Jean-Claude Gronez

Jean-Claude Gronez, commonly known as Jean-Claude, is a main character from Great Hegi. He is a Kripti, and wears a silly crocodile suit, as he appears in Eclipse.

Jean-Claude is the Prime Minister of Kriptos, at the time of Eclipse, but also served as an advisor and close friend to Emperor Poko, before his death preceding the events of Pollution. Jean-Claude is clumsy, gullible, and dopey, but earnest. A skilled musician, he tries his best to earn the recognition he feels has evaded him his whole life.

Origin
Jean-Claude's early days are unknown, but its known he was born to a single mother in Southern Kriptos. An Antikan-speaking Kripti, and apparently educated in primary school by Archbishop Zuriel Naszti, Jean-Claude had an allegedly unpleasant upbringing. He was likely bullied relentlessly for his inability to use magic, and so he carried a lighter to substitute. He picked up music at some point, and developed a particular affinity for 80's style synth funk. At some point in his youth, he also met his best friend, Javor Hakorov, who he has still yet to part with to this day. He made his way as far up a Kripti could go in the Czungerik, and found favour with the Emperor, a Kripti himself, Poko I. Jean-Claude would serve Poko dutifully, becoming his most trusted advisor, and supposedly thought of the Emperor as a father figure. Jean-Claude would be the man to convince Poko to abdicate in his old age, in a hope to grow closer with the old man.

Pollution
Jean-Claude would test the idea of running to replace the heirless Poko, but lose to the detested Czunglish despot, Bernard Vitni. One weekend, when Jean-Claude opted to take a weekend to himself on vacation in Kruhasta, after Bernard had been coronated, Poko would be assassinated by once trusted government insider Gosta Odskaki. Jean-Claude was heartbroken, and with no one left to cling to but Hakorov, he followed Hakorov into his occupation within Prime Minister Francois Blanche's government, where he was once again soundly dejected.

Poko's assassination was perpetrated by a new threat, a terror organization and cult called Pollution, with Odskaki as a proxy, which buzzed throughout Blanche's government. As Blanche and his inner circle desperately tried to get the upper hand, Jean-Claude and Hakorov were swept up in the effort. The duo would try their best to assist in the fight, which Blanche would resolutely ignore. At least he wasn't treated like Bernard, who Blanche and his inner circle detested.

When the Pollution was finally unleashed by Szemban, Jean-Claude was forced to follow Bernard's leadership after Blanche was ensnared by the Pollution. Jean-Claude put up his best efforts, even managing to bring down Pollution's feared Suzi Alond, but Bernard was the new celebrity.

After Pollution was defeated, Jean-Claude was never even invited to Bernard and Rooney's wedding. This exclusion left Jean-Claude feeling both unwanted and vindictive. He still had Hakorov, but for what?

Jean-Claude found his stardom after running a successful, if blundering campaign for the premiership of his home country, Kriptos. He still makes periodic visits back to Monvaros to attempt to win Blanche's favour, but with no return, he finds his delight in his best friend, Hakorov, and his country.

Eclipse
Recently, on a trip to Monvaros to meet with Hakorov, Jean-Claude found himself inadvertently caught up in a new mysterious disaster, known as the Eclipse. After taking refuge in a dumpster with Hakorov, their hidey-hole was stumbled upon by the twin kids of Blanche, Newt and Liz. Recognizing the danger they were in, Jean-Claude swore to protect them, which he has done, kind of. After losing Hakorov to an unnatural force, Jean-Claude travels with Newt and Liz to navigate and stop the Eclipse once and for all!

Jean-Claude is a main character of Eclipse, and his journey with Newt, Liz, and Aurelie is ongoing! Follow their adventure on Great Hegi's Instagram page!

Personality
Jean-Claude, despite being an adult, is very simple-minded. He's gullible, and falls for anything, and also deeply cowardly, fleeing at the sight of danger. Despite all that, Jean-Claude is a very understanding individual, and is earnest in his efforts. He is attached to those who give him a shot, and even those who don't, his forgiving nature sometimes getting ahead of him. He's clumsy, and trips over his words, often stuttering and not making much sense. He can sometimes feel vindictive or unappreciated for all the things he does however. Jean-Claude cannot wield magic like other Kriptis, and his ashamed about his shortcomings. He's a natural performer however, and loves kids, a great show with his synthesizer.

Javor Hakorov
Hakorov is Jean-Claude's best and only friend. The two are inseperable, rarely being seen without one another. Jean-Claude has a deep-seated love for his best friend, and is constantly watching out for him. Hakorov tends to get into trouble, which Jean-Claude dutifully keeps him out of. Despite Hakorov's clear apathy towards everyone else, it's evident Hakorov too truly cares about Jean-Claude. It's rumoured that Jean-Claude is somehow Hakorov's source for weed, despite obviously having never touched it in his life. Hakorov and Jean-Claude are truly the best of friends.

Francois Blanche
Jean-Claude has an admiration for the Prime Minister, and even though Blanche is clearly disinterested and perhaps repulsed by Jean-Claude, he seemingly will not stop seeking his approval. Whether that will be fruitful, no one knows, but he's certainly determined.

Poko
Before his death, Poko and Jean-Claude were very very close. Jean-Claude thought of Poko as a father figure, and admired him greatly. Poko meanwhile clearly trusted Jean-Claude, letting his advisor in on many closely guarded secrets about his mysterious nature. Jean-Claude still seems to have not recovered from Poko's sudden death, and still feels regretful for allowing him to die.

Suzi Alond
Suzi, despite having rarely ever interacted with Jean-Claude, hates him. And Suzi may hate lots of things, but Suzi REALLY hates Jean-Claude. Obsessively. It's bizarre.

Newt and Liz Blanche
During Eclipse, Newt and Liz team up with Jean-Claude. Right now, neither of them seem to respect Jean-Claude as an authority figure, and Jean-Claude sees the kids as an opportunity to finally gain Blanche's recognition, but for now, its yet to be seen how Jean-Claude's relationship with the Blanche twins will evolve.

Aurelie de Vigne
TBD!

Trivia
-Jean-Claude's favourite song is "Heaven is a place on Earth"

-Jean-Claude likes poking people

-Supposedly, in an alternate universe, his vindication would transform into the orchestration of a Killing Game which lead to the deaths of tens of important figures. He wouldn't ever do that, though.

-Named after the French Pea from Veggietales, and sounds like him, too.

-Jean-Claude is blamed when Bernard farts.