Ask my character “How do you feel about ______?” Can be an idea, person(s), place, or thing, and they’ll have to answer honestly.
It’s always both relieving and distressing to meet a fellow countryman in a place like this. I appreciate that he took the time to help with sir Oscar’s funeral pyre, even if it still seems a tad odd to hold one for the hollowed.
He appears to be trustable enough so far, despite his… oddities.
…Unless he’s expected to sing.
I can’t help but wonder how long he’s been here though. His choices on some matters seem… questionable.
☄:A doubt you have about your writing[I am bland and mundane often.]➸:Something you like about your fandom[The writing skills of this fandom are levels above what I have seen for the majority of other fandoms. People here thrive on writing without the crutch of visual aid and icons. Not to say they aren’t used here but I have tried to interact with other fandoms and all I usually is is two subpar sentences with an icon.This RP community/fandom is fantastic when it comes to writing.]♈:An argument/topic that you could debate all day [Dusk and Beatrice shennanigans being tied together via the Abyss.]☮:Something you’re confident about with your writing[Smut. I can write sex well. I hope.]
I officially gave up on trying to figure out the pattern on the crown. Anyway, this one took a lot of thinking and effort, because a big part of Gwyndolin’s look is his outfit and not his look.
If you want to see me desperately scramble my brain for memory of all that pretentious symbolism I’m such a sucker for, it’ll be below the readmore.
The first thing I noted about Gwyndolin’s design notes was the mention of Gwyndolin’s worshipers striving for a specific image of beauty; the maiden dancing in the moonlight. As such, I decided I wanted to play a bit with the idea of an outfit who’s general shape would have some character when doing exactly that. Noteably, I wanted vastly different silhouettes between the dancing and the standing Gwyndolin, as illustrated here by lazily editing royalty free cliparts because fuck off I’m not doing action poses for the sake of brief example at 8 in the morning:
The dancing Gwyndolin. The gwyndolin reveling in the moonlight and his own identity. The cloth is showy and flowy, with all the little tassels flowing about to give the frame a frivolous touch. There is energy and joy in the form of self expression. This is the image that his moon-worshippers are instructed to strive for and express in his honor.
The standing Gwyndolin. The Gwyndolin that holds the posture his dad told him to have. Obedient. The cloth lays down over his frame to create something... formless. It is a universal none-figure, only just enough to make out something humanoid, but not enough to tell what kind of creature it is. It’s played as an eerie figure in many works of fiction because it’s so none-saying that it could just s well turn out to be a ghost or a monster or something else terrible and unknown. In short, it is devoid of any sort of identity. This is the form Gwyndolin would have in his daily life around the palace, and the frame all of the other divines recognized him by.
Both frames are the same dress, but expressed with different attitudes, however we only ever got to see one of them expressed. The potential is there, but the permission and self confidence to act out is not. The potential simply lingers in the silk, like a hidden wish that’s never going to be granted.
The other thing I noted was the contrast between the components of Gwyndolin’s outfit.
There seems to be two major themes in the outfit. The white, soft, silken material that creates the dress and shawl - and the heavy golden jewelry.
The pale soft cloth seems like an obvious reference to moonlight and Gwyndolin’s moon aspect. Notably, the material itself is also what looks most comfortable on him. It’s soft and loose-fitted and it matched his hair and skin in colour.
Meanwhile, the heavy, golden, glamorous bling seem much more cumbersome and centered around sun and regal themes.
That crown especially seems ridiculously over-sized and heavy, like the responsibility is weighing down on his head and covering his eyes. Another thing I noticed is that the neck jewelry seems to be an arrangement of a collar and chains. There are wings on it, but they seem heavy and slouched - not particularly liberating in any case.
I could be analyzing wrong, but I thought the idea of the cloth representing the moon and the jewelry representing the sun (and Gwyn’s influence on him) was neat so I decided to incorporate it.
A young Gwyndo wouldn’t have been crowned and given the authority of “retaining the sun” yet, so I decided to exchange the sunny spikey parts for something else, but I wanted to retain the weight and discomforting feel of it. As such, the “crown” and bracelets were designed with shackles in mind, heavily weighing down on the silk to keep it flying around freely. The veil, for instance, is held entirely in place by an especially heavy and glorified shackle. Meanwhile the necklace is a direct reference to Gwyndolin’s back-wings.
As for the clothing items themselves, I decided early on to give him a veil - in part because both he and his sister has one, but also in part as a way to hide away his face from the world - and covering much more of it than the crown does. The jewelry adorned after he gained his own authority. I also liked the imagery of grieving women, as if the child carries around a sense of tragedy in his wake.
sunlight-solaire was also kind enough to point out the borderline ghostly imagery going on. As if something silent and ominous, yet not quite there is walking the halls. Something that’s best ignored when possible. Nothing’s imperfect wrong here. That sound was just the wind.
The dress itself is a mixed inspiration of the gown medieval children (of both genders) would wear until they were around 7, and some inspirations from old designs of princess Zelda. The sleeves and folds on the dress though, are made to be loose and roomy like the original design, but with the image of curtains in mind.
I know Gwyndolin has his snakes on display in the game, but this is when he’s in charge and the snakes are fucking long at the time. I could imagine him being required to hide them away as much as possible when he was younger. Thus the snakes and face are both hidden away by the veil and the skirt. As if there was a curtain pulled on the individual parts of Gwyndolin’s appearance. To hide it away behind the soft feminine image tailor-suited to him by his father.
Originally, I was gonna have the veil be mildly see-through, but then it started looking uncomfortably like a wedding-veil, and that’s terrible. This is much better for hiding the face anyway though, so I’m happy. As well, I like to think the overall look I ended up with seems to fit in very well with the maiden imagery Dark Souls have presented so far.. minus the ridiculously oversized shackles.
Because while it’s not the responsibility of a crown just yet, it’s still an enormous weight hanging down on his head.
I’m sure there were more things or better way to put all this but I am sleep deprived so I will go for now. Later ya’ll, and sorry, but the other kid requests are not gonna get nearly as much attention.
“It’s rightly distressing. I don’t think anyone is supposed to cope with these changes as well as you do. Perhaps your openness to these changes is what landed us in this mess to begin with! I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if that were the case.” Ava replied, setting herself down on the bed heavily, the weight of her armor causing it to creak slightly.
“Of course, where do we even begin with finding a grey mage? They aren’t exactly known for their… constancy.”
“Well, if I am remembering correctly, one of the said something along the lines of seeing you as a woman and myself as a man while conducting our private affairs.” Jenessa shrugged and stood, sighing as she stretched out. “Kind of an empty thing to want but that’s how they are nonetheless. You can’t help them grow out of the mindset.”
“What do you intend to do until the curse passes? Hide from the world for a week and then emerge when it benefits you?”
aven-of-astora
The shining sun overhead did little to sooth Vincent’s mind and nerves. In truth, nothing would comfort him at this hour. Everything felt so confusing as he stumbled through the rotten, dead forest that surrounded him; even his name was nothing more than a hint graced to him by the gods. He was running from people who wished to capture him, but he was not entirely sure why--aside from the obvious, of course. He didn’t want to be thrown into a jail cell or killed, much less when he was almost positive he’d done nothing wrong... Almost...
He shook these thoughts from his mind and turned to keep walking, trying to recall what had led him to this point in time. Memories--what he assumed were his memories--flittered in and out of his mind in a dizzying sort of way, never allowing him to see more than a few brief glances at a time. Were they even memories? Or were they just dreams? Or simply nothing at all; nothing but his mind trying to piece together his life and creation fake memories to do so...
He didn’t have time to wonder anymore; armed with little more than a simple straight sword, he gasped and whirled around to face the sound of a twig breaking nearby, clutching the weapon in both hands, ready to strike.
"Well… it’s obvious that we’re of same profession." He started with a sigh. He had a feeling this was going to end in a lecture on the state of his own armor. "His steel is better taken care of than mine, but also looks more used. There’s many small marks and scratches from various abuse, despite the polishing."
There was quite a lot of them actually… even his seniors didn’t tend to have this many marks on their steel, lest theirs was inherited. Where had he been that would see so many attacks? They couldn’t ALL be from Lordran. Perhaps he could ask about them later, it was quite astounding actually.
"Despite it all there is some wear on his surcoat that indicates travel and being subjected to the weather… Likely from the way here."
He took a moment to think back on his own trip here. The attack, the transport, the treatment… and the long, slow, painful time spent in that cell afterwards. Staring at helmets much like that one…
He coughed.
"Either way… his mannerisms clearly indicate he’s from somewhere further inland, and I*m fairly certain I have seen the crest on his shield somewhere before… His speech and mannerisms also carry many noble tells. He’s likely from one of the older families further from the border. I’d also guess he’s been in the military for a while from how quickly he falls into posture and how he reacted to a risky situation.
I only saw part of his face before, however, so determining anything on his age or scarrings is beyond me at the time.”
☼ Personality
"…Strangely excitable for such a disciplined person." He thought back to their initial conversation, his he was first seen on the ruined walls and his weirdly energetic approach. "Though he may just have been happy to see another of the order. If he’s been here for a while, I suppose that would be natural.
Apart from that, he seems fairly well trained and thoughtful, though I do not have much to go from. Rather adamant in his views, however, going so far as to argue with me on the fate of sir Oscar’s cloth… at least his intentions were noble enough. Though I could do without the lectures.”
He grimaced, remembering what happened soon after they came to a conclusion. “…It’s clear to tell he’s an inland knight.” He mumbled, a light chill running down his spine at the thought of Aven just up and laying his hands on him like that.
What was it with inland knights and being so bloody touchy?
He tried to banish the highly uncomfortable memory.
"…Then there’s his thing with ducks…" What… what was that anyway? Ducks? Where did they even come from? Not to mention what was with the armor and weaponry? “…Why in the world would he dress them up like that? And in steel no less, how did he even get something that expensive for ducks?”
…He could only wonder if the man had been in Lordran somewhat longer than he’d first assumed. After all hollowing had a tendency to make you a little batty, if the violent environment did not.
✉ Intelligence
"I can’t say I know much of him yet, but he seemed to have some understanding of human nature and knew how to argue his case. I would assume he’s educated too, being from higher birth."
☠ Battle Prowess
"Anyone appointed to the position of elite are bound to be impressive on the battlefield. That’s the entire point. However I’ve yet to see him for myself in combat, so it is rather hard to compare us. The crest and surcoat is enough assurance that he is a worthy ally in battle, however."
♥ Romantic Potential
"Don’t be ridiculous. Even if our social standings are closer together than some of the other ridiculous suggestions you people have given me-” he scoffed. Couldn’t these grey ones just leave his lovelife be? Honestly. “-We are colleagues. Not to mention even if we are more similar in status, we could still be miles apart for such a thing to be acceptable in any way. There’d be no way of ensuring heirs - considering we are both. Men. - and overall the entire thing would be a breach of code, norm and integrity.
For flame’s sake, even if it wasn’t horribly inappropriate I’ve barely met the man!”
✘ Secrets
"…I suppose most things about him are unknown to me at this point. There has not been much chance for us to talk as of yet."
The state of his armor and his surprise at how Astora handled the undead, though… Curious. Hopefully they would have time to discuss it later.
☯ Decisions
"Cannot claim to know much of the man’s life, although I can understand his choice of profession." He chuckled dryly. "…In any case, I can respect his insistance on giving the late sir Oscar a proper burial, even if it seems like an empty gesture given the state of things. From what little I saw, he was a man deserving of respect - it’s only natural to want to express that somehow.
