Character Survey | Maxwell Trevelyan

[clarioretenebris]

Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy? 6'2" Maxwell is rather tall, with plenty of compact muscle. As he is a rogue he's built to be quick so he isn't as bulky as he is lean, but he certainly has powerful legs that enable him to move swiftly, and equally powerful arms that give him the ability to alternate between using a bow or daggers.

2. How old is he? 30

3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch? He isn't hyper-formal, he can adjust his posture to any particular situation. He shows a great deal of upright grace in court, but when relaxed he has no problem slouching.

4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities? Aside from the anchor on his hand that is a potential threat to his life, Maxwell is the poster child for perfect health.

5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid? He is very graceful and fluid, he has to be given his level of skill in archery and knife wielding. He's also human so he isn't perfect, he can certainly have clumsy moments, but for the most part, pretty graceful.

6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror? He sees himself as relatively good looking, it's not his area of expertise so much as it is Dorian's or Vivienne's. If he thinks people are attracted to him he will assume it is because he is the Inquisitor and that position is a very tempting one. How others see him is based on their own concepts of attractiveness.

7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred? Dark-ish. He has a pretty decent tan going on, but not Rivain dark. He has some light scarring along his body, he has a few faint ones on his face around his right eye and his lips.

8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style. His hair is a dark brow shade, medium length, looks like it would be smooth to the touch. The left side is shaved and he has a braid tucked behind his left ear. It gives him something of a wilder, perhaps even barbaric, edge. He also has a perpetual 5 o'clock shadow on his jaw.

9. What color are his eyes? Vividly green.

10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features? The anchor on his hand, it's this green shard of light on the palm of his left hand that enables him to seal rifts and prevent demons from entering the from the fade. Consequently it is also killing him.

11. What are his chief tension centers? Shoulders, arms, and legs. These are muscle groups that he tends to use quite a bit, and he also, quite literally, carries Thedas on his shoulders.

12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit? He favors dark, earthy colors, tinted with deep reds or royal blues and he might dress it up with gold. Being a rogue he likes clothing that will give him the fullest range of motion possible, tight things, that do not run the risk of getting snagged on anything, and very little in the way of armor.

13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them? They fit him like a second skin, actually, and he absolutely feels comfortable in them. Rogues feel comfortable in clothing designed for rogues, tight, supple, leathers that are durable and flexible.

14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences? Not really, he still wears form fitting clothing, just less of it and he doesn't carry quite as much equipment on him.

15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando? I think the underwear situation is very complex in Thedas, I suspect it's something similar to a fundoshi, loin cloth, or bikini briefs...though closer to fundoshi.



Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse? He's got that smooth English accent, mid rage and not too deep. His voice is gentle and melodious, unless he's irritated or joking.

2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate? His voice is usually pretty even, though not monotone, there's color to it depending on the situation. Also given his gift for making speeches on the spot he's rarely hesitant in speaking. Sometimes he can be thoughtless, but that's more of a cultural thing than intentional. If you are from Ferelden you are not always going to understand the Orlesian way of life and one might make untoward comments about the shoes and such. He tries to be culturally aware, however, which is why he engages in a great deal of dialogue that is almost Socratic.

3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics? English (as in the British English accent) and he doesn't really have any verbal tics.

4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency? Common, though I suspect as a noble he's dabbled in other languages as well, a bit of Orlesian and a bit of Antivan. He probably couldn't hold a conversation, but he'd understand what was being said to him.

5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations? No, he doesn't know enough about other languages to hold a conversation so he wouldn't switch between Common and other languages.

6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words? He's totally all about thinking on his feet and that includes speaking.

7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change? Eloquent, usually, but he's not beyond being offensive and insulting, it just depends on whether or not you get him properly pissed off. Then he might speak from off the cuff and less thoughtfully. He will give back to you exactly what you give to him



Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart? He knows a little bit about a lot of things and while he doesn't have a particular area where he is skilled academically (not like Dorian with his vast knowledge of history) Maxwell is an eager student in all things. He is always asking questions, and he is a good strategist in his own right, he is quite adaptable and learned from how to play The Grand Game. So he's not even close to being a moron. I would say he runs the gamete of book and street smart.

2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate? Depends on the situation, because his situation is urgent he doesn't deliberate long, but he will deliberate on some things, like when he is sitting in judgement. For the most part he is very prompt and his thoughts come quickly, but he does consider some things.

3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical? I would say that he is intuitive and idealistic, at least that's how I play him at therefore that is how I see him. Logic take time and deliberation and as mentioned before he thinks more on his feet because he has to, so frequently he has to follow his intuition about things. He's also an idealist, not to the point of being completely impractical, but he does think about the way things should be and he tries to make the world fit into that context as best as he can.

4. What kind of education has the character had? Probably grew up with private tutors, well educated in a great many subjects, including the use of weaponry. While specializing in the use of bows, Maxwell specializes in nothing academically, he simply knows a little bit about a lot of things. His companions and advisors act like an external mind. What he does not know, they probably do, or they can find out.

5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about? His areas of expertise include archery, he can wield a set of daggers, and horseback riding. As a rogue his specialization includes assassination.

6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert? Extrovert. He is constantly on the move, constantly talking with and checking in on people and he doesn't need to be alone or locked away in order to recover his energy.

7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven? I would say he is an even-tempered man who is driven by the responsibilities heaped on his shoulders. He also does not want to die making him extra motivated. He is pretty jocular when the mood calls for it and he can be a deadly serious leader when he needs to be.

8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic? He'll feel them out, as with anyone he will question them until the well has run dry and then he will give them the benefit of the doubt, until or unless they prove to not be worth his trust. He sides with the mages and he takes them on as comrades as opposed to conscripting them. He could have and it might have been the wise thing to do, but he gave them the benefit of the doubt.

9. Is he more likely to act, or to react? Again this depends on the situation. If something is thrust into his lap without warning then he is likely to react. If he has prior notice or insight into something in particular he is likely to act.

10. Which is his default: fight or flight? As with the above, it depends on the situation, if there is a way he can wit or a way that he can save others then he will fight. If running is the only course of action he will choose this. He will do the thing that will end with the least amount of bloodshed if he can.

11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks? He has a very good sense of humor and tends to go along wit the baner of the other characters around him without missing a beat, even if the jokes are at his expense, such as when Varric and Dorian bet on his odds. He also pranked people with Sera. So he appreciates a wide range of humor, with his own verging somewhere between lighthearted and sarcastic.

12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them? Nope.

13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person? Well when the conclave blew up and he was blessed or cursed with the anchor on his hand, I would say this was the most definitive point in his life. It absolutely defined his character, thrust him into this role of leadership, made him the Inquisitor whether he wanted it or not.

14. What does he fear? Spiders apparently.

15. What are his hopes or aspirations? To not dies, to seal the rift, to stop Corypheus, to save Thedas, to correct as many of the injustices that cross his path that he is able to. His end goal is stability, not absolute peace which he knows is impossible.

16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him? That he's afraid of spiders?



Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents. I put him at odds with his family. They made the choice for him to be sent to the Chantry and that wasn't exactly what he wanted. In addition to that he views them and being somewhat power hungry and doesn't really approve of how they try to conform to societal pressures. Bann Trevelyan is his father, his mother, Lady Trevelyan is not given a name.

2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like? He is the youngest of four, it's actually not clarified how many sibling he has only that he is the youngest and he stands no chance of inheriting anything. So, as to not be a burden or another competitor, and due to the fact that his family has close ties to the Chantry and the Templar Order, off he was shipped. His siblings also have no name.

3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand? Known relatives include Great-Aunt Lucille, a cousin named Lady Osher Lotharn Trevelyan Bayart, Lord Labrect a distant cousin, and Philliam Bernard Aloicious Trevekyan who is a Bard. It's not said that he's particularly close with these relatives and with some of them being distant relatives it is not likely.

4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them? N/A

5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet? I consider the person Maxwell romance to be his closest friend in the game, I typically pair him with Dorian and depending on the situation the either meet at Redcliffe in the "In Hushed Whispers" path or they will meet in Haven after "Champions of the Just."

6. Does he have other close friends? His inner circle and his advisors. He gets along well with Cullen, Josephine, Cassandra, Varric, The Iron Bull, and Cole. He has a lukewarm relationship with Solas, Sera, Vivienne, and Leliana due to their excess in whatever it is that puts him at odds with them, they are often extremes in their way of thinking and given his idealism and wanting to shape the world to meet those ideals he often butts heads with those with other, extreme, ideas. He gets along with them and even plays along with them, but he doesn't agree with their methods or thoughts about certain things.

7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people? Maxwell is a people person.

8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends? Lovers first, Friends, then Family.

9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once? Unmarried but not unattached when I play him. His parents would like to throw someone of influence at the most powerful man in Thedas, of course, but he will have none of it.

10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse? He tends to be in a Romantic Relationship with Dorian, but I'll ship him with anyone just about.

11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest? Some random woman from back home, presently it is his love interest in the Inquisition.

12. What does he look for in a romantic partner? Someone clever and easy going, someone gentle with a strong sense of their own ideals and what is right. Someone who realizes that he is not perfect and might make mistakes, but supports him anyway because he needs it. He will not ask for it, but he needs it.

13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any? N/A

14. Does he have any rivals or enemies? Plenty of enemies

15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale? Maxwell is a solid bisexual.

16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him? He enjoys sex, it is a good way to unwind, an excellent way to express himself through the intimacy of the act, and a rare treat. Given his current circumstances, if he is in a relationship, sex will be very important to him, not just on a physical level, but on a level deeper than that. There's something calming about the fact that he knows that, at least for the moment, what he holds dear is within arms reach.

17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?



Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type?

2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life?

3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?

4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?

5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?



Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?

2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?

3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?

4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?

5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else?

6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?

7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?



Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:

1. Color? Deep blue
2. Smell? Spices and citrus
3. Time of day? Twilight
4. Season? Fall
5. Book?
6. Music?
7. Place?
8. Substance?
9. Plant?
10. Animal?



END
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