Description

Personality

Personality:
James is a bitter and angry man owing to his unfortunate appearance and the scorn it has earned him from others. His life has been hard and he has been consistently mistreated by others, leading him to have a jaded and pessimistic outlook on life. He is jealous of his elder brothers, who he believes have reaped the rewards of their conquest while he has been left with scraps. He has vowed that he will take what he will from the world by fair means or foul. James’ skills lie in manipulation and charm. Despite his grotesque appearance and twisted personality James can be surprisingly charming and charismatic and is adept at using subtle words and gestures to convince others to do his bidding without them even realising it. He has learnt that being overlooked is one of the greatest assets to a plotter such as himself. Despite himself James has a soft spot for outcasts and misfits like himself.

Fears:
Confined spaces. In their youth the brothers were forced to hide underground in dank cellars and caves while they were hunted. Those days left James claustrophobic and he cannot abide imprisonment. Darkness also causes him great discomfort.
Being mocked. James has had to live with the stigma of his appearance his entire life but still fears the cruel jibes of his peers. For him every day is a living hell.

Likes:
Dogs.
Open spaces and high vistas.
Climbing.
Brawling. Despite his weak appearance James is an able fighter with his fists, preferring to use a mace in armed combat.
Alcohol. It loosens the tongues of his enemies.
Being underestimated.

Dislikes:
Other nobles.
His brothers.
Crowds.
Being looked down upon.

Equipment

Notable skills/abilities:
A master manipulator and orator with a keen insight into the minds and hearts of others.
A trickster with swift hands and great sleight of hand.

History

Biography:
James was born the youngest of three brothers to a Chuda gypsy family in the south of Valania. His family and the rest of their clan were harassed constantly by the ruling Rydar people and eventually they were run out of the country, fleeing to the deserts of Sarife for fear of their lives. There many of their clan died. The three brothers, driven by the guiding ambition of the eldest, Richter, made their way to the capitol of Orad where they worked for some time in the military, offering their skills to the Sarifen Empire. Striking a bargain with the Emperor himself, Richter pledged to aid the Emperor in overcoming his of adversaries in Valania by using the Chuda people and their knowledge of the country’s lands. Richter sent James ahead to sow discord amongst the noble classes and before long several key figures had allied secretly with Sarife.

The invasion was an unprecedented success and the land of Valania fell with only token resistance. Richter was crowned king and he divided the lands between those nobles who pledged their allegiance to him. Those who refused were left to starve on the streets. Those that resisted were executed outright. James was awarded the land of Montenoire in the south. Home of the Chuda people, the land was barren and harsh. James felt snubbed and secretly harboured his grudge since that day. His resentment only grew when he was treated as an outcast by the other nobles, who shunned him for his appearance.