ooc: personality & other characteristics
And once again, the spoiler warnings apply, for .hack//G.U. vol. 1 and vol. 2. So does the asking not to reuse any parts of this. ♥
At first glance, Endrance seems cold and aloof. This is a large change compared to Endrance's early days as Elk in R:1. While he is very shy, Elk is more willing to approach others. He's close to Mia, and eventually becomes friends with the other original .hackers. However, the loss of Mia, and his difficulties adjusting to school life, turn him into a recluse, and this is where his cold, aloof nature comes into play full force. He rarely speaks to others, and even secludes himself from his own family.
This sense of coldness is largely true for him throughout volume 1, as the only object he cares about is the AIDA-cat "Mia" that is always on his shoulder. He seems obsessed with beauty - to the point of flamboyant displays of his own 'beauty'. He is largely uninterested in people, and sees them only as 'ugly dolls'. He begins to grow and change after Haseo uses Data Drain on him, removing the AIDA infection. At first, the loss of "Mia" is almost too much for him to bear. Endrance decides to seal himself away in one of the Lost Grounds (Indieglut Lugh) in 'The World', much as his player, Kaoru, has largely sealed himself in his room, away from the outside world. He's visited by Sakubo, but largely ignores her presence.
However, after Haseo comes to speak to Endrance in volume 2, telling him he needs his help, his personality begins to change. He can still be cold and aloof at times, even shy, but he warms up to the others. He becomes more willing to work with people and to interact with them, even if his flowery, dramatic way of speaking can confuse them at times. He also shows a surprising amount of insight into many situations that the group encounters.
Also, it's revealed that he's a very devoted person*. Once you've gained his trust, or told him that you need him, there isn't a more dedicated person to be found. (This can be a double-edged sword at times, because this dedication and devotion can give way to something akin to obsession.) In addition to his insight about situations the party encounters, Endrance has a lot to say about the topic of love, as well. He knows what it is to be devoted to something, or someone, and lose that, and as such, he's gained insight into that. This insight is displayed particularly well in a cutscene near the end of volume 2. Haseo, Endrance, and the rest of the party infiltrate the Moon Tree Guild after it has been taken over, and run into one of the guild division leaders, Hiiragi.
Hiiragi says that he is devoted to Sakaki, even going so far as to say, “Pain, pleasure, sadness, joy, hate, love - even this world! I'd gladly give that and more to Sakaki!” Endrance's reply is that Hiiragi's desires have grown too strong, and that he's given up his own thoughts. He goes on to say that to love someone isn't to shut one's eyes to the other person, or to block one's ears to the truth. He ends by saying, “To love one another...is to walk through life together...Open your eyes, open your ears...Look at each other, and together, seek the best path for the both of you.” He says this despite his own devotion, showing that he has grown towards this viewpoint.
* Particularly towards Haseo. It's not stretching things to say that Endrance shifts his devotion towards Mia towards Haseo, nor is it stretching things to say that he loves him dearly. Endrance says as much in canon on a number of occasions.
--
In 'The World', Endrance is a Blade Brandier. This type of character is skilled with daggers, katanas, and other one-handed swords. He tends to use a one-handed sword in battle, and is quite skilled with it, even flashy at times. While fighting, he almost looks as if he is dancing, using the blade as an extension of his arms while moving.
Endrance is also the Epitaph User of the sixth Morganna Factor, Macha, 'The Temptress'. He uses Macha frequently in his early arena battles, and at the end of .hack//G.U. volume 1, during the fight against Haseo and Skeith. Macha is capable of several attacks, including a simple slash, sending out roses that can fire laser beams, throwing out energy beams, a high-pitched vibration attack, and a dash attack.
Macha is also capable of Data Draining its opponent. This is normally used to fight AIDA by rewriting the anomalous data. When used against another player or another Avatar, it causes a great deal of damage to the opponent, and can send them into a coma if the Epitaph User is themselves infected by AIDA. (This has not happened specifically when Endrance was possessed by AIDA, but it has happened with other AIDA-possessed characters.)
--
Endrance will be in his MMO character's body. As such, he will still 'know' how to use a one-handed sword, but will not have access to any special attacks. He will also tire more easily than he might normally when he needs to fight. He normally finishes his attack sequence with a handful of rose petals appearing around him; as this will have no effect whatsoever, I'd like him to be able to do that from time to time.
He will not have the ability to summon Macha at all.
At first glance, Endrance seems cold and aloof. This is a large change compared to Endrance's early days as Elk in R:1. While he is very shy, Elk is more willing to approach others. He's close to Mia, and eventually becomes friends with the other original .hackers. However, the loss of Mia, and his difficulties adjusting to school life, turn him into a recluse, and this is where his cold, aloof nature comes into play full force. He rarely speaks to others, and even secludes himself from his own family.
This sense of coldness is largely true for him throughout volume 1, as the only object he cares about is the AIDA-cat "Mia" that is always on his shoulder. He seems obsessed with beauty - to the point of flamboyant displays of his own 'beauty'. He is largely uninterested in people, and sees them only as 'ugly dolls'. He begins to grow and change after Haseo uses Data Drain on him, removing the AIDA infection. At first, the loss of "Mia" is almost too much for him to bear. Endrance decides to seal himself away in one of the Lost Grounds (Indieglut Lugh) in 'The World', much as his player, Kaoru, has largely sealed himself in his room, away from the outside world. He's visited by Sakubo, but largely ignores her presence.
However, after Haseo comes to speak to Endrance in volume 2, telling him he needs his help, his personality begins to change. He can still be cold and aloof at times, even shy, but he warms up to the others. He becomes more willing to work with people and to interact with them, even if his flowery, dramatic way of speaking can confuse them at times. He also shows a surprising amount of insight into many situations that the group encounters.
Also, it's revealed that he's a very devoted person*. Once you've gained his trust, or told him that you need him, there isn't a more dedicated person to be found. (This can be a double-edged sword at times, because this dedication and devotion can give way to something akin to obsession.) In addition to his insight about situations the party encounters, Endrance has a lot to say about the topic of love, as well. He knows what it is to be devoted to something, or someone, and lose that, and as such, he's gained insight into that. This insight is displayed particularly well in a cutscene near the end of volume 2. Haseo, Endrance, and the rest of the party infiltrate the Moon Tree Guild after it has been taken over, and run into one of the guild division leaders, Hiiragi.
Hiiragi says that he is devoted to Sakaki, even going so far as to say, “Pain, pleasure, sadness, joy, hate, love - even this world! I'd gladly give that and more to Sakaki!” Endrance's reply is that Hiiragi's desires have grown too strong, and that he's given up his own thoughts. He goes on to say that to love someone isn't to shut one's eyes to the other person, or to block one's ears to the truth. He ends by saying, “To love one another...is to walk through life together...Open your eyes, open your ears...Look at each other, and together, seek the best path for the both of you.” He says this despite his own devotion, showing that he has grown towards this viewpoint.
* Particularly towards Haseo. It's not stretching things to say that Endrance shifts his devotion towards Mia towards Haseo, nor is it stretching things to say that he loves him dearly. Endrance says as much in canon on a number of occasions.
--
In 'The World', Endrance is a Blade Brandier. This type of character is skilled with daggers, katanas, and other one-handed swords. He tends to use a one-handed sword in battle, and is quite skilled with it, even flashy at times. While fighting, he almost looks as if he is dancing, using the blade as an extension of his arms while moving.
Endrance is also the Epitaph User of the sixth Morganna Factor, Macha, 'The Temptress'. He uses Macha frequently in his early arena battles, and at the end of .hack//G.U. volume 1, during the fight against Haseo and Skeith. Macha is capable of several attacks, including a simple slash, sending out roses that can fire laser beams, throwing out energy beams, a high-pitched vibration attack, and a dash attack.
Macha is also capable of Data Draining its opponent. This is normally used to fight AIDA by rewriting the anomalous data. When used against another player or another Avatar, it causes a great deal of damage to the opponent, and can send them into a coma if the Epitaph User is themselves infected by AIDA. (This has not happened specifically when Endrance was possessed by AIDA, but it has happened with other AIDA-possessed characters.)
--
Endrance will be in his MMO character's body. As such, he will still 'know' how to use a one-handed sword, but will not have access to any special attacks. He will also tire more easily than he might normally when he needs to fight. He normally finishes his attack sequence with a handful of rose petals appearing around him; as this will have no effect whatsoever, I'd like him to be able to do that from time to time.
He will not have the ability to summon Macha at all.