James is the main character for my in progress fantasy novel
Dream of a Shrouded Quest which you may have noticed me mention in a variety of different places, and I've been fractalling him. I'm on the 7th stage, and will update this as I type up the paper document to the Gdoc.
Thoughts? Anything seem cliche, to much, or otherwise odd? Unrealistic?
Yes, I know it's long.
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Who Stage
1.1 He is a timid teenaged boy who feels everything strongly, but can’t express those emotions, so he daydreams and imagines.
1.2 timid, daydreamer, reluctant, lonely, romantic, lover, idealist
1.3 James is a daydreamer, with his head either in a book or imagining himself as a knight in shining armor. Except, he’s scared of getting hurt, so he avoids danger and anything that might hurt. He’s also looking for chance to show his love for Anastasia to her. When she falls into a coma, he’s guilt-ridden, partially because he couldn’t save her, and partly because as her world fell apart, he did nothing out of fear. That hurts him more than usual, because he wants to live by a code of chivalry, of honor, bravery, courteousness, and nobility.
1.4 daydreamer, knight-in-shining-armor-wannabe, lover, guilt-ridden, scared, optimistic idealist, hurting
1.5 James is a daydreamer. He doesn’t dream of being rich, famous, powerful, an athlete, or of being popular. He dreams of being a hero. A knight. A mariner. A heroic soldier. He dreams of fighting for Anastasia. He dreams of being brave, and declaring his love for her, even if only by asking her to a movie or a picnic or a hike.
He wants to be a knight in shining armor. Like Galahad. Or Lancelot. The paragon of courage, masculinity, and respect to everyone. He wants to prove his love. Even if it means being killed by a dragon.
James is a lover. Not like James Bond/West/Kirk. The people he loves are the most important people in the world to him. He puts their needs and happiness above his own. When it’s romantic love, she takes the top spot. He would do anything for her. All he wants in return is for the love to be mutual.
Now for the interesting part. The guilt he feels. He’s not done anything that would warrant such guilt. It’s what he’s not done. All he’d ever been was Anastasia’s friend. Not even a close friend. Just an acquaintance she was positively inclined towards (As opposed to negatively inclined or indifferent). He watched and ached as Anastasia battled depression, suicidal thoughts, and self-destructive behavior. He watched as ‘her’ friends deserted her and she suffered mostly alone. He gave only small, tongue-tied, words of support. Nothing that seemed real or meaningful. Mostly cliches. He knew that. And it killed him (Metaphorically speaking, of course.) Then, when she was in the car accident and ended up in a coma, and his guilt quadrupled. The fact that he may never be able to tell her, and that she may die feeling all alone and unwanted horrified him. He felt like he may have caused the accident.
His biggest flaw is fear. HIs fear of being hurt or rejected. He avoids dangerous situations, and always tries to stay in his comfort zone, which is a problem for his relationships (All types). He doesn’t do anything that might fail, and he avoids fights even if it means being stuffed in a locker or half-drowned in a toilet.
1.6/1.7
[Daydreamer]
-bookworm
-walks with head head in clouds
-always imagining something better
-absent-minded professor
[wants to be a knight]
-boyhood dreams
-paragon of virtue
-brave enough to fight dragons
-warrior that defeats all enemies
-hero
[Lover}
-Sacrificial Love
-soldier dying for a comrade
-Rick at the end of Casablanca
-Pure Love
-compassion
-family member at relative’s sick bed
-nurse
[Guilt-Ridden)
-survivor’s guilt
-repentant sinner
-Gawain at his death bed
[Controlled by fear]
-puppet master and strong puppet
-village cowed by a tyrant
-wimpy kid
-flame blown out by smallest breezes
[Hero deep within]
-diamond in the rough
-buried treasure
-hidden mountain lake
-soft glen in forbidding forest
[Coward]
-startled deer
-awkward teen tongue tied by girls
-the coward in Magnificent Seven
-gibbering maniac
[Shy}
-toddler meeting an adult
-stereotypical introvert
-Violent from The Incredibles
[Noble]
-Aragorn, Son of Arathorn
-white stag
-master artisan
-might oak
-St. George
-Odysseus
[Dreamer]
-head in the clouds
-young idealist
-bookworm
[Lovestruck]
-bedazzled by a diamond
-selfless parent
-Faramir & Eowyn
-Romeo
[Hero Wannabe]
-Luke Skywalker
-child who runs around with a towel for a cape
2.1 James is an introvert. He lives mostly inside his own head, where he’s less likely to be hurt. It’s a very rich world. He can be whoever he wants to be in there, which is mainly a hero.
2.2 He prefers intuition. The real world, he doesn’t like. It’s complicated, messy, and painful. His imagination is easier, and so he dwells on possibilities.
2.3 His preference is a feeler. He wants people to love him , and he wants to feel appreciated. He avoids conflicts and confrontations because they cause him to freeze up. He wants to live in harmony and peace with everyone.
2.4 He has a perceiving preference. He’s hesitant to make concrete decisions, so he just reacts to things and lets things happen. Generally he adapts by bending with the flow, and blending in, and doing what he’s told.
2.5His strengths are fairly decent. He genuinely cares for those who suffer, and can negotiate fairly well. His love is a pure type, the selfless type. He can understand people extremely well. He’s an idealisr and has a sense of grand dreams. But, when it’s time for thinking about problems, look elsewhere. He’s also not good at verbal communication. He also seeks to avoid conflict at all times and wants to keep everyone happy, so he’s a bit of a people pleaser.
2.6 His primary love language is words of affirmation and quality time because he doesn’t get that from his family, and he craves it. Plus they confer feeling loved and appreciated for an INFP.
2.7 He becomes a man in the story. He grows from a cowardly boy who refuses to stand for anything to a courageous young man who places others and causes above of himself. He learns to stand for belief. He also learns best that loves works best when expressed and that there’s no greater joy than serving others. He also becomes less of a people pleaser. He becomes more confident, bold, and possibly even more noble.
3.1 James doesn’t know what he believes. He knows there’s more to life than living, dying, and contributing to the cycle of life. He knows there’s more to life than survival and material wealth. He believes that he’ll be happy when becomes who he wants to be. He believes life should be lived with a high sense of ideals.
3.2 He knows that evolution isn’t the answer to the origins question. He doesn’t have the answer though. It gives him hope though, because he knows there’s a reason for things. He has no evidence that there is, he’s not studied them or anything. He just knows. Intuition, after all.
3.3 He knows that we don’t just cease to exist, or come back. Again, he doesn’t know what. He hopes, actually, that he’ll be brave in the afterlife, and that the world will be a better plac
3.4 He obeys the government, and his parents, as well as other authority figures. He goesn’t get his morals from them though. He has a code of honor/morals inside him (He’s written it out as well.) that he uses as his system of values. He doesn’t really value what others tell him because he has higher expectations and values about the world.
3.5His family doesn’t really influence him. Things aren’t horrible with his famil, but things aren’t great either. His father was a soldier, Special Forces, in fact, so when he was younger, James idolized him. His father, Kurt, was like batman, Superman, and everyone else rolled up into one. But, he was gone a lot, so they couldn’t spend a lot of time together. When Kurt was honorably discharged because of injuries, James was 3. Kurt couldn’t find a job, and he got hit by PTSD pretty hard, and turned to alcohol, which he became addicted to. Meredith (Kurt’s wife and James’ mother) did the best she could through this time with james and his younger brother, Issac, trying to raise them while Kurt was downrange, and later help Kurt through his PTSD and alcoholism. However, when she confronted him one day, he blew it, and hit her. James stood up, and Kurt him too. It shattered James’ view of the world and his heroic admiration. Kurt, meanwhile, was also devastated and turned himself in for counseling and help. He’s out at the time of the story and trying to reestablish connection James isn’t really cooperating though, so he’s rather alone and driftless. His mother, he treats her and gives her great respect, but she can’t really influence him either.He tries not to be hurt by his experiences, but it has hurt him. When his father hit him, it shattered his view of the world, and it hurt him terribly. That’s why he’s so terrified of pain, it’s linked to that moment when his rose-colored glasses shattered under the gray concrete of reality, so pain is linked with the collapsing of his world. james also learned his protectivess and compassion by helping his little brother, and protecting him when their dad was at his worst.
3.6 James doesn’t really have any friends. Nobody his age around his home understands him, or tries to. James doesn’t really try to fix that, either. he’s got a few internet friends, on Facebook and a few forums, especially ones dedicated to myths & legends, the ones on King Arthur being his favorite ones. But, he’s never met any of them. Anastasia is the only person his age who tried to get to really know him, and that’s part of the reason he fell for her in the first place, and why the quest is so important to him. He’s lonely, but just doesn’t know it. He has some people he gets along with, and hangs out with sometimes, but there’s no connection.
3.7. Due to the overly confusing and under-developed theology of Velaiar, james does not subscribe to a religion.
4.1 If he was Christian, he’d be one of those devout, all-in, super-Christians, strong in both works and spiritualness because of the INFP’s dedication to an idea or cause. He’d have more trouble being Muslim, jewish, or Hindu because of their many rules and lack of spirituality. He’d be a pretty good Buddhist.
4.2 If he lived in Middle-Earth, he’d want to be a knight, or a poet, or both. He’d strive to be the hero he wants to be. Pretty much the same with Narnia. IN the Star Wars universe, he’d probably be Jedi or very honorable bounty hunter doing the job not fur credits, but for justice. He would be able to express himself more often and be who he truly wants to be.
4.3 If james had a more stable family, he’d not be so in love with Anastasia because he wouldn’t be so lonely and subconsciously desperate for love, nor would be so averse to pain. He’d actually be stable, so to speak, and more grounded, not quite as lost in the dreamworld he pretends he lives in. He’d have a good relationship with his family, and wouldn’t be so lonely. He’d be more open to connecting with people, reaching out to them instead of shying away.
4.4. If James was a girl, uh, he’d be the idealistic, naive-seeming girl, kind of like Luna Lovegood: dreamy, bookish, and falling in love with random book characters. Optimistic, and probably more in tune with emotions and behaviors of the INFP, and not feel like an outcast. less guarded, and more able to connect with people.
4.5 James doesn’t really know what his skills are, or his abilitie are, and doesn’t recognize his poetic talent. He’s pretty average, in fact, and directionless so he doesn’t try many new things either. If he was good at math, he’d throw himself into mathematics. If he was better at science, he’d love it, or rather, the romanticized version of it. If he was good at sports, he’d be a fair player, and honest. He’d also enjoy the camaraderie of a team and getting to know people. If he could actually find his skill and talent, assuming he recognized it, he’d definitely pursue it with zeal.
4.6 If he was from the cultures that believes that men shouldn’t express emotion or feel many, he’d feel like even more of an outcast than he does in the US. In other cultures where emotions are viewed as good and expected, he’d more feel more confident and accepted. Cultures that emphasize practicality over all else wouldn’t be good for him either, since he’s a dreamer. He’d feel repressed and antsy at not being allowed to be who he is.
4.7 If James looked different there wouldn’t be much of a difference. As an idealist, his appearance doesn’t mean much to him unless Anastasia is around. He might stand out more though, as he might possibly be described as “mousy” and unremarkable.
5.1 When people first meet James, they know he’s shy, not very confident, and a bit on the shrimpy side, small and scrawny. And he probably won’t make much of an impression on anybody, probably being easily forgotten.
5.2 When someone works with james for a while, they’d know that he’s shy, and not very confident, and rather dreamy. They’d also know he’s a loner, not a dark and mysterious loner, just someone who spends most of his time alone. They’d also know he’s not good at remembering details, he can be very enthusiastic, and very sensitive to criticism. They’d also know he’s really nice and a cares a lot about them, especially when they’re having a rough time, and that he’s really good at empathizing.
5.3 When somebody goes through a tragedy with him, they know he has high ideals about things, but not really the resolve and guts to live them all out. That to be honest, he’s fairly cowardly, and that he hates being that way. They’ll also know he’s a die hard optimist, but may not notice until later. His optimism really shines through because he’d really, really try to help the injured, hurt, and suffering.
5.4 When someone is an enemy of James, they would see him as frustratingly incorruptible, naively optimistic, and annoying in his idealism. I’d exploit his fear of pain and love for Anastasia. I’d also send someone to gain his trust and become his friend, and then betray him, because it would hurt him deeply and knock him off-kilter. He’s also rather dogged and doesn’t like to give up when he actually does something.
5.5 Someone who has been a friend of James for years would of his love for the chivalric Romances, a bit of the reason for his timidity, and that his face lights up everytime he’s around Anastasia, or sees her. Also that James writes poetry. He likes long hikes, stargazing, and deep conversations. And long fantasy novels. And that he doodles pictures of knights and heroes in his math notebook.
5.6 The only things his wife would know (Anastasia if I decide to have a happy ending.) is how badly what happened with his father hurt him, and how much Anastasia’s friendship helped him. She would know about his “issues” with the real world, like how he’s such an idealist but the world does not share those ideals, so his rose-tinted glasses are constantly smashed against broken concrete. He wanted to be an astronaut, but thought people would think it silly, so he didn’t tell anyone, and he didn’t have the grades to pull it off. Oh, and he had a crush on Dejah Thoris. That is not something he’d tell anyone.
5.7 Well, his circumstances were orchestrated by Lyrianur for purposes in the Dreamworld, and later involving the Dystopia Fallen story arc. He really does have the qualities to be the hero he wishes to be, and he just has to dig deep into his core being to find them. Lyrianur also made sure that certain legends and tales were preserved so that they would inspire him, and others as well as solving conflicts in their own time. Also, James kind of likes being a loner, because it gives the feeling of being someone special.
6.1 James’ culture is a combination of old, idealistic American ideals and those of chivalric England. He values honor, nobility, courage, and integrity, and he greatly admires noble kings. He doesn’t value automatic respect or obedience to authority though, having gotten a cynical edge from his experience with his dad, apathetic teachers, and just the state of the world. It’s very slight though, so he doesn’t expect much from other people.
6.2 The United States does not have creeds or castes. But, his family is on the poorer side of the spectrum, but not disrespected (His father is a war hero, after all.), they’re more pitied. In high school though? That’s a different story. He’s an outcast, but not like the stereotypical dweeb who eats glue. James is just more on his own scale because nobody quite knows what to make of him. He gets picked on and bullied, but less than and not as viciously as other outcasts.
6.3 James’ allegiance is to his code of honor first, then America. Personally, those he loves are above all, then everyone else. If he could manage it, he’d give his allegiance to King Arthur.
6.4 James enjoys learning if he wants to learn it. Otherwise, he doesn’t think it really matters, so just basically drifts through school. He’s a sophomore in high school, and has no special experience.
6.5 Human, Caucasian, American, small city, Midwest
6.6 He speaks English, and some small tidbits of Latin, French, and even a bit of Old English he picked up from books and his extracurricular research.
6.7 He’s a student who views school as something to be endured, so he doesn’t put a lot of effort into it, and he helps around his house and his community with more dedication and enthusiasm, and he’s content with that, but he wants a more meaningful career that allows him to help people, change the world, and share his code.
7.1 When angry, he tends to get hurt/pensive/withdrawn, occasionally snapping out at people, but it makes him feel terrible, which he soon very contritely apologizes for. Happiness is conveyed by a slight bounce to his step and quiet humming as wel as slight hand movements like he’s conducting. When nervous, he licks his lips and taps his feet. He also tries to not over-express his emotions. When scared, he begins to stutter, look wildly about, and try to get out of the situation.
Bored- Shifting uneasily and 10,000 miles stare, glassy eyes, stops paying attention and may or may not recognize things said to him.
Around Anastasia, he stammers and is really shy and awkward, which she calls “cute” but he finds mildly embarrassing and wishes didn’t happen.
7.2 He gets up in the morning, sometimes eats a small breakfast, takes a shower and rides the bus to school, staring out the window and ignoring the chaos around him. He half daydreams/half listens through his classes, avoiding trouble between classes, trying to be a chivalrous example, and trying to avoid getting smitten over a rare smile or kind word since, after all, Anastasia is the princess whom he champions. He stays after school to sit in on the creative writing club and occasionally makes a comment, even though he is an official member, because he’s busy imagining the stories. Then he walks to his home on the other side of the tracks, avoiding the gang of bullies as much as he can. Sometimes he’ll wander along the railroad tracks along the field and small woods. Eventually he’ll reach home where he’ll help his mother with his younger siblings and house. He does his homework, reads whatever book he’s reading at the moment, writes some poetry and doodles. He also occasionally dabbles in fiction. Then he goes to bed, and repeats the habit. He’s not an exercise fan, but his walks keep him decent shape. He likes Romantic (Beethoven for example) music; sad ballads; slow, sentimental songs, plus medieval/celtic/folk music. Sometimes he’ll slip out his window to climb a tree to look at the stars and daydream. His favorite food is cheese and roast beef sandwich, with apple pie a close second, and then cinnamon hot chocolate. He can’t stand coffee or kale. Other than that, he’s not really picky at all. He’s mostly organized because he doesn’t have a big room, and doesn’t want to annoy his family. In school, he always sits near a window when he gets the chance, and he does take notes when he concentrates. He spends car rides looking out the window towards the horizon, picturing great tourneys in the fields and knights cantering alongside them. He takes a while to fall asleep, but it’s a steady sleep. It takes awhile for his brain to settle down and sort through the day.
7.3 James is rather short, and wimpy, with a shock of brown hair that varies in tidiness, and brown eyes. Exact height is 5 ft 4, and he weighs 110 pounds. His face oblongish, with a squarisher jaw. He’s gangly.
7.4 Until he enters the dreamworld, he doesn’t fight, but instead, avoids them. Afterwards, he uses a sword, shield, and lance, like the knights, whether he’s mounted or on foot.
