❧ How does your character think of their father? What do they love and hate about him? What influence - literal or imagined - did they have over your character?
Olivia adored her father. He always helped her understand the harder aspects of life and to keep sailing forward. Yet, she always resented him for leaving all the time. As a child, she couldn't understand why her own parents wouldn't want to spend time with her. As an adult she understands why, but even after his death, she finds her heart aching and missing for a childhood with actual parents.
❧ How does your character think of their mother? What do they love and hate about her? What influence- literal or imagined- did they have over your character?
Olivia and her mother had a complicated relationship. They rarely ever saw each other after moving to Yang-Tzu, with her mother deciding to remain in Ithania most of the year to care for her grandmother, supposedly. In reality, or at least Olivia's reality, her mother abandoned her to party and play in Ithania. Sure, they still saw each other a few times a year, and those times were fun, but they never felt genuine. With her death, Olivia regrets that they never got to spend more time together.
❧ Brothers, sisters? Who do they like? Why? What do they despise about their sibling(s)?
One younger brother was all Olivia had for family on their constant trips and voyages to keep company, and even then Côme wasn't born until she was seven. The short time they spent together, before he was sent off to Regalia for training, was nice and joy filled. He was always able to bring a smile to her face with his rebellious antics. Nowadays, however, Olivia feels as if she barely knows the Viridian Knight.
❧ What type of disciple was your character under at home? Strict, lenient?
Olivia was more or less allowed to do whatever she wanted as a child. Up until she was eight, their family lived in Ithania where her mother threw extravagant parties constantly, and when not partying, exposed her children to the many aspects of Ithanian culture. In her mother's world, there was no time for discipline; and her father, always out at sea, had no say. Moving to Yang-Tzu only worsened the situation, as Olivia was utterly and completely spoiled. Her father felt guilt of some kind and always came home with gifts for the heiress, and did everything he could for his little princess. The staff of the home obeyed Olivia's every command and so she was raised free from discipline - save, for her nanny. The old woman scolded Olivia from time to time and one can only hope that was enough to stave off a spoiled brat mentality.
❧ Did they feel overprotected as a child? Sheltered?
Extremely so. Her father and mother tried so desperately to keep their heiress safe from harm. While she was mostly free to do what she wanted on the estate, leaving was strictly forbidden without a chaperone. This faux home arrest may be what led to Olivia's unconventional love interest - one that had her planning escape after escape from her sheltered home.
❧ Did they feel rejection or affection as a child?
Both. Olivia knew her parents loved her, that much was obvious by the endless gifts and letters, but material things can only do so much. There were nights, not too many if any ever asked her, where Olivia felt
❧ What was the economic status of their family?
Very wealthy. Olivia's mother being a famed socialite from a recognized Ithanian family while her father was a man of minor nobility from Regalia.
❧ How does your character feel about religion?
She was raised on Unionism, both Priscelle and Sancella sects by her mother and father respectively, and may have even believed in them for a time. Yet, having spent the majority of her life in Yang-Tzu, surrounded by their culture and religion of Dragon worship, brought doubt into her life. The death of nearly all of her immediate family saw the woman lose all faith in religion, especially Unionism. Nowadays Olivia will still sing the hymns and speak the sermons she was taught, but her heart is not really in it.
❧ What about political beliefs?
Mostly liberal. Olivia's mother engrained liberal beliefs into the girl as she grew up in Ithania, and on Yang-Tzu, she found their own cultural views and beliefs shaping her own; yet, she does have her own reservations about certain things.
❧ Is your character street-smart, book-smart, intelligent, intellectual, slow-witted?
Olivia likes to think herself a scholar, having been in some kind of formal education most of her adult life. Yet, outside of her focuses of study, and anything book related, she isn't as comfortable. She, in a sense, lacks street smarts.
❧ How do they see themselves: as smart, intelligent, uneducated?
Again, Olivia sees herself as an intellectual.
❧ How does their intelligence and education- or lack thereof- reflect in their speech pattern, vocabulary, and pronunciation?
Olivia's oversees education is obvious in the way she speaks; her Ithanian accent ever present. She is articulate as best she can be, and her conversation is often littered with metaphors, allegories, and quick witted remarks. Her vocabulary is robust and while she could try and speak in such a way the common or uneducated may find difficult, she does not. Olivia prefers to use words most will understand, and if they don't, she is more than welcome to teach them.
❧ Did they like school, if they went?
School had always been an escape for the Ithanian girl. Her formal training in Alchemy allowed her to delve into the complexities of life and matter, and ignore the outside world. Then, in her later years, the training in Montania allowed her a literal escape from her past in Yang-Tzu.
❧ What did they study if they went to school? To what level?
Olivia studied alchemy up until she was a scholar in the noble art, and then pursued independent research and studies until she was an expert. She also attended law school in Montania, where she graduated.
❧ What does your character do for a living? How do they see their profession? What do they like and dislike about it?
Olivia is many things: an alchemist, lawyer, diplomat, politician, advisor, merchant, tea connoisseur, general, captain, but most importantly she is the matriarch of House Ombre. Her duty is to her family and she cannot fail them. This has left her with a sesse of pride, which she enjoys, but also an uneasy burden. The tolls and terrors of Regalian nobility and politics have began to leave their mark on her and she dreads the next assembly, political dinner, or event she finds herself at.
❧ Did they travel? Where? Why? When?
Often. Olivia was born in Ithania, moved to Yang-Tzu, moved to Montania, moved to Regalia, moved to Pays Sud, and back to Regalia. She is almost always out on a ship - her ship - and finds comfort out on sea. The drastic move from Ithania to Yang-Tzu was because of her father's business as a child, while all else after was her choice in her adulthood. Even now, Olivia is traveling to and from the Crown Isle to the war front in Daen.
❧ What are your character's deepest disillusions? In life? What are they now?
Olivia is disillusioned with the Emperor, and his supposed holiness. A private thought, one she wouldn't dare share with any of the fanatics of Regalia, but true. She has met him, and others like him: leaders and rulers of foreign lands. It's her job to deal and speak with those such as him.
❧ What are your character's manners like?
Polished. Olivia was raised by an Ithanian socialite, the Ithanian socialite. She strives to be as polite as possible and layer her casual conversation with compliments and sickly sweet distractions. That is not to say, however, that she is a pushover. Olivia can become quite... passionate, and her temper can get out of hand where she will not restrain herself from clocking the first to irritate her with cruel and cold words.
❧ Who are their friends? Lovers?
Far and few in between. Olivia may be charismatic and charming, but she doesn't trust many people. Especially in Regalia. Her last friend, and even a lover in some ways, died a traitor's death. Since then she has become even more reserved in being open with others. Although, a certain elderly Yanar has become a dear friend to her.
❧ What do they want from a lover?
Support. Olivia is tired of feeling so alone and helpless. Every time she opens herself up to a man in such a way they never seem to stay. Stay alive that is. Her first husband was murdered, leaving her a widow. Her lover in Regalia died a traitor. And now? She is alone, again. She just needs a partner who will support so she can rise high.
❧ What are their hobbies and interests?
Olivia always enjoyed dancing, picking it up from her mother in Ithania. She likes to glide about the ball room of her palace, her cousin's voice filling the room as she sways and dips across the floor, dancing with an invisible partner. Or sometimes she forces one of her Oakenshield guards to join her on the dance floor, to the amusement of all.
❧ What does your character's home look like? What are their personal tastes? Do their hair, clothing, etc reflect this?
The Ombre Matriarch has many homes spread through out Aloria, but the one she has been spending most of her time in as of recent is the Trouve Palace. Once owned by another Ithanian family of nobility, now lost to irrelevancy, the palace serves the Ombre well. It is polished and pristine, surrounded by fields of flowers and the sea.
As for her personal taste, Olivia enjoys incorporating aspects of her many homes into her life. Ithanian dresses, Chi accessories, and the tell tale colors of her House almost always present.
❧ What is your character's weaknesses? Physical and internal?
Olivia is, unfortunately, a woman with no physical prowess. She has no skill with any type of blade, and while she may carry around an ornate dagger, it's mostly for show. Any man, and most trained women, could easily over power were it to come to a battle of strength.
She is haunted by the death of her family. Varran are triggers to the woman, and she will vacate the premise should one find itself in her presence. Pirates fall under the same category, and terrify her. This paranoia is enhanced with her concern for her family and she almost always tries to flee from violent situations, or at least find herself protected by others.
❧ Are they holding onto something from the past? Can he or she forgive?
Olivia most definitely holds grudges, and does what she can to enact her revenge should it prove necessary. Can she forgive? Maybe, depending on the severity of the issue against her.
❧ Does your character have any children/plan to have children? Do you believe they'd be a good parent?
Motherhood was a blessing for Olivia, and she absolutely adored her daughter, Natalia. She wanted so desperately to prove to herself that could be a good mother. Or at least a better mother than her own. Yet, the one she held dear, her precious daughter, was taken from her, presumed dead after a pirate raid.
