Hobbes, son of Eric
Casting: Jonathan Rhys-Meyers
Description:
Intensity. Hobbes’ pale blues, his intensely blues yes, shine brightly from his face like lamps in the darkness no matter the light of the room. Even his handsome features are sharp, with high cheek bones, dramatic lips, and arching brows. His skin is pale from lack of exposure, and his dark reddish hair is kept cut neat and short, so he needn’t fuss at himself unduly. Hobbes is neither too tall, nor too short; masculine in height, but not so tall as to be out of reach of a lady’s lips. He sports a trimmed beard as often as he is clean-shaven, and favors dark colors and leathers; they are easy to match, and he is aware they make his eyes stand out all the more. Hobbes has a scent about him, a rather pleasant scent, but it is not cologne or perfume, and it hints at the – work – he undertakes; herbs, ozone, spring breezes, woodsmoke, sandalwood, and others.
Colors: Black and Sky Blue
Symbol: A Maze in Blue on a Field of Black
Background:
Hobbes is the Son of Eric, and that is generally all he feels is necessary for anyone to know. He has kin, but sometimes claims to be older, sometimes he claims to be younger; he always claims to be the more intellectual of them all. Where others have dedicated their lives to unfortunately sweaty pursuits, Hobbes has honed his mind. He does not bother discussing where, or with whom, he simply makes it apparent that he has. Shadow is his laboratory, Amber is his home. He was among the youngest to Walk the Pattern, and he seemed to grasp it naturally, as if born to it. He almost immediately disappeared into Shadow, returning with piles of books and scrolls and esoteric devices.
His mind is constantly at work, and his memory is truly eidetic. He is not only possessed of a Will that can bend the Laws of Physics to his whims; he is also amongst Amber’s finest strategists and tacticians. More than one War Council has benefited from his ability to see to the heart of things; though doubtless the assembled nobles and soldiers could have done without his condescension, but such is Hobbes at times. For his Kin, he reserves a measure of respect, should they prove themselves to be fools, however; they will find his patience for knaves in short supply. Hobbes journeyed to Amber as a much younger man, initiated only into the Mysteries of Sorcery, where he had excelled. It is said that he regarded the Pattern for a quarter of an hour, asked no question regarding it, and simply moved to assay it. He did not ask if it could be done, nor if any had gone before him, it was a path to Power, and he saw it as an acceptable risk.
Hobbes traveled the Shadows closest to Amber first; Albanar proved most – boring, the place was full of farmhands and milkmaids. He far preferred the latter, but grew bored of putting the former in their place. There was little to learn there that he did not already know; an agrarian economy is child’s play to learn. Voscia proved far more interesting, the duels alone made the trip worthwhile, though even their best fell prey to Hobbes’ superior intellect. He found their attempts to war with their Golden Circle betters a little humorous, and accompanied many delegations to sue for peace and trade; doubtless Voscian nobles appreciated his sarcasm even less than his own kin. Ileria was a hub of trade, and there, at least, Hobbes found something of interest. He traded in knowledge from throughout the Shadows the Ilerian fleets could reach, and dabbled in subversive endeavors – smuggling and the like. Soon thereafter, he simply disappeared into Shadow, reachable only by Trump, and only when he allowed it.
He checked in regularly with some of his kin, whose minds were likely experiencing atrophy, while they spent time sword-swinging and other brutish nonsense. Hobbes believed his kin would have been better suited to study, but one can only lead a horse to water. He returned several years ago and joined the Court of Amber with apparent ease. He is a regular Courtier, and doesn’t appear to hold any official position, other than the Nobility afforded him by his Birth. He is publicly consulted on matters Arcane, and his talents as an Artificer are often called upon to refine or correct various industries in the kingdom; the Smithy, for one. It is said that he has the ear of the King, but there are none that can say that for certain. Despite the fact that he apparently believes himself superior to most of the non-Royal Courtiers, he seems well placed in the Court, perhaps because his honest comments often cause a stir.