Laughing Apathy — Roleplayer Guild

Name: Nicolai Valentine
Gender: Male
Race: Vampire

Origin
Old aristocrat from the west of Europe, the third son out of three other siblings in the family of Valentine. Duke of Badrick after inheriting the title from his brother, Duke Damien Valentine. His mother, Duchess Miriam Valentine, succumbed due to illness. His brothers, Duke Damien Valentine & Sir Frederick Valentine II, were met with unfortunate ends. Duke Damien choked to death at a dinner party held in honor of his 35th birthday and Sir Frederick II fell in battle at the age of 28.

The youngest sibling, Elizabeth Valentine, remained by Nicholai's side even after he was bitten by the Count Alexander Sinclair Le Croix.

A Bit of Family History
The aristocratic family of Valentine was a small but thriving one that ruled over Badrick, a piece of land just east of Europe. The territory was known for its fertile soil and fresh gardens that grew in and around the city, the majority of the city’s citizens were middle class with only a handful of high class who primarily watched over their businesses and employees. The family was well respected and as such their company was sought after by many, all wishing to implore them for business, influence or to simply have a chance to be closer to the nobles.

Duke Frederick Valentine, a former knight to the King, was often regarded as a kind but gluttonous man. A frequent guest at banquets and dances, he was known for his hearty appetite and generous nature. His rule over Badrick was long and prosperous, he was well adored by many. His wife, Duchess Miriam Valentine, was a very loving mother but strict. A devout Catholic, she passed the same devotion onto her children in hopes that they would live their lives on the path of righteousness. Miriam tried to instill the same onto her husband in an attempt to stop his gluttony but to no avail. Frederick’s gluttony finally caught up to him when he suffered a heart attack during Sir Frederick’s knighting ceremony. His health continued to decline and on the day of his death, he named his eldest son, Damien, Duke of Badrick and in turn Frederick II became Baron.

Stricken with grief, Miriam lasted only three months through the winter before succumbing to illness. The next night, Nicolai was absent from his grieving family. Pursued by a pack of starving wolves, his horse was overcome by the horde and killed. Nicolai was only able to kill three before he was injured, Helpless in the snow, Nicolai awaited his death. However, Alexander intervened and saved him from the pack of wolves. Returning him to safety, Alexander promised his return to him, “This is not the last of me, we will meet again.” Then marked him with a single bite to the neck.

Damien, Nicolai, Frederick II and Elizabeth mourned quietly for some time, watching over their city of Badrick. Ruling as their parents did before them. After a time, the slaughter of people at the edge of the city grew steadily, eventually throwing people into a panic. The victims were usually drained of their blood, which prompted people to believe a vampire was responsible. As a knight to the crown and guardian of the people in Badrick, Frederick II took up arms and went out to pursue the vampire with five others. Though they were able to kill a majority of ghouls, they fell prey to the vampire itself whom was revealed to be Miriam. With the last of his strength, Frederick II stabbed her in the heart with a silver dagger. The vampire now dead, Frederick passed away in peace.

Three nights after the incident, Nicolai was visited by Alexander who confessed that he had been the one to sire Miriam to have by his side. Unfortunately, she had been more driven by blood lust and had been killed as a result. Furious, Nicolai swore he would avenge his mother. Alexander confessed his love for Nicolai and admitted that if his death were to make him happy, he would die with a smile. For many nights thereafter, Alexander returned and attempted to swoon Nicolai only to fail each time. While Nicolai struggled against the vampire’s relentless advances, he also struggled with his desires for his sister Elizabeth. Though she felt the same, Elizabeth never acted on her feelings nor did she accept Nicolai’s advances. Nonetheless, she remained loyally by his side.

After Damien’s death, Nicolai took the title of Duke and asked Elizabeth, for a final time, to be his wife. Once again, she refused to accept and begged him to find another more suitable. Heartbroken, Nicolai grew cold and turned his back on the family. The night after, Nicolai finally accepted Alexander and was sired. Nicolai continued to rule Badrick, but discontent fell upon the city. The soil no longer welcomed them as warmly as before, children began disappearing and because of the rumors tourists began to visit less frequently which steadily caused many businesses to go bankrupt.

The discontent was soon fanned in a flame. Badrick’s people were tired and angry, soon they revolted. For a long time, Nicolai had ruled Badrick, but he could no longer stand to hide in the shadows. Nicolai revealed himself to the people, carrying with him the body of a recent kill. In fear and outrage, the people stormed the mansion and took what they could. While they killed the servants, Nicolai was able to take Elizabeth to safety. As they set fire to the mansion, Nicolai returned to his mother's old room prepared to burn with everything until Alexander saved him -once again- from the flames. With nothing left of his old life, Nicolai reluctantly accepted Alexander's hand and was brought underneath his wing.

Personality
Nicolai is stubborn and proud, he doesn’t give in easily and he doesn’t handle rejection well. It’s not beyond him to use his power and influence to manipulate others into moving or acting as he pleases. He was the least inclined to believe in God, having faith in only his own abilities and the abilities of those that benefited him most. To keep up appearances and good reputation of the noble family, however Nicolai attended masses and Sunday lessons like the rest. Outside of Badrick, Nicolai had fathered a few illegitimate children, which was kept quiet for the sake of their reputation. As a brother, he was loyal and reliable. Tasks were done as easily as they were given. As a man, Nicolai was distant and unforgiving. He found it hard to give his heart to any woman and when he found the one woman to give it to, it was rejected and he did not recover so quickly. As a friend, he was fickle and had little concern for his peers.

Nicolai didn’t have much in the way of fist fighting, but his sword fighting was feared and admired by many. He couldn’t hold his liquor and was usually laughed at for it.

As a vampire, Nicolai became cold and calculating. Cruelly dispatching any that showed even the slightest bit of opposition. Beneath the hard exterior, Nicolai hopes to find another that will accept his heart.

A friend of mine is writing a book and has created a Facebook page to promote it. It's titled The Refuge and he would like a cover created for the page. He has attempted to make his own, and he's not very good at it. I figured the best place to look would be here.

In a nutshell, it's a story set during an zombie apocalypse. So, a cover depicting zombies, survivors, etc would be good. Anyone can create a cover, I would like to show him more than one design so he can choose.

If anyone is interested, feel free to message me or just comment here. Thank you!

** Any artists interested in this project, if you can also provide illustrations for the book and book designs that would be amazing. Only original work will be looked at, if he does decide to use your work for the story then you will be credited in the book. The Facebook page can be found here: The Refuge

Laughing Apathy Member

The Wallflower

Status

Recent Statuses

Bio

Most Recent Posts