Personality

Sympathetic || Cordial || Dutiful || Garrulous || Self-Righteous || Obstinate || Oversensitive ||

Talkative, kindly, and contented to aid others, Liam is by all intentions a well-meaning man... if surprisingly careless. While he can understand others' airs and the need for finer steps at times, that comprehension does little for how he handles situations requiring more than pity. Instead he turns to rehearsed words, considerate gentle assurances devoid of empathy- and a persistent tendency to relay to other ears. He may lack malicious intent in his idle talk but he often forgets or blurs distinctions in hearsay, and those familiar with his misguided need to share know he can't be trusted with personal private matters.

A part of his habit stems from his own transparencies, able and raised on virtuous values with a close brother to share his lacking aspects. He does not believe himself of lesser morals and rarely sees his actions as faults, hard-pressed to apologize sincerely for whatever detriment he insists is goodwill, a blindness further extended to those in his favour. The only flaw he would admit to would be his own temper. In spite of his caring mien, a few short gibes or cleverly worded barbs can light a fire difficult to smother. Liam is keenly aware of his thin-skinned nature but to him that only justifies his resentment, especially in cases where he is unexpectedly pressured and makes poorer decisions.

Shallow as his goodness may seem and wilfully ignorant to his own shortcomings as he is, Liam is a genuine man and would put honourable ideals above personal feelings. Although he refuses to acknowledge the consequences caused by his self-righteousness, he is not entirely inflexible to changing his views, but on his own he needs time to relent if without others to shed light for him.

History

[Childhood, 0-25]

Liam Maël and his identical twin Leith were a surprise to the young Zelder family, having expected only one child but receiving two. After deliberation the boys were to undergo the same training as their elder brother, father and his fathers before him had done, and so to their peers' families they were sent. The children took easily to the blade and loftier notions of chivalry, if a bit less on actual etiquette. But Liam hesitated when their magic surfaced. He looked to his mother for healing and music tutoring, foregoing swordsmanship as his twin reluctantly continued without him. Yet soon their mother was unexpectedly with child once more and Liam's indecisiveness shifted further.

As the youngest son Laverne grew, their parents discussed amongst fellow households of future possibilities for the older children. Indifferent to the costly prospect of pursuing knighthood - their eldest brother was already on such a path - Liam objected to many of the other social or administrative arrangements despite his fickle interest in such affairs. Their father grew tired of his boy's stubborn wavering at mere potentials, but with his wife's insistence he relented his heavy hand. Offering alternatives to the young man to devote himself, if just for a short period, to the church's instruction and a healing school in the capital, their father nevertheless had not expected to be taken up so readily on the proposal - nor for Liam to rope his twin in as well.

[Fluctuations, 26-60's]

During his school education and service to the church, Liam matured more than he had in his dilly-dallying adolescence. Framing his ideals with religious teachings to conform, Liam strove to be as righteous as their knights and open-hearted as their clerics. While Leith remained far more reserved to these lifestyle changes, Liam compensated by speaking more on his twin's behalf; speaking, recounting, sharing what he imagined was interesting or could garner someone help by being spread. He focused inward to rid the vices in his lazily uncertain, cavalier personality.

But time passed and fell to a drowsy routine, his enthusiasm in academia, magic, and introspection included. He withdrew from his healing studies to recollect himself before a burnout. Nevertheless, the break extended indefinitely as Liam contented to volunteer his time to others more through words and company than any craft. His parents busied with their eldest son's recent marriage and raising the last child Arietta, and Leith's surprising dedication to pursuing the Templars path overshadowed Liam's tenuous resolve; unhurried without the close criticism of institutes and elders, Liam enjoyed his complacent respite.

One day during an idle hunting trip, the twins rode with their younger brother, all still possessing a youthful recklessness that no amount of poring over books and vapid advice could have reasoned away. The swift crippling accident that befell Laverne then was something neither twin was prepared for - Liam, the healer, most of all. He spent the days afterwards in guilt of his inaction and gutting worry for Laverne until tempers took hold, and the blame-ridden bitterness hurled between the brothers only cemented the choices he'd made for himself. It was not his fault. None of his sibling's misfortune was his fault. It was Aurea's judgement, a lesson he must do better next time for others' sakes. But it was not his fault.

[Clerical studies & Templar squiring, 60's-150's]

Over the next years Liam took more care to deeply cultivate both community and familial relationships, doting on his youngest sister and spending as much time as he could with his twin and mother. He encouraged Laverne to pursue the arcane and visited eldest Léon more. And rather than ease out of the healing practices as others had assumed he would, Liam once again took up the healer's mantle and doubled his studies in the classical vein. With his brother then amongst the Templars he only saw fit to pursue a similar road. Stepping onto such a path opened many more for him, be it in acquaintances, experiences or all the assurances that he was indeed doing good on his word to be better than he was. He was always meant to help others.
While the church's way had not been his initially intended and was still not something he envisioned for the rest, it was what reaffirmed his decisions and who he was now.

[8291 - Rains 8294]

Liam spent most of his life within Delverne state. As a healer, he personally believed that their people's home was where he should tend first and foremost rather than strangers' lands abroad; this proved worthwhile after dragons descended upon their capital. Outraged by the villainy of the kingdom's attack, he joined the ensuing expedition into Cantor's Leywood despite protests from his wiser friends.

That stubborn decision would have cost him at the expedition's end had he not wound up right back in Delverne (hilariously enough). But it still robbed him his peace of mind for many reasons, not least of all his missing peers - until his separated twin finally made his way back home. In the months that followed, Liam reflected upon his inconsolable nature and the many attachments he had to others, regardless of the conviction of his faith and Delverne's stake in the conflicts. He was not perfect, and he never would be. He could still do better.

Change came soon enough with the mid year's miracles worked by the Dominus, and the blessings bestowed upon the oathbound under the guidance of oracle Triss. Assurance restored in his purpose and the Delvans' holy mission - all of this was beyond his petty flaws in the best of ways - he took the razing of Cantor in stride, disastrous as it may have been. Fire was not only a force of destruction. With holy fires came renewal and purity. It was these thoughts he clung to when a saint's staff came to lay in his hands, and the world began moving in faster and faster ways that lit his nerves aflame; with their Goddess among them, deep sleeps and senses, far off faces and Aurea's pull, both fear and awe spurred his decisions. This was the chance to become the best he could be, to do the most he could without selfish reserve.

Additional Info

• Liam is the minutes-older and obviously extroverted of the twins, although objectively Leith is the more mature and reasonable. When Liam was an absolute bullhead his twin had the easiest (but no less annoying) time talking sense into him. In his extended absence Liam is rather self-conscious as his brother is the one to whom he usually voices his salt concerns.
• He tends to be compassionate without empathy and more practical than his loose tongue impresses, but some of his prior vices still manifest in different ways, habitual as they'd become. Addressing him with his faults is like punching a stone wall; he usually won't give in with his justifications, and even if he does the pain and effort was probably not worth the result...

• Liam holds fairly traditional views regarding humans and half-elves, foregoing hiding his opinion around them in his own sense of 'kindness'. While not cold or disagreeable there is a marked condescension in how he treats them and he is genuinely puzzled by others with less orthodox views.
• Didn't progress far in harmonic healing but his mother still requests him and his sister to practice their vocal training, as sadly none of her other children tried to follow her family's footsteps.

• Favourite pastimes include reading, riding and calligraphy. Was taught the harp by mother.
• Drama queen theatrics are a hereditary Zelder trait When Liam is beyond frustrated he becomes a bit of a waterworks show to his eternal mortification
• The twins and their older brother have two given names whereas the younger siblings do not, although they all mainly address by their first given. Liam's second name is after his paternal grandfather.
• Left-handed.

Relationships

(BG) Immediate Zelder family [Chevalier] [ family ]

1 elder brother (Léon Eider), twin (Leith), younger brother (Laverne) and younger sister (Arietta), mother (Aeliana) and father (Gwenaël Anselme). His siblings find his personality odd and overcompensating at times compared to before, but for the most part they get along well if occasionally exasperated by his gossiping and pretentious sensibilities. His parents are pleased enough he has found his way with service, even if his mother was (personally, mildly, just a touch) disheartened by his turning from the troubadour path.

Unnecessarily worries the most about the matter of his younger sister's potential engagements (truly, a thorn in the side).

Leith Aurélien Zelder [ identical twin ]

Closest sibling and half the enabling (...and headaches). While Liam and Leith share some temperaments and traits, Leith grew to be a more reserved and mindful individual. Careful with words and understanding of his own flaws, Leith puts his pride behind him but remains susceptible to others' choices and overly passive when it comes to his own. The twins still have similar tastes overall, so their respective infatuations, companies and pastimes often coincided in the past. Lately Leith has been giving himself more space away from his brother with their differing class professions.

Adélaïde Chevreuse Belrose [ templar mentor ]

Their vidame's wife, a templar knight, and exorcist; Liam assists her as her squire and fond family friend both.

Naeyvs Aeraviel [ fond friend; discarded affections ]

As a well-learned and well-travelled woman of nobility and the Templars both, Liam holds utmost respect and affection for Naevys in spite of their contrasting views and the occasional extended quarrel. He finds her opinions more than a tad eccentric now and then due to her experience living amongst humans for so long, but regardless she makes for enjoyable and much-appreciated company.

Virsche Lyra Champfleur [ family friend ]

He still pities Virsche after all these years, although she has grown into her own person once more. What happened has happened and while he still would not understand what he may provoke at times with his coddling actions, he at least could appreciate her return to Delverne from abroad all the same. Letters in the meanwhile were many and sufficient, but there is something about a near presence that simply cannot be replaced!

Anastasia Umbrius [ family friend ]

From the Mirian side of their vidame's family; Liam remembers her as the sweet darling child of a charismatic (albeit light-heartedly mischievous) woman gone to Aurea far too soon. As much as little Anya resembles Elene in part, her demeanour is the exact opposite - but it only serves to establish her as her own person. Anya has many virtues Liam is impressed by for one of her youthful age.

Beatrice Cielos [ sister's friend ]

The young daughter of the Cielos who apparently had not an ounce of healing magic in her, despite all her studious habits and perseverance. Still, as a fellow student Liam gladly attempted to peer tutor her, lacking or not – perhaps she was an odd case of late blooming. Though she had left Delverne years ago, she still kept in contact with his youngest sister until recently, 'doing well' as far as he knew.

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Further relations with other characters expanded here