So I really wanted a character relationship chart, and there wasn't any that were transparent. So I made my own with almost all the characters that have been given
We have the Main boys
Staff
Ramshackle group/special guests
RSA
Event characters
Family characters
As more characters come out I will add more/change their chart!
This is free to use! No credit is needed, just don't remove watermark in corner!
“Shadow…look. I don’t trust many people. I respect even fewer. You…are special. So much so I feel compelled to admit it […].
Be careful, here at the end of it all, okay? And if you need someone after it’s all said and done, I’m here for you.”
— Rouge, from Sonic X Shadow: Generations
a highly customizable, simplistic but detailed notion template for writing and creating characters' relationships & dynamics based on curated writer advice. perfect for exploring a character's growth through others while keeping their information aesthetically-pleasing to look at. use this both as a template and a guide to develop your characters' dynamics while working on your wips! made to guarantee higher muse and motivation to finish works-in-progress. to download / copy, click “duplicate” top-right to copy it to your notion.
features:
overview of all characters for a wip (including their personality and physical traits)
dynamically synced relations tracker
duplicatable section for start, middle, and end of a character dynamic
tag systems and pre-filled options
please like / reblog if you’re using or interested in using it!
Here's what I have for my Private School au so far
(holy yap warning, this is like 10,000 words long)
Cookie Academy
What is the Cookie Academy?
Cookie Academy is the most prestigious school in all of Earthbreads. It's six divisions representing the 6 kingdoms of Crispia. Cookies from all over struggle for a spot in the Cookie Alliance, a special scholarship offered to six candidates, each belonging to one division. Each royal family also has a guaranteed spot for any royal child wish to attend (for political reasons).
Divisions:
● Vanilla Divison - Healing and Magic (Blue and Yellow)
● Cheese Division - Technology (Gold and Green)
● Cacao Division - Protection (Purple and Black)
● Faerie Division - Archive and Research (White and Silver)
● Berry Division - Exploration (Pink and Red)
● Cinnamon Division - The arts (Brown and Orange)
Vanilla Division - The keepers of peace and masters of magic
The Vanilla division is where Earthbread's healers and mages come to learn and hone their skills. The halls are covered in the comforting shades of yellow and blue that the Vanilla Kingdom are known for, as well as the wafer patterns found throughout the building. Students from this division are mainly White magic users, but as of recent, new magics such as coffee and dessert magic have made their way in.
Cheese Division - The computer geeks (still cooler than you tho)
Through their halls of gold and green glitter, the Cheese Division is where Earthbread's finest in technology come to push themselves into a world coding and digital creation. Often inventing things that could never be found anywhere outside the school (except maybe the Cheese kingdom), these students are some of the most innovative minds in the world, sometimes rivaling students from the Vanilla Division, even with their lack of magic.
Cacao Division - the Protectors of Earthbread
After years in solitude, the Cacao Division was the last Division to be created. The war (which no one but the Cacaoians really talk about), inspired the kingdom to join the alliance and teach cookies how to protect their kingdoms and Earthbread as a whole. While still on the small side for student body, these cookies are proud of their cultures and happy to share their customs with others (well, those who can handle the bitterness anyways).
Faerie Division - Keepers of scrolls
The only reason the Lily Division is as big as it is, is because it also triples as the lab and library of the school. There are actually very few students that belong solely to the Lily Division, as most just use it for research they need in other Divisions. The students here vary the most of any other Division, only rivaled by the Cinnamon Division. Students of any kind have access to the Great Archive, where the history of all of Earthbread is now kept.
Berry Division - Adventure ahoy!
If you notice a student constantly missing, they're probably in the Berry Division or really sick. This mixed bag of adventurers and researchers with a bit of free time is how the Lily Division managed to get most of its information. Students in this Division are always looking for something fun to do, and are basically part of the landscape at this point with how much they stay outside. Be wary of your drinks though, cause this batch of cookies love to stay hydrated.
Cinnamon Division - the home of Self-expression
With three parties every week, the Cinnamon Division is known for the constant celebration, similar to life in the Cinnamon Kingdom. Cookies if this Division are in a constant cycle of art and celebration, which some would disagree with, but not them. Students are encouraged to make works that inspire them, and inspire others. And they're always looking for new ways to turn what they love into a new piece, even if it's not traditionally seen in that light.
Pure Vanilla Cookie - Prince of the Vanilla Kingdom
Pure Vanilla has always had a nack for White magic, especially for healing, so much so he learned almost everything about before the age of 15. So when he was told he got to go to the Cookie Academy for his final years of study, he was ecstatic. Don't get him wrong, he loves his home, but he can barely remember the last time he got to go any further than the woods surround the kingdom. He's ready for a year of making new friends, see new places, and learning as much as he can before he has to go back home and start preparing for his coronation.
Shadow Milk Cookie - Son of the Milk Witch
Shadow Milk only came here for the sake of proving he could get in Cookie Alliance (not that anyone would doubt him as the son of First Milk Cookie). With his vast control over the arcane, he's certain to blow everyone away with his magical prowess. At least that was the plan before he realized he'll be having some competition for the spotlight, namely being the prince of the Vanilla Kingdom himself. Not a problem for Shadow Milk though, he won't let some royal nepobaby steal his show (*cough* hypocrite *cough*)
Golden Cheese Cookie - Princess of the Cheese Kingdom
Golden Cheese has been ready to take over as Queen for ages, instead she finds herself being whisked away to the Cookie Academy by her father. Who said, and she quotes, "you need to learn their is more to being a leader than being bright." She'd never speak ill of her dad, but spouting such nonsense must be proof of something. But either way, she's now stuck at the academy for the year, where she hopes to figure out whatever her father was yapping about.
Burning Spice Cookie - Child of the Circus
Burning Spice has always been traveling, not as an entertainer, but as a permanent audience for his family's circus, slowly losing interest in watching the same tricks over and over. But when he's mother reveals the acceptance letter from the Cookie Alliance, he's not sure what to feel. This is his chance to find himself, or at least that's what his mom said. A good change of pace, he can only hope it doesn't turn out to be a flop.
Dark Cacao - Prince of the Cacao Kingdom
When the King and Queen of the Cacao kingdom told their son that he was spending a year at the prestigious Cookie Academy, his only response was how it would affect his training scheduel. Dark Cacao has always been a stickler for routine, only changing it when absolutely necessary, so having to create a whole new one for a year doesn't seem worth the hustle, especially when he could just have tutors at the palace. His pretty valid arguments are ignored, so now he has to deal with a whole lot of new stuff. What he wouldn't give to be back in the snowy mountains.
Mystic Flour Cookie - Daughter of a Wishmaker
Mystic Flour has never cared for much, which often disturbs people as they view her as ungrateful for what she has. This only gets worse when she gets into the Cookie Alliance. She didn't even mean to get in, just thought it would be an interesting way to pass time as she waits for the inevitable. After basically being pushed on to the campus by her little brother, she has no choice but to stay the year. Or at least a week, but who knows with her.
White Lily Cookie - Princess of the Faerie Kingdom.
Though technically not part of Crispia, the Faerie Kingdom is still part of the Cookie Academy, in fact it was the second kingdom to join. Now it's adopted princess gets to attend (has been for the last 3 years), getting lost in school's Faerie Division (literally and figuratively). She may be mostly here for the lab and books, but she's still loves the school as a whole, and is usually very active in some of the events that are hosted school-wide.
Silent Salt Cookie - The Disabled Orphan
Silent Salt has been looked down upon his entire life, due to being mute, deaf, and an orphan. But there has always been one cookie that believed in him, and when this cookie encourages him to apply to the Cookie Alliance, he does everything he can to get in. His hard work seems to pay off as he finds himself on the school's campus soon enough. This is his chance to prove to Earthbread that he is more than his disabilities, and take a stand for every cookie who's been disregarded and looked down upon unjustly.
Holly Berry Cookie - Princess of the Berry Kingdom (I know it's supposed to be Hollyberry like one word, but please bear with me)
Most adventurous and inpulsive royal to ever walk Earthbread, here comes Holly Berry. After finding out that she has been secretly attending Cookie Academy, the royal family somehow allow her to attend for her senior year (before facing massive punishment of course). Holly Berry is so ready for the last year, and the amazing parties it will bring.
Eternal Sugar Cookie - Sole believer of true Happiness
Eternal Sugar hadn't meant to go to, but she had to at least try if she was going to give her twin such a long speech about it. And she's glad she did, when she finds the most interesting berry cookie she's ever since walk past her on orientation day. This is going to be the happiest year of her life, and she just can't wait to get started.
Warm Cinnamon - 2nd Princess of the Cinnamon Kingdom
Ruling was never something Warm Cinnamon was meant to do, so while her older sister was studying to take over as Queen, she was mastering the arts in the Cinnamon Division at Cookie Academy (as to not get in the way of the heir and distract her). Warm Cinnamon is just glad she gets to stay in her kingdom once the year is over, she hasn't seen her sister in ages. But tragedy always sticks when we least expect it, and Warm Cinnamon finds herself hoping the year never ends.
Bitter Butter - Walking Second place Ribbon
When *The* Shadow Milk Cookie is your brother, you quickly learn that there isn't enough room in the spotlight for both of you, and if there is, it's blind you before you even get the chance to embrace it. Which is why instead of applying for the same Division as him and give up all chances of going to their dream school, they sign up for something else,and by some miracle, manage to get in. Now is Bitter Butter chance to find out if they were made for the spotlight, or to stand backstage and simply admire the show for a far.
Character Relationships:
Pure Vanila
Shadow Milk
Warm Cinnamon
Bitter Butter
(These are all I have so far, may or may not make more after sleeping a few hours)
Arguably one of the most well-loved tropes in media, for good reason. The dynamic where one character is perpetually cynical, stoic, or irritable while the other is warm, cheerful, and outgoing often makes for good banter and conflict, and it's satisfying to watch the grumpy character's reluctance develop into the relationship as they warm up to the other. But it's important to do it well. Here are some tips.
The Appeal
What makes this trope work?
Contrast = Chemistry
The clashing personalities creates tension as well as opportunities for banter, which adds to the chemistry between the characters; and their differences and areas of disagreement force them both to grow and adapt for the sake of the other.
Vulnerability
As their relationship develops, you'll often see the sunshine character helping the grumpy character to confront their emotional walls, whether by pushing them or when they come down on their own over time as they grow closer to each other. This also leads to the grumpy character softening around the sunshine character.
Humour
This whole dynamic naturally comes with its own comedic situations—whether that be witty retorts, misunderstandings, or the sunshine character's relentless attempts to brighten the grumpy character up.
Dos and Don'ts
Do:
Give them depth. Have reasons for their respective personalities, motivations, goals, who they avoid, how they act around new people—the grumpy character's personality, for example, aside from just being a part of their character, might also have elements that stem from past trauma or a fear of vulnerability, amongst other things. Avoid making them one-dimensional, like just making the grumpy character a jerk and the sunshine character obnoxiously naïve.
Show mutual growth. As their relationship develops, both characters should influence the other in various ways. An obvious example of this would be the sunshine character learning boundaries or resilience, and the grumpy character being able to open up more.
Balance their dynamic. Make the relationship feel like partnership rather than a one-sided emotional rescue mission. Both characters should be contributing to and benefiting from the relationship.
Build it up gradually. A slow burn typically works best with this trope. Let their relationship develop over time, give them reasons to connect and bond and grow. This will make the eventual payoff more satisfying for the reader.
Have balance. Make each character complement the other without dominating the narrative. They should feel like a team rather than one character "fixing" the other.
Create situations that force interaction. Whether they’re co-workers, roommates, or trapped together somewhere, proximity is key to fostering their dynamic, essentially forcing it when their personalities naturally go against each other.
Don't:
Make the sunshine character a doormat. Don't let them exist solely for the purpose of catering to the grumpy character's needs and pushing them for growth—give them agency, independence, and their own goals and motivations.
Have one-sided growth. It’s not just about the sunshine character "fixing" the grumpy character; both should influence and challenge each other.
Overuse miscommunication. Misunderstandings happen in relationships, and likely more when the characters' personalities contrast so drastically, but constant misunderstandings and miscommunication can frustrate readers. Try to use it more sparingly and don't drag out the resolution for conflict that is petty or largely unimportant to the overall plot.
Make the dynamic toxic. Unless this is your intention, of course, but if you're trying to develop a healthy and lovable romance, keep in mind that grumpy doesn't mean cruel. The grumpy character might have certain reservations or personality quirks, but being stoic or unapproachable doesn't inherently equate to being emotionally abusive.
Oversimplify the sunshine character. Cheerful and outgoing shouldn't automatically mean being naïve or oblivious. The sunshine character should be complex in their own right, and capable of experiencing a range of emotions, both positive and negative.
Make the sunshine character too overbearing. A sunshine character who ignores boundaries or forces positivity onto the grump can come across as irritating and socially inept rather than endearing.
Overdone?
Some things are overdone and everyone's tired of them; others are overdone because no one gets tired of them. So:
Overdone, unfortunately:
Unexplained 180: The grumpy character changes overnight with no believable arc.
"You’re the only one who gets me": While sweet in moderation, it can feel contrived if the sunshine character magically understands the grump without effort.
Damsel in distress: Turning the sunshine character into a helpless figure who needs constant saving undermines their strength.
Overdone, but please continue:
Forced proximity: Setups like this are cliché but effective when done well, and fun to read.
Grumpy protects sunshine: The grumpy character reluctantly stepping up to shield the sunshine character is not only adorable but leads to deeper emotional connections.
Soft spot: The grumpy character's’s hidden affection for the sunshine character always lands well if subtle.
I think one thing about Calliope that is a bit tragic is that her dad did not want to make weapons per se. He wanted to make cool stuff to help people. And Calliope was a lot more into the technical challenge to her intellect to care all that much what she made at first, but now... now she makes traps and things to hurt people, but her passion is in the little communication fishes, in immobilizing and blinding traps rather than killing ones. In doing good with her skills to make up for all the horrible things that went down and she maybe blames herself a little for. She *relishes* in the challenge to build something good, something that is designed solely to help someone, that will make people *happy*. This wasn't just her being nice to Thaleia, this was her atoning for all the soldiers she had to hurt. At least in my understanding. Also her trying to be a good friend to MC, but I think this was as much a healing experience for her as it is for mom and our MCs whole family. She is EXCITED for this invention. As passionate as she was when she explained the fishies. Her attitude to the traps and everything hurtful is markedly more pragmatic and detached and technical, but the excited bubbly passion is reserved for the good stuff. I love that.
As well as Vicente covering for her in the battle. Also probably as some sort of atoning. So her soft heart does not get her killed before they can apologize.
Since Vicente gave Corinne the information about Calliope and her dad, they probably felt somewhat responsible for being involved in this from the start.
SO. basically I just wanted to say Momma's new goggles are cool. But they represent healing for more than one person. (Levi included)
This. Yes to all of this.
This is very much where Calliope’s passion and strength lies, and that prosthetic did indeed heal more than the injury. ❤️
You’re also correct about Vicente. He feels protective of her and guilt over her father, though he shows that in his own way. You’ll see more interactions between Calliope and Vicente next chapter that resolve a few things. ☺️
