Childhood

Haurchefant is the illegitimate son of Count Edmont de Fortemps. There is not much known about Haurchefant's mother, an unfortunate fault that occurs frequently in FFXIV, but it is suspected that she is of lowborn and likely died due to poor health.

Throughout A Realm Reborn and Heavensward, you can go back and talk to Haurchefant at Camp Dragonhead. At one such opportunity, Haurchefant speaks about his late mother,

"...My dear mother was a woman both beautiful and righteous, yet terribly, terribly frail. Thus, have I ever been fascinated by those blessed with physical fortitude and spiritual conviction in equal measure."

Though denied the Fortemps family name, Haurchefant was raised in the Fortemps Manor with his two half brothers, Artoirel and Emmanellain, who are the legitimate sons of Count Edmont and Countess de Fortemps.

Haurchefant has a dream of becoming a knight. He was trained on the chivalry ways by his father and kept himself busy sword-playing. There is genuine kindness and love from Count Edmont to Haurchefant, but because of the affair, the circumstances of Haurchefant's birth, and to appease Countess de Fortemps, who was openly vocal about her disdain towards Haurchefant, Count Edmont does keep a noticeable distance towards Haurchefant.

When the Countess forbade Haurchefant's attendance to a dinner party held within the house manor, he quickly told his father that he was not interested in attending the party anyway when Count Edmont tried to reason with the Countess. An act Haurchefant put up to keep any sliver of the peace at home at bay.

The disdain and the distance affected Haurchefant in ways that would eventually lead to understandably angry and hurtful outbursts where he would step outside and runaway. Haurchefant would channel the heated energy into his sword-play training, taking the opportunity to hone his skills and a step closer to fulfil his dream of becoming a knight.

Vows Unbroken

On one of his sword-play practice outside, he met the youngest son of House Haillenarte, Francel. They became fast friends when Francel, holding a pudding cup on hand and gesturing it over, asked Haurchefant the most gentle and warmest question,

"Would you like to share?"

As the years go on, Haurchefant and Francel's friendship grew and living directly across from eachother, Francel could hear and witness Haurchefant's outbursts from Fortemps Manor. Francel never questioned Haurchefant, he just grew to recognise the signs of trouble at home and would offer a gentle hand to Haurchefant's shoulder to remind him that he is there for him. Helping to distract Haurchefant's mind, Francel would ask Haurchefant where they should go for the day. A quiet but impactful way to ease Haurchefant's hurt.

A Friend to the Rescue

On Francel's eleventh nameday, his father Count Baurendouin de Haillenarte, insist they go hunting. A nameday gift. Though Francel was reluctant, he noticed Haurchefant was one of the trackers, and that gave him a bit of peace of mind.

Later that night, Francel heard the cries of a falcon. His father had mentioned to him earlier, that falcon's know where to go and all you have to do is follow it. Thus, he took the falcon's cry as a blessing.

In excitement and in haste, Francel quickly mounted a chocobo and off he went to trace the falcon. Unfortunately, being alone out in the wilds made him an easy target to attack. And he was swiftly attacked and kidnapped by a group of thieves.

Haurchefant quickly found him in an abandoned shack and attacked all three of the thieves who kidnapped Francel. Haurchefant had struck one of the thieves multiple times, so severely, it dyed his tunic red.

And on we go

Shortly after rescuing Francel, Haurchefant at seventeen summers, was granted knighthood. Childhood dream achieved. And Haurchefant would continue to serve and aid those in need.

Haurchefant, a deeply hurt and lonely child, just wanted to be accepted and to be loved. While the circumstances of his birth and place in society has not been so kind, Haurchefant never let the hurt affect him in ways that he would mistreat someone else. He chose kindness and he chose love. And he continues to choose kindness, love, and warmth until his final moments.

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