Lord Naka Laurent
Obsessions are fantastic for spurring you on. Also for grinding you to a halt.
Description: Naka is lean and pleasantly, as opposed to strikingly, handsome. He possesses an easy demeanor and an engaging, if tentative, grin. His personal style in fashion and grooming tends to the haphazard rather than the precise, with layered clothing of varied styles and fabrics setting off his dark, slightly and studiously unkempt hair and everpresent stubble.
Personality: Naka doesn't completely lack drive and focus; it just seems that way, set against the backdrop of centuries of House Laurent industry. While he does not want for energy, he certainly is not notably organized in thought or action. He is mild, earnest and pleasant, though, and possessed of a quiet wit that often turns towards the self-deprecating. He tends to play to his weaknesses instead of hiding them, without posturing or self-loathing. One of those weaknesses seems to be the sheer difficulty he presents to others in discovering whether he's ultimately more of a flippant goofball or a sage wise beyond his years, as he frequently displays traits of either, if not outright flopping back and forth between the two. Overall, he's a hopeful, curious fellow, comfortable with his own thoughts, who tries to choose whether to share or subdue those thoughts based on his perception of the wishes of those surrounding him at the time.
Background: Naka Laurent is the second child of Sondra and Jur Laurent. For over two decades, these two were the closest thing to a party couple that had come out of Artshall for some years. They were a highly social couple and traveled extensively about Arvum, particularly the Oathlands, seeing impressive sights, enjoying local cuisines and making friends along the way. At first glance, this activity would not seem to be the sort of thing that would receive support from the famously humble and duty-oriented Laurent family, but, in addition to this, Duke Edmund Laurent was a patient and perceptive man. It was a minor but noticeable effect of all this swanning about that diplomatic relations slightly improved due to the proliferation of this network of loose friendships. And, so, they continued their travels throughout the years, bringing their children along. It must have been an extrovert's dream. Naka Laurent wouldn't know.
Naka read a lot of books. He was not a difficult or unpleasant child, just not often present in a sense beyond the merely physical. He was simply not one to voluntarily take center stage, a child of destiny, a heroic figure in modern times with potential blazing forth for all to see. Of course, there's nothing particularly wrong in that for most people, and plodding along is a serviceable way to cover some ground. Bright but not brilliant, genial but not inspiring, and largely undistinguished physically as well, Naka sampled from life as from a buffet, without ever really finding a niche to excel in; without ever feeling a real need to try to do so. He did develop a wide-ranging education, however, which could be an asset of its own in some circumstances. Of all his family, he was the one most likely to be unnoticed, left to his own devices, for which he was typically grateful rather than resentful.
In the wake of the Siege of Arx, Sondra and Jur greatly reduced their travels, largely due to a general perception of increased danger in that particular activity. With them now somewhat safely ensconsed in Artshall, Naka took himself to Arx. Over the years, his curiosity had led him to develop some vaguely scholarly skills, and he put these to use on several solitary research projects. In the time since, he has filled in many of the gaps in his education and become a Scholar of Vellichor. He can often be found in solitude in various places throughout Arx, particularly often in the Botanical Gardens, Menagerie, Hall of Heroes, the Archives or the Vellichorian Academy. Some people that have sought him out have even allowed that it might be worth the effort, under certain circumstances.
| Name | Summary |
| Brigida | A straightforward, plain speaking Laurent. The definition of a Valardin. |
| Christine | It's always nice to have students who know how to listen! |
| Cristoph | My cousin and myself don't often have the luxury to sit down and enjoy each others company as our duties keep us both very busy. However he's a well learned man and a good ally, I appreciate the work that he's done for our family. |
| Cullen | A wise and pleasant Lord of Laurent, someone I ought to talk to more about what it is that faces us. |
| Cybele | Lord Naka Laurent is an Oathlander Bee Noble Man. He is pleasant and eager to learn, which is always nice. |
| Delilah | Schoary and mindful. House Laurent has a reputation, at least as I know of, for reasoned regard, and contemplating matters. Clearly he possesses a scholarly disposition, and on that front, I imagine we may have an opportunity to work together in future days. I hope so. The way he articulates himself is mindful and measured, two qualities that ever go well together. |
| Derovai | A clever fellow and an academic, however informally. He likes to talk philosophy, but he does it in a pretty circuitous fashion, with an ear for language. Probably better with books than directness, but I guess that happens when you have all that free time without the mantle of responsibility. |
| Echo | Good company. It's just worrying that he might be researching something a bit dangerous, and I hope he doesn't bite off more than he can chew. Still, speaking with a Senior Scholar on it is definitely the right choice |
| Emily | I can tell he's clever and quick but its the fact he has some great interest in the knowledge of the land and its true doings that intrigues me. I think he will not only make a wonderful ally in research but companionable in the task. I think we could become fast friends, though only time will tell. |
| Fairen | An inquisitive and thoughtful young Lord, and cousin of my lovely wife. I am glad to have had the opportunity to assist in molding his mind in the matters of Theology, and am further glad to have had a chance to meet with him. He bring honor upon his family by simply being apart of it. |
| Flavien | I was once told upon my arrival that Naka would be one of my cousins I could learn the most from. I've only seen this to hold true. |
| Jyri | A well told story about not giving up and to focus. It spoke to me. |
| Lisebet | A smart individual, with a good sense of self. I hope he finds a sense of wonder and adventure. |
| Lou | Met him at the Scholar's discussion. Quite insightful, and clearly concerned for the welfare of the compact. |
| Mabelle | My inquisitive cousin. I did not imagine him like that at all. |
| Margerie | Ahh, one of my Laurent acorns. Someday he will find his niche and take the world by storm. But he's wearing his interest in academics well. I do hope he's keeping up on his sleep, though! |
| Norwood | I have served the Laurents for almost fully half of this Laurent's life, and I can never quite get a handle on him. He's been of UTMOST help with this Durand thing. And poor Gardener Dave. Alas, I suppose some people are not meant to be understood. |
| Reese | An intelligent, logical and well spoken Lord |
| Sparte | A wonderful lover of stories and an excellent listener. I am happy to have finally met him in person, and hope he'll change the world one day. |
| Vercyn | The cousin of Duke Cristoph is not your typical scholar; I do believe he is the first scholar I have met who admits that the written word isn't always sacred. Open minds are precisely what the scholars need. |