Valentine Elvin VIII

After the Montague family rose to power in Astra, about two hundred ago, the Elvin family - the previous rulers, for a half-dozen generations - took a step back and returned to the Elvin Villages in the south-east of Astra. In order to end the First Astra Civil War, a treaty was forged. The Elvins' power came from their vampiric bloodline; the Montagues would be granted victory in the war and the throne of Astra, on the understanding that the Elvins would be left in peace to rule the Elvin Villages without Montague-influence - and, once an Elvin child displayed the vampire gene again, they may take back the country without force. Given no vampire had existed in the bloodline since the founder, Valentine Elvin I, and knowing that continuing to fight would likely not yield a Montague-victory, the Montagues agreed.
Settling quite comfortably in their estate, the Elvin family were perfectly content to allow the Montagues to rule. For another few generations, none of the Elvin children demonstrated any reemergence of the vampire trait, and the Montagues continued to rule in peace, until the birth Valentine Elvin VII's first and only child: Valentine Elvin VIII.

A test for vampirism was carried out on the baby, as had been done with every Elvin child since Valentine Elvin I's first child. A drop of blood placed on the tongue would draw out a young vampire's fangs. For seven generations, there had been no sign of fangs - until now.
The family were simultaneously overjoyed and concerned. Another vampire meant the Elvins could take back their rightful place as rulers of Astra - but it also meant there may be a Third Astra Civil War, and this one would possibly be even worse than a first. The Montagues would be reluctant to give up power easily.

Between the Elvins, there was a great deal of concern over whether to inform the youngest member of his bloodright, or to keep it from him until he was an adult. His mother wanted to keep it from him, to prevent a new Civil War; his father wanted to inform him, to press him to take the throne as early as possible. The argument divided them and they split when Valentine was four. He spent much of his childhood shuffling between his father's home in the Elvin Villages, and his mother's home in Riverhaban.

Between the two homes, he was usually kept inside, to protect him from anyone who may wish the young heir harm. The only time he was outside of Astra was on the occasional trip with his father, to visit Greyfall - prior to its destruction - or Ironwyn, and to visit his ancestor, Valentine Elvin I (nicknamed "grandfather") and his partners, who had formed an organisation known as Graco, dedicated to protecting their planet from extraterrestrials and supernatural beings who may wish to cause harm. He learnt to hack from his grandfather's partner Quinn, and picked it up very quickly. He looks up to all of Graco's members with great adoration, and they have adopted him as something of a son.

Valentine developed anxiety at an early age, perhaps enhanced by the stress of the divorce, and he began spending very little time with other people, far preferring to be alone. When he was forced to be around large crowds of people, he was prone to panic attacks, and often had to be escorted out to prevent making a scene.
His father treated him as an heir first and foremost, and a son second. Although he meant well, he had no idea how to connect to a child, especially an incredibly anxious child who strongly disliked physical affection, and was far happier when allowed to just use his tablet in peace than when forced to interact. Eventually he gave up and just tried to bribe Valentine's affection with expensive gifts - the newest and best technology, usually.

Homeschooled his entire life, Valentine never really had much contact with other children until he was eight, when he met Otto. The older boy fascinated Valentine, and he began to revere him. Although it took Valentine a while to trust Otto properly, he began following him on adventures, with Otto showing him all his favourite places. They gathered around them a small group of friends, and now, aged twelve, Valentine is an incredible hacker and much more confident than he was as a child, although still plagued by anxiety and a fear of crowds.

Valentine is often accompanied by his second attempt at creating an AI: his robotic dog, Honey. The dog is incredibly loyal to Valentine and Otto, and seems to adore being with them.

In an alternative, medieval setting, Valentine is the son of a noble elven family, once royalty but now dethroned. By the terms of the treaty made to bring an end to the civil war, the Elvin family can lay claim to the throne once more when a child of the family is born with the family's original gift for magic. The gift has been lost for generations, creating general belief that it will never re-emerge, but upon Valentine's birth, it was clear that it had returned.

His father wishes for him to make his claim; his mother wished that he be given a normal childhood, and allowed to make his own decisions once he's old enough. Their disagreement was enough to drive a wedge into the family; they separated but did not divorce, as his mother left to take charge of a family estate across the country.

Valentine developed anxiety at an early age, perhaps enhanced by the stress of his parents' separation and his father's expectations, and he began spending very little time with other people, far preferring to be alone. When he was forced to be around large crowds of people, he was prone to panic attacks, and often had to be escorted out to prevent making a scene.
His father treated him as an heir first and foremost, and a son second. Although he meant well, he had no idea how to connect to a child, especially an incredibly anxious child who strongly disliked physical affection, and was far happier when allowed to just study and tinker in peace than when forced to interact. Eventually he gave up and just tried to bribe Valentine's affection with expensive gifts - the newest in technology and books from afar, usually.

Valentine's father had high hopes for him, but the boy has no interest in swordsmanship or becoming king. He's never happier than when he has his head in a book, or when trying out some new spell, or tinkering with his technological creations. He owns a highly loyal dog, Honey. Honey's form varies depending on the setting: she's either a real dog, a magically awakened toy or carving which now acts like a real dog, or a mechanical, very early AI dog.