Papa Bear
From Changeling Venue
Spirits bound by a wild Desire.
Let it raze the very town entire.
All ablaze with a Gypsy's Fire!
"Gypsy Fire" by Heather Alexander.
| Seeming | Fairest Dual Kith |
|---|---|
| Court | No Court |
| Freehold | none |
| Player | Anthony Macedo |
Contents |
Overview
Real Name: D'mitri Rossa
Alias(es): Papa Bear, Gypsy, That Damned Gypsy
Age: Looks - 30's; Actual: 126 (Approved ... USA-EC-LC-0806-92445)
Seeming: Fairest
Kith: Dancer/Sandharrowed
Keeper: The Director
Concept: Singer, Tale-spinner, Dancer, Occultist, Lover
Entitlement: none as of yet...
Character Livejournal: gypsytravels
Gaze Upon The Gypsy
Mask
Standing at five foot eight, medium build, raven black hair, with emerald green eyes, Papa Bear dresses like something out of a fantasy tale of gypsies from old. Dark colors, bright colors, colors all around that seem to match ... all mixed with some blacks and dark browns to balance it out. His poised demeanor with his calm & relaxed feel, his sensual voice, plus his Romani looks, make it to where most wish to either gaze upon him, sit back and listen to his stories, or both.
Mein
A Fairest Dancer with what looks like black sand, almost like a Sandharrowed seeming mixed in to be a part of his being, slowly flowing over him. When he dances, the very sand itself seems to dance in unison and harmony. His entire body, although medium built, seems to by light and graceful.
Relevant Mechanics
- Striking Looks (4)
- Enchanting Performance
- Siren Voice
- Dual Kith (Approved ... USA-EC-LC-0806-92444)
Character Information
Character Inspirations
Gypsy Clan - The 10th Kingdom (Fiction)
Kalderash Clan - BtVS (Fiction & History)
Romani People (History)
Sallah (John Rhys-Davies) - Raiders of the Lost Ark (Fiction)
Don Juan de Marco (Fiction)
Rogue, Bard, Shadowdancer - D&D 3.5 (Fiction)
Rupert Giles - BtVS (Fiction)
Fremen - Dune (Fiction)
The Tortuga Twins (Fiction ... History ... or Fun Fact ... You decide!)
The sad story of a Romani (Known History)
((OOC: All info only known if I allow it...))
Basic Timeline:
- 1882 - Born in Romania; the eldest of a set of triplets
- 1903 - Taken to Arcadia
- 2008 - Trying to escape from the Hedge from Arcadia.
Background:
A basic time line is above. Below you will find a better time line to keep you abreast of the situations. Always remember, time flows differently in Arcadia then it does in the normal scheme of things. A year for some, could be ten to fifteen for others. Here is an expanded timeline with a little bit of history and story for you all...
Time line for “Papa Bear”
- 1861 - Stefan of the Rossa clan was born into the world of the Roma. Born as the 7th son of a 7th son, he was prophesized to bring in special children … as well as a 7th son and a 7th daughter. The baba, a wise woman, after giving this destiny on his birth passed away. She was not alone, nor was she ever forgotten.
- 1864. Complete legal freedom for Roma in the united Balkan states is granted by Prince Ioan Alexandru Couza.
- 1868. In Holland, Richard Liebich's work on Roma introduces the phrase "lives unworthy of life" with specific reference to them, and later used as a racial category against Roma in Nazi Germany.
Nadya of the Frunze de Argint kumpania was born into the world of the Roma. She was born the 7th daughter of a 7th daughter. She was prophesized to bear special children … as well as a 7th son and a 7th daughter.
- 1870. Imperial Chancellor Otto von Bismarck circulates a letter dated November 18th demanding the "complete prohibition of foreign Gypsies crossing the German border," and that "they will be transported by the closest route to their country of origin." He also states that Roma in Germany be asked to show documentary proof of citizenship, and that if this is not forthcoming, they be denied traveling passes.
- 1874. Muslim Roma are given equal rights with other Muslims in the Ottoman Empire.
- 1875 - Stefan and Nadya met and were promised to one another. They both accepted this and started talking and comparing likes and dislikes. They found they were quite happy with this arrangement.
- 1876. Cesare Lombroso publishes his influential work L'uomo deliquente, which contains a lengthy chapter on the genetically criminal character of the Roma. This is translated into many languages, including German and English, and has a profound effect upon western legal attitudes.
A decree is issued in Bavaria which calls for the strictest examination of documentation held by Roma, both at the borders and inland, and the confiscation of their work permits wherever the slightest reason warrants. Their horses are also to be examined and confiscated if deemed unhealthy. The movements of those Gypsies who are allowed to remain are still to be carefully monitored.
- 1879. A national conference of Roma is convened in Kisfalu, Hungary.
Nomadism is banned in Serbia.
- 1880s. Agricultural depression in England brings poverty to many Gypsies, who move to squatter areas near towns.
- Argentina forbids Roma entry into country.
- Stefan and Nadya Rossa leave the kumpania for a time. They have gotten married in the custom for the Roma. They go to set up on the outskirts of Russia to share a bit of knowledge for some coin.
- 1882 - D’mitri was born the 7th son of a 7th son of a 7th son to the 7th daughter of a 7th daughter to the Rossa family, Stefan and Nadya, during the Spring Equinox. He is the eldest of fraternal triplets. This was taken as a good sign amongst the kumpani. Each would not only possess good looks, dance, cunning and grace, each was said that they would possess talents that would only come along once every three or four generations. One of them would possess beauty and charm; one of them would be excellent with weapons and physical arts to keep the kumpania safe; one of them would keep the lore of the people and understand the mystic rituals of them. The children are shown much love and compassion. Always, they were given attention and smiles.
- 1884. Dr. Sonya Kavalevsky, a Romni, is appointed professor of mathematics at Stockholm University becoming the first female professor in Scandinavia.
- 1885-95. Unsuccessful attempts in England to introduce the Moveable Dwellings Bills in Parliament to regulate Gypsy life.
- 1885. Roma are excluded by United States immigration policy; many are returned to Europe.
- 1886. Chancellor von Bismarck issues a directive to the governments of all regions of Germany alerting them to "complaints about the mischief caused by bands of Gypsies travelling in the Reich, and their increasing molestation of the population," and states that foreign Roma are to be dealt with in particular. This leads to the creation of many regional policies designed to deport non-German-born Roma.
Nomadism is banned in Bulgaria.
- 1887 - Within their own camps, the Rossa kumpani keeps a close watch on all of their children, especially the triplets. One evening, before night fall, D’mitri is on the outskirts of the camp. He is wandering in the forest when he hears something. It is a song that seems to emit from the very forest itself. He hears it and starts to gently sing it back. As he does, he notices two little people, about as big as his hand, with wings on their backs, dancing in a ring of mushrooms. Before he can walk towards them, Stefan gathers him up. D’mitri looks back to see the two figures, but they and the mushroom ring are gone.
Stefan carried D’mitri back to the camp and warned him of mushroom rings. The sprites, he said, were not as playful as they would appear. D’mitri nods to this and whispers ok. D’mitri then tells his father of the song he had heard right at dusk. He described it as if the trees and the shadows themselves were singing to him … Stefan looked amazed at what D’mitri had told him. Stefan tells him that it is the Song of Evening that he has heard. It takes a special ear to hear it, much less all three parts of it. D’mitri didn’t understand that concept for being so young; all he knew was that he wanted to learn more of it. As for now, that song had burned itself on to his very soul.
- 1889. The Showmen's Guild formed to oppose the Moveable Dwellings Bills. Showmen begin to become a distinct group from other Travellers or Gypsies.
1890. The Swabian parliament organizes a conference on the "Gypsy Scum" (Das Zigeunergeschmeiß), and suggests means by which the presence of Roma could be signalled from village to village by ringing church bells. The military is empowered to apprehend and move Roma on.
- 1892 - D’mitri decides that this Spring Equinox, that he will sing for their birthday. The others show off their skills very well. The partying continues into the night. The dancing stops as the young D’mitri takes to the center near the camp fire. He has decided that he will sing the Song of Evening. He explained the story of how he had walked out into the forest when was younger and heard the Song of Evening. A few of the older gypsies looked at him in disbelief; others looked at him with an impressed expression. However, all of the kumpania became quiet as the first notes escape his lips. The notes ring out gently through the night and seem to take on a song all their own. As it continues on, the song seems to take everyone on the journey and show them the words as if they actually existed. When D’mitri finishes, the kumpania is quiet. He looks around, bewildered. Then the first bit of applause and cheers breaks everyone from their trance. Many of them are affected by the song and feel the love grow within them. The night goes on with cheers for the three miracles.
- 1896 - Each of the triplets has started to go their separate way, but have kept in contact with each other via messages through birds that they have. Each Spring Equinox, they would come back to the kumpania to exchange stories, share dances, songs and the love for theirs and other tribes of gypsies.
Over the next few years, D’mitri searched for the other three parts of the song. He looked high and low. He traced every clue he could find from the best clues to even the most outlandish rumors. Every time he received information, he thanked the person and performed for them as payment. Each night, he would sing a little bit of the Song of Evening. It was like the world itself longed for him to find the rest. It was like having the ending of a great story, but not the middle or the ending … it was incomplete.
- 1899. An Information Agency, the Central Office for Fighting the Gypsy Nuisance (Nachrichtendienst in Bezug auf die Zigeuner), is established in Munich under the direction of Alfred Dillmann to collate reports on Roma movement throughout German lands, and a register of all Gypsies over the age of six is begun. This includes obtaining photographs, fingerprints and other genealogical data, and particularly information relating to "criminality." This leads to two initiatives: Dillmann's Zigeuner-Buch (1905), and the December 1911 conference. This agency does not officially close down until 1970.
- 1903 - It is the 21st birthday for the triplets. And each had become, without a doubt, a master within their field. His sister was the most beautiful, charming, and, according to some, a sensualist without peer. His brother was wonderful with all different types of weapons … even his hands were considered to be dangerous. D’mitri had obtained stories, songs, and a good deal of different dances. He enjoyed this birthday and was grateful to be with his kumpania
The summer solstice is now upon them. D’mitri has wandered a good distance towards the east. As night falls, he finds a group of 3 gaje (non-Rom), two he could see their faces, the third had a hood up, by a camp fire. The winds have died down some and things seem to be more quiet then normal. D’mitri doesn’t mind, nor does it register as wrong. He approaches the camp fire and offers, through pantomime, the offer of song and dance for the use of their fire. The hooded man, acting as the leader, looked towards D’mitri, nodded and then spoke,
“You sing and dance to a story about whom you are and where you come from and we will give you that which you deserve.”
D’mitri was amazed, for though that was not has language, he understood it. He shook his head of the fear that starts to occur and passes it off as nerves. He starts to sing and dance. The other two seem motionless as he sings, but the leader seemed unaffected. He “directs” him to do things here and there and D’mitri does it without a blink. His moves were done as perfect as he could, yet his voice was always on pitch and queue. As he finished, the leader drew back his hood and D’mitri saw his eyes. Immediately, his body froze, every muscles, every limb, every hair, every inch of his skin betrayed him. D’mitri saw the Other-worldly eyes burning deep with in him. The Director, which whom had been under the hood, had nodded and said,
“A perfect performance of song story, however the dance will have to be worked on. No one is perfect … until I direct them.”
At this, The Director walked over to D’mitri and placed his hand on his shoulder. D’mitri called out in pain and vanished.
- 1903 – 2008
In service to The Director, D’mitri was sent out to gather stories. The Director placed what looked like a miniature cuckoo clock on his wrist. He told him he had a day’s time to gather the stories. When his time was up, the clock would chime and bring him back. D’mitri asked how and The Director merely smiled and said, “In the best theatrical way possible.”
As he traveled the path he was shown, he attempted to remove the device. As he did, it dug into his flesh and burned him. He tried to destroy it on the ground and no damage was done to it. He would attempt on different occasions and the same results happened. He obtained the story of the Gentry of Sable and Astre … someone looking for the perfect romance.
The clock chimed thirteen times. As it did, black sand poured from the entire thing. It whirled around D’mitri and blinded him. When he could see again, he was in front of The Director. He told D’mitri that he had a day to put together his story and song. Through the night, D’mitri put together the song and story. As he sat there thinking of his kumpania, he cried that night.
D’mitri came out on to the stage, as The Director was out in the audience. He made a motion and D’mitri was in, what looked like the bottom half of a huge hourglass. It hung off to stage right. He looked up and only saw blackness. The Director made a gesture and the curtain parted. There were other people on stage. Some looked normal; others looked like elves, half-man half-animal, gargoyles and more. The Director looked to D’mitri and made a gesture and said, “Sing…”
As D’mitri attempted to start, he received a mouth full of black sand. He spat and coughed. The Director had everything continue. D’mitri went back to singing. He got up to the quarter mark and that is when the sand started twisting and moving as if in a whirl wind. A sand storm started whirling around and tearing at D’mitri’s flesh as he sang. The “actors” attempted to guess where his story was going and tried to act accordingly. Those that failed were shocked, had flames upon them, fell through trapdoors and more. He almost reached the halfway mark when he collapsed from the pain. His last thoughts were of his family.
D’mitri awoke on a table, gagging. The Director was there and had forced some sort of liquid down his throat. His wounds started to heal over, but where the sands had ripped into him, his skin came back a bit darker … not at first though. It was barely noticeable at first, but as this continued, you could see it. Every time, the sand would become a bit more prominent. So, to make sure he was able to withstand it, he did what he knew he should not do … he allowed the sands, as well as the very magic that infused the area to swell into him. He felt his ability to perform grow to greater levels then he thought could happen.
This went on for years. D’mitri had started losing track of the years, and only had his wits about him to even take a guess. During this time, he would try to protect and take care of the other Lost their. He would try to take the blame for their mistakes. Sometimes it would work. Other times, they would both be punished. No matter, he would always attempt to help out.
There was a time that he had walked in on The Director starting to train a new person. The Director made several slashes at the girl. Each slash had a stream of blood fly out. He gasped as he realized that The Director was using the veins from the girls arm to be wires. The Director was turning her into a marionette. The Director heard the gasp and grabbed his flail. After the 8th hit, D’mitri was unconscious.
D’mitri awoke on a surgical table. The person tending to his wounds was a young man. His nimble fingers helped with a good deal of the wounds he had. He hands that were kind-hearted and precise. As D’mitri looked at this surgeon, he noticed he, too, had a clock on him … however, he also had a metal plate on his head and his muscles were more pronounced. He did not know what happened to him, but decided to befriend him. Each could understand the other by the use of the clocks. The surgeon’s name was Pinn. At this moment, D’mitri had not given his name. It had been joked around by the other Lost, more specifically a Beast I the form of a Bear, that since he looked after them, he should be called Papa Bear. So, that was the name he gave to Pinn. It was then that they grew to respect one another. As Pinn kept Papa Bear whole, Papa Bear would sing to help Pinn with the gruesomeness of the work he had to do. As he did this, he thought of the camp fires of his home.
Through the years, Papa Bear, as he was now going by, gathered many stories. Some of these were The Story of Dog, The Roman Teacher turn Gladiator, The tale of Alabaster and Sable, The Wise Woman who lost her husband, The Horse of Flame and Darkness and many more. He would tell them all.
There was a time were The Director took a leave from his place. It was as if the entire place took a sigh of relief. Papa Bear decided to take this time to walk the grounds. He invited the others to join him. They all slowly crept out of the manor house. Instead of the eerie darkness and feeling of dread from the theatre, it was calm, peaceful and nice. The strange smells from the flowers were nice, but now that he was out walking here, he thought even more of home. He had a moment to guess and thought about twenty-one years had passed through.
He came out of his thoughts when he looked up, just in time to see Pinn, lost in his own thoughts, heading towards the woods. Papa Bear decided to go after him, but Pinn went behind the trees and out of sight. When he reached the edge of the grounds, the clock fell off. As it hit the ground, the bird flew out and took off in a direction. Papa Bear looked and saw that he could leave. He looked and saw the woods calling to him. He was frozen for a moment with fear. He did not know what would happen if The Director caught him. The fear gave way to a small glimpse of the last thing in Pandora’s Box: hope. He decided to take this opportunity. Yet, he couldn’t just leave the others … he needed to get his new kumpania out of here. He turned around and called out to them. Most of them did not understand him. The clock no longer worked…
As Papa Bear attempted to get them to run, the lands started getting darker. The Director was coming home. Most finally understood and started running without even thinking twice. They started ran for the gates as they started to swing closed. Those who didn’t catch on quick enough … were damned. They started running for the gates, but were too late. The gates slammed shut … Papa Bear and ten others made it out. He organized them and they started into the woods. They attempted to stay together, but one by one they were separated. Papa Bear tried to find them. Slowly the plants changed. The path seemed to take on a different feel. What’s this? Is it an opening between the trees into an actual set of woods? Is this a trick by The Director? Papa Bear pushed forward to see what was out there.
Current Activities:
- None recorded as of yet...
Kumpania (Motley)
Hmmm...
Other Camp Fires (Allies)
Where is that medic who help treat my wounds? Where is Pinn??
Arcadian Ties
((If you'd like to be an Arcadian tie as well, place your name here and your thoughts when you met him. I will do the same underneath of it))
- Dog -
~ In the short time I spent with Dog, I grew to like him. He was simple, but within that simple charm, it spoke wonders of what he had seen. He spoke very simple and all at once, I understood what he was trying to tell me of myself. I hope that he was able to escape ... from the Gentry and his prison in his mind.
~ A true example of suffering and chaos. She showed many visions to me ... I think she was trying to scare me away for some reason. Yet, behind the twisted shapes, I could see the woman she was. My heart felt for her ... even as hers grew dark and cold.
- Briar Rose - She was the prettiest of these traveling tribes of ugly mortals that We had ever seen. And We have seen a lot of ugly mortals. We had to have her. It was easy to lure her away; We simply danced a light orb and on she came. Never knew what hit her, the poor thing. I wanted her to be beautiful, I wanted her to be graceful, and I wanted her to be forever, to never have to die. She murmured something about Sleeping Beauty in her dreams and it charmed Us, that idea. What’s beautiful, graceful, and can always be in its fullest bloom of life? A rose bush. She became Our little “briar rose”. We made her Our darling, Our prize. Isn't she lovely?
~ One of my own kin, a Roma, a gypsy, turned to nothing more then a rose bush. I wanted so much to see her. I wanted to help her right then and there. I cried at her bush, and left a scarf for her. I can only hope to see her for her true form ... if she has escaped.
~ The doctor. The surgeon. The man who kept me whole; both physically and mentally. His was the face I had grown to associate with kindness and enduring while kept by The Director. How he is doing now, I do not know. I do hope to that he found the right path. I will find him one day.
- Ryver - "He came to me at a party in search of my story. I remember looking in the direction of his voice and saying nothing. Instead, I played my flute. By this time, I was one with the water. I felt it whirl and boil as I played, and using the water to make figures...I told him how I came to be. How a child grew to know nothing but pain. As I finished, something like a cuckoo clock went off and he was gone. No one was able to tell me who he was, but, before he was gone, he shed a tear. All I remember was asking why he would cry ... and that was it."
~ To find a blind man, completely darkened and made of water was interesting enough. Yet, to see him play his flute and control the water around him to show the story was more then I could ask for. The scene was beautifully maddening and heart-wrenching. I shed a tear and knew that this one should not be here. I was about to say something to him when the clock struck the time and I was gone. I hope he was able to make his way out.
~ She was released from her imprisonment to tell her own story. After she told her tale, more tears fell from my eyes. I told her, that no matter what escape happens, I hope, this time, hers is the true escape.
~ I have ran across a lot of things in my time gathering stories, but to talk to a horse, and not just any horse, but one that seemed to be possessed by flames and darkness, took me a little aback. I talked with him about his capture and he was able to explain how it happened. Truly an incredible being to be turned into, but I still mourn for that which he lost. Always will I be glad to have attempted to befriend him.
- Gaius Arctorus - Such a lovely mistake was he, dear boy. I had hoped for the General, reborn, and was disappointed to find I had travelled all that way for little more than a scholar. The fires of our arena, however, have forged and tempered him well, don't you think? He's become such a lovely addition to my gladiators. Did you see his recent match? I sent him a reward of pomagranate wine for his efforts....
~The Gentry looked me over and nodded. He explained the capture of the roman soldier. How he was able to transform a dedicated scholar into the fighting machine I saw now. There was not much of a scholar left ... rippling muscles, sweat on the brow, sword and claws at the ready. How could they do such a thing to someone. The more I learn, the more I am convinced that this "things" know nothing of our ways.
~I didn't understand what William was speaking of when he was talking about the "football team" was, but I understood the description of the lady he was beginning to court. Now, when he talked of the woods and camping, I saw how this was going to be rather large trouble. And then when he talked of Ole Gob appearing and him here, I knew he was in for a rough time. Gobbanus was known for his cruelty, yet he kept his word. I wondered, as the clock went off, if he'd make it out of that inferno.
- The Mime - She had no words to share, but The Collector had known it would be that way; he was always looking for a new excuse to punish her for her silence. She appeared to be content with her place and purpose, but during the time she spent with the Bear... there was a shadow of sorrow in her eyes, and if she could've spoken she might have told him that His Keeper was even more cruel than her own. There is an intimacy in the sharing of tales... at least she, in silence, could keep a part of herself hidden.
~To see such beauty and try to understand why she was quiet ... confused me. I was used to gathering stories, but this one could not ... nor would not talk. I tried to ask The Collector yet he was gone as well. It was merely The Mime and I. I didn't mind too much. It was nice to enjoy the silence and merely talk to someone who would listen. Yet, as I was pulled back by The Director, I finally saw the sadness in her eyes. I was severely punished for not gaining the story. In that moment of pain with lash after lash, I knew that if I had obtained the story, I would have received this punishment regardless ... for I would not speak of just the quiet time I was allowed with her.
Outside of the Hedge
((This is for character's that Papa Bear has met outside of the Hedge))
((More To Come))
Quotes, Rumors & More
Gypsy Thoughts (Personal Quotes)
- Unde sunt? Unde-mi sunt fraţi şi surori? Cum sa nu-i aici? Cineva? Vă rugăm să vă? Ajutaţi-mă! -Papa Bear
((Where am I? Where are my brothers and sisters? How did I get here? Someone? Please? Help me!))
Myths and Legends (Rumors)
- He is a Banished Gentry amongst the Lost.
- He is a myth.
- He still works for his Keeper.
- The mists of Arcadia have clouded his mind and make him think he is older then he is.
- His arrival will restart events that had stopped when he was taken.
- He should not exist.
Songs within the Woods (Soundtrack)
... Songs that start this Story ...
Gypsy Bardic Tinker People - Heather Alexander ... Describes the gypsies and their kumpania. Where they go and what they do. Very calm, happy and relaxed.
Gypsy Fire - Heather Alexander ... This is played during the times of merriment.
Darkening of the Light - Concrete Blonde ... As the light goes down and The Director makes his move to capture D'mitri.
You oughta be in pictures - Ziegfield Follies of 1934 ... Very creepy, whiny and scratchy. As played from an old record player while dealing with The Director in Arcadia.
... Songs that continue the Tale ...
Into the Woods - (The Musical Prologue) ... While wandering through the Hedge on his way and about to escape.
Songs from other Lost
((Please write what your character would've said, has said, or their thoughts about Papa Bear...))
- "Storytellers in our world are everywhere. If I could sing and play the flute at the same time, more stories would come from me. There was one storyteller I remember from my days in Arcadia. It was weird though. It wasn't that he told stories. More like...he collected stories. I remember telling him of how I came to be, but never actually speaking. Never did find or hear from him again. If he were around out here these days...this one song I heard recently would remind me of him. I hope I find him again..." - Ryver describes the song ... "Tell me Baby" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
