BASICS
Name: Westley Ackerman Age: 26 (26) Neighborhood: Berk Job: Carpenter, Locksley Construction Story: The Princess Bride Character: Westley Faceclaim: Chace Crawford Status: Taken
PERSONALITY
+ Charming, Adventurous, Intelligent
- Arrogant, Secretive, Reckless
BIOGRAPHY
From humble beginnings come humble braggarts, and Westley was no great exception. Everything he attempted he did well at, no matter how simple the task. He was his father’s greatest helpmate until his father died when he was only sixteen years old. The family’s simple farm was failing and it was decided Westley would be sent to work in the nearby shire, Florin. He found work with the Ridley family and lived in the stables on the family’s property sending his wages back to the Earl of their home shire, hoping the money would support his mother. Once she remarried, he remained on at the Ridley house for a simple reason: he had come to love their daughter and wanted to earn her father’s favor and her hand in marriage.
So he set off, promising her he would return, his fortunes secured and his manlihood proven. It was not to be, though, as the ship he bartered work for passage on was attacked by pirates. He proved a capable fighter and a diligent student, and so was spared -- on one condition. He was to assume the name and ship of the pirate and never return to his old life. If he didn’t accept, the other option was death, so he followed his personal tradition and made the best of it because at least he was alive.
His time functioning under the worlds-famous moniker revealed him to be quite cunning and practical. He outgrew his humble, stableboy beginnings by becoming worldly and a touch sarcastic. Though his newly-chosen profession resulted in some dark deeds, he remained a boy who loved a girl at the heart of him and was always searching for some way to cross paths with her again in spite of his position.
Following a band of ruffians became his escape from pirating when he wanted solid ground beneath him. It wasn’t the first time he’d come across such a group when he scaled the Cliffs of Insanity, but it would prove to be the most interesting because these particular outlaws had more interesting goods -- in the form of Buttercup. Before he could decide what to do, the leader of the outlaws was dead, poisoned mostly by Iocaine powder but also by his own insufferable arrogance, and Westley found himself on the run with Buttercup. Heartbroken when he discovered she was betrothed to the Prince Humperdinck, he baited her rather than holding her close and decided not to reveal himself. That, of course, went out the window shortly before Humperdinck’s men caught up to them and took him captive for her kidnapping. Though she believed she negotiated for his release, he was held and tortured so ruthlessly he didn’t have time to plan an escape and had started accepting his own imminent death.
Then the world shifted and he found himself in Fableton. At first he believed he’d lost his mind, but he’s gradually come to realize this new world is a real one and he’s free. He’s afraid to make real contact with anyone, especially Buttercup, lest Humperdinck find him again. He’s got another chance to reinvent himself, but is uncertain if he should repeat the patterns he laid out as the Dread Pirate Roberts or if he should be a more public figure this time around.
CONNECTIONS:
Robin Locksley: An outlaw as legendary as Robin Hood is heard of through the world, and even if they are no longer in their former world, Westley has come to respect his boss for both his reputation and his playful nature in spite of the challenges faced by adapting to a new circumstance. He has a desperate wish to duel Robin, but he’s afraid of getting shot with an arrow for his trouble.
James Jones: It takes a pirate to know a pirate, and James Jones’ legend has certainly preceded him. Westley has been quietly watching the man to see how the other pirate adapts to this new world and, though he is his own man, he’s not afraid to steal an effective method when he sees one -- even if he completely distrusts Captain Hook.
ALTERNATE FACECLAIMS: Jake Abel