#characterisation

[prokopetz]

I understand that you were aiming for a morally grey protagonist, but in practice what you've ended up with is more of a moral beige.

[marrowwrites]

When a character is assured enough in their own power that they are completely relaxed in dangerous situations??? When that same character becomes tense and uncomfortable in the mundane because they don't have a framework for peace?????? When they help navigate violence for another character and in return that character helps them navigate softness??????????? That's all, your honour

[vampire-unicorn-000]

is this a safe space to say that i’ve started a few dunkaerion fics and bounced off because aerion was too unlikeable?

which sounds insane because aerion is awful. he should be awful.

but he’s also, at least, funny. like when he just met Dunk he is not just mean to him, he roasts him, and it’s a good roast.

he’s arrogant, petty, dramatic, making terrible decisions, and somehow still managing to be entertaining.

and i think sometimes fandom sands him down into “beautiful asshole” and then just stops there.

but i’m reading a fic. i can’t see him.

you can tell me he’s gorgeous fifty times, but that doesn’t actually make him attractive. i need the other stuff. make him funny. make him pathetic. make him vulnerable. people love vulnerable.

on the other hand, i don’t really want the opposite either.

sometimes people soften him so much that i genuinely forget i’m reading aerion. he’s reasonable. he’s emotionally mature. he’s considerate. he’s communicating. he’s making good choices.

who is this man.

if he isn’t at least a little bit insufferable, theatrical, selfish, reckless, and convinced he’s the smartest person in the room while actively proving otherwise, i start losing the character.

obviously every fic deserves to exist and nobody is obligated to write characters the way i personally enjoy them. this is entirely a me problem. but if i’m reading a pairing fic, i want to understand why both people are there. and for me, “he’s hot” is not enough.

anyway.

please send me your favourite dunkaerion fics.

self-promo allowed and encouraged.

[bodhrancomedy]

I'm bored with "smart guy characterisation being he wins effortlessly at chess". Chess should have more potential for characterisation.

"I think you're losing there."

"Nah, he's playing right into my hands."

"... you have one rook, a bishop, and seven pawns. He's lost one knight. What are you gonna do? Charge and turn 'em all into queens?"

"Let him whittle down the king's defences, republicanize the pawns, overthrow the monarchy, negotiate peace with this packet of smoky bacon crisps, and begin a glorious age of democratic rule by will of the common people."

"That's not how it works."

"Kinda did for Russia."

[srslylini]

Arcane Season 2 is like that popular fanfic you open that has a cool concept and a nice idea but something about it (the writing) feels so off (the characters) that even though you read it to the end you sit there wondering what the fuck that was and why it's so popular

[certified-silly-guy]

FELLOW NINAH ARTISTTT!!!!!!! DRAW BALLERINA WITH HER HAIR DOWN AND MY LIFE IS YOURS!!!!!

[soapflavouredsoup]

they're designed to be a subversion of the living weapon shtick like bro is chilling. living the best life. perfect for em. they just dont show it on their face much