Post by Raoul de Chagny on Oct 16, 2012 16:37:41 GMT -5
Raoul de Chagny
[/img][/center]
Character Information
Full Name: Raoul Antoine de Chagny
Date of Birth: October 10, 1861
Original or Canon?: Canon
Face Claim: Dan Stevens
Physicality
Gender: Male
Age: 21
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue
Height:6’0”
Body Type: Raoul is rather tall and slim, but has a good deal of muscle due to his military training.
Complexion: He has a healthy, clear complexion and periodically ruddy face—some would describe his complexion as ‘girlish’. Currently he has a bit of a tan from his latest voyage to North Africa.
Description: Raoul has always been rather tall since he was a child, and stands at 6’0”. He has golden hair he keeps neatly slicked back, though sometimes it tends to fall in his face. He keeps his chin clean shaven, but is a bit lazy with his upper lip, and consequently has a thin mustache whenever he doesn’t feel like shaving. His most distinguishing feature is his bright blue eyes. They seem to change depending on his mood—when he’s happy, they sparkle like sapphires, and when he’s angry they flash like the cold steel of a sword.
When he was a child, he was thin and lanky, but now he has developed a more lean, muscular frame. His uniform suits him well, but whenever he is at home or on leave he wears tailored suits in an assortment of colors. At formal events such as dinner parties or going to the opera, he wears his evening dress—tails and matching waistcoat—or his mess kit. He tends to wear top hats, bowlers, and homburgs along with his uniform cap. He’s classically handsome and always dresses smartly.
General Personality
Loves: Christine Daaé, the sea
Likes:
1. Swimming
2. Riding his bicycle
3. Sailing
4. Reading
5. Poetry
6. Music
7. Playing the violin
Dislikes:
1. Being lied to
2. Being told what to do
3. Parties
Hates: Erik
Fears:
1. That Christine loves Erik
2. That he’ll lose Christine to Erik
3. That his brother will try to force a woman of the aristocracy on him
4. Being wounded severely and losing his mobility
5. Not coming back from the expedition
Dreams:
1. Marrying the woman he loves and raising children
2. That his family would approve of the union
3. Leaving Paris after he is discharged and working as a country lawyer
4. Living a simpler life than the one he leads currently
Short Term Goals:
1. Unraveling the mystery of the so-called ‘Opera Ghost’
2. To at least somewhat enjoy his leave in Paris before going off to the expedition
Long Term Goals:
1. To buy a house in a seaside village in England
2. To have a civilian career as an attorney
Strengths:
1. His cleverness
2. His bravery
3. His compassion
4. He’s a strong swimmer
5. He’s an excellent shot with firearms
6. He’s a fairly good fencer
7. He’s determined
8. He’s hardworking
Weaknesses:
1. He’s very timid and shy, and doesn’t really like crowds
2. He’s impulsive
3. He’s stubborn
4. He’s quick to jump to conclusions
5. He’s very opinionated
6. He can be naïve at times
7. He’s easily jealous, and requires attention
Talents:
1. He’s fluent in several languages
2. He has a good analytical mind
3. He has a knack for the violin
Personality: Raoul is first and foremost an introvert. Part of this can be blamed on his status—as an aristocrat he didn’t have too many real friends growing up, only acquaintances and friends of his parents and siblings. His shyness can also be blamed on his sisters for babying him so much when he was growing up. In this manner, he is drastically different from his brother Phillippe. His senior by twenty years, Phillippe is the main social butterfly of the family, followed by his two younger sisters. Raoul, on the other hand, prefers reading by the fireplace or practicing his violin to social functions.
Raoul looks up to his brother, but could never imagine being like him. Since his brother is unmarried and childless, in all likelihood he is going to be his heir and the head of the de Chagny family. He frankly doesn’t want the position, but because he does respect his brother, he does as he asks and tries to be the perfect model of French nobility. But secretly he doesn’t care a bit for that sort of life. He fears his brother trying to manipulate him into a marriage to a young lady of the aristocracy who neither knows nor loves him.
He is a very hard worker—whenever his is given a task he fully devotes his energy to it until it is finished. His comrades in the Marine Nationale recognize him as very diligent. After giving an order to his men, he works alongside them, whereas other officers would simply leave the hard work to their subordinates.
Despite his placid disposition, he can be assertive when the time calls. He treats his men kindly, but he also does not take offenses lightly. He inspires his men not to defy him, but on rare occasions that they do, he sees that justice is administered. For example, when a man stole from the ship cook, Raoul had the sailor locked in the brig for a few days as punishment. None of the mariners under his watch ever stole again. When he wants information or wants something done, he is quick to assert his authority over other people.
Whenever he has a goal, he will not rest until he achieves it. When he saw Christine at the Garnier, he was set upon meeting her again. He would attend each one of her performances in hopes that she would notice and remember him. Despite her constant attempts to keep him out of the loop, he has worked tirelessly to find out the identity of her strange ‘Angel of Music’, and to release her from whatever hold he has over her.
He can be very self-deprecating for the sake of his loved ones. When Philippe suggested that he pursue a career in the Navy, he did not protest. Obediently he left Paris for officer’s training, even though it probably meant that he would not see the girl that he had been in love with since his youth ever again. Like a lovesick puppy he pursued Christine, wanting so desperately to free her from the curse of the Phantom. If dying for her meant securing her freedom, then he would have gladly laid down his life.
He is fiercely jealous, and fears that Christine does love the Phantom. He does not want anyone or anything including Erik to come between them and their love.
[/IMG][/center]
Specific Details
Country of Origin: France
Languages They Speak: French, English, German, Russian, Italian
Occupation: Lieutenant de vaisseau in the Marine Nationale. He was second-in-command aboard his ship for nearly a year as he traveled around the world, and practiced military law at the bases the ship docked at. He is currently on his furlough, but keeps himself busy at a law office in Paris whenever he’s not chasing after the legend of the Phantom.
Relationship Status: Single
History
Family: Comte Philibert de Chagny, father, ( deceased )
Comtesse Marie de Chagny, originally de Moerogis de La Martyniere, mother ( deceased )
Comte Philippe Georges Marie de Chagny, brother, 41
Gabrielle and Madeline, sisters, 30 and 34
Friends:Christine Daaé, his sisters whenever it comes to anything except for marriage
Rivals:Erik
Enemies:Erik
Pet(s): None, but he would like a dog.
Biography:
Raoul was born in the 7th arrondissement of Paris in 1861. His mother died soon after his birth; so consequentially he never knew her. Instead he was ‘mothered’ by his older sisters, with whom he was very close. He was raised by a governess, and rarely saw his father except at dinner. His brother—although he did not spend time with him as much as he did with his sisters—treated him compassionately, and often gave him advice whether he liked it or not. Nevertheless Raoul was very fond of his brother, and vice versa.
He adored his father as well, and made every effort to please him in his studies as a young boy. As a reward his father gave him gifts and spoiled him with anything his little heart desired. Chief of these was the pocket watch that he carried on his person up until a recent incident at the Palais Garnier. His father died soon after he presented him with the gift, which devastated the young man. Philippe took on the role of head of the Chagny estate, and also the role of rearing the young Vicomte. Like his father, he spoiled the child in an attempt to keep him happy. Even though he was blessed with many things, the child was lonely, as although his sisters and brother treated him well, they really were not in effect his friends—they were all significantly older than him, and rarely had time to humor him for a game.
That all changed one day when he and his sisters were staying in Lannion with his aunt. He was walking along the beach with his governess when he heard a beautiful voice singing to the tune of a song being played on a violin. His governess asked him if he was ready to go inside, and he shook his head vehemently, following the marvelous sound. The girl who was singing was no older than he was, probably a few years younger, with hair of sunshine gold and pretty blue eyes. Even then he was quite taken with her. However his joy was short-lived when her song ceased as soon as the wind ripped her scarf from her neck. The little girl began to cry, and surging forward he dashed after the scarf amid the stern cries of his governess. Emerging from the sea soaking wet, he triumphantly handed the red scarf back to its owner. The girl laughed and kissed him, and it was on that day that he met Christine Daaé.
From that day forward, the pair were inseparable. They became the best of friends, and could often be caught running around the estate at Lannion together, or at the beach in Perros-Guirec playing in the surf. At the same time Raoul was taught how to play the violin by Christine’s father, an accomplished musician. He caught on quickly and took quite a liking to both music and the instrument, another thing he had in common with the girl. Their favorite thing to do was listening to stories, and would travel from door to door in the town to ask for a tale, and most of the time they received one. Their favorite legend was that of Little Lotte and the Angel of Music, as told by Christine’s father. The way he described the character of Lotte reminded Raoul very much of Christine.
When he left Lannion, they did not see each other for another three years. However every day of those three years he was reminded of the girl with hair like the sun and eyes like the sea. He sometimes spoke of her to his family—his sisters would simply smile and listen, but there was also a bit of concern behind the way they regarded him when he spoke of the girl. His brother—although he attempted to hide his contempt for the idea of a Chagny being in love with a peasant girl—was a bit more obvious in his disapproval. He persuaded Raoul to go into a career in the navy, as their ancestor Admiral Chagny de la Roche had done. The boy loved the sea, and would no doubt be good at such a thing. Through his connections with some of the big wigs of the Marine Nationale, the Comte was able to arrange for the boy to be taken aboard the Borda, a training ship used by the French Navy, to complete an instructional school in order to become an officer. He was to split his time between learning the tools of the trade on the ship and taking classes in law at the prestigious Ecole Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr. When finished, he would receive the rank of midshipman.
The boy made one request to go see Miss Daaé before leaving, which Philippe happily granted, as he figured that since he was going into the navy that would be the end of it. Instead it became one of the turning points of the Vicomte’s life. He remembered the day quite well. He went to Perros, to the very house where they used to hear her father’s stories. Upon seeing her, he was filled with both joy and sadness, and it was a wonder he didn’t weep at the sight of her, knowing that he would have to leave her again. They sat in the garden and spoke about a great many things—how much had happened in the three years since they had met, as well as what lay in store for their respective futures. However the one subject he would not go near was how he felt about her. He didn’t know what it was, which was why he said nothing of it. However it was the last gesture he gave her that solidified his fate. When it came time for him to go, he kissed her and promised that he would never forget her.
He was filled with dread and guilt—he would, of course, have to forget her in order to move on with his life. He could not marry her. Philippe and his sisters would disapprove, and such a thing was unheard of—he was the Vicomte de Chagny. He was destined to marry a noblewoman, someone from a much more respectable family. However even back then he knew that he did not want to marry a noblewoman. He didn’t know what he wanted, but it wasn’t that.
In an attempt to soothe his mind, he hurled himself into his studies aboard the Bordaand the military academy. But still he often dreamt and thought of Christine, and seeing her again, though he knew that this would never happen. However it was thoughts of her that kept him happy, as he would often reminisce of the time they had spent together in Perros as children.
Raoul easily passed his examinations and received the rank of midshipman. For six years he traveled the globe, seeing new sights and sounds unlike those of Paris. He visited North Africa, Asia, and tropical islands. He enjoyed his many adventures, but he was never truly happy. Finally his journey came to an end, and he returned to his home in Paris on furlough. His brother had, through his influence as Le Comte de Chagny, gotten him assigned to an expedition to the Arctic Circle. He had six months’ leave to spend as he saw fit. Philippe was intent on taking his younger brother around Paris and showing him off at social functions.
On one occasion, his brother took him to the opera house. It was in his brother’s box that he saw his childhood friend once more. He was struck by how beautiful she was, as well as how charming her voice sounded. As soon as the performance ended, he tried to follow her to the wings of the stage, hoping that she would notice him. Constantly he would attempt to catch her eye, to no avail. He didn’t know how to approach her, as he wanted more than anything to declare his love for her, but didn’t for fear of rejection. He did not even want to call it love. He couldn’t love an opera singer. Yet he did—very ardently.
Optional Character Information
(Recommended If Able)
Nickname(s): N/A
Voice Claim: Dan Stevens. He sang like…once? ( AHA! www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuhq8nzXb9c ) Raoul doesn’t sing…at all XD
Approximate Weight: 170 lbs
Religious Beliefs: A devout Catholic
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Social Rank: Vicomte
Favourite Colour(s): Blue
Favourite Food: Lobster bisque
Favourite Animal: Dog
Quote: "If I don't save her from the hands of that humbug, she is lost. But I shall save her."
Song That Describes Character: “Angel with a Shotgun”
RP Sample
RP Sample:
Going to the opera was both painful and exciting for Raoul Antoine de Chagny. He looked forward to it, but he also dreaded it. He enjoyed listening to the music of course, and being entertained, but he didn’t like having to shake hands with everyone in the city that his brother knew. He almost felt suffocated from being greeted by so many people time after time. He wasn’t rude—in fact he was always polite and tried to be as charming as he knew how, but he always worried about making some mistake. He didn’t like being around so many people at once—people who didn’t know him or care to know him. They were simply names and titles to him.
He was always social enough with the officers at the academy and aboard the Borda, but he didn’t really have too many friends that he’d kept through the years. He had a close knit circle of officers he conversed with about books and current affairs and played chess with—almost always winning—but his closest friend had left his life years ago before reentering at the most unexpected of times. Christine… Just the thought of her caused an unbearable ache in his chest. He rested a hand on his heart and closed his eyes. He had seen her for the first time in years several weeks ago, on his first night back from his voyage. He had waited for her when the performance had ended, but she just walked past him as if she didn’t know him. Each night he would wait, and each night she wouldn’t recognize him. He wanted to yell that he was her childhood friend, that he was Raoul, and declare that he’d loved her through the years but he could never summon the courage.
Perhaps she had forgotten about him. It hurt to think about it, but what if it was true? If she had forgotten about him, he wouldn’t blame her. He had left rather abruptly. How could he expect her to have thought about him as much as he had about her? He had promised that he would never forget her, and he hadn’t, but that didn’t mean she had to make the same promise. His feelings for her were probably greater than hers for him anyway. Stupid, stupid man… Why had he allowed his whole life to be consumed by a girl he hadn’t seen since they were children? His heart beat only for her, and if she didn’t feel the same way he was almost certain it would shatter his feeble heart to pieces. Phillippe had been right in telling him not to let her go too much to his head, and he really should have been grateful to him for encouraging him into having a career in the Navy.
No, he mustn’t think ill of Christine. If she had forgotten him, all he had to do was remind her. And then, maybe she would remember. If she did, then he would ask her to dinner, and they would court each other for a while before he proposed, and then they could marry and live far enough away so that the aristocracy wouldn’t be able to reach either of them. He knew it was a foolish dream, but he couldn’t help but hope—if he couldn’t hope for a brighter future, then how was his life worth living?
The young man followed his brother to their box after meeting with Marquis what’s-his-face and his wife, talking about something or other he didn’t care about. All he cared about was seeing Christine again. His brother must have noticed he was preoccupied, and he asked him if he was feeling ill, as he was rather pale. “No.” he answered a bit too quickly, fiddling with his gloves. Thankfully Phillippe spoke no more of it, and Raoul almost breathed a sigh of relief. He sat back in his seat and waited with bated breath for the performance to start.
He was always social enough with the officers at the academy and aboard the Borda, but he didn’t really have too many friends that he’d kept through the years. He had a close knit circle of officers he conversed with about books and current affairs and played chess with—almost always winning—but his closest friend had left his life years ago before reentering at the most unexpected of times. Christine… Just the thought of her caused an unbearable ache in his chest. He rested a hand on his heart and closed his eyes. He had seen her for the first time in years several weeks ago, on his first night back from his voyage. He had waited for her when the performance had ended, but she just walked past him as if she didn’t know him. Each night he would wait, and each night she wouldn’t recognize him. He wanted to yell that he was her childhood friend, that he was Raoul, and declare that he’d loved her through the years but he could never summon the courage.
Perhaps she had forgotten about him. It hurt to think about it, but what if it was true? If she had forgotten about him, he wouldn’t blame her. He had left rather abruptly. How could he expect her to have thought about him as much as he had about her? He had promised that he would never forget her, and he hadn’t, but that didn’t mean she had to make the same promise. His feelings for her were probably greater than hers for him anyway. Stupid, stupid man… Why had he allowed his whole life to be consumed by a girl he hadn’t seen since they were children? His heart beat only for her, and if she didn’t feel the same way he was almost certain it would shatter his feeble heart to pieces. Phillippe had been right in telling him not to let her go too much to his head, and he really should have been grateful to him for encouraging him into having a career in the Navy.
No, he mustn’t think ill of Christine. If she had forgotten him, all he had to do was remind her. And then, maybe she would remember. If she did, then he would ask her to dinner, and they would court each other for a while before he proposed, and then they could marry and live far enough away so that the aristocracy wouldn’t be able to reach either of them. He knew it was a foolish dream, but he couldn’t help but hope—if he couldn’t hope for a brighter future, then how was his life worth living?
The young man followed his brother to their box after meeting with Marquis what’s-his-face and his wife, talking about something or other he didn’t care about. All he cared about was seeing Christine again. His brother must have noticed he was preoccupied, and he asked him if he was feeling ill, as he was rather pale. “No.” he answered a bit too quickly, fiddling with his gloves. Thankfully Phillippe spoke no more of it, and Raoul almost breathed a sigh of relief. He sat back in his seat and waited with bated breath for the performance to start.
About You
Name:Mel
Gender:Female
How Long Have You Been Roleplaying?:Probably six years or so
What Type(s) of "Roleplay" Have You Done?:Paragraphs, fan-fictions, some MMORG
Where Have You Roleplayed? What Sites Do You Belong To?: FC, Phantom Manor, a DC/Marvel site that shut down, historical rpgs, a classic Hollywood rp forum that shut down, DC Universe Online occasionally, a handful of Disney rps that I’ve since left.
What Fandoms Have You Played Before?: The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, Once Upon a Time, Superman, Downton Abbey, Phantom of the Opera
Who Recruited You? How Did You Find Out About Us?: Kristine
Contact Information: PM is probably best.
Anything Else?:I have a bit of an obsession with the Brits.
Required Information
Sources Used In Research: My Phantom Manor Raoul application, Leroux, and Downton Abbey ( otherwise I never would have known of this beautiful man <3 )
PASSWORD:The Inhospitable Pineapple has found some marinara.
*Template by Meg*