20 Questions With Cathal Fulcairn

1) How does your character deal with conflict? 

I prefer to confront conflicts head on, and to deal with them as soon as possible. Dragging out conflict resolution only exacerbates the issues you are trying to solve.

2) What does your character think is the best way to deal with an enemy?

Make every attempt you can to turn them into a friend. If that fails, then await or create an opportunity to strike them down, and do so swiftly and decisively; through strength of arms or statecraft.

3) How does your character feel about being the center of attention?

One should not endeavour to do anything for the praise it elicits. Accept laurels humbly and with whatever pomp is required, for oftentimes celebrating the deeds of one person is as much a salve for the celebrants as it is for the celebrated. When it is over, forget it and get back to work.

4) Who is the person or people your character trusts most?

Reynhild, Fulgrim

5) What characteristics does your character despise in others?

Dishonesty, cruelty, greed, selfishness, decadence

6) What characteristics does your character admire in others?

Tenacity, honesty, perspicacity, decisiveness, kindness

7) How would your character's parents describe them?

Cullen would have described the Cathal he knew as headstrong, curious and brave, but also unfocused, unambitious and mischievous.

Catriona would have much more to say of Cathal. That he loves people and that he loves the world and all there is to be seen or smelled or held or heard within it. She would say he sees the world for what it could be rather than what it is. She would say he is sensitive, caring, and burdened with more empathy than a lord's son should be. He is courageous, pure of heart and intent, and speaks with admirable earnestness and honesty. She would speak of her fear that the world may some day break his heart, and that to see it happen would devastate her. 

8) Does your character have any prejudices?

I harbour a deep distaste for the elves of the wild hunt and believe they are fit only to be slain or imprisoned. Orogs are worse. I have heard of a court of reason in the forests of Tuarhievel, and though I do not trust the folk of the forest, I would very much like to meet an elf who can see me as a person rather than meat to be butchered.

Wizards are untrustworthy, as a general thing. Even my sister Mara, whom I dearly love, still vexes me on occasion.

9) What is your character's decision-making process?

I first weigh all options that are available to solve the problem at hand. I match each of them against a set of criteria:

- my personal ethics

- who I think will benefit most from the proposed solution

- my advisers' opinions of the best course of action

- how each solution may affect perception of myself and my house among my people, friends, peers, and betters

- how I anticipate a solution may impact the future of Wilder's Gorge in the short and long term

- what I will have to concede in order to affect the solution

- how I, Wilder's Gorge, its people, or my loved ones may gain from the solution

I then attempt to juxtapose all of these things and choose the solution that adds up to hitting the most positive marks from among them.

10) What is your character's relationship with their parents?

Both are now dead. I was not close with my father. Before my departure for Rjurik, I was not granted much attention from him, and was generally left in the care of my mother or the company of my half brother Brinden. Father offered little in the way of praise or discipline to me, and was terse when I left for Rjurik. I have recently discovered that I bear some anger over father's lack of attention and esteem.

My mother, on the other hand, doted on me. I loved her dearly, and vice versa. Any time not taken with learning or training, I spent with or near my mother, and to a lesser extent my half brother Brinden. My leaving for Rjurik hit her hard, I've been told. Guilt grips me whenever I think that my absence may have contributed to the illness that killed her.

11) Name the greatest tragedy of your character's life.
The deaths of my mother, my brothers, and my father.

12) Name the greatest triumph of your character's life.

Gaining my arm ring from Freila Yngvi; The Tournament of Wilder's Gorge; finally gaining Reynhild's trust

13) What characteristics does your character think make a good ruler?

A ruler must be selfless and fully commited to their duty to the people. It is a ruler's responsibility not only to protect their subjects, but to improve their lives. A ruler must put others before themselves.

14) How patriotic is your character, and to whom/where?
I love Wilder's Gorge, and as an extension, the realm of Taeghas. I will defend both unto my dying breath. The people of Hogunmark also hold a special place in my heart, and I would do my utmost to offer them aid.

15) Briefly describe your character's personal ideology.

I pledge my whole being to the welfare of the people in my care.

16) What is the one thing your character can never be without?

Reynhild.

17) How does your character deal with betrayal?

Swift, unrelenting justice.

18) How does your character deal with failure?
Analyze where I went wrong and attempt to gauge how I could otherwise have changed the outcome. Practice whatever skills will be necessary to ensure I never fail in the same way again.

19) What constitutes a good life for your character?

Happy subjects, secure borders, healthy land and the love of my family.

20) Who does your character want/aspire to be?

Corrac