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Personality in a nutshell
Feb. 17th, 2021 12:13 amLadanelan Lavellan is not one that any who met him would consider the "hero type" if they knew him before his rise to power (and even after). He is clumsy, allergic to extensively planning ahead, and prone to little bouts of cowardice. Of course he's got his good points, he's humble, compassionate and he's got a sharp wit coupled with a good sense of humor. Being a Dalish clan, as well as a mage, that regularly deals with humans, being likeable and funny goes a long way when it comes to self preservation.
Despite his jovial demeanor and seemingly flippant way he handles responsibilities, his actions weigh a lot on him. He cares for his people and dislikes putting them in harms way, even if he knows it's necessary. His humility tends to make him easily approachable, and his humor serves to ease minds and lift spirits. It's also a shield, the burdens he carries are heavy and something he feels are his responsibility alone. A laugh and a smile are far preferable to pity and worry, uplifting others makes it easier for him to muddle through the day.
His humble off-the-cuff manner stems from his origins being a Dalish elf. Nomadic, reclusive, and pragmatic people, he grew up travelling around the Free Marches learning to lead the Clan as the next eldest mage. Skills that greatly helped him when the Inquisition was more or less dumped in his lap. Even as Firsts (those in training to lead) tend to be more isolated from the other members of their clans due to their unique training and a wariness about those that wield magic from the other members, Lavellan developed his sense of humor fairly young in hopes of getting attention. It worked, however his unique role in the clan also prevented him from honing the agility and grace of his hunter-trained peers, which was something he never quite recovered from.
His clan was a bit of an oddity among Dalish, they actually interacted with human settlements fairly regularly. While still very proud to be Dalish, his familiarity with humans and other races has dulled any hostility most Dalish seem to carry about them. He's still wary and treats humans he's unfamiliar with the same caution he'd treat a wild animal (at least those that aren't familiar with who he is). Never hostile, always jovial, but generally expecting to get jumped or at least stabbed at some point.
Even with all the wealth and power he's amassed as leader of the Inquisition, he cares very little for it. He has an uncanny lack of ambition, and if given the choice he'd go right back to living a very simple nomadic life. Unfortunately for him, his sense of duty tends to override his simple desires, and he's wound up as something of a workaholic. He's been in the business of trying to hold Thedas together for so long that he can't imagine settling down, and so even when there is little to do he'll be off galivanting on one adventure or another.
So all in all, Lavellan is an unlikely leader that had grown into the role with all the responsibility that entails. He's worked to stay true to himself, even through the hardships he's faced in his position. He carries a great burden, but does what he can to carry much of it alone so that he can see those around him remain more carefree, even encourages it with his humor and charismatic charms.
Despite his jovial demeanor and seemingly flippant way he handles responsibilities, his actions weigh a lot on him. He cares for his people and dislikes putting them in harms way, even if he knows it's necessary. His humility tends to make him easily approachable, and his humor serves to ease minds and lift spirits. It's also a shield, the burdens he carries are heavy and something he feels are his responsibility alone. A laugh and a smile are far preferable to pity and worry, uplifting others makes it easier for him to muddle through the day.
His humble off-the-cuff manner stems from his origins being a Dalish elf. Nomadic, reclusive, and pragmatic people, he grew up travelling around the Free Marches learning to lead the Clan as the next eldest mage. Skills that greatly helped him when the Inquisition was more or less dumped in his lap. Even as Firsts (those in training to lead) tend to be more isolated from the other members of their clans due to their unique training and a wariness about those that wield magic from the other members, Lavellan developed his sense of humor fairly young in hopes of getting attention. It worked, however his unique role in the clan also prevented him from honing the agility and grace of his hunter-trained peers, which was something he never quite recovered from.
His clan was a bit of an oddity among Dalish, they actually interacted with human settlements fairly regularly. While still very proud to be Dalish, his familiarity with humans and other races has dulled any hostility most Dalish seem to carry about them. He's still wary and treats humans he's unfamiliar with the same caution he'd treat a wild animal (at least those that aren't familiar with who he is). Never hostile, always jovial, but generally expecting to get jumped or at least stabbed at some point.
Even with all the wealth and power he's amassed as leader of the Inquisition, he cares very little for it. He has an uncanny lack of ambition, and if given the choice he'd go right back to living a very simple nomadic life. Unfortunately for him, his sense of duty tends to override his simple desires, and he's wound up as something of a workaholic. He's been in the business of trying to hold Thedas together for so long that he can't imagine settling down, and so even when there is little to do he'll be off galivanting on one adventure or another.
So all in all, Lavellan is an unlikely leader that had grown into the role with all the responsibility that entails. He's worked to stay true to himself, even through the hardships he's faced in his position. He carries a great burden, but does what he can to carry much of it alone so that he can see those around him remain more carefree, even encourages it with his humor and charismatic charms.
