[hider=Erik Bel Auster]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/248lS1b.png[/img]
[/center] 

[color=b8c5c3][b]Name[/b] [/color] 
[INDENT]Erik Nikolai Bel Auster[/INDENT] 

[color=b8c5c3][b]Title[/b] [/color] 
[INDENT]Crown prince[/INDENT]

[color=b8c5c3][b]Age [/b][/color] 
[INDENT]23[/INDENT] 

[color=b8c5c3][b]Gender[/b][/color] 
[INDENT]Male[/INDENT] 

[color=b8c5c3][b]Sexuality[/b][/color] 
[INDENT]Heterosexual[/INDENT] 

[color=b8c5c3][b]Appearance[/b][/color] 
[INDENT][list][*][b][color=b8c5c3]Hair:[/color][/b] Brown | Wavy | Well-kept with a lot of gel
[*][b][color=b8c5c3]Eyes:[/color][/b] light brown
[*][b][color=b8c5c3]Height:[/color][/b] 1.9 meters
[*][b][color=b8c5c3]Body Type:[/color][/b] Slim, toned
[*][b][color=b8c5c3]Clothing Style:[/color][/b] Formal | In public, Erik usually appears in incredibly expensive suits or formal military uniforms. In private, however, he does switch to the more casual sweaters and jeans.
[*][b][color=b8c5c3]Scars, Tattoos and/or Piercings:[/color][/b] Nothing of note[/list][/INDENT] 

[color=b8c5c3][b]Personality[/b][/color] 
[INDENT]
Stoic Erik Bel Auster has always been known as the most intelligent of the royal brothers, though not as the most sociable or amicable. He is known as observant and incredibly disciplined. Though he is not unkind and usually well-meaning, he tends to appear slightly apathetic and distant. People perceive him as someone who will be a good king, but not the royal who will get the most love from the people. Nevertheless, Erik is passionate about the things he cares about, and that includes his kingdom.

He is proud of his kingdom, to the point of patriotism, but also just a very proud person. Nothing shows his nature more than his vanity. Erik does not appear in public unless he looks his absolute best. His stylish outfits are the talk of the tabloids on regular occasion. Finally, he is quite easy to irritate. Some topics in particular can invoke a strong ire. Perhaps his betrothed would know exactly what…
[/INDENT] 

[color=b8c5c3][b]Likes // Dislikes[/b][/color]
[INDENT]
[color=4c6d5a]✓[/color] Archeology
[color=4c6d5a]✓[/color] Exercise
[color=4c6d5a]✓[/color] Historical weapons and armour
[color=4c6d5a]✓[/color] Using such weapons (not the real ones)
[color=4c6d5a]✓[/color] Animals
[color=4c6d5a]✓[/color] Good manners
[color=4c6d5a]✓[/color] Card and board games (chess in particular)
[color=4c6d5a]✓[/color] The Northern Lights
[color=4c6d5a]✓[/color] Theatre
[color=4c6d5a]✓[/color] Learning
[color=4c6d5a]✓[/color] Traveling

[color=4c6d5a]✗[/color] The Kingdom of Arcenia
[color=4c6d5a]✗[/color] Dishonesty
[color=4c6d5a]✗[/color] Whining
[color=4c6d5a]✗[/color] Lack of discipline
[color=4c6d5a]✗[/color] Slapstick comedy
[color=4c6d5a]✗[/color] Arcenian royalty
[color=4c6d5a]✗[/color] Techno
[color=4c6d5a]✗[/color] Insects
[color=4c6d5a]✗[/color] Heavy rain
[color=4c6d5a]✗[/color] Did we mention Arcenia?
[/INDENT] 

[color=b8c5c3][b]Biography[/b][/color]
[INDENT]Great king Leopold Bel Auster of the grand nation of Austerund, protector of the Austerian people and patriarch of the [b]true[/b] Bel Auster family, was a ruler both benevolent and stern. Under his rule the people continued to prosper, but his will was unbendable iron. Leopold’s parenting was very much like his rulership. He truly knew the best thing for his children, but the children didn’t get much of a say in the matter. Especially when it came to crown prince Erik, who would become the great leader that Leopold desired.

Erik’s childhood consisted out of learning first and foremost. But luckily that was something Erik excelled at. Erik quickly established himself as the scholarly of the three princes. He took great interest in gathering as much knowledge as he could. Primary amongst this was the history of his world and, of course, his own country. It should come as little surprise that Erik was brought up as a patriot. Erik also developed a great interest in chess, something he does competitively to this day.

But Leopold’s iron parenting didn’t stop there. His father was sure to map out most of Erik’s life. At the tender age of eight he was told he was going to meet his future wife. The result of two kings finding the best solution to prevent the onset of a new war a mere two years back. His first meeting with his betrothed, a mere six at the time, was not exactly the most friendly. Neither were any of the very few meetings that followed, really.

Nevertheless, the more Erik aged, the clearer the importance of this marriage to the future of his country became. Erik was around fourteen when he finally stopped arguing with his father about it. Not that his father ever had any intention of letting him escape it. Erik simply took it with silent acceptance from then on. To be royalty meant to sacrifice one’s person for his people. That was what he had been taught. He locked it away into the deepest parts of his mind. The marriage was just a thing that had to happen. He would not let it rule him. 

Erik primarily indulged himself in his education afterwards. His fascination with history continued to develop and flourish. So much so that he decided to go for a degree in history after he finished his mandatory military enlistment (Erik doesn’t talk about it much, but it did help his discipline). 
Later he also decided to pursue a degree in chemistry at the same time. He developed a particular love for ancient languages and archeology. He is still active in the field, joining archaeological expeditions to dig sites around the world, but primarily in Austerund itself. He is specialized in the many chemical methods that exist to learn more about the artifacts his team finds.

A prince isn’t very lacking in either time or money. And so, Erik Bel Auster just spends his time doing the things he enjoys for the sake of enjoyment. He pursues his intellectual passions with fervor. He keeps himself busy for the sake of being busy, it often seems like (and probably because it makes him look good to the people, and Erik likes looking good). His marriage may come one day, when the princess finally stops postponing it, but he has chosen to not let it concern him. Erik loves his country, and would marry the devil for it. One immature princess was a small price to pay, in that regard.
[/INDENT] 

[color=b8c5c3][b]Betrothed[/b] [/color] 
[INDENT] Arabelle Rosalyn Mae Almore, the prissy princess of Arcenia[/INDENT] 

[color=b8c5c3][b]Other[/b][/color] 
Francisco Lachowski // b8c5c3 [INDENT]
[list]
[*] Erik has built up a personal collection of historical artifacts. Of special note is his armoury containing an immense variety of both historical and modern weapons, armour and uniforms
[*] Erik owns two lovely servals’, Tiki and Coco
[*] Erik is well-known for his work with organisations that aim to preserve culture and history
[*] Actively practices HEMA, he is especially capable with swords
[*] Has a double degree in history and chemistry
[*] He loves traveling, and actively joins his father on diplomatic trips to other countries. Unfortunately, he usually learns more about leadership than about the country itself on such trips.
[*] Erik’s chess Elo is currently around 2700
[/list][/INDENT]
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[hider=The kingdom of Austerund]
[center][img] https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjE3OC5mMGRlYjMuUVhWemRHVnlkVzVrLjA,/hentimps-circlet.regular.png[/img] 

[img] https://www.travelanddestinations.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Copenhagen-Skyline-from-the-Tower-at-sunset.jpg[/img]

[color=f0deb3][i]The under-appreciated gem of the north[/i][/color][/center]

[color=f0deb3][b] Kingdom Name[/b][/color]
[INDENT]Austerund[/INDENT] 

[color=f0deb3][b]King and Queen[/b] 
[/color] [INDENT] Leopold Bel Auster
Vigga Bel Auster
[/INDENT]

[color=f0deb3][b]Kingdom Colors[/b] 
[/color] [INDENT]Yellow, blue and white[/INDENT]

[color=f0deb3][b]What The Kingdom Is Known For[/b] 
[/color][INDENT][list]
[*] Austerans are known as a very hospitable and cosy people. There is a strong focus on community, family and belonging. This permeates into society as a whole: parties, gatherings and festivities all involve a lot of cosiness, drinking, singing, traditional music and dancing. 
[*] Austerund is known for its literature and storytelling, both classical and modern. Of special note: A great amount of folk tales can trace their origins to the region of Austerund. 
[*] Austerund is very rich in both the performing and fine arts, but these are not that popular across borders. However, there are always a few exceptions that manage to become successful on a global scale. The same holds true for fashion.
[*] Because of their long-standing conflict with Arcenia, their military is significant
[*] Austerund is world leader in terms of social security. The government provides extensive funding for health care, education, science and arts amongst others. To great effects
[*] With its favourable position as a coastal trading hub, it allows for a very strong market in both services and transport of goods. Because the nation is also flourishing in the sciences, they can also effectively manufacture goods for export. 
[*] Bountiful nature. However, the further north you go, the more you are met with harsh tundra climates. 
[/list][/INDENT]

[color=f0deb3][b]Recent // Relevant Kingdom History[/b] 
[/color] [INDENT]Austerund is the northern half of the old kingdom of Crevona, which was divided in a civil war two-hundred years ago. The civil war came about by internal struggle within the royal family Bel Auster regarding succession.

This struggle came about when the king died. His sole daughter and appointed heir was far less popular with the people than the next-in-line; The first son of the king’s sister. The conflict ended with the daughter holding onto the southern half of the country, with the throne and the capital. This became Arcenia. The side family managed to wrestle control of the northern half of Crevona. This region contained the second largest city and the Bel Auster’s ancestrial home: Austerund. This became the namesake of the new country and its capital.

After the civil war, the new nation searched to establish itself. It found this identity in tradition. It held on to the past, as to establish their claim at being “the true Crevona”. Not a popular sentiment with their Arcenian counterparts, you could say. But in an effectively 300-year long cold war, their objections are not truly considered by Austerians.

Throughout the 1800’s the nation started to establish itself as a prime location for trade, with massive expansions to the harbours of the capital Austerund under the rule of King Nikolai II. This was the foundation of what is a very wealthy nation today. With a strong economy and expansive social security system, its people are consistently amongst the happiest in the world. 
[/INDENT]

[color=f0deb3][b]Other[/b] 
[/color] [INDENT][list]
[*] The primary religion of the country is Christianity
[*] The Austeran currency is called crowns
[*] Austerund boasts the world’s longest national anthem. Too bad it also sounds like garbage.
[*] It is not a country known for its cuisine, but everyone knows their sausages and meatballs.
[*] Austerund > Arcenia, it is a fact
[/list] [/INDENT]
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