WCD#15:

New Mini-Theme

Introducing my new mini-series. Instead of the old Wild Card Day, this will be a space for building character profiles for my novels.

This way I can combine two efforts in one: share some of my writings through my blog, as intended; and work towards my primary goal of completing Book One of my Chaos Chronicles, The Sands of Chaos.

I love it, two birds with one stone and all that. Anyways, I’ve been putting off the character creation in place of plot-writing and drafting, so it’s worth the effort.

While it worked well to fly by the seat of my pants and get to know the setting and people in the first draft, I know it will help my revision process now to intimately know every detail about my main characters, whether or not it even comes up in the story. It makes the world richer to write and therefore to read.

Perhaps one day these posts will serve as a behind-the-scenes look at the writing process. Maybe it will help someone else interested in writing learn a bit of the craft.

Now to my first profile, my MC, my protagonist.

Character Card: Leam Dagorn

BASIC
Name: Leam Dagorn
Adopted Name: Leam Nar
Nicknames: Lee
Gender: Male
Race: Human, of the Mian people
Age: 13
Birthplace: Yutani
Flaws: Shy, quick-tempered, lacking self-worth
Strengths: Kindness, compassion, wisdom, inner strength
Accomplishments: Learned some complicated drum rhythms, is an animal
whisperer and has saved some hurt animals
Health: Good, a little underweight
Literate: Very, especially for his people

PHYSICAL
Build: Short but long-limbed for his people, underweight, slightly athletic
Height: 4’9”
Weight: 95lbs
Gait: Average to quick
Posture: Slightly sunken in at shoulders
Gestures: Shrugging, raising eyebrows
Eye contact: More shy with females than males
Hair: Black, thick, shoulder length
Eyes: Green, big, round
Skin: Chestnut brown
Features: Prominent nose, sharp jaw
Unusual: Eyes appear to subtly change colors in certain moods

FAMILY/RELATIONSHIPS
(Include age, occupation, location, brief description and relationship)
Parents: Mirana Nar, mother, 48, basic tribal duties and mother; wide hips, hair in a tight bun most of the time
Aspar Nar, father, 55, head shaman of Yutani tribe; gaunt and old-looking,
though strong and confident of character, winkled face likes goggles around his eyes
Siblings: None, though desired
Extended: None, all deceased before he knew them
Friends: Loner, some loose friends through blocker ball and band
Enemies: Dunn Gomen, tribemate, 14, son of first warrior of Yutani; strong-bodied and cocky attitude, smug, coarse face, short, cropped hair
Interest: Adea Lona, tribekin, 14, daughter of the Chiefking; athletic, well-groomed, but likes to play rough and explore, hair to hear mid back
Advice/Mentor/Support: Shaman Aren, shaman tutor, 63; hunched posture but still steady and firm of body, sparse hair left on his head, long fingers
Caste: In Yutani, commoner only as opposed to leaders and warriors classes, in other regions he’d be considered a heathen for his beliefs (c.f. RELIGION)

EDUCATION
Focus: Shaman training from head shaman, his father, Shaman Nar
School: Yutani Shamanhood, his father, Shaman Aren, Shaman Heral
Vocation: Child/student
Path to Vocation: years of prerequisite knowledge and one year of intensive training at age thirteen, a year-end test, induction to basic initiate, lifelong studies to follow
Vocational Skills: Meditation, inner guidance, speaking to nature, basic healing and magic, advanced divination
Money: Unneeded in traditional Yutani lifestyle, shared subsistence economy

PSYCHOLOGY
Fears: Self-image, sense of self-worth
Secrets: That would be a secret only he’d know (I can’t give everything away)
Regrets: Killing a lizard for no reason when five years old
Anger: Quick to anger when his sense of self is threatened
Intelligence: Very bright, quick to learn
Eating: Always hungry, likes tatfan, fish, fruit, most food
Sleeping: Often fitful when not out like a log
Social: Shy, especially around women, though less so with men
Speech: Youthful, quiet, occasionally very insightful and wise
Preferred Epithet: “Ah, Kalim!”
Laughter: Giddy and free
Smile: Warm and inviting
Emotive: Can change from very reserved to emotive in a flash
Leader/Follower: Inner leader playing the role of follower
Planned/Spontaneous: Both, depending what about
Careful/Reckless: Careful to a degree, reckless about inner desires
Optimist/Realist/Pessimist: Realist desiring to be more optimistic
Hobbies: Blocker ball, drumming, eating, exploring, learning new things
Pet Peeves: Bullies, senseless violence and killing
Obsessions: Tatfan, food in general
Desires: To be strong-willed, confident, and sure of himself
Prejudices: Those that are all brawn and no brains
Morality: Strict adherence to shamanistic ethics, honoring the gods and blessing all life, even when it is the animal he is eating
Common Behaviors: Ducking his head quickly
Typical Mood: Wistful, curious
As seen by others: Shy and bright, holding back
As seen by self: Lacking in self-confidence and power
Hero: Hanurat Gidaramma, a famous Yutani hero who saved his people during the Demon Wars (Third Chaos War/3CW); was also known for overcoming his bastard lineage to win fame and praise as a hero

RELIGION
Main: Temple of the Gods, primarily Kalim
Place: In Yutani, practiced openly and in Shaman Yurt for special occasions
Beliefs: The gods created the universe, maintain it, and watch over their loyal subjects with diligence; honor and worship the gods, especially the primary god of the region, give thanks and praise, perform ceremonies and rituals at appointed times, bless all people, animals, and things in the name of the gods
Rituals: The Artssan of the Gods, a yearly celebration of all the gods for their creation; Kalfest/Kalhune, a yearly tribute to Kalim and an induction of new initiates to the shaman hood; sarnsa, a monthly prayer; yannsa, a weekly prayer; and innsa, a daily prayer morning and night
Requirements: Usually born into, maintain only with chosen faith, blessings, rituals; most members will by lifelong and not leave as there is no call to in their region/lifestyle
Boons: Primary deity is prayed to and sought out for any and all boons, especially pertaining to that god; for Kalim: strength, protection, groundedness, bounty from the earth, safety in nature, blessing crossing into the afterlife
Flaws: The Temples of the Gods, in general, can be obsessive and overly-focused on a particular deity, lacking open-minded views, dated, not in line with modern world, separatist, deserving special graces of chosen deity
Perceived by world: Most of the world shuns worship of the old gods in favor of the Nine Magi, think the gods are a backwards point of view

MAGIC: None

POSSESSIONS
Clothes: Traditional Yutani breechcloth, leggings to dress up, later adds tunic
Bags: Small waist pack
Tools: Magic mask
Weapons: Sawboar tooth dagger
Armor: None
Travel equipment: Flint, necklace, hair tie (gifts from his birthday)

HISTORY
Describe as child: Carefree and wild, sensitive and caring to all life
If could change one thing from past: Not let other boys make him feel worthless
Earliest memory: Father taking him fishing
Saddest memory: Seeing a deer die in the jungle
Happiest memory: Swimming with his tribe during a summer rainstorm
Clearest memory: Watching his mom prepare his favorite dish

That’s my protagonist for my Chaos Chronicles. Keep posted if you’re interested in more, and be sure to look for the book when it’s ready. Don’t worry about how long it’’ll be or whether you’ll forget. It’ll be some time and you will. But I’ll remind you.

Be sure that when it’s done, I will make very certain that you know about it.

Cheers!

Any thoughts on my MC, my main character? Leave a comment for me.

My writing is a gift I am blessed with, and I share it with all,

Matthew