Post by Dristan de Archer on Aug 20, 2012 20:33:17 GMT -5
| ~ • ~ | Character Basics | ~ • ~ |
.:Name of Character:. Lord Dristan de Archer
.:Nick Name:. Dris or Dristan to close friends
.:Age:. 25
.:Race:. Camelotian
.:Status:. Noble| ~ • ~ | Appearance | ~ • ~ |
.:Physical Appearance:. Dristan is of a medium height, but is tall enough to not be considered small by most people’s standards. He has a mop of brown hair which can look smart when he remembers to brush it, otherwise it lies untidy and messy, though he seems to get more attention from the ladies when it is as such. Dristan has hazel eyes, and a boyish sort of face; he is usually well humoured and therefore a grin is never far from his lips. Though he is a noble, Dristan has no issue with wearing clothes ill fitting to his status if the situation calls for it; pride is not a virtue he is afforded often, and his appearance usually shows this. Though he dresses well when he can, he most wears what is available to him.
.:Height:. 5”11
.:Portrayed by:. Matt Smith| ~ • ~ | Personality | ~ • ~ |
.:Personality:. Dristan is quite an independent being by nature; being an only child this is a trait he has had bred into him from a young age. He has learnt not to rely on others, and he will usually do most things for himself. Having said this, he still craves attention from some source, and could therefore not stand being completely alone, as he does enjoy occasional company. Dristan, like most of his family, has a quick wit and a fiery temper which is quick to show itself when provoked. Though he is a well humoured man, he has also inherited his father’s cynicism, and can sometimes be drawn into criticizing others to the point of irritation to those around him. Overall, Dristan is an outgoing and confident person, and has rarely let anything stand in the way of what he wants, including his own family ties. No one who was acquainted with Dristan would ever accuse him of being reserved or shy, and he usually throws himself into situations with unmistakable enthusiasm regardless of the task.
.:Strengths:. Dristan is accomplished on the lute, and enjoys playing it as he feels more at ease when he does. As he was brought up in a noble household, he also is handy with a sword and if the occasion calls for it, a bow, though he has little time for violence, and prefers a war of words rather than of swords (though he would not shy away from a fight if challenged). Dristan is also able to turn his hand to most professions, even if his efforts are not always fruitful. Since leaving Camelot, he has held a range of occupations, though most were on the sales side of matters, so he has developed fine tune ways of interacting with the public at large, no matter what the situation.
.:Weaknesses:. Dristan, as he is an independent person, tends to isolate himself without even realising what he is doing. He is not as quick to trust as most would be, and it takes a lot to earn his trust and respect. Like most nobles, he can in some aspects be considered proud, especially in matters regarding his family, though he would never admit to that. Though Dristan would like to think that he is able to live out his life how he wants, and without worrying about what others would think of him, Dristan is someone who needs to be wanted, and therefore does not suit a completely solitary lifestyle.
.:Magic Abilities:. Dristan has no natural magic, though on his travels he has come across merchants who have tried to sell him potions and charms, professing to him that they worked. Being away from Camelot has dampened Dristan’s views on magic a little, though he is still weary of its use.
.:Special Skills:. Dristan is an accomplished watcher of people, and can adapt extremely well to a change of circumstances. He is also an exceptional lute player, though his voice does not match up to his skills on the actual instrument.
.:Accents:. Upper class English, though he can put on most accents for a short time| ~ • ~ | History | ~ • ~ |
.:Birthplace:. Camelot
.:Family:.
Father: Lord Rouland
Mother: Lady Ygraine (Deceased)
Uncles: Lord Payton de Archer, Lord Thomas Bedver
Aunts: Lady Ardith de Archer (Deceased) , Lady Grace Bedver
Cousins: Guy, Bryce, Jeffrey, Aelfread, Ailith, Ysolde, Caitrin
.:Occupation:. Nobleman, sometimes a merchant
.:Current Location of Residence:. Caerleon’s Kingdom
.:History:.
Dristan de Archer was born as the first son of Lord Rouland and Lady Ygraine, and was a combination of Mercian and Camelotian blood. His mother was Camelotian by birth, and therefore knew the land well, and would often take her young son out riding as soon as he was able, and spent many an afternoon rambling the countryside with him. Dristan adored his mother, and she always promised to give him brothers and sisters, though year after year passed, and Dristan remained an only child. Dristan always wanted siblings, as he never had anyone to play with when he was young, as the boys who lived on his father’s estate would seldom play with him, as they were either afraid of conversing with a noble-boy, or they had work to do. It was instances like this which led Dristan to lead quite a lonely childhood. He was taken to court occasionally by his father and mother, and introduced to some of the other noble-boys, but he never struck up many friendships. Dristan began to seek solace in books, and in the lute which his mother had gifted to him, in the hope that he would have a talent that neither of his parents had ever exploited. Music came naturally to Dristan, though his father often discouraged it, in favour of his usual lessons. In his early years, and under the instruction of his mother, Dristan learned to go along with his father’s wishes to please him, and to do his own bidding once that was done. Therefore Dristan learned sword fighting, archery, history, geography, reading and writing from an early age as well as the lute.
When Dristan was six years old, his mother announced that he would finally have a baby brother or sister. He was ecstatic at the news right through his mother’s pregnancy, and would often complain that it was taking too long, and that he just wanted to meet his baby brother or sister. Dristan awoke one night after the summer solstice to hear his mother screaming, and crying. Only a young boy, he was instantly distressed and demanded to know what was wrong with his mother, and screamed that he wanted to see her. His father conveyed him away from the birthing room, telling him that it was no place for children. By the morning the screams had stopped; Dristan was allowed to see his mother briefly, but was told not to wear her out. She looked frail and pale, though he didn’t really see that. She told him that his baby sister had been born still, and he tore from the room, not wanting his mother to see him cry. The next thing he remembered was his father coming to tell him that his mother had gone to follow his sister. It was a day that Dristan, now a fully grown man, would never revisit in his mind unless forced to. He never recovered from the deaths of his would be sister and mother, and is sure he never will.
His childhood from then on became quite isolated, as his father would seldom leave the house, which confined Dristan there as well until he reached thirteen, an age Rouland deemed was suitable for the boy to go off into Camelot by himself. Dristan enjoyed the colourful life at court, and was quite star struck at first as his life had previously been quite quiet. Dristan would on occasion play his lute to the noblewomen of the court, and used the attentions to his complete advantage. When Dristan reached the age of sixteen, he fell head over heels in love for a young noblewoman called Lady Melodie. She returned his affections, and Dristan was on the brink of asking for her hand in marriage when Rouland caught wind of what was going on and forbade his son from having anything to do with Melodie, explaining that her father had already betrothed her to another nobleman. Dristan refused to accept the fact, but by the time Dristan returned to Melodie, she was engaged, and her father threw him out of the house.
Though he should have been angry at her family, he instead directed most of his anger towards his father, believing that if Rouland had not interfered then he and Melodie would be engaged, and she wouldn’t be being married to another. When confronted with this, his father made a comment along the lines of “Having no intention to let his son marry such a low noblewoman anyway.” Which tipped Dristan over the edge. Grabbing his lute, what coin and food he could muster, he announced to his father that he was leaving and would not be returning. After another heated argument, Dristan saddled up his horse, and left the estate without a plan, and without a single thought of ever returning to Camelot. Eventually, Dristan decided to seek refuge with his Aunt and Uncle, on his mother’s side, in Caerleon’s Kingdom. His aunt, Lady Grace, was the sister of his mother, and had married a nobleman of lower standings in the world, but they took Dristan in regardless, and helped him to settle into his new home.
Thomas and Grace became Dristan’s life. They had fallen on hard times, and Thomas, though noble by blood, was reduced to selling fabrics, herbs, spices and other such wares to those who traded on markets. They were supposed to be a middle trader, though that trade quickly dried up, and Dristan took the initiative to sell the wares on a stall by himself. At first he was like a fish out of water, and was terrible at haggling, and selling anything from a piece of fabric right to belt buckles and clasps. After some time, Dristan did become more skilled with his sales, and began to run quite a successful business. He used his Aunt and Uncle’s home as a base, and would often venture to other towns, and on occasion, other kingdoms- though never Camelot- to trade in his Uncle’s name. It kept the family afloat for years, and all thoughts of Camelot often disappeared completely from Dristan’s mind.
Dristan’s little lot was going perfectly, until one winter a plague ripped through the village and took his Uncle Thomas in his sleep, leaving a widow and an estate which was practically on its knees. His Aunt was quickly asked for her hand in marriage, and having no other option she accepted; though there was one condition, that her nephew was turned out of the estate. Dristan, upon hearing this, left the next morning, making his aunt’s decision easier. It had now been nearly seven years since Dristan had left Camelot. His Uncle had gifted him a handsome sum of money with which to return home and make a new life for himself. All thoughts of returning home often banished when he thought of Melodie, the more time had passed, the less Dristan thought about her if he could help it. Dristan eventually, after a month of wandering, swallowed his pride and made the decision to return to Camelot; though he fully intended to take the long route home.