Ivian

Ivian is the protagonist of the Heartseeker novels. More of his information can be found here: RP Repository Profile. This page is just to have a place to host all his extra art that won't fit on there, and provide art notes for artists.

Do you want to know more about Ivian? I'm always looking for beta readers for Heartseeker. You can read the first chapter of book 1 (Swordsworn) here. If it hooks you, feel free to hit me up for more chapters.

Art Notes

Fashion (Clothing): 

• Mid-late medieval (pre-Renaissance!) with some Viking age influences, and slight Korean and eastern European influences in the robes and kaftans.
• Can be drawn in both lower and upper class attire. No ornamentation like jewelry.
• Favors green, black, and grey, or the white-and-scarlet of his lord's house, but any colors are fine.
• Primary armaments are his falchion, Heartseeker, and a kite shield. He can also be depicted with other types of shield, a less ornate falchion, a pike, etc.

• His armor from his life on the Bulwark would have been a quilted gambeson, with a chain coif and some kind of early helmet (kettle helmet maybe).
• After rising in station to become Oberlan's guard, he will still wear much more chain, but also heavier pauldrons and gorget, greaves, gauntlets, and sabatons. No helmet. He will wear a white tabard with a red phoenix on it. I also like brigandine! This is the best reference for his armor.
• Really just go ham. I tend to go with nothing later than 1400AD though.

• Face is round and boyish with low cheekbones. He does NOT have a chiseled, heroic appearance.
• Hair can be depicted loose or in a topknot, ponytail, or braid. Similarly, he can be depicted clean-shaven or with stubble or a beard. His hair is dirty blond (I know the color tends to drift in my art). Green eyes, can be grey-green.
• Broad-shouldered stature. Muscular shoulders, arms, and back from use. No visible abs.
• Late 20s to early 30s.
• Wields a falchion and a large shield.
• 5'10"/1.78m

• An ugly slash from his chin to just below his eye, crossing his mouth and warping his expressions. It is usually a little raw looking, and affects his expressions. (Originally this scar was depicted as a cut descending from under his left eye, but I've since updated it.)
• Three overlapping rope scars on his left ankle (varying ages).
• Forearms and hands are covered in slashes and punctures (from crows' beaks and claws).
• Other scars can be added as you wish. His right eyebrow sometimes is depicted as notched. 

• Subservient to authority.
• Generally soft-spoken.
• Patient and stoic.
• Blushy, easy to fluster.
• Easily manipulated.
• Picks at his scars.
• Haunted by waking nightmares. Often sees the faces of loved ones and soldiers he has lost.

Interaction/Scene Ideas:

• Drinking.
• Playing stones (Go) or tiles (a mahjong-like game).
• Standing guard.
• Looking awkward at court.
• Helping someone into their armor (or vice versa).
• Dressing wounds.
• Fighting/getting beat up.
• Ivian's PTSD is triggered by rapidly growing or moving vines and plants. If your character has plant manipulation ability, feel free to freak him out.

• Oberlan: Ivian's liege lord and ward. They have a fraught, passionate relationship as lovers and as warden and charge. Ivian is deeply loyal and subservient to him.
• Zessa: Ivian sees Zessa as a friend. She knows of some of his secrets and is one of the only people he can talk to about his relationship with Oberlan, so he has latched onto her a bit.
• Darkeye: At first they are bitter enemies, evolving into tense comrades and finally close friends.
• Briartongue: Thanks to Briartongue's fascination with humans, she is drawn to Ivian and is relentlessly curious about him. Though unsure of her at first, she helps him see elves in a new light.
• Raiga: Ivian was exceptionally nervous when Taraga's crown prince suddenly took an interest in him, but eventually opens up and trusts him with a great deal of sensitive information. He knows the prince to be a young man who sees the truth as more important than anything else.
• Tanis: They don't know each other well, but somberly regard each other as kindred spirits.