Character and Setting Exercise

·          CHARACTER

      A 24 year old male merchant named Jean

·         Living in a large trade city far from his homeland

·         Fourth son of a noble family

·         He would not have been able to inherit his family’s noble holdings

·         He was not skilled in sword or steed as a result he made a lousy knight or warrior.

·         Demanded his inheritance from his father and left home to make his mark

·         Currently seeking to expand his influence in the city and the merchant’s guild.

·         Good looking, confident, and charismatic

·         A womanizer

·         Can be ruthless in business dealings

·         Due to his noble birth, he can be arrogant, overconfident and thinks highly of himself while looking down on others, especially commoners.

·         However, he does give people credit if they prove their worth

A young comely man paces himself back and forth in a small but well furnished hall. His brow frowns lightly as the candle light shine on his face. He stops and looks at the boy seated at the table. Clearing his throat, he asks “You are absolutely sure, that Mr Lionel will announce that he is selling his bakery tomorrow?” A slight smirk lit the boy’s face. “Yes Mr Jean sir and you are the first merchant in this city that knows this. I guarantee it!” The boy was no more than twelve; a quick glance at the boy’s rugged clothes will tell you that he is a street rat, one of many that roam the streets. Little in this city can escape their sharp ears or their thieving fingers. But this mouse’s eyes show certain cleverness. He is no fool, nor a liar. Jean reflected. He flips a shiny silver coin and the boy’s quick hands seize it swiftly. “I thank you Sir! I look forward in helping you again” and with nary a sound the boy was gone. “I guess even rodents have their use” he said to no one in particular. He walks over to the table and sit, pouring himself a cup of wine deliberately slow allowing himself some thought. Six years since he came to Pyre, the great city of trade and ships, to make his fortune and more importantly his name. Since then, he had obtained a winery and dye works and contracted a trade caravan five wagons strong. The guild says he is making great progress but he knows better. This isn’t nearly enough for a son of House Claissen. The sound of spilling wine brought him back to his senses. Calmly lifting the cup to his lips he smiled to himself. He will make an offer to Mr Lionel that can’t be refused first thing in the morning.

SETTING 

·         A busy market street in the great trade city of Pyre

·         Line with rows of shops with nearly every kind of craft: tailors, armourers, blacksmiths, weavers,etc

·         The streets are tiled and kept in good condition, a sign of wealth

·         The buildings are well made, painted, and crafted with mosaics or paintings

·         People crowds the streets busy buying and selling

·         The smell of food, spices, steel, dirt and fire fill the air

·         Street rats wander patiently looking for a loose purse.

The sun had barely risen over the horizon of walls and buildings but the merchant was in a hurry. He trotted quickly ahead, his steps as gleeful as a child. Behind him followed a tall man who was broad of shoulder and strong of arm. He wore an undecorated steel breastplate over maille, the nicks and bumps on its surface the evidence of many skirmishes. He had a face that would frighten a bear and the merchant would have it no other way. A hired sword with a comely face would not serve half as well at deterring would be thieves. As he turned a corner, he reached a busy market street. The sights and sounds of the market overwhelm his senses. The smell of food, spices, steel, dirt and fire filled the air. His stomach groaned but there was no time to stall and he hurried on his way. He passes by rows upon rows of shops selling everything from weapons to food to clothes to horses and people crowd the streets looking for the best deals. It is said that nothing under the sun could not be bought in the city of Pyre. The buildings and street were cobbled and crafted to near perfection, a sign of the city’s immense wealth. A wealth that Jean hopes to one day share. At last he reached his destination, the Lionel bakery. The double storied building was aged but still stood strong, he could see rows of bread and pastries lined behind the windows and people entering and leaving. “Well, we’re here” he said to Jarl, his bodyguard. The swordsman smirked “What if he refuses your offer?’. “He won’t, not with the amount I’m paying him, besides...” Jean turns around to face his sword. “If he does you just have to growl at him a little, with your face he will agree to my offer in no time”. Jarl laughed a hoarse laugh “So much for being an honest merchant” “All is fair in love and business” the merchant answered as they stepped through the wooden doors.

(c) Daniel Madrigal 2011. All rights reserved