Armand

PERSONALITY: Armand's personality is that of a typical teenage boy although he is more refined. He seems to have a preoccupation with existential issues such as the meaning of life and what being a vampire means within such ponderings. Armand, however, is unique in that he swings from periods of hedonistic denial of a higher power to bouts of zealotry such as devoting himself to the dogma of the Parisian coven and later throwing himself into the sun after seeing Veronica's Veil. He is truly a creature of worship and often becomes obsessive and possessive in regard to ways of life or even the people he cares for. He's demented and also extremely caring, fluctuating between the two extremes depending on whether he's pleased with his lover or not. He is also extremely touch-starved; but, holds himself back until he feels safe enough to express his feelings to another person without being hurt.

Armand has never matured from the fifteen-year-old he was when he was sold into slavery to his maker, Marius. He is still prone to impulsive and extreme acts, often described as seeming 'lost' when his actions spiral into events beyond his control. His main goal in life is to be absorbed into something 'greater' a person, a group, a faith, anything that lets him not be just himself. He's willing to do anything - very literally anything - to get inside whatever he thinks will let him escape.

BACKSTORY: Born in Kyiv, in what is now Ukraine in the year 1480, Armand, then known as Andrei, was a talented young boy who could paint wondrous images of ikons, which his father boasts as "not made by human hands". Andrei himself believes it is through the power of the Christian God that he is able to paint the wondrous ikons and takes no credit for himself. Andrei and his father were transporting an ikon as an offering when they were surprised and attacked by Tartars. Andrei is kidnapped and is taken by ship to be sold into slavery in Italy. Andrei arrives in Venice and is taken to a brothel where he refuses to do anything the men ask him to do. The men beat Andrei and abandon him to his death in the basement with no memory of who he is.

He is found and rescued by Marius de Romanus who immediately gives him the name Amadeo, believing the name's meaning "Beloved of God", appropriately suits him. He purchases Amadeo from the brothel and nurses him back to health at his home, where he receives an education among the many other boys Marius has rescued. Though he was a talented painter, during his education Amadeo refuses to paint again, though he cannot fully remember the reason why. As part of what Marius believes to be the education of the ways of being human, Marius regularly sends Amadeo to brothels to be serviced by women and men. During his time spent with Marius, Amadeo notices odd things about his master, however, he is more than willing to ignore them, as he is happy in his new life. Amadeo rapidly picks up the language and proves to be a brilliant student. Amadeo later meets Bianca Solderini, a friend and neighbor of his master. Amadeo spends much of his time at Bianca's parties and in her home and occasionally in her bed. Amadeo is eventually shown the nature of what his master truly is but feels no revulsion and still carries on loving his master regardless.

When Amadeo is seventeen years old, he angers Lord Harlech, an Englishman who claims to be madly in love with him. He attacks Amadeo in his home. Lord Harlech himself is killed, but leaves Amadeo mortally wounded by his poisoned blade. He is taken to Marius' room and looked after by Bianca until Marius arrives. Marius finds Amadeo slipping away. Amadeo believes he is seeing a vision of heaven. Fearing he'll lose Amadeo forever, Marius feels has no choice but to give Amadeo the Dark Gift, turning him into a vampire.

Now no longer a mortal, Marius teaches Amadeo how to live as a vampire and only to hunt evil doers which Amadeo gladly does while he remains in the company of his master. Amadeo's happiness with Marius is short-lived as his home is soon attacked by Santino and his coven of vampires who take Amadeo away from Marius and hold him prisoner. Believing Marius to be dead, Amadeo joins the vampires who kidnapped him and begins to follow their rules and beliefs. Santino plays a large part in convincing Amadeo that vampires are completely evil beings that should not be allowed to live as mortals do. Amadeo is then renamed Armand and is sent to rule over a coven in Paris which resides underneath a cemetery. Armand leads the coven and makes sure they follow these rules until Lestat and Gabrielle manage to persuade the entire coven that Armand's beliefs are ridiculous and petty.

Armand realizes that the coven can no longer survive as it did before so kills the majority of the vampires in it. He then appeals to Lestat and Gabrielle to stay with him and teach him how to live in this world. They refuse to stay with Armand but put him in charge of the Théâtre des Vampires. He is considered the 'maître' of the coven, directing his coven members and dolling out punishments whenever necessary. Armand lives during the 1900s, placed in 1905. He dresses accordingly in fine gentlemen's clothing and tends to slick back his black curls. But, some evenings, he allows himself little freedoms like letting his curls free. His face is always on display; a proud nose, soft and strong features, full lips, and maroon-red eyes that are round and soft whenever he is expressing emotion. Otherwise, he is cold and expressionless.