Charm Sign

Charm grew up in Canterlot as the eldest son of a guardspony noble, though he was never one to sit by and watch like most children of nobility. He would read books about great heroes and fantastic magic, putting the lessons of what he read into practice and stood up to bullies, even if he got smacked around for his troubles. He had a reputation for being a little troublemaker, though none of his pranks were ever meant maliciously.

His first taste of loss came when his father became ill and he watched the strong guardspony waste away to illness. He was devastated and aimless for some time after until he discovered his talent for enchantment and crafted his first charm, which he gave to his mother. To this day, she still has that protection charm he made and gave to her.

Charm spent his teenage years learning more about magic and eventually would join the Equestrian Guard to earn money himself and not rely on family money to get what he needed to learn more of his trade. He'd spend his free time in the library or practicing with other guardsponies, trying to integrate and get to know his fellows better. Naturally, there were disagreements and it came to blows from time to time, but he at least made an attempt to reconcile with other ponies.

He was meant to be on the guard detail for the Summer Sun Celebration, but was sadly incapacitated like most of the guard when Nightmare Moon was freed from the moon and never made it to Ponyville while Princess Celestia was kidnapped. While he felt that he had failed, he was swiftly reminded that no one could have prepared for that and seemed sane.

He was later present in the Invasion of Canterlot, fighting for his home against Queen Chrysalis' Changelings in an effort to hold the line with the other guards still fighting until the Princesses or the Element Bearers could save the day. After the battle, he would retire from active service on good terms to pursue magic knowledge in other places, confident that Equestria was safe enough until he returned.

He would spend the next few years traveling to study magic before he returned to a changed Equestria. Now a stronger pony and wiser for his travels in the Gryphon Kingdom, Dragon Lands and even parts of the Badlands, he manages what's left of the family in his aging mother's stead. But he'll always feel the call to adventure, the need to travel and see sights previously unseen.

Charm's defining characteristic is his kindness, which informs most of his actions. He portrays himself as the dashing rogue with an ace up his sleeve for one last shot at getting free when all else fails, and will offer a plan once he has a good idea of the situation, which he puts his keen mind towards, and he will do his best to adapt to things as they happen. He often carries himself with an air of confidence, the intent being to inspire others through his example and optimism.

He has his flaws, though. For one, he can be quite emotional, to the point it clouds his judgement and he reacts in anger or panic. He can also become cocky as he begins to suffer an overabundance of confidence.

Charm has a slender build, close enough to a mare that he could likely pass for one if he put in the effort to look more female. His body is nicely toned from his swordplay practice and general exercise to balance out the time he spends reading and tinkering with runes when he isn't out adventuring. He also has a messy mane of black hair, soft to the touch when he has the time and opportunity to take proper care of it.

When he dresses in clothes, he often chooses some combination of black, white or red, so long as the colors compliment his lavender coat. His adventuring armor, however, is an undersuit of black leather inscribed with runes of protection against the elements, cold and heat in particular. Over that is a suit of light chainmail, the steel darkened to match his leather. The final layer consists of plates of black steel, engraved with runes of warding to protect against magic. To accent this, he has a dark blue scarf about his neck that doubles as a face mask as well as blue barding on his flanks between leather and chain, to break up the monotony of the blacks and metal greys.