OOC INFO; Name: Amber. Age: 24. Ways to contact: greyjoy Characters currently played: None, but I have Natasha Romanoff on reserve.
CHARACTER INFO; Character Name: Arthur Pendragon. Canon: Merlin. Canon Link:Wikipedia / Fan-Run Wikia Canon Point: Post-4x3, a week or so after being crowned king Character Age: Just turned 26. Character Suitability: n/a.
Personality: Arthur is a mass of complexities and contradictions. As he is growing into his title and adulthood, he frequently alternates between negative and positive traits, sometimes embodying both at once. While it is obvious he is going to be a great king, he is also his father's son, and most of the time, he comes off as a total douchebag.
Spoiled from a young age, Arthur feels entitled to the luxuries his noble birth affords him, and is not particularly good with the words "please" and "thankyou". He isn't afraid to exert his power over people, by bullying or insulting them, and he demands much of anybody who serves him. However, he demands equally of himself, and dislikes the idea that he might achieve things based on his position as ruler rather than because he deserves them. He trains himself rigorously, and while he is also terrible with vocalising apologies, will be hard on himself if he believes he has done wrong by someone. When his people starve because of him, he too goes without food and drink.
The core of Arthur's personality, demonstrated when Merlin strips the pride and will from him, is a childlike desire to please. Arthur's greatest fear is letting others down, and while sometimes that person is his father, or the people who look up to him, it is also sometimes Merlin and his belief in Arthur's inherent goodness.
Arthur's need to impress his father and other figures of masculinity leads him to do terrible things, such as standing by as people are executed for magic, or as a youth, allowing his men to rape and murder a peaceful Druid camp. However, he does have a conscience, enough so that he was forgiven by the ghosts of those dead Druids, and has questioned the laws on magic several times throughout the series. Arthur has fought for innocent people in the past, believing himself responsible for all his citizens, and having a compassionate heart that goes out to any person in need, especially those he cares about such as Merlin, Gwen and Morgana. Those three are (or in Morgana's case, were) also the ones most likely to sway him to think outside his father's commands and do what is right. Arthur is noble at heart, and believes in fair justice (might makes right, and all that) and this frequently brought him into conflict with Uther.
Something else Arthur argued with his father about was his need to risk himself for the sake of pride, honour, or those he cares for. Arthur was born fighting, and knows he must be strong. As a knight of the realm, he knows he must uphold the code of chivalry and honour, and he tries his best to do so even when he knows the code is wrong, such as when Lancelot (a good fighter, but not noble-born) is knighted illegally. Whatever else can be said about Arthur, he is brave: he leads his knights, hunts whatever terrorizes the kingdom, and will frequently be the first to throw himself into danger. He has a severe competitive streak, as his father expected him to win any tournaments he entered, and can be humiliated in loss — though he tries to be a good sport he will often be resentful or in denial (the latter seen both in his mild rivalry with Morgana when they were younger and his decision that Morgause "must have used magic" to have defeated him in combat.) He risks his life often, and the fact that he hasn't lost it is only partly to do with his skill and resourcefulness. The rest he puts down to luck, but really is mostly to do with Merlin's constant magical protection, something Arthur remains oblivious to, sometimes seeming to deliberately turn a blind eye, sometimes being distracted or unconscious during the crucial moment, and sometimes because he's obviously a bit thick.
Despite coming off as someone who is perhaps more brawn than brain, Arthur is a smart man in many ways, especially having had the advantage of an education, and he is often introspective. Though socially awkward due to a lonely upbringing, Arthur is good with words, able to give a rousing spur-of-the-moment speech when he needs to, quick with a sarcastic one-liner, and though when it comes to his emotions he tends to live in subtlety and innuendo he also, when needed, can clearly speak his heart.
As his duties are more important than his emotions, the idea of King Arthur being bigger than the actuality, Arthur often maintains a facade of stoicism or dismisses his and others' personal opinion as irrelevant. In love, he tends to be quietly emotional and fond: his declarations or outbursts are either the result of an enchantment (such as the Sidhe Sophia's, or his love spell with Vivian) or the pressure of dire circumstances (such as telling Guinevere he loves her as she is torn out of his arms, presumably to be executed by his father.) The distance of Arthur's station mean Guinevere, at 22, was his first real love, though he obviously held some (unknowingly incestuous) interest in Morgana, and his relationship with Merlin is bromantic, though Arthur finds casual physical affection between men far more difficult than Merlin does: he prefers a punch on the shoulder to a hug.
Though he is never exactly jolly, Arthur enjoys a laugh, usually with friends and at someone else's expense. He often smiles to convey many things; scoffing disbelief, sneering superiority, camaraderie, vicious acknowledgement of his own doom, bitterness and even joy. When hurt, Arthur retreats into himself and his persona and can become cruel, even cold, though when truly injured he is irritable, annoyed at his own weakness. Arthur also isn't afraid of yelling and he can cut an intimidating figure when something drives him into a rage. He's never obviously embarrassed, but awkward; glancing away and flushing about the neck. However Arthur is the type to take out his feelings in combat rather than discussion: like his father, he is a man of action, and expresses himself in the doing.
As the series progresses, Arthur is shown to be growing up. He can take others opinions on board and has learned to acknowledge when he is afraid but face his fears regardless, to acknowledge his mistakes and face their consequences as best he can, and his bullying is more friendly teasing than downright atrociousness. Though he's still prideful, he's aware that it's his weakness. He is beginning to understand and accept the diversity of Camelot, and the relationship of equality between a ruler and his people. It's obvious that he is growing rapidly towards being not just a good king and ruler, but a legendary one.
However Arthur's most important flaw is his own self-doubt. Even as king, he still lives in his father's shadow and requires his Uncle's advice. It is only in pulling the sword from the stone that Arthur gains some belief in himself and his future as a king of Camelot and Albion. But he still hurts deeply from the betrayal of first Morgana as she turns to sorcery, and then his Uncle, as well as Guinevere's betrayal of their first engagement with Lancelot. He cannot understand why they hate him, wonders if perhaps he needs to change his ways, and generally shows the dual capacity for self-examination and self-pity typical of insecurity. This has made him slightly more wary of trusting, though when he realizes the rarity of what they have he is eventually willing to give Guinevere a second chance.
Finally: Arthur enjoys cleanliness (as does Uther: Camelot is a strangely clean castle) and while not a "neat freak", is one of those people who dislikes mess and believes things have their proper places. He has no compunctions about killing in combat or self-defence, but will not strike an unarmed man. He is surprisingly good at subterfuge and sneaks out of the castle quite a few times. Though Merlin tends to be the one coming up with ideas, Arthur is good at strategy and plans well then leads others through it. He has an acute awareness of consequences. His favourite food is herb-encrusted capon. He's a Sagittarius.
Powers & Abilities: Arthur has no magical powers.
Battle Prowess. Arthur has been trained from a young age to be a Knight of Camelot, and he is acknowledged as the best among them, leading them in battle and drilling them daily. He fights in full chain and plate mail, can knock a man out with a blow to the back of the head, and throughout the series is seen skilfully wielding a sword, knife, crossbow, bow and arrow, mace, spear and lance, as well as training his knights, Merlin, and even a handful of commoners in the same.
He participates in tournaments including jousting and swordfights, and even before he became king, was expected to advise his father, King Uther, on battle strategy, invasion plans, and the daily arrangement of Camelot's guards. Arthur knows how to treat a wound in the field, and set traps for animals or men. He is equally comfortable fighting on horseback or in bad weather, and goes on hunting trips for meat or dangerous beasts practically every episode of the series, able to survive the rough conditions of travel and walk or ride long distances.
Court Education. Growing up as the Crown Prince of Camelot means Arthur has spent his entire life being trained in the pomp and ceremony that his station requires. He can read and write, is required to memorize speeches in a single morning, knows table etiquette, can hold his drink, and is quite used to making small talk with the Lords and Ladies of Camelot, as well as any visiting nobles, and remembering how to address them politely. He knows the rules, code and ceremony associated with knighthood, marriage, and funerals. He knows the laws of Camelot and how to decry justice. He is also used to dressing well and bathing regularly, unusual for his time period.
Land Management. While he himself cannot farm, Arthur knows the kingdom that will one day be his quite well. He is required to be aware of the harvest prospects, seasonal affects and natural disasters, grain tithe for the citizens and yearly tax rates. While he is no herbalist, on a few different occasions he recognizes and is able to use various plants. He has encountered several magical creatures, including a unicorn, a werebeast, a dragon, the Questing Beast, and a few unique to the Merlin canon. (He has also encountered the Sidhe/fae in Avalon, but doesn't remember it.) He can tell time by the sun, and use the night sky to get his bearings.
Items on their Person: Arthur is arriving in full chain-and-plate mail, including hauberk, vambrace, greaves, and gauntlets. This is worn over brown breeches and a thick undershirt (designed to reduce chafing) and he is wearing his red cloak embroidered with the golden dragon crest of Camelot, and sturdy knee-high leather boots. Arthur comes carrying his sword in its scabbard at his belt. He will also have a small gourd for water that can be strapped to his belt, a hunting knife in his boot, the engraved silver ring he wears near constantly on his thumb, and his dragon-tooth necklace.
Arthur Pendragon | BBC's Merlin | reserved | 1/2
Name: Amber.
Age: 24.
Ways to contact:
Characters currently played: None, but I have Natasha Romanoff on reserve.
CHARACTER INFO;
Character Name: Arthur Pendragon.
Canon: Merlin.
Canon Link: Wikipedia / Fan-Run Wikia
Canon Point: Post-4x3, a week or so after being crowned king
Character Age: Just turned 26.
Character Suitability:n/a.Personality: Arthur is a mass of complexities and contradictions. As he is growing into his title and adulthood, he frequently alternates between negative and positive traits, sometimes embodying both at once. While it is obvious he is going to be a great king, he is also his father's son, and most of the time, he comes off as a total douchebag.
Spoiled from a young age, Arthur feels entitled to the luxuries his noble birth affords him, and is not particularly good with the words "please" and "thankyou". He isn't afraid to exert his power over people, by bullying or insulting them, and he demands much of anybody who serves him. However, he demands equally of himself, and dislikes the idea that he might achieve things based on his position as ruler rather than because he deserves them. He trains himself rigorously, and while he is also terrible with vocalising apologies, will be hard on himself if he believes he has done wrong by someone. When his people starve because of him, he too goes without food and drink.
The core of Arthur's personality, demonstrated when Merlin strips the pride and will from him, is a childlike desire to please. Arthur's greatest fear is letting others down, and while sometimes that person is his father, or the people who look up to him, it is also sometimes Merlin and his belief in Arthur's inherent goodness.
Arthur's need to impress his father and other figures of masculinity leads him to do terrible things, such as standing by as people are executed for magic, or as a youth, allowing his men to rape and murder a peaceful Druid camp. However, he does have a conscience, enough so that he was forgiven by the ghosts of those dead Druids, and has questioned the laws on magic several times throughout the series. Arthur has fought for innocent people in the past, believing himself responsible for all his citizens, and having a compassionate heart that goes out to any person in need, especially those he cares about such as Merlin, Gwen and Morgana. Those three are (or in Morgana's case, were) also the ones most likely to sway him to think outside his father's commands and do what is right. Arthur is noble at heart, and believes in fair justice (might makes right, and all that) and this frequently brought him into conflict with Uther.
Something else Arthur argued with his father about was his need to risk himself for the sake of pride, honour, or those he cares for. Arthur was born fighting, and knows he must be strong. As a knight of the realm, he knows he must uphold the code of chivalry and honour, and he tries his best to do so even when he knows the code is wrong, such as when Lancelot (a good fighter, but not noble-born) is knighted illegally. Whatever else can be said about Arthur, he is brave: he leads his knights, hunts whatever terrorizes the kingdom, and will frequently be the first to throw himself into danger. He has a severe competitive streak, as his father expected him to win any tournaments he entered, and can be humiliated in loss — though he tries to be a good sport he will often be resentful or in denial (the latter seen both in his mild rivalry with Morgana when they were younger and his decision that Morgause "must have used magic" to have defeated him in combat.) He risks his life often, and the fact that he hasn't lost it is only partly to do with his skill and resourcefulness. The rest he puts down to luck, but really is mostly to do with Merlin's constant magical protection, something Arthur remains oblivious to, sometimes seeming to deliberately turn a blind eye, sometimes being distracted or unconscious during the crucial moment, and sometimes because he's obviously a bit thick.
Despite coming off as someone who is perhaps more brawn than brain, Arthur is a smart man in many ways, especially having had the advantage of an education, and he is often introspective. Though socially awkward due to a lonely upbringing, Arthur is good with words, able to give a rousing spur-of-the-moment speech when he needs to, quick with a sarcastic one-liner, and though when it comes to his emotions he tends to live in subtlety and innuendo he also, when needed, can clearly speak his heart.
As his duties are more important than his emotions, the idea of King Arthur being bigger than the actuality, Arthur often maintains a facade of stoicism or dismisses his and others' personal opinion as irrelevant. In love, he tends to be quietly emotional and fond: his declarations or outbursts are either the result of an enchantment (such as the Sidhe Sophia's, or his love spell with Vivian) or the pressure of dire circumstances (such as telling Guinevere he loves her as she is torn out of his arms, presumably to be executed by his father.) The distance of Arthur's station mean Guinevere, at 22, was his first real love, though he obviously held some (unknowingly incestuous) interest in Morgana, and his relationship with Merlin is bromantic, though Arthur finds casual physical affection between men far more difficult than Merlin does: he prefers a punch on the shoulder to a hug.
Though he is never exactly jolly, Arthur enjoys a laugh, usually with friends and at someone else's expense. He often smiles to convey many things; scoffing disbelief, sneering superiority, camaraderie, vicious acknowledgement of his own doom, bitterness and even joy. When hurt, Arthur retreats into himself and his persona and can become cruel, even cold, though when truly injured he is irritable, annoyed at his own weakness. Arthur also isn't afraid of yelling and he can cut an intimidating figure when something drives him into a rage. He's never obviously embarrassed, but awkward; glancing away and flushing about the neck. However Arthur is the type to take out his feelings in combat rather than discussion: like his father, he is a man of action, and expresses himself in the doing.
As the series progresses, Arthur is shown to be growing up. He can take others opinions on board and has learned to acknowledge when he is afraid but face his fears regardless, to acknowledge his mistakes and face their consequences as best he can, and his bullying is more friendly teasing than downright atrociousness. Though he's still prideful, he's aware that it's his weakness. He is beginning to understand and accept the diversity of Camelot, and the relationship of equality between a ruler and his people. It's obvious that he is growing rapidly towards being not just a good king and ruler, but a legendary one.
However Arthur's most important flaw is his own self-doubt. Even as king, he still lives in his father's shadow and requires his Uncle's advice. It is only in pulling the sword from the stone that Arthur gains some belief in himself and his future as a king of Camelot and Albion. But he still hurts deeply from the betrayal of first Morgana as she turns to sorcery, and then his Uncle, as well as Guinevere's betrayal of their first engagement with Lancelot. He cannot understand why they hate him, wonders if perhaps he needs to change his ways, and generally shows the dual capacity for self-examination and self-pity typical of insecurity. This has made him slightly more wary of trusting, though when he realizes the rarity of what they have he is eventually willing to give Guinevere a second chance.
Finally: Arthur enjoys cleanliness (as does Uther: Camelot is a strangely clean castle) and while not a "neat freak", is one of those people who dislikes mess and believes things have their proper places. He has no compunctions about killing in combat or self-defence, but will not strike an unarmed man. He is surprisingly good at subterfuge and sneaks out of the castle quite a few times. Though Merlin tends to be the one coming up with ideas, Arthur is good at strategy and plans well then leads others through it. He has an acute awareness of consequences. His favourite food is herb-encrusted capon. He's a Sagittarius.
Powers & Abilities: Arthur has no magical powers.
Battle Prowess. Arthur has been trained from a young age to be a Knight of Camelot, and he is acknowledged as the best among them, leading them in battle and drilling them daily. He fights in full chain and plate mail, can knock a man out with a blow to the back of the head, and throughout the series is seen skilfully wielding a sword, knife, crossbow, bow and arrow, mace, spear and lance, as well as training his knights, Merlin, and even a handful of commoners in the same.
He participates in tournaments including jousting and swordfights, and even before he became king, was expected to advise his father, King Uther, on battle strategy, invasion plans, and the daily arrangement of Camelot's guards. Arthur knows how to treat a wound in the field, and set traps for animals or men. He is equally comfortable fighting on horseback or in bad weather, and goes on hunting trips for meat or dangerous beasts practically every episode of the series, able to survive the rough conditions of travel and walk or ride long distances.
Court Education. Growing up as the Crown Prince of Camelot means Arthur has spent his entire life being trained in the pomp and ceremony that his station requires. He can read and write, is required to memorize speeches in a single morning, knows table etiquette, can hold his drink, and is quite used to making small talk with the Lords and Ladies of Camelot, as well as any visiting nobles, and remembering how to address them politely. He knows the rules, code and ceremony associated with knighthood, marriage, and funerals. He knows the laws of Camelot and how to decry justice. He is also used to dressing well and bathing regularly, unusual for his time period.
Land Management. While he himself cannot farm, Arthur knows the kingdom that will one day be his quite well. He is required to be aware of the harvest prospects, seasonal affects and natural disasters, grain tithe for the citizens and yearly tax rates. While he is no herbalist, on a few different occasions he recognizes and is able to use various plants. He has encountered several magical creatures, including a unicorn, a werebeast, a dragon, the Questing Beast, and a few unique to the Merlin canon. (He has also encountered the Sidhe/fae in Avalon, but doesn't remember it.) He can tell time by the sun, and use the night sky to get his bearings.
Items on their Person: Arthur is arriving in full chain-and-plate mail, including hauberk, vambrace, greaves, and gauntlets. This is worn over brown breeches and a thick undershirt (designed to reduce chafing) and he is wearing his red cloak embroidered with the golden dragon crest of Camelot, and sturdy knee-high leather boots. Arthur comes carrying his sword in its scabbard at his belt. He will also have a small gourd for water that can be strapped to his belt, a hunting knife in his boot, the engraved silver ring he wears near constantly on his thumb, and his dragon-tooth necklace.