. ✮ ∗ ∘ ♱ A CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONNAIRE, by yours truly, tumblr user thirdpope. i really only wrote this up for myself, just to have, but i mighta’ slipped a certain cardinal a copy too ;’^) so if anyone who sees this wants to fill it out too, help yourself !
What is your character’s full name?
ÆLFWINE HORATIO DI ABOLOUS. ( don’t forget it you’ll b screamin’ it l8r ;’) )
If you know of it/find it relevant, what is the meaning behind their name(s)?
his first name is anglo - saxon, meaning ‘ friend of elves. ’ his late mother, a tolkien fan, chose the name for him. his middle name is italian, meaning ‘ timekeeper, ’ chosen by his father, papa emeritus zero. strangely enough, too, if ælfwine were to pick a literary character that he related to the most, it would be horatio of shakespeare’s hamlet.
Do they have any nicknames or aliases? If so, elaborate on them.
his elder brother, papa emeritus the second, seems to enjoy calling him ‘ mezza sega. ’ he tries not to let that one bother him too much. the ghouls call him papa, your darkness, etc. other than that, he doesn’t have many nicknames.
When and where were they born? What’s their zodiac sign?
he was born within the sanctum, deep in the scandinavian mountains, on march third, nineteen seventy - seven. he’s a pisces + cancer rising & leo moon.
Are they currently deceased? If so, how and when did your character die?
oof, it’s complicated. he was ‘ executed ’ by decapitation not too long ago, but thanks to the fine art of necromancy, he’s okay now !
How tall is your character, and how much do they weigh? How are they built?
he is five foot seven and weighs roughly one hundred forty pounds. he has a very narrow waist & shoulders. slight & wisp - like.
Describe their hair and eyes — are they similar in color? Do they go together gracefully or clash awkwardly? Does your character wear glasses?
his hair is pure black & his eyes are vernal green and bright, milky white. his right eye, the one bearing the white iris unique to the bloodline, aids him in beholding netherworlds as well as the creatures who dwell in them, that means ghosts, poltergeists, wraiths, etc. he wears reading glasses occasionally.
Do they have any distinguishing features, on their face or anywhere else? (Tattoos, scars, birthmarks, etc.)
not really, apart from his right eye. he’s got plenty of freckles on his back & arms, though, and a smattering of scars from lucifer knows what. he has one tattoo, of a very personal sigil, just beneath his left hipbone. it looks like this.
they’re smallish, but with long, slender fingers & protruberant knuckles. fingertips are a tiny bit calloused as a result of his love for string - instruments. very clean & neat nails, oftentimes painted black or, on special occasions, gold.
Does your character wear make up of any kind? How often?
he wears his traditional skull paint every single day. he takes it off in the evening, just before supper.
How does your character dress? Describe their clothes.
very elegant, even when he’s not in his chasuble & mitre. he adores fine fabrics and dresses almost exclusively in them. his clothes are mostly in shades of black & white, although he loves luxurious purples & deep reds as well. scarves are essential as well as silver jewelry, and he always has a pair of chic socks to go with his several pairs of black boots -- all with an impressive heel, of course. ( * if ælfwine could change one thing about himself, he would make himself much taller. )
Do they have any quirks or specific mannerisms, i.e. foot-tapping, head-tilting, nail-biting?
pff, talk about a resting lich face. he drums his fingers, twirls his hair & carries an air of bored sophistication.
Is your character an optimist or a pessimist? Or just in between?
very in between. i think it’s worth mentioning that, when someone he loves is troubled, he helps them to see the best in their current situation, but when he’s struggling himself, he always tends to imagine the worst.
Do they overuse any words or phrases? Who do they quote?
he’s a scoffer, more than anything else, but he’s notorious when it comes to words like ‘ seriously ?! ’ & ‘ literally. ’ also uses tons of pet - names with his loved ones. he quotes keats, wilde & lord byron, like all goth romantics do, sometimes shakespeare, and, if the situation calls for it, a little bit of hermes trismegistus.
he’s quite a drinker, as it happens, but he’s working on it. he also worries too much & makes hasty, emotional decisions. ( and he snacks past eight pm, but you didn’t hear that from me. )
What is your character’s biggest fear? What haunts them?
ending up alone. he absolutely cannot stand the though of it. as for what haunts him, that must be the ever - present thought that he might one day end up like his father, a heartless, evil old man who loves no one but himself.
How does your character show affection, or do they at all?
he loves to hug his friends and partners, and does often. he’s very sweet with his words, as well.
When was the last time your character cried?
honestly, just a few days ago, probably because the second said something mean to him. he’s sensitive.
Do they have any pet peeves?
plenty. pompous people, loud noises, hot weather, being talked over, passive - aggressiveness, to name a few.
What was their childhood like? What kind of impact has it had on them as an adult?
many would insist ælfwine was a spoiled child, growing up in an ancient castle with every magickal secret at his very fingertips, but the lonliness he experienced definitely had a lasting effect. his father’s neglect has left him afraid of being abandoned, even as an adult.
What is their attitude toward romance? Do they have a romantic partner?
ælfwine adores romance ! the idea of spending eternity with the one he loves is his favorite daydream. he began seeing the nameless ghoul omega when the pair were both young adults & they have remained together ever since.
How does your character behave in a romantic relationship?
he is completely nurturing and extremely loving. he’s a communicator, too, which is incredibly helpful. the thought of betrayal makes him sick.
What sort of sex does your character have, if any? Are they prudish or fairly adventurous?
he’s hardly a prude & is kind - of, sort - of perpetually horny. he’ll try anything once. legend tells the ass is so powerful it once killed a man.
What is their weapon of choice?
ælfwine prefers to use words instead of weapons, where he can. when he must fight, he uses an ancient sword forged from enchanted silver, similar to mithril, alongside his infernal magic.
How are they when angry, when depressed, when happy?
angry: fearsome & even murderous. do not approach. depressed: detached & self - loathing. requires extensive attention. happy: warm & generous. he loves everyone.
What are some of your character’s hobbies?
singing, dancing, fencing, poetry, alchemy, to name just a few.
What is your character’s favorite time of day?
early evening. he loves the noise of the nocturnal creatures & seeing little bats flit across the darkening sky. also a perfect time for a tall chalice of sangiovese.
What is their alcoholic drink of choice?
um ... every ? kidding. ( or am i ? ) he loves a good negroni, if it’s mixed right. he’s also the biggest wine snob in the sanctum. and don’t tell anyone, but when he goes out clubbing with the ghouls, he jägers it up, son.
Do they have a favorite painting? A favorite poem?
judith slaying holofernes, artemisia gentileschi. picking a favorite poem is harder for him, but he’d have to say imitation, edgar allan poe.
Does your character have a guilty pleasure?
oh, lucifer, too many to name. when he’s cooking, he pretends he’s got his own glamorous little cooking show. he also really loves walking around his private chamber completely naked & watching awful dramas just to have a good cry.
How would they most like to spend a slow Sunday evening?
relaxing with his loved ones; lighting some nag champa & drinking absinthe, maybe burying his nose in a book. not having to worry about tomorrow, more than anything.
Describe your character’s house/living space.
ælfwine lives with omega & their adopted undead son, mary, in a private chamber within the sanctum. its ceilings are tall & the windows are dark ... plenty of bookshelves, sweeping velvet curtains, a baby grand piano, two black kittens trotting around. very gothic romantic.
What is their character archetype? (Hero, Trickster, Shapeshifter, Shadow, Innocent, Lover, etc.)
a mix of the rebel & the sage.
What is their moral alignment?
Could they take the life of someone else?
if he had to -- he’s done so before, & could do it again.
What/who would they sacrifice themselves for, or would they at all?
his family, without a doubt, including the ghouls.
