Post by Scribblenaut on Oct 4, 2009 4:48:41 GMT -5
Canon Character Application
My name is Scribbler and I am 21 years old. I want to join this site because RPing allows me to release stress by stepping into the shoes of a character I ultimately idealize. I am looking to improve my all-round writing quality, character voice, and other such things. Of course, I can't forget the fact that I'm here to have fun. I have been roleplaying for two years, on and off. and I normally post between the 100 - 400, depending on the subject, mark. Here is my application:
Character name:
Iceland (If you'd like me to generate a human name for him, I can...)
Age:
Human age is 16-17, while the actual nation's age is around 1180 years.
Appearance:
He has a some-what slender figure, but is in no way lanky. Being the second shortest Nordic prevents this from happening. From the top his silver-white, tousled hair compliments his sharp, blue eyes (though in later works by Hidekaz, his eyes are seen as violet.) His pale hair and skin is a contrast to his military-style brown jacket and matching trousers. They are contrasted yet again by the blouse, bow/tie, gloves, and large lace-up boots he wears; all of which are a bright white. It would be a nuisance if any of those were to get dirty.
Personality:
Iceland is a normally well-composed character... Or so it would seem. His cool exterior really leaves a lasting impression, often imprinting a serious and responsible personality on others. However, getting to know the Icelander, he will soon reveal a fiery spark on the inside, as well as a warm feeling of care. (This is a representation of Iceland's colder climate, but hot volcanoes and lava.)
Though he finds himself in tough waters and may appear lazy at times, he is a hard worker who cares immensely for his people and other nations whom he holds a close bond with. His inexperience still shows, his jokes appearing more serious than anything else as he executes them with a composed pokerface. Still, thanks to Norway's care, he's quite smart for his 'age'; excluding some topics and conversations that may leave him slightly clueless and oblivious. Following that thought, he can be easily embarrassed by certain topics (such as calling Norway his big brother). The more ... Joking ones, we shall say. Still, he can be surprisingly open when his mind slips; his new boss being the first world leader to be openly gay (as an example).
Occupation:
Bard. He decided on such an occupation because it seemed to be far more relaxing than a merchant class... Of course, he'd still like to earn some of that shiny money- And of course, Bards get paid for their services, too, right? ... The quality of his songs are questionable.
Strengths:
He is able to hold his own in freezing temperatures, though that won't help him very much here. He is able to approach a situation with an odd sense of maturity... But whether or not he holds up his maturity. It is possible for him to get by in situations with little or not money.
Weaknesses:
To collaborate with his strength in cold weather, he does not do so well in the heat. Even stopping to sip a cup of tea and blow on it until the steam fades. His maturity only lasts so long, a short patience fuse to be the cause of this (probably the effect of being controlled by Denmark for so long.) However, he doesn't like to argue for long, storming out of a situation before concluding a conversation or fight. His fighting abilities, as strong as they were in the viking age, are slim pickings now. He has no military, and prefers peace over anything. Has a tendency to make weird jokes that others don't seem to get.. And at the same time, doesn't understand the jokes that others make.
Backstory:
As a child, Iceland was first discovered by Norway; and to this day he remains an important person to Iceland. He enjoyed a mostly uninterrupted period of growth in his commonwealth years. However, such peace could never be kept. The end of the Commonwealth sparked a Civil War at his place. Still young, he could not control nor halt an inner war for power over him. After being surrounded by decades of conflict, Norway intervened to force the two forces to sign the Old Convenant; allowing Iceland to establish a union with the Norwegian monarchy.
Little changed in the decades following the treaty. Though his growth had slowed, he was happy to be under such a dependable parental figure. This ended in 1930, when the death of Norway's boss extinguished the royal line within him, and thus within Iceland. With no other choice, together they became part of the Kalmar Union, along with Sweden and Denmark; with Denmark becoming the dominant power.
Unlike Norway, Denmark did not need Iceland's fish and homespun wool. This created a dramatic deficit in Iceland's trade, and as a result, no new ships for continental trading were built. Iceland relinquished his own autonomy to the crown, including the right to initiate and consent to legislation. Denmark, however, did not provide much protection to Iceland; causing Iceland to be raided by Ottoman pirate fleets. Turkey had taken nearly 300 of his people for slavery. Iceland was not allowed to trade with any other nation except Denmark until 1854- A motion Iceland held a grudge for for a majority of the next hundred-or-so years. Such an order resulted in Iceland being beaten or worse by English and Spanish pirates.
In the 18th century, his climatic conditions had reached an all-time low. This, along with one of his volcanoes erupting, caused Iceland to lose a quarter of his people. When the two kingdoms of Denmark and Norway were separated by the Treaty of Kiel in 1814 following the Napoleonic Wars, Denmark kept Iceland as a dependency.
In 1874, a thousand years after the first acknowledged settlement, Denmark granted him home rule, which again was expanded in 1904. However, Iceland still held a grudge toward Denmark; and once that nation was occupied by Nazi Germany in World War II, Iceland selfishly severed all connections to Denmark. He took a strict position of neutrality. However, England began to invade Iceland's island. Secretly fearing what England could do to him, Iceland had sent a radio signal to treat England and his people with politeness. This would last throughout the war and, in the end, allowed Iceland to prosper. Iceland's biggest hatred could quite possibly be towards England. With the Cod Wars and recent Financial Crisis, it is undoubtful that Iceland's relationship with the Englishman is not on good terms.
Sample Post: (100 characters or above)
The Icelander's eyes descended down further than they normally would. They squinted with a determined aura behind them, for their gaze was aimed at an all-too-happy pooch below who just happened to be munching on a box of licorice. In fact, this box happened to be the last Iceland could afford for this month... And he was ready to fight the mutt to the death for it.
Unfortunately for him, he couldn't quite find the nerves to attack something which, besides the treat thievery, was ultimately harmless. His feet began to shuffle forward slowly, he had never been very good at this sneaking business. With this faux sense of invisibility, he lunges to grip the cardboard box. He succeeds- Or so he had thought. Now Iceland was facing this canine in a desperate game of tug-o-war. Pulling, pulling, pulling; no stragety behind his actions, only force. He wanted it. Hell, he would go as far as to say he needed it- If only that didn't sound so ridiculous.
Snap.
It was an odd sound. Like the ripping of thick paper. His cringing eyes widened, and the flesh curtain lidding his eyes was abandoned. Before him scattered nearly a hundred dark pieces of pure black sweetness. The dog made no hesitation in gulping up those delicious bites as Iceland could only watch. He sighed. Complete defeat. It was only five days until he could afford a new pack. Surely he could survive, right? Surely.
[glow=red,2,300]Iceland is love~[/glow]