Alucard \\ Adrian F. Ţepeş (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cryptsleeper) wrote2022-04-04 08:55 pm
cryptsleeper) wrote2022-04-04 08:55 pm
event 18 information | who is this come from afar
AFFLICTION ◎ Deconstruction - Unstable ground; breakdown of structure (self or community); self-destruction or weak foundations
Originally Alucard was among the first Summoned that Thorne ever dragged through. Arriving having not only lost his mother but committed patricide and nearly been murdered during acts of intimacy, he was not at his best. Once the opportunity to jailbreak from Thorne presented itself, he hightailed it to the Free Cities. Once there, he began seeking out projects to distract himself from what he just got out of. He restored a cemetery of destroyed headstones first, then began work on Old Public Hall. From there, Alucard gained a reputation as an architect, and worked alongside Jaskier to host art events throughout the Free Cities. This allowed him to come to grips with portions of his baggage and become far more stable overall. He and Jaskier founded an art and architecture firm.
As a dhampir, Alucard expected to be long lived. 800 years feels right. It's the god part he's not used to. And that everyone around him didn't die either.
Looks
Alucard's body has shifted to accommodate the meanings ascribed to him by Abraxas, although it has been against his will. If he is not putting on a pointed human guise (which ranges from shitty goth kid hair to questionable beards, to changing his skin and hair - regardless, he is always a little sharper in the face) or if he is in the Horizon, large voids shift around his body, showing of his own insides. Rather than blood and muscle, the voids allows for bone to show through, and the spaces between those bones contain stained glass. From a distance, they are simply brilliant flashes of color. Upon closer inspection, they represent buildings Alucard has worked on. This is especially clear in examining his ribs. One is cracked and appears to have been reattached, albeit with a jagged streak that makes the break clear. Others are missing entirely.
Relations with Abraxas
Alucard does not like being viewed as a deity of any sort. He outright hates it, and will not respond to any type of worship or invocation or anything else unless he is absolutely forced - and woe unto anyone who tries to force it. They will get an Affliction and he won't regret a moment of it.
Instead, Alucard likes to keep on trucking. He picks a place to live for a few decades, usually rotating between Luna, Ikorr, and the Free Cities. He has, however, lived everywhere except for Thorne. Once there, he helps build buildings for public use or otherwise becomes involved with promoting artistic practice. After a while, or if he thinks someone has an inkling of who he is (the fangs and his chest scar are present regardless of his form), he'll go away. Often times he'll take long naps in the Horizon between such ventures, allowing for a reset and for himself to rest.
The dhampir is noted to have a particular soft spot for the Luna folk. This is absolutely based on guilt about what happened in event 17 in Ikorr.
Instead, Alucard likes to keep on trucking. He picks a place to live for a few decades, usually rotating between Luna, Ikorr, and the Free Cities. He has, however, lived everywhere except for Thorne. Once there, he helps build buildings for public use or otherwise becomes involved with promoting artistic practice. After a while, or if he thinks someone has an inkling of who he is (the fangs and his chest scar are present regardless of his form), he'll go away. Often times he'll take long naps in the Horizon between such ventures, allowing for a reset and for himself to rest.
The dhampir is noted to have a particular soft spot for the Luna folk. This is absolutely based on guilt about what happened in event 17 in Ikorr.
Sites of Meaning
Alucard does not encourage worship of any kind. However, he has ensured the survival of Old Public Hall over the 800 years since he restored it. He can occasionally be spotted in Willow Memorial Park.
Domain
Alucard's domain, when he is present and having time to himself or with friends, remains the quiet, late autumnal space that it always has been. He's always going to be That Goth Kid. However, if he must be official in any capacity, the domain changes into something much more formal.
Upon first glance, one could mistake it for a church, as it is all sweeping arches and delicate stained glass. Closer inspection reveals the space to be a giant rib cage, with one rib cracked and a few supports missing. (Surprise, you're in his chest. Go with it.) The scenes represented in the stained glass shift, showing the viewer's rebuilt accomplishments as well as moments of destruction that they themselves engineered either willingly or on purpose.
There is no place to sit when the domain is in bone church mode. There is only you and Alucard.
Upon first glance, one could mistake it for a church, as it is all sweeping arches and delicate stained glass. Closer inspection reveals the space to be a giant rib cage, with one rib cracked and a few supports missing. (Surprise, you're in his chest. Go with it.) The scenes represented in the stained glass shift, showing the viewer's rebuilt accomplishments as well as moments of destruction that they themselves engineered either willingly or on purpose.
There is no place to sit when the domain is in bone church mode. There is only you and Alucard.
Loss
Alucard's lost memories are bound up in the missing ribs that give structure to his form and domain. Reconstruction and deconstruction require giving parts of oneself, and even rebuilt, there can be weaknesses. It's literal here. Al's missing memories include that of Sumi and Taka, which lead down a road of destruction. While he would not regret that memory loss in particular, Al doesn't understand why he is still nervous at the outset of romantic entanglements over the centuries. Likewise, Al is also missing the work he did to help ensure that his blood could be used to prolong Viktor's life. He only remembers mice with very lovely coats and the knowledge of what his blood can do. He is also missing the memory of the cult and the work done to retrieve all. Similar moments have removed additional ribs.
On the rare occasion Alucard gives a blessing (always informal, always temporary, always spontaneous and for no one not even the receiver to know), he does not recall that it has been done. He only knows that he has another missing rib. When the duration of the blessing ends, the rib returns and he fully regains the memory.
On the rare occasion Alucard gives a blessing (always informal, always temporary, always spontaneous and for no one not even the receiver to know), he does not recall that it has been done. He only knows that he has another missing rib. When the duration of the blessing ends, the rib returns and he fully regains the memory.
Relations with Others
Jaskier: Being besties with Jaskier has gone down for all time it seems. Alucard is aware that he and Jaskier are spoke of together by those seeking to combine creative energies, aware that complementary spirts make for good partnerships and that theirs is worth emulating. Alucard goes to his friend's concerts, Jaskier hangs out when Alucard naps. As a marker of their friendship and his abiding respect, Alucard only ever calls Jaskier Julian, making it clear he's addressing his friend rather than a deity that is implored for blessings.
Hilda: Moving beyond their current in-game canon situationship, Alucard doesn't mind that Hilda drifts towards her polycule. They remain extremely good friends, continuing in much the same fashion as before. However, when Hilda does hit her moment of extreme emotional duress, Alucard makes attempts to help. It takes time (a lot of it), but eventually, after a very long night, there's a break through. The words "god puberty" are uttered in a way that breaks all the tension in the room, and Al nudges her to focus on herself and her work for a time. Hilda takes some time to do just that and reopen certain fashion businesses, and Alucard ends up being a remarkably reliable rebound. Eventually the rebound becomes a little more cemented, and upon being asked to move beyond that point by Hilda, Alucard agrees. Aside from dramatics, she's probably the only other reliable person in his life besides Jaskier. They also both have a tendency to fake their own deaths after doing stints as mortals, and have way too much fun helping each other hit new dramatic highs with those deaths.
Viktor: Alucard is aware that his friend and blood of his blood is very much not human these days. It bothers him, and it began bothering him a long while back. Alucard long ago accepted that Viktor's constant desire to innovate meant that eventually, issues of flesh would be a problem that required being surpassed. All the same, Alucard makes an effort to be as human as he can be around Viktor in the hopes his friend can mirror something back. He also insists that Viktor take that stupid helmet off, he knows there's a face under there.
Geralt: Geralt is Geralt. Even with memory losses, their exchanges with each other haven't changed much. Alucard cooks for them both. They sit, they bullshit, they enjoy compaionable silence. Geralt is reliable, better suited for a long life than many others. Geralt is also a good friend who knows that the best way to reawaken a dhampir is to bully him into making bone broth from his own rib because if Geralt's wrong, what is there to lose? This is objectively hilarious and Alucard will admit it long after the event ends.
Astarion: Alucard has come to understand that he and Astarion just sort of orbit each other like vampires do. For the first half of the AU up into the messiest divorce in history, Al doesn't change his interaction with Astarion much. Good natured banter, although the more the man gets into hedonism the more Al keeps things surface-based. Somehow though, after the worst divorce, Al lets Astarion crash on his Horizon couch for a time. There's time between that and them starting to have something more of a romantic situationship, and it all comes from Astarion having clearly learned from past errors. Al's not exactly a rebound, but he is a way of measuring self improvement. They continue like this for a good while.
Hilda: Moving beyond their current in-game canon situationship, Alucard doesn't mind that Hilda drifts towards her polycule. They remain extremely good friends, continuing in much the same fashion as before. However, when Hilda does hit her moment of extreme emotional duress, Alucard makes attempts to help. It takes time (a lot of it), but eventually, after a very long night, there's a break through. The words "god puberty" are uttered in a way that breaks all the tension in the room, and Al nudges her to focus on herself and her work for a time. Hilda takes some time to do just that and reopen certain fashion businesses, and Alucard ends up being a remarkably reliable rebound. Eventually the rebound becomes a little more cemented, and upon being asked to move beyond that point by Hilda, Alucard agrees. Aside from dramatics, she's probably the only other reliable person in his life besides Jaskier. They also both have a tendency to fake their own deaths after doing stints as mortals, and have way too much fun helping each other hit new dramatic highs with those deaths.
Viktor: Alucard is aware that his friend and blood of his blood is very much not human these days. It bothers him, and it began bothering him a long while back. Alucard long ago accepted that Viktor's constant desire to innovate meant that eventually, issues of flesh would be a problem that required being surpassed. All the same, Alucard makes an effort to be as human as he can be around Viktor in the hopes his friend can mirror something back. He also insists that Viktor take that stupid helmet off, he knows there's a face under there.
Geralt: Geralt is Geralt. Even with memory losses, their exchanges with each other haven't changed much. Alucard cooks for them both. They sit, they bullshit, they enjoy compaionable silence. Geralt is reliable, better suited for a long life than many others. Geralt is also a good friend who knows that the best way to reawaken a dhampir is to bully him into making bone broth from his own rib because if Geralt's wrong, what is there to lose? This is objectively hilarious and Alucard will admit it long after the event ends.
Astarion: Alucard has come to understand that he and Astarion just sort of orbit each other like vampires do. For the first half of the AU up into the messiest divorce in history, Al doesn't change his interaction with Astarion much. Good natured banter, although the more the man gets into hedonism the more Al keeps things surface-based. Somehow though, after the worst divorce, Al lets Astarion crash on his Horizon couch for a time. There's time between that and them starting to have something more of a romantic situationship, and it all comes from Astarion having clearly learned from past errors. Al's not exactly a rebound, but he is a way of measuring self improvement. They continue like this for a good while.
Playlist
Powers
Blood of my blood: Consuming Alucard's blood results in temporary boosts in strength and endurance; rapid healing; and if enough is consumed, temporary floating. The only long lasting effect is that the consumer's hair simply improves in looks. It can be for a single human lifespan or for forever, depending on the amount of blood consumed. (Note: This is an upgraded version of the in-game limits of Al's blood, where ONE of the described effects takes place + the hair gain.)
Saited with breaking bones: (CW: Cannibalism) As an experimental cure that Ciri and Alucard fucked around with to see how far the whole "reconstructing the mind/body" might go, it was determined that using one of Alucard's removed ribs to make a bone broth can in fact help restore memories and strength. However, that requires getting a rib in the first place, and Alucard gives those away sparingly. As his ribs do not grow back, the boiled bone must be returned. This bone broth can be used as a part of a Summoned's reawakening for the event - Geralt figures it out and uses it on Alucard.
A most noble ruin: Alucard's version of a bard's inspiration skill, this power offers vision/insight into a project that a person to complete to pull them out of their lowest point and get their lives on track. Sometimes it can be doing something creative, other times it can relate to taking something apart. The project is always physical, and the person must be at a low point in their lives for it to come into play. This is the only thing Alucard gives out freely, as nine times out of ten, the inspiration comes up during normal conversation. He shares it while in his human guise and with other Summoned.
Boxes of earth: Alucard's main means of affliction is not quite Midas touch levels, but it comes close. Those impacted by the curse of boxes of earth will have their worst tendencies magnified, leading to the destruction of important relationships and means of social standing. While it will be possible to recover from this affliction with insight and understanding of oneself, it can lead to long term consequences.
How will you do this bloody work? Alucard can place pen to paper and draw something, only for it to manifest, fully formed. He must be very precise in order for this to work correctly, and it only applies to buildings or building components.
With blood, and pain, and trouble: His sword from home made anew in Abraxas by Hilda, after he asked her if she would be willing to do so. He placed a lock of his hair, several drops of blood, and a small portion of ground up bone from one of his ribs into the forge while it was being made, as well as some of Hilda's hair for added protection. As per the rules of memory with his bones, the little bit of lost rib tip means he has forgotten the exact circumstance of how he and Hilda met. The sword can levitate and move as Alucard wills it.
Saited with breaking bones: (CW: Cannibalism) As an experimental cure that Ciri and Alucard fucked around with to see how far the whole "reconstructing the mind/body" might go, it was determined that using one of Alucard's removed ribs to make a bone broth can in fact help restore memories and strength. However, that requires getting a rib in the first place, and Alucard gives those away sparingly. As his ribs do not grow back, the boiled bone must be returned. This bone broth can be used as a part of a Summoned's reawakening for the event - Geralt figures it out and uses it on Alucard.
A most noble ruin: Alucard's version of a bard's inspiration skill, this power offers vision/insight into a project that a person to complete to pull them out of their lowest point and get their lives on track. Sometimes it can be doing something creative, other times it can relate to taking something apart. The project is always physical, and the person must be at a low point in their lives for it to come into play. This is the only thing Alucard gives out freely, as nine times out of ten, the inspiration comes up during normal conversation. He shares it while in his human guise and with other Summoned.
Boxes of earth: Alucard's main means of affliction is not quite Midas touch levels, but it comes close. Those impacted by the curse of boxes of earth will have their worst tendencies magnified, leading to the destruction of important relationships and means of social standing. While it will be possible to recover from this affliction with insight and understanding of oneself, it can lead to long term consequences.
How will you do this bloody work? Alucard can place pen to paper and draw something, only for it to manifest, fully formed. He must be very precise in order for this to work correctly, and it only applies to buildings or building components.
With blood, and pain, and trouble: His sword from home made anew in Abraxas by Hilda, after he asked her if she would be willing to do so. He placed a lock of his hair, several drops of blood, and a small portion of ground up bone from one of his ribs into the forge while it was being made, as well as some of Hilda's hair for added protection. As per the rules of memory with his bones, the little bit of lost rib tip means he has forgotten the exact circumstance of how he and Hilda met. The sword can levitate and move as Alucard wills it.