Application for Aef

[outofthebreach]

Player Information
Name: Rynn
Age: Still Old
Contact: chaneystarr
Other Characters: Yona (Akatsuki no Yona)

Character Information
Name: Inquisitor (Brennan) Trevelyan
Canon: Dragon Age Inquisition
Canon Point: Post-Inquisition but Pre-Tresspasser DLC
Age: 32
History: Wiki
Additional Resources: House Trevelyan, Trevelyan Codex, World State Import

Much of the game history for the Inquisitor is laid out in regards to the storyline itself, but in addition to the details listed above, the personal details for this Inquisitor are:

Brennan is the youngest child of Bann Trevelyan of Ostwick, a noble house in the Free Marches. The family is one well known for their piety and connections with both the Chantry and the Templar Order. As the youngest child of the current Bann, Brennan was in training to become a Templar himself when the war broke out between the Templar Order and the Mage Rebellion. Always more of a fighter than a scholar, it was a better fit for him than a cleric or Chantry brother. Also, despite being raised as a devout Andrastian in the midst of his large family, Brennan often has a much more relaxed outlook on the world than some of his more impassioned and fervent relatives. But his family's reputation and traditions had paved the role his life was to take before he was ever born, no matter how much it would occasionally grate on his own independent wishes. And though he might secretly dream of a life much different for the one set in place for him, it had never been something he felt strongly enough about to defy his parents and family members over, or to disappoint them over the mantle they expected him to take up.

He fights as a warrior with sword and shield, and eventually specialized his training by becoming a Champion, Thedas' version of a Knight. He sought a truce of peace for the mages as much as he was able, because he'd always had a bit of a soft spot for their cause, despite the fact that he'd been destined to become a Templar - he still saw his purpose in that role as a protecting one, not a jailor. The fact that one of his sisters (and his favorite of his siblings) was a mage separated from the family within the confines of a Circle played no small part in this. He didn't always make popular choices among his companions and advisors when it came to the Inquisitions direction and policies, but Brennan has always had a strict moral code he follows, even when it doesn't always align with the popular world view. His own conscience sometimes has a different say in matters.

He was reluctant in becoming the Herald, not believing himself to be all that special or "chosen" and that concern never really wavers despite what he experiences - he more believes he was in the right place at the right time - or perhaps that was the very worst place at the worst time? But he understands that the Inquisition needs a leader that can lead, someone that does not visibly waver. A beacon of hope for them to follow. Even if he sometimes feels like a fraud for taking up that mantle, he's happy to bring them hope and does his best to do all he can to heal the hole in the sky - and the rifts that have sown chaos through various countries around them, whether it be by politics, betrayal, magic, or an ancient darkspawn magister bent on the destruction of the world.

If you want a really long-winded account of Brennan's personal involvement throughout the events of Inquisition, his complete history is detailed over here since I needed it for another game app ages ago, but that might just be overkill at this point.

Personality:

Being the youngest of very many children in a noble house of the Free Marches, Brennan grew up wanting for little, but also very aware of his position in things. But for the most part, he was a spare son, someone without purpose or direction. Before he traveled to the Divine's Conclave, he was still searching for where and how he fit into the world around him. And as tragic as those events were for everyone - including him - they also helped shape him into the person he became. It gave him direction at last, created the hole that only he could grow to fill. Even though he came into the role of Herald - and later Inquisitor - with no experience and no real knowledge of how to meet the expectations placed on him, he flourished and rose to the challenge of those expectations - not only meeting them, but surpassing them beyond anyone's wildest imaginings. Even his own.

He finds he does have a knack for leadership and decision-making, even if it's only because at the start, his advisors spent so much time disagreeing over their options and choices that he had to come to decisions to settle the squabbles and take action. He follows his gut instincts and his conscience, letting that guide his choices and the direction he leads. It's not always the popular choice and he does second-guess himself quite a bit, but often where the others can't see, not wanting to weaken their resolve with his own uncertainty that he chose the right thing. Especially if it cost lives, or if there was a sacrifice involved in the victory. That is the hardest parts of leading for him, dealing with the regrets, the what-if's that haunt him. The fear of what will come of the world and those who follow him should he falter or fail. The cost for that, however, is far too high to contemplate so he continues pushing forward, even when it feels like the weight of responsibility resting on his shoulders might crush him beneath it.

He lets few of those uncertainties and doubts show to the world at large, reserved for his time alone or private conversations with his companions and advisors. To the Inquisition as a whole - and especially enemies - he perfects the practiced role of confident leader. Striding ahead boldly, no matter the challenge. he shapes himself to become their beacon of hope, the cause that keeps their heads lifted in belief instead of collapsing in fear and despair. He knows exactly the power of a figurehead, even if he is uncomfortable about the legends that are already forming around him. The loss of that hope is unthinkable, however, so he embraces it.

And yet he still has a humble and modest manner about him, not afraid to sit down at a campfire with his soldiers and share a meal, discuss with them their fears and worries and swap tales. He lets them see that he is also one of them, wanting them to know he's real, and not some distant figure like Andraste and the Maker who does not answer their desperate pleas. He is the first to state that he's just another soldier like each of them - and he means it. His earnestness and convictions are simply stated and proven by his actions and choices. He shows that he wants to earn their respect, their camaraderie, their trust and it's those efforts he takes on their behalf that endears him to those in his inner circle and far beyond.

While he never became a Templar and took the oath to the Chantry, he'd been trained as a soldier nearly all his life. It gives him a practical outlook, a knack for strategy and battle. His background as a noble son gave him extensive education when it came to history, tactics, politics, and any other number of subjects that seemed mundane when he was growing up and while he is far from a scholar, he has an excellent memory and a quick mind, one adept at putting together the pieces to see the bigger picture, noticing details others might miss. He is much more inclined to action, leaving the researching and investigating to others with more skill at it, but he knows what to do with the information they find, using it to his advantage as best he can. He prefers to learn by doing and experiencing, rather than just reading about it or learning about that knowledge or skill from someone else. It has to be real to him for him to be able to grasp it for himself.

He has a strong sense of justice that drives him. Nothing is quicker to enrage him than to see corruption or the abuse of power or position. As a noble's son and a potential Templar, he followed those early paths out of a desire to protect those who needed it, those who couldn't protect themselves. That desire carries over into his new role in life but is much harder to meet when the word is in so much chaos and there is violence and injustice everywhere. He's guilty of losing his temper a few times at the scenes he encounters, the brutality of the foes he faces and the innocents who were harmed in the process. That rage is often a double-edged blade because it's not only directed at those who committed the atrocities but at himself as well, for failing to arrive in time to save them, stop them. He takes that failure very hard, each time he falls to it, but eventually, it only hardens his resolution, reaffirms his drive. He refuses to let it break him, struggling instead to let it strengthen his resolve.

He didn't seek his power out of selfish means. Hell, most of the time he's not even seeking power more than he sort of... stumbles into it. Much of it he pursues because he needs to be more to defeat his foe, to protect the people who look to him for salvation. To stop Corypheus from destroying the world and all they hold dear. He doesn't seek to keep it for himself, to use it for his own means. It forever baffles several of his companions but it's also what draws so many of them to him. That same desire to protect. Although there are a few that don't agree with his methods or approve of some of his choices, few can fault him his results.

He has a deep charisma that draws people to him, inspires those around him. He was always good with people, loving to be among them, loving to learn about them, to understand them. He can sit down and have an honest conversation with anyone, and he has a genuine air about him that make people comfortable around him, invite them to open up and share. He has an easygoing humor that flavors many of his responses, although that can sharpen to a sarcastic edge when he is frustrated or angry. Often it serves as a deflection, a defense, a shield when he is feeling bruised or vulnerable, not wanting someone to look too closely when he's feeling weak or doubting himself. He prefers to use charm and friendliness to get his way where he can, playing the negotiator, keeping the topic light - sometimes even playful - where he can. But he's not afraid to put his foot down or push his way ahead when he feels its necessary. He's gotten very adept at reading when he needs to push or entice; when the carrot or the stick will work better.

But the ends do not always justify the means in his eyes - the choices you make to get to your destination mean as much as the destination itself in his eyes. Winning at the cost of your humanity, sacrificing your conscience to succeed - that is not a line that should be crossed. It defeats the point of fighting in the first place. It makes man no better than the monsters they seek to stop. It's a compromise he refuses to ever make, no matter the cost. There is always another choice. A better way. And if he fails and falls back a step, if the outcome is not the better world he seeks? Then, as he tells Solas when asked, he will stop, take a breath, reassess, and try again. He will keep trying until he finds a better way, because he believes that it's possible and that conviction of his is one that never wavers, no matter what hardship he faces.

Abilities & Skills:

Brennan is a warrior in his canon favoring the fighting style that requires a one-handed weapon and shield. He has maxed out skill trees in Weapon and Shield abilities and chose to specialize in the art of being a Champion. To enhance both these skill trees, he also chose a select few skills in the Vanguard abilities.. - namely War Cry, Challenge and Untouchable Defense. He is a powerful warrior, strong and fast and skilled, known to put himself right in the thick of things and keep an enemy's attention on him rather than on any of his party members, giving them time to get their own damage off while he relentlessly fights with shield bashes and taunting war cries to keep them distracted.

He also comes with the innate skills linked with being the Inquisitor that strictly apply to the Anchor he bears. It's described in canon as a "key that can lock or unlock passageways between the Veil that separates worlds" - in Thedas, this means between the physical world and that of the Fade. The Anchor he bears on his palm is permanent, meaning nothing can remove it, and is something he received from an ancient elven artifact that is now broken and rendered useless. Although since there is technically no Fade here, nor a veil separating it from reality, it will likely lay completely dormant in Aefenglom unless there's a way I can connect it to the innate magic he gains from his monster transformations. I'm willing to work around whatever seems most likely, but it's fine if it only becomes akin to another scar during his time here. If he does get a dragon transformation, it could also be his weak spot.

Inventory/Companions:

He wears the Plate Mail and Helm of the Dragon Hunter tinted in deep reds and golds as well as carries a simple casual outfit he's known to wear about Skyhold. As for weapons, he never goes anywhere without his Bitter Axe and Proving Shield. He wears two rings - one of Armor Penetration and one of Staggering, has a Master Stamina Amulet and Master Guard Belt. He typically carries around a dozen or so healing potions on him at any given time, and usually several grenades crafted by his alchemist - usually of the fully upgraded Antivan Fire and Bee Bomb variety. Yes, you read that right.

Choice: Monster - dragon as first choice, chimera as a backup
Reason:

Besides the fact that he's a protagonist from a series called Dragon Age, the creatures have had a deep impact on his story through Inquisition - mainly as foes, but also often more symbolically as well. Dragons represent the apex predator in Thedas, the strongest and most dangerous and also among the most rare. They were once believed to be gods and have been worshipped by many cultures and even cults. They have been both heroes and monsters, the bringers of magic, as well as death and Blight. Basically, they are one of the most pivotal creatures in his realm, and through the events of his own story, the Inquisitor has gained similar renown and notoriety. He will be remembered in history as something more than mere human, something above the norm - in essence, he's become something similar to what their legendary status makes them, even if he might not be completely comfortable with that comparison.

Sample: TDM Top-Level