Pierce Everitt
Name:
Lord Pierce Everitt, Earl of Huntingdon
AKA: Richelle Mallory Winter,
Age: 25 at the start of the
campaign in September of 1893
((Richelle was 19))
Birthday: March 23, 1868
Setting: Victorian Horror
Race: Demon-touched
human; as the campaign/story develops, Pierce will take on more qualities of a
hellhound and eventually be able to shapeshift.
Pierce's Journal: Pierce has a
tumblr account, Earl of
Huntingdon, with his journal entries (the campaign story as it goes),
art of him, and other background info.
Concept in a Nutshell:
Pierce is a revivification ... in a fashion... of an older OC of
mine, Richelle Winter, in a
new game, setting, and a rather different situation.
Richelle, after invoking a spell (she didn't really believe in) hoping for a
chance at status found her wish twisted. She was body-swapped with one
Pierce Everitt, a broke nobleman and a drunkard who had made a similar wish for
wealth. The character being featured here is Pierce in body, and Richelle
in mind.
General Human Appearance/Attitude:
APPEARANCE:
Pierce is in his mid twenties. He has astute, brown eyes and straight, very
dark brown hair (may darken to black as the game progresses). He wears his hair
in medium length, sometimes well groomed and slicked back, but usually
flippantly spiky. Mild sideburns. Pierce has a sharp jawline.
Pierce is tall, slender, and irrelevant. Nice clothes, but not always well
groomed.
Pierce would typically wear fashionable Victorian Mens' clothing.
A directory of good
reference images is here.
When going out, he wears hats, as is the fashion, such as a bowler or porkpie
hat on general outings, or a tophat at fancy occasions.
PERSONALITY:
Pierce is Passionate and intelligent, but often coupled with
bitter sarcasm. Mocking, smirking. Intelligence takes on a cutting edge.
Crass and sarcastic. Very much a defense mechanism for his confusion and
frustration. Dealing with different desires, hormones, and utterly alien
circumstances. Scared of what he’s gotten himself into, the realities of magic
and its hold on him, and what the future holds. Scared of being very literally
damned. No going back. Not thinking anyone would even really BELIEVE him.
Drinking habit still comes out – especially if he’s not thinking about it. Has
a very “fuck it” attitude at first (he’s already screwed, how much worse can it
get…((He’ll soon realize!). Snaps and doesn’t care who he offends, in the
circumstances, the last thing he cares about is holding his tongue. Cut off
from anyone he might have cared about, but he burned his bridges before he left
there anyway.
There’s a lot about being a man that he doesn’t know. Scared to even look at
first – but there are a lot of impulses he doesn’t understand or is humiliated
by, having a temper, having an addiction.
Wants to find a way out of the bargain – scared of what else will come – what
other price he’s going to have to pay for something he didn’t even WANT to begin
with. But he can’t go back. Doesn’t even know (eventually) if he’d WANT to go
back to the life he (she) had before where she was miserable. But has this
monkey on his back and is scared it’s going to get worse.
Notes on Changing Appearance:
- BEFORE Richelle inhabited his body, Pierce also sported a mustache (like
this). This was one of the first things Richelle got rid of.
- Current appearance: See above
- Future changes will likely include a darkening of his hair to black, and
possibly a few canine features.
Best Art Reference Artwork of Pierce:
Featured Artwork of Pierce:
AKA: all of the current artwork of Pierce. When there is enough art, I'll
create a separate page to house it.
|
|
First sketches of Pierce getting his look down - here's some expressions :) |
 |
A sketch of mine of Pierce shortly after swapping bodies... drunk and deep in denial |
 |
Great semi-chibi style by eyecager! |
 |
A modern interpretation of Pierce by fliptanks |
Artwork of Richelle:
AKA: what she looked like before she wound up in Pierce's Body
Other Artwork of Pierce:
All Pierce Art : Pending. Pierce is a new character and all of the art of him so far is in the featured section above.
Background
Richelle:
Richelle's father was one of the aforementioned self-made men. His family had
bred and raised horses for generations and earned a reputation, and her father
climbed the social ladder to become a respected judge. He was very bright and
very dedicated. He was from a wealthy family, but one of the Nuveau Riche, not
one of the old families who were perched on depleting resources and old names.
Throughout his term he was renowned for being very good at what he did, being
just and skilled. Having risen to prestige rather quickly, and he took a wife
when he was in his late twenties. He planned on training a son to follow in his
footsteps personally, passing on the wisdom and knowledge that had served him
well. However, his first child was a daughter.... as was the 2nd.... and the
third. Richelle was his second daughter, 3 years younger than her elder sister,
Lorraine, and 4 years older than her younger sister, Alice. By the time Alice
was born, Lorraine was already well on her way through etiquette training, was
fond of the fancy dresses and preferential treatment that came with being the
first daughter of a wealthy family. However, after seven years of trying to
have a son, Richelle's father became worried that it would not be possible,
especially considering that he wanted to personally tutor him. So, instead, he
began to teach Richelle – giving her a classical education and teaching her
about the law and other knowledge that he wished to pass on, hoping that perhaps
she would eventually would marry well and she could train her son when the time
came to it, thus passing on his knowledge through the family, albeit delayed a
generation.
Richelle had her father's intelligence and took to the knowledge like a duck to water. She was curious and bright, and seemed to never tire of learning more information. She was educated in reading, writing, arithmetic, history, geography, literature, languages, the natural world, and of course law and politics. She respected her father and his position very much, and for some time never even paused to think that she herself couldn't follow in his shoes.
When Richelle was about 13 or 14 she began to realize the practical side of the way things worked... most notably that she herself would not be able to hold the position that she had been spending her entire life preparing for, despite how qualified she might be and the working knowledge that she had. She began to harbor resentments, but being a part of the society and admiring her father, she kept her mouth shut for the most part, but always had the nagging wonder of why couldn't she be given the opportunity to prove herself when she felt she was at least as good if not better than most men her age. As time passed, she became very confident in her knowledge and then overconfident in general. Nothing had happened to her to prove to her otherwise. Then, when she was 18, there was a surprise. Her father had a son.
Her father was ecstatic and immediately suggested that he and Richelle train him together - he was nearing retirement and knew that Richelle had the youth and vigor to teach him well. She was to find a husband, and until had a son of her own, assist with the raising of her brother. He went back on his promise to send her to University. Richelle was furious. She was outspoken and did what she could to put off potential suitors, but didn’t know exactly what her alternatives were.
Above all, Richelle wanted an outlet for her abilities and knowledge where
she could be recognized for her talents. She didn’t resent being a
woman, but society’s prejudice against them. She found the bias against her
increasingly unfair and sought to find a way to be recognized and gain status
and influence in society. She was not against the idea of a husband, of love
and marriage, but did not want to compromise her own future in sacrifice of her
sole identity becoming a wife and mother. She had a fondness for poetry and the
occasional penny dreadful that she would read late at night with a hint of
secret scandalousness – giving her a sense of adventure or of passion – and
things that she had never experienced personally in her life.
General Appearance/Attitude: Richelle
While certainly attractive, and possesses the refinement that comes with
growing up in a wealthy (but not titled) household, Richelle has what might be
considered "common" features by many noble standards. She has a long, broad
face with full lips, a fairly broad nose, and large eyes. While she stands just
a little over 5’ tall, she is solidly built, but with distinctly feminine
curves: she has wide hips and is rather busty. Her complexion is fair
naturally, but shows signs of spending time outdoors. She has grey-green eyes
and long, dark brown hair. Two thin braids fall in front of her ears, and the
rest of it is gathered into a loose ponytail.
She has a diverse wardrobe, primarily of dresses and nicer clothing, but is not
above wearing a more functional traveling outfit.
Personality-wise, Richelle is very independent and strong-willed, if not a bit too much overconfident. She is very much of the opinion that anyone who has the necessary skills and talent to do something should be able to, regardless of gender, race, etc. She has an academic curiosity, but not to excess, although is more willing than most to take risks. Ironclad self-confidence (or stubbornness depending on who is asked) leading her to be brash, speaking her mind, and generally being considered unwomanly and not prime marriage material.
*
Background for Pierce:
Pierce was the only son and heir of an old family of dwindling
means. His mother (Frances) died in childbirth, which left his father
(Lawrence) bitter and angry, subconsciously blaming Pierce for her death. His
father was not unfamiliar with the bottle and often took his anger out on young
Pierce. Pierce knew nor cared little about his father’s duties and
connections. His father occasionally took his place to sit in the House of
Lords, but in addition to running Huntingdon Manor, Lord Everitt had a deep
family history as a member of a cultish secret society. The manor was immense,
with long hallways and secret rooms that even Pierce was unaware of. His father
kept a great deal of occult lore and books, and his family history was no
stranger to tragedy. It was quite possible that the death of his wife after
bearing the heir was no coincidence. Pierce, however, knew little and cared
less about his father’s societies.
Despite the sometimes violent father, Pierce was born to luxury and entitlement,
enjoying a bachelor’s life and never having to work a real job a day in his
life. But difficult home life mixed with entitlement led Pierce to mostly take
advantage of his situation and never gave him much in the way of lofty goals.
He was given a classical education and went to university, where he focused more
on building connections than real academia. He had hobbies and passing
interests, but his real passion was women, alcohol and gambling. It took his
mind off of his home life. He enjoyed life as a bachelor, attending the
gentlemen’s clubs, and any pursuits that could hold his interests. He didn’t
care that he was a disappointment to his father. He lived for the moment and
not a second later.
However, suddenly and unexpectedly, Pierce’s father died ((perhaps due to his
own shady dealings)), leaving Piece suddenly alone, unmarried, and with a
surprising amount of debt. His father had been living above his means for
years, and added to his own gambling debts, Pierce suddenly found himself in the
very real danger of being the one responsible for losing the home and ending the
long family line. His already meager allowance quickly dwindled to nothing.
As Pierce’s father was Earl of Huntingdon. It became his birthright after his
death as a nobleman to sit on the House of Lords, but Piece has little interest
in politics – he has had other problems on his mind after finding himself
responsible for the manor. He owns the home, but it is beginning to fall to
disrepair – it is expansive and expensive to keep up with the maintenance and
taxes. He is down to just a couple of servants, Reginald the aging butler and
Matilda the maid.
*
The Bargain and Afterwards:
Richelle and Pierce each had what the other thought they wanted and
couldn’t live without. While they didn’t know each other, Richelle had means
and Pierce had status. Independently, they each got themselves in over their
heads and made a very literal infernal bargain.
After a particularly venomous argument with her father, Richelle fled to a
library to collect her thoughts and look for some solution to her problem. She
found an old book of superstition and strange nursery rhymes. She was upset,
bitter, and a simple ritual to beg a favor from the other side caught her
attention. While she didn’t really believe in the power of the
supernatural, she was upset and felt she needed a distraction, and figured “why
not.” Occultism was quite trendy in the Victorian era, especially among the
wealthy and bored. She went home, held just a small candle to illuminate the
room, went to a mirror and sliced her hand, signing her name in blood across it
and recited the deceptively simple rhyme. Feeling a little silly, she asked for
what she wanted most: opportunity for respect and status. She’d do anything,
she said. And then, right as she laughed to herself at how silly she was being
and was about to blow out the candle, a face that wasn’t her own appeared in the
mirror, and she heard the word “Deal” reverberate in her head… and things went
black.
**
Pierce had been on a drinking binge in his own home. His father had passed away
leaving him piles of debt on top of the gambling debts that he already owed. He
was dealing with some very conflicting emotions of the sadness of his father’s
passing with anger at the man for abandoning him and leaving him with all of his
problems – there was always bad blood between him and his father, and now they
were never going to be resolved. He had the huge estate to manage by himself,
responsibilities and stress and facing the fact that he was probably going to be
the last Everitt to own Huntingdon Manor. He had been tearing through the
house, taking out some of his anger at his father by rifling through his
possessions – looking for things that he could turn around and sell for money or
any great answers to the problems that he suddenly found himself saddled with.
What he found, drunk off his ass, was an old book of rituals – including one
that spoke of a Faustian bargain. In his inebriation, Pierce performed the
ritual (the a more elaborate version than the one Richelle had found – involving
candles and chalk designs – but also including a mirror and signing his name in
blood). Pierce... Mostly... follows the ritual - some runes inscribed "good
enough" in his stupor, or the brandy he's drinking is probably "good enough" for
the wine called for...
Pierce never knew how involved his family had been with the occult and the dark
powers – but as an Everitt, and perhaps his family having had dealings with this
demon before to its detriment, he got its attention. His selfish plead for
wealth was the perfect opportunity – especially the fortuitous timing with
another woman across town looking for something that Piece had. Gleefully, the
demon struck the bargain. ((It was not every time this ritual was performed
that it actually worked – but the timing, the conviction (and promise…) of the
young woman, and the history of Pierce’s family drew the entity’s attention)).
And the demon gave them what they wanted... however, the interpretation was not what they expected. Pierce got his wealth and Richelle got her opportunity... through a body swap.
When they both eventually came to hours later/the next morning, each in a
strange home, a strange body, neither took it well.
Pierce in Richelle’s body freaked out. Furious and terrified, it wasn’t long
before he left home for a familiar bar, and tried to drink the new reality
away. A brash young woman, dressed nicely and alone, in a bad part of town did
not last long.
Richelle in Pierce's body, after her initial freak out, tried to repeat the
ritual (with no response). Her next course of action was to try to find her own
body, but by the time she was able to catch a train to London (Huntingdon manor
was over a hundred miles from London proper), it was too late. “Richelle
Winter” was dead – killed in an alley outside a pub.
Very shortly after all of this happens, Middleton, a property lawyer, visited
to deal with some of the paperwork and intricacies of Pierce’s inheritance. He
saw the disarray, Pierce acting very uncharacteristic, not remembering him, and
other strange tells of Richelle feeling absolutely lost and not knowing any
recourse. In "her" distraction and mental breakdown, Richelle signs her name
on the paperwork – the same day her death is reported in the papers. Luckily for
her, Middleton was a young solicitor with connections, not entirely unversed to
the supernatural, and begged Pierce to tell him what happened. Seeing the first
sympathetic shoulder, and not caring what happens, he/she unloads, and is
surprised to find a listening and BELIEVING ear. And here the campaign begins.
The
Continuing Story:
Pierce has a tumblr account,
Earl of Huntingdon, with
his journal entries (the campaign story as it goes), art of him, and other
background info.