ABILITIES: Sylvain has been training to be a knight and a warrior all his life and has a range of experience in various weapons, hand-to-hand, and battle strategy and tactics, as well as a surprising understanding of magic. Although he's never pursued that course of study extensively, he has basic training in both Faith (healing) and Reason (offensive) magics. He excels at combat in teams or acting as support with fellow soldiers and is versatile and quick to adapt to unexpected circumstances. Sylvain has trained in mounted combat, moving swiftly over longer distances, isn't slowed down by difficult terrain, has extensive practice with lance (mastery level), sword, and axe, and is adept at evading both ranged attacks (from archers, etc) and magical/spell attacks. He also possesses the Crest of Gautier, an inheritance of his bloodline that allows him to wield the family relic, the Lance of Ruin. It occasionally also has the added effect of being able to increase or give him a burst of might/strength in a fight and the damage he creates when using certain attacks, although this isn't something he can control and seems to happen at random.
Outside of combat (which has been the majority of his life for the last five years), Sylvain's always been known as a playboy and skirt-chaser. Part of that is a persona he's carefully crafted for most of his life, because of the expectations placed on him since birth and his perspective of everyone being after his Crest, his title, his position, but not actually him. So his outlook has very much been "use them before they can use me" because then he can control what little of the situation he can. He knows eventually he won't have much of any say in who he ends up with, so he's going to experience as much as he can while he's free to do so. Unfortunately, this has given him a very jaded view of people in general, but it has made him an excellent judge of character, observant and quick to pick up on the masks others wear. It's also given him a lot of experience as a lover, because his reputation back home was well-earned, even if almost all his experiences have been short-lived or one-night stands. Anything more committed than that would have been foolish when he knew that choice wouldn't really be his to make.
Sylvain is often dismissed as shallow and a slack-off, more interested in flirting than dedicating himself to anything serious, but in fact, it's just been Sylvain's way of dealing with the position he's been forced into in his society since birth. He believes himself trapped and is coping with it as best as he knows how. To his benefit, he does take on that unwanted destiny with a seemingly playful air that borders on indolent, but it's shown on multiple occasions to mask a quick mind, keen observation skills, and a tendency to bluntly cut right to the heart of the matter without getting distracted or diverted by any flashy disassembling or coy platitudes. How he will adapt his personality and outlook in a world where he's suddenly not defined by his name, his bloodline or his Crest is an interesting thing to play out, because it's not a situation he's ever let himself imagine before. In some ways, despite his dislike of being 'kidnapped' to a strange new world, being dropped into one is practically a dream come true. A chance at the kind of life he only barely let himself dream of, even if he knew it was impossible.
And finally, at his heart, Sylvain is very much a people person. His years with his classmates and his Professor have softened some of that distance he always kept between himself and most of those around him. There were few he actually let get truly close to him when he was younger, but that has changed quite a bit in the years since he first came to the Officer's Academy. While he still knows there are a great many people out there too blinded by their own ambitions and greed, unwilling to look past the surface of anyone else, he's made a conscious effort not to be someone like that. And he's found he has a knack for seeing into the hearts of those around him, able to connect in ways and form friendships from both shared and contrasting experiences. He's stopped looking at everyone and assuming what they could get out of an interaction with him and just started enjoying the friendships and relationships that can form when he lets them. It's given him an appreciation for a lot of different viewpoints and perspectives he hadn't considered before and now, being surrounded by a much vaster array of people, that new dedication of knowing and understanding those around him can explore even more new avenues. When he lets himself, Sylvain can be an amazing listener and supportive friend, and I'm looking forward to seeing how that manifests in the new connections he can make in this place and what new paths those connections may lead him down.
VICES: 1. Cynicism. For much of his life, Sylvain has been exposed to some of the worst traits in humanity. Starting young, between the murderous hatred he got from his brother and his father's greedy ambitions for a Crest heir, he was shaped by the grim understanding that people wanted him, not for who he was or what he could do, but because a trick of fate had him being one of the "lucky" few born with a Crest. That was only enforced as he grew older, especially after adolescence, when he started being pursued by females who thought landing the Heir of Gautier would be their meal ticket for life. It ended up shaping his outlook in countless ways, but most of all in the way that he didn't need to exert himself or push himself in many ways beyond the bare minimum because what did it matter when the only thing important or special about him was his Crest? "He" was inconsequential in the whole thing, and it's still a concept that makes him bitter about things. It gave him a very jaded outlook when dealing with anyone, expecting them to always have ulterior motives in approaching him, whether it be for friendship or anything more than that. "These girls don't love me. They only love the potential rewards of loving me." He also says, "Now women smile at me for the same reason my parents adored me...and my brother wanted me dead. And I have to meet them all with a smile and a wink because I have a Crest."
It's also his reasoning behind keeping many people at arm's length and not letting them see/know the real him, beyond a very small number of trusted few. He never lets himself get attached and made sure to keep anyone else from getting attached to him, either, sabotaging short-term relationships or one-night stands before anyone could get any ideas of them being more than that. Using them before they could use them, hurting them before he could get hurt. This is shown in his social links with his fellow students, too, in that he has some of the largest amount of social interactions in the game... but the fewest number of ones that deepen past surface level relationships.
2. Deceit/Manipulation. Sylvain is a master of wearing many masks to hide who he truly is, never letting anyone peer too deeply beneath the surface. It's a defense mechanism, mostly, because he has a lot of ugly reactions and thoughts that he pushes into the background or never lets see the light of day. A lot of anger at the unfairness of how things are that he doesn't see any way to change. The feeling of being trapped in a situation he didn't want and never chose, but unable to get free of. And also dealing with both the envy and greed and hatred directed at him because of that situation. But he hides all of that behind a wide grin and easy laughter, always having a joke or an outrageous suggestion or a string of flirtatious lines to distract from the truth of him. He makes himself appear shallow because then no one ever looks too closely and picks up on how damaged he actually is.
He's worn those masks so long and so well that even many of his closest friends believe it to be the real him and don't realize there's more happening under the surface than what they see. What he shows them. And he's done it so long that even those who do know him well aren't sure when he's being genuine or offering empty flattery - or just assume all of it is shallow and empty. He's done this himself, and seems resigned to the fact that he's not going to be able to change people's opinions of himself, whether that opinion had been intentional or the result of gossip or his infamous reputation. He uses these manipulations and masks instead to string people along, play his own games of mental chess with those around him he doesn't trust. Because at least if he's controlling the pieces moving in his vicinity, he can't be turned into a pawn himself, even if he believes that will still be his inevitable - and unavoidable - fate one day.
3. Envy. As a result of both of the previous vices, it's also resulted in this third one, namely directed at those that have somehow avoided falling into the same trap as he has. It's very much in appearance in his early conversations with Byleth (the protagonist) where he expresses anger and resentment because they somehow managed to grow up their whole life without being crushed under the expectations that come with having a Crest. "You know what? I'm a bit jealous. The whole time you were growing up, you never knew you had a Crest. You were free. Nobody pretended to like you. I kind of hate you for that." He even goes so far as to threaten them over it, but then laughs the line off as a joke - as he does with so many of the things he says and really means, but doesn't really match up to the lighthearted persona he so frequently wears. But really, his reality just makes him feel trapped and he's envious of those who escaped sharing his fate, would give just about anything to switch places with them, where he didn't have to question every interaction he has with suspicion and doubt. "Those of us with Crests have been envied and desired but never for who we are. I understand the value of my blood. Believe me, I hate how much I understand it. I know better than to dream of being free from this burden. If I thought I could have escaped, I would have tried. I'd leave behind House Gautier and the life of a nobleman...and anybody who knew I had a Crest."
VIRTUES: 1. Intelligent. While he doesn't advertise this, Sylvain has a sharp and clever mind. He has a knack for strategy and understanding theoretical concepts and surprises several of the other students in the Academy by being able to hop right into a conversation on a complicated matter that most would assume goes right over his head. He plays chess with one of the best master tacticians in their class, debates magical theory with several casters despite never having studied it in any real depth or gone to school for that. And he shows a keen understanding of the world around him, whether it be geography, economics, politics, or history - and knows how to apply that knowledge to current situations to best navigate complicated problems. And, perhaps more applicable here, he has a keen understanding of people. He's observant and understands well what make people tick. He has a keen insight into those around them, able to pick up on subtle clues in people's postures, expressions, or sometimes the tells that give away if they're lying or evading. Part of this is a result of some of his above vices, because he's had to protect himself, but he applies it in more ways than just manipulation. He's a quick learner when he applies himself, with a good memory for detail. He adapts well and thinks quick on his feet, with a good sense of awareness of what's going on around him - something that's been crucial to his survival, having spent the past several years fighting an impossible war and defending a besieged territory from an invading army that far outnumbers his own forces and defenses.
2. Empathic. Because his ability to understand people so well, Sylvain has shown himself surprisingly adept at putting himself in other people's shoes and understanding their perspectives. For those that gain a sympathetic understanding from him in this scenario, he has a warm heart and a caring manner in interacting with them. This is shown very clearly in some of his interactions with fellow classmates, such as Dedue, who has always suffered from severe racism and distrust for an atrocity his people were believed to have perpetuated. Not only does Sylvain not let that influence his interactions with Dedue, he points out why those beliefs are wrong and even if they did have a chance of being true, they shouldn't reflect on Dedue. He doesn't believe gossip or let it affect his own perspectives, because he knows how detrimental that can be firsthand. He's always willing to lend a helping hand to his classmates who might need it, whether that be helping someone with their studies or their chores, or toting a stack of books to the library for someone who doesn't have time themselves.
Another example of this is how he speaks of his brother, who has hated him all his life, from the time he was born - to the point that he tried to kill him several times. Sylvain could understandably resent and hate him back, holding a grudge for the abuse he endured at Miklan's hand, but he doesn't. "Even as a little kid, I understood why he was like that. My mere existence stole everything from him. I have no right to complain when I am surrounded by people who would give anything to bear a Crest but don't." He carries guilt for his role in his brother's misfortune instead, even up to the point where they ultimately come face to face in battle and he has his "good fortune" thrown in his face again when Miklan curses his very existence. It's part of the weight of responsibility he feels he has to carry and it's been part of what's given him a more empathetic point of view when it comes to people who view things or endured hardships differently than he has.
3. Loyal. This might seem like a bit of an odd choice when combined with several of the other options here, but Sylvain does actually have a deep and abiding loyalty - once someone has earned that from him. It's been ingrained in him all his life on top of everything else, and is one of the reasons he does take his unwanted responsibilities so seriously and never gave in and ran away from the crushing weight of it. The people of Gautier wouldn't be safe without someone to wield the Lance of Ruin in their protection. And his loyalty to his closest friends is nigh unshakable. Even when the world falls apart around them, he stands firm at their side - or protecting their backs - no matter what they face. Despite his own misgivings later on about his prince and his purposes, he still would follow him to the bitter end, because so much of that is ingrained in everyone from Faerghus, but moreso because Dimitri is one of his closest friends. He would do anything to protect his friends - and often does, even at his own expense, sometimes to the point that his friends have to call him out on his recklessness and lack of self-preservation. But to him, they are worthy of that sort of risk, where he doesn't believe the same about himself. While his loyalty might change shapes or be altered depending on what route his fate takes, he ultimately puts it above almost everything, letting it guide his choices and actions, along with his convictions and what he believes is right.
no subject
Sylvain has been training to be a knight and a warrior all his life and has a range of experience in various weapons, hand-to-hand, and battle strategy and tactics, as well as a surprising understanding of magic. Although he's never pursued that course of study extensively, he has basic training in both Faith (healing) and Reason (offensive) magics. He excels at combat in teams or acting as support with fellow soldiers and is versatile and quick to adapt to unexpected circumstances. Sylvain has trained in mounted combat, moving swiftly over longer distances, isn't slowed down by difficult terrain, has extensive practice with lance (mastery level), sword, and axe, and is adept at evading both ranged attacks (from archers, etc) and magical/spell attacks. He also possesses the Crest of Gautier, an inheritance of his bloodline that allows him to wield the family relic, the Lance of Ruin. It occasionally also has the added effect of being able to increase or give him a burst of might/strength in a fight and the damage he creates when using certain attacks, although this isn't something he can control and seems to happen at random.
Outside of combat (which has been the majority of his life for the last five years), Sylvain's always been known as a playboy and skirt-chaser. Part of that is a persona he's carefully crafted for most of his life, because of the expectations placed on him since birth and his perspective of everyone being after his Crest, his title, his position, but not actually him. So his outlook has very much been "use them before they can use me" because then he can control what little of the situation he can. He knows eventually he won't have much of any say in who he ends up with, so he's going to experience as much as he can while he's free to do so. Unfortunately, this has given him a very jaded view of people in general, but it has made him an excellent judge of character, observant and quick to pick up on the masks others wear. It's also given him a lot of experience as a lover, because his reputation back home was well-earned, even if almost all his experiences have been short-lived or one-night stands. Anything more committed than that would have been foolish when he knew that choice wouldn't really be his to make.
Sylvain is often dismissed as shallow and a slack-off, more interested in flirting than dedicating himself to anything serious, but in fact, it's just been Sylvain's way of dealing with the position he's been forced into in his society since birth. He believes himself trapped and is coping with it as best as he knows how. To his benefit, he does take on that unwanted destiny with a seemingly playful air that borders on indolent, but it's shown on multiple occasions to mask a quick mind, keen observation skills, and a tendency to bluntly cut right to the heart of the matter without getting distracted or diverted by any flashy disassembling or coy platitudes. How he will adapt his personality and outlook in a world where he's suddenly not defined by his name, his bloodline or his Crest is an interesting thing to play out, because it's not a situation he's ever let himself imagine before. In some ways, despite his dislike of being 'kidnapped' to a strange new world, being dropped into one is practically a dream come true. A chance at the kind of life he only barely let himself dream of, even if he knew it was impossible.
And finally, at his heart, Sylvain is very much a people person. His years with his classmates and his Professor have softened some of that distance he always kept between himself and most of those around him. There were few he actually let get truly close to him when he was younger, but that has changed quite a bit in the years since he first came to the Officer's Academy. While he still knows there are a great many people out there too blinded by their own ambitions and greed, unwilling to look past the surface of anyone else, he's made a conscious effort not to be someone like that. And he's found he has a knack for seeing into the hearts of those around him, able to connect in ways and form friendships from both shared and contrasting experiences. He's stopped looking at everyone and assuming what they could get out of an interaction with him and just started enjoying the friendships and relationships that can form when he lets them. It's given him an appreciation for a lot of different viewpoints and perspectives he hadn't considered before and now, being surrounded by a much vaster array of people, that new dedication of knowing and understanding those around him can explore even more new avenues. When he lets himself, Sylvain can be an amazing listener and supportive friend, and I'm looking forward to seeing how that manifests in the new connections he can make in this place and what new paths those connections may lead him down.
VICES:
1. Cynicism. For much of his life, Sylvain has been exposed to some of the worst traits in humanity. Starting young, between the murderous hatred he got from his brother and his father's greedy ambitions for a Crest heir, he was shaped by the grim understanding that people wanted him, not for who he was or what he could do, but because a trick of fate had him being one of the "lucky" few born with a Crest. That was only enforced as he grew older, especially after adolescence, when he started being pursued by females who thought landing the Heir of Gautier would be their meal ticket for life. It ended up shaping his outlook in countless ways, but most of all in the way that he didn't need to exert himself or push himself in many ways beyond the bare minimum because what did it matter when the only thing important or special about him was his Crest? "He" was inconsequential in the whole thing, and it's still a concept that makes him bitter about things. It gave him a very jaded outlook when dealing with anyone, expecting them to always have ulterior motives in approaching him, whether it be for friendship or anything more than that. "These girls don't love me. They only love the potential rewards of loving me." He also says, "Now women smile at me for the same reason my parents adored me...and my brother wanted me dead. And I have to meet them all with a smile and a wink because I have a Crest."
It's also his reasoning behind keeping many people at arm's length and not letting them see/know the real him, beyond a very small number of trusted few. He never lets himself get attached and made sure to keep anyone else from getting attached to him, either, sabotaging short-term relationships or one-night stands before anyone could get any ideas of them being more than that. Using them before they could use them, hurting them before he could get hurt. This is shown in his social links with his fellow students, too, in that he has some of the largest amount of social interactions in the game... but the fewest number of ones that deepen past surface level relationships.
2. Deceit/Manipulation. Sylvain is a master of wearing many masks to hide who he truly is, never letting anyone peer too deeply beneath the surface. It's a defense mechanism, mostly, because he has a lot of ugly reactions and thoughts that he pushes into the background or never lets see the light of day. A lot of anger at the unfairness of how things are that he doesn't see any way to change. The feeling of being trapped in a situation he didn't want and never chose, but unable to get free of. And also dealing with both the envy and greed and hatred directed at him because of that situation. But he hides all of that behind a wide grin and easy laughter, always having a joke or an outrageous suggestion or a string of flirtatious lines to distract from the truth of him. He makes himself appear shallow because then no one ever looks too closely and picks up on how damaged he actually is.
He's worn those masks so long and so well that even many of his closest friends believe it to be the real him and don't realize there's more happening under the surface than what they see. What he shows them. And he's done it so long that even those who do know him well aren't sure when he's being genuine or offering empty flattery - or just assume all of it is shallow and empty. He's done this himself, and seems resigned to the fact that he's not going to be able to change people's opinions of himself, whether that opinion had been intentional or the result of gossip or his infamous reputation. He uses these manipulations and masks instead to string people along, play his own games of mental chess with those around him he doesn't trust. Because at least if he's controlling the pieces moving in his vicinity, he can't be turned into a pawn himself, even if he believes that will still be his inevitable - and unavoidable - fate one day.
3. Envy. As a result of both of the previous vices, it's also resulted in this third one, namely directed at those that have somehow avoided falling into the same trap as he has. It's very much in appearance in his early conversations with Byleth (the protagonist) where he expresses anger and resentment because they somehow managed to grow up their whole life without being crushed under the expectations that come with having a Crest. "You know what? I'm a bit jealous. The whole time you were growing up, you never knew you had a Crest. You were free. Nobody pretended to like you. I kind of hate you for that." He even goes so far as to threaten them over it, but then laughs the line off as a joke - as he does with so many of the things he says and really means, but doesn't really match up to the lighthearted persona he so frequently wears. But really, his reality just makes him feel trapped and he's envious of those who escaped sharing his fate, would give just about anything to switch places with them, where he didn't have to question every interaction he has with suspicion and doubt. "Those of us with Crests have been envied and desired but never for who we are. I understand the value of my blood. Believe me, I hate how much I understand it. I know better than to dream of being free from this burden. If I thought I could have escaped, I would have tried. I'd leave behind House Gautier and the life of a nobleman...and anybody who knew I had a Crest."
VIRTUES:
1. Intelligent. While he doesn't advertise this, Sylvain has a sharp and clever mind. He has a knack for strategy and understanding theoretical concepts and surprises several of the other students in the Academy by being able to hop right into a conversation on a complicated matter that most would assume goes right over his head. He plays chess with one of the best master tacticians in their class, debates magical theory with several casters despite never having studied it in any real depth or gone to school for that. And he shows a keen understanding of the world around him, whether it be geography, economics, politics, or history - and knows how to apply that knowledge to current situations to best navigate complicated problems. And, perhaps more applicable here, he has a keen understanding of people. He's observant and understands well what make people tick. He has a keen insight into those around them, able to pick up on subtle clues in people's postures, expressions, or sometimes the tells that give away if they're lying or evading. Part of this is a result of some of his above vices, because he's had to protect himself, but he applies it in more ways than just manipulation. He's a quick learner when he applies himself, with a good memory for detail. He adapts well and thinks quick on his feet, with a good sense of awareness of what's going on around him - something that's been crucial to his survival, having spent the past several years fighting an impossible war and defending a besieged territory from an invading army that far outnumbers his own forces and defenses.
2. Empathic. Because his ability to understand people so well, Sylvain has shown himself surprisingly adept at putting himself in other people's shoes and understanding their perspectives. For those that gain a sympathetic understanding from him in this scenario, he has a warm heart and a caring manner in interacting with them. This is shown very clearly in some of his interactions with fellow classmates, such as Dedue, who has always suffered from severe racism and distrust for an atrocity his people were believed to have perpetuated. Not only does Sylvain not let that influence his interactions with Dedue, he points out why those beliefs are wrong and even if they did have a chance of being true, they shouldn't reflect on Dedue. He doesn't believe gossip or let it affect his own perspectives, because he knows how detrimental that can be firsthand. He's always willing to lend a helping hand to his classmates who might need it, whether that be helping someone with their studies or their chores, or toting a stack of books to the library for someone who doesn't have time themselves.
Another example of this is how he speaks of his brother, who has hated him all his life, from the time he was born - to the point that he tried to kill him several times. Sylvain could understandably resent and hate him back, holding a grudge for the abuse he endured at Miklan's hand, but he doesn't. "Even as a little kid, I understood why he was like that. My mere existence stole everything from him. I have no right to complain when I am surrounded by people who would give anything to bear a Crest but don't." He carries guilt for his role in his brother's misfortune instead, even up to the point where they ultimately come face to face in battle and he has his "good fortune" thrown in his face again when Miklan curses his very existence. It's part of the weight of responsibility he feels he has to carry and it's been part of what's given him a more empathetic point of view when it comes to people who view things or endured hardships differently than he has.
3. Loyal. This might seem like a bit of an odd choice when combined with several of the other options here, but Sylvain does actually have a deep and abiding loyalty - once someone has earned that from him. It's been ingrained in him all his life on top of everything else, and is one of the reasons he does take his unwanted responsibilities so seriously and never gave in and ran away from the crushing weight of it. The people of Gautier wouldn't be safe without someone to wield the Lance of Ruin in their protection. And his loyalty to his closest friends is nigh unshakable. Even when the world falls apart around them, he stands firm at their side - or protecting their backs - no matter what they face. Despite his own misgivings later on about his prince and his purposes, he still would follow him to the bitter end, because so much of that is ingrained in everyone from Faerghus, but moreso because Dimitri is one of his closest friends. He would do anything to protect his friends - and often does, even at his own expense, sometimes to the point that his friends have to call him out on his recklessness and lack of self-preservation. But to him, they are worthy of that sort of risk, where he doesn't believe the same about himself. While his loyalty might change shapes or be altered depending on what route his fate takes, he ultimately puts it above almost everything, letting it guide his choices and actions, along with his convictions and what he believes is right.