Character Avatar: Theo Theodoridis
Other Visual References: Medina Sidonia (palace, fortress and village); La Señora de Risa
Character Name: Ismael Asturias
Age: 43
Height: 6'2"
Rank/Title: Capitán-General de la Armada/Duque de Medina Sidonia
Race: Aragonian
Country/Province: Aragonia
Townhome Request: N/A
Country Home Request: Palacio de Medina Sidonia (Ducal estate in Aragonia)
Player: Merle
Appearance: Tall, broad, muscular... Ismael is a prime specimen of masculinity. Naturally warm complected, he is often deeply tanned from toiling under the sun, and his efforts are reflected in his brawny physique, as well. His hands are calloused, skin weathered, and he bears numerous scars. Dark hair hangs to his shoulders in waves, though it's frequently windswept into curls, or occasionally pulled back to keep it out of the way.
Thick stubble lines his face more often than not, and even when shaven he retains a shadow along his strong jaw. His brows are long and somewhat heavy, arching over eyes that are a startlingly pale shade of olive... standing out starkly against his dark lashes and bronzed skin. Ismael's nose is regal, his mouth stern but sensual... his features lending themselves as easily to charm and laughter as to issuing commands.
Personality: Being in charge of the entire Armada, Ismael is a commanding presence, but more than that, he's a man to be respected. Unlike most men of high birth in positions of authority, he has no qualms with getting his hands dirty, so to speak. He's not afraid of laboring side-by-side with his men, and he's well loved for it... even if he can be a harsh taskmaster. He never asks of them what he isn't willing to do himself. So besides obedience and respect, he also engenders a fierce loyalty in those who serve under him.
That said, the man isn't unapproachable, and he's known to let his hair down... drinking, joking and rough-housing with his men. Arm wrestling, a game of dice... such things are commonplace on his ship, but when there is work to be done, or battle imminent... every available hand is hard at work, sober and dedicated. None more so than Ismael himself.
Ismael loves the sea, more at home in open waters, strolling the deck than he is on land, navigating the choppy waters of diplomacy. That isn't to say that he's poor at it... though he has little patience for underhanded policies, toadying courtiers and ambassadors... and all the other rigamarole that comes with the territory of governing. The life of a man of the sea is a simple one, far more preferable, but he is a loyal man with a fierce love for his country and her people, and if they are better served by him diving into the shark infested depths of politics... he will do so without hesitation.
History: Ismael Asturias is the cousin of Luthar de las Aragonia on the king's mother's side. Of an ancient line, his family were once rulers of the small country of Asturias.. that was eventually integrated into the great nation of Aragonia, their royal lines merged... the heir apparent even being designated the Principe de Asturias. But those are bygone times, and now Asturias is simply a part of a greater whole, and the family that ruled it are among the higher echelons of Aragonian nobility.
The only son of the Duque de Medina Sidonia, who was the previous queen's brother, Ismael was the heir to one of the most prominent noble families of Aragonia. Despite their name and northern origins, his branch of the Asturias clan holds a Ducal seat in southern Aragonia, along the coast, and they made much of their fortune from the ocean... fishing, crafting vessels... and it only seemed natural that Ismael would take to seafaring like the proverbial fish to water, acting as a cabin boy and laborer on fishing vessels until he was old enough to move on to naval ships.
Insisting he get no special treatment, he served first as a common deckhand on the caravel Viento Acerbo, and rose quickly through the ranks through hard work and his own merits. By the time he was in his mid-twenties, Ismael was in command of his own ship, an exquisite galleon he called La Señora de Risa, adorning her with the figurehead of a smiling woman with long, flowing hair, her arm held out and holding a lantern to light the way.
Ismael had held command for a few years when his aging father passed. He was at sea at the time, returning home some weeks later to find himself with a new title and a new set of responsibilities to take on. Which he did with aplomb, spending far longer on land than he cared to getting to know all of the intricacies and workings of this role before delegating them to others so that he might return to his ship and his duties there. As she was still hale of body and sharp of mind, a good deal of his ducal obligations returned to the capable hands of his mother the Duquesa... who had already been performing a good deal of them at Ismael's father's behest.
Due to his skill, loyalty... and the loyalty he instilled in his underlings... at the age of thirty, Ismael was given the rare honor of being made Capitán-General of the entire Armada. La Señora de Risa became the flagship, her light guiding the way for the whole fleet. She became an icon, spoken of with respect, fondness and something akin to awe. The Laughing Lady. It was said that she laughed in fearless delight as she sailed on Aragonia's enemies. That she laughed in the face of storms, the might of the ocean, the elements but an amusement to her.
La Señora de Risa's commander became something of an icon, as well... but not just as a figurehead. Capitán Ismael was known to fight, strive and carouse alongside his men as if each were his equal. He wasn't known for being particularly lenient, but every officer, sailor and deckhand under his command knew that he held himself to the same standards.
