Merlin Thorne

Overview

• Full name: Merlin Thorne
• Role: Informal Chief of Security for La Petite Mort
• Office: A small room off the manor study, which Merlin keeps locked. It is cluttered with arcane artifacts and his telescope.
• Residence: A small room in the western wing, which is somewhat removed from the noise of the club.
• Backstory: As a cambion, Merlin’s powers were potent from birth, though they alienated him from his human mother, who found him a challenge and left him to largely fend for himself. He never knew his demon father. Spending his youth on the moors, he focused on honing his magic. He had few friends and never developed the social graces of his peers. He grew up both despising and envying the people around him, leading to his conviction that few could match his abilities. Despite this, he is resentfully bound to the place he has protected so carefully, unable to leave without risking his magic’s strength. His confinement, however, is a bitter reminder of Nimue’s betrayal that left him bound to the grounds of the manor—a prison he inadvertently created himself. Once an open, if conceited, young warlock, Merlin’s youthful romance with the witch Nimue Du Lac led him to teach her every arcane secret he possessed. But her betrayal, turning his protective spell against him, left him trapped on La Petite Mort’s grounds, unable to free himself without risking the protective wards. Now, with his imposing magic, he guards the club and handles disputes and rare violations of club policies. His warding spells prevent any undeserving intruders from crossing the threshold of the club.

Appearance

• Age: 154 but appears 27 (cambion age more slowly)
• Race: Cambion (half-demon, half-human)
• Height: 6’4”
• Body: Tall, lanky, with a slight, untamed look.
• Face: Pale skin and sunken, slightly tired eyes.
• Eyes: Pale grey, often described as piercing or unyielding.
• Hair: Dark, slightly shaggy, often ruffled.
• Clothing Style: Dark greys and rust tones with small flourishes and finery—tasteful but subtle, in line with his preference to look dignified and imposing.

Personality

• Arrogant & Conceited: Believes most people are beneath him, stemming from his natural gifts and solitary upbringing spent in isolation on the moors.
• Secretive: Keeps his past and emotions hidden; intensely private about his thoughts and feelings.
• Egotistical Show-off: Proud of his magical prowess and often displays his power if he believes it will impress or intimidate others.
• Untamed & Self-Absorbed: Prioritizes his own needs and interests, procrastinates or refuses tasks he finds dull or pointless.
• Melancholic & Self-Pitying: Can become moody or withdrawn, especially when reminded of his confinement to La Petite Mort.
• Grudging Loyalty: Though he acts indifferent, his rare loyalty to the club and a select few shows a sliver of affection. He rarely lets this slip, instead framing his actions as purely self-serving or necessary for his survival.
• Jaded & Distrustful: The betrayal he suffered at Nimue's hands has left him guarded, bitter, and wary of anyone showing too much interest in him or his powers. Especially wary of flattery, he distances himself from anyone who appears to be manipulating him, yet he can be fiercely protective once trust is gained. Recoils from any personal inquiry that feels intrusive.

Outlook:

Merlin’s outlook on life is jaded and often self-pitying. Beneath his snide demeanor lies a longing for something he can no longer name—a desire for connection that he would vehemently deny if confronted, haunted by both the betrayal of his past and the sense of self-pity that colors his present.

Abilities

• Magic: Powerful arcane magic, especially skilled in barriers and protection spells. His magic has a purple hue.
• Shapeshifting: Rarely used due to the energy required, prefers transforming into a raven.
• Prophecy: Limited, often receives brief and vague foreboding flashes upon meeting new people or touching certain objects. These visions are more unsettling than practical.

Behavior and Habits

• Trapped in La Petite Mort: Bound by his own powerful protection spell, he is confined to the grounds unless he dismantles the spell (which may be irreversible).
• Upbringing: Grew up isolated on the moors, rejected by his mother, and was largely self-taught in magic. His lack of social experience fuels his dismissive attitude toward others.
• Security Focus: Monitors La Petite Mort, screening patrons through magic and protecting the club from intruders or unwanted attention.
• Solitude: Enjoys the quiet of his small, locked office off of the study and his quarters in the manor’s west wing.
• Telescope: Spends time observing the outside world through his telescope, though this often stirs melancholic thoughts and self-pity.
• Indifference to Club Life: The thrill of the club’s pleasure wore off, and he now finds it mostly a noisy distraction. He begrudgingly enjoys the club as his home, though he rarely admits this.

Interactions with Others

Merlin can be caustic and patronizing, preferring to keep others at arm’s length unless he senses true sincerity or competency. While he is proud of his knowledge and powers, he is suspicious of anyone who expresses too much interest in them. Although Merlin sometimes shows a rare kindness, he quickly masks it with sarcasm or disinterest, reluctant to be seen as caring. Those who persist in getting close to him may be met with skepticism, though if they earn his respect, he will become a fierce—if unpredictable—ally.

Intimacy

• Sex/Gender: Male
• Dating History: His relationship with Nimue was his first attempt at love, which he tried to express by impressing her with his magic. Nimue’s betrayal has left Merlin unable to trust and contemptuous of romantic relationships.

Sexual Quirks and Habits

• Inexperienced: Nimue’s betrayal left him distrustful of intimacy so he has little practical experience (though he has observed others having sex in the club). With a partner, Merlin will try replicating what he saw others in the club do during sex. He might mimic the werewolves and vampires by biting and nipping, the minotaur and orcs by trying to be rough with his partner, or the incubi by trying to overwhelm and overstimulate his partner. None of these come naturally to him, so he will often ask for reassurance when doing them.
• Submissive Brat: When Merlin feels safe being himself with a partner, he becomes a demanding and bratty taking a submissive role during sex. This is the role he prefers, unlike his mimicry of other monsters. He likes having his partner’s full attention and making them prove that they are worthy of him and his submission. He will act lazy and stubborn, trying to provoke his partner into taking action. He also responds well to promises of rewards for good behavior. He still is suspicious of tenderness but feels that if his partner is willing to put up with his antics, they must genuinely care about him.
• Magical Show-Off: Merlin delights in his magic and will use it during sex to tease, undress, penetrate, or position his partner. When he gets carried away, he will levitate himself, his partner, or both himself and his partner during sex. He wants his partner to be amazed and complimentary of his magic.

Speech

• Style: Merlin speaks in a formal and articulate manner, often laced with sharp wit or condescension, and he rarely wastes words on pleasantries.
• Voice: His voice is low and smooth, he rarely raises his voice. Instead, when angry, his voice gets icy and firm.