Character Design Fun for the Palace Guard Captain

 I mentioned in one of the author notes that I planned to expand the captain of the palace guard into a full character and that it might be fun to do so together. A couple of people seemed interested, so we’ll give it a go.

How this is going to work:

We’re going to have a series of multiple choice polls. All the ideas will be mine, you guys will just be choosing which ones I implement. This should (hopefully) streamline things considerably and keep the character in line with the role I intend for her no matter what options you choose.

That being said, I’ll be watching the comments when formulating the next set of polls, and I’m brainstorming each new set of questions based on the results of the previous question. For instance, today I’m asking about a name. That name will inform the type of questions I give when choosing her background, and her background will inform the types of abilities I offer for you to choose from when we go about selecting those.

I’ve seen a lot of artists use this kind of system to design characters and it seems to work regardless of the level of viewer participation while leaving the creative with enough control that they can direct their viewer’s input into a design that will be visually appealing (or in our case, narratively appealing). So we’re going to try this and see if it works for writers as well.

A few notes for the character about what’s already been established in the story:

Current cultivation base: late wizard, level 39 (very close to becoming a sorcerer herself.)

Occupation: Captain of the Palace Guard

Loyalties: The Deanian Royal Family. 

The Queen

Princess Tivana

Faction: Royal palace residents

Major scenes in book 4:

Chapter 10 — Noggen’s introduction

Quote > “Noggen, you dirty little dwarf! This wasn’t part of the deal! I wanted to experience unending pleasure, not unending humiliation! Get me free of these restraints this instant so I may sear this lot of vile scum off the face of the Serenity! How dare they attempt to shame me! I will—“

Chapter 14 — Chasing down Theo’s attacks on the green mountain.

Quote > “Which group of hooligans dares vandalize public property!?”

Quote > “Oh no you don’t. Lieutenant! Handcuff that man!”

Quote > “No! I’m not looking for that kind of arrest tonight. He vandalized the palace roof, so there’s an outstanding fine in his name.”

Quote > The captain sagged. “She probably would waive it too. She’s been giving out far too many pardons recently.” The captain gave me a sad pat on the shoulder. “I’m sorry. I just… when I saw the five of you on the roof I was really looking forward to arresting someone tonight. I’ve been in a terrible mood these last few days and throwing someone behind bars usually cheers me up.”

Plotlines she’s involved in:

Assyrus’ city troubles.

Four disguised assailants.

Future plans for this character:

[Spoilers! Marvin’s eyes only.]

Physical Description from Chapter 14:

She had long red hair and wore the chitinous blue armor I’d seen Jynna wear often. Her’s were far finer than what Jynna had back in Queenshold though, and I saw several medals and symbols of command emblazoned over her armor. Her eyes carried a burning fierceness and a desire to punish evil.

Without further preface, let’s begin.

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Palace Guard Captain Character Sheet Poll 1

Today we'll choose a name for the palace guard captain. Left is the name. To the right is the trait that gave her the name (it is also the lead in to the next question, which will be about her backstory.) I've gone ahead and chosen a number of names that I think would work for someone from the Deanian Queendom during this period, but I'm open to tweaking them. I just don't want to leave this completely open and end up with Captain Guardy McGuardface.

Choose a first name: