#plotter.

[alois-the-real-boy]

NIHILIST BLUES || character plotter

Wanted Relationships

Stiff as a board (platonic): He’s a pretty fresh and aloof presence in the Colony, so I can’t imagine he’s made nice with too many yet. I’d like for him to have reached the point of acquaintances-almost-friends with at least a few people so he’s not a total hermit, though: best applicants would be fellow ex-rich kids, Calysets, or night owls. He’s likely to fall victim to regular existential navel-gazing -- sorry in advance! At some point this kid is desperately going to need someone who can get him to loosen up and have some -- gasp -- fun.

All the heart of a Cold War (romantic): The heir to a powerful family, Alois didn’t have a whole lot of agency in his romantic life before D-Day, and he honestly didn’t care. As such, his involvements were superficial and frequently brief, leaving him without a whole lot of meaningful dating experience. I would personally love to explore this area, mostly because I want to see how the boy deals with the kind of genuine crush that destroys his insides with butterflies. Aside from that, Alois is fairly free with his physical affections, for better or for worse. It’s a way to pass the time.

The ashes in the plume (antagonistic): Honestly, in the small amount of time he’s been at the Colony he’s probably developed more enemies than friends, though not for actually trying. Alois’s default mode is apathy; if he’s pissed you off it’s because he simply can’t be bothered to human. If you’ve pissed him off it’s likely because you’re too loud or in his face or generally Too Much. Bring me all the sharp-tongued, sarcastic frenemies.

Only lonely for the truth (other): Alois was a prominent face in the media growing up, particularly in the technical and medical fields -- someone recognizing him as the van Asch golden boy (for better or worse) could be good fun. He might bristle at initial or superficial interest in his prosthetic, but if anyone could push past that to the point where he geeks out about it it’d probably be real entertaining and/or cute. His relationships with any Deluded are bound to be Complicated with a capital C, after what he went through with his sister. Alois’s infection is wholly untrained; someone willing to help him with that (a trainer, another increased senses infected, or even just a random kind soul) would be so appreciated.

For reference: Alois’s prosthetic, replacing his left arm.

[charlie-freakin-essex]

PRESS START || character plotter

Established Relationships -- updated 10/21/2020

Charlotte Williams, well... it’s! Complicated!!

Ricky D’Mornay is one of the few NWRF who treats him more like an equal and a friend, and less like a lackey or a ticking time bomb. Charlie likes him immensely for these reasons.

On the flip side, Clove Modius treats him with a cool distance that prompts Charlie to bend over backwards trying to please him. Any inkling of praise from the aloof head of Torren is devoured with enthusiasm.

He currently has his sights set on Andreya Roche and Cambie Andrews as romanceable options, for better or for worse.

Mei Zhu Fitrei has patched Charlie up on numerous occasions, earning herself the dubious honor of being viewed as his dedicated healer.

Charlie finds himself immeasurably fascinated with Mira Sigar, believing her to be the android she says she is -- and an AI helper interface on par with the likes of Cortana. Despite only brief interactions between them thus far, he feels a fierce protectiveness towards her already.

Future or Wanted Relationships

It’s dangerous to go alone (platonic): Even though he may believe this to be a video game with few lasting repercussions, Charlie has too much of a conscience to go completely off the rails. He roleplays well, making polite conversation and even superficial friendships with the more interesting NPCs, but it’s forever unclear if he’s offering tidbits of his actual past or his perceived character backstory. Charlie will put more focus on you if he thinks you have a unique enough backstory of your own and are therefore, presumably, plot-relevant or otherwise significant. He might also self-assign a sidequest to you based on your interactions, if he picks up on something you could be helped with. If you spent a lot of time in the Wastes, you may’ve heard rumors of or even been rescued from a sticky situation by this 6’3” doofy cryptid of a man who vanished almost as quickly as he appeared. 

Princess in another castle (romantic): This is an open-world game with romanceable NPCs. Does Charlie think you’re one of them? His advances would probably be ungainly and involve a lot of gift-giving as he tries to figure out the “appropriate” gift to give you in order to unlock that story arc. Your character doesn’t need to reciprocate; maybe they think it’s hopelessly uncomfortable and keep trying to gently dissuade him (or straight up tell him off), or they take advantage of the fact he’s more likely to do special favors for them.

All your base are belong to me (antagonistic): It’s hard to take things personally (or even seriously) when you’re living in a video game and assume anyone who’s out to get you would be after any PC indiscriminately. But that doesn’t mean Charlie won’t fight you: maybe you’re a mid-boss! A guy’s gotta level somehow. He’s also on security rotation, something he approaches with the bored diligence of daily game upkeep.

Do you feel like a hero yet? (other): Have something you need done by a trained CIA operative? Present it interestingly enough and Charlie might take it on as a sidequest. While he’s pretty loyal to the NWRF as his chosen alignment, this is a video game, and he’s in it for fun. He’ll do whatever strikes his fancy at any given moment and can be something of a loose cannon. Charlie would make for a stellar AP trainer, considering his aptitude in a wide array of hand-to-hand combat and advanced weapons proficiency -- assuming anyone could focus his attention long enough. Other interesting avenues to explore would be encouraging him to challenge his alignment or, even, his reality. The parasite left some cracks in his existence that he’s still struggling with in its wake.

A man chooses; a slave obeys (NWRF): Elites associated with the NWRF are aware of Charlie’s baseline information, and have been left instructions by his handler on how best to work with him -- or get him to work for them. Maybe your character uses this to their advantage, or maybe they think this is a horrendous breach of ethics and seek to help Charlie from the inside. There’s also the obvious point that the NWRF can’t keep his deluded status a secret forever, not from others and not from Charlie himself. I’d love to chat long-game plots there!

[mitch--douglas]

GRAVEYARD WHISTLING || character plotter

Established Relationships (updated 03/19/20)

Cambie Andrews is Mitch's closest friend at the end of the world, the two having gotten along immensely well since nearly the inception of the Colony itself. With a companionship forged over years and in their shared Head of House responsibilities, Cambie has been privy to the much more secretive sides of Mitch that most couldn't even hope to reach. As of February, they were nudged helpfully together and are now romantically involved.

Alexander Donovan is a fellow Calyset Elite and a close friend, as well as an important source of support for Mitch both before but especially after the NWRF takeover and Mitch’s being relieved of Calyset Head of House.

Mei Zhu Fitrei is a kindred spirit in all things science, and over the years the two have spent an inordinate amount of time in the labs both for general research and tinkering with the layers of Mitch’s ability. Despite this, their mutually private natures leave them without a lot of connection on a deeper, more personal level.

Dot Speckter and Annie Perrault are also fellow Calysets, and both like daughters to him. Dot has been one of his Infection trainees for years.

... to be continued! I’m all about chatting pre-existing relationships of every variety below since Mitch has been at Colony 22 for so long. People he knew before D-Day could also be an interesting twist.

Future or Wanted Relationships

Open up the gates (platonic): Despite his affable demeanor, Mitch has few true friends who know more than the insulating front. He’s more likely to warm up to fellow infected (especially trainers) and like-minded science brains with whom he can spend hours discussing theories and conspiracies. Mitch is also bound to have varying degrees of friendship and surrogate-dad attitude with his mentees, students, and younger Calyset housemates for the amount of time they all spend together.

Set those ghosts alight (romantic): Yikes?? Godspeed. The concept is so far off Mitch’s radar that he couldn’t be any more oblivious to advances, and even if/when forced to acknowledge it he’s really not in the market for a partner, long- or short-term. He’s convinced that ship has sailed, and the trust issues run deep. That being said, if unrequited crushes or painfully slow burn is your jam, I’m more than down to discuss possibilities! There’s also a lot to be said for delightfully unexpected chemistry.

All your gods are false (antagonistic): If you’ve managed to get on Mitch’s bad side: bravo! It’s not an easy task. The only surefire way is directly or indirectly threatening his students. He’s not in love with the NWRF and doesn’t appreciate the general disdain with which they treat the Infected, but he doesn’t hate them as a rule and keeps his head down so as not to ruffle feathers. An interesting plotline to explore could be a concerted attempt on the NWRF’s part to weaponize Mitch’s telekinetic abilities. Needless to say: it would not go over well. I’m also not so naive to think that literally all of his students will love and trust him, so exploring that kind of evolving relationship with a new student and how they both navigate it could be fun.

I’ve heard everything (other): I’d love to explore the political intrigue aspect, seeing as Mitch is a former house head, an elite, and a general leader figure with a large amount of influence and popularity. It’d be fascinating to deal with any of the factions making attempts to recruit him, or what could finally pressure or spur him into more resolutely choosing a side.