Damek's 100 Question
Because I want to develop Damek more. I assume that because they ask "What's YOUR name" that I am suppose to answer this as Damek. Which I shall do!
Part 1: The Basics
1. What is your full name?
Colonel Damek Orava
2. Where and when were you born?
In the Tolna area of Orava (northern Slovakia), 5th September.
3. Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.)
My father's name was Lel, he was a craftsman. He was incredibly good with his hands, he could make just about anything from a block of wood. He was a very kind man and quite patient as well. He used to teach me how to carve and build things.
My mother was called Nikita. She was a very strong woman in personality. She looked after her children well. She had a good sense of humour. She stayed at home to bring us up.
(Just a note, Damek doesn't like talking about his family, hence lack of depth!)
4. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
I had 3 brothers and 2 sisters. Two of my brothers were older than me, one was younger. All my sisters were younger than me. I looked after my sisters closely and my eldest brother would take me out hunting or teach me some things as he was in the military.
5. Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.
I live in the south-west of Slovakia, near Nitra. I live with my Aunt and Uncle, who unfortunately were not able to have children of their own. I moved down to live with them when I was 13 years old because all my family had died. My uncle is quite eccentric, and my aunt is always saying how crazy she thinks he is. But they love each other dearly. They've been very good to me, the raised me like I was their own.
6. What is your occupation?
I'm a soldier in the military, currently holding the position of Colonel.
7. Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.
I'm about 5'10"/11", weighing about 148lbs. I guess I'm quite lean in build, but I have some kind of muscle. I'm Slavic, Slovakian specifically. My skin is slightly on the pale side, and I have quite fair hair. It's blonde and straight, and slightly long. I have green eyes (quite bright green as well). I have several scars, as I come into regular contact which violent people. I have quite a large one on my thigh where someone's knife caught me. As for style of dress, I am either in military uniform, or something plain and casual.
8. To which social class do you belong?
I'm not sure, something fairly low down I'd guess
9. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
Not particularly, it's something of a disadvantage for a soldier to have a physical weakness
10. Are you right- or left-handed?
I'm right-handed
11. What does your voice sound like?
I've been told its quite soft
12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?
I guess military phrases or codewords.
13. What do you have in your pockets?
More than likely a knife of somekind. I don't go anywhere unarmed, even when I'm not on duty.
14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
I look a lot younger than I am, people who don't know me are usually very shocked when they find out I'm 24 and a Colonel in the military.
Part 2: Growing Up
15. How would you describe your childhood in general?
Fairly disjointed. The first 13 years of my life were pretty normal, until I had to move when I lost everyone. Although my aunt and uncle did a very good job looking after me, I was not always happy. I missed my family bitterly, and I had left all my friends back in Orava. Once I joined the military at 16, things got better.
16. What is your earliest memory?
Probably getting lost when I was about 3 or 4 years old. I wandered off in the village and found my way into the forest. I got caught in a rain storm and it turned dark. I was really scared, and I remember just curling up next to a tree and crying. My father came with my eldest brother, Andrej, and found me. My father carried me home, and I had to stay in bed for the rest of the next day because I caught a cold.
17. How much schooling have you had?
A year or so of military training.
18. Did you enjoy school?
I enjoyed military training a lot. I was doing something I enjoyed, the soldiers who taught me always encouraged me and I made a lot of friends, most of which I still have today.
19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?
I had natural ability in most of the military skills I have. These were helped along by Andrej. He used to take me hunting, or teach me survival techniques, and even showed me how to use a bow and arrow. The raw talent was there, and thanks to him, I had an above average starting point when I got to military training.
20. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.
Mainly, I had two role models. The first was Andrej. He was seven years older than me, and was quite a fine soldier. He picked things up easily, and always took the time to show me a new skill he picked up. I used to go on hunting or fishing trips with him, my other older brother and my father, but sometimes Andrej would take me on a little adventure with just the two of us, and I always looked forward to those. My father was very proud of him, which made me want to be even more like him. Not only was he a skilled soldier, but he was a very kind and patient person, well-liked by everyone in his military and sought after by most of the young girls in our village. He died when he was only 20 years old, and I miss him sorely even know-- almost eleven years later.
The other role model I had was when I was in military training, General Kolya Thököly. He was a great general, and very well known throughout the area. He was highly decorated and regarded, not only for his skill and power as a soldier, but also as a tactician. Although there were many young soldiers in training, General Thököly would single me out and encourage me, set me harder tasks than the others and recommend me for missions. He was also a very kind man, often taking me down to the local inn and buying me a drink if ever the chance came up. Unfortunately, I only knew him for about a year before he died tragically in a battle. But he had always told me about his son, Vladimír, who he thought was going to make a great soldier. He made me promise to take Vlad under my wing when he joined (4 years later), which I did.
Kolya turned out to be very right about his son.
21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?
Very well, we were all friends with each other. I was closer to my father than I was my mother, since she was always looking after my sisters. Looking back, I think she felt that she was unable to have much to do with her sons but wanted to be able to, but I suppose I'll never really know. I was very protective of my two sisters, since they were younger than me, and my younger brother, Miloslav, always seemed to follow me about the house. I used to go exploring with Miloslav a bit through the woodland outside our village. My two older brothers, Andrej and Viktor, looked out for me, and always included me in their lives. My father would take us eldest three boys out hunting a lot. I'd get so excited that we were going to get the food for the family. I remember when Andrej showed me how to use a bow and arrow for the time, and I shot three pigeons while they were in flight. My father was so proud, he told everyone about the story before we sat down and had quite a meal. I really miss my family.
22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Well, because of Andrej's influence, I always knew I wanted to be a soldier.
23. As a child, what were your favorite activities?
Hunting, fishing, exploring the land around the village... I loved being outdoors and finding something new, and I still do.
24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?
I was a bit on the shy and quiet side, but I loved to explore.
25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?
There weren't many children my age in my village, which was odd because it was quite a large village. I had a few friends, but there was one girl who was my age who was my closest friend. Her name was Krista, and she was a very sweet little girl, and very inquisitive. I remember she had such an adorable little face, and long curly locks of brown hair. The two of us used to explore, follow the river as far upstream as we dared, try and reach the "other side" of a cave or climb trees. But then I had to move, and I never saw her ever again. I don't even know if she survived the epidemic.
26. When and with whom was your first kiss?
My first kiss was with Krista actually. We were about 12/13 years old. We'd been wandering through the woodland for most of the day, and we decided to sit under a tree for a break. She smiled at me and rested her head on my shoulder. So I took a hold of her hand and kissed her. Just a peck on the lips, mind you. But... that wasn't the last time I kissed her. I do sometimes wonder where she is right now, if she's even still alive. She was such a lovely little girl.
27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
Hmm... no I'm not a virgin. I lost my virginity to a young woman called Edith. I was 16 years old, and I'd gone to the pub in the downstairs part of an inn with several other soldiers in training. I'd like to stress at this moment that I wasn't drunk. Anyways, there was a group of rather attractive young ladies sitting together in a corner. One of the girls (and I must say, one of the prettier ones) came over to me, and we began talking. She was a few years older than me, and I'm sorry to say that's pretty much all I can remember about her. It turned out she had a room in the inn she was staying in, and invited me to come up with her. For some reason -- probably a mixture of alcohol and me being a 16 year old boy being seduced by a beautiful woman -- I followed. One thing led to another... and before I knew it, I had woken up in bed next to her wearing absolutely nothing. I wish that it had meant more, and that I hadn't lost my virginity to a woman I had known for only a few hours beforehand.
28. If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.
The only influence that comes to mind is Andrej. I joined the military so I could follow in his footsteps, as well as it being something I wanted to do for myself.
Part 3: Past Influences
29. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
Well, that would either have to be losing my family, or becoming the youngest colonel in our military's history. Losing my family changed the whole course of my life though, so that's probably more important.
30. Who has had the most influence on you?
A mixture. Obviously, in my early years, the biggest influence was Andrej. In more recent times, Kolya's son, Vlad, has been a big influence on me. We've become very close, and he's been my inspiration and motivation through some harder times.
31. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Well, one of two things. My first medal was a huge achievement for me, especially since I was quite young (18 years old). The second would be, as I already said, becoming Colonel.
32. What is your greatest regret?
Personally, I try not to have regrets. They hold you down and make it harder to let go of things. But truthfully, the biggest regret I have is that my family could not see how my military career turned out, or see my greatest achievements-- especially Andrej, my father and Viktor.
33. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
Possibly killing in cold blood. I was on a mission, I needed to assassinate a key member of a syndicate which was helping to facilitate invasions from the south. He had a brother, who I had known since I moved down to the area (but I never knew of their involvement in this). He knew about the plot and supported it, but did not actively take part. When I killed the person I was required to, his brother was there and threatened me, before insulting me in a way I don't wish to repeat. There was a lot of bad history between us. And I killed him. Right then and there.
34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind?
Not really, all my killing is "legalised" as it takes place within war or is authorised by the relevent bodies. I'm not sure of all the legislation, I just kill people.
35. When was the time you were the most frightened?
More than likely in my first battle. I had been looking to it with anticipation, until I ran out there and saw one of my comrades sliced in half. It just hit me that this wasn't training anymore, and that I could actually lose my life here. I was so scared, I froze, and one of my commanding officers had to pull me away into shelter. I was so frightened, I didn't want to go back out there. My commanding officer gave me a rather moving talk, which filled me with confidence. Unfortunately... the moment we got back on the battlefield, someone rammed a sword through his neck. I don't know how I got out of that alive, because I was too scared to fight properly.
36. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?
Well, I had lots of embarrassing moments as a young soldier, but there was one especially awkward moment between myself and Vlad. Of course, Vlad didn't notice anything, which made me feel even worse! I don't exactly wish to explain it.
37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?
The obvious would be to change what happened to my family. But I don't think I could. Even if I could go back and do it all again, there's not anything I could've done to stop them all from dying. Telling them all how much they meant to me, that's something different. But I think they knew. Besides, had that not happened, my life would have taken a completely course. I never would have met any of the people I did, never had any of the friends I do now and my experiences would have been totally different.
38. What is your best memory?
I'm not sure, I have a lot of great memories. My fondest one is probably hunting with Andrej, Viktor and my father in the winter. Viktor used to race me over the frozen pond, and Andrej would have snow fights with me. We'd make a fire when it got dark and father would tell us all kinds of stories. I have some happy memories of me being awarded medals, being promoted, some really enjoyable times with my friends from the military... I've been on all kinds of expeditions and missions, some of them have been quite interesting. Perhaps becoming Colonel is most memorable. I have never felt so appreciated in my life as I felt at that ceremony.
39. What is your worst memory?
Sitting in the middle of my home, wondering why no one will wake up, but knowing that they're dead. I was the only one who didn't contract the illness. My youngest sister caught it first, then my other sister and Miloslav caught it as well. I helped my mother look after them, but they only got worse. Then she fell ill. My father had to stop going to work to look after her and the other three, and me and my brothers helped him. Out of the three left, Viktor fell ill first, at about the same time that one of my sisters died. Then my father and Andrej. By that time, Miloslav and my other sister had died, but I didn't know what to do, I was the only one left healthy. Andrej was the last one to die. He'd promised he'd get better so that I wouldn't be on my own... and when he died, I was so frightened and upset. I was just truly alone. I sat in my house for days, just surrounded by my dead family. I didn't want to eat, I didn't want to leave just in case someone wasn't dead afterall. Someone eventually came in, I think they thought I was dead as well initially. I was curled up with my head on Andrej's shoulder, and I must have looked very pale. They took me to the village hall, where the people who weren't ill were taking shelter. I remember everyone giving me their deepest sympathy and looking after me. Eventually it was arranged for me to go live with my aunt and uncle. But that is without a doubt, despite the many horrendous and gruesome things I have seen as a soldier, my worst memory.
Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions
40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
Well, I try and keep as optimistic as I can!
41. What is your greatest fear?
I am actually extremely claustrophobic, I absolutely DETEST small enclosed spaces. I panic if I can't move properly. I suppose I'm also afraid of losing those close to me, but I think everyone is.
42. What are your religious views?
Well, like most people I know, I'm a Christian but the beliefs are still mixed with those of the Slavic pagan religion. But I'm not overly religious. I believe in God, pray sometimes, but I'm afraid I'm not a practising Christian.
43. What are your political views?
Hmm. Though I do read up on the current politics and issues of any nation we visit, I try to stay out of political debate. I suppose my own personal stance is slightly to the left, but I won't go into it. The politics within our military are a different matter however. For example, I don't agree with the practise that some generals have got into, where they give orders but don't participate in battle. Some of my generals do actually fight along side us, and this I think makes a good leader.
44. What are your views on sex?
Well, despite the way I lost my virginity, I do believe that you should only be that close with someone you are serious about being in a relationship with. I've had a few relationships in my time, and I have never once pushed a girl into doing something she didn't want. I just waited until she felt comfortable (and until I felt comfortable) and wanted to go that bit further. It's always a bit more difficult for girls to decide that they want to have sex (well, providing they're not a whore) since there's the whole pregnancy thing. But we normally plan when the best time to do it is. Anyways, in short I don't think you should just have a one night fling. Although... I have had two of those too... I was INCREDIBLY drunk. Not that it makes it any better...
45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?
Yes, yes I am able to kill. I kill for a living. I only kill other soldiers in battle or anyone who is trying to kill me. Soldiers on an opposing side of a war have signed up to this and have accepted that there is a chance they will be killed, in the same way I have accepted that my occupation means I may be killed by anyone on that battle field. Besides, if given the chance they would kill me first. Off the battlefield, I only find it acceptable to kill if the other person is going to kill me and there is no other way to demobilise them. I would NEVER kill innocent people, even, for example, people in a village of an opposing nation. I have killed women before, some absolutely PSYCHOTIC female assassins. But I have never and will never kill a child.
46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
Being a soldier, I have seen human beings do incredibly evil things to each other. I have seen some of my comrades and friends killed in absolutely horrendous ways; being hanged, throat slit, beheading, burnt, drowned, any number of weapons through the head, neck or chest... I've also been forced to watch fellow soldiers (some of which have been my best friends) being tortured in awful ways, or have been the one on the receiving end. I couldn't tell you what I think the most evil thing is, because I've seen so much I can't discriminate between which ones are worse. They were all horrible.
47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
I think that there is one person that you are meant to be with, and that you will just know when you've found them. Maybe you won't straight away, but you will.
48. What do you believe makes a successful life?
A successful life is one where you are doing something you enjoy, and surrounded by people you love and who love you. I think when you reach that point where you just feel that everything is right and that you fit in or belong here, that is when your life is successful.
49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)?
Well, I don't like sharing personal feelings and problems with many people, perhaps just a few. Or... maybe just even Vlad. Although my being cheerful isn't really a front, there are times when I don't feel so great but don't really want everyone to know. My thoughts to a certain extent I am not so secretive about. I normally have long discussions at the pub with my friends about... well, anything really! Usually it's something obscure that we have a good laugh about. The usual people in this group are Vlad, Michal, Isaak, Vasska, Anton and Stanislaus.
50. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
I shouldn't think so. I don't tend to judge people until I've had a proper conversation with them, so I judge them on their actual personality. I don't use any physical factors to judge people before I even know them.
51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?
There are a number of things I am sometimes asked to do as a soldier which I refuse. I refuse to kill people whose only apparent wrong-doing was to live in a village in a nation that we are fighting. I do not think that killing these people would have any affect on ANYTHING, and to me it is just immoral.
52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?
Vlad.
Part 5: Relationships With Others
53. In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how?
I always try to be as polite and welcoming as I can to anyone. Of course, with friends I feel more comfortable to joke around a bit, and tease them. I'll be a bit more open around people I am closer to, and perhaps more honest. If ever I meet anyone new, I always try to make them feel at ease, as I know how horrible it is trying to talk to someone who gives you the strong feeling that they don't really want to know you. I don't try to keep people at a distance, but I definitely let them in more if I know them better.
54. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
The most important person in my life at the moment is Vlad. He's my best friend, and knows probably more about me than anyone. I feel most comfortable around him, and he listens to me. Despite how stoic or even irritated he can appear around people, Vlad is in fact a very social person and has a great sense of humour. He makes me laugh, he looks out for me and he lets me be myself. Kolya always gushed about him when he was alive, and I can see why. I've watched him blossom into such a wonderful young man, and he's the most important person to me.
55. Who is the person you respect the most, and why?
I respect most of my comrades, my friends especially. Some of my generals I have more respect for than others. General Borka Šulík is probably my favourite, he's rather young compared to the other Generals and he ALWAYS fights on the front lines with us. I respect him greatly for the fact that he cares about the rest of his men. I have a lot of respect for Vlad, for Vasska and for Anton. There are some people I did respect, like Kolya and my brother, but who are no longer with us.
56. Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people.
I am friends with a lot of the soldiers in our military, but I do have a small group who is closer to me than most. They are First Lieutenant Vladimír Thököly, Master Sergeant Michal Dzurilla, Sergeant Vasska Corvinič, Major Anton Hlinka, Sergeant Major Isaak Zbora and Colonel Stanislaus Gašparovič. My best friend is Vladimír. Stanislaus is a good friend of mine, I've known him since I first joined the military. He's some five years older than me, but he's always been around to talk with me or share a drink with. He's a very thoughtful man, I've found. Michal is a young soldier, I think he's about 18 now. He's very hot-headed and extremely opinionated, but very loyal to his friends. Vasska is even younger, only 16. He hasn't been in the military long, but he's already worked his way up to Sergeant. Though he is rather shy, and sometimes gets frightened easily, and can sometimes appear to be naive, that boy is more mature in his opinions than most 16 year olds you'll ever meet (in fact, he's a lot more mature than most of the soldiers I know). He excels in most of his classes at military training. He's going to be a great soldier one day. Anton joined the military when I was about 19, he was a very head-strong young lad and is very efficient. At times he can appear rather impersonal, and perhaps doesn't stand up for himself as much as he ought to when being told (sometimes ludicrous) instructions from higher ranked soldiers he doesn't think he should follow, but he's become a good friend of mine nonetheless. He's loyal to me, and makes a great leader himself when given the chance. Isaak is almost the same age as Vlad, though he is two ranks below him (which I think he somewhat resents). He can come off as quite arrogant at times, but he does care very much for his friends. He works hard, and is good at keeping others' spirits up, I am always pleased to see him in my ranks when assigned a rather dreadful mission. And then there's Vlad, my best friend. I've known him for a while, since Kolya introduced me to him when he was about 11 or 12. Unfortunately, the next time I saw him after that was to tell him that his father had died. Once he was 16, he joined the military and our relationship was more of a student-teacher one. But as he got older, we became friends, and through some unfortunate circumstances, got closer. Vlad is either loved or hated by other soldiers. Those that hate him are probably jealous, because he is so young and extremely talented, quite highly ranked for his age (he's just about 20 years old now) and also because he IS popular with a lot of soldiers. He's a very tolerant person, doesn't anger easily (he comes off as being irritated a lot, but never angry) and is actually a very warm person. He takes excellent care of the soldiers under his lead, and is very kind and gentle when wants to be.
57. Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person.
No, not at this moment in time. There is someone I would like to be with, but I doubt anything will ever happen between us.
58. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
Hmm... in previous relationships, I thought I was perhaps in love. But not until I found the person I really feel I'm meant for did I realise what love is. However, it's one-sided so nothing has really happened.
59. What do you look for in a potential lover?
Someone who makes me laugh, someone who listens to me, someone who I can be myself with. Really, someone who can be my friend as well as my lover.
60. How close are you to your family?
The only family I have at the moment are my aunt and uncle, who I am close to. However, I have stayed at Vlad's family's home... well, it's only his mother who lives there now really-- his brother ran off some time ago with a girl Vlad was seeing, and his father has been dead for eight years... but his mother is always looking after me, and treats me like a son. Their house is tiny, but she always lets me stay if we're in the area.
61. Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not?
No, not yet. I would like to one day, maybe. If I find the right person...
62. Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help?
It depends what kind of help really. If I have something I want to talk over, I can usually go to my aunt or uncle. But normally, I look to the friends I mentioned before for help, especially Vlad or Stanislaus. Vasska is also surprisingly very good for advice. He's very ignorant of the widely accepted view on certain things, which means he gives an honest opinion based on his observations. And that boy is observant...
63. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?
In a way, I don't. As a soldier, you are taught to look after yourself and make sure that you are the one that doesn't get yourself killed. But that doesn't mean that we don't help each other when we are in dire straights. Though I would trust pretty much any soldier, there are those that I feel safer with when I see them leading in front of me. As I said earlier, General Šulík is probably the person I would most like to see fighting beside me, along with Vlad, Anton and Stanislaus.
64. If you died or went missing, who would miss you?
I have gone missing a few times during battles, either because I was taken prisoner or too badly injured to return to our camp. Most soldiers are happy to see me when I return, but my friends moreso. Vlad usually gets beside himself when I go missing for more than a day, and is always the one most relieved to see me get back.
65. Who is the person you despise the most, and why?
I don't despise anyone, but there are people I am not overly fond of. Really, they're just a few stubborn generals, like General Satnik, or General Lajos. Lajos is a bit of a stick-in-the-mud, he's rather old now and very set in his ways. He refuses to listen to anyone else's view point, even though HE is usually the one who is wrong. He rubs a lot of people the wrong way, including me. Satnik is just a tyrrant. I think I have been truthfully scared of him on occasions. He believes that the best way to lead is by using force on his soldiers. Anyone who does not do what he asks, even if it was unintentional and could not be helped, he will make an example of through corporal punishment. I do remember several times when he has accidentally killed young soldiers. How he has remained instated as a general I do not know. He's probably scared the living daylights out of everyone else.
66. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
I avoid conflict through argument with people, unless I really feel the need to argue back. Usually, if it's something trivial, I won't rise to it and just let the other person have their victory. However, I sometimes feel that I should talk back, especially if I want to stand up for myself or I feel that what someone has said is very wrong (orders from a higher ranked soldier for example).
67. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
Usually, since I have to be a leader on many occasions. I feel like I'm not in control of what's going on if I let myself sit back and watch others do everything. In a more social context, like conversations and such with friends, I don't dictate what happens, but I do join in a lot.
68. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not?
I don't mind large groups of people, some times I am in charge of a very large number of soldiers. But when socialising, I prefer to be with a smaller group of friends that I know better, rather than a large amount of people who I only vaguely remember meeting three months ago. I feel like I can be part of the conversation more, rather than just being one of those people in the background making up the numbers.
69. Do you care what others think of you?
Not really, no. I think I'm past that insecure stage, I am comfortable with who I am. Several events in my life have made me see what others really think of me, and since then I have just... not thought about others' opinions.
Part 6: Likes And Dislikes
70. What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?
I do still enjoy going hunting, although nowadays the only chances I get to go are when I am out on a mission somewhere. However, that does mean I get to go hunting with my friends. Most of them also know how to hunt and used to help get the food when they lived at home. Generally, I just like being outdoors. I also enjoy reading.
71. What is your most treasured possession?
My knife, which Andrej gave to me as he was dying. He told me it would keep me safe, even if he couldn't. My father carved the handle for him, so it really just reminds me of my family.
72. What is your favorite color?
Probably forest green.
73. What is your favorite food?
Oh, definitely beef stew, my mother used to make it and it was SO filling!
74. What, if anything, do you like to read?
I enjoy reading anything about anything. I find politics is interesting, as is history and just general information. I've also read up on languages, I can speak a lot of Russian and Hungarian, and bits of Scandinavian languages and German. Vlad can speak a lot more languages than I can, and he's a lot better at them than I am, so he helps me as well. I also enjoy reading fiction.
75. What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)?
I think that good entertainment really is just a group of friends. Well, my friends are pretty entertaining anyways! I do appreciate art, but I don't really get many opportunities to see any.
76. Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit?
I don't smoke or do drugs, though I do drink sometimes. Not in alcoholic amounts, but I'll have a few if I'm out with my friends.
77. How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
If we're not on call anywhere, usually at a pub with most of the soldiers I know. The atmosphere is great, everyone has a good time and I always come out with my sides aching from laughing so much.
78. What makes you laugh?
Someone with a good sense of humour, and good timing. Normally Vlad or Isaak are good at making me laugh, and Vasska makes me laugh without really meaning to.
79. What, if anything, shocks or offends you?
Well, I've seen a lot so it takes a lot to shock me. I won't stand for a man to force himself on a girl, and I will always step in if I feel I need to. When someone insults me for no reason, or worse still insults my family or background, that does offend me. Insulting those that I care about also offends me.
80. What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself?
I'd probably get out a load of books and brush up on my Norwegian grammar.
81. How do you deal with stress?
I go hunting and kill something. Either that or I talk to Vlad.
82. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
A little bit of both. I usually plan out what I am going to do, but on a battlefield, you have to be prepared to be unprepared. I can think on my feet, and spontaneity is no problem for me.
83. What are your pet peeves?
Being disrespectful, in any way. It gets on my nerves when people are blatantly rude and inconsiderate. Also, when people think they know better than you, yet they only have a fraction of the experience you have. I get that with very young soldiers who think that they know how to do everything without being told how.
Part 7: Self Images And Etc.
84. Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted?
My days really have no routine. I work on a day to day basis, so I suppose routine is not something I require. If I had a routine, I probably would just adapt if it was disrupted.
85. What is your greatest strength as a person?
I am able to lead without resorting to being a cruel person
86. What is your greatest weakness?
I am afraid of losing people, which means that I often put their needs before mine a little too much
87. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would give myself more courage to talk about how I feel
88. Are you generally introverted or extroverted?
Generally... I'd say introvert. I'm not overly shy, I will talk to people I don't know, but I'm not "out there" like some people are.
89. Are you generally organized or messy?
I keep myself fairly organised.
90. Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.
I am very agile and quick, I have good aim and I can think quickly and on the spot. I'm not as powerful as some people though, I'm not able to anticipate future tactics too well (as in I don't possess the foresight to see what the enemies may or may not do), and I am not good at stopping my emotions getting in the way of important decisions.
91. Do you like yourself?
Not in a narcissistic way, but I'm perfectly happy with myself.
92. What are your reasons for being an adventurer (or doing the strange and heroic things that RPG characters do)? Are your real reasons for doing this different than the ones you tell people in public? (If so, detail both sets of reasons...)
My reasons for being an adventurous person are that I am curious and I always want to see what's a little further ahead. That, and it's all part of my job to be adventurous/heroic etc. Most people know that I am curious, so there is no cover up.
93. What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?
In my life at the moment I would most like to eventually become a General. I am one rank away, so I'm almost there.
94. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I'm not really sure... I've learned not to plan too far ahead in my life, since it's an occupational hazard that I might die sooner than I think. I think I've done fairly well to get to 24 to be honest. What I would like the most is for my friends to still be with me, and hopefully I will have made General by then.
95. If you could choose, how would you want to die?
It is rare in my job to die a peaceful death, so that is how I should like to go. If I really must die in battle, I would want to die saving my comrades. I've had friends go that way, and I could see that even though they suffered terrible amounts of pain in their last moments, they were happy to find that their friends were still alive because of them.
96. If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left.
Find Vlad, kiss him and tell him I love him.
97. What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?
If I could be remembered for being a great general who was a good leader and fought beside his men, I would be happy. If I could be remembered in the same way Kolya is remembered, I would be honoured.
98. What three words best describe your personality?
Friendly, gentle, focussed
99. What three words would others probably use to describe you?
Sociable, open, brave
100. If you could, what advice would you, the player, give to your character? (You might even want to speak as if he or she were sitting right here in front of you, and use proper tone so he or she might heed your advice...)
Okay, Damek. There is only one thing I would tell you, since you're a lot wiser than me in most aspects of life. It's better to tell someone how you feel and get turned down than never saying anything and wondering your whole life what may or may not have happened. DONE DX
Part 1: The Basics
1. What is your full name?
Colonel Damek Orava
2. Where and when were you born?
In the Tolna area of Orava (northern Slovakia), 5th September.
3. Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.)
My father's name was Lel, he was a craftsman. He was incredibly good with his hands, he could make just about anything from a block of wood. He was a very kind man and quite patient as well. He used to teach me how to carve and build things.
My mother was called Nikita. She was a very strong woman in personality. She looked after her children well. She had a good sense of humour. She stayed at home to bring us up.
(Just a note, Damek doesn't like talking about his family, hence lack of depth!)
4. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
I had 3 brothers and 2 sisters. Two of my brothers were older than me, one was younger. All my sisters were younger than me. I looked after my sisters closely and my eldest brother would take me out hunting or teach me some things as he was in the military.
5. Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.
I live in the south-west of Slovakia, near Nitra. I live with my Aunt and Uncle, who unfortunately were not able to have children of their own. I moved down to live with them when I was 13 years old because all my family had died. My uncle is quite eccentric, and my aunt is always saying how crazy she thinks he is. But they love each other dearly. They've been very good to me, the raised me like I was their own.
6. What is your occupation?
I'm a soldier in the military, currently holding the position of Colonel.
7. Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.
I'm about 5'10"/11", weighing about 148lbs. I guess I'm quite lean in build, but I have some kind of muscle. I'm Slavic, Slovakian specifically. My skin is slightly on the pale side, and I have quite fair hair. It's blonde and straight, and slightly long. I have green eyes (quite bright green as well). I have several scars, as I come into regular contact which violent people. I have quite a large one on my thigh where someone's knife caught me. As for style of dress, I am either in military uniform, or something plain and casual.
8. To which social class do you belong?
I'm not sure, something fairly low down I'd guess
9. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
Not particularly, it's something of a disadvantage for a soldier to have a physical weakness
10. Are you right- or left-handed?
I'm right-handed
11. What does your voice sound like?
I've been told its quite soft
12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?
I guess military phrases or codewords.
13. What do you have in your pockets?
More than likely a knife of somekind. I don't go anywhere unarmed, even when I'm not on duty.
14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
I look a lot younger than I am, people who don't know me are usually very shocked when they find out I'm 24 and a Colonel in the military.
Part 2: Growing Up
15. How would you describe your childhood in general?
Fairly disjointed. The first 13 years of my life were pretty normal, until I had to move when I lost everyone. Although my aunt and uncle did a very good job looking after me, I was not always happy. I missed my family bitterly, and I had left all my friends back in Orava. Once I joined the military at 16, things got better.
16. What is your earliest memory?
Probably getting lost when I was about 3 or 4 years old. I wandered off in the village and found my way into the forest. I got caught in a rain storm and it turned dark. I was really scared, and I remember just curling up next to a tree and crying. My father came with my eldest brother, Andrej, and found me. My father carried me home, and I had to stay in bed for the rest of the next day because I caught a cold.
17. How much schooling have you had?
A year or so of military training.
18. Did you enjoy school?
I enjoyed military training a lot. I was doing something I enjoyed, the soldiers who taught me always encouraged me and I made a lot of friends, most of which I still have today.
19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?
I had natural ability in most of the military skills I have. These were helped along by Andrej. He used to take me hunting, or teach me survival techniques, and even showed me how to use a bow and arrow. The raw talent was there, and thanks to him, I had an above average starting point when I got to military training.
20. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.
Mainly, I had two role models. The first was Andrej. He was seven years older than me, and was quite a fine soldier. He picked things up easily, and always took the time to show me a new skill he picked up. I used to go on hunting or fishing trips with him, my other older brother and my father, but sometimes Andrej would take me on a little adventure with just the two of us, and I always looked forward to those. My father was very proud of him, which made me want to be even more like him. Not only was he a skilled soldier, but he was a very kind and patient person, well-liked by everyone in his military and sought after by most of the young girls in our village. He died when he was only 20 years old, and I miss him sorely even know-- almost eleven years later.
The other role model I had was when I was in military training, General Kolya Thököly. He was a great general, and very well known throughout the area. He was highly decorated and regarded, not only for his skill and power as a soldier, but also as a tactician. Although there were many young soldiers in training, General Thököly would single me out and encourage me, set me harder tasks than the others and recommend me for missions. He was also a very kind man, often taking me down to the local inn and buying me a drink if ever the chance came up. Unfortunately, I only knew him for about a year before he died tragically in a battle. But he had always told me about his son, Vladimír, who he thought was going to make a great soldier. He made me promise to take Vlad under my wing when he joined (4 years later), which I did.
Kolya turned out to be very right about his son.
21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?
Very well, we were all friends with each other. I was closer to my father than I was my mother, since she was always looking after my sisters. Looking back, I think she felt that she was unable to have much to do with her sons but wanted to be able to, but I suppose I'll never really know. I was very protective of my two sisters, since they were younger than me, and my younger brother, Miloslav, always seemed to follow me about the house. I used to go exploring with Miloslav a bit through the woodland outside our village. My two older brothers, Andrej and Viktor, looked out for me, and always included me in their lives. My father would take us eldest three boys out hunting a lot. I'd get so excited that we were going to get the food for the family. I remember when Andrej showed me how to use a bow and arrow for the time, and I shot three pigeons while they were in flight. My father was so proud, he told everyone about the story before we sat down and had quite a meal. I really miss my family.
22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Well, because of Andrej's influence, I always knew I wanted to be a soldier.
23. As a child, what were your favorite activities?
Hunting, fishing, exploring the land around the village... I loved being outdoors and finding something new, and I still do.
24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?
I was a bit on the shy and quiet side, but I loved to explore.
25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?
There weren't many children my age in my village, which was odd because it was quite a large village. I had a few friends, but there was one girl who was my age who was my closest friend. Her name was Krista, and she was a very sweet little girl, and very inquisitive. I remember she had such an adorable little face, and long curly locks of brown hair. The two of us used to explore, follow the river as far upstream as we dared, try and reach the "other side" of a cave or climb trees. But then I had to move, and I never saw her ever again. I don't even know if she survived the epidemic.
26. When and with whom was your first kiss?
My first kiss was with Krista actually. We were about 12/13 years old. We'd been wandering through the woodland for most of the day, and we decided to sit under a tree for a break. She smiled at me and rested her head on my shoulder. So I took a hold of her hand and kissed her. Just a peck on the lips, mind you. But... that wasn't the last time I kissed her. I do sometimes wonder where she is right now, if she's even still alive. She was such a lovely little girl.
27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
Hmm... no I'm not a virgin. I lost my virginity to a young woman called Edith. I was 16 years old, and I'd gone to the pub in the downstairs part of an inn with several other soldiers in training. I'd like to stress at this moment that I wasn't drunk. Anyways, there was a group of rather attractive young ladies sitting together in a corner. One of the girls (and I must say, one of the prettier ones) came over to me, and we began talking. She was a few years older than me, and I'm sorry to say that's pretty much all I can remember about her. It turned out she had a room in the inn she was staying in, and invited me to come up with her. For some reason -- probably a mixture of alcohol and me being a 16 year old boy being seduced by a beautiful woman -- I followed. One thing led to another... and before I knew it, I had woken up in bed next to her wearing absolutely nothing. I wish that it had meant more, and that I hadn't lost my virginity to a woman I had known for only a few hours beforehand.
28. If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.
The only influence that comes to mind is Andrej. I joined the military so I could follow in his footsteps, as well as it being something I wanted to do for myself.
Part 3: Past Influences
29. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
Well, that would either have to be losing my family, or becoming the youngest colonel in our military's history. Losing my family changed the whole course of my life though, so that's probably more important.
30. Who has had the most influence on you?
A mixture. Obviously, in my early years, the biggest influence was Andrej. In more recent times, Kolya's son, Vlad, has been a big influence on me. We've become very close, and he's been my inspiration and motivation through some harder times.
31. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Well, one of two things. My first medal was a huge achievement for me, especially since I was quite young (18 years old). The second would be, as I already said, becoming Colonel.
32. What is your greatest regret?
Personally, I try not to have regrets. They hold you down and make it harder to let go of things. But truthfully, the biggest regret I have is that my family could not see how my military career turned out, or see my greatest achievements-- especially Andrej, my father and Viktor.
33. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
Possibly killing in cold blood. I was on a mission, I needed to assassinate a key member of a syndicate which was helping to facilitate invasions from the south. He had a brother, who I had known since I moved down to the area (but I never knew of their involvement in this). He knew about the plot and supported it, but did not actively take part. When I killed the person I was required to, his brother was there and threatened me, before insulting me in a way I don't wish to repeat. There was a lot of bad history between us. And I killed him. Right then and there.
34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind?
Not really, all my killing is "legalised" as it takes place within war or is authorised by the relevent bodies. I'm not sure of all the legislation, I just kill people.
35. When was the time you were the most frightened?
More than likely in my first battle. I had been looking to it with anticipation, until I ran out there and saw one of my comrades sliced in half. It just hit me that this wasn't training anymore, and that I could actually lose my life here. I was so scared, I froze, and one of my commanding officers had to pull me away into shelter. I was so frightened, I didn't want to go back out there. My commanding officer gave me a rather moving talk, which filled me with confidence. Unfortunately... the moment we got back on the battlefield, someone rammed a sword through his neck. I don't know how I got out of that alive, because I was too scared to fight properly.
36. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?
Well, I had lots of embarrassing moments as a young soldier, but there was one especially awkward moment between myself and Vlad. Of course, Vlad didn't notice anything, which made me feel even worse! I don't exactly wish to explain it.
37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?
The obvious would be to change what happened to my family. But I don't think I could. Even if I could go back and do it all again, there's not anything I could've done to stop them all from dying. Telling them all how much they meant to me, that's something different. But I think they knew. Besides, had that not happened, my life would have taken a completely course. I never would have met any of the people I did, never had any of the friends I do now and my experiences would have been totally different.
38. What is your best memory?
I'm not sure, I have a lot of great memories. My fondest one is probably hunting with Andrej, Viktor and my father in the winter. Viktor used to race me over the frozen pond, and Andrej would have snow fights with me. We'd make a fire when it got dark and father would tell us all kinds of stories. I have some happy memories of me being awarded medals, being promoted, some really enjoyable times with my friends from the military... I've been on all kinds of expeditions and missions, some of them have been quite interesting. Perhaps becoming Colonel is most memorable. I have never felt so appreciated in my life as I felt at that ceremony.
39. What is your worst memory?
Sitting in the middle of my home, wondering why no one will wake up, but knowing that they're dead. I was the only one who didn't contract the illness. My youngest sister caught it first, then my other sister and Miloslav caught it as well. I helped my mother look after them, but they only got worse. Then she fell ill. My father had to stop going to work to look after her and the other three, and me and my brothers helped him. Out of the three left, Viktor fell ill first, at about the same time that one of my sisters died. Then my father and Andrej. By that time, Miloslav and my other sister had died, but I didn't know what to do, I was the only one left healthy. Andrej was the last one to die. He'd promised he'd get better so that I wouldn't be on my own... and when he died, I was so frightened and upset. I was just truly alone. I sat in my house for days, just surrounded by my dead family. I didn't want to eat, I didn't want to leave just in case someone wasn't dead afterall. Someone eventually came in, I think they thought I was dead as well initially. I was curled up with my head on Andrej's shoulder, and I must have looked very pale. They took me to the village hall, where the people who weren't ill were taking shelter. I remember everyone giving me their deepest sympathy and looking after me. Eventually it was arranged for me to go live with my aunt and uncle. But that is without a doubt, despite the many horrendous and gruesome things I have seen as a soldier, my worst memory.
Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions
40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
Well, I try and keep as optimistic as I can!
41. What is your greatest fear?
I am actually extremely claustrophobic, I absolutely DETEST small enclosed spaces. I panic if I can't move properly. I suppose I'm also afraid of losing those close to me, but I think everyone is.
42. What are your religious views?
Well, like most people I know, I'm a Christian but the beliefs are still mixed with those of the Slavic pagan religion. But I'm not overly religious. I believe in God, pray sometimes, but I'm afraid I'm not a practising Christian.
43. What are your political views?
Hmm. Though I do read up on the current politics and issues of any nation we visit, I try to stay out of political debate. I suppose my own personal stance is slightly to the left, but I won't go into it. The politics within our military are a different matter however. For example, I don't agree with the practise that some generals have got into, where they give orders but don't participate in battle. Some of my generals do actually fight along side us, and this I think makes a good leader.
44. What are your views on sex?
Well, despite the way I lost my virginity, I do believe that you should only be that close with someone you are serious about being in a relationship with. I've had a few relationships in my time, and I have never once pushed a girl into doing something she didn't want. I just waited until she felt comfortable (and until I felt comfortable) and wanted to go that bit further. It's always a bit more difficult for girls to decide that they want to have sex (well, providing they're not a whore) since there's the whole pregnancy thing. But we normally plan when the best time to do it is. Anyways, in short I don't think you should just have a one night fling. Although... I have had two of those too... I was INCREDIBLY drunk. Not that it makes it any better...
45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?
Yes, yes I am able to kill. I kill for a living. I only kill other soldiers in battle or anyone who is trying to kill me. Soldiers on an opposing side of a war have signed up to this and have accepted that there is a chance they will be killed, in the same way I have accepted that my occupation means I may be killed by anyone on that battle field. Besides, if given the chance they would kill me first. Off the battlefield, I only find it acceptable to kill if the other person is going to kill me and there is no other way to demobilise them. I would NEVER kill innocent people, even, for example, people in a village of an opposing nation. I have killed women before, some absolutely PSYCHOTIC female assassins. But I have never and will never kill a child.
46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
Being a soldier, I have seen human beings do incredibly evil things to each other. I have seen some of my comrades and friends killed in absolutely horrendous ways; being hanged, throat slit, beheading, burnt, drowned, any number of weapons through the head, neck or chest... I've also been forced to watch fellow soldiers (some of which have been my best friends) being tortured in awful ways, or have been the one on the receiving end. I couldn't tell you what I think the most evil thing is, because I've seen so much I can't discriminate between which ones are worse. They were all horrible.
47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
I think that there is one person that you are meant to be with, and that you will just know when you've found them. Maybe you won't straight away, but you will.
48. What do you believe makes a successful life?
A successful life is one where you are doing something you enjoy, and surrounded by people you love and who love you. I think when you reach that point where you just feel that everything is right and that you fit in or belong here, that is when your life is successful.
49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)?
Well, I don't like sharing personal feelings and problems with many people, perhaps just a few. Or... maybe just even Vlad. Although my being cheerful isn't really a front, there are times when I don't feel so great but don't really want everyone to know. My thoughts to a certain extent I am not so secretive about. I normally have long discussions at the pub with my friends about... well, anything really! Usually it's something obscure that we have a good laugh about. The usual people in this group are Vlad, Michal, Isaak, Vasska, Anton and Stanislaus.
50. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
I shouldn't think so. I don't tend to judge people until I've had a proper conversation with them, so I judge them on their actual personality. I don't use any physical factors to judge people before I even know them.
51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?
There are a number of things I am sometimes asked to do as a soldier which I refuse. I refuse to kill people whose only apparent wrong-doing was to live in a village in a nation that we are fighting. I do not think that killing these people would have any affect on ANYTHING, and to me it is just immoral.
52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?
Vlad.
Part 5: Relationships With Others
53. In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how?
I always try to be as polite and welcoming as I can to anyone. Of course, with friends I feel more comfortable to joke around a bit, and tease them. I'll be a bit more open around people I am closer to, and perhaps more honest. If ever I meet anyone new, I always try to make them feel at ease, as I know how horrible it is trying to talk to someone who gives you the strong feeling that they don't really want to know you. I don't try to keep people at a distance, but I definitely let them in more if I know them better.
54. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
The most important person in my life at the moment is Vlad. He's my best friend, and knows probably more about me than anyone. I feel most comfortable around him, and he listens to me. Despite how stoic or even irritated he can appear around people, Vlad is in fact a very social person and has a great sense of humour. He makes me laugh, he looks out for me and he lets me be myself. Kolya always gushed about him when he was alive, and I can see why. I've watched him blossom into such a wonderful young man, and he's the most important person to me.
55. Who is the person you respect the most, and why?
I respect most of my comrades, my friends especially. Some of my generals I have more respect for than others. General Borka Šulík is probably my favourite, he's rather young compared to the other Generals and he ALWAYS fights on the front lines with us. I respect him greatly for the fact that he cares about the rest of his men. I have a lot of respect for Vlad, for Vasska and for Anton. There are some people I did respect, like Kolya and my brother, but who are no longer with us.
56. Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people.
I am friends with a lot of the soldiers in our military, but I do have a small group who is closer to me than most. They are First Lieutenant Vladimír Thököly, Master Sergeant Michal Dzurilla, Sergeant Vasska Corvinič, Major Anton Hlinka, Sergeant Major Isaak Zbora and Colonel Stanislaus Gašparovič. My best friend is Vladimír. Stanislaus is a good friend of mine, I've known him since I first joined the military. He's some five years older than me, but he's always been around to talk with me or share a drink with. He's a very thoughtful man, I've found. Michal is a young soldier, I think he's about 18 now. He's very hot-headed and extremely opinionated, but very loyal to his friends. Vasska is even younger, only 16. He hasn't been in the military long, but he's already worked his way up to Sergeant. Though he is rather shy, and sometimes gets frightened easily, and can sometimes appear to be naive, that boy is more mature in his opinions than most 16 year olds you'll ever meet (in fact, he's a lot more mature than most of the soldiers I know). He excels in most of his classes at military training. He's going to be a great soldier one day. Anton joined the military when I was about 19, he was a very head-strong young lad and is very efficient. At times he can appear rather impersonal, and perhaps doesn't stand up for himself as much as he ought to when being told (sometimes ludicrous) instructions from higher ranked soldiers he doesn't think he should follow, but he's become a good friend of mine nonetheless. He's loyal to me, and makes a great leader himself when given the chance. Isaak is almost the same age as Vlad, though he is two ranks below him (which I think he somewhat resents). He can come off as quite arrogant at times, but he does care very much for his friends. He works hard, and is good at keeping others' spirits up, I am always pleased to see him in my ranks when assigned a rather dreadful mission. And then there's Vlad, my best friend. I've known him for a while, since Kolya introduced me to him when he was about 11 or 12. Unfortunately, the next time I saw him after that was to tell him that his father had died. Once he was 16, he joined the military and our relationship was more of a student-teacher one. But as he got older, we became friends, and through some unfortunate circumstances, got closer. Vlad is either loved or hated by other soldiers. Those that hate him are probably jealous, because he is so young and extremely talented, quite highly ranked for his age (he's just about 20 years old now) and also because he IS popular with a lot of soldiers. He's a very tolerant person, doesn't anger easily (he comes off as being irritated a lot, but never angry) and is actually a very warm person. He takes excellent care of the soldiers under his lead, and is very kind and gentle when wants to be.
57. Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person.
No, not at this moment in time. There is someone I would like to be with, but I doubt anything will ever happen between us.
58. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
Hmm... in previous relationships, I thought I was perhaps in love. But not until I found the person I really feel I'm meant for did I realise what love is. However, it's one-sided so nothing has really happened.
59. What do you look for in a potential lover?
Someone who makes me laugh, someone who listens to me, someone who I can be myself with. Really, someone who can be my friend as well as my lover.
60. How close are you to your family?
The only family I have at the moment are my aunt and uncle, who I am close to. However, I have stayed at Vlad's family's home... well, it's only his mother who lives there now really-- his brother ran off some time ago with a girl Vlad was seeing, and his father has been dead for eight years... but his mother is always looking after me, and treats me like a son. Their house is tiny, but she always lets me stay if we're in the area.
61. Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not?
No, not yet. I would like to one day, maybe. If I find the right person...
62. Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help?
It depends what kind of help really. If I have something I want to talk over, I can usually go to my aunt or uncle. But normally, I look to the friends I mentioned before for help, especially Vlad or Stanislaus. Vasska is also surprisingly very good for advice. He's very ignorant of the widely accepted view on certain things, which means he gives an honest opinion based on his observations. And that boy is observant...
63. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?
In a way, I don't. As a soldier, you are taught to look after yourself and make sure that you are the one that doesn't get yourself killed. But that doesn't mean that we don't help each other when we are in dire straights. Though I would trust pretty much any soldier, there are those that I feel safer with when I see them leading in front of me. As I said earlier, General Šulík is probably the person I would most like to see fighting beside me, along with Vlad, Anton and Stanislaus.
64. If you died or went missing, who would miss you?
I have gone missing a few times during battles, either because I was taken prisoner or too badly injured to return to our camp. Most soldiers are happy to see me when I return, but my friends moreso. Vlad usually gets beside himself when I go missing for more than a day, and is always the one most relieved to see me get back.
65. Who is the person you despise the most, and why?
I don't despise anyone, but there are people I am not overly fond of. Really, they're just a few stubborn generals, like General Satnik, or General Lajos. Lajos is a bit of a stick-in-the-mud, he's rather old now and very set in his ways. He refuses to listen to anyone else's view point, even though HE is usually the one who is wrong. He rubs a lot of people the wrong way, including me. Satnik is just a tyrrant. I think I have been truthfully scared of him on occasions. He believes that the best way to lead is by using force on his soldiers. Anyone who does not do what he asks, even if it was unintentional and could not be helped, he will make an example of through corporal punishment. I do remember several times when he has accidentally killed young soldiers. How he has remained instated as a general I do not know. He's probably scared the living daylights out of everyone else.
66. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
I avoid conflict through argument with people, unless I really feel the need to argue back. Usually, if it's something trivial, I won't rise to it and just let the other person have their victory. However, I sometimes feel that I should talk back, especially if I want to stand up for myself or I feel that what someone has said is very wrong (orders from a higher ranked soldier for example).
67. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
Usually, since I have to be a leader on many occasions. I feel like I'm not in control of what's going on if I let myself sit back and watch others do everything. In a more social context, like conversations and such with friends, I don't dictate what happens, but I do join in a lot.
68. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not?
I don't mind large groups of people, some times I am in charge of a very large number of soldiers. But when socialising, I prefer to be with a smaller group of friends that I know better, rather than a large amount of people who I only vaguely remember meeting three months ago. I feel like I can be part of the conversation more, rather than just being one of those people in the background making up the numbers.
69. Do you care what others think of you?
Not really, no. I think I'm past that insecure stage, I am comfortable with who I am. Several events in my life have made me see what others really think of me, and since then I have just... not thought about others' opinions.
Part 6: Likes And Dislikes
70. What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?
I do still enjoy going hunting, although nowadays the only chances I get to go are when I am out on a mission somewhere. However, that does mean I get to go hunting with my friends. Most of them also know how to hunt and used to help get the food when they lived at home. Generally, I just like being outdoors. I also enjoy reading.
71. What is your most treasured possession?
My knife, which Andrej gave to me as he was dying. He told me it would keep me safe, even if he couldn't. My father carved the handle for him, so it really just reminds me of my family.
72. What is your favorite color?
Probably forest green.
73. What is your favorite food?
Oh, definitely beef stew, my mother used to make it and it was SO filling!
74. What, if anything, do you like to read?
I enjoy reading anything about anything. I find politics is interesting, as is history and just general information. I've also read up on languages, I can speak a lot of Russian and Hungarian, and bits of Scandinavian languages and German. Vlad can speak a lot more languages than I can, and he's a lot better at them than I am, so he helps me as well. I also enjoy reading fiction.
75. What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)?
I think that good entertainment really is just a group of friends. Well, my friends are pretty entertaining anyways! I do appreciate art, but I don't really get many opportunities to see any.
76. Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit?
I don't smoke or do drugs, though I do drink sometimes. Not in alcoholic amounts, but I'll have a few if I'm out with my friends.
77. How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
If we're not on call anywhere, usually at a pub with most of the soldiers I know. The atmosphere is great, everyone has a good time and I always come out with my sides aching from laughing so much.
78. What makes you laugh?
Someone with a good sense of humour, and good timing. Normally Vlad or Isaak are good at making me laugh, and Vasska makes me laugh without really meaning to.
79. What, if anything, shocks or offends you?
Well, I've seen a lot so it takes a lot to shock me. I won't stand for a man to force himself on a girl, and I will always step in if I feel I need to. When someone insults me for no reason, or worse still insults my family or background, that does offend me. Insulting those that I care about also offends me.
80. What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself?
I'd probably get out a load of books and brush up on my Norwegian grammar.
81. How do you deal with stress?
I go hunting and kill something. Either that or I talk to Vlad.
82. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
A little bit of both. I usually plan out what I am going to do, but on a battlefield, you have to be prepared to be unprepared. I can think on my feet, and spontaneity is no problem for me.
83. What are your pet peeves?
Being disrespectful, in any way. It gets on my nerves when people are blatantly rude and inconsiderate. Also, when people think they know better than you, yet they only have a fraction of the experience you have. I get that with very young soldiers who think that they know how to do everything without being told how.
Part 7: Self Images And Etc.
84. Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted?
My days really have no routine. I work on a day to day basis, so I suppose routine is not something I require. If I had a routine, I probably would just adapt if it was disrupted.
85. What is your greatest strength as a person?
I am able to lead without resorting to being a cruel person
86. What is your greatest weakness?
I am afraid of losing people, which means that I often put their needs before mine a little too much
87. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would give myself more courage to talk about how I feel
88. Are you generally introverted or extroverted?
Generally... I'd say introvert. I'm not overly shy, I will talk to people I don't know, but I'm not "out there" like some people are.
89. Are you generally organized or messy?
I keep myself fairly organised.
90. Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.
I am very agile and quick, I have good aim and I can think quickly and on the spot. I'm not as powerful as some people though, I'm not able to anticipate future tactics too well (as in I don't possess the foresight to see what the enemies may or may not do), and I am not good at stopping my emotions getting in the way of important decisions.
91. Do you like yourself?
Not in a narcissistic way, but I'm perfectly happy with myself.
92. What are your reasons for being an adventurer (or doing the strange and heroic things that RPG characters do)? Are your real reasons for doing this different than the ones you tell people in public? (If so, detail both sets of reasons...)
My reasons for being an adventurous person are that I am curious and I always want to see what's a little further ahead. That, and it's all part of my job to be adventurous/heroic etc. Most people know that I am curious, so there is no cover up.
93. What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?
In my life at the moment I would most like to eventually become a General. I am one rank away, so I'm almost there.
94. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I'm not really sure... I've learned not to plan too far ahead in my life, since it's an occupational hazard that I might die sooner than I think. I think I've done fairly well to get to 24 to be honest. What I would like the most is for my friends to still be with me, and hopefully I will have made General by then.
95. If you could choose, how would you want to die?
It is rare in my job to die a peaceful death, so that is how I should like to go. If I really must die in battle, I would want to die saving my comrades. I've had friends go that way, and I could see that even though they suffered terrible amounts of pain in their last moments, they were happy to find that their friends were still alive because of them.
96. If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left.
Find Vlad, kiss him and tell him I love him.
97. What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?
If I could be remembered for being a great general who was a good leader and fought beside his men, I would be happy. If I could be remembered in the same way Kolya is remembered, I would be honoured.
98. What three words best describe your personality?
Friendly, gentle, focussed
99. What three words would others probably use to describe you?
Sociable, open, brave
100. If you could, what advice would you, the player, give to your character? (You might even want to speak as if he or she were sitting right here in front of you, and use proper tone so he or she might heed your advice...)
Okay, Damek. There is only one thing I would tell you, since you're a lot wiser than me in most aspects of life. It's better to tell someone how you feel and get turned down than never saying anything and wondering your whole life what may or may not have happened. DONE DX