#character development abc

[empire-at-war]

N is for Near-death experiences

Character development ABC

Sarian had one of these big life changing near-death experiences on Tatooine.

He grew up as the heir of a powerful pureblood Sith family and was everything you'd expect from such a Sith Lord: cruel, ruthless, vicious, cunning…. One day his quest for more power led him to Tatooine, where he was abandoned by his men in the desert, wandered around for days almost dying of thirst, encountered a force apparition, had a revelation about the death of his father and the true nature of the force. This was the moment he started believing in the light side too, that true power lies in keeping the dark and light side in balance.

Not everybody has been profoundly changed by their near death experience. Starv had one of those too (when he got the scar on his throat hunting down a renegade Sith) and I think all it did was giving him a new kink (or rather making him admit he was really into being choked).

[empire-at-war]

M is for Money

Character development ABC

Some of my characters grew up in rich families, others often went hungry when they were kids. Their attitude towards money doesn't always depend on their past, however.

Vic grew up on the streets and had to start fighting for himself early in life. Making credits has always been one of his main motivations in life, it's also why he doesn't shy away from the ugly jobs as long as the pay is good. Having money means being independent, free and never out of ammo. He is quite meticulous when it comes to calculating his monthly budget and he's also quite stingy. He really doesn't like spending money on unnecessary stuff (like cushions for the chairs on his ship).

Varlock grew up a slave and had a similarly rough childhood. As opposed to Vic he now loves a far more luxurious lifestyle. He enjoys the power and privilege that came with becoming a Sith... and the money too. It still gives him pleasure to buy stuff and decorate his luxurious penthouse on Dromund Kaas (with things he considers pretty... which varies from skulls and preserved specimens to Sith artifacts and ugly marble statues).

[empire-at-war]

L is for Loyalty

Character development ABC

There's no question that Starv's loyalty belongs to the Empire, is there? He would do ANYTHING for the (in his eyes) greater good. He'd sacrifice his own life for the cause, commit horrible crimes, even kill his friends if he had to. Most of my other characters would probably put their loved ones first when asked about their loyalties.

With the Jedi it's a bit difficult. Kadreth's loyalty belongs primarily to the Jedi Order, whereas Silvass and Mo's teaching has them strive for complete impartiality. You could say that they are primarily loyal to their teaching, according to which it's of utmost importance that love and caring for others is unconditional as well as impartial (love is not problematic for a Jedi. loving someone more than others, however, is).

[empire-at-war]

K is for kinks

Character development ABC

I spend way too much time thinking about why my characters are into some things.

Kaliko for example has a thing for older men (her daddy issues make a lot of sense if you consider that her own father abandoned her) and Shavi has a high heel fetish (and a complex about his height in general).

And then there's Starv, my kinky, grumpy son.

He's a service-oriented sub and prefers being praised to getting punished, though he doesn't mind the pain if his partner is into that. He's a proud Chiss, and being humiliated is what really does it for him. He's under a lot of pressure in his job, so submitting to someone else, giving someone else so much control over himself is a huge turn on too.

[empire-at-war]

J is for Jealousy

Character development ABC

None of my characters are particularly prone to fits of jealousy. Perhaps it's because I personally dislike possessiveness and displays of jealousy, but perhaps it's also because most of them don't really let people get close enough for that (I'm looking at you, Vic!). My character isusually the one who walks out on a relationship, not the one who's afraid of being walked out on and getting hurt.

The most likely to get jealous (in moderation) are probably Tal and Julien, especially in their younger years.

And then there’s Silvass, who is struggling with the very concept of jealousy. While he has always attracted a lot of jealousy, the concept has always eluded him. He just doesn't GET it.

[empire-at-war]

H is for Honor

Character development ABC

Most of my characters think this “honor” thing is a stupid concept that will only get you in trouble or worse.

Starv thinks it's nice for people to be respectable and treat others with honor, but he himself doesn't have the luxury. As imperial agent he can't afford being good, someone has to do the dirty work for the Empire after all.

Sarvis is the only one who follows a strict code of honor. As long as she considers you a worthy opponent (and only then) she will treat you fairly and with honor, for example grant a dying enemy a last wish or even spare your life if you impressed her.

[empire-at-war]

G is for Guilt

Character development ABC

Starv actually has a functioning moral compass. He understands that the things he does in his job are often morally dubious if not outright wrong, but he still forces himself to do what has to be done (in his eyes). He still feels guilty for a lot of things he's done, even if the intensity of the emotion has dulled over the years, but it will not entirely fade. At the same time however, Starv takes great pride in being able to discipline himself like that and do the job regardless of his own morals.

Tal still feels guilty because he wasn't able to save his family. He blames himself for the murder of his wife and son by the hands of a rivaling crime syndicate. He never talks about it, not even with Anne. His guilt about their deaths has long been part of his life... you could say it has even become part of Tal himself, not just tormenting him but also driving him forward, motivating him to be harder on himself and ultimately making him stronger and more successful.

[empire-at-war]

F if for Friendship

Character development ABC

Starv and Shavi are unlikely friends. They are so different, one so serious and quiet, the other so talkative and flippant... but opposites attract, don't they? And beneath the surface they do have a few things in common, for example they both left home when they were still young, left everything behind to follow their dream, and both sometimes feel a little lonely. Shavi admires how successfully and single-mindedly Starv pursues his goals, and I think Strav admires envies how carefree Shavi can be.

Vic has a lot of buddies and acquaintances, but few (if any) real friends. It's typical for him to keep a relationship (romantic or platonic doesn't matter) lighthearted, fun and undemanding. As soon as things get serious he'll back off, trying to get some distance between himself and that person.