Character Avatar: Jackson Rado
Character Name: Damocles Shahrizai
Age: 40
Height: 6'1”
Rank/Title: Chevalier, Commandant
Race: D'Angeline
Country/Province: Terre d'Ange/Kusheth
Player: Merle
Appearance: With his rather austere and sharp edged features, Damocles has an almost grim, dour countenance. Which goes with his firm posture and stern bearing. Truly, though, he's rather stereotypical of his family in looks. His past shoulder length, raven wing hair is straight, though it can have a bit of wave if he doesn't brush it... but nothing like his brother's curls. Not that one usually notices either, as he often keeps it in braids, in the tradition of the men of his family. The only feature that truly stands out is how dark his eyes are. Rather than sapphires, his are inky midnight pools, like the spaces between the stars.
He's tall, though not so tall as his younger brother, Sylvain... but then, few are. Though not a bulky man, Damocles is nonetheless in fine physical form, with lean, toned muscles decorated with numerous scars large and small and strong, masculine features. His is the body of a soldier, a warrior... hard and unforgiving, with honed physical instincts and swift reflexes.
Personality: Damocles is as austere as his appearance, and in most cases, tends to be cool and proper. Charming and polite, but distant. That being because he is simply not an open person, preferring quiet, solitude and to hold his own counsel. And though it isn't wholly false, this detached demeanor does conceal an interior that is ambitious, manipulative... and more than a little lascivious. He's usually honest, but also private, and he doesn't feel it necessary or seemly to declare every personal detail of his life and proclivities to the public. Not to say that he's shy... he isn't... or modest, for he isn't that either... but he values discretion.
His ambitions are not solely for his own benefit, and nothing matters to Damocles more than family. While he has the familial loyalty that is common for most Shahrizai, his aspirations and fidelity are much more acute when it comes to his immediate family. For them he would do near anything, give near anything, he would kill to protect them... or to avenge them. Not to say that he coddles them, and he generally lets them lie in the bed they make for themselves... but if they asked for help, or needed it, or were truly hurt, there is little that he wouldn't do for them.
Domineering, haughty and a bit chauvinistic, he's nonetheless capable of surprising kindness and generosity, though there are often multiple motives for it. A courtier, a businessman and a soldier. He is easily capable of cruelty, but just as easily of being loving and playful with his dogs. Nothing about Damocles is simple, or as clear cut as it seems...
History: Both Arabelle and Andromaque Shahrizai married young, but where the younger sister found a love match that came with the title of Comtesse... Arabelle had been married to a rich, but untitled, man twice her age... a second cousin once removed or some such... named Didier Shahrizai. Though the marriage wasn't founded in love, fondness grew between them, while Andromaque's was doomed to end in tragedy. Belle became pregnant practically from the marriage bed, and was only sixteen when she gave birth to the first of her three children. Her eldest son, Damocles. Two and a half years later, he was joined by a brother, Sylvain, and ten years later by their sister, Alexis.
Even from a young age there was a good deal of tension between the quiet, proper Damocles and his open, friendly... irresponsible... younger brother. The two argued and fought, as brothers are wont to do, but they also stuck up for each other when the need arose. Still, it became clear as they grew that they would never be the best of friends, and that there would always be some contention between them.
While the younger brother was busy shirking his responsibilities and discovering an affinity for fashion and numerous torrid affairs, the elder was diligently studying, practicing and preparing to follow in their father's footsteps. Learning how to be a man of affairs, the head of an estate and a courtier. It could be said that it was his duty as the eldest, and Sylvain's privilege as the younger son, but Damocles has always held some resentment for his brother's lack of regard for family obligation.
But his sense of duty and responsibility wasn't restricted to family, and as soon as he was old enough to do so, Damocles found himself leaning towards martial pursuits. Studying military strategy, different forms of combat, and learning how to handle various weapons... eventually finding a particular interest in mounted combat, which encouraged him to join the cavalry. His warhorse, a friesian mare named Nightwind, was gifted to him as a young filly some eight or so years ago, and has been his constant and steadfast companion ever since.
Damocles was involved in many minor conflicts and skirmishes over the years, but it was in the recent wars that he truly distinguished himself. He proved to be a rather gifted strategist, as well as an exemplary soldier, and eventually reached the rank of Commandant, and was awarded the title of Chevalier. But it wasn't all chivalry and brave heroics. The wars brought out a... ruthlessness in him as he swallowed his emotions and fought without mercy. It wasn't until after he'd gone home that the weight of all he'd seen, experienced and... done... began to weigh on him.
Even more reserved than he was before, Damocles has grown sombre and distant. He laughs little, and frequently has trouble sleeping. Sometimes it is simply that his thoughts won't be still, but other times he is plagued by memories and nightmares. These are things he does not speak of, however. Either the memories themselves, or the way they trouble him. And recently Damocles has been losing even more sleep with a new set of worries, as he's had to take over the running of the family estate and his father's business dealings in the wake of Didier's failing health.
