OOC: Reference
General Information
Full name: Armand St.Just
Canon from: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
Canon type (movies/books, etc): book
Age (approx if not sure): 25
Gender: male
History
Armand was born in Paris, France, around 1770. His sister, Marguerite, was only a few years older than he. Their parents died when they were young children. Both were schooled strictly until they were teens, when Marguerite embarked to the provinces to begin pursuing a career on the stage, chaperoned by her young brother. When Marguerite was twenty, the St. Justs made a triumphant return to Paris. Sponsored by their famous cousin, Louis Saint-Just (the political crony of Robespierre), Marguerite embarked on a dazzling career at the Comedie Française. Armand started at the University of Paris, studying law with the intent of entering public service. He devoted his life to his sister and his studies.
During the first intoxicating months of Marguerite's career, Armand met by chance Angele, the Marquis de St. Cyr's daughter, and fell in love. He knew his cause was hopeless. The scion of French nobility wouldn't be allowed to unite with a lowly born plebian such as Armand, even if she wished it. However, Armand wrote Angele a poem. The next day Armand was waylaid by St. Cyr's men and beaten nearly to death. He was long in recovering, and his outward calm about the injustice was more marked than Marguerite's. She had later opportunity to confess her hatred of the St. Cyr family for her brother's sake, and her spiteful talk of St. Cyr's involvement with Austria after the revolution resulted in a denouncement to the tribunal and the execution of the entire family. Some reports claimed that Angele survived in exile in England, but the St. Justs never saw her again. Armand never spoke of the incident except in veiled terms to his sister, who knew the details.
As conditions under the Ancien Régime worsened for the poor, the siblings took advantage of their newfound affluence to enter the world of political discussion. Marguerite, as the rising star of the theatre, hosted soirees and salons at their apartment on the Rue de Richelieu while Armand mixed with his fellow students and politicians all over Paris. Her approach was more intellectual; his more enthusiastic. Both, having known the struggle to bring themselves up in the world, were staunch republicans and supported the early days of the revolution.
He could not claim to be intimate with the brightest stars of the revolution, but Armand knew most of them in passing. Their relationship with their infamous cousin deteriorated dangerously when Marguerite rejected Louis Saint-Just's marriage proposal. If Armand could have been tied to any one party, it was the moderate adherents of a constitutional monarchy, under the ill-starred Mirabeau. His later activities leaned toward the Royalist view though he never completely abandoned his ideals. He simply recoiled from the bloodthirsty turn the new Republic had taken which led to the Terror.
His sister suddenly married an English baronet, Sir Percy Blakeney, and emigrated to England, leaving him behind in Paris to watch the horrors ripen alone. The summer of 1792, he foolishly let his altered opinion of the revolution become known to the more famous Saint-Just, who eager to show his patriotism by taking a chance to condemn his own blood, watched and taunted Armand. He didn't have concrete proof until Armand broke under the strain and wrote his sister, begging her for help to get out of France. The intercepted letter was used to trap Armand. Only a heroic effort on Percy's part enabled Armand to escape to England before the autumn.
By the time Armand needed to return to France later that year, he'd learned of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel and became a helper, though not yet a member. He wrote Sir Andrew Ffoulkes a letter discussing how he was to assist the League in getting a few aristocrats safely out of France. This letter was stolen by Armand Chauvelin, a special agent of the French government, who used it to blackmail Marguerite into spying for him. She successfully set him on the trail of the Scarlet Pimpernel, not knowing that it was her husband. Percy's ingenuity saw them all through the crisis.
When all were safely back in England, Armand's was allowed to join the League, although he was not allowed to go on a mission until January 1794. He and Marguerite were too well-known in Paris. Also, although there was little evidence that Percy supported their pleas, many members of the League--wholly an English body save the St. Justs--did not trust Armand, not because they thought him unfaithful but because of his excitable "Latin" temperament.
Immediately upon his return to Paris, Armand, through nostalgia, agreed to a night at the theatre with an old acquaintance, the Baron de Batz. Armand accidentally confirmed he had ties with the Pimpernel, and just as unwittingly, fell under the spell of an actress, Jeanne Lange. De Batz saw the effect the girl had on Armand and introduced them. De Batz then reported Armand to Heron, a government official, so when Armand met with Jeanne at her home, they were interrupted by Heron come to arrest Armand. Jeanne was able to ward the official off temporarily with a clever lie. The danger cemented their love, and Armand promised to meet her again the next day.
When Percy revealed to the League their mission to rescue the young Dauphin, Armand balked because Percy required him to leave Paris immediately. After the meeting, Percy guessed the reason and, rightfully angry at Armand's reluctance to follow his oath, barely refrained from calling the young man "a liar and a cheat." When the full danger was revealed, Percy urged Armand to trust him, follow orders, and leave Jeanne's safety in his hands.
Armand found out Jeanne had been arrested, and forgetting all caution, ran straight to Percy, who already knew and again promised he'd take care of her. At nightfall Armand, anxious that Percy had not sent word, re-entered Paris. Unable to find Percy or news of his beloved, Armand consulted the prison rolls. He found Jeanne's name and her location in the Temple prison.
To be near her, Armand tried to get himself arrested, and instead ran afoul of Chauvelin. Armand offered to exchange himself for Jeanne, but Chauvelin, out of favor, took Armand to Heron, who would have bargained had not the "escape" of the Dauphin been discovered. Armand was released with certain restrictions.
Armand contacted Percy, assuring him it was safe to meet, and asked him to come to his rooms. Chauvelin, Heron, and many soldiers ambushed Percy when he arrived. Before losing consciousness, Percy shouted that Jeanne was already free. Percy was sent to prison, and Armand was freed in reward for his betrayal.
When Marguerite, having heard of her husband's arrest from the papers, arrived in Paris, Chauvelin offered to let her see him. Percy sent her back out with letters. As far as the League was concerned, Armand had vanished, but Percy was certain that Jeanne would know where he was. Percy's letter comforted Armand and gave him a new purpose in waiting for orders on how he could help gain Percy's release. After nearly two weeks, Percy apparently gave in and, by Chauvelin's dictation, wrote Armand that he required help to lead Chauvelin to the Dauphin. Obeying Percy's first letter, Armand set into motion the plan that Percy had prepared.
Chauvelin arranged for Marguerite also to accompany them as a second hostage. By necessity Marguerite and Armand were ignorant of the details of Percy's plan to free himself. Armand almost ruined it at the last by mistakenly believing that Percy, unconscious, was being left in a crypt while he and Marguerite were taken away to be shot.
It was Percy, now disguised as Heron, who knocked him senseless and ordered the siblings to be put in irons.
When Percy disposed of the guards and revealed himself to a dazed Marguerite and Armand, she thought they'd all died. All three returned to safety in England. Percy threatened to smash Armand's head if he tried to tell her the entire truth, so his forgiveness was implied in their shared conspiracy to keep Marguerite ignorant. By May of that year, Armand and Jeanne were married. Armand never participated in League activities again.
Personality
Armand is naturally passionate and chivalrous, often giving into the impulse to be generous to the point of foolishness. He will leap to the defense of those he sees as weaker than himself even when he's clearly outmatched, simply because it's the right thing to do. His idealism is firmly rooted in compassion, but he's too much in the clouds to base his dreams on the practical. When his strong loyalties force him into conflict, he tears himself up no matter which he chooses, always doubting his own judgement. He grew up in the shadow of his sister's cleverness, trusting her to make the difficult decisions, so he has little confidence in his own abilities, leading to self-fulfillment of his own doubts by making numerous bad decisions over the course of his short adult life.
He strives to overcome his tendency to let anger and pride get him into trouble, but he's not caught on that the heart is as treacherous a leader. His temper tends to crest in a heartbeat and dissipate just as quickly if he's not provoked further. He's not as stupid as some would have him but woefully ignorant in many regards, and often too hot-headed to use what intelligence he does have before he's already in the water with the sharks. He longs to do what is right, and when he falls short of his own standards, he pines, physically and spiritually, though his stubborn nature clings to the hope that his follies won't lead to permanent misery.
Also, he is extremely devoted to his small family of sister, brother-in-law, and new wife. He almost worships Percy and until her marriage, Marguerite was all to him, mother and sister together. And the dishonorable actions his love for Jeanne prompted him to do guaranteed that he put her on a pedestal as the angel for whom such drastic measures were worth.
Physical Description
Armand is considered slight of build, even by the standards of his time period, though he's on the taller side of average height. He keeps his long, dark brown hair tied back with a hair ribbon. His eyes are a stormy blue-gray, more suggestive of a dreamer than a man inclined to take action. His structured cheekbones and long, straight nose recall his sister's famous beauty though there is nothing feminine about his features. A straight cut, made by a sabre, mars his forehead near the hairline. His back is crossed by scars from the beating he received from St. Cyr's men.
Other
Magical powers or special skills: No magical powers. Good with languages. Bi-lingual (French & English)
Full name: Armand St.Just
Canon from: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
Canon type (movies/books, etc): book
Age (approx if not sure): 25
Gender: male
History
Armand was born in Paris, France, around 1770. His sister, Marguerite, was only a few years older than he. Their parents died when they were young children. Both were schooled strictly until they were teens, when Marguerite embarked to the provinces to begin pursuing a career on the stage, chaperoned by her young brother. When Marguerite was twenty, the St. Justs made a triumphant return to Paris. Sponsored by their famous cousin, Louis Saint-Just (the political crony of Robespierre), Marguerite embarked on a dazzling career at the Comedie Française. Armand started at the University of Paris, studying law with the intent of entering public service. He devoted his life to his sister and his studies.
During the first intoxicating months of Marguerite's career, Armand met by chance Angele, the Marquis de St. Cyr's daughter, and fell in love. He knew his cause was hopeless. The scion of French nobility wouldn't be allowed to unite with a lowly born plebian such as Armand, even if she wished it. However, Armand wrote Angele a poem. The next day Armand was waylaid by St. Cyr's men and beaten nearly to death. He was long in recovering, and his outward calm about the injustice was more marked than Marguerite's. She had later opportunity to confess her hatred of the St. Cyr family for her brother's sake, and her spiteful talk of St. Cyr's involvement with Austria after the revolution resulted in a denouncement to the tribunal and the execution of the entire family. Some reports claimed that Angele survived in exile in England, but the St. Justs never saw her again. Armand never spoke of the incident except in veiled terms to his sister, who knew the details.
As conditions under the Ancien Régime worsened for the poor, the siblings took advantage of their newfound affluence to enter the world of political discussion. Marguerite, as the rising star of the theatre, hosted soirees and salons at their apartment on the Rue de Richelieu while Armand mixed with his fellow students and politicians all over Paris. Her approach was more intellectual; his more enthusiastic. Both, having known the struggle to bring themselves up in the world, were staunch republicans and supported the early days of the revolution.
He could not claim to be intimate with the brightest stars of the revolution, but Armand knew most of them in passing. Their relationship with their infamous cousin deteriorated dangerously when Marguerite rejected Louis Saint-Just's marriage proposal. If Armand could have been tied to any one party, it was the moderate adherents of a constitutional monarchy, under the ill-starred Mirabeau. His later activities leaned toward the Royalist view though he never completely abandoned his ideals. He simply recoiled from the bloodthirsty turn the new Republic had taken which led to the Terror.
His sister suddenly married an English baronet, Sir Percy Blakeney, and emigrated to England, leaving him behind in Paris to watch the horrors ripen alone. The summer of 1792, he foolishly let his altered opinion of the revolution become known to the more famous Saint-Just, who eager to show his patriotism by taking a chance to condemn his own blood, watched and taunted Armand. He didn't have concrete proof until Armand broke under the strain and wrote his sister, begging her for help to get out of France. The intercepted letter was used to trap Armand. Only a heroic effort on Percy's part enabled Armand to escape to England before the autumn.
By the time Armand needed to return to France later that year, he'd learned of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel and became a helper, though not yet a member. He wrote Sir Andrew Ffoulkes a letter discussing how he was to assist the League in getting a few aristocrats safely out of France. This letter was stolen by Armand Chauvelin, a special agent of the French government, who used it to blackmail Marguerite into spying for him. She successfully set him on the trail of the Scarlet Pimpernel, not knowing that it was her husband. Percy's ingenuity saw them all through the crisis.
When all were safely back in England, Armand's was allowed to join the League, although he was not allowed to go on a mission until January 1794. He and Marguerite were too well-known in Paris. Also, although there was little evidence that Percy supported their pleas, many members of the League--wholly an English body save the St. Justs--did not trust Armand, not because they thought him unfaithful but because of his excitable "Latin" temperament.
Immediately upon his return to Paris, Armand, through nostalgia, agreed to a night at the theatre with an old acquaintance, the Baron de Batz. Armand accidentally confirmed he had ties with the Pimpernel, and just as unwittingly, fell under the spell of an actress, Jeanne Lange. De Batz saw the effect the girl had on Armand and introduced them. De Batz then reported Armand to Heron, a government official, so when Armand met with Jeanne at her home, they were interrupted by Heron come to arrest Armand. Jeanne was able to ward the official off temporarily with a clever lie. The danger cemented their love, and Armand promised to meet her again the next day.
When Percy revealed to the League their mission to rescue the young Dauphin, Armand balked because Percy required him to leave Paris immediately. After the meeting, Percy guessed the reason and, rightfully angry at Armand's reluctance to follow his oath, barely refrained from calling the young man "a liar and a cheat." When the full danger was revealed, Percy urged Armand to trust him, follow orders, and leave Jeanne's safety in his hands.
Armand found out Jeanne had been arrested, and forgetting all caution, ran straight to Percy, who already knew and again promised he'd take care of her. At nightfall Armand, anxious that Percy had not sent word, re-entered Paris. Unable to find Percy or news of his beloved, Armand consulted the prison rolls. He found Jeanne's name and her location in the Temple prison.
To be near her, Armand tried to get himself arrested, and instead ran afoul of Chauvelin. Armand offered to exchange himself for Jeanne, but Chauvelin, out of favor, took Armand to Heron, who would have bargained had not the "escape" of the Dauphin been discovered. Armand was released with certain restrictions.
Armand contacted Percy, assuring him it was safe to meet, and asked him to come to his rooms. Chauvelin, Heron, and many soldiers ambushed Percy when he arrived. Before losing consciousness, Percy shouted that Jeanne was already free. Percy was sent to prison, and Armand was freed in reward for his betrayal.
When Marguerite, having heard of her husband's arrest from the papers, arrived in Paris, Chauvelin offered to let her see him. Percy sent her back out with letters. As far as the League was concerned, Armand had vanished, but Percy was certain that Jeanne would know where he was. Percy's letter comforted Armand and gave him a new purpose in waiting for orders on how he could help gain Percy's release. After nearly two weeks, Percy apparently gave in and, by Chauvelin's dictation, wrote Armand that he required help to lead Chauvelin to the Dauphin. Obeying Percy's first letter, Armand set into motion the plan that Percy had prepared.
Chauvelin arranged for Marguerite also to accompany them as a second hostage. By necessity Marguerite and Armand were ignorant of the details of Percy's plan to free himself. Armand almost ruined it at the last by mistakenly believing that Percy, unconscious, was being left in a crypt while he and Marguerite were taken away to be shot.
It was Percy, now disguised as Heron, who knocked him senseless and ordered the siblings to be put in irons.
When Percy disposed of the guards and revealed himself to a dazed Marguerite and Armand, she thought they'd all died. All three returned to safety in England. Percy threatened to smash Armand's head if he tried to tell her the entire truth, so his forgiveness was implied in their shared conspiracy to keep Marguerite ignorant. By May of that year, Armand and Jeanne were married. Armand never participated in League activities again.
Personality
Armand is naturally passionate and chivalrous, often giving into the impulse to be generous to the point of foolishness. He will leap to the defense of those he sees as weaker than himself even when he's clearly outmatched, simply because it's the right thing to do. His idealism is firmly rooted in compassion, but he's too much in the clouds to base his dreams on the practical. When his strong loyalties force him into conflict, he tears himself up no matter which he chooses, always doubting his own judgement. He grew up in the shadow of his sister's cleverness, trusting her to make the difficult decisions, so he has little confidence in his own abilities, leading to self-fulfillment of his own doubts by making numerous bad decisions over the course of his short adult life.
He strives to overcome his tendency to let anger and pride get him into trouble, but he's not caught on that the heart is as treacherous a leader. His temper tends to crest in a heartbeat and dissipate just as quickly if he's not provoked further. He's not as stupid as some would have him but woefully ignorant in many regards, and often too hot-headed to use what intelligence he does have before he's already in the water with the sharks. He longs to do what is right, and when he falls short of his own standards, he pines, physically and spiritually, though his stubborn nature clings to the hope that his follies won't lead to permanent misery.
Also, he is extremely devoted to his small family of sister, brother-in-law, and new wife. He almost worships Percy and until her marriage, Marguerite was all to him, mother and sister together. And the dishonorable actions his love for Jeanne prompted him to do guaranteed that he put her on a pedestal as the angel for whom such drastic measures were worth.
Physical Description
Armand is considered slight of build, even by the standards of his time period, though he's on the taller side of average height. He keeps his long, dark brown hair tied back with a hair ribbon. His eyes are a stormy blue-gray, more suggestive of a dreamer than a man inclined to take action. His structured cheekbones and long, straight nose recall his sister's famous beauty though there is nothing feminine about his features. A straight cut, made by a sabre, mars his forehead near the hairline. His back is crossed by scars from the beating he received from St. Cyr's men.
Other
Magical powers or special skills: No magical powers. Good with languages. Bi-lingual (French & English)