In-Character

Full Name: Samuel Barnabas Griffith
Nicknames: Sam
Birthdate: June 13th 1851
Current Age: 43 Years
Gender: male
Occupation: Alchemy Professor at Hogwarts

Reputation: 8 -- There are some rumours about Samuel Griffith in the parlours of London and the wizarding villages. Surely, he is a brilliant mind and well-mannered. It is noticed, however, that he never married. He also spent much time abroad in mysterious company. Who knows what he did there?

Residence: Hogwarts, as soon as the schoolyear starts. Until then, he resides at the Griffiths house in London.
Hogwarts House: Slytherin
Wand: oak, 11", unyielding, phoenix tail feather
Blood Status: halfblood
Social Class: middle class

Family:
The Griffiths are the remnants of an old bloodline of wizards that, due to misfortunes and mismanagement, lost much of their wealth and estate. The elder Mr. Edmund Griffith, neither talented nor ambitious, married a Muggle woman with favourable family resources and endeavored to lead a comfortable life.

His two eldest sons work for the Ministry of Magic and St. Mungo's, respectively. His youngest son is Samuel. There is also a daughter who is many years younger than her brothers.

Appearance:
Samuel Griffith stands at 6'1" and his body appears agile with pleasing proportions. Although striking, he is certainly not conventionally handsome. His brow bone is heavy, the eyes deep-set. The gaunt cheeks and sharp nose contrast the languid curve of his mouth, which smiles surprisingly easily and with charme. To some people, this face conveys something ominous. Others may just perceive him as somewhat odd-looking but pleasant in his entirety.

He has excellent posture and carries himself with purpose.



History:

June 13th, 1851
A healthy boy is born to Mr. Edmund Griffith and his wife Dolores in London. He is given the names Samuel Barnabas.

1862
Samuel enters Hogwarts and is sorted into Slytherin. His parents' match is regarded as unbefitting of a pureblood line, even for an undistinguished one, like the Griffiths are. It gives him some trouble in Slytherin but he soon finds his place at Hogwarts. He is a good student.

1869
After graduating, he travels through Europe. Samuel gets acquainted with a circle of Alchemists practicing in Prague. After his year of traveling, he returns to Prague to devote himself further to his studies.

1870 - 1880
Samuel spends most of this decade in Prague. He becomes especially interested in metaphysical and occult Alchemy, researching the legends of the Golem and the creation of Homunculi.

1880 - 1886
After falling out with his mentor in Prague, Samuel moves to Paris with one goal in mind: working for Nicholas Flamel. After one year spent trying to convince the reclusive Alchemist, he succeeds. Five years are spent as an Assistant at Flamel's laboratory.

1887 - 1894
Samuel returns home. He opens an Alchemists Laboratory in London and publishes his research findings.
His papers about hermetic deduction and the soul-synthesis-conundrum are highly regarded in Alchemist circles.
In 1893 he feels that he is stuck in a rut and he tires of the lonely life spent in the laboratory.
He decides to apply for the position of Alchemy teacher at Hogwarts.

Personality:

Samuel is a man raised with all appropriate manners and he conducts himself well. He has natural charisma and intensity that reveals itself when someone cares to know him beyond the surface level.
If we look at his personality honestly, this is what we can learn about his traits:

First his concious nature, how he is and perceives himself:

• The benevolent egoist — Samuel uses his influence and sharp intellect to act in the best interest of his family and his chosen community, generally striving for the common good.
  He also pushes for control and authority and is unwilling to relinquish power, even if a better candidate presents themselves. He is characterized by the drive to climb social hierarchies and looks for shortcuts to success.
  
• The gatherer — he has an innate desire to and to gather experiences, knowledge and materials that are exclusive and valuable. This is a driving force to pursue the art of alchemy. It also shows in his social behaviour. He likes secrets and he likes to be part of exclusive circles.
  
• The listener — Samuel has a certain openness for others and their deepest struggles that is untypical for his time and environment. He might lend an open ear and support in situations where others would seek distance to protect their reputation.
  

Second his unconcious nature. Traits that he is unaware of, but that might be visible to astute observers:

• bringer of crisis -- Samuel has an unconcious tendency to create trouble, emotional upheaval and crisis by his actions. It doesnt happen frequently, but every few years he finds himself in some kind of dilemma. He grows from it, but the impact on others is a different story.
  
• dubious dealings — being too willing to form questionable alliances to reach a greater goal.
  
• sensing vulnerability — the capability to exploit emotional vulnerabilities in others, although he does not consciously set out to do so.
  

Other: If possible, could an Admin change his name from Samuel Griffiths to Samuel Griffith? Much appreciated!

Sample Roleplay Post:

Returning

After all was said and done, the entirety of what was left of his career as an Alchemist fit into a narrow storage room below Griffith House in Islington, London.
Samuel pointed his wand at the door and recited the incantation in his head, that would seal away what he had worked on for the past decade. It was not meant for his family's eyes. Not meant for anyone. Not that it mattered. He had failed in his endeavors. Still, what remained could prove dangerous.
Samuel felt bitterness, disappointment. Anger? At whom?
He pondered this question while he ascended the stairs from the basement.

“Samuel, my dear boy.”
The elder Mr. Griffith sat in his chair by the fireplace. He was well into his seventies, a stout fellow who had little similarity with his youngest son.
“Where are you going? You are wearing your traveling robes?”
That gave Samuel pause. He had said his goodbyes to his family earlier, half an hour ago. His father should be aware that he was leaving to take his position as a Professor at Hogwarts.
“I am leaving, father. To Hogwarts.”
"Is that so?" said the old man. "Well, you will have a most successful year, I am sure. Give my regards to the faculty, als always.”
Samuel promised to do so, unsure if Mr. Griffith was aware that he returned as a teacher, after nearly three decades. Did he confuse Samuel for his teenage self?
Soon, he mused, someone else must take care of matters regarding the house and his sister and mother.
He must talk to his brothers about this.
But for now, he had his sights set elswhere — Hogwarts, and what he might accomplish there.
And so he left London behind.

Out-of-Character

Name: Lou
Age: 26
Contact: PM, Discord
Other Characters: none
How did you hear about us?: some rpg index site

  

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