Character Avatar: Kevin McKidd
Character Name: Afanasiy Dragunov
Age: 42
Rank/Title: Duke of Halland and High Steward to the King of Gotland
Race: Country/Providence: Gotlander
Player: Desdemona
Appearance: Afansaiy is a tall and stately man with rugged features. He has red hair and light blue eyes. Though Afansaiy is a high noble in his native country, his physic is not of one who spends all of his time sitting in palaces discussing politics. He can clean up quite nicely if need be for socializing among the d'Angelines.
Personality: Afanasiy is a man who is in love with the game of life. He has powerful strings that he can pull, and his favorite moments in life is when he can pull them. He is very devoted to his daughter and raising her to be his heir in all of those things in which he has control. He will raise her to be a true matriarch and to not allow any man to take over any aspect of her life. Staying unattached makes Afansaiy's life easier, so he will be forever a widower. He does enjoy the pleasures of the flesh and will occasionally bed women. He has also taken a liking to visiting Valerian for games of shame. The Night Court and other pleasure related aspects of d'Angeline life appeal to him and he enjoys the power that he can wield over an adept.
He comes across as a bit serious and cold around the edges, but he can relax and seem more human when he is with close friends and allies. He lives up to his rank and status when it's fitting and looks down on those who are below him. He has spent his entire life living as multiple personas and is talented at playing the part of the crowd he is with.
History: Afanasiy Dragunov was born into a powerful family which had a direct line to the King. They where said to be decedent from a former lover and confidant to the great King Magnus. Their land is on the south-western edge of the country. The family has seaports in the straights near The Flatlands and are a naval front for anyone who chooses to venture that way. This location and their massive estates shows their importance to the crown. Halland is a large providence and houses a army of 700 well trained warriors at the ready for Gotland to use. The providence can also supply another 1,000 men who are field hands and other workers, but trained in the basics of swordsmanship. The location of the providence means the Dragunovs are one of the first to know if there are visitors, peaceful or otherwise. The family has always been historically very loyal to the crown.
At one time the family was large an expansive. The family suffered from low birth rates, illness, and assassination in it's recent generations. This has caused shrinking numbers of true heirs down to only Afanasiy and his daughter. Worries for her safety are party of the reason why he has allowed her to be fostered in Terre d'Ange. Not many in Gotland know of her true whereabouts. Most would find it rather shocking that such a powerful man has allowed his daughter to become a whore to the d'Anglines.
The Dragunov family has been one of duality. Most where simply loyal members of the crown's counsel. One memeber, however, has held a secret title. One that was secret even from kin. That member was a part of a secret society that prevents chaos and makes sure political powers are working for the good of mankind. They are a chaotic good group, however, sometimes allowing wars and other such events to take place if the outcome seems necessary. The position was passed to Afansaiy from his father and he will pass it too his only daughter when he is too old for the game. Just as Afanasiy was raised from birth for the position, his daughter will be as well. No one in Gotland knows of this group, not even the King whom Afanasiy is so loyal too.
Most of his existence is spent maintaining his estates and assisting the King as needed. He is always observant, however. He gathers information and, along with nine others, keeps his finger on the pulse of the world as best as he can. His connections go far and wide. He has influences all the way West towards Aragonia and as far East as Ch'in. He rarely engages these tendrils, but when he and the other nine do they always influence the world in large ways. They influence not only in large ways, but also in ways that most do not recognize.
