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PLAYER
Player Name: Lils
Pronouns: She/Her
Are you over 18? Yes
Contact: PM, preferred
Current Characters: N/A, I was invited by Elizabeth
Triggers: Animal death, body horror involving things coming from under the skin, teeth.
Pronouns: She/Her
Are you over 18? Yes
Contact: PM, preferred
Current Characters: N/A, I was invited by Elizabeth
Triggers: Animal death, body horror involving things coming from under the skin, teeth.
STATISTICS
Character Name: Criston Cole
Character Canon: House of the Dragon
Character Age: 35
Canon Point: 1x06
Link to History: Link
Skills:
Combat: Criston has been trained for combat, both for war and tourneys. He knows how to fight one on one and how to exploit his enemy's weaknesses during battle. He's noted as a skilled warrior and gained renown after defeating Daemon Targaryen in the tourney. Unlike many other knights in Westeros currently, he's been to war and understands how to wage a battle.
Weaponry: Criston has been trained with multiple weapons. His preferred is the Morningstar, which we see him use in tourneys as well as combat training. However, as a Kingsguard, he's equipped with a sword as his primary weapon, which he's proficient with as well.
Training: We see Criston, as Alicent and Rhaenyra's children grow, acting as their training instructor. He's comfortable in this role and helps shape Alicent's son, particularly Aemond, into a skilled warrior. He's able to pass on his skills without difficulty.
Jousting: Criston, much like other knights, learned to joust early in his life. He's able to tilt against seasoned tourney knights. In the first episode, we see him win the tourney, defeating Daemon Targaryen and earning the attention of Princess Rhaenyra.
Abilities: None
Curse Mark: Wilk. The mark will be on his left shoulder blade.
Character Canon: House of the Dragon
Character Age: 35
Canon Point: 1x06
Link to History: Link
Skills:
Combat: Criston has been trained for combat, both for war and tourneys. He knows how to fight one on one and how to exploit his enemy's weaknesses during battle. He's noted as a skilled warrior and gained renown after defeating Daemon Targaryen in the tourney. Unlike many other knights in Westeros currently, he's been to war and understands how to wage a battle.
Weaponry: Criston has been trained with multiple weapons. His preferred is the Morningstar, which we see him use in tourneys as well as combat training. However, as a Kingsguard, he's equipped with a sword as his primary weapon, which he's proficient with as well.
Training: We see Criston, as Alicent and Rhaenyra's children grow, acting as their training instructor. He's comfortable in this role and helps shape Alicent's son, particularly Aemond, into a skilled warrior. He's able to pass on his skills without difficulty.
Jousting: Criston, much like other knights, learned to joust early in his life. He's able to tilt against seasoned tourney knights. In the first episode, we see him win the tourney, defeating Daemon Targaryen and earning the attention of Princess Rhaenyra.
Abilities: None
Curse Mark: Wilk. The mark will be on his left shoulder blade.
CHARACTERIZATION
FORMATIVE EXPERIENCES:
PHILOSOPHY: Criston believes in honor before all else. His vows are everything to him and his position is all he has. When he pledges loyalty, he follows that oath until death (apparently Rhaenyra doesn't count.) Heβs ready to kill on command without hesitation. Later in the show, Criston accidentally kills a lord he views as having insulted Alicent, slamming the man's head against the table. He commits a coupe for Alicent's son, naming and crowning him king. All of this out of loyalty to Alicent, chivalric duty and honor. These things are among his driving motivations and why he commits some of the terrible things he does, as he believes it's his duty to serve. Alicent restored his honor, therefore he follows her without question.
DESIRES: Deep down, Criston craves the things he can't have. Being lowborn, he sees others given honors, positions and wealth without really earning it. He resents the higher born for this, coveting the opportunity to get what they have. He wants to be the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, as well as fulfilling Alicent's desires for her children. But perhaps, more than anything, he wants revenge on Rhaenyra. He resents her actions, how she does as she pleases without consequence, and that she caused him to break his vows. She's equated with the highborn he despises and wants to take her power and position, instead giving it to Alicent's son.
FEARS: Deep down, Criston fears what he is. Death is nothing, but being lowborn and dismissed as inadequate hits him hard. Itβs why he's so offended by Rhaenyra's offer to be lovers. He views it as an insult, an offer that's made because he's lowborn and thereby trash. It's as if she's implying, in his mind, that he can be a plaything like the whores in brothels. All of these fears of inadequacies drive his actions and fuel his rage, leading to acts of violence. He does slightly touch upon this fear when telling Rhaenyra that all he has is his position, but he never fully admits how much it truly frightens him.
- FIRST EVENT: - Criston's first appearance in the show is at the Heir's Tourney in King's Landing. Being from humble stock, this was an opportunity for Criston to gain notoriety, as he had no other means to gain notice or rewards. He ably defeats several combatants before jousting against Daemon Targaryen, the King's brother. They go several rounds at a draw until Criston unseats him. Daemon then demands a melee immediately after. The two fight, Criston using his Morningstar against Daemon's sword. The prince knocks him to the ground, but while he gloats, Criston is able to get to his feet and defeat Daemon. After, he is congratulated by Rhaenyra and asks for, then receives her favor, this acting as their first meeting.
- SECOND EVENT: - To pacify Rhaenyra and give her some minor duty, King Viserys sends her to choose a new member of the Kingsguard, a prestigious order that protects the King and bound by a number of vows, including chastity and never owning land. Rhaenyra views the candidates but is unimpressed by the selection. As the realm has been at peace for several generations, none of the knights have experience in war. Criston Cole, however, has been in several border skirmishes and sieged a fort. Rhaenyra, pleased, chooses him despite his lack of family name or rank. He then is assigned as her sworn shield.
- THIRD EVENT: - Criston serves Rhaenyra faithfully, taking his duties seriously. He acts as her protector and confidant, the two discussing Rhaenyra's fears about being accepted as heir, as well as her distaste for duty. Criston confides in her that his position is all he has to his name and she changed his life. One night, Rhaenyra sneaks out of her room to roam the city with Daemon. Criston, unaware of this, hears a disturbance in her room as she's returning. Aroused and still riled up from Daemon, Rhaenyra makes advances towards Criston, which he resists momentarily. Finally giving in, he sets aside his white cloak, the symbol of his position and vows, and sleeps with Rhaenyra. He's left confused and guilt ridden, uncertain how to restore his honor. He asks her to run away and marry him, but deciding she wants her position, she refuses, breaking his heart. She suggests they continue as lovers, even after she's married, but Criston views this as being her whore. Offended, he breaks from her.
- FOURTH EVENT: - At Rhaenyra's wedding, Criston's sense of guilt and rage at Rhaenyra's callous offer come to a head. He believes she dismissed the significance of breaking his vows and doesn't know how to restore his honor. Her husband's lover, Joffrey, having deduced his relationship to Rhaenyra, suggests they protect the pair while carrying on as they please. Taking this as an insult and threat, Criston snaps. He attacks Joffrey, pummeling him to death with his fists, even going so far as to punch Rhaenyra's betrothed when he tries to rescue his lover. Feeling he's out of options, Criston retreats to the Godswood, ready to kill himself. Queen Alicent, once Rhaenyra's friend, breaks with her, finding out about her affair with Criston. She followed him after Joffrey's death, stopping him from killing himself. The pair unite with Criston now becoming Alicent's sworn sword. She helps earn him a pardon and gives him motivation to keep living.
PHILOSOPHY: Criston believes in honor before all else. His vows are everything to him and his position is all he has. When he pledges loyalty, he follows that oath until death (apparently Rhaenyra doesn't count.) Heβs ready to kill on command without hesitation. Later in the show, Criston accidentally kills a lord he views as having insulted Alicent, slamming the man's head against the table. He commits a coupe for Alicent's son, naming and crowning him king. All of this out of loyalty to Alicent, chivalric duty and honor. These things are among his driving motivations and why he commits some of the terrible things he does, as he believes it's his duty to serve. Alicent restored his honor, therefore he follows her without question.
DESIRES: Deep down, Criston craves the things he can't have. Being lowborn, he sees others given honors, positions and wealth without really earning it. He resents the higher born for this, coveting the opportunity to get what they have. He wants to be the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, as well as fulfilling Alicent's desires for her children. But perhaps, more than anything, he wants revenge on Rhaenyra. He resents her actions, how she does as she pleases without consequence, and that she caused him to break his vows. She's equated with the highborn he despises and wants to take her power and position, instead giving it to Alicent's son.
FEARS: Deep down, Criston fears what he is. Death is nothing, but being lowborn and dismissed as inadequate hits him hard. Itβs why he's so offended by Rhaenyra's offer to be lovers. He views it as an insult, an offer that's made because he's lowborn and thereby trash. It's as if she's implying, in his mind, that he can be a plaything like the whores in brothels. All of these fears of inadequacies drive his actions and fuel his rage, leading to acts of violence. He does slightly touch upon this fear when telling Rhaenyra that all he has is his position, but he never fully admits how much it truly frightens him.
GAMEPLAY
SUITABILITY: Criston would really fit in with environment due to his darkness and hang-ups. Criston has experience with sex and desires, but fights the urge. This will lead to a number of events where he has to choose between sex or being a monster. (I foresee the latter being his preferred.) His darkness and tendency for violence will fit with the horror setting, especially with the world he comes from. He'll also attempt to protect others until given some reason to resent them.
SAMPLE: TDM/CW: Just some nakedness and incel thoughts.
MONSTER:
Creature: Centaur
Criston's transformation is painful and violent. While he has the typical horse lower body, his upper half is closer to a demonic bull (ref here). He has fangs for teeth and claws on his left arm. His right arm isn't an arm but a manifestation of his Morningstar, being a long, tentacle like flail cover with sharp spikes. Similar to this. He's muscular with a pure white hide, save for a black spot on his back, representing his sin. Around his head are a crown of horns, framing him almost like a helmet, thick like a ram's rather than a bull's. Inspiration.
He has three specific powers:
β’ Super Strength: This speaks for itself. His upper strength exceeds a normal human's. He can throw far and break bones. His hooves can also cause serious damage, including deep bruises, and like above, broken bones.
β’ Fear Perception: This would be a mild telepathy. He can't read or impart thoughts. Instead, he's able to perceive fears and weaknesses, allowing him to manipulate and use them against his opponents. This could either be physical weaknesses or mental.
β’ Pheromones ("Red Pilled"): Criston secretes a specific pheromone that raises paranoia, rage and fear in others. It's a potent toxin, and while it's not poisonous, it's hard to fight and pushes the victim to act without thought. This will eventually wear off after an hour or any healing/mind control powers.
SAMPLE: TDM/CW: Just some nakedness and incel thoughts.
MONSTER:
Creature: Centaur
Criston's transformation is painful and violent. While he has the typical horse lower body, his upper half is closer to a demonic bull (ref here). He has fangs for teeth and claws on his left arm. His right arm isn't an arm but a manifestation of his Morningstar, being a long, tentacle like flail cover with sharp spikes. Similar to this. He's muscular with a pure white hide, save for a black spot on his back, representing his sin. Around his head are a crown of horns, framing him almost like a helmet, thick like a ram's rather than a bull's. Inspiration.
He has three specific powers:
β’ Super Strength: This speaks for itself. His upper strength exceeds a normal human's. He can throw far and break bones. His hooves can also cause serious damage, including deep bruises, and like above, broken bones.
β’ Fear Perception: This would be a mild telepathy. He can't read or impart thoughts. Instead, he's able to perceive fears and weaknesses, allowing him to manipulate and use them against his opponents. This could either be physical weaknesses or mental.
β’ Pheromones ("Red Pilled"): Criston secretes a specific pheromone that raises paranoia, rage and fear in others. It's a potent toxin, and while it's not poisonous, it's hard to fight and pushes the victim to act without thought. This will eventually wear off after an hour or any healing/mind control powers.
