Charlie Vanderbee
Charles (Charlie) Vanderbee is the sole heir to the Roseview Duchy and the inheritor of Nature magic. He is the tallest member of the Spectacular Six, making him easily recognizable to his chagrin.
History
Childhood
Charlie never got along much with his father, this prompted his mother to teach him medicine starting when he was 5.
From as early as 6, Charlie has had to learn how to survive out of doors. When he was particularly obstinate or troublesome, his father would ban him from the house overnight. His mother's valet, Josiah, taught him much of what he knows and Charlie learned to brave the Wood any night he was cast out.
Teens
At 17, he earned his certification to practice medicine, granting him the title of Doctor.
Prior to Abduction
During his adult years, Charlie spent a good deal of time doing work as the Marquis and studying the responsibilities that he would inherit as the Duke. His father continued to arrange marriage meetings which ultimately ended in disaster. His reputation, which had never been very good, plummeted and he was often referred to as the Duke's Bastard. His foul mouth and bad manners made him reprehensible, yet his title was heavily coveted and for this, he was always still considered a commodity.
In the months prior to the Prologues and the Abduction, Charlie noticed his energy levels greatly increased as he spent time outdoors, specifically in the Wood. He could hear whispers in the Woods but attributed it to stress.
Personality
While he can be harsh and cruel upon first introduction, Charlie is easily appeased when people are honest with him. After decades of being expected to wed or be sexually promiscuous in some way, he grew resentful of anyone that looked his way. However, as time goes on, his true personality shines through. He is awkward but tender-hearted, honest, and loyal.
He is stubborn which makes it hard to convince him to do anything or go anywhere that he doesn't want to. However, he can be swayed by promises of sweets or information about something he's interested in such as plants, medicine, or literature.
It is revealed early on that Charlie suffers from disordered eating. When living in Roseview, he never ate breakfast and barely ate throughout the day, only eating what was prepared for him by his mother's valet, Josiah. It is also revealed that he suffers from depression and suicidal ideation. He often states that dying would be a better option than anything else presented to him.
He's a romantic at heart. He firmly believes himself to be aromantic and asexual, however, has always been a fan of romance novels.
His interests include: being outdoors, reading, fashion
He cannot stand: small talk, talking about sex (outside of a medical setting)
He is afraid of: being hit on, sharks
Belongings
Mundane
- A watch
- Peppermint oil
- Peony seeds
- Fine clothes (a jacket, a vest, a shirt, trousers, boots)
- A bolo tie
- Leather gloves
- An annotated copy of The Doctor's Travelogues
- A pencil
- A bone knife (gifted to him by Josiah)
Magical
Abilities
Charlie is the inheritor of natural magic which gives him the ability to help plants grow, manipulate earth, and magically heal. The last of these is further enhanced by his academic understanding of medicine and application of the craft for years.
He enjoys woodcarving and has been seen carving with a bone knife during his spare time.
Relationships
The Spectacular Six
Casimir
Though Casimir gave Charlie a hard time at first, after they apologized sincerely, they've grown closer. Charlie comes to them for advice on approaching other people, especially Thandi. Casimir has been helping greatly with Charlie's self-image, doing his makeup for him and relying on him for his medical expertise. Charlie considers them a good friend.
Elia
At first, Charlie did not know what to make of Elia. He found her quite feisty, but strangely quiet. He's fascinated by how outgoing she is, and how she seemed to know that she was attracted to Nora. He enjoys Elia's company in the way one would enjoy a little sister.
Charlie has taken on the mantle of teaching Elia how to read and write, and they've formed an impromptu book club reading romance novels and bodice rippers. In exchange, Elia has made him bookends.
Nasima
Charlie considers Nasima fascinating. They aren't like anyone he has ever met before and seems to genuinely like their situation in the Haven, not to mention they have a mongoose hanging on them at all times. While Charlie is sure that Nasima sees him as a target for tomfoolery, he finds it interesting to watch them from a distance.
If anything absolutely out of bounds is going to happen, though, he can count on Nasima to be the first one to jump in.
Nora
Of everyone, Charlie relates to Nora the most. She has rarely spoken to him, but he recognizes the ill feelings she has for the world in himself. Considering their family situations, he isn't surprised that she is as stressed as he is. He really wants to help her in some way, but isn't really sure how.
Sak-chai
Charlie walks a fine line with Sak-chai. On the one hand, Sak-chai seems wise beyond his years and learned in the ways of people. On the other, Charlie gets nervous about Sak-chai's promiscuity being pointed at him or Thandi. With Charlie's past trauma, sexuality makes him nervous, and it had conferred onto Sak-chai.
Despite that, they've had many heart-to-hearts and Charlie's view of him has relaxed. Now he remains concerned about his well-being and has invited him to the study group he and Elia has started.
Friends
Josiah
Charlie respects his mother's valet and sees him in as more of a paternal figure than his own father. Josiah calls Charlie "Sprout" as they often gardened together.
Dean
Charlie has known Dean since they were children. While he does enjoy Dean's company, he can find the man to be a bit overwhelming at times.
Love Interests
Thandi Kahsu
At first, Charlie despised Thandi for abducting him and her evasiveness. But after some time, he grew to appreciate her sincerity and sunny personality. Eventually, he found he preferred being in her company than on his own.
Enemies
Relatives
Parents
Father, Byron Vanderbee
Charlie despises his father and everything that he stands for. His father routinely abused him physically and verbally ever since he was a child.
Mother, Ruth Vanderbee
Charlie loves his mother but the relationship is strained as he holds her somewhat responsible for the torment he endured at the hands of his father. He respects her and values her wisdom. When given the chance to contact someone after his abduction, he reached out to her.
Appearances
Prologues
In Charlie's prologue, his mother informed him of a meeting which was supposedly his "last marriage meeting." He refused to attend but his mother insisted that this was the only option and that "the end was soon near." The marriage meeting was with Pierre Tasse, a baron from the far west of East Istres. While Tasse was awkward at first, once within the hedge maze, he made it clear to Charlie that his options were either marriage or death. The meeting was interrupted, however, by a land shark breaking through the earth and devouring Tasse in one bite. While fleeing, Charlie's magic activated protecting him in a ball of thick, thorny vines. Thandi appeared and destroyed the land shark before abducting Charlie from Roseview.
Trivia
- Charlie's prologue was the first recorded session.
- Charlie was the last to wake up during the first session.
- His star sign is Virgo.
- Charlie is 4 days older than Nora. This was completely unintended.
- While he's demisexual, Charlie is also bisexual. Growing up, he was more drawn to men so everyone is surprised when he falls for a woman.
- The bolo ties he wears are the only thing he purposefully wears that are out-of-fashion. He does so to spite his father.
- His ideal voice actor would be Caleb Hyles.
- In the original game, Charlie's ears were large due to racial proportions. However, they've stuck with his character design. This aspect as well as others were inspired by Chilchuck from Dungeon Meshi.
- In the original game, Charlie was 5'10". He has grown in height and we consider this to be the "Bigger Charlie" universe that was originally conceived in those days. He was supposed to keep growing given that his original race was long-lived. However, in Adaptation, his final form was adapted to his original.
- Charlie was initially modeled after Chilchuk in Dungeon Meshi (what a ways away...).
References
x