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General Information
Character Name:
James Alastair Laurence
Type of Character:
Adult
Age:
39
Date of Birth:
09 May 1881
Residence:
Arundel Castle, West Sussex, England
Family:
The House of Laurence is an English Pureblood noble family dating back to the time of the Norman Invasion in 1066. Upon the succession of William the Conqueror, their ancestor Roger de Laurence, whom led one of the largest battles on behalf of the new king, was granted the title 'Duke of Norfolk' and subsequently awarded what became known as Arundel Castle in the area of Sussex. The title is currently (as of 1920) held by the head of the family, James Laurence. He is expected to be succeeded by his nephew, Benji, unless he and his wife produce a male heir before his death.
As one of the oldest pureblooded noble families in Britain, the Laurences hold powerful sway and influence amongst their sect. They take their lineage and status extremely seriously. They have spent centuries building upon their legacy and reputation, with chess moves, strong alliances and intrigues. Every whisper in every hallway calculated carefully, methodically and patiently. Known for their intelligence and ability to foresee reasonable outcomes, the Laurences have consistently aligned themselves with victors throughout their history. They have thrived, retaining power through wars, usurpations of kings, coups and invasions.
As consistent with many other powerful families, many of their lineage were lost to tyrants, petty civil war and jealous rivals over the centuries. The core of them, however, remained steadfast in their quest for power and domination in the land. They are known amongst their circles as the family to turn to when deals need to be made, alliances need to be won, or rivalries need to be squashed.
James's immediate family includes his wife Amelia, their infant daughter, Claire, his younger sister Julia and her children Benji and Kathryn. He also has a widowed sister-in-law and niece from his late brother Edward - Edith and Adira.
His extended family includes his cousins Arthur and Leo, their wives and children - Rosalie, Matthew and Thomas - and their parents.
Occupation:
Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Arundel
Personality & History
Personality:
James Laurence isn't a man who moves without intention. He is never hurried, but never idle. He is the sort of man who arrives precisely when he means to, never a moment late or early, smile already in place.
There is an ease to him, disarming and familiar, the kind of charm that welcomes him into rooms full of strangers, or makes people linger in doorways to hear his next quip. He makes people feel seen, known, important. People want him in the room; invite him in gladly.
They just don't realize the cost until he's already smiling at their table.
James is neither a quiet man, nor a boisterous one. Rather he reads every room he enters and adapts accordingly. He is the epitome of a chameleon, his true personality saved for those closest to him - usually his family. Beneath the veneers of all of this, James is cold and calculating predator, unflinching when business takes a more unsavory turn.
To put it simply, James shows all the hallmark signs of a sociopath.
Within the safety of his home, James is warm, has a great sense of humor and is fiercely protective of his family and lineage. He is not exactly...monogamous, though this would be news to his wife. He has always been a bit of a playboy, even before his arranged marriage. And though he loves Amelia, as much as he can, he has a wandering eye and uses his charms, good looks and wiles to capitalize on that.
James isn't an anomaly; he's the meticulously crafted result of centuries of ruthless ambition. He's not just protecting his family; he's protecting an empire, and he will strategically destroy anything that threatens it.
History:
Born on May 9, 1881 to William Laurence IV, 18th Duke of Norfolk and his wife, Vera St. Allswell, James was the second of three children. A lively, happy and boisterous child from the start, James was the heart of his family. Always coming up with little jokes and stories, he often brought the adults in the family to fits of laughter. He was precocious and intelligent and could often be found in the storage rooms, looking over old family heirlooms, taking them apart and trying to figure out how everything worked. He was incredibly observant and could often be caught hiding behind furniture to try and overhear the adult conversations that went on all around him. James was highly social and loved every party and family event that he was allowed to attend.
At the age of five, he lost his mother to childbirth when his younger sister, Julia, was born. It was a heavy blow, but while his brother, Edward, spiraled into bouts of rages, James instead shut down, preferring to keep to himself and his room amongst his toys and the imaginary friends he created for himself. He was tutored privately with his brother, but once Edward was sent away to school, little James often accompanied his father to meetings at the Ministry to listen and learn. It was here, beginning at the age of nine that James began to understand the intricacies and delicate dance that politics and social settings required. He'd watched his father in admiration as he twisted and turned the men around him to his will, with seemingly no effort.
At the age of eleven, James joined his elder brother at Beauxbatons where he thrived in Charms and Dueling. Like his brother, James was popular, though he ran with a different set of more serious students. Here, he threw himself into absorbing everything he could regarding spellwork, incantations and the delicate movements. He made connections throughout the school with his peers from more prestigious European families and solidified them through his good-nature and willingness to offer favors. All in the understanding he would be repaid ten-fold someday when he required it.
Following his time at Beauxbatons, James attended The University of Edinburgh where he double-majored in Ministry Politics and Communications. Here, James reconnected with his more fun-loving and relaxed side, finally allowing himself to enjoy the young social scene. University allowed James to make countless more important connections and relationships that in the coming years would serve him and his family well. After University, James continued working for his brother and father in whatever ways they required, including shady Ministry and Parliamentary deals and other endeavors that aren't quite clear.
Despite his affable and easy-going nature, James can be incredibly cold and ruthless and often shows this side when people aren't swayed by his charm. To put it simply, he is calculating, manipulative and dangerous, hidden by a mask of charm.
On August 25, 1918, James married Amelia Cornish, a young Pureblooded woman from a neighboring noble family. They do not currently have any children.
On February 8, 1919, James ascended to the title of Duke of Norfolk upon the sudden death of his older brother Edward.
Prompt Response:
The little bell above the door of the apothecary gave a cheerful jingle as James stepped back onto the bustling cobblestones of Diagon Alley. The scent of dried herbs and pungent potions clung to the fine wool of his robes for a moment before being swept away by the general hum of the street. He had procured what he needed, a simple purchase that his sister had requested, and his thoughts were already turning to his next appointment at the Ministry.
"Stop right there! Thief!"
Passersby halted, heads turning to locate the source of the commotion. James, however, didn't startle. He didn't flinch. Such vulgar displays were for lesser men who were ruled by their impulses. He simply stopped, his polished dragon-hide shoes coming to a soft, deliberate halt on the stone. For the briefest, most fleeting of moments, a flicker of pure, cold irritation sparked deep behind his honey-brown eyes.
The mask, ever-present and perfectly calibrated, slid into place.
He turned, the hint of a smile gracing his lips, but his eyes remained cold and hollow as they fell upon the shopkeeper who dared to insult him. James wasn't a thief - he had more money than everyone in this alley combined; the notion of him stealing common herbs was completely laughable if it wasn't fucking insulting.
James took a leisurely step closer, towering over him. The crowd, realizing there would be no vulgar shouting match, began to move along, uninterested. "Check your inventory again, friend." James's voice was low and casual, a chilling counterpoint to the man's frantic state.
"Trust that I'm the last person you want to falsely accuse of anything." His smile widened, but it was a gesture devoid of all warmth. Without breaking eye contact, he reached into his waistcoat pocket and produced a pair of heavy gold galleons. He let them rest in his palm for a moment, the metal gleaming. He’d already paid, of course, but the coins meant nothing to him. They were simply a tool for this final, crushing insult.
With a flick of his wrist, he dropped the coins into the shopkeeper's trembling hand.
"I have, naturally, already paid," he murmured, his voice laced with a silken pity. "But you should keep this. Your need is clearly greater than mine."
Miscellaneous
Other Characters
Benji, Julia, Rosie, Wylder
How did you find us?
Once upon a time....
