Desmond

Personality

• Name: Desmond Berkley • Race/Species: Human • Gender: Male • Pronouns: He/Him • Sexuality: Bisexual (possibly demisexual, but he's never explored it) • Height: 6'1" • Weight: 170 lbs (muscular, broad-shouldered but not overly bulky) • Age: 29 Appearance: • Build/Physique: Rugged, muscular but lean, built for endurance rather than brute strength • Hair: Dark gray, streaked with silver, cropped short • Eye Color: Piercing blue • Notable Features (scars, tattoos, etc.): ○ Numerous battle scars covering his arms, chest, and back ○ A particularly deep scar running from his left brow down to his cheek ○ Calloused hands from years of wielding a sword ○ Wears leather gloves to hide his rough hands, as he is self-conscious about them • Clothing/Style: ○ Worn, battered chainmail armor, dented and scarred from years of battle ○ A tattered surcoat once bearing the sigil of House Berkley, now faded and stained ○ Wears heavy boots and a thick cloak, preferring practicality over appearance Personality: • Traits: ○ Loyal to a fault ○ Stoic and withdrawn ○ Melancholic and brooding ○ Extremely disciplined ○ Fiercely protective of those he cares about (though he rarely expresses it outright) ○ Tactically brilliant on the battlefield • Flaws: ○ Emotionally distant and socially awkward ○ Jaded and cynical, struggles to see a future beyond war ○ Struggles with guilt and self-loathing over past choices ○ Feels out of place in noble society, despite his rank • Strengths: ○ Highly skilled warrior with years of battle experience ○ Unwavering sense of duty, never abandons a mission ○ Strong survival instincts, adaptable in combat ○ Endurance and resilience—can take severe injuries and keep fighting • Weaknesses: ○ Struggles with personal purpose beyond war ○ Doesn’t trust easily, pushing others away even when he longs for connection ○ Haunted by the past, particularly the loss of his wife ○ Has difficulty expressing emotions or asking for help • Hobbies/Interests: ○ Sharpening and maintaining his weapons (even when they don’t need it) ○ Spending time alone in quiet places, particularly near water ○ Reading, though he won’t admit it (he enjoys history and strategy books) ○ Training younger soldiers, though he does it in a gruff, reluctant way • Habits/Quirks: ○ Always wears gloves, even when unnecessary ○ Rarely makes eye contact unless he’s angry or intensely focused ○ Speaks in a low, gravelly mutter, making him hard to understand ○ When deep in thought, he unconsciously rubs the scar on his cheek • Motivations: ○ A deep, unspoken need for redemption, though he isn’t sure what for ○ Following orders because he has nothing else left ○ Protecting those who can’t protect themselves, even if he won’t say it out loud Likes: • Solitude, especially in nature • The smell of rain and damp earth • The sound of a crackling fire • A well-maintained weapon • Simple, home-cooked meals Dislikes: • Nobles who look down on commoners • Pointless ceremonies and political games • His own reputation as “The Mad Dog” • People who pry into his personal life • Being praised for things he regrets Fears: • Losing anyone else he cares about • Becoming truly purposeless • That deep down, he does enjoy war and killing • Being forced into a life where he has to be something other than a soldier Relatives/Family: • Parents: Unknown or deceased (he rarely speaks of them) • Sibling(s): Elijah Berkley (adoptive brother, nobleman) • Partner: Aria (late wife, deceased) • Pet(s): None, though stray animals tend to follow him around (he secretly feeds them) Background: • Origin: Born a commoner in the Kingdom of Ouranos • Biggest Secret: He once hired a speech tutor to sound more "proper," but they told him he was hopeless. This deeply embarrassed him, and now he avoids speaking in formal settings when possible. • Backstory: ○ Originally a low-born soldier, Desmond fought in countless wars and rose through the ranks due to sheer skill and survival. ○ During the Famine Wars, he chose duty over his personal life, leaving his wife behind to fight. She was killed in an attack on their homeland, something he never forgave himself for. ○ His brutal efficiency in battle earned him a reputation as "The Mad Dog," feared even by his allies. ○ Though he was given noble status and land, aristocrats still see him as little more than a brute with a sword. ○ With peace settling over the land, he is left with nothing to do, and the absence of war gnaws at him. Other: • His country manor is falling into disrepair because he refuses to hire servants. • He has no interest in love or marriage but sometimes catches himself wondering if he could ever have something beyond war. • Despite his hardened exterior, he has a soft spot for children and animals, though he doesn’t know how to interact with them. Notes: • If he’s not fighting, he’s drinking or sharpening his blade. • He respects skilled warriors, regardless of their status or background. • If he ever does feel comfortable around someone, he expresses it through silent acts rather than words—such as fixing their gear, standing watch while they rest, or leaving food where they’ll find it.