Thorns of Fate NaNo

Family/personal ]History:
Doren grew up in a village of about 200 people. He was raised the son of the village chief, Relkar. His father was initially a moderately successful travelling merchant whilst his mother (Linaliel(Beutiful flower in elvish)) was the daughter of a rich merchant family, specializing in accounting. Whilst having dinner with the family whilst discussing business contracts he saw her and was immediately smitten. From that point on he worked hard and grew his business, going into real estate and amassing a small fortune. So that he could marry Linaliel (Lin), which he was eventually succesful in. For some time he continued his business and as Doren was born and the weapons trade which he specialized in dried up Relkar decided to have an early 'retirement'. Going to his ancestral village and setting up a small, more relaxed shop there. Giving him more time to spend with his family. Though this was frowned upon by Lin's family, they accepted it.

Then, after the village chief died from old age Relkar was chosen as the village chief. Mainly because of his business acumen. Which did make the village expand and generally grow more prosperous. Benefitting of the period of relative peace the village grew from 150 to 200 people. The protection of the village is generally handled by Melkar, Doren's grandfather. Who himself used to be a men at arms serving in the king's personal retinue. But who was unofficially exiled from the capital after he insulted an important noble. Which resulted in him subsequently doing mercenary work before settling down in a village with his former mercenary captain. Though she died in childbirth of Doren's father.

Doren himself grew up learning from a combination of his father, mother and grandfather. From his father he learned business acumen and general charismatic skills. How to talk and be respectful of people, how to make deals with them. He also tried to learn Doren to pick up when people were lying but due to living his entire childhood in a village where everyone trusted each other he did not pick that up as well. From his mother he learned how to do multiplications and complicated calculations. Determining the value of items, how to take care of a financial balance and how to use common sense. She also wanted to learn Doren how to read but his father argued that that would not be necessary, as he never had to use it himself and was successful himself without 'learning how to understand drivel of senile old men from ink on paper' One of the few points of contention between Doren's father and mother but a persistent one.

But Doren took the most to the lessons of his grandfather. Lessons about combat. Learning how to anticipate the moves of an enemy, how to make best use of terrain, combat maneuvers etc. With a variety of fake weapons, focusing mostly on swords and spears. An important lesson Melkar tries to impart to Doren is to win a battle regardless of costs. To use every weapon, tool or technique available to him. Even if to do that would be 'dishonorable'.
Personality:

Flaws:

- Doesn’t act well. Sometimes he can be exceedingly cautious, too cautious at that. Whilst other times he is reckless without taking enough risks into consideration. Whilst sometimes (mostly) balances the two out, being relatively cautious. However this is one of Doren’s flaws.

- Doren is quite naïve. He believes the world is a far more easy/bright place than it actually is. Due in large part to his upbringing in a wealthy family in a quite far-off village. For a large part disbelieved darker aspects of his grandfather’s stories. (Will change over time)

- To make it worse, Doren sees everything a little black and white. If you don’t fit his world view of a good person he will immediately be mistrustful. Even if a person might have good-intentions. This makes Doren a bit of an ass. (This is combined with holding onto first impressions.)
(Though this will change over time)

- Doctor’s handwriting, Doren has increased mobility of fingers and limbs, this has the downside of his hand-eye coordination being less effective. Thus making him a lousy ranged specialist. Furthermore, it means he does tasks less well which need a stable hand. (Medicine, writing, ranged weapons, alchemy etc.)

- Doren is, in regards to his own actions, a pessimist. Always doubting whether he can succeed in his given role.

- Doren is reluctant to do acts he considers ‘stupid’ or generally very hard socially. This results in him, in the future for example, having difficulty admitting emotional problems or affections. Furthermore, it means he has a tendency to facepalm/cringe when (in his opinion) stupid things are suggested.

- Cruel/cold, an extension of his pragmatism, Doren can be quite cruel. This will not be present much in this book but will show signs at the end and will became far worse later on.

Strengths:
- Brave. Whilst Doren might not use enough caution often enough, he is brave when fighting. He will of course hesistate initially but will rarely become afraid of the odds and keep on fighting.

- Perseverance, Doren does not give up. He will keep on fighting as long as he can.

- Pragmatist, at times Doren can be a pragmatist. Taking the best long-term option (this will get worse throughout the series)

- Loyal, Doren is loyal to those that he bonds with. Be it party or something else. This is combined with him being trustworthy.

- Helpful/chivalrous. When help is needed Doren will give it as soon as he can. Without needing to be asked for it and without requiring thanks. (Though he does appreciate it)

Abilities:

DnD class: Battlemaster

-Common sense

-Advanced mathematics/counting

-Basic survival skills

-Proficiency with swords ranging from shortsword to two-handed.

-Very basic archery (mostly with a hunting bow to sustain himself in the wild, but he is not good at it)

-Negotiaton/persuasion

-Talent at linguistics, good at learning languages

Character Development:
Doren will start as an inexperienced but promising adventurer. One who is ripe for exploitation due to the combination of his inexperience and because he is initially very naïve. Which will subsequently happen, as he is exploited by a Lockhart type of character who is still relatively good at combat, but mainly focuses on the exploit of others and is an adept liar.

This exploitation will lead Doren to becoming much more suspicious, and slightly paranoid. Though to a generally healthy degree, as he can see through some deceptions (unfortunately not all), and will result in him being a little more ruthless. Though he will still hold onto his core of loyalty, kindness and chivalry. To a more healthy degree.

Over time and as more tragic/dark events occur his kindness will be slowly chipped away whilst his pragmatism and suspicion increases. With at the end of the book Doren having a good balance of the traits which make him a good person and inspires loyalty, whilst there is a large amount of pragmatism and a bit of cruelty present.

((If there will be follow-up books this will get far worse))

Political/Historical Subplot:
The kingdom of Aldurias in which Doren the main character is born and will spend most of the novel is a monarchy. One that is in the transitional period from going from a more feudalistic system, to one approximating an absolute monarch. Having the power away from the noble and focused more on the persona of the king. Leaving nobles in a far weaker position and completely subordinate to the ruler, rather than having a large degree of autonomy and personal influence. This has of course angered the nobles. Who seek a return to the natural order, with the king being the foremost amongst nobles and their superior, but not an absolute ruler whose word is absolute law. This in order to of course maintain their own power, and in the more idealistic cases, check the power of the king and force competition.

In this the anti-monarchic forces are divided into two 'factions', though one of them is more of a sub-faction. The greatest and most prominent faction is 'the Lions' who wish for the kingdom to engage in a more militaristic approach whilst leaving the management of the army to the nobles. Who can do this task with the aid of their own personal retinues and levies. Most of these nobles are, whilst not supporters of the king, at least not straight up enemies. This changes when one investigates the group deeper.

What is made clear then is that there is a second sub-group 'The Pride' who wish to depose the king and have one of their own as regent. And through them execute their agenda, whatever it may be.

This is of course, to the anger and displeasure of the king and his own followers. Who wish to have the king as a strong central authority. One who does not engage in petty bickering and who can make the best judgement for the kingdom without restraints. Allowing a just and fair ruler to do far more good than if he were shackled by the whims of powerful nobles.

This of course creates a large amount of tension, one which is slowly building up but mostly kept in the background.

As Doren becomes a more prominent adventurer and the Fool's Errand continues their exploits, they will be approached by both faction to support them in some degree. (Though far less so by the Lions. Since most of the Fools are of low birth sneer)