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Entry tags:
Character Questions: Morality/Opinions/Behaviour
Hey, remember these? Figured we're overdue for another one, especially as the Halloween event is winding down but still not wrapped up. This time, the overall theme of these questions is: Morality! Behaviour! And opinions!
Describe character's sense of morals:
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?:
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do):
Describe character's etiquette:
Describe character's sense of self-control:
Spontaneous or structured?
Instinctual or logical?
How does this character act in public?
How does this character act in privacy?
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends?
How does this character act around family?
How has this character most changed from youth?
How have they remained the same?
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew?
If so, who?
How has it affected them?
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger:
Rejection:
Fear:
Change:
Loss:
Sex/Flirting:
Pain:
Stress:
Peer pressure:
Guilt:
Being wrong:
Being criticized:
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc):
Offending others:
Praise:
Being loved:
Being hated:
Humiliation:
How does this character express-
Anger:
Sadness:
Fear:
Happiness/Excitement:
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"):
Lust:
Stress/anxiety:
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea):
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea):
How does this character generally express themselves?
What does this character think/feel about-
Marriage:
Children:
Family/Family Values:
Children/Youth:
Old age:
Sex:
Love:
Friendship/Other relationships:
Homosexuality:
The opposite sex:
The same sex:
Money/Material things:
Politics:
Religion:
Destiny/Duty:
Magic/Myth:
Racism/Races in general:
Science/Technology:
Nature/Animals:
Modernity:
Antiquity:
Their past:
Their future:
Their role in society/job/etc:
Drugs and alcohol:
Killing/Murder:
Education:
The foreign/unknown:
How does the character view life?
How does the character view death?
How does the character view society?
How does the character imagine his/her own death?
What does the character want out of life?
What does this character consider "success" to be?
What would the character like to change in his/her life?
What motivates this character?
What discourages this character?
What makes this character happy?
What makes this character sad?
What makes this character angry?
What humiliates this character?
What most describes this character's personality?
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do):
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical?
Copy+Paste of the above!
Once again, I'm looking forward to reading all your responses and learning more about your characters!
Describe character's sense of morals:
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?:
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do):
Describe character's etiquette:
Describe character's sense of self-control:
Spontaneous or structured?
Instinctual or logical?
How does this character act in public?
How does this character act in privacy?
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends?
How does this character act around family?
How has this character most changed from youth?
How have they remained the same?
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew?
If so, who?
How has it affected them?
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger:
Rejection:
Fear:
Change:
Loss:
Sex/Flirting:
Pain:
Stress:
Peer pressure:
Guilt:
Being wrong:
Being criticized:
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc):
Offending others:
Praise:
Being loved:
Being hated:
Humiliation:
How does this character express-
Anger:
Sadness:
Fear:
Happiness/Excitement:
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"):
Lust:
Stress/anxiety:
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea):
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea):
How does this character generally express themselves?
What does this character think/feel about-
Marriage:
Children:
Family/Family Values:
Children/Youth:
Old age:
Sex:
Love:
Friendship/Other relationships:
Homosexuality:
The opposite sex:
The same sex:
Money/Material things:
Politics:
Religion:
Destiny/Duty:
Magic/Myth:
Racism/Races in general:
Science/Technology:
Nature/Animals:
Modernity:
Antiquity:
Their past:
Their future:
Their role in society/job/etc:
Drugs and alcohol:
Killing/Murder:
Education:
The foreign/unknown:
How does the character view life?
How does the character view death?
How does the character view society?
How does the character imagine his/her own death?
What does the character want out of life?
What does this character consider "success" to be?
What would the character like to change in his/her life?
What motivates this character?
What discourages this character?
What makes this character happy?
What makes this character sad?
What makes this character angry?
What humiliates this character?
What most describes this character's personality?
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do):
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical?
Copy+Paste of the above!
Once again, I'm looking forward to reading all your responses and learning more about your characters!
no subject
Previous Survey Link
Describe character's sense of morals: Asshole with a heart of gold deep down. Uses the bitchy persona as a social defense since she tends to see herself as kind of a shitty person in general, so why not play it up?
Also enjoys it because it plays up her badassness, when in reality she's 90 pounds soaking wet, despite being pretty much capable of nuclear felfire.
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: Aside from the short "Fuck you for asking", if prodded for a more in depth answer: "Fucking sucks, then you die. Then it still fucking sucks. Why the hell are you asking me this bullshit? I'm the last thing from a light damned priest."
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): DESPITE the attitude she puts on, Fortyskey wouldn't willingly or knowingly endanger civilians. They haven't done shit to her, so why should she do shit to them? It's also one of her ways of making up for the horrible shit being a Scourge Warlock made her do.
Describe character's etiquette: You're joking, right.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Despite what you may think, it's actually really, really good. It's probably the one thing that keeps her from descending into madness and fucking killing everyone.
Instead of, y'know, killing someone for an actual reason.
Spontaneous or structured? Spontaneous. Very very spontaneous.
Instinctual or logical? Largely instinctual, but will listen to logic from others if it makes sense, or if they're more experienced in a field that she's not.
How does this character act in public? Bitchy as hell. Loud and fuck you, that's why.
How does this character act in privacy? Much more reserved. Tends to talk to herself (which includes the swearing)
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? It's hard to tell if you don't really know her, to be honest. Friends she'll threaten... less. Or act subtly more like she wants to be around them, or relent to their wishes.
A stranger asking her to do something will have a more difficult time than a friend convincing her of the same.
How does this character act around family? "FUCK YOU."
How has this character most changed from youth? Well for one thing she was alive, still bitchy, but not nearly as much. Being dead and not really caring about shit anymore is a wonderful confidence booster!
How have they remained the same? See above.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Aside from her father, which was met with embittered laughing (as he was a much bigger asshole than her), Fortyskey tries not to get too close to others for this very reason.
She might have issues.
If so, who? --
How has it affected them? Father: She was glad he's dead, but his drunken asshole behavior influenced a lot of hers, particularly in her lack-of-fucks-to-give attitude and how she talks. He cussed pretty freely
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: Violence, kill it with fire.
Rejection: "Fuck you, I'm better than that shit anyway."
Fear: Kill It With Fire
Change: Begrudging acceptance.
Loss: Begrudging acceptance
Sex/Flirting: Being a walking corpse more utter fucking confusion than anything else. Seriously, there's people into that?
Pain: Usually a strong desire to return it tenfold. Spite is a powerful motivator.
Stress: Not well. This usually upgrades her to Super Bitchy 2.
Peer pressure: Flipping it off.
Guilt: "FUCK YOU FOR MAKING ME FEEL GUILTY. Ass."
Being wrong: Begrudging acceptance
Being criticized: ...Usually begrudging acceptance, but it vastly depends on its source. She'll listen to someone she likes more often than someone she doesn't know.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): "How about fuck you."
Offending others: Don't care.
Praise: "Of course I'm fucking awesome."
Being loved: Flat what.
Being hated: "Not here to be fucking liked."
Humiliation: Usually ignoring it. Bitches about it in private.
How does this character express-
Anger: excessive violence in combat, being loud and insulting otherwise.
Sadness: Will leave to brood in private.
Fear: The one instance where she's more like a cat, she'll make herself try to seem like the bigger badass.
Happiness/Excitement: "Fuck yeah!"
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): She doesn't believe she can.
Insofar as the five languages of it go, Fortyskey has issues. Gift giving and service would be appreciated the most, but she reacts poorly to being touched due to, y'know, being a walking corpse. She wouldn't believe words of affirmation, and wouldn't notice people spending time with her.
Lust: "What part of 'walking corpse' aren't you fucking getting?"
Stress/anxiety: Usually taking it out on things she's not supposed to. Being insulting to her friends.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): Usually being direct, offensive, trying to drive them away.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): Is still abrasive, but as a general rule, much less insulting and likely to drive it away (see her... bizarre friendship with harrow, when they're not trying to kill each other)
How does this character generally express themselves? Loudly, wanting to be noticed when she needs to be.
What does this character think/feel about-
Marriage: To her? Hell no. She's freaked out by the idea. Anyone else? If that's what you wanna do, go ahead and fucking do it already.
Children: She can't have kids, and she's generally uncomfortable around anyone below teenage.
Family/Family Values: Her own family: Fucking hates 'em. Family in general: Indifference.
Children/Youth: See above.
Old age: She's essentially immortal (though not indestructable). Tries not to think about it.
Sex: She's dead okay.
Love: Lots of issues. Avoids thinking about it.
Friendship/Other relationships: Despite her attitude, she does enjoy having friends, she's just a social trainwreck.
Homosexuality: "Okay, and?"
The opposite sex: Indifference. People are people til they go out of their way to offend her.
The same sex: Same as the opposite.
Money/Material things: Yes. Give her more. It's why she's a mercenary in the first place.
Politics: "Are we fucking fighting again? Fucking hell."
Religion: "Fuck the Light, it's never done shit to me."
Destiny/Duty: "My fucking destiny is my own."
Magic/Myth: She's a Warlock. Magic's her bread and butter.
Racism/Races in general: She doesn't care what you are unless you try to kill her first, or you're a target for one of her contracts.
Science/Technology: Goblins themselves are kind of annoying, but technology has its merits.
Nature/Animals: Doesn't really give a flying shit. Has a skeleton cat she resurrected, but preachy druids annoy the shit out of her.
Modernity: "Meh."
Antiquity: "Meh."
Their past: Bottles it up. Ignores the shit out of it. Pretends to not remember it.
Actually remembers it. Including a lot more of the Scourge bullshit than she's comfortable thinking about.
Their future: One step at a time.
Maybe one day they'll find a way to fix her.
Their role in society/job/etc: She is what she is. She accepts this fact, and fuck anyone else who thinks otherwise.
Drugs and alcohol: Doesn't care. She can't get drunk anymore anyway. Though habitual drunks are looked down on. ...Metaphorically, since she's short.
Killing/Murder: She'll kill without remorse if it's necessary, and she'll do so without holding back, and even gleefully.
That said, she's not fond of unnecessary killing and murder, and it's nearly as murder happy as some of her Forsaken brethren. To that end, she's not super fond of the idea of using the Plague, since you can't really control it once it's released.
Education: "Fucking learn, you dumbshits."
The foreign/unknown: Boiled down to: Is it trying to kill me, Y/N
How does the character view life? "eh."
How does the character view death? "What would you ask of Death? A few fucking things about his sick sense of humor."
How does the character view society? Complicated. Too fucking complicated.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? Probably dies as a result of someone else's stupidity.
Or her own.
What does the character want out of life? Still trying to figure that out.
Trying to live againWhat does this character consider "success" to be? Surviving, mostly. Simply to spite everyone else who thinks she should die as a fel magic user and abomination of nature.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? She'd admit to nothing, but she'd really, really like to actually live again.
Being dead is just so fucking hollow.
What motivates this character? Spite. Sheer stupid determination.
What discourages this character? Idiocy when forced to work in a group, absolutely nothing going to plan.
What makes this character happy? That's... complicated. She's never really happy so much as complacent with her situation.
What makes this character sad? Being discouraged.
What makes this character angry? Being preached at, attacked, people deliberately offensive to her.
What humiliates this character? Usually one someone is bold enough to finally hit her. She's scrawny and it usually results in a knockdown if you have any real physical strength whatsoever.
What most describes this character's personality? Bitchy asshole who tries to maintain said image as much as possible.
How much she succeeds is up for debate.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): Trainwreck childhood, zombified adulthood, and initially living with her people who encouraged the way she acted.
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? A combination of all of them, although 'chemical' is probably better replaced with magical.
Going more in depth, Fortyskey has confidence issues that she hides by trying to appear as though she's the biggest, badassey-est bitch around by the way she acts, and the way she talks. She's terrified and refuses to ever appear weak again, and refuses to let anyone or thing control her again. Forty, in her mind, can't appear weak, or someone or thing might take advantage of her.
You're asking a literal sin about his morals?
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: "It's something for you to experience before your eventual demise, so how's that bucket list coming along?"
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): For all he's willing to do in the name of "medicine" he wouldn't go as far as to mess with eldrich abominations or the supernatural. He knows full well what they're capable of, on account of knowing some very inhuman people himself, so he'd rather avoid dangerous rituals and the like.
Describe character's etiquette: Pretty decent for a man from the 1300's. He may sound a bit rude at times, but at least his table manners are decent.
Describe character's sense of self-control: He can bide his time, just long enough for the next sucker to take his bait. When he knows it's too late for the mark to escape, all bets are off.
Spontaneous or structured? A bit of both! Experiments are like guessing games to him, so if something goes off the rails he'll just run with it.
Instinctual or logical? Logical, mostly. He wouldn't be a good liar if he acted on impulse, could he?
How does this character act in public? Like an eccentric, yet well meaning, doctor. Yes, his methods are dated, but he seems like he genuinely wants to help people with their ills. When he's not doing that, he comes off as comic relief with a tiny bit of a morbid twist. Perfectly reasonable though.
How does this character act in privacy? Less kind, more cunning. A bit messy as well, but also a bit of a germaphobe. He does not like people seeing his private life at all.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? He's more cautious about revealing his personal opinions around people he doesn't know or trust.
How does this character act around family? He doesn't remember having family, but if we replaced "family" with "the other 6 Sinisters," he's the most honest around that small group of people. The only situation where he'd actively reveal his role as Deception is when he's around people like him. He'd even do them favors every now and then as long as he gets something he wants in return.
How has this character most changed from youth? He doesn't remember his childhood, so...
How have they remained the same? See above.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Sort of? He's had a few of his assistants die on him at times.
If so, who? Chandler, one of those assistants who died of plague very suddenly.
How has it affected them? Chandler's corpse was used in a couple of experiments, being temporarily revived to show off his wonderful singing voice. This person wasn't really close to Dr. White, so he doesn't exactly care much personally.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: Fight back if it's weak, retreat if it's too strong.
Rejection: He'd be bitter, possibly plotting his revenge in secret if he thinks the rejecting party has wronged him in some huge way.
Fear: He'd delight in intentionally causing fear, but when the tables are turned his first instinct is to give the scary thing some distance.
Change: It might take some time, but he's adaptable.
Loss: He'd claim it doesn't mean too much, but it will eat at him from the inside.
Sex/Flirting: Disgust.
Pain: Immediate response to pain is to try and repair what's hurting him if he can.
Stress: He gets irritable with stress, and may end up forgetting to be polite here and there. This is most likely going to result in yelling.
Peer pressure: He'll eventually go along with it if it's something silly like a spontaneous dance party, but if you're trying to get him to try something he will become annoyed and possibly even kick you out of wherever he is.
Guilt: He doesn't feel too much guilt about any of the horrible things he does, but it would be an alien feeling for him if something did make him feel guilty.
Being wrong: He will twist words to get people to think he's right if he thinks he's going to get away with it, but if he'll take it back if the other party has sufficient evidence to prove him wrong.
Being criticized: He doesn't take criticism to well. His methods are perfectly fine, why do you take offense to it? Granted, if that person does seem to know what they're talking about he'll say he'll consider it.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): He would take offense to it.
Offending others: If it's someone he doesn't like, he'll only pretend to care. If he can get away with it, the "pretend" part would be more obvious.
Praise: He loves praise. Thank you for giving him praise. Shower him with more flattery please.
Being loved: He's not a very romantic person, but he appreciates someone actually liking him around. In fact, he might find this makes it easier for him to manipulate that person if he has to.
Being hated: Harder for him to be convincing if he's hated. If he doesn't hate the person back, he will try anything to win that person's trust.
Humiliation: He does not like the embarrassment. He will be very annoyed, but he'll put up with it (begrudgingly) if he must.
How does this character express-
Anger: Expect lots of shouting.
Sadness: He tends to bottle this up. What he presents as bitterness in public becomes long hours of moping in private.
Fear: Possibly a yelp, trying to fix the situation or get the hell out of the way.
Happiness/Excitement: Ranged from clearly pleased to giddy with glee.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Quality time + acts of service. Responds well to gifts, words of affirmation, and acts of service. Does not like too much physical touch.
Lust: That grin on his face looks rather... Creepy. But luckily he's not interested in sexy things.
Stress/anxiety: He snaps at people and behaves more erratically than usual.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): Ranges from eye-rolling sarcasm to actual disgust. Will tone it down if he thinks he has to make an impression.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): All smiles, compliments, the occasional squee.
How does this character generally express themselves? He's a theatrical sort, with a flair for the dramatic. Sarcasm helps.
What does this character think/feel about-
Marriage: "Not planning on it myself, but don't let me stop you. Hell, I don't care if that person you're with is cheating on you with someone else. :D"
Children: "Please don't make me look after them. I'm busy."
Family/Family Values: "Family?! I don't really care!"
Children/Youth: "So... Wonder how long that'll last ya?"
Old age: "Eh... I don't think they have long to live. Wonder if their organs will give out naturally?"
Sex: "EW. Do you have any idea how many STDs there are in the world? I'd like to be free of that, thank you very much!"
Love: "I'm already married. To my job. Go take your roses somewhere else."
Friendship/Other relationships: "In the Nexus? Ugh... I'm gonna need someone to talk to, so I might as well be friendly."
Homosexuality: "Oh, that's cute. Just don't drag me into that sort of thing."
The opposite sex: "If I had to go on a date with someone, I'd rather choose a girl. Otherwise... Eh, just another human being."
The same sex: "I can talk to you, but I'm not interested romantically."
Money/Material things: "Uh, the money helps with bills and supplies, but if you're looking for someone who covets such things you should go see an obsessive bloke or some kinda narcissist."
Politics: "Hilarious to watch."
Religion: "Did you know that the high and mighty figures of the church couldn't say why people were dying of plague? Some folks even whipped themselves incessantly thinking their disease had been caused by God forsaking them. Idiots, they are." Of course, a living sin would have a poor opinion on holy things.
Destiny/Duty: "So you're the bloody chosen one. Whoop de doo."
Magic/Myth: "Heh heh heh... I don't want to sound crazy, but ya might wanna think twice about things ya call myths..."
Racism/Races in general: "You all die in the end, so why should I care?"
Science/Technology: "Yes I am totally a science person that studies diseases- WHY IS THAT SWEATER BLINKING OMG"
Nature/Animals: "It's good for natural remedies. Can't beat the leeches."
Modernity: "Okay, I think I'm good with smartphones and memes, but there are still things I don't get. Like blacklight. What is it, witchcraft?"
Antiquity: "Ask me about the dark ages! :D"
Their past: "The past doesn't matter in the long run. What I don't remember is not important to what I do now."
Their future: "It shall come. At some point. I don't put much thought into it since the unexpected can occur- Like getting stuck at this screwy crossroads, for instance."
Their role in society/job/etc: "I think I play my part rather well, thank you."
Drugs and alcohol: "Drugs are for the patients, booze is for parties. I'm more of a social drinker myself."
Killing/Murder: "It's not murder, It's a failed experiment. Best thing to do now is burn the cadaver so the disease doesn't spread..."
Education: "Oooh, nice... Wait, does that make people less susceptible to some claims?"
The foreign/unknown: "Why are you inviting Chthulu into my house? I'm ok with it but he'd better not break anything."
How does the character view life? It's life. He's living. He still exists. He's more than happy to keep that up.
How does the character view death? The only disease that has no cure. The one that will infect every last human in the end. Sure, his treatments can revive them for a while, but ultimately revival is a flawed and temporary thing that is only meant to be toyed with.
How does the character view society? They can put up as many rules and regulations as they wish. They're all idiots in the end. The trick is to find out what makes society tick, to blend in and twist the rules to get what you want.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? He's totally not dead, but if he was he would have died from plague. So he'd rather not catch the plague himself, thank you.
What does the character want out of life? To deceive, to learn, to experiment, to create.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Something that's not outright death and benefits him in some way.
What would the character like to change in his life? Other than going back home where he belongs or at least bringing some of his lackeys or friends here, not much.
What motivates this character? Experimentation, success, discovery, death of others, curiosity.
What discourages this character? Excessive failure, no result, the entire truth
What makes this character happy? Talking about the plague, treating patients, music, dance, people believing and/or trusting him.
What makes this character sad? Loneliness, abandonment, homesickness.
What makes this character angry? Property damage, failure to follow instructions, being ignored.
What humiliates this character? Things blowing up in his face, having his lies proven false, epic failure.
What most describes this character's personality? Eccentric, deceptive, experimental, a bit prideful.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): He is Deception. He is the plague doctor. He knows who he is and who he must be, which means he must pretend to be who he is not at times. Though, just because he knows his role doesn't mean he can't have a little fun with it...
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? It most likely comes from events he cannot remember. Yay.
no subject
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: Ascension. The meaning of life is to rise above and transcend the mortal realms and become something timeless, immortal, inhuman.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): No tests or experiments carried out in the name of Mensis involved rape. Anything they could learn from such lines of inquiry is easier carried out on consenting subjects or was deemed pointless.
Describe character's etiquette: He is VERY beholden to manners and etiquette of the stuffy victorian sort. He has trouble doing them out of decency or remembering the reasons for specific rules, but he tries very hard to keep to them. Mainly because that's how he was raised and it was just as much as struggle/mystery then too.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Abysmal. If Micolash sees something he wants to touch, he will touch it. If he sees something he wants to study, he will study it. He's prone to lightning strikes of inspiration and sudden breakthroughs, which he will drop everything to go try. He's an impulsive thing.
Spontaneous or structured? Spontaneous in action, structured in research. Note-taking and processes are important!
Instinctual or logical? Logical. He rejects the idea of instincts as something meant only for mindless beasts.
How does this character act in public? Weird as hell! Drifting around, messing with things, mumbling prayers and thoughts to himself, always needs to keep his hands busy. His social skills aren’t the best either, but he’s learning/trying.
How does this character act in privacy? Basically exactly the same as above. What you see is what you get.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? He treats them about the same, unless they are friends who are close enough to be his confidant, like Scholar Damian back at Mensis, Rom at Bergynwerth, Abysa in the Nexus. These people get to hear and see his moments of doubt, concern, worry, etc. Things he otherwise keeps to himself.
How does this character act around family? His family is all missing or deceased. However, he acted strange and dreamy around them, always talking about things no one else could see or behaving in ways that weren’t cricket. He tried his best to behave in ways that weren’t offensive, but he never knew what was or wasn’t so until it was already done and offended. His brother and he especially had a tense, if not outright antagonistic, relationship.
How has this character most changed from youth? Where once there was a haunted but gentle child with a keen interest in strange things and keeping to himself, there became a man of ruthless, insane ideals. By the time he was preparing for the Mensis Ritual, he was still as eccentric with the added edge of cunning, inhumane capabilities and plans.
How have they remained the same? Still curious and passionate about science, biology and the occult. And still very odd in behaviour.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Yes.
If so, who? Almost everyone who has ever been in his life. He attended both his parents’ funerals; first his father, then his mother. At his father’s funeral, he and his brother had a falling out and the latter denounced his sibling. He lost Rom in the sense she had risen beyond human form and became Vacuous Rom, Kin of the Great Ones. He would later lose her altogether in the course of the Night of the Hunt where the sins of Yharnam at last came to a head. He lost Provost Willem, his greatest inspiration and hero, to the fall of Bergynwerth. He lost his entire faculty and student body in the course of the Mensis Ritual. He is very alone.
How has it affected them? He doesn’t entirely know yet that Rom is lost to him. The loss of his school body was instrumental in the shattering of his mind in the Nightmare of Mensis.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: With bravado and panache! He is not afraid of debate or argument, and his line of work is synonymous with danger (what with all the meddling in the maddening unknown.) He also knows he’s not the strongest in actual combat and makes up for it with uncanny speed, agility and abnormal abilities gleaned from said meddling.
Rejection: Confusion! What did he do wrong…?
Fear: Sometimes strangely giddy. Sometimes confusion. Sometimes he just runs.
Change: He welcomes it for the most part. If there’s one thing he’s good at these days, it’s adapting.
Loss: If it’s someone/something he had truly strong feelings over, he will be quite aggrieved over the matter at least initially. But then he will set right to either recovering what was lost or adapting to its void.
Sex/Flirting: He will SUPER not know when someone is flirting with him barring just grabbing him by the junk. Personally, sex is okay, but it’s also a distraction. In general, sex is veering close to that whole mindless instinct thing, since it is done without instruction by animals and is primarily to ensure propagation of a species. Not to mention you get MAD stupid when you’re boning. Not ideal!
Pain: He has an unholy amount of pain tolerance. The only reason he’s going to stop because of an injury is because he’s maimed into immobility.
Stress: He loves it. He works great under pressure and deadlines.
Peer pressure: Indifferent; it has little to no impact on him. When his schoolmates at Bergynwerth would needle him into trying things, he’d just go with it. Why not? It’ll be an interesting experience if nothing else.
Guilt: Confusion. What’s this weird feeling in my stomach? What do I do to make it stop?
Being wrong: Depends on how the revelation of wrongness comes around. If he’s proven wrong by way of research, that’s just part and parcel of scientific inquiry. Theories are going to be disproved all the time. If someone accuses him of wrongdoing, he will pay it little mind or assume they are mistaken by merit of not being as smart as him. If he finds himself in the wrong by way of his own actions, he will hurry to find a way to make the best of it, lest he let it sink in that he messed up.
See: The Mensis Ritual.Being criticized: He blows it off, especially if it is again accusations of wrongdoing by way of his research or organization. He received a lot of it when he and the Healing Church split, after all.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): Completely uncaring. It means nothing to him.
Offending others: If it’s a matter of etiquette, he will be somewhat embarrassed and apologize. If it’s a matter of morality, he’ll pay it little mind.
Praise: He loves it! He kind of has an ego and having it stroked is the best.
Being loved: Confusing? How does he reciprocate? WHY do they love him? This is weird. It’s making him sweaty.
Being hated: Totally fine with it. He dealt with this a lot after the schism between Mensis and the Healing Church/Choir.
Humiliation: AGONIZING. Especially if the humiliation is in a professional or intellectual context.
How does this character express-
Anger: Seething and smiling. And dangerous. Outright outrage might break the madness and result in a lot MORE danger, yelling and throwing things.
Sadness: He gets withdrawn and quiet.
Fear: This got answered previously, I think.
Happiness/Excitement: He gets really animated and giddy! Giggling, twiddling fingers, pacing, skipping, dashing around. He gets downright silly.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Out of the five, he expresses such with words of affirmation (compliments, praising one’s abilities/works) and quality time (spending time together, including them in his activities.)
Lust: He’d surely just get quiet, blushy and sweaty. And remain seated and his lap covered. You know what I’m talkin’ about. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Stress/anxiety: Stress is fine. He gets very single-minded in his work when he’s under pressure. Anxiety, on the other hand? He worries his fingers, picks at his hands and nails, stares into the middle distance and gets antsy and rambles.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): If he dislikes someone or something, he’ll be plain about it. State why and what, and then avoid it if he can. If he hears someone speaking favourably about people or things he hates, he’ll be quick to question and argue with them about it.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): He’ll also tell you if he approves of you or things around you! Goofy smiles and maybe some gentle patting too.
How does this character generally express themselves? He gestures a lot, usually in grand ways. Arms spreading out is a favourite. He’ll also use his words more than anything else to express his feelings, concerns, thoughts, etc.
What does this character think/feel about-
Marriage: Human marriage is whatever. Betrothal rituals are beautiful and magical. He has never been married.
Children: He rather likes children. He likes their honesty and rabid curiosity about everything around them and the workings of the world. Mensis did, after all, have a grade school too. He’s good with babies too. Especially celestial ones.
Family/Family Values: Pointless. Bloodlines, family bonds, obligation to family: none of these things makes sense or matter to him.
Children/Youth: He remembers his own childhood as a very confusing and frightening time. No one understood him, he didn’t understand anyone else, and no one believed him. No one could help him manage the frightening things he saw that no one else did. He liked being left alone the most, or the times he would sit quietly with his mum.
Old age: He’s a little afraid of it. Mainly because it indicates a closure of the human life and if he gets old, it means he’s running out of time to ascend.
Sex: He’s pretty chill with it as a thing. He doesn’t care if adults are doing what they want when they’re alone or in private, married or unmarried. He only gets a little critical about people who seem a slave to their libido, as it suggests they’re behaving according to mindless, physical instinct and little else.
Love: Confusing. He’s not sure if he’s ever felt it properly, especially as Abysa teaches him more and more about the general concept. He also did in fact love Rom (and still does), but does not think that is what his feelings or admiration and adoration are stemming from, as he writes that off as inappropriate or obnoxiously human. On the whole, he feels it’s somewhat outdated and pointless in the workings of the universe and assures himself that it doesn’t have any place in his passionate research and line of study. He’s wrong.
Friendship/Other relationships: Difficult to maintain, but the people that stick with him are always worthwhile and he’ll try to do right by them. With his lack of social graces, he often unintentionally self-sabotages keeping friends and others close. Thankfully, his eccentricities and odd charisma tend to draw people to him.
Homosexuality: Perfectly all right. He has never seen an issue with it or had a personal crisis over it.
The opposite sex: Women are amazing. Most of the Great Ones are females and this gives him particular respect and awe for the fairer gender. He also thinks that cis-women/trans-men have particular Insight that others cannot achieve, with a unique understanding and link with pregnancy, birth and menstruation, matters also extremely vital to the Great Ones. He feels trans-women have a unique perspective as well, as their true gender emerges despite their physical form. Again: women are amazing. He has no issue with seeing women as equals either.
The same sex: Men are okay. Just okay.
Money/Material things: He has little attachment to material goods outside of them being necessary or practical. Money is the same. It’s a means to an end and important to keep things running, but he’s not concerned with amassing it or having little of it.
Politics: Frustrating. He had to do a lot of it as the headmaster of Mensis, with school boards, managing Yahar’gul, and handling their patronage and partnership with the Healing Church (until it blew up and they became bitter rivals.) It gets in the way of research.
Religion: Complicated. He loathes the Healing Church, for their dogma of glorifying the physical and mortification of the mental. Same for their fleecing of the population with the promises of the Good Blood, only for it to cause the Beast Plague to run rampant. He still believes piety has its place however. Yahar’gul and Mensis both worshipped Amygdala and her Lessers and he holds similar reverence for the Great Ones as a whole as well as openly and fervently praying to Mother Kos/m.
Destiny/Duty: A fake concept. Fate is rubbish, destiny is stupid. Forge your own path! Smash the expectations! Pierce the heavens, shake the stars! Persist or die! Duty at least has a little leeway, as it’s basically professional obligation.
Magic/Myth: Very important! Myth and legend is just slightly obscured history. Magic is inhuman and cosmic energies.
Racism/Races in general: He has no particular opinions or biases regarding race. I’m sure he’s perfectly capable of Clueless White Dude shit regardless. He’s good at blundering into social faux pas, after all.
Science/Technology: VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT. Mensis harboured and provided subjects for Archibald to develop his spark weapons, as well as Irreverent Izzy and his beast-derived techniques and weaponry. The reliance on the Mensis Cage is much the same. Innovation is always encouraged and invited and he will delight with any new tech, science or theories he comes across.
Nature/Animals: Animals are pretty neat! He really likes insects, cats, snakes and birds. Nature is nice too, though he doesn’t get out into it much due to being holed up with research. He likes when he has to go out for sample collections, or the times (human) Rom would drag him into the woods or lakeside with her.
Modernity: Good! Being modern means being progressive, and being progressive means innovation and new ideas.
Antiquity: Important to study! But also important to not be shackled by. People who become held up with old-fashioned tradition or conservatism are in the way of progress and cling to foolish ideals.
I HAD TO SPLIT IT UP, IT EXCEEDED CHARACTER LIMIT
Their future: Hazy. Uncertain. Tentatively hopeful, as he has been given an unexpected and unexplained second chance.
Their role in society/job/etc: He always felt he was out of place and Not Right through his childhood and teens, and finally when he went to attend Bergynwerth, it was indeed like having his eyes opened. He finally was surrounded by people like him, who think and SEE like he did, who were equally passionate about these mysterious matters and their place in the stratum of reality and the cosmos. He thrived in this unconventional academic setting, eventually being instated as a professor of Bergywerth upon his graduation, then taking up the role of Headmaster of Mensis and Founder of the Unseen Village, with the help of the Church. His position in society and his authority as well became very important to him, as it was what gave his life meaning and sense. He also considered being the Host of the Nightmare a great honour, one he was sorry to give up.
Drugs and alcohol: Booze isn’t that great. Drugs on the other hand? He loves ‘mind expanding’ herbs and chemicals. He was pretty big into smoking crazy shit in his college student days.
Killing/Murder: Acceptable if necessary or practical. He loses no sleep over committing such.
Education: VITAL! SO IMPORTANT! EDUCATION IS EVERYTHING! STAY IN SCHOOL!
The foreign/unknown: Exciting! What is not yet known are just discoveries waiting to be made. He used to be way more cagey about foreigners as a teenager because that’s just the cultural norm in Yharnam, but he doesn’t care where you come from now as an adult.
How does the character view life? A marvelous journey full of discoveries.
How does the character view death? Nebulous. Death is not final for the Great Ones, so he knows it does not mean the end of things. But death is also what made him forget his revelation and nearly cost him all of his research, progress and ambitions. He’s afraid to die again for fear of what else he’ll forget if he does. Also, sometimes death is necessary or just a fact of research, in both animal and human subjects.
How does the character view society? Somewhat necessary, as it keeps humanity structured. But sometimes rules being broken must happen to achieve progress.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? He’s died twice. It felt really bad both times. He’d rather not do that again. Especially since dying this time means another failed attempt at ascendancy.
What does the character want out of life? Ascendancy and to no longer be human and beholden to the physical realm.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Ascension.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? To not be human anymore and not to eat or drink anymore. Or sleep. In the more reasonable scope, he’d like to be mostly self-sufficient again.
What motivates this character? Ascension!!
What discourages this character? Failures. Being proven wrong in really big ways. Realization that he’s human and needs to eat/sleep/drink. Being chastised or rebuked by Abysa. Struggling to understand something. Persistent mental blocks in research.
What makes this character happy? Research. Reading. Breakthroughs. Dissection. Great Ones. Henry, the cat Abysa got him. Seeing the stars and moon. Learning new things.
What makes this character sad? The Great Ones not answering him. Learning of any tragedy, injustice or injury befalling a Great One. Being denied something he’s interested in learning more about/researching.
Remembering the Mensis Ritual was a failure.Remembering the moment of despair when he found the Brain of Mensis and fully realized what it was and where it came from.What makes this character angry? Ignorance. Disrespect for the Great Ones. Ingratitude. The Healing Church. Betrayal.
What humiliates this character? Being told in no uncertain terms he’s being rude. Being proven extremely wrong and ridiculed for it. Someone pointing out him not knowing something a grown man and/or professor like him SHOULD know.
What most describes this character's personality? Eccentric. Fractured. Demented. Dreamy.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): Pre-Nightmare Micolash was a strange but brilliant man blinded by ambition and driven to atrocities in the name of it. Post-Nightmare Micolash is someone who’s been in a proverbial hell and came out completely shattered and missing portions of his history, as well as his mind.
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? He’s always been unusual due to being born with a high amount of Insight that let him see things beyond normal mortal sight. This alienated him terribly, with a family that didn’t understand him and a society that hated outliers. As an adult and the eventual Headmaster of Mensis, his obsession and drive to achieve ascension made him into a monster with little concern for what it cost to get there, and had no one around to contradict or temper him. You were either just as caught up in the pursuit as badly as him, or you were a test subject. To become a higher being was not only the ideal for all of humanity, but also his purpose.
Being in the Nightmare of Mensis, what he’d hoped would be a step closer to transcending, eventually proved to be a horrible miscalculation. With him being the only (properly) surviving arrival, he was subjected to horrific conditions of mind and body alike from the overwhelming presence of both Eldrich Truth and brain-shredding frenzy in unbearable volumes. Over time, his mind and sanity mercifully broke, an event that gave way to a kind of violent and forced evolution for the man. It also gave way to a very literal, visceral change to the structure of his very brain. Now he was able to adapt to the oppressive frenzy and resolve to continue his research for fear of losing everything and wasting all his and their efforts. And so he existed until a Good Hunter arrived in his Nightmare and, after many a merry chase, was brutally and finally cut down. Death in the Nightmare meant to cease existing, as his body was left dead and uninhabitable back in the Waking. But somehow, through acts or forces unknown, he instead found himself in a new body in a new dream called The Nexus. This whole ordeal of death and torment has left him a dreamy and doddering sort with a patchquilt memory of his past. But who’s to say how much of his prior, ruthless self still lurks inside him?
Omg micolash
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previous survey link
Sadly this is the second time I've had to do this. I accidentally closed the first. Oops.
Describe character's sense of morals: Largely pragmatic, if somewhat self-serving. Basically good, but when it comes down to saving herself compared to saving hundreds through her sacrifice, she'll most likely choose herself and feel somewhat guilty later.
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: "At all costs, survive. And be free to do it."
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): Much like Fortyskey, Dia does her best to not knowingly involve or harm civilians. She has no real reason nor desire to do so
Her reasons behind this, however, are different. As she sees no *need* to harm civilians or the like, as glorifying the violence and fear like many other Sith are both useless to her. Other Sith enjoy it, Dia does not, as being a loose, destructive cannon is pointless, and not necessary, as they're only useful for a distraction and/or meat shield.
Describe character's etiquette: Aside from an accidental overuse of the word 'bloody' as a bad habit of hers, Dia's etiquette is fairly excellent. She can even be diplomatic when she needs to be.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Utterly legendary. Dia was trained in this bullshit. Compartmentalization is her strength, as her emotions are weapons to be used when necessary.
Spontaneous or structured? Largely structured. Dia's very much a creature of habit, although she's not opposed to being spontaneous.
Instinctual or logical? Logical. Very very logical. If she wasn't born in a different universe, and wasn't as passionate as she is, she'd be an excellent fit for a Vulcan.
How does this character act in public? Reserved. Calm. Observational about others. Despite the black robes she wears which admittedly helps her stand out some, Dia does nothing else to draw attention to herself aside from this, to the point that you might not be aware she's there until she speaks up about whatever's being discussed.
How does this character act in privacy? Largely the same as she is in public, calm and reserved.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends?
Strangers: She's much more reserved, dispassionate and distant towards them. Usually offering a logical viewpoint rather than a personal one.
She also stands outside of arm's length due to being in a culture of paranoia for most of her adult life.
Friends: More open about her emotional state at the time, opinions and thoughts shared are much more open and personal.
She also isn't afraid of standing closer, especially as they've been proven trustworthy
How does this character act around family? Most of her family is dead, and her sister is an unknown factor to her, so she doesn't really know.
Honestly though, it'd probably be Weird and Uncomfortable for everyone involved.
How has this character most changed from youth? She's much more bold and open with her opinions and actions. Much less hesitance in how she behaves around others.
How have they remained the same? But she was always fairly analytical.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? She barely remembers her family, and thus has dealt with it by not really dwelling on it.
If so, who? --
How has it affected them? It's largely what started it all. Being enslaved and sold to pirates, and then the Sith Empire when they inadvertently discovered she was a Force Wielder they couldn't control.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: Given her life in the Sith Empire fostered her paranoia, Dia's almost always ready to deal with a fight or a dangerous situation. She's quick to analyze and adapt to it, and try to disengage or end it as quickly and decisively as possible.
She's not really for long and drawn out fights, even her thread with Amelia way back when was something I always pictured happening very quickly.
Rejection: Accepts it and moves on.
That said, others rejecting her hasn't really ended well: Dia's former master has still tried to kill her on numerous occasions.
As has his new, and frankly probably insane, apprentice.
Fear: Dia accepts Fear as a part of her life. She doesn't revel herself in spreading it like other Sith, as doing so openly is pointless and unnecessary.
Change: Another fact of life, although she prefers stability above it.
Loss: Loss of things and items, and limbs, are frustrating. Personal loss isn't something she's really experienced since it originally so long ago.
Sex/Flirting: Receptive to it. Will even flirt back if the person catches her interest.
That said, she's not super active about seeking it out. Dia has Issues, and isn't seeking romantic intimacy.
Pain: Pain is a teacher. You learn from pain. Adapt from pain.
Stress: Internalizes it. Compartmentalizes it. Deals with it in private, rather than public. Usually this results in getting as far away from it as possible.
Peer pressure:
Looks at the Camera Like the Office.Usually just kind of rolls her eyes at it. Will go along with it if it's harmless, but beyond that she resists, hard.Guilt: She feels guilty about a number of the things she did while she was a true Sith, but largely does her best not to show it.
Being wrong: Also a teacher. Learn from being wrong. Accept it, and adapt from it.
Being criticized: See above.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): Usually this results in snippy sarcasm right back, alongside rolling her eyes and generally being irritated. Dia's not so petty about it, as once the moment's passed, it's passed.
Offending others: Depends on who's being offended. If they're a friend, she'll apologize, anyone else is met with the Shrug of Indifference(tm)
Praise: She's never really sure how to react to straight up praise. Part of her sees it as a form of manipulation, and as such she has difficulty accepting it at face value, even when it's actually honest.
b>Being loved: Confusion, mostly.
Being hated: Unsurprising. Completely and utterly, because let's be honest the Sith themselves aren't exactly super popular.
Humiliation: Internal frustration, must extract self from situation as quickly and quietly as possible. If unable to do so, treat the event as if it didn't happen.
How does this character express-
Anger: Internal seething and frustration until she finally explodes, and then she focuses it all on whatever it is that's pissed her off like a laser.
Woe be it to anyone who actually pisses her off enough to get to that stage.
("You haven't earned my hatred, but for the moment, you have earned my rage!")
Sadness: Internalizing and ignoring it, mostly. Burying it until it finally becomes an issue. Then letting it all out in frustration in private.
Fear: Dia's already pretty paranoid, even in the relaxed atmosphere of the Nexus. Fear is a fact of life that you watch out for, especially when everyone is out for themselves, and will happily assassinate someone else to advance their position.
Happiness/Excitement: When she's happy, Dia's much more emotive. Sharing her feelings openly and eagerly.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Love in and of itself is kind of an issue for Dia. It's difficult for her to think about, express, or even deal with. It's not that she's incapable of it, it's just buried under deep seated issues of abandonment, paranoia, and, y'know, people trying to kill her often enough.
That said, in regards to the five languages of love, she reacts best to quality time, and likely gift giving as well as help and acts of service when she needs and/or asks for it. Spontaneous ones will probably result in more confusion initially than anything else.
Lust: Acceptable. She's not in it for emotional intimacy most of the time, but physical? If she's in the mood, bring it.
Stress/anxiety: Most of Dia's anxieties are largely social, usually resulting in flashes of awkwardness when in specific situations or with specific people. Honesty and directness are sometimes confusing to her, since she's so used to looking for other angles to people, what are they trying to get out of her? What do they want?
That said, she internalizes both for the most part. When she's stressed, her reactions to things are more clipped, a little rude, and possibly a little offensive in an indirect sense.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): Indifference, irritation. Upfront about her disapproval of it, but she won't stop you from doing the thing. It's your life and freedom to do it, even if Dia will bluntly tell you you're stupid for trying.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): Also upfront and relatively direct about it. Usually in a much more friendly and/or amused fashion about it than disapproval.
How does this character generally express themselves? Dia's very, very reserved in public. Her hands behind her back with one hand holding the other wrist. Standing with her legs at shoulder width apart. Most of her expressiveness is in her face and voice, her eyes always watching, and observing. Her tone is typically neutral, but obviously different when she's with a friend, enemy, or a situation of civil indifference.
Dia doesn't *hide* her emotions, nor does she seek to actively bury them, she merely has trouble expressing them well. Confusion is met with furrowed eyebrows, curiosity or amusement with one raised. Etc.
Even when she's relaxed, this is relatively the same, although the relaxation shows more in her shoulders and a looser stance.
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What does this character think/feel about-
Marriage: Currently: Not for her. Fine for others, but until the Nexus, she's been moving around far too much to consider it.
Children: Not planning on having any. Not continuing the cycle.
Family/Family Values: Given her family died before they could really influence her with any, the Sith themselves left the greatest mark on her.
That said, her opinions on such are varied. She rallies against most authority and tradition, valuing her freedom and survival above all else.
In the case of someone else, as long as their family values and traditions don't directly interfere with her and her life, she doesn't really care as a general rule.
Children/Youth: SO AWKWARD. why are these younglings here and are they going to bother her?
Old age: Doesn't see herself lasting long enough for it to matter. Although if it does, she'll be Badass Cyborg Grandma who takes no shit from anyone.
Sex: A natural thing that happens, especially when passions run high. Not opposed to it, but feelings are complicated and fucking bullshit.
Love: Bullshit. Nope. Not thinking about it or falling for anyone.
Friendship/Other relationships: Acceptable. Friends are friends, and other relationships are Useful.
Homosexuality: With all the aliens about, humanoid and non-human alike, this is a non-issue. Dia herself is mildly bi-curious, but it's not something she really thinks about most of the time, it's more a subconscious thing she hasn't entirely noticed yet.
The opposite sex: People are judged by their individual merit, intelligence, capacity to be interesting, and finally, if they achieve none of these: Usefulness.
The same sex: Same as above, although she does like seeing other badass women out there, and they earn a different sort of respect than badass dudes.
Money/Material things: Her main vice, to be honest. Money makes the world go round, fuels her ship, and feeds her. She also likes pretty things like jewelry and the like, although her opportunity to wear most of it has been few.
Politics: Too complicated for its own good. Without the Emperor to keep their asses in line, the Sith Council is slowly descending into complicated in-fighting among each other.
From what she's heard, the Republic's not much better, although it does involve less killing. She's never been, nor will ever be, a diplomat. Dia's patience and self control are legendary, but politics is bullshit and exhausting.
Religion: She's a Force User, seen by some as a religion. As such, she accepts it, although she questions the extremes of it.
Destiny/Duty: Fuck destiny. "My Duty is to myself."
Magic/Myth: See 'Religion' answer above. the Force is Bullshit, and probably magic.
But mostly Bullshit.
Racism/Races in general: The Sith Empire is openly human and male-centric, but Dia, having grown up among aliens and slaves, is much more open-minded in general. She tries not to be sexist or racist in general, although she does have a bad habit to use racist or sexist insults if someone's completely fucking stupid, or seeks to actively piss her off.
Science/Technology: She has no idea how most of this shit even works, but Dia's accepting of science and technology in general. She's slowly but surely learning how to repair her ship in a trial-by-fire sense.
And her Droid has been a fairly constant companion.
Nature/Animals: Indifferent, unless they try to kill her.
That and some animals are, alas, delicious.
Modernity: Yes. Just Yes. Escape bad traditions and over-complicated ancient bullshit.
Antiquity: Antiquity and Tradition are a problem. People need to bloody adapt.
Their past: Her past is her past, it's made her what she is. What's annoying is when it tries to kill her, in the form of her old master, the occasional bounty hunter, and her master's former apprentice.
Their future: Above all else: Dia sees herself as surviving against all odds. But accepts the fact that this isn't likely. The Sith have a notoriously high mortality rate. Even exiled ones.
Their role in society/job/etc: As a bounty hunter slash mercenary, Dia sees it as what is necessary to survive. She can't really return to the Sith Empire, having stolen her ship, pissed of a Sith Lord, and being branded a traitor.
Nor can she go to the Republic, as their enemy, and as the devil she doesn't know. The Jedi would never accept her, and the Republic in general would sooner arrest her than allow her to go about her business.
Drugs and alcohol: Generally, no on both. She won't stop someone else from doing either as long as they don't interfere with her, but she doesn't like the control loss of being drunk, and she's got enough shit wrong with her that she doesn't need Spice or Deathsticks in her life.
Killing/Murder: Not something to be done recklessly or openly. Dia's trained as an Assassin. As such, her targets are usually singular, and so on.
That said, she objects to unnecessary killing. Even those that offend her and she dislikes have their uses.
Even if it's as her meat shields.Education: Dia herself is trained in a wide variety of subjects. She prefers to associate with people similarly trained. She does not suffer fools or stupidity all that well.
If you're uneducated and try to stay as such, you're more likely to be ditched as a distraction. People who do their best to stay ignorant, and refuse to actually *learn* are annoying and useless.
The foreign/unknown: Much like Fortyskey, it largely matters if it's trying to kill her or not. Otherwise it's fascinating to learn from.
How does the character view life? Interesting, although sometimes more complicated than it needs to be. Survive
How does the character view death? Something to be avoided if at all possible, but accepted that it's likely going to happen sooner rather than later.
How does the character view society? In the case of the Empire, too complicated for its own good. The fact that it hasn't collapsed under its own insanity is a damned marvel. In general, it's necessary, but sometimes the infinite stupidity of sentience gets in the way.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? Probably at the hands of a Jedi, her former master, or some bounty hunter who finally gets lucky.
What does the character want out of life? Largely, to survive. To do her own thing and let nobody stop her.
Also, killing her former master and his apprentice would be a nice bonus since they've both proven to be assholes, and that'd definitely get them to leave her the fuck alone.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Survival above any cost. Killing her assigned target without issue.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? Less people trying to kill her would be nice plz.
What motivates this character? Determination to survive. To make something of herself above her origins. No lofty goals like changing the world or saving the galaxy, just becoming something *better*.
What discourages this character? Failure, frustration. Constant threats on her life are exhausting.
What makes this character happy? Being honestly relaxed. Success.
What makes this character sad? Flashes of old memories. Wondering if her sister's even still alive.
What makes this character angry? Failure. Stupidity. Ignorance. Being attacked by people who don't, y'know, talk to her first. Shit's rude.
What humiliates this character? Failure, emotional outbursts that she doesn't intend to release.
Her mechanical hands, which she actively hides with the black gloves she wears. And probably one of the reasons she typically socializes with her hands behind her back.
What most describes this character's personality? Calm. Collected. Logical and analytical, passionate. Pragmatic.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): Dia has been trained to compartmentalize and control her emotions, but has survived most of her adult life in a culture that thrives on paranoia, fear, and where death by assassination is commonplace in games for power and control.
Having escaped this, it still influences her heavily, as she's still paranoid, and watching for other angles, despite how honest people may seem.
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? Event. Most of it's her training as a Sith and an Assassin, as well as watching what happens to those around her who didn't obey their masters, or disappeared under mysterious, suspicious circumstances when there was something to be gained from it.
However, she wasn't born into this culture, and came into it as an outsider, even if she still did so at a relatively young age. It lead to her eventually questioning a lot of it, until her master betrayed her, and decided to leave her for dead. This being what lead to her defection and subsequent exile.
Much of Dia's life is still influenced by her interpretation of the Sith Code (Wookieepedia link). She's passionate, seeks her own strength, and refuses to be chained to others and enslaved ever again.
While not cowardly, this has lead to her prioritizing herself when her survival is in jeopardy, rather than saving others. That said, if she knows she can do both, she almost certainly will.
Orson Krennic | Star Wars
The second one is in the prequel novel Catalyst, when he bombarded a planet after making basically a deal with them that involves "not shooting" after the other party delivers their end--actually, he gets someone else to do the bombarding because he's basically Intelligence, not Navy--and when Galen and Lyra (Galen's wife) was shocked about his actions, he justified it with the words: "We're at war, and they're on the wrong side." I think this means that, to Krennic, ultimately the means justifies the ends, and if the means involves murder, genocide, even slavery, then so be it. After all, there are only two sides in everything--him and people who are not him--and everything is justified for the latter, especially in pursuit of Krennic's ultimate goal: his personal glory.
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: That you're going to die anyway but while you're at it, make them stare and make it worthwhile. Make them remember you.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): Pretty much nothing in pursuit of his own personal glory.
Describe character's etiquette: He's a punk ass bitch with a mouth for trouble. That's pretty much all.
Describe character's sense of self-control: haha what is self-control, self-control is for COWARDS
Spontaneous or structured? A little bit of both. James Luceno described him as a "wheeler dealer", someone who knows how to restructred his plans to fit the situation, but at the same time I think there's a structure overarching it. An MBTI blog sorted him as an ENTJ (same as me), and I have to agree.
Instinctual or logical? Both. He's logical but acts on instinct. A very ENTJ thing.
How does this character act in public? Grandiose, dramatic, a little hostile to everyone with a menacing undertone, although when he was younger, he at least faked friendliness. And he could fake friendliness, when necessary.
How does this character act in privacy? I think he's more relaxed and loose privately. There's the mask he puts on for the world, and then there's the real Krennic, who's not as stiff and calculated and overblown as the public Krennic.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? He doesn't have any actual friends except for one, whose wife he murdered in cold blood (lol), so yeah. I HC that he used to be very closed friends with Galen though and he let himself be vulnerable around him. Around "friends" and acquiaintances and colleagues, friendly but aloof, while around strangers? As I said, hostile with the undertone of menacing. He can be intimidating.
How does this character act around family? There's not much info about his family in canon. Not at all, in fact.
How has this character most changed from youth? He's less friendly, less emotionally manipulative and more openly hostile, commanding, and intimidating. When he was still gathering power, he's like a snake, hiding in the grass, acts civil towards everyone, but when he finally gained the power he wanted, he more or less dropped the act.
How have they remained the same? Still a manipulative, power-hungry, popularity-craving bastard who really, really wants validation from his peers.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? From the canon point I took him, only one, so yes.
If so, who? Lyra from the canon point I took him from and later Galen.
How has it affected them? No love loss with Lyra since they hated each other. With Galen, ah, another can of worms. I think it destroys him from the inside because Galen's the only link of the past--and what semblance of morality--that Krennic still had. With his death, he's a loose cannon out for blood and destruction.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: Charges first. It's been said that he's different from other Imperial High Command because he always wants to lead the charge, despite the risks and dangers involved. But he makes it up for it by making people he trusted (in a way) covered his ass.
Rejection: MURDER AND KIDNAPPING.
Fear: DRINKING.
Change: He thrives on it, although too much and he'd feel like he's losing control, and with Krennic, it's all about control.
Loss: Keeps it on the inside until it destroys him and eats him from the inside out.
Sex/Flirting: He's apparently famous for his "nocturnal carousing" in the Futures Programme according to Lyra, so he's somewhat of a flirt and absolutely the farthest thing from celibate.
Pain: Hates it. Loves inflicting it, but hates receiving it.
Stress: He's dealing with 20 years of stress AT LEAST in canon SO YOU KNOW.
Peer pressure: Gives in, and change the rules of the games to suit him.
Guilt: What is guilt? Krennic doesn't feel guilt AT ALL.
Being wrong: No, he's right all the time, fuck you Tarkin.
Being criticized: YOU'RE WRONG AND THIS IS MY ACHIEVEMENT, NOT YOURS!
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): Gets riled up and will insult RIGHT BACK.
Offending others: He's a punk ass bitch, he came out basically to attack people and then have a good time about it.
Praise: GIVE HIM ALL THE PRAISE. In case it wasn't obvious already, Krennic's a praise whore.
Being loved: ...he wouldn't know what to do. SERIOUSLY. Probably manipulates the person into doing things for him.
Being hated: He thrives on it cause he doesn't give a shit? He'll probably try to murder or get rid of you, though.
Humiliation: Can't stand it. AT ALL. He gets mad and furious.
How does this character express-
Anger: Explosively and loudly, obviously.
Sadness: Quietly, bottling it up until it turns into spite.
Fear: Reacts to it violently.
Happiness/Excitement: ???? Krennic.exe is not responding
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): His ego inflates into an even bigger version than it is already and he's gonna preen like hell.
Lust: Flirts dangerously, lmao.
Stress/anxiety: Takes it out on people around him.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): Loudly express how much he hated it and disagreed with it. Murder if necessary.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): Loudly express how much he needed it. Well, he tried to be subtle, but it always failed? So yeah, he's not gonna be shy about it AT ALL.
How does this character generally express themselves? Not shyly, that's for certain. Confidently, brashly and boisterously, I think.
What does this character think/feel about-
Marriage: MURDER.
Children: MURDER.
Family/Family Values: MURDER, BUT TOGETHER.
Children/Youth: ?????????? what is a Child
Old age: He's 50, I think he's not too thrilled about it.
Sex: His preference is often.
Love: WHAT IS LOOOOOOVE
Friendship/Other relationships: Galengalengalengalengalengalengalengalenga
Homosexuality: I HC him as bisexual, and there are hints that he's gay for Galen (LMFAO), although I HC him as bisexual because his "carousing" isn't gender-specific. So yes to homosexuality!
The opposite sex: See above, he likes his men like how he likes his women, that's it, that's the joke, he's bi
The same sex: PUTTING THE BI IN BITCH
Money/Material things: Personal glory matters more but Krennic did love his bling. I mean look at his shuttle, his cape, his customised blaster...
Politics: The Emperor's New Order is the best and anyone who questions it should be put to death. The Empire's rule is and should be absolute.
Religion: Absolute bullshit corrupts absolutely. Look at the Jedi Order.
Destiny/Duty: He's destined for greatness, and it's his duty to achieve it.
Magic/Myth: Same as religion. Bullshit.
Racism/Races in general: He's space racist towards Geonosians and aliens in general. People, no.
Science/Technology: He's an engineer, and he built the first Death Star, so hell yes.
Nature/Animals: He doesn't give a shit.
Modernity: Minimalism is the #aesthetic.
Antiquity: No. Outdated is outdated for a good reason.
Their past: He doesn't think about it much. EXCEPT FOR GALEN AND THE FUTURES PROGRAM.
Their future: Oh, he's looking forward to it, lmfao.
Their role in society/job/etc: It defines him. He let it defined him. Krennic doesn't mind.
Drugs and alcohol: I don't think he did spice although MAYBE when he was younger (spice is drugs in SWverse) but alcohol is his chosen vice.
Killing/Murder: GENOCIDE, MY DUDE. NOT JUST MURDER.
Education: Is very important. I mean he wouldn't be where he is now without the education he received.
The foreign/unknown: Kill them.
How does the character view life? In general? Meh. He doesn't believe in the Force and that all life is precious and all that shit, so he doesn't care, much.
How does the character view death? With disdain and disgust, but probably understood that it's unavoidable. His achievements, however, would make him immortal.
How does the character view society? Hobbesian--every man for himself.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? As a Hero of the Empire, maybe after getting a statue of two erected and his accomplishments celebrated by the Emperor.
What does the character want out of life? PERSONAL GLORY.
What does this character consider "success" to be? See above. Aka: constructing something men and women has never done before.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? His boss, definitely. Otherwise, nothing, because Krennic thinks he's perfect the way he is. Love yourself like Krennic loves Krennic.
What motivates this character? Survival, narcissism, and spite.
What discourages this character? Rejection and ignorance.
What makes this character happy?
GalenVALIDATION AND BEING VALIDATED.What makes this character sad? Rejection and not being validated.
What makes this character angry? Wilhuff Tarkin.
What humiliates this character? Wilhuff Tarkin, part two.
What most describes this character's personality? A kyber crystal because he's attuned to other people's emotions and he can direct and focus a team's energy towards a certain end goal or vision.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do):
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? We don't know much about his childhood, not at all in fact, so I can't confidently say it was his childhood, but I think it most likely is. Galen was described as having a kinship with his mother but not with his father, and then became orphaned shortly after he joined the Futures Program, and I'd like to think Krennic is pretty much the same--an orphan, although his mother probably died at birth or something and his father is distant, setting impossible goals for him and possibly even not admitting him as his son. Honestly, if I were a professional, I'd diagnose him as a classic narcissist and a sociopath, because in canon, it was described that Krennic's speciality back in Brentaal Futures Program was architecture, but his teachers admitted that he had a talent for manipulation. Combined with his lack of remorse and narcissism, and his complete disregard for rules, authority figures, and basically everyone but himself, Krennic is legitimately a classic textbook sociopath. Even when he loves--and I think he did love Galen, in a twisted way--he still thinks of the person he loves as a tool to be used to further his own goal, and then convince himself that it's for their own good, that it's for their advancement and safety as much as it is for Krennic's personal glory. He legitimately couldn't understand that other people could love another other than him, and that the world revolves around him--and also that people have their own aspirations and motivations, so despite his talent for manipulation, he clearly failed at understanding other people, at the core, because he's so alienated from his own humanity that he couldn't understand why people love or care about each other selflessly. Selfless acts are completely beyond him. I think this is possibly his fatal flaw, and why he ultimately failed as a villain--because he failed to understand the people around him other than as pawns to be used or as opponents to be defeated--not his need for validation.
His real need, however, is to belong, and to be understood, but somewhere along the way, it got twisted into manipulating other people into accepting and validating him. The real tragedy of him is that he's actually as much a wounded child archetype as Jyn Erso, the protagonist of Rogue One and Galen's daughter, and they both lashes out at the world that had rejected and hurt them, but Jyn in the end chose the right path and accepted her pain, while Krennic denies it and hides behind his superweapon project. With his Death Star, he thinks that no one could hurt him anymore, not even Tarkin.
The truth is that he was wrong.
So will it fit all in one comment? LET'S FIND OUT.
Previous survey link
Describe character's sense of morals: Delia's morals are basically easiest to sum up in DnD terms. She's largely chaotic good, although she'll follow the laws when it's convienent to do so, she really doesn't care, and will break them if necessary at the first opportunity to do so.
As, after all, despite the change from pirate to privateer, she's still a pirate at heart. Although she's one with a sense of honor.
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: "Be free, be smart, don't be afraid of the unknown, and don't be afraid to let your hair down and have fun, dear." Then Delia beeps your nose.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): A common theme between all of my characters is their desires to not involve civilians in their combat based shenanigans. Adding to this, Delia usually focuses her pirate based efforts on those who are already being massive dickwads. True Way terrorists, renegade Klingons, and so on.
Describe character's etiquette: As she also acts as a diplomat for the Klingons at times, Delia's etiquette is damned amazing. That said, she still prefers a much more casual atmosphere, and usually has one elbow on the table so she can lean her cheek against her palm.
She can play the part, basically, but she loathes doing it, and generally would rather be almost anywhere else.
Describe character's sense of self-control: It depends on the subject matter and what's going on at the time.
As a general rule, though, her sense of self control is pretty good, although once she's off duty it tends to be the last thing on her mind.
And if she's on leave, well.
Especially if it's on Risa. (What happens on Risa, stays on Risa)
Spontaneous or structured? Spontaneous, with a hint of structured.
Instinctual or logical? Instinctual and emotional for the most part.
How does this character act in public? In public Delia's an almost totally shameless flirt. It's one of those social things that she's not really capable of turning off, nor does she really give a flying fuck to do so. It's partially a racial thing, as I tend to assume Orions are varying degrees of flirty in general, and Delia just accepts and runs with it. Because it's *fun*.
And sometimes hilarious.
How does this character act in privacy? Largely the same as she is in public, maybe a bit more subdued.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? Largely the same for both, playful, flirty.
But there are differences: Strangers she doesn't typically touch without permission, and she does hang back slightly to prevent any misunderstandings on either part.
With friends, Delia's much more open about invading their personal space unless they've made it absolutely clear they don't like it when she does it. There's more honesty behind the flirting.
How does this character act around family? Aside from her sister, who serves as her ship's doctor and Delia is pretty much herself around, it honestly depends. Delia has five other siblings. Most of home she gets along with at least in a fairly civil way.
And then there's her *Mother*. Delia turns abruptly cold even at the mention of her, her expression hardening, and her normally extremely open attitude usually turning much much much more closed off.
Currently they aren't speaking directly, other family members and associates currently have a betting pool as to which one will speak to the other first, and how well it's going to go when they do.
Let's just say: As to who speaks to who: Odds are even. How well it goes? Hope you're on the side of 'not well' to 'makes the dominion war look like a mild barfight'.
How has this character most changed from youth? She's more mature, more, ahem, selective about certain things and situations, instead of just charging into things without thinking. Delia's more willing to listen to advice from others. ...For the most part.
How have they remained the same? That said, her personality's still much the same, and left to her own devices, she still doesn't really give a crap about consequences until they actually occur. 'It's easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission' applies pretty strongly here.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Not yet, really. Her family's all still alive for the most part, but...
If so, who? The 'loss' of her Mother in the last fight they had is a tale of legend among other pirates, usually getting more embellished whenever it makes the rounds again, some versions of the story involving guns, and others starships.
The reality is much more mundane, and involved a lot more yelling.
How has it affected them? It's still one of her drives, though, to be her own person, and not one of her mother's pawns.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: Quick, decisive, relying on her instincts to finish it, or to escape when necessary.
Rejection: Shrug, roll with it, move on.
Fear: Not showing it and/or shooting it in its goddamn face. Delia's main fear is the borg and their erasing of a person's individuality. Fortunately, shooting them in the face usually works.
...for about six shots or so anyway.
Change: Shrug, roll with it. Move on. Be annoyed in private if it's a negative influence on her life.
Loss: Deal with it in private and/or shoot things on the holodeck until she feels better.
Sex/Flirting: Yes, yes, and yes again. Delia is a sexual being and has no shame about it whatsoever.
Pain: Not so fond of pain, though. She doesn't like being hurt, and doesn't deal with it well. Emotional pain, similarly.
Stress: Usually by going out and getting laid. It's not necessarily healthy, but let's be real.
Peer pressure: Rolls with it if it's harmless or social, beyond that, makes it abundantly clear it's not going to happen.
Guilt: "Guilt, dear? I am who I happen to be, why should I feel guilty?" ie: Ignores it until it becomes a problem.
Being wrong: Shrug, roll with it, learn from it.
Being criticized: If you're criticizing her about her... ahem, off-duty habits, she's going to cross her arms and give you a stern look about judging her when she believes you have no right to do so.
But when it comes to on-duty stuff, she'll shrug and accept it. Or at least explain her reasoning.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): Usually subtly insulting back, or much more civil indifference. Or just not reacting to it.
Offending others: Shrug and move on. She doesn't deliberately go out to offend anyone, but pleasing everyone is an accepted impossibility. Dipolomacy wise, she's not going to kiss your ass either, though.
Praise: Yes. Give her all the praise.
Being loved: And the love. She loves being loved, even if it's a Complicated subject when she's not really wired for commitment.
Being hated: "Dear, why would you even waste the energy? That's all hatred is."
Humiliation: Pretend it didn't happen. That was clearly some other Orion.
Or laugh at herself and roll with it.
How does this character express-
Anger: She becomes colder, more focused on what's made her angry and how to rectify it. Sometimes this does involve forms of petty revenge.
Sadness: Delia becomes much more closed off, less social, opting to deal with it in private rather than a public venue. She's passionate and emotional, and as such, has some difficulty hiding her emotions.
Fear: To use a certain Internet phrase: Nopes the fuck out of that situation. Possibly involving shooting it if possible.
Happiness/Excitement: When Delia's happy, you know it. She's a little bouncy, even more flirty, all smiles and laughter.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Love in general: It's complicated, but unavoidable for someone who loves many and deeply like she does. Delia can, despite her commitment-phobic nature, fall in love easily with others, but she rarely tries to show it beyond the typical friendly flirting she does, or whatever friends-with-benefits situation she and they may have. It's gotten her into trouble more than once, so she's careful about letting too much of it slip out.
That *said*.
In terms of the five languages of love, she's accepting of all of them, but she's MOST fond of being touched, touching others. Seriously, she's like a goddamned cat. Recepricate the contact and she fucking loves it.
She's also fond of gifts, and words of affirmation.
Lust: She enjoys this far more than she should. Especially the attention of being the object of someone's lust so long as it remains friendly and harmless.
Stress/anxiety: Does not deal with stress well, usually resulting in no sleeping, a bit of drunking.
Any anxieties she has, she hides and avoids talking about.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): Delia shrugs, "It's your life and do what you will, dear.", If she dislikes someone, she doesn't go out of her way to announce it unless they're an utterly tremendous douchenozzle. At most, they're treated with civil indifference instead of her more normal open flirting. See also: Her interactions with Shark.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): Open approval, encouragement, and eager to see how it plays out. Delia by default generally tries to like everyone until proven otherwise.
How does this character generally express themselves? Openly and without shame. Delia has no issue expressing most of her emotions, which she feels with deep passion and enthusiasm.
And then there's DOOR NUMBER TWO!
What does this character think/feel about-
Marriage: She's commitment-phobic for the most part, so the idea of Marriage is one she avoids thinking about, and doubtful it's something she'll ever do, regardless of however much she loves the people involved.
Children: Other people's kids: Awww, how cute. Having her own kids: Nope nope nope. Too much trouble.
Family/Family Values: Bitter laughter, usually involving some vague insult towards her mother.
Children/Youth: In general though, she's okay with kids, but she can only tolerate them for so long before she needs a break.
Old age: Terrifies her. Not thinking about that thankyouverymuch.
Sex: More please.
Love: Also more please, but avoids talking or thinking about it.
Friendship/Other relationships: Delia loves anyone she considers a friend, not that deep romantic love we've been talking about before, but she's always eager to make new friends.
Homosexuality: Delia's as pansexual as the day is long, judging this would go against that. She likes herself some ladies.
The opposite sex: And the gentleman as well.
The same sex: See above answers.
Money/Material things: As a pirate turned privateer, yes. Give her all the money and all the things. She especially loves clothes.
Politics: Ungh. Complicated, annoying. Delia can dance the dance, but she's so not fond of it.
Religion: "Believe what you want, dear, as long as you don't judge or condemn me for who and what I am.", Delia's own beliefs are more rooted in fact, although she'll occasionally mention the Dead Gods of Orion.
Destiny/Duty: Much like the others, her destiny is her own. But she does have a sense of duty, and if ordered to do something, she'll do her best to accomplish it however she can.
Even if, occasionally, her methods raise some eyebrows or cause a bit of questioning.
Magic/Myth: Magic is just something we don't understand yet, according to Delia, and myth is similar. There's always some truth to them out there.
Racism/Races in general: Who the fuck cares? Delia accepts all as long as they aren't assholes towards her or her friends. Hatred, as previously stated, is wasted energy.
Science/Technology: She's from a Star Trek reality, to not accept technology is stupid.
Nature/Animals: Delia loves animals and nature for the most part, although she's most at home on a space station or starship.
She rather likes felines, though, as she and most cats share a lot of personality traits.
Modernity: Accepts it, prefers it.
Antiquity: Usually any mention of the 'ancient ways' means this is going to be complicated and a lot of trouble.
Their past: While she doesn't mention her past much in most public settings, she is accepting of it. It's formed and shaped her into who she is today.
Their future: One step at the time.
Their role in society/job/etc: Delia usually mentions her rank as Captain, but in reality, she's actually considered a General, and she's not really super comfortable thinking about it. Most of her fleet is made up of ships captured or bought, then subsequently modified for various tasks. It consists of about five ships and their crews, including her own, the Battista's Blade.
Drugs and alcohol: Drugs for her are generally a no go, but Delia will use alcohol as a coping method at times, usually leading straight into Bad Choices.
Killing/Murder: Pointless. Why kill when you don't need to?
Education: Educate everyone. Ignorence is the enemy of true intelligence.
The foreign/unknown: Excitement. Curiousity. Let's see what's over that horizon so to speak.
How does the character view life? Live life to its fullest, and don't have any shame about who or what you are. Accept yourself, and BE yourself.
How does the character view death? The great unknown, and she's a little scared of it.
How does the character view society? Fascinating, if annoyingly complex and occasionally confusing. She wouldn't change it, though, because where's the fun if there's no challenge?
How does the character imagine his/her own death? Ideally, surrounded by her friends and family.
Reality: Probably whenever her ship's finally destroyed in some greater sacrifice to others.
What does the character want out of life? Everything she can possibly get, to have fun, and do what she needs to do to improve it.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Usually surviving whatever madness the universe pits against her.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? Very little, although she would like to at least be on civil speaking terms with her mother again. Delia doesn't hate her, but she's still overwhelmingly pissed with her for reasons she won't clarify.
What motivates this character? Curiosity. To want to see what happens next.
What discourages this character? Generally, being denied repeatedly, or having to face something seemingly unstoppable, or something she really, really dislikes doing, but she'll sigh and charge forward anyway.
What makes this character happy? Socializing, being around people and generally having fun, especially if they are too.
What makes this character sad? Death. Loss. Especially when it's unnecessary.
What makes this character angry? Same as sad, but also includes slights against her that were very specifically against her or her crew and family.
What humiliates this character? As someone who rolls with most things, Delia's truly next to impossible to humiliate.
What most describes this character's personality? Sensual, flirty, emotionally open. Playful and easygoing, to liken her to a cat wouldn't be entirely wrong. Owns who she is and holds no shame about it.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): A lot of it is racial, some of it's because of the perception of her race. Orions are, typically, open, flirty, and manipulatively amorous. Delia accepts these things, and rolls with most of them, although she's more straightforward and much less manipulative simply out of her own moral code than anything else.
As well as her desire to have fun.
So she takes the perception and just runs with it. Rallying against it is difficult at best, and there's no need to do so when it's easier to just be who she is without any shame or regret whatsoever.
Compare and contrast to her mother, who is extremely manipulative in numerous ways, and even treats her own children like pieces on a chess board more than actual people at times.
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? Childhood, mostly, since her Mother, while genuinely loving her children, tended to use them more than let them grow up to be individuals.
no subject
Viatorus always endeavours to do good and not to harm others. Unfortunately a sheltered upbringing and optimistic naivety means that he isn't always aware of how something may upset/harm someone, or how someone may not have the best intentions. He means well, but his upbringing means he sees things from a specific viewpoint, namely from the point of view of a less-than-moral scholarly family. For example, he doesn't see entering a stranger's dreams as intrusive or rude, because he knows he won't do any harm.
With others he rarely takes issue with their morals. In the spirit of empathy and conflict avoidance, Viatorus will persist in playing devil's advocate or rationalising another person's actions even if they're clearly immoral.
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?:
While he would be inclined to instinctively reply that everyone else should put happiness first, that is not what he believes is the meaning of his life. As a Durant Scholar his purpose is to expand the world's knowledge of magic and the magical world. If he fails to bring some new breakthrough into the world then it's a wasted life.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do):
That is a long list. Killing, rape, hurting children (adults are the exception only because sometimes they're trying to kill you). Viatorus generally does his best to Not Be a Jerk, but two particular taboos of importance are necromancy (sans asking your ancestors for help) and mental manipulation. Although technically dreamwalking could be considered a form of the latter, he hasn't really realised that yet. Necromancy is a big no-go for him. It usually involves a tormented soul that he can feel the emotions of, or a soulless zombie which unnerves him beyond expressing.
Describe character's etiquette:
Viatorus was taught an exceptional amount of etiquette, some of which has hindered his socialising more than it has helped. He does his best to abide by all the gentlemanly rules, but his own nervousness can turn mannerly habits into awkward moments. His manners are best seen in an upper class setting as he tries to learn casual etiquette for every day encounters.
Describe character's sense of self-control:
Despite his numerous nervous tics, Viatorus actually has a very good sense of self-control. Naturally Viatorus defaults to inaction and observation when he's uncertain, which gives him an edge in resisting temptation.
Spontaneous or structured?
Structured, for the most part. Structure is careful, it's safe. It helps him navigate life without upsetting too many people.
Instinctual or logical?
Fairly evenly balanced, with a natural inclination for instinct and emotion. Being so reserved means he's usually very good at applying logic, but his empathy means that instinct (his and other people's) sits firmly at the forefront of his mind.
How does this character act in public?
Shy, nervous, thoughtful. Viatorus likes people, but social interaction is intimidating at the best of times. He is easily overwhelmed by the energy of a large crowd which makes him jittery and uncertain of himself. It's not uncommon for him to end up interacting with the emotion of the person he's talking to rather than their words, which can make him very submissive and passive in conversations.
How does this character act in privacy?
Calmer and more able to express himself. In familiar surroundings and with friends he's able to relax a lot more and give more natural responses. When he's privately dealing with a person in regards to dreamwalking, with no need to fear ridicule from anyone else, he is free to be very professional and very calm.
Alone he's rather free. He regularly forgets himself, usually too busy in his own thoughts. He'll sing or talk out loud or even dance without realising he's doing so.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends?
Either way Viatorus is very concerned with making sure he doesn't offend/upset/annoy other people, worries fuelled by his own anxieties. The main difference would be that when a friend tells him to relax he's more inclined to follow their instruction, or feel more distressed if they show he's upsetting them. Whereas with a stranger he's far more likely to panic and fluster.
How does this character act around family?
With a handful of exceptions, Viatorus is very stiff and nervous around family. It's the surest way to put him on his best behaviour. His family is so preoccupied with tradition and rules that warmth or emotion are seldom expressed. Interactions with his family are factual, academic, composed, except for people like his sister or cousin Oraskis.
How has this character most changed from youth?
He has become far more anxious. When he was a child he was sensitive, but he was driven by his deep curiosity about everything he saw, felt or learned. It's as he's grown older his anxieties have grown between being secluded from the world for several years to being taught to be embarrassed by his sensitivity and odd ability.
How have they remained the same?
Viatorus is still very gentle and very in tune with the emotions of others around him, even if he doesn't always understand them. Giving people's emotions a great deal of respect is something he's always done and was often criticised for.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew?
Yes.
If so, who?
His paternal grandfather. Unlike his other grandparents, his grandfather doted on him a little bit, considering Viatorus a charming little boy whose sensitivity was a testament to his childlike innocence. While the rest of his family tried to teach him to be stronger and logical, his grandfather encouraged him in whatever he did. He was also the one to introduce Viatorus to wine at a young age - a healthy habit for any French boy.
How has it affected them?
He died when Viatorus was young, not long after he was named a Scholar. With his death there was no one who encouraged him to be a child in the same way (although Oraskis tried), and Viatorus' life became a tougher, colder place. After he died Viatorus slowly withdrew into himself and started to become the shy man he is today.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: AVOID, AVOID! Viatorus does not do well with either of these things. Conflict is something he dodges any way he can, usually to his own detriment. He has been taught how to deal with danger but these typically consist of shielding, banishing and getting away.
Rejection: With embarrassment and sadness: He made a fool of himself and he did something wrong.
Fear: Initially he will freeze as he tries to understand what's happening, if the fear persists then he's almost guaranteed to panic.
Change: He'll be startled, but he'll adjust to it with relative ease.
Loss: By secluding himself if at all possible. Visibly displaying his emotions is typically embarrassing and he has been repeatedly given out to in the past for being upset in public, so the safest thing is for him to be alone to deal with it.
Sex/Flirting: The idea of sex generates confusion and terror. He's far too self-conscious to deal well with something that is so personal and intimate and that he has next to no idea about. Flirting, if it's overt will also be met with confusion/terror. More subtle flirting is often mistaken for general affection which he is easily taken in by, even if he's too prim to express his appreciation well.
Pain: Viatorus will immediately give into it. He has a low tolerance for pain and no coping mechanisms for it.
Stress: Panic. Being close to a panic attack is not rare for Viatorus and though he has a dozen techniques to try and help him cope, few of them work. If he starts to get worryingly close to a panic attack he will take out his compass and flip it over in his hand which helps with stress, but mostly it helps him not have a seizure.
Peer pressure: If it's against any rules he lives by then he will start to stress and panic if pressed. If they can give a convincing argument then he can be persuaded to give into peer pressure.
Guilt: Impossible for him to hide and something that affects him deeply. He will do his best to make up for any wrongdoing, perceived or real, and will fret about it in private.
Being wrong: He will be deeply apologetic. Being wrong is a Terrible thing in a family of experts and academics with such a good reputation.
Being criticized: It will make him feel bad, but he'll try to look for the silver lining, for something to learn from it.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): Ridiculous insults will mostly confuse him if there's no logic behind them. He'll treat them as if they're criticisms/things for him to fix or work on. Personal/Heartfelt insults will hurt him deeply, but he won't fight back. He'll take them and probably apologise. The boy has no fight in him.
Offending others: Even if it was meant to offend, he would be very quick to apologise and seek forgiveness.
Praise: He will hesitantly accept it. On the one hand, he doesn't feel he deserves praise. On the other, it would be rude to react badly to it. He doesn't know how to deal with receiving praise, though, so he will get rather shy and embarrassed about it.
Being loved: Quickest way to make him shy. He very much likes being loved, but he's not sure he deserves it and worries he'll let down the person loving him.
Being hated: It kills him inside to know he upsets anyone, and to be hated by someone is such a horrible thing in his mind. He will try to resolve any issues if he can and will feel bad about it until that happens.
Humiliation: With upset, embarrassment. He's used to being the disappointing one, so he stands there and takes it if it's well meaning, but it still hurts him. If it's not a joke he's mortified and reactions vary from hiding away to be upset to having a panic attack.
How does this character express-
Anger: Not well. He sounds frustrated, but any attempt at yelling is poor at best.
Sadness: It's written all over his face, but he'll try not to express it in front of people. He's a crier, but he's done so well about keeping that behind closed doors.
Fear: Hyperventilation, shaking, stuttering, and general panicking while staying rooted to the spot.
Happiness/Excitement: He smiles and talks very fast, sometimes incoherently. His hands will wave about the place until he gets self conscious about it and he fidgets again.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Quality time, acts of service and words of affirmation probably suit him best.
Lust: Very, very carefully.
Stress/anxiety: He panics very easily. When something starts to stress him his stutter kicks in and his fidgeting.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): Quietly. With a thinning of his lips and a small frown that will vanish if mentioned.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): With polite enthusiasm. Probably a lot of excited stuttering and rambling while he tries not to flap about or smile too widely.
How does this character generally express themselves?
Hesitantly at first, with fidgeting. He's quiet about giving his thoughts or opinion unless asked directly or encouraged to do so. Then he can be quite enthusiastic about it, sometimes rambling in ways that don't make a lot of sense to anyone else.
Part 2
What does this character think/feel about-
Marriage: He adores the romanticised idea of it. As a romantic, he thinks that the idea of declaring one's love for another person in a beautiful, loving ceremony that marks the start of a long life together sounds beautiful. An arranged marriage, however, is not the idyllic, romantic ceremony he wishes it was. Instead, it is a cold-hearted contract that quashes his dreams of chivalrous courtship and a love of the ages.
Children: Viatorus treats children just like anyone else. They're a little easier to deal with though. He can communicate with them better than adults sometimes, especially as they're more honest about their feelings, which helps him immensely.
Family/Family Values: Family is the most important thing in life. Without his family, he'd be nothing (in his opinion). This is something he's been taught and still believes wholeheartedly, even though they haven't always treated him well.
Children/Youth: He still feels like a child and wishes he didn't. While he appreciates the free spirited vibrancy of other young people, he associates his own youth with inexperience and embarrassments and looks forward to getting past that.
Old age: It doesn't worry him. He likes to think he'd be like Oraskis or his grandfather when he's older. They make it look like fun.
Sex: It terrifies him. He knows very little about it and doesn't have much of a drive. It's an obligation that he's heard mixed messages about. Any curiosity he has hits a brick wall of shame and low self-esteem. There are too many confusing things and mixed feelings about it so he avoids it where he can. (Sorry, Runa)
Love: Love his his guilty pleasure. He adores romantic novels, movies, plays, concepts. Platonic or romantic, it's the thing he longs for while simultaneously feeling he doesn't really deserve it. As a substitute he happily lives vicariously through others where he can.
Friendship/Other relationships: Friends make him happy and excited, but also nervous because he wants to do right by them and he knows he's not always very good at social interactions. Having so many friends is still pretty new to him.
Homosexuality: It's a thing with some non-Durants, but he doesn't care as long as they're happy.
The opposite sex: Generally they make him feel safe and he finds it easier to show emotions with them. The women he knows are strong, capable, opinionated, and talented. He pretty much assumes all women are whether they know/show it or not.
The same sex: Often bring out a need to impress them or gain their approval and a nervousness about failing to do so. After all, it's mostly men who decide whether he's done well or not between his father, uncle or elder relatives.
Money/Material things: He pays them no mind. Anything he wants, he gets. He forgets this isn't the same for everyone else.
Politics: Again, he doesn't think about it. Moreso because he doesn't want to get into an argument.
Religion: Very important. Gods are part of his family, after all, and he has a close connection with his patron god Morpheus (Greek god of dreams).
Destiny/Duty: Destiny is a thing for other people like heroes. Duty weighs heavily on him. It's not something he enjoys, but he considers it very important to do one's duty.
Magic/Myth: A part of everyday life, and he wouldn't have it any other way. It's the drudgery of non-magical life he does his best to avoid.
Racism/Races in general: He'll be upset if he sees someone being subjected to it, but it's a bit of a non-thing to him. He doesn't witness it very often. He's curious about non-human races, but he'll do his best not to be rudely inquisitive.
Science/Technology: He likes the convenience of technology, but only has a layman's understanding of it. Science he doesn't understand much of, but he respects it a great deal.
Nature/Animals: He's very close to both. He adores animals and he finds great solace in nature. Neither are as confusing as humans.
Modernity: Very, very convenient.
Antiquity: Very, very important. Respecting history is essential.
Their past: Painful, but key to who he is. He can't go back and change it, so he'll have to accept it. Even if he tries not to think about much of it.
Their future: Now that he's in the Nexus? Hopeful! There are so many possibilities! Even if the idea of failing is terrifying.
Their role in society/job/etc: Being a Durant Scholar is very important in magical society, and magical heritage, but to the rest of the world he means very little. In fact, until he makes a breakthrough, he and his work mean very little.
Drugs and alcohol: Both have their uses. He's taken opium before as part of a divine ritual, but that makes it a sacred tool and not one he wants to indulge in. Alcohol is just part of healthy living.
Killing/Murder: A big NO to that. Unless it's in self-defence and even then... he will be so sad.
Education: Absolutely essential. Education is half the reason for his work.
The foreign/unknown: Exciting. Something to be explored.
How does the character view life? Colourful and exciting. A precious thing to be enjoyed as much as possible while making other people's lives better too.
How does the character view death? He doesn't fear it, but it does make him sad. It means separating people, and not being able to experience all the wonderful things in life.
How does the character view society? Flawed, but it's trying its best, isn't it?
How does the character imagine his/her own death? Viatorus would very much like to die peacefully in his sleep. No pain, no fuss.
What does the character want out of life? Love. To share the joy of dreams with others. To contribute to magical learning.
What does this character consider "success" to be? A magical breakthrough. That is, something that helps explain or navigate the magical world.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? He wishes he wasn't so incompetent/anxious, but he also wishes he had more freedom.
What motivates this character? His love of dreams, of family, and of friends.
What discourages this character? Being reminded of his flaws and failings.
What makes this character happy? Seeing other people happy, exploring dreams, making progress.
What makes this character sad? Other people's sadness/pain, messing up.
What makes this character angry? Seeing people he cares about get hurt, people disparaging dreams.
What humiliates this character? Anything that taps on his insecurities. His poor physical health, his awkwardness, his social ineptitude...
What most describes this character's personality? Anxious, unfocused, insecure, optimistic, caring.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical?
It comes from childhood events and the way he was raised. Everything else has tended to confirm what he already knew.
Viatorus' dreamwalking made him a very open person, but also earned him a great deal of ridicule. All the things that made him good at what he did were also the the things that people tried to discourage and attack. A Scholar is obliged to expand on natural talents, so he was forced to resign himself to accepting that he wasn't able to change what they dictated he was. He may have been effeminate, weak or embarrassing, but he was a Scholar, and that's all that mattered in the end.
With the bits of encouragement he had he might have turned out differently, but when the very thing that made him who he was caused years of torment that included seizures, insomnia, possession, among other things, he came out a very meek and broken young man. These were also the years that would have been key to him learning social and adult skills and practicing them. Instead he had been ill and secluded, and when he was free of his nightmare he had so much study to do that socialising was completely off the agenda. He was the son of the infamous Archon, and he could not have been more disappointing. After this he was officially an embarrassing failure with a terrible curse of a natural talent, and he knows it in every fibre of his being, but he tries his best to make up for it.
Re: Part 2
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Describe character's sense of morals: Harley does not follow the general rules and principals of society, but she does have their own set of morals. She is very capable of seeing multiple sides to a situation, and will keep an open minded in figuring out what she believes is the right choice. Often, that means breaking the 'laws' of society. Harley does want to do good and feel that she is has importance in the world. She will not hurt children (unless they are wendigos).
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: Own Your Mistakes. We all make them. Don't dwell on what could have been different.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): Harley would not torture someone. Nor would she watch someone else get tortured. She knows how it feels to be on the other side of that equation.
Describe character's etiquette: Harley knows how to follow etiquette in high-class situations, when it calls upon it. But she would rather just kick up her feet, eat pizza, drink beer, and just not worry about etiquette.
She has a no filter when it comes to saying what is on her mind.
Describe character's sense of self-control: While on many levels, Harley has little self-control when it comes to her behaviors. But she is trying to improve. As noted, she has no filter when it comes to saying what is on her mind. And because of previous trauma, Harley has a psychotic break, and laughs at inappropriate time. She can smile through some tough shit (case in point, the recent Nightmare encounters).
Spontaneous or structured? Spontaneous.
Instinctual or logical? Instinctual.
How does this character act in public? Harley can be described as very bubbly, out-going, and flamboyant. She is not afraid to go up to a complete stranger and introduce herself. She loves life.
How does this character act in privacy? Even in private, Harley has a love for life, that is very hard to describe. She will use private time to express some of her more sensual side, which at times she must restrict in a public setting. While she appreciates brief quiet times, Harley would much rather be around other people. She does not like being alone.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? There is no difference. Harley treats strangers as new friends.
How does this character act around family? She has no family.
How has this character most changed from youth? Due to her interactions with Joker and Poison Ivy, Harley now has abilities she did not have as a youth. She also has the psychotic breaks, which are difficult to control.
How have they remained the same? Harley was always a bubbly, out-going and ambitious person, even as a youth.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Yes. Harley has lost a few people who she felt very close to.
If so, who? Guy, her first boyfriend. Diablo, a teammate.
How has it affected them? The death of Guy really sent Harley down the nasty spiral of getting involved with the Joker. And we all know how that turned out for her. The recent death of Diablo really shook her faith in the Suicide Squad, and how they are not recognized for their actions.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: Fight reflex. Face it. Deal with it.
Rejection: Harley hates being rejected. She has abandonment issues.
Fear: She really does not have anything to fear. Anymore. Thanks Nightmare realm for forcing her to face her fears.
Change: Harley adapts quickly to change.
Loss: While Harley hates it when she loses someone important in her life, she knows death is a part of life. She mourns. But she moves on.
Sex/Flirting: Harley is very comfortable with flirting and her sexuality. She is bi-sexual. And enjoys expressing her sexual desires, when the opportunity is presented to her. But she is also very respectful of other people's sexual sensitivities.
Pain: Thanks to the Poison Ivy tonic... Harley does not feel pain for very long. She heals very quickly.
Stress: extreme stress will send her into a psychotic break. Her reactions depend on what the stressful situation was.
Peer pressure: Did someone say jump? But in all reality, Harley can call bullshit on anyone trying to bully her.
Guilt: There is little in her life that she feels guilty about...
Being wrong: Oh well. Shit happens. Move on.
Being criticized: Oh well. Your opinion. Move on.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): Oh well. Your opinion. Grow up. Move on.
Offending others: Harley has a nasty habit of accidentally offending others without meaning it. No filter.
Praise: Yes please. More of that. Anytime. She enjoys it.
Being loved: Harley still believes in love. Despite everything that she went through with Joker. And she loves large and has room in her heart for a lot of people.
Being hated: Just another person to add to the list. Move on.
Humiliation: Really... she does not embarrass or get humiliated easily.
How does this character express-
Anger: Harley channels her anger whenever she needs to. She will smash things. And she is not afraid to hurt those who have hurt her first.
Sadness: She usually waits until she is alone to cry. Never let anyone see you cry.
Fear: Fight instinct. And she does not have much to fear anymore.
Happiness/Excitement: Shows both of these feelings with enthusiasm.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Harley is very comfortable expressing her affection, receiving and gift gifts to other, sharing in quality time, and touching others.
Lust: Very comfortable with Public Displays of Lust. Harley is very aware of her sexual strengths. And is not shy when it comes to this area.
Stress/anxiety: some stressful situations can cause a psychotic break. and then she is laughing/smiling.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): She will tell the person. Frankly. I don't like you. I don't like this idea.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): She will be very enthusiastic when seeing the person, or following the idea.
How does this character generally express themselves? expect flamboyant expressions at all times.
Part Two
Marriage: She once dreamed about marriage. And the perfect happily ever. But doubts it would ever be a possibility.
Children: She can't have children due to the Joker venom in her body. But she would protect any child.
Family/Family Values: Never really followed the traditional family values. Why start now.
Children/Youth: Her childhood/youth was very 'normal'. She didn't have any family issues. And mourned for her parents, when they died.
Old age: She is not sure how she will age, considering the Joker venom and the Poison Ivy tonic. But she is not worried about it.
Sex: Mmmmm-mmmmm. Yes please. I know a place.
Love: Harley loves all people. She is just a big bundle of love.
Friendship/Other relationships: Harley loves her friends. But sometimes she doubts if they really 'need' her in their lives.
Homosexuality: She is bi-sexual. She is fine with it. Why aren't you?
The opposite sex: Hi handsome!
The same sex: Hi beautiful!
Money/Material things: Money can't solve your problem, sweetheart. But it sure buys some nice sparkly objects.
Politics: *closes her ears with her fingers* la la la la
Religion: *closes her ears with her fingers* la la la la
Destiny/Duty: If she was destined to end up with Joker, then life is pretty cruel. People make their own destiny. They control their own life. Since working with the Suicide Squad, Harley has respect for military service and responsibilities. But she is also comfortable breaking from those moments.
Magic/Myth: Magic exists. It can hurt like a bitch. Myths are sometimes based on reality. Respect them.
Racism/Races in general: All people should be treated with respect.
Science/Technology: Science does some remarkable things. Have I mentioned about the nano-bomb that used to be in my head?
Nature/Animals: Snow White time! Singing, hoping animals come and do some neat things. Yes please.
Modernity: Harley can adapt to changing technologies in the modern world quite easily.
Antiquity: She also has respect for the past. And would adapt to a 'time travel' situation that takes her back to a point in historical times.
Their past: Harley has put her past behind her. She had to. She became a different person when she died/lived for the Joker.
Their future: She doesn't know how long she will be on this earth. So she takes each moment as it comes. Embraces it.
Their role in society/job/etc: um... she is a villain. She is not respected by others in her society. And despite the good work that the Suicide Squad does... their sacrifices are not recognized by the general public.
Drugs and alcohol: She can't get intoxicated. Due to the Poison Ivy tonic she has a very high tolerance level.
Killing/Murder: She has killed others. It has to happen some times.
Education: Harley had completed a Psychiatrist degree. She is educated. And while her 'doctorate' is no longer qualified in Arkham, she is still very smart and uses that intelligence to get out of tough situations.
The foreign/unknown: A new adventure!
How does the character view life? life is something to be enjoyed to the fullest. Live each day as a new opportunity.
How does the character view death? death is unfortunate, but part of the circle of life. It has to happen.
How does the character view society? meh... doesn't really give the society around her much thought.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? oh... she knows it would be bloody. Most likely in the middle of a fight. And more than likely, it would be the Joker killing her.
What does the character want out of life? She just wants to be recognized for her accomplishments.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Harley would consider recognition of hard work as success.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? She is finally making progress on 'breaking past' Joker. And wants to get to the point where Joker no longer has any affect in her life, or mental well-being.
What motivates this character? Harley is motivated by the simple fact she doesn't know what is coming next.... life each moment to the fullest!
What discourages this character? being abandoned. being forgotten.
What makes this character happy? A lot of things. Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with strings...
What makes this character sad? when her friends are upset.
What makes this character angry? when someone has hurt her friends, or are threatening the people she cares about.
What humiliates this character? not much.
What most describes this character's personality?FLAMBOYANT
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): Harley is a character full of conflicting personas. During her psychotic breaks, she suffers from dissociation. Obsession. Infatuation.
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? Event/chemical. Harley tossed herself in a vat of Joker venom, to impress the Clown Prince. And then Joker tortured her. Abused her. He is the cause of all her psychosis.
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Describe character's sense of morals: Abysa understands that the world at large may be indifferent and perhaps cruel, and thus he wishes to act with kindness and love, and to foster peace. It is up to each sentient being to add more good to a largely uncaring world.
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: Life is a gift, and no matter how brief it is or well-spent, each life plays a part in the grand scheme of the universe.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): Aligning his self with Heavenly Beings would be the worst betrayal imaginable. Likewise, he has learned he cannot interfere with mortalkind on a larger scale, whether it be for good or ill. He is also reluctant to kill, or fight in any situation, but unfortunately, he's broken that taboo once or twice. His profession and religion forbid sexual acts without consent, though human propaganda insists the opposite.
Describe character's etiquette: Abysa is very into expressing good manners and being polite, being humble, not cussing, and not being too excitable or touchy or showy.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Abysa has notably poor impulse control despite his calm appearance, especially if there is a fellow who catches his non-eye, or if he wants to see something out of curiosity, or try a new food. Basically, if faced with a sort of irresistable earthly temptation, he will have a very difficult time practicing restraint. Mortal interaction can inhibit this to a point.
Spontaneous or structured? Abysa's sense of structure is fairly loose, having goals or plans, but being very lax in time and execution. He enjoys spontaneity particularly if it is initiated by him.
Instinctual or logical? He is a creature who leans more towards instinct than logic, but is less of a feely-type than he used to be.
How does this character act in public? He attempts to maintain a calm and collected personality at all times, dresses modestly, and acting with dignity. With mortals present, he will also try to act as non-threatening as possible, never carrying weapons or making violent or threatening gestures.
How does this character act in privacy? As with his public image, he will also try to maintain a dignified yet friendly persona. One may find him more relaxed with less people around, and more willing to speak his mind on a number of things, however.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? Around (mortal, non-demon) strangers, Abysa is less willing to elaborate about his profession and origins, often only saying the minimum, or being vague. He will often study a newcomer carefully and judge how safe they might be to interact with before acting accordingly.
In friendly situations, Abysa will immediately become much sillier and comfortable. He will chatter more, float in different positions more, and become more flirtatious if those present are a target of his affections.
How does this character act around family? He was raised by a number of technicians whose job is to create new Eyeless Demon children, and they treat Abysa fondly and are proud of his accomplishments. Abysa in turn has a deep respect for his 'mothers', and is very fond of them, and considers their work vital to the survival of their species.
How has this character most changed from youth? He has more direction in his life now, being a High Priest of his religion, and determined to protect and guide demonkind. His childhood fear of mortals has become more of a fascination/obsession now, albeit a dangerous one.
How have they remained the same? Abysa has long been an easygoing, meandering sort of personality, being a silly child with few wants or goals. As a child, his favourite activities included bathing and napping, and this has also lasted into his adult life.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? While it was something of a complicated issue that was 'fixed', yes.
If so, who? Abysa saw one of his beloved demonic gods slain by mortal hands.
How has it affected them? Despite his Lord being reborn along with him, he knows things aren't the same as they were, and it hurts to know that he had made such a grave mistake. His trust for mortals is, maybe, not great right now. He wants to believe not all humans(and etc.) are bad and prone to corruption and murder, but regaining that hope is a work in progress.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: If he is the target of hostility, Abysa will attempt to smooth the situation over with words as well as try to appear unthreatening. If he is caught amidst conflict not pertaining to him, he will witness as a neutral party, or intervene if someone he knows is involved (or if he is morally obligated, such as needing to protect a demon or monster in danger). His psychic abilities give him a sort of reflex-like reaction time to immediate danger, able to manifest magic barriers and the like. This isn't a perfect or exact ability.
Rejection: If rejected by one of his Lords, Abysa will react very poorly, often with tears and tantrums. If the rejection is less dire or from someone else, he may ask why, and depending on the answer, pout briefly or shrug it off.
Fear: When it comes to fear, Abysa is very partial to the 'flight' part of the fight or flight response. If he cannot readily escape, he will attempt to hide or defend himself without fighting back.
Change: He attempts to take change in stride and with dignity, especially as a multi-dimensional traveler; one must always try to remain collected and helpful. Since his body is very durable and can rely on very little for long periods of time, environmental change is not a particularly big deal.
Loss: Abysa feels loss with great sorrow, being sensitive and freely emotional, and does not suppress this sadness. Though it hurts, he knows grieving, and the loss of life are part of a grander cycle, and allows it to run its course.
Sex/Flirting: Though he keeps a modest image for mortals, and even other demons, Abysa is a very sexual being. Sex plays a role in his devotion to his deities, and indeed has a larger and sacred function within his religion, and he embraces it. By comparison, he is shocked at the sort of baggage various human societies attach to sex and sexuality, disdainful of its reputation as something vulgar and base.
Pain: It is his first instinct to hide pain, as to not appear vulnerable. He dislikes it quite a bit either way.
Stress: He hates to be stressed and will avoid stressful situations whenever possible, except he's also a bleeding heart and wants to be helpful, and so he is always whipping between stressful/draining work and goofing off.
Peer pressure: Oftentimes he will ignore it; if it is not something he wants, he will not be involved.
Guilt: He will often take guilt as an opportunity to punish himself, or to convince himself that he is worthless, and will drop into a low mood. Funny enough, one of his Dark Lords presides over the domain of Guilt. Abysa has been learning to deal with the emotion a bit better by deepening his relationship with him.
Being wrong: He absolutely hates to be wrong, since it can be seen as a slight against his intelligence, judgement or ability.
Being criticized: Since Abysa has a very prominent position in his society, and operates very unconventionally, he is under a lot of criticism at all times. While he will snub naysayers and act defiantly, it causes him anxiety and frustration that he lets out later, in private.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): Normally he will respond with disdain or tired exasperation, or simply wonder why anyone is going through the effort. Cutting words from a loved one will cause a much stronger reaction, and will react with crying or anger depending.
Offending others: Offending mortals is incredibly embarrassing (and sometimes dangerous), and he tries to avoid doing so when possible. Offending demons is not as much of a problem, as he is more interested in doing and saying what he wants.
Praise: Praise feeds his ego in a big way, and he will often ask for more if given the chance.
Being loved: Nothing feels better, and nothing is more divine and transcendant than to love and be loved.
Being hated: Something he has had to weather over the years, being a demon, and being something of an unexpected pick for his position of High Priest. He doesn't LIKE it, but has learned to find some comfort in scorn and spite, and how strong of a motivator the latter can be.
Humiliation: Absolutely horrible. Nothing would be worse than a humiliation, with all the work he puts into his public image. It would cause him to hide for a long period of time, out of shame.
How does this character express-
Anger: He has a habit of stomping his feet when angry, even when in mid-air, which can take away some of the impact. He will also grit his teeth and say unkind words (but no cusses still). He has been fully enraged very few times in his life, and acts violently and erratically with little inhibition, much to his own shame.
Sadness: While having no eyes, Abysa will cry dark tears from the markings on his face, and does so readily if he is saddened. He is not ashamed of crying freely, but will try to minimize it if he is being depended on as a leader or healer.
Fear: His body language will become tense, and he will speak more haltingly, choosing his words carefully. He will also keep his hands in view if possible.
Happiness/Excitement: Much like with crying, Abysa will laugh if amused, and smile freely and often as he can. Again, if around strangers, he will try to mediate himself somewhat. When excited and happy, he will jump, or float about with joy, smile wide, as well as speak quicker and louder!
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Abysa readily expresses love with touch, enjoying being able to hug and kiss, snuggle, pat and pet, and especially other things when possible. He will also readily give from his own personal wealth if needed, from small gifts like books, clothes, trinkets, to someting much more grand, like a house, or personal library, having a monument or building made in one's honor, and so forth. No gesture is too grand!
Lust: Absolutely capable of acting suggestive and filthy. If all else fails, he will just be forward and blunt in saying he wants to bone down.
Stress/anxiety: Abysa will become less cheery and more hesitant in stressful situations, often overthinking situations or getting stuck in a nervous loop of possibilities. If the stress is less time-sensitive, he will simply procrastinate and goof off, avoiding his duties. He tries to hold in his anxiety, which might lead to a more unpredictable mood if he does not address the source of it.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): Depending on the thing, he is quite open about his dislikes in any company. If it is about a sensitive subject such as Celestial Beings or Human Society, he will try to be a bit more diplomatic when in the company of either. Amongst demons, he is somewhat infamous for his open rejection of various individuals and rules and traditions.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): Often Abysa will react with excitement and agreement, clapping his hands together, praise, and generally being happy and encouraging.
How does this character generally express themselves? Abysa is all about expression through his 'face' (well, mouth), voice and whether he holds himself tensely or more relaxed. He is prone to habitual gestures, such as tapping his chin when thinking, or tilting his head when confused.
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Marriage: For Abysa, marriage is a divine act, as his current goal is to be wed to all seven of his Dark Lords for eternity. Marriage in other contexts is fine too, and the idea fills him with happiness (but only if for love!).
Children: Children make Abysa a bit nervous, not just because of the adult nature of his profession, but he feels as though he may do a bad job of entertaining them, or setting a good example. He does try to be kind and listen to them if needed.
Also, reproduction is Complicated with his species, and Abysa is incredibly opposed to even the suggestion of becoming pregnant.Family/Family Values: He treasures family, especially in the context of family you choose, for he has no blood siblings, and may never know his biological parents (and has no desire to find them out, either).
Children/Youth: His youth was uneventful, and he spent much of it unnoticed and sometimes overlooked, leading to him enjoying time at his own pace, or with his one close friend of the time. He was well-loved by his moms and did not have particularly antagonistic relationships with anyone, even other demons his age. Sometimes he did get ignored or overlooked, or said something only to find no one was listening, however.
Old age: Inevitable, but also hardly frightening. An Eyeless Demon can live for eons, practically immortal, except for their fatal weakness of Holy Light.
Sex: It is not controversial, but natural, and should not be considered a low or unenlightened act. In fact, it can be considered sacred, with ritualistic sex as a method of worship within his religion. Using it as a tool of force or oppression is vile heresy, and should be punished severely.
Love: The most powerful force EVER! And a wonderful emotion to be nurtured in whatever context it is felt.
Friendship/Other relationships: Friendship is of course of key importance, enough that Abysa considers it another form of love.
Homosexuality: He is amazed that it's even a thing that mortals make this kind of distinction, let alone try to decide whether it is 'acceptable' or not. Abysa himself is a man with a exclusive interest in men, sexually and romantically.
The opposite sex: On the subject of ladies, Abysa is of a high opinion of them, having never been raised with the concept of sexism, and knowing many immensely talented and amazing women. On the subject of other genders, he is about the same in opinion. It's just not a big deal down there.
The same sex: Men are okay! They can be nice, or mean, or what have you. Like anyone else, really. They just happen to be the sort Abysa wants to romance and Do Activities with.
Money/Material things: Having wealth is a new concept to Abysa, and he is still used to a simpler life with few possessions. He is happy to share when he can, and make sure that his friends and his people are provided for.
Politics: As something of an authority figure, this is his least favourite thing. He has advisors employed to help him navigate this confusing and boring part of his job.
Religion: Obviously, Abysa has a high opinion of his own, holding a powerful position and ready to give his love and devotion for time eternal... If you ask him about any mortal or human religion, though, you will see a very different answr. He believes that humans too often use organized religion as a tool of oppression and conflict, rather than genuine faith and worship. If you ARE of genuine faith though, it matters not to him what deity or force you worship. You're cool.
Destiny/Duty:He is a little confused by it, having most of his life being told he is terribly average and plain, and now suddenly in a position of power with the possibility of making a difference in the world. Destiny just does NOT make much sense.
Magic/Myth:Being a psychic demon priest, magic is very real. Also, there is a Lord of Magic. Myths and old legends are quite important in teaching lessons of the past, but are often tragic as well. After all, how often do the monsters come out of such tales unscathed?
Racism/Races in general: If you told Abysa humans have a concept of race in regards to ethnicity and skin colour, he would be horrified. Now if you were to explain race as it pertains to RPGs, referring to elves, humans, gnomes, and the like, that's at least understandable. And they all do not seem to like demons, at least not where he comes from.
Science/Technology: Both are very important! Without either, his own species may have died out already. Science is important to understand the universe and its workings, technology is important in improving life and the environment. Naive views, but that's how they do it down in the underworld, at least.
Nature/Animals: Abysa is a huge fan of nature and its varying life forms, and part of his obsession with Earth and the mortal plane is just how full of life such places can be.
Modernity: As times change, so should people! Progress is important, especially in the wake of the sort of drastic changes Hell has been through over time.
Antiquity: There is something to be said for tradition, but sometimes, things that have been done longer... are worse.
Their past: Abysa sometimes wonders about the drastic turn his own life has taken, from common demon who is often ignored, to elevated High Priest, betrothed to gods. There is nothing too bad to say about it, except the part where he died.
Their future: Honestly? Terrifying. Time to goof off and distract himself! Indefinitely!
Their role in society/job/etc: As much as he doubts himself, he does wish to be a good spiritual leader and guide for Demonkind, to lift them from the devastation caused by numerous wars and Heavenly aggression.
Drugs and alcohol: Good fun, especially in social situations. Abysa does not really partake of wine or drugs otherwise, as his inhibitions being lifted also goes along with his self being lifted. That is, losing the concept of up vs. down, which can be dangerous when you have the ability to float with your mind.
Killing/Murder: He wanted to avoid killing at any cost, viewing it as counter-intuitive to his beliefs in love and kindness. That being said, he has killed before. He isn't proud of it, but he's also BEEN killed, so there's a broader understanding of the concept at work now.
Education: He finds education important and necessary in order to improve society, and of course, this includes education about sex.
He is actually trained in sexual instruction and guidance, as are the majority of priests in his order, and with Temples providing free and detailed literature as well.The foreign/unknown: Abysa is cautious, but also curious, and would likely want to investigate and know more.
How does the character view life? As is his view on its meaning, he views life as a gift to be lived as one sees fit. He adores life in all forms, from demon, to human, to animal and insect and smaller still, viewing it as an unappreciated and precious aspect of his Lord of Death.
How does the character view death? He loves him! But also, death as a point in the cycle of life is necessary, though he is frightened of it still, and is sad to bear witness to how brief life can be. Even so, he takes comfort in knowing death does not leave emptiness in its wake, but new growth and life.
How does the character view society? Demon society, while recovering still from countless wars and destruction, is on its way to prospering once more, and Abysa has hope that it will succeed. Human/mortal society? He finds it flawed, putting it nicely.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? Having died once already, Abysa cares not to recall it. Losing one's body was painful, being a disembodied soul was frightening and lonely, and he was left with unfinished business, further creating an experience of regret and sorrow. If he were to do so again, he only hopes it will be gentler, and peaceful, perhaps sent off by his beloved Death himself. He would trust no other.
What does the character want out of life? On the surface, Abysa seems to only want to live a happy life, filled with love, and helping others. While it is true, he has another, deeper, desire, one he considers impossible, and thus holds onto it in secret. If he could defy the Heavens and forever bring peace to all realms, he would give anything...
What does this character consider "success" to be? If he were to be wed officially to all of his gods, it would elevate him to the title of High Priest Beloved, cementing him as the bridge between Lord and Demon, and promised love eternal. So he considers that a very good mark of success.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? He would like to have a better reputation, for one. None of this Abysa the Plain that is so commonly heard, why not Abysa the Beautiful? The Strong? The Noble?
What motivates this character? He desperately wants to be validated and loved and told he is actually very cool and good. Also, he hates to see others in pain and suffering, so all his healing and generosity goes towards lessening it to better improve the world around him. (More applicable to demons and other monsters, he can't interfere with human society too greatly without consequences)
What discourages this character? Holy beings, mostly. He is greatly dissuaded by the presence of 'heroic' individuals, and anything angelic.
What makes this character happy? Romance (witnessing it, recieving romantic gestures),
having sex, trying new food/drinks, getting to pet animals, taking long hot baths, being doted on, getting compliments, being treated like royalty or divinity.What makes this character sad? Sad stories, witnessing others being hurt/crying, cute objects (think dolls, teddy bears) being ruined, being seen as evil/obscene, being objectified, animals in prolonged suffering, people who haven't learned empathy or compassion.
What makes this character angry? Authority figures taking advantage of their positions to act cruel and selfish, the rich and greedy, the injustice suffered by his kind, witnessing injustices but being unable to act for one reason or another, unwanted sexual advances, being treated as a lesser being.
What humiliates this character? Being openly mocked for his appearance (not just name-calling), having any failure announced publically, complete defeat against mortals or angels, being proven wrong in front of others.
What most describes this character's personality? Idealistic, loving, insecure, self-depreciating, patient, kind, generous
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): Abysa noticeably has an inferiority complex that causes him to act out, take risks and be defiant, especially in his demonic setting. As someone with a lot of underlying anxiety and insecurity, he seeks to put others at ease so that they do not also feel this way. He craves affection and pleasure as a way to offset how he feels alienated by both demon and mortal society alike, with the reciprocated affections of his Lords being the most soothing and fulfilling.
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? Abysa's case of being very plain has stuck with him since his birth, since other eyeless demons tend to vary widely in appearance through their horns, face markings, tails, and so on, their looks influenced subconsciously by their personalities. And Abysa's small and un-elaborate features place him as an uncreative being with little to offer.
His, and indeed all demons' weakness to holy beings is a universal law, and has instilled a deep fear and sadness in Abysa ever since he learned of it. His ideals of making peace with mortal kind, and ending the hostility between demons and heavenly ones, are considered both impossible and insane. Even so, he tries to be good and kind, so that others will feel safe in his presence, and to prove demons are no more capable of evil than humans are.
His ability is often doubted, as the previous High Priest engineered a great deal of progress and prosperity in their time, was capable of great strength, charismatic, beautiful and secured their title as a High Priest Beloved quicker than any before them. Abysa meanwhile must operate under the shadow of his predecessor and under constant scrutiny and comparison, and this has led him to feeling inadequate but also spiteful that he must follow in the footsteps of someone whose methods he did not all agree with.
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Describe character's sense of morals:
Amelia is a true neutral. She believes in doing things for herself and her loved ones first above all else. There is Right and Wrong for each situation, but her understanding or belief in what falls into each category varies entirely on each situation. Friend in trouble with the law? Friend takes priority. Stranger/foe in trouble with the same law? Turn them in.
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?:
She... wouldn't? Amelia hasn't even figured it out for herself. She has no answer for others if they were to ask her about this.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do):
Drugs. In no way, shape, or form are they okay. There is no situation in which she will ever be fine with them being used to alter a person's state of mind. Smoke or take whatever you want - just do it far away from her if you want to keep her respect.
Asking someone to go against their family traditions, even if she doesn't agree with them, is also taboo to her. Family comes before all else.
Describe character's etiquette:
Amelia was brought up to be a proper business woman and is courteous, if often a little cold and curt, when engaging in business activities or mingling with parties she has no intention of getting close to. With her friends and loved ones, she's an earnest soul without meaning to be, ever the eldest sibling with her strong-handed, but often well meant, ways of protecting and caring for those she cares about.
At her core, though, Amelia is a selfish person. She's often selfish for herself on someone else's behalf, but she is a master manipulator and is not above using every ounce of charisma she has to get what she wants. No one is off limits to this sort of behavior, and she feels no remorse for using it (until it comes back to bite her in the ass).
Describe character's sense of self-control:
When it comes to study and exercise, Amelia is a master at self-control. When it comes to anything involving emotional or mental activities, she's severely lacking. She tries her best to keep herself in line, but as a person who puts her whole heart into everything she does, it's hard for her to hold back, or not feel personally attacked or responsible when things go wrong.
Spontaneous or structured?
Structured, but prone to spontaneous outbursts and anger when provoked or pissed off.
Instinctual or logical?
Instinctual
How does this character act in public?
Around strangers, she's polite and withdrawn. She can be the same around friends, but she warms to various degrees depending on how close she is to a person.
How does this character act in privacy?
She's much the same in private as she is in public, due to her nature of putting her heart into everything she does.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends?
See above.
How does this character act around family?
Family is Amelia's everything. She loves and adores them, and will always (and has always) put them before herself. She is warm and bright, even when she's being stern with them. But when she must disagree with them, no matter the reason, she won't hesitate to put her foot down and demand her will be done. There's no talking her down from a decision she's made - even her family must deal with this.
How has this character most changed from youth?
Before the age of 14, Amelia was a generally bright and happy girl. She knew she had a long, tough road ahead of her to make her family noble, but she was plucky and determined. No one feared her wrath, everyone loved her smile, and everyone thought she would be the first in her family to start a family of her own as she took a husband under her wing and continued to grow the family business. Now she's a very hard person prone to angry, often violent, outbursts when things go wrong or upset her in certain ways.
How have they remained the same?
Amelia is as determined now as she was when she was a child. Her curiosity is equally impressive, if not more so. Her unwillingness to change her mind when she's made it up remains the same. There are many other small things about her that are similar, but when comparing the woman she is now to the child she once was? Anyone who's known Amelia since childhood would say she's only kept the "bad" and hard-hearted traits of her youth.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew?
Yes, many times over.
If so, who?
Before she came to the Nexus, Amelia dealt with the loss of her paternal grandparents (separately, several years apart), and the loss of a very close, well-respected friend, Frederick. And then, of course, she lost her entire world.
How has it affected them?
The loss of her grandparents was inevitable and while very sad, she was able to accept their passing and move on. Frederick's loss affected herself and many of the people she cared about most, making it impossible for her to understand the magnitude of the loss for a long time. It's a constant pain in her heart, and she's often torn between grief and anger if she allows herself to think on his death. Grief over his loss. Anger at not having been there in time to save him.
As for her world... she's still dealing with that every day. Some days are better than others, and she's able to breathe easily knowing she set her family up for success and that they're all still there, hidden from the multiverse in their own safe little place. Other days she drowns under the weight of her actions, unable to eat, sleep, or focus on anything. Her grief gives way to anger - mostly at herself - and she has to fight to keep from losing to it. It's a delicate balance, one that she's not sure she'll ever truly find.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger:
Head on
You are not a tank, Amelia, stop it.Rejection:
In business? Breezily. In friendship? Poorly, but she can recover. In love? ...terribly, and often with lying to herself with a "It's okay, it wasn't real anyway" to avoid dealing with it.
Fear:
Fight if she can. Flight if there's really no way fighting is an option.
Change:
Slowly, and often painfully.
Loss:
See above. Also see this post.
Sex/Flirting:
She can flirt with the best of them, but when it comes to meaning it? She gets flustered. Sex, on the other hand, is something that's far beyond her. It requires her to be completely open to a person physically, and that's not something she's comfortable with. Her body is covered in scars (that she sees as a manifestation of her sins), and it would require a very close relationship with someone she loved more than anything else in the multiverse to get her to open up to the idea.
Pain:
Physical? Brush it off until she's stuck in bed from it. Emotional? Don't deal with it until it goes away, or until she's absolutely forced to deal with. Then it's a messy road to figuring things out.
Stress:
She buries herself in work, studying, or exercise, if she can. Her personal hygiene habits don't falter, but her appetite always does.
Peer pressure:
She'll push back and stand up for herself.
Guilt:
It's rare that she admits to feelings of guilt (or regret), and her reaction is to reject the feelings until she can find a way around them.
Being wrong:
She gets flustered, impatient, and will fight it. If she's eventually proven (to her satisfaction) to be wrong, she'll accept it quietly and try to change the subject.
Being criticized:
This often feels like a personal attack to her, and she fights tooth and nail. If it turns out that the criticism is legitimate, she'll eventually give in and ask (often none-too-kindly) for the other person to back off.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc):
With the same, and sometimes (though less frequently as of late) violence.
Offending others:
That's a part of life, as far as Amelia's concerned, and if she meant it, then she won't apologize for it. If she accidentally offended a friend or loved one, however, she'll apologize.
Praise:
With glowing pride and abundant happiness.
Being loved:
By friends or family? With warmth and happiness of her own. By someone who loves her in a romantic way? ...unsure, but likely with confusion, surprise, and an honest rejection to try and "save" the other person from being tied to someone like her. She's yet to experience this, but her gut reaction is that of rejection to keep both parties from getting hurt.
Being hated:
In stride. It doesn't bother her in the least.
Humiliation:
With anger and upset, and often violence (mental, emotional, or physical).
How does this character express-
Anger:
Shouting, violence (mental, emotional, and physical), lashing out at whatever or whoever caused the anger.
Sadness:
She folds in on herself, and loses much of the passion and fire that makes her Amelia.
Fear:
Wide eyes, fast breathing, panic, and the urge to fight back (or run, if fighting isn't possible).
Happiness/Excitement:
She smiles more often, spends more time in public, and is generally a more pleasant person to be around. When she's certain no one's around, she also hums softly to herself, mostly songs she's heard around the Nexus but with a few tunes from her world thrown in as well.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"):
Gift Giving - Amelia likes to find that thing someone wants, but can't necessarily get for themselves. Anything from a simple trinket to a day off from work. If the person she cares about wants it, she'll find a way to get it for them.
Quality Time - Amelia loves long conversations with loved ones over what they like doing most. Whether that's food, dancing, movies, or something else entirely, that's what she wants.
Words of Affirmation - If she loves someone, she'll remind them that she believes in and trusts them. There is no greater thing that trust in her mind.
Acts of Service - Amelia treats this the same way she treats gift giving. If it needs to be done for a person she loves? She'll see it done.
Physical Touch - This is tricky; For her family (and a few of her very closest friends), she's able to give and receive physical comfort in the form of hugs very easily. On a few very rare occasions, she's kissed people she had feelings for, but every one of those relationships has ended for various reasons. As even someone touching her arm in a comforting gesture now is terrifying to her, it's unlikely she would be open to this with a partner for quite some time.
Lust:
She doesn't. Rather, she hasn't felt it before and doesn't know how she would express it.
Stress/anxiety:
Burying herself in work of some kind, and decidedly not eating because she's "not hungry."
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea):
After a verbal rejection of whatever it is she dislikes, she'll avoid it as much as possible. This includes speaking of it in casual conversation.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea):
She'll speak highly of it and seak to praise it any time she can.
How does this character generally express themselves?
In general, Amelia is a very vocal person. Because she puts herself fully into everything that she does, she comes across very strong unless she works hard to temper herself. She's often loud, very expressive in her body language and facial expressions, and not afraid of taking things "too far" to get her point across. Subtlety is used only when necessary, because she's found she gets her way far more often if she simply comes out and says what she wants/means the first time. There are still plenty of secrets she'll keep, but those are a completely separate matter in her mind.
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What does this character think/feel about-
Marriage:
Apathetic. Other people get married and settle down. Good on them. She thinks she's lucky to have friends; Who would want to put up with her for more than that?
Children:
Children are wonderful, and something she should never have herself.
Family/Family Values:
Family above all else. It is the center of everything in her mind.
Children/Youth:
Children are wonderful and should enjoy their youth and innocence as much as they can.
Old age:
Again, apathetic. If she doesn't do something to get herself killed first, she'll see it the same as everyone else, as is the way of the multiverse. Slowing down because of old age is an unpleasant thing, but why fight the tides?
Sex:
Great for making children. Obviously quite pleasurable (or the multiverse wouldn't be buzzing about it all the time), and something she secretly would love to experience someday. She's not, however, going out of her way to find someone to have it with as there are a whole number of reasons as to why that's a bad idea (see above answers for more details).
Love:
Terrible. Tragic. Something that hurts more than it's worth. And dreams wouldn't it be nice to have it work out for once so that it didn't hurt just a little bit to see others enjoying it so much.
Friendship/Other relationships:
Friends are wonderful and what motivate her to leave her room most days. Without them, she's not sure how she would keep going.
Homosexuality:
Amelia encourages everyone to be who they are. She grew up in a world where homosexuality is accepted, so it really doesn't phase her as anything other than part of a way a person is.
The opposite sex:
Men are creatures of habit and, usually, very basic instincts. More often than not, they're a means to an end, but they can also make the most loyal and trustworthy friends.
The same sex:
Women are strong, intelligent, and ever-adaptable creatures, and Amelia's honestly glad to be one. She's not good at fitting in with women when they do "girly" things, but she's more willing to try things that frighten her with them, and to give them the benefit of the doubt in any situation.
Money/Material things:
Money is what makes a rogue's world go 'round. Amelia wants as much of it as she can possibly get, even though she lives very frugally. She invests as much of it as possible so that when she does buy something, it's of the finest make and quality as she can reasonably get.
Politics:
A necessary evil, and a game she can play when she needs to. Best to be avoided or played only with a team of skilled players at your side.
Religion:
Organized religion is weird. She's not a spiritual person at all and the idea of someone devoting part of their life and consciousness to something that has no proof of existence confuses her. It seems a waste of time, but so long as no one tries to force her into it or blows off appointments they've set for it, she doesn't care.
Destiny/Duty:
Destiny isn't a concept she believes in. Predetermination requires an amount of faith she just doesn't have.
Duty is something she believes in strongly in two cases: to oneself and to one's loved ones (namely family and friends). All other duties are optional
Magic/Myth:
Before she came to the Nexus, Amelia believed any magic that existed was evil, or could only be used to hurt people. Having seen it used in truly amazing and helpful ways, and having a small amount of it herself now, she's changed that opinion radically. Gods are creatures with more power and magic than humans. Magical creatures can and do exist all over the multiverse. And magic itself is a tool that must be used with extreme care.
Racism/Races in general:
Amelia detests racism and believes in judging a person based on who they are rather than what they look like. True, she's not perfect and will occasionally slip up based on her own biases and past experiences, but in general she does her best to be open minded about a person she's truly meeting for the first time.
Science/Technology:
Useful far beyond anything she could've ever imagined. The Nexus has opened up a whole new realm of possibilities and she's enjoying learning about as much as she can. And reaping the benefits of the most useful things, like showers and coffee machines.
Nature/Animals:
Best left outdoors, but lovely to visit from time to time, or to run through/by as she exercises.
Modernity/Antiquity:
I'm "cheating" and combining these for Amelia, because this is what makes sense for her. Amelia's from a world that is the technological equivalent of Earth's early Renaissance. Almost everything in the Nexus is "modern" to her and the idea of "antiquity" doesn't quite make sense. It's all useful knowledge to her (examples: she still keeps fresh herbs, spices, and oils on her at all times for field medicine, and prefers having her clothes made by a tailor), even as all of the "new" things that have come up in modern times are equally useful. She's a bit in awe of much things have advanced, but she's adapting to make it her own as best she can.
Their past:
The past is just that - the past there's no need to focus on it more than that. It can't be changed and should be left exactly where it is.
Their future:
Uncertain. She has no direction right now. All she can do for now is live for each day, and hope she finds a reason for more than mere survival with time.
Their role in society/job/etc:
What role would that be, exactly? Amelia doesn't have one anymore. She left the one she had (successor to her family's business) behind when she ended up in the Nexus.
Drugs and alcohol:
Drugs: No. Just no. (See above).
Alcohol: Fine in small doses, but best left to others. She'll drink things for the taste, but even that's a very rare thing.
Killing/Murder:
Sometimes, it's necessary, and that's simply the way things are. Still, it's best avoided whenever possible, because dreams is all the aftermath often more hassle than it's worth.
Education:
Education of every kind is important, but it needs to focus on more than book learning. An education should include knowledge about the world and how to move through it. If a child isn't taught such things, they'll be unprepared for the life ahead of them.
The foreign/unknown:
Not knowing what's ahead is scary, but Amelia's going to meet it the same way she does everything else - head on and without flinching.
How does the character view life?
Right now? As something to be survived and to protect for the sake of those she cares about.
How does the character view death?
As the natural end to life, and something that everyone will experience someday.
How does the character view society?
A useful and necessary thing, but not necessarily something she fits in with most days. Without it, there's a good chance most things that she (and everyone else around her) relies on wouldn't get done.
How does the character imagine his/her own death?
Inevitable, and something that will be wholly unpleasant when it comes.
What does the character want out of life?
That is a loaded question that she doesn't have an answer to. "Survival" is the closest thing she's got right now.
What does this character consider "success" to be?
Accomplishing the goals one sets for themselves. She's already had her success (made her family noble, guaranteed her world's safety after closing it off from the Nexus) and she expects that she simply needs another goal to work toward to get more of it.
What would the character like to change in his/her life?
Amelia doesn't believe in changing the things she's done. What's in the past is done and not only can't be changed, but shouldn't be. If she were to change anything, it would be to give herself a goal to work towards again. She does better with something to focus herself her energy on.
What motivates this character?
Family, friends, long-term goals she can slowly work toward.
What discourages this character?
Being told she's not worth anything or unwanted. That all of her efforts and hard work (toward anything she really believed in or achieved) have been in vain.
What makes this character happy?
Family/friends, seeing those same loved ones be happy and living good lives, goals to work toward, and on occasion, chocolate and ginger ale.
What makes this character sad?
Talking (and often simply thinking) about the people she's lost. Thinking too long about the fact that she has so little to live for, as well as the general loneliness she feels.
What makes this character angry?
So many things. It can be almost guaranteed that if you annoy her about something long or hard enough, she will get angry. Her biggest trigger is attacking her loved ones.
What humiliates this character?
Being rejected, talked down to, or forced to own up to her mistakes by someone she respects.
What most describes this character's personality?
Passionate, fiery, hard-headed.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do); Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical?
Amelia is a woman built from her own decisions and mistakes. Because of how she chose to earn her family a noble title (becoming a rogue at night to earn favors and money from the city's elite so she could then use that influence when the right time came), she is drowning in sins. She has committed crimes of almost every variety: cheating, stealing, lying, assault, murder, and so on. She decided that her family's worth was more important than her own soul or comfort in the afterlife, making herself into a hardened woman beneath a pretty face and kind smile edged with deviousness. She is not a good person in the classic sense of the term, and she is fine with that. She doesn't need to be and changing what she is to suit the needs of society isn't something she's willing to do anymore. She did what she had to in order to get what she wanted, and that is what matters. Her core may still have a softness and warmth to it, but it takes breaking through layers of hardness and refusal to conform to reach it.
She is, at the very least, trying to work her way away from the feeling that she needs to be a perfect paragon to get things done. As helpful as that was on her world when she had a clear goal and a defined set of laws (both physical and societal), it's hindered her a lot in the Nexus. No one needs her to protect them the way she felt she needed to protect her family at home, and she has yet to fully come to terms with the fact that people might actually care if she died from her own foolishness.
I feel like I'm forgetting something but OH WELL
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: "Only you have the power to make yourself into who you want to be, no matter what shit life throws at you."
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): Jim does not kill without a damn good reason, and he will only engage in sexual activities with someone who is both willing and legally able to consent.
Describe character's etiquette: Jim always tries to be conscious of differing cultural norms and make an effort to respect someone else's customs when he can. He's not the most formal or suave captain around, often speaking casually and familiarly to set others at ease, though he does adhere to Starfleet protocol when on duty and when the situation calls for it.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Jim has a lot of practice in hiding his real emotions, particularly by presenting a false confidence to cover his insecurities or discomfort with particular topics. He has a number of psychological triggers, and his reaction to them depends greatly on how prepared he was beforehand and how bad the triggering stimulus is, ranging from well-hidden internal turmoil to full-blown panic attacks.
Spontaneous or structured? Spontaneous.
Instinctual or logical? Instinctual.
How does this character act in public? Confident, calm, collected. Jim deliberately projects a command attitude most of the time, often seeking to make friends - or at least friendly acquaintances - with new people. He's a big fan of doing adrenaline-inducing things in the outdoors, like orbital skydiving.
How does this character act in privacy? Though Jim is a big fan of crowds and exploration, he is also content to be by himself. He's a fan of real paper books and historical holodramas, and has no problem finding ways to entertain himself when left to his own devices. Most of the time he prefers to be around people, but there are times when he seeks solitude, particularly around anniversaries of traumatic or unpleasant experiences. At those times, he prefers to be alone with his thoughts, drowning his sorrows with alcohol. He's relatively recently gained the ability to resist intoxication and is still figuring out what the hell to do with himself now.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? Around strangers, Jim is often at his most charming and flirtatious, projecting confidence. Around friends that he's particularly close to, he's more comfortable giving more honest reactions, including occasionally opening up about situations that are deeply troubling. There are still topics he prefers to never discuss with anyone.
How does this character act around family? Distant and uncertain. Jim has an uneasy truce with his mother, who neglected him as a child but recently started attempting to make amends. He does not fully trust her. He also harbors anger towards his brother Sam for running away without him, and is still missing. He puts on a friendly face for his loving grandparents, but after his rescue from Tarsus IV, their smothering levels of attention were overwhelming to young traumatized Jim, so he continues to hold himself at a polite distance, wary of a repeat performance even in adulthood. Though his stepfather Frank is no longer in his life, Jim harbors nothing but cold resentment and anger for the man, who was verbally and emotionally abusive to both Jim and his brother.
How has this character most changed from youth? As a young boy, Jim was always seeking attention from authority figures in his life, excelling in school and striving to gain his mother's approval without result, leading to resentment at how he was treated at home. This finally culminated in him stealing his late father's antique car and destroying it as petty revenge against Frank, which was one of the main events that led to him being sent to his aunt's home on Tarsus IV. After the massacre, teenage Jim was traumatized and bitter, full of anger and a determination to prove himself to be better than others, seeking independence from his family and trusting no one but himself. As an adult, Jim has learned how to moderate and incorporate that drive for self-improvement down more productive paths and has begun to learn how to trust others again, though he still struggles with allowing himself to rely on other people and admitting when he can't do something alone.
How have they remained the same? Jim has always loved the stars, even knowing that his father died there. As a child, he wondered what was out there waiting to be discovered, full of boundless curiosity about the universe and the life that flourishes within it, and as an adult, he can finally do something to explore the unknown. There is a large part of him that also still craves the approval of others, particularly those in power over him, such as the late Admiral Pike.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Yes.
If so, who? Admiral Christopher Pike, Jim's mentor and the only loving paternal figure in his life, was killed in a terrorist attack roughly nine months ago.
How has it affected them? Jim and Pike were separated during the attack, and Pike was mortally wounded while Jim was foiling the terrorist's plans. He arrived too late to either save the admiral or say his goodbyes, as Pike had already died of his wounds. Jim still blames himself for Pike's death, as the admiral would not have been present at the meeting if Jim had not made severe mistakes on his prior mission. His anger at the terrorist responsible led him to ignore essential advice from his senior crew and friends, recklessly risk the lives of his crew, and ultimately led to his own death and the deaths of over ninety crewmen, and Jim has not forgotten the consequences of letting grief and the desire for revenge rule his actions.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: Depends on the danger and conflict. If peaceful mediation is possible, he will always try that first. If a show of force is needed, he will do so. Whatever he does, he will do what is best to protect the lives of his people.
Rejection: For more light-hearted rejections, like hitting on people who say no, he generally takes it well, possibly resorting to self-deprecating humor. For more serious rejection, like being demoted, his response is to attempt to change the mind of the one who rejected him, and if that fails, punish himself for failure.
Fear: Depends on the fear. Jim is generally a brave guy, putting aside his own fears if others are put at risk because of his inaction. If the only one that is affected is him, his reactions usually prioritize flight over fight, resorting to the latter when the former is no longer possible.
Change: As a man who often makes impulsive decisions, change is something Jim usually deals with fairly easily.
Loss: Jim in mourning is emotionally closed off to others, even close friends, refusing to talk about his feelings unless he has no other option. At these times, he prefers to be alone, or to bury himself in work.
Sex/Flirting: As long as everyone involved is having fun - which does not have to involve any actual sex - he is open to most flirting and casual sexual encounters. That said, as he's currently involved in a long-term relationship, he's making an effort to be at least mostly monogamous at the moment.
Pain: Jim is excellent at ignoring his own pain, especially when he has a goal to achieve. He's the type of guy who will insist that his injury isn't that bad and can wait for treatment.
Stress: Jim does not like high-stress situations, but he works well under pressure regardless.
Peer pressure: Though Jim often feels like he has something to prove, he is fiercely independent and does such things on his terms, not to meet anyone's expectations.
Guilt: Whoo boy. Jim can beat himself up like there's no tomorrow. There may be nothing he can do to change what happened in the past, but he is still responsible for his actions, and major mistakes will haunt him for years.
Being wrong: If he's actually wrong, he's not too proud to apologize and seek to make amends.
Being criticized: Often his reaction will be defensiveness, especially if he doesn't feel like he's done anything wrong. If it's something he's already blaming himself for, he'll feel like he deserves it, and accept the criticism as due punishment.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): Laugh off the funnier stuff, ignore the more hurtful things, return the favor if it's a friendly shit-talking.
Offending others: If he meant to offend them, he'll probably stand by it. If unintentional, and he recognizes what he did to offend them, he'll definitely apologize and try to avoid repeating the same behavior.
Praise: Outwardly, he projects self-assured confidence, like he's always known he deserves the accolades. Inwardly, he craves positive attention and highly values recognition of his worth as a person.
Being loved: Kind of uneasy, to be honest. He's used to people wanting something from him, and people loving him for him instead of their imagined idea of Captain Kirk and/or "the Kelvin baby" still throws him for a loop. Consistent reinforcement helps him believe it, but there's a part of him that always expects that someday, that'll change.
Being hated: He can be fairly indifferent to it, especially if it's not somebody who used to be close to him. You can't please everybody, and someone who actually hates him probably isn't worth befriending.
Humiliation: Actual humiliation will probably provoke him to act aggressively defensive, unless he feels like he deserves it, in which case, file it under the same category as guilt.
How does this character express-
Anger: Jim tends to go more for quiet, cold rage when he's truly angry. He does not shout until he's pushed to the brink by extraordinary circumstances.
Sadness: Shuts himself down and avoids contact with people. Used to get drunk if he was particularly depressed.
Fear: He favors flight over fight when threatened, generally.
Happiness/Excitement: Jim can be quite a cheerful guy, all smiles and jokes when he's in a good mood. He uses casual, friendly physical contact with people he cares about when he's happy, especially if he's trying to encourage a similar good mood in others.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Jim tends to favor physical touch as a way to show affection and love, with quality time as a close runner up.
Lust: He'll express such feelings in words first, or deliberately telegraphed body language (or both), to make sure that he and a potential partner are on the same page before he makes a move. Enthusiastic consent is sexy.
Stress/anxiety: Keeps it to himself and suffers in silence.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): Avoidance of whatever or whoever bothers him. If he can't avoid someone he doesn't like, then cold civility, and getting the fuck out as soon as politely possible.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): Fond smiles, appropriate praise, small favors when he's able to give them.
How does this character generally express themselves? Jim tends to rely on his body language to do a lot of talking for him, but does not hesitate to back it up with words. These days, he presents himself as The Captain first and foremost in many situations.
Part 2!
Marriage: Great for other people, probably not in the cards for himself.
Children: He hasn't considered having kids in any kind of serious, non-abstract way at this point, and likely can't have his own, thanks to massive radiation exposure. He does like children in general, and definitely has a paternal side to him.
Family/Family Values: Family are the people that you choose, not the people who are related to you by blood. He sees it as his responsibility to protect his "real" family.
Children/Youth: Every child deserves a non-shitty childhood. He certainly didn't get one.
Old age: Hopefully something that won't be coming any time soon. Probably brings at least a little more wisdom from experience, but Jim is a man who prefers to live in the moment so he doesn't spend a lot of time thinking about it.
Sex: Great! Prefers to indulge on a regular basis, and he is not afraid to experiment and try new things to shake things up a bit.
Love: Real for other people, freaky when it happens to himself. At least part of him doesn't quite believe anyone who tells him that they love him.
Friendship/Other relationships: The more, the better! More friends are always nice to have, although close friends that he actually trusts are much rarer.
Homosexuality: Has no problem with it and doesn't remotely understand why other people do.
The opposite sex: They're people just like anyone else, with all the variety of personality that comes along with it.
The same sex: Same as above.
Money/Material things: Not as important as memories. Money is practically non-existent in his century, but he also avoids accumulating too many material items. It's a habit from the old days of roaming on his own, in case he ever had to grab his belongings and leave ASAP.
Politics: Prefers not to be personally involved in politics, but has respect for those that want the headache.
Religion: ...complicated. For this version of Jim, his mother's side of the family is Jewish and he was raised with that influence in his life, but the traditions he still observes are done for cultural rather than religious reasons. He is not religiously observant and does not talk about his personal beliefs with others. He's more than fine with expanding someone else's cultural knowledge by talking about general practices and the history of the culture, he just doesn't discuss his personal perspective. He generally sees religion as something that people should be free to choose on their own, not something to be forced on others. You can't make somebody believe in something.
Destiny/Duty: Destiny does not exist, but the universe can have a weird sense of humor. Duty is incredibly important; if you sign up for something, it's on you to stick with it. Of course, if something turns out to not be what you signed up for, that's a different story.
Magic/Myth: Used to think magic didn't exist. Has now seen copious undeniable evidence that it's real in the Nexus, at least. Does not believe that magic exists in his home universe.
Racism/Races in general: Racism is stupid and pointless, and serves only to divide humanity.
Science/Technology: Fantastic. Technology is what allows humankind to explore the stars, among so many other things.
Nature/Animals: Nice to look at and appreciate. He's also had a hell of a lot of self-taught wilderness survival training, so chances are pretty good that when he's admiring a landscape or an animal, he's subconsciously evaluating its potential to be helpful in a survival situation. You know. Just in case.
Modernity: Progress is the way forward. While it's important to learn how to live without modern technology and resources, there's no reason not to take advantage of what you can access.
Antiquity: Jim loves historical fiction and enjoys learning about the past.
Their past: His own past is a horrible string of terror and failure.
Their future: Uncertain, but hopeful. He's currently looking forward to the launch of the Enterprise's five-year mission, Starfleet's first long-term voyage.
Their role in society/job/etc: He hates his fame as the Kelvin baby, but is proud of his accomplishments as Captain James T. Kirk. Right now he's a little more focused on personal satisfaction in his job than as any kind of service for humanity.
Drugs and alcohol: Use responsibly!
Killing/Murder: Killing is sometimes necessary to protect yourself or others. Actual murder is never okay.
Education: Pretty damn important, but not necessary to get through school alone. Learning should be a lifelong process, and independent study is just as valid as going to classes.
The foreign/unknown: Exciting! Who knows what is out there, what wonders the universe might hold?
How does the character view life? It's all you really have, so make the most of it.
How does the character view death? Terrifying. He's been dead once before and he remembers exactly none of it. He'd prefer to avoid a repeat performance anytime in the near future.
How does the character view society? Messy, complicated, imperfect, but necessary and worth saving.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? He doesn't have to imagine it. He died from massive radiation poisoning in the warp core of the Enterprise, giving his life to save the ship and all the souls onboard. He has the strangest feeling that when he does die for good, he'll die alone, without any of his friends or family to comfort him.
What does the character want out of life? Ultimately, to prove that Jim Kirk is worthy of respect on his own merits. His success is not because of his father's sacrifice, and Kodos was wrong to put him on the List of less valuable people.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Respect from as many people as possible, and finding meaning in his life's pursuits.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? Having less people die or walk out of his life would be great.
What motivates this character? People have doubted Jim his entire life, or made unfounded assumptions based on what they think they know about them. It's Jim's main goal in life to prove that he's his own person, and that person is damn good at what he sets his mind to do. Part of it is spite for the haters, part of it seeking approval from the people he values.
What discourages this character? Failure and loss. Jim takes responsibility for his mistakes and comes down hard on himself for them.
What makes this character happy? Spending time with people he likes, broadening his cultural horizons, and making sure that everyone has enough to eat.
What makes this character sad? Personal failure, which could be anything from screwing up his relationships to making errors that result in the deaths of his crew.
What makes this character angry? Cruelty to others, especially those who cannot defend themselves. Betrayal. Deliberate destruction or waste of resources, especially food.
What humiliates this character? Being emotionally torn down in front of others.
What most describes this character's personality? Insecure, neglected, traumatized child that grew into a man who refuses to give up and accept a bland, boring life.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): Jim has learned to be self-reliant out of necessity and often refuses to believe that he needs other people, but craves human contact and attention. He equates his self-worth with his personal successes and failures, and his reactions often default to the extreme ends of the scale for both. Success will brighten his whole day, while failure - even a minor one - will drag him down.
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? A combination of childhood neglect, and surviving the massacre at Tarsus IV. Being marked for death as a "less valuable" colonist fucks with his self-esteem even to this day, and his single-minded determination to survive at all costs has carried over into his adult life as stubborn perseverance in most things he says and does.
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If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: To experience maximum possible happiness. Life exists to live and be enjoyed! If you can’t find happiness in life, then what’s the point in living?...
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): Cliché, but violence against children. It’s easy for him to take a stance on because it’s something he never did when he was in the Scourge. He tells himself it’s because he never came across any children in Northrend, but sometimes he questions what he would have done if he had. He’s also strongly opposed to rape because of how he feels about sex. Not a big fan of prolonged torture as a means of interrogation – it’s something he wouldn’t want to partake in... But then again, he’s never tried it.
Describe character's etiquette: His etiquette very much depends on the situation. The Durants have taught him more and more about proper behavior (he’s pointing with an open palm these days, how classy!) but he had no formal etiquette training growing up. His best guess at how to behave in a formal environment when he’s unsure of the social rules is to be as grimly silent as possible and hope to avoid detection. Otherwise he’s very open and makes a lot of physical contact. Invites himself to things – food, touch, overly-personal jokes, etc.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Again, super situationally-dependent. If he knows there aren’t going to be consequences to indulging in something, he has zero self-control. When consequences are involved, especially social consequences, he tries very, very hard to control himself. A death knight has to have some sense of self-control, after all, to keep from hurting people. His go-to tactic is to have a healthy dissociation session and imagine what he wishes he could do, rather than doing it.
Spontaneous or structured? Spontaneous, 100%
Instinctual or logical? Totally instinctual. His magic is innate, his thoughts are fleeting and sometimes contradictory, and even his wiser moments are informed as much by feeling that he knows a truth rather than knowing it. This guy wings a lot of life advice that he throws Viatorus’ way.
How does this character act in public?
In the Nexus: Loud, happy, energetic. Likes to be physically close with his friends, always looks for an opportunity to laugh.
On Azeroth: Shy and retiring, keeps to himself, avoids initiating conversations with strangers. Either constant, sustained eye contact or total avoidance depending on the person.
How does this character act in privacy?
In the Nexus: Calm and quiet. Enjoys tending to plants. Used to read frequently until he was introduced to video media. Likes to teach himself things during what little quiet time he can get when his family isn’t around. On Azeroth: Drinks or gets high to distract his mind, sleeps as often as possible, struggles to stay focused while reading. Still enjoys tending to plants.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends?
Friends: Incredibly open, loud, feels the need to cheer others up, looks for opportunities to make others laugh, wants to be socially helpful where possible. Strangers: Again, strongly varies. A stranger that he completely doesn’t know is met with suspicion if he assumes they’re powerful or dangerous to him, openness if he assumes he’s going to like them, or intimidation if he thinks they deserve to be bullied.
How does this character act around family?
He’s always been involved-yet-distant with family, part of the (large) crowd but quietly so. Since reconnecting with his folks he still feels slightly out of place around them. He’s very aware that he’s different than the rest of them and struggles to find his place amongst them.
How has this character most changed from youth?
Despite it all, he’s learned to be hopeful. He’s realized that things do get better.
How have they remained the same?
His happiest moments of his childhood were very much like his happiest days now: Humorous, joy-seeking, driven to make others happy. Likewise, his unhappiest tendencies of childhood are very much like his (closely-guarded) negative tendencies now. His outlook quickly turns bleak if he doesn’t mind himself.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew?
Many people he knew casually or in military service, but no one close and dear... Except for...
If so, who?
Himself?
How has it affected them?
He feels a strong disconnect from who he used to be. It’s a complicated situation for him, one which affects his relationship with his family and himself. It’s one of the few things he dreads reflecting on and avoids at all costs.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!
Rejection: Hits him VERY hard, results in immediate and prolonged self-loathing and feelings of worthlessness
Fear: Depends on the source of the fear! Social fear: Can he avoid it? He will avoid it. Let it stew, baby!
Fear of deep water: Listen, he’s afraid he’ll sink and be stuck at the bottom of the ocean for all eternity. Is that so unreasonable? ... Yes? Oh. Like social fear: Avoid, baby! Fear of the supernaturally powerful (Gods, fae, necromancers etc.): Makes him feel helpless, confused, anxious. A threat he isn’t sure he can fight physically and which may have capricious whims deeply unnerves him. Responds with either a show of force or diplomacy where applicable.
Most other fears are expressed through some mixture of anger or sadness.
Change: Change brings good things. He supports it.
Loss: Temporary depression, usually comes out of it emotionally stronger.
Sex/Flirting: HE can flirt with people, but if they flirt BACK then he totally breaks down and becomes shy, poorly-worded, and visibly embarrassed. Sex-positive, but extremely self-conscious.
Pain: He can channel his willpower to stop himself from feeling certain amounts of physical pain, and he knows he can heal most wounds, so largely irrelevant to him.
Stress: Can I get the uhhhhh Anger-Sadness combo with the fries? Thanks.
Peer pressure: He LOVES peer-pressuring others. And you know what? He loves caving to peer pressure, too. Guy’s always looking to be told what to do.
Guilt: He fucks up often enough to feel guilt pretty frequently. If he’s called on his bad behavior he’ll quickly default to guiltiness. He also feels strongly guilty about things he didn’t do but which inconveniences or hurts others, even if he had no power to stop it.
Being wrong: Hello darkness my old friend, etc. He’s wrong like... All the goddamn time. He’s built up an immunity to it, and most of the time assumes everything he says will be wrong.
Being criticized: Immediate defensiveness! Unless, of course, it’s criticism for something he knows he did wrong, in which case acceptance.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): He takes insults more poorly in the Nexus, where he doesn’t keep his guard up and generally expects that most people will be kind and accepting. Shark once told him he looks like an albino and is probably bad at sex and he’s still mad about that. Meanwhile, he expects the exact opposite on Azeroth. He’s used to people calling him rude names, ignoring him, or being dismissive of him because of his undeath. Azerothians always seem to have the same surface-level vitalist insults and he’s learned to ignore them and move on.
Offending others: He wishes he was well-worded enough to insult people who are unkind to him or his friends. He’s got no problem with offending people with bad manners. He sometimes gets a rise out of the fact that his mere existence is offensive to some people, and he’ll play it up to cause them distress. Offending his friends is another story, and he’ll scramble to apologize as quickly as he can.
Praise: He really doesn’t get praise often. Like flirting, he usually can’t handle it and winds up at a loss for words, humbled. He’ll quietly enjoy any praise he gets for a long, long time.
Being loved: He’s desperate to be loved platonically or romantically. He used to be the sort of person that thought life was pointless if he wasn’t in a relationship with someone else, but a series of unfortunate breakups and subsequent time alone made him realize that he has worth on his own outside of romantic love. He still feels strongly validated by being loved and finds self worth in mutual love of friends, family, and potential romantic partners.
Being hated: Big shrug. So someone hates him. He’s probably done something worth hating! If he hates them back, then it becomes a healthy hobby.
Humiliation: He would literally rather die, especially if the humiliation happens in front of friends or as a result of his failure to perform. ESPECIALLY susceptible to shame regarding his trouble with literacy.
How does this character express-
Anger: Shouting, accusatory pointing, balled fists, easily escalates to physical violence.
Sadness: Isolation and self-pity.
Fear: Freezes up and tries to be unassuming, or prepares for a fight.
Happiness/Excitement: Loudness, laughter, smiles, physical contact.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Strongly into acts of devotion. He pledges himself to people that he loves and does everything he can to support them. Physical touch and spending prolonged, quiet time with the person he loves are important to him. He’s currently trying to navigate a romance with Isidor that allows neither of those, and he’s struggling.
Lust: Tries to irrationalize lust he knows he can’t pursue by looking for reasons to find the other person unattractive. Sorry about your doughy stomach, Jim.
Stress/anxiety: He’ll take it with quiet dissociation to a point, after which he’ll blow the fuck up and wreck something.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): He doesn’t keep it to himself! If he doesn’t like something or someone he’ll say as much, and frequently, for better or worse. His entire worldview is emotions-based, so something which he dislikes is an affront to his existence.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): Like disdain, he expresses his approval vocally and frequently. If someone’s doing a good job he’ll tell them as much. Especially if that person is Viatorus. The kid needs any self-esteem boosts he can get.
How does this character generally express themselves? Poorly...
What does this character think/feel about-
Marriage: Good and cool. He used to want to be married, now that he’s undead he’s unsure if it’s appropriate.
Children: Harrow loves children! Like him, they experience the world through their emotions. He understands their unique perspective and loves how appreciative children can be when you support them. When he was alive he very much wanted to be a father but refrained from pursuing a family life because he knew he was going to die young and didn’t want to leave a family without their father.
Family/Family Values: The family is there to support each other. If a family isn’t supportive, you aren’t beholden to them.
Part Two: Idiot Boogaloo
Old age: He knew he’d never grow old, and now he never will. Personal old age doesn’t even cross his mind. He’s saddened to think that his living friends will die (hopefully of old age!) eventually, but he’s not afraid of seeing them age. More than anything, the elderly are curious to him. Having grown up in a land of famine and war he never personally knew any people over the age of fifty or so.
Sex: Harrowheart is a cliché straight out of a romance novel. He sincerely believes that sex is/should be an expression of love. Naugus once tried to explain hate-sex to him and he was confused and scandalized. He understands sex as lust-not-love, but he’s not the kind of person to have one night stands or be unfaithful in a committed relationship because sex as a physical experience comes secondary to sex as a romantic gesture.
Love: He loves love... He loves being loved... HE LOVES HIS GIRLFRIEND AND WANTS TO SHOUT IT FROM THE MOUNTAINTOPS but he’s not allowed to so he begrudgingly keeps it to himself.
Friendship/Other relationships: Friends are important! He didn’t have many as a child because he grew up on an isolated farm with his family, but he does consider his brothers and sisters friends as much as family. He spent most of his living life knowing people superficially. It’s only since coming to the Nexus as a death knight that he’s been brave enough to get to know people on a deep enough level to call them good friends.
Homosexuality: Good and cool. As far as I’m concerned there’s no reason for homosexuality to be taboo in human society at large on Azeroth. He has a gay sister (whose life partner was his first crush, which he will never live down) and he loves her dearly. When he was alive he was exclusively heterosexual and couldn’t understand how people found men physically attractive. After his undeath he fell in love with a man and now considers himself
half-gaybisexual (a word he only recently learned!)The opposite sex: Women good. Again, human society on Azeroth is canonically non-sexist, so he never had that Earth frame of reference to overcome. Actually, he was STUNNED when he found out people on Earth treat women as inferior and deny them equal access to opportunities. He’s known kind civilian women like his mother and sisters, powerful warrior women, troubled women, evil women, the full gamut. All of them were capable, and he respected them in their own ways. And controversial opinion here, but: Women... Are hot.
The same sex: They exist. He doesn’t feel a strong kinship with men just by virtue of sharing their gender, but he does feel like he can be more open with them when it comes to inappropriate humor. He’s much more shallow when it comes to prospective male partners. Bara or bust.
Money/Material things: Like many people from Westfall, he has a poor opinion of those with monetary means. He considers them immoral, predatory, and untrustworthy. He grew up poor and rustic and doesn’t desire great material wealth. Since he doesn’t have physical needs he doesn’t seek out wealth to make his life more comfortable. Since his family came to the Nexus he’s relearned the value of earning and saving money to care for others, but it’s hard to break the habit of earning small amounts of money and spending it on frivolous entertainment.
Politics: Patriotism above all. If your kingdom’s leader tells you to do or believe something, you do it. He thinks democracy is an unstable joke and has no desire to live in a society where people vote for their representatives. To him, absolute monarchy is the only logical form of governance.
Religion: He’s in a strange place with religion right now! Most humans of Azeroth worship the Holy Light, but he was never raised with that belief (or any beliefs, really!) and so he has no real connection to it. Now that the Light explicitly detests his existence, he’s not particularly interested in exploring it. He’s openly curious about the religions of other worlds and believes he has the capacity for faith, but isn’t sure he’s found the right religion for him. Steve’s Catholic God is theoretically interesting to him, but he’s got no desire to pursue Christianity. Worgen generally worship the Ancient Goldrinn, but he doesn’t feel a strong connection to him. Elune, though, the Goddess of the Night Elves? He saw her perform a miracle that shook his faith, and he’s beginning to consider the possibility of worshipping her.
Destiny/Duty: He believes in inevitabilities more than destiny. An unavoidable path your life must take because of who you are or what you’ve done. Duty he believes in strongly, and failing your duty is a mark of great dishonor.
Magic/Myth: Lives it, baby.
Racism/Races in general: Oh, he is SUPER racist. Super, super racist. However, he was totally baffled by the Earth phenomenon of human-human racism. People of one species or kingdom have to band together against people of other species, you idiots. Apes together strong! He’s openly hostile to trolls, orcs, demons, and Forsaken, but he keeps an open mind, always looking for new groups of people to look down on. :thumbsup:
Science/Technology: Cool, loves it. It can only improve life, as far as he’s concerned!
Nature/Animals: The best. They’re innocent and non-malicious, quiet, non-judgmental, and represent pure, untainted life. He detests necromancy used on animals because they don’t have the mental capacity to choose to end their existence even if given free will.
Modernity: As with the Change question above, he believes in a positive forward trajectory over time. Modernity is great!
Antiquity: History informs the present and the future and it’s important to look to the past for guidance, but he doesn’t feel beholden to it.
Their past: He avoids confronting it if at all possible, but tries to learn from it where he can.
Their future: Again, the future has the potential for positivity. He looks to it eagerly, in general. In some respects he fears that his future could wind up like his past.
Their role in society/job/etc: He’s a death knight. He understands that his role is to do what the living can’t or won’t, and to do it without thanks or accolades. His duty is to fight harder, longer, in worse conditions, against more dangerous foes, until all threats to his people’s way of life are annihilated... Or he is.
Drugs and alcohol: Big yes. For fun and for escapism. He used to sell weed and other ‘herbal remedies,’ but these days he earns his money killing and looting.
Killing/Murder: Big yes. He!... Actually super loves it. He feels guilty when he realizes it makes his friends uncomfortable, but he physically can’t stop killing and so feels justified in continuing to do so. He gets the greatest thrill out of killing people who are most afraid of him – civilians or those he’s disarmed especially. Nothing compares to the rush of ending someone who can’t possibly fight back. He was very much not like this as a living man, and only reluctantly engaged in violence for self-defense.
Education: None. He knows jack shit. It shows, too!
The foreign/unknown: Always approached with curiosity, unless he has reason to believe it’s dangerous, then fear or anger.
How does the character view life? Something that’s always been for other people. He wouldn’t ask for life again if it were offered... Though he has been tempted, now that he realizes how much his undeath is hindering his chances at happiness with Isidor. He fears the consequences of being alive again.
How does the character view death? Inevitable.
As for UNdeath, he’s learned to find the positives in it. He’s super strong, magical, more fearless. The fact that he’s nearly-immortal is more of a curse than a blessing, though.
How does the character view society? He thinks about individual people more than overarching society.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? Again, inevitable – both his past death and his eventual future death. He figures that when his living friends and family (especially a romantic life partner, if he succeeds in keeping one) pass on he’ll elect to be purified by Holy magic and have his runeblades destroyed with his body. He doesn’t see the point in being immortal in a world where the people he loves will continually leave his life for good.
What does the character want out of life? The happiness that he failed to find before his death.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Achieving your own personal life goals, whatever those may be!
What would the character like to change in his/her life? One particular bad decision that he made when he was still alive. It changed the course of his future for the worse, and he deeply regrets it.
What motivates this character? A desire, despite it all, to see good things happen.
What discourages this character? Anything and everything that sets him back or reminds him of his personal failings.
What makes this character happy? His brother from another mother (Sweet V) and the lady he’s interested in, Sister of Sweet V. Being able to make things thrive and grow, literally or figuratively. Learning.
What makes this character sad? His brain.
What makes this character angry? So many things. So, so many things.
What humiliates this character? Shark, when he called him an Albino Bad Sex Haver. More seriously, failing to live up to people’s expectations of him.
What most describes this character's personality? Spontaneous, emotional, volatile.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): In life, depression. Undeath scrambled his thought process, and like most Azerothian undead he’s disconnected from his soul, which makes him unable to process his emotions in a healthy way. Everything he feels, he feels incredibly strongly because of this.
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? Magical, certainly. In the Nexus with its Anti-violence field his undead need to kill to retain his sanity is inhibited, which is why his personality is completely different on his homeworld (and, given enough time, on other worlds.)
Doing this on a tablet, so apologies in advance!
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: "To make the world a better place."
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): The usual stuff for a person from an advanced "Western" civilization. In addition, intentionally hurting someone else is a huge no-no for her.
Describe character's etiquette: Pretty good. Middle class table manners.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Good in the sense that she'll deliberate anything that's even slightly questionable before making a decision.
Spontaneous or structured? Structured
Instinctual or logical? Instinctual when it comes to other people, logical for most everything else.
How does this character act in public? Sweet but quiet, nervous, eager to help or be useful
How does this character act in privacy? same except less nervous
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? She is always more socially anxious around strangers. Once she gets comfortable around someone, she'll joke around more and act more relaxed in general.
How does this character act around family? Her mom was probably the only person in the Colonies who could get her to whine and/or be snappish. They were close but her mom was an extrovert which sometimes caused friction. She was more silly with her dad than anyone else.
How has this character most changed from youth? A lot braver, a lot more willing to stand up for her beliefs and not get pushed around.
How have they remained the same? Still an introvert, still shy, still very compassionate despite everything that's happened to her.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Um... yeah.
If so, who? Her entire family and everyone she ever knew who wasn't on a spaceship when the Cylons attacked, CASPAR.
How has it affected them? The loss of her family and friends has made her determined to stay close to the friends she has made since. The loss of Caspar did a lot of damage to her psychologically that she's only now fully unpacking. (Please see the Halloween Nightmare thread for details!)
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: Conflict is bad! Avoid at all costs! Deflect, defuse, placate! As for danger, if she feels like she's needed, she'll put herself at risk. (Since the "need" for her is usually medically related, she's rarely on the very frontline of danger.)
Rejection: Sad, but she'll try to deal with it for the other person's sake.
Fear: She freezes. Depending on the situation, she'll either try to face her fear or have a panic attack.
Change: Depends on the change. If it's neutral or good, she handles it pretty well. If it's bad change, she usually needs a chance to mourn the loss of how things were.
Loss: Very hard, especially if she feels like it's her fault at all.
Sex/Flirting: She needs to be emotionally attracted to someone to sleep with them, otherwise she can't truly relax and enjoy herself. Same with flirting, but on a smaller scale. But if she's in a relationship? Yes, please!
Pain: Her pain tolerance is about average, but she'll hide her pain if she thinks it will upset someone else.
Stress: Work stress doesn't faze her. Personal stress makes her more nervous.
Peer pressure: She's the person who's like, "Oh, um, well, let me get back to you on that..." and then never does. When she was a teenager, she'd say that her parents wouldn't allow her to do something if she didn't want to do it.
Guilt: She'll think of a way to improve in the future or do things differently, and that usually lessens the guilt.
Being wrong: Being wrong means she has an opportunity to learn something new, so she doesn't mind.
Being criticized: So long as it's polite and constructive, she'll listen with open ears. If it's rude, she'll probably still think it over, but she'll be quicker to dismiss it.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): Tears. :(
Offending others: This is the WORST thing, and she'll scramble to try to fix the situation. Unless she's offending them by doing the right thing, in which case, she tries to ignore it.
Praise: Professional praise? Her sincere but modest thanks. Personal praise? Either deflect it, or blush and accept it demurely.
Being loved: Grateful and happy.
Being hated: Confused and worried. What did she do to make someone hate her??? Are they an enemy Cylon?
Humiliation: If the ground does not conveniently open up and swallow her whole, she'll try to get away and cry in private.
How does this character express-
Anger: She has a lot of trouble expressing anger, the few times that she is. She makes a :[ face but otherwise keeps it to herself until the feeling passes.
Sadness: Curling up into herself. Listlessness. Tears.
Fear: She shakes like a leaf. Freezes. If she starts talking, it ends up a nervous babble.
Happiness/Excitement: All smiles. Giggling. She'll clasp her hands together to keep from going overboard in her excitement.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Words of affirmation, acts of devotion, and quality time. She's careful about physical affection in case the person she's with doesn't like physical touch. She'd give gifts, too, but up until very recently she's been broke.
Lust: A stupid look on her face, followed by intense blushing and looking at anything but the object of her attraction. The exception is when she's feeling lust over someone she's in a relationship with, then she'll just keep smiling stupidly at them.
Stress/anxiety: Fidgeting. A tense posture.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): She'll wrinkle her nose or give a sort of non-committal, "Well, that's not really my thing..." If it's a person, she keeps it to herself unless they've done something mean, in which case she'll express her dislike.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): She's not shy about her approval of a person or thing, she'll outright say it or nod along to whatever the other person is saying.
How does this character generally express themselves? Quietly, and with a lot of forethought.
Part 2!
Marriage: She thinks it's ideal when people marry for love, but she understands the practical aspect of it, too. She'd like to get married if she finds the right person to spend the rest of her life with.
Children: She likes kids, but she doesn't know if she wants one. It's a lot of responsibility. Would it be better if she concentrated on helping others first?
Family/Family Values: Family is important, but not everyone had a good family like she did. No one should be forced to do what other people want solely because they're related.
Children/Youth: Children should be allowed to enjoy their childhood. Children in danger or suffering is one of the most upsetting things to her.
Old age: She doesn't have much of an opinion of this. She isn't ageist or anything, but it's hard for her to personally imagine herself as old.
Sex: She likes it (quite a bit, actually), but she needs to be in a relationship to enjoy it. She does not judge anyone else for how much or how little they want sex.
Love: She used to have a much more rose-colored view of romantic love, but her situation with Caspar changed that. She still believes in romantic love, but she assumes it'll be some time before she experiences it again.
Friendship/Other relationships: She likes having friends. She puts her all into every friendship, which she more often than not finds very rewarding.
Homosexuality: This was a non-issue in the Colonies.
The opposite sex: and The same sex: are more or less the same to her, except when it comes to attraction. She tries not to make assumptions based on one's gender. She tends to admire women who are strong and have their act together more than men with the same attributes.
Money/Material things: She's very practical about money, but until the War she didn't know what it was like to have virtually nothing. She highly values the things friends have given her because of the thought put into them. She thinks everyone deserves the basic necessities.
Politics: Before the War, she was apolitical. Now, although she HATES political debate, she'll make an effort to at least research the issues so she can make an educated vote.
Religion: She understands how important religion is to some people, and why, but it's not for her. She's agnostic, at least towards her own gods. She does not like it when religious people judge others, or try to debate science with religion. Science is better when it comes to explaining how the universe works, okay?
Destiny/Duty: She doesn't like the idea of destiny or fate, but she's had a couple positive experiences recently so she's a little more open to the idea. Duty is personally important to her, but she doesn't hold other people to those same standards unless they took an explicit oath, like for medicine or civil service.
Magic/Myth: Magic and myths are cool, but she doesn't believe in them in her world.
Racism/Races in general: Racism was not an issue for the Colonies, but tribalism was, and even for her it was difficult to shed some of those stereotypes. She holds far fewer stereotypes than most, at least.
Science/Technology: The scientific method is the greatest idea ever. Science + technology = the solution to all of life's problems, so long as ethics are involved, too.
Nature/Animals: Nature should be preserved. Almost all animals are cute and deserve to be treated humanely. But a few of them are also good to eat and that is something she occasionally feels bad about, but not enough to stop eating meat.
Modernity: and Antiquity: If given a choice, she'll take modern over ancient, but she believes that some things don't need to be improved upon.
Their past: She remembers most of her childhood fondly. She tries to not to let her past behavior define how she has to behave in the present.
Their future: She is very hopeful about her future, now that she has a home.
Their role in society/job/etc: She loves being a microbiologist, and loves medical volunteering, especially now that the war is over and fewer people are sick and/or injured.
Drugs and alcohol: She does not judge other people for drinking (in moderation) or smoking weed, even though she doesn't drink much (she's afraid she'll say or do something embarrassing while drunk). Harder drugs get a side-eye because they can be dangerous. She has sympathy for people suffering from addiction, but it bothers her when those addictions hurt others.
Killing/Murder: She knows that sometimes, there is no other reasonable option than killing, whether in self-defense, in wartime, or in the form of punishment, but the thought of it disturbs her, that some people are capable of it, or might even enjoy it.
Education: It's important. It doesn't necessarily have to come from a school. Everyone should at least learn about germs and how to prevent them!
The foreign/unknown: She tries her best to keep an open mind.
How does the character view life? Even when everything is scary and uncertain, it's worth living. Life is full of amazing things to learn and people worth befriending.
How does the character view death? Honestly? She's terrified. The answers that science provides for death aren't reassuring, and hearing that it's a part of a cycle doesn't help, either.
How does the character view society? A necessity, but not always done right.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? She didn't during the War, because any end she imagined for herself was too scary. Now she's more secure in the hope that she'll die in her sleep after a long and wonderful life.
What does the character want out of life? She wants to help others, to learn new things... and to share that with someone who loves her.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Any number of things. It could be as important as developing a new vaccine to as personal as making a friend feel better.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? She'd like to be less socially anxious, thanks.
What motivates this character? Seeing how much she can learn about a subject, and seeing how much help she can do for others.
What discourages this character? Finding out that something she had been working towards was a lie.
What makes this character happy? Learning new things, her friends being happy, Earth, animals (including pokemon), chocolate, people trying to be good friends themselves, either to her or to others.
What makes this character sad? Her friends being sad, planets that are at war or dying, anyone she knows of who is suffering in some way
What makes this character angry? People talking shit about her friends. Injustice. People who lie to her and then pretend that they didn't lie to her.
What humiliates this character? Finding out that someone who they thought was a friend secretly was using them or making fun of them.
What most describes this character's personality?A big, brave heart wrapped up in a bundle of nerves.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): and Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? She was always introverted, and likely genetically predisposed to social anxiety thanks to her dad. She developed her empathy at an early age as a defense mechanism: if she could figure out what made other people upset or angry, she could avoid those things and never upset anyone. She's inclined to avoid conflict because it keeps her anxiety low. This didn't always help her avoid bullying in school, but it kept her from having panic attacks, and as she got older, her social anxiety impoved. The War was a huge setback, but she's finally at a point where she's better off than she was before the War started, mostly thanks to the Nexus.
no subject
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: Take time to learn and to educate yourself. Knowledge can help you to be stronger and wiser.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): Hermione would never use magic to control another person. She believes magic is a personal reflection of the witch/wizard who is using it.
Describe character's etiquette: Hermione always aims to be polite and well-mannered. She keeps an open mind about new situations, and when there are cultural norms to be followed will do her best to meet those expectations.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Hermione is very organized and detail-oriented. She usually has a plan for every action, before even taking that action. However, she is able to think quickly, and create plans, in chaotic situations.
Spontaneous or structured? Structured.
Instinctual or logical? Logical.
How does this character act in public? Hermione prefers to present herself as a well-rounded and educated woman. She aims to make a good first impression. And always tries to keep an open mind about meeting new people, and does not judge on first appearances.
How does this character act in privacy? Hermione savors her private time. She enjoys curling up by the fire, drinking tea, and enjoying a good book. She uses most of her private time to educate herself further in different studies, both magical and Muggle. Recently she has been learning about computers.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? Hermione is open-minded about most new people she meets. She treats them with respect, until they do something to lose that respect. She is more open and honest around her friends, who have already earned her respect.
How does this character act around family? Unfortunately, during the Second Wizarding War, Hermione had to use magic to erase the memories of her parents. Thus, her parents do not remember her. And she gets a little mournful when someone asks about her parents, since there is nothing she can do to remove the spell.
How has this character most changed from youth? Hermione was a precocious child. She entered the first year of Hogwarts already knowing several spells and charms, despite her Muggle background. As a child, she always wanted to impress her teachers, and was viewed as a 'Know-It-All' at times, because she often spoke up even when her opinion was not asked for. Hermione was a brilliant student, keeping ahead of the rest of her classmates. And when given a Time Turner, used it to take more classes, and study even more. After the Second Wizarding War, Hermione found respect for herself, and no longer required seeking praise from others around her.
How have they remained the same? Hermione still appreciates learning and continues to seek knowledge. She is still that book worm at heart.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Yes. She lived through a War. She lost many friends. She lost her parents (after changing their memories). She lost teachers. She lost a part of herself.
How has it affected them? The loss is one of the reasons Hermione needs to have a plan for different situations. She wants to try to have some sense of control...
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: She faces it. Bravely. And tries to think of a way to resolve it.
Rejection: In the public, she puts on a brave face. In private, she often tries to think through the reasons of the rejection. Try to find a way to make things better.
Fear: Hermione will always face her fears. Where dwell the brave at heart, Their daring, nerve, and chivalry Set Gryffindors apart
Change: She adapts to change quickly.
Loss: Mourns for those who are lost. Remembers them. Honors them.
Sex/Flirting: Hermione has always been attracted to older men. Simply because it is intelligence that attracts her. She is a shy flirter. And yes, has studied several books on different types of sexual positions.
Pain: Hermione would fight through any pain. Find a way to heal herself quickly.
Stress: She is too organized to be stressed. Thank you very much.
Peer pressure: Ron and Harry tried to peer pressure her. They failed. Hermione is too head-strong to let others peer pressure her.
Guilt: Everything she had to do... was done for a reason. She calculated the risks ahead of time. So doesn't let the weight of guilt affect her.
Being wrong: Hermione loves a good debate. Try to tell her that she was wrong.
Being criticized: There are few criticisms that would ire her. But when they do anger her, she gets very defensive.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): Hermione has an insult carved into her arm for all eternity. She lives with it every day. So if that doesn't affect her, neither are any other insults or words.
Offending others: It has happened. Hermione comes off as a Know-It-All.
Praise: She is always happy to receive praise. And to have her abilities acknowledged. And most importantly to have her magic/work recognized and respected.
Being loved: She loves her friends very dearly. It is very special to her.
Being hated: She has been hated before by some very powerful wizards. It doesn't bother her, and she just tries to not spent time with that person.
Humiliation: After being teased and taunted by the Weasley twins, Hermione does not get humiliated very often. Anymore. But she used to embarrass quite quickly as a child, especially being humiliated by Ron Weasley.
How does this character express-
Anger: Just ask Draco... she can give a good sucker punch. Don't piss her off.
Sadness: Most often, she gets withdrawn, until she can express herself in private.
Fear: As a proper Gryffindor, Hermione does not show fear.
Happiness/Excitement: She has a very bright smile when happy or excited.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Hermione will show her love through gifts of affection, or physical touch.
Lust: Best saved for the bedroom. For the person who is the reason for the lust.
Stress/anxiety: With a good plan, one does not get stressed or anxious.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): She will avoid the person.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): She will help the person, in any way that she can. And protect the person in times of trouble.
How does this character generally express themselves? Hermione usually takes time to think about what she wants to say, and how she wants to say it.
and now for more...
Marriage: She honestly doesn't think about getting married. She is not in that headspace right now. And has other things on her mind.
Children: She honestly doesn't think about having children.
Family/Family Values: It is a lot different in the Wizarding world, than the Muggle world. And she has seen how Pureblood wizards act differently, than Half-Blood or Muggle-born wizards. Each family has their own ways of doing things.
Children/Youth: Hermione would be glad to teach younger students, because learning is important.
Old age: Wizards/Witches age differently than Muggles. She doesn't think about how old she might get. It is better to concentrate on the present.
Sex: She has read several books on sex. The details are best left in private for what sexual partners might enjoy in their bedrooms.
Love: She knows the value of friendship, and love for someone in a platonic way. And while she has crushed on others before, she has yet to 'fall in love'.
Friendship/Other relationships: Hermione truly values her friendships. She considers her friends to be the most important people in her life.
Homosexuality: What other people prefer is totally their rights as individuals.
The opposite sex: Boys her age have always provide to be immature. There have been a few older, mature men that she found interesting. She respects men when they are in a role of leadership.
The same sex: Hermione is a feminist. She objects to being viewed as "too strong, too aggressive, isolating, anti-men, and unattractive" simply because she is a powerful woman. The most important thing to her is that both men and women are given a choice to be heard, to be respected, and to be appreciated.
Money/Material things: Hermione has not need for money/material things.
Politics: The Ministry of Magic is a mess right now. There is a lot that needs to be corrected.
Religion: It can lead to war. Case in point the Second Wizarding War.
Destiny/Duty: She is respectful of destiny. She was there with Harry during his whole destiny trials. And knows how heavy destiny/duty can be to carry.
Magic/Myth: She is a witch. She uses magic. It exists. It can be very powerful when used properly.
Racism/Races in general: Hermione is very respectful of other races. She has been the target of racism... since she was called a Mudblood by other wizards. She knows how it feels to be viewed with disrespect, so would never disrespect others.
Science/Technology: A lot of technology doesn't work properly around magic users, but that doesn't stop Hermione from learning about new scientific discoveries and technologies. She really appreciates knowing those of a scientific mind.
Nature/Animals: Her best friend in the world is Crookshanks. A half-Kneazle. So of course, Hermione respects nature and animals.
Modernity: The wizarding world is a little behind of the modern world of the Muggles. Hermione would like to help balance the two worlds.
Antiquity: As mentioned, the wizarding world is still antiquated. She has no problems with working/studying in these situations.
Their past: Hermione put her past behind her, the day she had to change the memories of her parents to protect them. It was a difficult moment. But she has learned that tough decisions must be made every day.
Their future: Hermione is really hopeful that she can balance the Muggle and Wizarding world, so that all wizards will be respected, no matter their backgrounds.
Their role in society/job/etc: Hermione is still treated with respect as one of the 'Golden Trio'. She always looks for ways to prove herself, and let her work be recognized, without it just being accepted because of her role during the Wizarding War. She understands that helping to save the world changed a lot of people's opinion of her. But that also allowed her to discover who her true friends were. She does not appreciate those who try to 'kiss up' because of her Ministry title.
Drugs and alcohol: She does not drink often, since she can get drunk easily. She does not use drugs. But she doesn't judge others on their habits.
Killing/Murder: Hermione lived through a Wizarding War. She had to use defensive spells to protect her own life. She has killed. There was no other choice.
Education: very very important. Hermione went back for her last year at Hogwarts, after the war, so she could properly finish her wizarding education. She still seeks knowledge wherever she goes.
The foreign/unknown: She would try to figure out a plan on how to deal with an unknown situation. A plan for everything.
How does the character view life? Life is important. It should be respected.
How does the character view death? It is a part of life. But there are some wizards who are still able to share their knowledge, after their death.
How does the character view society? depends on which society... Hermione loves the Muggle world and the different cultures depending on what part of the world she is visiting. The Wizarding society needs to be updated a little. The biased views of the Pureblooded families are out-of-date.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? Hermione came close to dying once already. She envisions Bellatrix, torturing her.
What does the character want out of life? Hermione wants to learn and educate herself. She wants to help her world improve for the better. And she would enjoy creating a new spell, or a new potion.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Being recognized at the Ministry for her work. And not just for being one of the 'Golden Trio'.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? Right now, Hermione is quite satisfied with her life. She would not change anything.
What motivates this character? Hermione is motivated by learning. She just wants to absorb and appreciate as much knowledge as possible.
What discourages this character? When others disrespect her, without taking the time to consider that she might have a different perspective or opinion.
What makes this character happy? Learning. Knowledge. Friendship.
What makes this character sad? Destruction of knowledge.
What makes this character angry? Injustice.
What humiliates this character? Very little.
What most describes this character's personality? Hermione is a book-worm. She loves to learn. She loves to read. She loves finding knowledge.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): Hermione Granger is rational, conscientious, and parental in every decision she makes.
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? She just has always been this way. It stems a little from her childhood, trying to control her magic in a Muggle world.
I'm back, baby!
Describe character's sense of morals: Neutral Good. Jim's always looking to do the right thing whether or not that happens to be in line with the law or regulations. He feels it's his job as a Captain to die when necessary to save the lives of his crew or innocents when in danger. That isn't to say Jim's looking to throw his life away. He has a strong survival instinct. It's just that his determination to protect others comes first and unfortunately it's put to the test with frightening regularity.
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: Life's a gift that can be taken away at any time, so make the most of it while you can. Do something. Do anything. Never give up.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): Jim will never order someone else to do something he's not willing to do himself. He will not kill anyone unless there's absolutely no alternative. Rape is not okay ever and neither is sex with any inappropriate individual (child, etc).
Describe character's etiquette:As a Starfleet command track officer Jim has taken so, so many lessons in etiquette and diplomatic relations. He knows when to hold his tongue and how to carry himself in a number of potential situations. That said, he isn't always the best at following through with those lessons. He leans personally toward the casual side of things though it's not for lack of education. It's a choice.
Describe character's sense of self-control:Either rock solid or terrible depending on what sort of self control we're talking about. He can be a bit obvious about certain feelings but anything negative gets locked away somewhere tight where no one can see it. Jim does not show weakness, uncertainty, or depression in front of others easily. He'll work through events that would leave others emotionally compromised and usually do so with no adverse effects to his work.
If we're talking about keeping his hands to himself however, that's another beast entirely. Jim can behave himself if he puts all of his effort into it but if he wants someone and they are reciprocating of his advances then silly things like the chain of command, interplanar commuting, or any number of other very legitimate concerns go out the goddamn window.
Spontaneous or structured? Spontaneous 100%
Instinctual or logical? Instinctual, though Jim is crazy good at tactics and can be logical and planned out when the situation calls for it. He's much more likely to go with his gut in most situations.
How does this character act in public? Calm, cool, and in command. Jim holds his head high and walks with the confidence of a man who knows what he's doing. When he speaks it's with the assurance that he's making the right decision. He's professional yet friendly, ready and willing to give orders and take charge of a situation or listen and give his professional opinion on any topic. Charming should be another word tossed into the list. He's always ready with an infamously charming smile when he needs to (or wants to) get his schmooze on.
How does this character act in privacy? Quiet, pensive, and withdrawn usually. His captain's air is not fake and nor does he not actually believe in himself but in private is his only time to let down his walls and express his insecurities and cope with his own demons.
There's a lot of baggage Jim keeps from others. When he's alone these troubles often surface and cause him sleepless nights, panic attacks, and great frustration.
Aside from this Jim has many hobbies that lend themselves well to solitude despite his extroverted nature. Jim's currently studying the Imperial standard language of Tamriel in his downtime and also enjoys reading, rock climbing, riding his motorcycle and all kinds of things on his own.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? Captain Kirk versus Jim is a good way to sum this up. Around strangers Jim is careful to put on his best face and act according to his rank as a representative of the Federation and Starfleet. Around friends Jim is much more relaxed and open--often joking and goofing around and eager to have fun. Much more likely to admit he doesn't always know what to do and ask for help.
How does this character act around family? Strained at best at least with his blood relations. Jim's not on good terms with his mother and only speaks to her when absolutely necessary. He isn't even aware of the status of his older brother, nevermind that he has a family of his own.
However Jim considers his crew his true family and they're becoming closer than ever during the five year mission. There's not much Jim wouldn't do for them.
How has this character most changed from youth? When Jim was little he was always doing his absolute best to get his mother's approval and to please the adults around him. He absorbed his school lessons like a sponge and tried his absolute best to never give his mother trouble. No matter what he did though her behavior toward Jim didn't change, and her marrying Frank before spending as much time off planet as possible did not make matters better.
With nothing he did pleasing the authority figures in his life, Jim began acting out. First in small ways--talking back, breaking a rule here and there. But when Sam ran away from Frank's abuse and didn't take his little brother with him, Jim lost his faith and respect for his elders. His acting out grew more and more bold and led to his mother finding out about Frank's abuse and sending him away to Tarsus IV to live with an aunt in hopes he'd settle down in a more stable household. Things did not go that way. After the slaughter and subsequent rescue Jim was even more entrenched in the idea that no one could be trusted but himself.
Add on to the fact that he grew up never once feeling like anyone saw him for who he was, only George Kirk's son, and you end up with an extremely self driven, mistrustful young man desperate to prove he has individual worth.
How have they remained the same? Jim's always had a fascination with the things that his father loved. He's always loved space and the idea of Starfleet. Always taken the time to listen to classical music his dad kept around. Read the books his father used to own.
He's never lost that sense of wonder and curiosity when encountering the new and unknown nor the desire to reach out and touch those new experiences firsthand.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Yes times a thousand.
If so, who? It's almost easier to ask who Jim hasn't lost. His father was dead minutes after he was born. His aunt died protecting him from Kodos' men during the slaughter on Tarsus IV. A huge percentage of Starfleet many of whom were Jim's classmates and friends perished during Nero's assault on the fleet when the terrorist was assaulting Vulcan, including an Orion named Gaila who was one of Jim's closer friends at the academy. Admiral Pike--Jim's surrogate father figure--lost his life along with many of the top command during Khan's assault on Starfleet headquarters. He's lost several crew members during his years of service and remembers every single one.
How has it affected them?These losses have left Jim terrified to get too close to people. He's not very good at not doing so, however. These are only counting the actual deaths of people he knows and not those who have abandoned him. With so many people leaving his life that he cares for it's difficult for Jim to get attached. It also leaves him borderline obsessive about protecting those people he cares for now.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger:Whatever's necessary to survive. He values peaceful solutions in all cases but when that's not necessary he's willing to fight and to sacrifice himself to protect the lives of his crew and anyone relying on him.
Rejection: Trivial things Jim can shrug off or laugh off easily with no lasting damage. If it's a serious emotional rejection Jim tends to deal with it with numb acceptance. Not the first time, won't be the last time. If it's a rejection of his values, decisions, or opinions he's a lot more likely to argue back and defend his position. More likely to hold grudges and add said person to his list of people to prove wrong.
And if it's a rejection of his advances then he will back right off and apologize for overstepping and misunderstanding the situation.
Fear: In general fear tends to make Jim angry. He's taught himself to channel his fears into actions when there are lives on the line and to not let himself become immobilized by his own fears. When he's the only one affected this drive to action is almost always flight over fight.
Despite this, his fear of losing Spock, Bones, or Felix can affect his ability to command. If these three are in imminent specific danger Jim will become increasingly agitated and focused on his fears of losing them. It can interfere with his ability to do his job though often one or more of the other three can help him through this.
Change:Change is a fact of life and something Jim tends to embrace easier than others.
Loss:Isolating himself from others and drowning his spiral into depression with alcohol until he's able to cope with the loss
Sex/Flirting: Oh hell yes. Jim enjoys flirting of all varieties whether the intent is sexual or not. It's something he derives a lot of enjoyment from hearing and participating in. As for sex, well, there's not a whole lot Jim is unwilling to try and even fewer individuals he hasn't at least considered the idea of sleeping with. His casual encounters are more or less over however as he's in a serious relationship with Felix Caelus of Tamriel.
I say more or less because Jim is the sort of person to get completely trashed and then hook up with someone with no meaning or even real interest behind it if he was for example really upset with his SO and under the impression that they hated him for one reason or another.
Pain: Jim's tolerance for physical and emotional pain is ridiculously high thanks to surviving unsurvivable situations on more than one occasion. He's the last person to seek medical treatment if he's conscious and other people are hurt too. He does not enjoy it and does not enjoy inflicting it in most any case. That being said, he's very good at inflicting emotional pain in others and will do so to win an argument if he's invested enough in winning. Partially because Jim's competitive and kind of an asshole sometimes, and partially because after a point he will say horrible shit he doesn't mean just to try and get the other person to hurt him because he feels like he deserves it.
Stress: Embrace the headache, ride the gut wrenching nausea and push through to the other side. Jim doesn't enjoy stress but thrives under pressure and will sometimes give himself deadlines and stress just to force himself to perform above expectations.
Peer pressure: Depends on the severity. If it's just for fun or laughs Jim can be convinced to try most anything. If it's something serious Jim will dig in his heels and take only the actions he personally feels are best regardless of anyone else's opinions. He'll get by on his terms and doesn't need the approval of others to motivate him into doing what he thinks is right. They'll see sooner or later.
Guilt:Goodness but Jim can carry weight in terms of guilt. He blames himself for so many things and never feels like he's good enough. No one hates Jim Kirk as much as he hates himself and no matter how sound or correct his decision might have been he'll still question every action and blame himself for not finding a better way. He's not very good at letting go of his guilt either.
Being wrong:One of the best things about demanding the best for his crew is that Jim is well aware that there are others who know more about certain things than he does. In many cases he can and will defer to their experience. He relies on them to know their shit and isn't afraid to say so.
Being criticized:Jim's got a big ol' chip on his shoulder about needing to prove himself so he can react pretty negatively to criticism. He's prone to arguing and getting upset if the critique is on his orders or values and doubly so when he's confident of his actions. However, if the criticism stems from something he knows he's fucked up on he will grit his teeth and take it. Chances are he's saying worse about himself than the person criticizing him is.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): He can take an awful lot of teasing in good humor and can dish it out as well as he takes it when it comes to teasing, shit talking, and arguments. If someone is actually trying to get under his skin he'll try to ignore it, but if it's out of line for Starfleet protocol he can get really upset and hold a grudge.
Offending others:Unless he meant to do so, he'll always be quick to apologize to the other party and show his sincerity.
Praise:Yesssss feed his ego. Jim may act arrogant and like praise is just something he naturally deserves because he's clearly right and awesome but truthfully he craves any kind of positive reinforcement that he has value and worth as a human being.
Unless it's praise in bed in which case he is definitely of the opinion that he deserves all of it and is just as arrogant and self assured as he puts himself out to be.
Being loved: Like, actually being loved? Not sex, not respect, but love? Jim's still not used to this notion even though he's been told Felix loves him for over a year now. It's not been something he's been afforded for most of his life. He's inclined to think that the other person must not really know Jim if they're claiming to love him. Historically speaking, he's been right too.
Being hated: This is a much easier notion for Jim to wrap his head around. He's not really inclined to try and change that kind of opinion about him unless it's someone he personally likes and respects first.
Humiliation: If it's while he's on duty or in front of his crew Jim is apt to become furious and incredibly aggressive to the point of starting a fight with the other person. In private he's still going to get defensive and probably upset but to a much lesser degree and if it's earned humiliation then he just internalizes that anger toward himself and outwardly shuts down.
I'm back II, the backening
Anger: People think Jim has an explosive temper and can be prone to arguing or fighting when angry but this isn't true anger. Jim's an argumentative person by nature and eager to prove himself in most situations he's passionate about but when he's actually livid he tends toward quiet cold fury and maximum bitchface.
Sadness: Bury it down somewhere unseen until he can get somewhere away from everyone and drink away his tears with alcohol of any kind. Even dubious drinks that may or may not be legitimately harmful to him.
Fear: FIGHT OR FLIGHT WHICH SITUATION WILL BEST AID SURVIVAL RED ALERT RED ALERT
Happiness/Excitement: When Jim's happy or excited everyone knows it. He's got a brilliantly bright smile, talks animatedly, gestures wildly and is quick to give friendly pats on the back or shoulder to convey his emotions. Even when he's exhausted but happy his smile is still there and while more soft spoken Jim still laughs quietly.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"):More than anything physical contact. Jim is always touching them even platonically. He tends to have a special smile reserved to that person alone that no one else ever has trained on them. He'll seek them out above all others and look for them when they're not nearby.
Lust: Jim's pretty deliberate and direct about making any feelings of lust clear if he's actually hoping to initiate a sexual encounter with someone. There have been people he's been quite deliberate on lusting after with no real expectation of anything happening in the past. These are usually people he can't/shouldn't be with and happened a lot at the beginning of his five year mission as he was determined not to fraternize with the crew and do his best to be a responsible, respectable captain. In those cases he never telegraphed those feelings nor made any attempt at engaging them sexually.
Stress/anxiety: He doesn't show it in front of the crew, though privately he's prone to pacing and running his hand through his hair. Licking at his lower lip and darting his eyes are also nervous tics of his.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea):If Jim doesn't like someone he is not afraid to let them know loudly and often. If the dislike is of a professional nature he's cooly civil but prone to throwing in snide remarks on occasion when they piss him off. If it's of a personal nature than he's liable to be much more antagonistic or even immature with the person (see: Ixis Naugus)
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): Full body expression. Nodding of head, physical touch, praise, smiling. Jim wants others to be recognized when they to well.
How does this character generally express themselves? Jim's prone to touching people to signal his emotions. Holding someone's shoulder to support or silence them. Touching them on the arm to indicate they should follow. Clapping them on the shoulder if he's supporting them. He also gestures a lot with his hands and is very expressive in his face.
What does this character think/feel about-
Marriage:Marriage is nice for other people and a romantic idea but not something Jim has ever seen as possible for himself until recently. Even now, he views it as a means to an end rather than some life changing step. He can use it to abuse a loophole in regulation that may just let him keep a certain 'civilian' on board the ship with him...
Children:Hopes he doesn't have any from his wilder pre-Captain days and doesn't consider them an option for himself now or in the future. Likely cannot have them naturally anymore thanks to massive amounts of radiation exposure.
Family/Family Values:What family values? His family didn't teach him shit except for only relying on himself.
Children/Youth:Jim likes kids in general and gets along well with them. Doesn't mind watching them or taking care of them. Would probably make a really good dad despite his own apprehension about the topic.
Old age:This has never been something Jim has ever worried about until recently. He's nearly died so many times that he just always assumed he'd be dead long before old age was ever an issue. Now he views it with cautious optimism along with a healthy dose of trying to take better care of himself because he's seen what he looks like when he's older and this vain man has Opinions about it.
Sex:He will take sex as often as possible any way he can have it. He can do without but where's the fun in that?
Love:Currently he kind of resents it because it's making coping with the fallout with Felix a lot harder to deal with than he has other relationships in his past. He can't just let this go and move on. Not this time.
Friendship/Other relationships: Jim wants to befriend most anyone he meets. He treats almost anyone like they're friends whether they know/like him or not. Lots of times they come around and if they don't he's already moved on and befriended a lot more people. That said, there's very few people he lets get truly close to him.
Homosexuality: Sees no problem with it whatsoever.
The opposite sex: Women are very nice. The stronger willed the woman the more Jim likes them. Until falling into a committed relationship he tended to pursue women physically though not exclusively. People are people to Jim.
The same sex: Jim's a little more likely to get into conflicts with other men than he is women but it's a small margin. He also appreciates the male form. All of his serious relationships have been with other men though there have only been a few of these.
Money/Material things:Jim doesn't have much of a sense of money. He understands supply and inventory because paperwork is neverending aboard the Enterprise but
his time doesn't have much in the way of a concept of a paycheck. Jim lives comfortably and isn't wanting for anything so he's fine. The only material things Jim cares for all have sentimental value rather than any real worth.
Politics:UGH. Gag a maggot Jim hates dealing with them but it's part of the job. He especially hates being the 'golden boy' of Starfleet after the Nero and Khan incidents and all the bureaucracy that goes with it. His place is in The Chair not smiling and nodding for a photo op.
Religion:Until recently this was seen as an antiquated tradition that was worth studying for historical value but not something he gave much thought to in his own life. Certain events in Tamriel have made him rethink his stance on Felix's gods though.
Destiny/Duty:Destiny is a hot steaming pile of garbage and can shove it. Jim believes in forging his own path on his terms. That being said, he has a strong sense of duty and will own up to his decisions and take responsibility for them.
Magic/Myth:Awe and wonder since coming to the Nexus. His own world doesn't have anything like this so he takes great pleasure in seeking out as many different examples of magic as he can find in the Nexus.
Racism/Races in general: Jim has zero tolerance for bigotry and racism of any variety though he finds the old tradition of interhuman racism very confusing and more than a little embarrassing. He tends to treat everyone he meets the same and finds other species' cultures fascinating and worth learning as much as he can about them.
Science/Technology:Utterly vital for progress. Jim lives and dies by his tech.
Nature/Animals:Loves the outdoors and camping! While not a biologist by any means he has a definite interest in plants and animals of all kinds. Particularly partial to flowers though he knows next to nothing about them.
Modernity:Convenient and familiar. Necessary to getting as much work as he wants to do done in a timely fashion.
Antiquity:Jim's a huge history nerd and loves studying it. His current significant other is from a fantasy Ancient Rome equivalent as well so Jim's learned to appreciate it on many levels.
Their past:Best left never spoken about and forgotten by the ages.
Their future:At this very moment, lost and apprehensive. Jim is struggling with his place in both Starfleet and his friends' lives. He's about to turn a year older than his father ever got to be and what does he have to show for it? A broken relationship with the man he loves? A listless and immature view of his time as captain? A complicated and slightly stilted relationship with his close Nexus friends including Harrowheart?
Jim feels very lost right now and unsure how to move forward though he knows standing still is not an option.
Their role in society/job/etc:Jim despises the shadow he's been living in for most of his life and currently feels like a tool of Starfleet kept around for their convenience. He needs to find his own way.
Drugs and alcohol: Don't let it affect your job.
Killing/Murder:To be avoided at all costs unless absolutely necessary for survival.
Education:Learning is such a huge part of life and Jim finds it to be crucial though he's clear to put weight on both formal education and personal experience.
The foreign/unknown:Intriguing. The next page of a book he's avidly reading and never wants to put down.
How does the character view life? Fleeting opportunity for adventure and excitement. Embrace it to the fullest.
How does the character view death? There's definitely some fear at the thought of dying especially since he's already experienced it once. It hurt tremendously but he was terrified for it to stop and then it did and everything faded away. Jim doesn't want to become reacquainted with it anytime soon.
How does the character view society?It's not perfect but there's been some large steps forward toward a more peaceful integrated society as a whole within the Federation. He wouldn't want to be a part of any other faction.
How does the character imagine his/her own death?He doesn't have to imagine it. Jim is haunted by nightmares of his own death and the many many near misses that have come in his life.
What does the character want out of life?To find his own worth as a person. To make known the unknown.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Getting free of his father's shadow and being able to stand alone on his own two feet. Proving to everyone that he's more than the labels he's worn his whole life.
What would the character like to change in his/her life?Please stop abandoning him.
What motivates this character?Curiosity, duty, ambition, and a big heaping helping of spite to those who looked down on him or called him unworthy.
What discourages this character?His own self doubt and feelings of worthlessness. Making mistakes that cost the lives of people relying on him to make the right call. He won't run away from these mistakes but neither will he let them go.
What makes this character happy?New discoveries on his mission. Spending time with the people he cares about. Being right. Physical contact.
What makes this character sad?Loss of life. Upsetting the people he most cares about. Making the wrong call and putting his crew in danger.
Knowing he'll never be buff.What makes this character angry?Galactic terrorists. Antagonizing himself or the people he cares about. Talking shit on the Enterprise. Ixis Naugus. How Felix is enough like him that they share the same bad qualities as well as the good.
What humiliates this character?Having his mistakes made a spectacle of. Learning that someone has read/ca read his thoughts.
What most describes this character's personality?Thrill seeking leader with everything to prove.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do):Jim's abandonment issues have left him staunchly self reliant and with a severe lack of self worth. It's why he's the first person to put his life on the line when danger is possible or present. He's been told his whole life that he is worthless and doesn't deserve love or even to live. It's why he's so critical of his every failure and why he's so smug when he feels like he's right about something.
He craves attention and recognition and this behavior reinforces his recklessness and thrill seeking.
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical?His mother's neglect, Frank's abuse, and Sam's utter abandonment of Jim have definitely shaped his issues but being labeled as 'unworthy' by Kodos on Tarsus IV cemented these ideas as 'fact'. He's been struggling ever since to prove it wrong.
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If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: She’d quote the commander of the mission that first met the Traveler: “It wasn’t our weapons that won the day. It was our belief that if we just reached out to the universe, not to grasp for profit or security but with an open hand, we would be elevated.”
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): Harming prisoners or civilians is the big one - ‘civilians’ being defined as anyone without powers or weaponry in the same league as at least a fledgling Guardian.
Describe character's etiquette: She tends to revert to military etiquette, although several hundred years of history and memory wipes have left non-essential details fuzzy and sometimes shifted the meaning of gestures. For example, she still salutes quite a lot of people. For Blaze and many other surviving Exos, this is a gesture of jaunty or respectful acknowledgment (depending on context/body language). In no way should this be confused with deference.
Describe character's sense of self-control: It’s almost wholly focused on avoiding physical harm to allies. Her strength is growing over time, albeit not in quite the same leaps and bounds it did when she was first raised. She does a lot of ‘dexterity drills’ to keep her motor skills calibrated to her physical strength, but there’s always a real concern of hurting someone she touches. Or, more often, breaking her own equipment. When it comes to emotional self-control, the only restraining factors are her duties and all of two things she won’t speak freely about. Her gut response is more likely to be checked by an equally strong conflicting response than by her own self-discipline.
Spontaneous or structured? Structured by intention: the bonds of duty and discipline come first, but in practice their demands are actually pretty loose these days and she can follow her own impulses.
Instinctual or logical? Instinctual.
How does this character act in public? Relaxed, confident and curious, always on the lookout for trouble she can deal with. If she finds it she’ll get right to business in a hurry.
How does this character act in privacy? The same, though outside the Nexus she ends up much more obviously focused on her work.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? Strangers are treated with warm, friendly interest until she forms a first impression of them as friend or foe. Friends receive more tactile attention and a lot more benefit of the doubt.
How does this character act around family? The only family she knows - that she ever expects to know - are her Ghost and fellow Guardians in the Tower. She treats them with varying degrees of goofy camaraderie to respectful admiration depending on their relative experience to her.
How has this character most changed from youth? Species. Her original iteration was human before uploading to an Exo frame. Besides that (and it’s a very large ‘that’), the big things would be her self-confidence and comfort level with violence. Bryn was a self-conscious young woman with more bravado than experience, who felt vaguely guilty over her fascination with violent martial activities, hated the thought of actually hurting anyone and was a quasi-vegetarian (real meat was too expensive anyway, but also eating bits of genuine animals was gross and weird). Blaze is… Blaze will ram her fist through a sapient being’s ribcage and not think very much of it. Bryn was much more inclined to put on a front where Blaze will express her real emotions and be damned.
How have they remained the same? Their optimism, curiosity, impulsiveness and faith in humanity. Bryn was equally quick to trust people she took a shine to.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Experienced, yes. Dealt with… eh.
If so, who? Her original family and most of human civilization were wiped out in the Collapse. Blaze doesn’t recall more than flashes of her own experiences there. What she does recall are fragments of intense grief and loss without the names or details to put any of it in context, and never in response to an appropriate trigger (i.e. current loss). As with all such intrusive memory fragments, this irritates her.
How has it affected them? Her generalized sense of loss generally gets channeled into her drive to fight the creatures who did this to her world. It does also contribute to her pre-emptive acceptance that the people around her are going to die.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: Direct frontal assault! If non-physical conflict, address it head-on and hash things out honestly. If physical danger, ensure threat is focused on self, then eliminate. Either way she wants to be at the center of the trouble.
Rejection: She’s… never really experienced serious rejection, that she remembers. If an offer she makes is turned down, she’ll accept it whether with a shrug or a frown.
Fear: Identify the cause and take care of it. Unless it’s a fear she can’t confront head-on, which she doesn’t take at all well. Such things are shut away and ignored in favor of threats she can fight.
Change: Change in general (exterior change) is interesting and exciting, but should be guided by purpose and respectful of tradition. Change that threatens her sense of herself is to be fought with.
Loss: Mourning, vengeance and appropriate rituals as applicable. Although she’ll be upset, she’s unlikely to get deeply broken up about death or stay that way. She’s felt the loss of those dear to her already - and she sees their deaths in her dreams. She’d hate to say so, but she’s prepared for it.
Sex/Flirting: Flirting seems like fun! So does sex although she doesn’t remember trying it. In principle (if she actively considers it instead of Moar Violence) she’s not averse to either sex for fun or as part of a serious relationship. There are a couple of hurdles in that a), she doesn’t remember how Exos do this so some experimentation/study would be required, and b), most of the people she’s gotten to know and like these days are from worlds where sentient robots aren’t a thing. She has a suspicion they’re not wired to see mechanoids as potential partners, to make the kindest assumption. Sex with strangers wouldn’t cross her mind because how do you know you like them?
Pain: She feels pain just fine, but being metal has an innately much higher pain threshold and is wired to tolerate/ignore pain as long as a mission objective is taking precedence. She doesn’t enjoy it per se, but she will take it as a sign that she’s getting a proper challenge.
Stress: High-threat combat situations are good! As long as the stress is due to some solvable problem she’s happy - the more immediate and life-or-death the better. In such situations she can lose herself in the immediate demands of what has to be done: everything feels clear, focused and like she’s in the right place. Intrusive fragments are either drowned out or no longer intrusive. While she wouldn’t think of herself as the type to give orders and assumes others will do what they think right, she will sort of take charge without thinking if no-one else is giving direction and/or she’s frustrated with the lack of action.
Stress from nebulous and insoluble issues would be a whole other matter and Blaze tends to be at a loss for dealing with them effectively. Responses include anger, rejection, refusal to acknowledge the problem and feeling like an idiot for failing to deal with it.
Peer pressure: She won’t do it just because everyone else is, but unless it’s clearly objectionable to her she’s trusting of her friends. If they all say it’s a good idea, well… Ghost still gets the final word, though.
Guilt:She needs to apologize and make amends ASAP.
Being wrong: Depending on how serious it is, she might need to stop and think it through. But if the evidence or the argument are clear, she’ll probably just accept it and own up to the mistake. If it’s something like changing her judgment of someone, she will actively go out of her way to tell them so and acknowledge the mistake.
Being criticized:She takes it on the chin. She’ll decide for herself if it’s warranted, with extra weight given to the opinions of people whose judgment she respects. Especially Ghost, of course.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): Probably amusement, confusion if she doesn’t get the insult, and a slight regret that she’s not witty enough to really return the shit-talking. She will try nonetheless.
Offending others: If unintentional: apology, amends, self-correction. If intentional… no, you deserved it. Go ahead. Prove her wrong.
Praise: Pride and cheerful thanks. There might be some sheepish antenna-rubbing if the praise is particularly effusive, but more often she’ll just brighten up happily and try to return the sentiment. With one or two exceptions she has a healthy self-esteem and is perfectly happy to agree that the job and abilities she’s been given are amazing. The people around her are amazing. The world they’re in is amazing! How wonderful is it to get a second chance at being part of all that?
Being loved: Blaze gives and receives platonic affection readily and enthusiastically. If such affection rises to the level of ‘love’ she’d be happy, proud and not at all reluctant to admit it, though maybe a little bashful at being considered so worthy. Romantic affection would provoke much the same response with added bashfulness, though only after surprise (because she hasn’t seriously contemplated such an option in her memory) and caution if the other person is from a universe where maybe organic and inorganic people aren’t so socially integrated (i.e., “You know I’m a robot, right?”).
Being hated: If it’s by an unrepentant enemy, like Khan or most Dark creatures, she’ll be pleased, proud even. If she’s earning their enmity and drawing their wrath then she’s doing her job well. For more foot-soldier enemies who might be on the other side only through nasty fate, there’s a touch of regret at the lost potential. If it’s by anyone else… she’d just be confused. What would anyone hate her for?
Humiliation:Personal humiliation hasn’t often crossed her radar, but her likely responses include grumpy argument, yelling at whoever’s responsible, or crestfallen sorrow if she feels like it was somehow earned. If it’s a mere matter of being outclassed skill-wise, she’ll concede the contest as gracefully as she can (if moderately friendly) and throw herself into succeeding at a rematch.
How does this character express-
Anger: On the job? The restraints come off and she goes for the kill with far less mercy or compunction than usual. When it’s off-duty, she’ll shout and glower and generally lose her temper. Things may get destroyed, though not thrown at people and not used as an intentional threat.
Sadness: Quiet body language, sorrowful tone and expressing it as best she can verbally. Although she’s quick to offer physical comfort she actually doesn’t seek it for herself, perhaps because no-one fills that role currently and perhaps because it’s hard to find someone she can relax around physically.
Fear: Locate the cause of fear. Challenge it to a fight. Win.
Happiness/Excitement: Enthusiastic declarations, hearty laughter, silly jokes, invitations to dance, lots of claps on the back or shoulder for those around her. Blaze is a hugger. Blaze typically carries quite a static charge. Be warned.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Physical touch and acts of service primarily, though the former is limited by safety concerns and the latter gets directed at most people. She will affirm those she cares about verbally any time it comes up without seeing it as anything but honesty. Quality time is probably the one thing that matters most to her and yet she’s very bad at actually giving. There is always so much to be done and so little time spare, and her Nexus friends (mostly) can’t join her on her patrols. There’s also an element that she tends to avoid quiet time by default. It’s always been uncomfortable for her.
Lust: She doesn’t experience physical lust the same way organic humans do (remembering having hormones as Bryn is puzzling), but she can experience it. The day she unambiguously separates this out from her other happy emotions she’s going to be alarmed. (“Oh shit, I forgot about this. Ulysses! How do we have sex? …Quit laughing, you jackass.”) Unlike her combat instincts this isn’t ingrained enough for her to know exactly how to respond. She’ll probably end up worried and awkward because of the aforementioned hurdles to being physically intimate with anyone: the low odds they’re interested in reciprocating, the awkward species barrier, and the risk of injury.
Stress/anxiety: Focus on resolving the problem, or on training/preparations for the same. If this isn’t possible she can react poorly, getting frustrated, irritable and physically restless.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): She’ll tell you so up-front and make it clear through her words, actions and general lack of friendliness. She won’t go in for pettiness though. In her view you don’t harp on about something if it’s an issue: you do something about it, perhaps violently. If it’s not severe enough or not possible to act on directly and immediately, then make your position clear, stick to it, and act when the chance does come up.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): She’ll tell you so up-front and try to express her admiration as best she can, whether through words or actions of support.
How does this character generally express themselves? Through actions, verbally and through a lot of body language. Her face allows limited expression, mainly via her eyes, and to compensate Blaze tends to be extra expressive in her tone and her gestures.
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Marriage: A fine and noble thing, though highly improbable for her.
Children: Civilians, but extra so - to be protected, encouraged, and given freedom to thrive. With one exception, she tries to avoid directly meeting them, however.
Family/Family Values: Family is an important part of human social life! As long as it’s a good relationship then it should be honored and nurtured. She gets a bit envious of the familial ties other people enjoy, but she regards her pseudo-family at the Tower with real affection and pride to be one of their sisters.
Children/Youth: Not much opinion on this, since she doesn’t encounter many young people and remembers nothing of childhood. Youth in general is fun because you get to experience so much for the first time. In a sense she’s still a young Guardian herself; she loves showing neat stuff to other new arrivals and looking out for them as others did for her. Youth is also very dangerous because you’re weak and haven’t developed survival skills. A lot of newborn Guardians don’t make it through the first year…
Old age: Old age = experience = strength. Physical old age is fairly unknown to her, though she does regret knowing that her non-Guardian friends will be gone so soon. Assuming she’s still alive anyway. Exos don’t age except in the sense of rebooting, a process which wipes their memories: she doesn’t know if that’s still something that can happen to her, but she fears losing herself - fears making her friends deal with her forgetting them, and Blaze-38 having to live in the aftermath.
Sex: It’s a fun and normal way for people to engage in social bonding, however serious the relationship is. Provided it’s all safe and consensual etc. then it makes her people happy and she approves of that.
Love: Love is wonderful and powerful, though she thinks it’s much rarer outside civilian contexts. Even non-Exo Guardians have a lot of issues, after all.
Friendship/Other relationships: A joy and a privilege. Her friends are her anchors, role models and the people who show her why the world is worth dying for.
Homosexuality: She doesn’t distinguish this from any other sexuality, though she understands allowances must be made for anatomical variations of the partners involved.
The opposite sex: She’s a bit curious about male Exos and how much their frames differ. Mainly she just wants to know if they got anything she didn’t. Male (neo-)humans are fine although she personally finds a masculine body type lacks balance, and she still suspects they require alcohol to function adequately.
The same sex: They’re pretty cool. She’s female and it’s worked out for her so far. Post-Traveler Earth doesn’t do gender inequality, so aside from physical differences as expressed in an individual, it’s a non-issue.
Money/Material things: Money is important for the economic aspects of society, and one obviously shouldn’t hoard it. It’s also important for acquiring her gear. As long as she has enough for the occasional repairs and materials, she’s glad not to worry about it. All the best things are bought with rarer currencies, and those are earned only through deeds. Material items are important for their practical value and/or for cultural/historical qualities. Relics - usually weapons, armor or possessions handed down by famous Guardians, but sometimes things like Golden Age books or the Firebreak Order’s Flame Eternal - are very precious.
Politics: Factions are entertaining when they argue. So long as no injustice is committed and the people’s interests are properly represented, let them squabble. The Vanguard Commanders will keep them in line, though she pities her leaders for taking on that headache.
Religion: She’s a resurrected champion of what might be an alien god: given the way people in the City treat it, the Traveler is one in effect if not in overt belief. Like most people, Blaze doesn’t feel she owes it worship, but she is grateful and loyal to it. Aside from its gifts to her, it uplifted humanity and fought the Darkness for them at terrible cost to itself, and Blaze will return that devotion. She has utter faith in the Light and its ultimate victory; she knows powers like the Darkness and the gods of the Hive exist too, of course, but the Guardians are working on that. Two gods dead, more to come…
More specific religion than that she’s ambivalent about: Earth religions are culturally interesting and she appreciates the different perspectives, the symbolism and their worth to others. They just pale into unimportance beside the very tangible and lethal reality of the war she’s fighting.
Destiny/Duty: See canon name. Destiny is real. It is also malleable. In fact, this might be the Guardians’ primary function: the machine race who map every possible future fear Guardians because they cannot be simulated, making them essentially eldritch horrors to the Vex. It’s possible that this is in fact key to the purpose of Guardians’ reality-warping nature. Blaze is aware of this theory through accounts of certain raids and Warlocks’ discussions on their enemies. She knows the Vex and the Hive alike can and will alter reality to remove threats from existing or decree that they will die, and that the Light appears to be the only thing capable of countering such weapons. This suits Blaze fine. If fate is being an asshole, punch it in the face until it surrenders.
Magic/Myth: Magic is also real - or paracausal phenomena, to give it the technical name. ‘Space magic’ is shorter in conversation. Blaze herself is a vessel for the Traveler’s magic, and has plenty of experience with it… and the darker magic of her enemies. The line between magic and technology may have been merrily erased in her universe. Certainly robot space wizards abound.
Racism/Races in general: Racism is a shameful habit humanity used to have. If it ever resurfaces it must be rooted out as a recurrent disease that will foster cruelty and hold their species back. That said, 80%+ of encountered alien species are trying to wipe humanity out. Approach new species with optimism; assume hostile intent with the known threats.
Science/Technology: Well, she presumably chose to become a robot. She certainly hopes it was consensual. She admires and celebrates science and engineering, and is an enthusiastic user of them. She’s also more knowledgeable about them than she advertises, mainly because she measures herself against Ghost, Warlocks and other specialized scholars she knows. There might be a smidge of an inferiority complex left over from Bryn’s childhood on Venus.
Nature/Animals: Nature is wonderful, part of the heritage they’re trying to protect. Animals are fascinating and innocent, do not harm unless necessary.
Modernity: Awesome! Humanity is better than they ever were before the Golden Age, and now they can reach for the future with compassion, optimism and equality. Also spaceships.
Antiquity: Very important. Human history often isn’t pretty, but it’s how her people know who they are and how they got here. Their ties to their ancestors are key to their civilization - both honoring the good and guarding against the bad. The Collapse almost severed that link and robbed them of their identity. So much has been lost forever, but now every scrap of antiquity reclaimed is another small victory over the Darkness. Titans in particular value traditions, tried-and-true methods and remembering heroes past, and Blaze is no exception. That doesn’t make innovation less important, but you can’t look ahead clearly if you don’t know where you stand.
Their past: She’d rather forget it, but the damned thing keeps popping up in unwelcome places. It’s not like she actually remembers it properly: she’s unwilling to accept any attachment to lives past and deeds forgotten.
Their future: Hopeful. For however long it lasts, she expects it to be violent, sometimes painful and often wonderful. Every day brings something new and strange. She intends to make the most of it.
Their role in society/job/etc: Her role is to defend humanity against vast enemies using incredible powers, bring hope to those in Darkness and sacrifice everything for the Light. Guardians are heroes by design as well as necessity. This is awesome. She wants nothing better than to live up to the mantle she’s accepted, and to someday, maybe, become a legend in her own right.
Drugs and alcohol: Drugs are dubious because she’s never felt any need for them and she’s wary of any addictive/harmful effects. Alcohol is fine, again accounting for said effects. She’s perfectly happy to get buzzed herself, though mostly this just makes her more talkative and cheerful. Anything that seriously impacts combat readiness is a no-no.
Killing/Murder: This is a very important distinction to her. Murder is inexcusable. Killing is merely serious and sometimes regrettable. Killing is what she was made for. She’d rather she be the one to do it than a regular human who’ll be traumatized by the act. But you must always know why you’re killing, and it must be justifiable. Killing is her function, but it must never become her purpose.
Given that she will actively pick fights with Fallen patrols for fun, it’s understandable if they do not appreciate this distinction. But they’d happily take her skull as a trophy, so it evens out.
Education: Always good. Training will keep you alive. Knowledge will keep you prepared.
The foreign/unknown: Exciting! It may try to kill her, but that’s part of the fun.
How does the character view life? It’s messy, it’s strange and it’s fantastic. Take a good run at it and don’t make it overcomplicated.
How does the character view death? …Complicated. Dancing in and out of death while also killing lots of people will do that to you. She doesn’t fear it, and doesn’t fear the dead, though she’s maybe too willing to go charging to meet it. She’s still not as bad as some Guardians, but she certainly has some… interesting feelings about it.
How does the character view society? People do a lot of odd things, but on the whole society takes care of people and strives for improvement, and threats to it are something to halt quickly. Their city isn’t far removed from total societal collapse, after all, and people remember exactly how shitty that was. As were the civil conflicts they’ve endured…
How does the character imagine his/her own death? That’ll happen when she meets something powerful enough to take her down and Dark enough to make it stick. She intends to go down taking out something huge and dangerous in a blaze of glory. Everything between now and then is practice.
What does the character want out of life? To live well and honorably, to be a great Titan, and to leave a story that inspires others.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Well, living well and acting with honor, whatever your path. Being remembered well and inspiring those after you.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? She’d like her past to stay wiped and for the Nexus to leave it alone.
What motivates this character? Glory, duty, excitement, curiosity, challenge, protectiveness.
What discourages this character? Uncertainty and problems she can’t fix.
What makes this character happy? Victory, human accomplishments, her friends being happy, stories of heroism, achieving something new.
What makes this character sad? Humans being hurt or, just as bad, humans being cruel and foolish.
People being raised as war machines and never learning to be more than that.What makes this character angry? Threats to the innocent. Humans fucking up and acting like monsters. She knows damn well they can do better. Philosophies that encourage human barbarism.
What humiliates this character? Failing to do her job would do it. She rolls with most other stuff, though she doesn’t much like it when Warlocks make fun of her intelligence.
What most describes this character's personality? Fierce, honorable, faithful, destructive, joyful.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): Blaze is well aware that her existence is a testament to a darker side of the Golden Age: what, after all, does utopia need with a robotic super-soldier? Worse, she has a pretty distinct sense that whatever happened in the Collapse, her kind failed to save humanity just like all the other Warminds and superweapons they brought to bear. She embraces her role as a Guardian with all the more zeal because she has a lot of ground to make up, and no desire to look back. She’s still only four years old in this iteration and her sense of who she is is as much choice as inheritance.
Compared to most Exos Blaze has been through an unusually high number of reboots - three dozen versus the more typical 3-10. She doesn’t know why and isn’t sure what can trigger them, leaving her with the uncomfortable suspicion that there’s some instability in her cognitive matrix which dooms her to an exceptionally short mental lifespan. She avoids thinking about it, but it contributes to her expectations of a fairly short lifespan full stop, which encourages her to recklessness with her own safety. Perhaps more importantly, her memory never gets wiped permanently and she gets fragments of ancient memory butting in occasionally, typically either post-resurrection or in response to some environmental cue. This can range from full-on intrusive memories to a vague sense of deja vu. The Nexus offers some relief because everything is so novel it rarely sparks familiarity, but combat is best for keeping her head clear. It’s where Blaze feels most focused in the moment, most valuable, most herself.
A number of her traits and hangups (comfort level with violence, avoidance of children etc.) can be traced directly to her core programming and certain aspects of Exo psychology she doesn’t discuss.
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? She’s been through a species switch, the losing side of a genocidal war, the Dark Age and multiple reboots before she was killed and resurrected as a quasi-immortal soldier. Whether she recalls it or not, she has baggage.
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I didn't realise I'd let it get so long - Sorry in advance 1/3(?)
Isidor is a typically good person who follows the rules she's been given as law. That said, her main two rules are: Family first, and take care of Viatorus. When push comes to shove, she can be driven to do pretty much anything if she needs to protect her family. This rigid, extremist sense of right or wrong is occasionally applied to close friends, and is applied to a lesser extent to intangible things such as 'protecting the family's reputation'. Despite this, she does her best to be a good person, usually by abiding by rules: Lawful, social, personal, etc.
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?:
Her life: To protect Viatorus and make sure he prospers. To make sure he succeeds and that her family flourishes.
Others: To succeed in life, at the very least making sure they care for their material and intellectual wants.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do):
Unnecessary violence - sexual or otherwise; assaulting children or the elderly; torture... anything like that. Also insulting the gods. That is Bad and to be avoided at all costs.
Describe character's etiquette:
Isidor is exceptionally proper. She is straight backed, walks well enough to balance a book on her head, typically keeps her chin up and a smile in place. The way she acts is By The Book. It's good enough for business and wealthy company, but it lacks the warmth that most people in the Nexus are used to. The exception to this is when she's alone at home where she can pig out without it hurting her reputation. It's only in the past few years she's started being more casual around friends.
Describe character's sense of self-control:
Good, but only due to practice and it takes concentration. It's easy for Isidor to fly off the handle, but she's been taught that there are consequences for not dealing with things properly so she learned quickly how to control herself. There will still be times when her control is tested, but she is good about leaving (or putting out an ultimatum) to avoid further escalation. When it comes down to it, she is almost always able to stop herself (by reminding herself to act for Viatorus' sake), so long as she has time before an impulsive thought turns into an action.
Spontaneous or structured?
Structured beyond all belief. The weird 'Nexus social time' in her diary is still too weird for her.
Instinctual or logical?
Logical. Her instincts are strong and powerful, but they rarely get acted on unless they can be justified logically.
How does this character act in public?
Isidor is all about being a respectable young woman. Being expected to run a business means that she doesn't feel she can afford to appear 'soft' or effeminate. She has to show the boys, and other women, that she means business. Unfortunately this does not always translate well to everyday socialising. Not everyone copes well with being confronted with strong opinions, unwavering self-confidence and firm boundaries keeping her social, business and personal life neatly separated. She can come across as stiff and brusque, but ultimately she's polite and confident.
How does this character act in privacy?
Not much different from how she acts in public. It's difficult for her to switch off. She's expected to act much the same around family so once she took on her role as Patron she slowly forgot how to relax. Even on her own she struggles with allowing herself to do what she wants.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends?
Not too much different. She gives everyone a fair shout, even if her judgements on a person can be quick and harsh. Around close friends she is more openly competitive and challenging, but can also show a deep caring and sometimes even rare moments of vulnerability.
How does this character act around family?
She acts strong, confident, but open to learning and to opinions. Even when Viatorus makes a suggestion she thinks is ridiculous, she'll hear him out. Although she cares deeply for her family, she shows it by aiding them in whatever they need/want while also making sure they don't suffer any consequences for it. There are certain family members she doesn't bother trying to put on her strong face for because they know her too well for it to work, but when she's adamant about something she's as harsh with them as she is with any stranger.
How has this character most changed from youth?
Isidor has always been confident and strong, but as she grew older she became harder and more cynical. She has watched her brother's optimism get trampled and disparaged; She has learned the hard way that people lie and cheat and trick you for what they want; She has realised that soft people get kicked into the dirt while the strong thrive. These things have ensured that she became even more demanding and even more protective as she grew older.
How have they remained the same?
As I mentioned, she was confident, strong, stubborn and talented from an early age. She has always known just how important she is and doesn't let people make her doubt herself. Her sense of humour has always been a little wicked too.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew?
Yes.
If so, who?
Her paternal grandfather.
How has it affected them?
It didn't affect her too deeply. Viatorus was always closer to him, whereas she focused on training and trying to learn more about her father from her grandmother. It did bring her closer to Viatorus, though, as she tried to comfort him.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: With danger the system is: protect, analyse, fight. She's been trained to deal with dangerous situations and that is what she defaults to. With conflict it depends on who is instigating it. If she has started a conflict it's probably because she thinks she's in the right and won't back down. If someone else has started it she will try to 'win' the conflict. If she can't then she will try to deescalate or nullify it.
Rejection: With composure. She will be calm, respectful, polite until she's alone. If it's from a stranger then she will put on gloves and hit a punching bag until any bad feelings have passed. If it's from someone close to her then she will probably do the same and then curl up at home somewhere to feel utterly awful. She has never been rejected by someone close to her yet, and she's determined never to let it happen.
Fear: Isidor is pretty good in a stressful situation. When she's afraid she's able to put aside her fear to focus on making sure the people around her are safe and to work on problem solving. Once whatever it is has passed she will take time for herself to cope with the shock and stress.
She has a few areas where this is not the case and she copes extremely badly. (Dark spirits, possessive forces, being unable to help her brother when he's in danger - thanks Micolash) In these cases she will panic through trying to problem solve, but will ultimately be frantic unless she can fixate her anger on something, which she will try to do.
Change: Change is just another challenge, and she's all up for challenges.
Loss: Probably badly. Again, she hasn't had to cope with much loss so it's still unknown to her. However, losing anything or anyone is seen as a personal failure to protect and care for it/them, which she takes to heart with a lot of guilt.
Sex/Flirting:
Flirting is a game that she's willing to play, for business or with the right person. She's pretty good at it too, when she wants to be. After all, wordplay is a favourite game of wealthy academics. Usually, however, it's a signal that some guy is about to get really annoying really fast, so unwelcome flirting is shut down pretty quickly. Often with sharp remarks that cut you off at your knees.
Sex is reserved for her future husband and, more recently, the person she's in love with. When it happens it will probably be regimented at first as she does research and establishes the ins and outs of how it goes. Control is how she deals with her uncertainty, so control is how she'll deal with it. Even after she becomes comfortable with it she'll likely enjoy incorporating her own control into the mix to help her establish in her own mind that this is her choice and she isn't anyone's property. With this coping mechanism in place she'll be able to relax and become more playful.
Pain:
She does not have a particularly high pain tolerance, but her determination and will power help her cope with it rather well, even if it does take a bit of concentration. If she's in private company there will probably be yelling/growling to get through the bad stuff.
Stress:
Isidor's instinctive reaction to something stressful is to take control in any way she can. Even if it's something small like arranging files, practicing a speech, or practicing a fire spell. She is used to dealing with a lot of stress for prolonged periods of time and not letting anyone notice, so she's gotten pretty good at it.
Peer pressure:
Not a chance. Not unless it gets turned into a challenge, you convince her it's her idea, or that it's beneficial (or at least not harmful) to her family.
Guilt:
Isidor does not take being wrong very well. If she's guilty then she's failed in some respect and she'll do her best to rationalise her point of view or convince herself that she doesn't need to be guilty. If she has to admit her guilt then she will, but it will be an Ordeal for her.
Being wrong:
See above. She will do her best to prove her point rather than admit she's wrong, though she relents fairly quickly if Viatorus is the one pointing it out. She's very stubborn, but if she's convinced, out-argued, or realises it's no benefit to stand her ground, then she'll relent. Reluctantly, and then never let anyone speak of it again.
Being wrong in regards to something she's done with Viatorus is slightly different. If it hinders his happiness, she'll take it into account, but ultimately be as stubborn as with everything else. However, when she's wrong in a way that risks his safety Isidor can become volatile. She will act quickly, harshly, to correct any mistake and ensure her brother is safe.
Being criticized:
Being criticised means that she's done something wrong and if she manages to get over that part, and the criticism is given graciously then she'll accept it politely enough. A hint of glee in correcting her, though, and she will (verbally) tear the other person apart.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc):
If it's superficial, fleeting, and by an inconsequential stranger then she'll brush it off. If it's from someone she knows, then even a superficial insult will be met with a swift sharp remark intended to put them in their place. If someone insults her or her family then it's her duty to send a message that they won't tolerate it. A duty that she enjoys, admittedly.
Offending others:
Offending others is rarely Isidor's intention. It doesn't serve a purpose beyond her indulging in her vindictive side, so unless she's purposefully tearing someone to shreds, she'll avoid it where she can. That said, she won't apologise over perceived slights or do anything that might be considered an admission of guilt unless either it's someone close/inconsequential or she actually did offend someone and there's no denying it gracefully.
2/3(?)
Isidor is very used to praise. She has been praised since before she knew how to speak. She accepts it, thanks a person for it, and moves on. Naturally she'll remember it, but she doesn't focus on it. It's only fair people recognise her talents. Only when people praise her for something that's important to her personally, and not heralded by her reputation or family, does Isidor give a more heartfelt thanks... before she moves on. Being emotional is far too improper.
Being loved:
She doesn't really know how to react. Family shows they love her by being protective of her, or supporting her. Viatorus is more warm in how he tries to show he loves her, but she is so often trying to keep him calm that she does her level best not to get too emotional about it. Anyone else trying to show her love is usually assumed to be trying to manipulate her. It's only with Harrowheart that she's realising that this is not the case and she... does not know how to react. She's trying to adapt, which namely means trying to be more gentle and honest and open when she can. It's a challenge.
Being hated:
This is easy for her. The only people whose opinions truly matter to her don't hate her, and she can block out everyone else easily enough. Being able to harden herself against the hate of others leaves her free to calmly poke and prod them
for her own amusementto help further her agendas.Humiliation:
She does not take this well. At all. Being humiliated is a personal slight which is swiftly met with anger. In severe cases she will openly challenge the offender to a duel, which she has done several times. In lesser cases she will do her best to bring anyone who has humiliated her down in any way possible, sometimes long after they have done so. In most cases she will retreat to somewhere safe and exact her revenge.
How does this character express-
Anger: Glaring, frowning, a clenched jaw, sharp words, harsh and personal insults. In more extreme cases: Yelling, clenched fists, shoving, pointing, attacking.
Sadness:
Stiffness (especially facial expression), very slow and careful use of words, eyebrows raised higher than normal, quietness, keeping her arms close to herself. Around very close friends/family/herself: Hitched breathing, tears, flustered hand movements, collapsing somewhere to curl into a ball.
Fear:
Wide-eyed glaring, gritted teeth, tense muscles and generally her getting prepared to fight. She mostly just looks and sounds angry, but with subtle differences and more of an inclination to flinch than attack.
Happiness/Excitement:
That fake smile of hers will turn into a real one and you'll see it in her eyes. Her motions will become more relaxed and fluid, even walking with a bounce in her step, and she'll be more playful about winking and obviously joking expressions of other emotions (offence, sadness, shock, etc). The more private the interactions, the less stiff she'll be.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"):
Words of affirmation, definitely. Words are important in Isidor's life. She doesn't take them lightly, nor does she use them lightly. When she says something she means it. It's her primary way of taking care of the people she loves, either by giving them verbal affection or by using words to promote, protect and provide for them.
Acts of devotion. Isidor is a woman of action. If she sees a way of doing something to help her friends or family, she doesn't hesitate to act on it. To her, a person's actions show who they really are, and she shows this in how she lives.
Gift giving has always been a superficial thing to her, since before the Nexus everyone she held dear had everything they wanted. Quality time is also hard to come by, mostly due to her keeping so busy (in part due to her inclination towards acts of devotion). Physical touch has just been exceptionally rare for her to come by. The most physical contact she's had is while training in martial arts/self defence which she's come to learn is a 'safe place' for physical contact. Nobody can judge when it's training for her role as a patron.
Lust:
Restlessness that she'll attempt to hide in folding her arms or clasping her hands together and crossing her
legsankles. She definitely has a hungry stare, her lips part slightly/she'll bite her lip, she'll run her hands through her hair or rub her neck/collarbone. Generally her self control means she's good at hiding this and she comes across more as a confident/predatory woman.Stress/anxiety:
Something she does her best to hide. She'll be purposefully hard to read, but the small, quick motions give her away. E.g. Quick glancing away and back, sighing/strained breaths, changing her arm position regularly (hands folded, on hips, arms folded).
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea):
If she dislikes a thing it will be met with a thinning of lips or wrinkling of her nose, she'll turn away from it partially and might scowl. An idea she dislikes usually means that the person providing it will get a reproachful look/glare, a scowl and a frown. A person will often receive a cold shoulder. Isidor will narrow her eyes at them, sneer, and make jabs at them if she can do so without consequences.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea):
Smiling, relaxing, generally spending more time around the person/thing/working on the idea. She'll be supportive and helpful. The more she likes a person the more she'll bring them into her/Viatorus' life which is her biggest way of showing approval.
How does this character generally express themselves?
Isidor's expressiveness is so often stiff and purposefully composed that she can come across as very cold or stony. If a person gets to know her enough, or is perceptive enough, they will notice the subtle differences in how she reacts in different situations or when she's coping with different emotions. The easiest, and most reliable, way Isidor expresses herself is in how she speaks and what she says (and what she doesn't). Generally, however, she is not very openly expressive.
What does this character think/feel about-
Marriage:
A contract. She wishes it could be more, but she knows in her heart that marriage is nothing more than a contract between two people, two families. Isidor is good at dealing with contracts, and getting the most of out them, so she's certain that whatever marriage she's involved in (hers or V's) it will be beneficial to her family. What scares her about her own marriage is the inevitable clause which will involve her intimacy with a man she'll barely know (except on paper). Even if her future husband is perfectly respectful and kind, it feels like a contract designed to make her home unsafe and frightening in a way she can't fix.
Children:
An obligation. She has nothing against children, she just doesn't understand them. Bring them back to her when she can teach them how to fight. Her childhood was spent trying to be an adult and being treated like one. Viatorus is the youngest person she's spent much time with, and she has next to no maternal instincts that she can speak of. She cares about the future of her family, but the idea of securing that by putting her body and life at risk for a child she has no desire for is both terrifying and depressing. She does her best not to think about it, or them.
Family/Family Values: Family first, always - Isidor's mantra as taught to her by her uncle. Nothing comes before family. Nothing. Not magic, not knowledge, not power, not wealth. Whatever her family needs she will help with. Quite often she finds herself torn between putting Viatorus first and putting her family as a whole first, and she works on a case-by-case basis as she tries to balance the two. Sometimes her parents know best, but sometimes they just don't understand and she tries to protect Viatorus from some of the things she's had to endure or seen other relations deal with.
Children/Youth:
Youth wasn't a big thing for her. As mentioned previously, her whole life was spent studying and training, even from an early age. She longed for the day she became an adult. It was only when Viatorus came along that she started to enjoy being a child. Together they enabled each other's playfulness and allowed each other a brief period of a sheltered childhood. This distorted period of youth was Isidor's only experience of really being a child.
Old age:
Older people don't concern her. Mostly she thinks that age stagnates and limits a person, so she takes her elders' advice with a heavy pinch of salt. She doesn't want to think about what will happen when she gets old.
Sex:
Isidor's confidence makes her seem like she knows exactly what she wants and how to get it, and she's not above using that to her full advantage. In reality, she has no clue and that is really embarrassing. Up to now it was never an issue because Durant rules mean her husband would be the only man to find out. Unfortunately she's pretty sure that at some point Harrowheart is going to find out. She's still not sure she'll be able to live through the utter humiliation of being so uneducated about something that seemingly everyone else knows about.
There is the slight complication that her family very much discusses sex as a means to continuing the lineage, which means having it with a husband chosen for her to get pregnant. Neither of these are remotely appealing to her. In fact, both thoughts terrify her more than she would ever dare let on. After all, it's her duty.
Love:
One of the most cruel and complicated parts of life. Marriage is a contract and contracts don't work well with deep, illogical emotions like love. Unless she does something drastic, or something big changes, Isidor is obliged to marry someone her family approves. Right now she knows she loves Harrowheart, and being allowed to marry him is almost certainly impossible. So to her admitting her love means sealing her future to one of heartbreak. And yet it feels so terrifyingly wonderful.
Friendship/Other relationships: Friendships always feel precarious to Isidor. One small action, one new realisation about the other person, and it could fall apart. Her paranoia about attempts to infiltrate, humiliate, manipulate her brother or family means that the risk feels exceptionally big for something that could fall apart so easily. This is why she tends to keep people at arm's length until she gets a better idea of how durable the relationship
Homosexuality: She doesn't have an issue with it. Mostly she just thinks it's sensible when it comes to enjoyment. After all, your own gender is naturally going to know how to please you better, right?
The opposite sex: She likes men. She grew up mostly around them and she enjoys being around people who are typically hard skinned, strong, confident, opinionated, and up for a challenge. It's only when they don't back down or they treat her differently that she has a problem. Proving a man who expects her to be meek wrong quickly becomes Isidor's top priority.
The same sex: Boring, with few exceptions. Women she feels are like her will make her reserve judgement until she decides whether she dislikes them or admires them. Too often they expect a softness which she can put on for short periods but is often seen through after a short time and after that she doesn't know what to do.
Money/Material things:
An essential part of life, but not a problem for her. Transactions are something she's very comfortable with.
Politics:
Essential to society, but a dangerous game. One she tries to avoid dealing with but if she has to she will do so with a distinct fierceness. She has enough of a grasp of political minds to both hate and respect them.
Religion:
A saving grace for her personally. She is very close to her patron goddess, Isis, and she turns to Her when she struggles to find strength within herself. Considering how intimate interactions with deities can be Isidor respect a person's privacy around their religion, but tends to assume people who flaunt their faith have hollow, superficial connections with their gods.
Destiny/Duty:
Isidor hopes destiny does not apply to her. She enjoys having what control she can get. Duty, however, is exceptionally important to her. Most of her drive revolves around her duty which, despite its flaws, she believes in wholeheartedly. To have purpose, a good purpose, is an honour and a privilege. It's more than most people have.
Magic/Myth:
A part of every day life. Especially after the Nexus it's becoming very difficult to say anything is impossible. (LOLs anyone?)
Racism/Races in general:
Isidor doesn't hold any prejudice with different ethnicities. She does, however, have a slight prejudice regarding non-mages, and a bigger prejudice around other races such as Fae, Trolls, Ogres, etc. Most are unintentional, but some are taught prejudices.
3/3
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If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: Existence is pointless. But if you’re lucky enough to find love, keep it.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): He wouldn’t personally hurt a small child or a pet animal. He’d never intentionally hurt Adia unless it was to spare her from an even bigger hurt.
Describe character's etiquette: Very well-mannered, when he chooses.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Top notch.
Spontaneous or structured? Structured.
Instinctual or logical? Logical. He’s not in touch well enough with his instincts to rely on them, except when it comes to fighting.
How does this character act in public? Cold, standoffish, and sarcastic
How does this character act in privacy? With Adia? Sweet and romantic. Snarky but in a gentler, more humorous way.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? See above. He doesn’t have any friends other than Adia. (So far.)
How does this character act around family? Considering that he was on the “bad” side of the Cylon civil war, he treats the rebel Cylons (the Twos, Sixes, and Eights) with a lot of suspicion and concern that they have it out for him. He thinks the Twos are idiots and Eights are dumb babies. He has the most respect for the Sixes, but he still doesn’t like them much.
How has this character most changed from youth? He’s less callous than he was when he saw Adia again. A little less quick to look down at everybody and everyone.
How have they remained the same? He still hates humans on principle.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Yes.
If so, who? the other model Fives.
How has it affected them? He hasn’t even begun to process it, but deep down, it’s left him completely adrift. He was so used to making decisions as a group, he doesn’t know how to just be himself.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: He doesn’t seek out conflict, but he doesn’t shy away from it, either. He was completely reckless during the War, even after he couldn’t resurrect anymore. Now he’ll likely only rush into danger if it’s to protect Adia.
Rejection: If Adia rejected him, he would be very sad. Otherwise he doesn’t care.
Fear: He’s not afraid of anything except something happening to Adia. He doesn’t like being afraid for that reason.
Change: Not a fan. It takes him a while to warm up to anything new.
Loss: The only thing he cares about losing is Adia. Everything else he takes in stride.
Sex/Flirting: Are you Adia? Yes, please. Flirting or sexual overtures from anyone else will be met with either indifference or disgust.
Pain: He has a high pain tolerance. It has to be pretty bad for him to show signs of it.
Stress: He is one cool cucumber, unless he feels truly out of control of a situation, then he’s kind of a mess.
Peer pressure: Well… he pretty much went along with all of One’s schemes, even after he found out the Ones had been lying to rest of the Cylons. And he’d do anything Adia asked him to. Otherwise, he doesn’t budge.
Guilt: Haha, what is this emotion? He’ll ignore it at first, but if it’s Adia or related to Adia, he’ll eventually try to make amends.
Being wrong: If it’s something trivial he doesn’t care. If it’s more of a matter of opinion, then he’s right and shut up whoever is saying otherwise.
Being criticized: Professional critique he handles smoothly. Personal criticism he tunes out. He knows he’s horrible, thanks.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): He’ll take it if he has to, otherwise he’ll insult the person back, but it’s more like a game to him than taking any real offense. (Insult Adia, however…)
Offending others: Indifference, unless somehow offending will upset or be bad for Adia, in which case he’ll apologize.
Praise: He won’t react, but deep down he likes it.
Being loved: Confusion and gratitude
Being hated: Tired acceptance. He’s used to it.
Humiliation: He’ll take it if it’s necessary. But he’ll be plotting his revenge.
How does this character express-
Anger: He goes scary cold. Lashes out if he can get away with it or is too angry to stop himself.
Sadness: Bottles it up inside. If he’s sad enough he might cry by himself somewhere.
Fear: Converts it into either anger or bravado.
Happiness/Excitement: He smiles. If he’s excited enough, he’ll laugh. He likes to pick Adia up and swing her around.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love”): All five, but especially gift giving and physical touch.
Lust: he wraps an arm around Adia, whispers sweet nothings in her ear. If Adia flirts back, he loses some of his cool points by getting a little flustered and goofy.
Stress/anxiety: he can handle a lot of stress, but too much and he’ll shut down or lash out.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): Oh, don’t worry. He’ll let you know.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): A shrug of acceptance.
How does this character generally express themselves? He keeps himself apart from others, both physically and in his mannerisms.
part 2!
Marriage: He wants to marry Adia someday, otherwise he doesn’t have much of an opinion of it.
Children: Babies are fine. He really likes toddlers because they’re cute and their temper tantrums are funny. He doesn’t like children much older than that because they start to become little people and he hates people.
Family/Family Values: He doesn’t have any loyalty to family anymore.
Children/Youth: Let them do thing and he’ll stay out of their way. He does feel a little bad if he can tell that one is scared of him.
Old age: You have to watch out for old people. They may come across as doddering fools, but they use their life experience to their advantage and can be quite cunning and dangerous.
Sex: He is a huge proponent of enthusiastic consent. (That way he can find out exactly what Adia likes.) He used to consider sex more of a physical release than anything else, but now he highly values the emotional connection that goes with it, too.
Love: It’s the only thing that’s keeping him alive, to be honest.
Friendship/Other relationships: He doesn’t need friends, he has Adia. :[
Homosexuality: We’re all just a bunch of neural networks operating poorly designed meat sacks, who cares?
The opposite sex: and The same sex: see above
Money/Material things: He never had much need for money until he was reunited with Adia, now he wants to buy her All The Things. He is a bit of a clothes horse, and will always prefer the more expensive, higher quality version of an item.
Politics: Couldn’t care less. It always ends up in a war, anyway.
Religion: He doesn’t believe in anything.
Destiny/Duty: Maybe — maybe — it was more than pure luck that he found Adia again. He takes his duty to her very seriously. He has zero loyalty to anyone or anything else.
Magic/Myth: Myths are stories people tell themselves to make themselves feel better because the real world doesn’t work that way. He doesn’t believe in magic, except in the Nexus, obviously, but even that is met with a lot of skepticism.
Racism/Races in general: Humans SUCK. He will always assume that a sentient robot is better than a human unless proven otherwise.
Science/Technology: It’s great. Unless you plan on making robot slaves with it.
Nature/Animals: He likes nature quite a bit, actually. Especially the woods. Animals are okay. (He has a soft spot for cute animals, shhhh don’t tell anyone.)
Modernity: and Antiquity: He always prefers modern to ancient.
Their past: He is deeply, deeply ashamed of how he treated Adia. He’d rather not think about if he doesn’t have to.
Their future: He’s finally looking forward to it.
Their role in society/job/etc: He liked being a microbiologist. He did not like how the Fives did a lot of the grunt work and did not get as much respect as some of the other models. He REALLY does not like the fact that he’s been doing mostly manual labor in rebuilding the settlement, but he does not complain. Someday he’ll be able to work in a lab again.
Drugs and alcohol: Anything that interferes with his inhibitions, he does not like at all.
Killing/Murder: Eh. You gotta break a few eggs to make an omelette.
Education: He appreciates people who take the time to educate themselves. He’d rather someone be scholarly and snotty about it than ignorant and unwilling to learn.
The foreign/unknown: Very suspicious.
How does the character view life? He doesn’t think his own is worth much, but he’ll stick it out for Adia’s sake.
How does the character view death? It was a temptation, before he found out that Adia had survived the war. Even now, it’s something he keeps in the back of his mind, even though he can’t resurrect. (Maybe especially because he can’t resurrect.)
How does the character view society? Human society is brutish and stupid. Cylon society was just fine until the Ones made things too personal and frakked everything up.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? He secretly hopes that he can die heroically to somehow make up for all his sins. He does not want to live any longer than Adia does.
What does the character want out of life? To make Adia happy.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Making Adia happy!
What would the character like to change in his/her life? Part of him would like to be able to get along with people better, but he has no idea how to go about doing that.
What motivates this character? Adia’s happiness.
What discourages this character? When he’s trying his hardest to get along with people for Adia’s sake but he can tell that it’s not enough.
What makes this character happy? Adia being happy. Nice clothes. A good cup of coffee. Cute animals.
What makes this character sad? Remembering how much he hurt Adia.
What makes this character angry? Anyone insulting Adia. Truly innocent, helpless creatures being mistreated.
What humiliates this character? Being reminded that he can spend the rest of his life making it up to her, but he still hurt Adia and unless he can somehow travel back in time, he can’t change that.
What most describes this character's personality? A jerkass. But not a COMPLETE jerkass.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): and Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? Caspar is a robot consciousness that’s been shoved into a biological brain. There’s a learning curve for experiencing complicated emotions. Having false memories of being human helps, but the constant reinforcement of other Cylon minds has dampened a lot of their effectiveness. He has empathy, but he needs to learn how to use it in a positive manner instead of just being disgusted by other people’s feelings.
In addition, the template used for the Five models was predisposed for depression. He’s prone to bouts of self-loathing, feelings of worthlessness, and a nihilistic view of himself and the world around him. In the past, he would project these feelings onto others: if he is worthless, then so is everyone else. He can’t do that now that he has Adia in his life again, so he settles for simply not letting himself introspect too much.
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Note: This is referring to Reynard generally/primarily outside of Winter.
Describe character's sense of morals: Amoral. Reynard judges what is 'good' and 'bad' primarily by how it affects him, or by how nature views it. In some cases he can be persuaded to change his understanding of what is moral, but generally he abides by morals because it makes things easier for him. He has lived an incredibly long time, through different eras and in different countries, which means that he has watched as different moral codes fell in and out of fashion. In the end, if Winter or he decides something is right or wrong, that's all that matters to him.
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?:
The meaning of his life: To serve Winter.
The meaning of human life: To survive and serve yourself.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): What he's considered taboo has changed a lot over time and generally follows what society agrees upon. Personally however he currently has two major taboos: Non-consensual sex, and slavery. The slightest apathy to either is a good way to get him angry quickly.
Describe character's etiquette: Quite poor. He is not above eating with his hands or speaking with his mouth full. He will, however, bow, tip his hat and kiss hands, especially around women. When he puts on a bit of a performance his etiquette can be quite good, but outdated. A lot of his better manners are newly learned or there for show.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Very, very good. Reynard indulges in numerous vices, but his age and restorative abilities have given him no reason to think he should hold back. Even when he is furious he is able to pull himself back from the brink of violence.
Spontaneous or structured? Structured unless he spots an opportunity.
Instinctual or logical? Instinctual.
How does this character act in public? Flamboyantly. There is a lot of bravado and mischief when he's in public. He plays out the role of handsome scoundrel and he's good at it.
How does this character act in privacy? The more private the situation the calmer and more down to earth he is. He's more likely to be honest or to share more personal details in private without putting on a show.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? Reynard is always a little wary around strangers. He likes to find out what kind of people they are as quickly as possible. This often includes pushing and testing them to see how they react, or to get a glimpse into their values/personality. Around friends he is generally very friendly, playful and warm, and when he's harsh it's to help them confront cold truths in a safe environment. He can be very considerate and obliging, even favouring them through Winter (sometimes).
How does this character act around family? N/A - Even those closest to him are kept at a distance.
How has this character most changed from youth? If we take his 'youth' as from 600BC-1400AD, Reynard has changed immensely. As civilisation changed, so did he. Most notable changes include: Realising that those who weren't men of a certain ethnicity/age were also people (women, children, foreigners); Slowly (very slowly) learning how to interact with people; Going from an introvert to an ambivert; Learning a vast multitude of languages and learning to open himself up to other cultures.
How have they remained the same? Reynard has always been stubborn, driven, committed to his own survival above all else. That has never changed or wavered. As well as always adoring Winter, but that's a given.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Yes
If so, who? A great many people, strangers and friends alike. People he hated, pitied, and loved.
How has it affected them? The lessons from past experience is in an ongoing battle with his own loneliness. Reynard goes in circles of throwing himself into human society to embrace it, becoming hurt or fearful, and then distancing himself, before loneliness gets to him once more and the cycle begins again. In more recent decades he's tried to keep himself steadier, neither too involved nor too distanced, but it's a struggle. The pain of loves lost convinced him long ago to keep his relationships fleeting and casual, and he regularly self-sabotages his friendships and his integration into society. But it does also mean that death doesn't faze him, and he can see strangers die horrifically without becoming any more scarred than he is already.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: Reynard will do anything and everything to survive danger or a conflict. If he thinks he can and should win an argument, he will try to. But when it comes to danger Reynard will fight, yell, bargain, beg, run, sacrifice someone else, anything to ensure he survives.
Rejection: Generally he is fine with it. It's just another drop in the ocean. If it's from someone he cares about, about something he cares about, he will quietly accept it and deal with any hurt privately.
Fear: Reynard will become aggressive or quiet, depending on what is scaring him. If it isn't a person/physical threat he will gradually become hysterical, potentially to the point where others can't follow his thoughts at all.
Change: With suspicion and reluctance. It's hard to tell what changes will stick around and what will go just as quickly as it came.
Loss: Quietly, by internalising it. Once he's had time to process he'll be able to act as if nothing is wrong.
Sex/Flirting: Flirting with men: He's fine as long as it's clearly joking/playful ego stroking. Flirting with women: He welcomes it wholeheartedly and reciprocates enthusiastically. Sex with women is also something he'll engage in with eager gusto.
Pain: With gritted teeth. He has built his pain threshold reasonably high and has learned to focus through quite a bit of pain.
Stress: He will be decisive and assertive about dealing with stress if it's possible. If it's not then he becomes agitated and unreasonable.
Peer pressure: He goes along with it only if he chooses to.
Guilt: He can be quite good at hiding his guilt, as he often tries to get away with things if he can. Signs of guilt are small shifting of his weight, a twitching of his lips/jaw, and a general subtle awkwardness.
Being wrong: If it's something insignificant he'll hold up his hands and let it pass, but if it's something he cares about he will get thick with whoever is calling him out, getting stubborn, sulky and potentially aggressive. Once alone he will lick his wounds and soothe his ego.
Being criticized: Depending on the situation he will either laugh and shrug it off, or he will scowl, and snap back.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc):
By turning cold and focusing the conversation onto the other person to offend them instead. Even if he does become aggressive he will always end up trying to hurt the other person in return rather than keeping the focus on himself.
Offending others: Either by telling them why they shouldn't be offended, or by adding to it. On the rare occasions he doesn't mean to, he will apologise swiftly and with charm.
Praise: By preening. He basks in praise and welcomes it.
Being loved: Warmly, affectionately, unless it's unwanted (especially when he's trying to self-sabotage/distance himself) in which case he can be very cold and cruel.
Being hated: With indifference, enthusiasm (if he finds it validating), or gleefully if he sees it as a challenge or a game.
Humiliation: By playing it off, if he can, or turning it around. Minimising embarrassment will be the aim.
How does this character express-
Anger: With barking/yelling/growling, a lot of sharp words, wild eyes, grabbing and shaking a person, aggressive finger pointing. The more angry he gets, the more violent/aggressive he will become. If he knows he can't physically attack a person he will become a cold, quiet furious.
Sadness: Reynard is still very much in the habit of 'men do not show (particular) emotions'. Sadness is top of the list. Stiff upper lip as much as he can. When that fails his voice will crack first and it will show in his eyes, but he will try to hide his expression how he can.
Fear: With wide eyes and trembling. He'll be aggressive, but quickly back down. The more afraid he is, the more hysterical he will become.
Happiness/Excitement: With loud, jubilant laughter, clapping, broad grins and by being generally playful.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Reynard will use any and all of the Five Languages of Love. When he loves someone platonically or romantically he will do whatever he can to increase/improve their life. Humans have such short lives, he wants those he cares about to enjoy theirs and live for as long as they can. Putting the effort into doing this (especially during Winter) is a sure sign of love. Putting them before himself is also a big sign of affection. Romantic love is expressed with a lot more physical affection and grand, spontaneous gestures.
Lust: With lots of attention, typically gentlemanly or chivalrous (because that's what works). If encouraged, he will lean in closer and be more physically affectionate.
Stress/anxiety: Hands on his hips and wiping his face. He will go quiet and internalise it as much as possible, but the more stressed he becomes the more he will snap and lash out.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): By teasing and antagonising them. He'll demean them as best he can get away with.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): With smiles, encouragement and compliments. Reynard is reasonably good at being vocal about what he likes.
How does this character generally express themselves? A lot of his expression is in his eyes and his tone, but he is quite expressive in his posture as well.
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Marriage: It's an excuse for a good party. A wedding ring won't stop him from seducing a woman, and he can't imagine getting married himself with his longevity. So it's primarily just a good reason for a feast.
Children: Reynard loves children, and often wishes he was a father. He knows how to be firm with them when he needs to, but really enjoys engaging their innocent playful side.
Family/Family Values: Taking care of the people who make your life easier to live is very important, but you have to do what's right for yourself.
Children/Youth: Although Reynard is very protective of children, youth is something he has an uneasy relationship with. Youth is a Spring attribute which immediately biases his opinions. Young adults are more likely to frustrate him than anyone else, and he treats them with unwarranted prejudices more easily than others. Simultaneously, he's often drawn in by the life and energy of young people.
Old age: Reynard finds old age very comfortable. Older people tend to have caught up with many of the observations he knows as truths. As someone who has been considered 'old' for almost his entire life, and who resonates with age as a Winter aspect, old age is something Reynard enjoys. Except for when he remembers what follows.
Sex: Having a complicated and extensive relationship with sex, Reynard likes to keep things reasonably simple. Sex is for fun, it is a primal need and should be understood to be, but with boundaries very firmly set in place. His preferred kinks are pretty standard, and he likes to keep things clear and communication around it easily understood. He is not ashamed of it, of discussing it, asking for it or paying for it, but the emotions and intention during it need to be transparent or he gets anxious. So as far as he's concerned, simple fun is best.
Love: Love, Reynard has learned, is inevitable. As is the pain and tragedy that follows. Even his love of his Season is as rich and joyous as it is life destroying. Ultimately, though, it is the best thing to fill an eternal human life with when you can.
Friendship/Other relationships: Keeping friends close is important to Reynard. There are too many people he dislikes to be careless with those he does, and he is keenly aware that the time they do have is precious. That said, they're not more important than his own life. Or Winter.
Homosexuality: Female homosexuality is something he's happy to let be. Women will be women! But Reynard has an opinion on male homosexuality that he has yet to personally define/articulate. He feels that male homosexuality is a primal expression of dominance that has nothing to do with affection and that he perceives as aggressive. That said, he's not here to fix other people. If they think they're happy that way, he's not going to prod it. It's not as if he doesn't have unhealthy opinions...
The opposite sex: Reynard adores women. He loves spending time with them, and finds their company more enjoyable than men. Even so, sometimes he will slip into old thinking and be somewhat dismissive of them/their experiences or emotions, especially when they contradict/annoy him. It's a habit he's still learning to break, but it also makes him particularly protective of the women he likes.
The same sex: They are also good company! But Reynard seeks out a kind of camaraderie with men that he doesn't seek with women. He's lived many centuries where men were brought together to fulfil their traditional role of protector and provider, and he's found a lot of supportive camaraderie through that.
Money/Material things: He likes material things, but he's not used to having much. This is the most wealthy he's ever been and he doesn't know what to do with the extra cash. He's not good at having means, he finds it uncomfortable. Wealth is something for other people. Often the people he dislikes.
Politics: Reynard resents politics. To him it is a game for rich people who know nothing about the people they claim to represent. From where he's stood throughout history all it has done is harm people and uphold the upper class.
Religion: Despite being what he is, Reynard only really believes in what he's seen or makes sense. He has nothing against religious beliefs so long as they're kept to yourself. He has witnessed and experienced an incredible amount of pain inflicted by religious establishments or by people using religious justification. So it's little wonder that he dislikes organised religion.
Destiny/Duty: Destiny seems like nonsense to him. He's never seen any evidence of it, after all. Duty, on the other hand, is one of the most important things in his life. Specifically his own duty to Winter, but it does allow him to respect the duties of others more easily so long as he believes/understands their commitment to it.
Magic/Myth: Despite being proof of the supernatural, Reynard is sceptical about myths and magic. The magic of spirits and nature he fully understands to be a fact of the world and doesn't doubt, but not having seen much human magic or mythical beings/objects/etc, he prefers to remain wary and doubtful until proven wrong.
Racism/Races in general: Racism is something he learned in the past, but easily fell out of. Any racism he displays is left from bygone eras. The racism he does exercise primarily revolves around humans and spirits or supernatural creatures. He doesn't like or encourage racism, but he is also reasonably blind to it at this stage.
Science/Technology: Both science and technology are things Reynard views with suspicion. While he's seen the benefits of both, the innovation it brings is difficult for him to grasp quickly, especially as he never had any formal education. They make him feel isolated, ignorant, and redundant, so while he can adapt to both, it can take an incredibly long time.
Nature/Animals: He feels a sense of kinship with Nature, and responsibility for animals. Being an aspect of a Season, and therefore, Nature, it is the closest thing he has to a natural family. The destruction or disrespect of either will earn his hatred, disapproval, and he will draw out his amusement when karma kicks the perpetrator in the backside. If it doesn't, he will sometimes take revenge himself.
Modernity: Until modern things have been around for a (long) while, Reynard tends to look down on it, treat it with suspicion and not get attached. It's very difficult for him to tell what is a fad and what isn't, and all of it makes him feel outdated and his ineptitude embarrassing. So he treats most of it with condescension and quiet disapproval.
Antiquity: Despite knowing its flaws intimately, antiquity is familiar and Reynard vastly prefers it. After all, he finds it comforting to understand something so well. In some cases, he's only just gotten used to it.
Their past: There are many things in Reynard's past he would like to put behind him forever, and often does his best to. Ultimately, however, his past has dictated a lot of his identity, and Winter is a Season of memory, introspection and the past. He knows he needs to acknowledge his past, but he fears bringing it with him into the future, and only talks about it as he's comfortable with, often staying vague and brief. For someone who lives (theoretically) forever, being judged by his past is a terrifying prospect.
Their future: The future unnerves him, his own future scares him. He is certain he will survive one way or another, but his inability to predict what might come next worries him. All he knows is that the future will take away what he knows and leave him alone and useless again.
Their role in society/job/etc: When it comes to society Reynard is working class or worse, always. He is always an outsider, but he fits in with the rugged life of hard working people, and he enjoys his place with them. What he considers his true role is his work as a Winter Spirit, and that is what he's most proud of, despite all the negativity it receives.
Drugs and alcohol: Drugs are something Reynard has done, isn't particularly fond of, but only disapproves of excessive use of them. Alcohol, on the other hand, is good no matter how much you have. It has gotten him through countless harrowing ordeals, bad breakups, and dull sermons.
Killing/Murder: It doesn't faze him one bit. He will murder without remorse or regret if he needs to, and expects others to be the same. All that concerns him are the consequences of murder that will impact him. That is what he pays the most attention to.
Education: Having had no formal education, and not being entitled to any at any point in his life, education is something Reynard is unfamiliar with. It's a privilege of the rich and oppressive, and any poorer, working class people who get an education are lucky and will get his full encouragement. His own lack of education is increasingly becoming an embarrassment, so he often tries to hide it or dismiss the value of education.
The foreign/unknown: Things to be wary of, but he doesn't inherently fear the unknown. Secrets especially are things he quite enjoys, though he has no real drive to discover what they are, he just enjoys them existing.
How does the character view life? The goal of life is to live as long as possible, and the reward is life.
How does the character view death? Death is his friend, as much as Death can be. To him, a person dying in Winter is an honour, as they become a part of that year's Winter, marking it out from the rest. So though he kills many kinds of people in his duty they all get a special kind of respect and gratitude from him afterwards. Out of Season he mostly just tries to avoid Death coming for him, and knows it's Death that will eventually come for those he cares about. Dying in a Season is an honour, and Death is a friend, but that does not make loss easier.
How does the character view society? An ever changing, intriguing mash of humanity that he doesn't tend to get along with.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? He doesn't, to the best of his ability. Dying in Winter seems easy, noble and wonderful. Dying outside the Season terrifies him. He doesn't know what happens. Would Winter revive him? Would dying mean he'd failed his Season? Would it mean his Season has abandoned him? Too many scary questions. He does his best not to think about it.
What does the character want out of life? Happiness, and a full belly.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Staying alive and making a Winter that's remembered for centuries to come.
What would the character like to change in his life? The loneliness. Even with his friends he feels separate. He would like to find someone as long lived as him who understands the world as he does. Everything else he can deal with.
What motivates this character? His unyielding love of Winter.
What discourages this character? The feeling of mortality.
What makes this character happy? Serving Winter, seeing his friends happy, spending time in nature.
What makes this character sad? The death of his friends, urbanisation.
What makes this character angry? Disrespecting Nature/Winter/his friends, Spring and Summer.
What humiliates this character? Showing his weakness or uselessness - his mortality, lack of education, lack of importance outside of Winter.
What most describes this character's personality? Multifaceted, self-serving, charming, dangerous.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do). Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical:
Reynard's personality is a combination of his nature as a Winter spirit and his human experiences. His being a Winter spirit means he sees the world from a unique perspective, while his off-Season mortality means he knows the human experience intimately. Being so long lived has instilled bad habits, archaic fears and biases, and reiterated life lessons that, all put together, do not make for an entirely healthy state of mind. The duality of being mortal/immortal, human/spirit, is at his core. The inner conflict and yet the expansive wisdom it gives him are what makes Reynard who he is.
FINALLY DONE
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: Protect what's important at ALL costs.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): He'd never intentionally hurt his family.
Describe character's etiquette: Paradoxical. Josh was raised to be a high class socialite but is always a bit more down to earth and relatable. Every so often though he comes off just a bit socially clueless. A bit off.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Dependant on his mental state. Josh is very used to pretending to be normal, but being unmedicated has made it more difficult to control himself.
Spontaneous or structured? Tends toward structured. He likes to plan ahead. Is prone to spontaneous recklessness and outbursts due to his mental illness.
Instinctual or logical? Instinctual. Goes with how he feels most of the time.
How does this character act in public? Friendly if not a bit of a dick. Outgoing and extroverted.
How does this character act in privacy? Withdrawn and depressed.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? Very different. He's cold and distant to most strangers but fiercely loyal and protective of people he likes.
How does this character act around family? A total softy big brother. Doting and parental.
How has this character most changed from youth? He's become increasingly depressed and unstable. Suicidal and prone to violent outbursts and hallucinations.
How have they remained the same? Josh is still a protective older brother type taking after his father's interests in cinematography and special effects.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Yyyyyyep
If so, who? Both of his twin younger sisters
How has it affected them? Oh boy. This broke Josh. He blames himself for their deaths, so much more even once he learned the true nature of them. He's suicidal and in a deep spiraling depression that he tries to hide from others as best he can.
Their deaths have also shaped the content of his frequent auditory and visual hallucinations.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: Depends on if he's having an episode or not. If he's in control Josh is liable to freak out and try to run away. If he's in the grips of his own mind and unsure what's real he tends to stand and stare regardless of the dangers to his person.
Rejection: Josh expects rejection by and large. It hurts, but it's what he deserves after everything he's done. It's one more reason he can cite for why everyone would be better off without him.
Fear: Up to a point Joshua's fear response is normal. He panics and runs like anyone else. Once the fear gets to be too much though, he shuts down and stands there unable to move or cope with a given situation.
Change: Badly. Josh relies on things staying the same to know what's real and what's not. He takes a while to get used to new things.
Loss: Falls to pieces. All of Josh's current problems stem with his inability to cope with the loss of his sisters.
Sex/Flirting: Fake it till you make it. Up until coming to the Nexus Josh was on enough anti psychotics to completely kill his sex drive which was very uncomfortable for a young man otherwise going through puberty. He's not asexual by any means but hasn't been afforded much in the way of a functioning grasp of how human interaction works or what to do about it.
He used to overcompensate and try to be extra flirty and risque to seem normal but nowadays he mostly recoils from any suggestion of sexual advancements or flirting out of lack of experience.
Pain: Pain is good. Pain is how Josh navigates reality. Self harm helps keep him grounded when he's slipping into one of his disassociative episodes and can keep him aware of what's real around him, He doesn't enjoy the physical effect of pain, but he depends on it to keep him stable.
Stress:Josh gets highly paranoid and agitated when under stress. Liable to ramble on about things that make no sense and start talking about voices that no one else can hear.
Peer pressure: Everyone else is trying it, why not? That's what the normal kids are doing, right?
Guilt: Lets it consume him. Take over his life. Manifest into separate entities that haunt his nightmares and his waking moments when he slips out of touch with reality.
Being wrong: If he feels like he's right Josh is quite likely to get agitated and upset. If he knows he's done wrong then the guilt kicks in and Josh shuts down.
Being criticized: See above. Will assume people think he's wrong.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc):Will totally talk shit back. Josh knows how to make people angry and will not hesitate to say things that will cut someone down to their bones. It's been speculated that he has a problem empathizing with others unless he makes a concentrated effort at it.
Offending others: Probably proud of himself if he meant to. If he didn't he feels really bad and guilty.
Praise: Uncertainty. Josh doesn't do a whole lot that's praiseworthy and even when he does he's looking for the string attached to it.
Being loved: A foreign concept to him since the death of his sisters. Josh is convinced everyone he left behind hates him, even when he's been proven wrong. His biggest fear is having the same thing happen here in the Nexus.
Being hated: Wouldn't be the first time, certainly won't be the last. Frankly, he probably deserves it.
Humiliation: Either lashing out in anger at whoever wronged him or complete shutdown depending on the nature of the humiliation.
How does this character express-
Anger: Sharp glares, closed off posture. For someone who's normally jovial Joshua becomes the world's biggest asshole when he's pissed off. Anyone and everyone that approaches him while he's simmering gets a taste of his sharp tongue.
Sadness: Despondency and isolation. Josh is prone to lethargy and depression and without someone to push him along will wallow in drink and his own self pity.
Fear: Deer in headlights. Josh's immediate reaction is to freeze while he tries to suss out whether whatever's scaring him is real or not. If he can't reason out whatever it is, he's prone to hysteria.
Happiness/Excitement: Lots of touching. Clapping on the shoulders. Huge grins that finally reach his eyes. Josh smiles often, but it's only when he's truly happy that his whole face animates with it. Most people never get to see this face.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Quality Time and Acts of Service are Josh's bread and butter for showing he cares about someone. He'll go out of his way to make time for someone he loves, even if it means brushing off other people he likes well enough. Not only that, but he'll seek out things to do for the other person to make them happy or to help them.
The actual idea of love terrifies Josh though. He doesn't feel he deserves it and will often self-sabotage if he feels something is going "too good to be true". Self fulfilling prophecies, man.
Lust: It depends on the context. For better or worse, all of Josh's physical experiences up to this point have been drunk hookups. It's the only time he's ever been physically intimate with another person.
Lust in general is kind of a weird thing to him that he's really not comfortable with. His medications killed any and all sex drive during his formative years into being a young adult, with any and all sexual contact being when he was already on the back end of his medications and drunk. Because of this, he's extremely awkward when it comes to his own physical interest in another person.
He's all about making a distraction or getting the other person interested in something while he sits over here now with his knees drawn up for no reason why he's just perching he likes to do that. Is it too much to ask for the seat to swallow him up? Probably stares a bit too much at the object of his interest. He's not very good at doing the right thing.
Stress/anxiety: A little bit of stress can push Josh toward his goals. He's the sort of guy who plans out everything to the smallest detail and relishes in getting it done. Deadlines don't bother him.
As the stress mounts or if anxiety creeps in though, Josh begins to fall apart. He's prone to paranoia and jumping to conclusions and exacerbating the situation by adding his own anxiety to the mix.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): If he doesn't like you, he'll let you know. Unless he's holding a grudge and plans on exacting revenge later. He can be extremely cold and just a huge douchebag in general.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): Supporting their ideas, backing them up. Lots of nodding, high fives, and thumbs up. You got this, bro.
How does this character generally express themselves? Josh is better at actions than he is with words. He's liable to blurt out the wrong thing in a panic or say something mean and/or stupid that he doesn't mean if you catch him off guard. He's much better at showing how he feels. Josh's emotions are usually easy to read by his posture and gaze.
part 2
Marriage: He doesn't think about it too much. Especially now that he's not in his world and the sole heir to his father's estate. It's cool for other people, he guesses.
Children: Josh is pretty good with kids. He's patient and caring and for a guy surprisingly tolerant of any number of girly playtime activities. Assuming he doesn't have an episode, you could do far worse than letting Josh watch your kids. He's a big brother through and through.
Family/Family Values: Two different things. Josh loved his family more than his own life and is still agonized that his sisters are gone. Family values, on the other hand, are all about pretending to be normal so as not to embarrass or shame your folks and Josh is over that. He's been told his whole life just to try and 'act normal'.
Children/Youth: He misses being a kid sometimes. Life was easier then and his sisters were around.
Old age: Hasn't thought about it much. Like most young adults, Josh hasn't given much thought to what old age is even like.
Sex: Until recently, impossible for him unless he was drunk. Now? Uncomfortable, awkward, and anxiety inducing.
Love: The idea of it is nice, but look at him. He's not dating material and he knows it.
Friendship/Other relationships: Essential, yet Josh is terrified of screwing them up again. His track record isn't very good for keeping good relationships.
Homosexuality: Doesn't bother him in the least. When he was on his meds, anyone who got a reaction out of him was worth looking at. Now that he's not been on them for a while, it still doesn't bother him.
The opposite sex: Great! He's somewhat protective of women in general, especially if they remind him of Beth or Hannah. Will definitely go get drinks with them and make sure no one creeps on them.
The same sex: Bro! Get over here and have a drink with him. You're cool too! Josh is more likely to stop 'acting normal' around men than he is women. Feels less of a need to impress them.
Money/Material things: Nice, but not completely necessary in the Nexus. Josh is accustomed to having nice things, but he's perfectly content with what he's got, too. Was most likely to spend his money before on his friends anyway, though he does miss having the high end video editing software and rig he used to have at his house.
Politics: Did someone order a nap, stat?
Religion:Vehemently atheist. If a kind loving god lets the shit he's seen (including himself) run free in the world, they're not the kind of god he wants anything to do with.
Destiny/Duty: A sense of helplessness. So much of what's happened to Josh stemmed from circumstances beyond his control. He doesn't see much point in fighting it.
Magic/Myth: Skeptical until recently. He's seen monsters and myth come to life first hand, and witnessed all kinds of magic in the Nexus. Now he views both with a hefty dose of suspicion laced with curiosity.
Racism/Races in general: People are fucking people. There's assholes of all shades. He will not tolerate bigotry towards people he cares for. Not even a little.
Science/Technology: Hella convenient. He's not as addicted to tech as some of his friends are, but it makes things so much goddamn easier. Plus he's got a head for gadgets and electronics.
Nature/Animals: Nature calms him down a lot. He preferred staying at his parents' lodge in the mountains over living in the city for the year up until the events that lead to him being in the Nexus. So long as he can bring his tech and work into nature he's perfectly content.
Modernity: Necessary for a comfortable life. How did people Live without electricity?
Antiquity: To be respected and their warnings studied. He's learned the hard way not to brush it off.
Their past: Shame, pain, and suffering. Josh would give anything to change his past. He wouldn't mind forgetting it, either.
Their future: Intimidating. He isn't sure what to do with himself. Living in the here and now takes all his effort.
Their role in society/job/etc: He enjoys working for Ice Bear and for his mysterious benefactor who works in TV. The work gives him something to do and if it makes peoples' lives easier, that's a bonus.
Drugs and alcohol: Drugs he's wary of unless he knows the dealer. There's a lot of ways to get fucked up or fucking dead taking suspect drugs. Alcohol though, please give it to him. It's the only time he's happy.
Killing/Murder: He's too much of a coward to do it himself but he wouldn't lose sleep if someone else did it to the people he hates.
Education: Learning itself is fun and invigorating but structured formal education was hell for Josh growing up and he was held back a grade once his mental illnesses started showing themselves.
The foreign/unknown: Risky, dangerous, to be careful of if alone. If in a group of friends he's liable to try anything once.
How does the character view life? Until recently as a form of torture. He didn't have much reason to live prior to the Nexus, but he's finding more reasons every day to try harder.
How does the character view death? A light snuffed out that lets the darkness ever further. Loss that can be felt in the bones and an emptiness that never goes away.
How does the character view society? Indifference and a bit of impatience at old fashioned ways of thinking. He's definitely a millennial.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? Reuniting with his sisters.
What does the character want out of life? To find a purpose again.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Not hurting or ruining any more lives than he already has.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? Whatever it is that's wrong with his brain. That makes Him wrong and weird.
What motivates this character? Seeing his friends happy. Josh hasn't quite figured out how to self-motivate now that he's not planning his own detailed lead up to his suicide. If he's really into something he's doing, you can bet it's because there's someone specific he's looking to please.
What discourages this character? Being reminded of who and what he is. Implying that he can't change or get better.
What makes this character happy? Alcohol, being with friends, watching horror movies.
What makes this character sad? Snow, butterflies, angel food cake. Anything that reminds him of his sisters.
What makes this character angry? His own mistakes and shortcomings. People hurting the ones he loves. Star Wars Prequels and shitty remakes of old classics. People who insist the book is better without giving any thought to the work and dedication a cinematographer puts into a film.
What humiliates this character? Having his past drug out, being reminded of his sisters' deaths. Questioning why he does things when he's having an episode.
What most describes this character's personality? Unstable. Josh swings wildly between wanting to be a good person and believing such a thing is impossible for him so he might as well be the villain.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): Josh sets himself up for failure a lot. Often his goals for self improvement are wildly out of proportion compared to what's reasonable to expect of himself and when he inevitably fails he takes it as a sign that he's rotten to the core after all and should just embrace being a shithead.
I could go on for pages about Josh's laundry list of problems but the two major contributing factors are a serious case of depression (that used to be treated by medication) and a heretofore undiagnosed schizophrenia (that has never been treated). Even when Josh was on his meds all it did was treat the depression. It didn't make his hallucinations stop and left him feeling empty and devoid of the ability to feel.
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? Look, the man was born with a chemical imbalance that caused mental illness, lost his sisters in a traumatic experience, and is now haunted by a wendigo spirit. Dude is Fucked Up.
Star Spangled Man With a Plan
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: Never be afraid to stand up for what you believe in.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): Torture, putting a judgement before a trial. Steve's seen firsthand the dangers of Aggressive Justice and refuses to stand on any side who would pass sentence on someone who has not yet committed a crime.
Describe character's etiquette: Soldier's etiquette. Steve is polite and respectful.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Rock solid unless it comes to a few select individuals. If his triggers are hit he can become incredibly irrational and prone to reckless acts of desperation to try and get to said people and make sure they're safe.
Spontaneous or structured? Structured. Steve likes plans and strategy.
Instinctual or logical? Instinctual. Steve goes with what feels right more than what makes the most sense on paper.
How does this character act in public? Reserved, confident, and serious. Captain America is a symbol and one he has to maintain for the good of the people.
How does this character act in privacy? Goofy, sarcastic, and antagonistic. Steve is first and foremost a guy from Brooklyn who picked and lost fights for a hobby.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? Steve is very careful how he presents himself to strangers. He feels like he has to live up to the image of Captain America and is careful not to do or say anything that might go against that. It's his responsibility to stand for his country's values especially when no one else in power will.
Around his friends he's a lot less tense and much more open and personable. Without the mantle of Cap, Steve laughs more and is much more liable to speak his mind about trivial things he wouldn't talk about around strangers.
How does this character act around family? Steve does not have any living family. The closest thing would be Bucky, who Steve values more than anything else. There is nothing Steve won't do to protect him.
How has this character most changed from youth? Physically Steve has undergone an incredibly invasive procedure that altered his physical body to the powerhouse he is now and cured the physical ailments he was born with.
Mentally he's become himself just More So, thanks to the serum. His instinct to fight and protect anyone who is wronged or in danger is damn near a compulsion now and he's even more stubborn than he used to be. That being said, he's also even more entrenched in his belief that humanity is fundamentally good and worth believing in. He wants to help anyone and everyone become the best version of themselves they can be.
How have they remained the same? Steve's still very much the optimistic guy who just wants everyone to get along and be good people. He still enjoys his art and still loves his home.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Goodness, yes.
If so, who? His mother, Everyone He Knew in 1941 (which includes the Commandos, Bucky, Howard, and now Peggy Carter), Pietro Maximoff, Phil Coulson
How has it affected them? Steve's a very very lonely guy because of the sheer scope of his loss over the years. He's lost Bucky more times than he even remembers now and having Peggy die was a stark reminder that his life before the ice and the Nexus is gone irreversibly.
Losing Agent Coulson and Pietro has made Steve more cautious about the lives of his comrades than he used to be. He's never been flippant about the lives of his teammates but when they lose someone--especially a child like Pietro was--Steve blames himself and is determined to learn from those mistakes and do better.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: With a cool head and a leader's disposition. Conflict and danger are Steve's job and have been for a long time now. He'll attempt to resolve any conflicts peacefully, but will not hesitate to do what's necessary if a fight is unavoidable. He prefers not to take lives unless it's absolutely necessary.
Rejection: It really depends on the person. By and large Steve handles rejection with quiet acceptance. However, Steve can be incredibly stubborn with his friends, often asking for a reason for it. Especially if he feels it's out of character for them.
Fear: Steve's had to learn through a world war and multiple other large scale fights not to let fear dictate his actions. He is liable to channel that feeling into cautious direction and action. Only later when the encounter is over does Steve deal with everything he's pushed aside for the sake of the mission.
Change: Considering how many times he's yo-yo'd between his time and modern places such as his world's future and the Nexus, he's gotten quite used to change.
Loss: Another unfortunate aspect of his bouncing through time is that Steve's suffered a lot of loss in his life. He's learned how to grieve and move on without letting loss overcome him, with one exception.
Sex/Flirting: People forget Steve spent a good year doing tour shows with a dozen plus professional showgirls before he reunited with Peggy Carter. He might be modest and respectful, but it doesn't mean he's oblivious. This is one of the areas where Steve ends up trolling the shit out of people who assume things about him.
In general, Steve is very polite and a bit shy about being too forward when it comes to flirting or sexual advances. Things were done differently when he learned the ropes and he's still adjusting.
Pain: Thanks to a hefty dose of the super soldier serum, Steve's pain tolerance is crazy high. He can also survive blows that would be normally fatal to most humans.
Stress: He tends to close his posture off. Crossed arms, resting bitch face. Making it very clear he's not going to take any additional shit until he deals with what's already on his plate.
Peer pressure:Absolutely will not budge from what he thinks is right. no matter what.
Guilt: With a few exceptions, Steve has learned not to hang on to guilt any more than loss. Mistakes happen and it's important to learn from them but not let them swallow you up.
Touch on any of those sensitive wounds though and he will fall to pieces.
Being wrong: If he doesn't believe he's in the wrong, Steve will not change his mind or actions regardless of pressure, threats, or consequences. If, however, he's actually hecked up he will apologize whole heartedly and do what he can to make amends.
Being criticized: Can take most criticism constructively and use it to adjust his plans and tactics accordingly. If it's personal, he can usually brush it off as a difference of opinion.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): Ignore it, unless the other person manages to get under his skin. If it doesn't get brushed off, it's most certainly hitting his temper buttons. Steve can and will start fights. Hasn't changed since he was but a wee waif.
Offending others: Apologize profusely and get embarrassed, unless he meant to. Then he will look you in the eye and repeat himself. You heard him.
Praise: Ducking his head, shy smiles. Steve doesn't believe in being praised for doing the right thing. He views it as a duty and one he's proud to perform. If it's from a personal friend he's much more likely to light up and give a glowing smile. Chances are if he's being praised by his friends, its because of him and not just the job.
Being loved:Oh gosh his whole face lights up. Steve has the warmest most adoring smiles for those he loves, so to have them reciprocating the affection makes them even more so.
Being hated: Comes with the job. If it's a hatred of Captain America, they're probably not the kind of people who should like him in the first place. If it's a hatred of him personally, he'll usually try to determine why and make sure he hasn't done something wrong.
Humiliation: Lowering his head, dropping his gaze to the ground. If he's being humiliated there's a good chance Steve feels that he's earned it. He doesn't usually let the opinions of others affect him.
no subject
Anger: Confront the problem head on. Steve is so confrontational when he's pissed off. He will get in your face and rip you to pieces verbally and if that doesn't work he's got the power to back it up.
Sadness: With One exception Steve is very good at compartmentalizing his anguish and emotions to get the job done first. He'll be the leader people need and then retreat to somewhere private to deal with his sadness in his own way.
Fear: Adrenaline is adrenaline. If he's getting it from being afraid he probably should be afraid and ought to be careful/
Happiness/Excitement: Big open wide smiles, lots of hugs and pats on the back. Steve wears his happiness on his sleeve and does his utmost to enjoy it when he has it.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Acts of devotion are huge for Steve. He will bend over backwards to do things for the people he loves. Favors, chores, making things--he wants to show how much he cares and words alone just aren't enough for him. Physical contact is also big.. He's always got his hand on their arm, their shoulder. Letting them know he's there and he'll do whatever it takes to protect them.
Lust:
First of all shame on you for making me think about this in the context of Captain America. Steve is a patient guy and not the sort to rush his partner. He's pretty good at playing it cool until he can find a private and appropriate time to ask his partner to bed.Is probably also guilty of eyefucking someone while he daydreams about inappropriate things. Likely to have a 'private' sketchbook somewhere.
Stress/anxiety: Steve's got a lot of practice performing under extreme stress and pressure. Will maintain composure under even the most problematic circumstances. May snap at people if they aren't taking things seriously.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): If Steve doesn't like something or someone he lets them know right away. He won't beat around the bush about it.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): He does his best to support whatever/whoever it is without overshadowing them. Everyone deserves their time to shine.
How does this character generally express themselves? Steve's learned how to be a pretty good speaker. He chooses his words carefully and unless he's clearly joking he means every single one. In a combat situation though he'll let his actions speak for him and his beliefs.
What does this character think/feel about-
Marriage: A special thing he's pretty sure he's missed out on, Peggy was the only gal for him in that boat he's pretty sure.
Children: The future. Steve wants to make kids feel like they matter and can make a difference.
Family/Family Values: These mean less to Steve now than they used to. Before he went into the ice, he wanted those things. When he came back out, they had all passed him by.
Children/Youth: Endlessly curious and inspirational. Also a little terrifying. He does not want to hold your baby, Ma'am he's afraid he'll break it if he breathes.
Old age: At peace with the concept. Knows it will take him a very long time to age normally with the serum.
Sex: There's a time and a place for everything. Right time, right place, consenting adults? Cool.
Love: Steve's always had a big heart and couldn't stop loving the people he does if he wanted to. He loved every moment he spent with Peggy while she was in her last years of life even though she had aged beyond anything he could have expected. Love is a big part of Steve's life and what motivates him.
Friendship/Other relationships: Finding a group that you can trust your life with is a precious thing not to be wasted. Steve is grateful to have found people like that here in the Nexus.
Homosexuality: Steve's personally alright with it but comes from a time when you had to keep that sort of thing to yourself so he can get a little embarrassed. It doesn't discourage him from talking about it though. He feels that the movement toward accepting all people is one of the better parts of the future.
The opposite sex: Scary powerful in their own ways. He has a lot of respect for women.
The same sex: A bit more comfortable with men than women. Can be more casual with them easier.
Money/Material things: As a child of the Great Depression, Steve is used to having neither. He still ends up donating most of his money and things to charities. Doesn't want anyone else to go without.
Politics: Necessary but very unpleasant.
Religion: Steve was raised in an Irish Catholic house and does his best to uphold the values he was raised by even if he no longer attends church regularly. His job makes it difficult to do.
Destiny/Duty: Destiny is a mystical idea he doesn't really understand but duty is very important to him. He believes in helping his country, helping other people. Just helping in general.
Magic/Myth:Much less skeptical of it than he used to be. He's been proven wrong enough times by now. They both exist in some capacity of another. He just needs to know how to fight them.
Racism/Races in general: Steve doesn't put up with racism or bigotry from anyone. He's against bullies of all stripes.
Science/Technology: SO useful! He's learned a lot since coming to the future and the Nexus.
Nature/Animals: Steve doesn't have a whole lot of experience with animals being a city boy born and bred. He had to learn about nature on the fields in WWII though. He's pretty comfortable outdoors.
Modernity: A confusing place he's not sure he belongs in.
Antiquity: A nostalgic place that's passed him by.
Their past: Steve misses his old body sometimes. Misses his old life. BUt he doesn't have either anymore so all he can do is go forward.
Their future: Stoic optimism the world will continue to shape into a better place.
Their role in society/job/etc:A bit shaky right now ever since The Avengers broke up. He's been laying low since.
Drugs and alcohol: They don't work on him anymore save for a few exceptions. Use responsibly other people.
Killing/Murder: A last resort but not off the table. Whatever views he used to have on the subject have been changed by the realities of war.
Education: A valuable tool often taken for granted. Essential for continued progress. He's considered taking online classes to catch up and broaden his own education but due to time constraints hasn't been able to so far.
The foreign/unknown: A chance to learn something new. Best to be careful around it though. There's danger lurking in the shadows.
How does the character view life? A chance to make a difference in the loves of others. Something to be enjoyed for as long as you've got it.
How does the character view death? An absolute that can't be cheated or avoided forever. Most of the people Steve Rogers knows are dead.
How does the character view society? Changing and sometimes rough. Generally progressive and worth defending.
How does the character imagine his/her own death? He's not looking to die, but if he gives his life in the service of others then he'll have done well by his own views.
What does the character want out of life? To find a place he belongs and to help others.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Ridding the world of HYDRA's influence. Protecting the people of Earth.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? That he'd been able to catch Bucky before he fell off the train. That he'd have taken so many chances he missed when he went into the ice.
What motivates this character? His work and his friends.
What discourages this character? His friends hiding things from him. Having his faith in others betrayed.
What makes this character happy? Art, spending time with the people he cares about, sparring, motorcycles, his Pokemon.
What makes this character sad? Being reminded of the past he left behind. Seeing his friends suffer. Feeling powerless to help someone.
What makes this character angry? Bullies. Bigots. Dictators. Invaders. Watching people who deserve recognition be pushed to the side for the sake of image and politics.
What humiliates this character? His own failures, realizing he's not able to keep up with other people when the heavy intellectual jargon starts.
What most describes this character's personality? Honest. Steve can lie when he absolutely has to, but tends to be an open book.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): At his core Steve is still the scrappy kid from Brooklyn who could never let himself be pushed down despite his size and frailty. He's stubborn and while he may not want the responsibility being a famous super hero gives him he's prepared to do whatever it takes to inspire others and fulfill his duty.
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? Steve doesn't feel like he belongs anywhere due to all the time jumping he's done. He's more than happy to try and live up to the ideal of Captain America because it makes him feel like he has a purpose. Steve's beginning to realize that isn't necessarily Him though and is trying to find out how to do right by himself still.
Stratos has plenty of morals to share
If they could sum up the meaning of life, what would they say?: The greatest purpose in life is to serve one’s family, the Empire, and the gods. In about that order.
What do they consider taboo (something they personally would never do): Previously, condoning unnecessary harm to the innocent. Now… well, still outright commanding harm to innocents, though he’s afraid to think how flexible his orders might be in defining innocence. Harming one of his own family is still unthinkable. Taking bribes or otherwise sullying the Empire’s honor in anything but extreme circumstances, harming children, desecrating the dead (especially via any form of necromancy), sacrilege and betraying the Empire are all right out.
Describe character's etiquette: Formal and gentlemanly. He’s more at ease with other people’s rough manners than might be expected, since he has to mingle with everyone from Orcish heavy troopers to local aristocrats. That doesn’t mean he’s good at replicating them. He’ll tweak his manners according to company, but in general they serve a purpose in marking his station as an Imperial officer. Yes, you’re supposed to remember that.
Describe character's sense of self-control: Intense and all-encompassing.
Spontaneous or structured? Structured. Especially when he looks like he’s being spontaneous.
Instinctual or logical? Logical.
How does this character act in public? Courteous, authoritative, calm, usually reasonable, sometimes a tad prim and officious if it suits his purposes. He genuinely sees it as his duty to assist ordinary citizens but has no problem if the best way to do that is to play the obstructive bureaucrat.
How does this character act in privacy? He’s kind, perhaps reserved but genuinely good at listening to people and at least hearing out their perspectives.
How does this character act around strangers vs. how they act around friends? Around strangers he can be downright aloof, playing the part of Imperial Tribune Caelus: more rule-bound, sometimes humorless, always conscious of his station as the Emperor’s representative. Among friends he relaxes: his humor is less dry, he’s more prone to grump out loud (invariably about Felix), and it’s easier to see how much of his bossiness stems from the urge to mother-hen those around him.
How does this character act around family? Nearly all the walls go down. He wears his heart on his sleeve with his family, even if he doesn’t tell them the whole truth about anything. They’re the only people he trusts absolutely and implicitly.
How has this character most changed from youth? He’s grown more paranoid and self-reliant… and angrier. He understands far better the limits of the Empire’s power, and what it means when another race has you over a barrel.
How have they remained the same? He’s still fundamentally kind-natured and desperate to use his abilities to help his people.
Has this character dealt with the loss of someone they knew? Yes.
If so, who? His mother, when he was about thirteen years old. She survived the Great War but suffered multiple arrow wounds (and subsequent infection) helping to clear the roads of brigands in the aftermath. From what he gleaned it wasn’t a pleasant death.
How has it affected them? It’s made him conscious that the cost of war goes way beyond those who die in glorious battle, for one thing. His mother’s death had a huge impact in terms of driving him to step up and take care of his little brother, seeing that as his job while their father was away on duty. Needless to say he’s pretty unsympathetic towards bandits, too.
How does this character deal with or react to-
Conflict/Danger: Stays calm and acts to take control of the situation, whether to defuse tensions or shut down his opponent.
Rejection: Typically, stoic acceptance. If it’s something he really needs then he probably has backup plans for how to get it. If it’s something personal he’ll be quietly hurt.
Fear: He keeps it to himself. He’s not above using his own rally spells on himself, although obviously it’s something he has to be careful with. That can go very wrong.
Change: He’ll adapt quickly, though if it involves changing something he holds dear (family, religion, his country and traditions) then he may do so with varying degrees of reluctance and resentment. That said, survival is paramount and there are no prizes for purity.
Loss: He buries himself in the rites of mourning and his duties. Now that he’s an officer he will generally try to make some particular gesture of remembrance to the deceased’s memory, be it championing their last goal or ensuring their family is taken care of.
Sex/Flirting: Courteous deflection, if he’s on his game. He does better if it comes in a situation where he’s somewhat prepared for it (certain parties, taverns, questioning people with reason to try and distract him etc.) and he’ll generally try to look for the motive behind the flirting. If he’s taken by surprise or suspects it’s meant seriously he gets much more flustered. Sometimes, if he’s comfortable enough, he can actually return flirtatious banter with a degree of grace. This is rare.
It’s been a very long time since he last had sex. He takes it too seriously.
Pain: Gritted teeth, whatever relief he can get and soldiering on.
Stress: Bottled up. He drinks a lot of canis root tea and goes stargazing when he can. At least when the stress is Felix-related he vents to his friend Celann (or at Felix directly).
Peer pressure: Outward acquiescence if they’re important peers, respectful listening if not. Ultimately he will do as he sees fit whether overtly or covertly.
Guilt: He’ll do his best to make amends. He may not own up to it.
Being wrong: Deeply embarrassed and he’ll try to save face, but will put duty and pragmatism first and accept the facts.
Being criticized: Depends on the source - if a superior, he’ll accept it above any defense of himself, if a subordinate he’s more likely to counter-argue on principle. He may apologize courteously and concede points as long as it’s on his terms.
Being insulted (superficially: name calling, etc): A cool stare, maybe some sharp words but more likely he just decides whether you’re worth acknowledging/penalizing for your disrespect.
Offending others: He will likely apologize with all grace and courtesy. Whether he stops whatever he’s doing to cause offence is another matter.
Praise: A measured smile, thanks and inner pride. If it’s personal rather than related to his work then he often gets a bit flustered.
Being loved: Assuming it’s platonic/familial, he’ll confine himself to returning the affection in a reserved way. On the inside he’ll be glowing with happiness and pride. The other kind of love doesn’t happen so shut up.
Being hated: Comes with the job. Hardly anyone who hates him matters, although if it is someone important then he’ll try to bring them round or at least earn their respect. Even if it’s a Thalmor. Though if it is, then he hates them back.
Humiliation: He takes that hard, even if he avoids showing it. He’ll stew quietly until he has a chance to prove himself.
How does this character express-
Anger: He frowns. If he is angry enough there are thunderbolts.
Sadness: He frowns sadly.
Fear: Tense expression and barking orders while he gets a handle on the situation.
Happiness/Excitement: He smiles a bit. Sometimes he even laughs.
Love (Consider the "Five Languages of Love"): Everything except physical touch, though it might take a long time for him to openly express his affection. Stratos is absolutely the type to pine from afar because it would never wooork and he can’t burden anyone with the risk of being his lover when things hit the fan with the Thalmor. So he tells himself. Under the layers of reserve he’s a man of deep feeling and when he falls for someone he’ll fall hard.
Lust: How dare you imply such things? He’s just going to spend some alone time in his tent. Looking at maps, you gutter-minded heathen.
Stress/anxiety: Extra drills for everyone! Also quiet prayers. He likes going out stargazing, especially in the snow. It’s comforting to him.
Dislike (of a person, thing, or idea): Cold disapproval and quiet insults/disdain, seeking to thwart them as overtly as he dares. Political expedience tends to get in the way.
Approval (of a person, thing, or idea): Quiet warmth, encouragement and steadfast support.
How does this character generally express themselves? Carefully chosen words, measured expressions and actions that often aren’t obvious in their purpose or scope.
part 2
Marriage: One of the greatest joys a man can have, if chosen wisely. Stratos absolutely yearns to marry someday, though he thinks it will have to wait until after the (next) war concludes. There’s an element of duty in it as the eldest son and heir of the family, but he genuinely wants to find a woman he can share his life with and devote his attention and affections to.
Children: The other greatest joy a man can have. Stratos actually doesn’t have that much experience with children aside from looking after his little brother for years, but he really does like kids and will get parental given half a chance. Probably tries to locate all the flower-selling war orphans in whatever city he’s stationed in and teach them what alchemy ingredients they can safely gather for extra coin and free meals.
Family/Family Values: The backbone of civilized society. Some families are rotten, it’s true, but everyone should have a family even if it’s not the one of their birth. Stratos is devoted to his.
Children/Youth: A vulnerable, confusing age where one doesn’t have the knowledge or ability to navigate the world safely. He has a lot of patience for those younger than himself and thinks he would enjoy teaching them.
Old age: When you get to become a curmudgeonly old wizard and please yourself. He respects his elders, but sometimes with a strained smile since they tend not to feel quite so rule-bound.
Sex: A high expression of love and not to be indulged in lightly. Which isn’t to say he’s never had sex out of expedience, but he’d feel bad about it and do his best to avoid that strategy.
Love: Genuinely good and powerful, but some things are more important.
Friendship/Other relationships: He takes the bonds of friendship and camaraderie seriously, as well as his responsibilities to those under his command. Everyone but his best friends Sir Celann and cousin Marcella are held at arm’s length, but whatever he owes you he’ll do his best to give.
Homosexuality: Worth a try at least once.
The opposite sex: Stratos is generally quite comfortable with women and appreciates that they tend not to expect macho posturing from him. He tries to treat them with gentlemanly courtesy and respect for their skills as appropriate. That said he knows very little about ‘womanly’ things and will be a bit embarrassed if they come up.
The same sex: Less relaxed, but comfortable in that he knows what to expect from them. He dislikes manly stereotypes that look down on academic pursuits, but the role of martial scholar and family man suits him.
Money/Material things: The bane of many a campaign and the key to many a reluctant door. Like a stereotypical Imperial, he has enough of a head for figures that finance doesn’t intimidate him, but he has no interest in doing anything clever with it. Most of his own salary ends up spent either on Felix or stashed away for a rainy day.
Politics: Vital and not necessarily unpleasant. He’d enjoy them much more if they didn’t involve so much kowtowing and conceding to the people who invaded the Empire and killed half his family.
Religion: A matter of life, death and worse death. Religion underpins the authority and laws of the Empire. Stratos was born and raised in Bruma and 90% of his ancestors were legionnaires of one stripe or other: like most of them he worships Talos, founder and patron god of the Empire. That’s a little awkward since their treaty with the Thalmor made Talos-worship very illegal, and Stratos keeps that part of his faith hidden to avoid being whisked off for torture and imprisonment (or at least losing his job). Publicly he pays reverence to Akatosh, Stendarr and Julianos in particular. He doesn’t make a show of it, but he is a pious man.
Destiny/Duty: He’d be inclined to believe in fate, but since virtually no-one ever knows their destiny it’s not something to get too worked up about. He does practice astrology to try and divine how the stars will guide his future. Duty of the earthly kind defines nearly everything about him.
Magic/Myth: He’s an Imperial battlemage of a long line of Imperial mages.
Racism/Races in general: Complicated. He doesn’t actively look down on the other races in Tamriel, but he has a lot of more-or-less conscious expectations and prejudices about them. The most important hierarchy regardless of race is Imperial citizens > foreign civilized peoples > other mortals > daedra. He has more positive feelings about races who serve in the Legions a lot (e.g. Redguards, Nords, Dunmer, Orcs) in large part due to hearing more good stories about them. In particular he grew up with a lot of Nords and has spent years stationed among the Bretons of High Rock, plus a very close family friend is the Orc woman who helped raise his cousin and became her mentor. He generally believes the different attributes of various races are complementary and make them important in different aspects of society… but obviously Imperials are the most sensible ones. That’s why they’re in charge.
Science/Technology: He values both, seeing them as signs of a civilized and progressive society. His world doesn’t draw any distinction between science and magic, since magic is an empirically observable part of Nirn’s natural laws. As a mage with a good Imperial education, Stratos personally feels that he should be adept with technological devices and new concepts. Despite this, he only has a passing familiarity with Nexus technology beyond his mobile phone/PINpoint and a passing knowledge of computers. He doesn’t feel the need to use it in most circumstances and has very little notion of the culture around it.
Nature/Animals: A somewhat academic respect. By Tamrielic standards Stratos is something of a town boy, but it’s still an agricultural society (Bruma is very much a hunting/trapping town) and he spends a lot of time outdoors whether in camp or on duty. The natural world has a big impact on his day-to-day life. He’s not a devout follower of Tamriel’s nature goddess, but he is deeply interested in astronomy and genuinely enjoys learning about the plants and animals around him. He can be very fond of animals although he doesn’t personally interact with many beyond his horse.
Their past: He’s comfortable with most of it, though the period around the Great War and his mother’s death was a dark time he has to be exceptionally careful in talking about. There’s a lot of anger buried there.
Their future: Grim. He’s very conscious of the fact that another war with the Aldmeri Dominion is coming, that it will be within his lifetime, and that the survival of imperial civilization - maybe of human civilization - depends on his people’s victory. And that they aren’t prepared. He’s determined to see the Empire survive, but he knows it’s going to be brutal.
Their role in society/job/etc: He’s proud to serve the Emperor and the citizens of Tamriel. Even off-duty he’s conscious of his duty to represent the Empire and uphold its laws. It’s a role he’s been raised for since he was a child.
Drugs and alcohol: He has no taste and little tolerance for drugs that don’t relate to a ritual use he can approve of. If they’re illegal he’ll happily arrest you for them. Alcohol is perfectly fine, but he uses it almost exclusively to aid socializing and keeps some good brandy around for work purposes.
Killing/Murder: Lawful killing is part of life, although executions are always distasteful; public executions are a mark of shame and a sign of how Thalmor pressure has warped the rule of Imperial justice. Murder is reprehensible- although privately, he’s not averse to a convenient death or two for the greater good.
Education: A boon to everyone who has it. Not everyone needs an advanced education, but literacy and a solid grasp of things like Imperial law, religion and history are key to being a good citizen.
The foreign/unknown: Stratos views it cautiously. People who seem civilized (read: more similar to Imperials) get more respect regardless of their shape. He is willing to try new things, although he can take a while to warm up to them. He’s totally confident in the superiority of Imperial culture, and taking that as read feels no need to posture about it. He does believe there are some things that just aren’t for mortal exploration… Felix.
How does the character view life? As a gift that’s often all-too-short. To be used wisely and in service of something greater than oneself.
How does the character view death? Sorrowful, but less so if one dies well and goes to join the gods and one’s ancestors in Aetherius. Treating the dead with respect is important, and any decent officer makes a point of returning the remains of even executed criminals home for proper burial.
How does the character view society? It represents all the most important things in the world: virtue, justice, compassion, law and knowledge. Of course it also reflects the vices of the people it contains…
How does the character imagine his/her own death? When he’s hopeful it involves a peaceful death surrounded by his family far in the future. He suspects he’ll die violently in the coming war, and in his darker moments he fears he’ll die alone and unknown on some mission gone awry.
What does the character want out of life? To see the Empire - and his family - through the dark times ahead.
What does this character consider "success" to be? Being a worthy citizen of a stable and just society, supporting a healthy and happy family.
What would the character like to change in his/her life? He’d like to have a better relationship with his brother, since he and Felix were much closer as children. He’d love not to have to hide his beliefs or acquiesce to orders that disgust him.
What motivates this character? Duty. Suppressed rage. A sense of compassion for those around him.
What discourages this character? Being told he’s acted foolishly. Seeing the wheels of politics roll on without the ability to steer them. Seeing places where the Empire has made enemies of the people it’s trying to rule. Thinking of how much they’ve lost in the last two centuries.
What makes this character happy? Making a positive difference to ordinary citizens, spending time with the people he loves.
What makes this character sad? Worrying about his family, being away from home for so long, thinking about his parents. He can’t always show it, but being unable to help so many of the people he sees in tragic situations always gets him.
What makes this character angry? THALMOR. And Stormcloaks. Ulfric especially. Also bandits, people who enjoy the protection of the law without respecting it, treating honest people with contempt or disregard out of class or racial snobbery.
What humiliates this character? Being overridden or insulted by Thalmor and unable to answer back, being chastised by his superiors. Given his position, being ignored is quite humiliating.
What most describes this character's personality? A stiff courteous exterior over a stormy emotional core.
Psychoanalysis (Describe why they act the way they do): Stratos basically sees it as his job to take care of everything, whether it’s keeping his little brother safe or working behind the scenes to prepare the Empire for war. His overriding sense of duty can make him calculating and he’s so used to the need for secrecy that he almost never lets anyone else in on a full plan… even if the plan is for their benefit. Being able to do the right thing in the long run means putting his own feelings aside.
Does it stem from childhood or an event, or chemical? The War was absolutely formative for him - he was only a child, but Stratos vividly remembers the fear of being in a town under siege, and the visceral understanding that the Dominion wanted him and everyone he knew dead. He remembers the grief his family suffered (his cousin lost her father, his mother lost her parents and his father lost both siblings, while his uncle ended up with a medical discharge from the Legion) and so understands very well what it means to have his family on the front lines. His family has always been duty-oriented, but his mother’s death really spurred him to try and step up to take care of his brother.
After the war he grew up under the shadow of the White-Gold Concordat and the ban on Talos-worship. It ingrained the need for secrecy even before the Stormcloak rebellion and the Thalmor’s tightening noose on the Empire made it risky to express one’s real feelings about the Dominion.
(no subject)