Undertow — Aidan's Background
Aidan, Son of Julian
© 2005 Nathan Bardsley and Simone Cooper
Aidan's high warfare is more indicative of his dexterity than a focus on combat.
Aidan has a pretty holistic view of the world as a natural system. Where Julian and his mother lord over the forests and creatures, Aidan sees himself as part of the world. Amber and Chaos are also part of the Natural Order of things, but the current behavior of the Amberites (moreso than the Chaosians) is one of disrespect and ignorance. Trees grow and fall, sometimes from disease, storms, and natural causes. It's too soon to see what the case is with Amber.
He was raised as a reasonably normal noble in the Realm, learning social skills, arts, combat, and all of the rest, sometimes fostered to other families, sometimes other children were fostered by Rionach. He spent some time in the Royal Guard, and quickly came to King Finnvarra's attention as reliable. For the last five-ish years he has been a Royal Courier ranging all over the Fae Realms with messages for all members of the Court.
Aidan, Master of Rossnowlagh
Aidan is the only son of Lady Rionach of Rossnowlagh. He is in his early 20's, slender, about 5'8", long dark blond hair, and green eyes. He frequently is dressed in greens and browns -- and unless it's a formal event -- in sturdier clothes more suited to the outdoors.
Currently he is a Royal Courier, frequently delivering messages for King Finnvarra as well as other members of the Court. He has actively avoided getting involved in any of the politics, and is known for treating all commissions equally seriously, and having messages reach their destination securely and swiftly. Before becoming a Courier, he served for a few years in King Finnvarra's Guard.
He frequently is in attendance at balls and other formal events, sometimes escorting his mother, sometimes with a few of his childhood friends, and rarely alone. He will spend a fair amount of time dancing, and talking with his friends. He will cheerfully speak with anyone who approaches him, and is will find a way to be introduced to anyone he doesn't recognize. He is careful to acknowledge all significant persons and to treat both sides of any disagreement equally.
Most first conversations would be rather superficial, especially in the context of a formal gathering. Aidan will ask about the other person's home, what it's like, how to get there, as well as people they may know in common. As the conversation continues Aidan will be curious about how others choose to fill their days, especially those who are trying to have a significant impact on the world.
BACKGROUND:
How about a character raised in the first land. Named Aidan, has been working as a courier for the Seelie Court. Raised by his mother, and has basically had a normal childhood. Doesn't have any issues regarding his father (I don't really care who it is, tell me who he is if you want and it would help the game setup).--Simone:
Your mother is Rionach, a noble independent with her own keep. She sought out Julian at one time and lay with him in the Dreaming, keeping secret that she obtained a child from him.Her house's theme is the hunt, and she is a limited shape-changer. She is strong, lithe and deeply tanned. Her hair is the brown of last year's leaves, her eyes, golden. When she changes she becomes a fierce eagle; all hunting birds owe allegiance to her when she is near.
She is scornful of Amber most of the time. She believes that since Oberon fell his children have relied on the power of the Pattern to the detriment of their personal strengths, and it has spoiled them. Once in a while though, when she is speaking with you seriously in a mood of melancholy, she admits that while Amber is falling, the First Realm went before it.
Rionach knows Finvarra respects Julian and has named him the King in Green. She recognizes Julian's power, and the combination in him of Pattern ability and the blood of the First Realm makes him dangerous. She was interested to learn of his part in the "war" against Benedict's forces in Arden.
--Nathan:
Can you elaborate a little on "his part in the "war" against Benedict's forces in Arden", and how Julian has the Blood of the First Realm?--Simone:
The "First Realm" information covers this to a certain extent.As for the blood angle, all the children of Auberon are at least one quarter Fae (Oberon's parentage is half Chaosian and half First Realm). Julian's mother (and Caine and Gerard's, though they never took interest) was half-Fae. Flora's mother was Fae entire.
--Nathan
Depending on how much he knows about Amber and all, he thinks of the Elders as powerful, yes, but basically past the peak of their relevance. They're lazy, self-absorbed, corrupt people, and it's just a matter of time before they're irrelevant, though it may take a while.--Simone:
Pretty much matches your mother's attitude, but perhaps lacking her understanding of just how powerful they are as individuals -- something she's tried to explain to you when saying why she sought Amber blood for her son.--Nathan:
He's not anti-Amber by any means, and depending on how much his mother knows or has told him about his father, he'd be interested in walking the Pattern, and seeing the rest of the Universe, but he's not suddenly going to become fiercely and singularly loyal to the throne of Amber.--Simone:
If you can imagine growing up knowing about the Amber described by Corwin in his books, from the point of view of someone in a foreign state whose territory was horribly damaged by the Black Road.... you'd get some of the idea. Add to it that the Fae Realms were once an equal power to Chaos and Amber was the upstart and you'll get some more of the feeling.--Nathan:
I'm perfectly happy for Amber to survive and even remain a Power, but they need to repair their moral center, which is a rotted shell oozing of corruption. The "collateral damage" of Corwin's thoughtless and self-centered curse caused immense harm and destruction to an unimaginable number of people and creatures who have just as much right to live and exist as Corwin does.--Simone:
A bit ironic, given the standard Fae attitude towards "lesser mortals," but perfectly in character.--Nathan:
That she wanted me to have the Blood of Amber means to me that there must be value to the concept of Amber and that pole of existence. A new balance needs to be found, though I'm not sure how much I need or should be involved in it. I'm just not =that= ambitious.That Amber came around
Julian... My father. More than anything else, he's a force of Nature.
A little more personified than the cold Northern wind of the deep winter tundra, less concrete than any feudal obligations I might have.
The facts of my parentage is a just what it is, a talent that I have, like some are talented in the arts of music or war. If I were to encounter him I would not claim the personal relationship - I hope / expect to claim the heritage though I'm not yearning for that. [OOC: I'm thinking similar to the half-human offspring of the Greek gods.]
--Simone:
Perfect. You get the feeling there is a little of this feeling in your mother, too. Like she stole something of great value from someone very dangerous.--Nathan:
The significance of Julian, his power, and by extention the rest of the Elders isn't completely understood by me. [OOC: realistically, Aidan should be completely overwhelmed the first time he is faced by an Elder acting with his/her full strength.]* * *
other writings: Background, Quiz, Sebastian and Aidan, Ebb Tide diary