F&F: First Arc Q&A - Character Edition

    We've heard from our amazing group for the First Arc Q&A - Players Edition, so now let's hear what each of our Players' Characters have to say.  

    It's now time for the First Arc Question & Answer Session - Character Edition!

    Our band of beloved Freaks has had quite a journey just within the First Arc.  Let us see what they're bringing into the Second Arc from their experiences!  All new traumas and tribulations to explore, hehe!

    I gave each of our amazing Cast of Characters a set of questions that were submitted from myself, fans of the story and from one another.  Let us see how these characters grew (or have withered slightly) since arriving at the First Arc's beginning! 

Here we go!

Character Questions:

You were personally taken by the Mists and brought to the mysterious Ravens Loft Inn.  Why do you believe you were taken?  Do you believe there was a reason; why or why not?

• Channa (Aurelia):  
• Dunno why I ended up there in particular, but why I was taken is pretty obvious.  Did the ritual, got yoinked as a result, and now I'm here.
• Pryrrish (Ember):  
• I'd like to believe it was just random chance, but I fear Tharizdun/The Elemental Dark wants something of me here.  What that is, I'm not sure, but I'd like to get as far away from Him as I can before I find out.
• Solange (Kai):  
• The Mists are fickle, I do not pretend to understand them, but I like to think I was chosen as a guide for my companions…  Why else would I be returned home? 
• Schrödinger (Lafayette):  
• The nature of the Ravens Loft Inn and my transportation from Ludendorf defy my current understanding of physics and geography.  However, this was clearly some form of as of yet unexplained scientific phenomenon.  Perhaps one spurred on by Channa's ritual, or each of our apparent connections to one of the “corrupted” elements she has spoken of?  The Inn itself perhaps some form of mass hallucination? 
• I have my theories, and if I can determine the means by which to study such a phenomenon I will surely do so.
• Fenri (Ryan):  
• Oh boy, starting things off strong?  Well, I think that everything happens for a reason.  I think that someone or something needed a brighter person like me to cheer everyone up in this gloomy place.  
• Also, after hearing about the others' pasts.  I think I’m here to help guide them to a brighter future!

Dementlieu is a complex land as a whole, and Campanula was but a small slice of it's culture and people.  What about this domain would you personally change?

• Channa:  
• The class system.  The very existence of lords and barons and all that shit is pretty nonsense.  People shouldn't get to have power and influence just because of how they were born, especially when there's people who are going hungry.
• Pryrrish:  
• If I could undo all of the evil done by the Baron [Montagne], it would be that.  If that doesn't work, maybe I'd make the accents a bit easier to understand, hehe.
• Solange:  
• I wish people respected the dead and the different more.  It would be nice not to have to hide for once.
• Schrödinger: 
• Dementlieu would be far better off if the country was more scientifically minded.  If they spent half the time on scientific innovation that they do on interpersonal drama their society would be vastly technologically improved--and much more tolerable.
• Fenri:  
• Everything is so dark and dreary, so the first thing I would change is to brighten everything up!  When the sun is shining, no one can be sad.  Then I’d build some temples to the Dawnfather, and give people more faith in…faith.  It’s "out of style" here and people look at me like I’m crazy!  One lady even thought was a part of a sun cult! Could you imagine me as a cultist? -shudders-  

What has been your biggest stumbling block in this strange journey so far?

• Channa:  
• ... Realizing just how dangerous my magic is.  I've seen people who can use magic to help, but my magic seems to only be able to hurt people.
• Pryrrish:  
• Attacking Isaac and fighting his father.  I wish that night could have gone different.
• Solange:  
• Being so far away from home and opening up to new people.
• Schrödinger:  
• My greatest stumbling block so far has also been one of my greatest joys on this strange journey: dealing with so many people so different from myself.  In my home [Schwartzsteinburg] my family is of one mind on most subjects, and our people share a Lamordian sensibility. However, here all of my traveling companions are so different, each with their own ideals, and the culture of Dementlieu is deeply foreign to me.  This has of course led to a great broadening of my perspective any many new experiences, but the adjustment has not been easy.
• I should not have discounted the Dementlieuese cultural preoccupation with reputation, for instance.  I had assumed gossip and rumor were mere flights of fancy, to be disregarded once proper business needed doing.  I see now that one’s reputation is proper business to these people, and I have stumbled quite badly in learning as much.
• Fenri:  
• I don’t think people tend to take me very seriously.  I tried really hard to tell everyone in Campanula about the Baron [and his plot to frame Night's Vengeance] and they turned it into a violent riot.  Thankfully it calmed down without anyone dying, but it shouldn’t have gone that far.  I think I may not be too cut out for the whole social aspect of Dementlieu.  Everything is so two-faced.  I can’t tell who I should be trusting and who not to.  Why can’t everyone just get along and tell the truth?  
• Oh!  That’s another thing that I’d change - no more evil, conniving, corrupt people in power.  They make everyone’s lives worse and they don’t care.  Rude. 

You each have met a bevy of people from Dementlieuse culture.  Any favorite or unforgettable people you have met so far?

• Channa: 
•  I mean, it goes without saying that Claudine's pretty unforgettable.  Whatever your thoughts on her, she makes an impression, that's for sure.  Besides that, though...  I dunno, I don't talk to a lot of people.  I mostly keep to myself.
• Pryrrish:  
• Vincente is a good, respectable man.  If I hadn't been able to chat with him, I may have never broken out of my shell with my companions.  Claudine is a woman I'll find hard to forget, if only because I don't think she'll allow herself to be forgotten.
• Solange:  
• I hope Vincente is doing well…
• Schrödinger:  
• Vincente was unforgettable in his own way, who would have expected such boldness from a servant!  And Claudine’s act hiding a revolutionary core was unexpected but not unwelcome.  I shall not forget either of them in this lifetime, I should think.
• Fenri:  
• Claudine definitely stood out when we first met her.  She’s really pretty, but the more time I spend with her, the less I think so.  After the race track, something is off with her and I can’t help her. 

What are your favorite foods?  Any foods you don’t like or will not eat?

• Channa:  
• I'll eat whatever, really.  Big fan of coffee...  When it's done right, at least.
• Pryrrish:  
• I've not allowed myself to indulge in very nice food in a long while.  I recall a special pastry my mother would make when I was young, though.  It's likely just nostalgia, but they somehow tasted like starlight!  Maybe someday I'll recover the recipe.  
• As for things I will not eat, I've had one too many mystery mushrooms from the forests.  I'd prefer not to chance any more poisonings if I can avoid it.
• Solange:  
• My favorite food is raspberries!  I also love chocolate and seafood--though not together.  I'm not a big fan of coffee or hot peppers. 
• Schrödinger:  
• Coming from a mountainous region seafood has been a recent addition to my diet, and it does not agree with my pallet.  I will not be seeking it out in the future, to say the least.  I am, however, particularly partial to citrus.  Imported fruits were always a treat in my home, and the sourness of an orange is perfect for eating as is, or as an addition to cakes and other foods. If Lamordia is lacking in any one thing, it is citrus trees.
• Fenri:  
• D-Do I have to pick just one?  No?  Okay, I love bread, cheese, meat, wine, anything grilled, juice, rum, I guess any alcohol, cheesy bread, vegetables, mushrooms, salads, pork, chicken, turkey, cookies, tarts, cakes, chocolate, pies, apples, oranges, peaches, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, I love blueberries!  Basically anything sweet or sour and I am there.
• Oh, I had this champagne the other day, it was amazing! I know you’d love it.  Desserts!  I love desserts.  Lemon pies, candies, cinnamon…soups!  I love a good stew on a rainy day. You can’t beat it.  Pineapples are good too.  Even some foods that may not be my favorites, I’ll get something to go with it and then I’ll love it too.  
• A while ago, I didn't like mint all that much, one of my former companions loved it, so I tried it, then I added chocolate to it and LOVED it!  Now I throw mint into some of my cooking.  Then there’s carrots.  Can’t go wrong with them.  You can--
• Oh! What foods don’t I like?  Hmmm…  I usually am not a fan of bitter foods, so I pair them up with sweeter foods to mask it.  I also don’t really like coffee.  I have to dump a lot of sugar into it to like it. 

What do you like about each member of the party?

• Channa's Thoughts On: 
• Pryrrish:  Pryrrish was a little difficult to get to know, but once you get past her...  Unfortunate circumstances...  I can tell she cares about doing the right thing, and trying to improve from who she was.
• Solange:  Solange is a deeply driven person.  I doubt she'd say so herself, but I feel like when she sets her mind to something, she's gonna see it through; and if she feels like she's not doing enough, she puts in the work to change that.
• Schrödinger:  It's great to have another scholar around, and for a nobleman he's quite the caring guy.  He wants to keep the rest of us safe, happy and fed, and it shows.  Maybe a little less caring of those outside our little group, but that's how it is sometimes.
• Fenri:  Fenri is... One of the best people I've ever met.  I don't know that I've ever known someone so willing to give everything she's got to help people.  She's sure as hell better at it than me.
• Pryrrish's Thoughts On: 
• Channa:  Very intelligent!  If I have a question about any broad subject, chances are Channa can tell me at least something useful.  She's a bit hard on herself sometimes, but I know it's just because she cares deeply about all of us.
• Solange:  She's very reserved.  We've not had much time to connect, but I can tell there's more to her than she lets on.
• Schrödinger:  He's like a brother to me, what else can I say?  He was there for me when I opened up, he went out of his way to comfort and hide me in crowds, and he's even offered to take me in once our business in Dementlieu has concluded.  Despite his... anatomy, I've never once been frightened of him.
• Fenri:  One of the kindest, most dependable people I've met.  I was a bit scared of her at first, but it didn't take long to warm up to her.  Optimistic to a fault, but not naive. Truly, a friend worth cherishing.
• Solange's Thoughts On: 
• Channa:  Her sense of justice.  It makes me want to be better.
• Pryrrish:  Her will.  I don't envy her the choices she's had to make but I admire the strength it took to make them. 
• Schrödinger:  His drive and enthusiasm, he's accomplished so much and burns so brightly.  It's intoxicating.
• Fenri:  Her open affection, it's nice, like laying in a sunbeam. 
• Schrödinger's Thoughts On: 
• Channa:  In Channa I have found the ideal lab partner, and someone to share my research with at last!  The depth and breadth of her knowledge is staggering, and her willingness to not disregard the macabre or strange a great boon.  In her I find a kindred spirit and friend, even if I do occasionally worry she wishes to take me to the guillotine.
• Pryrrish:  What is not to like about Pryrrish?  My little sister is clever, highly skilled, a gifted musician, quick to act… need I go on?  Because I will.  But, perhaps above all else, her determination to free herself from the Book that has bound her fate for so long has made me more proud than I thought possible.  Change is a fearful thing, and she is so very brave.
• Solange:  Solange is sensible, with a quiet dignity worthy of respect.  I imagine we would have gotten into significantly more trouble had she not been with us.  She also, illogically, makes me nervous, though I cannot place why…
• Fenri:  Fenri is good, in a way that I did not believe people had the capacity to be good.  She challenges my beliefs, she ardently refuses the easy or strategic in favor of the right, and she cares for those who deserve neither her mercy nor her consideration.  I have never found anyone so infuriating, or had so much reason to admire them.
• Fenri's Thoughts On: 
• Channa:  Channa is amazing!  They can use magic and bash people around with that chain and go wham!  Bam!  It is certainly something to see.  I haven’t seen anyone blend the two together as well as she has.  Channa isn’t afraid to speak their mind and she’s really smart.  
• I wish I had them with me in my last adventuring group.  We really could have used someone like Channa.  Oh, don’t let Channa fool you, they are a big softie at heart, and give pretty good hugs.
• Pryrrish:  Pryrrish is strong.  After she learned more about her patron and how to get herself out of it, she immediately started distancing herself from the gifts that were given to her.  I know that must have been hard for her.  There aren’t a lot of people I’ve met that are able to change that quickly.  
• I’m so proud of her for being able to improve herself!  I hope I can help anyway I can, but I know that she can do it on her own.  I almost feel bad for the Patron [The Elemental Dark]… but they’re a bully.
• Solange:  Solange is so beautiful!  I know you all haven’t seen it yet, but the outfits that she has tried on, she pulls them off so well!  I wish I could pull them off like she can…  Sorry, got off topic.  
• Solange and I share a good deal of qualities.  Her and I are both against the undead.  As a fellow divine caster, it is something that I’m really happy to see.  She’s also a local and her knowledge about the immediate area has been a huge help to someone out of sorts like me. She’s also really nice and caring about others.  That Lantern Staff of hers is really interesting, it makes her give off this guide kind of vibe and it really suits her. 
• Schrödinger:  Schrödinger is… Schrödinger.  He’s incredibly smart and passionate about the sciences.  Him and I always seem to be at odds, but in the end, I don’t think Schrödinger and I are all that different at a basic level.  We both are willing to put others before ourselves.  We both care deeply about those around us.  We both wish to push others to be better. He might have a weird way of going about it, you know… with the science, and stuff.  
• At the end of the day he’s a hard-working man and I wish more people got to see the real him.  I mean the real him, no science, no bones, no arguments.  Underneath it all, he’s a really good man, despite everything…  Huh?  Sorry, got lost in thought.  

Who or what is your Least Favorite aspect of your group?  Anyone in particular you are worried about?

• Channa:  
• Would it be a copout answer to say myself?  If so, I dunno.  I guess I worry about Schrödinger.  Much as I love the guy, I feel like his research has the potential to take him down...  A pretty dark path.
• Pryrrish:  
• I worry that Fenri is trying to shoulder too many burdens.  On the opposite hand, I worry that Channa sees herself as too much of a burden.  They could both do with some better self image.
• Solange: 
• I worry about all of them.  I worry about maintaining proper behavior around Lord Schrödinger though I find myself becoming more familiar with him.  I worry about Pryrrish--she's touched by something dark and while she is trying to distance herself from it I fear it will never let her go.  I worry about Fenri, it is not healthy to be so positive all the time.  I worry about Channa, she seems to be struggling a bit with having taken someone's life. 
• Schrödinger:  
• I cannot for the life of me persuade my companions to let me have the corpses we encounter! I am open to sharing, properly paying for them, or taking only parts. But no! They are quite unwilling to agree to my very reasonable compromises. This is by far my least favorite aspect of our dynamics.
• As for worry for my companions I find as time goes on I become concerned for Fenri.  She gives so much of herself to aid others, but disregards herself.  Recently she mentioned some horrifying events regarding a tavern being burned with her inside it, and promptly claimed to be just fine.  Someone needs to look out for Fenri until she is willing to look after herself, and right now that will be me.
• Fenri:  
• There was a time that my least favorite person was Schrödinger.  He always made these comments about the dead and it kinda made me really nervous about traveling together.  But now I’m really worried about Pryrrish.  She’s going through a huge change, shrugging off her Patron like that is going to have consequences, and I just know it.  
• I’m also worried about Solange. She’s been getting pretty weird about her eyes lately.  Channa has been coughing up grave dirt for a while, and I don’t know why.  It isn’t healthy.  Schrödinger's eyes went all black after our fight with the Black Dog.  It was so sudden, it kinda scared me.  After looking more at them though, I don’t know, they are now oddly reassuring.

If you could tell your past self one thing—advice or even a warning, right before this story began—what would it be?

• Channa: 
• Keep an eye on Iggy.  Something's up with him.
• Pryrrish:  
• It will get better.
• Solange:  
• The living have more to offer than you think. 
• Schrödinger:  
• What a difficult question… There are few things in this world that cannot be improved by knowledge.  Might I have warned myself away from the Society of Enlightened Minds?  Been wary of Councilor D’Honaire's enchantment abilities from the beginning?  Or might we have benefitted from knowing the Baron Montagne's nature [as The Black Dog]?
• However, above all of the “what ifs” I would have warned myself of The Flying Wolves' intentions to murder that young family in order to frame Night's Vengeance.  We were to handle the Wolves regardless, but if I had known of their plans perhaps those people might have been spared.  Regardless, there is no sense in dwelling on it now.  They are dead, and as I do not have the corpses they will remain that way.
• Fenri:  
• I’d probably tell myself to not immediately judge Schrödinger as harshly as I did.  It is something that I regret and I have said some mean things to him. 

What are your thoughts on gender and identity?  Has this first journey impacted your thoughts on these subjects?

• Channa:
• I dunno, man.  I'm a busy gal, I don't really care how people see me as long as I'm able to get my shit done.
• **mulling over things for Arc Two**
• Pryrrish:  
• One of my few solaces in my years of servitude was that despite it all, I was still me.  The past few weeks have merely helped me hold onto and recover that sense of self.
• Solange:  
• I've never felt very connected with gender and this adventure has not made me feel any more connected, I see no reason to change how I am addressed. 
• Schrödinger:  
• People really do put too much stock in gender, having dissected a good number of corpses I have found very little difference between the sexes beyond their reproductive systems- and even then there is overlap.  It’s terribly illogical to restrict behavior, or anything else, based on gender or identity.  The best approach is for one to do what they are most comfortable doing, and use aspects of socially prescribed gender when convenient or desired.  For instance men’s pants are better if one might wish to ride, however a skirt is best for lab work as the pockets in a skirt are far bigger.  One or the other should be chosen depending on the planned activity.
• My journey has done little to change my views beyond what I already knew, if anything watching Channa has only reaffirmed to me that gender is on the whole a bit irrelevant.
• Fenri:  
• Gender and Identity are parts of you--they don’t define you, but help make you the amazing person that you are.  I try to learn new things when I meet new people.  But if anything, this journey has taught me to believe in what I already believe in.  Get to know who people really are, and then you can appreciate everything that they have to offer!

Are you happy and satisfied with how you left things in Campanula?

• Channa:  
• More or less?  As much as I've been happy about how I left anything, really.
• Pryrrish:  
• As I said before, I do wish things could have gone differently.  Thinking a bit less idealistically, I don't think leaving The Black Dog alive would have been good either.  I don't know that I'll ever be satisfied, but I can hope that the people of Campanula are able to better flourish in the wake of my group's actions.
• Solange:  
• No.  While I am happy to be home I wish we could have left it in a better state. 
• Schrödinger:  
• Somewhat.  The Baron's death and the safe transportation of the evidence for his crimes out of Campanula will certainly be to our benefit. And of course I am glad to see Vincente spared whatever farce the magistrate might have called a trial.  However, I am unsure of my choice to leave Lord Isaac alive.  By all logical means I should have killed him--certainly my parents would be horrified to discover I left a potential threat to myself alive- not doing so risks attempted retribution later.  Lord Isaac was a foolish, arrogant, weak willed thing. It would have been no loss, I should have done it.
• And yet… I could not. Lord Isaac knew nothing of the Baron's crimes, and that he turned out the way he did is more the Baron's fault than his own.  His own father struck him, publicly, who could imagine doing such a thing to their child?  And who could fault a child siding with his father in battle?  Lord Isaac may have been a threat, he may still be, but in the end I have no rage with which to kill him.  I have nothing but pity and disgust.  Intimidating him was the best I could do, I can only hope it will be enough.
• Fenri:   
• Other than the riot, that I didn’t cause.  I  feel okay about it.  I wish we could have helped them more.  People got hurt because of what I said that day.  I wish the Baron didn’t die.  He should have been punished, and I know I said some things like "burying his face into the ground", but he was threatening my friends.  No one threatens my friends, and gets away with it!  I also wish Vincente could have kept his horse.  He was so sad when he lost it at the track. 

What is your opinion of a perfect day?

• Channa: 
• Something peaceful.  Feels like I've been fighting and working all my life sometimes, just getting to relax a day would be plenty.
• Pryrrish:  
• A day without hardship or chores, where I can laze about and just be close to those I care about.  Perhaps I could spend the day outside, staring at the sky, not worrying about any influence or intrigue to spoil the atmosphere.
• Solange:  
• A cool, clear day spent with my parents and new friends. 
• Schrödinger:  
• Any truly perfect day must surely begin in Schloss Nachtkessel [the family castle], where I could accompany both my friends and family throughout the day.  It would be a delight to host my traveling companions in my home and show them the surrounding lands, with time to continue my research afterwards in the comfort of my own lab.
• Fenri:  
• A perfect day starts with a good night’s rest.  After that, waking up next to a loving partner and watching the sun rise together as it brightens the world!  Oh, there has to be dancing, laughter, maybe a romantic picnic, an evening party where everyone comes together, and food.  Lots of yummy, delicious food.  
• Lastly, ending with a warm bed, and the perfect partner, sleeping to start all over again tomorrow.  

Are you at all concerned that there’s a Giant Spider outside of Campanula that you told practically no one about?  Or is it absolutely not your problem? 

• Channa:  
• They know the forest is dangerous.  I'm sure they'll be fine.  Not gonna drop everything to deal with it, but if I'm in the area, I'd probably try.
• Pryrrish:  
• The people [of Campanula] seemed to keep a fairly safe distance due to superstition, which does grant some solace.  I would like it handled, but I'm afraid our group isn't quite up to the task.  Perhaps in the future.
• Solange: 
• As much as it worries me I doubt I would be able to do anything helpful given I nearly died when we faced it last.  Hopefully the legends are enough to keep people away but I fear that if it gets hungry enough it may go… hunting.
• Schrödinger:  
• I am not overly concerned for the people of Campanula.  The creature had clearly been there some time, and the local peoples' legends of a haunting seem to dissuade them from putting themselves in harm's way.  However, I do regardless wish to return in the future.  A spider of such magnitude must surely be studied!  Its side alone renders it prodigious, however its behaviors are no less intriguing--particularly the offspring's spinning of silk to resemble the folkloric “ghosts” the locals speak of.  
• Should we kill the creature so the Campanulans will have the freedom to access the valley once more, and I will have the freedom to dissect and study its corpse to my liking.  Quite the “win-win”, no?  In fact, I have been developing a method by which I might handle its venom in the future…
• Fenri:  
• What spi-By the gods!  We totally forgot about the giant spider.  Oh no, that thing was terrifying.  We did tell Claudine and Vincente about it.  Oh wait, they came with us.  Uh-oh…  
• We should really go back and get rid of it.  I don’t think it should be left there.  Hopefully we go back soon to deal with it. 

    What a fantastic Cast of Characters we have!  I am so excited whenever we get a chance to take a peek beneath their brave faces.  

    Seeing how these friendly Freaks function and perceive their experiences is also important as a reader-slash-Dungeon Master!  

    Now I know what kinds of temptations I can place before them!  Bwahaha!

    I cannot wait to tell you all about what this next adventure will bring our amazing Players and Characters!  

    Check out our first session of the Second Arc here [WIP]!

    And I recommend checking out our new Freaks & Facades Art Gallery!  We have an amazing commission of our whole party post-First Arc that every reader should see!

Aboleth Eye