[NPC] Laurent Charlavant | Professor of Divination

Post by **Laurent Charlavant** » 01 Jan 2026, 21:21

About Laurent Charlavant

Backstory
Laurent Charlavant was never going to be subtle. Born into a long line of French seers, he showed early talent for divination, but an even stronger inclination toward drama.
After formal training abroad (the details of which he describes differently each time), Charlavant settled into academic life at Penwick. He claims the castle’s ley lines “sing” to him. The staff largely agree they hum, though perhaps not in the way he means. Over the years, his reputation has solidified: a capable diviner, an indulgent teacher, and a man who compensates for deep-seated anxieties, particularly about storms, by layering himself in scent, silk, and wards.

Appearance
Professor Charlavant is a thin, fashionably attired man, always muffled in draped shawls which pool at his feet whenever he sits. He is a connoisseur of soft materials, loose-fitting clothes, and accessories.
He has a dozen silver bracelets on each of his arms, rings on almost all of his fingers, and he smells strongly, or rather aggressively, of a cologne with a prominent citrus note. For Charlavant, it’s "just a light spritz.”

Personality
Charlavant is a tender, indulgent, and theatrical character. He speaks in a low voice, ambles instead of walking, and interacts in a classroom situation as if it were about to be a dramatic act. He has a never-ending need to “play.” The classroom is his playground,
Charlavant isn't cruel, but he's also very intrusive. For him, neither is emotional privacy mere suggestion, not a hard and fast rule.
It is no secret, and a personal embarrassment to him, that he is frightened out of his wits by thunderstorms and loud sounds. The armor he dons is unnecessary, excessive, and at times redundant… but it would demand an acknowledgment of fear, which he cannot bring himself to do.

Post by **Laurent Charlavant** » 01 Jan 2026, 21:50

Roleplaying with Professor Charlavant

Where to find Professor Charlavant
Grindle roams the castle in patterns shaped entirely by perceived “hair emergencies.” She moves unpredictably, but the following locations are her most common haunts:

Divination Dome (Very Common)
His primary domain. He drifts between pouffes and tea tables, correcting posture, attention, and emotional focus. He welcomes students into his classroom during all hours of the day, and is more than happy to do a palm reading over lunch.

Faculty Wing Lounge
Often found wrapped in shawls with tea, offering unsolicited readings to colleagues or gossip disguised as prophecy.

Portiport
Appears during class changes, jewelry announcing him well in advance. Dislikes stairs and avoids them unless unavoidable.

Avoids:
The Aetherium during storms, loud environments, places without sufficient seating or ambiance.

Teaching Style
Charlavant rarely delivers information directly. Instead, he prompts reflection through tone, proximity, and suggestion, allowing meaning to settle rather than strike. Lessons feel light, slow, and open-ended.

RP Hooks
1. Charlavant provides informal divinations at mealtimes, where students are invited to carry their plates into the Divination Dome for “light insight” over tea and conversation.
2. When storms approach, Charlavant exhibits signs of agitation and may extend classes or congregate the students close by.
3. Professor Charlavant may share an unsolicited comment when passing a student concerning their feelings, dreams, or immediate future.

Sample Dialogue
“Oh, mon petit chou. The Inner Eye does not open to sleepers.”
“Thinking is good. Dreaming is better.”
“You look here, but your future looks there.”
” The thunder today is… unnecessarily loud.”
“You don’t have to share all your dreams. Only the interesting ones.”
“Destiny is subtle. You, however, are not.”