Continuing with this concept development for the worldbuilding idea I’ve been working on this week: Binu! Character bio below the cut.
Binu is easily the character who I’ve thought the most about, since I’ve played a version of them in a D&D campaign for the better part of 2 years now. I think in the context of a narrative set in this world, Binu would be a primary protagonist.
So Binu is type of seer called a "Witness", meaning they have the ability to see imminent events in their vicinity just before they happen and can intervene accordingly. It’s essentially an extreme case of constant déjà vu, combined with superhuman reflexes. This is a skill that the kingdom treats with extreme caution (and prejudice) because a Witness has an inherent advantage in combat — and is near impossible to counter or defend against. So, the kingdom has a centuries-long policy to identify every Witness from birth, remove them from their parents, and enlist them in the military under the rationale that they will be conditioned into becoming assets for the kingdom — instead of potential threats. The stronger the ability of a Witness, the riskier the missions they are assigned.
Binu’s skill level was such that they were often put on the front lines in several battles — and assigned multiple would-be suicide missions — all through their adolescence. Having survived against all odds, Binu has been raised to a post in the Royal Guard and is the newest member of the Court of Eyes. The Queen harbors hope that Binu will finally break the dying streak of past Witnesses in the Court. Considering Binu’s fellow soldiers have secretly nicknamed them "Binu the Immortal", the odds are good.
But Binu is very, very mortal. For every bullet they dodge, they do get grazed or hit by plenty of others, just barely managing to avoid a wound to a vital organ each time. Their lifetime as a child soldier has left them paranoid and hypervigilant, so unlike any other Witness in history, Binu forcefully maintains constant foresight every second of every day — even when they sleep. The impact of constant déjà vu layered with PTSD means that Binu has developed chronic migraines and sensory intolerances, particularly to sound; the sound of their own voice in particular creates a terrible reverberating echo in their mind. So these days, Binu is largely silent, and almost all communication is done through sign language. They’re often seen with a scowl, but it’s not that they’re in a bad mood — they’re either scouring the imminent future for threats, or they simply are fighting off another migraine.
Binu is of average height but is physically powerful and swift. They hide many battle scars under their robes, but they have a couple reminders of past close calls marking their face as well. They have silvery-white hair partially shaved on one side and pulled into a half-ponytail, and they often wear protective armor under their robes despite spending most days in the palace. After over 10 years of gunfire, Binu prefers the simple quarterstaff for combat instead of bullets — but is no less lethal for it. Binu’s forehead bears a white, 3-dot mark, tattooed from childhood as part of the kingdom’s policy to identify any Witness on sight.
Despite the intense physicality of their upbringing and abilities, Binu is quite passive in their personal life. New to the world of monarchs and politics, they take great interest in the lives of others, and they like to observe the activities and relationships between their friends and allies. They want to learn what makes people tick. Binu is slow to make friends, and even slower to confide their struggles. But those whom they trust, they protect fiercely — far beyond mortal limits. It takes some time and a few close calls, but after the Court experiences Binu’s talents firsthand, their presence in the room sets all at ease with the knowledge that they are safe and secure.
Binu is easily the best cook. They can throw down.
