Ya'll know I won't shut up about my new WIP, Drunken Flame. Maybe nothing will come of it. Maybe it will end up super awesome! Maybe you had no idea I say ya'll on the regular.
But I'm having fun with it and I wanted to talk about my characters.
Brenna - I so wanted a character who shunned every grand fate that tried to reel her in, and boy, did Brenna deliver (right down to plugging her ears and going "lalalala" when someone tries to tell her about her prophecy.) All she wants out of life is the ability to drink for cheap or, preferably, free. A simple goal we can all relate to. Of course, she wants a little more than that, but she's at that (again, all too relatable) age when she doesn't even know what's out there, let alone what she actually wants. You won't mistake her poofy mane of dirty blonde hair or her crooked smile for anyone else's, and if she's in town you can bet she's at the cheapest tavern and her clothes are already stained with wine.
Eroe - Simple boi. I wanted a traditional hero (you know, always wants to do the right thing, good against evil, chosen one), but also a hero that would make you go, "Uh, I'll pass on wishing I was the hero. It's the least interesting character." Not that he isn't interesting! He's klutzy, stronger than he realizes, easily embarrassed, not too bright, and blindly follows prophecy because "that's what you're supposed to do" (and that last part drives Brenna crazy.) He's insanely persistent when it comes to his "destiny", and while he's definitely someone who could protect the world, he's not the type to change it. He's a perpetual baby face, and is secretly vain about the long brown hair he usually hides in his helmet.
Aftur - Dear lord, somebody let this guy get a nap. In the character that is essentially a male Brenna without the drinking problem, you'll find a man hellbent on owing nobody anything, ever. With an accent that nobody can place and a pretentious attitude that nobody can stand, he's almost furiously secretive with his own prophecy. He takes a liking to Brenna after they meet, though he'd never admit it, and tries desperately to get her to understand the cost of her shortsightedness. He's short, slim, and bitter, but if he's hanging around and he doesn't owe you anything, he likes you. He might love you.
Spotta - Not-motherly woman thrown into the role of Mom. She's about what you think when you think of a farmer or cowboy - calloused hands, booming voice, propensity for spitting. She's vocally thrilled to be in her forties as people have stopped asking when she'll get married. Much to the admiration of Brenna, she used to be a tavern owner until Barrel showed up. A hulking, tall woman with straw hair, Spotta never has a grasp on the right words for the situation. She is fiercely protective of Barrel.
Barrel - Just the sweetest thing. Super strong, super big, and SUPER scared of everything. Most of his vocabulary is simply him repeating words and phrases he hears other people say, but he's strangely verbose when it comes to discussing his fears. He tends to be scared of small, unassuming things, his biggest fear being deer because they are "too quiet" and he can never know where they are. He fled the labor camp that owned/employed him and found Spotta's inn, and they were both arrested after Spotta killed one of the overseers pursuing him. He is a giant of a boy, with a softness that puts him likely in his late teens, though he's never outright said his age, and he keeps his light blonde hair cut short and uneven.
There are other minor characters too, but that's the main cast!
The overarching theme is that it isn't the big and powerful who change the world, it's the small and unassuming. The wolves don't choose where to go. They follow the deer.
I've already made this far too long so I'll post more later. After I actually write. But I hope you enjoyed meeting the fictional people I've been spending my time with!