OC Characterization Cheat Sheet: Nariel Surana
This is specifically Nariel as Rook in a world state where Alistair was left in the fade by the inquisition while she was looking for a cure to Calling. I'm still working through how her story would change in the RRAU setting, but I do think she would be pretty much the same characterization wise (Hero of Ferelden changes to just a Senior Warden who had been researching how to get rid of the calling for a partner warden who was stationed and killed at Adamant Fortress).
Full name: Nariel Surana
Nicknames: Grey (only by Varric pre Veilguard), Rook, Nari
Age: 42
Gender: Cis Woman (She/Her)
Sexuality: Biromantic bidemisexual (tends towards men).
Race: Elf (City/Circle)
Class: Mage- Arcane Warrior (Primary specialization, see DAO description for primary abilities). Spirit Healer (Secondary Specialization. Definitely rusty)
Nationality: Ferelden
Faction: Grey Wardens
Appearance:
5’4” on a good day. Muscular with a rectangular figure per her warrior-adjacent training. She has pale-ish tan skin with a neutral undertone and medium brown eyes. She has old burnscars across the right side of her face that were treated over time in the circle, but they will restrict movement to that side of her mouth. She has some cataracts in her right eye, making her right pupil cloudier than the left. She is not particularly expressive unless experiencing extreme emotion and will emote more with the left side of her face when expressing subtler emotions. Sher had straight white hair that is usually kept up in some form of a bun, with a small undercut on the back of her neck.
When in the lighthouse or on excursions where she doesn’t expect to fight, she wears loose casual clothing (think dalish wraps with fewer belts and boots). In combat, she wears modified Grey Warden rogue armor, which keeps the breastplate and leg armor, but uses smaller pauldrons on the arms for ease of casting. She wields a bladed staff (like a shorter glaive) in her right hand that can be used like a polearm or as a mage staff. She also wields a narrow heater shield in her left hand.
Skills: Combat Magic, Staffs, Shields, Polearms, Lightning magic, minor blood magic, healing (both in and out of combat), mending clothes, research.
Languages: Trade, basic elvish
Body Language/Physicality
General Behavior: Stands up straight with hands behind back, shoulders relaxed, weight distributed evenly on both legs. Aware of surroundings with head and eyes on a swivel. Standoffish/on guard with a neutral expression. Watch and wait.
When anxious/stressed/on edge: Paces. spins staff/bladed stave in hand. Snaps fingers to arc electricity to help burn off extra magic. Tight shoulders, rounded back to guard over work when sitting.
Flirting: Spending more time around the person. lingering glances that tend to end up with an embarrassed looking away. Playful teasing (that may start with dry humor). More focus on protection during combat. Sharing interests and current research breakthroughs.
With Established Romantic Partner: Stays in physical contact as much as possible, even if it is just sitting close or a single foot touching while sleeping (she runs hot due to the blight, so extended cuddles get real sweaty). Draping herself over the back of a seated partner with her chin on their head. gets in sync with them during activities. active teasing, especially during sparring.
With Friends: Still standoffish, but in more of an awkward way. Opens up with interests a little more, but focuses on the other person more than herself. does acts of service for others. actively listens. light teasing.
In Combat: On guard on the front line. Tries to keep the focus on her and others equipped to be actively targeted to keep the fire off those in the back. Will set up an area of effect on the enemy and then head in with melee.
Dialogue/Speaking
Voice: I chose Fem voice 2 in the low pitch, which fits her so well. A little mysterious and curt, but encouraging when she wants to be. She doesn’t speak just to be heard and will often be silent unless she is spoken to or she has something that add to the conversation around her. Tends to be blunt and straightforward. She also has a “Leader” voice when addressing the veilguard as a group or conducting others which is more self assured and lower in pitch.
Humor: Loves a good pun and will tease those she is close to (in a lighter tone than her usual voice). Could be considered having a dry sense of humor.
With Friends: Her tone doesn’t really change when it comes to friends. She can be a bit softer with them and more encouraging. The closer she is, the more likely she will change her tone to a lighter one. She tends to hide her negative feelings unless it can be used for constructive criticism (she is not one to share her own problems with others.)
Romance: She tends to value actions over words, so she is just as quiet, but the words she says to her lovers are soft and genuine. She will show more vulnerability when alone with them, even though it is usually tinged with embarrassment.
Anger: It simmers deep until it explodes. she may start cold, with clipped sentences and her bluntness could become just cruel honesty. She will snarl and yell and get into the source of her anger’s face.
Cursing: Usually only used in times of anger and exasperation. Definitely picked up “Well, shit.” from Varric.
Combat: She doesn’t talk much during combat, usually only to guide her team and check in. She won’t taunt an enemy, just put herself in the way. Yells, grunts, and hisses are common, especially when injured.
