Fantasy Atlantis [Characters]

[Quantum Leek]

The Cast​

The Scholar ( Hoki )

An academic, specializing in ancient Greece--especially archaeology. S/he believes s/he has discovered the location of the lost island of Atlantis, after years of research and accumulating old documents. With no money and few connections to speak of, s/he turns to the eccentric to fund the research voyage.​

The Eccentric ( Drake Alistair )

A gentleman with more money than sense, some say. But that doesn't fit well with the fact that he multiplied an already vast family fortune through wise investments. So if he has a frivolous idea, like buying a submersible capable of transporting eight people on a voyage into the deep ocean for an unknown amount of time, who can really fault him?​

The Chauffeur ( Quantum Leek )

The job description said "chauffeur." It did not say "pilot of a submersible," "organizer of expeditions," "master of affairs," or any of the other things s/he has dealt with during his/her tenure with The Eccentric. But what the hell. The job pays better than any other (and it should, all things considered), so s/he tolerates it with an air of long-suffering.​

The Engineer ( Semblance )

The person who actually built the submersible for The Eccentric. A mechanical genius, by all accounts, and possessed of enough imagination and sense of adventure to at least entertain The Eccentric's more far-fetched ideas. A deep sea voyage in search of a mythical island is a bit out of his/her comfort zone, but who else is going to make sure his/her masterpiece (and baby) stays in top condition?​

The Explorer ( Shannon Trevor )

A seasoned veteran, as far as exploration into the unknown goes. S/he has spent time in Africa, travelling into the darkest jungles where no civilized person has ever set foot before. It was all spectacular, and to be perfectly honest s/he has been missing that sense of the unknown since returning to London. How fortunate that such an absurd and marvelous opportunity should crop up.​

The Journalist ( Fenn )

Already a well-known name, by newspaper standards, s/he hardly needs to career boost that would doubtless be provided by witnessing first hand the discovery of a millennium. But s/he didn't get so far in the world by turning down once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like this. If it's a potentially deadly journey into the unknown that gets him/her to the story first, then so be it.​

The Doctor ( Deccimo )

The doctor of the Eccentric, somehow coerced into partaking in this ridiculous affair by his very talented (or very assertive) chauffeur. S/he has a reputable practice in London, now, but was once a country doctor used to making do with very little. That capability will doubtless serve all members of the expedition well, if the worst should come to pass.​

The Cartographer ( Quantum Leek )

A map-maker with experience mapping first-hand and a skillful hand. The least well-known of the bunch, but cartography doesn't often lend much toward fame. In fact, no one is quite sure where the chauffeur dug him/her up. But the only important thing, here, is competency and--of course--a willingness to leave home and potentially never return; s/he has both.

Character Application​

A couple important points before you make a character:

• Given that there are limited spaces, I am going to be very picky about who I let join. I would like for all the players to be competent writers and good storytellers, so if you apply I will ask for a writing sample. (You can send me one before to speed up the process.)
• You can apply for as many positions as you like. But, due to limited space, I'll probably only accept one of them.
• Multiple people can apply for the same character. I will choose the one I like the best for the position.
• I will note filled positions above in this post, so that no one wastes time making a character for a spot that is already filled.
• Relationships! Some of these characters know each other by necessity. Obviously the Chauffeur and the Eccentric know each other. Similarly, the Eccentric will be quite familiar with the Engineer and the Doctor. The Chauffeur may well know everyone else, given that he was the one who put the party together. Collaborate with other players. Work out some dynamic for your characters before we start writing; characters who are familiar with each other at the start should feel familiar with each other.

Fin! Happy writing!

Spoiler: Application

Format your application however you like, but include the following information:

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Occupation: (This is the position you're applying for, from the list above)
Skills:
Weaknesses:
Appearance: (Pictures are preferred, embellished by details (height, build, etc), but I will accept detailed descriptions in lieu of an image)
Personality:
Biography:
Anything else that's relevant/important!

Main | OOC | Lore​

 

[Fenn]

Eugene Gogarty​

Age:
37

Gender:
Male

Occupation:
Journalist

Skills:
Why, reporting. That's the kind of journalist he is, and so, what more could one expect? Just some espionage-related skills and a keen nose for exploits. He's also not too bad with his words: both written and conversational. To say simply, Eugene possesses much of the skills belonging a person of literature; and as to what good that serves him on this likely dangerous venture - he'll just take things in strides and find out.

Weaknesses:
His wife for one, and a good drink for another.

Personality:

A contemporary once questioned him:
​

"Shouldn't you consider, that since the entire world holds enmity toward you, that perhaps it’s you who’s in the wrong?”

He thought for a bit, then responded:
​

"It could also be the entire world that is wrong.”

Physical Details:​

Height:
5'9"

Weight:
154 lbs

Hair:
Dark brown

Eyes:
Amber

Biography:​

Eugene Doyle Leeson Gogarty was born in the suburb of Blackrock, Dublin on November 23, 1827, to James Gogarty, a barrister, and Sophie Durand, who was the eldest daughter of a distillery company owner. Both of his parents were also amateur playwrights, producing a share of notable, albeit localized works. The youngest of eight surviving children - three having died of typhus earlier on - he was the cherished one, and it showed through an absence of responsibilities. Moreover, the Gogartys lived in a large manor with extensive grounds, owning a second, similarly fashionable home, both endowed with stables and mills, which at that time had placed the family apart from other Irish Catholic households as being far better connected and literate; his childhood was promised to be a happy one.

And so, raised and pampered in a well-to-do menage on the way up, Eugene participated an active role in Dublin society, frequenting speech, debate, and drama circles. In 1843, he alongside a group of friends created a service group, offering night school and a library for lowborn servants and menial workers unable to afford their own education. Critical against the UK Parliament, the Irish powers, as well as school presidents, Eugene used his school's weekly newspaper as a platform for ideas of reform, chastising each as a "hotel for playboys and sons of rich men" in disregard of his own social standings. Although his personal hobbies, which included drinking and drugs, subdued him from being a gracious student, the young scholar would later attend Trinity College in Dublin, not too long after, as a major in English language and literature.

Ahead two years, Eugene moved to America in order to further his studies in Harvard, circumventing the conflicts brought upon by The Great Famine. To his parents and siblings that decided to abide their life in Dublin, he occasionally wrote them letters, appealing for finance and sentimentality. Eventually, he was invited to join a number of literary societies within Cambridge for his talents but also for his bold and trenchant spirit. An academic, Eugene didn't shy away from expressing his dissatisfaction against corruption and social injustice but even had the daringness to scold, leading him to enter one of few journalist organizations nearby (that were still willing to accommodate this lit fuse). On his first day working, he met Sylvia Cox - a contemporary reporter, fellow literati, and life-long lover; and god, that gal incited him to nothing more but a hot-blooded Dublin jackeen.

The coming epoch of his fame (or most refers as notoriety) strung a series of awards, civil turbulence, and upheaval within the literary world: his blazing accomplishments as a journalist and modern satirist; and facing all amounts of controversy, Eugene responded with even fiercer and mocking compositions - every verse or prose a sensation among the people - elevated by his mastery over the vernacular. But to give credit where it's due, many of his inspirations were owed to the care and support of his partner Sylvia, who often bickered with him her sharp, though sweet tongue. Just compounding that hooligan-like nature of his, he also had a streak of midnight carousing and debauchery. Quite the charmer.

Alone returning to Dublin by 1855, the successful 28-year old sought to uncover his own style of art and literature, as well as to allay his homesickness. Instead, however, Eugene became shaken and angered by the current scene of Ireland: the increasing economic conflicts and especially the rampant corruption within the government. Staying with his family, he spent only a month to publish a volume of poetry "Remedy for Life & Other Poems" that displayed a convergence of language, political science, and psychology through his western experiences. The collection of poems innovated new perceptual forms in poetry, predominantly his doggerels, that had more modern aesthetics.

Eugene immediately traveled back to America and married Sylvia; and in the same span, she birthed him their first child, Liam Gogarty. The new family moved to London, England after both parents received posts as journalists for a big-time news agency. The next handful of years passed by well and his career progressed steadily - although much of the momentum from his youth dwindled as he became more focused on being a father. During this time, he also acquainted himself with a neighbor quite quaint - supposed a doctor - whom he regularly regaled drinks and banter.

As for the mania pertaining Atlantis, he actually didn't give a damn, and it was his prevalent wife that was requested to report on the expedition. It just was the case that she believed he would've was a finer candidate, badgered and teased him to take the job lest his skills deteriorate, to which he sooner or later acquiesced - the agency more than happy to oblige.

Addition notes:
A fair number of people have said he looks similar to French painter James Tissot, but he doesn't really see it.

 

[Deccimo]

Viktor​

Age:
Enough.

Gender:
Male

Occupation:
The Doctor

Skills:
Skill-wise, not much is apparent aside from Viktor’s approach to the apex of medicine. Drawing is another art that he is in the midst of perfecting, and currently, he holds the ability to draft high-quality diagrams of anatomy.

Weaknesses:
Viktor’s major weakness lies within his sociability, mostly in his inability (or disdain) to articulate himself in a timely manner. It also manifests in an obtuse awareness of social cues and ethics.

Personality:
Viktor is a man of very few words (if any). Preferring to gesture his way through a conversation, he finds solace in the simple and succinct. Although, this does make anything he says all the more pronounced. His motions give off a youthful air in their sporadic nature, yet his voice is deep and gruff, furthering his jarring appearance. Any sense of doubt or wavering will is dispelled during his doctoral duties, as he wastes not a single movement in his performance.

A vehement determination to heal any living organism is what composes much of The Doctor’s personality, as the rest is shrouded in mystery. Maybe no one’s ever had the gall to ask.

Physical Details:​

The Doctor is never without his trademark plague mask, which is always in pristine condition despite his messy line of work. The visage of what lies underneath has never been revealed, though piercing brown hues do appear every now and then in those ominous eye sockets. Measured to be a little over 5’ 5’’, The Doctor’s stature aids in reducing his imposing demeanour. Viktor sports a lithe physique which has been toned over the years through his work in the field; this is normally hidden beneath a trench coat, which makes him appear thinner than he really is. Beneath his debonair attire, clunking and revving can be heard.

Biography:​

Abstract from "Who is the Plague Doctor?"​

The French Revolution: A gruelling war of attrition, detrimental to both sides of the opposition, slowly led itself to a standstill. In the midst of the fray, a myth was forming as a lone plague doctor roamed the battlefield. Seemingly neutral, he stitched any injured combatants in his path. However, rather than out of good will, The Doctor was only refining his craft under constrained conditions. Each wound he patched up served to only cultivate himself further and further; all in order to reach a point where medicine was an act akin to breathing. The years following the war, the legend would fizzle out as the figure would vanish from the face of the earth. However, there are countless reports of sightings in other wars, such as the War of 1812, the Creek War, the Second Barbary War, Bussa's Rebellion.... But there are times where these sightings overlap with others in different parts of the world, which lead one to doubt their authenticity.

End Abstract​

Concrete evidence surfaced in recent years, as “research” by a distinguished Journalist would lead to the name Viktor, last name unknown. In reality, The Journalist and The Doctor are long-time neighbors and friends, commonly discussing current events over jugs of wine. This finding would not fall upon deaf ears; The Eccentric would eventually seek out this living legend and recruit him, the latter falling upon the Chauffeur in actuality. Emmett would arrive at a decorated villa, neighboring the abode of Eugene, and be welcomed by Viktor with tea and pastries. It was as if the mysterious doctor took house calls, which was something he in fact did, so long as they could pay his exorbitant fees. Only the truly desperate and incredibly wealthy would request his services, though his craft is worth every penny due to his ability to cure what other doctor's can not. He gathers new patients through a referral system, thus only the upper echelons know of his work; and though he doesn't tell them to, none have revealed his position to the public eye. Several meetings later, some of which the Eccentric partook in, Viktor would become infatuated with the thought of doctoring foreign organisms and agree to join the team.

Not much is known about The Doctor’s personal life (or any other aspect really), but so long as he is around…. You are in good hands.

 

[Quantum Leek]

Emmett Ira Lockridge​

Age |

27 years
​

Gender |

Male
​

Occupation |

Chauffeur (And just about everything else around this place)
​

Strengths |

Emmett is sharp; a quick study, he tends to pick up skills quickly, which, given his line of work, is an important skill to have. Mostly, though, those are practical things: driving a steam-powered vehicle, piloting a submersible, serving as an assistant to The Engineer, sorting The Eccentric's schedule, and - very occasionally - cooking a decent meal and a lovely pot of tea.
​

Weaknesses |

Emmett doesn't make friends. He makes connections. His social life is non-existent and, these days, he likely would have been about as out-of-place at a party as a pig was in a dress. He's much too direct. He doesn't do small-talk and he doesn't do pleasantries.

In addition to his social-shortcomings, he is also much more at-ease working with his hands than with books. Academics never were his cup of tea, and he tends to learn from seeing and doing, rather than from second-hand instruction.
​

Personality |

Sharp with a sharp tongue is Emmett through and through. Perhaps he was once a young man happy to walk the traditional path, but since then his contentment has dried up. He does enjoy working with The Eccentric (whatever he might say about the strange compulsion the man has over others, he truly would have walked out of the situation if it didn't interest him), but never lets on. Every task set to him he meets with a dry remark and a roll of his eyes before committing to do the thing perfectly.

On the outside, Emmett is wry and insubordinate and completely jaded about this bizarre world that The Eccentric lives in. But underneath it all, he knows it's the adventure he never knew he wanted. It's so much easier to pretend he was kidnapped one dark evening by a crazy rich man than to admit that maybe he wanted to go along, or that maybe - just maybe - he actually feels something other than disdain for his employer.​

Physical Description:​

Height |

6'2"
​

Weight |

12 stone (~165 lbs)
​

Hair |

Brown
​

Eyes |

Blue​

Biography:​

Emmett was born and bred middle class. His father an ordinary clerk, his mother giving up her position in a household in order to marry and raise Emmett and his sister. It was a peaceful enough existence, if a bit dull. But while his younger sister grew up reading Penny Dreadfuls and expecting real life to reflect the dark and mysterious world therein, Emmett had always been fairly content to hold a normal job and lead a normal life. He earned reasonable marks in school, never really applying himself - it was terribly boring - in spite of his above-average intelligence. Still, his parents were pleased and proud to have such an agreeable son when his sister was very much the opposite. For a time it seemed as if their son would live an idyllic middle class life. He left school and took a job as a clerk at the local bank, spent some time meeting young ladies and courting, and might easily have gone on to marry and have his own home and family, much like his father, if not for that strange bit of fate that he crossed paths with.

He had been on his way home from a party. It was late but the streets were hardly deserted. That wasn't the odd thing. The odd thing was an expensive steam-powered vehicle sitting on the side of the road. There was a gentleman sitting in the back - a proper gentleman, decidedly possessing money, judging by his state of dress - but no driver to be seen. Emmett walked by slowly, looking at the peculiar vehicle, and in the years that passed he wondered if he oughtn't have ducked his head and hurried on by. Likely it wouldn't have mattered.

The was the night he met The Eccentric.

"You there! Young man. You look like a capable sort. Hop on in the front and drive me home, will you?"

It had been an extraordinary request then - and an absurd one. But in spite of that Emmett felt as if refusal wasn't an option. Though every bone in his body was screaming to tell the man to bugger off, instead he simple said, "Yes, sir" and did as he was told.

And that was, more or less, how the next five years of his life went. Over time that compulsion to just say "yes, sir" was replaced by the ability to give a lovely deadpan stare and a dry remark about just where The Eccentric should stick his submersible. It never seemed to matter. Somehow he had gotten swept up into an absurd alternate world, that night. A world where gentlemen hired Chauffeurs by picking up passers-by on the street and then persisted in giving them more and more ridiculous tasks to fulfill. A world where people owned submersibles and steam-powered carriages, and expected him to drive them.

It was that night that his plans for a normal life disintegrated. Somehow, The Eccentric's life became Emmett's life. And, for all he complained about it... he didn't really mind.

 

[Shannon Trevor]

JOHN SHELTON​

Age |

46 years



Gender |

Male



Occupation |

Explorer



Strengths |

Even as he approaches his late forties, John is a supremely fit man. Without the trials and tribulations of being on the trail in deepest, darkest Africa or the far flung reaches of Asia to keep him in shape, he instead leads excursions to the Scottish Highlands or the Brecon Beacons of Wales. He relishes the feel of open air and no hint of civilization for miles around. Even after doing it for almost his entire adult life, John is an explorer at heart and any expedition will be hard pressed to find a man more willing to push the limits of human inquisition into the world they live in.



Although having received no formal training, John is handy with his fists, a useful trait to have in a cut throat world such as the one he lives in. The veneer of gentlemen vying to be the first to reach a new location with a stiff upper lip and a liberal amount of daring do is great for the newspapers but the reality is a lot different. Many of his competitors have been utterly ruthless and John has had to fight his way out of more th



Weaknesses |

Unlike many of his contemporaries, John did not come from wealth. Although his family were well off, many looked down on John as his stock as an explorer began to rise. The idea that he was not one of them still sticks with him and has left him with a chip on his shoulder. As such, John is too fond of taking risks. He would never involve anyone else unless they were willing but it has only been through a mixture of his own skill and good luck that he has avoided injury or death in certain situations.



Despite being as fit as most men half his age, John is also unwilling to recognise the passage of time and the fact he is starting to slow, ever so slightly. Friends have been encouraging him that his next expedition should be his last. With his money made and his name well known everyone agrees he has nothing further to achieve in the field. Everyone except John.



Personality |

Jon is cool and relaxed, rarely getting flustered. When dealing with a problem he will take an analytic approach but has been known to dive straight into certain situations if the only danger presented is to himself. Socially he can be considered a bit of a charmer and is as comfortable in a bar full of rowdy bar patrons weaving a tale as he is at the latest Embassy function. Although if given the choice, he would choose the bar every time.


Physical Description:

Flint jawed, deeply tanned and ruggedly handsome John would almost be the perfect candidate for the cover of any Boy's Own Adventure Magazines or pulp stories. Although his physique is still impressive despite his maturing years, the passage of time is becoming more visible His full, dark hair has began to grey at the temples and laughter lines tug at the corner of each eye and furrow his brow.


Height |

6'4"



Weight |

14 stone, 7lbs (93.3 kg)



Hair |

Brown/Grey



Eyes |

Brown



Biography:

John was born into a middle class home. His family lacked for little and John had a happy childhood. Never interested in academics, John preferred to spend his time outdoors exploring the countryside. As he grew older, the range of his expeditions grew wider. He spent whole summers travelling through the country, going as far North as the Highlands and as far East as Ireland.



Knowing his son would never be satisfied with the same life he had, John’s father purchased an officer’s commission in the British army. Only a chance meeting in a tavern around the corner from the barracks where John was to be posted stopped him from embarking on a different path. A man telling tall tales about the wonders of the continent of Africa was looking to recruit able young men about to muster out from their service. Captivated by the stories of an alien culture and sights one could not imagine but for seeing it with their own eyes, John volunteered himself on the spot.



As the years passed, John’s experience and reputation grew. By his late twenties he was acting as expedition leader for numerous trips to Africa. His name became well known, his exploits recorded faithfully in many newspapers, enrapturing a legion of readers with a lust for adventure who could experience vicariously through John’s words.



At the age of forty and with much fanfare, John embarked on what he vowed would be his final expedition. He pushed further into the jungles of Africa than any white man had ever tread before and returned with tales of savage tribes and deadly creatures, of a hostile environment and a land of stunning beauty.



The tale quickly became a book which in turn became a bestseller. John toured the country sharing his story and growing rich off the profits. He had thought he would be happy, having achieved something that no one else had and being recognised for that. Yet as the months passed, he grew restless, spending increasing amount time in the mountains and remote regions of the country, often by himself.



Public adulation was all well and good but it could not replace the feeling he had when on an expedition and facing the unknown. At a loss of what he should do next, fate intervened with a knock on the door and a job opportunity. The chance to be part of the biggest discovery of modern times; the lost island of Atlantis.



Most would scoff at the notion. John knew he had found his next purpose.

 

[Hoki]

THOMAS BANE​

Age:
24

Gender:
Male

Occupation:
Scholar


Skills:
He's a quick learner, with a habit of falling into periods of intense concentration. These fits better allow him to piece together bits of information or plots of evidence into a bigger picture.
His reflexes are notably quick. (Lots of quicks today, eh?)

Physically, he's surprisingly nimble and acrobatic; the product of years doing gymnastics by request of his mother.

Weaknesses:
His exceptionally young age. While he's determined and passionate about his pursuits, the haunting number continues to undermine his progress.
One more is whenever his identity is questioned beyond the point of recovery, making him panic and freakout.
Another weakness is that he has a thick skull, often needing 'help" when it comes to seeing the reality of some goals.

Physically, he's nothing too spectacular, which sometimes poses as an issue when he tries to get involved in - you guessed it - more physical activities.

Personality:
Kids have wild dreams, and for Thomas that definitely carried on into his twenties. He is a determined young man, borderline-fearless when it comes to chasing after his goals. There's no doubt that he can be incredibly brash, but he takes his work seriously; whenever he's faced with a new learning opportunity, he becomes as excited as a child. . .

-Physical Details-

​

Height:
5'8"

Weight:
135 lbs

Hair:
Dirty Blonde
Often appears considerably lighter in consistent sunlight.

Eyes:
Dark Brown

-Biography-​

There isn't too much of a story to tell here.. Thomas Bane was born along the northern side of Manchester to a family of five; it consisted of his father, Maxwell Bane, his mother, Evelyn Lester, and his two older sisters, Lisa and Danielle respectively. His father spent many of his working hours in the factories while his mother focused simply on home life without any real worry about finances due to her own family's wealth - even if there was only wealth and no name to it.
They initially hadn't been expecting a boy to be born into their family, so he was quite a pleasant surprise.

Because of that, they offered much more to him than they did their daughters (though it wasn't too far from being fair). He took up all sorts of athletics, studied all sorts of subjects, and invested his time in many books in hopes of finding something that would stick with his interests. For a while, Thomas became quite skilled in gymnastics but has let a bit of those skills die; as far as academics are concerned, he jumped around astronomy, mathematics, and literature. When he was finally certain with his choice, it was like the clouds had parted just for his eyes.

The study of physical human culture, specifically focused around Ancient Greece, sparked an unyielding passion in him from day one until now. Thomas rose quickly through the school system, even traveling to Athens to study abroad. His dedication inspired his professors, his unintentionally know-it-all attitude turned away a great deal of his peers, but nothing stopped him.

There was period during his twenty-second year of life in which he encountered a very brief identity crisis. Initially, it was spurred by the rejection of someone he thought he could entrust his heart to, saying that he was only chasing a dream with these "fictional" gods and their vanished civilizations. It hit a very
sensitive nerve, already rubbed raw by peers and professors that saw him a fool based on his age alone. He dropped his studies for a few months afterwards, and traveled around the Mediterranean - no fishermen tales could interest him, nothing was strong enough to break him out of this painful rut.
He found himself questioning his sexuality during this part of his life, even engaging in romantic, and borderline-sexual, relationships with men (it never exceeded past "romantic", however, due to his crippling uncertainty). This, of course, wasn't exactly the most smiled-upon thing in the world, thus becoming a chapter that remained shrouded in runes.
It was then that Thomas met Jamie, a young Englishman that was planning on traveling to Egypt to follow a similar passion that the blonde himself had lost. This, thankfully, was the last turning point.

Returning to Greece, Thomas finished his studies right on schedule - even after catching up with lost time - and started his grand search of Atlantis. Within a year and a half, he had managed to find bits and pieces suggesting the resting place of this ancient city. Its origins could be described as "supernatural" from an outside perspective, but to Thomas, its origins were godly.

He was determined to prove himself, to find something that no one else could and explore a sunken society to the very fiber of their stones. His passion was so brilliantly refueled, driven by this distant - yet incredibly possible - goal.

Spoiler: Sample

Hard work, practice, and a thousand students... While Percy's face seemed to visibly fall, hers seemed to grow in determination. The numbers didn't matter to Max too much, at least not for the same reason that it would matter to anyone else; it just meant she had all the more reason to rise above. On her way here, even before her brother had allowed her to come to the academy, she had done trials with and against even greater numbers. And she successfully rose above them.
The blonde had already proved herself to those eyes and to those blades, so this was something she understood.

Then came the praise. Well, it felt like praise, but it threw her off pretty badly. It was almost amazing that an instructor had the need to tell them his expectations. 'First and second, huh...' she repeated to herself, a bit amused by how well it worked with Percy's initial request. Saluting the knight as he left, Max would eventually turn her attention to the prince at her side as he made his comment.

"Maybe not," she agreed, "but I think it was well worth it. Straight-forward, blunt.." Pausing for a moment, the blonde allowed her hand to rest on the hilt of her sheathed sword, staring off in the direction their instructor had gone. Without a doubt, it seemed like he had been doing more than just helping them through - or at least pointing out - the flaws of their battle. Perhaps something much deeper than she could ever think of... Who really knew how these instructors and knights thought, right?

Max then took a few strong steps away, turning back around to face Percy before she would allow a smile to stretch across her face. While saluting was one thing, bowing was another. She deeply bowed to the prince, her braid dangling away from her shoulder. "Thank you for the practice," the blonde was sure to thank, that smile on her face remaining even and true, "I look forward to the next time."

I swear, I've gotten HORRIBLE at CS//

 

[Drake Alistair]

Archibald Phineas Ainsworth
The Eccentric
​

Age: 51

Gender: Male

Occupation: A little of this, a little of that

Strengths: If asked, Archibald would likely have said that everything was his strength. If asked, his chauffeur would have said the only strength he had was that unnerving ability to make other people do whatever he wanted. The truth is subjective, but the fact is that most people he crosses paths with are left with a lingering feeling that what Archibald wants done is what they want to do. No one is quite sure how he does it. Or if he does it. Perhaps it's all imaginary. But one way or the other, things tend to go his way more often than not.

Weaknesses: He never once fit in--though, to be perfectly honest, he wouldn't describe that as a weakness. From afar, society tends to look at him with a mildly disapproving expression. If he didn't have so much money, perhaps they would be less accepting. If conformity was a necessity, Archibald would certainly fail to survive.

On a similar note, he is absolutely deaf to anything that sounds anything like "No, Mr Ainsworth, that cannot be done."

Appearance​

View attachment 316683 View attachment 316684 View attachment 316685​

Height: 5' 11''

Weight: ~10 stone

Hair: Grey

Eyes: Blue

Personality​

"I can never decide if he is an absolutely mad old man, or a genius who plays the fool."

"Can't both be true?"​

Biography​

A surprisingly small amount is known about Archibald's early life, except that he came into money when his parents passed and appeared not to have worked a day since. The important part, in any case, is the later part.

Archibald first appeared in London in 1847. He made himself known to the upper crust by purchasing Ashburnham House and making himself quite comfortable. For months the young gentleman with an ample fortune was the talk of the aristocracy; people were often seen lurking about Ashburnham, in a vain attempt to catch a glimpse of the new owner. But as time passed it became eminently evident that Archibald Ainsworth was not the sort of person that fit into their posh little world.

He invited all sorts to stay and work at Ashburnham; in addition to his steady flow of staff, Archibald's household saw a slew of inventors, engineers, scientists, and academics of all sorts with some of the most ridiculous and outlandish ideas. In the next twenty years, such notable names as J. N. Barclay, Titus Wilkins, Maggie Marsh, and Gladys Gertie Necket passed through the gates and stayed for a time. Rumor was that the eccentric gentleman was actually paying these strange people to work in his home, for no other benefit than to observe from up close.

Needless to say, his odd house guests, strange habits, and unnerving ability of getting people to do whatever he liked lead to his household staff cycling frequently. The most notable such incident occurred one autumn evening when his driver left him sitting in the brand-new steam-powered carriage--which one of his generous guests had procured for him--halfway through a midnight drive. Perhaps it was the fact that he had gotten the fellow out of his bed in the middle of the night to try out the new transportation, or perhaps that was just the final event in a long line of contributions, but whatever the reason, the chap stop on the side of the road and simply walked away. Archibald never saw him again--but the same could be said of most of his former staff. The important part about that night was that it led him to (or perhaps it was the other way around) his most patient and long-suffering companion, Emmett Lockridge. The fellow thankfully agreed to drive him home and after, for reasons Archibald couldn't quite understand but never questioned, he stayed on and filled the position full time.

As the years passed and Emmett became the only one of Archibald's household to remain for any length of time, Emmett took on duties beyond his original position. On paper he might have been the chauffeur, but in practice he was Archibald's right-hand man, his head of staff, his oldest friend and companion, and the only person who would ever tell him no (and then do whatever it was he had said wouldn't be done, because Archibald was completely deaf to that). Without Emmett, Ashburnham likely would have burned to the ground ten times over.

 

[Semblance]

B A S I C S​

NAME | Ardyn Durand
AGE | 26
GENDER | Female
OCCUPATION | Engineer
HOMETOWN | Brighton, UK​

A P P E A R A N C E​

HEIGHT | 5'6"
WEIGHT | 125lb
EYES | Amber
HAIR | Caramel
BUILD | Lean ​

S K I L L S​

[ STRENGTHS ]
Ardyn is excellent at mathematics, science, technology, and of course, engineering. She has a strong analytical mind with critical thinking and problem solving skills. She is great at trial-and-error, very attentive to small details, and a fast learner. With strong leadership and management abilities, Ardyn is ready to dive head first into any new project or opportunities. Additionally, she is quite adept at shooting guns and has a rather good aim.

[ WEAKNESSES ]
Because she is rather direct and honest in her communication, she can have a sharp tongue and may come across as too abrasive for some. Due to her logical nature, handling other people's emotions is not her forte, so she can sometimes be quite insensitive unknowingly. Furthermore, she does not have much experience in hand-to-hand combat. ​

P E R S O N A L I T Y​

Energetic and creative, Ardyn is rather talkative and always thinking about the next project. New ideas are often flowing through her head and she enjoys talking about them with others. She maintains an open and flexible mind, often listening to other people's perspectives and views.

Ardyn is quite spontaneous and erratic, as she tends to jump from task to task, making it hard to keep up with her sometimes. However, she is able to remain calm in a crisis and actually works better under pressure.

A searcher of novelty, Ardyn is easily bored and dislikes commitment. She prefers to take things day-by-day and rarely plans ahead of time. Very independent and free-spirited, she hates any strict rules or restrictions.

Furthermore, Ardyn is very private about her personal matters and only opens up to those who are close to her. Once she lets her guard down, however, that person has earned her trust and she becomes a constant, reliable friend.​

B I O G R A P H Y​

Ardyn grew up in a small but dense trading town by the sea in Brighton, England. Her father owned a fishing trade company, so she was practically raised on the water. For as long as she could remember, she was always playing down by the docks with her older brother, Atticus, or exploring the numerous ships her father owned. As she got older, her father started taking both of them on trade routes to other cities and countries. The more time Ardyn spent on these boats, the more they intrigued her. She would often be observing the mechanic rooms and trying to figure out how such a vast boat could stay afloat. This was how she first discovered her passion for engineering.

As Ardyn reached her adolescence, her older brother became friends with some badly reputable me . He would often come back late at night or disappear days on end, worrying his entire family. One day, the police showed up to their house with devastating news. Atticus had died in a gun fight, as he had apparently joined the local gang. However, they reported that he was not the one to fire first, as it was an act of self defense.

After his death, Ardyn's parents became much more strict with her and paranoid that something would happen to her as wel. She was no longer allowed to go on any of the trading expeditions and her parents implemented new rules for her, as she was there only daughter left. Her father even taught her how to shoot a gun. Ardyn, however, began to feel trapped. As a result, many heated arguments ensued, which only worsened the emotional turmoils already in the family caused by her brother's death.

To escape this suffocating environment, she turned to engineering to relieve her grief and stress. She would always be trying to build new machines and learn more from the ship building company in town. This was when she first began wondering how one could design a submersible. If such a large chunk of metal could float on the water, then surely it could travel underwater without sinking as well.

When she reached the age of majority, she received a scholarship to a prestigious engineering school in London. Although studying was never her strong suit, she did want to learn more about this field and the increasingly smothering environment at home was the final push for her to leave. Ardyn somewhat enjoyed her first year at engineering school, but there was much more studying and less hands-on applications than she would have liked. Even though the academic aspect was not her favorite, she did gain enough knowledge to begin formulating her ideas for a new invention: the submersible.

Right before her final year of engineering school, Ardyn decided to drop out and devoted all of her time to this new project. Three difficult years later, on one calm summer morning, a fully functional submarine lay in the sea before her. She became rather wealthy from this invention. Although not many people sought after her new machine, the ones who did were willing to pay quite a large sum of money, such as the Eccentric. When the Chauffeur approached her with the exploration of Atlantis, Ardyn wholeheartedly agreed. She was ready for her next adventure and to finally put her submersible to good use.

 

[Quantum Leek]

Lillian Bell
The Cartographer​

Name: Lillian Bell

Age: 25

Gender: Female

Occupation: Cartographer

Height: 5'4"

Weight: 125 lbs

Skills:

• Mathematics (esp. Geometry)
• Navigation
• Steady hands
• Precise with a pen

Weaknesses:

• Can be sharp to the point of rudeness
• Stubborn
• Hates to accept help from anyone

Personality:

Six in the morning and the early morning light lit the harbor. The smell of oil and coal filled the air, but Lillian drank it in, because underneath was something sweeter. The sharp, salty smell of the sea.

The young woman strode through toward the docks with smooth strides. In one hand she carried a wide rectangular case by the handle and under her arm was tucked a collection of rolled papers. The other hand held the strap of a worn leather satchel slung over her shoulder.

A few of the dock workers greeted her like an old friend; others called out with a suggestion of where she could go besides her the ship. Lillian met each comment with a smile and a playful wiggle of her fingers.

"Are you leaving us then, Miss Bell?"

" 'Fraid so, Ed."

"Any chance you'll be coming back around?"

"Any chance the world will run out of ports?"

"If you spend just three months in every one you pop into, I expect it will, eventually!"

Lillian flashed teeth. "Then I'll see you around that time."

She shot the weathered man a wink and continued on her way.

"Can I help you carry your bags, Miss Bell?" He called after her.

She waved a dismissive hand, but didn't turn around. The ship was in sight and the sea was calling.

Biography:

The story is, so far as Lillian tells it, a grand adventure. A little girl who broke away from a toxic life of child labor and a cruel father, stowed away on a ship to found the horizon. The truth is a little bit less glorious. There were years of hunger, even before starting work at the age of four. There were bruises and broken bones, tears and broken hearts. There was a cramped and smelly ship, and so much fear for a nine year old girl. But in the end, who really cares about the truth, if the end result is the same?

And the end was a little like a fairytale, even without the embellishments Lillian likes to add. The ship's captain could have thrown her overboard with the anchor; he could have kicked her off at the next port and left her to her own devices. But against all odds he didn't. He gave her a bit of soup and a crust of bread, some water to scrub up in. And while she was busy thinking of all the ways out if things went sour, he showed her a little bit of magic in the real world.

Of those years Lillian spent aboard Luther Bell's ship, she remembers the maps most. There were nights when the candles burned low when Lillian leaned over the softly swaying table--nearly asleep but refusing to admit it--while she watched Luther about his calculations.

"How can you tell where we are, if there's just water all over?"

"There's stars, aren't there?"

"But they're just little dots."

"They're little dots in little patterns. Those patterns are our map."

"The sky isn't a map."

"So certain for one so young! Here, have a look at this, lass."

It was the oddest looking thing Lillian had ever witnessed. Like a triangle with a small eyeglass attached to it. She traced her fingers over the curved bottom, feeling the numbers etched into it.

"What is it?"

"That's how we read the map. It's called a sextant. It's also how people make maps."

That idea stuck in her head for a long time. Even after learning about how to read the stars like a map, about things called longitude and latitude, she couldn't fathom how it was done. If they sat in a port she could try to draw the coastline, but it was all disproportionate. How did they know how long to make each bit? How deep? How did they know how that fit in with everything else?

"How are maps made?" Another question for another night as the candle burned low.

"Geometry."

"...what's... jom-try?"

"Geo-metry. Earth-measure. Measuring the earth. It's a sort of mathematics."

Lillian scrunched her nose at that. "Like numbers and stuff?"

"Shapes and numbers. Little puzzles made out of triangles."

Puzzles and triangles didn't sound so bad.

"How?"

Luther smiled. "Another night, Lilli."