For this lesson we was asked to create a believable character as a test for us to see if we could successfully create a character and not have anyone need question about it and if they did you would have the answer.
But before going onto this we looked into characters today in games and how stereotypical they look without you even realising. First off we looked into the “Vin diesel” appearance. This is the look of a muscly, masculine, powerful, strong and generally short-haired man. Plenty of examples mass effect, GTA IV, Desmond, infamous, far cry, splinter cell, dead space etc. all similar looking protagonists.
Then we looked at another type of stereotypical character example the Clint Eastwood approach, uncharted, last of us, heavy rain, tom Clancy, deus ex, red dead redemption etc.
Then we looked at the female side of characters the Lara croft look (sexualised look) , tomb raider, bio shock, harlequin (batman), heavenly sword, tekken, bayonetta, final fantasy (riku 12year old girl in it inappropriate fantasy). The cute perfect face image over sexualised stereotypical idealistic look. They use sex to sell products basically this is the whole debate about feminism and over sexualisation of female game characters..
This then lead on to use being tasked to create a character bio sheet. Had to think of a character in under 5minutes or get given one which would be extremely difficult by Paul. First off I went to the internet to find a character bio sheet which I found on deviant art (here) it was quite a detailed long bio sheet but I thought if im just doing one I may as well go full out.
Character design sheet bio
What role does this character play? (Story based): antagonist
What inspired you to create this character?: Greek mythology is fascinating and creating my own long lost demi-god-titan is appealing.
What does this character represent to you, if anything?: leader, likes to be in power, strong.
What goals do you have for this character?: stereotypical evil antagonist, wants to overthrow Olympus being cast out brother of Zeus son of Cronus wants to kill all gods for destroying the titans and his father.
Full Name: Thabos Kratos Cronus
Pronunciation of their name (first, middle name(s) and last): Tha-bos Crate-os Cro-nus
Meaning of their full name: Death (tha), fear (bos), power strength (Kratos), Cronus his dad (prophecy one of his children would kill him he swallowed 2 killing them but his wife rhea hid one Zeus but exiled another Thabos as he was the one the prophecy indicated to).
Why did their parents name them this?: the cast out son due to this child matching an oracle’s prophecy of a blue scar through both of his eyes horizontally. Named Thabos after Thanatos (Greek god of death) and Phobos (meaning fear as they feared him). Then Kratos due to his strength and power, then Cronus after the father of all titans his dad.
Title(Mr./Mrs./Lord/Lady/Sir/): Unstated but is a demi-god-titan
Nickname(s): Thabos the merciless
Do they enjoy these/this nickname(s)?: always makes him smirk slightly as he knows people fear him.
History behind nickname(s): Never spares his prey no matter the connection his path is his only focus. Brings death fear and pain to all around him.
Before going on with this sheet, take a moment to briefly describe this character as a whole, a character snapshot: Thabos son of Cronus, the born scarred child that the prophecy was said to kill his father. Exiled by his mother Rhea behind Cronus back hoping he would eventually return to fulfil the prophecy after he swallowed to of his children in fear of the prophecy but son Zeus was hid rather than exiled.
Physical
Sex: Male
Gender identity: Male
Race/species: Greek mythology/ demigod-titan
Ethnicity: Greek
Realm/Universe (Real world, an anime verse, etc.): Olympus/ earth
Share about this realm (What’s considered normal/average/within sanity for this realm/verse): God, in the heavens. Or planet earth
Age: 20
How old they appear: 35 (battle takes its toll)
Mental age: immortal
Orientation/Sexual preference: female
Any history behind their sexual orientation?: No
Why this sexual choice?: Natural
Do they believe its right?: Yes
Are they opposed for their sexual choice?: No
Birth date: 23/03/1995
Birth place: Olympus
Death date: N/A
Death place: N/A
Height: 6”5
Weight: 220lbs
Are they overweight/underweight?: muscular, average.
If so, why?: N/A
Blood type: Blue
Can they bleed?: Only by hand of a god
What colour is their blood?: Blue
Defining physical characteristics/general appearance: scar makes him instantly recognisable.
Eye colour(s): amber/gold with a constant fire style motion in the eye to represent to fire inside. Blue outline tint.
Contacts?: no
If so, why do they have contacts?: N/A
Glasses?: no
Describe their glasses: N/A
Is this eye colour uncommon?: yes one of a kind
General facial structure(high cheekbones, narrow eyes, etc.):
Face shape: defined, well structured.
Describe their eyes: Amber/gold colour with a fire style motion in the eye to represent the fire inside edged in a burning orange when angry and flares up.
Describe their nose: Straight structure, no flaws, average size nostrils, protrusion average.
Describe their lips: masculine, slightly cracked, pale pink natural colour, natural look and position.
Ears(pointed, cat, etc.): rounded
If something about their face is different than the norm of their realm, do they get grief/disapproval for it?: seems perfect in structure, but was born with a blue scar through both eyes like a dagger swipe style. Got cast out from Olympus because of it as he was said to be prophecy of killing his father.
Wrinkles?: No
Eyelashes?: Yes
Describe them: average size, masculine so not long and standing out like female just normal.
Eyebrows?: Yes
Describe them: looks like having a constant frown (anger), pointed tops but bottom is cut off due to birth scar.
Hair colour(s): black but godly white glow shows through
Hair length: Short spikey
Dyed?: No
If so, why is their hair dyed?: N/A
Hair style: Spiked
Why?: doesn’t want to be like the gods with long perfect wavy hair.
Is their hair healthy?: Yes
If not, why can it not be maintained?: N/A
How thick?: Thick
Facial hair?: No
Well kept?: yes no facial hair ever seen as gods perceived to have beards he doesn’t want to be like them he hates them.
Length: none
Styling: N/A
Colour: Black
Body hair?: Yes
Where?: arms, legs, and chest
Well kept?: Yes, very short on arms and legs, chest shaved off.
Colour: Black
Body build(slim, muscular, etc.): Muscular
Body shape(Pear, hourglass, rectangle, etc.): masculine muscly figure
Body type(medically speaking): No medical issues in perfect shape.
Posture(slouched, correct, etc.): Correct, proud, powerful.
Body abnormalities(Cleft lip etc.): scar on face
Extra extremities(Another arm, tail, horns etc.): no
Does the extremity cripple them or is it helpful?: N/A
Describe how they walk(Fast, slow, weak step, etc.): fast, powerful normally. But can be very stealthy.
Why do they walk this way?: knows his power.
Do they limp?: no
Skin/fur colour(s): white tanned
Complexion: white tanned
Patterns/designs(on skin/fur and where they are, such as a zebra stripe pattern): N/A
Scars: face through both eyes coloured blue
How did they get these scars?: birth scar
Birthmarks): read above
Tattoos: a shattered lightning bolt down his wrist veins
Reasons behind tattoos: symbolises his desire to defeat his brother Zeus
Piercings: no
Reasons behind piercings: N/A
Additional body mods(scarification, sub-dermal implants, etc.): chest body muscles are not that of a human still basic shape but the muscles are divided diagonally only gods have this.
Right/left handed(or ambidextrous perhaps?): both
Big hands/small hands/something else?: big
Long fingered/short fingered hands?:long
Are their nails taken care of(Decently)?: decent
If not, why?: N/A
Describe their smile: smirk, never full smile, just an evil wry smile stating satisfied but never happy.
What kind of teeth do they have?(Vampiric, all fangy, etc.): normal
Do they take care of their teeth?: no
Why/why not?: god no need
Dental condition: good
Describe their voice(What range is it for one thing? Alto, tenor, bass, etc.?): deep, well pronounced, audible.
Speech mannerisms(Do they pause a lot, a stutter?: well spoken
Describe an outfit they would wear:
Why do they have this clothing preference?: warrior attire, gods tend to wear robes so he does have a samurai style look to him but with some warrior extras like an equipment belt.
Mental|Spiritual|Emotional
Mental state: Troubled
Mental disorder/ailment(s)(If any): None
If they have a mentally threatening disorder, what caused it to arise?: None
Mental stability: un stable, has visions and flashbacks of Olympus and his mother casting him out, he also sees his father in his dreams dying at the hand of Zeus calling Thabos’s name to avenge him to the confusion of Zeus.
How does this ailment affect their day to day life?: troubles every day only wants power and revenge
Why do they have this degree of mental stability?: past, being cast out due to a prophecy which was inaccurate the scared one was not the killer of Cronus it was the other surviving child Zeus. Wants revenge and power to throne.
Mental has to do with neurological issues, good mental health is very important. Mental issues can effect emotions, and emotional stability, though they are not the same thing.
Emotional stability: unstable
Emotional disorder/ailment(s): N/A
Why do they have such/lack emotional stability?: due to past.
Has their upbringing had an effect on their emotions?: it’s the sole reason
Why or why not?: prophecy
The age chart for emotional and mental things here is based on a human lifespan.
Describe or share about their mental and emotional state during…
early childhood(3 – 5): lost confused adopted by a blacksmith and his wife in rural town.
childhood(6 – 9): felt he was better than all the kids at everything knew he was special.
adolescence/tween(10 – 12): started getting dreams about the god’s battles and father dying but didn’t know what for, nightmares. Bullying for his facial scar from kids resulted into anger burning up.
adolescence/teen(13 – 16): dreams getting clearer and clearer message from dying Cronin his actual dad stating his name but rest faded out. Getting into a lot of trouble at school in fights and breaking stuff with evident superior strength.
teen continued(16 – 18): first dream at 16 of mother casting him out of Olympus, 18 he gets the full scene of his father’s death asking him to avenge him as he was mistaken that he wasn’t the offspring who would kill him. Fire inside enrages and he sets on rage path to Olympus.
young adulthood(19 – 25): every night visited by same dream which makes him wake up and continue his path, has killed many people by this time in battles who are in his path. Reaches Olympus using god only knowledge to try overthrow his lost brother one way or another.
Personality snapshot: troubled, antisocial, angry.
Most prominent personality trait: anger
Best traits of their personality: None spares nobody in his path
Worst traits of their personality: All of them pure evil rage path.
What caused this kind of personality to form?(based upon upbringing/social whatnot): past
Would you say their personality was influenced by their caretakers/guardians?: adopted parents tried best but rage of a god is uncontrollable especially when he has visits in his dreams
If so, who influenced their personality the most and how?: Rhea (mum) for casting out and Cronus (dad) for not seeing Rheas true nature hiding Zeus and Thabos. Zeus (brother) who killed his father to overthrow the titans and become the main god whilst Thabos lived amongst the humans.
If not, what was the greatest influence?: best influence on him was adopted father had a close bond and taught him many life lessons also gave him a family generation ancient sword on his departure for Olympus.
Do they like their personality?: no want to rule rightfully in Olympus the personality is the only way to make that possible would rather it all never happened and didn’t know.
Do they have a healthy self-image(How they view themselves)?: Likes the power but wanted to be a normal human child and was happy with it until the realisation of the prophecy and his dreams explaining his life. That unleashed the fire inside.
If not, why?: n/a
If so, what gives them the drive to maintain it?: to kill Zeus
First impression usually given: not one to mess with
Are they logical thinkers(if they have a mentally crippling disease, this is null)?: very intelligent and quick thinking.
Current faith(religion): Gods
If they do have one, why?: he knows they exist as he is one so is all his real family.
If they don’t have one, why?: n/a
Are they strong in it?: knows truth
Do they actively practice it?: no
Why did they choose this faith?: one of them
If they didn’t choose it, were they forced into it?: yes birth
Do they know?: yes knows all.
Zodiac: Aries
Do they follow a horoscope/related things?: Aries represents fire, leaders of the pack, not afraid to be in the mix, power.
Outlook on life: pain
General attitude: blunt
What caused this attitude?: past
Have they ever questioned their outlook on life?: questioned why human upbringing to find out not human and on path to kill his brother a god.
Alignment(Good/evil/bystander/etc.): evil
Why they chose this path: revenge
Do they know the outcome of this choice?: death for themselves or all
Do they believe this is right?: yes
If they don’t believe it’s correct, why do they stay on it?: n/a
Personal quote and(or) motto: I don’t fear death…I am death
Reasons behind this motto/quote: battle warrior, kills all who stand in path, mind is set on killing.
Emotional trauma(if any, and why): nightmares of Olympus
How do they respond when the trauma issue is talked about/touched on?: anger/rage cursing the sky.
Does this trauma affect their day to day life?: yes
Why, or why not?: mass destruction
What made the situation traumatic to them?: lived a lie to piece together his true self in nightmares.
Would you say that they effect the environment around them, or that their environment around them affects them more?: they effect environment around them, destruction, merciless, can never be loved as he signifies suffering.
Morals(and what they are): None
What defines right and wrong for them?: only right is to overthrow Zeus rest is just meaningless to him
Do they hold these morals for religious reasons?: sort of
Do they hold their definitions of right and wrong above other people: yes definitely
Earliest memory: came in form of a nightmare mum casting him out of Olympus
Is this memory important to them?: extremely his life journey now revolves around it
Do they wish to forget it?: wish they never knew and could lead a normal life but that’s not possible until he believes justice is served.
Are they glad they remember it?: No
How do they respond and/or react in times of…(and why they do what they do)
Happiness: smirk, never show true emotions sees it as weakness
Excitement: eyes flare up (excited by battle)
Surprise: instinct to attack so angry and flared up
Grief: None
Pain: unusual feeling as he can only be harmed by a god
Fear: he is fear so doesn’t fear
Not knowing the outcome of some situation: calm and confident
Drive|Location|History
Current dream in life: rule Olympus
Why is this their dream?: nightmares
Long term goals: rule for life and have a son who is a god
Why?: wants to have everything what Zeus has
Short term goals: kill
Why?: anger suffering bringer of death
Backstory: son of a titan cast out due to a scarred baby prophecy who kills his father, lives normal life with humans troubled by nightmares which are the same very night just growing in length and clarity. Once he knows the truth path for revenge of his father is his only aim and won’t stop until it’s complete.
Family background & Family tree: the gods. Cronus father, rheu mother, brother zeus. Gods etc.
Describe their upbringing: well taken care of by adopted parents but life was a lie.
Did they enjoy their upbringing?: loved adopted parent still consider them as real parents but had to leave to avenge his father.
How much does their upbringing affect them in day to day life now?: try’s to go by adopted fathers life lessons and morals but the pain overthrows it most of the time, but the life is a lie question he goes over and over fuels the destruction he wants to bring.
What did/do they most enjoy about their childhood?: Not knowing the truth
What did/do they most resent about their childhood?: discovering the nightmares are real and very true. Also bullying/trouble issues in childhood due to his facial scar.
Up close and personal
Biggest fears: None doesn’t even fear death.
How often does this fear take a toll on them?: n/a
Biggest hope: rule Olympus
Do they depend on this hope?: yes it’s that or die trying
Biggest dream/passion: kill Zeus avenge father and take the throne
Biggest regrets: uncovering the truth
Does this affect their day to day life?: yes nightmares haunt him daily the same ones over and over.
Largest weaknesses: his nightmares or sleep. His human family.
Are they ashamed at all of their weaknesses?: knows its mentally affecting him and tries to over compensate to prove he has no weakness.
Largest strengths: power strength
What are their…
Likes: leading or winning.
Dislikes: brother or losing.
Loves: adopted parents.
Hates: Zeus and mother.
Passions: combat
Reasons to keep going in life: to avenge father.
What makes them tick(think the way they do)?: god instincts
Abilities(As in powers): strength, combat, focus, speed, power and stealth.
Rate their power on a scale of 1 – 10, 10 being most powerful in all the universe they’re in: 10 on par with Zeus
Are these powers inherited generation to generation?: Yes
Why/why not?: How the Gods work the powers are passed down.
Special skills(Not meaning powers): blacksmithing, crafting, pyrotechnics.
Hobbies: combat
How do they spend their free time?: training, gaining strength.
What about their non-free time?: path to Olympus .
Social skills(Not everyone is a social butterfly or an antisocial individual): only speaks during combat or to announce himself. Otherwise if he chooses to he just goes unnoticed.
What’s their favourite time of day?: Day
Why?: Night brings on his nightmares which he feels are his weakness.
Does this time have anything to do with their upbringing?: yes
Least favourite time of day: night
Why?: nightmares
Favourite food?: noodles/ stir fry
Why is this their favourite food?: adopted mum cooked them all the time with her secret wok recipe.
Least favourite food: ice cream
Why is this their least favourite food?: hates being cold
Can they cook?: Never tried
What is their favourite colour?: blue
Does this colour have something to do with their personality?: no opposite blue is calm and peaceful, everything about him is red, dangerous, violent, blood etc.
Why is this their favourite colour?: see it every day in his scar reminds him of who he is. And the colour blue signifies that he knows he can be good and calm but until he has his revenge his eyes will always be fire.
Least favourite colour: white
Why is this their least favourite colour?: Zeus is white he signifies wisdom, royalty, purity and peace.
Favourite animal: dog
Why?: grew up with one
Least favourite animal: cat
Why?: clawed his dog so he killed it
First language: English
Second language: Greek
Third?: all
Was there an urgent need to learn additional languages?: no he knows all languages
Pet(s): none at the moment
Why?: left pet behind with adopted family.
Props/attire:
Props/ attire: wears warrior attire, gods tend to wear robes so he does have a samurai style look to him but with some warrior extras like an equipment belt and sword holster. Colour scheme of red orange black with a blue outline to signify the fire and death etc. that he is but has the blue to match his scar to show there is hope.
Weapon?: Main weapon is the sword his adopted father gave to him as he left it was a family sword passed down many generations and is very well structured in both appearance and durability. It is name Cronus by Thabos to suggest his father will be the one doing the revenge. Sword does flame blue when Thabos is really fired up which matches his scar and inner power although he portrays himself as red and fire etc.
Shield?: no
Secondary weapon (dagger, throwing knife, javelin, rope, chain, mace etc.): no
Armour?: Samurai style robes with one shoulder armour pad, no gauntlets, and boots like sandals of a gladiator (Greek).
Magic?: only the ability to make his weapon flame blue and his godly powers.
Why this choice of attire?: doesn’t need much protection due to his power, speed is the key so the lighter he is the better (shoulder pad removed from time to time), shoulder pad used for stability and reinforcement when resistance is needed, sword given to him has attachment to it.
Yes! a long read but hope I have covered it all for my character. I intend to do a few more different styled characters etc. in shorter form to show I can create characters. I really enjoyed doing this it really made me think I had to go into back stories of Greek mythology to make it contextual with the prophecy which I twisted, also his name which is a Greek mash up. I might also do a quick sketch to add to this post to give a visual aid to the character I have described.
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