Stephen Daedalus
From Changeling Venue
| Seeming | Fairest Dual Kith |
|---|---|
| Court | Sun Court ••••• |
| Freehold | Austin, TX |
| Player | Brad Heichelbech |
NONE OF THIS INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED GENERAL IC KNOWLEDGE
Contents |
Basic Information
- Alias(es): Stephen Daedalus
- Real Name: Stephen Ambros van Whittaker
- Seeming: Fairest
- Kith: Bright One \ Telluric
- Virtue: Fortitude
- Vice: Pride
- Court: Sun
- Freehold: Austin, Texas
- Entitlement: The Sacred Band of the Golden Standard
- Email: stephen.van.whittaker@gmail.com
Relevant Mechanics
- Striking Looks 2
- Sun Court Mantle 5
Concept
A relatively modern era knight, adhering to a personal code of chivalric virtue, helping those in need to attone for a past that he has yet to lay to rest. While in the Hedge, he typically protects anyone in need and only asks alms in return, he will take a job when he has to, provided the cause is at least mostly noble. When the need arises though, in pulp hero fashion, he is not above breaking a law or two for the greater good.
Inspirations
The Adventures of Captain Paradox - The greatest TV Series of all time.
Books
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
specificly Tristan
The Books of Magic by Neil Gaiman
specificly Tamlin
Almost any Pulp Action novel
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
specificly Richard Mayhew and Hunter
Movies
Mary Shelly's Frankenstien
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Stardust
Wild Wild West
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Sleepy Hollow
Brotherhood of the Wolf
Van Helsing
The Brothers Grim
The Adventures of Baron Von Munchausen
The Prestige
Music
Sophia - Cruxshadows
"Holding Out for a Hero" - Bonnie Tyler
"Original Sin (The Natives are Restless Tonight)" - Pandora's Box
"Tonight is What It Means to Be Young" - Fire Inc
"Hero" - Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott
"Fine Again" - Seether
"Through the Glass" - Stone Sour
"Wish I had an Angel" - Nightwish
Timeline
- 1929 - On December 21st - Born in Houston, Texas to a well off family
- 1942 - Mid Spring, Father goes to fight in WWII
- 1944 - Mid November, the two soldiers from the State Department show up on the door with "the letter"
- 1944 - Late December, Stephen tries to enlist but can not pass basic physical fitness requirements
- 1945 - On the Monday after Easter, Stephen is abducted by Gentry having agreed to a specific contract without realizing it
- TIME - While in Faerie, his durance seemed to him to be about seven years.
- 1990 - Escaped from Hedge with Ananaksus
- 1990 - met Vladimir Karakov , a Stage Magician and fellow Hedge Runner. The two worked together for several years off and on.
- 1995 - Begin Intermittant Employment with Evie Greene, a Merchant
- 1996 - Begin Intermittant Employment with Clara, a Seeress
- 1998 - Inducted into The Sacred Band of the Golden Standard
- 2000 - Began being a serious contender in Summer Court Tourneys
- 2000 - Served the previous Summer King of the Freehold as Royal Guardian until the Night of Shattering
- 2001 - Won the Summer Tourney using Elemental Fury and thrown weapons
- 2002 - Early February, travelled to Moscow sight seeing, first encountered the Slavic Courts.
- 2002 - Won the Summer Tourney for a second year in a row.
- 2003 - Chose not to enter the Summer Tourney, instead spending the time trying to persuade Leeland of Austin to let go his insane vendetta. Continued in this capacity off and on over several years. Finds himself questioning the merit of the Summer Court ideals.
- 2004 - Met Sebastian Wulfhiem CEC while attending a mundane seminar on concept restaraunts. The two became good friends over the years, trading recipes and the like.
- 2005 - Following the Night of Shattering, recieved the title of Summer King when he took up the crown, holding it through modern times. (Within the normal cycle of seasons)
- 2006 - Escorted Jonathan Brooks
- 2006 - Autumn, encounters Belle Chanson a Beast Windwing in the Hedge, on her escape from Arcadia. Taking her under his wing, he sets her up with a new life.
- 2007 - Returning to Austin in late January to find the city nearly destroyed by Gentry. Aiding them when possible.
- 2007 - September 23 - Stepped down as Summer King and departed from the city
- 2007 - December - Finally seeing the virtue of the Sun Court, Stephen converts and finds himself perfectly fit within his new Court. The focus of his previous behavior being refined to its true goal.
- 2008 - Continues to reside in Austin.
Description
Stephen is a very striking gentleman to lay eyes on and not purely for his near flawless appearance. Not an overly tall man, his slightly anachronistic style of dress does turn a few heads. Casually found wearing a pair of of musgrove trousers with a matching vest, a starched white victorian shirt, and a black string tie. The brass chain of his pocket watch hanging neatly from a pocket, and a small black briefcase at his side.
Mask
- Age: 26
- Garb: Typically "Steampunk" variety, ranging from casual (see above) to the extreme
- Height: 5'11"
- Weight: 195 lbs
- Nationality: American (Texan)
- Hair: shoulder length dark brown with highlights
- Eyes: blue
- Complexion: fair
- Build: athletic
Mien
- Age: 26
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 195 lbs
- Eyes: A brilliant blue, until you gaze deeply into them. Then you see the birth of galaxies.
- Hair: silky white, like the tail of a shooting star
- Complexion: the pale of the full moon to the deep tan of golden wheat
- Build: Lean and graceful
Rumors
Whisper your secrets.
- After a dinner party conversation turned wrong, it's rumored that Stephen Daedalus has intentions to date a young, but betrothed, Oracle.
- For all his flirting and seemingly lucid ways, Stephen is actually madly in love with one woman. Though knowing the dashing hero she's probably someone as out going and brightly shining as he is.
- There is talk out near the Tomnahurich Market about the time some fool tried to call the Wild Hunt down on Stephen. If stories are to be believed, when the Gentry showed up, Stephen stared them in the eye and dared them to touch him. They grabbed the other fellow and ran away in fear. Leastwise, nobody's seen that guy since...
Quotes By/About
Tell your story.
"He shines with all the glory of the summer sun. Bright this one is, but the deeper his shadows run. Great things bright surround him and greater darkness hides within him. I doubt even he is aware of. I will enjoy exploring that darkness should it ever come out. Until then, I will enjoy the light he creates." ~ Nathaniel Fellows
I recall he used to come to Leland, with a pretense to practice with him. it was always the same, he would allow Leland a good hit upon him...I think this was to stroke the kings ego, to best another summer king...then he would ask Leland to listen to reason. After He left, Leland would compare him to a member of the winter court. - Vicky Sage
Leve fit, quod bene fertur, onus -The Ovid, as said by Gaea.
Stephen has good intentions and a bigger heart. He's like a puppy that just doesn't know how to keep his nose out of the trash, and it hurts him, when he can't help. Hell, most of the time it hurts him when he does help, too.-Remy Carson
I've seen Mr. Daedalus' future, the lyrical motion of things to come, of the warmth he will bring, but with every blessing comes a curse and I fear the ripples. His beauty is only paralleled by his souls tenacity, my the world keep this balance. - Clara
Light and darkness each have their way, each engulf the other when appropriate. A lesson, hard learned, stabbed into the eyesockets. Perhaps he has learned the same of darkness that I learned of light. We may yet see. - Vestigere the Usurper
Stephen is an honorable man, though sometimes I wonder about his personal code. He also reminds me of a Rake. Keep your roguish ways but watch where it takes you, my friend. - Abel
Sometimes I think he is the only true light in this darkness. - Rowan
Hes interesting to me, he seems so heroic. I bet he could hold up in a fight just fine. And I wouldn't mind getting to know him a little better. Gerri Williams
I wonder what he thinks he knows? The Captain
No. (after a protracted pause) His function is beyond my scope, but intruiging. ~Duma of Stephan Daedalus
The only ones that I know of that can deny reality and bring their own to the front are the Gentry. X-Caliber-8 in answer to Stephen's comment.
"In Hollywood, men like him will always triumph evil. Perhaps the real world is a darker place, but I would still prefer to have him at my side in the hedge." -Nycto Feraz
"Oh Stephan, always so noble, so pure. You would be so much fun to break. And I think you'd like it more than you would admit..." Cassandra Sweet
"His eyes light up so when we bide company. I fear he makes me into more than I am, more than I can be. He's just so eager, though, that I just can't help telling him stories of where I've been..." - Mrs. Smythe
Acquaintances and Ties
Inner Circle
Add yourself only if you're sure.
Vladimir Karakov - The two met in 1990 and shared many adventures in the Hedge together, both working on contracts as well as simply harvesting. By way of Vlad, came under the employ of Evie Greene. In 1995, Stephen was the best man at Vladimir Karakov and Evie Greene's wedding.
Remy Carson - When Stephen has found himself heavily battered and bruised from his assignments, Remy has often been there to patch him back up. He gives her more business than he'd like most times.
Belle Chanson - Picked up from the Hedge when she had just escaped, Belle soon grew on Stephen like that kid sister you never had.
Evie Greene - Performed escort duty from 1995 - ???, guarding her trade caravan between locations.
Clara - Performed escort duty at various points in time from 1996 - ???, guarding the young Seeress from one city to the next.
Mother Rowan - Met at the 2000 Summer Court Tourney while sparring against each other; Rowan took an interest in his knightly ways and the two became friends after some initial issues stemming from Rowan's personal social shortcomings.
Morgan Silver - One of Stephen's mentors, she helped to temper his wrath with healthy realism.
Dame Solan - Inducted Stephen into the The Sacred Band of the Golden Standard.
Friends
Add yourself.
Mavis Thornsby - Linked together from common friends and allies. They trade recipes and drinks.
Rigger - Met in 2000, while escorting Clara. Although initially suspicious of his motives, soon found a degree of respect for the man.
Emma Hart - Met in Colorado during one of many travels through the area. A very special girl, Stephen has never quite figured out what to make of her.
Sebastian Wulfhiem CEC - Met in 2004 while attending a seminar, they trade notes and the especially rare supplies.
Delphi - Met in the Austin area. Delphi seemed harmless, but lacked the ability to communicate coherently, though she seemed to be able to indicate emotion through body language. Informed the local Lost about her.
Cahalenn - another frequent guest at Thorndale Manor, these two have become friends through Clara.
Anita Smythe - Mrs Smythe is like a character walked right out of a pulp novel. Stephen has a very healthy respect for her.
Brand - Brand and Stephen have alot in common, including friends, enemies, and viewpoints. This has caused their paths to cross more then once.
General Benedict Waldo Ironhand - A regular supplier and friend of Stephen. If Stephen were Bond, the General is his Q.
Drake - Met Stephen within the Hedge as he was sent to be tested for his swordsmanship. Drake made sure to talk with Stephen afterwards to insure that he would use what he taught him to free himself, and others if possible, from Arcadia and the Hedge.
Friendly Rivals
Add yourself.
Gryphon - A friend and a rival, the two operate very closely within the same circles. Their Summer Court leanings often set them at a competative odds, driven all the more by their Fairest sense of superiority
Nathaniel Fellows - Although granted a grudging respect, Nathaniel and Stephen far too often find themselves on opposite positions in a conflict, even when fighting on the same side. If nothing else, the cold war like behavior between the two of them qualifies this as a rivalry.
Jax - Uncertain of where the rivalry came from, he's welcomed it with open arms. Despite such, in the event that Stephen needs shelter through Phoenix while working with the Innkeepers, Jax is more than willing to assist. When questioned upon the kindness, he declines to comment.
Gaea - First person to realize that Gaea's first language was Classical Latin, also known to be beaten up by her on a regular basis.
The Sacred Band of the Golden Standard - They might be called allies, were it not for the constant competition. Still they remain friendly...usually
Cato Septimus Tag - Having met during the Summer Tourney, the recognized a shared fighting style. Off the field, while sharing a few beers, they discovered they both had studied under Morgan Silver
Gwyneira Blythe
Deadly Rivals
Add yourself.
Vestigere the Usurper - Upon encountering each other in the Hedge, they were on opposite sides in the conflict. Stephen fighting valiantly to escape from the clutches of Faerie, while Vestigere fought to drag him back to his Mistress. In the end, it was only in a blinding flash of light that the battle was ended, neither side having a true victory.
Past Contracts
Add yourself.
Ruby Kirkbride - Assisted Stephen by providing a new identity for him, many years ago.
Jonathan Brooks - A past client, escorted him after a suicide attempt in 2006. This 'escort' led them into the hedge and right into a dangerous situation, accomplishing exactly what Stephen had intended, albeit not by the means originally planned.
Malic Stitch - When Oswald hasn't been avaialble for one reason or another, Malic is the next artist contacted for his hedgespun needs. Stephen is exceedingly hard on him, but wears his clothes with pride.
Aklia Grimm - Hired by Rowan to escort her across the country, reuniting her with her brothers, Grimm.
Scarlett - Hired as an acquisition agent on several occassions.
Laurel Thorn - Stephen doesn't speak overly of his employment with her. When he does mention it, he simply states he does her honest work, and lets her do the rest.
Current Contracts
Add yourself.
Ozwald Savile - Kept on retainer to do regular wardrobe replacement and some repairs. Frequently invited to the events that Stephen finds himself attending
Thorn - A sometimes runner of the Harvest Syndicate, Stephen has been called on to escort him from time to time, although only after its been shown that his cargo is at least not innately harmful.
Sora-Employed by the young Fairest to fulfill various contracts, although sometimes he has doubts as to the overall morality of Sora's "trade"
General Benedict Waldo Ironhand - A crafter of the Autumn Court, General Ironhand often serves as Stephen's personal Q.
Vayne Cruxis - A Fairest Dancer of the Spring Court. Ran into him around May some time while traveling. Good man who seems rather light hearted, but beside this very apparent aspect of him, there is much more to this man, something deeper that drives him.
Abel Grimm - A fellow business associate, it was Abel's financial understanding that helped to expediate the transfer of the property, and free up a great deal of assets to run it. Stephen still performs the occassional odd job for him.
Places and Organizations
Add Your Place.
The Steampot - A Restaraunt/Inn that Stephen manages, providing hospitality to changelings in need
Van Whittaker Estate - Stephen's family estate that he has managed to take possession of once more.
The Innkeepers - A benevolent enough association of individuals who provide shelter and hospitality for changelings in need.
The Goblin Fruit and Nut Company - One of many guilds with which Stephen is associated, serving as a middle man for arranging dealings, taking very minimal commission for himself.
The Exalted Guild of the Fae-Touched Artisans - Another Guild for which Stephen is a regular patron, purchasing supplies of hedgespun clothing to sell or give away.
Harvest Syndicate - Regularly contracted to protect members of the organization when they travel from freehold to freehold.
Cold One - Freehold of Denver, Denver, Colorado. Operated by Mavis Thornsby
The Harp's Hostel - A small but secure hostel in Austin, TX. Operated by Gaea
Thorndale Manor - One of many locations Stephen finds himself frequently the guest of. Maintained by Clara
Hedgeapple Cookbook - Not a place so much as a thing. Well worth looking at
OOC
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Brad Heichelbech
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Other Info:
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Player of:
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Final Words
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
------Dylan Thomas
Categories: Fairest | Dual Kith | Sun Court | Bright One | Telluric | Bio
