Frederick Vigenere of Semper Dead; Only Son to Inherit the Barony

T. Percival Chase for the Electric Sun

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Our Baron, Frederick Vigenere, was today found dead in his home by a member of his staff. In his sixty-three years of life, Vigenere was a treasured local fixture, a patron of the arts and education. He would often personally pay for the schooling of those who could not afford it, attend parties, and heavily funded the Institute and Cabinet of Marvels as well as, perhaps most famously, the Theatre Obscura. His presence will be greatly missed, both financially and emotionally.

According to police, Meredith de Bastion, a member of the security detail, found the door unlocked when she arrived at the manor. The Baron was lying at the bottom of the stairs, having seemingly fallen down - though an autopsy has yet to be performed, the coroner’s office assured the Electric Sun that the Baron had quote “almost certainly died of a fractured skull”. We are assured it was likely instant, and he did not suffer, despite the rather alarming amount of blood at the scene. And an absolutely alarming amount it was, enough to sicken some in the vicinity - though certainly not this intrepid reporter!

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His manor was closed off, even to the most intrepid of reporters, and his estate and staff rudely declined comment. No suspect has been named in the case. Indeed, most suspiciously, the coroner has claimed that this death was “likely accidental” and that there is “no evidence of foul play”.

The Barony is set to pass to the late Baron’s son, Lucian, a student artificer attending the Institute. Despite being only nineteen years old, Lucian has declined to appoint a regent, saying that he will return immediately to his post, continuing his education with tutors. Contemporaries of Lucian Vigenere describe him as rather high-strung and cold, a far cry from his kindly father.

The rest of this edition will be devoted to the late Baron, with tribute pieces by many of his closest friends, colleagues, and family.

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T. Percival Chase | Lucian Vigenere