Post by macbeth on Feb 17, 2011 19:10:58 GMT -5
~~~Welcome to Dreaming of Utopia!~~~
~~~The Basics~~~
Character Image
Character Name Macbeth
Character's Origin Gargoyles
~~~About My Character~~~
What is your character's history? Are they a hero, or a villain, a sidekick or guardian? What has happened to them in their lives to make them the way they are today?
In the year 1005, Macbeth was born in Scotland to Findlaech and Doada. Findlaech was the High Steward of Moray, and though Macbeth seemed perfectly content with the life he had, his cousin, Prince Duncan, viewed Macbeth as a competitor for the throne, and hired an assassin in 1020 to murder both him and his father. Findlaech lost his life during the attack, but Macbeth's life was saved by a rogue gargoyle with wild red hair. The assassin managed to escape and reported back to Duncan. He showed little concern for Macbeth still being alive, as without his father, he was just another "poor relation".
During this time, and despite the loss of his father, Macbeth was happy. This was largely due to the constant presence and affection of Gruoch, his love of many years. A devastating pain seized them both in 1032 however, when Duncan, now the king of Scotland, ordered that Gruoch marry Gillecomgain, whom Duncan had named the High Steward. What Macbeth didn't know was that Gillecomgain was the very assassin who murdered Findlaech, much less that his own cousin had ordered it. Macbeth also didn't know that Duncan had once again started viewing Macbeth as a threat to his crown, and told Gillecomgain to kill him. But this time he refused. Macbeth was too beloved by his clan, and any attempt on his life would seem too suspicious, especially considering the circumstances of his father's death.
Furious at having been defied, Duncan sent for Macbeth and told him that Gillecomgain was the one who killed Findlaech. Macbeth immediately set out to avenge his father's death, and the honor of Gruoch, as the marriage between them was cause of great suffering for the woman he loved. But Macbeth's fury was ruling his actions, and Gillecomgain easily fended off his attacks. Gruoch came out to investigate the noise, and Gillecomgain seized her as leverage. Macbeth, not wanting to see her hurt, gave up his sword. Gillecomgain slipped on the mask of the Hunter, the same one he wore the night of his first attack. Suddenly, he was attacked by the same gargoyle Macbeth had met twelve years earlier. The two seemed to have a personal vendetta against the other, and a fierce brawl between them ensued, finally coming to the point where the gargoyle was clinging to the castle turret, with Gillecomgain clinging to her. Gillecomgain ended up falling to his death, but Macbeth helped the gargoyle back up. They remembered each other, and agreed that his debt to her for saving him had been repaid, and they were even.
With the death of Gillecomgain, Macbeth reclaimed his rightful title of Steward, and married Gruoch. He also became a father to her son Luach. It was never clear if the child was truly Macbeth's or Gillecomgain's, but Macbeth treated him as his own. Eight years passed, and life was still good for Macbeth. That is, until a trio of old crones appeared before himself and Duncan, and claimed that Macbeth would one day rule Scotland. Once again, Duncan believed his cousin would betray him, and moved his forces against him that very night. Shocked that his cousin would attack him, Macbeth was ready to defend his clan, but his father-in-law Bodhe reasoned that it would be safer for Gruoch and Luach if he go to Duncan instead and plead for mercy. Macbeth agreed, and set off, perhaps to his death.
By chance, he happened upon the female gargoyle, and asked for her help once more. At first, she'd refused, but the same three witches from before appeared to them. They asked both of them what they desired most. The gargoyle wanted her youth restored so she could lead her clan, and Macbeth in turn said he would be willing to give anything to protect his clan. The Weird Sisters cast a spell on them both, reversing their ages, making Macbeth fifty one, and the gargoyle thirty five. The spell also granted them immortality, and bound their lives together, so that whenever they were close, they'd feel each other's pain, and on an even deeper level, die at the same time.
Together, they were able to defeat Duncan's forces and kill the evil king. Macbeth was named king, a fact that infuriated Duncan's son Canmore. Bodhe suggested slaying the boy, as he would cause nothing but trouble, but Macbeth didn't want anymore bloodshed, so he instead banished him to England. Macbeth declared a golden age, and an alliance between human and gargoyle. He named his new ally Demona, as he'd witnessed her fight like a demon. He further stated that she was to be his primary adviser.
In 1057, Canmore returned with an army, ready to reclaim what he thought was rightfully his. Bodhe suggested Macbeth cut his alliance with Demona and her clan, as it seemed to be the main reason England chose to help Canmore. Luach is furious that Macbeth is even considering cutting ties with Demona, but Macbeth tries to reason that “a wise king considers all his options.”
Unfortunately, Demona had heard the conversation, and believed that Macbeth would indeed betray her. She and her clan did not come to his aid during an attack on the castle, and it was easily overrun. Macbeth had no choice but to flee his castle with Gruoch. They were met by Canmore, and eventually Demona as well. Macbeth chastised Demona for her desertion and betrayal, saying that he would have never betrayed her to ally with the English. As they argued, Canmore took advantage of the situation and stabbed Macbeth in the back. Both he and Demona fell.
Canmore spared Gruoch, who cried over her husband's body as Luach and Bodhe finally found them. Bodhe declared Luach the High King, and Gruoch pleaded for one last moment alone with Macbeth. They agreed, and go on ahead. As Gruoch is saying her final goodbyes, the three Weird Sisters appear. They tell Demona to wake up, as she is unharmed. Indeed, she is fine.
Gruoch furiously berates Demona, stating that it wasn't Macbeth who betrayed and killed her clan, but Canmore. Demona refuses to believe it and goes off to search in vain for her clan. Gruoch turns back, astounded to see that the Weird Sisters have also spoke to Macbeth, who has also revived. It turns out that the spell that links the two is more powerful than any thought or heard. Demona and Macbeth will forever feel each other's pain and anguish in close proximity, even experience a temporary state of death if someone else kills one of them. But the only way for them to truly die is for one to slay the other.
With a heavy heart, Gruoch tells Macbeth the only hope for Scotland and his son is for everyone to believe that he is dead. There's no options other than for him to leave the country, and her behind. Macbeth asks him to come with her, but she says she can't, as they can't both leave Luach. And so, Macbeth walked away from his love and his country.
Only a year would pass before Macbeth returned. News of his son's death by Canmore's hand had reached him, and he raced back to Scotland as quickly as he could so he could mourn with his wife. Sadly, by the time he'd arrived, Gruoch was already dying, having lost the will to live. All Macbeth could do was hold her in his arms as the heart of gold that he loved so much finally stopped beating.
Macbeth was filled with sorrow and rage. He fully blamed Demona for all that he'd lost, and vowed to hunt her down and destroy her.
Through the years, Macbeth has survived, and is fairly wealthy, having a castle in both New York and Paris. He bears a deep grudge against Demona for costing him all that he held dear, and the former friends and allies are now bitter enemies.
Describe your character's personality. What are their strengths and weaknesses, what are their passions? What qualities do they have that are good or bad?
Burden
Perhaps the most interesting trait about Macbeth is how his gift became his curse. The majority of Macbeth's life after the bond with Demona was formed was filled with loneliness and sorrow. He had to leave behind a family he loved, and his homeland. While on the outside, he often acts as cold and calculating person, in reality, he's just exhausted. He's tired of the pain, and tired of being alone. In fact, the years grew so heavy on him that he began expressing suicidal tendencies, seeking Demona out not only for revenge, but to either kill her or allow her to slay him, ending both their lives. Though they'd fought, their feud has yet to be settled, and whether it ever will remains to be seen.
Pride
Macbeth, though his beginnings were somewhat humble, and his life following his exile was lonely and filled with desires for vengeance against Demona, he spent seventeen years of his life as a king, a fact that has stayed with him. Once hearing of a mysterious power that would come to New York, he intended to intercept it and keep it for his own purposes. It was revealed that said power was already in the city, and it was nothing other than the legendary sword Excalibur. King Arthur, who had been awakened from his slumber had also come to the city to reclaim his sword, but Macbeth was determined to get to it first, and become the new One True King. He beat Arthur to it, pulling the blade free from a stone dragon. Arthur briefly tried to fight him for it, but Macbeth told him that “an honest man would recognize his true king”. Arthur initially agreed, but before much could be said on the matter, the dragon suddenly came to life. Macbeth valiantly tried to fight the stone beast, but it quickly disarmed him, sending Excalibur flying through the air. Arthur seized the sword, then promptly smashed it against the dragon's leg, stating that it wasn't the real sword. The dragon took them both in it's talons and flew off, but Arthur knew how to get the real Excalibur. He smashed a red stone on the dragon's chest and pulled the legendary blade free. It destroyed the dragon, and the gargoyles saved both Arthur and Macbeth from plummeting to their deaths. Remembering his earlier words, Macbeth knelt before Arthur. Arthur, impressed by Macbeth's bravery and effort, offered him a place as one of his knights. Macbeth declined, stating he'd been a king himself too long to answer to anyone, but that if Arthur ever needed him, he would gladly stand by his side.
Love
He thought once that he'd found respite from his loneliness when he met Dominque Destine in Paris. He was captivated by her beauty, and as they got to know each other, Macbeth felt that they were destined to find each other. He and Dominique were married, and he realized that the time had come to where he had to tell Dominique the truth about his past. Before he could start, the sun set, and Dominique suddenly doubled over in pain. The same pain seized Macbeth and he watched in horror as Dominique had transformed into Demona. The truth of who his 'love' really was devastated him, and when Demona had a high powered laser cannon pointed at him, he initially welcomed the idea of finally dying. Elisa was there and shot Demona, temporarily killing them both, ending the battle. Macbeth lamented that while Elisa had saved his live, it was “a sad, endless existence, [I'm] doomed to face alone.” Goliath points out that while Demona's motives were treacherous, he at least knows that he is again capable of feeling love.
Honor
Macbeth's motives against the gargoyles were rarely personal. The first time he attacked the Manhattan clan, it was only to lure Demona to him so he could settle their score. Furthermore, his actions against them following the events of City of Stone, such as kidnapping the clan and stealing the Grimorum Arcanorum, the Phoenix Gate, and the Eye of Odin, all magical and dangerous items that Goliath had collected and kept safe, where all while he was under the influence of the Weird Sisters. Even then, he refused to use any more force than what was necessary. He also kept Demona from killing an unconscious Elisa, as well as the gargoyles when they were in their stone sleep, saying there was no honor in killing them when they were defenseless. He also indirectly saved Elisa once more when she met Macbeth, Demona, and Coldstone during the day. Demona had intended to just shoot Elisa, but Macbeth slyly asked Demona if she was just afraid to face her in hand to hand combat, which caused her to immediately throw down her weapon and charge Elisa, the cop more than capable of fighting her.
Redemption
Though he'd made himself a bit of an enemy to the Manhattan clan, an unspoken truce has formed between them, likely following the events in Paris. Macbeth had even argued for the gargoyles after their existence was revealed to the world, defending their right to exist, and insisting that they feel all the emotions that humans do, and would never be a threat to humans, unless humans threatened them first. He is a man of honor, and believes he owes a debt to them, one he fully intends to pay.
~~~Sample~~~
Give us a small sample of how you will play your character. Give us at least three paragraphs.
Despite the fact that he'd been gone for so long, Macbeth still knew his old country, and in the dead of night, was able to slip through the lands undetected. News of Luach's death had reached him, and without a single thought on the matter, he rushed home to Scotland to find his beloved wife.
He had not yet cried for the death of his son. He couldn't allow himself to do it alone. He'd find Gruoch, and the two of them would mourn together before quitting the country forever, being together for as long as time would allow it for her. Macbeth had heard that for her safety during the battles of the past year, she'd been living in a small village, and now, finally, he was here.
Macbeth stealthily moved through the village, checking in window after window, ducking before his presence could be seen by any inhabitants. Most of them were asleep at this late hour, a fact that was working in his favor. Finally, he looked in a small house and saw his beloved lying on a bed. But rather than feeling joy at seeing her, alarm seized him. She was pale, and much too thin... she was wasting away...
No longer concerned for his own safety, Macbeth burst through the door and rushed to her side. He picked her up in his arms, shocked at how light and fragile she felt. He gasped as he saw a small black vial lying on the bed next to her. No... she couldn't have...
“Gruoch...” He whispered.
Her green eyes slowly opened, and his heart twisted even more at the sight of the dull, lifeless look they carried.
“Husband?” She said, her voice barely above a whisper as she tried to lift a hand. She could barely lift it more than a few inches, and he took it in his, holding it to his cheek.
“Oh, Macbeth...” She murmured. “I've missed you so...”
“Gruoch...” Macbeth murmured, his heart aching. “I've come back for you, my love...”
“It's too late for me, my love... just hold me...”
Macbeth held her, unable to stop the slowing of her heart as it fluttered weakly in her chest. A soft sigh escaped her as she finally fell limp in his arms.
Macbeth released a loud cry of anguish as he clutched her tighter to him, sobbing over her body.
~~~Bonding~~~
Why this character? What draws you to them, what makes you want to play them? Do you have anything in common with them?
I absolutely love Macbeth. He's my favorite supporting character in the series. I love how complex he is, neither a hero nor a villain. He's often a foe, but he's honorable. He lives with his immortality, but also wants to see it end. He despises Demona and will fight her, fully knowing that in addition to being hurt when she hits him, it will hurt him still when he hits her, but yet he still charges her each and every time.
More than anything, my heart just aches for him and his tragic history. He still carries a torch for his long dead wife, and through all the years, has never stopped loving her. That's a love of over 900 years... it's just amazing to me.
Also, the details in my application, such as dates, names, and quotes were found on the GargWiki site or watching episodes on YouTube. Preparing for this guy was fun. ^^
What would you like your custom title to be? This can be anything you like in reference to your character and will appear under your name.
Who else do you play here? Elisa, Giselle, and Eris. (Putting Justin on a temporary hiatus)
