History Characters / PVP

** NotSoStoic: She had a breakdown years ago, when she was still married to Darren. Also, when [[spoiler:a very drunk Cole reveals that he tattoed [[TheMuppetShow Kermit the Frog]] on his right buttocks, she burst out in laughter]].

'''Francis''': *''deadpan''* Oh, I'm sorry. I thought that was my name, not a make me tell you stuff spell.
'''Lucille''': *''DeathGlare''*
'''Francis''': [[spoiler:We got married in Vegas.]]

* TedBaxter: Subverted with Max Powers. The audience is initially warned that he's one, but upon closer scrutiny, it turns out that Max is actually a pretty decent guy (if a bit of a dork).
** Prior to his Great American Journey sanding off the obnoxious edges of his personality, he was routinely treated as one, even though he didn't really deserve it. Cole hated him with a passion; none of the others felt quite so strongly, but they found his dorkiness so incredibly grating that it overshadowed his numerous redeeming qualities.

* ParentalSubstitute: Arguably, for Francis.

The co-founder of ''PvP Magazine'' and Cole's closest friend, Brent Irving Sienna[[spoiler:-Fontaine]], is in many ways Cole's DramaticFoil. Where Cole is (usually) responsible, Brent often is brash and egotistical, and where Cole is proud of his geekiness, Brent vehemently denies it. Cole uses Windows, Brent uses Macs. You get the idea. However, while the two are very different, they also share many similarities, such as similar interests. Also, [[spoiler:[[http://www.pvponline.com/2008/05/04/the-vows/ as of May 2008]], Brent has left his place among the comic's bachelors and is now married to his long-term girlfriend, Jade Fontaine]].

* [[ProudToBeAGeek Proud To Be An Apple Geek]]: Is so obsessed with Apple products that when he was banned from all Apple stores for [[spoiler:cutting the line of an iPhone line, thereby starting a fist fight]], not only did ''he'' almost go into a coma, [[NumberOneFan but he affected the sales of Apple so much]] that they ''lifted'' his ban.

*** Curiously, the gag was actually dropped [[http://www.pvponline.com/2000/10/26/thu-oct-26/ on one separate occasion]], [[CrossDressing as part of a different joke]]. Every other time, it was played straight, to truly ridiculous levels, such as one time he was in a full-body cast. Jade says he ''never'' takes off the glasses. ''Never.''

Jade Evelyn Fontaine[[spoiler:-Sienna]] is, along with Cole, the most responsible member of the ''PvP'' staff and most likely to get work done. However, her work ethic strains against her own impulses for mischief and addiction to online gaming. Nonetheless, Jade is something of a [[TeamMom maternal, governing figure for the group]], who is at least as likely to try and be responsible as she is to goof off. For a long time, she was also the TokenFemale, before Marcy and later her sister Miranda were hired.

Skull [[JustForPun Theodore]] Troll is a 400-year old troll who is the only non-human member of the ''PvP'' staff. Childish and innocent, Skull is something of an odd match even discounting his mythical nature, being completely sweet and good-hearted, quite large, and also unpaid (he works there officially as an intern). Skull was originally imported from Scott Kurtz's earlier comic, ''TalesByTavernlight'', and was modeled (at least initially) after the trolls featured in ''UltimaOnline''. Since then, however, he's become an integral part of the cast, the comic's mascot, and developed a rich backstory. His flatulence has also become a subject of great notoriety within the strip.

* ExpansionPackPast: Initially, Skull was just an import from ''TalesByTavernlight'', which was set in the world of ''UltimaOnline''. Then, it was later established that the characters of ''TalesByTavernlight'' actually existed in the historic past. At some point, it was revealed Skull was present during the [[TheLordOfTheRings War of the Ring]]. Then, his cousin [[spoiler:Shecky]] was revealed. Lastly, it appears that in addition to all these other details, Skull has also been [[spoiler:Brent's guardian angel / imaginary friend since childhood.]]

* GeekyTurnOn: How did [[spoiler:Brent get back together with Jade after their nasty break-up?]] By courting her online as a player on ''DarkAgeOfCamelot'', dressing up in a big chainmail suit, and asking her to a romantic get-away in Las Vegas ([[spoiler:where they had broken up the year previous]]).

* AddictionDisplacement: A recurring problem for Jade, who goes from being addicted to ''UltimaOnline'' to ''{{Everquest}}'' to ''DarkAgeOfCamelot'' to ''WorldOfWarcraft'', much to Brent's frustration. Also was addicted to email for awhile, though this seems to have been dropped.

*** Curiously, the gag was actually dropped [[http://www.pvponline.com/2000/10/26/thu-oct-26/ on one separate occasion]], [[CrossDressing as part of a different joke]]. Every other time, it was played straight, to truly ridiculous levels, such as one time he was in a full-body cast. Jade says he ''never'' takes off the glasses. ''[[IfYouKnowWhatIMean Never.]]''

* [[ProudToBeAGeek Proud To Be An Apple Geek]]: Is so obsessed with Apple products that when he was banned from all Apple stores for [[spoiler:cutting the line of an iPhone line, thereby starting a fist fight]] not only did ''he'' almost go into a coma, [[NumberOneFan but he affected the sales of Apple so much]] that they ''lifted'' his ban.

** For a long time, the fact that Brent never took his sun glasses off and no one in the cast had seen his eyes was one. Ever since TheReveal happened ([[spoiler:when he married Jade]]) this is no longer as much an issue.
*** Curiously, the gag was actually dropped [[http://www.pvponline.com/2000/10/26/thu-oct-26/ on one separate occasion]], [[CrossDressing as part of a different joke]]. Every other time it was played straight, to truly ridiculous levels, such as one time he was in a full-body cast. Jade says he ''never'' takes off the glasses. ''[[IfYouKnowWhatIMean Never.]]''

** Another RunningGag that's been dropped has been his constant suffering at the hands of the Office Panda, which started when he tried to replace Skull with the Panda. As of 2010, their feud has stopped and they're even friends - of a sort.

* AddictionDisplacement: A recurring problem for Jade who goes from being addicted to ''UltimaOnline'' to ''{{Everquest}}'' to ''DarkAgeOfCamelot'' to ''WorldOfWarcraft'', much to Brent's frustration. Also was addicted to email for awhile, though this seems to have been dropped.
* ArtEvolution: Moreso than the even the other characters. Compare her in [[http://www.pvponline.com/1998/05/05/tue-may-05/ 1998]] and her in [[http://www.pvponline.com/2010/08/31/this-means-warts/ 2010]].

[[TagalongKid Initially the only minor in the cast]], Francis is both a vindication and indictment of GenerationY (1980s through mid 1990s), both being incredible intelligent and quick on his feet but also being self-centered and often obnoxious. Initially cast as something of a hardcore [=PC=] user, both as a contrast with Brent's Apple obsession and as a commentary on gamers deriding the console experience. Since then, however, Francis has branched out in other forms of nerdom and no longer has a particularly prejudice against either Macs or consoles. Typically, Francis is used to represent the youth opinion in a battle of generations or as an example of a nerd [[ProudToBeAGeek who's truly proud to be one with no reservations]].

* ChildProdigy: Although too lazy to do anything with it, Francis has been established many times to be something of a technical genius. [[JustifiedTrope Which is why]] ''PvP'' [[JustifiedTrope hired him in the first place]].

* ImportantHaircut: [[AvertedTrope Averted]]. While Francis does change his hairstyle significantly at one point due to Miranda calling it "cute," it turns out to be completely unimportant character-wise. It stays that way though.

* HarmlessVillain: Early on in the strip, his "evil" tendencies were played up, particularly by Brent who played the part of SenseiForScoundrels. Mostly his "acts of evil" amounted [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking to finding ways to get out of work, digital piracy, and pretending to stand in line for Episode III]].

Skull [[JustForPun Theodore]] Troll is a 400-year old troll who is the only non-human member of the ''PvP'' staff. Childish and innocent, Skull is something of an odd match even discounting his mythical nature, being completely sweet and good-hearted, quite large, and also unpaid (he works there officially as an intern). Skull was originally imported from Scott Kurtz's earlier comic, ''TalesByTavernlight'' and was modeled (at least initially) after the trolls featured in ''UltimaOnline''. Since then, however, he's become an integral part of the cast, the comic's mascot, and developed a rich backstory. His flatulence has also become a subject of great notoriety within the strip.

* TheHeart: Many of the series' [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming Crowning Moments of Heartwarming]] come from him and he's definitely the most PureOfHeart within the cast.

* WeirdnessCensor: Certain people can't see Skull. It's unclear exactly how this works, since while it was initially suggested only the PureOfHeart could see him this had a principle flaw: the person in question who couldn't see him (Max Powers) isn't anymore evil then Brent, who can. Furthermore, later on, Shecky shatters Max Powers' inability to see him.

* GrowingTheBeard: Almost litteraly. Max becomes more and more likeable as the comic goes on, he gains, litteraly, a beard, becomes able to see Skull (he was the only one at the office not able to see him), saved the magazine... And moved the entire cast to Seattle.
* IDidWhatIHadToDo - Max [[spoiler: broke into Cole's office to search for bank statements]] because [[spoiler: Cole was ignoring Max's concerns about the magazine's finances even though Cole ''knew'' they were pretty much screwed.]]
* MistakenForGay - Much of the cast suspects Max Powers is gay. [[http://www.pvponline.com/2008/11/21/old-wounds/ He's hinted as much]], but [[http://www.pvponline.com/2008/12/03/good-night/ won't give a straight answer]] (as it were). [[http://www.pvponline.com/2011/05/27/setec-astronomy/ Lately, he seems to be dating someone]]... [[GenderBlenderName named Chris]].

*** And now, it's confirmed : [[http://www.pvponline.com/2011/07/13/the-secret-of-him/ Max is gay.]]

* TedBaxter - Subverted with Max Powers. The audience is initially warned that he's one, but upon closer scrutiny, it turns out that Max is actually a pretty decent guy (if a bit of a dork).
** Prior to his Great American Journey sanding off the obnoxious edges of his personality, he was routinely treated as one even though he didn't really deserve it. Cole hated him with a passion; none of the others felt quite so strongly, but they found his dorkiness so incredibly grating that it overshadowed his numerous redeeming qualities.

The co-founder of ''PvP Magazine'' and Cole's closest friend, Brent Irving Sienna[[spoiler:-Fontaine]] is in many ways Cole's DramaticFoil. Where Cole is (usually) responsible, Brent often is brash and egotistical, and where Cole is proud of his geekiness, Brent vehemently denies it. Cole uses Windows, Brent uses Macs. You get the idea. However, while the two are very different, they also share many similarities, such as similar interests. Also, [[spoiler:[[http://www.pvponline.com/2008/05/04/the-vows/ as of May 2008]], Brent has left his place among the comic's bachelors and is now married to his long-term girlfriend, Jade Fontaine]].

* BigBrotherInstinct: Becomes Francis' big brother figure by accident. Jade later points this out to him.

[[WordOfGod According to Scott Kurtz]] [[spoiler:Brent isn't based on anyone in particular, but his marriage with Jade is a "reflection" on his to his own wife, Angela]].

[[folder:Cole Richards]]

* TheBoss:

* LevelUpAtIntimacy: With [[spoiler:Marcy]].
* PlotRelevantAgeUp: With LevelUpAtIntimacy.

* DarkAndSecretPast: Not really. But the rest of the cast acts as if [[spoiler:her single night in juvenile hall and teenage antics]] are a traumatic backstory, though in sort of an EvilIsCool sort of way.

* FamilyMan

* FireForgedPandas

[[http://www.pvponline.com/2008/05/04/the-vows/ In 2008]], Jade [[spoiler:married her long-term boyfriend Brent Sienna, after several failed proposals on the latter's part. After debating over whether to change her name or not, the couple settled on a compromise. This makes her, along with her husband and Cole the only married character in the series]].

The founder and chief executive officer of ''PvP Magazine'', Cole Richards is, along with Jade, the grounding center of the main cast, often contrasting with the wild antics of the main cast (though he's been known to go off the reservation himself). Brent's college roommate and best friend since high school, Cole [[stike:is]] ''was'' the only married member of the main cast. He's also the only one with children. Allegedly based on Richard Stockton, a friend of Scott Kurtz's.