Listen, I almost never post my own ramblings on tumblr dot com, but I have not stopped thinking about Twenty-Sided Tavern since I saw it (twice!) this weekend (because Aabria), so I Must Shout into the void.
Okay so I saw a thursday evening show (Diego!Warrior as Chester, Jasmin!Spellcaster as Leggs, Maddie!Trickster as Barry) and I knew very little going in and was delighted at every turn. Barry betraying the party? Command "submit" and then starting to turn to stone? The creepy earth elemental hyena who taunted him about not being so different? Losing his arm to stone right as he got cold feet and tried to wipe his friends' memories of his betrayal? And then to come so far, but not be strong enough to dispel the Havoc... the sadness of not saving the day, mixed with the hope of never giving up the good fight (Diego got me right in the heart with "y'know... I think there might be a prison riot tomorrow")... masterful!
So I dragged my friends with me for the saturday matinee (Erika!Warrior as Chester, Jasmin!Spellcaster as Ethel, Maddie!Trickster as Katya) (plus Cassidy as Tavern Keeper because NO BOYS ALLOWED ON NATIONAL WOMENS' DAY). And to still be surprised at so many turns?!?!? Yes, there were obviously going to be new little silly bits (different riffs! different npc names! minute meteors as a hail of chanclas! that guard named wingdings!), but HOLY SHIT. I was HONORED to be in the room for the bbeg fight against "Just Madelyn Murphy." I respect the shit out of Maddie being ready to go for blood against her fellow players, both by actions in combat and by just. Planking menacingly in the corner. She and Aabria are a terrifying duo (and they're so right for that! womens' rights to emotional warfare!).
Yet, for "Just Madelyn Murphy," with her busted-ass statblock and all, the thing that defeated her was the power of storytelling. The power of her own character, reminding her that despite the difficulties that come from being a nerdy "backpack girl," she found her way to being able to tell badass stories with badass friends on a BIG CITY STAGE! That's what we do this for!
Anyhow. This absolutely goofy show put tears in my eyes twice this weekend so. Had to ramble.
And because I know she's in these streets: @quiddie if you see this, know that you're a legend, one of the most prolific storytellers of our generation indeed. Your command of story and stage is immaculate. I think it's wonderful that I get to live in a world where, instead of suing for emotional damages caused by an Aabria Show, I get to buy rush tickets to get my heartstrings played in person. At an Aabria show.
FULL NAME: Diego Raoul Salinas
PRONUNCIATION: dee-ay-go • saa-leen-aas
NICKNAMES: N/A
NAME MEANING:
Diego // supplanter; he that replaces
Raoul // strong
Salinas // saltworks
GENDER: male
SEXUAL ORIENTATION: heterosexual
ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: heteroromantic
BIRTHDAY: October 14th
BIRTHPLACE: Guatemala City
HOMETOWN: Guatemala City
ZODIAC SIGN: Libra
PETS: N/A
OTHER SIGNIFICANT FIGURES: N/A
MARITAL STATUS: Single
UPBRINGING:
Interdependence is a big thing in the Salinas family, and Diego was taught from an early age that family and friendship should be valued above nearly anything else. When Diego wound up being the only human in his immediate family, the support he received from everyone was astounding, and that really stuck with him as he grew. He prides himself on being inviting and dependable and compassionate, all because of the way his parents raised him; there is no reason to push people away, especially in times of need. His parents also instilled within him a good work ethic, teaching him that a rugged determination can take you far in life, as long as you remain confident and focused on your goals.
SPECIES: Human
ETHNICITY: Latino
NATIONALITY: Guatemalan
BLOOD TYPE: O+
DOMINANT HAND: right
ALLERGIES: latex (mild inflammatory response)
PHOBIAS: snakes
MBTI TYPE: ESFP
ENNEAGRAM: Type 2w3 // The helper & the achiever
TEMPERAMENT: phlegmatic
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic good
PROMINENT PERSONALITY TRAITS: friendly, supportive, loyal (to a fault in some cases), level-headed
TROPES:
Muggle born of mages
... I’ll do the rest later!
CURRENT LIVING SITUATION:
Diego lives on his own, in a farmhouse style home tucked away on the edge of a dense thicket of trees. The back of his house is a little overgrown with plant life, but he kind of likes it that way. The inside is warm and inviting, though perhaps somewhat sparse, and it is clear that most of the attention has been placed on the spacious kitchen.
SOCIAL CLASS: middle class
EDUCATION: bachelors in culinary arts with a minor in business
OCCUPATION: baker owner // baker
DREAM JOB: chef
STRENGTHS: kind, compassionate, reliable
WEAKNESSES: disorganized, too trusting/bad judge of character, non assertive
LANGUAGES: English, Spanish
DIALECT: faint Spanish accent
REPUTATION:
People are probably more familiar with Diego’s bakery, if anything. It’s been open for a few years now, and he has quite a few regulars that show up practically every day. He does his best to retain a good image, especially professionally. Diego aims to be dependable and trustworthy and respectable, and he expects reciprocation from those who he considers friends/family/employees. Unfortunately he always wants to see the best in people and tends to trust others a little too easily, which can sometimes lead to him being taken advantage of. However, Diego knows where to draw the line (or so he feels... most of the time), so when he does put his foot down, he may seem a little harsh.
FAVORITE / LEAST FAVORITE COLOR: dark green // yellow
FAVORITE / LEAST FAVORITE ANIMAL: bear // snake
FAVORITE / LEAST FAVORITE PLACE: his bakery // the dentist
FAVORITE / LEAST FAVORITE FOOD: his mom’s estofado // blueberries
FAVORITE / LEAST FAVORITE GENRES: science fiction // horror/gore
WHAT DO THEY FIND MOST ATTRACTIVE IN ANOTHER PERSON?
The basic qualities that can be found in a decent person, really. The way he was raised clearly reflects what he values most in others, and that certainly extends to what he finds attractive in other people. However, he probably finds confidence attractive, meaning that the person doesn’t necessarily need others for help, but wouldn’t be afraid to admit it if they did. Also they definitely need to be emotionally open and honest, and most importantly, they need to be kind.
WHAT DO THEY LIKE BEST ABOUT THEMSELVES?
His work ethic. Diego has worked hard throughout his life, and it’s nice to see that all of starting to pay off now. He can over work himself sometimes, but normally he knows when to reign himself in and take it easy. Or so he insists.
WHAT DO THEY LIKE THE LEAST ABOUT THEMSELVES?
Diego relies on his relationships a little too heavily, and he’s aware that that might not be the best idea. He was raised to value interdependent tendencies -- to expect the people in his life to be there if he needs them. He realizes that not everyone was brought up that way, so he knows he shouldn’t put stock into his relationships like he does, but he can’t help it. He wants to be more dependent from others, but doing things alone and being alone just does not sound enjoyable.
WHAT DO THEY WISH THEY WERE BETTER AT?
Diego has the tendency to be rather disorganized. Sometimes he gets caught up in new ideas so he abandons what he was previously working on because he thinks the new thing will end up being better. This typically applies to small things around the workplace or at home. Luckily, he somehow manages to stick to his overarching goal of successfully running the restaurant, but being more organized in general would probably help make things a little less messy.
WHAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO GET THEM ANGRY?
Insult his immediate family. He loves them more than anything else in this world, so it wouldn’t take much badmouthing to get him riled up. This can, to a lesser extent, be applied to his friends, though he typically likes allowing them to get a word/reaction in before jumping into action himself (though sometimes he can get a little carried away with the whole helping thing). Unnecessary rudeness and tearing people down for no reason will also grind on his nerves, because what’s the point? Just. Don’t be a dick.
