NaNo Prep - minor character sketch 1

The Basic Facts
Name: Daemahrath
Pronunciation: Day - ma - ra - th
Age: Adult but a youngish one
City or Area of Birth: birth unknown, raised in Starsatti by the city healer
Sex: male
Height: tallish for an elf but still not overly tall
Weight: in shape
Hair: black
Eyes: gray
Clothes: well worn. He has been on his own, traveling for years after being banned from the city.
Marriage Status: single
Sexual Orientation: gay (though keeps it a secret for the most part)
Occupation: could work as a healer as he was trained for that
Fighting Ability: really good at fighting but prefers not to fight. During training he wasn't allowed to fight against the other students, even as practice.
Magikal Ability: well developed for keeping it a secret


Familial Relations
Father: unknown
Living/Deceased: probably deceased
Occupation of Father: n/a
Mother: unknown
Living/Deceased: probably deceased
Parental Marriage Status: n/a
Occupation of Mother: n/a
Sister(s): none known of
Age(s): n/a
Living/Deceased: n/a
Marriage Status: n/a
Brother(s): none know of
Age(s): n/a
Living/Deceased: n/a
Marriage Status: n/a
Aunt(s), Uncle(s), Cousin(s), etc: none know of
Other Family Occupations: n/a


Relationships with Others
Current Lover/Spouse: none
Best Friend(s): doesn't have any anymore will befriend others in the group
Other Friends: none for now
Past Love(s)/Spouse(s): Prince Kaselon
Worst Enemy: the king's advisor from his old city
Allies: none at the moment, but is rather charming so could get some in novel
Ability to Make New Friends: Didn't have many friends because he was considered different, but when people don't know exactly what he is and just go on his personality, he is charming and can make friends
Other People of Note in Character's Life: The woman who raised him was very kind and he holds her in high regard.
Reason Why They are Noteworthy: The only one to take him in, not call him a freak, and such.


Background
Where Raised: Starsatti
Family Background: no family


Psych Profile
Greatest Joy: it was his best friend and first love
Greatest Trauma: being marked and banned
Morals: has good morals for the most part, sometimes has to do things just to survive but prefers to help and not hurt
Ambitions: seeing others have happiness, to do something good with his abilities
Positive Personality Traits: loyal, kind, caring, nurturing/healing
Negative Personality Traits: loner, afraid to hurt anyone
Mannerisms:
Fears, Anxieties: hurting someone, losing another love
Temperament: mild and patient, used to being ignored and considered a freak
Ambitions: make a difference, to keep the death toll to a minimum
How Character Displays Emotions: tries to keep his emotions to himself but sometimes they appear on his face and in a few actions depending on the emotion
Leader/Follower: Leader, although a bit reluctant
Perception of Others: a bit weary of others when he first meets them. Looks for the good but is well aware of the bad that exists
Perception of Self: doesn't have the best view of himself, tries not to let what others have said get to him but that doesn't always work.
Memories: Has many memories from growing up, being different, learning to heal, meeting the prince, etc.
Dreams/Plans: plans to stop the antagonist if possible, to use his abilities to help others
How Character Handles Crisises: although quiet, he does better than most in a crisis.
Personality Type: natural leader but calm and quiet
Most Meaningful Life Experience: his relationship and the bad aftermath leading to his being banned
Attitude Toward Others: cautious but still considers that some people are good, even if others are not
Feelings Toward Family: doesn't know what it's like to have a family
Feelings Toward Friends: hasn't had many friends. greatful to have them but always cautious and afraid of losing them because he kind of expects it to happen
Feelings Toward Strangers of the Same Sex: weary, attracted to a few but not many
Feelings Toward Strangers of the Opposite Sex: has no problem with women and they like him as a friend
Feelings Towards Enemies: doesn't like to be around enemies and doesn't know how to deal with them

NaNo Prep - Plot Backstory

The attack came, just as they had predicted. Even the magick they possessed wasn't enough against the horde that swarmed Thai-noren. Fires raged, taking down wood buildings two at a time as the last remaining Thai-lean elves fought against the hordes. Arrows started to run out, magick wore down the energy making escape impossible. After weeks of fighting, the last remaining mages gathered in the last remaining building located at the center of Thai-noren.  

"What now?" A mage wheezed, gripping the branches of a wood chair in attempt to stand. The rest hadn't helped with his powers vastly depleted.  

"It's the end." The cynic said, his tone somber as it always was when he spoke. "We die."  

This news did not sit well even as everyone in the room nodded. 

The first mage started to ask, "Did the ones..."  

"Irrelevant." A leading voice spoke, one of three female mages left stood near the center of the room. "There is one thing left to do, as planned. What happens after that is out of our hands."  

The last living set of thirteen mages gathered at the circle altar located dead center in the barricaded room. It wasn't going to be easy, with each mage being weakened from the ongoing fight. But it was necessary. The last show of bravado before annihilation. It would take all their magick and beyond, but it was better to die from the last use of power than at the hands of the ones they once protected.  

"Let us begin," she said.  

Their energies merged as weakened voices changed, the power mounting despite the vessels that once contained it drifting further away. It took a matter of minutes for the energy to build and with the last breaths of life, the mages lashed out, desecrating all that were in its path. Burying the once vibrant city into a cursed land, hidden by the residues of magick to protect those that would foolishly seek out the wreckage. Life would move on elsewhere and the city would drift into lore until it was at long last, forgotten.

Antagonist Story

Hot air drifted above the steaming pools of water, keeping the area warm against the cool rocks surrounding the dragon's lair. Many dragons were relaxing in the water with a few of the younglings gathered under the large mother dragon, her purple scales glistening from the steam. But it wasn't the dragons that kept the elven ruler on the ledge, looking over the calming scene. He had seen them plenty of times before, making the dragons a normal sight. Instead, the ruler named Tarephain rested crouched near the edge, leaning over to get a better view of the lone elf that rested near a pool of water. Even at that distance, he could make out the dark black hair as the elf hovered above the water, staring at his own reflection. His name was Daemahrath, the sweet spoils of the last battle his servants had succeeded in bringing him. He was even more magnificent in person.

Please tell me you aren't watching him.

The voice radiating in his head startled Tarephain and he immediately pushed away from the ledge to face the stealthy black dragon that had snuck up behind him. His connection to Naru made the stealth a bit more difficult but the dragon always enjoyed finding ways to startle him and the recent change in the order of the castle had added a rift between them. "I wasn't doing anything." He lied even if it wasn't going to work.

If Naru could have physically scoffed, he would have. His head swung from side to side. Ever since that other elf arrived, you've been obsessed. He should be a servant, enslaved as a prize of war. Not someone with his own set of servants. And now here you stand, watching from afar like a love sick little girl.

Tarephain stood, putting more strength in his stance as he faced the dragon full on. "Don't insult me. I still have control over him. He is mine and I will not put up with any of those thoughts I see lurking."

Just be careful. I know you and this is not like you to moon over some guy. I don't care if he is the one. You have a world to rule and getting distracted could destroy your plans.

"I know." His voice raged with the annoyance he felt at the topic. "Now, if you don't mind. I'd like to be alone."

Fine. Stare at the boy some more, but when he destroys all your plans causing you to fail, don't come crying to me. Naru sauntered away.

Even as the words nagged the back of his mind, Tarephain returned to his perch.

Hook, Line and Sink...

Blogfest time.

About the Blogfest
This awesome idea is from the blog of http://jwparente.blogspot.com/ . "You are to post 1000 words (a little more won't kill us), from the opening of any manuscript you have written. If that's the prologue, then post it. If that's chapter one, post it." Somehow I managed to get a 900+ word entry because it was hard to pick a location to stop since the new first chapter is over 2k long.


The Novel
While I've been using Cinder Story for blogfests, I don't have a set beginning since each entry so far has been written barely in time for them. So, I'm going to post the first pages of the YA novel that I'm rewriting. It is the second draft but hasn't been edited really since the rewrite because I'm currently on chapter 13. Contemplating a possible change in tense to past but nothing is decided yet. The novel is called Tattle Tell and it is the first book in what I hope will be a series, The Young Rogues of Revolution.


The Beginning

"Look what I can do."

A shiny copper coin spins across the school lunch table, almost grazing Ephram's left knuckle. He glances up from his book he was reading as he waits for the first bell of the day to ring marking the start of the school day. He felt his stomach sink at the sight before him.

Levi stands on the other side of the table, a group surrounding him while he holds his hand above the spinning coin. As he concentrates, the coin changes directions. The spin slows down to an almost impossible rotation speed before increasing again.

Only one thing could give Levi that ability and that one thing makes Ephram sink in dread. It meant mutation. Under any other circumstances, he would feel relief to find another one like him, but that's not the case. Only one thing happens when he sees someone else with a genetic mutation and that one thing was a report to the men in suits.

"What do you think, Eph-man?"

The use of Levi's nickname for him brings Ephram's attention back to the moment. He looks up at Levi as he tries to come up with a good response. "Uh, yeah. Neat." He did his best to hide the fear that had started to build within.

It was only a matter of time before the suits would be at Ephram's parents' house and he'd have no choice. He had to tell them whenever he saw any new mutant activity no matter the age, type of mutation or any possible association. His friendship with Levi wouldn't be enough to keep him from having to tell. All he could do is hope that he would come back; not all returned.

Sounds of bells echoing from the building save him. Grabbing his books, he is able to run inside and not have to say anything more to his friend.

Math is his unfortunate first class of the day and one of the many he shares with Levi. Even though it's a subject Ephram does well at, he is unable to focus today. His mind drifts in and out as he pays more attention to Levi than the teacher.

Half way through the class, Levi glances back. He smiles and makes a beak shape with his hand, moving it open and closed.

Ephram smiles but it is fake. The joke is an old one of theirs because Levi always said that the math teacher talks too much and while he once thought it was funny, all he can think about is the soon to be betrayal. It had never bothered him to tell on others to the men in suits. This time, however, is different. He feels aching sensations but knows no cure. As he continues to focus on Levi, another feeling is added to the mix: awkwardness. He's never focused on someone so long before and feels weird. It's almost like he'd never looked a Levi before. He sees him in a whole new light with no idea how to understand the feelings that mixed within.

"Turn in your assignments." The teacher quit writing on the board long enough to get the attention of most the class by her demand.

Handing in his assignment, Ephram leaves the room to continue the rest of the morning. He learns nothing from any of them and is relieved to reach the lunch break. But he doesn't sit with Levi. Instead he sits alone to eat his lunch.

"Mind if I sit here?"

He shakes his head no, as he watches Carrie sit down at the table. Her blonde-red curls bounce, restrained only by the pink ribbons that are in place on both sides of her head. She gives him a bright smile before opening her lunch pail.

"How are you today, Ephram?" She pulls a wrapped sandwich from her pail and begins to undress it.

"I'm fine." He barely grazes his food as he takes another glance at Levi, who has chosen a table nearby. He tries not to stare and returns his gaze to Carrie. He does notice that he has her full attention but isn't sure why. At last he adds, "How are you?"

"Good. That math assignment took me forever to finish last night. Did you get number fifteen?" She asks the question but doesn't give time for a response. "Well, I didn't at all. I gave it a try and even asked my dad but don't know if it's right. She talks too much in class cause I can't even stand listening to her for the whole class period. Ready for art class?" She takes a break to breathe.

Ephram nods, getting a few words in between the few bites he takes of his special wrap. "Yeah. I'm always ready for fine arts class." He's not sure why but he prefers to use the official class name instead of the shortened version.

Laughter takes his attention away again. He glanced over at Levi's table to see him laughing, his body moving with the chuckles. It strikes him as odd. Odd to see another mutant and one that isn't sullen. One that seems to be happy. He can't help but wonder how long it would last.

Something touches his hand and he turns back to Carrie. Her hand is next to his and holds a small packaged candy.

"Here." She offers it to him. "Mom gave me two and I don't want them both."

"Thanks." He takes the candy and gives her a small smile. This feels so weird to him but it's kind of nice. Pulling the wrapper off, he eats it while watching Carrie his attention now on her alone. She talks more while he wonders what all the new attention might mean. He spends the rest of his lunch break with her.

Muse Monday Avatars

Even though I have a lot of posts going on this month, I wanted to add one more. A muse one where I show a bunch of different characters that I've used the same avatar creator in making them. The site is fun but the characters always look very young, and the male characters tend to look a bit femmy. That's okay for my male characters since they're almost all gay but if I wanted a super masculine character I'd probably have to use a different web site.

The site I use is http://elouai.com/candybar4/dollmakerboy.php


First was the mutant characters, which were somewhat easy because I had enough written on them to figure out what they would look like. I even did more than the main character for that one, so far.

Dominick was one of my favorite characters to write. He is Noah's best friend and has a mutation where his dreams are prophetic but in symbols and means he has to sleep a whole lot more than other people. So, his images all have him with coffee.

Bastian is the love interest. He was a little more difficult just because he's not femme, and during the novel he joins the military. Is normal and starts off a bit shy but the military changes him. He becomes quite strong by the end of the novel, but gets kidnapped by the villain.

After making these characters and a few main characters such as Noah, Lucas and Elijah, I couldn't stop. I have mini addictions that don't last very long but I did procrastinate for hours on the site, making different characters.

Here is one that I don't even have a name for. He is just a nerdy mage that I enjoyed making and like how he turned out. As you can see, many of the backgrounds are also a little girly.

But some of the backgrounds are kinda cool.  I like this one, for example And the character came out a little less femme with the jeans and shirt. The site actually has pink pants in the boys section, and I mean very girly looking pink pants. Or there are jeans with pink, purple and some glittery stuff on them. This pair isn't so bad at least.

Finally, I made some kinda girly ones on purpose. I think this one is kind of how I see the intersexed main character, Taylor.


As you can imagine, making these are fun and they do have their uses. I do like using the avatar site and would recommend them for anyone who wants to give it a try. The girl side is fun to use as well.

NaNo Prep - Outline #2

Main character #1 Feynethom - a male woodland elf, left the woodlands on a crazy quest
#2 Daemahrath - a different kind of male elf from Starsatti (or however I spell it), banished from his city where he was raised by a healer
#3 - a short male human that tends to acquire items (yes, the typical thief character) a friendly companion for the dwarf in their middle book
#4 - female dwarf, red hair but no beard. A strong spirit, has no problem with elves and is one of the first to travel out of the mountain recently
#5 & #6 - female humans. Strong and capable of handling things on their own. Some issues against elves but is expected.


Feyn is on his quest to the lost city, but isn't having much success. He stops in a human village to break where he meets #3 in a village inn. He doesn't keep his mission to find an ancient city where magical elves once lived in hopes that they hadn't been annihilated as the history books claimed a secret. The people of the inn are a bit weary because he is an elf. There is one group of men that have a bunch of old maps. There is another human that sits along with Feyn, who is shorter than most. Someone accuses that man of theft. There is an eventual squabble and the two have to run. The short human, #3, joins him on his quest after acquiring an ancient map that might have the location of the ancient city. So, they head in that direction.


#2 Daem and #4 meet in a treetop tavern. It's a special location, designed in a way that it is hoisted up by trees. Daem has his ears covered so no one knows that he's an elf. He just seems like an odd stranger in for a drink. Dwarf is there, having left her home for an adventure but hadn't found one yet. A group of humans come in with one mistaking the dwarf for an elf but his pals correct him. The group spends some time talking with the dwarf, now amused by her presence. The one human says he met an elf who was trying to find the ancient elven city. In an argument, they find out that Daem is an elf and hell breaks loose.

Daem is able to escape after a short skirmish and takes a short cut off the tall bar location. The dwarf follows, getting away too. Daem decides to find the lost city, to make sure the ones mentioned by the humans aren't taken by the cursed city. Dwarf insists on going with him, and befriends him even though he is a bit reluctant.


Feyn and #3 find their way to the ancient city despite the fact that the rooms are very creepy with an air of foreboding. It is abanonded with no signs of life, which is a disappointment for Feyn. They try to search the grounds that are overgrown and decaying. As their nerves start to get to them, Daem shows up. When he first sees him, Feyn almost has the idea that he might be an actual Thailean elf. But that is shattered as Daem directs them away from the city. The two would fight but a danger occurs and they are more than happy to run. The two find #4, who was waiting for them per the orders of Daem. They move a little further away and then wait, in hopes that Daem will make it out of the city alive. He does eventually and the group as a whole makes it further before resting.


Daem had plans to go to a fort that was being threatened by the antagonist. Those plans were only slightly put off by the distraction of the ancient city. The fort is important because it is a human fort that has a long history of never losing a battle and if it were to fall to the enemy then hope may be lost. At least the rest of the human settlements not conquered would probably give up. The other three decide to join him for their own reasons. Some are looking for adventure and others just aren't ready to return home because they left for a silly quest.


In order to get to the fort they must travel through a number of small to medium size towns full of humans, many of which are occupied by the enemy. Most are not friendly to elves and so, for them to go in they have to use disguises. They prefer to go around some of the occupied villages but the group gets tired of sleeping on the ground. So, in a village that is located near the woodlands, the group goes into a small-medium sized village where they decide to try staying at an inn for one night. The disguise is women's clothing. There they meet the last characters for the group, #5 and #6, over dinner.


That evening the women, 5 and 6, go up to the room the group has, where only the elves are currently as the other two are still downstairs. They enter the room to discover the women they saw downstairs were in fact male elves and cause a slight camotion but that gets covered up when the other two soon return. After some coaxing, they listen to the group and don't report the elves. However, the next morning due to an issue with a guardman, the elves cover gets blown they have no choice but to run into the woodlands, which they were trying to avoid.


The elves that save them, lead the group into the village, though it's questionable at first because humans are usually not allowed in. Even with Feyn, they almost don't get in because he wasn't supposed to leave the village when he did. But everyone except the actual elves are allowed in most of the village as the others are placed in a special set aside area with little huts created just in case. Feyn and Daem are allowed time at Feyn's old home for a little while before they are to meet with the King/Emperor type to explain their mission over dinner.


The dinner starts to go very well. He doesn't agree to send any elves to help but he does allow the whole group to live and carry on with their mission. Counsel advisor isn't happy about it when there seems like a point where the King might agree with them, so he stirs up trouble. Daem's secret gets revealed and he leaves the dinner early. Feyn has to go talk with him and there is a small attack, which is a shock since no one has ever gotten that close before. The group leaves the next day for the fort.


They use the disguises to get into the fort but in front of the King/Leader, they remove the disguise and share the news they have about the impending attack. At first, the warriors of the fort are uncertain about the news the members bring, especially with the two elves in the group but the King/Leader of the fort doesn't have a problem with elves. They believe them after awhile and begin to prepare for battle with Daem put in charge. Near the time of the battle, as bit of the population is taken to a safe location.

Daem has another secret that he personally reveals to a group after the leader refuses to give in to the anatagonist's demands.

Battle at fort occurs against difficult odds. They seems to struggle at first but as the battle ensues they lose very few people and appear to be winning. Daem gets knocked off when saving Feyn and gets carried away by the enemy. The battle ends with the fort seeming victorious but they lost something/someone valuable.

Plans are made for what to do next.

The end of book 1.

NaNo Prep - Antagonist Profile

Although the antagonist isn't really seen in the first book, just his handiwork, it is still important to have him well rounded.  




The Basic Facts 
Name: Tarephain (name probably will change) 
Pronunciation:Tear - a - fane (not tear as in cry but tear as in rip) 
Age: adult elf, not very old but has enough years gone by 
City or Area of Birth: unnamed at this time. Has a black castle but that's about all I've figured out. 
Sex: male 
Height: somewhat tall for an elf but still within their height range 
Weight: average Hair: not as light as woodland (feyn) but not as dark as the other main character elf 
Eyes: greenish 
Clothes: royal but could handle a fight in them too. has to ride dragons, so has to be useful though extravagent in materials 
Marriage Status: single 
Sexual Orientation: bisexual probably, but more into men  
Occupation: Ruler and tyrant 
Fighting Ability: good at fighting, close range but doesn't often do long range because he has a whole army for that 
Magikal Ability: many magickal skills he has developed over the years. Uses it to control others in particular. 
Character Description: He didn't seem evil, per say, but there was something obviously wrong with him. He acted nice, and would say anything to make things sound like they would be great as long as everyone would just give in. No, of course the kind could still be leader, as long as he answered to him. But resist and his wrath exploded with death and destruction.  




Familial Relations 
Father: unnamed 
Living/Deceased: deceased 
Occupation of Father: was ruler 
Mother: unnamed 
Living/Deceased: deceased 
Parental Marriage Status: both are dead 
Occupation of Mother: none 
Sister(s): none 
Age(s): n/a 
Living/Deceased: n/a 
Marriage Status: n/a 
Brother(s): none 
Age(s): n/a 
Living/Deceased: n/a 
Marriage Status: n/a 
Aunt(s), Uncle(s), Cousin(s), etc: no living relatives at this point 
Other Family Occupations: n/a  
Relationships with Others Current Lover/Spouse: none 
Best Friend(s): dragon 
Other Friends: doesn't have friends, has close servants 
Past Love(s)/Spouse(s): none 
Worst Enemy: many people, he is trying to conquer everyone so easy to get enemy's. has past rage for those that killed the Thaileon elves 
Allies: some exist in various places, tries to get places to give in without a fight since it's easier 
Ability to Make New Friends: can be charming but isn't often seen by most people. 
Other People of Note in Character's Life: in book 1, not many except those already listed 
Reason Why They are Noteworthy: n/a 
 


Background 
Where Raised: same place he lives 
Family Background: raised in a location that was away from most populations with a plot brewing for revenge
 


Psych Profile 
Greatest Joy: the revival of dragons, thought to be extinct everywhere else. 
Greatest Trauma: something his trainer person did when he was young 
Morals: certain morals are fine while others are skewed by the purpose he has for revenge 
Ambitions: revenge, doing what he was born to do 
Positive Personality Traits: can be compassionate at times, doesn't like to kill unnecessarily, education is important to him 
Negative Personality Traits: bossy, focused on revenge, hatred stems from how he was raised 
Mannerisms: (need to think of some, those will be seen in middle novel) 
Fears, Anxieties: failure Temperament: calm, has a mask often times, can have flashes of anger 
Ambitions: revenge 
How Character Displays Emotions: tries not to display any emotion that would make him seem weak to others 
Leader/Follower: Leader, forceful 
Perception of Others: they are inferior, some are worthless 
Perception of Self: thinks highly of his self and thinks he knows what he wants but in truth he doesn't have a real sense of self 
Memories: how he was raised, trained 
Dreams/Plans: has none of his own, just what he was raised to do 
How Character Handles Crisises: Has a moment of panic, depending on the crises, tries not to let it be shown but then will move forward because he feels he has everything needed to beat everyone. 
Personality Type: A, needs to be in control of everything. things need to go his way 
Most Meaningful Life Experience: unknown 
Attitude Toward Others: definitely feels superior to others and focuses on how they will be of use to him 
Feelings Toward Family: hasn't had any family for a number of years, just servants, so he doesn't have much of an experience to care about family. 
Feelings Toward Friends: doesn't really have any friends 
Feelings Toward Strangers of the Same Sex: considers them with caution, has to make sure he's superior 
Feelings Toward Strangers of the Opposite Sex: doesn't know much about them since there isn't any of his type, elf, where he lives anymore. So most his information is from books. 
Feelings Towards Enemies: enjoyment and anger, thoughts of taking them down and much imagination in how it will be done