Athanas (the Dragonborn) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thalmorborn) wrote2012-09-11 09:45 pm
thalmorborn) wrote2012-09-11 09:45 pm
survey
A useful character-building exercise.
Basic Statistics
Name: Athanas Itheron (pronounced AH-thah-nahs ee-THER-awn. All 'th' is unvoiced, and the 'ther' rhymes with 'fair').
Nickname: None that he likes or acknowledges.
Meaning of name: "Undying", "He Who Lives"
Origin of name: His parents had tried to have children before him, but they all miscarried, were stillborn, or were judged by the Thalmor as being insufficiently, imperfectly Altmer, and thus killed. When he survived birth and inspection, his parents were over the moon and named him accordingly.
Age: 27.
Sex: Man in a biomale body.
Blood type: Not applicable; he's an elf and to my knowledge Bethesda has never told us how their blood works.
Nationality: Proud native of the Summerset Isles under the Aldmeri Dominion.
Ethnicity: Despite his own hidden misgivings, he is pure High Elf.
Race: ...High Elf.
Sexual Orientation: Bisexual, not that he understands it as such because medievals were weird about it and Tamriels even weirder.
Current status: Alive?
Political Party: Loyal to the Aldmeri Dominion and a Thalmor agent though not with the rank and prestige of a Justiciar.
Police/Criminal/Legal record: In Alinor, he had a smaller bounty than he deserved but which he paid off without his mother finding out about. In Tamriel and Skyrim...we shall see.
Socioeconomic level as a child: As a child, his mother and father were both masters at their craft and thus their household was financially quite secure, but when his father, whose craft was more respected and thus better paid in Alinor, died in his early teens, times became very rough until Athanas came of age.
Socioeconomic level as an adult: Secure...in Alinor at least. Because of the nature of his missions with the Thalmor, he frequently has to live a lower-status, harsher life (though sometimes he gets a better position) than what his actual net worth would merit. ...And of course then he came to Skyrim and after the botching of the Ulfric tailing he has nothing at all to work with but the wilds and what's on his back.
Birth date: The 6th of Frostfall (the February analog in Skyrim), in year 174 of the Fourth Era.
Birth place: Someplace in Alinor. [The game and lore are reticent on the geography of Summerset, so...]
Current residence: His 'permanent' home is in Alinor, but because of spy missions he has lived in various parts of the mainland before. Until VERY recently, he lived in a hidden encampment as he trailed the Stormcloaks, but as of the ambush and escaping his execution, he is homeless and adrift in Skyrim.
Occupation: Spy.
Title/Rank: ...I'll get back to you on this.
Hobbies/Pastimes: Alchemy, enchanting, hunting, reading, draftsmanship.
Talents/Skills/Powers: ...He's the goddamn Dragonborn.
Past History
Hometown: Somewhere in Alinor [see above]
First Memory: Asking his mother why he couldn't play with the feathers she was currently fletching with. Her response was that he could when he was older.
Most important childhood event that still affects him/her: If "events in preteens/early teens count", his father and his lucrative enchanting business dying and him discovering that his relative lack of talent at magic meant he was now screwed out of continuing an Altmer education for life (or at least it seemed that way at the time).
Why/How? He had to deal with a sharp drop in socio-economic status, and as well feelings of inferiority brought on by not being a "proper Altmer" which is sort of like finding out one's not as Aryan as they thought they were in Nazi Germany. Plus, you know, even an evil child misses his father and is sad when his beloved mother is sad.
Other memories/events that still affects him/her and why/how: He got into a tussle with a solitary bandit at the age of fifteen over a box that actually did fall off a wagon. He wound up killing the bandit for it, and he can very clearly remember standing up from the corpse, looking at his bloody hand and bloody knife, and calmly thinking "I think I can do this."
Past failures s/he would be embarrassed to have people know about and why: He's still embarrassed about his ineptitude at most magic, and now he feels that he'll be lucky if the Ulfric tail becomes an embarrassing thing to look back on, because it means he'll be alive to look back on it.
Biggest role model: ...I'll get back to you on this.
Why? See above.
Biggest disillusions from childhood: Realizing how much money meant when his family no longer had it, realizing how little you're thought of if you're an Altmer who cannot magic.
Backstory: ...placeholder I will fill this out later.
Physical Characteristics
Height: Between 5'10" and 6', depending on what I decide on.
Weight: Roughly 172lb
Posture: He usually looks limber and ready to move at a moment's notice.
Build: Sturdier than typical altmer. This is not saying much. He's typically athletic-looking, but uh, he's not going to win a fair arm wrestling match with an Orc or a Nord.
Skin: Milky-Gold. If you're not familiar with how Altmer work in Skyrim, picture a human. Now picture that human's skin covered in a coat of 1 part white paint, 1 part real-gold-colored paint. That's roughly the tone, though he doesn't sparkle.
Hair: White, mostly straight, not quite reaching his shoulders. In Skyrim, he tries to blend in by braiding bits of it, and is finding he kind of likes the look.
Widow's peak? Nope!
Ears: Pointy and elfy! LIKE THEY SHOULD BE.
Eyes: Orange-gold sclera, typical of high elves, and brown irises. Right eye is obviously damaged and nonfunctional, as of the Imperial ambush at the border.
Nose: Straight and a bit long.
Mouth: Full lips of a dark golden shade.
Face shape: He looks almost human, which is to say that by High Elf standards his face is rather round or broad.
Expressions: They're usually cheery, ranging from cheery of the "ain't I just a charmer" variety to the "I am so happy about the arrow sticking out of your dumb face" variety.
Describe their smile: Usually it is a manipulated smile, long exposure to it may cause one to realize that it rarely reaches his eyes and that its insincerity never distorts its alluring fullness. Exposure to smiles that DO reach his eyes generally induces a preference for the ones that don't.
Hands: Average for his size, slender and dextrous with long, thin fingers.
Feet: Unremarkable.
Tattoos/Scars? He has a smattering of light scars over his face and his body from various nicks, nothing very noticeable. He has no tattoos, but he does wear face paint, in actual gold running from his eyes down the side of his face to his neck.
Glasses/Contacts? Not applicable.
Left/Right handed? Ambidextrous.
Distinguishing features: They've been listed already.
Who does s/he take after; mother or father? He looks more like his father, but may be more like his mother in skills and demeanor.
Style (Elegant, shabby, etc): He's a clothes horse. He won't wear it unless it looks good, so old and patched things he very much dislikes.
How does s/he dress or what do they typically wear?: Simpler than he would like, in plainclothes underneath light armor.
Other outfits one might find in their wardrobe: Fancy robes and cunning leathers.
Jewelry: Oh yes please.
Other accessories: Do "innocuous implements of lockpicking and stabbing" count?
Weapons: He favors, in order, bow and arrows, hand axes, daggers, and the (bound) battleaxe.
Health: Because he keeps his substance use (skooma, alcohol) from being abuse in addition to all the exercise he gets, he's in quite excellent physical shape.
Hygiene: HE TRIES. Harder than 90% of Skyrim it feels like at times ;^;
Physical Flaws: The reason he favors a bound (read: magical, conjured) battleaxe is because he's not strong enough to use steel ones properly. Bad eye, scars. Adolescent illness left a roughness to his throat and voice.
Physical Qualities: He's not as strong as a Nord, but if you're into fit men with a nice medium shape, he has you covered. His face is very lovely for humans and interesting to an elf, and he knows how to move and shape it to make people want him. He's flexible and limber, and generally swift-moving and mobile as well.
Characteristics
Are they generally balanced or clumsy? It's hard to be a good spy when you're clumsy. Athanas is very balanced and graceful.
Mannerisms/Poses/Movement: He frequently affects a whimsical air that may or may not indicate how he actually feels about things. He is very conscious of how he looks and tries to look subtly appealing, never awkward or clumsy or boorish. He'd like to be considered a refined gentleman.
Describe their walk: He has at least two. One well-used one is confident and assured without being overbearing or dominating, used in public. The other is quick and silent in a half-crouch, never leaving the shadows, never unaware of his surroundings.
Habits/OCDs/Obsessions: He likes using skooma as a sleep aid, though he is not addicted. He'll drink toasts at his accomplishments.
Speech Patterns: Athanas has a self-satisfied love of statements that are technically not lies, and of using his tone to make "Yes, my lord" sound like "Fuck you."
Unique phrases/words: Tends to precede proper questions with "Answer me this."
Do they curse, and if so, to what extent? Athanas will blaspheme when shit goes south, ranging from things as mild as "Sweet Mara!" to "For the love of Dibella's cunt..."
Write a piece of dialogue that this character might say (can be between someone else): "Answer me this, Delphine: Do the Blades serve the Dragonborn, or does the Dragonborn serve the Blades?"
Voice: It has a rough quality because of vocal cord scarring from a late-childhood/early-adolescence illness, but it's actually not very deep at all. He usually sounds amiable enough.
Describe their laugh: Laugh 1 is a cheerful, bell-like sound. Laugh 2 is low and sultry and part giggle, part chuckle. Laugh 3 is a crude sneer.
Describe their sleep patterns (light/heavy sleeper, no sleep, sleeps too often, etc): Due to the exigencies of training, he can go without sleep a long time. But he doesn't particularly like to.
Describe their dwelling/house: Clean and fancy and full of trophies, how he signals his status.
Describe their bedroom: Like the above. He prefers a full-sized bed because of his promiscuity.
Describe their daily rituals: Highly variable! He's a changeable person; he has to be if he is an effective spy.
Psychological/Personality Attributes and Attitudes
Intelligence Level: He is very, very smart, with a great deal of general knowledge, specialized knowledge, and skill in knowing how to think critically and evaluate things.
Known Languages: Altmeris/Tamrielic, Bosmeris, and some Dunmeris. He is picking up Nordic words, mainly because he really hates it when he overhears whispers in a language he can't speak. And, of course, he as Dragonborn is taking a very unique route to understanding Draconic.
Character's long-term goals/desires in life: Prior to going to Skyrim, his ambition was to serve the Thalmor and the Dominion as he had been indoctrinated, to support and celebrate elven supremacy, and to prove that mages were not the only expressions of Altmer superiority. However, the events in Skyrim alter his goals...
Character's short-term goals/desires in life: To have a good time. "Good time" includes things like "sex, drugs, rock and roll" and "appreciate beauty of Skyrim" as well as "crush my enemies and see them driven before me."
Secret desires: He does a good job of keeping how hungry he is for strength and power and the fulfillment of all his desires, base and lofty, under wraps.
How self-confident is the character? EXTREMELY. He has doubts but he hides them, and definitely loves himself more than anything else in the world.
How do they see him/herself? Before Skyrim: Talented, clever, handsome, dangerous. After Skyrim: Sublime perfection in Altmer form.
How do they believe s/he is perceived by others? As an elf who is, depending on the image he is projecting, endearing and fun, or sultry and beautiful, or cunning and clever, or mysterious and dangerous. He wears many masks.
What is the character most proud of? His skill at stealth killing and thievery, as well as his own intelligence.
What does the character like least about themselves? Paradoxically, both his ineptitude at being "muscle" and his ineptitude in magic, by Altmer standards.
How do they express themselves? Fashion, sex, theft, murder, archery tricks.
Is this character generally dominant or submissive? He prefers a subtle dominance, not overt. A favored tactic of his is to be the "woman" in a relationship with another man, and manipulate them from this state and their own reassurance that they are the "man" so that he is always in control, both during sex and every other time and place.
Patience level: Average for an elf, which is high for human standards (Elves can be more patient, they'll live for centuries).
Does the character seem ruled by emotion or logic or some combination thereof? More emotion than logic, though he does have some of the pragmatism that his position and life in the pre-indoor-plumbing-era requires.
Most at ease when: Outside in the wilds, searching and hunting and learning, both from beasts and men.
Ill at ease when: In places deep under the earth where things that Should Not Be dwell.
Describe their sense of humor: Somewhere in the spectrum between Playful and Sadistic.
If granted one wish, what would it be? MAGICAL ABILITY. He can handle the "all other shall BOW DOWN TO ME" on his own.
Why? Because he has a gigantic chip on his shoulder about being an Altmer who's bad at magic.
Character/Personality/Mental/Social Strengths: Very smart, very knowledgeable of how to work people, loves learning, can be funny and charming.
Character/Personality/Mental/Social Flaws: Sociopathy.
If they could be described with one of the seven virtues, which would it be? ...The best I can say is that he doesn't lack for bravery.
If they could be described with one of the seven sins, which would it be? He's hit up all of them except Sloth, and with less emphasis on Wrath and Gluttony. But Pride, Lust, Avarice, Envy? Oh yes.
Biggest Vulnerability (non physical): Insecurity about being a true Altmer, inferiority relating to magic.
Optimist or Pessimist: Both. Dim view of the world, bright outlook on whether or not he can bend and break it.
Introvert or extrovert: In-between. He is good at social but uses people rather than developing relationships, and many of his favorite activities are solitary.
Greatest Fear: Being a universal object of derision.
Other Fears/Insecurities/Phobias: Lack of control. Falmer and Dwemer ruins. The undead.
Emotional/psychological/social peculiarities: ...He's a sociopath.
Biggest regret: Not really capable of forming attachments enough for powerful regrets.
Other regrets: See above!
Biggest accomplishment: Graduating Thalmor Academy as a non-mage.
Minor accomplishments: His mission successes.
Musical talents/instruments: A unique voice with no formal training, excellent mimic, however.
Character's darkest/deepest secret: Just how evil and amoral he is.
Minor Secrets: Yes he has slept with non-Altmer. No he wasn't drunk. (This is a big deal in Alinor okay). Prior to Skyrim he kept his misgivings/criticisms of the Thalmor to himself as well.
Likes/Dislikes
Likes: Candy and pastries, pretty boys and girls, the sound of his own voice, archery, alchemy, enchanting.
Dislikes: Lockpicking, non-elven ideas of racial supremacy, dragons, people who don't care about their appearance, when his inferiors treat him as an equal.
Favorite: Himself.
Color: Gold and blue.
Clothing: He is fond of the Dark Brotherhood mage robes, but is fondest of fine clothes.
Place: A little glen in Summerset, with plenty of nooks to sit, and think, and practice archery. Sometimes on things still alive.
Room in the house and why: The bedroom, because hedonist.
Food/drinks: Food in skyrim (since IDK summerset cuisine): Honey nut treats, apple cabbage stew, elswyer fondue, and venison chops. Drink: Mead, spiced wine.
Music genre: Doesn't care for music
Songs and Singers/Bands: Anyone Not Named Lurbuk.
Movies/TV Shows/Performances: Not applicable.
Actors/Performers: Not applicable.
Books: I'll get back to you on this. Though I'm betting he had plenty of propagandistic children's stories in Summerset which he loved as a kid.
Historical figure: May have regarded Lord Naarifin highly as a child, for him taking the Imperial City during the great war (though he didn't survive it).
Subject in school: In formal school he did alchemy best, but it was not really consolation.
Animal: He likes songbirds and will not kill them. Often.
Least Favorite: Hmmm...
Clothing: Ragged prisoner garb.
Place: The snowiest, frostiest parts of Skyrim.
Food: ughhhhh don't make him eat slaughterfish pleeeease.
Music genre: Lurbuk.
Subject in school: Alteration magic. Not only was he no good at it, he thought it was incredibly dull.
Simple Pleasures: Candy, flowers, a good clean kill.
Greater Pleasures: Sex, Shouting, being FREE OF THE UNDERGROUND.
Where does this character like to hang out? Outsides of doors, in the wilderness.
Where is this character's dream place to live? In Summerset there was a fine house in Alinor he coveted, because it would show how rich and powerful he was. In Skyrim I am guessing the Falkreath house because the climate of Falkreath is the elfiest.
Motto/Personal quote: "Misdirection is the key element."
Mode of transportation: On foot or on horseback.
Most prized possession: a nordic amulet.
Why?it gives him 5000 extra HP His being able to pull off the heist of it proved to him that he was back to his old form from before the ambush and eye injury, and besides he was then able to wear it and people would approve of him for "adapting to the Nord ways of Skyrim."
Emotional Characteristics
Describe character's sense of morals: He has none.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): I am not sure this exists, which is extremely troubling.
Describe character's etiquette: He can be very polite when it is called for, but is also very playful (both good and bad sense) and chooses often to disrespect people.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Very finely tuned. He is a stealth master, he has to be able to not reveal his position no matter what.
Spontaneous or structured? In between.
Instinctual or logical? Actually he's not very logical, intelligent and can be objective but prefers do things because of wants, not deduction that it's the best possible thing.
How does this character act in public? He's your friend!
How does this character act in privacy? He may or may not decide to kill you.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? "Friend" is a strong word, but he is actually more himself around strangers. Strangers don't matter, you see, whereas he has to maintain a reputation with people has a relationship with. Of course, there's always the possibility they can see through the mask.
How does this character act around family? His remaining family is his mother. He is a caring and doting son and it actually may not be an act. Entirely.
How has this character most changed from youth? He grows to distrust the thalmor much, much, much more, and to question what he accepted blindly.
How have they remained the same? In a very real way, he is still the same curious and delighted boy smashing caterpillars into potions and practicing his archery on animals who take many hits to die.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew?
If so, who?
How has it affected them?
How does this character deal with or react to:
Conflict/Danger:
Rejection:
Fear:
Change:
Loss:
Sex/Flirting:
Pain:
Stress:
Peer pressure:
Guilt:
Being wrong:
Being criticized:
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc):
Offending others:
Praise:
Being loved:
Being hated:
Humiliation:
How does this character express?
Anger:
Sadness:
Fear:
Happiness/Excitement:
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"):
Lust:
Stress/anxiety:
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea):
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea):
How does this character generally express themselves?
What does this character think/feel about?
Marriage:
Children:
Family/Family Values:
Children/Youth:
Old age:
Sex:
Love:
Friendship/Other relationships:
Homosexuality:
The opposite sex:
The same sex:
Money/Material things:
Politics:
Religion:
Destiny/Duty:
Magic/Myth:
Racism/Races in general:
Science/Technology:
Nature/Animals:
Modernity:
Antiquity:
Their past:
Their future:
Their role in society/job/etc:
Drugs and alcohol:
Killing/Murder:
Education:
The foreign/unknown:
How does the character view life?
How does the character view death?
How does the character view society?
How does the character imagine his/her own death?
What does the character want out of life?
What does this character consider "success" to be?
What would the character like to change in his/her life?
What motivates this character?
Why?
What discourages this character?
Why?
What makes this character happy?
Why?
What makes this character sad?
Why?
What makes this character angry?
Why?
What humiliates this character?
What most describes this character's personality?
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do):
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical?
Relationships with Others (Non-Married)
Relationship Skills:
Loves (non sexual):
Lusts:
Crushes:
Girlfriend/Boyfriend(s):
Other lover(s):
Marital status:
First crush:
Did it last?
Why or why not?
Best Friends:
Friends:
Confident/Mentor:
Hates:
Dislikes:
Rivals:
Pets:
What kind of person would s/he consider to be the perfect partner?
Is the character judgmental of others and how so?
How is s/he perceived by...
Strangers?
Friends?
Coworker/Colleague?
Lovers?
What happens to change this perception if at all?
Describe their sense of trust
What type of individuals does s/he like or associate with?
What type of individuals doesn't s/he like or associate with?
How do they treat members of the opposite sex?
How do they treat members of the same sex?
What do family/friends like most about character?
What do family/friends like least about character?
Do they know anyone who's died, and if so who and how were they affected?
Sex/Romantic Life
What do they consider to be a romantic setting/activity/date?
What did they do on their first date?
How does a normal date go for this character?
How would they like to propose or be proposed to?
Virgin?
Describe his/her sex life:
How often does this character have sex?
How long can he/she go without sex?
How does this character feel emotionally, after sex?
Does this character have self control around individuals of their sexual desire? Describe:
Does sex play an important role in their relationships, if so, how?
Turn-ons:
Turn-offs:
Fetishes/Fantasies:
Sexual peculiarities:
Sexual perks:
Sexual flaws:
Usually on the top or bottom?
Dominant or Submissive?
Describe their first sexual experience:
At what age?
Was it planned/originally intended?
Was it consensual?
How did they feel emotionally, afterwards?
How has this affected the character, if substantially at all?
Have they ever impregnated someone, or been impregnated?
If so...
Whom?
Was it planned?
Was it consensual?
Was it a successful pregnancy (did it live)?
Did they keep, adopt, or abort the child and why?
Did he/she stay with the child/family/partner, and why or why not?
Have they ever had intercourse or a sexual experience with the same sex?
With whom?
Was it planned/originally intended?
Was it consensual?
How did they feel afterwards?
Possible psychological reasons for their sexual fantasies or behavior:
Family (they were raised with)
Immediate family members and their ages:
Ethnicity and/or species of the mother:
Ethnicity and/or species of the father:
Birth order:
Extended family:
Any important/infamous/famous ancestors, and if so, who?
Describe their ancestral history, if anything of particular note:
Birthparent(s):
Are they still alive?
Did they raise this character?
If not, why not, and/or what happened?
At what age was the character when this happened?
What did they do for a living?
Are they still together?
If not, how, when and why did they separate?
How did each parent treat the character, growing up?
How does each parent treat the character now?
What does each parent think of the character?
What changes their opinion of the character, if at all, and how so?
How did the character treat each of their parents growing up?
How does the character treat each of their parents now?
Caretaker(s) (if someone other than birthparents):
What is their relationship to the character?
Are they still alive?
At what age did the caretakers begin to raise this character?
Did the caretakers know the birth parents and if so, how was their relationship?
Did the character know the birth parents?
How did the father/caretaker1 treat the character?
How did the mother/caretaker2 treat the character?
How did the character treat their father/caretaker1?
How did the character treat their mother/caretaker2?
Siblings (if any):
Are they still alive, if not who died and when?
Describe how each one treats this character:
Describe how this character treats each one of his siblings:
Does this character still keep in contact with their siblings?
How has this character's relationship changed with their siblings since childhood?
How did s/he get along with the family as a whole?
How did s/he get along with the siblings, if any?
Describe their family life/dynamic, growing up:
Describe their family life/dynamic now:
Favorite parent:
Why?
Family (that they have created, if at all)
Partner(s):
Is this their first marriage/family? (if not, copy, paste, and answer these questions for the previous marriages/families too):
How, why and when did they divorce/split?
Was it mutual?
If they had children, who kept them?
If it was a death, what happened, and when?
Did they get remarried, and if so to whom?
How did the children, if any, respond to that?
Are they legitimately married?
If not, are the other characters aware of this?
When did they get married?
How did they meet?
How did he propose, or how was she proposed to?
Mistress(es)/Secret Lover(s)/ Lover(s) outside of marriage:
Does the spouse/partner know?
If so how and when did they find out?
How did they react, and what was the end result?
Any illegitimate children with them, and if so who?
Does anyone know?
If so, how and when did they find out?
How did they react and what was the end result?
Children and their ages:
Who are each of their parents (ie: from which marriage, if any other)?
Were any conceived/born out of wedlock, if so, which ones?
How does (each) son/daughter treat of this character?
How does this character treat (each) son/daughter?
How does (each) son/daughter think of this character?
How does this character think of (each) son/daughter?
How does this character's relationship change with their child/children as they grew older?
Spiritual Characteristics
Religion:
Does the character believe in a god or goddess?
What are the character's spiritual beliefs?
Is religion or spirituality an important part of this character's life?
If so, what role does it play?
Superstitions:
Chinese Zodiac:
Astrological Zodiac:
Element:
What If
If this character were an animal, what would they be?
Why?
If this character were the opposite sex what would they . . .
Do?
Say?
Feel?
If this character were to be characterized by an object, what would it be?
Why?
What would/does this character do if confronted with someone identical in personality?
What would/does happen if this character became physically handicapped, and how would that change them?
What would/does this character do if spontaneously placed in a whole new and unfamiliar environment/country/planet/etc?
If they don't already, what would this character do/act like if they had a child?
Other
What song best fits this character?
If you could compare this character to an existing character, who would s/he be and why?
If you could choose an actor for this character, who would it be?
If you could choose a voice actor for this character, who would it be?
Who/what was your character inspired by?
How the Character is Involved in the Story
Character's role in the story (main character? hero? Villain? etc):
Scene where character first appears:
Relationships with other characters:
Where, how and when did s/he first interact with other characters:
What was this character's life like before something, if anything, happened to change it all:
How Character is different at the end of the novel from when the novel began:
Background Story:
Additional Notes on This Character:
Basic Statistics
Name: Athanas Itheron (pronounced AH-thah-nahs ee-THER-awn. All 'th' is unvoiced, and the 'ther' rhymes with 'fair').
Nickname: None that he likes or acknowledges.
Meaning of name: "Undying", "He Who Lives"
Origin of name: His parents had tried to have children before him, but they all miscarried, were stillborn, or were judged by the Thalmor as being insufficiently, imperfectly Altmer, and thus killed. When he survived birth and inspection, his parents were over the moon and named him accordingly.
Age: 27.
Sex: Man in a biomale body.
Blood type: Not applicable; he's an elf and to my knowledge Bethesda has never told us how their blood works.
Nationality: Proud native of the Summerset Isles under the Aldmeri Dominion.
Ethnicity: Despite his own hidden misgivings, he is pure High Elf.
Race: ...High Elf.
Sexual Orientation: Bisexual, not that he understands it as such because medievals were weird about it and Tamriels even weirder.
Current status: Alive?
Political Party: Loyal to the Aldmeri Dominion and a Thalmor agent though not with the rank and prestige of a Justiciar.
Police/Criminal/Legal record: In Alinor, he had a smaller bounty than he deserved but which he paid off without his mother finding out about. In Tamriel and Skyrim...we shall see.
Socioeconomic level as a child: As a child, his mother and father were both masters at their craft and thus their household was financially quite secure, but when his father, whose craft was more respected and thus better paid in Alinor, died in his early teens, times became very rough until Athanas came of age.
Socioeconomic level as an adult: Secure...in Alinor at least. Because of the nature of his missions with the Thalmor, he frequently has to live a lower-status, harsher life (though sometimes he gets a better position) than what his actual net worth would merit. ...And of course then he came to Skyrim and after the botching of the Ulfric tailing he has nothing at all to work with but the wilds and what's on his back.
Birth date: The 6th of Frostfall (the February analog in Skyrim), in year 174 of the Fourth Era.
Birth place: Someplace in Alinor. [The game and lore are reticent on the geography of Summerset, so...]
Current residence: His 'permanent' home is in Alinor, but because of spy missions he has lived in various parts of the mainland before. Until VERY recently, he lived in a hidden encampment as he trailed the Stormcloaks, but as of the ambush and escaping his execution, he is homeless and adrift in Skyrim.
Occupation: Spy.
Title/Rank: ...I'll get back to you on this.
Hobbies/Pastimes: Alchemy, enchanting, hunting, reading, draftsmanship.
Talents/Skills/Powers: ...He's the goddamn Dragonborn.
Past History
Hometown: Somewhere in Alinor [see above]
First Memory: Asking his mother why he couldn't play with the feathers she was currently fletching with. Her response was that he could when he was older.
Most important childhood event that still affects him/her: If "events in preteens/early teens count", his father and his lucrative enchanting business dying and him discovering that his relative lack of talent at magic meant he was now screwed out of continuing an Altmer education for life (or at least it seemed that way at the time).
Why/How? He had to deal with a sharp drop in socio-economic status, and as well feelings of inferiority brought on by not being a "proper Altmer" which is sort of like finding out one's not as Aryan as they thought they were in Nazi Germany. Plus, you know, even an evil child misses his father and is sad when his beloved mother is sad.
Other memories/events that still affects him/her and why/how: He got into a tussle with a solitary bandit at the age of fifteen over a box that actually did fall off a wagon. He wound up killing the bandit for it, and he can very clearly remember standing up from the corpse, looking at his bloody hand and bloody knife, and calmly thinking "I think I can do this."
Past failures s/he would be embarrassed to have people know about and why: He's still embarrassed about his ineptitude at most magic, and now he feels that he'll be lucky if the Ulfric tail becomes an embarrassing thing to look back on, because it means he'll be alive to look back on it.
Biggest role model: ...I'll get back to you on this.
Why? See above.
Biggest disillusions from childhood: Realizing how much money meant when his family no longer had it, realizing how little you're thought of if you're an Altmer who cannot magic.
Backstory: ...placeholder I will fill this out later.
Physical Characteristics
Height: Between 5'10" and 6', depending on what I decide on.
Weight: Roughly 172lb
Posture: He usually looks limber and ready to move at a moment's notice.
Build: Sturdier than typical altmer. This is not saying much. He's typically athletic-looking, but uh, he's not going to win a fair arm wrestling match with an Orc or a Nord.
Skin: Milky-Gold. If you're not familiar with how Altmer work in Skyrim, picture a human. Now picture that human's skin covered in a coat of 1 part white paint, 1 part real-gold-colored paint. That's roughly the tone, though he doesn't sparkle.
Hair: White, mostly straight, not quite reaching his shoulders. In Skyrim, he tries to blend in by braiding bits of it, and is finding he kind of likes the look.
Widow's peak? Nope!
Ears: Pointy and elfy! LIKE THEY SHOULD BE.
Eyes: Orange-gold sclera, typical of high elves, and brown irises. Right eye is obviously damaged and nonfunctional, as of the Imperial ambush at the border.
Nose: Straight and a bit long.
Mouth: Full lips of a dark golden shade.
Face shape: He looks almost human, which is to say that by High Elf standards his face is rather round or broad.
Expressions: They're usually cheery, ranging from cheery of the "ain't I just a charmer" variety to the "I am so happy about the arrow sticking out of your dumb face" variety.
Describe their smile: Usually it is a manipulated smile, long exposure to it may cause one to realize that it rarely reaches his eyes and that its insincerity never distorts its alluring fullness. Exposure to smiles that DO reach his eyes generally induces a preference for the ones that don't.
Hands: Average for his size, slender and dextrous with long, thin fingers.
Feet: Unremarkable.
Tattoos/Scars? He has a smattering of light scars over his face and his body from various nicks, nothing very noticeable. He has no tattoos, but he does wear face paint, in actual gold running from his eyes down the side of his face to his neck.
Glasses/Contacts? Not applicable.
Left/Right handed? Ambidextrous.
Distinguishing features: They've been listed already.
Who does s/he take after; mother or father? He looks more like his father, but may be more like his mother in skills and demeanor.
Style (Elegant, shabby, etc): He's a clothes horse. He won't wear it unless it looks good, so old and patched things he very much dislikes.
How does s/he dress or what do they typically wear?: Simpler than he would like, in plainclothes underneath light armor.
Other outfits one might find in their wardrobe: Fancy robes and cunning leathers.
Jewelry: Oh yes please.
Other accessories: Do "innocuous implements of lockpicking and stabbing" count?
Weapons: He favors, in order, bow and arrows, hand axes, daggers, and the (bound) battleaxe.
Health: Because he keeps his substance use (skooma, alcohol) from being abuse in addition to all the exercise he gets, he's in quite excellent physical shape.
Hygiene: HE TRIES. Harder than 90% of Skyrim it feels like at times ;^;
Physical Flaws: The reason he favors a bound (read: magical, conjured) battleaxe is because he's not strong enough to use steel ones properly. Bad eye, scars. Adolescent illness left a roughness to his throat and voice.
Physical Qualities: He's not as strong as a Nord, but if you're into fit men with a nice medium shape, he has you covered. His face is very lovely for humans and interesting to an elf, and he knows how to move and shape it to make people want him. He's flexible and limber, and generally swift-moving and mobile as well.
Characteristics
Are they generally balanced or clumsy? It's hard to be a good spy when you're clumsy. Athanas is very balanced and graceful.
Mannerisms/Poses/Movement: He frequently affects a whimsical air that may or may not indicate how he actually feels about things. He is very conscious of how he looks and tries to look subtly appealing, never awkward or clumsy or boorish. He'd like to be considered a refined gentleman.
Describe their walk: He has at least two. One well-used one is confident and assured without being overbearing or dominating, used in public. The other is quick and silent in a half-crouch, never leaving the shadows, never unaware of his surroundings.
Habits/OCDs/Obsessions: He likes using skooma as a sleep aid, though he is not addicted. He'll drink toasts at his accomplishments.
Speech Patterns: Athanas has a self-satisfied love of statements that are technically not lies, and of using his tone to make "Yes, my lord" sound like "Fuck you."
Unique phrases/words: Tends to precede proper questions with "Answer me this."
Do they curse, and if so, to what extent? Athanas will blaspheme when shit goes south, ranging from things as mild as "Sweet Mara!" to "For the love of Dibella's cunt..."
Write a piece of dialogue that this character might say (can be between someone else): "Answer me this, Delphine: Do the Blades serve the Dragonborn, or does the Dragonborn serve the Blades?"
Voice: It has a rough quality because of vocal cord scarring from a late-childhood/early-adolescence illness, but it's actually not very deep at all. He usually sounds amiable enough.
Describe their laugh: Laugh 1 is a cheerful, bell-like sound. Laugh 2 is low and sultry and part giggle, part chuckle. Laugh 3 is a crude sneer.
Describe their sleep patterns (light/heavy sleeper, no sleep, sleeps too often, etc): Due to the exigencies of training, he can go without sleep a long time. But he doesn't particularly like to.
Describe their dwelling/house: Clean and fancy and full of trophies, how he signals his status.
Describe their bedroom: Like the above. He prefers a full-sized bed because of his promiscuity.
Describe their daily rituals: Highly variable! He's a changeable person; he has to be if he is an effective spy.
Psychological/Personality Attributes and Attitudes
Intelligence Level: He is very, very smart, with a great deal of general knowledge, specialized knowledge, and skill in knowing how to think critically and evaluate things.
Known Languages: Altmeris/Tamrielic, Bosmeris, and some Dunmeris. He is picking up Nordic words, mainly because he really hates it when he overhears whispers in a language he can't speak. And, of course, he as Dragonborn is taking a very unique route to understanding Draconic.
Character's long-term goals/desires in life: Prior to going to Skyrim, his ambition was to serve the Thalmor and the Dominion as he had been indoctrinated, to support and celebrate elven supremacy, and to prove that mages were not the only expressions of Altmer superiority. However, the events in Skyrim alter his goals...
Character's short-term goals/desires in life: To have a good time. "Good time" includes things like "sex, drugs, rock and roll" and "appreciate beauty of Skyrim" as well as "crush my enemies and see them driven before me."
Secret desires: He does a good job of keeping how hungry he is for strength and power and the fulfillment of all his desires, base and lofty, under wraps.
How self-confident is the character? EXTREMELY. He has doubts but he hides them, and definitely loves himself more than anything else in the world.
How do they see him/herself? Before Skyrim: Talented, clever, handsome, dangerous. After Skyrim: Sublime perfection in Altmer form.
How do they believe s/he is perceived by others? As an elf who is, depending on the image he is projecting, endearing and fun, or sultry and beautiful, or cunning and clever, or mysterious and dangerous. He wears many masks.
What is the character most proud of? His skill at stealth killing and thievery, as well as his own intelligence.
What does the character like least about themselves? Paradoxically, both his ineptitude at being "muscle" and his ineptitude in magic, by Altmer standards.
How do they express themselves? Fashion, sex, theft, murder, archery tricks.
Is this character generally dominant or submissive? He prefers a subtle dominance, not overt. A favored tactic of his is to be the "woman" in a relationship with another man, and manipulate them from this state and their own reassurance that they are the "man" so that he is always in control, both during sex and every other time and place.
Patience level: Average for an elf, which is high for human standards (Elves can be more patient, they'll live for centuries).
Does the character seem ruled by emotion or logic or some combination thereof? More emotion than logic, though he does have some of the pragmatism that his position and life in the pre-indoor-plumbing-era requires.
Most at ease when: Outside in the wilds, searching and hunting and learning, both from beasts and men.
Ill at ease when: In places deep under the earth where things that Should Not Be dwell.
Describe their sense of humor: Somewhere in the spectrum between Playful and Sadistic.
If granted one wish, what would it be? MAGICAL ABILITY. He can handle the "all other shall BOW DOWN TO ME" on his own.
Why? Because he has a gigantic chip on his shoulder about being an Altmer who's bad at magic.
Character/Personality/Mental/Social Strengths: Very smart, very knowledgeable of how to work people, loves learning, can be funny and charming.
Character/Personality/Mental/Social Flaws: Sociopathy.
If they could be described with one of the seven virtues, which would it be? ...The best I can say is that he doesn't lack for bravery.
If they could be described with one of the seven sins, which would it be? He's hit up all of them except Sloth, and with less emphasis on Wrath and Gluttony. But Pride, Lust, Avarice, Envy? Oh yes.
Biggest Vulnerability (non physical): Insecurity about being a true Altmer, inferiority relating to magic.
Optimist or Pessimist: Both. Dim view of the world, bright outlook on whether or not he can bend and break it.
Introvert or extrovert: In-between. He is good at social but uses people rather than developing relationships, and many of his favorite activities are solitary.
Greatest Fear: Being a universal object of derision.
Other Fears/Insecurities/Phobias: Lack of control. Falmer and Dwemer ruins. The undead.
Emotional/psychological/social peculiarities: ...He's a sociopath.
Biggest regret: Not really capable of forming attachments enough for powerful regrets.
Other regrets: See above!
Biggest accomplishment: Graduating Thalmor Academy as a non-mage.
Minor accomplishments: His mission successes.
Musical talents/instruments: A unique voice with no formal training, excellent mimic, however.
Character's darkest/deepest secret: Just how evil and amoral he is.
Minor Secrets: Yes he has slept with non-Altmer. No he wasn't drunk. (This is a big deal in Alinor okay). Prior to Skyrim he kept his misgivings/criticisms of the Thalmor to himself as well.
Likes/Dislikes
Likes: Candy and pastries, pretty boys and girls, the sound of his own voice, archery, alchemy, enchanting.
Dislikes: Lockpicking, non-elven ideas of racial supremacy, dragons, people who don't care about their appearance, when his inferiors treat him as an equal.
Favorite: Himself.
Color: Gold and blue.
Clothing: He is fond of the Dark Brotherhood mage robes, but is fondest of fine clothes.
Place: A little glen in Summerset, with plenty of nooks to sit, and think, and practice archery. Sometimes on things still alive.
Room in the house and why: The bedroom, because hedonist.
Food/drinks: Food in skyrim (since IDK summerset cuisine): Honey nut treats, apple cabbage stew, elswyer fondue, and venison chops. Drink: Mead, spiced wine.
Music genre: Doesn't care for music
Songs and Singers/Bands: Anyone Not Named Lurbuk.
Movies/TV Shows/Performances: Not applicable.
Actors/Performers: Not applicable.
Books: I'll get back to you on this. Though I'm betting he had plenty of propagandistic children's stories in Summerset which he loved as a kid.
Historical figure: May have regarded Lord Naarifin highly as a child, for him taking the Imperial City during the great war (though he didn't survive it).
Subject in school: In formal school he did alchemy best, but it was not really consolation.
Animal: He likes songbirds and will not kill them. Often.
Least Favorite: Hmmm...
Clothing: Ragged prisoner garb.
Place: The snowiest, frostiest parts of Skyrim.
Food: ughhhhh don't make him eat slaughterfish pleeeease.
Music genre: Lurbuk.
Subject in school: Alteration magic. Not only was he no good at it, he thought it was incredibly dull.
Simple Pleasures: Candy, flowers, a good clean kill.
Greater Pleasures: Sex, Shouting, being FREE OF THE UNDERGROUND.
Where does this character like to hang out? Outsides of doors, in the wilderness.
Where is this character's dream place to live? In Summerset there was a fine house in Alinor he coveted, because it would show how rich and powerful he was. In Skyrim I am guessing the Falkreath house because the climate of Falkreath is the elfiest.
Motto/Personal quote: "Misdirection is the key element."
Mode of transportation: On foot or on horseback.
Most prized possession: a nordic amulet.
Why?
Emotional Characteristics
Describe character's sense of morals: He has none.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): I am not sure this exists, which is extremely troubling.
Describe character's etiquette: He can be very polite when it is called for, but is also very playful (both good and bad sense) and chooses often to disrespect people.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Very finely tuned. He is a stealth master, he has to be able to not reveal his position no matter what.
Spontaneous or structured? In between.
Instinctual or logical? Actually he's not very logical, intelligent and can be objective but prefers do things because of wants, not deduction that it's the best possible thing.
How does this character act in public? He's your friend!
How does this character act in privacy? He may or may not decide to kill you.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? "Friend" is a strong word, but he is actually more himself around strangers. Strangers don't matter, you see, whereas he has to maintain a reputation with people has a relationship with. Of course, there's always the possibility they can see through the mask.
How does this character act around family? His remaining family is his mother. He is a caring and doting son and it actually may not be an act. Entirely.
How has this character most changed from youth? He grows to distrust the thalmor much, much, much more, and to question what he accepted blindly.
How have they remained the same? In a very real way, he is still the same curious and delighted boy smashing caterpillars into potions and practicing his archery on animals who take many hits to die.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew?
If so, who?
How has it affected them?
How does this character deal with or react to:
Conflict/Danger:
Rejection:
Fear:
Change:
Loss:
Sex/Flirting:
Pain:
Stress:
Peer pressure:
Guilt:
Being wrong:
Being criticized:
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc):
Offending others:
Praise:
Being loved:
Being hated:
Humiliation:
How does this character express?
Anger:
Sadness:
Fear:
Happiness/Excitement:
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"):
Lust:
Stress/anxiety:
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea):
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea):
How does this character generally express themselves?
What does this character think/feel about?
Marriage:
Children:
Family/Family Values:
Children/Youth:
Old age:
Sex:
Love:
Friendship/Other relationships:
Homosexuality:
The opposite sex:
The same sex:
Money/Material things:
Politics:
Religion:
Destiny/Duty:
Magic/Myth:
Racism/Races in general:
Science/Technology:
Nature/Animals:
Modernity:
Antiquity:
Their past:
Their future:
Their role in society/job/etc:
Drugs and alcohol:
Killing/Murder:
Education:
The foreign/unknown:
How does the character view life?
How does the character view death?
How does the character view society?
How does the character imagine his/her own death?
What does the character want out of life?
What does this character consider "success" to be?
What would the character like to change in his/her life?
What motivates this character?
Why?
What discourages this character?
Why?
What makes this character happy?
Why?
What makes this character sad?
Why?
What makes this character angry?
Why?
What humiliates this character?
What most describes this character's personality?
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do):
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical?
Relationships with Others (Non-Married)
Relationship Skills:
Loves (non sexual):
Lusts:
Crushes:
Girlfriend/Boyfriend(s):
Other lover(s):
Marital status:
First crush:
Did it last?
Why or why not?
Best Friends:
Friends:
Confident/Mentor:
Hates:
Dislikes:
Rivals:
Pets:
What kind of person would s/he consider to be the perfect partner?
Is the character judgmental of others and how so?
How is s/he perceived by...
Strangers?
Friends?
Coworker/Colleague?
Lovers?
What happens to change this perception if at all?
Describe their sense of trust
What type of individuals does s/he like or associate with?
What type of individuals doesn't s/he like or associate with?
How do they treat members of the opposite sex?
How do they treat members of the same sex?
What do family/friends like most about character?
What do family/friends like least about character?
Do they know anyone who's died, and if so who and how were they affected?
Sex/Romantic Life
What do they consider to be a romantic setting/activity/date?
What did they do on their first date?
How does a normal date go for this character?
How would they like to propose or be proposed to?
Virgin?
Describe his/her sex life:
How often does this character have sex?
How long can he/she go without sex?
How does this character feel emotionally, after sex?
Does this character have self control around individuals of their sexual desire? Describe:
Does sex play an important role in their relationships, if so, how?
Turn-ons:
Turn-offs:
Fetishes/Fantasies:
Sexual peculiarities:
Sexual perks:
Sexual flaws:
Usually on the top or bottom?
Dominant or Submissive?
Describe their first sexual experience:
At what age?
Was it planned/originally intended?
Was it consensual?
How did they feel emotionally, afterwards?
How has this affected the character, if substantially at all?
Have they ever impregnated someone, or been impregnated?
If so...
Whom?
Was it planned?
Was it consensual?
Was it a successful pregnancy (did it live)?
Did they keep, adopt, or abort the child and why?
Did he/she stay with the child/family/partner, and why or why not?
Have they ever had intercourse or a sexual experience with the same sex?
With whom?
Was it planned/originally intended?
Was it consensual?
How did they feel afterwards?
Possible psychological reasons for their sexual fantasies or behavior:
Family (they were raised with)
Immediate family members and their ages:
Ethnicity and/or species of the mother:
Ethnicity and/or species of the father:
Birth order:
Extended family:
Any important/infamous/famous ancestors, and if so, who?
Describe their ancestral history, if anything of particular note:
Birthparent(s):
Are they still alive?
Did they raise this character?
If not, why not, and/or what happened?
At what age was the character when this happened?
What did they do for a living?
Are they still together?
If not, how, when and why did they separate?
How did each parent treat the character, growing up?
How does each parent treat the character now?
What does each parent think of the character?
What changes their opinion of the character, if at all, and how so?
How did the character treat each of their parents growing up?
How does the character treat each of their parents now?
Caretaker(s) (if someone other than birthparents):
What is their relationship to the character?
Are they still alive?
At what age did the caretakers begin to raise this character?
Did the caretakers know the birth parents and if so, how was their relationship?
Did the character know the birth parents?
How did the father/caretaker1 treat the character?
How did the mother/caretaker2 treat the character?
How did the character treat their father/caretaker1?
How did the character treat their mother/caretaker2?
Siblings (if any):
Are they still alive, if not who died and when?
Describe how each one treats this character:
Describe how this character treats each one of his siblings:
Does this character still keep in contact with their siblings?
How has this character's relationship changed with their siblings since childhood?
How did s/he get along with the family as a whole?
How did s/he get along with the siblings, if any?
Describe their family life/dynamic, growing up:
Describe their family life/dynamic now:
Favorite parent:
Why?
Family (that they have created, if at all)
Partner(s):
Is this their first marriage/family? (if not, copy, paste, and answer these questions for the previous marriages/families too):
How, why and when did they divorce/split?
Was it mutual?
If they had children, who kept them?
If it was a death, what happened, and when?
Did they get remarried, and if so to whom?
How did the children, if any, respond to that?
Are they legitimately married?
If not, are the other characters aware of this?
When did they get married?
How did they meet?
How did he propose, or how was she proposed to?
Mistress(es)/Secret Lover(s)/ Lover(s) outside of marriage:
Does the spouse/partner know?
If so how and when did they find out?
How did they react, and what was the end result?
Any illegitimate children with them, and if so who?
Does anyone know?
If so, how and when did they find out?
How did they react and what was the end result?
Children and their ages:
Who are each of their parents (ie: from which marriage, if any other)?
Were any conceived/born out of wedlock, if so, which ones?
How does (each) son/daughter treat of this character?
How does this character treat (each) son/daughter?
How does (each) son/daughter think of this character?
How does this character think of (each) son/daughter?
How does this character's relationship change with their child/children as they grew older?
Spiritual Characteristics
Religion:
Does the character believe in a god or goddess?
What are the character's spiritual beliefs?
Is religion or spirituality an important part of this character's life?
If so, what role does it play?
Superstitions:
Chinese Zodiac:
Astrological Zodiac:
Element:
What If
If this character were an animal, what would they be?
Why?
If this character were the opposite sex what would they . . .
Do?
Say?
Feel?
If this character were to be characterized by an object, what would it be?
Why?
What would/does this character do if confronted with someone identical in personality?
What would/does happen if this character became physically handicapped, and how would that change them?
What would/does this character do if spontaneously placed in a whole new and unfamiliar environment/country/planet/etc?
If they don't already, what would this character do/act like if they had a child?
Other
What song best fits this character?
If you could compare this character to an existing character, who would s/he be and why?
If you could choose an actor for this character, who would it be?
If you could choose a voice actor for this character, who would it be?
Who/what was your character inspired by?
How the Character is Involved in the Story
Character's role in the story (main character? hero? Villain? etc):
Scene where character first appears:
Relationships with other characters:
Where, how and when did s/he first interact with other characters:
What was this character's life like before something, if anything, happened to change it all:
How Character is different at the end of the novel from when the novel began:
Background Story:
Additional Notes on This Character: