Arthur's journal has a mind of its own...and it likes to take details...within are Arthur's memories or memories of Arthur by others recorded for all time, quite a few he'd rather no-one else knew...

( The Memories... )

Player Name: Moose
Player Age: 30
Contact Info: Plurk: anonymoose_au or anonymoose_au
Reserve Link: http://ingress.dreamwidth.org/4416.html?thread=4416#cmt4416

Character Name: Prince Arthur Pendragon
Age: 22
Canon/canon point: BBC Merlin - End of Season 2

Character History:
As the heir to the Crown of Camelot - Arthur Pendragon has been trained to kill since birth (at least that's his story). The son of King Uther Pendragon and Queen Ygraine, Arthur's life began with a tragedy, his mother's death, the result of which led to King Uther's declaration of war against magic.

During his boyhood Arthur was pampered, but also somewhat isolated, he was considered the great hope for the future by the people of Camelot (especially in light of King Uther's extreme reaction to the slightest rumour of magic). Used to being the centre of attention - at least by the servants - his entire life changed when Morgana, daughter of Duke Gorlois came to live at Camelot after her father's tragic death. Although Morgana wasn't a stranger - there had been yearly visits - having her as a surrogate sister was a completely different matter. The two were more often than not at each other throats, but ever so often they would team up to wreck havoc, particularly upon their tutor, Geoffrey of Monmouth. Most of their arguments centred on the fact that Morgana often got attention from King Uther, attention that Arthur craved but never seemed to get.

When he was 12, Arthur began the long training towards becoming a knight of Camelot, although he moved through the process quite swiftly, proving to be a very skilled fighter as well as strategist. By the time he was 18 he had become Champion and the Leader of the Knights of Camelot.

Arthur gained his full title as Crown Prince on his 21st birthday, but less than a year prior to this a new face showed up in Camelot - a boy by the name of Merlin. The two got off to a rather poor start, with Merlin insulting the Prince and ending up in the dungeon and then later on got into a rather one-sided fight. Despite all this, Merlin ended up saving Arthur's life and as a "reward" was made Arthur's manservant by a grateful King Uther.

Despite finding Merlin rather idiotic, with a complete lack of hunting skills or tact, Arthur has grown quite fond of him and the two might even be described as friends - although both would probably deny that. They've both saved each other from death or injury numerous times - most notably when Arthur defied his father's orders to bring back a rare plant that would save Merlin from being poisoned.

Arthur's relationship with Merlin has also led to him seeing servants and those who aren't of noble blood in a new light, in particular Guinevere, the daughter of Camelot's blacksmith. Despite King Uther being responsible for Gwen's father's death (finding him guilty of colluding with sorcerers), the two of them have begun to develop very strong feelings for each other. Gwen even allowed Arthur to stay at her home while he was pretending to be Sir William of Deria to prove that he was Champion not because of his position, but his skill. Despite his feelings though, Arthur is somewhat resigned to the idea that a relationship could never happen.

As he moves into adulthood, Arthur's relationship with Morgana has become rather complicated, there are a number of courtiers who feel that they should marry, although King Uther has given no indication he would approve such a match. As for Arthur and Morgana, they have a more sibling relationship than anything else, they might snap at each other a lot, but they would also do anything to protect each other. Which makes Morgana's recent disappearance particularly difficult for Arthur to accept and he has spent countless days on patrol with the rest of the knights hoping to bring her home.

There is also the possibility that Camelot may be invaded by King Cendred and his army, who has refused to sign any treaties with Camelot and seems quite intent on expanding his kingdom. All this on top of a recent attack on Camelot by a Dragon, which has left the castle and its surrounds rather devastated.

Character Abilities:
Arthur is an extremely skilled knight - who has experience with any number of weapons although he's most comfortable and proficient with a sword.

He's a very good strategist when it comes to winning battles, particularly if it seems like the odds are against him. As an expert hunter, Arthur is also very good at tracking and also hiding if the situation calls for it.

Character Personality/Role:
Arthur has a tendency to be arrogant and a bit - as Merlin would say - a clotpole when it comes to other people's feelings. He has the best of intentions, however and is always ready to help those in trouble, even those who his father might consider beneath the notice of royalty.

He's also a bit socially inept, often inadvertly insulting or talking down to those not of his rank. Since Merlin's become his manservant he's been getting a little better at not doing so, since he'll get called out for it.

Arthur is a leader, if there's trouble he'll be first in line and will give everything he has to remedy the situation. As long as it involved weapons and/or hand to hand combat, diplomacy isn't Arthur's strong suit to say the least.

Arthur main goal in life is to protect Camelot, the kingdom he will one day rule as King. Recently he has started to question his father's way of doing things, but he's still quite uncertain about his own abilities to be a ruler.

At the moment he's on a mad search for Morgana, who he believe was kidnapped by the witch Morgause. At the same time he also has to deal with his father's depression over Morgana's disappearance and the rebuilding of parts of Camelot, which were destroyed after the last of the Dragons escaped from its captivity under the castle.

Character’s Door and game specific goals:


Arthur's door appeared while he was out searching yet again for Morgana and is willing to turn over every stone in the forest to find her. And although he has never seen a door quite like this, he has heard rumours of various abandoned buildings scattered throughout the forest so willingly enters it, hoping to find Morgana or perhaps a clue to where she might be. He doesn't think to ask for backup, since rushing headlong into things is a rather bad habit of his.

What are the win conditions for your character?
Arthur, for all his arrogance, is insecure, particularly about his own opinions. While he has his own ideas about what kind of kingdom Camelot should be (Morgana has often challenged him to think for himself rather than follow his father's lead) he isn't confident enough that they're the right choice. Also despite recent adventures and his experience in battles, Arthur hasn't had a lot of experience with the wider world and has been brought up to distrust magic, any forms of it. Arthur needs to gain not only belief in himself, but also realise that magic is not inherently evil.

And Finally, examples:
One First Person example: "Merlin? Merlin...where did you...? Honestly, he's hopeless, what's the point of having a manservant who can't keep up with you? He's probably in another ditch...how could someone be so blind?

And now I'm talking to myself. This is what you do to me, Merlin, make a Crown Prince talk to himself.

Really, you idiot, where are you?"

One Prose example: It didn't take too long for Arthur to realise he was not in the Forest of Ascetir, or indeed any forest he knew of.

How had this happened? Granted this isn't Arthur's usual hunting territory, but he's been here quite a few times (usually because of Merlin) but he has a good memory and he certainly doesn't remember these sorts of trees. He's never trees like these ever...it's as if he's wandered into a foreign land, but that's not possible, only a few moments ago he was in Albion.

Arthur tenses, not exactly scared, because the Crown Prince of Camelot does not get scared like a little girl, but definitely more alert. He's heard stories of people who have suddenly appeared somewhere else and one thing those stories have had in common was...magic.

A shiver runs up Arthur's spine, who would use magic on him? And where is the caster of the spell now?

His hand goes to his sword hilt, one thing is for sure, whoever is behind this isn't going to find him easy prey.

One Action/Spam example: I've never actually done anything like this game before? So I don't actually have a sample for this! I learn quickly though, so I'm sure I'll figure out how it goes!

So we meet again book, I don't know why I bother writing in you, but I suppose after what happened with Merlin tonight requires recording for all prosperity as much as anything else.

Honestly, I don't know why I let him leave this castle, and I can only blame Gwaine for this, no doubt he introduced Merlin to the 'wonders' of the tavern and now I have to put up with the aftermath. He's bad enough at performing his servant duties all ready, let alone with a hang over.

Hmmm, maybe I'll get Gwaine to polish my boots tomorrow, just to teach him to stop taking impressionable idiots to the tavern.

At the tavern tonight, which is where I was with the knights.

This isn't something my father would ever have done, but Gwaine talked me into it, I hope I won't regret it, there was a very odd drink on offer tonight, it was green of all things. It proved to have an extremely odd taste, but well...it sort of grew on me.

Considering I can still write, I don't think I have to worry about any sort of hang over, honestly, if Merlin is going to assisting on going to the tavern he should at least learn to hold his alcohol. Not that I think he could ever manage it...a knight he is not.

And since the stables haven't been mucked out for quite a while, he better not be trying to work on his tolerance right now...or there'll be trouble.

The newly crowned King Arthur and his most trusted knights (and Merlin) are in the forests on the hunt for the last Dragon Egg.

It's been a decidedly odd mission, with Merlin of all people coming to the fore and showing some tracking skills! Quite astounding all things considered.

At least until now...something was in the stew and now the king and the knights unconcious.

And with unconciousness comes very strange dreams...

Well, book, so you've decided to be strange again, life isn't getting any easier, you know, and now you throw ...this at me.

I have no patience for magic right now. I don't even want to hear it mentioned. Even if it is by people who aren't anywhere near where I am.

I have meetings tomorrow, in fact...I always have meetings, I don't need this.

The King awakes to a very different world from the one that he has always known.

Except...it doesn't feel like that to him. It seems that this is how it's always been.

How different one change can make...

Right now Arthur has just made his first speech to the people as King in his own right...and he hasn't a clue as to how he went. Anyone care to enlighten him?

The Crown Prince is now King.

And he would give anything not to be.

Even his dreams are troubled.

Uneasy is the head on which lays the crown.

I wasn't particularly looking forward to this day, after all my birthday last year wasn't anything particularly enjoyable, considering everything...

Actually after everything that happened only a week ago with Lancelot I thought maybe it was unseemly to have any kind of celebrations. But everything has been arranged and people far and wide had come for the markets that always happen during these sorts of things.

And then this morning, Father actually spoke to me! Not his usual confused ramblings, but...about the feast and the fact he wants to be there. Father hasn't left his room for more than a year, now finally... If that's not a cause for celebration I don't know what is!

So I'm ready for the feast...I just wish I knew what the these...things are. I don't know why I'm surprised by what this book does anymore, but really...spiders?

Providing that don't come alive or something...

No matter, the feast is what's important and I seeing Father back on his feet again. It's the greatest gift I could hope for.

And who knows, maybe those stick performers will actually be interesting.

Merlin has been left in a horrible state...

And the Nexus has decided now is the time to pluck Arthur from his world.

And not the sort you hear in ghost stories, actual ghosts, according to Gaius the veil between our world and the next has been torn and now beings from the afterlife are coming through and... freezing people to death.

I don't understand it either, but it's not just Gaius's word (although I have no reason to doubt it), first there was the girl from the village of Whitevale, Drea who saw them kill all she knew with her own eyes and then what I saw with the knights and Merlin just last night in the very same village.

The situation is getting worse, apparently the veil is centred on the Isle of the Blessed - which I always thought was a fairytale told to small children, but no, it's real. The creatures from the afterlife are coming from there and spreading out further and further. They will soon reach Camelot.

That is, if no-one stops them.

Which, of course, I won't allow.

I swore to protect the people of Camelot with my life and since the only way to close the veil is to go to the Isle and sacrifice a life, that is what I will do.

Father is in no fit state to rule, of course, but I'm sure...somehow...he'll find the strength he once had to rule over his people once more. And if not...Uncle will help him.

My only regret is leaving my fellow knights, and Guinevere...and even Merlin. He was a good friend...horrible servant, but good friend.

I suppose this is goodbye book. Try not to make anyone else's life as confusing as you made mine.

And lastly... why an an apple?

He certainly knows how to make a feast awkward.

Last night was Samhain, so of course there was a feast. I've never cared for feasts at the best of times, but ever since Father's illness and Morgana's betrayal it's been even worse. For the first few months I was completely alone up there at the head table, sitting beside the empty King's Chair, trying not to notice it.

Of course, a few months ago Uncle Agravaine came so things have been less...awkward, but still.

Anyway, for once I thought the feast was going rather well, then Merlin had to make an ass of himself and faint. Actually faint, it's not as if I worked him too hard today! He barely had to do anything! And it wasn't incredibly stuffy in the hall either.

Honestly.

Still, Gaius assured us all that Merlin is fine and that he'll be up and about tomorrow, which is good...I mean I wouldn't want anything to be seriously wrong with him, aside from his general bizarre behaviour.

But fainting, really? He's such a delicate flower.

Somehow, today, I managed to fall asleep during the council meeting.

And let it be said I do not snore because no-one even noticed for a good twenty minutes, possibly they were all asleep as well because Monmouth was blabbering on at the time.

I don't believe Uncle was very impressed by this behaviour, but with Samhain and the end of the harvesting season fast approaching there's been so many meetings...it's almost constant. I haven't had a chance to train with the knights for a week. Beyond that, I need to drill the guards every fortnight as well, because they need it, they'll forget how to hold a sword if I leave off too long.

And I barely manage to see Guinevere at all.

Something has to change that's all I can say.

I understand that Samhain is coming up, but really, things this strange just shouldn't happen.

I went into The Rising Sun, which Gwaine seems more than capable of doing without ending up having anything bizarre happen.

I go and I run into...well myself...except, I wasn't myself.

I was a girl! An actual girl, I don't even...

This has happened before I suppose, but it's just...

At least I'm still a born fighter no matter how I was born.

I may have to avoid the tavern in future...

Today the Crown Prince is feeling rather questionable.

The day after Morgana's birthday, his half-sister is on the Prince's mind.

And apparently the universe decides that this should be shared.

Although, not really because communication has broken down in the Duck Place.

The Crown Prince has a very disturbing encounter with Merlin.

It's enough to make the Prince wonder if everyone is going mad in Camelot.

I just want to give up on Council Meetings.

( Season 4 spoilers! )

I guess all I can do is prepare myself.