character survey
character survey
Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
Of average height, slim but not underweight. Lacking in any muscle to speak of. Long fingers.
2. How old is he?
Appears to be around twenty four years old.
3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch?
Close to perfect - note that his natural inclination (because of his build) is to slouch, but he forces himself to correct this. As such his perfect posture does seem stiff and a little forced.
4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
Generally in good health, though if pushed to take part in any serious physical pursuits he would likely have difficulty keeping up.
5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
He would like to move gracefully, and that is what he strives for. However, his attempts generally result in
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror?
7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
Pale skin with yellow undertones. Unblemished skin on his face, but the rest of his body does carry scars of different sizes.
8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style.
9. What color are his eyes?
Purple.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
A small mole to the left side of his mouth.
11. What are his chief tension centers?
Everywhere, this man carries tension like it's his job. In particular though - jaw and neck.
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit?
13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them?
14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences?
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
Briefs.
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate?
Very even both in speed and volume. He has no qualms with speaking up.
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency?
Fluent - German, French, Spanish, Hungarian, Portuguese and English.
Not fluent but adequate for basic conversation - Basically every other commonly spoken language in Western and Central Europe, as well as Russian and Turkish.
5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
No.
6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words?
He thinks about his words to the point where it could almost be considered a flaw.
7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
Eloquent at all times, if he can help it.
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart?
Very intelligent, by traditional standards. Primarily book-smart. If book-smarts do not get him where he needs he can be adaptable.
2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate?
The latter.
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
Logical and practical. Don't ever suggest otherwise.
4. What kind of education has the character had?
5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about?
6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert?
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
9. Is he more likely to act, or to react?
10. Which is his default: fight or flight?
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them?
13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person?
14. What does he fear?
15. What are his hopes or aspirations?
16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand?
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them?
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
6. Does he have other close friends?
7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people?
8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends?
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once?
10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest?
12. What does he look for in a romantic partner?
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any?
14. Does he have any rivals or enemies?
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale?
16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him?
17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type?
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life?
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?
4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?
3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?
5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else?
6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?
7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:
1. Color?
2. Smell? Coffee
3. Time of day? Early morning
4. Season? Autumn
5. Book?
6. Music?
7. Place?
8. Substance?
9. Plant?
10. Animal? Eagle
END
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