Morgan & Malcolm

isIt's a little unfair to make these two share a single article, as they are each a complete person with their own personality, agenda, goals, virtues, and views. However, it is equally true that most people confuse these two, and giving them a single entry will simplify for those readers who are not certain which brother they saw and need to quickly distinguish them.

Physical Descriptions

Morgan and Malcolm are twins, of course, so it is simplest to start with their shared physical description. They are moderately tall, only barely above average, although they often appear shorter beside Cairbre. Each has long chestnut brown hair which hangs nearly to the waist, and he wears it in a low braid hanging down his back.
They share a lean build, but muscular. Their constant practice with the foreign rapier has developed, much like their weapons of preference, a whippy, strong frame that does not necessarily suggest the strength they possess. They have brown eyes and moderately handsome features, not exceptionally striking but easy enough on the eyes once one notices them.

Scars

One of the brothers' most unusual characteristics is their shared facial scar. Often those who are newly meeting them are sure they are meeting the same man repeatedly due to the distinctive slash along the left cheekbone, but in fact each brother bears this scar, as identical as themselves.
The scars run approximately three inches and are quite visible even though healed; they don't look as if the very best doctors offered prompt treatment. They are old, though, and not a present concern.
Questions about this scar will produce a joke of a response or a jesting deflection, a snapped suggestion to mind one's own business, or a studied ignorance of the question entirely, depending on which brother is asked and in what circumstances.

Swords

Both are highly skilled with the rapier, though it is a less-common weapon in Mardia. They learned the rapier while traveling in Dokoro and brought their preferences back with them. It may appear to be an incongruous or even a ridiculous choice alongside their companion Cairbre's greatsword, but their speed and agility make the choice an efficient one.
Morgan carries a rapier called Melody, and Malcolm carries Nerve. Like the brothers, the swords are difficult to distinguish at a casual glance, but their bearers know them at a look or a touch.

Temperaments

Personality is where the brothers are most distinct from one another. While both bear incredible loyalty to their friend and will stand by Cairbre in any circumstance (and indeed, defer to him regularly), after that point they differ widely.
Morgan bears a friendly exterior along with his dedication to duty, and he can often be sighted sharing a greeting with a merchant or caravan guard, or even lending a hand to catch a spilling cart. He's not above bald flirtation, which he considers himself better at than is probably accurate. It's not that he's not a little cute and nice enough, but his build, braid, and brief novelty do more for him than what he considers his charming approach.
Malcolm, on the other hand, exhibits a near pathological obsession with duty and obligation. He makes no small talk with outsiders (a term encompassing everyone who is not Cairbre or Morgan) and has no patience with questions or invitations. He has no tolerance for failure, whether Morgan's or his own, and his perfectionism is usually satisfied, which makes the exception even more unbearable.
Morgan can often be caught sharing a mug of ale or something stronger. Malcolm rarely drinks, and when he does, he is more susceptible to alcohol's effects. He's not a happy drunk.

Age

They are probably in their mid or late twenties, but no one has bothered to ask. It is not known which brother is the elder, and the question has been raised publicly only once. Morgan shrugged, grinned, and said something about neither of them remembering their birth particularly well. When the tavern tablemate persisted with a friendly, "Go on, what's it matter?" then Malcolm snarled something and looked ready to start a barfight, until Cairbre waved him to silence and the subject was dropped.

Background

Little is known about the brothers' personal histories, actually, beyond their current occupations in short-term contracts (often guarding caravans or similar work) and that at some point the three of them traveled as far as Dokoro. The community around itinerant labor is generally understanding when one doesn't wish to share much personal background, and those who are curious might intend to broach the subject with Morgan but have instead questioned Malcolm often enough that now it's just not done.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Very fit, the kind of fit that can pursue a target up multiple sets of stairs and win a swordfight at the top. But they probably won't need to, because they're competent enough to take care of business at the base of the stairs.

Identifying Characteristics

The scars are their most distinctive identifying feature--but not for identifying one brother from the other.

Physical quirks

Morgan often likes to tip his chair back on two legs while relaxing. Malcolm rarely does this. It's a good thing to keep in mind if you need to identify the brothers in a public room or tavern.

Mental characteristics

Mental Trauma

Wildly divergent personalities who don't like to discuss their past? C'mon, you know there's a backstory there. Probably a tragic one. But it doesn't sound like you're likely to get it on the first date, even assuming you're lucky enough to identify Morgan when asking for the date. (Don't ask Malcolm out. He's not interested.)

Wealth & Financial state

Itinerant swordsmen selling their skills as caravan guards, bodyguards, temporary security, and the like, picking up new work in each town? They're not wealthy.

Age

25-30

Circumstances of Birth

Twins

Gender

male

Eyes

brown

Hair

long, chestnut brown, worn in a long braid down the back

Height

5'9"

Weight

heavier than they look; lean but it's all muscle