Name: Karou (Pronounced “kah-roh”)
Age: 22
Sex: Male
Sexual Orientation: Whatever arrangement Father makes (if he’s even still alive)
Craft: Harper (songwriter, dance & defense with focus in defense)
Rank: Journeyman
Location: Telgar Hold (Eventually to be Searched to High Reaches)
Physical Description: Karou has a small, delicate face that could be easily cupped in one’s hands—a fantasy longed for by many a maid, and likely a few lads as well. His honey-brown eyes are single-lidded and luminous, his lips generous and faintly heart-shaped when at rest. His ears are small to match the rest of his face, as are his hands, fingers tapered and well-suited to wielding a blade with finesse.
His body is also well-suited to swordplay, tall and svelte with a decent reach and nimble feet that move as if he were weightless. He tends to appear almost wispy, his frame as dainty as the rest of him, but beneath his fine clothes lie decidedly masculine curves of lissome muscle well used to moving quickly with precise accuracy.
The only thing that changes fairly often about his looks are his choice of piercings and his hair color. Usually kept just long enough to brush his ears, his hair is naturally black with added splashes of dye depending on his mood and availability.
Personality: Upon first impression, during a business negotiation, or perhaps during a classy gather packed with blue-blooded holders, Karou appears to be an attractive, friendly man. That’s pretty much the only time he seems particularly friendly, though he’s perpetually nice to look at.
Possibly the most common trait among members of his bloodline is an acute awareness of one’s magnificent appearance. Karou is no exception, but unlike some of his brothers, he has no self-consciousness about any particular aspect of himself. He knows he’s perfect, from head to toe. That sort of certainty, additionally backed by wealth and a lengthy noble ancestry, leads to all sorts of bold attitudes and behaviors. He can do whatever he wants, when he wants, as long as it’s on his own time. He’s been known to figuratively walk right over those whom he considers beneath his notice or who haven’t earned his respect, not wasting time with pleasantries or even basic pleases-and-thank-yous unless it suited him. Oh, but when it does suit him, he can switch that charm on and off like a well-aimed dragon flame. It generally works best on women, though as a rule he doesn’t care to dishonor himself or his family by being promiscuous. He might be a bit of a chuff, but he’s a noble chuff.
He is also a bit of an altruist, though he’ll never admit to such. He makes a habit of doing small things for people he sees as less fortunate. He’ll tip extra for a meal or service, drop a few marks on the ground as he passes a beggar, pull some behind-the-scenes strings to get someone a job, but he always has a logical excuse for it, or else tries to make it look like an accident.
With his tendency to waltz obliviously about (or ride roughshod and jangling) in his own world that sometimes may as well be another planet, Karou misses quite a few things that others would notice, such as subtle social cues or small but potentially important details during conversation. Sometimes he’ll see or hear them, but only on a superficial level, and he’ll still fail to catch them as they sail over his head.
Positive Trait List Spontaneous, charismatic, confident, honorable, generous
Negative Trait List Vain, obtuse, impulsive, inconsiderate
History: Karou was the second son of a minor Lord Holder, and as such, he was always considered second best by his father, Lord Dusiph. He was Lord of Rusadh Hold, a settlement located in Telgar’s domain. Dusiph made no secret of the fact that the boy’s sole purpose in life was to be skilled and handsome enough to bring in high bids from other holds as a marriage prospect—something that he actually didn’t mind, as long as his match was at least as attractive as he considered himself to be. He spent a lot of time under the tutelage of the hold’s resident Harper, learning the topics required by his father. Those were mostly business-related, which was fine, but he greatly enjoyed the swordplay his father also mandated, and in the hours left to his own devices, he officially added songwriting to his Harper apprenticeship.
Aside from his duties at home, Karou made frequent trips to Telgar proper on behalf of his father. He was useful as a runner, with just enough status to represent a Lord Holder but not enough to get away with very many of his own whims. Before returning to Rusadh, he often visited clothing or tea shops, his regular choice of the latter being one of the higher-end establishments run by a nice elderly couple. He frequented their shop more than any other due to it was the only one that served his favorite blend, Golden Spice.
It was during one of these stopovers that disaster came in the form of a menace thought long gone: Thread rained down upon Telgar, causing destruction like nothing Karou had ever seen. The building he was in caved as thread ate through the wooden rafters, dropping hundreds of heavy slate shingles on everyone inside. The boy barely saved himself by diving under the stone brick staircase to the second floor, which also partially fell, pinning him and breaking bones.
In the aftermath of Threadfall, he was discovered unconscious beneath the ruins. His rescuers brought him and many others to the healers, but no one recognized him in order to notify his family of his whereabouts. His signet ring was left at a certain tea shop, where he’d fidgeted with it at his table, rolling it between his fingers and passing it back and forth between his palms. As he rose to leave for his meeting, he’d distractedly dabbed at his lip with a napkin and set it down over the ring.
He slept for several days and was not fully aware of his circumstances for several weeks after waking, being kept in a constant fellis-driven fog because of the extreme pain of his injuries. When he finally recovered enough, he left of his own will, neither identifying himself nor accepting further help from the healers. He would have to go home soon, and deal with the family’s shock at his returning from the dead. Would it be a good reunion, or would there be a fallout with his father or brothers? He walked the devastated streets of Telgar, his feet moving out of habit while his mind was elsewhere. He found himself standing in front of his favorite tea shop, marveling at how, though some damage was done, it still stood. He thought to go in and ponder his situation over some Golden Spice, if they were still in business.
The rather intimate greeting he received from the shop’s serving girl, someone he barely remembered existing unless she was politely inquiring about his day whilst pouring his order, was… uncomfortable. He did stay for that tea, but left in a lurch when the girl bungled yet again, letting slip the news that thread had killed his entire family.
He never made it home; atop a high hill outside of Telgar proper, he could see the remains of his father’s hold. It had been transformed into a dry, barren patch of earth, no tree, plant or animal to be found, and naught but the skeletons of the stone warehouses left standing. Rusadh was gone.
Other: Planning some backdated RP to get him up to present times. He and a “friend” need some quality time together out in the wide world before he gets officially Searched to HR. ;D
Candidate Specific Questions
Do you want them to have an official Search RP? Macuith, plz control urself
Do you understand they will age every passing year regardless if you're there to RP them or not? Yes
Do you want them to have a possible Stands Impression? No
