Algar Harte is a complicated man whose identity can be summed up nicely as "hedonist". If it feels good, if it makes him feel powerful, likely that's what he's going to do with or without permission. He has few loyalties, but those who have earned his loyalty he will protect fiercely. He has a fiery personality and a flair for the dramatics, tending to overreact if he cares at all. He is impatient, cruel, unforgiving, straightforward, and yet also caring, romantic, and guilt-ridden. His own moral code isn't everyone's cup of tea, but he really doesn't care.
He is known for his widespread investments in real estate on the surface as well as Microsha. It's said that there's no property in any major city that Algar doesn't know about: major renovations, sale, purchase, etc. Though this may not be exactly true, he perpetuates the rumor enough that people believe it. This is true, however, for the cities of
Khadan,
Citidel,
Gwarthall, and
Kanol (Khadan and Kanol being his two hometowns). Algar has ties to most properties in those cities, whether by facilitating their purchase and sale or because he himself owns the properties.
While Algar is known for his property investments, this is not to say that he's exclusively a landlord. Though most of his businesses have been sold off, Algar used to own several factories in various industries, including a company that made street lamps for Microsha. One of the more well-known businesses he used to own is
The Underground, an exclusive club located beneath a warehouse with red-tinted windows. When Algar owned the club, it was a den for indulgence: drugs, sex, gambling, Trading, etc. He lost The Underground to
Jaris Voltaire in a game, though he still frequents the club as a patron.
He is married to
Noa Blume, his personal assistant, though "married" is perhaps too romantic of a word for what happened. They have legally-binding paperwork that claims they are married, but Noa didn't sign any of the forms himself. Algar, afraid of dying and leaving Noa with nothing, arranged for his entire fortune to be split between Noa and charity organizations in Microsha. After nearly 60 years of "not marriage", Noa and Algar are still quite happy, and Noa teases Algar about the paperwork all the time.
Mental characteristics
Pansexual, polyamorous (only married to Noa Blume)
- Public education in Kanol
- Extracurricular studies with Shuri Balhan (Fuhal and adoptive mother) in traditional Microshan, basic medicine, cultural and religious history
- University education in Jurnol; two degrees in Business
While in Microsha (mostly Kanol), Algar did odds-and-ends jobs, picking up work wherever he could in order to save up enough money to go to the surface. He and Jaris were in their mid-200's when they could finally afford to move to the surface, though they had almost no leftover money and no job prospects.
They managed menial jobs – cashiering, stocking, even "fortune telling" – until Jaris decided to start buying stocks on the market. Algar familiarly followed, gradually earning more income from stock trading than his day job. Algar began to invest in apartment buildings and houses, collecting rent in order to move away from volatile trading. He owned several businesses, mostly factories, which expanded his wealth and his reach within the community, though he eventually sold them off.
Algar's main business has to do with real estate, from private homes to multi-level business towers, and construction. He has influence in most major cities in the world, and has ties to almost all properties in Khadan. He still has a contract with a street lamp manufacturer that creates lights specifically for Microshan streets. Whenever Algar buys a new property without lights, he installs at least one street lamp in front of the building.
Algar and Jaris like to play high stakes games that often take years, if not decades, to complete. His biggest failure was a game he lost to Jaris, where Algar's club (The Underground) was forfeit.
There are several deaths of loved ones that Algar blames himself for, though it may be misplaced blame.
Algar grew up in extreme poverty, sleeping under people's houses for shelter and often stealing food out of trashcans to survive. This was particularly dangerous given that he was born in Kanol, Microsha during a time when Kanol was very close to being a border town. During the first nine years of his life, it was only himself and his mother, who was an alcoholic and verbally abusive. One day, his mother just up and left, taking all of their belongings with her and leaving Algar to fend for himself. This was, unfortunately, the same day that Algar was attacked violently by a bear-like monster from the Deep Dark.
Though he was adopted by Kanol's
fuhal,
Shuri Balhan, he's never fully forgiven his biological mother for her abandonment.
- If no one stops me, I can do it
- I will hurt anyone who hurts me or my loved ones
- If it feels good, do it
- Clean up after your own messes (unless you're purposefully leaving it for someone else)
- Take no one's shit
- Be kind where it matters
- Honesty and loyalty sometimes conflict; it's better to be honest than loyal
- Reciprocate (good, bad, and indifference)
- I will not put Noa in danger
- Everything in life is gray
Social
History
Algar and Jaris are nearly the same age and grew up in the same household since their early childhood. They consider each other brothers, though they are not by blood, and have an incredibly strong bond. Algar holds more romantic feelings for Jaris even centuries after breaking up, but both refuse to let this affect their brotherhood.
Their relationship is often tense as they play high-stakes games with each other's businesses and interests. While they would never outright destroy the other, often their games take on a winner-take-all mentality and it takes both of them a while to recover from these games.
Nicknames & Petnames
- Algar will call Jaris Hanei (Big Brother) on occasion.
- Jaris will call Algar Minei (Little Brother) on occasion.
History
Noa began as Algar's Personal Assistant, having moved across the country to take this job. Algar enjoyed not only Noa's competence but his company as well. While Noa did not exactly want to become a stereotype, if Algar wants something he's probably going to get it.
Noa and Algar did not get married in the traditional sense. They live together and are lovers, but as far as marriage is concerned Noa didn't technically agree. Algar forged Noa's signature and legal documents to give him half of everything he owns in order to create a safety net should something go terribly wrong. On paper, they're married. Noa doesn't mind that this happened, but still points it out to Algar every once in a while to tease him.
Adoptive Mother (Important)
History
After Algar's biological mother abandoned him, Shuri stepped in to adopt and care for Algar. He feels that he owes her a debt that can never be repaid and has done everything in his power to offer her comfort, support, and medical aid she would not otherwise be able to get in Microsha.
Nicknames & Petnames
Algar was given the right to call Shuri Maril-omda (adoptive-mother).
Shuri will call Algar Mire (son).
