in which i am crazy aaaah
Name/Handle: Hayley | Hales
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Timezone: PST
Personal LJ: lavaliere
E-Mail: lavalieres@gmail.com
AIM/other: marymargravy
Is English your primary language?: Yes
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Series: Fullmetal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa (anime & film-verse)
Series' Medium: Anime
Character: Edward Elric
Age: 18
Sex/Gender: Male
Canon Role: Main protagonist & titular character
"Real" Name: Victor Park
How long have you roleplayed your character, if at all?: One year. Previously, I played Ed's younger brother, Alphonse Elric, for about three years.
Where have you roleplayed in general and/or with this specific character?: Currently guysandolls
Are you personally familiar with your character's canon?:
Yes. After Yuugiou and Scrapped Princess, Fullmetal Alchemist was the third anime I was introduced to when I was living with my aunt and uncle while attending school in Portland, Oregon. My cousins were big fans of anime and my uncle, being an anime fan as well, had downloaded the first twenty-five episodes of the original anime for my cousins to watch. Out of curiosity, I sat and watched it with them. Naturally, I fell in love with the series very quickly and, with my cousin's help, found the manga online to read. At least, as much as was available at the time.
This was in 2004. I've been a big fan of the series since then. So much that even when I moved away from my uncle's house, I took the time to find the rest of the series myself so that I could discover how it ended. I also began collecting the manga as it regularly came out. When FMA became licensed and was released on Adult Swim, I looked up a few of the episodes on youtube since I did not have the channel. However, I was not as fond of the dub as I had been of the original, and didn't bother to watch any more of it.
I did, however, download the movie as soon as it became available. And then I bought it on dvd. And then I bought it again when it came out on a two disc special edition. And then I received a copy from a friend that was a bluray director's cut. I still own all three copies, as well as the downloaded subs.
Being the nerd that I am, I've also seen additional material, such as the OVAs (like Chibi Party, Kids, Alchemists vs. Homunculi, Liveaction and Reflections). The Kids OVA has to be my favorite because I like the idea of Edward living past the age of one hundred years old, as it suggests. He would've turned one hundred in 2005.
As the anime ended and the manga went on, I continued to collect the series. When it the anime was redone to fit the manga (this new series being titled Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood), I continued to follow this anime as well, though I must admit, I'm more fond of the original anime. The manga and both anime series are currently finished. I am caught up with both and am eagerly anticipating the second film, The Sacred Star of Milos.
Finally, I've purchased much of the additional material as it's become available in the United States. This includes the art books of both the anime and manga, character bios, the Fullmetal Alchemist: Curse of the Crimson Elixir video game as well as the light novel, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Land of Sand. With time (and funds, sob), I hope to purchase the other light novels as well.
Please give us a personal history of your character's life and explain to us in detail how they grow and develop over the course of their canon:
This is the story all about how Ed's life got flipped, turned upside down. It'll take a few minutes 'cause I can't write a list, but I'll tell you how Ed became the Fullmetal Alchemist.
What point in time are you taking your character from when he/she appears at Landel's and why?: Mid-Conqueror of Shamballa, before Edward attempts to break into Professor Haushaufer's villa, the location of the Thule Society.
Please give us a detailed description of your character's personality:
There are many defining aspects of Edward's personality that make him the well known character he is today. But to understand his attributes, one must also understand his background. Both are closely tied, having a strong impact on how he develops throughout the series. And there are many facets to Edward Elric, making him a complex and well-rounded protagonist.
First and foremost, Edward Elric is stubborn. He is hardheaded, determined, and unlikely to back down, regardless of how bleak things may seem. He is even well known for it, the aspect of his personality being probably the most well known for those who have met or heard of him. This part of Ed was formed early on, as young as his childhood even. The death of his mother is what sets everything off for the Ed and his younger brother Al. Feeling lonely and empty without her, the Elric brothers decide to bring her back using alchemy and through Ed's steely determination, they're able to gain a teacher. And this teacher only enforces Ed's stubbornness by sending him and Al through what can only be described as training from hell. As Edward grows and ages, this stubbornness helps drive him in everything he does, especially his primary goal of returning Al to the body he'd lost after their failed attempt at reviving their mother.
Ed's stubbornness manifests in many ways seen throughout the series. The first, of course, being his determination to gain him and Al a teacher in alchemy. The second is seen in his determination to return Al to his body and the fact that to do that, after losing his right arm and his left leg, he had to equip himself with automail limbs. While most adults might scream in pain at receiving automail, Edward never did, something that is made note of in series because of how intense the pain can be. And yet, in sheer stubbornness and determination, Edward clenches his teeth, refraining from screaming because he believes the pain Al must feel, being nothing but a soul bound to a suit of armor, has to be worse. This same determination also leads Ed to take the State Alchemist Exam at the young age of twelve, and then to pass, being the youngest in history to do so. And even Ed's nickname as a State Alchemist is a testament to his hardheadedness. The name "Fullmetal Alchemist" that he is given means two things: The "fullmetal" is both a reference to his automail limbs as well as his determination. In Japanese, the term "fullmetal" (or "hagane") is coined from the movie Full Metal Jacket, meant to indicate a the strength of a person's heart.
Of course, as time passes, events occur that might make any normal person wish to give up their quest, especially one considered so "taboo" in Ed's world. But even events like learning that the Philosopher's Stone is created through the sacrifice of living people or the death of young girl named Nina whom Ed considered like a little sister, only makes Ed more determined to learn more about alchemy in order to save people like her but also to ensure he can restore Al. When facing the homunculus that Edward and Alphonse created who looks exactly like his mother, Edward is focused and refuses to give up, no matter how much it hurts to see his mother's face on something he created. Even after being trapped in another world, forced to live without alchemy and separated from his brother, Edward never gives up trying to find a way home. Such is Edward's determination and stubbornness.
But stubbornness is not the only trait Ed has. Some traits make him seem childish at times, such as his strong dislike for milk, and his near-Napoleonic complex. Edward detests being called short, despite how true it is. Edward is often much shorter than the people in his life, including Al and when attention is drawn to this, Edward often reacts far more than what was necessary for the occasion. Over-blowing and exaggerating comments about his height, Edward must sometimes be held back by Alphonse, to prevent him from harming others in his rage. While this is often played for laughs, it is a common aspect of Edward that he is often known for.
The Fullmetal Alchemist's close relationships can also be demonstrations of his sometimes childish behavior. With Winry, his childhood friend, and with his brother, Edward is often impish and quick to crack sarcastic remarks. Often arguing with Winry, Edward is known to continue banter with her for extended periods of time (which often end in being hit on the head with one of Winry's wrenches). Edward's childish antics are often also displayed in how his transmutations are formed. Frequently, even while in the heat of battle, Edward transmutes the elements around him into comical and expressive forms or even into caricatures of himself. While these transmutations serve their purposes in battle, they are often amusing in their own right, displaying the same hairstyle, eyes, or even expressions that Edward often gives his enemies.
Combining his stubbornness with this childish side and the result is Edward's reactions to the people around him and even his superiors. He has no fear for using inappropriate language around people of higher rank than him, like with Colonel Mustang, whom he often calls "that bastard colonel". He doesn't hold back in letting people know just what he thinks, even if it's insulting or even if it means getting his ass kicked (by those like his teacher, Izumi). And a common phrase often uttered from Edward's lips is "Fuzake n Na" (a very informal and masculine way of saying "Fuzukeru" or "joke", "tease", "lie", etc.), a phrase that in English can be translated as anything from "Don't mess with me!" to "Don't fuck with me!", depending on the emotion and context.
Edward is often aware of this childish side to himself and sometimes uses it to make a point. It's not uncommon for Ed to make himself seem like quite a jerk, if only to push people away in order to prevent them from getting hurt. Other times, he'll treat people rudely because he doesn't want to know how worried he is.
Ed's style of speech is always gruff and often times rather crass. When angered enough, Edward relies on cursing to express himself. And though he uses less vulgar, but still somewhat offensive words in everyday language, he can manage to be polite with the occasion calls for it. But more likely than not, Edward does not hold back, even with family or close friends. His father, Hohenheim of Light, is often referred to as "that old man" or "that bastard". Even Winry's grandmother, "Auntie Pinako" is sometimes called an "old hag."
These less graceful aspects of Edward might make him seem a bit off-putting and at times, he is. But Ed is not all gruffness and rough language or just a stubborn, hot-headed young man. Ed is capable of great sacrifice for others and can be a very caring individual. He often takes on the burdens of others around him as well as his own. As early as the very beginning of the series, Ed takes on the task of bringing down a fraudulent minister who was manipulating his people for the sake of a girl named Rose. That is, at least, how Al supposes it. Ed also sets things right in the towns of Youswell and Aquroya. It's due to these tasks that Ed is eventually given the title of "The State Alchemist of the People." And to individuals, Ed is often friendly and kind, such as the many people he and Al meet on their journeys.
Ed is also far wiser than he often seems. It's not uncommon for Ed to seem more mature than what his age or height might suggest. He may sometimes comes across as broody, thoughtful, or even quite philosophical. This becomes more and more evident as Ed becomes aware of the truth behind alchemy and the consequences of his and his brother's mistakes. Edward's approach to life becomes sometimes more cynical. He considers himself damned or a sinner, admits that he's often selfish, and even comments that he's given up believing in "god" because god would only "send him back down." But he still has hope for humanity and for the world. He may act like a jerk to others, such as Rose or the people of Youswell, but Ed portrays himself as a "bad guy" only as a method to set things right. To make others see for themselves the truth behind the lies they've been living. Without having to point it out directly to them. However, he isn't afraid to be blunt either. All of this is shown when he tells the antagonist of the film, who comes from the other side of the Gate to destroy Edward's world, that all humans are humans regardless of which world they come from. Ed explains that all humans live, die, laugh, and cry like they would anywhere else.
Even when he begins to see the darker part of humans and how they respond to hope or the lack of it, Ed remains strong and frequently mature. Events such as the death of Nina, the destruction of Lior (which Edward thought he had saved), the death of Lieutenant Hughes being hidden from him, the rape of his friend Rose, the discovery of the true ingredients of the Philosopher's Stone, being forced to take lives, and the discovery that his own father's former lover (Dante) was pulling the strings behind all the treachery in his country, have left Edward a bit bitter and a bit more worldly, but these never make him stop believing that there is hope for the world and that everything in it follows the law of Equivalent Exchange. He is able to realize that despite the four years that he and Al had spent trying to live for themselves and trying to push away the world in order to simply regain what they needed, he and Al are part of the world, regardless of which world it is. And therefore, they have the duty to take care of it.
Of course, while in Germany, Edward goes through many changes. No longer does he react as rashly or as openly as he once had to comments about his height or the like. Rarely does he make the kind of snide comments that he once did, though that bite in his tone is still sometimes there. Edward's respect for others is stronger too, starting from as early on as the closing of the anime. Instead of mocking or provoking his superior officer, Edward acknowledges him as an equal, taking off with a slight brush of a hand to show that they are no longer opponents or even rivals. And while Edward still refers to his father as "the old man", he holds more respect for the man than he once did. By the time Hohenheim dies in the film, Edward's grief is palpable over losing him. He also becomes less friendly than he is normally. There, he withdraws from others and doesn't form close relationships, despite spending two years there. Even his roommate, a young man named Alfons Heiderich who looks remarkably like Ed's brother Al, notes that Edward tends to daydream frequently and tells stories of another world, refusing to grow close to other people. But through all this, he is also still very much Edward Elric, capable of gruff language and stubborn behavior.
Even after the development he experiences through the film, Edward is by no means less stubborn or less easily provoked. He even has the same brash, coarse style of speech that includes a variety of off colored words. Edward also manages to overreact to comments about his height in Alphonse's presence. Edward still pouts or makes faces at people who mock or tease him, even his own close friend, Alfons. It's only that these ways of reacting become fewer and far between as time passes in the anime and film, especially as more dangerous and heavier events begin to take over the plot.
Naturally, no matter how stubborn or strong Ed might be, he can still be vulnerable. There will always be parts of his world that still shock and surprise him, no matter how worldly he becomes. The discovery that Envy was the homunculus of his father's first son (making Envy a half-brother), shocks Edward so much that Envy is able to deliver a fatal blow (obviously, he got better). Being thrown into a new world and even into someone else's body sends Edward reeling at first, especially when he discovers he can no longer use alchemy. Finding that world to be full of alternate versions of people from his world surprises Edward too. Learning that the souls of the deceased of the alternate world feed the energy for transmutations in his world also shocks Edward, possibly more than anything else he'd experienced up until that point. But nothing shocks Edward more than finding out his own brother gave up his whole life to bring him back.
It is a credit to Edward's personality and his strength that he is able to work past these events. No matter how grim the situation may be and no matter how much Edward sees the world in a darker view, he still fights to protect his brother and to make things right. He is still able to soldier on, despite being thrown into a new world, by learning the new world's sciences and taking up the new things he's learned in hopes of finding a way back home. He is still able to fight against the Thule Society that threatens to create unbalance between the two worlds. And Edward is still able to live, even without knowing for sure if his transmutation to bring Alphonse back to life was successful and being forced to live with a mirror image of his brother who isn't and never will be the Al he grew up with.
Between the hardships of his life, the relationships with those around him, and the decisions Edward makes, it's clear Ed is by no means a simple character. It his stubbornness, his charm, his determination, his strength, and his intelligence that allows him to conquer the evils of his world. But more importantly, these traits also make him the recognizable protagonist from a well known series that he is today.
Please give us a physical description of your character:
Despite having grown quite a bit since his introduction in the first anime, Edward has not grown enough to escape his infamy of being petite. It's this shorter stature (only 4'11" at the end of the anime and maybe pushing 5'2" in the film) that is often remarked on and significant for a young man at the age of eighteen. Why Edward is short is never truly explored in the anime, save for hints that his automail limbs may be stunting his height a little and that his distaste for milk keeps him from growing like he should (in the manga, it's revealed that the cause for Ed's stature is due to his keeping Al's body alive within the Gate; whether this applies to Ed of the anime as well is unknown). But short jokes aside, Ed's height is not the only part of him that is striking.
As the Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward is known for not only his stature, but also his vivid golden hair and eyes. These features, rare among Amestrians, are notable enough to be remembered in many places as well as being the trademark of the Elric brothers. Edward keeps his golden hair long, often braiding it, though by the time of the movie, he begins to keep it back in a simple ponytail. And it's not just his hair or eyes that gets him noticed. Edward tends to wear a vibrant red coat with the Flamel sign (a mark important for destroying homunculi) over dark black clothing. The coat is memorable enough for it to be remembered in the movie when Alphonse wears it, leading to people mistaking Al for Ed. But since Al has the coat in the movie, and Edward is trapped on the other side of the Gate, Edward resorts to wearing the same styles and fashions as are typical for 1920s Germany. The coat, vest, slacks, and shirt are all of subdued hues, many being brown or gray.
Beneath the clothing, however, is what makes Edward truly remarkable and ultimately what gives him the name of "Fullmetal". After the tragic accident that occurred when he and Alphonse attempted to revive their mother, Edward was fitted with automail or prosthetic limbs of advanced technical capabilities. These limbs, which are wired to human nerves, work very much like regular arms or legs. But automail is made of steal and sometimes chrome, making the limbs quite heavy at times and a strain on the body. Edward insisted on having these installed at the young age of eleven and continues to wear them to this day. During the movie, however, his arm is replaced with a different style of prosthetic, something his father made due to the lack of automail technology available in 1920s Germany. These limbs, while still fairly mobile (and sometimes mistaken as real) are just as extraordinary with special joints and a false skin.
❝Because of advances in science and the first massive war human had ever experienced, World War I, the science of compensating for bodily injuries advanced rapidly. Edward's artificial limbs are based on automail technology from Amestris, which was originally created by his father, Hohenheim. But he switches to German artificial skin and mechanical parts, and is receiving outpatient care at a clinic. It looks like Hohenheim was able to leave behind a great number of spares that were difficult to make with Germany's technology.❞
from the Fullmetal Alchemist The Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa Guide Book
❝The brain still send signals to the muscles. By amplifying those signals... Actually, I don't really understand it. My dad made it.❞
Edward Elric in Conqueror of Shamballa
Because of the strain that automail can have on a body, and also due to a doctrine Edward learned while training under his alchemy teacher, Edward also maintains a strict regime of sparring. This, and regular exercise, has given Edward a rather toned physique, something one would not expect on someone of Edward's height. However, he is in good shape and keeps it up, making him something terrifying to encounter should one ever come between him and his goals.
What kinds of otherwordly abilities does your character have, if any?:
As the title, Fullmetal Alchemist suggests, there is only one power that individuals might be bestowed with (unless they're a homunculus). This ability is called (obviously) alchemy and should an individual be capable of it, they're able to preform transmutations. Known as the science of understanding a composition, deconstructing it, and reconstructing it, alchemy can be preformed by many and to the outsider, this power seems like the ability to simply change items at will. However this is far from the truth. Alchemy follows a distinct set of laws, the foremost being The Law of Equivalent Exchange. By ignoring these rules, disastrous things can happen to the alchemist. But by following them, alchemy can be used to create many items of benefit and use.
Three things are typically needed for an alchemist to preform alchemy: a transmutation circle, the energy and talent, and the appropriate amount of material to transmute. The first can vary anywhere from a simple circles with a square or triangles drawn inside to elaborate symbols of intricate design. These arrays, know as transmutation circles, act as a conduit for an alchemist to harness and use energy that powers their transmutations. The circle represents the circulation of power and when an alchemist adds a construction equation (or the writing, symbols, and squares/triangles within a transmutation circle), the power is able to manifest. But even with a transmutation circle, not everyone can preform alchemy. It is often a talent born within individuals and unique to them. What's more, should someone be capable of preforming alchemy, they must study hard in order to reach certain levels. A knowledge of the elements, as well as common molecules and chemicals are necessary for an alchemist to be talented. Finally, alchemy follows the Law of Equivalent Exchange. Much like the law of conservation of mass, the Law of Equivalent Exchange states that something cannot be created from nothing. An alchemist must first present material of equal mass to that which they want to obtain. To be more specific, only items with like atoms can be transmuted; all elements must be kept intact. As long as an alchemist keeps all this in mind, they might be able to preform transmutations of all sorts, such as turning carbon coal into diamonds. Then again, some don't have as much talent as Edward Elric.
Due to his failed attempt at reviving his mother with the use of alchemy, Edward Elric came in contact with The Gate of Truth. This massive door, which resides within every alchemist, is what the energy of alchemy flows through. If an alchemist comes in direct contact with it and lives (a very rare occurrence considering that aside from Ed, only three other people are capable of it), they are then able to preform alchemy without transmutation circles. So rare is this ability that since Edward can do it, he is famous for it. All he has to do, in order to preform a transmutation, is clap his hands. You see, when his palms connect, his body forms a ring. This is the transmutation circle he uses. Take away Ed's hands and he can no longer preform alchemy.
Even among alchemists, Ed is known as a genius, but not just because of his ability to preform alchemy without a transmutation circle. Ed, within the series, manages to pull off transmutations that not even advanced State Alchemists might've been able to accomplish. Including the only ever successful case of Human Transmutation, something otherwise forbidden and impossible in Ed's world.
If present, how do you plan to tweak these powers to make your character appropriately hindered in the setting of Landel's?:
brb with this
Does your character have any non-otherworldly abilities/training that surpass the norm?:
INTELLECT↘
Edward is not the Fullmetal Alchemist simply because of his automail limbs and the ability to preform alchemy without a transmutation circle. As early as the age of twelve, it's clear that Edward is a genius when he is able to pass the State Alchemist written exam (a test that very few adults have the knowledge to pass). Edward has a genius intellect and firm understanding of Chemistry, Biology, and Physics, all of which are essential to alchemy. This all comes in handy, of course, when you're trying to research how to construct an average adult body. And the equation for Human Transmutation is one Edward knows by heart. Edward displays this genius several times throughout the series, especially when alchemy is necessary to defeat his enemies. Often able to determine or break down transmutations of other alchemists in his mind, Ed is capable of understanding a transmutation from having seen it preformed once (he does this upon seeing Lyra's method of attack in which she ❝liquified the air around her, reduced its volume, and then all at once vaporized it again, producing a shockwave.❞ cf. episode 09). This means that after seeing an enemy's attack, it's often not difficult for him to replicate it in his own way. One noticeable moment is when Edward realizes that his enemy, Scar, uses alchemy but stops at the "deconstruct" stage. Knowing this, Edward is able to use alchemy on his automail to prevent Scar from destroying it. Edward also uses the knowledge he has of the human body to use alchemy against the homunculi. By reconfiguring the carbon in Greed's diamond-hard shield, Ed is able to turn it into a material much softer like, as he puts it, pencil lead. Thus, by altering the carbon atoms using alchemy, Edward is able to defeat Greed.
Ed's knowledge in these areas also comes in handy while studying Robert Goddard, and later under Herman Oberth. Yeah, that Goddard and that Oberth. It's during the two years between the end of the anime series and the movie that Edward meets Alfons Heiderich and studies rocketry with him under Oberth's tutelage. Given that it takes some knowledge in both Physics and Chemistry for this area of study, just as with alchemy, it's no surprise that Edward takes to it easily (more on this here).
Edward's genius does not end at just science. At the age of fifteen, Edward was able to decode another man's research in alchemy that centered on the Philosopher's Stone. This code was written to seem like a series of simple recipes yet hid the truth of something much more. Edward was able to decode the entire book within hours. Furthermore, Alphonse notes that Edward keeps all his own notes coded within his journal to make them appear as simple documentary of their travels and destinations rather than elaborate mathematical and scientific equations for use in alchemy.
Finally, Edward is also a voracious reader. He has a deep love for books and not always of scientific material. In the very first episode, Edward makes a reference to the myth of Icarus (❝You will just get burned if you get too close to the sun.❞), suggesting he's familiar with at least the form of Greek myths as they appear in his world. Once Edward is stuck in Germany, his father makes a reference to Dracula, which Edward seems to understand, suggesting he's also familiar with common literature from "our" world. Edward's love of books started early, too. When he was as young as six, he began reading his father's books on alchemy and though he admitted to not understanding all that was written therein, he was able to make enough out of the research in order to preform his first transmutation: a doll for Winry.
HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT↘
This skill was formed during Edward's study of alchemy under his teacher, Izumi Curtis. One of the primary lessons she taught the Elric brothers was that to train the mind, one must also train the body. Alchemy is the kind of skill that often requires physical strength, and thus, it became necessary for Edward to learn how to fight. And learn he did. Edward's skill in hand-to-hand fighting is impressive, allowing him to take on several foes of inhuman nature. Whether he's fighting chimera, homunculi, or empty suits of armor powered by the souls bound to them, Ed can hold is own and often wins.
Part of what makes it easy for Edward to fight others is his flexibility. Seriously, this kid can do a vertical split in order to kick someone in the face. Which is a pretty handy trick, especially when you're as short as he is. Ed's flexibility also shows itself in his ability to preform acrobatic maneuvers such as back flips, hand stands, and mid-air somersaults, which he often employs as means to avoid attacks. So noticeable is this skill of Edward's, one of the individuals he fights in Lab Five calls him a monkey.
Edward's skill combined with his false limbs make it easy for him to take on opponents much larger and stronger than he is. One of the clearest examples comes as early as the first episode in which Edward takes on two chimera, one that practically bites his arm. Fortunately for him, it was made of steel and chrome at the time, which allowed him to punch the chimera with enough force to knock it across a large room.
Adding onto this impressive fighting ability is Ed's tendency to fight using... less than honorable methods. It's very common for Ed to pull all sorts of dirty tricks in order to defeat an opponent. These includ calling names, distracting the target, diverting his enemy's attention away from him, and even hitting girls. These tactics, combined with his acrobatic method of fighting, can easily throw off an attacker, giving Ed an edge in many battles.
Finally, when equipped with his automail, it's not uncommon to see Ed transmute it during a fight into a blade with which he can case severe damage to his enemies. It's sort of his trademark, a method he relies on frequently when he has his automail, though the style of the blade may vary depending on the fight he's in. When he's not capable of using his automail, but still able to use alchemy, Ed will improvise and making any weapon he can make use of out of the material around him, including stone, metal, and even blood.
What do you see your character doing in the scope of the game and how do you plan to use the setting of Landel's Institute to develop them and affect their psychology in a unique, interesting way?:
brb with this
Given that this RP takes place in an unsettling and outright horrific environment, how do you justify your character as being appropriate in both body and mind for this kind of setting?:
Due to his canon and his background, Edward is no stranger to horrific events. At the age of eleven, after failing to transmute his mother, Edward was confronted with the loss of a limb and a seething mass of organs that was not human. Despite the sheer terror he felt and the pain he was in, he was still able to think enough to willingly sacrifice another limb in order to bind his brother's soul to a suit of armor. And Edward's struggles do not end there. At the age of twelve, by his own choice, Ed takes on the burdens of an adult. He forces himself to suffer the pain and agony of having automail bound to his body, without a single scream. This is something Pinako notes to never happen and that even adults scream in pain. Things for Edward do not get much better as the series progresses. He's forced to come to terms with the fact that he created a monster and must destroy it, among other unsettling events. Through each ordeal, Edward is able to soldier on. If anything, the phrase "whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" very much applies to Edward.
Coming from a series like Fullmetal Alchemist, where the main characters are often faced with death, torture, and questionable morality, it's not hard to imagine that Edward would be able to face the horrific nature of Landel's, both physically and emotionally.
Third-Person Sample:
[[Replace this block of text with a sample post for your character in third person, past tense. We aren’t asking you to use a preset situation; just write him/her doing something that will give us a better idea of how you interpret him/her and a better understanding of how you approach writing in general. Your sample should be 500 words or more, should be from your character's point of view, and should be from a point in time in the character's life consistent with the characterization you'd be using while playing them in the RP. (Reusing a sample from a previous app to another community is totally fine so long as it meets the above criteria and represents your current writing style.)]]
First-Person Sample:
[[Replace this block of text with a sample journal post, first person. The length of this sample can fluctuate depending on your character's personality and habits in their canon; in fact, it might be OOC for your character to write at all! Just let us know your reasoning.]]
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image 1 - ref
image 2 - age 15
image 3 - age 15
image 4 - age 18
height chart :|b
Completely optional question for first-time applicants: How did you find out about this RP and why are you interested in playing in it?: Through Lina/subversive, mostly. I've been playing with her Lelouch for a while as Rolo and after picking up Edward in another game with her, I've begun considering putting Ed in another setting. Something a bit darker.
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Timezone: PST
Personal LJ: lavaliere
E-Mail: lavalieres@gmail.com
AIM/other: marymargravy
Is English your primary language?: Yes
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Series: Fullmetal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa (anime & film-verse)
Series' Medium: Anime
Character: Edward Elric
Age: 18
Sex/Gender: Male
Canon Role: Main protagonist & titular character
"Real" Name: Victor Park
How long have you roleplayed your character, if at all?: One year. Previously, I played Ed's younger brother, Alphonse Elric, for about three years.
Where have you roleplayed in general and/or with this specific character?: Currently guysandolls
Are you personally familiar with your character's canon?:
Yes. After Yuugiou and Scrapped Princess, Fullmetal Alchemist was the third anime I was introduced to when I was living with my aunt and uncle while attending school in Portland, Oregon. My cousins were big fans of anime and my uncle, being an anime fan as well, had downloaded the first twenty-five episodes of the original anime for my cousins to watch. Out of curiosity, I sat and watched it with them. Naturally, I fell in love with the series very quickly and, with my cousin's help, found the manga online to read. At least, as much as was available at the time.
This was in 2004. I've been a big fan of the series since then. So much that even when I moved away from my uncle's house, I took the time to find the rest of the series myself so that I could discover how it ended. I also began collecting the manga as it regularly came out. When FMA became licensed and was released on Adult Swim, I looked up a few of the episodes on youtube since I did not have the channel. However, I was not as fond of the dub as I had been of the original, and didn't bother to watch any more of it.
I did, however, download the movie as soon as it became available. And then I bought it on dvd. And then I bought it again when it came out on a two disc special edition. And then I received a copy from a friend that was a bluray director's cut. I still own all three copies, as well as the downloaded subs.
Being the nerd that I am, I've also seen additional material, such as the OVAs (like Chibi Party, Kids, Alchemists vs. Homunculi, Liveaction and Reflections). The Kids OVA has to be my favorite because I like the idea of Edward living past the age of one hundred years old, as it suggests. He would've turned one hundred in 2005.
As the anime ended and the manga went on, I continued to collect the series. When it the anime was redone to fit the manga (this new series being titled Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood), I continued to follow this anime as well, though I must admit, I'm more fond of the original anime. The manga and both anime series are currently finished. I am caught up with both and am eagerly anticipating the second film, The Sacred Star of Milos.
Finally, I've purchased much of the additional material as it's become available in the United States. This includes the art books of both the anime and manga, character bios, the Fullmetal Alchemist: Curse of the Crimson Elixir video game as well as the light novel, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Land of Sand. With time (and funds, sob), I hope to purchase the other light novels as well.
Please give us a personal history of your character's life and explain to us in detail how they grow and develop over the course of their canon:
This is the story all about how Ed's life got flipped, turned upside down. It'll take a few minutes 'cause I can't write a list, but I'll tell you how Ed became the Fullmetal Alchemist.
What point in time are you taking your character from when he/she appears at Landel's and why?: Mid-Conqueror of Shamballa, before Edward attempts to break into Professor Haushaufer's villa, the location of the Thule Society.
Please give us a detailed description of your character's personality:
There are many defining aspects of Edward's personality that make him the well known character he is today. But to understand his attributes, one must also understand his background. Both are closely tied, having a strong impact on how he develops throughout the series. And there are many facets to Edward Elric, making him a complex and well-rounded protagonist.
First and foremost, Edward Elric is stubborn. He is hardheaded, determined, and unlikely to back down, regardless of how bleak things may seem. He is even well known for it, the aspect of his personality being probably the most well known for those who have met or heard of him. This part of Ed was formed early on, as young as his childhood even. The death of his mother is what sets everything off for the Ed and his younger brother Al. Feeling lonely and empty without her, the Elric brothers decide to bring her back using alchemy and through Ed's steely determination, they're able to gain a teacher. And this teacher only enforces Ed's stubbornness by sending him and Al through what can only be described as training from hell. As Edward grows and ages, this stubbornness helps drive him in everything he does, especially his primary goal of returning Al to the body he'd lost after their failed attempt at reviving their mother.
Ed's stubbornness manifests in many ways seen throughout the series. The first, of course, being his determination to gain him and Al a teacher in alchemy. The second is seen in his determination to return Al to his body and the fact that to do that, after losing his right arm and his left leg, he had to equip himself with automail limbs. While most adults might scream in pain at receiving automail, Edward never did, something that is made note of in series because of how intense the pain can be. And yet, in sheer stubbornness and determination, Edward clenches his teeth, refraining from screaming because he believes the pain Al must feel, being nothing but a soul bound to a suit of armor, has to be worse. This same determination also leads Ed to take the State Alchemist Exam at the young age of twelve, and then to pass, being the youngest in history to do so. And even Ed's nickname as a State Alchemist is a testament to his hardheadedness. The name "Fullmetal Alchemist" that he is given means two things: The "fullmetal" is both a reference to his automail limbs as well as his determination. In Japanese, the term "fullmetal" (or "hagane") is coined from the movie Full Metal Jacket, meant to indicate a the strength of a person's heart.
Of course, as time passes, events occur that might make any normal person wish to give up their quest, especially one considered so "taboo" in Ed's world. But even events like learning that the Philosopher's Stone is created through the sacrifice of living people or the death of young girl named Nina whom Ed considered like a little sister, only makes Ed more determined to learn more about alchemy in order to save people like her but also to ensure he can restore Al. When facing the homunculus that Edward and Alphonse created who looks exactly like his mother, Edward is focused and refuses to give up, no matter how much it hurts to see his mother's face on something he created. Even after being trapped in another world, forced to live without alchemy and separated from his brother, Edward never gives up trying to find a way home. Such is Edward's determination and stubbornness.
But stubbornness is not the only trait Ed has. Some traits make him seem childish at times, such as his strong dislike for milk, and his near-Napoleonic complex. Edward detests being called short, despite how true it is. Edward is often much shorter than the people in his life, including Al and when attention is drawn to this, Edward often reacts far more than what was necessary for the occasion. Over-blowing and exaggerating comments about his height, Edward must sometimes be held back by Alphonse, to prevent him from harming others in his rage. While this is often played for laughs, it is a common aspect of Edward that he is often known for.
The Fullmetal Alchemist's close relationships can also be demonstrations of his sometimes childish behavior. With Winry, his childhood friend, and with his brother, Edward is often impish and quick to crack sarcastic remarks. Often arguing with Winry, Edward is known to continue banter with her for extended periods of time (which often end in being hit on the head with one of Winry's wrenches). Edward's childish antics are often also displayed in how his transmutations are formed. Frequently, even while in the heat of battle, Edward transmutes the elements around him into comical and expressive forms or even into caricatures of himself. While these transmutations serve their purposes in battle, they are often amusing in their own right, displaying the same hairstyle, eyes, or even expressions that Edward often gives his enemies.
Combining his stubbornness with this childish side and the result is Edward's reactions to the people around him and even his superiors. He has no fear for using inappropriate language around people of higher rank than him, like with Colonel Mustang, whom he often calls "that bastard colonel". He doesn't hold back in letting people know just what he thinks, even if it's insulting or even if it means getting his ass kicked (by those like his teacher, Izumi). And a common phrase often uttered from Edward's lips is "Fuzake n Na" (a very informal and masculine way of saying "Fuzukeru" or "joke", "tease", "lie", etc.), a phrase that in English can be translated as anything from "Don't mess with me!" to "Don't fuck with me!", depending on the emotion and context.
Edward is often aware of this childish side to himself and sometimes uses it to make a point. It's not uncommon for Ed to make himself seem like quite a jerk, if only to push people away in order to prevent them from getting hurt. Other times, he'll treat people rudely because he doesn't want to know how worried he is.
Ed's style of speech is always gruff and often times rather crass. When angered enough, Edward relies on cursing to express himself. And though he uses less vulgar, but still somewhat offensive words in everyday language, he can manage to be polite with the occasion calls for it. But more likely than not, Edward does not hold back, even with family or close friends. His father, Hohenheim of Light, is often referred to as "that old man" or "that bastard". Even Winry's grandmother, "Auntie Pinako" is sometimes called an "old hag."
These less graceful aspects of Edward might make him seem a bit off-putting and at times, he is. But Ed is not all gruffness and rough language or just a stubborn, hot-headed young man. Ed is capable of great sacrifice for others and can be a very caring individual. He often takes on the burdens of others around him as well as his own. As early as the very beginning of the series, Ed takes on the task of bringing down a fraudulent minister who was manipulating his people for the sake of a girl named Rose. That is, at least, how Al supposes it. Ed also sets things right in the towns of Youswell and Aquroya. It's due to these tasks that Ed is eventually given the title of "The State Alchemist of the People." And to individuals, Ed is often friendly and kind, such as the many people he and Al meet on their journeys.
Ed is also far wiser than he often seems. It's not uncommon for Ed to seem more mature than what his age or height might suggest. He may sometimes comes across as broody, thoughtful, or even quite philosophical. This becomes more and more evident as Ed becomes aware of the truth behind alchemy and the consequences of his and his brother's mistakes. Edward's approach to life becomes sometimes more cynical. He considers himself damned or a sinner, admits that he's often selfish, and even comments that he's given up believing in "god" because god would only "send him back down." But he still has hope for humanity and for the world. He may act like a jerk to others, such as Rose or the people of Youswell, but Ed portrays himself as a "bad guy" only as a method to set things right. To make others see for themselves the truth behind the lies they've been living. Without having to point it out directly to them. However, he isn't afraid to be blunt either. All of this is shown when he tells the antagonist of the film, who comes from the other side of the Gate to destroy Edward's world, that all humans are humans regardless of which world they come from. Ed explains that all humans live, die, laugh, and cry like they would anywhere else.
Even when he begins to see the darker part of humans and how they respond to hope or the lack of it, Ed remains strong and frequently mature. Events such as the death of Nina, the destruction of Lior (which Edward thought he had saved), the death of Lieutenant Hughes being hidden from him, the rape of his friend Rose, the discovery of the true ingredients of the Philosopher's Stone, being forced to take lives, and the discovery that his own father's former lover (Dante) was pulling the strings behind all the treachery in his country, have left Edward a bit bitter and a bit more worldly, but these never make him stop believing that there is hope for the world and that everything in it follows the law of Equivalent Exchange. He is able to realize that despite the four years that he and Al had spent trying to live for themselves and trying to push away the world in order to simply regain what they needed, he and Al are part of the world, regardless of which world it is. And therefore, they have the duty to take care of it.
Of course, while in Germany, Edward goes through many changes. No longer does he react as rashly or as openly as he once had to comments about his height or the like. Rarely does he make the kind of snide comments that he once did, though that bite in his tone is still sometimes there. Edward's respect for others is stronger too, starting from as early on as the closing of the anime. Instead of mocking or provoking his superior officer, Edward acknowledges him as an equal, taking off with a slight brush of a hand to show that they are no longer opponents or even rivals. And while Edward still refers to his father as "the old man", he holds more respect for the man than he once did. By the time Hohenheim dies in the film, Edward's grief is palpable over losing him. He also becomes less friendly than he is normally. There, he withdraws from others and doesn't form close relationships, despite spending two years there. Even his roommate, a young man named Alfons Heiderich who looks remarkably like Ed's brother Al, notes that Edward tends to daydream frequently and tells stories of another world, refusing to grow close to other people. But through all this, he is also still very much Edward Elric, capable of gruff language and stubborn behavior.
Even after the development he experiences through the film, Edward is by no means less stubborn or less easily provoked. He even has the same brash, coarse style of speech that includes a variety of off colored words. Edward also manages to overreact to comments about his height in Alphonse's presence. Edward still pouts or makes faces at people who mock or tease him, even his own close friend, Alfons. It's only that these ways of reacting become fewer and far between as time passes in the anime and film, especially as more dangerous and heavier events begin to take over the plot.
Naturally, no matter how stubborn or strong Ed might be, he can still be vulnerable. There will always be parts of his world that still shock and surprise him, no matter how worldly he becomes. The discovery that Envy was the homunculus of his father's first son (making Envy a half-brother), shocks Edward so much that Envy is able to deliver a fatal blow (obviously, he got better). Being thrown into a new world and even into someone else's body sends Edward reeling at first, especially when he discovers he can no longer use alchemy. Finding that world to be full of alternate versions of people from his world surprises Edward too. Learning that the souls of the deceased of the alternate world feed the energy for transmutations in his world also shocks Edward, possibly more than anything else he'd experienced up until that point. But nothing shocks Edward more than finding out his own brother gave up his whole life to bring him back.
It is a credit to Edward's personality and his strength that he is able to work past these events. No matter how grim the situation may be and no matter how much Edward sees the world in a darker view, he still fights to protect his brother and to make things right. He is still able to soldier on, despite being thrown into a new world, by learning the new world's sciences and taking up the new things he's learned in hopes of finding a way back home. He is still able to fight against the Thule Society that threatens to create unbalance between the two worlds. And Edward is still able to live, even without knowing for sure if his transmutation to bring Alphonse back to life was successful and being forced to live with a mirror image of his brother who isn't and never will be the Al he grew up with.
Between the hardships of his life, the relationships with those around him, and the decisions Edward makes, it's clear Ed is by no means a simple character. It his stubbornness, his charm, his determination, his strength, and his intelligence that allows him to conquer the evils of his world. But more importantly, these traits also make him the recognizable protagonist from a well known series that he is today.
Please give us a physical description of your character:
Despite having grown quite a bit since his introduction in the first anime, Edward has not grown enough to escape his infamy of being petite. It's this shorter stature (only 4'11" at the end of the anime and maybe pushing 5'2" in the film) that is often remarked on and significant for a young man at the age of eighteen. Why Edward is short is never truly explored in the anime, save for hints that his automail limbs may be stunting his height a little and that his distaste for milk keeps him from growing like he should (in the manga, it's revealed that the cause for Ed's stature is due to his keeping Al's body alive within the Gate; whether this applies to Ed of the anime as well is unknown). But short jokes aside, Ed's height is not the only part of him that is striking.
As the Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward is known for not only his stature, but also his vivid golden hair and eyes. These features, rare among Amestrians, are notable enough to be remembered in many places as well as being the trademark of the Elric brothers. Edward keeps his golden hair long, often braiding it, though by the time of the movie, he begins to keep it back in a simple ponytail. And it's not just his hair or eyes that gets him noticed. Edward tends to wear a vibrant red coat with the Flamel sign (a mark important for destroying homunculi) over dark black clothing. The coat is memorable enough for it to be remembered in the movie when Alphonse wears it, leading to people mistaking Al for Ed. But since Al has the coat in the movie, and Edward is trapped on the other side of the Gate, Edward resorts to wearing the same styles and fashions as are typical for 1920s Germany. The coat, vest, slacks, and shirt are all of subdued hues, many being brown or gray.
Beneath the clothing, however, is what makes Edward truly remarkable and ultimately what gives him the name of "Fullmetal". After the tragic accident that occurred when he and Alphonse attempted to revive their mother, Edward was fitted with automail or prosthetic limbs of advanced technical capabilities. These limbs, which are wired to human nerves, work very much like regular arms or legs. But automail is made of steal and sometimes chrome, making the limbs quite heavy at times and a strain on the body. Edward insisted on having these installed at the young age of eleven and continues to wear them to this day. During the movie, however, his arm is replaced with a different style of prosthetic, something his father made due to the lack of automail technology available in 1920s Germany. These limbs, while still fairly mobile (and sometimes mistaken as real) are just as extraordinary with special joints and a false skin.
❝Because of advances in science and the first massive war human had ever experienced, World War I, the science of compensating for bodily injuries advanced rapidly. Edward's artificial limbs are based on automail technology from Amestris, which was originally created by his father, Hohenheim. But he switches to German artificial skin and mechanical parts, and is receiving outpatient care at a clinic. It looks like Hohenheim was able to leave behind a great number of spares that were difficult to make with Germany's technology.❞
from the Fullmetal Alchemist The Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa Guide Book
❝The brain still send signals to the muscles. By amplifying those signals... Actually, I don't really understand it. My dad made it.❞
Edward Elric in Conqueror of Shamballa
Because of the strain that automail can have on a body, and also due to a doctrine Edward learned while training under his alchemy teacher, Edward also maintains a strict regime of sparring. This, and regular exercise, has given Edward a rather toned physique, something one would not expect on someone of Edward's height. However, he is in good shape and keeps it up, making him something terrifying to encounter should one ever come between him and his goals.
What kinds of otherwordly abilities does your character have, if any?:
As the title, Fullmetal Alchemist suggests, there is only one power that individuals might be bestowed with (unless they're a homunculus). This ability is called (obviously) alchemy and should an individual be capable of it, they're able to preform transmutations. Known as the science of understanding a composition, deconstructing it, and reconstructing it, alchemy can be preformed by many and to the outsider, this power seems like the ability to simply change items at will. However this is far from the truth. Alchemy follows a distinct set of laws, the foremost being The Law of Equivalent Exchange. By ignoring these rules, disastrous things can happen to the alchemist. But by following them, alchemy can be used to create many items of benefit and use.
Three things are typically needed for an alchemist to preform alchemy: a transmutation circle, the energy and talent, and the appropriate amount of material to transmute. The first can vary anywhere from a simple circles with a square or triangles drawn inside to elaborate symbols of intricate design. These arrays, know as transmutation circles, act as a conduit for an alchemist to harness and use energy that powers their transmutations. The circle represents the circulation of power and when an alchemist adds a construction equation (or the writing, symbols, and squares/triangles within a transmutation circle), the power is able to manifest. But even with a transmutation circle, not everyone can preform alchemy. It is often a talent born within individuals and unique to them. What's more, should someone be capable of preforming alchemy, they must study hard in order to reach certain levels. A knowledge of the elements, as well as common molecules and chemicals are necessary for an alchemist to be talented. Finally, alchemy follows the Law of Equivalent Exchange. Much like the law of conservation of mass, the Law of Equivalent Exchange states that something cannot be created from nothing. An alchemist must first present material of equal mass to that which they want to obtain. To be more specific, only items with like atoms can be transmuted; all elements must be kept intact. As long as an alchemist keeps all this in mind, they might be able to preform transmutations of all sorts, such as turning carbon coal into diamonds. Then again, some don't have as much talent as Edward Elric.
Due to his failed attempt at reviving his mother with the use of alchemy, Edward Elric came in contact with The Gate of Truth. This massive door, which resides within every alchemist, is what the energy of alchemy flows through. If an alchemist comes in direct contact with it and lives (a very rare occurrence considering that aside from Ed, only three other people are capable of it), they are then able to preform alchemy without transmutation circles. So rare is this ability that since Edward can do it, he is famous for it. All he has to do, in order to preform a transmutation, is clap his hands. You see, when his palms connect, his body forms a ring. This is the transmutation circle he uses. Take away Ed's hands and he can no longer preform alchemy.
Even among alchemists, Ed is known as a genius, but not just because of his ability to preform alchemy without a transmutation circle. Ed, within the series, manages to pull off transmutations that not even advanced State Alchemists might've been able to accomplish. Including the only ever successful case of Human Transmutation, something otherwise forbidden and impossible in Ed's world.
If present, how do you plan to tweak these powers to make your character appropriately hindered in the setting of Landel's?:
brb with this
Does your character have any non-otherworldly abilities/training that surpass the norm?:
INTELLECT↘
Edward is not the Fullmetal Alchemist simply because of his automail limbs and the ability to preform alchemy without a transmutation circle. As early as the age of twelve, it's clear that Edward is a genius when he is able to pass the State Alchemist written exam (a test that very few adults have the knowledge to pass). Edward has a genius intellect and firm understanding of Chemistry, Biology, and Physics, all of which are essential to alchemy. This all comes in handy, of course, when you're trying to research how to construct an average adult body. And the equation for Human Transmutation is one Edward knows by heart. Edward displays this genius several times throughout the series, especially when alchemy is necessary to defeat his enemies. Often able to determine or break down transmutations of other alchemists in his mind, Ed is capable of understanding a transmutation from having seen it preformed once (he does this upon seeing Lyra's method of attack in which she ❝liquified the air around her, reduced its volume, and then all at once vaporized it again, producing a shockwave.❞ cf. episode 09). This means that after seeing an enemy's attack, it's often not difficult for him to replicate it in his own way. One noticeable moment is when Edward realizes that his enemy, Scar, uses alchemy but stops at the "deconstruct" stage. Knowing this, Edward is able to use alchemy on his automail to prevent Scar from destroying it. Edward also uses the knowledge he has of the human body to use alchemy against the homunculi. By reconfiguring the carbon in Greed's diamond-hard shield, Ed is able to turn it into a material much softer like, as he puts it, pencil lead. Thus, by altering the carbon atoms using alchemy, Edward is able to defeat Greed.
Ed's knowledge in these areas also comes in handy while studying Robert Goddard, and later under Herman Oberth. Yeah, that Goddard and that Oberth. It's during the two years between the end of the anime series and the movie that Edward meets Alfons Heiderich and studies rocketry with him under Oberth's tutelage. Given that it takes some knowledge in both Physics and Chemistry for this area of study, just as with alchemy, it's no surprise that Edward takes to it easily (more on this here).
Edward's genius does not end at just science. At the age of fifteen, Edward was able to decode another man's research in alchemy that centered on the Philosopher's Stone. This code was written to seem like a series of simple recipes yet hid the truth of something much more. Edward was able to decode the entire book within hours. Furthermore, Alphonse notes that Edward keeps all his own notes coded within his journal to make them appear as simple documentary of their travels and destinations rather than elaborate mathematical and scientific equations for use in alchemy.
Finally, Edward is also a voracious reader. He has a deep love for books and not always of scientific material. In the very first episode, Edward makes a reference to the myth of Icarus (❝You will just get burned if you get too close to the sun.❞), suggesting he's familiar with at least the form of Greek myths as they appear in his world. Once Edward is stuck in Germany, his father makes a reference to Dracula, which Edward seems to understand, suggesting he's also familiar with common literature from "our" world. Edward's love of books started early, too. When he was as young as six, he began reading his father's books on alchemy and though he admitted to not understanding all that was written therein, he was able to make enough out of the research in order to preform his first transmutation: a doll for Winry.
HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT↘
This skill was formed during Edward's study of alchemy under his teacher, Izumi Curtis. One of the primary lessons she taught the Elric brothers was that to train the mind, one must also train the body. Alchemy is the kind of skill that often requires physical strength, and thus, it became necessary for Edward to learn how to fight. And learn he did. Edward's skill in hand-to-hand fighting is impressive, allowing him to take on several foes of inhuman nature. Whether he's fighting chimera, homunculi, or empty suits of armor powered by the souls bound to them, Ed can hold is own and often wins.
Part of what makes it easy for Edward to fight others is his flexibility. Seriously, this kid can do a vertical split in order to kick someone in the face. Which is a pretty handy trick, especially when you're as short as he is. Ed's flexibility also shows itself in his ability to preform acrobatic maneuvers such as back flips, hand stands, and mid-air somersaults, which he often employs as means to avoid attacks. So noticeable is this skill of Edward's, one of the individuals he fights in Lab Five calls him a monkey.
Edward's skill combined with his false limbs make it easy for him to take on opponents much larger and stronger than he is. One of the clearest examples comes as early as the first episode in which Edward takes on two chimera, one that practically bites his arm. Fortunately for him, it was made of steel and chrome at the time, which allowed him to punch the chimera with enough force to knock it across a large room.
Adding onto this impressive fighting ability is Ed's tendency to fight using... less than honorable methods. It's very common for Ed to pull all sorts of dirty tricks in order to defeat an opponent. These includ calling names, distracting the target, diverting his enemy's attention away from him, and even hitting girls. These tactics, combined with his acrobatic method of fighting, can easily throw off an attacker, giving Ed an edge in many battles.
Finally, when equipped with his automail, it's not uncommon to see Ed transmute it during a fight into a blade with which he can case severe damage to his enemies. It's sort of his trademark, a method he relies on frequently when he has his automail, though the style of the blade may vary depending on the fight he's in. When he's not capable of using his automail, but still able to use alchemy, Ed will improvise and making any weapon he can make use of out of the material around him, including stone, metal, and even blood.
What do you see your character doing in the scope of the game and how do you plan to use the setting of Landel's Institute to develop them and affect their psychology in a unique, interesting way?:
brb with this
Given that this RP takes place in an unsettling and outright horrific environment, how do you justify your character as being appropriate in both body and mind for this kind of setting?:
Due to his canon and his background, Edward is no stranger to horrific events. At the age of eleven, after failing to transmute his mother, Edward was confronted with the loss of a limb and a seething mass of organs that was not human. Despite the sheer terror he felt and the pain he was in, he was still able to think enough to willingly sacrifice another limb in order to bind his brother's soul to a suit of armor. And Edward's struggles do not end there. At the age of twelve, by his own choice, Ed takes on the burdens of an adult. He forces himself to suffer the pain and agony of having automail bound to his body, without a single scream. This is something Pinako notes to never happen and that even adults scream in pain. Things for Edward do not get much better as the series progresses. He's forced to come to terms with the fact that he created a monster and must destroy it, among other unsettling events. Through each ordeal, Edward is able to soldier on. If anything, the phrase "whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" very much applies to Edward.
Coming from a series like Fullmetal Alchemist, where the main characters are often faced with death, torture, and questionable morality, it's not hard to imagine that Edward would be able to face the horrific nature of Landel's, both physically and emotionally.
Third-Person Sample:
[[Replace this block of text with a sample post for your character in third person, past tense. We aren’t asking you to use a preset situation; just write him/her doing something that will give us a better idea of how you interpret him/her and a better understanding of how you approach writing in general. Your sample should be 500 words or more, should be from your character's point of view, and should be from a point in time in the character's life consistent with the characterization you'd be using while playing them in the RP. (Reusing a sample from a previous app to another community is totally fine so long as it meets the above criteria and represents your current writing style.)]]
First-Person Sample:
[[Replace this block of text with a sample journal post, first person. The length of this sample can fluctuate depending on your character's personality and habits in their canon; in fact, it might be OOC for your character to write at all! Just let us know your reasoning.]]
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image 1 - ref
image 2 - age 15
image 3 - age 15
image 4 - age 18
height chart :|b
Completely optional question for first-time applicants: How did you find out about this RP and why are you interested in playing in it?: Through Lina/subversive, mostly. I've been playing with her Lelouch for a while as Rolo and after picking up Edward in another game with her, I've begun considering putting Ed in another setting. Something a bit darker.