App for Singularity
Player Information ;
Your Nickname: Lainie
OOC Journal: gayistheway
Under 18? Nope
Email/IM: literally nailed
Characters Played at Singularity: Black-One, Noble Two, Isaac Clarke
Character Information ;
Name: Eric Northman
Name of Canon: True Blood
Canon/AU/Other Game CR: Canon
Reference: http://trueblood.wikia.com/wiki/Eric_Northman
Canon Point: The end of season 3, before the discovery of Sookie’s disappearance
Setting:
The setting of True Blood is fairly easy to explain and imagine. Think our world as it is, with it’s imperfections and cultures, it’s every day problems, the news, the media, Hollywood. The main difference is that supernatural beings exist and have walked amongst man since before written record, unknowingly to humanity. Vampires, shapeshifters, witches, weres and a myriad of other so-called ‘mythical’ beings exist in this world.
Most are still hidden away from the public eye, but vampires were the ones to take the step forward and reveal their existence to humanity in something called The Great Revelation. This caused a political and social uproar amongst humans with the rights and social acceptance of vampires still heavily under debate. For example, the ruling that vampires have the right to marry is met with religious and social disagreement, with many picketers gathering around the weddings of vampire couples.
The main thing that made the Great Revelation possible was the invention of synthetic blood, which had all the enzymes and nutrients of real human blood. Mass marketed under the name of TruBlood, it could be purchased by any vampire as a way to survive without taking human victims. Vampires who sustain themselves only off TruBlood call this “Mainstreaming”. However, most vampires find the synthetic blood completely vile; it’s like the difference between eating synthetic meat and butcher meat. The synthetic substitute just tastes wrong.
Mainstreaming is extremely difficult for most vampires, if just because of the taste of Tru Blood, “It’ll keep you alive, but it’ll bore you to death” as Eric Northman once put it. For that reason, many vampires keep human companions to help supplement their diets. It keeps them from killing, even if it’s not exactly the most pure and moral solution. Humans who prefer to have vampire lovers are often derogatorily called “Fangbangers”. Fangbangers generally have a very poor reputation with most religious groups and conservative people, some going as far as to commit hate crimes against them. Vampire-human relationships also tend to be somewhat strained, just because of the lifespan differences between the species.
Another thing that has caused kinks in vampire-human relations is the revelation that vampire blood, when consumed by humans, can be used as a highly addictive and euphoric drug. Labeled “V”, it’s extremely illegal and has extremely potent effects, even if the vampire that it came from was still young. Vampire blood is considered sacred to vampires and isn’t to be squandered for recreational use, so the use of V is outlawed by both human and vampire laws. Other supernatural creatures attach a stigma to using it because of its highly addictive nature. V, however, can be used to heal life threatening injuries, so it does have some medical appeal in a pinch.
Many of the supernatural species have their own hierarchy system, but the one that is most prominent in the series and relevant is the system of order the vampires have set up. Vampires adhere to this strict system of ranking so there’s some kind of order and law applied to them.
In order of ranking it goes somewhat like:
The Authority
Nan Flannigan
Magisters
Kings and Queens
Shierffs
All other vampires
The Authority is a small council that oversees all vampires and is the highest ranking governing body in the vampire system. The Authority defines the rules for vampires to follow, has their own secret police, and utilize state-of-the-art technology to enforce and monitor every aspect of vampire society. Under the Authority is their spokeswoman, Nan Flannigan. Nan Flannigan is somewhat of a gray area when it comes to the vampire hierarchy. She’s the face of vampire society, somewhat like a politician, and is the main voice of the American Vampire League. However, she’s also been shown to investigate suspicious behavior, such as rumors of illegal V selling, treason, disappearances of high ranking vampires, and other PR disasters.
Sometimes appointed directly by the Authority, the next step in the ladder of political power are the Kings and Queens. Unlike human monarchies, the Kings and Queens generally rule alone and have much smaller ranges of power than whole countries. For example, the Queen of Louisiana, the King of Mississippi. However, for these areas, the Kings and Queens are respected individuals with immense political power and wealth; they usually own mansions and have their own staff of guards. However, it’s been shown that vampire monarchs can acquire more land and power by marrying each other, in which they pool their land and wealth just like a human monarch would.
From there, the monarch’s land is divided up into sector areas, the numbers varying by the amount of land they rule over, although they usually span more than one town (roughly counties). These sectors are governed by Sheriffs appointed directly by the monarchs, which they keep close council with to keep tabs on the various areas. Since sheriffs have such a close eye on their areas, they are the first line of authorities contact for average vampires. It’s their duty to apprehend criminals and investigate any suspicious behavior as well as make judgement on certain political moves that affect the vampires in their area, somewhat like a combination of a mayor and police.
Vampires also have a tendency to nest, if just because of the old time safety in numbers. Even vampire nests have a loose ranking system, with the oldest vampire being at the top of the rank and the youngest at the bottom.
Personality:
When we first see Eric, he's introduced to the audience as an ancient and powerful vampire, sitting upon his throne and observing the patrons of his bar, Fangtasia, with an almost bored and neutral expression. It's clear enough he doesn't find most of the current inhabitants worthy of him, a point that's driven home to an audience when an adoring man approaches him to kiss his leg and promptly gets kicked clear across the room. When his eyes fall upon something that interests him -- Bill and Sookie in this case -- he doesn't waste time in exerting the fact that this is his domain and where he has the power; he motions them over, and they have no choice but to heed his call.
This was an excellent introduction to Eric's personality, as it condensed the core of him just into a few brief moments. What we learn in that time is that Eric is calm, icy cold even. If there’s one thing that Eric is reliable with, it’s remaining calm in crisis situations. He’s a master at rational thought and quick to give orders for means of organization. Even when the pressure is immense and the situation seems dire he doesn’t break. He’s a solid rock of confidence that makes him easy to rely on to get things done.
At least, if the other aspect to his personality didn’t involve the fact that he’s a smug, arrogant, asshole. Eric is fully aware of the power his age and status as sheriff grants him and makes no secret of it. He exudes an aura of authority, carrying himself with a strong, arrogant gait. He’s excellent at public speaking and although his wording isn’t complex or fancy, the way he presents himself feels that way. He’s also extremely blunt and to the point; if he wants something he’ll be vocal about it, if he has an opinion about something he’ll make sure it’s heard. He’s cunning and immensely intelligent; he often thinks of the most logical explanations.
Unfortunately, Eric is also the type to only go about things in a nice way if he can get more with sugar than vinegar. He’s manipulative at the core and will readily change his methods of getting what he wants if it suits him better. The best example would be Sookie; he makes no secret of the fact he wants her and presents himself as he is, but takes any moment to slander the opposition while presenting himself as the lesser evil. However, he’ll bat no eyelash at hurting her friends if he feels they deserve it and is very deceptive and secretive. He’ll create elaborate plans that he’s only privy to going as far as to treat allies terribly and even temporarily betray people if he feels it’ll work in his favor in the end.
You can say that Eric is very shady. He’s guarded, ruthless, cruel, and a fantastic actor. He doesn’t seem to really care what people think of him because in the end he tends to get what he wants anyway. He rarely has to lie because he doesn’t normally see the point; in fact, Eric is usually brutally honest. The only time he ever lies is when it benefits him or fits into the scheme of his plans. He’ll never lie if it doesn’t tie into something bigger. Such as, Eric won’t even try and excuse his cruel nature, but he’ll lie to save his ass from those of authority -- usually only half lies though, spinning the situation to pin it on another -- and if it’ll gain him something in the end. However, he’ll be honest with the fact he’s lying when the right time presents itself. One of the best examples is when he tricks Sookie into drinking his blood, believing she was saving his life. He desired her, so forcing a blood bond on her was beneficial to him (and also her, later, as it’s an easy way to keep an eye on her and protect her).
Much of his calm and collective nature is just a layer over barely contained rage, though. Eric’s fantastic at controlling and locking away most of his emotions because his maker, Godric, spent hundreds of years teaching him how, but even so, Eric still has a major problem controlling rage. In most cases, he can quickly reel himself back in -- for example, he responds to threats very poorly and within seconds goes from calm to snarling, then back to calm -- but make a big enough offense against him and he’ll fly off the handle. Eric has mutilated and tortured people who have angered him into snapping. He holds grudges, doesn’t forget if people have wronged him or other vampires, and he will get his revenge, even if he has to wait for it. Eric is the type to hate for a long time, the type to plan and search for centuries for people who have wronged him to make sure he settles the score.
One of the biggest things that sets Eric apart from more mainstream vampires and makes him somewhat unlikeable to humans is the fact that he doesn’t view humans as being equal to vampires. At his age he’s long since started to view himself as something very different than them and has lost most of his humanity. In most cases, he sees humans as property, food, or playthings, something sort of kin to pets. However, he’s not careless or unintelligent with the way he conducts himself about it. He abides by the Authority’s laws about secrecy and won’t drain a human to death if he can help it. The few exceptions where he’ll kill humans are in cases where they have done wrong to vampires. In that case, Eric views it that they deserve it.
Despite this, Eric is capable of immense levels of loyalty and love, although he will be the last one to admit that he is capable of the latter, viewing love as a human emotion he no longer understands and a weakness. There are very few that are able to earn these softer emotions though, the numbers in canon being less than a handful. The closest bonds Eric has would be with those he could call family; his maker, Godric, and his progeny, Pam. He speaks highly of Godric, humbling himself for him, because Eric truly believes that Godric is the greatest example of a vampire he’s seen.
He makes no secret that he’s upset and distressed by the idea of his maker possibly being dead and hurt and goes to great lengths to find and protect him, even offering up his own life. For Eric, who values himself above pretty much all other people, this is a sign of a deep connection of love and loyalty. The only time Eric is ever moved to tears in the series is by Godric, in a scene where he begs him not to leave him, even going as far as to threatening to keep him alive by force. This scene was an example that Eric’s human heart isn’t completely dead and he is still very capable of feeling despair and depression.
After Godric, Eric feels immense affection for his progeny, Pam. She’s his closest friend as well as his child, someone he bounces off of easily. Like Godric, Eric will go to great lengths to preserve her life, even going as far as to put himself under the power of someone he hates. The outlier of Eric’s affection is Sookie. Humans don’t usually ping Eric’s interest deeply but he intrigues her and comes to genuinely care for her. Eric’s way of showing affection is somewhat awful, though. He does terrible things to people Sookie loves if he feels that they’re not good for her. This shows that Eric’s ability to show genuine love, while still intact, is somewhat twisted and broken.
Abilities, Weaknesses, and Power Limitation Suggestions:
Eric is one of the eldest vampires in True Blood, having a lifespan over a thousand years. Like many vampire mythos, the older the vampire, the more powerful he or she becomes. Like all vampires, Eric has super human speed, super human strength, and heals much faster than human capabilities. Eric’s abilities, however, are much more enhanced than younger vampires.
Eric has been shown of being capable of ripping a human apart with his bare hands, kick a man clear across his night club, and younger vampires have been shown to be able to simulate damage of a tornado. Eric can traverse an entire state on foot in less than a night and has the ability to fly because of his age (how, they never explained. It’s just supernatural shit). He’s also able to heal quickly from being burned to the point of peeling, charred skin and can heal a silver burn within moments. Vampires also have enhanced senses, and Eric indulges in his. He can smell and hear things much more clearly than humans.
One ability that has to be taught to vampires is glamouring. Eric has demonstrated he’s fully adept at this ability, sometimes even abusing it. Glamouring works somewhat like mind control; it’s the ability to convince victims to believe, think, or do things as the vampire wishes. Glamouring, however, doesn’t work on every single species and they are unable to glamour each other. Another example of those resistant to glamouring would be telepaths.
All vampires also have the ability to produce more vampires by draining a human to near death then feeding them their blood. There’s a bond between maker and progeny that allows them to sense their offspring. Makers also the ability to ‘call’ their offspring, which isn’t so much of a psychic connection than a ‘pull’ felt in their bodies. Newborn vampires don’t automatically know what the feeling means; like glamouring, they have to be informed. Vampires can also create a bond between themselves and living humans by feeding them their blood. The blood creates a connection between the vampire and human that allows the vampire to sense the human’s emotions and keep track of their location. Bonds between human and vampire also creates a sense of sexual desire for the vampire, regardless of sexual orientation.
Like strengths, vampire’s have weaknesses that in some cases, worsen with age. For example, a younger vampire is able to withstand sunlight longer, but older vampires such as Eric can only endure maybe a few minutes of sun before they burst into flames. All vampires are also vulnerable to fire, which reduces them to a molten blood-sludge. A wooden stake through the heart will also kill a vampire, causing them to ‘melt’. Wooden bullets and other substitutes have also shown to be effective with killing vampires.
A vampire’s biggest and most inconvenient weakness is their vulnerability to silver. Silver burns a vampire to touch, and when placed upon them, renders them somewhat ‘paralyzed’. With enough silver, even an ancient vampire like Eric can be rendered helpless. Lastly, despite all a vampire’s strengths, a vampire cannot enter a dwelling owned by a mortal unless invited. This nuisance only extends to homes; public places and homes owned by other vampires (or in Singularity’s case may be, AI) do not fall under this rule.
Inventory: The clothes on his back, a cell phone, and a wallet filled with a few hundred American dollars, a couple credit cards, and Louisiana state driver’s license.
Appearance: This about sums it up.
Eric’s 6’5”, blond haired and blue eyed and about as aryan as they come. Before he was turned, Eric was a young Viking so in all, he’s very Nordic and very fit. Being turned made him as pasty pale as every other vampire, but that alone doesn’t really set him apart from human kind. The vampires in True Blood have retractable fangs that pop out at will, and involuntarily when hungry, aroused, angry, or excited.
Eric is fairly vain and is always well groomed and well dressed, and although he cannot wear silver, he knows how to accessorize.
Age: roughly 1100
OC/AU Justification ;
If AU, How is Your Version Different From Canon, and How Will That Come Across?
If OC, Did You Run Your Character Through a Mary-Sue Litmus Test?
And What Did You Score?
Samples ;
Log Sample:
Sacrosanct. The station is a little too clean and upscale for Eric’s taste; he preferred the seedy, oldness of the Louisiana bayou, the bustle of busy cities, land that breathed with human life and provided him many opportunities for his idea of comfort. But he made due with it. He was nothing short of adaptable.
Credits made life here a bit more boring; his skills as a business man went somewhat unrewarded, but for the sake of keeping himself busy, he set to put them to use anyway. It was easy enough to take a bar from the automatons and though he didn’t have Pam around to add her own special touch to the building, he did a fine job renovating with what he had access to. Blacks and reds, neon lights, a few poles for the patrons who had enough to drink to make use of them.
Business was slow though, even with ample advertising. Eric spent most of his waking hours visiting others instead of managing, letting the remaining automatons do the work. Tonight though... he sits in his throne -- a little touch of home he affords himself -- hunger burning in his gut. The synthetic blood here was even worse than Tru Blood and unlike Shreveport, he found that willing victims were harder to come by.
One of the automatons wheels itself over with a bottle of synthetic blood, presenting it to him hopefully. Eric eyes it quietly with thinly veiled boredom and just a twinge of contempt, pushing the bottle off the tray. It shatters on the floor and the robot wheels back, tracking a little bit of the blood from the spill. If the station’s robots could feel, it’d be expressing distress.
“I didn’t ask for it,” he tells it, and then goes back at to observing the empty room. His attention eventually meanders to the wearable, idling browsing the network for new posts, new people, anything of interest. He had no taste for social networking, but he saw the convenience of it. Facebook of the future.
Oh, an invite out for drinking. Well, certainly he wouldn’t be rude enough to refuse.
He rises to his feet swiftly a moment later, finally being driven to leave as the robot leans over to clean the mess he made on the floor. Eric can’t be bothered to care; there’s nothing of interest in his bar currently. He leaves with super human speed, his form moving so fast it could barely be registered by human eyes, leaving for places more occupied.
Network Sample:
[ ooc: ON AN OOC NOTE. I don’t see Eric as the type to make an introduction post, really. He’s more the type to jump in and start replying to people. So this is more of something he’d do... later... after chatting with some people/making himself known ]
VIDEO
[ This video is obviously planned; everything sort of feels like an advertisement down to the arrangement of the furniture -- a neat pattern, pleasing, a chair turned towards the camera -- and the appearance of the speaker. He’s a tall young man, looking no older than thirty with his blond hair neatly combed. He wears a sort of blue-ish gray suit and aside from that there’s nothing too remarkable about him other than the fact he’s extremely pale. ]
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Artificial intelligences, constructs, and all those who fall outside those terms. My name is Eric Northman.
Like all of you, I am an unwilling guest upon this space station, frustrated with the circumstances that we all are forced to endure. I also happen to be a vampire.
In my time spent here I’ve noticed that some of you come with prejudices, some justified. Rest assured that my status as one of the undead does not mean that I only wish to victimize the living. I, too, was once human and only wish to be treated as such.
[ He smiles; it’s charming. He’s got a great smile. Except, he’s displaying fangs. ]
However, I also have needs for survival like any human, so donations are always welcome. ...And those of a less generous nature, I am always willing to negotiate arrangements for compensation.