Personality:
Jacob has become aloof to all but his closest friends and family. He often perfers to stand by silently and watch situations unfold, rather than engaging someone from the beginning. While he can be reactive and nearly violent at times, he's learned to hold his temper in and use the anger at a more oppertune moment, rather than allowing it to use him. Jake also has a knack for taking needless risks. With his favorite people Jacob is more open, smiling and joking. He's also exceptionally protective of his younger sister Nathalie, and to a lesser extent, his uncle Lucas. Jake also has a slight drinking problem.

Powers:
Jacob is a powerful empath, granting him the basic abilities to sense and manipulate emotion. This gives him a hightened awareness of those around him. Being as powerful as he is, Jake holds some extra skills. He can attach strong emotional influences to verbal statements or suggestions, thusly increasing the likelihood that people will do what he wants.

Limits:
Jake's empathy is still most effective on Mundanes or Evolves without abilities that would grant them advanced mental shielding. He cannot force a person to do anything, nor can he read minds.

History:
Born the illegitimate child of a servant and a knight, Jacob seemed set up for failure from the start. Were it not for a turn of luck, and a heartwarming love story, he may have amounted to nothing. Instead he and his mother were (begrudgingly) welcomed into the Windsor House, and soon ascended to Royal status. For a short time it seemed Jacob was destined for greatness as the Crown Prince of one of the strongest Cities in the known land. Of course, the birth of Lucas Badeau, his uncle, changed this. Lucas was born a year after Jacob, but as the son of the then King and Queen was set to inherit the throne from Etienne, his brother. Leaving Jacob as nothing better than Second-In-Line.

As a child, he played alongside Lucas as if they were brothers. Etienne and Michelle were both fine parents and did an excellent job of bonding the two of them. Life only got better when Jake was given a little sister. Naive and ignorant of the workings of the world he was born into, Jacob was allowed a happy and privileged childhood. He even befriended the 'enemy'. During his family's trips to Rome, Jacob formed a friendship with Tobias Donovan, heir to the Roman City. Jake had the best toys and the best schooling available. He developed a love of equines at a young age. He'd spend hours every day riding over the protected lands of the City on his pony. Out riding one day at the tender age of eleven, he caught someone's eye as they uttered the phrase 'Bastard Prince'. Jacob had never heard that word before. He asked over dinner what that word meant, and for some reason was sent away from the table.

That night, his parents tried to explain to him the circumstances of his birth. The meaning of that horrible word, and why he should never repeat it. He assured his parents that he understood, and that it was alright. He wouldn't say it ever again. Inwardly, his confusion grew. If..that word..meant a child born out of wedlock..that's what he was. Why was it a bad word? Why did that person say it with such contempt? From then on, Jacob grew less naive. He began to understand the true nature of the world. The circumstances surrounding his family. Why his grandmother favored Lucas and Nathalie over him. Why he would not be King.

Entering into his teen years, Jacob became a bit more reserved. It took years for him to truly trust his parents again. But he never viewed his grandmother or uncle in the same light. While he did his best to continue his close friendship with Lucas out of both love and duty, he couldn't help his growing resentment towards the other boy. Lucas was standing in the way of what should have been his. While he swore he would never act out against him, and that Lucas would have his loyalty once he ascended to the crown, Jacob could not help the mean, sometimes violent thoughts that crossed his mind.

Still, as the second-in-line, Jacob had to be well educated. He had to know how to rule, how to run the City, how to be diplomatic and when to strike out. The education he and Lucas received as they neared adulthood was similar. This also meant increased journeys to Rome to sit in on discussions between the two ruling houses..as well as more frequent visits to his friend Tobias. As they'd grown older, Jacob found it harder and harder to deny his increasing feelings and attraction to the younger man. As it turned out, the feelings were mutual.

The unlikely pair quickly formed a loving relationship, carried out in secret for several years. While it was frowned upon, the two were well known as friends. The time they spent together was not considered unusual. Early in their relationship, Jacob gave Tobias the gift of a necklace discovered by some Raiders far beyond their Cities. In turn, Tobias had a ring made for Jacob. Forged from the finest silver, vines and delicate leaves, as well as horseshoes were stamped into it. Along the inside, Tobias' name and the date were engraved. The ring 'mysteriously appeared' near his nineteenth birthday. It stays on his right ring finger. He does not answer questions about it and never removes it. Despite the fact that when Tobias took command of Rome four years ago, he broke off the relationship with the Prince. Jacob was devastated.

Since then, Jacob has buried himself in various endeavors. He takes the most difficult horses in the Royal Stable as projects for himself. He attends almost constantly to Nathalie. Always, Lucas can rely on Jacob for assistance as he learns what he'll need to be King. Jacob studies alongside him still..just in case. If he has time left in his day, Jacob makes use of a lonely night and a fine bottle of wine to sit and think about the two things he desires most but will never have: his crown and his love.