Arnaud Deschaux: Arnaud, I see your character as a bit of a Vic Mackey from The Shield, in that you never minded getting your hands dirty and weren't above busting skulls to get what you needed, but you were trying to do the right thing. Is that a fair assessment? The other constables must have known what you were doing, how did they react? As a man who enforced the laws of Talingarde (albeit brutally) how can your character justify helping criminals escape from prison? I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think you need to go darker.
You're right. I've included a darker version of the background, elaborating more on his current mindset. Essentially, I see his imprisonment being the erosion of his lawful neutral alignment. With the chance to escape, I see him becoming a more Neutral Evil type, driven to get the revenge on this man, but mostly to survive by any means. However, an association with Asmodeus could prove ample reason for him to question even this, and draw him back to the law and order he previously supported... although perhaps a more infernal version.
And for the record, I saw him as a mix of Mackey and Raylan Givens from Justified, a prick, but a patient one. He never particularly liked hurting or killing, but he was more willing to do so. Perhaps now, in prison, he is more a Count of Monte Cristo type.
Also, i left the last name of the man who imprisoned him blank for your convenience. IF there is a family or character you think would fit, then I can easily use that.
Adjusted Background/Concepts:
Six background and concept elements important to Arnaud
1) Arnaud is a former constable. While his methods were questionable, his results were good. The healers in his precinct were certainly busy with broken arms, legs and fractured skulls; but the citizens were safe, by and large. He believed in law and order and due process, but he had no regard or mercy for criminals when bringing them to heel. He never viewed the law as a good thing, only a necessary one. He regarded most people, especially criminals, as animals.
2) Most of the other constables took some umbrage with how far Arnaud would go to do his job, but in general, he proved himself to be too useful too many times for dismissal or imprisonment. He did have prolonged conflict with one of his supervisors, as noted below.
3) Arnaud was a very handsome and charming man, when he wanted to be. He had a laid-back, easy-going demeanor before his imprisonment, he tended to give people an even-shake, and was patient in pursuit of justice. Constant denial and a refusal to cooperate were the attributes most likely to be beaten out of a suspect.
4) Arnaud is the son of a successful and well-known alchemist, at the forefront of the development of firearms in Talingarde. As such, Arnaud has a strong familiarity with the new weapons. However, he does not rely on them. He was perfectly happy applying fists or club when his job necessitated it
5) Arnaud was accused of attempted murder, and sentenced as such because the man he attempted to murder was the favored son of a noble family. He had long suspected the man in the disappearance of several children, but had no evidence. When he finally caught the man trying to take a young boy--well, Arnaud was pulled off the man's comatose body. The wooden stock his pistol had cracked from the force of repeated blows. No witnesses came forth on Arnaud's behalf. He did not speak during his trial, nor did he scream or weep when he was branded.
6) Arnaud was not vengeful before his imprisonment. He did not kill for pleasure, only out of self-defense. While the violence was often necessary, he never regretted it either. He was not the type to resort to violence to redress wrongs done to him. In prison, this changed. At first Arnaud saw himself as above the rabble he was locked up with. But the violence and hatred he met with, from the prisoners he helped put in Branderscar and, even worse, the guards who utterly loathed him for what he represented, drove Arnaud to repeated violence. Arnaud now knows that he is no better then the rest of the prisoners. He will do what he has to survive, without question. Law and justice no longer hold sway over his actions, only survival. He does not entertain realistic notions of revenge, for he does not expect to escape. The idea, however, keeps him warm, so to speak.
Goals:
Two goals that are important to Arnaud
1) Arnaud wants to see the nobleman who imprisoned him suffer. At first, he had nightmares of finding the man attempting to take his favorite niece. Soon however, the dreams became fantasies of bloody vengeance; of him finding the man, saving his daughter, and then extracting payment for his stolen life. Now, they are just dreams of violence, revenge and justice have faded to a lust to inflict agony on the one he sees as most deserving.
2) Arnaud wished at first to free his family of any blow-back from his crime. He worried that the man he attacked would inflict vengeance upon his brothers, his parents or his neices and nephew. His family, however, is but a memory. He believes that they are all dead.
Two secrets about Arnaud, one that he knows, and one that he not yet aware of.
1) Arnaud did not count himself among the faithful of Mitra before his imprisonment. While he went along with the rite and ritual out of habit and a fear of persecution, he cared nothing for the god or his dogma. Now, he cares nothing for the gods.
2) The nobleman whom Arnaud attempted to kill is a diabolist, he was intent on sacrificing the child Arnaud caught him attempting to kidnap.
People:
Four people that are tied to Arnaud:
1) Pellious - The noble son whom Arnaud caught attempting to kidnap a child. Second son of House __, and a follower of Asmodeus. Arnaud was found by another constable, beating the already comatose man with the butt of his pistol. Only the family’s wealth and influence among the church saved their son from death.
2) Phillipe Deschaux - a scientist, and Arnaud’s father. He was proud of his son when he went into law enforcement. He has refused to believe that Arnaud is the corrupt, violent monster that the courts painted him to be.
3) Martin Renalt - Arnaud’s former direct superior. He went into law enforcement as a means to political gain and self-promotion. Arnaud knew he had no regard or drive for the job, and such they clashed frequently. The arrest and imprisonment of the ‘corrupt’ and ‘murderous’ Arnaud has propelled Renalt into a position of power among City advisors/councillors/freeholders
4) Miribelle Deschaux - Arnaud’s first and favorite neice. Daughter of his brother Phillipe Jr. He was protective of her over all the other neices and nephews, and worried after her for his first few years in Branderscar. Now she seems a pleasant memory, and he can't even remember her face.
Memories, mannerisms, quirks:
Three memories, mannerisms or quirks Arnaud: possess
1) Arnaud likes to let people talk. he isn't quiet, or reserved, but he knows how to read someone, and the best way to get someone to slip up is to just let them talk.
2) The first time his father showed him a working gun. The noise and the fury were instantly burned into his memory. rather than terror, he only felt awe. And his father’s pride at his accomplishment “Without aid of God or Magic!” defined Arnaud’s belief in the potential of human ingenuity.
3) Arnaud enjoys women, but doesn't think highly of them. as a free man he had a tendency to get what he wanted from them and leave, or at least ignore them to the point where they would.
Five background and concept elements important to Arnaud
1) Arnaud is a former constable. While his methods were questionable, his results were good. While the healers in his precinct were certainly busy with broken arms, legs and fractured skulls; the citizens were safe, by and large. He believed in law and order and due process, but he had no regard or mercy for criminals when bringing them to heel.
2) Arnaud was accused of attempted murder, and sentenced as such because the man he attempted to murder was the favored son of a noble family. Arnaud spoke not a word in protest as sentence was passed, he did not flinch or scream when he was branded ‘FORSAKEN’. He knows he is guilty, but he knows that the man he was accused of trying to kill is guilty of much, much worse. The victims of this man, however, have been unwilling to come forward and accuse. The fact that the man walks free gnaws at Arnaud. While he is confined among the people he spent his life trying to imprison, their hatred toward him pales in comparison to that of the guards;
3) Arnaud is a very handsome and charming man, when he wants to be. He has a laid-back, easy-going demeanor at most times, he tends to give people an even-shake, and is patient with people. Constant denial and a refusal to cooperate were the attributes most likely to be beaten out of a person.
4) Arnaud is the son of a successful and well-known alchemist, at the forefront of the development of firearms in Talingarde. As such, Arnaud has a strong familiarity with the new weapons. However, he does not rely on them. He is perfectly happy applying fists or club when necessary.
5) Arnaud was not vengeful or wrathful before his imprisonment. He did not kill with pleasure, only out of self-defense. He does not regret the times he had to resort to violence, he held no illusiosn of who criminals are, and extended them no mercy when they did not cooperate. Now, deep into his life-long sentence, he has come to enjoy hurting people, though he still does not resort to unprovoked violence. He is slow with admitting this to himself.
Two goals that are important to Arnaud
1) Arnaud wants to see the nobleman who imprisoned him suffer. No longer a believer in the system he worked, he dreams constantly of exacting a brutal and agonizing death upon the man.
2) Arnaud wishes to free his family of any blow-back from his crime. He worries that the man he attacked will inflict vengeance upon his brothers, his parents or his neices and nephews. He also worries on the shame they are burdened with in the wake of his imprisonment.
Two secrets about Arnaud, one that he knows, and one that he not yet aware of.
1) Arnaud did not count himself among the faithful of Mitra before his imprisonment. While he went along with the rite and ritual out of habit and a fear of persecution, he cares nothing for the god or his dogma.
2) The nobleman whom Arnaud attempted to kill is a diabolist, he was intent on sacrificing the child Arnaud caught him attempting to kidnap.
Four people that are tied to Arnaud:
1) Pellious - The noble son whom Arnaud caught attempting to kidnap a child. Second son of House __, and a follower of Asmodeus. Arnaud was found by another constable, beating the already comatose man with the butt of his pistol. Only the family’s wealth and influence among the church saved their son from death.
2) Phillipe Deschaux - a scientist, and Arnaud’s father. He was proud of his son when he went into law enforcement. He has refused to believe that Arnaud is the corrupt monster that the courts painted him to be.
3) Martin Renalt - Arnaud’s former direct superior. He went into law enforcement as a means to political gain and self-promotion. Arnaud knew he had no regard or drive for the job, and such they clashed frequently. The arrest and imprisonment of the ‘corrupt’ and ‘murderous’ Arnaud has propelled Renalt into a position of power among City advisors/councillors/freeholders
4) Miribelle Deschaux - Arnaud’s first and favorite neice. Daughter of his brother Phillipe Jr. He was protective of her over all the other neices and nephews, and worries after her while in Branderscar
Three memories, mannerisms or quirks Arnaud: possess
1) Arnaud likes to let people talk. he isn't quiet, or reserved, but he knows how to read someone, and the best way to get someone to slip up is to just let them talk.
2) The first time his father showed him a working gun. The noise and the fury were instantly burned into his memory. rather than terror, he only felt awe. And his father’s pride at his accomplishment “Without aid of God or Magic!” defined Arnaud’s belief in the potential of human ingenuity.
3) Arnaud enjoys women, but doesn't think highly of them. as a free man he had a tendency to get what he wanted from them and leave, or at least ignore them to the point where they would.
Crunch is in the profile. I'm not sold on gunslinger necessarily, but a fighter isn't skill-heavy enough for how I picture Arnaud. As a disgraced lawman I figure he would have a better grasp of things like Knowledge: Local, Sense Motive and Perception.
Appearance:
A tall, handsome man. He has dark brown eyes and dark hair, streaked with gray. An easy smile has faded into a fixed grimace after years of imprisonment
"The enemies of your house appear to be more numerous... and inhuman than perhaps you previously thought, lady. The man behind the attack on the opening here turned out to be not much of a man, and more of a hideous monstrosity the likes of which will be visiting my dreams till I'm cold, dead and dream no more."
"Not the worst of plans. I noticed a painting depicting a similar fate to that our friend in the sewer met. The painter, named Belanger is comitted to the local asylum. Perhaps he has some information? Assuming he is not reduced to a drooling, useless wretch. Perhaps we should see at some point?"
Arnaud takes the proffered drink and slugs it down.
"Tonight? Prepare for the worst. Strive for the best. Or some &*$% like that, I was always told. Realistically, if we don't come back smelling like a sewer I'll call it a good night's work."
fair warning, i will be out of town and generally away from computers from thursday until wednesday. please dm pc as needed, but ill be posting until then
Arnaud takes the proffered firearm and nods thanks to Yvon.
"Hopefully not against anything like that, yes?" He checks out the pistol, loads it and puts it in his belt. "A fine gun. Thank you, Verite." Arnaud spits on the corpse, and readies to leave.
Arnaud, cursing in far more languages than he has ever let on to knowing, drags himself from the water. His face soured, he screams after Verite:
"When I'm done with you, it will take them years to find enough of you to bury, you son of a..." from there, the language gets increasingly colorful and horrifying.
Disregarding the approaching toughts, Arnaud will move to the corner, drawing his sword. Looking where the stranger stood, he searches for the means of his escape.
"Aye, I don't know a DeSuis likely to respond well to threats, either verbal or carried out by hired thugs. I assure you, this course of action will not end well for you."
Arnaud says nothing, just stands slightly behind Yvon, letting the actual DeSuis speak for the family.
He stares at the hollow-voiced man intently, watching his eyes, ready to draw his weapons if it should come to it; and something about the man makes him truly hope it does not come to it.
"Arnaud, friend. Please, lead the way, and remember how I am not unarmed, yes?" Arnaud picks up his glass and salutes Rastignac's associates before following the man to the private room.
I used the results of my previous rolls for your post, hope that is acceptable
Arnaud smiles coldly at the man and locks his gaze, then speaks to him in a flat tone.
"Friend, I don't want to give off the impression that I wish you harm, nor your three friends, or the man by the door. I am here for information, and that information can be shared in one of two ways. I'd certainly prefer we share peacefully, and in a mutually beneficial manner, but if that is not your wish, you will share it all the same."
intimidate check:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
He raises his glass to the wild-eyed man, still watching his eyes, then takes a sip.
"I would certainly also prefer the bartender stop rooting around back there for his weapon, so that he too remains unharmed and free to keep serving me this gin. Now let me buy you that drink and let us talk. Like men."
Arnaud's practiced eye catches suspsicious behavior. He places his untouched Gin glass on the bar and turns in his seat, leaning back enough that the pistols in his belt and blade are evident for all. He raises an eyebrow and grins at no one and everyone.
"Lady, we will be at the ready should you need us. Keep a drink handy, and if you feel threatened or find your target... drop the glass."
Arnaud will follow Yvon in, but separates from him after entering, going to the bar to sit, assuming there is an open spot. He orders a glass of gin and watches the crowd intently.
Arnaud will take a long moment to search the bodies of Sarivec and his woman for anything useful before joining Yvon in the office for the questioning.
"I must mirror the... lady's sentiment. I'll take no profit from this... venture." his vision sweeps the casino floor and his right eye twitches slightly. "I just ask enough to keep myself quartered and armed. So that I may be rested and ready for what is to come."
"I don't suppose any of you are skilled in the interrogations of the dead?" he asks with another humorless laugh, gesturing at Sarivec's body.
Arnaud does not sit. He stands, listening, with crossed arms and a furrowed brow. After theier benefactor has said her piece, and the rest have spoken their's, he speaks finally:
"I am at your family's and yours continued service, my lady, however you may see fit. Your vengeance is mine."
