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Player Information
Name: Ari
Timezone: GMT-5
Personal Journal: anasyrma
Players Contact/AIM/MSN/YAHOO: got glastnost / lowly.mango@gmail.com / fire_youkai1
Email Address: Refer to MSN contact.
Former/Other Characters in the RP: Canada, Takeshi Yamamoto
How did you hear about us?: .
Character Information
Name: Ludwig Beilschmidt
Canon Origin/Series: Axis Powers Hetalia
School Year: 6th
Gender: Male
Age: 16
Out of school living location: Berlin, Germany
Blood status: Pureblood
Personality:
If you'd like a visual representation of Ludwig's personality, just look at the way he styles his hair. Gelled back away from his face, kept neat and proper, not a single hair out of place. That saying "don't judge a book by its cover"? Yeah, well, ignore it. Ludwig looks like an uptight kind of guy, because he very much is an uptight kind of guy.
While his older brother Gilbert reflects their mutual militaristic upbringing in his wildness and violent nature, Ludwig conversely embodies the obedience and order typically associated with the stereotypical 'perfect' soldier. He is serious, to the point, orderly, and logical. Respects authority at all costs. Ludwig maintains a neat appearance, both because he has pride and because it's expected of him.
In the presence of other people, Ludwig's emotions generally range from neutral to exasperated to pissed off. Though far from shy, Ludwig is a reserved boy who relates to number figures and blueprints of buildings and puppies (because who doesn't love puppies?) more than he does to his peers. His childhood didn't exactly yield for much interaction with many people, see, as sick as he was. He's a good guy, though, really; he's merely - awkward, like needs to read a book to understand relationships awkward, and tactless in a brutally honest sort of way.
Get to know him, though, and he will show a soft side eventually. Being good at organizing events and people means that he's also good at looking out for the other people's needs, after all. Although he's almost constantly exasperated, Ludwig is much more patient than he seems. He'll put up with your shenanigans if he has to -- he'll just do so angrily. I mean, any guy who loves puppies as much as Ludwig can't be all hard edges and straight edge lines anyway, right?
Canon Background:
The Federal Republic of Germany boasts a very long and extremely complicated history that a wikipedia page can hardly do justice.
Hetalia canon introduces a somewhat recently unified Germany just as he is about to cautiously invade Northern Italy sometime during the First World War. As soon as he finds the guy, Germany is quick to realize that N. Italy is a huge derp who isn't all that invested into the war effort. Rather than fight him, N. Italy quickly surrenders and clings to Germany, singing songs about wurst and German girls and all that nonsense, essentially driving Germany crazy until the disastrous end of the Great War.
Spoilers: Germany loses.
Charged wholly responsible for the war, Germany toils and suffers greatly under a coerced democracy, impossible debt, and horrible economy. He's depicted building like a million bird houses as France watches from afar and laughs vengefully. However, Germany eventually regains his footing as the infamous Third Reich and World War II magically happens. He is joined by fellow Axis Powers, Japan and North and South Italy (and Finland, to a lesser extent, and Soviet Russia, until Germany of course stabs him in the back), and together, they derpity derp all over the place, historical accuracy just a vague, far away concern. N. Italy sleeps in his bed naked, Japan is weird, Prussia talks to him about beer, Austria is the most annoying invade-ee ever, Russia is creepy, the Allies are annoying, Germany's boss is a crazy douchebag, and Germany is perpetually exasperated.
Spoilers: Germany loses.
Current day Germany is shown often as the leader and organizer to world meetings. Constantly depicted with N. Italy and with Prussia presumably living with him as Eastern Germany, he promotes Going Green, law, and order. Again, perpetually exasperated. Forever.
It is hinted, but not professed, that Germany is what used to be the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was a sickly country who lived under Austria's rule. Portrayed as a small child, he constantly picked on a young North Italy in hopes of recreating a great empire. He developed a crush on N. Italy, thinking that North Italy was a girl all the while. His love is mutual, and they share a kiss before the Holy Roman Empire is swept off to war. France essentially 'kills' HRE and N.Italy still waits for his return.
However, again, it is hinted that Germany might share HRE's memories in a strip that has him researching marriage and relationships as a result of some whacky misunderstanding with N. Italy, but it was never shown if he does or not. Because the manga-ka is mean like that.
Background (AU!Canon; HP)
For centuries, the Beilschmidt family has boasted a substantial amount of power and influence amongst the pureblood families of Germany (or whatever that area was officially known as at the time). Historically known for their ingenuity in dueling and battle tactics, Ludwig Beilschmidt's bloodline upholds an impressive reputation for sharing generations of intelligent and respectable, if not a tad militaristic, witches and wizards with the rest of society. Although years of inner conflict and Muggle World Wars have diluted their status and fixation towards war somewhat, pride and hard work remain to be important institutions within the family. With another Wizard War on the horizon especially, the Beilschmidt's plan to make some sort of contribution to the front. What type and to what extent of a contribution, however, is as of yet unknown.
Which brings the second son of the current generation Ludwig into the equation.
Born in Berlin, Ludwig grew under the weight of the expectations of his family. Be strong, be a man. Ironically, young Ludwig suffered from a series of illnesses that would often leave him frail and vulnerable. Further exacerbating his condition, Ludwig was frequently carted between the two major factions of his line: the one in Germany and the one in Austria.
To compensate for what he perceived as a weakness, Ludwig took up to harassing a young Italian child who lived around his cousin's mansion in Austria. A bullying relationship eventually transformed into an innocent playground love affair, and a young Ludwig fell smitten. However, after a particularly heinous sickness that nearly incapacitated him, Ludwig was separated from his Italian childhood love and returned to Germany. There Ludwig stayed and recuperated. As an unfortunate result of his painful recovery process, Ludwig's recollection of his first love faded into a far away, dream-like memory.
Luckily for Ludwig, a return to Germany meant to a return to Ludwig's older brother Gilbert, who loved and cared for him in his own caustically affectionate way. While Ludwig was conceived in a hospital located in a western part of Berlin, Gilbert was born in an area that was previously Soviet Russia's East Berlin. Taking that to heart, Gilbert hailed his brother the West to his East and brought Ludwig up under his wing.
Under Gilbert's tutelage, Ludwig became stronger, healthier. Although he was easily susceptible to sickness well into his preteen years, he would eventually grow into what some would even label as an intimidating figure. Although Ludwig's naturally stern personality clashed with Gilbert's inherently wild one, the two shared and still share a loving bond. The two have more similarities between them than one would initially suspect anyway.
When Ludwig became of age, he formally requested to attend Hogwarts rather than the academy his brother attended. Family conflicts tended to leak into school. By removing himself from potential stressors, Ludwig hoped to find a more efficient studying environment. Of course, as Ludwig's luck would have it, Hogwarts ended up as crazy as his family. Ludwig just had to learn to deal.
At Hogwarts, he excels in every class, but he particularly enjoys subjects such as Arithmacy and Transfiguration. Subjects like Divination fail to hold his interest. While he maintains superb grades in hopes of getting a job at the German Ministry, he leaves his future ultimately to his elders.
How would your character fit in to each House?
GRYFFINDOR ► If there's something that needs to be done, Ludwig will see it be done, no matter how terrifying that something might be. Ludwig is definitely not one to be easily spooked. And while Ludwig's honesty might come off as rude, he's polite and diplomatic enough when the situation calls for it. He isn't honest to be rude, after all; he simply believes it to be a more efficient, direct way to help people.
HUFFLEPUFF ► Ludwig is fiercely loyal to his authority figures. True to the OBEDIENT SOLDIER TYPE trope, he'll follow orders given to him by higher powers even when he ultimately disagrees with them. When he gets involved in a cause, he will see that cause through to the end. Dedication, loyalty, and and hard work? Check, check, and check.
RAVENCLAW ► Above all else, Ludwig prefers logic and order. First and foremost, he's at Hogwarts to further his knowledge and increase his family's prestige. Not one to be impulsive EVER, every decision he makes for himself is based on at least some level of research. As said before, he depends on books for relationship advice and relates to mathematical equations better than he does to people, okay.
Yeah, Ludwig's an awkward turtle nerd underneath it all. He probably names his puppies after German philosophers or something.
SLYTHERIN ► Ludwig can be quite ambitious and determined in terms of the goals and standards he sets for himself. Although typically honest in nature, Ludwig does have the potential of pulling some slightly underhanded shit to get what he wants (or whatever his superiors want, more likely). His determination and intelligence fuel his capacity for his resourcefulness too. And uh, the Beilschmidts are pretty set in the Pureblood department, yes.
Sample Journal Entry:
Fellow classmates,
I would like to give my formal well wishes and congratulations to my elder brother Gilbert Beilschmidt on his recent acquisition of the Transifguration teaching position at the Hogwarts Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardy. However, I deem it also important, if not more so, to assure my fellow students that our familial relation will absolutely have no affect on either of our respective roles as teacher and student. There will be no unfair advantage or special treatment that might influence my grades or tests performances, as academic and familial interaction should strictly be kept within separate spheres. Any breach of these dynamics would be unprofessional and unethical.
Thank you for your time,
- Ludwig Beilschmidt
Congratulations, brother.
Sample Interaction Post in Third Person:
In his own quiet way, Ludwig was rather proud of his bookcase. It stood regally in the corner of his room, far from his window to save it from the weather that might seep in through the tiny cracks of his window pane and ruin the bindings to his precious books. He designed it himself, drew its simple but intricate design into the margins of the journal Gilbert had told him to keep. During the summer before his second year at Hogwarts, he measured the length and width and height of the space in his room, down to every metric centimeter, gathered his tools and set work on its creation.
No one had helped or suggested he do such a thing, though the House Elves of course aided in the clean up. He built it out of necessity, out of need to organize the space around him.( But father nodded approvingly, mother rest her tiny hand upon his arm, and brother ruffled his hair and boasted to anyone who would hear about the intelligence of his brother; and Ludwig, twelve years old and sickly then, ducked his head and smiled. )
Now, Ludwig gathers his three month old Doberman Pinscher puppy into his arms, pulling him up and away from his beloved bookcase. His expression is taught, reddened and bunched up in his irritation. Ludwig brings his hand to his temple and massages soothing circles against the onset of another inevitable stress caused headache.
Does it help? Not really.
"Please!" he barks (ironically) in German, "Please do not tear up the bookshelf when I am away!"
His puppy only stretches its tiny body and licks a line of spit across his face. While the action was endearing, it of course did nothing to mend the scratches and embellishes left on his furniture.
"I said don't!"