[Brody]

I can't believe it's been nearly two years since the last one of these. I feel old - and lazy.

Let's not take so long to get to No. 4!

In this installment, I'd like our readers to generate character concepts based on the following two descriptive words: Unwise and Corrupt.

No limits on the setting. Develop any character idea you like in any theme you enjoy.

[Muirdach]

I like those choices a lot, since they're things that a lot of characters (and people) have probably flirted with a bit - temptation and reactions to it. I find characters a lot more believable if they have both strengths and weaknesses, and especially reasons for being the way they are. So, off the top of my head:

Count Alfryn of Malston is known throughout the lands as a war hero. The captain of a fort during the farmers' rebellion, he and his loyal soldiers were able to hold the bastion in the most restless part of the country, despite being surrounded and besieged by a massive force of peasantry. Alfryn himself led the defense of the main gate, slaying many in hand-to-hand combat and refusing to yield even though the royal armies were held up in other parts of the lands. Due to his heroism, the rebels were never able to gain control of the fort, and thus never had a stronghold of their own from which to expand.

Once peace becalmed the lands, Alfryn was honoured with the lands that he had defended so valiantly, and wasted no time in hunting down the remaining pockets of discontent in his region. However, once the last sword was cleaned, he grew restless. He had never known true peace in his life, and he knew that he was too old to ever see a real battle again. Honoured in tale and song and showered with gifts, he no longer feels a fire burning within him.

Having no background in politics or administration, he began to leave the day-to-day running of his land to others. His steward began to exert more and more will, while Alfryn spent his days dueling and killing weakened criminals as an attempt to cling to the feeling of martial power that his age was beginning to deny him. His castle was decked with golden tapestries portraying exaggerations of all his victories, and he entertained old friends and young knights alike on a nightly basis, reveling in his wealth and fame. To fuel this lavish lifestyle, he ordered his steward to tax heavily the peasants who he still saw as traitors. He only pardoned those who would recognise the efforts of war heroes (himself, of course) through ever-increasingly extravagant gifts. Throughout all of this, he remained oblivious of governmental issues, believing his stream of riches to be never-ending.

How will he go from here? Another thing I like is that there isn't necessarily any karma involved, it is by no means inevitable that he will die by the sword that he lived by. He has many friends in high places. He still maintains a huge reputation from his past deeds, as much of the country still believes those who he rules over so harshly to be of questionable loyalty at best. Those who are his guests bring back the stories to their own lands, adding to them his embellished tales of glory and the opulence of his manor. The youths of noble standing aspire to his favour, to become knights and commanders and associate themselves with his fame. The peasants themselves, despite the oppression and mismanagement, remember their defeat. Will they dare to rise again? Only the future can tell.

[Muirdach]

I feel like the guy who keeps singing without knowing that everyone else has stopped. Come on, someone else do one!

[Milawe]

I'm unsure exactly what I'm supposed to do, but here we go!

--------------------------------

Name: Borgar
Theme: Medieval/Fantasy
Setting: Primordiax
Characteristics: Unwise and Corrupt

Borgar the Bad (a self-proclaimed title) stands nearly 11 rands tall and
weighs in over 223 crowns. Among a race of gigantic people, he stands a
head above them all. Born from a priviliged trulloc family who own
farmland and shops in Askagard, Borgar has never known hunger, cold (not
that trullocs realy FEEL the cold), or want, and from a very young age,
Borgar has been trained to be a merchant and artisan craftsman. His
family, the Stonehearts, have always been known for their skill in
enchanting weapons, armor, jewelry, and even some pieces of furniture, and
thirteen generations of enchanting brilliance crests in Borgar.

From an extremely young age, Borgar began his apprenticeship with his
uncle, Lugor, one of the most reknown enchanters of his generation, and the
young trulloc showed an unparalleled understanding of how much power a
specific gem could hold, how many enchanted gems a specific item could
support, and most importantly, how to add gems to items that no others
could encrust. The Stonehearts exalted in their prodigy and gave Borgar the
best of everything they could buy, and they could afford a lot.

Borgar the Bold and his uncle Lugor forged ahead in the world of
enchanting, crafting many new and novel formulas for exciting enhancements
to shields, swords, axes, chainmail, and even kitchen knives. He helped
fishermen catch larger fish with their rods, and he helped cooks filet
those fish with brilliance. Unfortunately, when Borgar was not obligated
to be working with his uncle, he was most often found at the pub or in the
lists bragging about his talents. The more the ale flowed, the more he
embellished on their accomplishements. Despite his braggadocio and his
grandiose manners, the large trulloc was extremely popular in town. Many
people catered to him hoping for another round of drinks or a spare gem or
two, and Borgar, who enjoyed his popularity, obliged in both.

Ultimately, despite his great skills and natural talent, Borgar enjoyed
fame and fortune much more than hard work. He also envisioned himself a
trulloc of the world and longed for the adventures he knew that some of his
clients were off having with weapons and armor encrusted with his gems.
With his uncle to run the business, he barely paid attention at work except
to do what came naturally to him. He spent his days dreaming up great
adventures and waiting for the moment he could go share these adventures
with his tavern mates.

Over the years, Borgar's enjoyment of his own little circle of power
outweighed his ambition, his talent, and his skill. He would often go a
round or two in the lists with those he thought he could beat. He rarely
ever lost, for all those who were willing to fight him knew that they could
expect the most petty retributions throughout town. He was only found
working with gems when he was bored or forced to come in by his family. He
never quite noticed that when he went to the tavern after working with the
stones, he was happier, calmer, and more at peace. Always, he attributed
this to the fact that he was getting off work and going to relax.

Who could say exactly where it all went wrong or whose fault it was that
Borgar the Bold morphed into Borgar the Bad? Is he someone who can be
redeemed, or will he simply get worse and worse once he inherits the
fortune of the Stonehearts, a family known for its hard work, skill, and
somewhat miserly ways?

[Brody]

Good approaches so far! Anyone else want to add theirs?