Karlad Claiman (kɑrlɑd tʃlɛmɑn)
Karlad Kilrick Claiman (a.k.a. Karl)
Eldest son of Kaldain Claiman, Kalrad is the new king of Briana and has big shoes to fill. With the death of his father still fresh in his mind, he has to step up to the plate and take on the responsibility of an entire nation’s fate on his shoulders and play the very dangerous game of politics. Already he has made a big, risky move, one that none of Briana’s kings have done in hundreds of years: to become involved in the multinational power struggle happening in Remaea to potentially become an influential player in the game. Immediately upon getting his feet wet, he has already made rivals, if not outright enemies of Robert Antony and Silani Antony , king and queen respectively of the Remaen Imperium, both of whom hold great influence in the court. Karlad has to play carefully and smart if he wants to have a long reign as king.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Karlad is a muscular, young man with a strong, athletic build. He has broad shoulders and a wide chest, the body of a man who knows the value of hard work, despite being of royal blood. He also has a decent constitution, being of a land known for being covered in snow.
Body Features
Being a Briane, Karlad has a fair skin tone, and a fuzzy coat of body hair on his chest, forearms, and shins. Across his left side, he has a long scar from a fall out of a tree onto a rock he had as a child.
Facial Features
Karlad’s face is a good example of the all the features typical of the Briane. His nose is straight and is of average size. He has a broad forehead and jaw and a square chin, covered by a full beard.
Physical quirks
Karlad is right handed and stands with his back straight and shoulders held high. This is also how he walks, and he takes wide strides almost without meaning to do so.
Apparel & Accessories
The noblemen of Briana aren’t much for flair by dress, and Karlad is no different. He wears a simple cloth shirt and pants, with a kilt wrapped around his waist. The only thing that stands out is his cape, of which the shoulders are lined with thick, soft furs. The only piece of jewelry he wears is a medallion shaped like a roaring bear and made of pure iron. This medallion is a family relic, passed down through the Claiman line for generations and Karlad wears it in his sleep with his fist wrapped around it.
Specialized Equipment
There aren’t many items Karlad carries on him that he doesn’t need, hence why he is usually carrying very little, but there is one piece of equipment that he can never be without, his sword, Icebreaker. This two-handed sword is one of the Claiman’s most sacred treasures and is a legendary blade. Though it is worn and weathered, the claymore-like sword is still strong enough to rip through flesh and bone, and each of its scars has a story through some of been lost. The biggest scar’s story is how it got its name: according to the legend, King Arthur Claiman was lost in a blizzard with only the blade. He was nearing a settlement, but couldn’t see because of the storm. He happened to be near a massive glacier and, out of desperation alone, he decided to cut open a hole in the ice mountain to weed out the storm. Normally, it would’ve taken too long for one man to do such a feat with a sword, but he was determined and struck hard. According to the story, by dumb luck alone he achieved the feat and weathered the storm with a scar on his blade and a new name for it. This blade is sacred to the Claiman family, and Karlad keeps it with him at all times, as his father’s gift to him.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Karlad is the eldest child of the Kaldain Claiman and Morrigan Claiman, born towards the end of a longer than normal winter. Born and raised in the halls of Winterbane's keep, he grew up learning the value of an honest day of hard work, despite his royal position: in fact, it was his father who made him work so hard, often giving him arduous chores to do around the castle grounds. These were intended not only to teach Karlad the value of hard work but by extension to make sure he respected his citizens and their efforts. They worked, and Karlad to this day has an undying appreciation for everything his people do, for him and themselves.
Early on in his life, Karlad began the rigorous training and studying to one day become the king of Briana. He studied under the best of the kingdom's teachers and often joined his father on political exploits, although very rarely did he play a role. Being a child, he could not participate in the affairs of politics and stayed in the background watching his father at work, to pick up on how a king might resolve various issues. A leader that Kaldain commonly associated with was Dubhshláine Fearghas, the Tuatha High Chief of Daudicain, due to his close proximity to Loradum. As a result, Karlad associated with Cædyrn Fearghas from when they were both as little as 8. At first, Cædyrn thought Karlad was, as he put, "the foal of a high horse" and Karlad thought Cædyrn was rude and dirty, and these would eventually result in a scuffle between the two of them. This was broken up by both fathers and they gave both of them a stern talking to: each learned about the father of the other that day and gained a respect for them. From that point onward, each child gradually grew to respect the other as they learned more and would go on to become close friends, even though Cædyrn has not seen Karlad in 4 years.
Karlad quickly learned what it was like to be the eldest brother, as it was but a year after his birth before there was a younger sibling, Eadgyð Clamain. Karlad and Eadgyð, in particular, grew quite close to each other, although when they were young you might have thought otherwise: from ages 2-5 they would commonly pester each other to no end. However, they still absolutely loved each other dearly-they just showed it in that special way that siblings show it-and by with the coming of the twins, Abigæl and Æðelrich, came a sort of maturing if you will, and they become very protective of their younger siblings. Having to constantly play diplomat between the twins allowed Karlad to quickly accelerate his diplomacy skills, beneficial assets for a king. He also grew to good with children, a skill that has proven helpful with the arrival of the youngest sibling Kenelm, who Karlad liked so much and grew so protective of, he has since taken up as his ward.
Sexuality
Heterosexual
Education
As first in line for the throne, Karlad received the highest grade education his’s father could get. He is knowledgeable in history, literature, blacksmithing, tactics, politics, sword-fighting, and philosophy. He studied under Kaldain Claiman’s personal advisor, Derrik Parath , and received his military and weapons training from Kaldain and his most trusted general, Arthur Halfdain .
Intellectual Characteristics
Karlad jumps between a philosopher and a tactician, depending on the situation. If it requires a one to be cautious of what they say or do, he is cunning and very careful to say the right thing, often holding of a minute to think of the proper phrasing. If it is more casual or requires that sort of mind, Karlad is known to become quite the philosopher, often using grand quotes to enthrall his audience and occasionally postulating questions of the great universe, should he happen to be in deep thought at the time.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
As the king of Briana, Karlad has a lot on his plate. He has been preparing and training his whole life for leading the country, and that is his primary motivation. Now that he is king, he wants to be like his father, a good king who leads his people to prosperous times.
Likes & Dislikes
Karlad enjoys fine alcohol of any kind, be it whiskey, wine, ale, or otherwise. He is always quick to join in a drink with someone he knows well. He also has a pension for reading and history, of any land, be it his own or otherwise. Ever since he learned to read he has always found history to be a fascinating subject and he is always happy to add to his knowledge.
Despite an enjoyment of alcohol, he greatly dislikes intoxication, as he prefers to be at his best mentally at all times. As such, though it may pain him, when he starts to feel addled he won't take any more alcohol unless it is a joyous occasion or he has already become inebriated. Additionally, he views laziness and wastefulness as harmful to everyone around any who to practice it, coming from a land where work is valued.
Virtues & Personality perks
Being the oldest of a family of five children and in a position that forced him to learn responsibility, Karlad is very patient and understanding. He generally tries to diffuse a situation that is out of hand, and tries not to exceed the limitations of what he can do in that situation (ex: he isn’t well versed in medicine, so he won’t try to help close a wound, but he would offer to help in some other way.).
Karlad is generally not a man to turn others away because of their beliefs: being a king of a large kingdom, he understands that many people just don’t believe the same thing as others. As such, Karlad is generally indifferent to the beliefs of others, unless they would directly impact the kingdom or someone else.
Karlad holds great respect for his friends and values his family above all else. If he had to choose between them and the world, he would almost certainly stay with his family while the world around them crumbles. Those who protect their friends and family, to a point, have his respect and understanding.
Vices & Personality flaws
As fair as he tries to be when Karlad is decided on a course of action he can be as stubborn as an ox, in some cases even more so. This usually happens if he is aware that someone he doesn’t care much for disagrees with him and knows he can’t convince them otherwise.
In addition, while he usually waits to know more about a person beyond first impressions before making a judgment on the common folk, Karlad has a history of being much more of a moral busy-body with individuals of influence. This is particularly egregious with more hard-handed individuals, or rather those perceived by some as such: Karlad is known to mistaken strictness for the beginnings of tyranny, a mistake he is working hard not to make again.
Hygiene
As a member of the royal family, Karlad makes a point to keep himself clean and presentable. However, he doesn’t like to overdo it, preferring to wash only every other day.
Social
Family Ties
Son of Kaldain Claiman and Morrigan Claiman .
Social Aptitude
Karlad is a charismatic, confident man, who tries to hold himself high. He is usually kind and respectful, keeping calm and controlled, but if he gets angry enough it starts to show. He rarely starts shouting, but it has happened: many have compared his shouts of such anger to the roaring boom of thunder, with some claiming to have had their goblets and cups quiver in their hands (though whether its from the force of his shouting or the fear of becoming his target is for many impossible to know).
Mannerisms
Karlad is often sarcastic, particularly around those he doesn’t like or who annoy him. He also can be intimidating to some, as he is almost always looking them in the eyes in a conversation: in fact, the first thing he notices about most people is the look of their eyes.
Relationships
History
Karlad is Kaldain’s first born child and was thus the first in line to rule. As the first child born to him, Kaldain had a special relationship with Karlad, always focusing on him when his kingly duties and wife weren’t on the mind, and he had to keep a close eye one him, with him being first in line to rule should he die. Kaldain taught Karlad almost everything he knows, be it from history and weapon play to his ideals of responsibility and honor. Kaldain’s lessons built the foundations of the man Karlad is today, and they’ve stuck with him. Kaldain was a stern father, with many ground rules being set and retribution came quick, but never was he cruel. He ruled his household like he ruled his kingdom, with sound, but swift judgement and a mighty, yet gentle hand. Karlad loved Kaldain, and was unprepared for his death. Suddenly, the world of “king” that seemed ages away had been reached, and for a few days, he forgot his training. He felt last and alone without his father and questioned whether he was ready to rule. But he rembered how his father was, remembered he had a legacy to live up to, remembered an unspoken promise he made to him, and regained himself in time for his crowning and Kaldain’s funeral. Whether he lives up to his legacy, remains to be seen.
Nicknames & Petnames
Kaldain called all his children his cubs
History
They’ve known each other for so little a time, and yet Robert Antony and Karlad Claiman dispise each-other. Each one contains a fiery hatred of the other, with Karlad viewing Antony as a vile, wrathfully ambitious man and Robert seeing Claiman as a naive, young boy who is getting in the way.
Nicknames & Petnames
Robert, and his wife Silani Antony, both call Karlad “Caiman,” after comparing the calluses on his hands to the skin of the alligatoroid.
Relationship Reasoning
At the end of the day, it all comes down to political differences: specifically their views on how to rule a country. Karlad believes that justice should be swift and strong, but he also believes that leader should work for the benefit of the people, whereas Antony sees the world through a much more darwinistic lense, with the strongest and those most beneficial to them on top, making decisions for those who are to weak willed or stupid to defend themselves.
History
Karlad has a great deal of respect for his family, and his mother is no exception. Ever since she birthed him, he and Morrigan have had a love for each other that only a mother and son can have.
Wealth & Financial state
As the king, Karlad is essentially the wealthiest person in the land. His family has an incredible amount of private reserves for their wealth, and have a few servants that help around the castle of Winterbane whenever they’re needed. However, while the servants are paid well and certainly are beneficial to keeping the good state of the castle, the Briane place a strong cultural emphasis on hard work, being from a land where those who don’t work hard die in the cold, and as the royal family, the Claimans have to uphold this to set a good example for their culture.
While most of the spending his on serving the kingdom and its people, Karlad does have a few choice purchases he makes often. He often meets with caravans to see if they have any tomes or books about other lands and histories, as he feels he must know about the other powers of Kadagard if he is to survive their political game, in addition to just finding them fascinating. Additionally, he is also a connoisseur of alcohol and is quick to purchase exotic and local beer, ale, & wine.
Current Location
Ethnicity
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Year of Birth
578 C.P.
22 Years old
Birthplace
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Current Residence
Gender
Male
Eyes
Dark brown, engaged
Hair
Medium, shaggy, dark brown
Height
6’3”
Weight
185 lbs
Quotes & Catchphrases
Steel from ice and blood from snow.-The Briane maxim
Aligned Organization
Ruled Locations
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments