History

There are many reasons that Matthew and Vera Malveaux don’t get along with their respective brother and brother-in-law Orson. There are even more reasons their marriage bed lies cold. One of the strongest reasons for both of those states of affairs is their firstborn child and only son, Adam.

Early Life

Adam was everything his father could have wanted in a male heir. When he skipped two grades over the course of elementary and middle school, Vera was concerned he’d be bullied by older boys, but Adam never went to his parents if he was. That was what made Matthew proudest. Not everyone in the family was a high achiever, but they had plenty of high achievers. Adam was the only one who never complained, demanded attention, got in trouble, or otherwise acted out: he quietly did everything expected of him and a good deal more besides. His status as his father’s favorite was only further cemented when Vera bore them five girls and no further sons. Matthew once remarked it wasn’t that he treasured his daughters any less: it was just that they couldn’t pass on the family name like his son could.

After Adam graduated from high school at sixteen years old, everyone expected he would pursue law school and finally public office. Although Matthew found an undeniable appeal in someday passing the reins of Malveaux Oil to his firstborn, his nephew Luke had always been more interested in the family business. Someone in their generation had to enter politics. Westley was always getting in trouble, Gabriel was still young, and the other children were all girls. Although Adam never had the same easy way with people that others in the family did, it was his absence of dirty laundry, quiet exceptionalism, and refusal to mire himself in the family’s dramas that convinced Matthew his son should become the next Senator or Governor Malveaux. He would bring dignity and moral authority to whatever office he held.

Father Malveaux

Orson agreed with his brother’s conclusion. He agreed so strongly, in fact, that he decided there was no better candidate to carry on the family’s ecclesiastical legacy. There had always been a Father Malveaux, and what was the family’s temporal legacy before service to God?

The decision was poorly received by Adam’s parents. Vera made no secret of her dissatisfaction and tried to drag as many Malveauxes (and even Dyers) as she could into “saving” Adam’s future. He was only sixteen and her sole son, after all. Let one of Nathan’s boys, or a more distant cousin, enter seminary. Matthew said little outside of closed doors, but many suspect he was even more furious than his wife: Adam was to have been his heir. Orson’s mind, however, was set. Adam graduated from the University of Notre Dame’s seminary school six years later with a master’s in divinity. The closest he came to scandal were some tame pictures of him dancing with his cousin Caroline (unwittingly against their uncle Orson’s objections) during her débutante ball just before taking his vows.

Not for Adam, however, would be trips to war- or disaster-ravaged developing nations rendering humanitarian aid. He was instead immediately posted to New Orleans in an unusual move that spoke as to the depths of his uncle Orson’s influence within the church. In the nearly ten years since that date, Adam has navigated (and more often, sidestepped) the local clergy’s power struggles to become the third-most prominent man in the archdiocese, after his uncle and the years-older Father Connelly, who presides over St. Louis Cathedral. Orson has undertaken many less than savory actions on his nephew’s behalf so that Adam need not dirty his own hands. As the archbishop has observed, an immaculate reputation is like virginity: it only takes a single ill-considered action to lose forever.

All of Orson’s and Adam’s activities are undertaken towards a single purpose: their family’s future and continued power. Father Connelly is ailing, and it will be a surprise to absolutely no one when Orson appoints his nephew to fill the old priest’s former position. Perhaps Adam will even fill his own someday. There has always been a Father Malveaux, but Orson is the family’s first archbishop. Few believe he has any desire to be the last. It is the Vatican’s decision who will succeed him, of course, but Orson remains confident that the Malveauxes’ grip over the church will not slacken with time. All things are possible through faith.

Relationships

Outside of his ecclesiastical duties, Adam has a cool relationship with his parents. Neither of them have gotten over his “decision” to become a priest, especially his mother. He remains on cordial terms with other family members from their generation, and Thomas has idly remarked once or twice that he could have made a fine judge. Among his siblings and cousins, Adam is trusted is a mediator and voice of reason who can provide guidance on matters they would rather not bring to the three brothers’ attention.

Recent Events

GM’s Note: Spoilers for the adventure logs follow below.

Genealogy

Paternal Genealogy

Maternal Genealogy