Contact Info - Application - Crit Post.
PLAYER INFORMATION-
Name/Nickname: Lisa/Spinko.
E-mail/MSN:spunkymunky_9@hotmail.com
Secondary E-mail: pantherascorpius@googlemail.com
AIM: pantherascorpius
LJ: pantherscorpius
CHARACTER INFORMATION-
Canon Character and Series: Ellis, Left 4 Dead 2.
In-Game Name: Ellis Savannah.
Age: 23.
Gender: Male.
Position & Ship: Winding Way. First Choice - Mechanic.
Appearance:
Ellis is very much the picture of a healthy, able twenty-three year old male. He stands fairly tall at 6'0" and holds a trim build, boasting lightly muscled arms, chest and legs thanks to many days of hard work. His white, somewhat tanned skin is usually hidden in part, mostly his hands and face, by some sort of dirt or grime. This is more due to his job and less down to any laziness in the personal hygiene department. As well as this, he sometimes carries the grazes and bruises of friendly fights with his buddies, and not-so light-hearted fights with the many different beasts that dwell in the Badlands.
After the occasional black eye, or fat lip, the next most noticeable thing about Ellis is the cap constantly attached to his head. Blue and white in colour and not a style often seen in the Badlands, it was a gift from his mother, and Ellis himself claims that it has granted him luck on more than one occasion. In addition to his cap, Ellis can often be seen sporting a pair of dark-coloured overalls, although rather than wearing them as most people typically would, he prefers to wear them as trousers, while tying the empty arms around his waist. He can be often seen wearing a short sleeved shirt or t-shirt of some description, nothing too fancy or expensive as most of his clothing often gets ruined during work.
Ellis keeps his light brown hair cut fairly short and in no particular style - He doesn't have much need for any style when it's forever hidden beneath his cap. His eyes are blue, and of perfect 20/20 vision, so he's no need for spectacles. Not that a Badlands Boy like himself could afford a pair if he needed them. He chooses boots over any other kind of footwear. Not only are they more practical for his job in the Badlands, but for most kinds of weather his home can offer, also.
His right arm is covered from shoulder to just below his elbow with a black, tribal-style tattoo. The tattoo is the most expensive thing Ellis has ever spent his own money on, and was the product of a drunken dare on a particularly quiet, and therefore boring evening. When asked for the meaning behind it, he'll merely say that it's a sign of him being 'a badass'.
For the best part, Ellis carries himself with a confidence that's to be expected in a guy his age. He is be no means cocky or arrogant, in fact he can be quite the opposite, however his walk and mannerisms suggest somebody who perhaps isn't entirely aware of their own mortality.
Personality:
Ellis can, and has in the past, been described as an excitable puppy. Despite his age and his history, he retains a youthful, optimistic outlook on life. So much so, it's been known to be the cause of annoyance in others. In general, Ellis is very fun-loving and as such treats most dangerous moments or any setbacks as fun dares to try and impress his friends or, well, just about anybody. Naturally, this means that he can sometimes act a touch on the rash side, and would benefit from an older voice of experience to make him aware of his sometimes silly actions. Like spending all his hard earned money on a tattoo.
As mentioned before, Ellis is far from arrogant, seeming more boisterous than anything else. He's likely to let any negative comments wash straight over him, instead preferring to move onto the next point of conversation, or settle with an 'agree to disagree' answer. Upon finding a friend, or at least a person who will let him get through an entire sentence, Ellis is unwaveringly loyal. Maybe this is just another point to add to his puppy persona, but he will stick by his friends to the bitter end. If a situation puts his friends in danger, he'll suddenly put on his serious face and do what he can to ensure their safety. That said, he does enjoy a practical joke or two, but he pokes fun at those he likes the most.
The most notable point of Ellis' personality is that he is very talkative, often launching into extensive stories about his friends. These tales are often adventures of Badlands life, mixed with a dash of adolescent boy. They mostly center around his somewhat accident prone best friend Keith and, for the best part, never get to an ending. This is usually down to somebody cutting him off mid-stream, much to Ellis' disappointment. Whether or not Keith actually exists, or is merely a defense mechanism to help cope with his past is, as of yet, unknown.
Abilities/Weapons:
Ellis is, first and foremost, a top-notch Mechanic. Having run a repairs shop with his buddies, he learned quickly that the best way to learn is to do. And you only get work by being the first guys on the scene with tools when a ship lands or one of those fancy cars pulls up, looking for repairs. The Badlands sees it all, so he's gotten to take care of some really expensive pieces of the latest technology, as well as all the older, much-loved/-used stuff going. Give him something to repair, and he'll do it. Chances are he ether already knows what's wrong with it, or will soon find out using his experience and trial and error.
On top of his skill as a Mechanic, Ellis will proudly tell anybody that will listen that he could fire a gun before he could walk. So, this is a slight fabrication, but it's no lie that he was shooting cans and rats, with alarming accuracy, long before he hit the legal age to do so. He'll argue that it's a necessary skill, growing up in the Badlands, and it's been a great asset to him. Hand Ellis any kind of weapon, and he'll do a pretty good job of hurting something with it. Of course, only things that are -asking- to be hurt. He would never turn a weapon onto something innocent. Well, accept rats.
How well can your character hack?:
Ellis has a moderate hacking ability, being able to get into journals locked with up to a 'medium' setting. He's very keen on all things mechanical, and even if he's not as good with difference engines as say, modes of transport, he still knows how to find his way around one. This is mostly thanks to having to replace their batteries for customers, and of course, he'd have to make sure the things worked after being fitted with new juice.
Weaknesses:
Ellis, by any stretch, has no such magical ability to speak of, at all. In fact, he's never known any of the people close to him to have any such ability. While Ellis himself doesn't count this as a disability, some people would, claiming that it's always useful to have a little magic on your side in the Badlands. As well as being magically challenged, Ellis doesn't tend to know when he's annoying people. Without knowing it, he'll rely on people to shut him up when they've had enough. He just usually has a million and one things to share with people, and would talk all day given the chance.
Going through life, treating most things like a really fun, often dangerous game, has given Ellis something of a problem with realising his own mortality. He is, after all, merely a mortal human and thinking that he can take on the world with a beaten up gun can often get him into situations he shouldn't be in. He tends to act, then think a little about what he's doing when it's gotten him into trouble. Of course, most people would class this as a pretty big personality flaw, but some would often overlook it in favour of the good that Ellis has to offer.
Ellis is fairly naive and perhaps a touch gullible. When hearing talk of things he's not fully aware of, he's likely to believe whatever the person speaking is saying, no matter how far-fetched. For instance, if someone were talking of magical ability, he'll be happy to hear tall tales. Although, having not seen much real magic in his time, he'd be likely to ask for a demonstration, purely out of interest, rather than spite.
History:
Ellis grew up in a tiny little village in the Badlands, smaller even than most so-called villages located there. What the inhabitants called 'the village' was merely a gathering of eight or nine small houses, a handful of stores, a pub, a repair shop and a market that had the sole purpose of passing junk from one family to another. They survived like any other people living in the Badlands, by keeping themselves to themselves, unless to trade goods or do business.
Ellis had as normal an upbringing as you could, with your home under a great risk of being ravaged by various different forces, human or otherwise. His mother raised him on her own, his father having left for better prospects outside of the Badlands when Ellis was just a baby. Needless to say, his father's name is muck to this day, whereas he has only the greatest love for his mother.
He learned quickly that there wasn't a life for you in the Badlands if you didn't work hard, and fight for what you have. In-between what little formal education was available to him, he would help out with chores around the village, learning skills, such as firing a gun and repairing basic tools, that would greatly benefit him in later life. Of course, he was allowed to play with the kids of his own age when he wasn't learning or working, and play usually consisted of heading a little way outside of the village for a some target practice.
Only when he was old enough did he, and a few of his friends, secure themselves jobs at the repair shop. As far as Ellis was concerned, it was the only place worth working, and seeing as he got to mess around with his buddies all day, he thought he had a pretty sweet deal. He quickly picked up the basics, and was soon allowed to work on more expensive, higher maintenance jobs, for example, if airships landed in the Badlands or on the extremely rare occasion an actual car drove in.
Ellis loved his job, his friends, his family and his home.
Then the 'incident' had to go and spoil it all.
One night Ellis and the rest of his village woke up to find themselves under attack by what could only be describe as a hoard. Big, black beasts the size of horses trampled through their home, crushing and tearing up anything and everything that stood in the way. The small village did as they always did when monsters threatened their home, and picked up any weapons they could get hold of, in order to fight them off. The numbers of the beasts seemed to be endless as they raged through, and the inhabitants were clearly losing the fight. The only thing left to do was evacuate, and fast, to the closest place left untouched. Ellis, picking up a gun and anything useful he could, ran for his home to collect his mother, only to find her crumpled body against a wall. Having no time to spare her another glance, he ran from his home, and his village, seeing nothing but death and destruction on his way.
A few months passed for a troubled Ellis as he moved from city to city, steering clear of the Badlands. As much as he loved his home, he couldn't bring himself to go back there. He had left all his friends that day, and still wasn't sure if any were still alive. He dare not go back there through fear of what he may find. He kept a look out for any news, but such a small town in the Badlands clearly wasn't a big deal as far as a story goes. It wasn't the first time that something like this had happened. You were always hearing of casualties in the Badlands.
Now he's looking for somewhere more permanent to spend his time. He counts himself lucky for being what he thinks is the sole survivor of the incident, and for having a skill to offer a future employer. He figures his Mother wouldn't want him dwelling on something he can't change, so he does his best at feeling something close to normal, and does a pretty good job.
Also, if you'd like to say anything about my playing of Ellis, good or bad, please drop me a comment at this post. Thanks!
Name/Nickname: Lisa/Spinko.
E-mail/MSN:spunkymunky_9@hotmail.com
Secondary E-mail: pantherascorpius@googlemail.com
AIM: pantherascorpius
LJ: pantherscorpius
CHARACTER INFORMATION-
Canon Character and Series: Ellis, Left 4 Dead 2.
In-Game Name: Ellis Savannah.
Age: 23.
Gender: Male.
Position & Ship: Winding Way. First Choice - Mechanic.
Appearance:
Ellis is very much the picture of a healthy, able twenty-three year old male. He stands fairly tall at 6'0" and holds a trim build, boasting lightly muscled arms, chest and legs thanks to many days of hard work. His white, somewhat tanned skin is usually hidden in part, mostly his hands and face, by some sort of dirt or grime. This is more due to his job and less down to any laziness in the personal hygiene department. As well as this, he sometimes carries the grazes and bruises of friendly fights with his buddies, and not-so light-hearted fights with the many different beasts that dwell in the Badlands.
After the occasional black eye, or fat lip, the next most noticeable thing about Ellis is the cap constantly attached to his head. Blue and white in colour and not a style often seen in the Badlands, it was a gift from his mother, and Ellis himself claims that it has granted him luck on more than one occasion. In addition to his cap, Ellis can often be seen sporting a pair of dark-coloured overalls, although rather than wearing them as most people typically would, he prefers to wear them as trousers, while tying the empty arms around his waist. He can be often seen wearing a short sleeved shirt or t-shirt of some description, nothing too fancy or expensive as most of his clothing often gets ruined during work.
Ellis keeps his light brown hair cut fairly short and in no particular style - He doesn't have much need for any style when it's forever hidden beneath his cap. His eyes are blue, and of perfect 20/20 vision, so he's no need for spectacles. Not that a Badlands Boy like himself could afford a pair if he needed them. He chooses boots over any other kind of footwear. Not only are they more practical for his job in the Badlands, but for most kinds of weather his home can offer, also.
His right arm is covered from shoulder to just below his elbow with a black, tribal-style tattoo. The tattoo is the most expensive thing Ellis has ever spent his own money on, and was the product of a drunken dare on a particularly quiet, and therefore boring evening. When asked for the meaning behind it, he'll merely say that it's a sign of him being 'a badass'.
For the best part, Ellis carries himself with a confidence that's to be expected in a guy his age. He is be no means cocky or arrogant, in fact he can be quite the opposite, however his walk and mannerisms suggest somebody who perhaps isn't entirely aware of their own mortality.
Personality:
Ellis can, and has in the past, been described as an excitable puppy. Despite his age and his history, he retains a youthful, optimistic outlook on life. So much so, it's been known to be the cause of annoyance in others. In general, Ellis is very fun-loving and as such treats most dangerous moments or any setbacks as fun dares to try and impress his friends or, well, just about anybody. Naturally, this means that he can sometimes act a touch on the rash side, and would benefit from an older voice of experience to make him aware of his sometimes silly actions. Like spending all his hard earned money on a tattoo.
As mentioned before, Ellis is far from arrogant, seeming more boisterous than anything else. He's likely to let any negative comments wash straight over him, instead preferring to move onto the next point of conversation, or settle with an 'agree to disagree' answer. Upon finding a friend, or at least a person who will let him get through an entire sentence, Ellis is unwaveringly loyal. Maybe this is just another point to add to his puppy persona, but he will stick by his friends to the bitter end. If a situation puts his friends in danger, he'll suddenly put on his serious face and do what he can to ensure their safety. That said, he does enjoy a practical joke or two, but he pokes fun at those he likes the most.
The most notable point of Ellis' personality is that he is very talkative, often launching into extensive stories about his friends. These tales are often adventures of Badlands life, mixed with a dash of adolescent boy. They mostly center around his somewhat accident prone best friend Keith and, for the best part, never get to an ending. This is usually down to somebody cutting him off mid-stream, much to Ellis' disappointment. Whether or not Keith actually exists, or is merely a defense mechanism to help cope with his past is, as of yet, unknown.
Abilities/Weapons:
Ellis is, first and foremost, a top-notch Mechanic. Having run a repairs shop with his buddies, he learned quickly that the best way to learn is to do. And you only get work by being the first guys on the scene with tools when a ship lands or one of those fancy cars pulls up, looking for repairs. The Badlands sees it all, so he's gotten to take care of some really expensive pieces of the latest technology, as well as all the older, much-loved/-used stuff going. Give him something to repair, and he'll do it. Chances are he ether already knows what's wrong with it, or will soon find out using his experience and trial and error.
On top of his skill as a Mechanic, Ellis will proudly tell anybody that will listen that he could fire a gun before he could walk. So, this is a slight fabrication, but it's no lie that he was shooting cans and rats, with alarming accuracy, long before he hit the legal age to do so. He'll argue that it's a necessary skill, growing up in the Badlands, and it's been a great asset to him. Hand Ellis any kind of weapon, and he'll do a pretty good job of hurting something with it. Of course, only things that are -asking- to be hurt. He would never turn a weapon onto something innocent. Well, accept rats.
How well can your character hack?:
Ellis has a moderate hacking ability, being able to get into journals locked with up to a 'medium' setting. He's very keen on all things mechanical, and even if he's not as good with difference engines as say, modes of transport, he still knows how to find his way around one. This is mostly thanks to having to replace their batteries for customers, and of course, he'd have to make sure the things worked after being fitted with new juice.
Weaknesses:
Ellis, by any stretch, has no such magical ability to speak of, at all. In fact, he's never known any of the people close to him to have any such ability. While Ellis himself doesn't count this as a disability, some people would, claiming that it's always useful to have a little magic on your side in the Badlands. As well as being magically challenged, Ellis doesn't tend to know when he's annoying people. Without knowing it, he'll rely on people to shut him up when they've had enough. He just usually has a million and one things to share with people, and would talk all day given the chance.
Going through life, treating most things like a really fun, often dangerous game, has given Ellis something of a problem with realising his own mortality. He is, after all, merely a mortal human and thinking that he can take on the world with a beaten up gun can often get him into situations he shouldn't be in. He tends to act, then think a little about what he's doing when it's gotten him into trouble. Of course, most people would class this as a pretty big personality flaw, but some would often overlook it in favour of the good that Ellis has to offer.
Ellis is fairly naive and perhaps a touch gullible. When hearing talk of things he's not fully aware of, he's likely to believe whatever the person speaking is saying, no matter how far-fetched. For instance, if someone were talking of magical ability, he'll be happy to hear tall tales. Although, having not seen much real magic in his time, he'd be likely to ask for a demonstration, purely out of interest, rather than spite.
History:
Ellis grew up in a tiny little village in the Badlands, smaller even than most so-called villages located there. What the inhabitants called 'the village' was merely a gathering of eight or nine small houses, a handful of stores, a pub, a repair shop and a market that had the sole purpose of passing junk from one family to another. They survived like any other people living in the Badlands, by keeping themselves to themselves, unless to trade goods or do business.
Ellis had as normal an upbringing as you could, with your home under a great risk of being ravaged by various different forces, human or otherwise. His mother raised him on her own, his father having left for better prospects outside of the Badlands when Ellis was just a baby. Needless to say, his father's name is muck to this day, whereas he has only the greatest love for his mother.
He learned quickly that there wasn't a life for you in the Badlands if you didn't work hard, and fight for what you have. In-between what little formal education was available to him, he would help out with chores around the village, learning skills, such as firing a gun and repairing basic tools, that would greatly benefit him in later life. Of course, he was allowed to play with the kids of his own age when he wasn't learning or working, and play usually consisted of heading a little way outside of the village for a some target practice.
Only when he was old enough did he, and a few of his friends, secure themselves jobs at the repair shop. As far as Ellis was concerned, it was the only place worth working, and seeing as he got to mess around with his buddies all day, he thought he had a pretty sweet deal. He quickly picked up the basics, and was soon allowed to work on more expensive, higher maintenance jobs, for example, if airships landed in the Badlands or on the extremely rare occasion an actual car drove in.
Ellis loved his job, his friends, his family and his home.
Then the 'incident' had to go and spoil it all.
One night Ellis and the rest of his village woke up to find themselves under attack by what could only be describe as a hoard. Big, black beasts the size of horses trampled through their home, crushing and tearing up anything and everything that stood in the way. The small village did as they always did when monsters threatened their home, and picked up any weapons they could get hold of, in order to fight them off. The numbers of the beasts seemed to be endless as they raged through, and the inhabitants were clearly losing the fight. The only thing left to do was evacuate, and fast, to the closest place left untouched. Ellis, picking up a gun and anything useful he could, ran for his home to collect his mother, only to find her crumpled body against a wall. Having no time to spare her another glance, he ran from his home, and his village, seeing nothing but death and destruction on his way.
A few months passed for a troubled Ellis as he moved from city to city, steering clear of the Badlands. As much as he loved his home, he couldn't bring himself to go back there. He had left all his friends that day, and still wasn't sure if any were still alive. He dare not go back there through fear of what he may find. He kept a look out for any news, but such a small town in the Badlands clearly wasn't a big deal as far as a story goes. It wasn't the first time that something like this had happened. You were always hearing of casualties in the Badlands.
Now he's looking for somewhere more permanent to spend his time. He counts himself lucky for being what he thinks is the sole survivor of the incident, and for having a skill to offer a future employer. He figures his Mother wouldn't want him dwelling on something he can't change, so he does his best at feeling something close to normal, and does a pretty good job.
Also, if you'd like to say anything about my playing of Ellis, good or bad, please drop me a comment at this post. Thanks!