Nigel of Haighven

[Nigel of Haighven]

Name:

Nigel of Haighven

Nickname(s):

Nigel, slave, boy

Age:

15

Date of Birth:

13th July

Sexuality:

Heterosexual (prone to change)

Practice:

Dark Sorcerer, bard

Abilities:

Charm

Loyalty:

Lord Dagan, King Quirinoh

Status/Occupation:

Slave (musician, entertainer)

Appearance:

His black hair is usually worn covering his eyes. It looks rather shaggy, but not as if he hadn't cut it in a while. He rarely takes too much care of it, if not, just a little under average care. This, however, does not bother him. When called on to perform, Nigel will often slick his hair back, exposing sharp, bright features that are normally hidden under a veil of black.
His eyes, in contrast to his hair, take the color of a vibrant green. Framed by dark brown lashes (significantly lighter than his hair), there always seems to be a bright, mischievous look reflected by his easy smile and posture. He stands at the height of about 5'4 at his early age of fifteen, but doesn't believe that he will grow much more. The father that he never knew had stood an inch taller than himself. Although he is a slave, Nigel's weight hits a fair 130 pounds, gained from the well-earned treats that his skill with string instruments such as the guitar or violin earns him. His musical talent is inherited from his mother, who was a bard, though her own artifact was a clarinet. He had inherited his voice from his father, who was not a bard, but rather a dark sorcerer. From his father, Nigel has also inherited his rather uncanny movement skills, seeming able to "disappear" at times. Though people point this out to him, he is very rarely aware of his unconscious habit.

Personality:

Even to his master and fellow slaves, Nigel is seen as an optimistic, cheerful person who seems to emit a cheerful aura around him. Most find it almost impossible not to smile around him, an ability that he is exceedingly proud about. Whenever made fun of, Nigel will rarely frown, being a goodnatured person. He believes in the happiness of others before himself and can go to extreme lengths to make someone smile - it was just his nature to do so. If one ever sees Nigel frown, they will know that something bad has happened, something truly and utterly devastating. The boy would never think to cause any being harm or discomfort and has been known to take even injured beasts into his account.
Even though he is a slave and has no idea about his past or identity, Nigel shows exceedingly little care of such knowledge. He will do his best to cheer the others up, often with a tune or a ballad, something that one would expect to be seen in a tavern or a hall.

History:

Nigel was born into slavery. He never knew much about his parents and never really found a need to know. Ever since a child, he had to complete the various tasks that household slaves were doomed to do; cleaning, polishing, sweeping, the classic. If he did something wrong, he was beaten. This went on until he was about nine or ten. Dagan wanted to see what value this boy had (after all, his mother was a bard) and set him on the path of music, wind instruments at first, then brass, until he finally found his gift with string instruments. Since then, he's been Dagan's pride and has started playing in various taverns where slave traders and customers were known to hang out. When he wasn't practicing or playing, he would comfort the other slaves (who were nowhere as optimistic as he himself).

Roleplay Sample:

Nigel sighed, hands brushing the smooth, comforting surface of the guitar. Dagan was going through the usual boast. His violin was beside him, still in its case. His two faithful instruments were with him; what could go wrong.
A moment later, he caught his familiar cue. Striking a chord, he let the note hang in the air before prolonging the introduction to a well-known song. He had rehearsed this many times and as all the other songs, this one was hewn into his very core, the essence of his own being. Opening his mouth, he began to sing. Slow at first, but rising as the mood swung into a happy, upbeat mood, which swung to a more melancholic tone as he continued onto the next song. If only he didn't have to stop playing... if only he wasn't here for his usual five numbers. But it was no use hoping. He was just that way. There was only so much a slave could do, and obeying your master was the first and foremost of all those.