Puppet/manipulator icon By sachin modgekar, IN, the Noun Project.

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Minyune (33)

Project: Fantasy novel (Soluna trilogy Book 1: Dark is Noon)

Known as: Minyune

Real name: Unknown (even “Minyune” may be a title)

Group affiliation: Sorry, can’t tell you yet

Physical description: Minyune is over six feet tall and a striking figure. His eyes (almond shaped and dark), cheekbones, chin – basically all his features are sharp and well-defined. His jet-black hair is never out of place and he wears fine clothing frequently with embroidery of magical creatures (even when wearing practical clothes, they are obviously on the premium end). He exudes dignity.

Personality: Minyune is reserved and controlled. Those around him wonder if he even experiences the normal range of human emotions. There is, however, an intensity about him. He chooses his words carefully and it is clear he expects them to be heeded. Those who serve him respond to his requests quickly – and few have the courage to see what happens if they don’t.

What most don’t know is that Minyune is a master thespian. He is gifted at disguises and still more gifted at pretending to be all sorts of people. When he took Joshua to the Salingtons he was an earnest, sincere, and desperate figure. He slipped away so completely in part because he was no longer that person when he left Greentop.

He is tremendously manipulative and definitely believes the ends justify the means.

History: The other members of the Order of Destiny do not know Minyune’s origins – only that he became their leader by order of the Emperor. The Order has existed for centuries and its mission is to uncover prophesies, evaluate their likely accuracy and value, and then manipulate them to the Empire’s benefit (the Empire is an ocean away from the kingdom ruled by the Salingtons, and they have very little contact). As such, the Order’s influence over the Empire waxes and wanes with how compelling the prophesy is currently driving their activities.

The truth is that Minyune grew up in the Order, but between his abilities as a chameleon and his long absence people don’t make these connections. While away from the order he worked in the emperor’s spy network (further honing his disguise skills). Whether it was chance or planning, Minyune was molded into the ideal leader for the Order. He has tremendous knowledge of prophesy and its interpretation but also wide knowledge of the world and political connections.

Both due to Minyune’s leadership and the fact a number of powerful prophesies seem about to be realized, the Order is currently at the zenith of its power in the Empire. Minyune’s primary focus concerns the prophesy of the Soluna. He believes that the prophesy speaks of a celestial event of a known cycle. That is, he has a prophesy of a great power being born and he knows the date it will occur. This gives him a rare opportunity.

Minyune’s plans go beyond identifying and manipulating the Soluna. As he knows that this prophesy is well known, he also wants to create false Solunas to confuse and manipulate others who seek the Soluna. Years in planning, he gathered many mothers who would be expecting around the prophesized date (and even manipulated things to generate a few of these mothers). Those born on the right day, or near it, were then taken to further suggest that they were the prophesized ones (e.g., marked with gold and silver – the sun and the moon). Thus, while he hides away the true Soluna, he has released into the world multiple false ones (including some in faraway lands).

But his machinations go beyond even this. He not only means to cause confusion, he has created some false Solunas to be specific traps for specific groups. A very small number of his false Solunas are not even strictly human but rather magical creatures in human form. These are functionally timebombs, waiting for the crucial moment for Minyune to set them off.

Joshua is one of these.

Role in the narrative: Minyune is one of the main antagonists. His machinations might have benefit to a large group of people down the road, but he treats people like game pieces. He will gladly sacrifice about anyone to meet his goals. This means that he is a real threat to our protagonists.

Abilities: As noted above, he is a gifted manipulator and actor. He is extremely knowledgeable and intelligent, and his study of prophesy has made him an extraordinary strategic thinker. He also has tremendous resources at his disposal – human and financial.

Inspirations: Prophesy is a staple of the fantasy genre (e.g., the Song of Fire and Ice, the Wheel of Time, LoTR). In fact, they are even considered by some to be cliché and a sign of bad writing (the prophesy I dashed out on the Character Index for this project is certainly an example of bad – I’d really have to rewrite it were I ever to actually write the book). I do think they are often tropes and clumsy foreshadowing, and you should probably find another way to motivate your characters. I’m enamored with the idea of a group of people in a fantasy story who try to manipulate prophesy, however. I think it could make for a good story. Likely I’ve seen this somewhere before, but I can’t recall what I am proposing exactly off the top of my head (note – even if I haven’t seen it before, I’m quite sure it has been done).

Icon By BGBOXXX Design, SG in the Noun Project.

First time at this blog? Check out Home for details on the project and the Character Index for an overview of the projects and characters.

Joshua Skinner-Salington (32)

Project: Fantasy novel (Soluna trilogy Book 1: Dark is Noon)

Known as: Josh

Real name: Joshua Skinner-Salington

Group affiliation: Salington family, Skinner family, Greentop

Physical description: Joshua is an infant when the book begins, but over the course of the book grows to his mid-teens. Joshua’s almond-shaped eyes and olive skin makes him stand out among the people of Greentop who commonly have pale skin. He also stands out for being unusually handsome. One outstanding feature is that Joshua has two birthmarks. One is a nearly perfect circle on his right shoulder, the other a crescent on his left.

Of course, there are times Joshua is covered in scales with fangs and claws, but we’ll save that for another time.

Personality: Joshua is curious and confident (which sometimes gets him into trouble). So far in his life his quick-thinking and physical gifts have been enough to get him out of most scrapes, though sometimes he has to rely on his charm and personability. He is unconsciously cocky – he has not yet realized that everyone else in the world isn’t as gifted as him and that others can feel threatened by his exceptionalness. He is brave and selfless, as well.

Note his confidence will be shaken when he comes to realize he isn’t exactly the person he thought he was.

History: Joshua was left as a baby at Greentop by a man named Minyune who said he hailed from a faraway land. Minyune had very little to say about the child, other than the child’s parents were dead and that the infant was in danger from enemies of his family. As Minyune seemed completely exhausted, they sent him to bed while others cared for the child.

During the night Minyune vanished leaving behind a note:

“Protect the child and make him one of your own. I will lead away his pursuers, but he has a special destiny and others may come. Keep him secret. Raise him to be good, strong, and brave – he will need all of these qualities when his time comes.”

Beth and Tom sent scouts to try and find Minyune to no avail. Seeing no other choice, they began to care for the child. While they discreetly tried to uncover more of his background when they could they were cautious due to Minyune’s warning. Caring for the child became loving him and at some point they realized he was their son. Though the Salington royal family would never recognize him as one of their own, the people of Greentop were perfectly happy to have the extraordinary boy around. Beth and Tom loved him dearly, as did (to Tom’s surprise) Pitch.

Beth and Tom told Joshua the truth early on about how he came to be their son, including their belief that the Goddesses of Destiny arranged it. Joshua had a fairly idyllic childhood, though he was gifted at both finding and extracting himself from trouble. He would have been hard pressed to find a set of parents with more knowledge to share, and he loved Greentop and its forests. Occasionally people might comment on his unique physical characteristics, but Joshua took these to be either innocent (forgivable) or ignorable.

At some point, however, it became clear that Joshua was truly extraordinary. For one thing, he started to show a strength that was well beyond his musculature. By the time he was 14, he could lift roughly as much as his grandfather (Pitch). His memory and senses were unusually acute. Most unusual of all when he was enraged or in danger his body would change. He’d grow tough scales to protect his body, claws on his fingers, and fangs. Once he calmed down or the danger passed, he would revert to his usual form.

Beth and Tom advised their son to keep these things a secret. While Joshua had always been curious about his origin, the family agreed that they time had come to explore his history in earnest.

Then the Darkins attacked and an ancient prophesy suddenly seems very important. Joshua seems to meet the requirements of the prophesy – is he the Soluna?

Role in the narrative: Joshua is one of our protagonists and drives much of the plot. Read the inspirations section below to better understand his place in the story.

Abilities: Already covered in history above – but he is superhuman in strength, mind, and senses. He also transforms into something of a monster when enraged or in danger. Note – he has not yet reached his full potential.

In addition to that, his mother and father have made him into a Swiss army knife of a person. He has many skills both wild and civilized.

Inspirations: Hulk and werewolves likely inspired his physical transformation. The main inspiration, though, is Cambell’s monomyth. Several of the story ideas I have start with the monomyth. After all, the story is likely retold so often in part because it has all the elements of a story we all enjoy. On the other hand, if I follow the monomyth I risk being cliché and having no surprises. Therefore I have a few story ideas (including this one) where I think I can tell the monomyth but with some twists. In this case, Joshua is in every way the standard hero by design (and not just my design – by the design of another character). He is not the Soluna – he is a red herring deliberately placed by Minyune. Well, the kind of red herring designed to be deadly to those who fall for it.

Bear icon Ghigliano Sarah, FR, Noun Project

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Pitch Skinner (32)

Project: Fantasy novel (Soluna trilogy Book 1: Dark is Noon)

Known as: Pitch

Real name: Pitch Skinner

Group affiliation: Skinner family, Greentop

Physical description: Pitch looks part grizzly bear. Tawny and shaggy, he is a very large man (over six and a half feet tall and somewhere north of 250 pounds). In his early 50ies, he certainly has some fat on his frame but make no mistake it is layered over muscle. He can out fight, hunt, and drink nearly anyone – and is happy to demonstrate it.

Personality: Pitch is gruff and temperamental. He became a hunter and trapper in part because if he spent enough time among people trouble seemed inevitable. That and he is his own best company; others tend to get on his nerves. One exception was his wife (Elanor). He first fell for her for old fashioned reasons (she was beautiful). But what really made him want to marry her was that she helped him recover from a bad injury and demonstrated throughout that she was utterly unintimidated by him. In fact, she was able to cow him and brooked no nonsense.

This allowed her to see a side of Pitch no one else did.

History: Rumors among the folk of Greentop is that Pitch was raised by bears. This is tough to refute, as Pitch never spoke of his family (except to Elanor, who also never spoke of it). Secretly Pitch is the son of a disgraced knight who murdered a rival in a fit of rage. To escape the law, Pitch’s father took his family to the wilds of Greentop, changed his name, and generally hid from society. This made Pitch’s mother miserable. When Pitch was in his early teens his mother vanished. Whether she ran off (as his father maintained), committed suicide, or was murdered by her husband Pitch did not know – they all seemed equally likely in his mind.

Pitch was basically a servant to his abusive and bitter father. His father’s only priority was his still, while Pitch had to supply food and trade for what his father needed. As Pitch grew into adulthood one thing became clear to him. One day his father would get drunk, go too far in beating Pitch, and Pitch would need to kill his father to preserve his own life. After that day came, Pitch would often wonder why he hadn’t just left. Sometimes he thought it was because he had hoped he’d be wrong about his father. Other times he wondered if he knew in his heart the world would be better without his father and it was his responsibility.

Pitch was unsurprisingly defensive and untrusting of others. He mostly stayed away from other people. Unfortunately, when he was around other people some imagined slight or competitive instinct would lead to him blackening eyes and loosening teeth. Of course, his size and demeanor would often be enough for people to give him a wide berth.

Only Elanor was able to get past his defensive shell. She saw that he wasn’t inherently cruel but broken. And Elanor was a healer.

Pitch loved Elanor deeply but would still frequently go on hunting trips. It was his livelihood, but also he feared if he was around too much she would come to her senses. Things became more complicated when their son, Tom, was born. Pitch would return home and feel a bit like an outsider. He loved his son but didn’t know how to connect with him. He always assumed the problem was that he wasn’t good with children. But Tom grew into a very strange man in Pitch’s mind. A classic man’s man, Pitch struggled with a son that followed in his mother’s footsteps.

When he lost Elanor, his plan was to remain in the woods forever. He can’t help, however, checking in on Tom. Some part of Pitch that he doesn’t fully understand still wants to connect with his son. Their meetings tend to end in arguments, insults and resentment.

Still, Pitch loves Beth (sort of the son he felt he should have had). And a new grandson might be a new opportunity for Pitch.

 

Role in the narrative: Sometimes fantasy stories need some muscle. They also need drama, and an awkward father/son relationship is very minable.

Abilities: Pitch is a tremendous fighter, woodsman, tracker, hunter, trapper, and drinker. Not much beyond those things.

Inspirations: Lots of bits and pieces. Beorn from LOTR, Sloth from Goonies, and I don’t know where else. The monster with a heart of gold is a pretty common trope.

 

Herbs icon By BomSymbols, TH in the Noun Project

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Honorary Duke Tom Skinner-Salington (31)

Project: Fantasy novel (Soluna trilogy Book 1: Dark is Noon)

Known as: Tom

Real name: Thomas Skinner-Salington

Group affiliation: Salington ruling family, Skinner family, Greentop

Physical description: Tom is short and thin. This causes people to mistake him for physically weak, but in truth he is sinewy-strong and very fit (spending more than a little time traipsing through the woods). He has dark hair and would look rather plain except for his piercing blue eyes.

Personality: Tom is thoughtful, calm, and empathic. He is a human encyclopedia on plants, animals, magical creatures and ailments. He serves as the healer-herbalist for Greentop and is highly effective not just due to his knowledge but because of his ability to connect with and understand his patients. Great one on one or in small groups, he doesn’t care for crowds and appreciates his moments of solitude. He loves and nearly worships Beth, as she is so good at many things he finds challenging (addressing crowds, driving decisions, etc.). He is non-competitive and gentle. He only kills animals when needed and doubts that he could take another human’s life (this will be tested).

History: Tom was born in a small village at the edge of the woods to a healer-herbalist (his mother) and a hunter-trapper (his father). His father was a bit rough-and-tumble and could be gruff. It was evident from an early age that Tom would favor his mother and this was developed further by the fact his father was gone for long periods. Tom, for his part, admired his mother more anyway. Near as he could tell, everything that his father was good at his mother could equal and was a trove of knowledge and skill beyond that.

By the time Tom was in his mid-teens, he very nearly equaled his mother in herbalism and healing. He would go on hunting trips with his father, but these trips were a bit strained. His father would get annoyed at Tom’s collection of rare herbs during these times and still more annoyed that Tom was skilled at hunting and trapping but relatively uninterested in these endeavors. More often he would stay at home with his mother, where they divided their time between serving the village, gardening, and exploring the woods for herbs and more.

Tom also began exploring some on his own, which is how he found Nipper. Nipper was a cub fermet (a type of ferret, but with six legs where the front pair had racoon-like hands) whose mother had been killed. Fermets have a venomous, paralyzing bite and were known for being ill-tempered. Even his mother thought it was unwise for him to keep and raise the tiny creature, but Tom could not abandon it. Nipper got his name for his tendency to put his teeth on Tom’s fingers (much to his mother’s alarm) but the fermet never bit and broke the skin. Nipper and he became fast friends and are rarely apart. Nipper usually rides on Tom’s shoulder and hides in a pack when around other people (Nipper is aggressive with other people; except for Beth, ultimately).

Ultimately Tom became a journeyman healer, moving from community to community in Greentop providing aid. He soon became well-known throughout the area as most families had either benefited from his help or knew someone who had. He was even successful in resolving an issue with the Duke’s prized stallion (who had developed a taste for a toxic weed). This was when he met Beth.

They bonded instantly. Each found the other fascinating as both were experts in unique areas. Tom was smitten by Beth’s presence and charisma, while Beth loved Tom’s unassuming and straightforward nature. Tom knew he was in love the first time he and Beth took a walk in the woods. Beth knew it when she saw Tom heal a sick child.

Both thought it was a transitory romance, as they came from such different worlds. But Beth is a formidable force, and once she secured the duchy for herself, Tom gratefully accepted her proposal. Their marriage did not make Tom a ruler, as he had no royal blood. Instead, he is an honorary duke without authority (no one in Greentop really recognizes him as a duke – it is always “Tom” not “your grace”). Tom even had to assume Beth’s name, a source of irritation to Tom’s father.

Tom became the premiere healer-herbalist when his mother was killed in a riding accident. This further strained his relationship with his father and they rarely speak.

Though not a duke in the real sense, Tom is beloved by the people of Greentop. He has begun guiding apprentice healers in the various communities, and spends time traveling to see them or having them come to him. His avoidance of conflict and apparent subservience to his wife has caused him to be the butt of some jokes among the men of Greentop and the garrisoned soldiers. Tom is almost completely unperturbed by this.

Other than meeting Beth, the best day of Tom’s life was when an infant was left at the castle by a stranger. Beth and Tom adopted the boy and Tom was frequently the primary caregiver as Beth had a duchy to run. Little did they know how extraordinary their son was.

Role in the narrative: Tom will be something of a secondary protagonist (behind Beth and their son). It seems like I’m playing with traditional gender roles here (and I am) but Tom will be a bit more about someone who is remarkable in their sphere but is taken outside their element. For reasons I won’t reveal yet, Tom may end up saving the day with his ability to connect with others.

Abilities: Tom is a very skilled healer, herbalist, and woodsman. There is not much about Greentop’s forests, plants and creatures that Tom doesn’t know. He is very resourceful and could survive on his own relatively easily in the woods. Were he to be hunted in the woods he would be extremely difficult to even find and if one did, he would have many ways to use his knowledge to his advantage.

He is very good at diagnosing and treating ailments. He is very empathic and good at reading people (also helping his healing skills – he can often tell when a patient isn’t being completely forthcoming).

He doesn’t advertise it (e.g., participates in competitions) but he is very likely the finest bowman in the kingdom.

Inspirations: A bit of How to Train your Dragon in Nipper I suppose, but there are many fantasy characters with interesting pets or familiars out there. To Kill a Mockingbird’s Atticus Finch is likely also an influence. A great character – I loved how he was a kind and principled man of intellect, but could still put down a rabid dog because he was the best shot in the county (though most people didn’t even know that).

Crown icon – By Anastasia Latysheva Noun Project

First time at this blog? Check out Home for details on the project and the Character Index for an overview of the projects and characters.

Note: Shifting to a new project (though, as with the others, plenty more room for Psi High characters down the road). You can get a brief overview of the new project (Dark is Noon) on the Character Index page.

Ruling Duchess Elizabeth Salington (30)

Project: Fantasy novel (Soluna trilogy Book 1: Dark is Noon)

Known as: Beth (in informal situations by family), Ruling Duchess of Greentop, your grace

Real name: Elizabeth Salington

Group affiliation: Salington ruling family

Physical description: Beth is short though this isn’t usually the first thing one notices about her as she has a towering presence. She has long, red curly hair and freckles. She wears fomal attire when the situation requires it but dresses practically when she can.

Personality: Beth is intelligent, eloquent, decisive, and forceful. She is also incredibly caring, about those she rules, her family, and her friends (she is a terrible person to have as an enemy). She has a pronounced sense of responsibility to those in her care. She would do anything for the people of Greentop and is a beloved ruler. She loves her husband and son profoundly but feels the burden of rule is that she must consider ALL the people of Greentop first.

She also has a side she shows only to her close family – witty, playful, and even vulnerable at times.

History: Beth was born the third daughter of the king and queen of the realm, and was the penultimate child born (her younger brother followed). In a kingdom where birth order strictly determined succession, she was also third in line for the throne. To her, this meant that she was comfortably distant from ever ruling, which pleased her greatly. Outdoorsy and adventurous, she no desire to rule. As a person who took her responsibilities very seriously, she could not imagine a job she would want less than Queen of the Realm.

As she got older, she realized that she might avoid being queen but would not be able to avoid all responsibility. She was simply too important – either as a contributor to her sister’s rule or in a marriage to secure an alliance. She therefore dedicated herself to enjoy her life as much as possible before that time game. She journeyed all around the kingdom, learning of the customs and assets of each of the duchies (little suspecting she was further preparing herself for rule).

One summer, when visiting the Duchy of Greentop, she met a young herbalist-physician and did about the worst thing she could do: fell in love. A young man not of noble birth living in one of the most remote sections of the kingdom was an unlikely match, to say the least.

Perhaps to make up for the noble birth she never asked for, fate did her a favor. The Duke of Greentop was killed in an accident without an heir. Typically, Greentop would not go to someone as well positioned as Beth. Its furs, game, magical creatures and one gold mine made the duchy somewhat important to the realm, but this was undercut by its remoteness and relative political unimportance. Beth used all the connections she had made to ensure that those likely to want the duchy were positioned well for more tempting roles (e.g., in the royal court). This (and somewhat indulgent parents) resulted in Beth becoming the Ruling Duchess of Greentop. If she happened to marry a local man, well that would help cement her position (though her husband would be more of an honorary duke, not actually ruling).

Beth was not only happy but proved to be a highly effective ruler. Greentop became a more valuable resource to the crown, and the people thrived. She ensured provisioning for winter, the right protection for the people, and even built a library. Her only complaint, a small one, is that she and her husband were unlucky in having children. She resigned herself to not being a parent.

Until one night a stranger brought a baby to their door.

Role in the narrative: Beth is one of our protagonists. As conflict emerges, Greentop will become critical to the struggle. Beth will prove herself to not only be a great peacetime leader but a highly effective military strategist as well. The most difficult thing she’ll have to face, however, will be separation from her family. When destiny leads husband and son elsewhere, she will not, cannot, abandon her responsibilities as ruler (as much as it might break her heart).

Abilities: Beth is one of those people who does not have supernatural powers, but she is so blessed it’s almost as if she was. Whip-smart, athletic, charismatic – there is very little she sets her mind to that she cannot do. She is fantastic with horses and bows, and fine with a sword as well.

Inspirations: It’s so hard to write a fantasy novel without thinking of Tolkien (in this case, Eowyn). Game of Thrones is also SO epic that a few characters crossed my mind. In terms of abilities she reminds me of Batman. Sure not TECHNICALLY super-powered but so good at some many things she is FUNCTIONALLY super-powered.

Nose icon By Olga in the Noun Project

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Ingrid “The Nose” Noss (29)

Project: YA Novel (Psi High)

Known as: The Nose

Real name: Ingrid Noss

Group affiliation: The Omegas

Physical description: Ingrid’s father was Nordic and her mother Nigerian, and Ingrid has a smooth brown complexion. She has a great deal of curly brown hair and is attractive in a non-ostentatious way. She is of average height and build. Despite her name and abilities, she has a small, button nose.

Personality: Ingrid is shy and quiet. She is also quite smart and is a very warm and giving friend once you get to know her. She helps keep several of the Omega’s grades up with study groups and friendly reminders (she is a popular choice for group projects).

History: Ingrid was born in New York City to immigrant parents. Her parents always told her that they met in an English class after coming to the United States, but Ingrid has her doubts. It is obvious to her that both her parents (studious by nature) already had a good command of English before immigrating, and Ingrid has fun imagining how they really met that they feel like they need to make up stories (her current theory: they were early online dating users who might be embarrassed as they both had traditional upbringings). Regardless Ingrid has amazing, loving parents who have shown her her roots in both countries.

Ingrid started reading early and never stopped. Like many teenagers she is often looking at her phone. Unlike many teenagers it is because she’s reading an on-line book. She is primarily a history buff with a special weakness for biographies.

She knew that her becoming an Electi was almost a forgone conclusion. Her father’s family has fairly reliably passed down the SSP ability of smell from generation to generation (in fact, the family name “Noss” means “nose” – as a result of Ingrid’s Nordic ancestors possessing the gift). In history, “bloodhounds” (as they are colloquially known) were tremendously treasured parts of any tribe. Their gift warned of danger (predators, fire), could help detect poor food (rotting or poisoned), and was great for tracking.

In modern times, bloodhounds are a little less treasured. Still, Ingrid is thrilled to be an Electi, as it brought her to Coldwater. Her family would have not been able to afford a private school otherwise and Ingrid loves the small class sizes and the faculty (for the most part). An exception to most of the Coldwater students, Ingrid has no plans of basing her profession on her gift (unsurprisingly, she wants to be a history professor).

By the way, she may or may not have a crush on Mateo (she is shy enough it is a little hard to tell). Jeep quite obviously has a crush on her.

Role in the narrative: Ingrid will uncover things. Her history knowledge and research abilities will be a big help as the story unfolds. Plus, her ability is actually quite useful – she can usually tell who has recently been in a room and the like. I don’t specifically know yet all the secrets she’ll uncover but such characters are handy.

Abilities: Again, SSPs (Super Sensory Perceivers) are the most common type of Electi. Among those gifted with a sensitive sense of smell, Ingrid is actually quite gifted. Her sense of smell can equal some of the more sensitive canines (bloodhound indeed). As with most SSPs, she has to concentrate to reach this level of ability. Without concentration her sense of smell is certainly better than average but not extraordinary.

As a practical matter, Ingrid uses her power sparingly. There are simply too many unpleasant odors out there for her to leave it on most of the time. She has used her power among her close friends enough that she could track them by memory of their scent. Otherwise she would need a sample (much like police K9 units).

Inspirations: There are a few super-smellers out there, but usually it is one of many powers (e.g., Wolverine, Daredevil, etc.). Actually, Daredevil is likely influencing several of these super-sensors – I just greatly enjoyed season 3 and read the comic. So many writers have done a great job with that character showing how super-senses are pretty awesome. I first started writing about super sensors as a play on “ESP” (Extra Sensory Perception). I’ve been looking for a way to make my rank-and-file Electi not TOO powerful, so I thought about what was a click below ESP.

First time at this blog? Check out Home for details on the project and the Character Index for an overview of the projects and characters.

Steven Chen (28)

Project: YA Novel (Psi High)

Known as: No nickname

Real name: Steven Chen

Group affiliation: The Alphas

Physical description: Steven is a good-looking Asian young man of 16. He has long, black hair that is styled in many ways day-to-day. He is always dressed stylishly, and many people believe he wears everything only once.

Personality: Steven is both cocky and judgmental. He’s also witty and throws shade like a baseball pitcher throws sliders. On the other hand, he loves art, beauty, music, and indy films. To him, art is all that matters. It is what is eternal and the only thing that wakes a dull, sleepy world. There is no one else quite like him at Coldwater and at a normal high school he would be one of the outcast art/theatre kids. At Coldwater, he’s an Alpha due to his exceptional ability and wealth. He does however like his fellow Alphas (as much as he likes anyone) as they are elite, beautiful, and provocateurs.

History: Steven’s father is an extremely successful businessman who married a beautiful Electi. As a result of his business being always his highest priority, he was a bit of an absentee father and husband. As a result, Steven and his mother were extremely close and relied upon each other for companionship. Steven is much like his mother, who is also an artist (painter) and someone who feels a bit separate from most people. From an early age, his mother was Steven’s best friend.

His family’s wealth allowed him and his mother to travel the world taking in concerts, culture, and museums. Tutored and home schooled, Steven’s closest friends other than his mother were elitist artists he bonded with on-line. Steven inherited her mother’s abilities and seemed pre-ordained to follow in her footsteps.

Then his absentee father realized his son was not on a path to take over the business. He demanded Steven be sent to Coldwater to develop his social skills and personal network. Steven’s father also demanded a course load focused on business. Steven is making he best of it though he has no intention of having a business focus. He knows his Electi art might afford him a fine living and, if not, he is confident his mother will always care for him. So he does enough to pass his courses while doing what his passions demand in art.

Strangely, Steven is known as the social center of the school. Not because he has a wide range of friends but because he throws the best parties (his Alpha status helps as well). To Steven these parties are a form of art and he primarily enjoys planning and building them. He has even been known not to attend his own parties but this is rare as he has been disappointed in their execution when he hasn’t.

Role in the narrative: Steven was fun to profile because I don’t have specific plans for him yet. As I was starting to share members of the Council (which would be late-saga story telling), I realized that the Alphas and Omegas both felt a little thin in membership. I’m not much of a writer so I rather like it when a Steven comes along that might help me take things in a way I didn’t plan. For example, I’m now wondering what a Prime shaper might be able to do.

Abilities: People with powers like Steven’s are known officially as shapers, but colloquially as “spoon benders.” Steven can make typically harder substances softer. This is not melting, as there is no heat. Against the laws of physics, marble can become soft clay in Steven’s hands.

There are some limits to this power. First, it affects pure substances the best. He can’t affect things like flesh at all, as they are simply a mix of too many “things.” Pure metals are easiest to affect and while any substance might be affected eventually, the harder the substance the more work it takes. Add to this that only a small area can be affected at a time. As a result, Steven could technically affect something like a diamond. But this would be a ton of work and effort to very minor effect (maybe he could embed a permanent fingerprint on a diamond).

Still, this makes Steven a tremendous sculptor. He cannot only easily add details extremely difficult for other marble sculptors to do, he can also repair mistakes. Furthermore, he is artistically gifted as well.

Inspirations: I wanted another Alpha and was thinking of psychic abilities. Of course, a classic one is spoon bending. Once I decided to apply it in Psi High as the ability to shape pure substances, an artist type naturally followed. Probably things like She’s All That influence me here (“Be silent, be still”). I tried to subvert expectations by making him one of the rulers of the school, which also gives me room to make him a “bad guy” if I want to (I’ve found the line between a provocateur and a jerk can be pretty thin).

Font from https://www.urbanfonts.com/fonts/fire-fonts.htm

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Oliver Martin (27)

Project: YA Novel (Psi High)

Known as: No nickname

Real name: Oliver Martin

Group affiliation: The Prime Council

Physical description: Like most of the Prime Council, Oliver is younger than he looks (he appears to be in his early 20ies; he’s actually in his 50ies). He has boyish features, is short, and has a slight frame. As an older man, he gets frustrated not being taken more seriously, so he overcompensates in his dress (suits, expensive watches, slicked-back perfectly quaffed hair). Unfortunately, this exaggerates his boyish features, and he looks like someone younger playing grown-up.

Personality: Oliver seeks to provide the impression of a calm, sophisticated, always-in-control person. He tries to speak slowly, to avoid any lingering Australian accent. Unfortunately, his façade rarely holds for long. His voice is somewhat high pitched and a little squeaky. He isn’t particularly intelligent, and this gets underlined whenever he tries to say something smart. He is in a constant state of feeling like others aren’t giving him the respect he deserves which makes him touchy and irritable (further challenging his façade). His power sometimes manifests itself unconsciously as a result and Council meetings are held in inflammable spaces. He is eager to unleash his power as these are the times that EVERYONE takes him seriously (he doesn’t get to that often; the results are more dramatic than the Council’s typical methods). Despite his temper and self-image, he is easily cowed by those he fears are more powerful than him (such as the rest of the Council).

History: Oliver was born in rural Australia during the mid 60ies. From a large farming family, his insecurities started early as he felt like he was just one of the crowd. There were a number of mildly gifted Electi in his family tree and his family was appreciated for their usefulness. Oliver’s gifts turned out to be more destructive in nature. Farms and fire do not mix, so when Oliver began showing off his abilities, only his family’s reputation prevented him from being run out of town (or worse).

Fortunately for Oliver, his potential hit the radar of the Prime Council. The Council had not had a pyrokinetic in some time. In truth, it was the position with the fastest turnover, as the pyrokinetics were often the ones put in the most danger; or the ones that had to be eliminated as the worst threats to the Council’s anonymity. Oliver ended up being somewhat ideal, for while combustible (pun intended) his insecurities meant the more confident Council members could direct him with some success.

Furthermore, he loved the attention and approval he would get from using his power and had no qualms about the collateral damage (property nor person). In terms of fatalities, it would be close between Oliver and the Council’s Prime telekinetic on who has more. While the telekinetic is the Council’s assassin, Oliver is so formidable he’s been used to tip military conflicts, eliminate problematic groups (and their neighborhoods with them), and destroy property.

Still his results are so noticeable the Council uses him sparingly, which isn’t to Oliver’s tastes. When not being used, he spends obscene amounts of money trying to make himself into his image of a respectable, powerful man.

Like prior pyrokinectics, the current Council considers him at times their most expendable member, and at other times someone who will eventually become a problem that must be dealt with.

Role in the narrative: Again, the Council stuff would be very late in the Psi High saga (it’s somewhat unfortunate I’ve started writing about them before I fleshed out the rest of the cast). Once the Council gets wind of the resistance Selena is starting to build, they will deploy Oliver first against them (as he is both the most expendable and the one to end the whole thing in message-sending fashion). He will deal the resistance some devastating and permanent setbacks. He’ll also set the precedent on how the resistance will have to deal with the Council.

Abilities: Oliver, a pyrokinetic, can start fires with his mind. Highly flammable materials (paper, gasoline) he can ignite in a few seconds. Less flammable things take more time, but even non-flammable items (e.g., metal) he can make incredibly hot. He could, given enough time and effort, melt a tank (he just wouldn’t bother – the occupants would expire and the shells explode long before he would need to). He can ignite anything he can see, so he is capable of such amazing feats as exploding incoming missiles in the air.

In an urban environment he is a god of destruction. It does not take him long to get a building burning (though modern fire-resistant designs help). His power against a lone individual has a predictable, but frightening, outcome.

His most pronounced limitation is that he is not indestructible (a sniper could eliminate him; though the source of the fires is usually not obvious). He is even vulnerable to fire himself (another reason for pyrokinetic turnover on the Council – many accidentally eliminate themselves).

Inspirations: For the powers, Firestarter (Drew Barrymore turning people into torches is a very clear memory for me). When I decided Oliver was from Australia, Crocodile Dundee flashed through my mind. I fortunately realized that Dundee would be about the most stereotypical model I could use. So I went in another direction. Rather than an even-keeled, self-assured, somewhat comical character I made Oliver an uptight insecure one. His frustrations give him the predictable fiery temper often seen for these characters (e.g., the literal hothead Human Torch). I tried to undercut this by making him merely blustery against those that intimidate him. I’m also seeing some Hunger Games influence in Selena vs. the Council.

Healer icon By Luis Prado, Noun Project

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Kinesa Petrov (26)

Project: YA Novel (Psi High)

Known as: No nickname

Real name: Kinesa Petrov

Group affiliation: The Prime Council

Physical description: Kinesa looks like she is in her early forties, but she is actually much older. She wears her straight, nearly-white blond hair in a pageboy cut and tends to dress very pragmatically (especially for someone of her wealth). Her eyes are unusual – very nearly purple.

Personality: Kinesa is taciturn and practical. Where most of her fellow council members can be scheming, dominating, and competitive, she tends to maintain a calm (if stern) composure. Much of her irritated grace comes from the fact that her place on the Council is totally secure. She is the member that all the rest rely upon the most and she knows it. It makes it easy for her to be unconcerned with the bluster around her.

She has a darker side. Her ability to manipulate pain means that many of her extracurricular interests fall into the nontraditional category. Any energies she has stored up gets expressed in these sessions – and if the result is sometimes fatal for others, that does not trouble her.

History: Kinesa was born in 1920ies Russia (indeed she is nearly 100 years old, but her power helps forestall her aging). Her family had very little and from an early age she resented her parents for not providing for her in the way she felt she deserved. Her parents were swept up in the socialist ideal and felt real change in their proletariat circumstances was just around the corner. They were greatly disappointed. Kinesa, as she grew, realized that she was an exceptional person surrounded by those who would unfairly hold her down (if anything, her world view aligned with the Germans that her country was at war with in the 1940ies).

When it was revealed that she was an Electi healer, it looked like her fate would be to be Stalin’s personal physician. While she was still in training, however, she took an opportunity to escape and escaped to the UK. Given her potential, any number of important people were happy to help her.

The most important people that took notice of her was the Prime Council. They saw in her the potential the be a Prime healer, a rarity indeed. The Prime Council telepath was happy to alter some memories to erase Kinesa from public knowledge. Kinesa was relieved to finally be elevated to the level she deserved.

For over 60 years, Kinesa has been a member of the group that secretly rules the world (or, at least, accomplishes anything they choose to). Not being interested in ruling, and certainly not a bureaucrat, Kinesa ignores most of the Council’s dealings. She sometimes does things the Council needs and takes care of the Council members themselves but otherwise simply enjoys the finer things in life. Of course boredom sometimes overtakes her and woe to the people that become the focus of her impulses then.

Role in the narrative: Were I ever to write it, the Council would only be hinted at in early stories and it would be late in the saga before the reader got introduced to any of its members (lucky you, reading my characters blog and getting this info now!). The Prime Council subjugates the other Electi, deliberately limiting their power and positioning them to reduce the chance that normal humans will ever see the Electi as threats (cloaking the Prime Council’s existence). Given the power levels of the members of the Council, they are basically unstoppable and can achieve about anything. A small group, they don’t micro-manage the world, but do keep the status quo (at least for themselves).

They view themselves as essential to world order and they certainly would need to be overthrown before things could fundamentally change for the rank and file Electi. As revealed in other profiles, Selena has the potential to be a Prime telepath that can unblock other restricted Primes and is therefore a realist threat to form a group that could oppose the Council. Of course first she’d need to survive the machinations of the Council.

Kinesa would be the first target on the resistance. As her abilities require physical contact, she is the most catchable and containable of the Council. Additionally, her disappearance would be a true threat to the Council and she would provide definite leverage. However, Kinesa is not the sort you really want to keep around too long.

Abilities: She is a Prime healer – likely the most powerful that has ever existed. Like Jeep, she can apply her power to herself, but unlike him can apply it to others as well. And her powers dwarf his. She can mend broken bones with a touch in about a minute. Cuts and gashes melt away at her touch. Given a day or two, she can cure cancer, purge any sickness or poison, and generally heal most severe injuries (including regenerating limbs). She can’t do much with a destroyed brain but much below that level is within her abilities to heal.

The reason she is critical to the Council is that she can retard aging. This has meant that the current Council has been in place for decades and will remain so for decades more (barring Council members machinations against one another). This explains her unassailable position on the Council. No Council member will risk crossing her. Even the Prime telepath would be careful about manipulating her for fear of damaging their most valuable asset.

More horribly, she can also cause injury and pain with a touch. The world should be relieved that she has to touch someone to affect them.

Inspirations: Plenty of characters with similar powers already exist (e.g., Elixir, Scramble). I’m trying to limit the powers of Psi High to powers people believe that psychics might actually possess, and this represents the belief in psychic healers (Psi Force, my psychic teenager inspiration, also had one). I was originally going to make her a Nazi (instead of just alluding to it) but even a guy like me who is so willing to borrow inspiration isn’t quite ready to have a semi-immortal Nazi villain (well, yet). And, doggone it! I just remember that Psi Force’s healer was Russian, too! In trying to be a little more original, I’m doomed to be more derivative ;-). I’d keep her powers, relationship to the Council, criticality to the resistance, etc. all the same but if I were to write something here I think I’d change this character quite a bit. I’ll reread Psi Force first to help myself from mistaking memories for creativity.

First time at this blog? Check out Home for details on the project and the Character Index for an overview of the projects and characters.

Noah Blok (25)

Project: YA Novel (Psi High)

Known as: No nickname

Real name: Noah Blok

Group affiliation: The Alphas

Physical description: Noah is 17 and looks square. Not the nerdy type of “square,” but the shape. Short but very stocky, his height and width measurements aren’t literally the same, but a quick glance suggests it. His head is also unusually wide, and his flattop haircut completes the square look of his head. You might think given his appearance and name that someone may have called him “blockhead” at some point. You’d be right, but no one called him that twice.

Personality: Noah has the personality of a coiled spring. He can be very quiet and reserved, but even when he is, he gives off a sense he is only a heartbeat away from sudden motion and action. People are usually naturally cautious around him, which is wise. He does not let a perceived slight go. If he can get away with it, he’ll rectify things quickly and violently in a burst of temper. He is also willing to mentally file away the grudge until he gets the opportunity to react without consequences to himself. Coiled spring? Perhaps a coiled snake.

He doesn’t feel there is a need to change this. In fact, his aggressiveness is more often celebrated than not.

History: Noah’s father is a professional pushball player. Sports is one of those spaces where the Electi can be celebrated, and his father’s physicality and telekinetic power made him popular and wealthy. Everyone was thrilled when it seemed like Noah would follow in his father’s footsteps.

Gifted from an early age at every sport he played, once it was confirmed he was a telekinetic he immediately dedicated himself to pushball. Pushball is a sport combining physical and telekinetic skill. Two teams each defend a goal at opposite sides of the playing field. There are three types of zones on the field that limit which types of players are allowed in the zone and what actions can be taken. The goal zones at each end can only have keepers (defense) and drivers (offense) and the ball can only be manipulated using telekinetic power with no player contact. In the mid zones on either side drivers and blockers are allowed and the ball can be physically manipulated (carried, thrown, kicked) or telekinetically manipulated but again no player contact. The battle zone in the middle of the field any type of player is allowed (except keepers), including crashers. The ball can be moved by any means possible and full contact (tackling, telekinetic pushes) against other players are allowed. The ball starts in the middle and each team tries to get the ball across the other team’s goal.

Obviously, the battle zone is the most dangerous part of the field and crashers are assault specialists. Noah has thus far shown tremendous talent for the position and has a Coldwater scholarship as well. This would be enough to qualify him as an Alpha, but his family’s fame and funds secures his position. When the younger Ethan arrived at the school Noah soon became his shadow. With Ethan as a driver, crasher Noah naturally fell into the role of protector both on and off the field. They are fast friends and Ethan steers interactions to try to make sure that Noah’s temper is not raised. Except, of course, when Ethan wants to use Noah’s temper.

Noah certainly isn’t evil; he’s not even particularly mean. He has simply been rewarded for direct confrontation and not to let the opponent get one over on you. When infractions are swept under the rug for the star athlete, he simply doesn’t develop the usual skills for handling different situations. His approaches on and off the field are pretty similar, though off the field he will wait for his moment.

He never expected he might eventually find someone who will knock HIM down.

Role in the narrative: Noah will be a bit of an antagonist. He will have on one occasion or another but several Omegas in their place, which puts him on a collision course with protective Mateo. When Mateo is accused of stealing something of Ethan’s, Noah just waits for his opportunity to strike.

Noah will deliver a severe beating and in self-defense Mateo will use his ability to telekinetically move small things without being able to see them to devastating effect. Noah will have something akin to a stroke and Mateo will feel guilty despite feeling he had no choice. Ultimately Selena will develop her powers enough (including reading minds so completely she can “mime” powers) that she is able to heal Noah (much to Mateo’s relief). Noah will have a new perspective after that.

Abilities: As noted before, telekinetics are rated on their ability to affect things in their mind to the same degree as they can physically affect things (e.g., a powerful one, excluding Primes, could lift a similar weight with their minds that they could physically lift). Noah is powerful, but not as powerful as Ethan. However Noah is physically stronger than Ethan, and this means what they can do with their telekinesis is similar.

Inspirations: The aggressive jock has been in about every story involving high schoolers, ever. Them turning out to be able to grow as people isn’t new, either. For some reason I’m now thinking of Ogre from Revenge of the Nerds, though Noah is a more subtle character. Pushball owes something to Quiddich, I suppose – though for some reason my mind goes to the underwater game played in Final Fantasy X.