Trystan Trevelyan (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
necrolatrist) wrote2015-10-14 12:13 am
necrolatrist) wrote2015-10-14 12:13 am
character survey
The tears that you were crying?
Though the darkness calls me down
You know we all are dying."
Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy? Medium height and build, average height.
2. How old is he? 22 (25 if post-Trespasser)
3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch? Carries himself in that upright way that totally gives him away as noble. Old habits.
4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities? More or less fit, though he's not really the most physical person in the world. He can run and obviously gets by in combat well enough. Just don't expect him to swing a sword. (Post-trespasser timeline, he's missing his left arm.)
5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid? Very tense and rigid, seems uncomfortable a lot of the time, an overall awkward individual.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror? He's rather attractive and dresses well, but he's highly critical of his appearance. He does not see himself as anything much when it comes to looks.
7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred? Light-complexion, tends to sunburn easily.
8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style. Hair is on the short-longish side (typically chin-length or so). It's black and has an overall shiny, healthy texture.
9. What color are his eyes? A striking aquamarine color.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features? Black facial tattoo that circles below his right eye and above the left, he went out and got it once he became a full-fledged mage after his Harrowing.
11. What are his chief tension centers? If he's ever feeling a great deal of tension it's everywhere.
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit? Overall, he can be a classy dresser and knows how to look the part of a noble. But he's often one to experiment (he just gets bored), so he will try out unusual styles and colors sometimes too. Yes, even plaidweave.
13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them? Despite the weirdness he's overall comfortable with what he wears and things are normally of a pretty good fit.
14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences? Yes, he wears battlemage armor when on the job along with the Hat of the Inquisitor... but he definitely takes off the armor when he's relaxing, preferring to wear more unusual/colorful clothing.
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando? Briefs.
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse? Deep, average male sounding tone.
2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate? Speaks softly for the most part, doesn't like to raise his voice. But can rise to the occasion when he has to give a speech for the Inquisition.
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics? No distinct accent, and the only thing that might be a "quirk" is that he probably sounds like an upper-class type from the Free Marches.
4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency? Just Common, that's of any daily relevance. All the other languages that he's fluent in are dead languages, such as Ancient Tevene.
5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations? Nope!
6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words? Has to carefully consider his words.
7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change? Very eloquent when he gets around to it, because he takes so much time and care with his words.
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart? Way more book-smart by far. He spent his young adulthood growing up locked away in the Circle. Because he was a loner, he spent a lot of time reading and learning, magic, history and beyond. He's very passionate about visual arts. He knows a lot in theory but he's almost comically lacking in experience.
2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate? Takes time to deliberate.
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical? Intuitive, tends to jump to conclusions that aren't there sometimes... but trusting that intuition also helps him at times too. Very, very, very idealistic, to the point it can harm him. For instance, he put everything into wanting to be a Templar at one time, he also fully, fervently believed he was the Herald of Andraste. He's also convinced that every dream has significance. (He would totally see the Maker in a slice of toast or Andraste's face in grains of wood). He gets in the habit of sometimes flipping a coin a few times to see whether or not something will happen (on a bad morning, will flip a coin a few times to find out whether or not he'll die).
4. What kind of education has the character had? During his younger childhood years, had all the education that a noble of Ostwick could afford, later on he became formally educated as a mage in the Circle.
5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about? NECROMANCY. That's his strongest magic and the one that he has natural talent and connection with... he is always wanting to learn more about that in particular. Likes studying magic and death, anything to do with the fade, etc. Other interests include history and art.
6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert? Introvert, bigtime.
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven? Melancholy and moody. He's prone to getting idealistic about something only to have those dreams smashed whenever it doesn't go exactly as he's dreamed it would. Usually gets all quiet and bitter (chooses a lot of the sad dialogue options), but can get worked up to anger too, suddenly explodes in outbursts when this happens. He's very temperamental overall.
8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic? Very uneasy. He's been such a loner that he still isn't entirely always sure how to act, especially around races he hasn't gotten to know too well. His companions changed all of that for sure.
9. Is he more likely to act, or to react? React.
10. Which is his default: fight or flight? Fliiiiiiiight. Though watch out if he does get into a rare fight mode...
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks? Dark, morbid humor, always jokes about death.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them? Not diagnosing here, but he can be anxiety-prone, very nervous in new situations... has a bit of a depressive streak too. He usually deals with these things by letting them run their course. He also has a tendency to over-idealize, to make connections that aren't there... this did give him a bit of a "chosen one" disorder for a time.
13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person? Losing a friend, getting sent to the Circle (and thus not being a Templar), his Harrowing, surviving the cataclysm, becoming Inquisitor, becoming a true necromancer, falling in love.
14. What does he fear? Failing the Inquisition, losing Dorian or any of the others. Also, becoming Tranquil is a longtime fear of his. He can be moody and so on, but he likes feeling the full extent of all emotions. Plus now he can't imagine life without magic.
15. What are his hopes or aspirations? To become the greatest necromancer he can be. Sometimes, of course, he has to set this aside to take care of Inquisition business.
16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him? Probably a lot of his behavior as a pre-teen and teenager... it was all pretty embarrassing. OH. Also a huge thing that he obviously doesn't want anyone to know is the hidden secret location of his phylactery.
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents. Strained, but civil. He's never completely gotten over being taken away, and blamed them for a long time for that. Yet he's still managed to keep the peace overall and still hears from them on and off.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like? Five siblings: two brothers (Hedley and Orval) and a sister (Adamina) who are Templars, and two sisters (Kathlyn and Olyvia) who are clerics. He doesn't really have a lot of contact with them, he tried but found it's not the same anymore.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand? He has a bunch of close cousins, the majority of whom are Templars. He used to be a lot closer to them, but like his siblings the relationships changed once he went into the Circle. There are some others as well. Great Aunt Lucille, who often throws parties and is overall a pushy sort. His father, Bann, a man of faith who wanted him to be a Templar as well. Lady Osher Lotharn Trevelyan Bayart is a cousin who later on contacts Trystan when matters are resolved between some arguing family... overall someone he can get along with well enough. Lord Albrecht is a distant relative who has a temper and overall Trystan would sooner avoid. Philliam Bernard Aloicious Trevelyan is a bard (stage name, Philliam, a Bard!) and not really known to him aside from things others in the family talk about.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them? All of his companions. They became his new family more than anyone. He used to push people away back in the Circle and only later on got to know any fellow mages very closely.
Companions and Advisors:
- Dorian: His main lover, someone who shares an important common interest (necromancy). He's also fascinated by his experience as a Tevinter mage. He finds him very charming, overall, and likes that he's more outgoing than himself, always feeling at ease around him.
- Josephine: Another who makes a good potential lover, at first Trystan was sure he wouldn't get along with her, not being too fond of the whole noble thing overall. But they really hit it off, bonding about common background (and even being at the same Summer Ball, sort of). Also enjoys how charismatic she is and likes letting her do the navigating of the political field. Used her the most for war missions, preferring the negotiation tactic.
- Vivienne: Got along great with her thanks to similar views on the Circles, and their overall temperaments also clicked well. She knows Senior Enchanter Lydia, who was important in helping Trystan accept himself as a mage.
- Cole: He really empathized with Cole, and due to his connection with spirits/the dead, he was very eager to help him understand himself better.
- Varric: What's not to like? Varric helps Trystan to loosen up.
- Iron Bull: A great drinking buddy.
- Cassandra: Though they don't have a lot in common, she shares his fondness for reading.
- Blackwall: Always got along with him and though he felt betrayed and uncertain after the big reveal, he eventually grew to accept him again.
- Solas: At first, got along swell with him, especially for discussions about spirits and the Fade. Later on though... he feels deeply betrayed by the guy, and not in a forgivable way.
- Sera: Annoyed the hell out of Trystan for a long time, but he never could bring himself to kick her out. Eventually, he grew to like her better... she also helped him lighten up.
- Cullen: A firm ally, in many ways also showed Trystan why being a Templar isn't all it's cracked up to be (the whole lyrium addiction thing), still often asked him a lot of curious questions about Templars.
- Leliana: Another very trusted ally, easy to get along with, and obviously someone he could always count on to be discreet for a job.
6. Does he have other close friends? In the not so distant past, Senior Enchanter Lydia helped him... more of a mentor than a friend, exactly, she really helped him accept himself as a mage. He had a couple close-ish mage friends, and also two very close Templar friends. There's also his trainer, Viuus Anaxas, who taught him the Way of the Necromancer. Also Lace Harding, who faithfully scouts new areas for him. He gets along well with the Chargers too.
7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people? Has trouble making new friends, he can be a bit on the shy, withdrawn side and doesn't really like to get out there and meet new people. He has a tendency to weird people out with his easy acceptance of death and eerie things. When he does finally get to know someone, though, he's pleasant enough.
8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends? Both, but over the years his friends have become more important and closer to him than his blood relatives.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once? Not married, but generally taken by Dorian or Josie (depending on canon point, etc).
10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse? Yes! Dorian is his partner and although not married, they're pretty well committed at this point. It wasn't easy thanks to the Tevinter ways and Dorian's father. (If it's Josephine, they're similarly in a committed relationship but not yet marriage).
11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest? He had crushes on a couple fellow mages while in the Circle but couldn't gain the courage to do anything about it until his later teens, where he had his first (awkward) girlfriend... it didn't last too long. His second relationship grew out of a friendship with a Templar (it was more his friend pursuing him initially though, and Trys was reluctant for another relationship at first). Things got complicated for a while as their other good Templar friend sort-of kind-of joined their relationship... it all ended rather badly (though the three have since reconciled through letters at least). Dorian was really his first for any real, deep relationship, and his latest crush. He was pretty much hooked from the moment he found a fellow necromancer, someone who he could share that side of himself with and not feel like a weirdo.
12. What does he look for in a romantic partner? Someone he can get along with and feel comfortable and at ease being himself around. He tends to have an eye for people with a classy sort of style, though he definitely needs more beyond that initial attraction. An excellent date to him would be something like stargazing.
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any? Nope, no children. He's unsure if he wants them, sort of afraid of them also being mages.
14. Does he have any rivals or enemies? Solas. Shit got complicated like whoa.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale? Bisexual somewhere in the 3-4 range. Only interested in humans.
16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him? It's an important way to deepen a relationship to him, but also that level of intimacy needs to be with a committed partner, and after a long time of working up to it.
17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits? He's turned on by cleverness and wittiness, but turned off by someone who's too pushy or taking things too fast. He loves a good build up and in the bedroom, a great deal of foreplay is the most essential part to him... he'd be into some light roleplay type stuff, too. Nothing too weirdly out there! Probably just something like "let's wear Orlesian masks and play with that".
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type? He would be a Pisces, no doubt there.
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life? Highly, deeply spiritual and religious. He grew up with it and has always been the sort to see signs in everyday things... not to a delusional level, but definitely more than average. These teachings were always part of his life and shaped his upbringing. When he later on believed himself to be Herald of Andraste, his religious leanings led him to declare himself as such. His beliefs were shaken and his dreams dashed when he found out he wasn't Herald at all. He's still reeling from it and probably hasn't yet come to terms with that whole matter... it leads to a lot of angry/broody moments overall.
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it? He has his own personal code, very much swinging between Neutral Good and True Neutral. Basically, the "Neutral" part generally overshadows the "Good". After all, he spends much of his time in the practice of necromancy, something which is inherently a darker area of magic to explore. He generally wants to do the right/good thing, but can be selfish... he would choose saving a close friend over the greater good, for instance. He also often will try very hard to "stay out of it" when he thinks a fight isn't his, and remain neutral in most conflicts. He follows Andraste and abides more or less by the law but not out of any inherent lawfulness: he does it because life is less stressful that way.
4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent? He's usually indifferent, not really able to fully grasp why others would believe in anything but Andraste and the Maker... but he's not out to convert anyone. Of course, he's questioning a lot of those beliefs now, so has become a bit more open in this regard.
5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them? He's surprisingly pro-Templar for a mage (he and Vivienne got along great), mainly because he has family in that role... he also sees their reasons for why they do what they do. In some ways, he fears his own capabilities sometimes, so why not have someone keep that in check? He's not prejudiced against the other races, and has read a great deal about them... although he didn't really get comfortable around them until he got out there and of course, got to know his companions. The only hang-up with him is that he's still not really sure he could get into a non-human relationship: he doesn't disapprove of it for others though.
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt? Grew up as a noble, and he's still well off thanks to family ties.
2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him? As a boy, growing up in a noble family devoted to Andraste, he was always planning on being a Templar. This changed drastically when his magic was discovered and he got sent to the Circle. At first being locked away in the Circle affected him negatively and he acted out (with the behavior of a typical young man of that age). But later on, as he came into his own with magic, it turned out to be very much for the better. Much much later on, he became the Inquisitor, a role he definitely would never have asked for... but which ended up also being for the better in the end.
3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others? At Skyhold, in the castle he has his own private quarters. He's not the most orderly person, with all sorts of books and magical implements around, but he knows where everything is. He is definitely the sort who has skulls and other creepy items laying around too (necromancer!!). Having a home is important to him, having a place that's his own. He needs time to be alone and escape once in a while, so this is essential. Plus, since he was taken away from his home at a young age, he needs a place that won't go away (yeah the explosion of Haven was also especially upsetting to him because of this).
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on? Books, magic-related items, he's also a collector of toy soldiers... likes a good drink or several on certain occasions too.
5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else? He's the Inquisitor, a role which he has mixed feelings about these days. He once relished the role of being Herald of Andraste, seeing signs all over the place that pointed toward him being the Chosen One. He's never, ever considered himself a leader and yet he rose to the occasion because he thought that his deity was guiding him. Later on when the faith crisis hit, he had come too far to leave what he'd started. At this point, he's gotten used to his role.
Becoming a mage is also something which started on shaky territory for him. He wanted to be a Templar as a boy... and perhaps some part of him still envies them and their role, still wishes he could use a sword and strike his enemies down. But he's come to deeply appreciate having magic and has embraced being a mage completely by now. Mainly, it's because he's shown such skill at necromancy and felt such a strong connection to the dead.
6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time? Reading, for sure. (Yes, he has also read all of Varric's books, though he usually tends toward heavier stuff like tomes of magic and volumes of dry, dull history). Otherwise, he does a lot with his necromancy, hoping to seek deeper connections to the spirits with it. He loves stargazing and really enjoyed looking into the astrariums. He's a big admirer of great art. Also, this is... less a hobby and more a dumb, silly thing, but he loves rain and being out in it or listening to it, enjoys a good proper gloomy atmosphere. He also enjoys storms a lot, which is why he got into that area of magic.
7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods? He's likely to be absent-minded and forget about meals on his own. He was used to a more regimented life in the Circle where things always happened on a routine, structured basis, and he just followed along. Even now he's still prone to forgetting unless reminded. But he definitely enjoys a good feast, the one thing he liked about his upbringing (the food was always delicious to him at a feast, even if he was too awkward to ever play the political game). He has an appreciation for most alcohols, usually meads and fine flowery wines, but has this secret guilty pleasure for crappy cheap drinks too (I mean come on, something called Dragon Piss has to be delightfully awful).
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:
1. Color? Black, shades of purple
2. Smell? The smell of the outdoors after it rains, the burning scent of lightning.
3. Time of day? Night
4. Season? Winter
5. Book? Mortalitasi: For the Living, the Dead, anything else on necromancy or magic, but will read anything he gets his hands on
6. Music? Ballad of Ayesleigh, Shred of Blue, I Am The One, Samson's Tale... He likes anything somber or sorrowful.
7. Place? The Storm Coast, Crestwood (especially before it was restored), the Fallow Mire
8. Substance? Blood
9. Plant? Deathroot, Prophet's Laurel, Dawn Lotus, Crystal Grace
10. Animal? Fennecs, nugs.
11. Food/Drink? Drinks: Chasind Sack Mead, Vint-9 Rowan's Rose, Absence, and yes, on occasion, Dragon Piss. Food: loves anything spicy or sweet, anything very thick, creamy and heavy.
12. Pets? His mount, a Bog Unicorn named Astrape. As a child, had a mabari named Stormer, who he still thinks about often.
13. Weapons? Staves, in particular Deathward.
14. Items? Vulture feather charm (keeps on him for luck), all charms in general, full collection of toy soldiers and Andraste figurines, engraved compass. He's always enjoyed collecting bones that he finds lying around too, so there are a bunch of those in his room.
15. Myers-Briggs type? INFJ
16. Element? Water
END
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