Welcome, reader, to the latest Character Development Thread! These shared story exercises help budding writers develop their characters alongside the characters of other budding writers. No formal sign-up is necessary; one can simply jump right in. Just make sure to review the OP and the last few pages first.
If the length of the thread has become a bit daunting and you need a recap, or if you simply need another question about the threads answered, just post in the discussion thread
and we’ll do our best to help you out.
This particular thread focuses a bit more heavily on character interaction than usual. It is recommended, though not required, that your characters come with specific goals in mind.
Many thanks go to nrjxll, Killer Clowns, SolipSchism, Corvidae, electronic-tragedy, Darkblood Carnagefang, Strix Obscuro, Gault, Night, and gameknight102xx, among others, for helping to prepare the thread.
◊Somewhere in the vastness that is the multiverse, there lies a great city. Born from a mix of modern technologies and ancient magic, it has become a crossroads between many different realities, resulting in a wonderfully varied populace and a mostly near-futuristic cityscape.
This shining Capital prides itself on being a place of opportunity. It’s up to the inhabitants to make something of it.
- Current Time: Night (~10:00 PM)
- Current Weather: Cloudy
edited 12th Oct '15 12:20:03 PM by Yomegami
PAINKILLER
[Visitor's District -> Zan's Diner]
Kevin skipped breakfast again that morning, and he was paying the consequences. A few new people arrived, and learned the meaning of 'Hub City'. He used one of the nearby currency converters for the loose $50 in his wallet. He snuffed out the cigar on a nearby ashtray and pulled out the credits from the machine. It should be enough for now, he thought. His stomach growled again. His stomach and eyes guided him towards a diner.
He easily found it due to the large sign. His wondered if the owner was a purple elephant himself. He wouldn't be surprised. As he entered, he was struck in the face with the scent of grease and an amalgamation of other food items. Other-worldly ingredients were at use here, for sure.
Other people were there already, most notably a lizard looking person and a man with silver hair. All of the people or creatures seemed to be notable. A pair of children also walked in, with the glowing orbs around them. For the moment, Kevin ignored them.
The place reeked of the 50's sight of the future, with chrome coating everything. It was an aesthetic that was familiar in greasy diners. The man sat at at the bar-looking area so he could be alone. To start off he ordered a coffee with cream and sugar. He eyed a menu that was caked in greasy finger prints, and began to look through it.
"Dear God. What on Earth is a-" He mumbled to himself, seeing a word that had to many Ns. "Oh- at least they have normal food."
[City Center (Downtown Park) -> West Side]
The once-masked man used a good 10 minutes gathering his bearings. He still had his knife and gun, hidden within his coat. He also found a strange currency in his pants pocket.
Kommissar walked around the park to remember why, gathering his memory. Once he realized, his stomach boiled. He knew where to head to, as a map was shoved in with his money.
He broke into a run to the nearby canal transport, and ordered for a quick ride to the seediest place in the glamorous Capital- the West Side. The person who presumably left him for kicks and giggles should be among the broken-down industrial buildings.
Life is hard, that's why no one survives.
[Old City—Old Arena]
Sito Midas stumbled out of a sudden gout of flame, nearly running into the lizard-person. At the last moment he caught himself and drew back, waving an apology, but he stayed hunched over, propping himself up with one hand on his knee, waving in front of his face with the other.
"Sorry," he managed, choking a little on the smoke from his own infernal method of travel. "Sorry. Difficult to be suave and mysterious when somebody is draining your power."
Inhaling deeply, he stood up straight and rubbed his temples with the thumb and middle finger of his right hand.
"Ah, yes. Much better. I'll have to stay away from that one. Or perhaps I can ask him to tone it down, if I'm forced to interact with him. Sorry," he repeated, "if I startled you. I'm Sito Midas. A sorcerer of sorts, though I have other specialities."
He looked to his left, where the Arena entrance stood prominently at the end of the street. A slow smile spread across his face as he recalled the layout of the city from the map.
"The Old Arena," he said, as if either of them were unaware of what it was. "Is that where you're headed? Not to pry," he added. "Mind if I join you?"
edited 26th Feb '15 8:06:51 AM by SolipSchism
Visitor's District
Some time later, Sophie and Samantha had found a map display and were currently looking it over.
"I'm thinking our best chances of actually finding something worthwhile is at this Market Street place," Samantha said, "Or possibly the Old City, depending on what that is."
"Maybe we should have figured this out back at the station. Wandering aimlessly doesn't look like a good idea here," Sophie responded, before looking around, "Especially with how big and busy this city seems to be."
Samantha sighed. "Maybe, but unfortunately neither of us actually bothered to look for a map back there, and while I don't know about you I'm really not in the mood to backtrack right now."
Sophie shrugged. "I was just saying...."
Icon by Civvi the Civilian!
Razzin-Frazzin Robot
Visitor's district
Sylvia walked up to Sophie and Samantha and said "Are you here on vacation too?"
It's a bird.
Visitor's District (Zan's Diner)
After entering the diner, Garkin picked a seat close to the windows and sat down to look through the menu. "Let's see..." he mumbled to himself. "Carbon based... DNA... Ah, here we go."
While deciding what to eat, Garkin looked up from the menu to discreetly take a peek at the other people who had recently entered the place. There were four of them, all seemingly members of the same species, though two of them were smaller than the others. Children perhaps? One of the taller Humans, as he'd been told they were called, wore a long coat. The other was the same silver-furred man he had seen outside.
Having made up his mind, Garkin briefly spoke to a waitress and then leaned back in his seat to wait, occasionally casting a slightly nervous glance towards the device on his wrist.
Still a great "screw depression" song even after seven years.
Visitor's District
Upon hearing someone address them, Sophie and Samantha turned to face the newcomer. They both recognized her as the one responsible for that scare with the dragon earlier, though neither of them chose to call her out on that.
"Vacation?" Samantha asked, before shaking her head. "No, or at least not what I'd consider a vacation. It's something of a long story, you see." She looked over the newcomer with a neutral, though slightly suspicious, expression for a few moments. "And you are...?"
Sophie remained quiet for the time being, though she did have her own thoughts about the newcomer. Between the circumstances earlier and the fact that this woman looked a little too much like a stereotypical demon for her liking, she couldn't say she had a good feeling about this person. At the same time, she didn't seem to be looking to cause trouble, or at least wasn't planning on being overt about it.
Icon by Civvi the Civilian!
Razzin-Frazzin Robot
Visitor's district.
"Sylvia Blaze."
Sylvia blew a smoke ring into the air. "I work in various departments."
They/Them
[Old City - Old Arena]
The lizard being, though a tad startled at Sito's appearance, simply gave off a small chuckle and nodded at his questions.
"Well, it'd be nice to explore this place with another person also entirely new to this city. It is a pleasure to meet you Sito, I am Gharboa Born-In-Tree-Sap," they paused, "And that is my last name, it isn't a title."
Scuttles made a chirping noise to get Gharboa's attention, who was quick to pet the spider on the head, "And this is Scuttles."
Gharboa turned toward the aged individual who was also at the terminal earlier, "I assume that you are here to test your mettle at this arena is as well?"
Note to self: Pick less edgy username next time.
living music catalog official
Visitor's District- Terminal
Foster dropped his hands in defeat, and turned to give his Banshee a quick pat on the head. The bird responded by idly preening his hair. At least he had the falcon.
"So that's her name, huh.." Rani muttered, before turning her attention to the girls, pausing to hoist Thistle (who had calmed down) up a little higher in her arms. She smiled innocently, trying not to look suspicious or anything. Foster did the same, trying his best to adjust his body language to look as harmless as possible with a red face and a sheepish grin.
Oops, I overlooked a detail: ulon'Uelshu is the one whose power prompted Sito to relocate in the first place.
[Old City - Old Arena]
"Delighted," Sito said, dipping his head respectfully to both Gharboa and Scuttles.
When he felt the influence of the sapping power affecting him again, he made a face at nothing in particular.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," he said in a strained voice, looking in ulon'Uelshu's direction, "but, sir, something about you is causing me a great deal of physical discomfort. I'm a largely supernatural being, you understand, and you're sapping my power—which means you're undermining my very existence. Too much of this could cause me to cease to exist entirely. I wonder if there's a way you could, ah, not do that."
edited 26th Feb '15 10:40:42 AM by SolipSchism
Crazy Kiwi
Karl's clear blue eyes darted everywhere, taking in the strange sights and stranger creatures. He was a long way from Freiburg and had experienced much in the last few months.
His new beard itched and he fought the impulse to scratch it - surely he would get used to it in time and it was an important part of divorcing himself from the clean-shaven military image he had had pushed upon him when he was in the Heer. Just as the respectable conservative suit marked him a civilian, so too did the beard.
Many strange things had happened - and were still happening - but he was happy to be out of uniform and with people he trusted, doing work he believed in, rather than reluctantly invading France at the behest of a madman.
Visitor's District
Sophie wrinkled her nose at the smoke coming from Sylvia's cigar. Already the woman wasn't doing a whole lot to help Sophie's opinion of her, between that and being wonderfully vague with her description of her job.
Samantha, meanwhile, just curtsied. "A pleasure to meet you," she said politely, "My name is Samantha, and my friend here is Sophie."
So much for not having to speak to her. Even with her reservations, however, Sophie didn't see any reason to be impolite. She inclined her head. "Charmed."
With introductions out of the way, Samantha continued, "Would you happen to know where the best shopping is around here? It tends to be good in cities, or so I've found."
Sophie raised an eyebrow at that, before shrugging. That was one way of saying they were looking for something.
Icon by Civvi the Civilian!
By all accounts and measures, Theign had seen far too much to react like this, but sometimes instinct was quicker than memory or reason. He closed his eyes for a moment and willed his breathing to steady, the adrenaline still coming in sharp, hot bursts. He ran through the usual exercises, blanking his mind, and all the howling and thrashing slid back within.
You idiot, it's just another tourist.
He did his best to keep his focus on his sandwich and coffee, and not the reptilian-looking whatever-it-was seated a few booths across from him. He tried his damnedest not to think what might have happened if he'd actually drawn his sword in the middle of a tourist district.
He was successful. For a minute or two.
The reptilian figure had seen him, but had passed him over. Humiliated once again at his own paranoia, Theign returned to the maps on his phone. With nothing better to do as he finished his lunch, Theign turned to the window, observing the reflections of the customers.
How dare you disrupt the sanctity of my soliloquy?
Razzin-Frazzin Robot
Visitor's district.
"There's this one shop I'm going to soon, if you wanna come with."
living music catalog official
Visitor's District
Rani started to regret her decision after all, but shrugged it off.
"It's nice to meet you," Foster signed towards the two girls, and Rani resigned herself to nodding in agreement.
"Hey man, can I have a word with you right fast?" she asked him, and they turned aside. The two whispered for a moment, and Banshee took off towards the skyline as if responding to orders. They turned back to Sylvia and the two girls like nothing happened.
Foster coughed awkwardly. Rani shuffled her feet.
"So.." she muttered, "What do you all know about this place? I.. failed to do a spot check of the city before buying a home.. I.. don't know much."
Professional Recluse
[Visitor's District-> Zan's Diner]
Ulf wrinkled his nose at the massive building looming above him. "Hotel Fantastique" he repeated. It was too tall, too grandiose, too much. He glanced around looking for something a little more homely. When other dwellings failed to present themselves he sighed and began the arduous process of flipping pages of strange symbols again.
A symphony of smells reached his nose and at least some were appetizing. His stomach growled and he decided that the most pressing matter now was some food. The smells led him to a diner, or what would pass as a diner in thus place he supposed. A large fluorescent sign trumpeted "Za's Diner" the n blinking feebly every couple of seconds. Compared to Hotel Fantastique this was much more comfortable he decided and ducked his head into the doorway.
The diner itself was what he would expect, grease, meat, and other foodish scents mixed together into a cloud, dim lights that never seemed to actually light the place.
Ulf brushed by the small crowd in the door and glanced around the restaurant. Booth or bar?
Most of the booths were full, the bar seemed fairly empty but after all the walking he didn't feel like a stool. He glanced over the open booths, all manner of creature and being were present, a dark lizard like being sat back waiting, but occasionally gave a nervous glance to the device on its wrist. Another man sat further down staring into the window, his clothes were fairly similar so Ulf decided that that was a place to start.
"This seat open?"
edited 26th Feb '15 6:45:39 PM by Slysheen
Stoned hippie without the stoned. Or the hippie. My AO3 Page, grab a chair and relax.
[West Side]
A pair of glowing green eyes, just visible out the corner of Kommissar's eyes, lurking on a distant building but gone before he could look at them properly. A strange wind, stirring the still air. Echo was watching Kommissar, and wanted him to know it.
The captain of the ferry noticed it as well and said, "that's just Echo's way of saying 'hi'; don't worry, he's one of the good guys." (Like almost all of the West Side, the captain was oblivious to certain details about Echo.) "Unless," the captain continued, "you aren't."
[Old City - Old Arena]
With a curt nod, ulon'Uelshu complied with Sito's request, yanking his magics back like a dog on a leash. (Said magics were palpably reluctant, and it would be clear to a sensitive arcanist that ulon'Uelshu's control of them was not complete.)
"And since we are on introductions: Koyel ulon'Uelshu," he said, "and that last name is a title. 'Lord of Uelshu' would be a fair translation, though one earned by loyal and extraordinary service to Amu and the Uelane people, as opposed to merely," here his voice was palpably saturated with contempt for the practices of lesser, barbarian cultures, "crawling forth from a lucky womb." He looked between the two. "I am here to see if there are any worthy foes to be found; the power of Uelane magic has never truly been tested against others."
He was confident, but fully aware of the possibility of defeat. A man who wasn't wouldn't last very long in the deadly world of Uelane politics. Indeed, he relished it. Better to be defeated here, in an arena, and learn a valuable lesson, than upon the battlefield, and learn only of the fate beyond the veil of death. He cracked his knuckles and began to perform a few simple stretches, saying as he did so, "are you, then fellow warriors, come to practice the old and sacred art of honorable combat?"
Some edits upon consideration of his character.
edited 26th Feb '15 4:02:41 PM by KillerClowns
[Old City—Old Arena]
Sito didn't respond to ulon'Uelshu's arrogance or contempt; he merely inclined his head respectfully and straightened up as the malign influence receded. Within a few seconds, he was whole and healthy again.
"I'm only here as a tourist, but if, as this pamphlet says, the Arena's medics really can heal anything, I see no harm in participating," he said, holding up the pamphlet he'd picked up back at the Terminal. He smiled mischievously. "I'm not sure what constitutes 'honorable' combat, though. I am not used to following rules when it comes to violence. Then again, I haven't engaged in any real violence for... well, quite some time." As he spoke, his eyes seemed to darken and grow distant, his expression to lose some of its blithe pleasantness. But it lasted only a few seconds, and then his mild manner returned.
Visitor's District (Main -> En route to Market Street)
Samantha remained silent for a few moments as she considered Sylvia's proposal. If she had any concerns of her own about the woman, they didn't show on her face.
She didn't get a chance to respond, however, as Sophie decided she'd been silent long enough. "We're actually looking for something...rather specific. For the sake of convenience for both of us, I think we should go our separate ways after this." She then glanced at Samantha. "...Unless Samantha has a better idea."
Samantha shook her head and sighed. "...Sophie, it's potential help. Are you really sure that's the best idea?"
"Well, I...But...." Sophie started, but stopped again, at a complete loss as to how to voice her concerns about Sylvia without offending her at the same time.
"Whatever. If that's what you want to do, then I'm not going to force you." Samantha then turned back to Sylvia. "It seems my friend here sounds a little desperate to get a move on, so I guess we're going to part ways here. Maybe we'll bump into each other later."
She was about to turn and walk away, but at that point two other people they hadn't noticed before then asked them if they knew anything about the city. Samantha turned to them and simply shrugged. "If I'm honest, I have no clue. We just got here ourselves."
She then properly turned away. "Anyway...Now we're heading off. We'll be at Market Street if you feel the urge to track us down again." She dramatically pointed in what she hoped was the right direction. "Farewell for now." She then started heading off in that direction.
Sophie wasted no time in following her, though everyone else present would have likely noticed she had been blushing and looked noticeably embarrassed after the whole ordeal.
Icon by Civvi the Civilian!
"This seat open?"
Ah hell.
It was a guy about his age, wearing a t-shirt and camo pants. Theign couldn't begin to guess why he'd want to eat with a total stranger when there were plenty of barstools open, and besides, he had work to do.
But, then again, starting off his trip arguing with a regular Joe in a strange city was hardly worth the trouble. And besides, it's not like he'd actually have to talk to the guy.
"All yours," he said, looking around for the waitress to refill his coffee.
How dare you disrupt the sanctity of my soliloquy?
living music catalog official
Visitor's District
"We'll see you around, man.." Rani mumbled, a little dejected, before straightening herself up to add, "We, uh, sent Banshee out towards Wargate to find the new house. Any minute now we'll find him, Foster said, but I don't know h-"
A loud piercing shriek was heard over all of the buildings, out around the Old City. Thistle about jumped out of Rani's arms, but the girl kept a tight grip on her pet although she was startled just as much. Foster pulled himself up and started heading towards the noise, waving a fast goodbye at Sylvia, then motioning for Rani to come along, suitcases and all.
"Thanks for the help dude! See ya," she rushed to say, suddenly excited again, waving and walking backwards toward her friend before turning around and running with him home.
"So.. that's why we call him Banshee, huh.." she whispered when nobody could hear.
It would be a while after unloading their things in the new home (which was surprisingly a legit place) until the two felt hungry again.
PAINKILLER
[West Side]
The bounty hunter replied, "Depends on the person."
The ferry docked and Kommissar hopped off. He paid the captain, and began to walk through the run-down streets. He took a mild interest in the person named 'Echo'. If the ferryman knew of him, he must be a local. This local might know of the con-man the scarred man was looking for.
He stopped at an alleyway, and saw a glint of glowing green. "Show yourself. Don't be a coward."
edited 26th Feb '15 6:34:00 PM by electronic-tragedy
Life is hard, that's why no one survives.
They/Them
[Old City - Old Arena]
"It is a pleasure to make acquaintance with the two of you," Gharboa said in a relaxed but formal way to both Koyel and Sito.
"And yes, I too am here to test my mettle in combat. It has been far too long since I've had the opportunity to test myself beyond battles against highwaymen and bandits."
Scuttles made a chirping noise as Gharboa continued, "Might take a few fights before I'm able to do some more noteworthy spells though."
Note to self: Pick less edgy username next time.
Professional Recluse
[Zan's Diner]
A whiff of adrenaline snapped into the air. The man in the booth thought for a second before finally responding "All yours."
Ulf collapsed into the cushioned seat with a groan, the dufflebag took its place in the corner. He took a closer look at the man in front of him. Color really wasn't his strong suite, and well Ulf supposed it wasn't really his either. Hair with some streak or shine that kept it silver instead of white, grey eyes that created an odd gradient between pupil and sclera, a long thin face all angles and planes. The eyes continued to stare into the window.
Now the question, silence or talk. The adrenaline spike was pretty strong but hell it might've been social jitters, at least he should give him a chance. Ulf threw his arms up casually onto the banister of the booth and smiled, not too much teeth he reminded himself.
"Nice to see someone who doesn't look like a "Matrix" extra or some oriental lord."
edited 26th Feb '15 6:48:18 PM by Slysheen
Stoned hippie without the stoned. Or the hippie. My AO3 Page, grab a chair and relax.
Visitor's Terminal
Foster smiled, holding his hands up and shaking his head. "I was kidding. Besides, I need a place-" He gestured towards his falcon Banshee "-for him to sleep."
Rani was about to add something but then realized she'd been too scatterbrained to do the most basic thing of all when starting a new conversation with people she had never seen before.
"Hey, I forgot to introduce ourselves, didn't I?"
Foster nodded. Rani sighed.
"Okay. Fine. So, my name is Rani Day. It's spelled R-a-n-i, but pronounced 'rainy'. Like, a rainy day, see? My whole family has these weird names that my hippie parents picked, like still at home I have a brother named Forrest, twin siblings named Sonny and Summer-" she was elbowed before she could go on.
"OH! Right, I about forgot. This is my cat, Thistle-" She was jabbed another time.
"Right. Will you stop doing that?" Foster glared down at her in silence. "Alright. Fine. This is my friend Foster Khan. He's a pretty smart dude, but as you can see, he can't talk.."
Foster shrugged, in a very what-can-ya-do sort of manner. "This is my pet, Banshee, he's a messenger falcon." he signed, before adding "You all seem interesting, what are your names?"
edited 26th Feb '15 6:50:06 AM by starwhat
i'm gonna be the kanye best like no one ever was