Name: François-Noël Desmoulins
Nationality: French (Parisian)
Age: 21
Occupation: Conscript Airman (Former Bank Clerk)
Description: François-Noël is the type of aspiring middle class petty bourgeoisie that you would never expect to find a draftee in the French “Service Aéronautique”. His hands display the blisters and calluses that are only truly apparent on those whom which they look out of place, and the untoned muscle and fragile features of the formerly sedentary Parisian certainly make him stick out like a sore thumb. Though he possesses enough of the attractive high society features to result in him being teased as a ‘pretty boy’ and ‘mother suckler’, François-Noël is not completely out of place amongst his fellow mostly working-class crewmates. He does have straw-golden hair and a thin and aristocratic complexion, but his eyes are hazel and his overall frame is sturdier than it first appears. When he keeps his head down and stays unobtrusive, his average height allows him to almost vanish into the masses. For the vast majority of the time, he wears his uniform, such as it is; the French Air Service did not have the supply resources to completely outfit every new conscript so oversights were made. Seeing as François-Noël was rich enough to provide his own uniform, he was allowed to. Thus, an expensive tight-fighting, blue, fur-lined leather coat that stretches down to just above his knees provides him a bit more warmth than the average French airman while not making him too distinct. He accessories with the common buckled black boots and tri-coloured epaulets that mark him as a simple recruit, not to mention the essential goggles and lined leather cap to keep the wind out of his eyes. The only truly unique object that he owns is a silver watch that belonged to his father, which he keeps on tucked away on his person at all times.
Family: Mother (Christine Desmoulins nee Pierre) and Father (Paul Desmoulins) are living in Paris; his father is an artisan store-owner. He has three siblings, two sisters and a much younger brother.
Equipment: Standard personal effects, hygiene, some more expensive items due to his background but nothing extravagant. Most of that was left at home. He also has the standard airman’s belt loops, rope, bayonet/knife, and linen patches (to repair damage to the balloons). Weapons wise, he carries the French standard Fusil Gras Modèle 1874 M80: while still a single-shot black powder weapon as per history (gunpowder is too efficient for size on small airship vessels), it has an adapted clockwork loading mechanism that allows for a small five shot magazine to be fired around every two seconds before reloading. Faster semi-automatic steam muskets are stored on board that he has access too, but they must be either connected to the ship’s main steam reservoir via hose or fired soon after being detached due to the cooling steam.
Personality: François-Noël is a little disgruntled at being drafted, to say the least. Nonetheless, he has always been a hardworking man even if he is prone to daydreaming. He is taken by the writing of popular political authors of the day, and his literacy and uncommonly good education provide him with a worldview that is far more refined than those around him. As with all young men put in a situation beyond their control, he is prone to being a bit hot-headed as well. Nonetheless, his bank experience as taught him to be respectful and careful around authority, which allows him to hide his distaste at his predicament fairly well (at least from his commanding officers).
Bio: Will be updated extensively of course, but a few brief thoughts. Grew up middle class, apprenticed to a scribe, took a job at an upscale bank hoping to move up over time. Got caught up in a Victorian-era socialist/pacifist-ish plot, and was arrested after attending a few meetings out of interest. He was unlucky enough that the Parliament decided to make an example out of them, and he had two options: jail/hard labour or be conscripted into the army. He was pushed into the latter, his father partially disowned him, and he found himself a conscript airman in the midst of a European powder-keg.
Nationality: French (Parisian)
Age: 21
Occupation: Conscript Airman (Former Bank Clerk)
Description: François-Noël is the type of aspiring middle class petty bourgeoisie that you would never expect to find a draftee in the French “Service Aéronautique”. His hands display the blisters and calluses that are only truly apparent on those whom which they look out of place, and the untoned muscle and fragile features of the formerly sedentary Parisian certainly make him stick out like a sore thumb. Though he possesses enough of the attractive high society features to result in him being teased as a ‘pretty boy’ and ‘mother suckler’, François-Noël is not completely out of place amongst his fellow mostly working-class crewmates. He does have straw-golden hair and a thin and aristocratic complexion, but his eyes are hazel and his overall frame is sturdier than it first appears. When he keeps his head down and stays unobtrusive, his average height allows him to almost vanish into the masses. For the vast majority of the time, he wears his uniform, such as it is; the French Air Service did not have the supply resources to completely outfit every new conscript so oversights were made. Seeing as François-Noël was rich enough to provide his own uniform, he was allowed to. Thus, an expensive tight-fighting, blue, fur-lined leather coat that stretches down to just above his knees provides him a bit more warmth than the average French airman while not making him too distinct. He accessories with the common buckled black boots and tri-coloured epaulets that mark him as a simple recruit, not to mention the essential goggles and lined leather cap to keep the wind out of his eyes. The only truly unique object that he owns is a silver watch that belonged to his father, which he keeps on tucked away on his person at all times.
Family: Mother (Christine Desmoulins nee Pierre) and Father (Paul Desmoulins) are living in Paris; his father is an artisan store-owner. He has three siblings, two sisters and a much younger brother.
Equipment: Standard personal effects, hygiene, some more expensive items due to his background but nothing extravagant. Most of that was left at home. He also has the standard airman’s belt loops, rope, bayonet/knife, and linen patches (to repair damage to the balloons). Weapons wise, he carries the French standard Fusil Gras Modèle 1874 M80: while still a single-shot black powder weapon as per history (gunpowder is too efficient for size on small airship vessels), it has an adapted clockwork loading mechanism that allows for a small five shot magazine to be fired around every two seconds before reloading. Faster semi-automatic steam muskets are stored on board that he has access too, but they must be either connected to the ship’s main steam reservoir via hose or fired soon after being detached due to the cooling steam.
Personality: François-Noël is a little disgruntled at being drafted, to say the least. Nonetheless, he has always been a hardworking man even if he is prone to daydreaming. He is taken by the writing of popular political authors of the day, and his literacy and uncommonly good education provide him with a worldview that is far more refined than those around him. As with all young men put in a situation beyond their control, he is prone to being a bit hot-headed as well. Nonetheless, his bank experience as taught him to be respectful and careful around authority, which allows him to hide his distaste at his predicament fairly well (at least from his commanding officers).
Bio: Will be updated extensively of course, but a few brief thoughts. Grew up middle class, apprenticed to a scribe, took a job at an upscale bank hoping to move up over time. Got caught up in a Victorian-era socialist/pacifist-ish plot, and was arrested after attending a few meetings out of interest. He was unlucky enough that the Parliament decided to make an example out of them, and he had two options: jail/hard labour or be conscripted into the army. He was pushed into the latter, his father partially disowned him, and he found himself a conscript airman in the midst of a European powder-keg.