NAME Nortier Draughn
AGE 36
OCCUPATION FAMILY Elder brother to one
Macaire Draughn. Comes from an old military family, though the current generation is not particularly distinguished or well known.
POSITIVES Protective, intelligent, confident
NEUTRALS Passionate, determined
NEGATIVE Arrogant, righteous, superstitious
APPEARANCE Nortier is very physically intimidating, standing a good head and shoulders above most men, with broad shoulders, large feet, and wide, calloused hands. There is nothing pretty or decorative about his powerful build, which is obviously due to a life of hard work. Unlike his brother, there is almost no softness to him, and he is even more heavily scarred than Macaire. He is almost always recovering from some sort of injury, minor or serious, and is far more likely to scowl then to smile, a tendency which has lined his face with the marks of those more unpleasant expressions. He wears dark, sturdy clothing, kept up only insofar as it is required of him; depending on the state of his purse the quality can vary. His shirt and breeks may have patches, tears, or old stains, but he does keep up and scrupulously care for his weapons and the light pieces of armor that he often wears during the course of his duties.
Freckles are scattered indifferently across his body, and are in fact a further mark against him -- they mark him, along with the occasional glimpse of red in his dark hair, as being from the Wardwood equivalent of Ireland. Peasants there are protesting, often violently, against vast religious and economic disparities. Some factions are trying to coax other countries to help them attack Sunderland itself, though these attempts have not yet been successful and it is unlikely that they will ever be.
Nonetheless, the uneasy state of his home country and the knowledge that it is the center of violent protests with an especial enmity towards Sunderland can contribute to Nortier's intimidating aura. Despite his scowls, his scars, and the sense that he is perfectly willing to visit harm on anyone who displeases him, Nortier is considered by some to be ruggedly handsome, in that dangerous bad-boy sort of way.
PERSONALITY A bold and no-nonsense fellow, especially where his political opinions are concerned, Nortier is loud and determinedly unafraid. In rowdy social situations he is likely to be competing for the center of attention, raising his mug and getting into shouted political arguments, betting loudly on random outcomes, or flirting outrageously with any females in the vicinity. (None of the latter have yet proven capable of tying him down for any length of time, and it is fairly likely he has some b*****d children somewhere, though he has never made a point to learn of them.)
Given his appearance, it's common for crowds to part and silences to fall where Nortier goes, and this seems to give him some perverse pleasure every time it happens.
The only times that Nortier seems willing to present himself as something other than intimidating is when he is drinking -- it isn't hard to be his friend then -- or around a certain type of woman. While he will laugh loudly and flirt lewdly with bar wenches and women of lower classes, his behavior is much moderated and his demeanor can become almost romantic around dainty, delicate women that are his preferred type. He is also startlingly good with children, even if most parents would prefer he never be allowed around their offspring. He tends to think that children are better off learning how to street-fight at an early age, and has given small children lessons on cursing, knife-fighting, and flirting.
SKILLS Well trained and experienced in fighting, especially in situations where he is out-numbered or expected to hold his ground and protect a place or a person. Fights well with simple weapons (pike, plain sword), makeshift weapons (anything at hand) or no weapons (tavern brawling). Can read and write passably but does not enjoy it. Experienced in sabotage.
HISTORY As his appearance suggests, Nortier is not native to Sunderland. Traditionally his family have always been soldiers, sometimes rising to prominence, sometimes not. The current generation consists of a sprawling set of relations living in a small town not particularly known for its involvement in the resistance movement popular with much of the country. The Draughns can be considered well-to-do, but the large size of their family is straining their budgets and fraying their tempers. Many members of the family are interested in becoming involved in the resistance movement despite the fact that the current political reforms do not specifically target the Draughns themselves. There is some dispute amongst the family due to this, with other family members advising caution in such an explosive political climate.
Nortier himself is a staunch supporter of the resistance movement, having left his family in disgust some years ago to become an active member in a local branch of the movement. (It should be noted that he has not foresworn his family; he still sends money back home and exchanges letters discreetly with a younger sister. He simply moved out and claims to have no contact with them, possibly as a means of protecting them.) He tends to voice his opinion at every given opportunity, something that makes it difficult for him to hide out from authorities. So far it's mostly the support of normal citizens of Sunderland that has protected him.
Like nearly every male in his family, he was involved with a nearby militia from a very young age. He brings this experience into his involvement with the rebellion, something that is often considered as invaluable as his ability to infect others with his intense passion.
