Tag: character profile

Some midweek fun

I have been experimenting this week with the characters. As an exercise I made some mood boards for the two mains of the story as well as Samael, the villain. Not the same as excerpts, but I thought they might be worth a share.

The girl to whom the world was most unkind. A child chased my loss and sorrows. A woman of steel, polished and sharpened to throw back the light into dark places. The light unquenched.

A soft-hearted warrior who grew up in a world not his own. Kept ignorant of his true identity until it came to assassinate him. The transition to his true home was chaotic. Never-the-less, a warrior doesn’t shrink from a challenge.
Elder sorcerer, swollen with pride. For too long he lived in the shadow of the king, leading the powerful, but useless armies. And why should such power be wasted? Because the king had decided he knows what is best? The strongest should rule. If the king wants the crown again, he’ll have to take it back by force.

Character Profile: Zuriel/Aaron

I have been particularly productive this week, so I wanted to be sure to put some extra content out this week.

One of the things I have been doing, particularly if I get stuck at some point in the story. I try to sit and get to know a character.

So, there is someone I would like to introduce you guys to. The character who I consider to be the main of The Shadow of Vale, though arguably Aila could be said to be the main.

Name: At birth he is given the name Zuriel by his mother. Vale isn’t a world where last names are a thing. When he is taken to Earth, he is given the name Aaron Albright.

Physical Description: He is average height, 5′10″.  He is about 180 lbs, fit.  Before coming into his powers he has light brown hair, grey eyes.  He has a scar on his chin from a bike accident in his childhood.  When he comes into power (when his power is unlocked, he is basically human until this happens), his hair becomes black and his eyes a bright green. 

Backstory: Aaron was adopted as a child.  He has no idea that he isn’t human, or that his best friend, Ray Smith [actually named Halvar], isn’t either.  While he carries a certain amount of insecurity stemming from knowing he was abandoned as a child, his adopted family did a lot to help him grow into a man of good character.

Social life: He isn’t a big fan of large groups of people.  He would rather be home with a few select friends than out at a party.  He doesn’t have more than a few friends, he mostly spends time with his best friend and house mate Ray.  He has had girlfriends before he meets the woman he is dating when introduced as an adult (Rachel). Tends to fall harder than the girl.

Interests: He likes to learn things.  He bounces between jobs largely because once he gets a handle on it, he gets bored and wants to learn something new.  He likes problem solving.  He likes to know how things work together.  He enjoys reading, especially fantasy and adventure stories.  He likes puzzles and card games. 

Other stuff: Aaron has always felt a little out of place.  He knows he is capable, talented, and a quick learner, but doesn’t feel that anything he applies himself to is worthwhile.  

He is a romantic.

He has a sacrificial heart, willing to do anything for the people he cares about.