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Character Name: Rodolphus Lestrange
Character LJ: morsmordrecerta
Approximate Age & Gender: Forty-nine or so, male
Physical Description: Rodolphus is described as thick-looking, with a blank stare. Presumably, this means he looks rather stupid. He has blue eyes and long, dark hair. Build is approximately 6’2”, 13 stone and 8lbs - on the heavier side, though given more to a large frame and muscles rather than fat. As he is from a wealthy pureblood line, he wears traditional, upper-class robes similar to what might be seen on Lucius Malfoy, though he has a penchant for dragon hide and other expensive leathers.
Summary of Personality:
While Rodolphus has the physical appearance of someone who might be better attuned to literally swinging his weight around (that is, rather large and stupid-looking), he’s quite intelligent. That isn’t to say he’s a genius - he certainly isn’t the greatest wit in the world - but he is clever. He has had the benefit of an expensive education, including private tutors and, of course, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, because he isn’t as intelligent as others of his kind (Snape and Malfoy, for example), he does have something of an inferiority complex, which results in a rather contentious relationship with the aforementioned, amongst others. He does try to keep things civil, but there is nearly always an undercurrent of back-handed compliments, condescension, and snide remarks. The exception to this is Bellatrix; he holds her in such high esteem that it doesn’t matter to him if he’s less intelligent.
Under ideal circumstances, he puts forward a very amiable façade. He’ll talk to anyone, and will remain completely pleasant until they upset him: then the gloves come off. He does have some trouble with his temper, and it takes visible effort for him to wrest himself back under control. When he loses it entirely, he tends to lash out with Unforgivable Curses - the Cruciatus is a particular favorite of his, and he has helped torture people into insanity with it. He has no qualms about murder - all for the greater good, of course. Anything for the Dark Lord - and, by proxy, Bellatrix.
He has very little personal integrity. Rodolphus will lie, cheat, steal, and otherwise stoop to underhanded tactics to achieve his ends if he believes they will further the cause. He can be stubborn, impulsive by nature, and will look for any opportunity to sow discord amongst others. He has no personal religious views save those which extend amongst the rest of the wizarding world (that is, that there is some sort of afterlife, as evidenced by the ghosts), and his morality is extremely flexible. Because of his steadfast belief in the ideals of the Dark Lord, he is extremely intolerant of any idea which goes against his own - and while, in some cases, he is willing to argue the point and proselytize ad infinitum, in many situations he will simply view the person arguing as an inferior who isn’t allowed to have an opinion on the matter.
He has relaxed attitude about his wealth. While Malfoy seems to be the poster child for the nouveau riche and flaunts his wealth (those absurd peacocks, for example), Rodolphus has a bit of class about it. He has money (if not title - a good reason for his marriage to Bellatrix Black), but it’s as natural to him as breathing, and he doesn’t use it to make others feel inferior or uncomfortable. Unless, of course, he thinks it’s necessary. He does have one flaw directly related to his wealth, in that he, like his wife and sister-in-law, will underestimate creatures such as house elves: he has (or had) the unshakeable belief that a servant will be devoted just for the benefit of being a servant.
His marriage to Bellatrix was one of necessity, in order to preserve his family’s name and pure bloodline (an effort which was interrupted by his incarceration in Azkaban prison). While, under other circumstances, their relationship might have developed into one of love and sexual compatibility, the Dark Lord comes first, and Rodolphus acknowledges that he is an also-ran to Voldemort in Bellatrix’s eyes. He seeks his comfort elsewhere, with the full knowledge of his wife. However, in spite of his extramarital affairs, he is unfailingly devoted and loyal to Bellatrix. If any woman were to ask him to turn away from her, he would wash his hands of the affair and never give it a second thought. He fights at her side in battles, relies upon her, gives his support in all her exploits, and trusts her implicitly. No one comes between Bellatrix and Rodolphus save the Dark Lord himself: she is his ally, his friend, and his companion. He loves her in his own crippled, twisted way. She simply isn’t his lover.
Rodolphus is a devout believer in the ideology of ‘Magic is Might’. The preservation and purity of bloodlines is everything to him, because he has been raised to believe in the superiority of wizards. He thinks Muggles should be kept separate from the Wizarding World, and wizards should reign supreme over them instead of hiding behind protective enchantments and archaic laws. No Muggle should benefit from the same education as wizards, or receive training in magic. Muggleborns as well as non-humanoid creatures (including werewolves and vampires) possessing sentience and magic are to be viewed as second-class citizens. Anyone who opposes these views is to be stamped out immediately. He is a Death Eater through and through.
Sample Post:
He hasn’t seen his wife fall to Molly Weasley. If he knew, he would bend and break under the crushing weight of the knowledge. He has seen her survive so much - years and years in Azkaban, duels and hardships - that falling to the wand of a dumpy little blood traitor would be nothing short of inglorious. Shameful. An unworthy death for such a worthy woman.
But he hasn’t seen.
What he has seen is that the spells aren’t landing, no matter where he aims. It’s as though perception has been altered, reality shifting under his feet. Rodolphus flings curse after curse, snarling and seething, his heart pounding faster and harder with indignation. But then a silence falls over the battle, a strange hush, and all eyes are turned toward the Dark Lord and his enemy. Rodolphus falters, his gaze darting from here to there, searching for someone to engage in a fight, but no one’s interested in him.
Finally, as though he’s the last to cotton on, his attention is caught by the spectacle in the center of the Great Hall. The words being shouted by the Chosen One make little sense: talk of loyalty and devotion, of Snape and Lily Potter, and of regret. Stupid, just stupid, to talk such nonsense in the midst of a battle. But something is wrong. Before Rodolphus has time to register what it is, to pinpoint exactly why the Dark Lord’s demeanor bothers him so, it’s over.
He doesn’t believe it at first, and lucky for him, he doesn’t have to. Before he can rush to the side of his fallen leader, before he can shout for his wife, before he can run, he’s hit with a stunner. The world goes black.
What has your character been up to during the past year?:
Attempting to use the Malfoy tactic to get himself out of Azkaban: swearing up and down that he was under the effects of the Imperius Curse. He’s managed capably, and is now trying to find out what became of his wife.
Your LJ: N/A
Age: 27
Where can we contact you?: moxispilot@gmail.com or on AIM at moxispilot