Post by DornKoon on Aug 20, 2024 22:27:52 GMT
"The Lamborghini, Then. Much More Subtle."
General Information
Full Name:
Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth
Codename or Alias:
Penny-One
The Nest
Anonymity
Public Identity
Gender:
Male
Race:
Human
Age:
67
Place Of Birth:
London, England
Occupation/Status:
Butler/Caretaker
Alignment:
Hero
Factions:
Bat Family
Canon Or Original?:
Canon
Powers/Abilities:
Acting
"You see, Master Richard, we are not liars... we are performers."
Alfred spent several years as a stage actor at the Globe Theater in London. He was very accomplished and continued to use these skills in his service to Bruce. One would be hard-pressed to cause the butler to lose his cool or make him betray his true feelings when he desires not to.
Computer Operation
Despite Bruce being the more technologically savvy, Alfred is no stranger to using the equipment found in the Bat Cave to assist when needed. Despite his age, he is well-versed in how to use a computer and similar machines.
Driving
"Where to, Master Bruce?"
Besides being a Butler, he often acts as Bruce's chauffeur whenever he or one of the other family members must go somewhere. Alfred is also one of the few people with the authority to use the Batmobile in an emergency. Thankfully, that has not happened often. Still, Pennyworth is no stranger to a high-speed chase.
Espionage
As a former MI-5 agent, Alfred Pennyworth is a skilled infiltrator, spy, and agent. He played his part in helping Master Bruce become the skilled detective he is and, by extension, the rest of the Bat Family. While Batman, Damian Wayne, and Cassandra Cain have nimbleness and raw abilities, Alfred has experience and patience. If he wishes, he can move virtually unnoticeable and has mastered the art of "looking busy" and "driving casually". He's a servant, and those tend to go unnoticed.
Expert Tailor
"A well-made suit can be a useful armour, Master Jason"
Alfred is a skilled tailor who frequently repairs and maintains Bruce Wayne's clothing, from his suits and tuxedos to the Batsuit.
Firearms
"Perhaps you relied on my Master's vow against using lethal force. Let me assure you that I subscribe to no such niceties."
Pennyworth has extensive training in many different kinds of firearms. His eyesight is not bad, and his aim is impeccable. Alfred does not hesitate to use lethal force if necessary; he would never start anything, but he is quick to end it if forced to.
Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced)
During his time at MI-5, he was one of the best agents when it came to Hand-To-Hand Combat, and even if his abilities have dulled due to age, his skills are as sharp as ever. Many would underestimate Wayne Butler at a glance, and those same people quickly notice that age does not dull skill. In his youth, he was a boxing champion at college; he also knows several martial arts, including Hapkido, Aikido, and Karate.
Lock Picking
Alfred is no stranger to subterfuge and knows how to get into places by picking locks, often using tools he has access to.
Master Chef
As part of his butler duties, Alfred is a first-rate chef, making the most delectable meals from haute cuisine, such as gourmet meals for Bruce and social galas hosted at Wayne Manor, to street food, such as Chili dogs for Jason Todd. Most importantly, Alfred cooked meals following Bruce's specialized diets for crime-fighting, incorporating knowledge of clinical nutrition and nutritional science to support and improve the family's health and constitution while maintaining great taste.
Mechanical Aptitude
Alfred has been a trained mechanic since his time in the army. Over the years, he's had to fix the Wayne car several times, as taking it to a mechanic would be a waste of resources and time. That is to say, Alfred understands other types of machines and the physics behind them.
Master Physician
"I wasn't aware you received a medical degree while you were in the Himalayas, Master Damian"
Alfred is a highly skilled and versatile physician and former combat medic. With the Wayne family's resources, he can administer professional medication for the Bat Family's health care. He could also provide first aid and suture wounds, remove bullets, perform arthroscopy and other advanced medical procedures to treat grievous injuries and perform complex surgeries without assistance, including the heart.
Military Protocol
Alfred joined the S.A.S. Armed Services at age 18 and fought in 15 operations between ages 18 and 20. He later joined MI5, where he trained with Briar. Alfred went on 52 missions worldwide while undergoing the Nemesis Program.
Pedagogy
"Master Bruce, might I suggest some breathing room for young Master Damian... a little solitude... an opportunity for reflection... and a gift of trust."
Alfred has shown great skill in many fields, something he used while homeschooling Master Damian for a period.
Poetry
Alfred has been known to dabble in poetry, but more as a pastime hobby.
Weapons/Items:
Appearance
Physical Appearance:
Alfred Pennyworth is an older, distinguished gentleman with a refined and dignified demeanour. He is a clean-shaven man with a fair complexion, piercing grey eyes, silvery hair, and a receding hairline. He stands around 5' 8", which gives him a stately and commanding presence, should he need one. Despite his age, he has a well-maintained appearance, reflecting a life of discipline and hard work.
Clothing and Armor:
Alfred is almost always seen in formal attire, usually a black or dark-coloured suit with a white dress shirt, a black tie or bow tie, and polished black shoes. He may also wear white gloves, emphasizing his role as a butler. His clothing is always impeccably tailored, reflecting his professionalism and attention to detail. The devil is in the details, as they say.
Personality
Sexual Orientation:
Heterosexual
General Personality:
Alfred is loyal, intelligent, caring, hardworking, tireless, sometimes sarcastic, wise, brave, bold, protective, kind and fatherly. Despite occasionally worrying about Bruce's safety, he supports him in his crusade to rid Gotham of crime and, by extension, the rest of the family. He often functions as a calm anchor for all members of the Bat Family and is always ready with whatever support might be needed, be it some hot soup, a listening ear, or fatherly advice. Alfred is also one of the few people willing to tell Bruce when he is stepping out of line and remains stubborn enough to get him to see why Bruce might be letting his emotions run high. Young master Damian is one such subject, and despite the boy's behaviour, Alfred has often been a buffer between him and his father when Bruce might not be in the best frame of mind.
He might not like many of Bruce's choices but has learned to accept and support them.
None could call him disloyal because Alfred is as loyal as they come and willing to go to extreme lengths to keep his charges safe, even if this sharply contrasts with Bruce's vow of non-killing. He's not a man who actively seeks violence, but if forced to defend himself or others, Pennyworth will NEVER hesitate to use lethal force. He's as willing to die as he is willing to kill.
Face/Voice:
Michael Gough
Anything Else
Character's History
Siblings:
N/A
Mother:
Mary Pennyworth (Deceased)
Father:
Jarvis Pennyworth (Deceased)
Other Family:
Julia Pennyworth - Daughter
History:
The Wild Young Years
Alfred Pennyworth was born in London, the child of Jarvis Pennyworth and his wife, Mary. During his youth, he was a rebel and troublemaker and ran away from home several times. When Alfred was 18, he joined the British army. He spent many years on missions, climbing the ranks and making a name for himself as a capable soldier. However, eventually, he got discharged and quit being a soldier. He made a name for himself during those days, becoming a very accomplished field medic. Still, he was honorably discharged before long, and left that part of his life behind him.
Shortly after his discharge, he was approached by a man calling himself Briar. Briar was part of an ancient Celtic organization absorbed by MI-5 and known as the Nemesis Program. As a member, Alfred was trained to be the new Dark Knight, a title held initially by Gaweyne de Weyne. As an agent of MI-5, Pennyworth would travel worldwide for missions, becoming one of its best agents. However, Alfred discovered that Briar had gone crazy after the death of his son, and Alfred was forced to kill him, or that was how it had appeared.
Alfred returned to London and began a stage-acting career, where he quickly rose in prominence and performed at the Globe Theatre. It was also there that he met a woman and, together with her, had a daughter, Julia Pennyworth. This fact was marred somewhat when Alfred received the news of his father's death under mysterious circumstances. Though Jarvis Pennyworth had attempted to write a letter dissuading his son from taking his place at Wayne Manor, he could never deliver the letter, and Alfred dutifully accepted his father's vacant position in Gotham City. Sadly, his relationship with Julia suffered from this decision, and he was missing from large chunks of her childhood. She has often rebuffed her father's attempts to reconnect in later years, and not focusing more on her remains one of Pennyworth's greatest regrets. Still, over time, he has been forced to give up, even if he does keep sending her cards and money at Christmas and for birthdays. This has never been a burden Alfred has carried by himself, not something he has troubled the Wayne family.
Raising Bruce Wayne
Alfred relocated to the United States and became the Wayne's butler when their son Bruce was four.
Tragedy struck unexpectedly only four years later when Bruce was eight. Thomas and Martha Wayne were tragically shot in an alley by a mugger. Alfred dropped everything and rushed to the crime scene as soon as he heard the news and took the traumatised Bruce home. It was decided that Alfred would be Bruce's legal guardian without any other family, raising him and looking for his best interest. At the same time, Lucius Fox was tasked with overseeing the company until Bruce was old enough to take over. Alfred had never dreamed that he would be given such a task, much less that Thomas and Martha requested it as part of their will, but dutiful as ever, Alfred rose to the task.
Bruce would handle the death of his parents very harshly, making him a handful for Alfred to raise by himself. Bruce would search for answers about his parents' murderer relentlessly. While researching the fabled Court of Owls and their possible connection, Bruce would become trapped in an abandoned building for days, forcing Alfred to track him down before the boy succumbed to dehydration. It is safe to say that young Bruce was more than a handful.
Still, Alfred was nothing if not patient with him. Though raising him was difficult at times, Alfred and Bruce developed a deep bond, and Alfred might very well be the only person Bruce trusts completely. This has always been a trust Alfred strived to live up to, and he would never dream of breaking that trust for anything, even if he has kept things from Bruce for his good at times.
Bruce goes missing
At 18 years old, Bruce disappeared to travel around the world and train to fight crime, leaving Alfred in charge of Wayne Manor. Disappointed in this decision, Alfred made several attempts to contact him, never giving up as the years passed. It took six years before he managed to get in touch with Bruce by phone; Alfred begged Bruce to come home on his side of the transceiver, but Bruce wouldn't answer.
Still, Alfred did not relinquish his duties at home. He kept the manor in perfect condition while its master was away, maintaining the upkeep and regularly contacting Lucius about the happenings in Wayne Enterprises. He knew Master Bruce would return whenever he found what he sought. Still, it was a time of uncertainty, both for Alfred and Gotham.
Birth of the Batman
Bruce finally returned at age 25, much to Alfred's delight. Bruce had decided to become a vigilante, eventually taking the form of a bat, which Alfred hesitantly agreed to aid with.
For most, Alfred remains a supporting character in Batman's life. He starts by remaining in contact with the Batcave during his master's many missions. This has given Alfred a deep insight into the rogue gallery of Gotham over the years, even if he did not encounter them personally. Still-- it was what Master Bruce wanted, and at the end of the day, it was his choice.
Alfred would later aid Bruce in raising Dick Grayson, Jason Todd and Tim Drake, all of whom would be adopted by Bruce Wayne and became his partner Robin at different points in time. He also developed friendships with other members of the Bat-Clan, including Barbara Gordon and Cassandra Cain. Over the years, Alfred often acted as a father figure to Bruce and a grandfather to Dick, Jason, Tim and Cassandra. However, due to his rather cold personality, Bruce Wayne ensured that at least some degree of the business relationship between the two always exists.
Alfred also became highly respected by the Justice League heroes and those aware of his existence, including Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Green Lantern, Iron Man, and The Flash. He worried for Bruce, but at the same time, he saw that being part of something larger helped his master find focus and companionship among peers and like-minded. So, he would support the Justice League like he did the Bat family, as and when doing so was needed.
"You start pretending to have fun, you might have a little by accident."
Over the years, he's been a source of calm advice to many heroes passing through the Batcave, both inside and outside the family.
The Oracle
After Barbara Gordon was shot and paralyzed by The Joker, Alfred began to spend more time in her company, seeing that the both of them more often remained behind when the rest went on missions. Alfred, the dutiful butler, ensured that Miss Gordon would lack for nothing, even if that only meant a few kind words, a pot of tea, or some biscuits. He found himself inspired by her resilience and ability to bounce back, taking to her new role as Oracle as naturally as anything.
A NEW Norm
"You can't unfry an egg, as my dear old mum used to say"
Life took a very different turn when Bruce decided to put away the cowl as Batman and run for the position of Senator of New Jersey. It was natural for Bruce to talk with Alfred about this new path well in advance, and as much as the butler was happy his master would put himself less in danger, he did have some trepidation about how the younger family members might take such news. He knew them well enough that they would not stop their heroic work just because Bruce did, no, risk where they would try to fill in the void left after Batman. Alfred did voice these concerns but also made it known that he would respect Bruce's decision, whatever it might be, but that he would continue supporting the family no matter what they chose to do.
So, when Bruce called everyone to dinner, including Master Jason, Alfred was also present. He did not participate in the conversation, but he was there.
Yet, Alfred could not help but feel that Master Bruce might have made a mistake...
Young Master Damian
Another twist comes from a young man claiming to be Master Bruce's son, who appears out of nowhere. Alfred did not need a DNA test done to know that the boy was speaking the truth, as when Alfred first saw Damian with his own eyes, it was like seeing a ghost from the past. He was the spitting image of Bruce at that age. Of course, Ra's al Ghul would be so desperate for a successor that he decided to make one himself, and Alfred did not think he could sink lower. Sadly, he was mistaken.
That evening, Alfred prepared a bed for the new family member and had another long conversation with Master Bruce.
Alfred could tell the son was expecting something else; he was there to learn from Batman.
The boy was in desperate need of guidance; that much was clear. But the source of that, Alfred figured, would not be him. No, Master Damian needed to connect with those closer to his age. Thankfully, an opening for this presented itself by his own actions, and the frustration at not getting what he wanted from his father. Master Damian was not as sneaky as he might have thought. Even if he expertly snuck out against his father's wishes, Alfred had made it a habit of checking in on him, and he was already used to similar antics from the three older boys. Still, Alfred said nothing to Bruce, and neither did he hint at knowing when interacting with Master Damian.
"We talked about this, Master Damian. You're well past due for a haircut. You agreed, on the condition that we do it here in the batcave, so stop fidgeting"
However, he spoke with Cassandra, revealing to her that Damian was sneaking out and most likely fighting criminals at night. Alfred asked if she would mind watching the young Wayne to ensure he did not take on more than he could handle. Despite his evident skills, he was still a boy, and mistakes happen. Everything went according to the butler's plan; Damian connected with his siblings and even claimed the title of Robin.
Naturally, Alfred said nothing. He polished the silver and did his duties as usual. But he did notice the changes, however small they were.
Role Play Sample:
It was not often Alfred went on vacation, but this had been one of those rare times when the butler decided to go on one. At first, Alfred was not sure where to go, but there were many places he had visited in his youth that he would want to see again. After much contemplating, he decided to visit good old England, taking the opportunity to reconnect with some old friends and revisit the old stomping grounds. So he would go away for a few weeks, which seemed long enough to enjoy himself and short enough for the children not to burn the mansion down.
That was about two weeks ago, and Alfred was at the end of an excellent breakfast at the Savoy in London; he was enjoying a spot of tea and some biscuits. Master Bruce had insisted upon getting him the VIP room there, and as much as Alfred wanted to protest, he decided not to rock the boat; no, Master Bruce had enough to worry about, and if making this gesture would alleviate some of that, who was Alfred to deny him?
It was raining outside, which was nothing new in England.
"It does feel refreshing not having to make the breakfast," Alfred mused, sipping at his tea. "Delightful, most delightful. Perhaps I should ask what brand this is and get some delivered to the Manor upon my return."
At that moment, a shiver ran down his spine. He had never been much into psychics, but he did have a keen sense for tomfoolery, and upon checking the time... he had a sneaking suspicion. With a graceful motion, Alfred reached out and took the phone receiver from the wall, and after a few seconds of contemplation, he began to dial. Once he was done... Alfred waited.
"Wayne Manor, Jason speaking." The familiar voice came on the other end, and Alfred could tell he sounded winded.
"Good evening, Master Jason."
"A-Alfred? Wait a moment... would you guys shut up?! It's Alfred!" Alfred held the recovery away from his ear as Jason yelled. "So-- how's the vacation?"
"I'll kill him!!" Came the unmistakable voice of Timothy Drake. "We had a deal! We were supposed to share!"
"Shut it, Tim! Serves you right!" Jason shot back...
Alfred had no idea what was happening, but he had a sneaking suspicion...
"Might I assume the treats I made have run out, Master Jason? And we are taking part in a little wild west antics?" There was the sound of Jason almost dropping the phone. "I take that as a yes. Thankfully, I do have the perfect solution to your problem."
"You do?" This time, it was Timothy's voice, and by the sound, it looked like most of the children had gathered around the telephone.
"Yes, quite simple, Master Timothy. You see, in the kitchen, you will find my little collection of recipes on the first shelf to the right; you should find ample treats among those. You'd have to make them yourself. Of course, there is always the option to wait for my return in..." Alfred paused, slowly reached out and took the last biscuit from his plate, dipping it into his tea, before taking a delicate bite. " another two weeks."
