Sam Dogra's Blog, page 8

Azaria Locations: Terent

After a brief hiatus, here's another location from the kingdom of Azaria, where my Chronicles of Azaria are set. This is Terent, the biggest city in the north of the kingdom, and local residence of House Glenford. Situated beside the river of the same name, it's one of the more traditional cities, and a major trade hub linking Begara and Bane.




Terent by sam241 on DeviantArt 

Stock:

Foreground porticoBackground mountains/ riverGatesSpireSky

Special Annoucement

Hey there, I'm interrupting my current series of blog postings for a special announcement!

I'll let Eliza tell you the news...

Well-written Characters (Part Three)

(Character sheet for Avatar Korra, from Legend of Korra, source)
As both a consumer of various entertainment media and a writer, characters are one of the key factors that decide if I end up liking a franchise or not, and that's probably true for many people. As shown by my One Hundred Character Meme, I enjoy a variety of different characters.

However, what I like even more is a  well-written character . What defines what this is will be different for different people, but it got me thinking: what makes ME consider a character well-written? How can I adore one character in one series and yet dislike a very similar character in another? And better still, how can this help me make sure the characters I create are similarly written?

So, in this four-part series, I'm going to apply some simple criteria to several examples from books, video game, TV and film, and see if they fit or fail the Sam's Well-Written Character Test (TM).

Please remember this is a completely subjective set of criteria and it's  simply my personal opinion, nothing more!

My deciding criteria consists of:

Personality - how is the character presented, what traits define them, how easy is it to identify the character, do they stand out compared to others?

Flaws/ Roundedness - what are the character's flaws? How do these interfere with/ hinder the character? Do they make the character feel more real?

Relatabiliy - how relatable is the character? Can we empathize/ sympathize with them?

Consistency - is the character written consistently? Do they have any out-of-character moments, and if so are these plot-drive or convenience driven?

Development - does the character have an arc, do they learn anything/ change as a result (for better or worse)?

Each one will be marked out of 5, and the standard to qualify for well-written for me will be 15/25 (60%) (average 3/5 for all criteria). Not an easy one to please, am I?

View Part One here.

So let's see who will fare in  TV SHOWS/ ANIME !


Korra (Legend of Korra)



Personality: 5/5

There's a reason I've used a character sheet of Korra for this blog series ;)

Korra is brash, brave, talented and more than willing to settle matters with her fists rather than her diplomacy. She tackles problems head on, isn't shy to voice her feelings, and isn't happy when things don't work out. She can be irrational and reckless, caring and kind, badass and vulnerable- she really is a brilliant, multi-faceted female protagonist, and you really don't see many of these at all. Whether you related to these traits or not, she'll definitely catch your attention.

Flaws/ Roundedness: 5/5

These form the foundations for the 4-book series, as we watch Korra grow into her role as the Avatar. In the first book she's woefully naive thanks to her sheltered upbringing, prefers to solve her problems head-on, and can't stand that she can't learn airbending as easily as the other elements. She's impatient, hot-headed, doesn't think before she leaps. This lands her into trouble at times, such as when she tries to confront book 1's major villain alone and finds herself at his utter mercy, or when her feelings for Mako intervene when he's already in a relationship with Asami. She also butts heads with her mentor, Tenzin. She's always been so good at what she's learnt before, the concept of finding a new skill difficult to learn (in this case airbending) doesn't sit well with her at all. This carries on into the second book, where she becomes more attuned to the spiritual side of her bending and the legacy she's inherited.

And the show does everything it can to show the consequences of Korra's flaws, and how she develops and learns to work around them. This is most notably in book 3/4 with her PTSD arc, and it's just a joy to watch her learn to heal herself and come to terms with the trauma she suffered.

Relatability: 4/5

Personally I don't find Korra that relatable- I'm more into the reserved aloof characters (if my previous posts didn't make that too obvious)- but I can see her appeals to others. Especially important is that she's loud and brash and arrogant; traits you don't often see in female characters, especially lead ones. She breaks a lot of media stereotypes, and while by the end of book 4 some people have criticised her development arc as 'taming her', I think in general Korra ends up very well rounded.

Consistency: 3/5

Korra is generally very consistent even despite her major developments. As I said above, while some fans dislike how she wasn't as aggressive or passionate as she was initially, I think it just reflects how she's learnt to use that side of her as the situation calls for, rather than all the time. A great example is when she threatens her enemy's fiance in book 4 in an effort to hurt them, which isn't something your 'noble hero' would usually contemplate.

There's also some discrenpency between books 1 and 2 (where the lessons learnt from book 1 seem to have been forgotten), but that was hard to avoid, given that the show was only meant to be 1 book initially and then got expanded. Another one fans like to point out are the ending scenes of book 4, which doesn't seem to gel as well as the ending to previous seasons, but aside from these, Korra doesn't usually step out of character throughout the series.

Development: 5/5

Korra practically defines this! Her arc over the four books, with the occasional blips, is magnificent and a shining example of how a character should be written, male or female. She comes to appreciate and master the aspects of herself she initially thought to be weak and inferior, she pushes herself above and beyond her limits, and when she's broken she slowly rebuilds her shattered self image and becomes something more. You really couldn't ask for more.

Total: 22/25 (88%)

Korra easily passes!

Lina Inverse (Slayers)



Personality: 4/5

Lina is a powerful sorceress who loves to run around chasing bounty hunters to fill her own pockets with other people's plundered riches. She's certainly no Robin Hood and is more looking out for herself than others, but when it comes to world-threatening evil she'll step up when she needs to. She has a ferocious temper (particularly if you comment on certain aspects of her physique) and bottomless appetite, and nothing much fazes her (apart from her sister, Luna). She's also very inuitative and can pick up on seemingly non-existent cues. She definitely leaves a strong impression and is an extremely memorable character.

Flaws/ Roundedness: 3/5

Lina has plenty of flaws that make for interesting viewing. She can be rude, obnoxious, unreasonably angry over seemingly trivial things (leading to plenty of 'outbursts' and extensive collateral damage), she's extremely competitive and takes insults far too personally. However most of this is played for comedic value, and while it does affect certain aspects of plot it doesn't usually get in the way of final battles.

Relatability: 3/5

Lina is a loveable rogue and I can't help but admire her fiery temper and proficient magic use for her own gain. She's not out for glory or helping others; she just wants enough cash for her next (super-sized) meal. She does empathise with some of her enemies, and can also see the cracks in those who others see as 'saintly'. She still falls prey to her own temper and greed, though, which shows she's not some perfect goddess.

Consistency: 4/5

Lina's pretty consistent. Her temper never changes and she still gets riled over things she really shouldn't. And despite destroying evil forces at least six times over, she's still only out for treasure for herself. She very rarely acts out of character.

Development: 3/5

Alas, since Lina is so consistent, it leaves little room for much development. While she does learn more about her own powers and what she's capable of, she doesn't change how she treats her friends, and she still acts and behaves much the same way as she did before. So she loses points here.

Total: 16/25 (64%)

And Lina scrapes by too!

Sokka (Avatar: The Last Airbender)



Personality: 4/5

Sokka is the only non-bender (can't use an element) in the main group, but that doesn't stop him being a sarcastic, witty and (eventually) competent soldier. He's always full of quips and one liners, and he's not too bad in combat, either. He can be stubborn and brash at times, but he's also under-confident in his abilities as well, making for an interesting internal conflict. He prefers science to mysticism, making him somewhat of a black sheep in his world, too.

Flaws/ Roundedness: 4/5

Sokka's main flaws come from his immaturity. He doesn't see girls/ women as his equals, he's pretty sceptical and closed minded, and can be quite abrasive even to his own team mates. He's also not very skilled (at least initially), but each of these traits gets addressed as the show progresses.

Relatability: 3/5

Sokka's sarcasm and jokes always brighten up the mood of the show, and being a non-bender means he can be easier to relate to than the other members of Team Avatar as he represents the viewer's point of view (in a way). He's also often a victim of his own actions and he'll usually get his just rewards. He also learns a lot from his mistakes and is willing to change, which isn't something you see very often.

Consistency: 4/5

Sokka is generally consistent, with his actions and behaviour developing slowly as the show goes on. His reactions to similar circumstances do change as his experiences widen, but that is more a reflection of his character arc than acting out of character.

Development: 4/5

Despite being a secondary character Sokka gets a full development arc. At first he's pretty immature, commenting about how girls can't be fighters, but he's rapidly proven wrong and he changes his attitudes as a result. After facing loss and failure, he re-evaluates his strategies and priorities and continues to move forward. By the end of the show he's matured into a strong, responsible leader but without losing his sense of humour and easy-going nature.

Total: 19/25 (76%)

So Sokka passes too!

So it seems the winning streak continues! In the fourth and final part of this series, I'll be looking into film characters. Can we make it a perfect score?

What do you look for in a well-written character, and who do you consider well-written? Tell me!

Don't forget to check Part One: Books!

And Part Two: Games!

Well-written Characters (Part Two)

(Character sheet for Avatar Korra, from Legend of Korra, source)
As both a consumer of various entertainment media and a writer, characters are one of the key factors that decide if I end up liking a franchise or not, and that's probably true for many people. As shown by my One Hundred Character Meme, I enjoy a variety of different characters.

However, what I like even more is a  well-written character . What defines what this is will be different for different people, but it got me thinking: what makes ME consider a character well-written? How can I adore one character in one series and yet dislike a very similar character in another? And better still, how can this help me make sure the characters I create are similarly written?

So, in this four-part series, I'm going to apply some simple criteria to several examples from books, video game, TV and film, and see if they fit or fail the Sam's Well-Written Character Test (TM).

Please remember this is a completely subjective set of criteria and it's  simply my personal opinion, nothing more!

My deciding criteria consists of:

Personality - how is the character presented, what traits define them, how easy is it to identify the character, do they stand out compared to others?

Flaws/ Roundedness - what are the character's flaws? How do these interfere with/ hinder the character? Do they make the character feel more real?

Relatabiliy - how relatable is the character? Can we empathize/ sympathize with them?

Consistency - is the character written consistently? Do they have any out-of-character moments, and if so are these plot-drive or convenience driven?

Development - does the character have an arc, do they learn anything/ change as a result (for better or worse)?

Each one will be marked out of 5, and the standard to qualify for well-written for me will be 15/25 (60%) (average 3/5 for all criteria). Not an easy one to please, am I?

View Part One here.

So let's see who will fare in VIDEO GAMES !


Lightning (Final Fantasy XIII)



Personality: 4.5

Lightning Farron is an aloof, practical and driven character. Her parents died relatively young, leaving her to take on the caring role for her younger sister Serah and instilling her desire to become 'strong' in order to achieve this. However this seems to come at the cost of her feelings, as she can be pretty cold, even to her sister. She reads every situation with a detached and objective mindset, which lends her natural leadership abilities, and she's an excellent fighter as well. While her character doesn't get explored that deeply in FF 13, the sequels, particularly Lightning Returns, do give us a good impression of how she's become the person she is.

Flaws/ Roundedness: 5/5

Lightning's main flaws come from cold-heartedness. She is pretty detached from her feelings, not really able to express them, and even suppressing them when they threaten to break through. She doesn't believe in relying on others or sharing her problems, and feels she can deal with everything herself. She even goes as far as to create excuses to justify why she has to act like this, which may represent her subconscious awareness that her sense of self is built on quite a shaky foundation. This lends itself to her development well, and it's refreshing to see this kind of character depth in a female lead for a change!

Relatability: 4/5

Personally, I find Lightning very relatable as I too am not a particularly emotional person and tend to view things from a practical standpoint. She's very down-to-earth and logical, and doesn't let her emotions get the better of her. Conversely, a lot of people find these traits make her cold and actually quite unrelatable! Still, I can definitely empathize with her struggle to save her sister, and also her guilt at what happens over the course of the two sequel games. The balance between her physical prowess and emotional needs weaves together well, and she does come off as pretty rounded.

Consistency: 5/5

Lightning is pretty consistently written. The only moments where her cool facade breaks down are when she's faced with what happens to her sister, and after much prodding from Lumina in the 2nd sequel where she's forced to confront painful truths about herself. She's dedicated to her values and freedom, and while they're constantly challenged she never wavers from them.

Development: 4/5

As I've said, Lightning's development stems from her emotional detachment and how this impacts on her relationship with her sister and her friends. Her belief that strength and self-reliance are the most important is slowly broken through each and every challenge the games throw at her, but she learns to accept the parts of herself she believed to be weak, as well as the aid of her friends. The end result is a Lightning who's much more at peace with herself, and she look forward to a new life of her own choosing. And the best thing? All of this comes from her own power, and not because of some love interest!

Total: 22/25 (88%)

A clear pass for Lightning!


Milla (Tales of Xillia)


Personality: 4/5

Milla is a mysterious woman with the power to command the Four Great Spirits. She has an unwavering determination that nothing can overpower, a willingness to learn and improve herself, and a solid physical and magic fighter. Her mission is to prevent humans making spirit weapons that have the potential to upset the balance between spirits and humans, and is something she's become pretty talented at. Of course, her detachment from people makes her view human interaction with a spirited curiousity, and she does come out with odd remarks on occasion! She's certainly memorable.

Flaws/ Roundedness: 4/5

Milla's flaws are a bit harder to pin down. Her iron determination can make her lose perspective at times (and this can lead to terrible consequences, such as when she can no longer walk after a horrific battle wound). She's also pretty willing to sacrifice anything and everything for her mission, at least at first, until she develops stronger bonds with her travelling companions. Her rather limited view of people, too, makes her see things as very black and white, and she can make rash decisions because of this.

Relatability: 3/5

Milla can be a strange one to relate to, given her detachment from people and how she comments on her friends' behaviour as being 'so human'. Nonetheless, we can certainly empathise with her desire to stop humans toying with technology they don't fully understand (her toddler with a knife analogy was a good way of showing this). And, as the story progresses and she gets closer with her friends, she does gradually shake off her aloofness and becomes one of the team, again improving how we relate to her.

Consistency: 4/5

Milla is again pretty consistent (which is more than I can say for the plot at times, but still...). Her determination never wavers, and in the rare moments it does she's able to bring it straight back. I can only recall one moment where she was a little out of character and that was perfectly understandable as she was under considerable stress and filled with uncertainty.

Development: 4/5

Milla's development isn't as drastic as some of the other characters, but it is plain to see. She learns to value the relationships with her friends (something she avoided beforehand as she didn't want others to be able to use them against her), she's less black and white in her thinking, particularly that spirit technology will only lead to harm, and she's more open to other points of view. She also learns to tone back her relentlessness and take care of herself, to a degree.

Total: 19/25 (76%)

Well done, Milla Maxwell passes the test!


Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy VIII)



Personality: 4/5

Squall is in many ways similar to Lighting, but taken to a more extreme level. He's very cold and aloof, a real lone wolf (lion?), and wants nothing to do with anyone else, no matter how they try to convince him otherwise. He uses logical reasoning for his actions and what he perceives are flaws in others, and is a stout believer that the only one who he can truly rely on is himself. He's also very cynical and jaded at times. However, he does hold a strong sense responsibility, and people do look to him as a natural leader.

Flaws/ Roundedness: 3/5

Squall's flaws come from his lack of emotions. His harsh losses in childhood have made him fearful of losing those he cares about, and so he continues to people at arm's length, not really seeing the value of such relationships (until Rinoa grows on him and makes him question if his logic is as unshakeable as he believed). He's also pretty blunt, and this can get him on the wrong side of people pretty quickly. He can come off as rude sometimes, too, but it's never out of malice and more a reflection of how he's learnt to deal with others.

Relatability: 4/5

I think anyone can relate to fear of loss, which is something that forms the backbone of Squall's philosophy (before he's forced to confront that it might not be as robust as he thinks). Squall is also very introverted and doesn't like the hassel of social interaction, which again is something we've all experienced at one time or another. Squall also has an enormous amount of pressure heaped on him when becomes Commander of Balamb Garden; again something that a lot of people can identify with.

Consistency: 4/5

Squall's only out of character moments come when he's under great stress (like when the missiles are about to hit Balamb Garden, or when he's faced with the prospect of never seeing Rinoa again). While his general outlook on life slowly changes through the course of the game, he does retain his logic and pragmatism, and when he becomes reckless it's through letting emotional strain get the better of him.

Development: 3/5

Thanks to his emotional flaws, Squall does have a satisfying arc where he learns to value his relationships, to become a bit more laid back and relaxed, and not to reduce his fear of loss as so inevitable he might as well not even try. He grows into his leader role, and accepts that asking help from others isn't a weakness and doesn't mean he's making himself vulnerable.

Total: 18/25 (72%)


So Squall also passes!

Hence, once again, it looks like all three choices were clear winners. In the third part, I'm turning to anime/ TV animation. Let's see if those three can keep this winning streak going!

What do you look for in a well-written character, and who do you consider well-written? Tell me!

Don't forget to check Part One: Books!

Well-written Characters (Part One)

(Character sheet for Avatar Korra, from Legend of Korra, source)
As both a consumer of various entertainment media and a writer, characters are one of the key factors that decide if I end up liking a franchise or not, and that's probably true for many people. As shown by my One Hundred Character Meme, I enjoy a variety of different characters.

However, what I like even more is a well-written character . What defines what this is will be different for different people, but it got me thinking: what makes ME consider a character well-written? How can I adore one character in one series and yet dislike a very similar character in another? And better still, how can this help me make sure the characters I create are similarly written?

So, in this four-part series, I'm going to apply some simple criteria to several examples from books, video game, TV and film, and see if they fit or fail the Sam's Well-Written Character Test (TM).

Please remember this is a completely subjective set of criteria and it's  simply my personal opinion, nothing more!

My deciding criteria consists of:

Personality - how is the character presented, what traits define them, how easy is it to identify the character, do they stand out compared to others?

Flaws/ Roundedness - what are the character's flaws? How do these interfere with/ hinder the character? Do they make the character feel more real?

Relatabiliy - how relatable is the character? Can we empathize/ sympathize with them?

Consistency - is the character written consistently? Do they have any out-of-character moments, and if so are these plot-drive or convenience driven?

Development - does the character have an arc, do they learn anything/ change as a result (for better or worse)?

Each one will be marked out of 5, and the standard to qualify for well-written for me will be 15/25 (60%) (average 3/5 for all criteria). Not an easy one to please, am I?

So let's kick off with BOOKS !

1. Sabriel (Sabriel)

Personality:  4/5

Sabriel is the protagonist of the first book of the Abhorsen series. Even from the opening chapter we get a feel for her personality- against her better judgement she resurrects a dead rabbit, as it's a pet of one of her classmates. And when she discovers her father is in danger, she doesn't balk at the thought of traversing The Old Kingdom to rescue him.

So she's kind, has a good dosing of common sense, she's brave (albeit somewhat underconfident in her combat and Abhorsen abilities), and has a strong sense of duty. Enough to define her against other characters, sure, and considering the personality types that dominate YA (young adult) now she's quite a breath of fresh air!

Flaws/ Roundedness: 2/5

Oddly enough, Sabriel doesn't have much in the way of flaws. She's not particularly selfish, reckless, angry, jealous, or petty, she's accomplished in her magic and her powers in Death, and while she's a bit green when it comes to combat, it's never presented as a major hindrance. Her lack of knowledge and understanding about the Old Kingdom is probably her biggest Achille's heel, but this isn't out of her own ignorance or unwillingness to learn, it's out of external circumstances. She does have bouts of underconfidence now and then, but again this never seems to impact her or the plot in a significant way, as she still figures out what needs to be done. 

There is a little bit of the 'need to do my duty, no time for personal stuff' but there's nothing special about this; it's just a character's want to be normal.

Relatability: 4/5

Sabriel is a typical YA protagonist- thrust into an unknown, hostile world as she comes of age and learns about her place and the mantle she must take up. Her kindness, sense of duty and selflessness are traits we admire and can relate to (even if we can't step into the realm of Death on a whim and outrun tidal waves). Her plight to rescue her father is also a sympathetic one, and I can't say I ever disagreed or thought badly of most of her choices in the book. She's doing the best she can with what limitations she has- something I'm sure everyone understands and has had to deal with at some point. She's pretty likeable too, which doesn't hurt.

Consistency: 5/5

Sabriel is written pretty consistently. I can't recall any particular out of character moments, and I don't think the plot ever challenged her on this aspect, either. She sticks to her sense of duty, even at great personal cost, and doesn't act or behave in ways you wouldn't expect.

Development: 1/5

Looking back, Sabriel's only real development comes from learning bits and pieces about the Old Kingdom. As we discussed in Flaws, she doesn't really have any personal ones, and thus there's not much scope for her to change any aspect of herself. She's still as brave, dutiful and kind as she was in chapter one; all that's changed is her combat experience and the fact she can brag about defeating an evil even her father had trouble with. She does have to deal with personal loss, but the story ends before we really see if this has any lasting consequences.

Total: 15/25 (75%)

So Sabriel passes!

2. Maerad (Books of Pellinor)

Personality: 4/5

At the start of the first book Maerad is a slave, but holds a great power that has the potential to transform the land and restore peace. Thanks to the conditions she's been living in, she's rather reserved, and a keen observer, using what she can to her advantage (playing on her masters' suspicion she's a witch, so they're less likely to sexually prey on her). Unlike Sabriel, she's not got much control over her power, nor is she combat trained. She's more a survivor, and has build up a hardness over the years as a result. However, once she escapes this torment and is introduced to her birthright, she starts to see the side of herself she'd had to hide for so long, and we get more of a feel for the kind of person she is.

She's eager to learn and quick to pick up things, shy, a little insecure in her new, safe environment, and it takes her time to open up and trust others. Compared to a lot of female protagonists she's certainly more nuanced than most.

Flaws/ Roundedness: 4/5

One of Maerad's main flaws is her fear of intimacy- not surprising given the 'treatment' she received as a slave. As the story progresses, she also starts to fear her own power, terrified the untamed wild side will bring more harm than good. This severely cripples her, and causes tensions in her relationship with her friends. It also leads her to make mistakes, which can have deep personal consequences, and she has to deal with them.

Relatability: 4/5

I find Maerad a very relatable character. We see how she struggles to survive in slavery, how she adapts to her new life as a Bard, and that the latter isn't always the easiest. The fact that others fear her differences (even those she considers friends) also puts a lot of pressure on her, and we can empathize how she feels she can't trust anyone. Her relationship with her brother too is very endearing, and we get a good feel of her reasoning for her choices, too.

Consistency: 5/5

Maerad is relatively consistent, and changes in her reflect the circumstances she's been through. She does have some of out-of-character moments, mostly in the second book, but part of this is driven by her rising fear of her power, and this is the source of much of the conflict between her and Cadvan (one of her friends).

Development: 4/5

Maerad has a very satisfying arc. Despite being yet another 'Chosen One', she really struggles to come to terms with this, and it takes her a long while to be comfortable with her power and the responsibilities everyone is throwing at her. Her fears and insecurities lead to mistakes and regrets, and it's wonderful to see her rise about all the tragedy and come out triumphant in the end. She learns something about herself at every wrong turn, so by the time her journey's complete she's not the same person who started out.

Total: 21/25 (84%)

Maerad of Pellinor passes!

3. Will (His Dark Materials)

Personality: 4/5

Will appears in the The Subtle Knife, the second book of Pullman's His Dark Materials series. Having to care for his mother who appears mentally unwell and with an absent father, he's thrust into Lyra's world, where he finds he has a big role to play. He's very much a loner, taking everything onto himself, pretty reserved and serious for his age, and is able to obtain a certain clarity of mind so he can use the titular knife. His cooler, calmer personality serves to complement Lyra's rather rebellious and fiery nature, but he's very much his own character and no mere foil.

Flaws/ Roundedness: 3/5

It's a bit tricky to pin down Will's flaws. He does carry around a lot of guilt, and this does impact a part of the plot (where he thinks about his mother while using the knife and this causes it to break). He can be pretty cold too, although I wouldn't go as far to say he's completely ruthless (especially compared to some of the other characters!). His tendency to put what he feels needs to be done in front of his own feelings and wants can lead him to neglect his own emotional needs, but this does get addressed.

Relatability: 3/5

Will offers a different kind of relatability compared to Lyra. As said before, he's much more reserved and serious, forced to mature quickly so he can care for his mother. He also worries for those close to him, and is very protective; all traits we can admire. While his aloofness perhaps makes him less endearing than Lyra, we can certainly see why he's the way he is, and he's by no means unlikable either.

Consistency: 5/5

Will is pretty consistent. He acts in keeping with his personality for the most part, and I don't remember any particular moment where he doesn't. The only times where he does seem to step out of his comfort zone would be when he breaks the knife, and when he realizes his feelings for Lyra, but both of these are driven by his development and I'd say are more showing how he's growing up, rather than behaving in an inconsistent fashion.

Development: 3/5

Will's development is not as clear-cut as some other characters, but definitely there. His growth from child to adult isn't as obvious as Lyra's, but that's because he already has a high level of maturity to begin with. Still, he learns to deal with his guilt and anger, becomes proficient at using the knife, and starts to open up more, especially to Lyra. While he doesn't quite get his happily ever after, he accepts what he's been dealt and makes the best of it.

Total: 18/25 (72%)

And so Will also passes!

So, it looks like all three choices were clear winners this time. Next time I'll delve into video games and see if my three challengers can pass the test!

What do you look for in a well-written character, and who do you consider well-written? Tell me!

Uncommon Character Development Questions

So while browsing through my dash on tumblr (maddoctorartist) I came across this interesting post (source: http://greenleaf.co.vu/post/95800838802/30-uncommon-character-development-questions-send). This author's come up with some very unusual questions to help character development, so I thought I'd try it on my own characters!

I've also added a slight twist- the characters themselves are the ones going to answer.

Of course, who better than to start with than Eliza Bryant, protagonist of my Chronicles of Azaria (The Binding, The Parting).



1. What position does your character sleep in? ( i.e; stomach, side, back, etc. ) Describe why they do this — optional.

Eliza: On my front. I just like hugging my pillow. Done it since I was little, though I'm not sure why.
3. Does your character have any noteworthy features? Freckles? Dimples? A scar somewhere unusual? etc.

Eliza: I have dark blue eyes, which is pretty unusual for a Northerner, and I have scars on my arm where a baby fox attacked me a few years ago.

4. Does your character have an accent? What does it sound like?

Eliza: I have the usual Northern accent, nothing special. It sounds pretty boring, to be honest.

5. Do they have any verbal tics? Do they have trouble pronouncing certain words or getting their thoughts across clearly?

Eliza: I do say 'sheesh' a lot. I think I'm pretty articulate in getting my point across...


Ryan: The word you're looking for is 'blunt'.

Eliza: Eh, it works, doesn't it?

6. What are their chief tension areas?

Eliza: My temples, usually, and also my stomach. The same as my courtship symptoms, which happen every month. During that time I become vulnerable and any social interacting with another person will Bind me to them.

7. If you were to pick one song — and only one song — to describe your character, what would it be and why?

Eliza: I don't really know of anything. I'm not a big music fan.

8. How does your character perceive themselves? Positive? Negative? Neutral?

Eliza: I'd like to think neutral.

Ryan: Sometimes you're a bit oblivious to your deeper faults.

Eliza: *blush*

9. Are they a quick thinker or do they need time to sort through their thoughts?

Eliza: I over-think and over-analyse everything. Usually this is a result of much too much time on my hands.

10. Does your character dream or are their nights filled with an empty blackness?
Eliza: I...used to dream a lot. They were pretty crazy and didn't make a lot of sense. I probably still do but I barely remember them anymore.

11. Describe a dream they’ve had or a night they couldn’t sleep and what they did to preoccupy their time.

Eliza: I have been spending more nights awake these days, and I've found things to occupy my time. Reading, walking, teaching myself yoga (not too successfully I might add). 

12. If they had a choice, would they prefer a subway or a bus for public transportation?

Eliza: We don't have those but the idea of motorized transport sounds divine.

13. What do they think of creation? Do they believe in evolution or do they believe in God? What is their religion like?

Eliza: I guess I follow the Goddess religion like everyone else, but I don't have a spiritual bone in my body. Which is a teeny bit ironic...

14. Describe 5 unusual characteristics your muse has.

Eliza: Five? Oh, um, let's see...I have a mild obsession with scarves. No idea when that started.

Eliza: I absolutely can't stand the taste of alcohol and will never go near it.

Eliza: I can interpret and use a iasometer, which not many people my age can. I also know how to take it apart and repair it.

Eliza: I am quite self conscious about my legs and I always wear something that will cover them up.

Eliza: I'm rubbish at climbing.

15. Have they ever been so overwhelmed they had to stop and take a break from something?

Eliza: Oh, plenty of times when the Binding's tried to compel me to do all sorts of things to Ryan.

Ryan: What sorts of things?

Eliza: *blush* Can we move on to the next question?

16.Are they a team player or do they prefer to be solo?

Eliza: I can be either. You have to be when your father's a healer!

17. Can they multi-task or must they focus on one subject at a time?

Eliza: I can multi-task pretty well. My parents taught me well. If I do focus on one thing though I tend to overdo it, so if I have more distractions I'm less likely to do that.

18. What are their best school subjects? What are their worst?

Eliza: I'm really good at the Natural and Health related Sciences and Art. Totally rubbish at History, Languages and Mathematics.

19. Is your character an introvert or an extrovert? How do they handle big crowds of people?

Eliza: Introvert. I don't mind crowds per se, but I'm a lot more comfortable with people I know.

20. Are they a leader, do they prefer to follow, or would they rather just stay on the sidelines altogether?

Eliza: I think I'm capable of leading in the right circumstances, otherwise I'll do as I'm told.

21. If your character was suddenly challenged, would they rather run away or stay and fight?

Eliza: Run. I'm not trained to fight. Believe me, Adam's tried, but I'm not soldier material at all.

22. If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would that person be and why?

Eliza: I'd have said Lord Ozier a long time ago, as he was involved with my sister's accident, but I've come to peace with that now, so I don't have anyone else in mind.

23. Your character has been granted 3 wishes; what would they wish for and why?

Eliza: I'd wish for Bindings to be destroyed, because it's such an unfair and abusive spell. I'd also wish for the poor Unbound- the people who were separated from their Bound partners too long and ended up as soulless husks- to return to normal. Finally, I'd wish for an easier way to distribute knowledge other than major centres for learning. If I could trained as a healer in my own home, I'd be the happiest girl alive.

24. Does your character trust people right off the bat or does it take them some time to warm up to someone?

Eliza: Since my sister left I find it hard to trust people. It takes me a long time to lower my defences.

25. Do they prefer romance or affection? What is the quickest way to your character’s heart?

Eliza: I'm a big follower of 'show don't tell'. I don't like ostentacious flowers or gifts, I'd much prefer a hug or kiss.

26. Does your character have any enemies? If so, who and why?

Eliza: I start to gain a few after my Binding to Ryan...

27. Do they have any weird bedroom habits? Any unusual kinks?

Eliza: ...no. None whatsoever.

Ryan: You do like having extra pillows.

Eliza: SSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH.

28. How does your character prepare for bed? Do they sleep at all or can they stay awake for days on end without trouble?

Eliza: I usually brush my hair, wash my face, and snuggle up with my toy horse Teddy. Sometimes I read as well, if I don't feel too tired.

29. If your character had one thing to say to their parents before they died, what would it be?

Eliza: That I love them both and I hope I did them proud, and that I was sorry for any pain I caused them.

30. Are they afraid of death? Do they have any regrets?

Eliza: I'm very scared of death. My regrets? Being unable to see eye to eye with my parents, and being too afraid to trust my heart.

31. Does your character get restless when things are too quiet or do they favour solitude and silence? Why?

Eliza: I don't get restless but my mind ruminates far too much if it's too quiet, so I'd prefer some distraction.

32. Finally; if your character was forced to eat one thing for the rest of their life, what would they choose and why?

Eliza: My mother's homemade vegetable stock soup. I could live off that!

So, there you have it. To spread the love, I tag the following:

Will Macmillan Jones- The Banned Underground
A.F.E Smith- Reflections of Reality
Kay Kauffman- Suddenly They All Died
Andrea Baker- Author
Lisa L Wiedmeier- Author

Consent Directory for Common Medical Procedures

Consent is an extremely important part of medicine, particularly in the surgical specialties. When patients come seeking medical advice, they have the right to know the risks and complications of their treatments, as well as the relative frequencies.

Everyone aged 16 and older is assumed to have capacity (the ability to make informed decisions) unless proved otherwise. This includes anybody with dementia or a learning disability. If there is doubt, formal assessment for capacity needs to be carried out by a trained healthcare professional. This consists of:

1. Can the patient understand and retain information?
2. Can they weigh the pros and cons to make a decision?
3. Can they then communicate that decision?

If a patient is found to not have capacity, then healthcare professionals need to act in the patient's best interests, and in the UK we have a specific consent form for this (Consent Form 4). Some patients may have Advanced Directives or Lasting Power of Attorney, which will also impact on the consent process.

Consent for children needs to be obtained from a parent, but this is not an excuse not to involve the child in the decision.

In the UK, the GMC issue clear guidance on obtaining consent from patients (http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/ethical_guidance/consent_guidance_index.asp).

Some of the major principles to bear in mind:

1. No-one can take consent on behalf of an adult who has capacity.

2. The healthcare professional taking consent must be suitably qualified, should have 

knowledge about the procedure/ treatment including its risks, complications, and likelihood of failure.

3. Consent can be verbal (a patient says yes to be examined), written (formal signature and documentation) or implied (a patient offering their arm when they attend for a blood test).

My hope is to make this post a one-stop directory for consent for the commoner surgical and invasive procedures. I will not list specific surgical speciality operations (e.g. nasal septoplasty), but focus on the procedures that a junior doctor in the UK might be expected to consent for (provided they meet the criteria listed above).

The complications common to ALL invasive procedures:

1. Bleeding
2. Infection
3. Pain
4. Failure of procedure
5. Anaesthetic complications (if general anaesthesia used)

The frequency of the above will depend on the procedure.

CARDIOVASCULAR

Angiography

(source)
Purpose: to visualise the internal anatomy of the coronary arteries and/or treat any blockages via stenting

Benefits: remove blockages, improve angina symptoms, obtain a diagnosis

Complications: pain, bleeding, infection + allergy to contrast, kidney damage from contrast, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), damage to blood vessels, stroke

More Information: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=42307

RESPIRATORY

Chest drain insertion

(source)
Purpose: to drain fluid from the pleural cavity and improve breathing, obtain samples to get a diagnosis OR to remove air from the pleural cavity and treat a pneumothorax

Benefits: Remove air/ fluid, obtain a diagnosis

Complications: pain, bleeding, infection + damage to local structures including ribs, nerves, blood vessels, lung laceration, colon/ stomach injury, blockage of tube

More information: http://www.trauma.org/archive/thoracic/CHESTdrain.html

Aspiration of pleural fluid/ pleural tap

(source)
Purpose: to obtain samples of fluid in the pleural cavity

Benefits: obtain diagnosis, symptomatic relief

Complications: pain, bleeding, infection + damage to local structures including ribs, nerves, blood vessels, lung laceration

GASTRO

Upper GI endoscopy

(source)
Purpose: To directly visualise the oesophagus/ stomach/ duodenum for pathology and/or treat/ take biopsy samples for diagnosis

Benefits: obtain diagnosis, treat symptoms

Complications: pain, bleeding, infection + risk of perforation of oesophagus requiring surgical repair 

Lower GI endoscopy (colonoscopy/ flexible sigmoidoscopy)

Purpose: To directly visualise the colon for pathology and/or treat/ take biopsy samples for diagnosis

Benefits: obtain diagnosis, treat symptoms

Complications: pain, bleeding, infection + risk of perforation of bowel 

More info: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=14795

ORTHOPAEDIC

Joint aspiration

(source)
Purpose: To remove joint fluid

Benefits: Symptomatic relief, obtain diagnosis

Complications: pain, bleeding, infection + reaccumulation of fluid, damage to local nerves/ blood vessels/ tendons

Joint injection

Purpose: to inject treatment directly to site

Benefits: Symptomatic relief

Complications: pain, bleeding, infection + damage to local skin/ nerves/ blood vessels, tendon damage, tendon rupture, hypopigmentation of skin at injection site

More info: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=744873

OBSTETRIC/ GYNAECOLOGY

Caesarian (Cesarian) Section

(source)
Purpose: to delivery baby that cannot be delivered by normal means

Benefits: to deliver fetus

Complications: pain, bleeding, infection + blood clots, damage to bladder/ bowel requiring repair, hysterectomy, blood transfusion

More info: http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=c5987b1e-add7-403a-b817-b3efe6109265&chunkiid=14798

Surgical evacuation of retained products of conception

Purpose: to remove retained products to prevent infection/ stop life-threatening bleeding

Benefits: remove products

Complications: pain, bleeding, infection + blood transfusion, risk of perforation of uterus, incomplete removal requiring further procedure, damage to cervix/ bladder/ bowel requiring repair

More info: http://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/users/user1/leaflets/IL362%20ERPC%20%28Evacuation%20of%20the%20Retained%20Products%20of%20Conception%29.pdf

GENERAL SURGERY

Laparoscopic procedure

(source)
Purpose: variable (e.g. laparoscopic appendicetomy to remove appendix, laparoscopic oophrectomy to remove ovaries etc)

Benefits: avoid open procedure, quicker recovery, fewer complications

Complications: pain, bleeding, infection + perforation of abdominal organs, damage to local vessels/ nerves, need to convert to open procedure

Think I should add more? Please suggest what other procedures you'd like to see listed!

One Hundred Character Meme, Part Three

So on deviantart.com there's a tonne of fun memes to play with, where people make templates for you to fill out. I've done a couple of drawing ones, but then I came across this; could I list 100 characters I like? Not just characters I know about- they had to be characters I actually appreciate/ go fangirly over.

It took a lot of thought, delving into almost every single film/ TV show/ game/ anime/ even myth I know, but here it is!

For the next few weeks, I'll briefly take you through them all and why I love them.

These are numbers 70-100 (from left to right: for 1-35 see Part One and for 36-70 see Part Two)

The list starts from Row 8 Column 1

71. Carl Fredricksen (Up!)
The protagonist of Up!, we follow the touching story of childhood friends turned lovers turned elderly couple and the one wish Carl never got to share with his wife. But even though he's left a widower, fresh life comes in the form of a young boy scout, and Carl sets off on the adventure he always wanted. Cranky and curmudgeonly but with a good heart, Carl was a great lead character.

72. Hiccup (How To Train Your Dragon)
This boy genius sticks out like a sore thumb in this warrior-Viking epic, but it's his compassion and curiosity that eventually win the day. A great character to share this adventure with.

73. Jack Frost (Rise of the Guardians)
An under-appreciated character of make-believe, Jack is forced to go up against the forces of darkness with the likes of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Sandman. Mischievous and a trickster, Jack still knows what's best and does his part to protect children everywhere. A charming character.

74. Maia (Summoner: A Goddess Reborn)
The reincarnation of a goddess, Lahara, Maia is destined to fight her arch enemy of darkness and lead the world into an era of prosperity. She's a valiant warrior, a skilled magician, and has the ability to turn into various summon creatures. Her story was great fun and it was deeply satisfying understanding and learning about the lore and myths of her world.

75. Nel Zelpher (Star Ocean: Til the End of Time)
One of the first characters you come across in the game, and a memorable one at that. A skilled fighter and one of the Queen's most trusted allies, there's not much to dislike (apart from her ridiculous outfit).

76. Rebecca Crane (Assassin's Creed II)
The tech brains behind the modern day Assassin's Order, making improvements to the Animus and able to get things up and wired with minimal effort. She's got some great dialogue and her in-game emails can be entertaining to read too.

77. Shaun Hastings (Assassin's Creed II)
The sarcastic, dry-humoured British historian. His Animus entries are hilarious, and the way he interacts with the characters is both a reflection of the environment he's forced to work in and the fact he's a grumpy Brit :P

78. Luka Megurine (Vocaloid)
Not much to say about Luka but she's my favourite Vocaloid and I much prefer her songs to the squeakier-pitched Miku Hatsune. Doesn't mean they don't have some good duets though.

79. Jessie Bannon (Jonny Quest)
The token female of the Quest series, but Jessie's far from helpless. What Johnny has in courage, Jessie makes up for in tech smarts, and she can easily rival Haji. And she's a redhead to boot!

80. Sam (Totally Spies)
Of course Sam would be my favourite spy, as she shares my name! But also she's not as 'ditzy' as Clover and Alex and not quite so girly, which again are traits I prefer.

81. Wreck-It Ralph (Wreck-It Ralph)
How can you not like this poor lug? He's the bad guy yes, but he's certainly not at fault for wanting some recognition for his role. Of course he makes some mistakes along the way, but he's willing to take responsibility and do what he can to make things right again. Even if his talent is to break things.

82. Falco Lombardi (Star Fox)
Fox's friendly rival, Falco was always more interesting to me with his rather callous attitude and he doesn't like being much of a team player, but he always shows up when he needs to and is a very skilled pilot.

83. Kyoko Sakura (Madoka Magica)
My favourite magical girl in this series, as she seems to throw around a casual attitude but like with all the girls in this show, she's been shaped by the wish she made. Also her weapon is just awesome!

84. Light Yagami (Death Note)
The protagonist (antagonist?) of the show, and despite the dark and psychotic path he chooses to tread, I can't help but find him so fascinating. God-complex aside, I did sympathise with him a little, but eventually you see what he's gotten himself into, and the show ends on a suitable note.

85. Tybalt Volumnia de Capulet (Romeo x Juliet)
The 'darker and edgier' rival to Romeo, Tybalt is extremely capable and much more the realist, almost to a disturbing degree. However he gets his development, learns there is a softer side to life, and gets a deserved happy ending.

86. Prince Marth (Fire Emblem)
I was first introduced to Marth via Smash Bros (like most people), but he also got me into the Fire Emblem series. So I'm not that informed about his actual character but he's got a cool design and he's an awesome fighter in Melee and Brawl :P

87. Pinky and the Brain (Animaniacs)
This counts as one! This dynamic duo are always out to take over the world with various schemes. And you'll always recognise their iconic voices!

88. Metal Sonic (Sonic the Hedgehog)
Another one from the Sonic franchise, had to go with Metal Sonic because he was one of the first Sonic bosses I had an actual fear of. It took me so many times for me to beat him in Sonic CD, and he made for an entertaining boss in later games, too.

89. Soundwave (Transformers Prime)
So I'm not a huge TF fan but Soundwave always stands out for me, more in his Prime incarnation than G1. Always silent, always masked, but extremely deadly. Easily the more fearsome Decepticon.

90. Kilik (Soul Calibur)
Haven't played Soul Calibur but the character story arcs are pretty interesting. Kilik trained as a monk, was infected with dark energy and almost killed everything he loved, and then had to spend years training to try and rid himself of it. He also looks eerily similar to Squall, another character I admire, but of course that hasn't got anything to do with why I like him...

91. Harry Potter (Harry Potter)
The protagonist of Hogwarts. While there's a great massive cast, I guess I only ever really cared about Harry. From his tragic backstory to the unfair predjudices and expectations placed upon him, to his personal flaws and how he overcomes them, his arc was just the most interesting to me.

92. Flynn Rider (Tangled)
The cocky, arrogant thief who happens to break Rapunzel out of her ivory tower and show her true freedom. And trouble. And betrayal. And all manner of other things! His design was interesting and his interactions with Rapunzel humorous. He's brave and loyal, too.

93. Skye (Darkened Skye)
I love the sarcastic heroine of this sadly often glitchy game. Thrust onto a quest she doesn't really want to go on, meeting a colourful cast of characters and all for the magic powers of Skittles (yes, really). I love her dialogue, and for a amateur hero she does pretty well.

94. Dorian (Darkened Skye)
A side character to Skye, Dorian's rather ditzy appearances and words of wisdom are always welcome. Plus he's not that bad looking for the graphic age he was in!

95. The Black Knight (Monty Python)
A classic! Everyone remembers that confrontation for the ages, King Arthur vs. 'It's just a flesh wound'. Gotta give this guy credit for never giving up.

96. Aqua (Kingdom Hearts)
Aqua is the only approved Keyblade Master of her cohort, but she's willing to forego anything to help her friends. Facing a lifetime of endless darkness just for the sake of Terra, Aqua's certainly an admirable hero.

97. Avatar Wan (Legend of Korra)
The first Avatar in the Avatar universe. After being cast out from his lion-turtle city home, Wan braves the Spirit Wilds, befriends the spirits, and takes responsibility for one of his gravest mistakes. Truly inspiring!

98. Jenna (Darkweaver Legacy)
One of Calvyn's fellow recruits in the Darkweaver books, and she even gets her own story in book 2. A capable archer, brave and determined, Jenna's certainly a soldier you want on your side. Unfortunately she goes get devolved to love interest, but hey it was good while it lasted.

99. Genie (Aladdin)
The mystical genie of the lamp actually has quite the fast-mouth and sense of pop culture references. Robin Williams did a great job, and the blue Genie remains one of the most icon characters of the series.

100. Cassandra of Troy (Greek myth)
Poor, poor Cassandra! She always gets a terrible rep in the Greek myths, and yet most of it is beyond her control. Her gift spoiled by the god Apollo, she can do nothing but watch her home burn and be taken as a slave and concubine by her conquerors. But she's always been interesting to me.
And that's it? What are some of your favourite characters? Can you get 100?

One Hundred Character Meme, Part Two

So on deviantart.com there's a tonne of fun memes to play with, where people make templates for you to fill out. I've done a couple of drawing ones, but then I came across this; could I list 100 characters I like? Not just characters I know about- they had to be characters I actually appreciate/ go fangirly over.

It took a lot of thought, delving into almost every single film/ TV show/ game/ anime/ even myth I know, but here it is!


For the next few weeks, I'll briefly take you through them all and why I love them.

These are numbers 36-70 (from left to right: for 1-35 see Part One)

36. Hei (Darker Than Black)
The quiet protagonist, a Contractor working for the Syndicate. Contractors are humans who've gained supernatural powers and have lost their empathy, but every time they use their power they have to pay a 'price', a compulsion they can't control. Hei however seems the exception to this, although he always seems to be eating. With his fancy moves and white mask, he's certainly not to be trifled with.

37. Prince Ashitaka (Princess Mononoke)
The exiled prince who becomes the mediator for the forces of nature who want to crush the humans spoiling their lands and the humans who are struggling to survive on the harsh plains. He's honourable, honest and kind, and his journey is something not to be missed.

38. Wander (Shadow of the Colossus)
The mysterious progatonist of the aforementioned game. All we know is that he carries a dead woman with him to a forbidden land, seeking a power to restore her to life. We know nothing of his past, or how he came to be in the situation he's in; we just take control and help him meet his goal. The mystery makes the draw to him all the more stronger, as you try and get him his happy ending.

39. Haruhi Fujioka (Ouran High School Host Club)
An unfortunate honours student who's forced into the service of the Host Club after breaking an expensive ming vase. However, much to the surprise of the Host Club members, she's actually a girl, albeit with a somewhat masculine haircut. Nevertheless they keep up the pretense. Haurhi's more than that, though, with her twists on gender stereotypes and how she deals with the smug rich kids in school. One of my favourites.

40. Date Masamune (Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings)
Based upon a real Sengoku era general of the same name, I have to say it's his design I love more than anything. With his crescent moon helmet and six katanas, what's not to love?

41. Haytham Kenway (Assassin's Creed III)
The charismatic Templar leader paving the way for the Order to take root in the Americas. Despite being a Templar (which incidentally you don't find out until you've played some levels as him!), he's honest, cunning and trustworthy, and skilled in the Assassin skills, too.

42. England (Hetalia Axis Powers)
I like a lot of the Hetalia 'countries', but England is my fav. He can talk to mythical animals, he can't stand France, and likes his tea. And who can forget those eyebrows?

43. Alexandra Roivas (Eternal Darkness)
A sorely underrated game based on the lore of H.P.Lovecraft, and Alex is the modern day protagonist, unveiling the hidden secrets of a millenia long war against the return of the Ancients. Alex is sharp-witted, highly intelligent and not too bad with a gladius, either.

44. Irma Lair (W.I.T.C.H)
The wisecracking, sarcastic Guardian of Water from the W.I.T.C.H series. She's a master of her element and always has a one-liner waiting for both her friends and enemies. The episodes where she's alone or goes on a tangent are great, showing her flaws and development, and she's a thoroughly enjoyable character.

45. Rosalina (Super Mario Galaxy)
Mario's main guide in the Galaxy games. We don't know much about this mysterious, Luma-surrounded lady, but she's certainly interesting with her magical power and love for the adorable Lumas. She's also my favourite character to play as in Mario Kart Wii.

46. Robert Foster (Beneath a Steel Sky)
A old point-and-click adventure for PC (which took me 12 years to complete!), Robert Foster is the estranged hero. The lone survivor of a helicopter crash as his mother tried to escape the city of his birth, Rob was brought up by the nomads of the Gap. However as an adult his past catches up with him and he's captured and taken back. He's a likeable character with a quick mind, and it was fun following him to the conclusion of his tale.

47. Ike (Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance)
Truth be told I'm more familiar with Ike from the Smash Bros point of view, but he plays an important role in Path of Radiance. Son of a mercenary, Ike is a skilled swordsman and kind-hearted young man. He's not prejudiced like many of his peers, either, and grows into a confident and competent leader.

48. Lumina (Final Fantasy: Lightning Returns)
The cheeky young girl who appears in the third installment of the FF13 franchise, she's a real trickster, sometimes helping and sometimes hindering Lightning in her quest. I like her unpredictable nature, and the twist regarding her in the story actually surprised me.

49. Asuna (Sword Art Online)
This was hard for me to list, for while Asuna is a great character she's treated HORRIBLY in SAO (especially in the second half, made me cringe). Still, she's talented and brave, if a bit naive at times, and feels she has a lot to prove.

50. Mystearica 'Tear' Grants (Tales of the Abyss)
Mystearica, or Tear as her friends know her, is a skilled Seventh Phonist who also knows the sacred Fonic Hymns. She tries to present herself as cool, reserved and serious, but inside she has a secret love for cute things which she's no good at hiding at all.

51. Mulan (Mulan)
Mulan was one of the first Disney films I really really liked. For one thing she left home not to bag herself a man but to fight for her country, and through her guile and strength of heart she succeeded. She was cunning and a great strategist...a shame she turned down the Emperor's offer at the end!

52. Balthier (Final Fantasy XII)
The self-proclaimed 'leading man' in FF12. Along with Fran, this sky pirate is devious, cunning but he's got a real heart of gold. His taste for riches and crystals get him dragged down into the main conflict of the game, and he proves a very resourceful character. Not to mention he gets some of the best lines!

53. Bayonetta (Bayonetta)
Everyone's favourite kickass witch, I loved the game and I love sassy Bayonetta. Unlike the predecessor to her franchise (DMC), she actually has some real personality and her game actually has a coherent story. With her Wicked Weaves and quadruple gun play, she's a powerful Witch, and the Lumen Sages better watch their backs.

54. Knuckles the Echidna (Sonic the Hedgehog)
I instantly adored this guy the moment I saw him appear in Sonic 3, and his best moments were in the Sonic Adventure series. However sadly he's gone through a lot of character decay, being replaced as Sonic's rival by Shadow, the whole 'Guardian of the Floating Island' thing gone to the wayside, and don't get me started on his horrible design and characterisation in Sonic Boom...but he's still an awesome red-dreaded echidna, and I hope one day he'll return to his former glory.

55. Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog)
My very first game, and the very first fandom I ever got into, Sonic will always hold a special place for me. While I much prefer his Japanese incarnations to his Western ones, you can't deny Sonic's memorability. With his trademark blue hue and red sneakers, he's had a bit of a struggle with his franchise, but I still keep buying his games and enjoying whatever adventure he's thrown into.

56. Merida (Brave)
This film was a pleasant surprise for me, as before watching I didn't really know much about it. Finally a film that moved AWAY from the obligatory princess romance and focused on a much unseen relationship; that of mother and daughter. Merida is your typical tomboy, preferring archery and riding to dressing up and acting with decorum, but after a revenge plot against her mother goes awry, she learns to take responsibility for her actions. And you gotta love that curly hair of hers!

57. Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy VIII)
The brooding, angsty teenager of FF8. At the time I first played the game I could relate a lot to Squall, and he also has an interesting design (practical impossibility of a gunblade aside). He prefers logic to emotion, yet while he's a bit aloof from his peer he still garners their respect and admiration as a leader. 

58. Asuka Langley Soryu (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
The loud, proud (if irrevocably damaged) pilot of Unit Two. Asuka really stood out as a character in NGE, contrasting to the reserved Rei Ayanami and cowardly Shinji Ikari, but of course (being Eva) she didn't escape the 'shaped by tragic past' schtick. Watching her mental unravelling was very heart-breaking, and even though she gets a tiny bit of glory in End of Evangelion, it ultimately amounts to nothing. But still, a memorable and awesome character.

59. Amaterasu (Okami)
The goddess of the sun, reincarnated in wolf form in this beautiful game. 'Ammy' has to travel all of ancient Japan (Nippon) and rid it of the dark demons that now plague the lands. Restoring nature, killing evil spirits and fighting against the greatest source of darkness, Ammy lives up to her title of deity and saves the world. Also seeing her act like a puppy in some scenes was just adorable!

60. Tenebrae (Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of a New World)
The snide, sarcastic Centurion of Lord Ratatosk, I love everything this character says. Always knowing exactly how to stir conversations the wrong way, always in praise of darkness and yet with a surprisingly honest and open view on things, he's a great supporting character in the game, and I can watch his skits over and over.

61. Kusanagi Shiyu (X/1999)
One of the Dragons of Earth in the military, and yet he doesn't quite share his fellow Dragons' disdain over humanity. His line about people still crying when others get hurt I thought was pretty profound (especially when most media love to critisize how evils human can be), and I enjoyed his friendship with Yuzuriha.

62. Arashi Kishu (X/1999)
The skilful samauri, Arashi doesn't waste words and is your typical stoic soldier type. She does gradually change, though, and I enjoyed her little arc.

63. Lord Darcia III (Wolf's Rain)
This guy is a true menace in the world of Wolf's Rain. Following on from the horrendous crimes committed by his father and grandfather, his devotion to his dying love turns to madness, and we're able to watch first hand how deeply he sinks. He gives a great final battle, and is definitely a villain you won't forget.

64. Sheena Fujibashi (Tales of Symphonia)
The clumsy assassin ninja from my favourite Tales...game. Sheena's past isn't without tragedy, but it becomes something she learns from and shapes her character development. As one of the last Summoners, she also plays an important role in the plot. Plus you can't help but love that as badass as she is, she has a tendency to fall into hidden traps far more easily than you'd expect.

65. Momou Inugami (Good Luck Girl)
The adorably cute puppy-spirit who has a certain fetish for S&M. He's hilarious with his antics and knows how to use his cuteness to his advantage. Devote to Momiji, he does also develop a soft spot for Sakura too. Loyal, brave and downright indestructible (hit him too hard and he'll turn from dog to human or vice versa), he's a grand addition to the cast.

66. Sakura Ichiko (Good Luck Girl)
For some reason or another, Sakura's always been blessed with excessive good luck, and everything in her life has gone swimmingly...until a poverty goddess shows up to shake things up. But in fact Sakura's not as happy as she proclaims, revealing that her good luck and her propensity to take the good luck from others has left her very lonely. Her character development was spot-on, and I thoroughly enjoyed following her journey.

67. Princess What's Her Name (Earthworm Jim)
Sister of Queen Pulsating-Bloated-Festering-Sweaty-Pus-filled, Malformed-Slug-for-a-Butt. The Princess was locked away from a young age by the Queen, and grew into the leader of a band of ragtag rebels on her home planet of Insectica. She's a great fighter, although this comes out more in the cartoon than the game.

68. Professor Hannah Awkward (Believe Nothing)
Professor of Pedantics at Oxford University, and the pursued love interest of Quadruple Professor Adonis Cnut. She has great quirks, and a bit of a sweet tooth to boot. A pity the series was so short-lived.

69. Bugs Bunny (Looney Toons)
'What's up, Doc?'. One of the defining cartoons of my childhood, how could I not include Bugs here? He's scheming, sneaky, and yet never in a malicious way, so you can't help but root for him. Whether he's foiling Elmer Fudd or driving Daffy up the wall, every moment is a joy to watch.

70. Puss in Boots (Shrek)
Our Latino cat-warrior, he really did brighten up the Shrek cast. He's a fast talker, romancer, and skilled swordsman, too. Perfectly cast and perfectly written!

71. Carl Fredricksen (Up!)

72. Hiccup (How To Train Your Dragon)

73. Jack Frost (Rise of the Guardians)

74. Maia (Summoner: A Goddess Reborn)

75. Nel Zelpher (Star Ocean: Til the End of Time)

76. Rebecca Crane (Assassin's Creed II)

77. Shaun Hastines (Assassin's Creed II)

78. Luka Megurine (Vocaloid)

79. Jessie Bannon (Jonny Quest)

80. Sam (Totally Spies)

81. Wreck-It Ralph (Wreck-It Ralph)

82. Falco Lombardi (Star Fox)

83. Kyoko Sakura (Madoka Magica)

84. Light Yagami (Death Note)

85. Tybalt Volumnia de Capulet (Romeo x Juliet)

86. Prince Marth (Fire Emblem)

87. Pinky and the Brain (Animaniacs)

88. Metal Sonic (Sonic the Hedgehog)

89. Soundwave (Transformers Prime)

90. Kilik (Soul Calibur)

91. Harry Potter (Harry Potter)

92. Flynn Rider (Tangled)

93. Skye (Darkened Skye)

94. Dorian (Darkened Skye)

95. The Black Knight (Monty Python)

96. Aqua (Kingdom Hearts)

97. Avatar Wan (Legend of Korra)

98. Jenna (Darkweaver Legacy)

99. Genie (Aladdin)

100. Cassandra of Troy (Greek myth)

One Hundred Characters Meme! Part One

So on deviantart.com there's a tonne of fun memes to play with, where people make templates for you to fill out. I've done a couple of drawing ones, but then I came across this; could I list 100 characters I like? Not just characters I know about- they had to be characters I actually appreciate/ go fangirly over.

It took a lot of thought, delving into almost every single film/ TV show/ game/ anime/ even myth I know, but here it is!


For the next few weeks, I'll briefly take you through them all and why I love them.

These are the first 35 (from left to right):

1. Lightning Farron (Final Fantasy XIII)
An obvious choice for me- I adore Lightning! She's a highly skilled, determined soldier, and nothing will get in her way to protect her sister. Slightly miffed at how her game's story treated her (and the rather sad descent into fanservice the sequels have led to) but she's still awesome.

2. Oerba Yun Fang (Final Fantasy XIII)
Another great character from the same game. Where Lightning is much more reserved and cynical, I love Fang's outspoken and impulsive nature. Her design is cool, too.

3. Princess Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca ('Ashe') (Final Fantasy XII)
From the vastly underrated FF12. Ashe has to face a lot of tough choices in her fight to free her kingdom, and she's no helpless damsel either. Certainly one of the more memorable FF heroines.

4. Sothe (Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn)
While his role does diminish in the game as it progresses, Sothe's still a great character. Fiercely loyal to Micaiah, his adopted sister, and a skilled thief, I always enjoy his actions in the open cutscene.

5. Juliet (Romeo x Juliet)
I love this retelling of Shakespeare's classic, and Juliet gets some great character development. For one thing, she's a skilled swordswoman, and she isn't second fiddle as Romeo's love interest, either; it's the other way around! While of course you know the ending from the outset, she definitely takes you for a wild ride through her adventure.

6. Bolin (Legend of Korra)
Ah, Bolin, the steadfast, laidback member of Korra's Team Avatar. Never a dull moment with this guy, whether it's his humorous quips or his talented Earthbending. I'm always smiling when this guy shows up.

7. Korra (Legend of Korra)
The leading lady herself! She's Aang's opposite and I find that makes her more interesting. Headstrong, brash, impulsive, she's not afraid to brave anything, even if most of the time it does land her in sticky situations. In the later seasons (Books 3 and 4), she starts to develop into a much more layered character, and I can't wait to see how her story concludes.

8. Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)
One of gaming's most iconic ladies, of course I couldn't miss her out. Smart, cunning, a born survivor and with a touch of humour, you have to admire this adventurer archaeologist (eat your heart out Indiana Jones).

9. Mikasa Ackerman (Attack on Titan)
Mikasa had a presence all her own when I first saw her, and her tragic backstory made her all the more endearing. Like Lightning she's highly skilled and shows little emotion, but that doesn't mean she's completely heartless.

10. Jean Kirschtein (Attack on Titan)
While Jean might not start out as the nicest guy on the planet, the realities of war make him sober up pretty fast, and he shows some great leadership skills even though he's constantly doubting himself. For me this makes him much more interesting, as he's got to overcome real flaws and do the best he can, even if he's not the main hero.

11. Momiji (Good Luck Girl)
Love this goddess of misfortune- from her dry sense of humour and rough mannerisms, to her odd pearls of wisdom that she always seems to drop at exactly the right moment. I always found myself siding with her and not Sakura (who's also on my list further down).

12. Kitana (Mortal Kombat)
I always play as Kitana; nobody messes with those fans! Though I sympathise more with her characterisation from the animated series more than the game (where she's the exiled Princess fighting to reclaim her kingdom).

13. Sub Zero (Mortal Kombat)
Another playable favourite. Nobody can mistake his trademark blue outfit and icy attacks.

14. Raiden (Mortal Kombat)
God of thunder, wise mentor and general badass. I enjoyed his sarcastic quips in the animated series and film.

15. Orphen (Sorcerous Stabber Orphen)
This was one of the first anime I ever watched and I still love it. Orphen's a bit of an angry, miserable git at times but he does still joke around from time to time and he's got a lot of conflict in his past, which excuses some of his behaviour (but not all). Awesome design, too.

16. Syrenne (Last Story)
In the EU release Syrenne has a Lancashire accent and that automatically means she has to go on this list. A girl who likes her drink but a more than capable fighter, too.

17. Mirania (Last Story)
Mirania has an interesting design and I like her mannerisms. While her 'devoted to nature arc' isn't exactly original, she's a great supporting character in the game.

18. Vyse (Skies of Arcadia)
How can you not like this guy? From his constant happy outlook on life, his loyalty to his friends and crew and his skill with dual cutlasses, he'll always be my favourite from the series.

19. Prince of Persia (Prince of Persia)
In the first reboot of the series (started with Sands of Time), I liked the Prince and how he learns and grows into his title despite the mistakes he makes along the way. The film was pretty disappointing but then that's a given with game-to-film adaptations :P

20. Jade Kurtis (Tales of the Abyss)
He has the best lines ever, both in the game and the anime. An extremely talented scientist and soldier, albeit he lacks in the empathy and ethics department; a flaw he well recognises. Still, just hearing his put downs and retorts to rival Dist always make me laugh.

21. Lina Inverse (Slayers)
Everyone's favourite chaos sorceress. It's great how she's truly not an altruistic heroine and often would rather go after things for her own gain. Nevertheless she always makes the right choices in the end and her vastly powerful Ragna Blade and Giga Slave are not to be trifled with. Just don't comment about her chest.

22. Zelgadis Greywords (Slayers)
Everyone's favourite brooding magical swordsman, also from the same series. Cursed to be a chimera by the man he once looked up to, Zel is constantly searching for a cure, but is always up to help Lina and friends out when needed.

23. Train Hartnet (Black Cat)
A deadly assassin, Chronos Number 13, Train is second to none at his job. But after he meets Saya, his outlook on life changes and he sets out to live on his own terms. But fate won't let him walk away so easily. And every step of his journey is a joy to watch.

24. Sven Volfied (Black Cat)
From the same series, Sven is a self-confessed gentleman with a penchant for chivalry and politeness. He's pretty skilled with that briefcase of his, too.

25. Sephiria Arcs (Black Cat)
The first Chronos Number and leader of the Numbers, you don't mess with Sephiria. Incredibly skilled with her sword, she's truly undefeatable, and pretty ruthless at times, too.

26. Roy Mustang (Full Metal Alchemist)
I'm going off his incarnation in the original anime, not Brotherhood, but Roy was great. At first glance you don't really think much of his shallow persona, but pretty soon you see he's a skilled flame alchemist, and he's seen his fair share of darkness, too. 

27. Sabriel (Sabriel)
The titular character from Garth Nix's Abhorsen series. Sabriel was one of the first female heroines I read about, and she's stuck with me since. Determined and capable, even if she does lack a bit of self confidence, she fights on regardless and with the help of her allies.

28. Eona (Eon: Dragoneye Reborn)
Eona again is another female protagonist, training to be a Dragoneye while at the same time hiding her gender. She struggles with choices that have wide-reaching consequences, and I enjoyed following her story.

29. Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad (Assassin's Creed)
While most of the AC fans flock to Ezio, I've always much preferred the quieter, more reserved Altaïr. Exceptionally skilled, he's thrown down a path of redemption after his arrogance gets the better of him. I loved his development in the game, and was thrilled to get glances of him in Revelations, too.

30. Toph Beifong (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
One of the most incredible characters in any fandom, I think. A blind young girl, Toph is an extremely talented Earthbender who INVENTS a new type of sub-bending art and can floor opponents many times her size and strength. Don't underestimate her!

31. Iroh (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
The famous Fire Nation General. Always full of wisdom for his nephew Zuko (and anyone else who cares to listen), but also a powerful Firebender and military powerhouse.

32. Haku (Spirited Away)
Trapped to service to Yubaba, Haku still does his best to help Chihiro ('Sen'). His dragon form is pretty, too.

33. Eisenheim (The Illusionist)
The master of deception, I thoroughly enjoyed how he implemented his tricks and got the better of his enemies.

34. Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Carribean)
From the moment he enters the screen on that sinking ship, you know this is going to be someone memorable. An apparently incompetent pirate, Jack hides his guile and cunning and makes for an enjoyable companion to sail around the Carribean with.

35. Gracie Hart (Miss Congeniality)
This FBI agent with a knack for cocking it all up really comes into her own when she's forced to go undercover for a beauty pageant. Gracie's hilarious as she does her best to hide her less than feminine attributes and her woeful lack of knowledge of 'women's issues', but in the end her skills as an officer win the day and she saves the pageant.

36. Hei (Darker Than Black)

37. Prince Ashitaka (Princess Mononoke)

38. Wander (Shadow of the Colossus)

39. Haruhi Fujioka (Ouran High School Host Club)

40. Date Masamune (Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings)

41. Haytham Kenway (Assassin's Creed III)

42. England (Hetalia Axis Powers)

43. Alexandra Roivas (Eternal Darkness)

44. Irma Lair (W.I.T.C.H)

45. Rosalina (Super Mario Galaxy)

46. Robert Foster (Beneath a Steel Sky)

47. Ike (Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance)

48. Lumina (Final Fantasy: Lightning Returns)

49. Asuna (Sword Art Online)

50. Tear Grants (Tales of the Abyss)

51. Mulan (Mulan)

52. Balthier (Final Fantasy XII)

53. Bayonetta (Bayonetta)

54. Knuckles the Echidna (Sonic the Hedgehog)

55. Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog)

56. Merida (Brave)

57. Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy VIII)

58. Asuka Langley Soryu (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

59. Amaterasu (Okami)

60. Tenebrae (Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of a New World)

61. Kusanagi Shiyu (X/1999)

62. Arashi Kishu (X/1999)

63. Lord Darcia III (Wolf's Rain)

64. Sheena Fujibashi (Tales of Symphonia)

65. Momou Inugami (Good Luck Girl)

66. Sakura Ichiko (Good Luck Girl)

67. Princess What's Her Name (Earthworm Jim)

68. Professor Hannah Awkward (Believe Nothing)

69. Bugs Bunny (Looney Toons)

70. Puss in Boots (Shrek)

71. Carl Fredricksen (Up!)

72. Hiccup (How To Train Your Dragon)

73. Jack Frost (Rise of the Guardians)

74. Maia (Summoner: A Goddess Reborn)

75. Nel Zelpher (Star Ocean: Til the End of Time)

76. Rebecca Crane (Assassin's Creed II)

77. Shaun Hastines (Assassin's Creed II)

78. Luka Megurine (Vocaloid)

79. Jessie Bannon (Jonny Quest)

80. Sam (Totally Spies)

81. Wreck-It Ralph (Wreck-It Ralph)

82. Falco Lombardi (Star Fox)

83. Kyoko Sakura (Madoka Magica)

84. Light Yagami (Death Note)

85. Tybalt Volumnia de Capulet (Romeo x Juliet)

86. Prince Marth (Fire Emblem)

87. Pinky and the Brain (Animaniacs)

88. Metal Sonic (Sonic the Hedgehog)

89. Soundwave (Transformers Prime)

90. Kilik (Soul Calibur)

91. Harry Potter (Harry Potter)

92. Flynn Rider (Tangled)

93. Skye (Darkened Skye)

94. Dorian (Darkened Skye)

95. The Black Knight (Monty Python)

96. Aqua (Kingdom Hearts)

97. Avatar Wan (Legend of Korra)

98. Jenna (Darkweaver Legacy)

99. Genie (Aladdin)

100. Cassandra of Troy (Greek myth)