Lesson 2

[David Thompson]

David Thompson’s Character Descriptions

What I learned doing this assignment is that it’s a good thing that this is a rough draft, because I need to work to condense the descriptions down and make them better.

Dan Lanahan – Main character, most of the show is seen through his eyes.

Dan is a seasoned cop, a Lieutenant in the police force of this small town. He’s living a lonely life, except when he’s with his sister and her family, especially Brianna, his god-daughter/niece.

He’s originally from Dallas, where he was a respected police officer, married with a baby girl. Tragedy hits when his wife, DUI, causes an accident, killing the baby girl.

Then he spots an actual for-real goddess, Megaera, during a standoff and he’s the only person who sees this tall, blonde woman. Just who is she? But, his life is turned upside down when his niece is murdered and Megaera tracks him down to confront him. How can he see her? Gods can’t exist, Dan believes. Yet, everything he’s believed all his adult life is now completely wrong.

Megaera – A Fury, goddess of vengeance, whose name literally means “Jealous rage”. She is Dan’s love interest, the poor sap. She also drives the main plot by being the target of the demon Sorath’s ire. She is an immortal, but also a vicious predator of those who’ve murdered innocent humans. Displays huge white wings when threatened or about to kill someone.

Megaera, and her sisters, Tisiphone and Alecto, were born when the blood from the castration of Uranus fell into the sea, the Furies rose out of the waters. Of course, Aphrodite was also birthed in the same event, but she got all the glory, what with small angels dragging diaphanous material all over. Originally, the Furies were the Guardians of the Gates to the Underworld.

Her drive, her reason for existence is to seek out and kill those who’ve murdered and escaped justice, she is sent into conflict with Dan on many levels. He’s a cop, she’s an immortal vigilante, and it doesn’t matter to Dan that most of her targets would never be found or convicted in court IF caught.

She initially seeks out Dan to confront him as to why he can see her, then she, uncharacteristically, falls for the guy.

Derek Jones, Dan’s friend and partner on the police force. An ex-marine, he acts as Dan’s sounding board during investigations. Derek is concerned about Dan’s drinking, and keeps a close eye on Dan after the murder of his niece. He wants to find this serial killer, and is leading the investigation until a fellow-officer is killed by the same serial killer.

Gaia – Mother Nature, THE earth goddess. She’s the organizing sensibility in the Furies’ house. In many ways, she gets to the bottom of why Dan can see the furies when no one else can, and why (later) Dan gets Megaera pregnant. To soothe herself, she tends to her garden. Except she is having trouble growing her plants, so she continues, ripping out dead plants to plant more.

She assists the exposition of the plot, by asking other gods and goddesses about Dan’s family history, and how in the world Sorath got free of the prison Hades locked him in ages ago.

Sorath – our main villain. Possibly the most powerful demon in history, was an eastern european god until the people converted to Christianity, and he was relegated to a dismal existence in the Underworld. Hades tried to make peace, but Sorath raised an army and attacked. Led by the Furies, the hero army smashed Sorath’s attempt to wrest control over the Underworld and was banished to an escape-proof cell in a prison in Tartarus.

Assisted by one of Hade’s daughters, the angst-ridden wanna-be punk Melanoe, Sorath escapes to the surface, and possesses a human, who goes on a serial killing spree to absorb the living energy of young women just as they’re murdered.

Kyle Banks – On the surface, a FBI profiler, who claims he’s been tracking this bizarre serial killer and he thinks whoever killed Brianna is also the serial killer he’s profiling. Except. Kyle IS the serial killer.

[Sydney Burtner]

Charita

START: A low-born village girl becomes an educated artist in the Golden City court, the ward of Queen Vanhi. They spar over Charita’s desire for self-determination until the King’s assassination forces them to run with the infant prince.

MIDDLE: As they seek allies in the Mughal court. Charita agrees to become a spy for the Amir.

ENDING: She makes a dangerous choice that gives her power, money and some autonomy, but she puts herself, the Queen and the Crown Prince on the line.

Charita Edited

Whispers swirl around Charita, a young, independent artist in the (non-Mughal) Golden City court. A dancer and writer, she passionately consumes books, but with her penchant for performing, some accuse her of being tawaif or a Mughal courtesan. The truth: she’s a low-born village girl educated by a mysterious mother. She assumed that, like her mother, she would make her own decisions, but when her father died the reality of being female in the Mughal Empire (circa 1565) slapped her in the face. Societal expectations charged in — but, without asking permission, Charita reinvented herself as an orphaned aristocrat, quickly learning such choices have consequences — even with the favor of Queen Vanhi. But she’ll take intellectual and creative freedom over an arranged marriage.

But when the king, who was like a second father, is assassinated, she’s forced to go on the run with the Queen and the infant crown prince. Driven by vengeance and justice, she searches for a way to create her own power and wealth. The Mughal Amir offers them political asylum if she will spy for the Empire. Queen Vanhi objects, but Charita sees the dangerous assignment as an opportunity. This is her chance to fulfill purpose — and build wealth — while positioning herself to restore the crown prince to the Golden City throne.

___________

Rajendra

START: Raised to be King’s successor, his own father manipulated and betrayed him. His father’s bid for power sent Raj down an evil path landing him prison and, later, exile — but not before he turned the tables. His father was executed for his betrayal. Raj longs for the days when King Abzar esteemed him and believed in him as the future king.

MIDDLE: When King Abzar is assassinated, he returns to claim the throne. A student of his father, Raj knows how to seize power. Fewer people welcome him than expected, and, importantly, the Mughal Empire, which he considered a personal ally is not quick to recognize his authority.

ENDING: Alliances diverge across the Empire as people believe Raj will kill the infant crown prince, like he did the king — but Raj didn’t kill King Abzar. Only Raj and the murder know he’s innocent.

Rajendra Edited:

Raised to be King’s successor, Rajendra’s own father manipulates him, sending him down an evil path. Instead of ensuring his ascension, his acts got him thrown in prison and, later, exile — but not before Raj turned the tables. His father was executed. Raj longs for the days when King Abzar esteemed him. He was often the only one who believed in Raj as successor. An abused child himself, Raj shows empathy for exploited people often winning the admiration of women — or are they seeking to manipulate him?

When King Abzar is assassinated, he returns to claim the throne. Raj learned from his father, and knows how to seize control, surprising many. Fewer people welcome him than he needs to secure power, but he’ll work with it. Importantly, the Mughal Empire, which he considered a personal ally, is slow to recognize his authority. Alliances diverge across the Empire as people believe Raj will kill the infant crown prince, like he did the king — but Raj didn’t kill King Abzar. Only Raj and the murder know he’s innocent.

___________

Veer

START: Highly skilled warrior and leader of soldiers, Veer’s espionage skills are not to be underestimated. He’s got a big secret he wants to share with his best friend, but King Abzar is murdered on his watch. Justice and revenge begin to merge.

MIDDLE: Usurper Rajendra imprisons Veer as a traitor. Many soldiers, now in Raj’s army, are still loyal to Veer, but are killed if they try to help him. His disgruntled ex-lover, Anala (and the only other person who knows his secret), arranges his escape. She helps him rebuild his spy network in Golden City, and extend it to other areas in the Empire, including the Mughal court.

ENDING: Former soldiers, mercenaries and sell-swords follow Veer into the wilderness. No longer a general, he leads an army — but unlike before, he has to pay for it. He’s a man of honor, but will he have to compromise to fund this war? Is this war to support the infant crown prince, or for revenge? Will his secret impact his loyalties?

Veer Edited:

A highly skilled warrior and leader of soldiers, General Veer commands respect. Fiercely loyal to the king, Abzar trusts Veer like family, maybe even more so. It’s not misplaced. Veer would die for him. Yet, Veer’s allegiance is not about honor or duty. They share a connection unknown to Abzar. Veer seeks to reveal their shared blood, but King Abzar is murdered — on his watch. Justice and revenge begin to merge.

This is shock. How did they get past Veer’s formidable security and spy network. Before he can launch an investigation, the usurper, Rajendra, imprisons Veer, labelling him traitor. Many soldiers, now in Raj’s army, are still loyal to Veer, but if they try to help him — they’re killed. Only his aggrieved ex-lover, Anala (and the only other person who knows his secret), can arrange his escape. She helps him rebuild his spy network in Golden City, and extend it to other areas in the Empire, including the Mughal court. Former soldiers, mercenaries and sell-swords follow Veer into the wilderness. No longer a general, yet he leads an army — but unlike before, he has to pay for it. He’s a man of honor, but will he have to compromise to fund this war? Will his secret impact his loyalties? Is this war to support the infant crown prince, or for revenge? Or something else?

[Michael O’Keefe]

Module 2 – Lesson 2: Compelling Character Descriptions – Assignment

Mike – Character Descriptions

What I learned is …again the power in less verbiage, the better. Strategically use action verbs to bring to life the characters in an intriguing and powerful way.

ASSIGNMENT

I. Pull out your BW Framework as source material.

II. Select a main character and answer the following questions:

[1] Who is the character? Caleb Sutherland

[2] Role in the show? A psychically gifted student who leads a group of super-naturals in protecting the helpless discovers the evil they face is the tip of the ice berg.

[2] Noteworthy traits: Caring, empathic, loner, speaks multiple languages, world traveler

[3] Intriguing history: Lived all over the world, owns homes in a dozen different countries but his parents have decided to settle in Colorado for some unknown reason.

[4] Intrigue? Takes special needs classes why, when he clearly doesn’t need to?

[5] Mystery? He doesn’t own a car, but he is everywhere, how?

[6] How do they support or drive the conflict with others? Avoiding his pain, avoiding everyone who knows, Caleb’s penchant for disappearing becomes a way of life for those who get close to him.

[7] Irony — Opposites or paradoxes that exist with the character Caleb tries dozens of times to find Raquel in Shangra La and fails. Victoria gets murdered and Caleb finds her in Shangra La, not Raquel.

[8] Opposing agendas/etc. that naturally causes conflict with other characters

[9] Unpredictable? He is unprepared and ill-equipped to lead an army against the Necromancers who have come to earth to enslave mankind.

[10] Intriguing relationship with one or more characters Charles, Lyderia, and Tiffany.

——————————————————————————-

III. Organize the answers and choose which you are going to use in your description of that character.

4. Sequence the info and write a START, MIDDLE, and END. Write a ROUGH DRAFT of the character description.

Start: Caleb, a psychically-gifted young man having recovered from the tragic death of his beloved, finds himself facing a deadly shadow war and starting up with a school girl – a relationship he is hesitant to embrace, but their love for one another that saves Caleb from certain defeat.

Middle: Will his new-found love for Victoria prove the catalyst needed to galvanize Caleb into leading a group of similarly-gifted individuals into a shadow war with the Necromancers?

End: Discovering the Necromancer’s weakness, Caleb and his forces are able to utilize it to win the initial skirmishes. However, the Necromancers (able to change shape at will) assimilate into society and begin infiltrating governments.

EDITED VERSION

Caleb, a psychically-gifted young man recovering from the tragic death of his girlfriend, finds himself facing a deadly foe in a shadow war, and starting up with the school’s prettiest girl – a relationship he is hesitant to embrace, but one that saves Caleb from certain defeat. His new-found love for Victoria proves the catalyst needed to galvanize him into leading a group of similarly-gifted individuals into a shadowwar with the Necromancers. Discovering their weakness, Caleb’s forces are able to win their initial skirmishes. However, the Necromancers (able to change shape at will) assimilate into society and begin infiltrating governments, forcing the use of Marshall law and guerilla tactics.

[Moses Quainoo]

Moses Quainoo Module 2 – Lesson 2: Compelling Character Descriptions

“What I learned doing this assignment is…?”

ASSIGNMENT

1. Pull out your Old Toms Binge-Worthy Framework as source material.

2. Select a main character and answer the following questions:

Ishey Garfunk

Who is the character? Ishey Garfunk

Role in the show? A stingy Security Officer, who lost a close friend and mentor has to create money for the GoFundMe Old Toms group as his contribution to the funeral.

Noteworthy traits: Astute, Exceptional, Thoughtful.

Intriguing history: Ishey formed an alliance with Brader Hu to b, e his Coach/Trainer to win THE DO WELLS Kung Fu Contest and somehow is yet to reap/lost out to the $6 million prize investment. Where did his share of the money go? Will he allow it to happen a second time around?

Intrigue: Willing to commit a crime, fights with the creators of the GoFundMe group, risk being busted by the Bureau of National Investigations filled with three Old Toms. Will the veterans bust Ishey?

Mystery: Ishey formed an alliance with Brader Hu to be his Kung Fu Coach/ Trainer. How did Ishey lose out on the $6 million dollar prize money which Hu won?

How do they support or drive the conflict with others? Ishey pushes himself, Van Pee, Senakay, Gilly, and other old Toms into dangerous situations.

Irony — Opposites or paradoxes that exist with the character: Makes many dangerous mistakes, is totally unprepared for the GoFundMe world, Became a criminal to protect himself.

Opposing agendas:

Unpredictable: Unpredictable

Intriguing relationship: Gilly, Senakay, Van Pee, and others.

3. Organize the answers and choose which you are going to use in your description of that character.

4. Sequence the info and write a START, MIDDLE, and END. Write a ROUGH DRAFT of the character description.

CHARACTER 1 – ISHEY GARFUNK

START – An avaricious security guard, who would not jeopardize his life for his birthplace for its deficient governance, lost a tight friend and mentor, six thousand miles apart, and yearns to contribute to the memorial service.

MIDDLE – Ishey, an astute, exceptional, and thoughtful security guard believes life can rock but his former classmates see the satire that grooving does not bring money.

But he blew an initial invitation to join the Old Toms GoFundMe group and give them eighty pounds and must rescind avoiding Van Pee and boycott the group to get what he wants.

When he was added to the group, he discerned his peers gossiped and seem inactive. His conception of the $6 million became attainable. He must create money for the group by changing the setup.

With pension time at 67, a decade off, he will commit a crime, involving the creator and group leaders, and risk being caught by the BNI, beneath the retired Old Toms who were ex-servicemen’s watch.

To take care of his old age, wife, and extended family. Ishey will take the risk he longed for, offend a few Old Toms and make hazardous blunders.

END – He recognizes it as the consequence of life.

Edited

An avaricious security guard, Ishey, who would not jeopardize his life for his birthplace for its deficient governance, lost a tight friend and mentor, six thousand miles apart, and yearns to contribute to the memorial service.

Ishey, an astute, exceptional, and thoughtful security guard believes life can rock but his former classmates see the satire that grooving does not bring money.

But Ishey blew an initial invitation to join the Old Toms GoFundMe group and give them eighty pounds and must rescind avoiding Van Pee and boycott the group led by Gilly Selor to get what he wants.

When Ishey is added to the group, he discerns his peers’ gossip, some inactive members, and lacked ideas on the podium. Ishey’s conception of the $6 million of earlier years became attainable. Ishey must create money for the group by changing the setup.

With pension time at 67, a decade off, he will commit a crime, involve Gilly and group leaders, and risk being caught by the retired Old Toms in the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), beneath the ex-servicemen’s watch.

Ishey wants to take care of his old age, wife, and extended family and will take the risk longed overdue, offend any Old Toms and make hazardous blunders.

Ishey recognizes it as the consequence of life.

Continue steps 2 – 4 for each main character.

CHARACTER 2 – GILLY SELOR

START – A retired Agricultural Engineer, whose uncle was executed by Firing Squad by the State, created the GoFundMe Old Toms group to make his classmates one family. He has one purpose in life to make more money in the country than the fifty thousand bank loan he took and was killed for.

MIDDLE –

END –

CHARACTER 3 – FÉLIX SENAKEY

START –

MIDDLE –

END –

• This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by  Moses Quainoo.

[Wayne Petitto]

Wayne’s Character Descriptions

What I learned doing this assignment is a great and reliable way to custom create characters to fit the circumstances, and design circumstances that drive the character transformations desired.

Select a main character and answer the following questions:

Sequence the info and write a START, MIDDLE, and END.

Write a ROUGH DRAFT of the character description.

Repeat for other main characters.

MIKE:
• Who is the character? Role in the show?
Mike is a family oriented, fit, human astronaut, stranded 6.2 lightyears from earth. He’s religious, love his mother and younger sister.
• Noteworthy traits
Mike is highly intelligent, resourceful, honest, and family-oriented, and sensitive.
• Intriguing history
Mike’s father was an astronaut who died in a tragic accident but that only solidified Mikes determination to become an astronaut. After space travel has erased their age difference, Mike intends to peruse his sister’s best friend and raise a family.
• Intrigue? Mystery?
He is extremely intriguing to Desae who saves his life and harbors him from dangers, but he’s an “alien invader” to the hostile authorities.
• How do they support or drive the conflict with others?
Desae must deceive authorities while caring for, harboring, and teaching Mike; while Mike teaches her so much that no one on her planet knows.
• Irony — Opposites or paradoxes that exist with the character
Intended to have a family upon returning to earth, finds himself in a family on another planet.
• Opposing agendas/etc. that naturally causes conflict with other characters
Mike clearly has a language disadvantage, causing serious misunderstandings, while the authorities believe Mike is a scout for alien invaders.
• Unpredictable?
Mike seems unpredictable to Desae and visa versa. He must also remain unpredictable to authorities who pursue him.
• Intriguing relationship with one or more characters
He is indebted to Desae but does not want to endanger her. He wishes to communicate with planet authorities but understands they fear him and intend to incarcerate him.

START: Mike is a family-oriented astronaut who plans to settle down upon return to earth.
MIDDLE: However, he becomes stranded on a strange planet, rescued, nursed to health, and harbored by a peculiar looking humanoid single mother who’d been exiled.
ENDING: After many adventures dodging authorities searching for the alien invader, and retrieving Mike’s onboard AI computer, he falls in love with Desae.

Mike, a family-oriented astronaut becomes stranded on a strange planet, rescued, nursed to health, and harbored by a peculiar looking single mother of a 2-year-old who has been exiled from her own society. After many adventures dodging relentless authorities searching for the alien invader, and retrieving Mike’s onboard AI computer, Mike falls in love with Desae.

DESAE
• Who is the character? Role in the show?
Desae is a humanoid who saves Mikes life and harbors him from authorities, and eventual love interest.
• Noteworthy traits
She’s a pale magenta, stocky body with narrow legs, round head, round eyes spread wide, with a spongy reddish substance instead of hair. Funny looking, but adorable for a physically and emotionally strong independent woman.
• Intriguing history:
She was a member of a secret “Believers” group, not allowed under the atheistic planetary government. Her betrothed and father of Nome, (now 2-years), was killed when a secret meeting was raided by Security Forces. Desae was exiled for having a child out of wedlock.
• Intrigue? Mystery?
She believes in Logard (God), and believes Mike was sent by Logard for her to save and be her helpmate. She had been raised an orphan after both parents had been killed in an ancient war.
• How do they support or drive the conflict with others?
She hides Mike from a relentless pursuit of Security Forces. She and Mike find one another extremely interesting, resulting in an eventual love interest.
• Irony — Opposites or paradoxes that exist with the character
They initially find each other “funny looking,” eventually finding great respect and love for one another.
• Opposing agendas/etc. that naturally causes conflict with other characters
Desae already despises the Security Force leader, Amixmu, and now he’s suspicious that she knows where the alien invader is.
• Unpredictable?
She’s unpredictable to Mike (and the audience) because of the many differences in the cultural practices of her planet, etc.
• Intriguing relationship with one or more characters
Desae does not know that her best friend’s husband, Bendal, had betrayed them by infiltrating the religious group. After getting to know her, his guilt drove him to resign the Security Force, buy a farm, and let Desae work a portion of it for herself. He married her best friend, Yardas, in order to lookout for her.

START: Desae is a single mother of a 2-year-old, subsistence farming on the edge of the society that exiled her.
MIDDLE: She saves Mike, nursed his injuries, and harbors him from authorities as they find each other festinating, informative, and helpful.
ENDING: They dodge authorities retrieve “HAL,” and eventually fall in love, not expecting to be reductively compatible…

Desae is a physically and mentally strong single mother of a 2-year-old, who subsistence farms on the edge of the society that exiled her. She saves Mike, nursed his injuries, and harbors him from authorities while fascination turns slowly to love and they marry, only to be surprised that they are reproductively compatible. (end of season hook)

AMIXMU
• Who is the character? Role in the show?
Amixmu is a fierce and relentless Security Force leader in search of the alien invader.
• Noteworthy traits
He is experienced, cleaver, suspicious, and powerful in the planet’s society.
• Intriguing history:
He was the supervisor of Bendal, who had infiltrated a “religious cult,” leading to the death of Desae’s betrothed.
• Intrigue? Mystery?
Will he find Mike, and what will become of Desae and her son if he does?
• How do they support or drive the conflict with others?
Amixmu is a constant danger suspecting that Desae is under the alien invader’s mind control.
• Irony — Opposites or paradoxes that exist with the character
He tries desperately to serve the planet’s best interest.
• Opposing agendas/etc. that naturally causes conflict with other characters
He must capture and incarcerate the invader, Mike.
• Unpredictable?
They never know what Amixmu is planning, or when he will return.
• Intriguing relationship with one or more characters
Besides being Desae’s neighbor’s former supervisor, he led the raid on the religious meeting and killed Desae’s betrothed

START: Amixmu is a Security force leader who kills Desae’s betrothed leading to her exile.
MIDDLE: Amixmu searches relentlessly for the alien invader, Mike.
ENDING: He shall inevitably capture and interrogate the alien and anyone helping him.

Amixmu is a relentless Security Force leader searching for the “alien scout for an invasion, Mike. He suspects Desae is under the alien’s mind control, intensifying his determination, and making capture and interrogation inevitable.

HAL
• Who is the character? Role in the show?
Mike nicknamed his AI onboard computer, HAL (after the 2001 movie). One of HAL’s important programs was ‘humanoid nature analysis’ which plays a major role in many ways throughout the series.
• Noteworthy traits
HAL mimics humanoid nature for deeper communication with Mike and the planet’s inhabitants, however his decision processes are unhampered by emotion. AAL also mimics voices, male and female.
• Intriguing history:
HAL had the latest and greatest technology available in 2024 when launched, but as an AI is able to improve programing accordingly.
• Intrigue? Mystery?
HAL was taken from the wreckage of Mike’s ship and studied by the planet’s leading computer expert. However not only was HAL not compatible with the planet’s “trigital” (+, 0, -) computing, but HAL disabled all outputs, so it could learn everything possible while revealing nothing.
• How do they support or drive the conflict with others?
HAL becomes more of a conflict resolver in extremely insightful ways. HAL also becomes a tutor for Desae’s son, Nome, and later for their unexpected offspring (Season~4?).
• Irony — Opposites or paradoxes that exist with the character
HAL is sometimes most appropriately expressive because of his understanding of humanoid nature, yet has no actual feelings whatsoever.
• Opposing agendas/etc. that naturally causes conflict with other characters
As much as HAL attempts to resolve any conflicts, HAL’s inability to lie, sometimes causes hurt feelings, unintended conflicts, or untimely reveals.
• Unpredictable?
HAL derives things that no one else knows (including the audience), making him appear unpredictable.
• Intriguing relationship with one or more characters
His primary program is the wellbeing of Mike. From that, derives protection and well being of Mike’s new “family.” HAL also develops an intense professional relationship with the planet’s computer expert, helping to design an even more amazing trigital AI than HAL’s self.

START: HAL is an onboard AI computer, programed for Mike’s wellbeing, technical service, and to analyze humanoid nature.
MIDDLE: After guiding Mike for the most survivable crashlanding site and techniques, he’s taken for analysis by planet’s computer expert but HAL completely stymies him.
ENDING: Although the planet expert corners Mike and Desae, he agrees to keep them secret if they divulge technical information thus they gain an important ally working together.

HAL is an onboard AI computer, programed for Mike’s service and to analyze humanoid nature. HAL’s is taken for analysis, but frustrates the planet’s computer expert until the expert becomes a confidant and ally to Mike and Desae, while HAL becomes an important part of the family.