Jean d’Alençon

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## Background

Wanting for nothing growing up, Jean was raised as any other heir to a Dukedom within France. His father loved him, and spent quite a bit of time with him in his formative years and was constantly teaching, showing, and explaining. Their relationship soured when Francis realized his son’s personality wasn’t quite up to or even desiring taking over his title, and it soured further when the deep bond between Jean and his sister failed to ever break. It put Francis in a terrible position, he couldn’t offer Joan for marriage to anyone as he couldn’t let her leave Jean’s side as the boy barely could function at that point and to make matters worse, Joan was far more able and suited to being heir in the first place. But while the relationship with his father floundered, the one with his mother flourished. Ygritte taught him how to act and pass as a commoner, took him to local towns and villages to blend in and taught him streetcraft, moving without being seen, and even how to disguise oneself. While growing up, Jean’s true love was chess and fencing. A truly excellent student, Jean was able to memorize and analyze various attacking patterns and footwork angles to not only rapidly learn the different forms being taught to him, but also come up with his own variations, as a teenager. This was similar in chess and other mental pursuits, Jean grasping mathematics and theory instantly and proving to even have an almost photographic memory. He was exceptionally smart and with his mother’s guidance turned that into cunning as well. All in all he has become a very adaptable person and one very hard to pin down.

## Personality and Behaviour

Highly intelligent, extremely composed, not much surprises Jean and if it does his brain registers and reacts fast enough to make it not shown. Quiet, and appearing uncaring he usually ignores those that speak to him and lets his sister do all the talking. If he does decide to speak it’s direct, to the point and usually well structured. He is almost always the last to draw his sword but woe be to thee when he does. Like all of his personality every movement and action is done with a meaning without wasting energy and he doesn’t rush into anything. He is exceptionally difficult to read, and can be utterly ruthless if needed. Calculating, he will almost always let someone else make the first move to test his opponent and wait patiently for his opening. He keeps a cool head at all times and is far more tactical than one might expect from one that never studied warfare. He meets peoples eyes without reservation. Dangerous. Dangerous and an enigma.

## Occupational Details

Jean is the heir d’Alençon and for the most part does whatever he wishes. He can normally be found studying a fencing treatise, playing chess, reading mathematical theories, ignoring people, or reading something else.

## Likes/Hobbies/Interests

Fencing, chess, math, geometry, books, being alone, swimming, not being recognised.

## Dislikes/Fears/Phobias

### **Dislikes**

Crowds, ignorance, social interaction, his father, making mistakes, being without Joan, being helpless.

### **Phobias**

A cage, drowning, losing his twin, snakes.

## Strengths and Weaknesses

### **Strengths**

Athleticism, dexterity, swordplay, marksmanship, riding, critical thinking, adaptability, intelligence.

### **Weaknesses**

Social situations, VERY reliant on his twin, overthinking, losing confidence.

## Ambitions

Jean simply wants to learn everything there is to Fencing and the art of the sword while navigating life and trying to survive.

## Physical Skills

Fencing Skills - Agrippa, Capo Ferro, Caranza, Didier, Fabris, di Grassi, Manciolini, Marcelli, Marozzo, Saviolo, Swetnam, and Thibault as his best and base.

## Intellectual Skills

Great ability in mathematics, theory, and science. An avid reader his vocabulary is pristine and verbose.

## Weapon/s

Elegant Rapier, finely crafted. Obviously an expensive craft.

## Armour/Clothing Style

Ornate, long coats that flaps dramatically when he runs, and attachments that all seem to flourish. Engraved pistols, elegantly decorated hilt, lacy shirt sleeves and collars, and a red sash around his waist. He wears his collars open which reveals his necklaces. A lover of capes, half capes, shoulder capes, etc.

For armour, a breastplate, boiled leather, hardened leather knee/armpads.