Post by Duke on May 18, 2011 16:33:23 GMT -5
hmm...
Name: Duke Pantarei (I headcanon him that Duke is his title as a noble, and he actually has a first name. He hasn't used it in ages, though, so Duke is still what he'll tell people.)
Gender: Male, despite appearances.
Age: Somewhere between 30 and 40. He's younger than Alexei, but older than Raven. I've been going with a 38(at end game).
Height: A little taller than Yuri Lowell (who is at 5 foot 11 inches or so). This might be his heels, however. (Based off the in-game size of his figure compared to Yuri's, rather than the end-game scene... which made his clothes look a little pink)
Weight: Unknown. He's probably just under the healthy weight for a man of his height and physical capability. I don't quite see him eating regularly.
Appearance:
Duke is a tall, regal looking man who could pass for a woman with the right angle and lack of speech. He is pale, red eyed, and has long white(silver?) hair that is straight near about his head due to weight and curls into chaos around his mid-thighs. A female NPC in the Elucifur's Grave side-quest describes him as a "gallant man", "tall and slender, with silver hair" and "far too handsome to be a hermit".
Whether he simply is very oddly built, just doesn't maintain good eating habits, or his coat is an odd attempt at a man-corset, it gives him the appearance of both feminine hips and broad shoulders. Judging by his Radiant Winged One form, he isn't quite as thin/underfed as Yuri.
Likes: headcanon comments like so.
Elucifur: This Entelexeia was, and is, Duke's best friend. Despite how long it's been since he died, Duke still clings to the promises he made him. One of the few ways to get him actually angry is to insult Elucifur(headcanon because no one ever tries...)
Entelexeia: Elucifur started it, and Duke is still far, far more fond? of the great creatures than he is any other being on Terca Lumireis. Their opinions and goals hold weight with him, and despite the fact he is human, he does his best to do the same as Entelexeia.
Terca Lumireis: Everything Duke does is for Terca Lumireis. Wiping out all of humanity? It would save the planet, so that's the plan. He'd rather commit genocide-suicide than alter Terca Lumireis, although he does remember the full promise after getting beaten twice/thrice.
Monsters: While he's never seen during the course of the game to be in company of monsters, Duke likes just about all beings better than humans. End-game scene shows him in the company of at least one monster, and a squirrel, and looking vaguely happy. Given that his expression doesn't change from a blank, vaguely frowning expression in all his interactions with the party, he must really likewhat that squirrel had to say wildlife.
Head-canon: Duke likes having something to do, good books, well cooked food he cannot or doesn't have the time to cook himself (breads), and taking care of injured creatures. Mostly wildlife. He tends to avoid aiding humans. Part of the reason he okay with Yuri is because Yuri vaguely looks like Elucifur's Kritya form.
Dislikes:
Humans:[/b] If there's one thing Duke can actually form paragraphs about, it's how humans suck. Despite being one, he finds them to be greedy creatures who will hurt others to get a head, hurt those closest to them. They destroy nature, ruin the world, kill needlessly, refuse to learn from their mistakes, and change the world to suit their needs. Duke can go on.
Blastia and Apatheia:[/b] Duke does not like Blastia, almost on the same level of 'despise' as humans, and Raven calls it 'hate' when they explain their plan to him. Blastia are made of dead Entelexeia and they pollute the Aer as well, damaging Terca Lumireis and had the side effect of drawing the Adephagos close.
Talking: Words are just air to Duke, and air he can better use. He will talk, although not very much, to avoid violence, but he does not like to repeat himself, and won't give information if he thinks the listeners won't pay attention or heed what he has to say. He doesn't like sarcasm or joking.
Alexei: Alexei has Seven Apatheia. Apatheia are dead Entelexeia. Not much more to be said.
Head-canon: He doesn't like being touched. He doesn't want people to know his full capabilities, as knowing how powerful Elucifur/Elucifer was got the Entelexeia killed. He's never shown to be particularly disapproving of one type of human over another, however it makes sense that he'd dislike betrayers more than others, given his personal history. He doesn't like being in a situation and useless to help. Duke doesn't want to get close to people, because he doesn't want the pain of loss again.
Indifferent: There is no indication to whether he cares one way or another on Kritya. On one hand, they created Blastia. On the other, they also stopped using them as a people, and can easily communicate with Entelexeia. He doesn't care about what other people think, be it right or wrong, so long as it doesn't cause them to come into conflict with him.
Strengths: Headcanon shall be indicated.
Poker Face: Duke is very good at keeping calm, skilled at maintaining a blank, vaguely frowning expression. He's good enough at this that it almost seems like he has no emotions, but for the hint of irritation, confusion, or bemusement that occasionally tinge his tone. This is not because he has no emotions, but that they have a very high boiling point. One has to make him feel a certain amount of any emotion for him to express it.
Fighting: Two words – Final Boss. Duke has Advanced Tier and Altered Magic Artes, two Mystic Artes, and a variety of far reaching attack Artes. And this is just his skill while wielding Dein Nomos via magic. Raven expresses worry at the thought of fighting him from what he remembered Duke's strength was ten years ago, when the War Hero didn't have Dein Nomos. Duke strikes for killing blows while on foot, seeking weaknesses in armor and to cripple if he can't kill right off the bat. His fighting style is a quick sort of 'you can't hit me quite well enough', and the blows are glancing, intend to slowly bleed his opponent to exhaustion if he doesn't want to kill. He is a silent attacker, not one of those who make a cry or grunt to accompany strikes. I can see him having basic knowledge in weapons other than long-sword. Duke is perfectly willing to deliver mercy kills.
Awkward Hermit: Duke understands animal speech. He does not bark or make their noises back at them, but holds a conversation with Repede on Tarqaron by talking to the dog and replying to his barks/whines/growls. That, and the speed at which he is able to follow the party indicates that he doesn't have a problem with monsters. This is something that is mostly him. He could get a base idea of what any animal was indicating before he met Elucifur, and after befriending the Entelexeia he has a greater understanding of them.
Formula: Despite hating Blastia, Duke is mage enough to know how to create spells/formula. He raised Tarqaron, created a spell that would reach across the world to seek out and steal all human life, fights while maintaining a spell very similar to Rita's Levitation both on himself and his weapon of the moment.
Book and World Smarts: It's not quite 'street smarts' as that phrase usually indicates knowing how to operate in society, and this is not something Duke does well, but he can and does work very well in the wilderness. Duke is the human to turn to if one wants to know something about Terca Lumireis, due to his long association with Entelexeia and his travels. He is well learned, knowing several things once known to the Imperial Family, such as the nature of Zaude and Tarqaron.
Aer: Duke is able to see/sense the flow of Aer about Terca Lumireis. He uses this in several ways - avoiding people, as he can sense the use of Aer in Blastia and avoids them, locate problematic Aer Krene without Entelexeia help, and in keeping people he can't avoid contact with recognized when they approach. (because everyone seems to want to walk up on Duke from behind.)
Stomach/Health of Amazing: He won't kill a monster for just himself, as one of any of the monsters is more than he could eat, so most of his diet is fish, and plantstuffs. He will eat fish raw, if he absolutely has too, and isn't a particularly bad cook, although most people might call his food plain. He knows how to take care of himself, so rarely falls ill due to foul weather, and doesn't seem troubled with any food poisoning he should have gotten at some point or another.
Weaknesses:
Social: Duke has hidden the polite-speech of a noble upbringing, keeping the odd speech patterns but ditching the politeness. He speaks both vaguely and directly, depending on the topic at hand. He fails at understanding human reasoning, and the maneuvering of politics is something he would have failed at. He doesn't understand it when emotions he can read don't match what he understands the situation to be.
Trust: Duke's ability to trust in humans was effectively shattered with their actions after the Great War. In the ten years since that, Brave Vesperia was the first he actually attempted to trust.
Grudge: Humans killed Elucifur, while they were allied and the Entelexeia promised to not hurt them. Duke still isn't over it. Part of Duke's reason for splitting away from humans was to keep to Elucifur's wish of peace for all things. He didn't quite trust himself not to be violent about humans in the times shortly after his death.
Pessimistic: He expects the worst out of every encounter with humans, and doesn't believe in their ability to change for the better.
Sight, Albino: While he isn't actually blind, everything is a little blurry and washed out. This is going with Duke actually being an albino, which means being out in the daylight all the time is bad for his eyes(lack of colored iris allows more light into his eyes, damaging them, blah.). He sunburns easier than anyone else, although he manages to avoid this by staying inside Yormgen, and spending more time in forested areas than others.
Personality: I'm not going to mark out headcanon.
At a first glance, the response would be "what personality."
The man is quiet, reserved, abrupt with his comings and leavings. He's distant, cold and occasionally rather rude – "Those matters exceed your comprehension." Isn't something one should tell Rita Mordio, but Duke went and did it. He's very socially awkward, occasionally thinking aloud in the middle of "conversations". He keeps distance even from those who he has talked to many times; rarely asking for any information that is not relevant to the situation and refers to people by "you", or descriptors of their person when he cannot simply stare in their direction and be understood that way. He decides when the conversation is over and acts upon that, simply turning and leaving without a further word, and doesn't reply to greetings.
Duke is confident and controlled. He carries himself with an air of confidence, one that Yuri picks up on in Keiv Moc, an odd sort of meditative serenity and an almost militaristic way of holding his arms and shoulders. He never moves at a speed faster than a walk, his hands never leave loose fists from his sides, his expression barely flickers from a faint, blank frown, and his voice never rises. He doesn't swear, he doesn't verbally or physically lash out, doesn't even seem to have a temper at all. Insults, teasing, sarcasm simply roll right off him, if he even recognizes what they're supposed to be.
A single life cannot be privileged over the fate of the world, words are cheap, Duke is of action and the many before the one, and unlike many who would think that way, his 'one' is still less important than the many. Although, in Duke's case, the "many" is Terca Lumireis. The death of Elucifur taught him that words can be said, and that doesn't truly change anything. Elucifur said he would simply watch, and the humans nodded and smiled and killed him out of fear of the power Elucifur swore to not use. This doesn't mean that Duke won't keep his word, however, just that anything said to him by a human, any promise made to him by a human, is taken with a good deal of suspicion that it won't be held to. He's a man who takes care of threats when they are threats, does rather than says, and doesn't care about side effects, such as saving the party twice while calming an Aer Krene and dealing with a Hermes Blastia. Yet, despite being a man of action, he doesn't take any joy from fighting.
Avoidance is Duke's answer to fight-or-flight, he'd rather not get into that situation in the first place. Duke will not intentionally start any conflict, and he will walk away if someone starts one with him. Like with his emotions, one has to reach a certain point with him where he'll retaliate, or insult Elucifur. Duke finds it easier to speak when not fully facing those he is speaking too.
If someone can get past his shell, they may find him different. Duke is loyal. If he joins his cause with yours, if your morals/goals match his, if he likes you, you have someone who will stick with you through thick and thin until he witnesses a blatant breach of trust. Duke's trust is a fragile thing after Elucifur's death, and regaining it may be the work of a lifetime.
Duke has an odd, subtle sort of humor. He finds irony amusing, at least when it's directed at him, and may even call the one being ironic out in a way. His brand of teasing is to word things that can be taken different ways, and remain blank faced and seemingly unaware if the one he teased seems to have picked up on the more dubious meaning.
Despite how jaded he is about what to expect from humans, he manages to be a little naïve about the workings inside human society. He understands the chain of command, the some of the workings of the upper-class households, but otherwise very little beyond his pessimistic views of imminent betrayal and inability to learn from the past.
He is a slightly situational person. It depends on what he is dealing with, who he is dealing with, what he could gain for aiding Terca Lumireis. Perhaps the best description, and probably the one Brave Vesperia would give if anyone asked them to describe him, is Duke is Duke. He's contradictory, yet not quite hypocritical.
History:
In game, just about nothing is learned about Duke until the last third of the game. Then we discover that he was a Hero of the Great War, befriended an Entelexeia who lead the group of Entelexeia who wanted to live with humans, and then was betrayed. He's a mysterious source of information, headaches and odd aid to the party, then becomes someone who both stands in their way and is trying to do the same thing.
Including the novel Empty Mask, we learn what Raven is told about Duke - that he is/was a noble of Zaphias, the last of Pantarei's house. He used to be a knight, befriended an Entelexeia of high power and standing, and then stole Dein Nomos after his friend was killed.
He spent the decade between the Great War and In-Game off the charts, resurfacing due to the chaos of Yuri Lowell's thief chasing, and Alexei's advancing plots.
Duke was an only child. He took after his father in appearance, and barely knew either of his parents due to Noble Duties. He spent more time with studies and wild animals, injured strays and birds he coaxed to him for seed, than playing with other children. Didn't help that he was rather high born – "close ties to imperial family", and kinda odd looking. He joined the knights, inherited the role of head of family due to parents passing on, met and got along with Alexei. During this time, he became "Our Duke", as in the brigade's duke(Duke, as in noble rank, rather than a first name.spoilers, his name is kinda girly sounding), and his first name slowly slid out of use. He then dropped out before the war, finding the restrictions placed on his movement bothersome and set to traveling with Elucifur. He spent a very short time as a captain.
Duke cut his way through roughly a quarter of a Royal Guard brigade, and a score of un-related people who didn't get out of his way when he went to steal Dein Nomos.
This Duke has had all the Side Quest interactions with the party – He's been talked at by Estelle and Yuri in Deidon Hold, in Caer Bocram, in Dahngrest, in Nordopolica, Weasand of Cados, Ehmead Hill, Deidon Hold again and Capua Torim.Yes, I did just type those in order of appearance in game from memory. I'm not obsessed, really. This makes him very, so very slightly, more willing to remain in the presence of Brave Vesperia after he got beat down upon Tarqaron.
Did you read the rules? My Pow-Hammer is manly.
Name: Duke Pantarei (I headcanon him that Duke is his title as a noble, and he actually has a first name. He hasn't used it in ages, though, so Duke is still what he'll tell people.)
Gender: Male, despite appearances.
Age: Somewhere between 30 and 40. He's younger than Alexei, but older than Raven. I've been going with a 38(at end game).
Height: A little taller than Yuri Lowell (who is at 5 foot 11 inches or so). This might be his heels, however. (Based off the in-game size of his figure compared to Yuri's, rather than the end-game scene... which made his clothes look a little pink)
Weight: Unknown. He's probably just under the healthy weight for a man of his height and physical capability. I don't quite see him eating regularly.
Appearance:
Duke is a tall, regal looking man who could pass for a woman with the right angle and lack of speech. He is pale, red eyed, and has long white(silver?) hair that is straight near about his head due to weight and curls into chaos around his mid-thighs. A female NPC in the Elucifur's Grave side-quest describes him as a "gallant man", "tall and slender, with silver hair" and "far too handsome to be a hermit".
Whether he simply is very oddly built, just doesn't maintain good eating habits, or his coat is an odd attempt at a man-corset, it gives him the appearance of both feminine hips and broad shoulders. Judging by his Radiant Winged One form, he isn't quite as thin/underfed as Yuri.
Likes: headcanon comments like so.
Elucifur: This Entelexeia was, and is, Duke's best friend. Despite how long it's been since he died, Duke still clings to the promises he made him. One of the few ways to get him actually angry is to insult Elucifur(headcanon because no one ever tries...)
Entelexeia: Elucifur started it, and Duke is still far, far more fond? of the great creatures than he is any other being on Terca Lumireis. Their opinions and goals hold weight with him, and despite the fact he is human, he does his best to do the same as Entelexeia.
Terca Lumireis: Everything Duke does is for Terca Lumireis. Wiping out all of humanity? It would save the planet, so that's the plan. He'd rather commit genocide-suicide than alter Terca Lumireis, although he does remember the full promise after getting beaten twice/thrice.
Monsters: While he's never seen during the course of the game to be in company of monsters, Duke likes just about all beings better than humans. End-game scene shows him in the company of at least one monster, and a squirrel, and looking vaguely happy. Given that his expression doesn't change from a blank, vaguely frowning expression in all his interactions with the party, he must really like
Head-canon: Duke likes having something to do, good books, well cooked food he cannot or doesn't have the time to cook himself (breads), and taking care of injured creatures. Mostly wildlife. He tends to avoid aiding humans. Part of the reason he okay with Yuri is because Yuri vaguely looks like Elucifur's Kritya form.
Dislikes:
Humans:[/b] If there's one thing Duke can actually form paragraphs about, it's how humans suck. Despite being one, he finds them to be greedy creatures who will hurt others to get a head, hurt those closest to them. They destroy nature, ruin the world, kill needlessly, refuse to learn from their mistakes, and change the world to suit their needs. Duke can go on.
Blastia and Apatheia:[/b] Duke does not like Blastia, almost on the same level of 'despise' as humans, and Raven calls it 'hate' when they explain their plan to him. Blastia are made of dead Entelexeia and they pollute the Aer as well, damaging Terca Lumireis and had the side effect of drawing the Adephagos close.
Talking: Words are just air to Duke, and air he can better use. He will talk, although not very much, to avoid violence, but he does not like to repeat himself, and won't give information if he thinks the listeners won't pay attention or heed what he has to say. He doesn't like sarcasm or joking.
Alexei: Alexei has Seven Apatheia. Apatheia are dead Entelexeia. Not much more to be said.
Head-canon: He doesn't like being touched. He doesn't want people to know his full capabilities, as knowing how powerful Elucifur/Elucifer was got the Entelexeia killed. He's never shown to be particularly disapproving of one type of human over another, however it makes sense that he'd dislike betrayers more than others, given his personal history. He doesn't like being in a situation and useless to help. Duke doesn't want to get close to people, because he doesn't want the pain of loss again.
Indifferent: There is no indication to whether he cares one way or another on Kritya. On one hand, they created Blastia. On the other, they also stopped using them as a people, and can easily communicate with Entelexeia. He doesn't care about what other people think, be it right or wrong, so long as it doesn't cause them to come into conflict with him.
Strengths: Headcanon shall be indicated.
Poker Face: Duke is very good at keeping calm, skilled at maintaining a blank, vaguely frowning expression. He's good enough at this that it almost seems like he has no emotions, but for the hint of irritation, confusion, or bemusement that occasionally tinge his tone. This is not because he has no emotions, but that they have a very high boiling point. One has to make him feel a certain amount of any emotion for him to express it.
Fighting: Two words – Final Boss. Duke has Advanced Tier and Altered Magic Artes, two Mystic Artes, and a variety of far reaching attack Artes. And this is just his skill while wielding Dein Nomos via magic. Raven expresses worry at the thought of fighting him from what he remembered Duke's strength was ten years ago, when the War Hero didn't have Dein Nomos. Duke strikes for killing blows while on foot, seeking weaknesses in armor and to cripple if he can't kill right off the bat. His fighting style is a quick sort of 'you can't hit me quite well enough', and the blows are glancing, intend to slowly bleed his opponent to exhaustion if he doesn't want to kill. He is a silent attacker, not one of those who make a cry or grunt to accompany strikes. I can see him having basic knowledge in weapons other than long-sword. Duke is perfectly willing to deliver mercy kills.
Awkward Hermit: Duke understands animal speech. He does not bark or make their noises back at them, but holds a conversation with Repede on Tarqaron by talking to the dog and replying to his barks/whines/growls. That, and the speed at which he is able to follow the party indicates that he doesn't have a problem with monsters. This is something that is mostly him. He could get a base idea of what any animal was indicating before he met Elucifur, and after befriending the Entelexeia he has a greater understanding of them.
Formula: Despite hating Blastia, Duke is mage enough to know how to create spells/formula. He raised Tarqaron, created a spell that would reach across the world to seek out and steal all human life, fights while maintaining a spell very similar to Rita's Levitation both on himself and his weapon of the moment.
Book and World Smarts: It's not quite 'street smarts' as that phrase usually indicates knowing how to operate in society, and this is not something Duke does well, but he can and does work very well in the wilderness. Duke is the human to turn to if one wants to know something about Terca Lumireis, due to his long association with Entelexeia and his travels. He is well learned, knowing several things once known to the Imperial Family, such as the nature of Zaude and Tarqaron.
Aer: Duke is able to see/sense the flow of Aer about Terca Lumireis. He uses this in several ways - avoiding people, as he can sense the use of Aer in Blastia and avoids them, locate problematic Aer Krene without Entelexeia help, and in keeping people he can't avoid contact with recognized when they approach. (because everyone seems to want to walk up on Duke from behind.)
Stomach/Health of Amazing: He won't kill a monster for just himself, as one of any of the monsters is more than he could eat, so most of his diet is fish, and plantstuffs. He will eat fish raw, if he absolutely has too, and isn't a particularly bad cook, although most people might call his food plain. He knows how to take care of himself, so rarely falls ill due to foul weather, and doesn't seem troubled with any food poisoning he should have gotten at some point or another.
Weaknesses:
Social: Duke has hidden the polite-speech of a noble upbringing, keeping the odd speech patterns but ditching the politeness. He speaks both vaguely and directly, depending on the topic at hand. He fails at understanding human reasoning, and the maneuvering of politics is something he would have failed at. He doesn't understand it when emotions he can read don't match what he understands the situation to be.
Trust: Duke's ability to trust in humans was effectively shattered with their actions after the Great War. In the ten years since that, Brave Vesperia was the first he actually attempted to trust.
Grudge: Humans killed Elucifur, while they were allied and the Entelexeia promised to not hurt them. Duke still isn't over it. Part of Duke's reason for splitting away from humans was to keep to Elucifur's wish of peace for all things. He didn't quite trust himself not to be violent about humans in the times shortly after his death.
Pessimistic: He expects the worst out of every encounter with humans, and doesn't believe in their ability to change for the better.
Sight, Albino: While he isn't actually blind, everything is a little blurry and washed out. This is going with Duke actually being an albino, which means being out in the daylight all the time is bad for his eyes(lack of colored iris allows more light into his eyes, damaging them, blah.). He sunburns easier than anyone else, although he manages to avoid this by staying inside Yormgen, and spending more time in forested areas than others.
Personality: I'm not going to mark out headcanon.
At a first glance, the response would be "what personality."
The man is quiet, reserved, abrupt with his comings and leavings. He's distant, cold and occasionally rather rude – "Those matters exceed your comprehension." Isn't something one should tell Rita Mordio, but Duke went and did it. He's very socially awkward, occasionally thinking aloud in the middle of "conversations". He keeps distance even from those who he has talked to many times; rarely asking for any information that is not relevant to the situation and refers to people by "you", or descriptors of their person when he cannot simply stare in their direction and be understood that way. He decides when the conversation is over and acts upon that, simply turning and leaving without a further word, and doesn't reply to greetings.
Duke is confident and controlled. He carries himself with an air of confidence, one that Yuri picks up on in Keiv Moc, an odd sort of meditative serenity and an almost militaristic way of holding his arms and shoulders. He never moves at a speed faster than a walk, his hands never leave loose fists from his sides, his expression barely flickers from a faint, blank frown, and his voice never rises. He doesn't swear, he doesn't verbally or physically lash out, doesn't even seem to have a temper at all. Insults, teasing, sarcasm simply roll right off him, if he even recognizes what they're supposed to be.
A single life cannot be privileged over the fate of the world, words are cheap, Duke is of action and the many before the one, and unlike many who would think that way, his 'one' is still less important than the many. Although, in Duke's case, the "many" is Terca Lumireis. The death of Elucifur taught him that words can be said, and that doesn't truly change anything. Elucifur said he would simply watch, and the humans nodded and smiled and killed him out of fear of the power Elucifur swore to not use. This doesn't mean that Duke won't keep his word, however, just that anything said to him by a human, any promise made to him by a human, is taken with a good deal of suspicion that it won't be held to. He's a man who takes care of threats when they are threats, does rather than says, and doesn't care about side effects, such as saving the party twice while calming an Aer Krene and dealing with a Hermes Blastia. Yet, despite being a man of action, he doesn't take any joy from fighting.
Avoidance is Duke's answer to fight-or-flight, he'd rather not get into that situation in the first place. Duke will not intentionally start any conflict, and he will walk away if someone starts one with him. Like with his emotions, one has to reach a certain point with him where he'll retaliate, or insult Elucifur. Duke finds it easier to speak when not fully facing those he is speaking too.
If someone can get past his shell, they may find him different. Duke is loyal. If he joins his cause with yours, if your morals/goals match his, if he likes you, you have someone who will stick with you through thick and thin until he witnesses a blatant breach of trust. Duke's trust is a fragile thing after Elucifur's death, and regaining it may be the work of a lifetime.
Duke has an odd, subtle sort of humor. He finds irony amusing, at least when it's directed at him, and may even call the one being ironic out in a way. His brand of teasing is to word things that can be taken different ways, and remain blank faced and seemingly unaware if the one he teased seems to have picked up on the more dubious meaning.
Despite how jaded he is about what to expect from humans, he manages to be a little naïve about the workings inside human society. He understands the chain of command, the some of the workings of the upper-class households, but otherwise very little beyond his pessimistic views of imminent betrayal and inability to learn from the past.
He is a slightly situational person. It depends on what he is dealing with, who he is dealing with, what he could gain for aiding Terca Lumireis. Perhaps the best description, and probably the one Brave Vesperia would give if anyone asked them to describe him, is Duke is Duke. He's contradictory, yet not quite hypocritical.
History:
I have read a synopsis of the novel Empty Mask. While it is Raven Centric, it offered some tiny amounts of back story for Duke. As it was written by one of the scenario writers for the game, I am including it in Duke's history. Here's the synopsis I'm still trying to imagine a Duke with "seething fury" detectable from behind...
Headcanon shall be marked.
Headcanon shall be marked.
In game, just about nothing is learned about Duke until the last third of the game. Then we discover that he was a Hero of the Great War, befriended an Entelexeia who lead the group of Entelexeia who wanted to live with humans, and then was betrayed. He's a mysterious source of information, headaches and odd aid to the party, then becomes someone who both stands in their way and is trying to do the same thing.
Including the novel Empty Mask, we learn what Raven is told about Duke - that he is/was a noble of Zaphias, the last of Pantarei's house. He used to be a knight, befriended an Entelexeia of high power and standing, and then stole Dein Nomos after his friend was killed.
He spent the decade between the Great War and In-Game off the charts, resurfacing due to the chaos of Yuri Lowell's thief chasing, and Alexei's advancing plots.
Duke was an only child. He took after his father in appearance, and barely knew either of his parents due to Noble Duties. He spent more time with studies and wild animals, injured strays and birds he coaxed to him for seed, than playing with other children. Didn't help that he was rather high born – "close ties to imperial family", and kinda odd looking. He joined the knights, inherited the role of head of family due to parents passing on, met and got along with Alexei. During this time, he became "Our Duke", as in the brigade's duke(Duke, as in noble rank, rather than a first name.
Duke cut his way through roughly a quarter of a Royal Guard brigade, and a score of un-related people who didn't get out of his way when he went to steal Dein Nomos.
This Duke has had all the Side Quest interactions with the party – He's been talked at by Estelle and Yuri in Deidon Hold, in Caer Bocram, in Dahngrest, in Nordopolica, Weasand of Cados, Ehmead Hill, Deidon Hold again and Capua Torim.
Did you read the rules? My Pow-Hammer is manly.
