Post by Holland on Jul 24, 2010 17:16:27 GMT -5
Character Information
Character name: Maarten de Vries.
(Both Maarten and de Vries are common names in dutch.)
Nation: The Netherlands (Holland)
(Of course, The Netherlands is the proper term but both words can be used interchangeably, really, trust me there. (The only dutch people who care are generally from Friesland, Limburg or Brabant.)
(Call him 'Holly' and he might punch you though)
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Appearance
Height: He's tall, personal headcanon puts him at 184 cm (yes, taller than Russia, Dutch people are after all the tallest people in the whole world, actual average height here is 184 for male), but many people put him a little shorter than that.
So I'll just leave it at the fact he is a rather tall guy.
Hair/eyes:
His hair is short and pale blonde, spiked up(like a supersaiyan) and accompanied by a set of thick sideburns.
His eyes are green.
Notable Features:
He has a small scar on the right side of his forehead. (He is not Harry Potter, even if his old prime minister looked like the guy.)
He has a generally quite muscular build.
(Okay, in all seriousness = proper picture
Personality:
Holland is a strong guy, and his general posture and frame don't make it very hard for him to intimidate. He likes his things going his way and can be quite dominating in turn.
Overall he can be quite 'stiff', and not one to relax or let his guard down quickly.(Well, unless the past few hours he's been spending his time in or to the contents of a 'coffeeshop'.)
He is a smoker, so it is not an uncommon occurrence to see him with his pipe(of dubious content). Or just cigarettes in general. They help him relax, calm down and think clearly. (The ones without suspicious contents, that is.)
Maarten is not only a strong presence, but he also has some power to back it up. (As demonstrated when Finland and Sweden got kicked out of their holiday house in America, or when he kicked Spain'sshapely ass in his prime.) He is however, said to be a strategist as well, and won't just barge in fist first. (Unless the situation calls for this)
He is rather protective of his younger sister, Belgium. Though he wishes she was a bit cuter, like Liechtenstein.
To the point that he has quite a case of protective older brotheritis. People trying to get to Belgium will have to go through him first.
He is said to have a younger brother, Luxembourg as well. Though the guy and their relationship isn't shown yet. From a dutch point of view, they probably wouldn't be very close and Holland might see him as a somewhat stuck-up snob. (Lux would probably be much closer with Belgium and France.)
Maarten doesn't go out of his way to make new friends. (Unless he's drunk or high, in which case he would be... quite affectionate.) He does have a softer side, that is not usually seen. Like with his pet rabbit (which he calls Nijntje).
Mythology
Bokkenrijders/Bockereyders
First recorded in the book:
“Oorzaeke, bewys en ondekkinge van een goddelooze, bezwoorne bende nagtdieven en knevelaers binnen de Landen van Overmaeze en aenpalende landstreeken, “
“Causes, proof and discoveries of a godless, cursed band night thieves and knevelaars* withing the Lands of Overmaeze ** and nearby regions.”
Knevelaars = Blackmailers
Overmaeze = The area around the Maas (river in Holland), but generally refers to the area of Limburg.
Between 1730 and 1775 the area of Overmaze was plagued by a band of bandits, thieves and the like, that pillaged local churches, farms and sort like almost nightly. They would also blackmail rich farmers with burning letters.
They were said to have engaged in a pact with the devil, and to have terrorized and pillaged the land. They rode, with burning red eyes, on the backs of giant possesed goats (bokken).
Up to 1795 people were sentenced to death for being bokkenrijders, more than 600 in total.
Around 1770 the bokkenrijders were said to plague Belgium as well.
Kabouters (gnomes)
Dutch myths have a lot of 'gnomes' (they look a bit like a mix between dwarfs and gnomes). Be it from fairy tales for children or just anywhere in general.
An example of these kabouters were the kabouters of Campine. Living in North Brabant near Hoogeloon.
To quote from wiki:
“The gnomes of the Campine were helpful creatures who help mostly the farmers and the households in the neighborhood. The came by night and did not want to be seen by people. If people did see them, they were punished by the gnomes. One story tells of an inquisitive farmer who spied on the gnomes and later became blind in one eye.”
Their king was called Kyrië. When he was shot by a hunter however, he could only crawl up to the Duivelsberg (Devil's Mountain) after which the other gnomes found out and forever dissapeared.
Stem van de marteling (Voice of the torture)
A voice that seems to come from the ocean, which says it is to take the souls of sailors with it through the sea, just like their bodies one day will do. Once a fisherman or a sailor hears the voice it will return every time darkness comes, till the man obeys.
Malle Babbe, de heks van Haarlem. (Malle Babbe, the witch of Haarlem)
An older smiling woman, usually painted with an owl perched on her left shoulder. She is said to have played pranks in the city. Like scaring the guards by making them think the church tower was on fire.
Witte Wieven
The name literally in modern day translates as "White Women" though the old form translates in to "Wise Women" as well. They were the spirits of "Wise Women"/herbalist/etc. (or sometimes shown as elven beings)
To quote wiki:
"According to mythology, their spirits remained on earth, and they became living spirits (or elven beings) that either helped or hindered people who encountered them. They tended to reside in the burial sites or other sacred places. It was thought that mist on a gravehill was the spirit of the wise woman appearing, and people would bring them offerings and ask for help."
In earlier days however, they were seen as pranksters and pest. Later christian teachings changed the creatures into "mistflarden" (literally: mist fragments, but they are basically ghost witches)
They were known in both The Netherlands and Belgium (where they were sometimes called Juffers or Joffers (old spellings of 'ladies') but also in France, where they were known as Dames Blanches. (White ladies)
Oude Rode Ogen (Old Red Eyes)
The legend originated in the Flanders area of Belgium ca 1600, after reports of children going missing. They were believed to be victims of a cannabilistic shapeshifter. It was said to be a dark shadowy 7 feet tall man. He was said to be able to change into a large black dog with fiery red eyes. In more recent times the figure would appear at the bed, tall and shadowy accompanied by a menacing dog's growl.
According to the book "Beast of Flanders" by Vincent Menten, sightings of ORO have left people blind, deaf and dumb.
They story of ORO was sometimes told to children that stayed up past their bedtimes, threatening they'd be eaten alive if they didn't go to sleep.
Also, I think I should make a vague note that like, old germanic gods, were generally the old nordic gods, but with different names. Aka, Wodan, one of the main gods, was pretty much Odin and so on.
(I hope this is enough? I could add more, though most dutch myths focus on people rather than creatures. (And aren't very useful) I admit to stealing Belgium myths here and there, butinthepasttheywerepracticallyoursanywayssofff *shot*)
Sample Post
Maarten's fingers tensed on the guy before him, giving him a good look over. He could feel the boy tremble under his fingers, a fact that wasn't all together surprising consider his own posture. It was nearly an understatement to say he merely towered over the other. But to say he 'skyscrapered' over him sounds a bit silly, if still appropriate.
If this kid had come up to me during the VOC he could've hardly made it as a cabin boy. His eyes scanned the boy's scrawny frame, getting the feeling if he squeezed a bit harder he might just break him. His gaze was harsh, not wavering a bit, frowning at him, though the kid had long since stopped to meet his gaze.
“So you wish to date my sister?”
He listened to the murmured and subdued squeaking that could be interpreted as “yes, sir”, not too impressed, though he supposed his sister would be able to handle the kid if he got rowdy at least. A breeze could probably too.
A faint grin crept over his lips as he briefly entertained the thought the kid was probably girlier than his sister. Maarten shook the boy's shoulder. “And what makes you think that y-”
His words were cut off by a stinging slap across the cheek, his sister standing next to him, looking rather pissed. “Hou je kop, Maarten. Mijn leven, weet je nog?”
Holland sighed, putting his hands on his sides, huffing. He cast one last threatening look at the boy that was being dragged off by his sister. The look didn't really need any words accompanying it.
(Whew, hope this is alright ;w;”. First time writing him. (Well, when he isn't high) Also, Belgium is basically saying “Shut your trap, Maarten. My life, remember?”)
Other Important Notes
He's lolicon. *shotshot*
And his hands are abnormally big or made of weed if you have to believe Finland's shadow imagination. *shotshotshot*
Character name: Maarten de Vries.
(Both Maarten and de Vries are common names in dutch.)
Nation: The Netherlands (Holland)
(Of course, The Netherlands is the proper term but both words can be used interchangeably, really, trust me there. (The only dutch people who care are generally from Friesland, Limburg or Brabant.)
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Appearance
Height: He's tall, personal headcanon puts him at 184 cm (yes, taller than Russia, Dutch people are after all the tallest people in the whole world, actual average height here is 184 for male), but many people put him a little shorter than that.
So I'll just leave it at the fact he is a rather tall guy.
Hair/eyes:
His hair is short and pale blonde, spiked up
His eyes are green.
Notable Features:
He has a small scar on the right side of his forehead.
He has a generally quite muscular build.
(Okay, in all seriousness = proper picture
Personality:
Holland is a strong guy, and his general posture and frame don't make it very hard for him to intimidate. He likes his things going his way and can be quite dominating in turn.
Overall he can be quite 'stiff', and not one to relax or let his guard down quickly.
He is a smoker, so it is not an uncommon occurrence to see him with his pipe
Maarten is not only a strong presence, but he also has some power to back it up. (As demonstrated when Finland and Sweden got kicked out of their holiday house in America, or when he kicked Spain's
He is rather protective of his younger sister, Belgium.
To the point that he has quite a case of protective older brotheritis. People trying to get to Belgium will have to go through him first.
He is said to have a younger brother, Luxembourg as well. Though the guy and their relationship isn't shown yet. From a dutch point of view, they probably wouldn't be very close and Holland might see him as a somewhat stuck-up snob. (Lux would probably be much closer with Belgium and France.)
Maarten doesn't go out of his way to make new friends. (Unless he's drunk or high, in which case he would be... quite affectionate.) He does have a softer side, that is not usually seen. Like with his pet rabbit (which he calls Nijntje).
Mythology
Bokkenrijders/Bockereyders
First recorded in the book:
“Oorzaeke, bewys en ondekkinge van een goddelooze, bezwoorne bende nagtdieven en knevelaers binnen de Landen van Overmaeze en aenpalende landstreeken, “
“Causes, proof and discoveries of a godless, cursed band night thieves and knevelaars* withing the Lands of Overmaeze ** and nearby regions.”
Knevelaars = Blackmailers
Overmaeze = The area around the Maas (river in Holland), but generally refers to the area of Limburg.
Between 1730 and 1775 the area of Overmaze was plagued by a band of bandits, thieves and the like, that pillaged local churches, farms and sort like almost nightly. They would also blackmail rich farmers with burning letters.
They were said to have engaged in a pact with the devil, and to have terrorized and pillaged the land. They rode, with burning red eyes, on the backs of giant possesed goats (bokken).
Up to 1795 people were sentenced to death for being bokkenrijders, more than 600 in total.
Around 1770 the bokkenrijders were said to plague Belgium as well.
Kabouters (gnomes)
Dutch myths have a lot of 'gnomes' (they look a bit like a mix between dwarfs and gnomes). Be it from fairy tales for children or just anywhere in general.
An example of these kabouters were the kabouters of Campine. Living in North Brabant near Hoogeloon.
To quote from wiki:
“The gnomes of the Campine were helpful creatures who help mostly the farmers and the households in the neighborhood. The came by night and did not want to be seen by people. If people did see them, they were punished by the gnomes. One story tells of an inquisitive farmer who spied on the gnomes and later became blind in one eye.”
Their king was called Kyrië. When he was shot by a hunter however, he could only crawl up to the Duivelsberg (Devil's Mountain) after which the other gnomes found out and forever dissapeared.
Stem van de marteling (Voice of the torture)
A voice that seems to come from the ocean, which says it is to take the souls of sailors with it through the sea, just like their bodies one day will do. Once a fisherman or a sailor hears the voice it will return every time darkness comes, till the man obeys.
Malle Babbe, de heks van Haarlem. (Malle Babbe, the witch of Haarlem)
An older smiling woman, usually painted with an owl perched on her left shoulder. She is said to have played pranks in the city. Like scaring the guards by making them think the church tower was on fire.
Witte Wieven
The name literally in modern day translates as "White Women" though the old form translates in to "Wise Women" as well. They were the spirits of "Wise Women"/herbalist/etc. (or sometimes shown as elven beings)
To quote wiki:
"According to mythology, their spirits remained on earth, and they became living spirits (or elven beings) that either helped or hindered people who encountered them. They tended to reside in the burial sites or other sacred places. It was thought that mist on a gravehill was the spirit of the wise woman appearing, and people would bring them offerings and ask for help."
In earlier days however, they were seen as pranksters and pest. Later christian teachings changed the creatures into "mistflarden" (literally: mist fragments, but they are basically ghost witches)
They were known in both The Netherlands and Belgium (where they were sometimes called Juffers or Joffers (old spellings of 'ladies') but also in France, where they were known as Dames Blanches. (White ladies)
Oude Rode Ogen (Old Red Eyes)
The legend originated in the Flanders area of Belgium ca 1600, after reports of children going missing. They were believed to be victims of a cannabilistic shapeshifter. It was said to be a dark shadowy 7 feet tall man. He was said to be able to change into a large black dog with fiery red eyes. In more recent times the figure would appear at the bed, tall and shadowy accompanied by a menacing dog's growl.
According to the book "Beast of Flanders" by Vincent Menten, sightings of ORO have left people blind, deaf and dumb.
They story of ORO was sometimes told to children that stayed up past their bedtimes, threatening they'd be eaten alive if they didn't go to sleep.
Also, I think I should make a vague note that like, old germanic gods, were generally the old nordic gods, but with different names. Aka, Wodan, one of the main gods, was pretty much Odin and so on.
(I hope this is enough? I could add more, though most dutch myths focus on people rather than creatures. (And aren't very useful) I admit to stealing Belgium myths here and there, butinthepasttheywerepracticallyoursanywayssofff *shot*)
Sample Post
Maarten's fingers tensed on the guy before him, giving him a good look over. He could feel the boy tremble under his fingers, a fact that wasn't all together surprising consider his own posture. It was nearly an understatement to say he merely towered over the other. But to say he 'skyscrapered' over him sounds a bit silly, if still appropriate.
If this kid had come up to me during the VOC he could've hardly made it as a cabin boy. His eyes scanned the boy's scrawny frame, getting the feeling if he squeezed a bit harder he might just break him. His gaze was harsh, not wavering a bit, frowning at him, though the kid had long since stopped to meet his gaze.
“So you wish to date my sister?”
He listened to the murmured and subdued squeaking that could be interpreted as “yes, sir”, not too impressed, though he supposed his sister would be able to handle the kid if he got rowdy at least. A breeze could probably too.
A faint grin crept over his lips as he briefly entertained the thought the kid was probably girlier than his sister. Maarten shook the boy's shoulder. “And what makes you think that y-”
His words were cut off by a stinging slap across the cheek, his sister standing next to him, looking rather pissed. “Hou je kop, Maarten. Mijn leven, weet je nog?”
Holland sighed, putting his hands on his sides, huffing. He cast one last threatening look at the boy that was being dragged off by his sister. The look didn't really need any words accompanying it.
(Whew, hope this is alright ;w;”. First time writing him. (Well, when he isn't high) Also, Belgium is basically saying “Shut your trap, Maarten. My life, remember?”)
Other Important Notes
