Gaston Gousselle
Gaston Gousselle is an Encan forgemaster, Metal Mage, weapon designer, and master craftsman of the Gousselle family. His work combines Encan craftsmanship with magic, producing weapons, tools, armor, and art. His designs are sought across Enca for their precision, durability, and beauty.
He is the son of Heitro Gousselle and Adelaide Gousselle, and the brother of Remy, Cidalise "Cida", and Odette.
Appearance
Gaston stands 6 ft 2 in tall and has a muscular, athletic build. He has blue eyes, light-brown hair often worn tousled or tied back, and warm, sun-kissed skin.
His working clothes include shirts with rolled sleeves, leather aprons and fittings, protective gloves, and practical belts. He bears the Hephaestus Mark on his upper arm.
Craft and Magic
Forgemaster
Gaston is a master of metal and fire. He creates weapons, tools, and works of art, combining the traditions of Encan craftsmanship with magical metalwork.
His workshop is depicted with a forge, hand tools, plans, and carefully arranged weapon components. His work ranges from forging heated metal to detailed inspection and finishing.
Metal Magic
Gaston practices Metal Magic, integrating his magical discipline with his craft. Magic-infused metalwork is one of his specialties.
Weapon Design
Gaston's designs are sought throughout Enca for their precision, durability, and beauty. His specialties include:
- Custom firearms.
- Bladed weapons.
- Armor and tools.
- Magic-infused metalwork.
His reference depicts intricately ornamented firearms alongside scenes of forging, assembly, and careful inspection.
Hephaestus Mark
Gaston bears the Hephaestus Mark, worn by members of the Gousselle family. The emblem symbolizes craft, creation, and the enduring bond of family, connecting his work to the family's broader weaponsmithing tradition.
Family
- Heitro Gousselle: Father; patriarch, forgemaster, weaponsmith, and Metal Mage.
- Adelaide Gousselle: Mother.
- Remy Gousselle: Brother.
- Cidalise "Cida" Gousselle: Sister; Encan Guardian, Primal Metal Mage, and gun specialist.
- Odette Gousselle: Younger sister; Swamp Witch, Guardian of Samedi, gunsmith, and marksman.
Quotes
Metal remembers purpose. Give it the right shape, and it will protect what you love.
Good metal. Good people. That's what lasts.
Gigi Parkson and the Council
Gaston and Gigi Parkson have long loved each other and wished to marry. Their plans were obstructed when the Encan Council forced Gaston to marry Madison Westerly. This marriage was coerced. Gaston is also a close friend of Vincent Faust.
House Gousselle has more than two thousand years of Encan history in forging, gunsmithing, weaponsmithing and armor smithing. Gaston’s formal smithing attire includes a fitted black coat, dark leather forearm bracers, a broad layered belt and a green gemstone pendant.
The Darkest Night (unpublished)
This section draws on The Darkest Night, an unpublished story. The opening document and numbered DN documents are manuscript sources, not published AO3 chapters. Ages, relationships and events below describe this earlier point in the characters' lives.
The non-Guardian smith
Gaston is a weaponsmith who was not chosen as a Guardian. Before the invasion, he and Remy help Syzgian repair his jeep while the Gousselles continue searching for Cida. His first marriage to Madison Westerly is imposed by the Council, separating him from Gigi, whom he has loved since childhood. (Opening manuscript; DN 12.)
Curtis's marriage reforms free Gaston to reject that arrangement and rebuild his relationship with Gigi. He welcomes her, Rodney and their grandmother into his home, plans to marry her and seeks legal help over the Parksons' predatory debt contract. He also helps with their return to the Guardian Quarter and the fishing business. These scenes show plans and renewed partnership; they do not themselves depict the later wedding. (DN 9; DN 12.)
During the blood-moon undead assault, Gaston supports the defenses with metal spike lines and other practical engineering, demonstrating the value of a civilian smith alongside the Guardian force. (DN 13.)
