thrutheknight

PLAYER

NAME: Dubs
AGE: 29
PREFERRED CONTACT: mu plurk a dubbins or discord @ Dubs#0660
OTHER CHARACTERS: none

CHARACTER

NAME: Hauchefant Greystone
AGE: 28
CANON & CANON POINT: Just post rescuing Ser Aymeric
RESERVATION LINK: HERE.
HISTORY: Wiki link!

PERSONALITY: ((CW: talk of death in the second to last paragraph))
*There's a massive difference between his Japanese and English dialogue, I'll be leaning towards his English personality with just a little flare from the Japanese version to cover gaps and make his personality more consistent.

Hauchefant is an unusual man among his Ishgardian peers. Ishgardians as a whole have a notorious reputation for being close-minded, insular, aloof, xenophobic, and willing to follow their faith blindly even to their detriment. However, upon meeting Hauchefaunt for the first time the Warrior of Light is not only welcomed, housed (and unsubtly propositioned in the Japanese dub), but even does his best to offer the outsider aid. While that's miraculous in it's own right, the favor he requests in exchange separates him even further from his peers, which is to investigate an inquisitor who has set his sights on a his childhood friend, an individual who he knows is innocent of all charges. All others have been blindly following the inquisitor solely on virtue of his rank in the church.


Haurchefant's expressions of loyalty and admiration are far from subtle, his own father even mentions his habit of "waxing poetry". He is often overflowing with praise, encouragement, and kind words towards his friends, all heartfelt and genuine. Always wearing his heart on his sleeve, and with his boundless enthusiasm, he can sometimes get ahead of himself with his own theatrics. Most of his peers are notably sullen, negative, and closed mined making his shining personality stick out all the more. In one instance getting so excited to present a gift to his friend, the Warrior of Light, that he brought a mount into a holy temple to give it to him immediately upon seeing him. Haurchefant is promptly chastised by a guard, and the chocobo lead outside, and exchange he casually shrugs off. This, of course, is on the tamer side of his eccentricities, he's also got a habit of rather suggestively prattling on about the beauty of one's figure and musculature. While this is usually directed at the Warrior of Light, it was toned down for western audiences due to it being rather skeevy (which is was in some instances), but even toned down sometimes there's only so much that can be done. In the Western version it manifests as just another odd quirk to an already quirky man, but not the core of his personality.

He was not always so lighthearted an individual, however. His youth was complicated given that he was the bastard child of the head of house Fortemps. In both the short stories centered around him, and in-game dialogue, a very tumultuous picture is painted of his life in the manor. His step mother clearly made no effort to hide her resentment of him, which was picked up by Haurchefant's elder brother, Artoirel. She forbade him from attending any party or such gatherings at their estate, even in spite of Count Edmont, his father, doing his best to argue for his inclusion. It is stated that on multiple occasions arguing could be heard from withing the home, which was often followed by a young Haurchefant storming out "eyes red and full of anger", which is a far cry from the jolly soul we know him as- though understandable given his age and situation. Though he wasn't entirely lost in rebellion, his dreams of knighthood started young, and on one such banishment from the countess he was found training himself for his knighthood... at age twelve. I say "training", but at that age he was more likely just haphazardly swinging his sword given that he was also seemingly shouting at invisible foes, though it should be noted he was shouting "for the glory of house Fortemps". That alone goes to show that in spite of his anger over his situation it did not taint his loyalty and pride for his house. It is likely that lack of resentment, along with finding what felt like his role in life, that helped him shed his anger and tone down his recklessness a little bit. Unfortunately, there is no canon source that alludes to that key time in his life, so that's only speculation. It is painted very clearly that he idolized knighthood as a young age, though there's some conflict on what inspired it. Short stories claim Haurchefant sought it for himself, while in game his father claims to be the one that set him on that path. Regardless the end result was the same, Haurchefant grew up with romantic and almost storybook ideals of Knighthood, something that sticks with him well into adulthood and that he strives for.

Eventually Haurchefaunt did indeed claim his knighthood at the ripe age of 17, after killing two bandits and grievously wounding a third, with nothing but a hunting knife in order to rescue his friend. This habit of rushing forth and thinking of consequences later is a habit for him. He believes that a "Knight lives to serve" and that "We all must serve in our own way". It is his guiding principal, one that he will throw everything aside for. Yet another thing that differentiates him from his peers, Haurchefant will put all else aside, rank and religion both, if it's to see the right thing done. Needless to say, Haurchefant's behavior puts both him and his house at risk. However this is a testament to how deep his loyalty and sense of duty run. He is a knight, and holds himself to a very romantic set of ideals regarding his rank. He strives to fight for and protect those that cannot do so themselves, and to see justice done to those deserving. He also greatly admires those that act on similar values, such as the Warrior of Light, and once one does right by Haurchefant he will go to great lengths for their sake. He also does this, not just for his friends and close allies, but for his country as well. He often acknowledges how Ishgard will turn up its nose towards outsiders, adventurers in particular, despite needing help much to the detriment of their people. Which is part of the reason Haurchefant so willingly accepts adventurer's help, yet another thing that can put him at odds with other Ishgardians. It's not that he finds his own people incapable, far from it, he will often praise their ability to fight and kill dragons. He believes their skill in such endeavors are second to none (which is likely true given how long they've been at it), however it's such a narrow-minded approach that leaves them vulnerable to other threats, such as the heretics- who are their own kind. This is proven when the heretic impersonating as an inquisitor goes through a swatch of Ishgardians, accusing them of heresy and having them executed. All but Haurchefant blindly follow, and were is not for Haurchefant going against following his faith blindly like his peers the false inquisitor would have likely caused significantly more damage before being discovered- if he ever was discovered. Obviously such was a very dangerous endeavor, and Haurchefant even willingly met the inquisitor and his men on the battlefield alongside the Warrior of Light to make a case for his childhood friend. Given the inquisitor's track record, it goes without saying what a risky and dangerous move this all was, as well as how dangerous it was if he hadn't done it.

His theatrics make him no less sincere in his feelings and values, which ultimately lead to his sacrifice. Seeing the Warrior of Light in danger he leaped in to intercept the attack without a second thought, ever one to protect. Even when the attack proves fatal and he is mortally wounded, he shows no signs of fear or regret. He doesn't even wish to see his friend mourn him, and with his last breaths requests to see him smile instead, saying "A smile better suits a Hero". A lofty ideal to place on his friend, but one he truly believes.

All in all Haurchefant is a sincere, idealistic, and enthusiastic man with a strong sense of duty... and a few peculiarities. He holds his rank to very romanticized standards, and values those that can live up to such lofty ideals. He proves to be a little ray of sunshine in a cold and bitter landscape, and held onto all of these traits even as he died.

ABILITIES/SKILLS:

Long version: Any of these abilities level 60 and below.
Short version: Hauchefant serves the role of a "tank", meaning he sacrifices damage for survivability (ironic as that is). He's got a sword and a shield and protects those in his group while also holding the attention of their enemies. There's little to no magic involved, it's a very straightforward "block with shield, stab with sword" job.

**To spare some of the repetition of such a basic class, some of the abilities below will be consolidated to avoid "he stabs with his sword for some damage" and "He stabs with his sword for slightly more damage!"

Sword abilities:
•Fast blade/Riot Blade/Rage of Halone (Royal Authority): Basic sword attack resulting in various levels of damage
•Goring blade: Basic damaging ability but when used in combo with riot blade it puts a damage over time on an enemy.
•Spirit within: A sword attack that is capable of dealing a fair amount of damage, however it's potency decreases as Haurchefant's health decreases.
•Total Eclipse: Deals some damage to surrounding enemies
•Prominence: Another basic AoE, when used as part of a combo it can restore MP
•Circle of Scorn: ANOTHER AoE ability, but this one buts a slight damage over time on enemies

Shield/Tanking/mitigation abilities:
•Shield Bash: Does some damage but more importantly stuns the target for a short period of time
•Shield Lob: He throws his shield for a small amount of damage, notable as one of the only ranged abilities he has.
•Sheltron/Hallowed ground: Blocks incoming attack. Only moderately successful against magical laser spears (and other various attacks).
•Sentinel: Reduces damage taken by 30%
•Cover: Takes all damage intended for another party member- doesn't work for all attacks.
•Divine Veil: upon being healed by self or party member, places a protective barrier on all nearby party members, for up to 10% of the user's max HP. Relatively long cooldown. Effect ends upon being fully healed.
•Iron Will: typical tanking threat generation. Works as an aura, where as long as it's active enemies prioritize him as a target.
•Tank mastery: Passively takes 20% less damage than other classes. Plus a boost to HP that scales with vitality stat on gear.

Other abilities:
•Fight or Flight: Increases damage output by 25% for 25 seconds.
•Clemency: Heals target for 50% of HP, however has both a cast time and a high mp cost
•Oath Mastery: Fills Oath Gauge with auto attacks, Oath is then used to spend on defensive abilities. Due to this being a very odd thing to try to acknowledge in an RP setting, it won't be mentioned, instead I'll be treating such abilities as though there's a basic cooldown on them, the more potent abilities obviously being able to be used far less.
•Chivalry: Restores MP when using Riot Blade or Spirits within.


INVENTORY/COMPANIONS:
-Armor
-Sword
-Shield
-Chocobo

FACTION CHOICE: Stars

REASON:

Hauchefant is a front-lines fighter and thus prone to acting on instinct and his gut rather than standing back and planning out every course of action. While that doesn't mean that's he's incapable of sitting back and forming a plan, He seems to gravitate towards getting his hands dirty, and his passion can have him getting ahead of himself and rushing ahead in the heat of the moment.

TATTOO:

The Spear on the left side of his abdomen, by his hip

SAMPLES

NETWORK:
TDM toplevel

LOG:

The threat of waning food stores was hardly unfamiliar to Haurchefant, the cold barren landscape of Coerthas often faced similar problems. While he had long since outranked the humble task of acquiring food, he relished the opportunity this day. There was a thrill of adventure striking out in an unknown land, facing unknown beasts. He could only hope he would be able to return not only with food, but with a good story to tell as well.

Of course he was no hunter, and tracking beasts was significantly more difficult without snow, but as a small mercy it was only a matter of time before a beast found him instead. As he walked the forests a deer leisurely walked in his path, then froze at it noticed him

A splendid creature, he thought, like a small horse, carrying itself with such grace in spite of its admirable musculature. A shame to have to kill such a noble beast, it reminded him so of the unicorn that was his house's crest, but there were people that needed to eat and he could not neglect such a duty. Surly a beast with such a robust form and menacing antlers had to be fierce, yes, this would be a worthy beast to fight at the very least. It would be a noble struggle, each side fighting for survival, be for both themselves and other that would benefit from the other's demise.

So with sword and shield drawn he made a charge for the majestic animal, ready for shield and sword to meet antler and hoof, only to be found wanting as the animal nimbly leaped away. He was a bit dumbfounded at first, yes he expected the creature to be nimble, but not quite that nimble. No matter! He would give chase, surly the beast would turn to meet him in combat eventually.

Needless to say, he did not come home with a kill that evening, but he certainly got a story worthy of a few good larks.

**BONUS!:**

It was another seemingly uneventful day at camp Dragonhead, one one hand that was not necessarily a bad thing, at least in terms of what the alternative was. His men would have a day to rest, and he... he was to battle the arduous demons of paperwork apparently. As a courier had just unceremoniously dumped a pile of letters an documents before him on his desk. Hmm, perhaps a dragon attack would not be such a misfortune, just a small one though. Still he offered the courier a place by the fire to warm up, she was not hard on the eyes, and after trudging through Coerthas in it's endless swath of beasts and snow she likely had a very healthy form beneath those thick coats.

Of course his offer was politely, if curtly, declined as she whirled around

"My friend! Welcome back! Tell me, what news have you of your adventures in the Highlands? I have hardly had a chance to see you since the incident with Emmanellain."

He laughed as he quickly moved the pile of paperwork to a drawer that he promptly slammed shut, or attempted to. There was the telltale crunch of paper wrinkling as the accumulated paperwork of recent weeks prevented the drawer from closing properly. He paid little mind of course, or more aptly, he hadn't even noticed, far too excited to have his friend back. They had much to catch up on! He could only imagine the battles and trials the great Warrior of Light has triumphed against! Oh, but his friend was no doubt tired from his journey and such should be his first concern, the rest can wait.

"But I am being a poor host, allow me to fetch us a warm drink first, then you can regale me with tales of your heroics! And leave nothing out! Would that I could travel with you, ah, but living vicariously through your adventures shall have to suffice for now."

And he stood from his desk to fetch the drinks, brimming with excitement over present company. He was blessed to have such a friend, and looked forward to the day he would once more share in his adventures.


NOTES, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS: