcide decided it was time to begin living the life he actually wanted, especially since he’d recently married his boyfriend, Raj. The newlyweds sold everything and moved to Moira’s Hope to raise sheep and cattle - they even adopted an adorably goofy mutt called Flocky**.

Alice couldn’t wait for her family to get home so she could share the good news. Basil already knew about the baby, of course, but they’d kept it secret from Duncan and Esther, not wanting them to have to go through another loss, if the pregnancy turned out not to be viable after all.

The kids were excited!

Basil, on the other hand, looked at his wife’s swollen belly and wondered uneasily what that witch’s brew might have done to his unborn baby. He had a sudden, horrible vision of Alice giving birth to a child he couldn’t recognise as his own, twisted by whatever foul magic had sustained it.

He made a mental note to visit the church later and offer a prayer to the Watcher. Perhaps John would be there, he always gave good counsel. 

Basil: “I don’t like Duncan associating with that girl. You should not be encouraging it.”

Alice: “He likes her, Basil - anyone with eyes can see that. And it’s just lunch, I wasn’t suggesting they immediately start planning the wedding.”

Basil felt his blood run cold at the mention of the word “wedding”; the very thought that his son might get married to that - that...

Basil: “Ordinary, Watcher-fearing folk should know better than to get involved with that lot, Alice.”

There was a barb in his voice, and his gaze dropped momentarily to his wife’s belly. 

Basil: “I want Duncan to be happy too, and he will be: once he meets a nice, normal girl. Take Faith Clare, for example.”

Alice frowned at her husband; Basil was accusing her of matchmaking when he was doing the same thing! And she knew exactly who was behind his newfound religious fervour.

Alice: “You’ve been talking to John, haven’t you? That man has done nothing but stir up trouble since he came here, but you’re too blinded by your dislike of Miss Compton to see it!”

The following day, Duncan invited Amelia over “to hang out”, but in reality they both knew they needed to clear the air between them. Faith was right - there was no point in worrying about what may or may not be, and miss out on what was. 

Duncan: “I get that you probably have your future all planned out and that’s totally understandable, I probably wouldn’t choose to live in this place either, but...you’re here, now, and we both like each other so...I figured...well...”

He cleared his throat; his whole heart seemed to have gotten lodged in there! Why was it so difficult to just say the words?!

In the lounge, Basil pretended he didn’t know what his son was up to. Duncan wasn’t a child anymore, though, which made it all the more complicated. He would have to move carefully if he stood any chance of getting him away from that witch - he could only hope the boy didn’t do something stupid in the meantime, like getting her pregnant! 

Duncan *inhales*: “What I’m trying to say here is that I’d really like to kiss you right now.”

It happened the previous summer. Alice had just woken up after a fitful night, when she realised something was terribly wrong. 

Alice: “Duncan, love, I’ve been thinking: you should invite Amelia over for lunch at the weekend. I hope you know she’s welcome here anytime.”

Esther snickered and gave her brother a cheeky, knowing look.

Esther: “Yeah, Duncan, you should invite your GIRLFRIEND to lunch!”

Duncan’s face reddened, suddenly feeling like a mouse backed into a corner by two prowling cats. Where did this come from?!

Duncan: “She’s not my girlfriend...”

Esther, on the other hand, was enjoying herself immensely at her brother’s expense.

Esther: “Dunnie was dancing with Amelia at Beltane, I bet he wants to KISS her!”

Mayor Basil Edgecombe was one of the most frequent attendees.

He’d never been much of a religious man before - he believed in the Watcher, of course, but he’d hardly been one for churches and sermons. However, Shepherd Clare’s words struck a chord within him. The more he listened, the more he felt as though a veil was being lifted from his eyes. The man had a gift for words and no mistake!

Basil: “That was some good stuff, Shepherd. Good stuff! Finally, someone says it how it is.”

John: “Thank you, Mayor, I am glad you enjoyed the sermon. And should you ever need anything - if only to talk - my door is always open to the faithful.”

Basil: “I might just take you up on that!”

John: “In fact, I meant to speak to you myself: Vanessa and I would love to have you and Alice over for dinner this evening, if you can spare the time.”

Basil: “I’ll let Alice know, I’m sure she’d be delighted!”

Esther: “Roll over, Roxy! Roll over! Nooooo don’t - Roxy, that tickles!”

Alice: “What’s that you’re reading, sweetie?”

Esther: “A book on dog training techniques.”

Alice raised an inquisitive brow, but said nothing; Esther had always been a precocious child, who liked finding solutions to problems in books. 

Duncan: “There’s a new song I’ve been trying out - what d’ you think?”

Basil: “Really? Your own composition?”

His son seemed vaguely embarrassed. He didn’t mention that he was hoping to impress a certain redheaded witch by performing it outside her window. If he ever worked up the nerve, that was.

Esther: “I like it! Dance with me, daddy!”