Gérald Blanc

"Thank you, Gérald. You're a true, true friend."

- Aveline to Gérald, 1769.

Gérald Blanc (1745 - unknown) was an accountant in the employ of Philippe Olivier de Grandpré, as well as a member of the Assassin Order.

Operating from a warehouse in New Orleans, he supported the Brotherhood by passing on orders and supplying intelligence provided by his network of informants. Gérald also worked closely with Aveline de Grandpré in eliminating business rivals and protecting her family's trading empire.

In 2012, his genetic memories were used as an Animi Avatar by the entertainment branch of the Templar company Abstergo Industries, as part of their geosimulation workspace on the portable version of the Animus console, under the title of the Gentleman.

Early life
Born in Acadia in 1745, Gérald's family was one of many that fiercely rebelled against the British occupation. The Acadians' refusal to sign an oath of allegiance to Britain eventually led to the Great Expulsion, during which Gérald lost his parents and was deported.

Arriving in New Orleans at the age of ten, Gérald managed to find work as an errand boy under Philippe Olivier de Grandpré, a French merchant, and became a close friend of Philippe's daughter, Aveline de Grandpré. As he grew older, Gérald would go on to become a clerk and accountant, helping Philippe in maintaining his trading enterprises. Along with Aveline, he was recruited into the Assassin Brotherhood by Agaté in 1759 and trained as an information officer.

Signs of trouble
"I recognized a name--Rafael Joaquín de Ferrer--a known enemy. I don't know what his business is here, but we can be assured it's more than er... simple larceny."

- Gérald, on de Ferrer's presence in New Orleans, 1765.

In 1765, Gérald's network had learned of a plantation from which slaves where inexplicably vanishing. Although the owners had reported their escape, the slaves hadn't reached any of the safe houses, prompting Gérald to contact Aveline. With Gérald's preparations, Aveline was able to easily infiltrate the plantation, where she rescued a slave named Thérèse and assassinated the person responsible for the disappearances.

Later that year, Gérald went to meet with Gilbert-Antoine de Saint Maxent, one of Philippe's businesspartners, after several shipments had gone missing. However, de Saint Maxent proved to be ineffectual in alleviating the problem, claiming that the young accountant would be better off interrogating the captain of the ship that had been responsible for transporting the goods. Discouraged by the men guarding the vessel, Gérald returned to the warehouse, while Aveline, who had eavesdropped on the conversation, managed to bribe her way aboard and found out where the shipments had gone.

From documents Aveline had procured aboard the corrupt captain's ship, Gérald learned of a known Templar, Rafael Joaquín de Ferrer, being active in New Orleans. Knowing the man would be present at a social soirée hosted by the governor, he tasked Aveline with uncovering de Ferrer's true purpose and gifted her some money she could use to buy a dressing chamber. Aveline then discreetly infiltrated the governor's mansion and assassinated the governor, though de Ferrer slipped away and would remain at large for the coming years.

Louisiana Rebellion
"This Spanish "gouverneur" has placed so many restrictions on trade, even plantation owners are practically "begging" for an excuse to riot."

- Gérald, about the laws implemented by Antonio de Ulloa, 1768.

By 1768, Gérald had turned the upper floor of the de Grandpré warehouse into the Assassins' new headquarters, making room for Aveline's weaponry and guises. During one of her visits, he gave her a special parasol, which he had constructed, and informed her of a merchant that was slandering de Grandpré's reputation.

After Aveline had scared the soon-to-be bankrupt man into submission, she bought one of his shops and returned to Gérald, who told her he had sent out informants that would look for similar opportunities. With the issue of disappearing slaves having resurfaced, Gérald suggested Aveline start her investigation in San Danje. To speed up her journey, he arranged for a boat to take her to the bayou's settlement, assuring her the business would cover the costs.

Later that year, Aveline returned, frustrated with her failure of finding out where the slaves were going, but having confirmed the Spanish were behind the increased kidnappings. Positing the directive must be coming from governor Antonio de Ulloa, Gérald agreed to help Aveline in drawing de Ulloa out of La Balize, his hiding place. The pair went to the Place d'Armes, where Aveline used the tense crowd to incite a massive riot, kick-starting the Louisiana Rebellion.

Having received news of a gunpowder delivery, Gérald informed Aveline and was adamant about accompanying her. Although Aveline managed to discreetly eliminate the guards protecting the carriage, she and Gérald were spotted and fired upon as they attempted to escape. Their rig set ablaze, the pair rode at high speeds through the streets of New Orleans, before accidentally crashing the carriage into a winery. With Gérald having landed roughly during the crash, Aveline went into the burning building alone and saved the civilians trapped inside.

The next day, Gérald instructed Aveline to destroy a Spanish military vessel, which was vital to de Ulloa, allowing her to then draw out the governor and set up an ambush. Through Agaté, Gérald later found out Aveline had spared de Ulloa and was planning to journey to Mexico, where she might find out what the Templars were up to. Meeting her in the docks in 1769, he confessed how much Aveline meant to him, but knew he could not stop her. After giving her some last advice and taking her weapons for safekeeping, Gérald watched Aveline depart on a slave ship.

Hunt for the Company Man
"Futile murder... beautiful death. She... will make you suffer."

- Vázquez, revealing the Company Man is a woman, 1773.

In Aveline's absence, Gérald ran the de Grandpré business by himself for two years, during which the Spanish became more favorable towards the emancipation of slaves. However, by the time of Aveline's return in 1771, he had gotten word of rogue Spanish troops that were raising havoc in the bayou. Gérald then asked Aveline to investigate whether or not this faction was affiliated with the elusive Company Man.

While Aveline's investigations led to her tracking the movements a man named Vázquez over the next two years, Gérald's network of spies became compromised, with several of his informants dying of poisoning. When Aveline came to him in 1773, desperate to find Vázquez, he could only speculate that the Templar might be attending a prestigious ball that was being held that evening. Possessing no other alternative, Aveline and Gérald attended the ball, where Aveline managed to locate and assassinate Vázquez.

As the pair departed however, they were met with Madeleine de L'Isle, Aveline's stepmother, who informed them of Philippe's passing. At Philippe's grave in Saint Peter Cemetery, Gérald assured Aveline that, though she couldn't inherit her father's wealth or mansion, he considered her the owner of the de Grandpré business, which had been left to Gérald.

By 1777, Gérald's network had largely recovered and even expanded, getting him in touch with the American Assassins. Thanks to them, he learned of Officer Davidson, a Templar serving in Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian regiment that could reveal the Company Man's true identity. Gérald then left instructions for Aveline in her pigeon coop, telling her to meet up with fellow Assassin Connor, who had agreed to aid her in her mission, in New York.

Upon her return that same year, Aveline confronted Madeleine, who turned out to be the Company Man, and then her Mentor Agaté, which resulted in his suicide. With Madeleine attempting to recruit her into the Templar Order, Aveline recognized Agaté's unfortunate death as an opportunity and informed Gérald, before acting out her plan. Having used her induction as a ploy to assassinate Madeleine and her cohorts, Aveline was then joined by Gérald in the Saint Louis Cathedral, relieved the conflict was over.

Personality and characteristics
"I know what you think. Blanc the Sensible. Blanc the Boring. I'm more than just an accountant, Aveline!"

- Gérald, wanting to participate in a mission, 1768.

Gérald was a mild-mannered, well-educated and intelligent person. Despite this, he was easily flustered, causing him to frequently pause while speaking to gather his thoughts. What he lacked in eloquence however, he made up with dedication and helpfulness, especially to Aveline, as exemplified by him turning the de Grandpré warehouse into their headquarters, aiding her in her efforts to free slaves and constructing a new weapon for her to use.

As the Order's primary information officer in New Orleans, Gérald was tasked with gathering intellence and passing on orders. Despite his competence at this, he sometimes seemed dissatisfied with his role, worrying that he appeared "boring" and "straight-laced" compared to Aveline.

On one occasion, he felt the need to prove himself as a daring individual to her, by agreeing to accompany her on a mission to draw out de Ulloa. However, once immediate danger presented itself and he was forced to jump from a horse-drawn cart to save his life, he stated that he had had enough excitement to last him a good while.

Romantic life
"Is that all he has to offer? I should think for all his attention, he would request your hand--"

- Madeleine, commenting on Gérald's love for Aveline, 1765.

Gérald, having known Aveline since childhood, was quite obviously enamored with her, supporting her in her many endeavors as both an Assassin and businesswoman. His infatuation with her was revealed on many occasions, such as when he showed concern for her well-being, when he admitted to missing her upon her return from Mexico while she had been away at Chichen Itza, along with volunteering to be her date at a party to find the person Aveline believed to be the Company Man. When Aveline's father perished, he assured her the de Grandpré business was hers, even if it had been left in his name.

Although his feelings for her were obvious, Aveline remained far more ambiguous on the matter. While she was genuinely fond of him and aware of his sentiments, she seemed unwilling to enter into a relationship with him, claiming they "couldn't mix work with feelings". Despite this, she was not above the odd teasing remark, making it difficult to determine the true nature of their relationship.

Trivia

 * In an effort to portray the Assassins as dangerous individuals, the Liberation database entry that Abstergo had created for Gérald claimed that he was "deceptive to the core", with his gentle nature and politeness merely being a front.
 * Gérald is derived from the Germanic Gerald, meaning "rule of the spear", comprised of the elements ger "spear" and wald "rule". Blanc is French for "white".

Reference

 * Assassin's Creed III: Liberation