Lance Drake
From Changeling Venue
| Seeming | Fairest Bright One |
|---|---|
| Court | Summer Court •• |
| Freehold | House of Cards |
| Player | Anthony Macedo |
Given Name: Lance Gavin Drake
Current Name: Drake
Title: Decurion within The Praesidium
Seeming: Fairest
Kith: Bright One | Telluric
Freehold: Orlando
Motley: TBA
Reminder: All information here for background, is OOC unless you are wishing to be tied into the background. This is so people can get a feel for the character. After the background are what rumors and things that have been said about Drake that might be common knowledge.
Basic Concepts
- Concept: Defender of the Lost, Knight of the Round, Duelist
- Inspirations:
Gawain and the Green Knight
Lancelot du Lac
Bladesingers (D&D)
Paladin-esque
Wesley (Princess Bride)
Inigo Montoya (Princess Bride)
- Virtue: Hope
- Vice: Envy
- Favored Traits: Dexterity, Wits
Merit Descriptions:
Mantle - Summer x2 ... Striking Looks x4 (His pale, baby blue eyes and calming smile)
Looking for Connections Within The Following Areas:
- A lost love he had Pre-Arcadia ... one that goes along the Gawain and Lancelot route.
- Other Changelings that were slaves to my Keeper ... be it a Fighter, Seductionist, or both
- Other Changelings sent in the night to seduce me by my Keeper with/without your Keepers Knowledge ... only to start falling in love with him. (No wins on this one for seduction)
- Siblings that might still be alive ... either Lost or mortal
The Light Before (Pre-Arcadia)
(( Edited by Andrew Fitta ))
Lance was raised in a family with unrelenting spirit. His parents came from France seeking opportunity, but never forgot where they came from. They named him Lance , because of the stories his mother heard as a little girl from the one that raised her, her arrière-grand-mère. Though they had to scrape by at first, to able to save money to bring what family they had left, the lessons he learned as they brought more and more people back made it worthwhile.
Arrière-arrière-grand-mère was one he treasured always. She would sit by his bedside telling him of stories of the courageous Lancelot du Lac. He was a man of courage no one dare stand against. Yet he had eyes the color of sapphire that were able to captivate a queen, arrière-arrière-grand-mère would sometimes mention Lance himself had the same color eyes. Each adventure was more magnificent than the last, especially when Lancelot joined the legendary Round Table. His dreams were filled with the adventures of Lancelot and the Knights.
At about the age of eight Lance came home with a his face bruised and eye swollen shut, the result of standing up to a schoolyard bully. After nursing his wounds, his mother took him down to the local YMCA to see about an after-school program for him. An elderly man, Mr. Tsang , took the boy under his wing and taught him the way of Kenpo. Mr. Tsang taught him with a firm, yet gentle hand. He always reminded him that there will always be others who are bullied and to help them if possible. As he progressed, he was able enter competitions. Lance admired the trophies he earn, as they were not result of attempting to rise up for glory, but a reminder to not let others fall.
Around the time of his 15th birthday, he was called out of school because of his arrière-arrière-grand-mère. His mother explained that her time was growing short for her and that it was time for good-byes. The smell of the hospital that day made his stomach turn. The woman the taught him strength had tubes running form her frail body, and it took a great deal of courage to see her on the bed. When she beckoned for him she took his hand and placed something into it. Holding it closed, she whispered so only he could hear, "This was her patron saint just as it was mine. Take it and know that I will always be there." With these final words, she closed her eyes, and she could rest. His mother burst into tears and he could feel his own cheek begin to be wet with his own. He looked down and was holding on to a medallion of St. Geneve.
After her passing, he decided that it was time that he started researching his families line. He would start with both sides, his mothers and his fathers. So involved did he become, that he decided to take this as something to research as he went to college. Not only would it help him find the answers, but help him research the mythos of the Arthurian Legends as well.
Prof. Brooks was his mentor and teacher, who helped him with his research and allowed him access to the restricted area of the library. He had the same lust and want for knowledge on the Arthurian tales as Lance , becoming fast friends. It brought a bit of joy to Lance to be able to discuss such tales with a kindred spirit again.
After mid-terms, Prof. Brooks had begun acting strangely. He changed his attitude on some things, becoming more distant only interested in the class room assignments that must be turned in. When Lance approached him after class, Prof. Brooks looked to him as if he were something on the bottom of his shoe. Lance asked if he could show him more of the information they had been seeking. Brooks looked to him and said, " Mr. Drake , perhaps you should be worried about your grades and be less concerned with your own agenda." Lance knew something was amiss, but could not prove it.
For weeks he watched Prof. Brooks . There just seemed to be something off about him. No longer did he take strolls on campus. Nor did he eat out under the awning of school cafeteria. He decided, after Kenpo, that he was going to confront and talk to Prof. Brooks.
He waited til late that evening. He saw the Prof. getting ready to leave and decided he was going to approach him at this time. He called out just as he was ready to go get into his car and he had put his hand on the door.
That's when Lance heard approaching footsteps.
There were four of them mostly dressed in black approached him in the parking lot. Lance thought it looked like he was about to get mugged and intervened. The guys started surrounding Lance and drew weapons. He noticed two of them were wearing black cowboy hats and the other two were wearing black bandanas. He warned them to stop and drew his Kenpo sword. Based off where their arms where to their body and the bulges in their clothes he noticed the weapons they tried to conceal, and positioned himself between Prof. Brooks and the attackers.
Lance saw the biggest one of the four pull out a chain. Kenpo sword in hand, he swung it across the man’s chest ripping his shirt open with the force of the blow. He felt a sharp sting as a bit of razor wire on the chain brushed his shoulder. He pushed through the pain and slammed his shoulder into the big man’s waist, driving upwards and forcing him up and over. His sword was crushed in two at the weight of the man pressing against it was too much. With only half a sword in his hand and the look of a fighter in his eyes, he slowly turned to the other three. Be it the look in his eyes or what they saw him do to the biggest one of them, one or the other caused the others to run.
Lance put his hands on his knees as he looked down at the man on his back, “Get out of here, and find some new friends.” Seeing him roll over and run away, Lance turned to Prof. Brooks who was in awe of what he witnessed. “Let’s get out of here and talk over a cup of coffee,” Lance said wiping the blood of his shoulder.
"Do you want to know what is going on?” Prof. Brooks said, slowly trying to compose himself.
Lance looked a bit confused. "Of course I do!"
Prof. Brooks points behind Lance and says quietly, "Then, you need to talk to her."
When Lance turned to where Brook was pointing he saw a woman that struck him to his core. Her beauty was such that it was the reason poets wrote, and bards sung. A simple gaze triggered the memories he would have as a child when he dream of Lady Guinevere . He looked back and she was almost on top of him. The smell of honey, vanilla, and sweet strawberries blended together. She whispered to him, "What would you give to know what is happening?"
Lance struggled to find words as he grasped to whatever amount of reason he had and shook his head. He tried to avert his eyes but couldn’t. He didn’t know or care what happened to Brooks . Whispered again, almost as if right next to his ear, with a voice that cut his heart into a million pieces of exquisite pleasure but ached to have done again, "What will you give?"
"Anything," Lance said ... feeling unworthy of her, and fell to a knee to worship her beauty.
"So be it, my knightly slave."
Her calming touch sent shivers to him as she stroked his neck. Lance felt his body float, before it came crashing down. For her hand was suddenly around his throat in and lifting him up. She was as strong as she was beautiful, and Lance had nothing but admiration even as he cried out in pain after feeling his very being ripped from him. He glanced at her other hand to see her twirling a piece of his shadow in her fingers like a giddy schoolgirl would a piece of hair ... until it snapped away into her hand.
There was a bright white light.
The figure that was there stood up and brushed himself off. He picked up what was left of the sword and slung Lance's backpack over his should before walking off.
After all, he was Lance ... now.
The Light Tempted (Arcadian Temptations)
His time in Arcadia were spent in different ways. He tried desperately to try to find any rhyme or reason for what she was doing, but he just could not grasp what she was doing or why she did what she did.
By day, his Keeper, Lyzenia, had Lost after Lost, hobgoblins, denzeins, nightmares ...all to come and challenge him. At first he thought this was a punishment and did not understand what was happening to him. He defended himself as well as he could and was surprised when he won. He was left alone for two or three hours at a time. He would try to leave, only to find himself walking back into the same clearing he was just in. He fought off at least six different beings. Some of them looking like elves, others as ogres out of some Grimm fairy tale, and others were half human, half beasts and others still looked like goblins that you were told hid under the bridge. Each one came at him to fight and he knocked out or knocked down each one. When he had, there was a gong sound and that voice ... that same voice that seemed so sweet, now seemed angry and hurtful ... called for the one to leave.
After the last one, she appeared to him. So beautiful, so dangerous. He knew what she was capable of, but did not care. She was having him walk to him and he did not realize that he was out of the clearing til she had him look away and around. There he saw a small mansion. When they entered, there were all different types of Fairest all over the place in all states of undress. The most fully clothed had on what looked like a mini robe ... white ... completely see through. He was in shock and awe. He heard her say something that stopped him cold.
"You will have conceive with each one of them. I wish to examine and understand the strange rituals you go through for the making of your young children. It is quite fascinating and complex. Now, off with you clothing so I might see this happen."
For the first time ... ever since he saw her, fought for her, because of her beauty ... he felt something growing. Not on the outside, but within. He bowed his head and said softly the word that damned him from here on out.
"No."
... you could have heard a pin drop ... in the real world.
She said softly, with what seemed to be anger, heat, mixed with amusement, analytical and shock, "What was that, slave?"
Lance looked up. There was now a soft glow about him as he felt his words spoken again. "No. My body might be yours to force into fights, but my love and loyalty is to the lady I choose. I will not be your puppet in this."
She looked at him and her words were even more cold then the coldest winters he had ever felt. "I do not care, nor know, of this love that you speak of. My experiments to see how conception of a child is what I wish to know. My slave, you will do this for me ... or you will be punished."
When he did not answer, she seemed to blur in front of him. He felt a cold slap to his face as he went sprawling across the room, into the wall. Chains emerged from the wall and chained him, spread eagle to it. It was a blur all night of his punishment. Frost daggers, flame whips, hot steel, lightning darts. He felt his very flesh being flayed and mended ... yet ... he did not care. He may have to play the part of the unwilling knight for her, but his heart and soul would not be broken in just so she can figure out how to have children to play with as well. He needed to love before he could do that ... and he would not give her that.
Now ... he would either fight the denziens, other Lost ... or ... after the first night, when he now rebelled against her wishes, Lance would now find himself placed into the starry-night. She looked at him up in the sky and spoke softly...
"Whenever you rebel against me, others will know and they will look up to see the Bright One glow as a star as well. I will show all those whom I have as mine what I will always do to those who betray my will."
The Light Set Free (Escape/Release from Arcadia)
He went through this ... for what seemed like ten years. The time for him seemed to pass by this way. By day, having to fight, either in the clearing of his Keeper or only three times was he taken to the Arena to fight. At night, either tortured or hang in the sky with stars. Outlined as a reminder not to betray her ... alone in the sky. He vowed that he would do his best not to kill, but try to instill the hope of escape in every combatant that he fought. He did so with several different of the Lost. Always speaking of "taking that which you were and combining it with that which you have become. And never give up the fight for home."
Most took this suggestion. Those that didn't either laughed and walked away or lay on the floor now. Always replaying in his head those that he could not help ... echoes of their cries rang in his head the nights he was placed in the sky. As the days grew, he honed that which he knew of weapons. He allowed the very magics there to infuse him more and help him be better then what he could. He needed that edge. That edge that would help him not only to free himself, but to free any others ... if he could. He became faster. Quicker then any human should ever be allowed to go. His ability with weapons, and mostly, a sword, was nigh untouchable.
On the tenth year of his 'service', Lyzenia had just gotten bored torturing him, yet his light still bore strong ... now with a stars flare added as well. She watched as the dawn rose up. With a defying, yet hurting gaze, he dared to look up at her. He was in shock ... in shock to see a tear rolling down her face. He looked back down in utter disbelief. This creature knows not the human emotions. She knows nothing of how to understand it. Yet ... he looked back up, only to see her an arms length away. So lovely. So breath-takingly sensual...
...then he heard the cold general-like voice back in her throat.
"You will have a chance to win your freedom, my unwilling knight ... if you can find the way to do so," her voice seemed to have a mixture of analytical thought and ... compassion? No. It was a slip of his mind. After all these years, he was starting to lose it ... Still ... a chance to leave.
...
He found himself in the clearing again. He stood there for what seemed like two hours. He heard it first before seeing it. The sounds of trees parting. Large and heavy foot steps stomping into the ground.
"Oh gods. I have only fought one of these. Please don't let it be ..." Yet those thoughts were used in vein. Out of the forest came it came ... one of the Ogres known to him as a Gargantuan. He had only fought one other in the Arena. His acquired speed and agility had barely won against the last one he had fought.
The Gargantuan had come into the clearing and looked at him. A deep and malicious laugh echoed deep within the monsters throat. In a booming voice he calls out, "This is what you set me against? I will crush him in an instant." He looked towards Lance with a half smirk, "I challenge you, little fairest. No hard feelings, but my Keeper tells me this is how it must be."
Lance realized right then what was said. His Keeper's words came back to him in a rush. Lance nods as the Ogre moves forward and calls out, "Then, on the grounds of honor, since you have challenged me, I call what the challenge is!"
The Gargantuan stopped in his tracks and seemed not to like this loop hole. "And what do you propose?"
Lance took his two swords together and locked them at the pummels and strung a wire between the blade ends ... making it look like an edged and deadly bow. "I call for archery. Best two out of three." He watched as the Ogre stopped his smiling and grimaced a bit. He nodded and steps forward. The ground start to shift as the realm knows what is asked for. Two bows come down from the trees as targets are formed from the ground. They both step forward and take their weapons.
After the third round, the score was decided and showed well who was the marksman here. The score was 3-2 in favor of Lance. He looked to the Gargantuan and he had fallen to one knee with a *thud*. Lance walked over to him and whispered into his ear, "Worry not of the loss here for I give to you a prize to help you win your freedom. Merge that of who you were and who you have become. Take the weaknesses of both and armor them with your strengths. Revel within this knowledge and know you shall overcome these monsters."
As he end his speech he turned around and almost fell to his knees as he saw Lyzenia staring at him. She seemed to have a confused look upon her face. She looked away and pointed at a path. He looked from her to the path and back again. He ran and never looked back to where he was. He heard the bells starting to toll. One. Two. Three. They rang all the way through to Eleventh time. Midnight was a toll away. He leaped from the hedge, buganvilla thorns trying to scratch and claw at his face and body. Yet, with the Wyrd that infused him, he easily avoided their grasp. As he got out, he felt a burst of energy as well as the Twelfth and final toll sound. He landed on the ground as he heard from a nearby park, the sounds of people cheering and singing. He looked around and saw a sign on the tree:
10pm - 2am
Leu Gardens in Winter Park
"Leu Gardens? Winter Park?? Am I home? Can I have finally made it home?!?"
He grabbed at a newspaper sitting there and looked through it. It was all about things from Orlando. It was even an Orlando Sentinel Newspaper. Home ... He had made it home!!
...
Yet it was not the home he knew ... nor was it the home that remembered him.
The Light helps others
After his initial escape, Drake decided that he would need a new identity if he were going to make it in the new Orlando he has come to. A fairest named Bandabras Pelinor offered to help with this. After 6-8 months, "Alexander Farrell" opened up a fencing studio near downtown Winter Park. It was located about three blocks north of Leu Gardens. He has been there for about 7 years now. He trains kids from ages 10 to 17 during the afternoon, right after school. The adult classes are taught at night from 6pm til 8pm ... Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Behind the Light
Mask: As people look upon Drake, he stands about 5'10", a nice lithe to medium build with short brownish/blondish hair. He seems to be wearing a pair of jeans, work boots, a white t-shirt with a white shirt over it. What catches the attention as something off though, are his eyes. Those pale, baby blue eyes that seem to be like a star sapphire ... very unnatural and surreal. Almost always there seems to be a soft, yet calm smile upon his lips.
Mein: He stands about the same height in his mein. His hair almost seems to be made of golden light, it is short and kept nice. He wears a white poet's shirt that is untucked; a leather belt around the waist; two swords on either hip; a pair of blue denim or khaki colored pants; a pair of black cavalier boots. His pale, baby blue eyes seeming to be hauntingly familiar ... and all to often they seem to pierce deep into your very core. Above all, he radiates a soft light off of his skin. Sometimes, it is only a bit off of his skin. There have been few times that he has been as bright as the noon day sun.
Notable Traits: his pale, baby blue eyes which seem to spark an almost unnatural blue; his calming smile; his golden hair.
Music Inspirations
- The Lady of Shelot -Loreena McKennitt
- Sword Fight -The Princess Bride
- Arms of an Angel -Sarah McLaughlin
- The Trial of Lancelot -Heather Dale
- Rooftops -Lostprophets
- One Day More -Les Miserables
- If ever I would leave you -Camelot
Rumors about the Light of Hope
((This is where you can place rumors about Lance. I would like to see what is actually said and stated.))
- Lance is a "goody-goody" and takes the fun out of most things.
- He has attempted to gain the attention of Edria Meredith
- It is said that the Bright One known as Stephen Daedalus chose his path after being inspired by Lance Drake's convictions.
- Cage Adams witnessed an arena fight of Lance and Gaius. He was throughly impressed with his noble nature.
- Once saved the life of Nycto Feraz. The Darkling then swore to give him a free Nightmare, if he ever wanted one.
- He challenged Gaius Arctorus to a duel of pain.
Knights of the Round
Lance is known to be amongst the The Praesidium ... lead by Gaius Arctorus. He is known to have been in Gaius' presence on several occasions.
Quotes about the Light
((Place something your character would have said about Lance))
- "I could...and I have when we've been drinking... make Monty-Python style jokes about poncy French dancers... But that is severely selling Lance short. He may move like he's floating and be far prettier than any man deserves to be... but besides being good in a fight he's also sweet, attentive, and loyal to a fault. One of these days some girl is going to break his hopelessly romantic heart and when that happens I'm going to be first in line to make sure she regrets it." -Kalen Blazenheart
- "There are few people I'd have at my back in a fight. Many I'd have at my side, and the whole world before my in opposition. But at my back... that is a rare few, and I think that Lance is one of the few who's presense I can feel there as an ever present reminder - he both guards... and watches." - Gaius Arctorus
- "Drake, huh? Well, as I recall, I first met Senor Shinypants when I was drinking, which may have made the situation better, or worse. Can't remember which. Anyway, since no one came to me after I sobered up and told me I had stomped on some shiny elf, I assume we got on OK. All I can remember is that he looked squeaky clean and seemed like one of those noble, virtuous motherfuckers you'd want your sister to date. The last part makes me think he's some kind of pimp, and the first makes me want to rub a mud puddle on him to see if it sticks. Maybe we'll go drinking again and I'll see if I can test either theory. Either way, I'm pretty sure I'd find it hilarious." - Dzxoxian Brokehorn
- "They say that shadows must always hate the light... but not me. This Drake fellow really pulled my plump ass out of the fire. I'm not big on heroes, but I have to admire any man who knows how to fling a blade around like that." - Nycto Feraz
((More to come))
