Auraelia (MC): a slim five feet, four inches. She has curly brown hair, dark eyes, a graceful nose, curling lips, and a slightly Mediterranean complexion. 16 years old. Begins as a Child of Darkness, becomes a Child of Light.

Lanendde (semi-minor antagonist): a sturdy five feet, nine inches. She has straight black hair, violet eyes, and a pale complexion. 21 years old. A fervent Child of Darkness.

Kyrlae: Physical attributes unknown. 18 years old. A Child of Light

Winna: Physical attributes unknown. 16 years old. A Child of Darkness

To give background from the story (Cry of Darkness - Song of Light), there are two groups: the People of Darkness (bad guys), and the People of Light (good guys). The People of Darkness are slaves to an evil king (King Tethantal), but they don't realize it. They work in mines all their lives, mining for coal. They don't have families, because their children are taken away at birth to be raised by the State. The People of Light are past People of Darkness, who came to realize the truth of the situation, and have come to serve the true king.

Auraelia: Hi, everyone! *waves happily*

Winna: Did you see that? She said I'm unknown!
Kyrlae: You're not unknown, your physical attributes are.
Winna: I'm unknown! *wails*
Lanendde: Be quiet, will you? *scowls* Do you want me to -
Winna: No!

Hmmm... interesting. I'm assuming that this is an allegorical story? Oh, um, right. This is character development, you're looking for feedback on the characters. How does a character realize the truth? Do they have any exposure to the truth? Sorry, I'm not much of a help developing characters. What happens once a child of darkness becomes a child of light? Do they leave the mines?

Oh! Oh! This is the story you had titles for but no plot??? I didn't know you came up with a plot! I thought Aurelia had been around longer than that. Or have you been working on this since before we had the conversation in the chat room? Or am I becoming really, really absent minded?

@Elanhil: Yes, it is allegorical. People of Darkness realize the truth through the true king's working, and the People of Light's witness. Exposure is limited, not because the People of Light don't try, but because the People of Darkness are taught that the Lights are evil, and so avoid/shun them. When a Darkness becomes a Light, they leave the mines (which are symbolic of sin) to serve the true king. They do go back to the mines at times, however (just like Christians still sin).

@Janin: Auraelia has been around for a while, but I had to scrap her old story. I just transferred her into this one, after I got a plot.

Feel free to have your characters talk to mine! That's what they're here for. It's a Character Introduction thread, without as many posts to keep up on.

So you mean I can let Telvia in to tell you about the dodgeball game?

Telvia: I've got my yellow ball back and I need to find someone to throw it at but I took a break to come in here. Jathan threw a ball at you but I think you were already gone. Authoress hasn't worked on our story at all but she claims that's because she's developing us.

Me: uh oh.

Telvia: Your story looks really neat and I'm glad you get to become a child of light. Darkness is awful. Oh and Dani wanted to know what happens if you stab a ball so his author made him one and it turned into confettii and it was really, really pretty but I hope he doesn't do that to my ball!! I've got to get back to the game. See you later! *hug*

Dani: Hey! I was going to say that! And I wasn't going to hurt your ball, but now you said what I was going to say, so beware! Just kidding!

Aryn: I am standing on the far side of the room for a reason... *sigh* Little sisters...

Dani: Aww, thanks Aryn. You're great too.

Aryn: So... Do the characters look different when the become children of light? And is Bla- Jaynan is your story, Auraelia?

Auraelia: (@Telvia) Don't worry! You're not the only one. My author hasn't even written one word of my story! I'm glad I became a light, too! *hugs back*
Winna: Hey, why don't I get a hug?
Auraelia: *hugs Winna*
Lanendde: *scornful* Who needs hugs?

Auraelia: (@Aryn) The Darknesses see the world like a rainy day, but to the Lights, the world is like a sunny day. Darknesses see the Lights in a glowing oval, Lights see the Darknesses in a gloomy oval.
Lanendde: Yeah. You hurt my eyes, silly girl.

Auraelia: (@Aryn) Jathan is in Telvia's story.

Aryn: Ahhh. I see.

Dani: Uh huh... I would really like to be shiny.

Aryn: No, you wouldn't.

Dani: Yes, I would.

Aryn: If you were as shiny as you wanted to be, everyone's eyes would be damaged.

Dani: Humph.

Me: So, what are your characters' strengths and weaknesses? What are their fears and hopes? What do they like/dislike/want? (Just a couple open questions. )

Elanhil: *waves* Hello everyone! Are the children of darkness literally always in the mine?? That would be awful.

Merashath: Humph. I bet I could take on that dark king any day.

Me: You could take him on but would you win? (@RotW) About the dark king...does he convince the people that the mines are wonderful? It would be more accurate if the people actually enjoyed mining.

Auraelia: I'm back! Sorry everyone. For some reason my author's internet filter blocks this thread as a chat site, so I was blocked from coming to talk. (@Dani) We can't tell we're shiny. We're only shiny to the People of Darkness. (@Elanhil) They always work in the mine, but come out to go home for the night. (@Merashath) You wouldn't want to take on King Tethantal. He's evil, like you.

Me: (@Elanhil) Yes, Tethantal makes them think that what they are doing is good, but the mining is really useless. They get paid for their work, but because they have to buy everything at the mine store, they don't realize that their wages are temporary and meaningless. (@Shawn) I think all the characters fear Tethantal to some degree. Winna would fear him the most, then Lannende, Auraelia, and Kyrlae. Lannende hopes to someday become an overseer in the mines. Winna just wants to stay in the background. Kyrlae and Auraelia hope to serve and glorify King Galansian to the best of their ability, and to help Darks to see the truth. I'll have to answer the rest later, because I have to go get ready for church.