Poddington-on-Slossip: Characters

Elliott Banks

Description

Elliott looks lost - a tame bird uncaged to terrifying freedom. He is like a sheet of paper, library-cultivated and suddenly thrown to the winds and wilds of Cornwall. His build is good Poddington stock, but the skin seems stretched over the strong bones, and his walks on the moors has proven surprisingly futile in giving him anything like a wholesome appearance. It /has/ managed to upset his dark locks thoroughly, though. Elliott has nervous blue eyes, deeply set above the long nose that cuts like a keel down his oblong face. Black splotches of soil (or ink?) stain his bony fingers. He doesn,t say much, but when prompted on subjects of his interest, he speaks in a surprisingly strong voice, retaining the local vernacular slur even while expounding on the Classical Arts.

Out-of-doors he wears a long, grey coat that has been patched here and there. A scarf swells from the beneath the collar and threatens to engulf him entirely. His black trousers seems threadbare and not at all suited for the outdoors - they are part of a black three-piece suit (made for durability rather than style). A scarf or a cap adds a rustic touch. Overall, his appearance is somewhat like a well-dressed scarecrow: Thin, wind-tossed and a little lonely. Whatever the season, chances are he will look as if completely out of his element - the whole concept of Nature, being foreign to him. On occasion he rides a skittish, sepia gelding.

Background

Elliott Banks is a brooding young man - plagued by thoughts of lost opportunities and a bitterness towards his current situation.

Growing Up
Elliott was born at the dawn of the century as an afterthought to his brother, Kenan, to Kenwyn and Margareth Banks, a well-to-do farmers couple out Tewiff way. Childhood memories might have become rose-tinted, but that is certainly how Elliott remembers things. An older brother to protect him against any dangers, loving parents, and a household including a farmhand and a servant girl. Kenan was a pride to the Banks, and his diligence and protectiveness gave Elliott the chance to pursue more leisurely interests - like helping out in the productions of Magnusson College Company Players,. A love of learning was ignited, and he sneaked out frequently to the College.

The Great War
The War changed everything. In 1918 Kenan went to fight the Hun, and within a year he was dead. Kenwyn didn,t trust Elliott to run the farm, but he was still needed in the day to day work, and he had to abandon his dreams of intellectualism. Pride felt at the time of Kenan's noble end in the service of King and Country soon turned sour - his absence was felt by all, and the heartache killed his mother. Kenwyn withered and grew old soon after - broken by his losses and claiming strange visitations. The last few years have been hard on the Banks Farm - the buildings slowly falling into disrepair, animals and land sold off to make it salvageable following the War and recent years, bad weather. Elliott's lust for learning didn,t die, but hard labour turned it into a daily frustration.

The Present
Elliott spends his time working on the farm and caring for his father -- daughters from neighbouring farms help out. What free hours he can spare are spend walking - trying to come to terms with Kenan's death; reading his books; and skulking near the College. He feels guilty about Kenan's sacrifice on his behalf, now that he is gone. He is also quietly angry at Kenwyn - but at the same time beginning to understand how bereavement can make one feel surrounded by shadows.

Other information

Elliott,s background has been revised slightly from the MUSH-version, but the essence of the character remains. 'Trespassing' is a short scene typical of shy, misunderstood Elliott.