Tall and slender like his brothers Rorschach and Garat, he's a handsome devil. His hair as dark as night, with a faint touch of green visible only in the brightest of light. His eyes, dark as midnight, likewise reveal a touch of emerald in good lighting. A handsome bright smile puts most people at ease, a light tan (detracting from his native Rebman ancestry) makes him look very much like the part of the bachelor playboy.
Nothing could be further from the truth, as he is quite devoted to his familiar and wife, Celia. Nonetheless, tall and slender, he turns heads easily. When not about his family's business, or at rest, Madoc is quite sociable and approachable.
He prefers a simple attire of contrasting black and white (without resorting to motley). In a modern shadow, it would not be unusual to see him in a white sports jacket and slacks with a black shirt and white tie. He carries himself with a cool and charming grace. His heraldic symbol is a 'mirror and axe', his less formal but favorite symbol is a pair of 'mirrored shades.'
Aside from his usual gracious and casual exterior, appearances can be deceiving. In times of stress, Madoc has lost his temper just as easily as anyone else, even becoming critical at times.
He is the soul-father of Vialle, father to the twins Jacob and Thalion, and biological sire to Corleu (otherwise known as Clarissa). As a full blooded shroudling, he must dine on human flesh at least once a week, though among the Paradox campaign shroudlings, he is among the most discreet regarding this.
Madoc is usually at the heart of all things. He represents a mature source of leadership. A curious thing considering he's not even an Amberite. That's because Madoc speaks as 'one who knows', and carries no less than the authority of his father, Lir.
| PSYCHE | 49 |
| STRENGTH | 45 |
| ENDURANCE | 45 |
| WARFARE | 100 |
Remember this above all other things. Madoc knows secrets.
He doesn't necessarily withhold information, but he doesn't always volunteer it either. Ninety percent of the time Madoc can be seen playing the doting husband, stern loving father, and is occupied doing exactly what Celia tells him to do. But watch out for that other ten percent. As he addressed those at the Ritual of Cleansing at Grove of the Unicorn, 'he is the inheritor of his father's legacy.' Underneath that genial exterior is a very serious and determined man.
Let's consider a subtle scene that happened prior to the Infection Wars. Celia sends her twin sons to Benedict for training to protect them from Queen Clarissa, and the Red Heads. Then during the Thousand Years of Slumber, Madoc is transformed into a pack of hounds.. Shortly after Madoc is freed, he vanishes. When Raven is abducted by her own mother, and drags Jacob through the contact with her, we find Fiona and Clarissa plotting murder for the safety of the timeline. They have every intention of doing away with Deirdre's unborn child, and try to coerce Raven to cooperate. Who do we find sipping wine, plotting, scheming, and kibitzing with them? If you guessed Madoc, you are correct. But then Madoc will be the first to tell you that of how proud he was of 'his son' for devising a way for them to finish Clarissa's timeloop.. Pay no attention that his wife (and familiar) considered Clarissa and Fiona to be her enemies, as well as people her children should be wary around. You may find that by the time you're ready to point this out, that Madoc will have changed the topic of conversation.
Despite any sinister overtones that may arise, Madoc does love kids... He's generous and open with his household, and shows an open willingness to help rear any child, not caring much who sired them. He's taken Vialle and baby Carol into his heart as his own natural children. One gets the impression that he'd probably be willing to take in just about any fosterling.
Between Thalion and Jacob, Madoc plays favorites no more than Celia does.. Though unarguably Jacob tends to spend more time with him, as Thalion spends more time with their Mother. That doesn't mean that Madoc allows Jacob to get away with anything he wants, pointing out at least twice that he was not happy with Jacob's constant accusations against Thalion. However all in all Madoc done more of the parenting towards Jacob than Thalion, leaving the cheerier child to his wife.
Madoc may be the only one besides Raven to have an insight into Jacob's sudden madness. Trapped at the Drake's desolate world, Jacob shrieks at him suddenly about 'familiars', despite Madoc's recent crucifixion, leaving the rest of the group to wonder how can Jacob who once emulated Madoc above all other people suddenly turn on his father so viciously when he's so injured.... Barely conscious, Madoc doesn't say a word.. however it may be that Madoc may know EXACTLY what Jacob is screaming about...
'Madoc the involved father'
One possible aspect of portraying Madoc as a parent is steady
involvement in his children's lives. You can almost get a humorous image of
Madoc in a country pastoral setting expecting everyone to come back to the
homestead for Sunday Dinner. He's on hand to push his boys apart from their
bickering, dispense advice about shroudling courtship rites, hand out praise
where needed.
'Madoc the stern parent'
He's not above being heavy handed when he thinks it's necessary. When
his own twins get a little carried away, he's swift to tell them to knock it
off. When there is work to be done, he's quick to hand out chores too, for
example his sending Thalion after the Vorpal Sword. At Daywinter, Jacob
arrogantly states that the fable concerning twins is all illogical rubbish,
and insists that Darthene's sight be restored to her instead (with
Darthene's consent and promise to lift her return curse on Deirdre).
Raven argues with both her new husband and Madoc, that Jacob's plan is
not the intention of the Rose Ritual. Madoc strangely consents to
Jacob's wish, stating that he think it would build character for his
sons to have to struggle with their difficulties, and then
matter-of-factly reminds Raven that, "I am their father and I know
best." Oddly, Jacob and Thalion have never really argued since..
Madoc can be very bit of a dichotomy as his choice of colors suggests. On one hand is the devoted family man who wants nothing but to dote on his sweet little blind wife, and then he turns around and occasionally gets caught as a part of some grander sinister scheme.. like a child with it's hand caught in the cookie jar. Madoc invariably covers, with a casual remark about the 'greater good of the universe.' Now you wonder where Jacob got that line?
Having a responsibility to his wife and children may be Madoc's chief concern, but there is an inkling that Madoc is also responding to a greater authority, perhaps Lir pulling strings from on high?
And in the light of Jacob's recent extreme actions, it may be likely that we see 'Dad' trying to reign his son in a bit more.. Jacob has done some very serious tampering with the timeline.
Madoc will draw upon Celia as his closest ally, and perhaps with Jacob's affliction Thalion second. Jacob may be next, if Madoc can get on his feet to help his troubled son. As far as enemies are concerned, Madoc has few if none, as all parties seem to respect him as a voice of authority, and the younger generation frequently turns to him for advice. A notable exception is Deirdre, who seems willing to believe that Madoc is part of some grander conspiracy. Madoc has grown quite cross with her, indicating his belief that she is irrational and childish. Again, we have two choices.. either Deirdre is overreacting.. or Madoc is trying to shut her up before someone starts to pay attention.