info & prefs (film spoilers are hidden)
Aug. 12th, 2024 10:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
warriddenGrandness and spectacle are second to efficiency. Why waste men so speculatively on the battlefield when single combat could win the day? Likewise, why throw a lavish party when simply buying the next round keeps people just as happy?
In these aspects, he puts others before himself but can be quick to viciousness when those in his care come to harm. At 29, he is a powerful king, a loyal friend, and a deadly foe.
HEIR
Content to revel in drunken squalor after testing his mettle on the battlefield, Hal's determination to shirk the expected demeanor of a prince leads to him finally being relieved of his position as heir to the throne. News of which he has to travel home for at the behest of his dying father.
The revelation is bittersweet however as the missive is promptly followed by a call to arms that sees his youngest brother elevated in status and duty which means leading the charge for father's civil war in an upcoming battle.
In an effort to stop the conflict and spare his brother from experiencing the horrors of combat, Hal seeks out the rival commander to fight in their armies' stead. The duel is grisly but unappreciated by either half of the battlefield, decried even by the brother he tried to spare. Neither side recognizes it as a statement of the crown, thus making the duel in vain.
Stained once more with bloodshed, Hal returns to the lower city to lose himself in ale and women, consoled by his closest confident and fellow soldier, John Falstaff.
The revelation is bittersweet however as the missive is promptly followed by a call to arms that sees his youngest brother elevated in status and duty which means leading the charge for father's civil war in an upcoming battle.
In an effort to stop the conflict and spare his brother from experiencing the horrors of combat, Hal seeks out the rival commander to fight in their armies' stead. The duel is grisly but unappreciated by either half of the battlefield, decried even by the brother he tried to spare. Neither side recognizes it as a statement of the crown, thus making the duel in vain.
Stained once more with bloodshed, Hal returns to the lower city to lose himself in ale and women, consoled by his closest confident and fellow soldier, John Falstaff.
KING
Approached by the man who would soon become his advisor, William shares the grave news that Hal's brother has been killed on the battlefield. It is a blow to Hal and to the crown which is now poised to fall on his head. Upon his father's deathbed, he takes up the mantle, promising to be an altogether different King Henry than the war hungry monster that came before him.
This proves difficult to navigate as he receives taunts and death threats at the infancy of his reign, all accredited to France. His calm demeanor over the slights is regarded as foolhardy by his council until he is brought before a Frenchman claiming to be an assassin sent personally by the King of France. This revelation along with rumors that the assassin is helped by two of his own council members, eventually pushes Hal to declare war on France.
The council members purportedly linked to the plot are beheaded, the first casualties of his crusade. With Falstaff at his side, Hal leads his men to the shores of France to overtake the nearest settlement. Not convinced his siege is moving fast enough, Hal's camp is visited by the Church of England's archbishop whose interests are revealed to be underwritten within the campaign.
Any opportunity for victory after the siege is deflated as a new visitor thrusts himself upon the English camp. The Dauphin, son to the King of France, taunts and threatens Hal in an effort to dissuade him from his campaign but only further stokes the fire of Hal's righteous determination to see it through, amplified when the Dauphin later attacks children in his camp.
The war is brought to a bloody end when Hal meets the Dauphin's forces in Agincourt, a wide open field where the Dauphin's greater number should have held the advantage. Falstaff's cunning has Hal sending in an advanced infantry to draw out that number but when Hal learns Falstaff intends to lead that very charge, he goes to the Dauphin's camp to compel him into single combat.
The Dauphin's refusal sets in motion a bloody battle steeped in mud that weighs down the Daupin's men, allowing Hal's more nimble soldiers to overtake them in the rainsoaked field. When the Dauphin meets him in full plate for a duel, he flounders into the mud and Hal allows his men to take the battlefield's prized scalp, securing his victory.
This proves difficult to navigate as he receives taunts and death threats at the infancy of his reign, all accredited to France. His calm demeanor over the slights is regarded as foolhardy by his council until he is brought before a Frenchman claiming to be an assassin sent personally by the King of France. This revelation along with rumors that the assassin is helped by two of his own council members, eventually pushes Hal to declare war on France.
The council members purportedly linked to the plot are beheaded, the first casualties of his crusade. With Falstaff at his side, Hal leads his men to the shores of France to overtake the nearest settlement. Not convinced his siege is moving fast enough, Hal's camp is visited by the Church of England's archbishop whose interests are revealed to be underwritten within the campaign.
Any opportunity for victory after the siege is deflated as a new visitor thrusts himself upon the English camp. The Dauphin, son to the King of France, taunts and threatens Hal in an effort to dissuade him from his campaign but only further stokes the fire of Hal's righteous determination to see it through, amplified when the Dauphin later attacks children in his camp.
The war is brought to a bloody end when Hal meets the Dauphin's forces in Agincourt, a wide open field where the Dauphin's greater number should have held the advantage. Falstaff's cunning has Hal sending in an advanced infantry to draw out that number but when Hal learns Falstaff intends to lead that very charge, he goes to the Dauphin's camp to compel him into single combat.
The Dauphin's refusal sets in motion a bloody battle steeped in mud that weighs down the Daupin's men, allowing Hal's more nimble soldiers to overtake them in the rainsoaked field. When the Dauphin meets him in full plate for a duel, he flounders into the mud and Hal allows his men to take the battlefield's prized scalp, securing his victory.
FOOL
SPOILERS FOR THE FILM
In the wreckage of bodies, Hal discovers Falstaff among the dead and the loss strips him of his mercy, declaring that all the remaining French prisoners be put to death, an order he had previously walked back after the Dauphin's murder of innocent children at Falstaff's urging. It does little to help Hal look like anything other than a bloodthirsty tyrant when he meets with the King of France to accept his surrender and his daughter's hand in marriage.Upon their return to England it is his betrothed that prompts him to reflect on his so-called achievement, asking him to explain plainly to her why it is he sought war with France. The list of excuses are proven to be fabricated and the cold realization of what he has done and who has pulled the strings prompts him to confront William with this information.
A full confession of these manipulations results in Hal cutting the head off the snake that poisoned him, killing William in a single blow before returning to his bride-to-be, now the only person he can reasonably trust, asking that she only ever speak true.
AU Offerings
Date: 2024-08-13 01:25 pm (UTC)Stat-wise, Hal is a Fighter, subclass Battlemaster. His small regiment is comprised of other Fighters with a Cleric in the mix who represents the Church and their interests in the campaign Hal is returning from.
A "prince of the people", Hal has bonded with the men of his regiment and can often be found drinking amongst their ranks to let off steam.
Very much aware of his short-comings and the vultures within his father's network, Hal plays all of his cards close to his chest. He likes to look the part of a well-dressed mafia prince, but exhibits restraint in all things, especially his relationships.
Preferences
Date: 2024-08-19 02:21 am (UTC)BACKTAGGING: I can backtag into infinity as long as you're still interested.
THREADHOPPING: As long as everyone agrees!
FOURTHWALLING: If it makes sense for your character, go for it, but Hal will think they're crazy if it's brought up IC.
PRIVATE FILTERS: Sure, just let me know and I can add you to the journal.
SENSITIVE TOPICS: He's a soldier so war and violence are prominent themes for this character.
SHIPPING: Preference for M/M 25+ but very much open to M/F 25+ if it's prior to his reign or a politically advantageous marriage. Kinklist is here.
As a king, he's slow to open up and hard to win over without some established CR, but as a drunken prince anyone is fair game. I tend to default to playing him as a king, but if you have a preference for something else, just let me know.
I don't expect people to want to dive into Shakespearean inspired period dramas so feel free to tap me for any and all possible AUs!
AU INFO: AUs that have been fleshed out can be found here. I'm also open to throwing him into anyone else's canon world with fantasy, sci-fi, and modern AUs being my favorites.
PHYSICAL AFFECTION: Yes please. Hal's slow to offer it and skeptical to receive it without prior CR though.
SMUT: Definitely. While he's played as a switch, I'm a big fan of UST and build-up that allows us to figure out preferences along the way. You can PM if you'd like to establish top and bottom dynamics ahead of time. Likewise, if you'd prefer to fade to black, just let me know.
VIOLENCE: Absolutely.
TELEPATHY/MAGIC USE: Yep.
DEATH: Talk to me first, please.