Spoiler-free Bio sketch (questionaire based) for Aldrnir...
Name: Aldrnir
Age: 46 (still young adult by Ophian standards)
General physical description: Standing 6’5” tall, Aldrnir is easily head and shoulders taller than most normal Ophians. Where as the snake-like peoples tend to be slender and agile creatures, Aldrnir is built more like a Man or an Orc – cords of muscle underneath his scaly hide give him a brawnier stance and belie the agility and subtle quickness he is capable of. His scales range from a dark amber towards the center of his body to a reddish copper on his backside, much as a lizard may be darker on the top and lighter on the belly. The scales of his forearms and along his shoulders and back have darker blue-ish black patches that form intricate designs, almost looking like tattoos although he was born with them. Aldrnir has other striking dissimilarities from an average Ophian as well; most Ophians have snake-like facial features including a viper’s hood along the sides of their head and down their neck to their shoulders. This gives Ophians the appearance of having more rounded, elegant heads. Aldrnir does not have a viper’s hood, instead his cheeks give rise to large plates that encompass the entirety of his face. The plates extend slightly back behind his head, forming a helmet-like armor that protects his neck from the front and sides. The ends have a ridge of small spikes that start from the bottom where his jawline is and crawl up the end of the plate, getting longer and sweeping back, curling around his neck almost like a protective ribcage. The final two spikes form a line with his brow, and in fact seem to be a continuation of it, giving him a stern almost angry look. These ivory spikes are the largest of all, and instead of curling together sweep straight back from the armor plating of his face, making him look intensely demonic.
Hometown: A small Ophian Village, hidden within the Western Wilds.
Type of home/ neighborhood: The Village is circular, built around a large open area in the forest floor that the Ophians use for communal gatherings. There are no markets or shops, as the Ophians have a more utilitarian society where all contribute to the greater good. The house of Aldrnir’s adoptive parents – the Elder and his wife, the High Priestess of the Druids – is the largest tree in the grove where the Village is built, and has multiple rooms and furniture carved from the wood of the tree itself.
Relationship status: Single
Current family: Xanthir and Ephilia
Family background (parents, previous marriages, etc.):
• Aldrnir is an adopted child. Father Oak, the Quoaid that teaches the druids of the village, brought Aldrnir from another Ophian village that had suffered an attack by Chimera, wiping out the population. Aldrnir’s egg was the only thing to have survived the attack, and Father Oak brought it to Ephilia to raise as her own.
• Xanthir is the Elder of the Village. A follower of the Way of Fang and Steel, a sect of Ophian Assassins that are world renowned for their ability and tenacity, Xanthir is one of the few to have returned to the Wilds after setting off on his adventures hundreds of years ago. He trained Aldrnir himself in armed and hand to hand combat.
• Ephilia has the honor of being the High Druid, she oversees the instruction of all new Druids, and is charged with handing out the tasks laid down by Father Oak and the Quoaids. A High Druid is a place of honor that signifies an Ophian’s attunement with the will of the Mother. Ephilia earned the status of High Druid years before Aldrnir was hatched, and has been serving ever since. Unable to have children of her own, it was Ephilia’s great love and natural harmony that caused Father Oak to entrust her with the care of Aldrnir’s egg.
Friends: Because of his physical appearance, and the fact that he is un-Decided (belonging to neither the Way of the Wild or the Way of Fang and Steel), Aldrnir is shunned by his contemporaries. Because of the relentless teasing when he was little, as well as his inability to make any friends in the Village he is not very outgoing.
Other close relationships: Father Oak, the Quoaid who delivered him to the village. The ancient Quoaid has always had a special fondness for Aldrnir, and has called on him to complete many tasks that he felt would be too dangerous for the Druids.
Relationship with men: Being naturally non-outgoing and preferring not to get too involved, Aldrnir has a ‘live and let live’ attitude towards other males.
Relationship with women: Having never had a woman return his affections, Aldrnir is naturally shy and almost a little awkward around women.
Job: Hunter
Dress style: As most of the Ophians, Aldrnir dresses in a utilitarian fashion. Clothes are made from tanned leathers and are old with wear. Aldrnir tends to not wear a tunic, and finds any footwear unnecessary due to his scaled feet. Pants are a must, however, as nobody wants to be completely naked. When hunting, especially dangerous prey such as Chimera or Boar, Aldrnir wears hardened leather armor that allows him freedom of movement.
Religion: Aldrnir was raised to believe in the Gods, and to revere the Mother, who is the most important God to Druids as she is the source of all life.
Attitude to religion: Aldrnir is not incredibly religious. He understands the Gods are necessary, but is not one to offer prayers or invoke them.
Favorite pastimes: Hunting and exploring. Aldrnir is naturally inquisitive, and has journeyed to the fishing villages outside of the Wilds on more than one occasion. Aldrnir is also known to favorite the upper branches of the tree that is his childhood home. All Ophians are capable climbers, but Aldrnir seems to prefer being up amongst the branches ‘Closer to the Sun’ he calls it, than being on the ground.
Hobbies: Fletching and other wood working, Aldrnir took an interest in archery at a young age – much to his father’s delight. Xanthir took special pride in Aldrnir’s incredible archery skills which combined with his fighting skills make him a formidable opponent on a battlefield.
Favorite sports: N/A
Favorite foods: Aldrnir is especially fond of fish, as his trips to the villages are the only opportunity he has to sample it. He also hopes one day to try some of the other delicacies he hears the people in the seaside villages talking about – like chicken, and beef.
Strongest positive personality trait(s):
• Curiosity. Life spent secluded in the Western Wilds has only fueled Aldrnir’s desire to see what is out there.
• Courage.
22. Strongest negative personality trait:
• Unyielding and hard headed. When Aldrnir gets something in his head, it’s nearly impossible to dissuade him.
• Anger. A lifetime of being outcast has left Aldrnir will some anger issues.
Sense of humor: Aldrnir’s curiosity about the world around him, as well as his lack of knowledge about the world at large, has left him with a slightly odd sense of humor. Truthfully, he doesn’t always know something is funny, or he finds other things funny that normally ought not be.
Temper: Aldrnir’s short temper is possibly his biggest character flaw. However, only certain items will set it off – chief amongst those being targeting an individual for ridicule or persecution. His childhood has left him precious short of patience for anybody who would persecute another simply because he can. If he sees it, he’ll rage, and if he rages he’s likely to get into a physical altercation (a taste of their own medicine, as he calls it)
Consideration for others: But for the aforementioned situation, Aldrnir doesn’t really care about anyone besides himself. Nobody else but his parents cared for him when he was younger, so what does he owe the world?
How other people see him/her: Headstrong, brash bordering on arrogant. His curiosity leads him into some crazy situations that he ends up using his martial skills to get himself out of – sometimes to the detriment of those around him. His lack of social skills can sometimes be a detriment when dealing with civilized individuals.
Opinion of him/herself: Aldrnir sees himself as a traveler, someone who is interested in the world of Ethuria and the wonders it has. He believes his martial as well as druidic training have equipped him to handle any circumstances he may run into in the wide world. Deep in his soul, though, he is in constant turmoil as to who he is and where he comes from. He recognizes he is physically unlike any Ophian he’s ever met, and the circumstances surrounding his Deciding leave him with a nagging doubt about whether what everyone has told him since he was little is true.
Other traits, especially those to be brought out in story: Magic user (doesn’t know it at the beginning), extremely inquisitive and possessing keen intellect
Ambitions: See Ethuria, learn anything and everything he can. Perhaps find others that are like him.
Philosophy of life: Life is a gift, meant for everyone – nobody should be excluded because they’re different.
Most important thing to know about this character: He’ll never back down from a fight, no matter the odds. The bulk of the story will center around him and his journey to find out who – and what – he really is.
Will readers like or dislike this character, and why? Yes, he’s the character that readers will be experiencing Ethuria through. His wonder at all the amazing things that he’ll see will keep readers interested as they discover the world through his eyes. Although he has some flaws, he’s at heart a good person who just wants to be important to somebody.
Name: Aldrnir
Age: 46 (still young adult by Ophian standards)
General physical description: Standing 6’5” tall, Aldrnir is easily head and shoulders taller than most normal Ophians. Where as the snake-like peoples tend to be slender and agile creatures, Aldrnir is built more like a Man or an Orc – cords of muscle underneath his scaly hide give him a brawnier stance and belie the agility and subtle quickness he is capable of. His scales range from a dark amber towards the center of his body to a reddish copper on his backside, much as a lizard may be darker on the top and lighter on the belly. The scales of his forearms and along his shoulders and back have darker blue-ish black patches that form intricate designs, almost looking like tattoos although he was born with them. Aldrnir has other striking dissimilarities from an average Ophian as well; most Ophians have snake-like facial features including a viper’s hood along the sides of their head and down their neck to their shoulders. This gives Ophians the appearance of having more rounded, elegant heads. Aldrnir does not have a viper’s hood, instead his cheeks give rise to large plates that encompass the entirety of his face. The plates extend slightly back behind his head, forming a helmet-like armor that protects his neck from the front and sides. The ends have a ridge of small spikes that start from the bottom where his jawline is and crawl up the end of the plate, getting longer and sweeping back, curling around his neck almost like a protective ribcage. The final two spikes form a line with his brow, and in fact seem to be a continuation of it, giving him a stern almost angry look. These ivory spikes are the largest of all, and instead of curling together sweep straight back from the armor plating of his face, making him look intensely demonic.
Hometown: A small Ophian Village, hidden within the Western Wilds.
Type of home/ neighborhood: The Village is circular, built around a large open area in the forest floor that the Ophians use for communal gatherings. There are no markets or shops, as the Ophians have a more utilitarian society where all contribute to the greater good. The house of Aldrnir’s adoptive parents – the Elder and his wife, the High Priestess of the Druids – is the largest tree in the grove where the Village is built, and has multiple rooms and furniture carved from the wood of the tree itself.
Relationship status: Single
Current family: Xanthir and Ephilia
Family background (parents, previous marriages, etc.):
• Aldrnir is an adopted child. Father Oak, the Quoaid that teaches the druids of the village, brought Aldrnir from another Ophian village that had suffered an attack by Chimera, wiping out the population. Aldrnir’s egg was the only thing to have survived the attack, and Father Oak brought it to Ephilia to raise as her own.
• Xanthir is the Elder of the Village. A follower of the Way of Fang and Steel, a sect of Ophian Assassins that are world renowned for their ability and tenacity, Xanthir is one of the few to have returned to the Wilds after setting off on his adventures hundreds of years ago. He trained Aldrnir himself in armed and hand to hand combat.
• Ephilia has the honor of being the High Druid, she oversees the instruction of all new Druids, and is charged with handing out the tasks laid down by Father Oak and the Quoaids. A High Druid is a place of honor that signifies an Ophian’s attunement with the will of the Mother. Ephilia earned the status of High Druid years before Aldrnir was hatched, and has been serving ever since. Unable to have children of her own, it was Ephilia’s great love and natural harmony that caused Father Oak to entrust her with the care of Aldrnir’s egg.
Friends: Because of his physical appearance, and the fact that he is un-Decided (belonging to neither the Way of the Wild or the Way of Fang and Steel), Aldrnir is shunned by his contemporaries. Because of the relentless teasing when he was little, as well as his inability to make any friends in the Village he is not very outgoing.
Other close relationships: Father Oak, the Quoaid who delivered him to the village. The ancient Quoaid has always had a special fondness for Aldrnir, and has called on him to complete many tasks that he felt would be too dangerous for the Druids.
Relationship with men: Being naturally non-outgoing and preferring not to get too involved, Aldrnir has a ‘live and let live’ attitude towards other males.
Relationship with women: Having never had a woman return his affections, Aldrnir is naturally shy and almost a little awkward around women.
Job: Hunter
Dress style: As most of the Ophians, Aldrnir dresses in a utilitarian fashion. Clothes are made from tanned leathers and are old with wear. Aldrnir tends to not wear a tunic, and finds any footwear unnecessary due to his scaled feet. Pants are a must, however, as nobody wants to be completely naked. When hunting, especially dangerous prey such as Chimera or Boar, Aldrnir wears hardened leather armor that allows him freedom of movement.
Religion: Aldrnir was raised to believe in the Gods, and to revere the Mother, who is the most important God to Druids as she is the source of all life.
Attitude to religion: Aldrnir is not incredibly religious. He understands the Gods are necessary, but is not one to offer prayers or invoke them.
Favorite pastimes: Hunting and exploring. Aldrnir is naturally inquisitive, and has journeyed to the fishing villages outside of the Wilds on more than one occasion. Aldrnir is also known to favorite the upper branches of the tree that is his childhood home. All Ophians are capable climbers, but Aldrnir seems to prefer being up amongst the branches ‘Closer to the Sun’ he calls it, than being on the ground.
Hobbies: Fletching and other wood working, Aldrnir took an interest in archery at a young age – much to his father’s delight. Xanthir took special pride in Aldrnir’s incredible archery skills which combined with his fighting skills make him a formidable opponent on a battlefield.
Favorite sports: N/A
Favorite foods: Aldrnir is especially fond of fish, as his trips to the villages are the only opportunity he has to sample it. He also hopes one day to try some of the other delicacies he hears the people in the seaside villages talking about – like chicken, and beef.
Strongest positive personality trait(s):
• Curiosity. Life spent secluded in the Western Wilds has only fueled Aldrnir’s desire to see what is out there.
• Courage.
22. Strongest negative personality trait:
• Unyielding and hard headed. When Aldrnir gets something in his head, it’s nearly impossible to dissuade him.
• Anger. A lifetime of being outcast has left Aldrnir will some anger issues.
Sense of humor: Aldrnir’s curiosity about the world around him, as well as his lack of knowledge about the world at large, has left him with a slightly odd sense of humor. Truthfully, he doesn’t always know something is funny, or he finds other things funny that normally ought not be.
Temper: Aldrnir’s short temper is possibly his biggest character flaw. However, only certain items will set it off – chief amongst those being targeting an individual for ridicule or persecution. His childhood has left him precious short of patience for anybody who would persecute another simply because he can. If he sees it, he’ll rage, and if he rages he’s likely to get into a physical altercation (a taste of their own medicine, as he calls it)
Consideration for others: But for the aforementioned situation, Aldrnir doesn’t really care about anyone besides himself. Nobody else but his parents cared for him when he was younger, so what does he owe the world?
How other people see him/her: Headstrong, brash bordering on arrogant. His curiosity leads him into some crazy situations that he ends up using his martial skills to get himself out of – sometimes to the detriment of those around him. His lack of social skills can sometimes be a detriment when dealing with civilized individuals.
Opinion of him/herself: Aldrnir sees himself as a traveler, someone who is interested in the world of Ethuria and the wonders it has. He believes his martial as well as druidic training have equipped him to handle any circumstances he may run into in the wide world. Deep in his soul, though, he is in constant turmoil as to who he is and where he comes from. He recognizes he is physically unlike any Ophian he’s ever met, and the circumstances surrounding his Deciding leave him with a nagging doubt about whether what everyone has told him since he was little is true.
Other traits, especially those to be brought out in story: Magic user (doesn’t know it at the beginning), extremely inquisitive and possessing keen intellect
Ambitions: See Ethuria, learn anything and everything he can. Perhaps find others that are like him.
Philosophy of life: Life is a gift, meant for everyone – nobody should be excluded because they’re different.
Most important thing to know about this character: He’ll never back down from a fight, no matter the odds. The bulk of the story will center around him and his journey to find out who – and what – he really is.
Will readers like or dislike this character, and why? Yes, he’s the character that readers will be experiencing Ethuria through. His wonder at all the amazing things that he’ll see will keep readers interested as they discover the world through his eyes. Although he has some flaws, he’s at heart a good person who just wants to be important to somebody.
