So I suppose I will give a try at one of these essence maps. Looks fun, and I think I get the concept, but the formatting will probably be my issue. By the way, whoever came up with this essence mapping idea was a genius, because I loved this idea even when I viewed it as a guest. Just to put my own twist on it, I divided my character into the three metaphysical parts of sentient beings in my world: Flesh, Spirit, and Shadow.

REIYEN
.......FLESH {Form [Height (door lintel)]
......................[Face (chiseled statue)
................................(bog mist)]
......................[Hair (long grass in the wind)
..............................(wire)}
................{Function [Strength (gate)
..........................................(dragon's tail)]
.............................[Mind (captain)
.....................................(iron bars)]}
......SPIRIT {Strengths [Clarity (window)]
.............................[Purity (dove's wing)]
.............................[Resilience (adamant)]
.............................[Power (cornered wolf)
.......................................(she-bear with cubs)]}
................{Weakness [Fear (commoner before king)]}
...SHADOW {Mind [Craftiness (devious child)]
........................................(captured villain)]
.........................[Subtlety (bribed advisor)]}
................{Might [Will-power (hardened veteran)]
..........................[Strategy (patient commander)]
..........................[Strength (blacksmith seeking a perfect piece)]

The structure looks right to me. Nice job! You picked that up quickly. I liked the metaphor for subtlety under Shadow. It made an interesting mental image, and I instantly knew what you meant.

Looks good, Reiyen--you picked it up pretty quickly, like Shawn said. Oh! I must echo--I really liked 'subtlety' as well.

eruheran

Now THAT'S an essence map. Great job! I like how you worked with your own Aspects instead of just following the Body, Spirit, Soul tradition. Nice use of metaphors.
Keep up the good work.

That's high praise from Seer, and I agree with it.

That looks hecka complex! How did you come up with everything?

Essence-mapping is a trick that some of the elder members around here created, perfected, and then some. It is basically a way to break down something complex (a character/personality) into smaller understandable parts, (tiny little metaphors). The format isn't that bad, especially if you just look at a few completed maps. You could try copy-and-pasting another map, then switching the names and metaphors to whatever it is for your character, until you are comfortable with the format.

There's also a much easier format for it now.

I didn't think I would be allowed to copy and paste at first... it feels like it would be stealing someone else's hard work.

No, go ahead! I think all of us copy/pasted at one time or another You can use one of mine, if you'd like.

eru