abouttemperedgrace

[abouttemperedgrace]

Novara Ricci | History

After a long enough brekke. Nova's tentative history below the cut. Its subject to change, but I think I'm satisfied with its core at the moment.

Novara is a product of an experiment. S.P.A.N.C.C was trying to cultivate - created, curated humanity. The intent was to be able to produce children on demand, without needing humans to carry the children and with the ability for partners/groups etc, to pick and choose the traits they wanted their children to possess, among those that are deemed conducive to society (the ‘choice’ exists to ensure diversity). So Novara, was the first and (for the time being) only synthetic child. The limit was because this was a very costly endeavor and S.P.A.N.C.C wanted to follow her as she grew and developed to ensure that she remained viable before making such an option accessible to select public and wider. Novara Ricci - (Named so since she was picked out of the mobile incubator in Sector 0 Region 3 (Italy). She is a baby with no biological parents, including the phase of embryological development, she was incubated entirely outside of the human body. Her genetic data is curated from a whole host of people after extensive research. The choices were made by Wezen Franz and Cepheus Cygnus (at the steep incline of their careers), with the additional goal to create an ‘ideal and accessible human’ so she may also serve as an advertisement, if and when the process was deemed safe and ready to use. She was meant to be someone, who, according to the two of them , embodied the very spirit of empathetic humanity and was easily relatable. Her early upbringing, till about five, was by humanoid AIs and occasionally by the community of scientists, researchers and doctors that operated them. Having this somewhat unusual experience did leave her slightly introverted, which was a little off the original goal. Noticing this change, they decided it was time to enrol her in the Sector 0 G.C.A as an ‘orphan’. She and people around her were fed the story that her mother died during child-birth due to some very unexpected complication and her father was not found. She was enrolled in the academy with the intent to make her more comfortable around her other her age. Though she was the pinnacle of kindness (and health) more often than not, she did not seek the company of other children. Instead, growing up, Nova felt driven and compelled to solve the issues that remain amidst humanity and spent a lot of time studying and doing research regarding sickness. She was quickly labeled a prodigy. Her genetic material had been loaded with substantial potential for intelligence, so while this was not a surprise, this was also not the initial expectation. However, given her proclivities, her curiosities and research was encouraged and she was given all the resources to better her education. While she was also physically trained alongside other G.C.A students, it quickly became apparent that she lacked the killer and competitive instinct required to excel in that domain, she did however quickly pick up the basics of self-defence and core-strength training (when lured with the concept of it being used protectively, not just for herself but for others). However, given her tendency to ‘do good’ she was picked as a target to groom to become a SpecSyn agent. Though the kept a wary distance and getting her to admit her strange history, gave SpecSyn some intel on her origins and the kind of things S.P.A.N.C.C was developing. She did closely get involved with SpecSyn by her own volition, because they seemed to be aligned with making things better as well. Eventually, she graduated G.C.A and entered G.C.U under the umbrella of Crux, in order to improve access to healthcare particularly for other on-field Acers. However, she was certainly under the impression that her experiments and research would (eventually) aid all of humanity. She and Ezekiel entered a formal romantic relationship. She was drawn to the way he seemed to need… help and support, that she thought she could provide, in addition to that Mark (from SpecSyn, and also Jared’s handler) also encouraged her close contact with Ezekiel and the Pyxis family. While at G.C.U Nova also started working under

Alcyone Viser - a being who in some ways starkly contrasted with Novara philosophically, but was a visionary researcher as well. Working under Alcyone allowed her to improve upon the Shealing (wound sealing and healing) serum, to start developing an Advanced Shealing Serum - Abbreviated A.S.S. Nova tested her serum (very very reluctantly) on synthetically generated tissue and rodents. She was still not convinced that her revolutionary development was ready to be mass-produced, simply because the side-effect included excruciating unavoidable pain - and she was convinced that given enough some more time, she could get rid of it.

Alcyone on the other hand, had been smuggling the A.S.S to The Nexus for more enhanced (but illegal) testing - and the results were definitely better than anyone could expect. It soon became a currency amidst the Nexus, since it allowed for bloodier Bloody Blitz shows and the quick recovery of the Bloody Blitz star performers. Eventually, when Ezekiel (who Nova was now in an uncomfortable relationship with) realised about her work, he decided to raise his own stakes in the Bloody Blitz, not entirely letting Nova in on the loop, and exploiting her willingness to help at any cost, to further his own agendas. All the while their relationship descended into darker territories, with a wider, inexplicable and insidious power-gap.

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Novara Ricci | Personality

Time has come to share this lovely character's personality. She really is 'everything nice' and I'm not sorry. Mayhaps she takes it a little too far. But I swear, I know people like this - and they break and mend my heart everyday. Personality below the cut!

Novara Ricci bears the burden of a simple motivation: Save people. From hurt, from pain, from suffering, and even from death. But most crucially, sometimes from themselves.

Novara dedicates copious amounts of time to achieving her goal as literally as she can. Her ability to process information that will aid her in this venture, is off the scales. She’s generally sharp, but her genius is particularly amped when something that she is studying has a potential application in her field. Given the right guidance and resources, she certainly would be a major pioneer as a researcher. On a smaller scale, she already is. Her relationship with her work is devotional and pure. She is not conscious of mistakes or judgement and surrenders to the iterative process towards perfection - And yes, on some levels, she believes perfection is achievable. She is not too picky about where she gains her knowledge from and will never deny it. But given the opportunity she is very picky about how she uses her own. The only thing that distracts her from learning, theorising and experiment, is actively helping other people. She will always put aside her ambitions temporarily if she has the opportunity to help someone through her practice. Her skills and instincts combined make her an excellent and attentive medic. She’s keenly empathetic and takes a great interest in her patients. Though she is warm, she avoids getting too attached, for good reason. She fears attachment will exhaust her - which it will because all her usual tendencies are exacerbated for friends. However, she is rarely cold and clinical. Friendship and other relationships are a very intense bond. She’s invested, involved and loyal to a fault. The process of giving up on her personal goals, becomes more apparent for friends too. Novara will easily make drastic decisions involving her own life if she sees an opportunity to help or save someone she is attached to - Even if this lands her in inconvenient or detrimental situations.

While she’s not totally impulsive, she’s also not someone who will plan extensively. A loose plan of action is enough for her to jump in. This is because she doesn’t care to consider all outcomes. She just believes that there will be a good one... eventually. She has a deep-seated sense of hope. Her ability to continue hoping even through dire circumstances often becomes a pillar of strength.

Novara also believes in the good of people generally. She focuses on the positives of individuals and of groups. She certainly isn’t blind to the bad, but will glaze over it. It takes a lot of blatant evil for her to think someone or a group is irredeemable - and even then, she'll give them a shot more than once. It takes even more for her to hate and it can be easily reversed. If the body can be injured, so can the soul... and both can be repaired. She sees evil action and intention as symptoms of an underlying problem, something that can be fixed… In time, she has gathered that she can’t do it all. She can just try. Fix people and the world one at a time.

The combination of her beliefs and her practice leads to an optimism that is as brilliant as it is dangerous because it leads her to underestimate the dangers of situations she’s entering.

#writing #original character #character personality #Tempered Grace #Quill Writes #oc Novara Ricci

[abouttemperedgrace]

Meet Novara Ricci

A little bit of info below the trace-sketch and the cut.

Prodigious | Gullible | Encouraging | Acquiescent | Empathetic | Workaholic Nicknames: Nova, Supernova, RaRi Age: Teens to Thirties Birthday: 17th July, 2095 Height; 164 cm Weight; 51 kgs Sex; Female Gender: Female Pronouns: She/Her Sexuality: Pansexual Relationship Status: Taken MBTI: INFJ - A [The Advocate] Job Description - [Acer. BioHacker - Field Medic - Researcher]

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Tariq Meissa | History

Keeping up with the streak! Here goes the T history. (That sounds like a rhyme for some reason.) Anyhoo, history below the cut.

Tariq was the second-born of Altair and Jheel Meissa. Jheel was misinformed that she had the potential to develop a complication that would risk both Tariq and Jheel’s life upon child-birth. In order to avoid this she consented to genetic therapy on her embryo. Naturally, she was uninformed that this is unnecessary and part of an experiment. This is how Tariq earned his long-lost-past-sight-powers. His family is considered a sort of minority ethnic group in S09-R06. There are typically prejudices and biases against them. Tariq sees his older brother Tehzeeb as a pretty straight-laced, hardworking boy, i.e. the good son. So, Tariq happily takes up the mantle of being more of the exploratory troublemaker, since he found himself needing a niche of his own. His mother is an elementary school teacher and his father is a… bit of a vagabond, but works in a motley crew of a theatre production and runs a side business of making and selling furniture, since he’s into set-design as well as acting. His parents are fairly respected among intellectuals, though they’re begrudged within their religious community. This is because Altair’s production is notorious for staging darkly humorous politically-motivated and conflict-fuelled shows. Tariq has watched his father deal with the fallout of this with staunchly non-violent, elan, composure… And it irks Tariq no end, especially because T’s dad continues to live in a community that doesn’t treat them well, out of some sort of principle that Tariq doesn’t get. This ramps up, when Tariq realises he’s bi/pan and that there is very little chance that he can come out in any manner within the community safely. And all of Tariq’s dad’s acceptance and wisdom on the matter, doesn’t actually help in any practical manner. At least his father moves him into a smaller school - Anjuman, that is far more accepting and less restricted in its philosophies. Here he meets Akira, they’re playfully competitive, but they are also pretty close. Their relationship is really elevated and tested when T loses his brother in a religiously fueled riot. This really puts his relationship with his father through the wringer and he starts leaning towards violence. With his mom falling sick post the death of her son and his father… seemingly distracted and torn a billion ways, he joins Akira on her transfer to Sector 09 G.C.A. There he gets closer to Eze (because they get along on multiple unexpected fronts), though Aki and Eze don’t get along, he decides to maintain his friendship with both. Meanwhile, as his mother’s condition worsens, she often (according to him) ends up using that as a sort of emotional blackmail to try and get Tariq to behave the way she wants him to, that is, to fill the void that Tehzeeb left. The more controlling she gets, the more T wants to rebel. This further puts a strain on his relationship with his father, who somehow wants to appease Jheel in these trying times, and so, takes her side. Along with all this, as a double whammy, T unexpectedly realises his power when he starts seeing Tehzeeb’s ghost. Knowing this can’t be real, he gets more dependent on drugs and assumes that they are the explanation for his visions. Eventually, he is helped by Aki to be weaned off of them without needing professional help which would mar his record. Then he wins the scholarship to go to Sector 0 G.C.A and subsequently begins training as an Acer recon-pilot while studying mechanical engineering at G.C.U.

#writing #original character #character history #Tempered Grace #Quill Writes #oc Tariq Meissa

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Tariq Meissa | Personality

Post Easter break post. Can we skip the fact that I broke my streak? I don't even celebrate Easter per se, but I was roped into a (absolutely wonderful) hang out with friends. Which is definitely something Tariq would approve of. Personality below the cut!

Tariq has three set philosophies: Actions speak louder than words Try everything (terms and conditions loosely apply) - at least once. All creatures (sentient beings anyway) are created equal Tariq witnessed his family struggle for principles against an oppressive system. Tariq also saw them all be consumed by this, among other things, futilely. This left him, on some levels alone, indignant and harboring a certain level of anger against the world… Initially aimed at no one in particular and easily directed against anyone, when provoked. Tariq spent a lot of adolescence lashing out. He often picked fights, and since they didn’t kill him, each one left him stronger. Conflicts that he encountered, on small scales and large, clearly existed as a tool to oppress or as an excuse to wound. Since resolution was rarely ever the goal, the language to deal with such friction automatically became physical. He was not someone who bothered putting deliberate thought and effort into hurting people… Doing more damage and taking less was usually the goal. Words had never affected him much and initially he assumed that to be true for whoever he stood against. So in his head, they were not a viable option as a weapon. This rings true on a deeper level for him. Actions will always speak louder than words. But, just like he improved his technique and learned that blows could be exchanged with more precision, he learned that words could hurt some people in a way blows couldn’t. And words could also stir people in ways violence could never. But the more he learned, the less inclined he was to use something as beautiful and communicative as language to cause suffering and pain. So, he still has a preference and tendency to settle things with a measured degree of physical violence. He’ll aim to set, or assume some code for every brawl he enters, based on his opponent, their relationship and the situation. He’ll aim to fight clean and honorably - rules will be set and rules will be followed. Unless it is combative and there is a clear enemy. In that case, he’s quite a savage and it is usually the only time he displays the full extent of his brutality. When it's a no-holds-barred situation - Which war often. He’s aware that it's a dog eat dog world and will want to come out as the dog on top if he can. A part of him gets a high off of the lack of rules and the freedom this gives him. He almost never turns down a good brawl.

Tariq can be brutal, but Tariq is not a brute. In the moments where he is not fighting anyone for any reason, he’s insightful and easy to get along with. He has the spirit that radiates a certain degree of abandon and will often be the one that suggests something wild that may be worth exploring. He values life but he values feeling alive too. To him the body is just a meat-suit for the soul and the latter needs a whole bunch of nourishment too… if the former suffers for it sometimes, then so be it. He explores the world in a rather tactile and observant manner, but he has a gift to translate his experiences into evocative little phrases… Tariq is often a poet, without meaning or trying to be.

Tariq is a survivor, the concept of dying for something is not one he fathoms, he’d rather live to play the long game. The concept of dying for someone works similarly. If he had to… He’d want to go down fighting. If dying for someone is confounding, living for someone is worse. This is something he lives by with respect to his own value too, he doesn’t simply expect people to lay down their lives for him, or on his orders. He will always try to appeal to their sense of personal reason, if he wants or needs something done. Ironically, the lack of the usual entitlement and the fact that he’s always willing to be down in the trenches with his people is what makes them very loyal and more likely to do whatever is needed or whatever he wants. He has known and seen loss, and still has the courage to form intense attachments. However, he’s not very possessive.

Tariq believes life is precious, but also that in itself, it is uniform. All men and women are created equal - he definitely lives by that belief. Not just merely as an anecdote for existence, but also in terms of value and status. He understands hierarchy and the ritualistic processes around it, but does not attribute it to value - just to recognize skill, luck and circumstance. Tariq knows everyone comes into the world alone and leaves alone… everything in the middle is transient.

#writing #original character #character personality #Tempered Grace #Quill Writes #oc Tariq Meissa

[abouttemperedgrace]

Meet Tariq Meissa

Reliable | Egalitarian | Aggressive | Nonconformist | Spontaneous | Generous Nicknames: T, Rick, Reek, Mei, Messy, Tarissa. Age: Teens to Thirties Birthday: 27th August, 2095 Height; 183 cm Weight; 81 kgs Sex: (yes) Male Gender: Male leaning-Genderfluid Pronouns: He/Him (sometimes Xe/Xer) Sexuality: Pansexual Relationship Status: (Always) Single MBTI: ISFP - T Job Description - [Acer. Pilot - Recon Field Agent - Mechanic]

#original character #writing #character intro #oc Tariq Meissa #Tempered Grace #Quill writes #Quill sketches

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Akira Shastri | History

So, to continue the daily streak, I shall share Akira's history! I'm actually working on the project actively now - trying to keep up with April nanowrimo. Will share WIP snippets on this blog and maybe whumpy WIP snippets (probably more gratuitous on the whumpy front) on thewhumpstuff blog. Here is Aki history below the cut - It mentions other characters who will get their own posts later. [And as usual, I'm not working too hard to edit this stuff, just throwing it out there so it can anchor the upcoming content's drafts.]

She was born to Ehsaan Shastri and Maan Shastri. Ehsaan worked for the fuel and forest preservationist company run by G.C (Auriga) in Sector 09 and he was a bit of a misogynist, so he didn't really want Maan to be working. Maan had the qualifications to work as a journalist (Caelum). When Maan is pregnant with Aki, Ehsaan falls very very sick, and to get him treatment, Maan is co-coerced into joining a genetic enhancement study, which is how Akira-embryo ends up a specific genetic boost and that’s what gets her her ancient-lost-telepathic-empathy-powers. The study is abruptly closed down, so Maan is just stuck with this powered child.

Ehsaan was a mean drunk and had anger issues. There are multiple situations of mild physical violence against Maan, even after Aki is born. So, she decides to leave him when Aki is five. They move to Aki's maternal grandparents (Jeet and Guru Shastri - yes it was an odd coincidence that her family name on her maternal and paternal side was the same, so no name taking issues, ha and they adore her). Her mother takes a few jobs here and there, which is hard as a single parent. She meanwhile has an... interesting time at school given her powers. Aki is frustrated and distracted and can't fathom why people lie, especially because Maan harps on about being honest, especially to oneself and waters a very strong sense of conscience in Aki. Aki is transferred to an up and coming school called Anjuman, which is run by Daevy Pyxis’ biological sister Noor Kohli

Meanwhile, Maan starts working on writing journal reviews for sustainable products and designs, and gets in touch with Tariq's father - Altair Meissa, who is a set-designer and theatre performer, who makes his own furniture. And... well... they fall in love. Sector 09 is hostile and volatile. So there are periodic riots and mob violence sort of stuff particularly between the two religious group. One of Tariq’s heritage and the other of Aki’s, among others. So, Aki is forced to deal with this romeo-juliet-esque situation that her mom has gotten into, because it is an illicit affair and whether they want it or not, Altair and Maan are representatives of the conflicting groups. Tariq also is transferred to Anjuman. Tariq and Akira run into Eze often, who visits their school from Sector 09 G.C.A (given that its run by his aunt).

Things really head south when Tariq loses his older brother in one of these riots and that puts a whole bunch of strain on the Meissa family and this strain, for Maan, ends up sharply reminding her that her relationship with Altair is amoral. A guilt-stricken ‘I-am-a-homewrecker’ Maan ends up dependent on illicitly obtained prescription pills. While battling depression and suicidal tendencies. Akira is left to deal with this mess through her preteens and a bit of her teens, not knowing how to ask for help without giving up the relationship which feels far more dangerous since it’d drive a wedge through Aki’s family, will it threatens to make them social pariahs and might even be a death sentence given the conflict. Spiralling from the loss of her firstborn son, Jheel eventually gets fatally sick. Aki and T are transferred to Sector 09 G.C.A (where they study with Eze), till their family lives can be stabilized. Eventually, Aki returns to Anjuman but T doesn’t. She sees him largely on some weekends and during vacations. She watches him inch towards a sort of unabashed delinquency. She watches him hang out in Eze’s crowd and succumb to a life of ‘drugs and parties’. Aki, having dealt with her mom, tries to help him through his addiction, at least enough so he can keep his sports and academic performance up. There is a competition for a scholarship to G.C.A sector 0, which both T and Aki take part in and tie. On humanitarian grounds (because Jheel is close to death/ready to succumb) T is given the scholarship. (Aki is certain that there is also the influence of T’s buddiness with Eze. This leaves Aki feeling abandoned and betrayed when T accepts.

So, Aki decides, perhaps petulantly, that she too will find a way to attend Sector 0 G.C.U at least, (since transfer to the academy is unlikely) when she gets out of school even though it's much harder for people who do not have G.C.A backgrounds to do so. Despite her goals, she sort of struggles in H.S in a lonely emotional dip. And after the hostage situation that happens in her school and the information she finds out about it simply being a political facade she's disillusioned and upsette. She does run into and stay in touch with Jared though, who sort of helps her clear the entrance exams for G.C.U which she still yearned for, but had also sort of given up on. She loses her granddad on the day before the G.C.U exam - but still miraculously clears it. So, that's how she winds up in Sector 0 G.C.U studying 'biohacking' - which is basically medicine. She is also training as an Acer (G.C. Agent).

#writing #orginal character #character history #Tempered Grace #Quill writes #oc Akira Shastri

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Akira Shastri | Personality

So back at it, on first of April too - Does that mean I'm fooling myself when I say I will stick with this and actually post daily? - Maybe. But I'm not fooling myself when I say that I will try! So below the cut, we have Akira's personality. I swear, she reads more convoluted than she is. Or rather, she's simply complicated, or... complicatedly simple - take your pick.

Akira sees her own struggles (mostly because they feel unjustified to her) as a solo battle that could use an ephemeral support system to conquer. Her distracted, creative spirit is often at odds with her scholarly ventures, add labile emotions to this and Akira is left in a flux of turbulent frustration. Self-worth and confidence suffers sometimes and she is likely to close herself in. As someone who isn't (can’t be) result oriented, she accepts the existence of imperfection but not the unwillingness to attempt working against it--However slow that process might be. She deals with these internal turmoil, externally and alone. Finding it easiest to throw herself into something that'll exhaust her and steal away from the time she can spend brooding. This could be physical exhaustion through sports, martial arts, a variety of performing arts and creative projects that she will work on obsessively (and then drop).

Akira will assume that she’s been deemed weak (even if she hasn’t), if someone has witnessed her in a state that she judges as such. And one way or another, she will seek to re-establish her strength. She has always had a grandiose perspective of her own strength. She believes herself to be capable of stoic endurance in the face of pain. Sometimes she seeks it, just to prove this point to herself or others around her. Or to deal with a pressing sense of guilt. She hates pity, but she loves attention and does want to be admired for the right reasons. If someone she holds in high regard, recognises her strength under duress she's ecstatic about the validation. Especially if she feels like the ordeal served a purpose or was well endured as penance.

Her need for validation does leave her craving popularity sometimes. However, Akira is like a flame… sometimes a flickering candle, often a warm hearth... and sometimes a raging inferno. Inconsistency makes relationships hard and definitely does not garner her popular approval. Her inherent tendencies will automatically end up testing people. Friction is a consistent part of her affection. She still fights within a relationship as much as she fights for it.

She will entertain and push for extensive philosophical discourses, littered with painful hypotheticals... with whoever is willing. Holding up mirrors (sometimes cruelly, because she cannot give up on her tendency to deflate the over-inflated ego) and playing the devil’s advocate is her specialty.

Why? Because to her, intentions matter most. A reminder that her intentions are still noble, despite her failings can feel uplifting. Akira values self-awareness greatly. She believes that people need to introspect, reflect and work on themselves consistently. That true empathy is borne out of this. To the best of her ability, she does apply this to herself. She is susceptible to being disappointed by unjust and unfair things. Especially when the cause stems from others not valuing self-awareness, or dismissing it. When people harm each other, in search of power or because they don’t know better, Akira is met with a festering frustration.

Her natural curiosity is insatiable. It thrives on variety and settles on an obsessive unravelling of the minds around her, for better or for worse. Her intensity ends up working as a filter. And it leaves her with a good radar for people. She is not easy to fool. Akira seeks spirited souls that stand up for what they believe in, but are capable of being vulnerable… Are capable of realising that they can be wrong. These are the people she allows herself to love. Everything is amped up for those she loves, dangerously so. Once a relationship is forged and fostered, she is unlikely to give up on it. She cannot fake this attachment. and she measures her value by it sometimes. Her indiscipline makes it difficult for her to achieve concrete markers of success. So, being able to be there for people, good, kind, well-intentioned people--her people, fills that void.

Her innate empathy for people she considers hers--the ones she needs to protect and support, is subject to manipulation. It'll be very difficult for her to watch someone she cares for suffer, in her stead or directly/indirectly because of her. Her pride is an anchor, but in certain situations can be fragile. She knows a shattered sense of self will leave her quite hollow. And feeling like she failed, herself or someone around her, will tick that quickly.

Like everyone, Akira has a spectrum: Hate. Dislike. Indifference. Like. Love. Both extremes can become all-consuming. She knows she is capable of sinking into depravity, if she gives way to hate, and so assumes most humans could be. Akira would merrily dole out vengeance, to a dehumanising and sadistic degree if someone displayed cruelty (incidentally the quickest path to her hate) towards her or her people. She has not entirely reconciled that part of herself with her identity. Knowing that she can’t be entirely impartial leaves her agonizing.

While she is driven, empathetic, able and morally inclined, Akira is not motivated by the ‘save the world’ phenomenon. Akira believes that life longs for itself. And that it is unfair by existence, but that it evens out in the long run. Sometimes people have to temper their own weapons against hardship. She offers (and unknowingly seeks) help to accomplish that. In the end, Akira tends to hit her rock bottom and does bounce back. She will come close to cracking and will find the spirit, nerve and sinew to hold on. Her failings and flaws do not stop her from believing that she will leave her verse in the world. She hopes to live and not just survive and wishes the same for her people.

#writing #original character #character personality #Tempered Grace #Quill writes #oc Akira Shastri

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Jarvis Kaiser/Jared Knight | History

Below the cut, I've shared the first draft of Jarvis/Jared's history. Check out the world-building masterlist for more information on any of the organisations that I've referred to in the history. Forgive errors, there are likely to be more than a few. For the time being, this is all I have on Jarvis/Jared. Will probably tweak this as I work on the project. I've talked about 'Zach' i.e. Zachariah Pyxis, a fair bit, since their pasts are intertwined. In time I'll be putting out more information on him too. Read Jared/Jarvis' history below the cut.

Born Jarvis Kaiser to Maximillian Kaiser and Mu Hattori-Kaiser. Mu went through the cutting edge genetic therapy when pregnant with Jarvis and hence his seemingly awoken-ancient-and-lost-powers of future-sight and precognition. His father worked with SpecSyn and his cover job was as a technician for intra-space transport (like trains) for the colonies that were made on the moon/mars. (Which gave Jarvis his early fascination with the space) His mom too worked with Specsyn and her cover job was as an assistant to Azrael Pyxis who worked in a very high position in a global space-food company (under Norma). Jarvis is made to assume his orphan identity as Jared Knight at six when his parents’ cover is risked and they’re forced to ‘disappear’, so are assumed dead in an attack incident involving Quantum Brigade. His parents are provided refuge by SpecSyn’s underground internal network. Jarvis is enlisted G.C.A full time as Jared Knight. (Jarvis still gets to be in touch with his parents and Mu teaches him Ninja arts which helps him some more as an agent etc etc.)

G.C.A is fairly militaristic, it is a very dog eat dog setup, because - 'Gotta toughen up: You’re not people, you’re agents.' Given his heritage, Jared meanwhile, is being 'groomed' to work as spy with SpecSyn by Mark Walker (G.C.A’s student counselor - studying neuropsychiatry, childhood behaviour and development). Jared and Zach are batchmates. They start off as young rivals and then become friends with mutual admiration for each other’s abilities. They hang out in the same 'elite student' crowd (Not entirely Jared’s preference, but he is already learning to ‘play his part’.) And are kinda bullied bullies of sorts.

Jared and Zach graduate from G.C.A at 17 and start interning as diplomatic agents from 18 onwards - They're posted in Sector 09, under the loose guidance of Daevy Pyxis [Azrael’s wife]. They're also simultaneously studying their bachelor equivalent/prerequisites for space engineering and law respectively. Those subjects give them global access easily and will aid them in working as diplomatic agents in the future, in terms of recon and resources. This is perfect for SpecSyn too - because Sector 9 is volatile and a bit hostile.

In Sector 09 Jared does eventually run into Akira in a situation where Akira’s school is being held hostage in a political/religious situation and interning agents as well as others are sent to mitigate the situation. From there, something happens - related to the hostage situation - that forces him to betray Azrael (who was guilty), but Daevy (who is not guilty) is the one who 'pays' for this political misdemeanour.

Zach knows Jared is the 'mole' but he doesn't know that Jared is working with an organisation. He believes that Jared made that decision out of some moral naivety. Zach has never thought too highly of his mothers himself. So, without telling Jared that he knows he is the mole, Zach instead, helps Jared under the pretense that he thinks Jared is innocent. Jared gets out of the sticky situation (but Zach gets into one, temporarily).

Eventually, Jared and Akira wind up in Sector 0 studying further, working and living together. Jared continues to work for G.C, doing good and bad things, in order to continue spying for SpecSyn. His job often entails being captured by G.C’s enemy entities and tactically transferring information that he is sanctioned to share by SpecSyn. - Enemy of my enemy is a friend sort of situation. Enemies of G.C are more often than not unsavoury in their own right. So, Jared does dip into the - no one is good, including me - syndrome. He gets close to Nova because she's a bit of a 'beacon of light' (she's created that way) and Aki because Aki is so refreshingly transparent in her intentions.

#writing #original character #character history #Tempered Grace #quill writes #oc Jarvis Kaiser/Jared Knight

[abouttemperedgrace]

Jarvis Kaiser/Jared Knight | Personality

Below the cut we have Jarvis' personality. I consider him to be one of the two protagonists of the Tempered Grace story. The other being Akira Shastri, who I shall be introducing shortly. These posts are probably littered with errors, bear with me. Editing is not my strong suit when I'm emotionally invested in getting something on paper and out there. As usual, this is subject to alterations, changes, edits and updates.

He’s a utilitarian good guy in essence. He’s forward thinking and largely operates with the intention to improve the future and rarely out of self-preservation. That doesn’t mean that he doesn’t value his life at all, he simply attributes it to the role that he’s playing towards making the best envisioned future. He’s likely to make the best out of a bad situation and operates well on instinct when planning fails - Despite that trait, he will always plan excessively, but may or may not share plans with others readily. He doesn’t lack collaborative skills, he simply prefers working alone.

When duty calls, he's cold, detached, efficient and impassive. He'd go to whatever lengths that are deemed necessary for the greater good, rarely any more or any less. Unless there is a very strong personal motivation behind his actions, he won't really find any joy in it in hurting someone. He is self-aware enough to feel conflicted and guilty about his actions, but rarely allows that to interfere with getting the job done. On the occasions that he’s been at the mercy of those who dislike him (for one reason or another) he's either passionately feisty or, if severely subdued (not so much physically, but circumstantially), he is as resigned and stoic as he can be. He has a lot of pride but he doesn’t wear it on his sleeve. It is derived from his sense of purpose and he can endure a lot without letting it wear down. He has the ability to stow away his pride for the greater good, separate and protect it from things he is enduring.

If he is truly stripped of a sense of purpose, he'd probably be a husk of a man. As a husk, he could either just go on with life mechanically and disinterestedly, or simply give up and do nothing. He'd need something drastic and consistent to pull him out, but he won't be incurable - Especially if he’s convinced to undertake a new purpose.

When put in a position where he has to help or support a fellow, either emotionally or physically, Jared is plagued by practicality and is logical to a fault. He has no patience for simpering and could sometimes come off as dismissive. His more caring side can be evoked depending on how much mettle one displays and the degree of harm he/she endured in the line of duty. Courage in the face of bad odds will earn a person his respect, affection and concern. Such a person may melt the icy exterior and compel him to provide comfort even if it is beyond his means. Jared hates being at the receiving end of pity or sympathy. He sometimes takes this too far and will not consider the option of getting help. He barely allows himself to be treated (unless severely incapacitated) so caring for him can often be impossible. He'll always try to patch himself up first before ever asking for help. If things truly are beyond his skills he will try his best to maintain a callous attitude. He is dismissive of his pain and the severity of his injuries. This phenomenon intensifies if he has a relationship with the caretaker and doesn't want to see them worried.

#writing #original character #character personality #Tempered Grace #Quill Writes #oc Jarvis Kaiser/Jared Knight

[abouttemperedgrace]

Meet Akira Shastri

Here is an intro to one of my two protagonists. First some traced-art. The basic intro is below the cut! I'll be sharing her personality and history soon! Stay tuned!

Insatiable | Intellectual | Inconsistent | Inclusive | Incisive | Indisciplined Nicknames: Kira, Aki and Shira. Age: Teens to Thirties Birthday: 15th November, 2095 Height; 156 cm Weight; 45 kg Sex: Female Gender: Non-Binary Pronouns: She/Her (rarely Xe/Xer or He/Him when referring to self.) Sexuality: Pan-Sapio-Demi-sexual Relationship Status (or general too, really): Definitely complicated MBTI: ENFP - T [The Campaigner] Job Description - [Acer: BioHacker - Psychoanalytic Espionage - Desensitizer (stint with SpecSyn)] Power: Telepathic Empathy Spectrum

#writing #original characters #character intro #character art #Tempered Grace #quill writes #oc Akira Shastri #Quill sketches

[abouttemperedgrace]

Characters

Here is a masterlist of all the posts related to the characters in the world of Tempered Grace! Subject to edits, updates and changes.

Main Characters

Jarvis Kaiser/Jared Knight ~ Personality ~ History Akira Shastri ~ Personality ~ History Tariq Meissa ~ Personality ~ History Novara Ricci ~ Personality ~ History Zizi 'Ritonix' Abebe ~ Personality ~ History Aodhan Galleghar ~ Personality ~ History

Side Characters

Zachariah Pyxis Ezekiel Pyxis Vivianne Delacroix Cydi 'Ajax' Ariti Eoghan Kiernan Akira Hattori-Shizuki

Others

#writing #original characters #Tempered Grace #Quill Writes

[abouttemperedgrace]

Meet Jarvis Kaiser/Jared Knight

Some tracing-art for him. A snippet of his basic information below the cut. Personality and History coming soon ;)

Analytical | Utilitarian | Stoic | Driven | Consumed | Detached Nicknames: Red, Red Knight, J/Jay, J.K, Kai. Age: Teens - Thirties Birthday: 8th March, 2092 Height: 180 cm Weight: 70 kgs Sex at birth: Male Gender: Male Pronouns: He/Him Sexuality: Pansexual (Het-leaning). Monogamous. Relationship Status: - Probably complicated MBTI Personality: INTJ - A/T [The Architect] Job descriptions: [ Acer and Space Engineer - Spy for SpecSyn] Power: Precognition/Future-Sight Spectrum

#original character #writing #Tempered Grace #oc Jared/Jarvis #character intro

[abouttemperedgrace]

World-building Masterlist

A post that will be periodically updated to contain all the links to content about the T.G set-up. From information about the organisations, powers, conflict, politics, the geography+timelines etc.

General

- Setting - Themes - Tropes

Organisations

- S.P.A.N.C.C - Global Confederate and Amity Enforcers - Nexus and Bloody Blitz

Misc.

- Powers - Timeline - Sectors

#tempered grace #quill writes #masterlist #T.G worldbuilding

[abouttemperedgrace]

Powers

Time for that touch of fantasy in this sci-fi setup. This is a short and sweet post, because this aspect isn’t too fleshed and subject to alterations and edits. It is however, quite relevant, because I will be referring to these powers since (at least in the upcoming rendition i.e. the second draft) my main characters possess them. The powers are meant to be evoked through some cocktail of genetic modification and neural modulation delivered to embryos. This innovation was devised on the backbone of certain imprints discovered after analysing some super ancient archaeological finds. These imprints are believed to be derived from differently-abled-lost-human-ancestors (celebrated in folk-fables and myths of several cultures and religions).

This isn't too long, but... more details under the cut! (That I might edit and add to in time)

They grant certain enhancements to the receiving embryo, that are largely to do with neural-processing and the effect their existence has on the neural-processing of those around them. Essentially, they sense and process the world differently than the non-powered and may be able to alter the way another person neurally-processes the stuff happening around them. Does this make them super? Not necessarily. How useful the power is, is often dependent on how creatively it is used. How good they get at using the power, depends on if they realise it and then learn how to use it. Like a muscle, the more they use it, the stronger it gets. And like a muscle, misuse can lead to injury. A very simple example of such a power, is the ability to have “super”-sight, the ability to perceive visible objects better, longer distances, better resolution, smaller things… Powers can evolve and encompass more as they are used, but they usually share a sort of consistent vein. For example this person might eventually be able to change the way somebody else sees stuff - make stuff blurry, share their super-sight etc. More details on this should emerge as I share the powers my characters have, how they found out about them and how they've been using them.

#tempered grace #world building #setup #sci-fantasy #powers #quill writes #whump potential #T.G Setup

[abouttemperedgrace]

Bloody Blitz and Nexus

This is probably something a fair few of you guys are familiar with because I started an MRR based around this sub-setup of my world on a fairly popular discord whump server - The Whumping Fields. [I had to drop it for personal reasons, but I do hope the concept is still enjoyable!] So, here are the fairly informally written details. It includes a more open set-up than my typical stuff because it was meant to be able to incorporate other people’s characters (with their own unique lore that may not overlap with my stuff perfectly). In my personal content the use of Nexus and Bloody Blitz, may be a little more conservative in terms of fantasy. BLOODY BLITZ: An event where ‘Products’ are demonstrated for various purposes: Largely for entertainment and funding etc. The events range from gladiator-arena battles, to battle-royales, to simpler demonstrations. It works quite similarly to a convention. THE NEXUS: This is the ‘Behind-the-scenes’ facility for the Blitz. The making/testing of the products and the training for the show-ponies happens here. The system encourages optimal performance from both Units and Subjects. The construct additionally provides - Opt in- shady gym-like place for volunteering/Willing Subjects. - Opt in- shady research lab-like place for volunteering/Willing Units - Prison/Lab-like facility for unlucky/unwilling Subjects and Units. What are these Subject and Units? Who handles them and who is paying for all of this to be running? More details about how this network runs, under the cut!

The who is who, is answered by the division into ‘Designations’ - The Stakeholders, Contacts, Subject and Units. Each have their own responsibilities and the influence associated with it, how they use that depends on them (to a degree).

The Stakeholders- The people with money and power. They get to intervene whenever, however and in whatever capacity, for good and for bad. Stakeholders get to orchestrate the events of the Blitz and witness it for entertainment from a luxurious vantage point. They get to visit the Nexus to check in and they may purchase/rent the Units/Subjects. (Possibly even for rescue or just for personal reasons.)

Most traditionally these characters would be whumpers, but may choose to be caretakers/rescuers, (or even whumpees, with some creative plotting)

The Contacts - The ones that run the Nexus. They are usually under pressure to 'get/show results' to the Stakeholders, no matter what it takes. They’re in a mutually beneficial relationship with willing Units/Subjects. They’re in charge of driving the unwilling Units/Subjects. Some will be in charge of keeping discipline in the Nexus and during the Bloody Blitz [Like prison wardens]. Some will be in charge of fixing up the Units and Subjects (after an experiment/punishment/event) so they can continue performing [Like medics/doctors.] Some of them train the Subjects [like Trainers/coaches would], some might guide the Units. [like teachers/professors would]. Overlap encouraged: Trainer+Warden. Medic+Mentor. [Any other combinations] Most traditionally, these characters would get to be whumpers and caretakers of the ‘prison/hospital ward/Training facility’ variety.

The Units (willing) The researchers/scientists etc. The ones design these 'products' by choice [More information on the potential ‘products’ below.] The willing ones who treat the Nexus like a place of learning and a lab. Certain Contacts might be their mentors and the Subjects would be their lab rats. They’d still be under the supervision of Contacts, but they are free to come and go. They may witness/manage their ‘product’ in the Bloody Blitz during the demonstrations. Most traditionally they’d be whumpers of the ‘lab/medical whump’ variety.

The Subjects (willing) - The Show-Ponies who thrive in battle-esque settings and like to live on the edge. They treat the Nexus like a twisted gym membership. They use it to train and practice, but they’re free to leave. They may volunteer to have Products (that are already deemed safe to use) used on them for their ‘Performance’ at the Blitz. Most traditionally, these characters would be whumpers of the ‘beat-down, sadistic violence, show-off’ variety. The Units (unwilling) The ones who have unwillingly become stuck in the system live in the Nexus in prison-like cells (alongside the Subjects). They’re managed by the Contacts and are expected to show results.They will be forced to experiment on Subjects and are usually punished for failures/escape attempts. They may be rented/purchased by Stakeholders for whatever purposes the Stakeholder deems fit. Most traditionally, these characters would be whumpees (enduring prison-like whump) and often subjected to the forced whump scenarios (of the lab/medical whump) variety. (They could choose to caretake (for each other or other Subjects post punishments/fights in the Nexus etc) The Subjects (unwilling) Unwilling Subjects (like unwilling Units) live in the Nexus and are managed by Contacts. They’re trained to endure the harsh conditions of the Bloody Blitz so they can be more resilient. They are also the lab rats for the testing of the Products (their consent, safety and well-being is not of primary concern). They may be punished for underperforming and/or escape attempts. They may be rented/purchased by Stakeholders for whatever purposes the Stakeholder deems fit. Most traditionally, these characters would be whumpees (subject to prison-esque and lab-whump) They too, might be involved in forced whump situations (of the beat-down, fight to death, violent situation variety) They could choose to caretake for each other/other Units in the Nexus)

Possible Products: Range from genetic alterations and 'medical' stuff (creating 'monster-human' hybrids etc, or experimenting on humans and existing other-worldly OCs, designing fast/extensive healing serums, creating infatuations, other mind-altering substances [which will have to be demonstrated of course], enhancements (temporary/permanent 'superpowers' like strength, speed, enhanced senses, flying), to mechas (like AI and mega-mechatronics stuff (bot whump ahoy?) to fancy weaponized prosthetics (as the world transcends into a more cyborg-y reality.)

#tempered grace #Quill writes #content creation #world building #whump #tw conceptual illegal experimentation #tw conceptual human trading #T.G Organisations

[abouttemperedgrace]

Global Confederate and Amity Enforcers

This is somewhat important, because both my 'protags' work with G.C in close proximity. Since it is relevant, it obviously, is not set in stone (nothing important ever is, this is an ever-evolving project). I'd like to share what I have so far. It echoes of anime, and rank systems stolen from existing militaristic organisations. G.C is a lot of things, being and being an Amity Enforcer (Acer) is a long-haul process. Hit me up if you've had a chance to go through this and have ideas about how I could flesh it out some more. Details below the cut!

Global Confederate's motto is: Conscience. Concordance. Cognizance. Their M.O is to try mould their Acers young. Scattered all over the world (at least one per Region), they have, G.C Academies, that are half/full-Boarding schools. They are highly competitive to get into. One needs excellent mean of their 'Genetic and practical-applicability score' to make it in. Usually, G.C academy graduates get (especially those that have done well), get a preferential spot in G.C Universities. G.C Universities have open call-outs for students all over the world, but those who are not Academy graduates very rarely clear the qualifications examinations and that is if they have the pre-requisites to apply. G.C universities are equipped with the best research labs and offer cutting edge higher education. It is also where Amity Enforcers (should someone choose to be one) are further trained and start interning/practising. Amity Enforcers, and other staff/S.P.A.C.C company workers get to enjoy the perks of the G.C Facilities, which offer state of the art residences and healthcare access.

More about Amity Enforcers (Acers)

The goal of Amity Enforcers is to: Identify radicals that pose a global threat. Dismantle organised crime and/or resistances that are deemed to be seeding chaos and seem to have no plausible, verifiable, singular cause. Resolving inter-sector conflict and situations. Providing aid in the event of disasters etc. So there is variance between the role and operations of on Acer from another.

Amity Enforcers - Ranking Passing the initial screening [usually conducted straight out of the academy] puts an Acer at Rank 0 and they hold minimum jurisdiction over civilians. Subsequently, Ranking up comes with its own perks and each Rank holds power over the ones below. Each rank-up needs an accumulation of 180 credits. Academic Clearance/Teaching/Research can get a person maximum 90 credits per year. Mission Volunteering can get a candidate another 90 credits per year [This would depends on field and level/area of expertise+Patrol hours.] So, a person can rank up maximum once per year, and this is deemed quite difficult and time consuming. P.S - I'm mostly focusing on the weapons each rank has access too, and these are not the perks I'm referring to above. I want to make it clear that it is not to diminish the brutality that we as a global community have been dealing with and rightfully protesting against in our current times. In my fictional world, this access to these weapons is very regulated. Use of the weapons is monitored and always needs to be explained. Apart from that, the focus here is primarily because sometimes I imagine anime-esque battle scenes and its good to know what my characters, or those around them would be wielding based on their ranks or who they are working with. Rank 0 - Ensigns. Rank 1 - Recruits. Blunt subduing melee weapons. [Prod-batons/tasers] Rank 2 - Cadets. Customised sharp subduing melee weapons. Rank 3 - Officers. Customised non-lethal ranged weapons. [Tranquil darts] Rank 4 - Lieutenants. Non-lethal crowd-control. [akin to Smoke bombs. Tear gas.] Rank 5 - Captains. Customised lethal ranged weapon. [Guns etc] Rank 6 - Majors. Area tech interruptions Rank 7 - Colonel. Non-lethal knock-out explosives. Rank 8 - Generals. Larger tech interruption. Drones, surveillance, Rank 9 - Commanders. Lethal Crowd-control weapons [Small Explosives] Rank 10 - Junior Council Member. [Seat on the table obtained as per availability, requirement and individual prowess] Lethal crowd control [Larger areas] [+3 more years of service as Junior Council member, leaves a person eligible for:- Senior Council Member. As a SCM, one can have access to any an all records of any person. [+6 more years of service as a Senior Council Member] on becomes eligible for Council Leader. (High ranking S.P.A.N.C.C employees and people in leadership positions are often also part of the council.)

#Tempered Grace #original content #writing #Global confederate and amity enforcers #acers #some of my characters work as acers #so this is fun stuff to know I think #hit me up if you have more ideas on how I can flesh this out #T.G Organisations