James Alexander Steelheart
Crown Prince James Alexander Steelheart
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
James is physically fit and for the most part appears healthy.
Body Features
He has an 'Ottermode' physique. He keeps his hair short cropped per his father's preferences, however, he retaliates by leaving it uncombed or shaggy, rarely trimmed to military specs.
Identifying Characteristics
James has an odd eye color for a human, showcasing the orcish bloodline that King Hadrick tried to deny existed in the family history.
Special abilities
Though it is blocked, James is one of the few Death Seers left on Eldris.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
James is the only son of Hadrick Steelheart and Lillian Steelheart after the couple struggled for years with miscarriages. He was born a month early during the worst storm of the decade, two hours before midnight. Against conventional religion, his uncle sent his familiar to manipulate the clocks in the castle to read a few hours past midnight, sparing his nephew's life.
By some divine miracle, both he and his mother survived his birth and recovered. Lillian's young ward was set to be in charge of the baby, destined to be the Prince's Chamberlain and servant. Despite the assignment to the princeling, Erwon was raised more like an elder brother to the boy. For the longest time, James was convinced Erwon WAS his elder brother. His health problems continued through his early years. He clung to Erwon once he learned to walk, fearful of the climate within the castle.
James took longer to learn to talk than other infants, only opting to speak to Erwon or his mother, the boys' shared nanny, a spindly old crone with an attitude, terrified him. His father's natural loud voice and aggressive attitude didn't do much better for him. Eventually, he opened up to his Uncle and younger cousin.
At six, James' health seemed to take a swing for the worse. During an address to a departing defensive force, the child went pale as a ghost and collapsed, causing a panic among the staff and royal family. He remained bed ridden and unconscious for three days, but recovered under the care of the best medical expertise in the kingdom. He was quiet and withdrawn for some time after, almost exclusively tended to by Erwon. It was during this time that he was given his first 'Red Arm', a talented elven healer to tend him when he was ill.
Months later, news reached the castle of the defensive force being wiped out shortly after the duty change was complete. Several days later, he finally left his own bed to go to Erwon's room in the middle of the night. James confessed to Erwon why he had fainted the day they were being deployed. He had seen an overwhelming black shroud hanging over them, too thick to make out half of the faces in the crowd. He heard voices among that blackness, speaking in various languages he couldn't understand, too many whispering voices to pick out individual words. James also confessed he had seen a similar shroud around Erwon that night and around their nanny shortly before she had died. Erwon forced James to repeat what he had said to his mother the next day. The two were told to keep it quiet about the phenomenon for now. Shortly after, James was given a small bracelet he had to keep on at all times and a new religion tutor.
By the age of Eight, James was out of his shell with most of the castle. He began to train with weaponry, as was tradition for noble youth. He was assigned a group of up and coming soldiers as his personal guard, one particularly boisterous one being the captain of his guard. He trained with other nobles his age under Val's tutelage for most of the morning. The hour before lunch was served, he trained with his father, who had a completely different style than the elven woman. The training sessions were brutal, hard, and often resulted in James being pushed too far physically or emotionally. He developed an anger issue from the beatings handed to him by his father. They went on for years, hidden by the king's physician.
Training with his father stopped after the brutal tendencies from these sessions began to creep into regular training, culminating in almost killing his younger cousin in a sparring match that left both boys scarred. Val eventually succeeded in working it out of James' system. Erwon's efforts to teach James redoubled, the queen even stepping in to prevent further teaching from Hadrick.
His health improved as he grew, the issues seen in his youth clearing up by mid teens. Occasionally, they do rear their heads again, leaving him pale and physically ill when episodes strike him. As he grew, his father began to interfere more and more, limiting his time with his tutors and overruling or ignoring the queen to teach James state business. Old habits began to rear their head again, though James managed to keep his temper in check for the most part. His reputation suffered, known as a temperamental bully during court, a short step off from the 'Tyrant King' title his father held in quiet conversation.
Sexuality
James presents as straight, unaware that it was even possible to be anything else.
Education
James was afforded the best education available in Agaland due to his position. He has many private tutors, though Erwon took charge managing them.
Accomplishments & Achievements
James' list of accomplishments is short, given his young age. Among them, he has learned to control his temper to prevent entering a berserker rage again as well as holding the 'longest record of standing against Val' as her ward.
James considers his ability to scare off all suitors presented to him thus far with pranks to be an accomplishment, though his parents see it as an embarrassment.
Failures & Embarrassments
James almost killed his cousin during a spar when he entered a rage. One of his guard ended up injured shortly before the trip to the Oleos Islands and is attributed to a slip of the temper. Within the court, he has been provoked into temperamental bursts, earning him the reputation of a spoiled brat.
Mental Trauma
James developed a terrible temper from the abuse rendered by his father. Their private lessons stopped when he was ten, but resumed shortly after the queen's banning it in secret, often in the middle of the night. His hot temper is easily provoked still, but he has more control over it, preventing further incidents like his cousin's near death experience.
Intellectual Characteristics
James has an average intelligence, though he seems to excel at sass and tricks, much to the chagrin of his parents.
Morality & Philosophy
With so many parties tugging at James' upbringing, his morality is skewed, forcing him to rely on his moods at the time. Some days he will have similar morality to his father, using fear to get his way, while other days he will rely on trickery or diplomacy.
Taboos
James is not to take off the jewelry given to him by his tutor. The purpose of the pieces is unknown to all but his tutor, mother, and Erwon. From the bracelets in his childhood to the rings and pendants as he grew up, they all bind his magic and prevent him from suffering the ill effects of those abilities. The magic is only finite though, requiring new ones every few years, though they are needing replaced more and more frequently.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
James is motivated by the expectations around him. Outwardly, he strives to be the best future ruler he can be, while inwardly he clings to the few freedoms he has before he has to take responsibilities.
Virtues & Personality perks
He strives to be a man of the people despite his reputation as a brat.
Vices & Personality flaws
James' magical energies are attuned closely to the Spirit flow, specifically closer to Death than life. This marks him as an 'abomination' to the dominant religion in Agaland and Gyrminia, who worship the life god.
Relationships
Alignment
Lawful Good
Species
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Crown Prince, Royal Brat, Royal Pain, The Spoiled Brat
Age
19
Date of Birth
La'Rey 30
Circumstances of Birth
James was born on the night of the Ten-year storm, an ill omen among his nation. His uncle covered this up to prevent the church from killing him.
Birthplace
Gyrminia Capitol
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Current Residence
Agaland Capitol
Gender
Male
Eyes
Ocean Blue
Hair
Brown
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Light Medium Almond
Height
5'9''
Weight
167 lb
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