Cheers bunches at @ranger-jahen! I absolutely adore doing these things because I have so many things in my head late at night that I never really write them down. I’m trying to do better!
1. OC Name: “Taj”, Tajana, The Druid, The Packrat, Whiskers, Stumpy, Sparky, Vin'iisk
2. Does your OC have any nervous tics or self-soothing habits?
Taj naturally flows to the back of any group, hiding behind anyone who casts a shadow. When forced to the front she tends to hide her hands, either within sleeves or behind her back. If not; they rub, tangle, knot or or rapid tapping of her pinky finger. When hurt or anxious she’s like an injured animal, isolating alone in a small, dark place without telling anyone. It is a problem.
3. Let's say your OC got kidnapped. What would save them?
Likely not Taj :D. Taj has an intuitive sense of people and I think she would tailor the needs to her kidnappers. Perhaps she will befriend them, making herself seem like and understanding friend, or a backstabber, willing to turn her mates in if she gets given but most likely, make herself seem weaker and more cowardly than she really is so they underestimate her, and then she makes a break for it, bolting, dodging and hiding. Not gonna lie, the druid escape scene from the DnD: Honor Among Thieves is an aspiration.
4. If your OC has a love interest, are they opposite or rather similar?
I haven’t found out Taj’s official partner so here are some ideas of how it might go.
Shadowheart- Alike: I’m actually writing Weirdest Wyrd with Shadowheart as the deuteragonist with their arcs growing side by side. She helps Taj believe in herself, whereas Taj helps her trust in others. They would begin radically different, with Taj trying to find gaps in Shadowheart’s armour, but being treated as a nuisance and burden but they eventually realise they’re both oppressed by perceived expectations of others.
Lae’zel- Opposite: Of the stories, Lae’zel and Karlach’s are my favourite. Taj would be so desperate to impress this lean, strong warrior with resolve of steel who only sees her as a weakling who won’t survive, so any resources or attention would be a waste. Earning Lae’zel Relationship Points would be a very long process! And when Lae’zel finally comes for Taj, the idiot druid would probably be so overwhelmed she’d faint. Their relationship would be very yin and yang.
Gale - Alike: I’m a goody-two-shoes, so Gale is always the first one to take a crack at Taj which was very intimidating my first playthrough. Don’t make me make decisions that early! Taj overwhelmed by a man who’s never coy? But like two hitched horses in a carriage, they would trot along nicely, supporting each other, although she’s turned off by his bragging and vanity.
Astarion: Opposites. Taj can immediately see through Astarion’s manipulation and he views her as little more than a midnight snack. He cares not a wit for her opinion and getting a rise, whether it’s shocking her moral compass or alighting a fiery blush across her cheeks with salacious double entendres.
Wyll: Alike. The mentor she always wanted; kind, encouraging and patient. Rather than retreat and hide from her mistakes, he pushes her to face and overcome them. They’re both driven to help others even at the cost of themselves.
Karlach: Alike and Opposite: Ooh! A hard one! They often have the same goals, but want to achieve it in different ways. Karlach is straightforward and headstrong, never hesitating and immediately ready for a fight, Taj second guesses everything and avoids disagreeing with others like the plague. “Fair ‘nuff,” is Australian for, “I don’t agree but I don’t want to argue,” which as a partner, would drive Karlach crazy!
5. Is there a story behind making your OCs? What inspired you?
Taj is my first OC in a long time, and back in the day I was the kind of creator who would basically copy/paste from fandom to fandom. I was determined not to do that this time, to push my writing outside my comfort zone. The only thing I really had my heart set on was as a moon druid but Taj came about by randomizers.
Species: I would have made a Mephistopheles tiefling, but I rolled a drow which I knew nothing about! Her backstory of an amnesiac raised by a halfling was to cover my lapse. But my feelings changed when I learned they’re shorties too! I'm 152cm tall, which is why I’d also have been happy with the shorter races. Gnome woulda been fun too, eh Karlach?
Appearance: Blue hair in a ponytail is my go to but then I realised the Barmy Army all had spunky lil ponytails, so I randomised the hair, and Taj coulda had a side Luskhan Tail and gone all in on the 80s look. I figured pigtails fit her personality better which was coming along, and her ribbons was also just a way to change her silhouette. Randomised the main colour of her palette and I’ll admit, I got a lightish fuschia (#E36BD5) just a little too eye gouging so a dusty mauve fit the violet better.
Personality wise, I’ve usually gone for snarky, tomboy types with as much trauma as a teaspoon, but when in Rome! Overbearing parents constantly worried you’re going to die is definitely my wheelhouse.
Is Taj exactly what I pictured? No, but as usual if you make it, you will love it.
Thank you to Takiimikiku@Deviantart for their f2u emote pack. I actually finished this a while ago but was stubborn in that I wanted to make sure I doodle something for every writing piece. Still tracing, but I plan to use this to improve my line-weights.
Tagged (And if you’ve already done it, link in the comments so I can find you!)
@arrivasama @bardic-perdita @for-tymora @harpyvibes @icephenixcom @kriskocomics @met-in-a-tavern @nasaiki @sarahsspectrums @swanbrother @thats-a-lot-of-cortisol @yellowmagoo