@DrabberRogue: Again, still open, but as you might've been able to tell by the last few posts, I can be a bit picky when it comes to character concepts.

Big problem I can see here, though, is that there is a... Lot of overlap with my own character. Like, I think most of the core aspects overlap, and I don't think that'd pan out quite well with regards to character diversity.

@PKMNB0Y

Ah, I was afraid of that. Figured I'd pitch it anyways in the hope that there was enough difference.

Alllright, so a redesign is in order.
So what if I list some of the aspects I'd like my character to have? See which can be changed, which ought to be dropped altogether, then I'll go off and try to cook up something more unique?
(Also how do you make bulletin lists? I saw you doing that on some previous posts, seems useful for this sort of thing, but it's been forever since I've used the site and it doesn't seem to be in the formatting shorthand.)

---Gonna put a border here to mark where the listed aspects begin---

So to start with aspects I have in mind, generally I imagine a talented scion from a (possibly influential) noble house. I wanted him to be talented in something that's useful in combat, though to be honest I wouldn't mind changing the specifics to something distinct from other characters.

My first thought as to how he would interact with the heroine is to be initially aloof, being more absorbed in his own interests, unless she manages to catch his eye. Possible examples being good at something he's interested in (I imagined him as proud and competitive), discussing a subject of his interest, a chance encounter at a formal dance (he likes that ballroom aesthetic)...
The reason for the initial lack of interest is a mild touch of eccentricity, fixation on his own fancies.
I may have jumped the gun in describing him as a "star student" earlier. He would perform well when engaged in something that can hold his interest, but may have trouble keeping focus otherwise.
If you're wondering where all these remarks about 'pride' and 'eccentricity' were in my initial post, I cut them out to try and focus on the broad strokes. I'm trying to avoid just writing the whole character before the rough edges have been sanded.
Anyways, I don't know whether or not any of that overlaps with someone else, but I'm not especially married to most of it if you want me to change those concepts.

Rivalry with the heroine in the game was an idea that came about as a consequence of practicing swordsmanship and being competitive. Honestly not critical, can cut this out easily if need be.

Last but probably not least of the things I can think of at the moment, having the potential to fall for the villainess. If such a girl exists, anyways. I uh... I actually quite like this idea. So if it doesn't overlap with anyone else's character, I'd like to keep it.
As for the consequences of such a thing happening, I generally thought it ought to result in the becoming a problem for the heroine. My first instinct was for him to become a dangerous boss, but I can definitely see how that overlaps a lot, and honestly I'm thinking perhaps to leave it at something like "he has a chance to fall in love with the villainess."

@DrabberRogue: Hm...
I think that talented from a noble house would function fine, but given how we have... I think three? People from ducal houses, it might be a good idea to consider a character that prioritizes that hard work over lineage.

Other than that, though? First point seems solid enough, second one's possible but not necessary, and the third's... Probably doable? Assuming that a villainess exists (lol). It's hard to make clear calls when everything's just ideas being floated atm.

Two from ducal houses and Elastasia's next in line to a Marquisate. OTOH, if you go by age of title = rank (old French rules rather than English), she's right up there anyway. xD

@PKMNB0Y

Would perhaps the son of a baron work better? Not especially influential as far as nobles go, so needing to work his way up more by merit, but still having some weight to his family name.
Also I kinda like the idea of him being from a house with a hereditary affinity for some kind of magic (in this case dark magic.) Kinda going off the lore established in Noctis' sheet, with that particular affinity being limited to specific characters in the game.

@DrabberRogue: Aye, baron would work fine. Dark magic... Would likely need to be defined a bit clearer, but depending on what that is it could probably pan out well enough.

@PKMNB0Y

Hmm... I haven't given a huge amount of thought to it yet, but...
From reading some of the previous OOC posts, you seem familiar with Fire Emblem right? You know how the dark spells are in that series? I've been imagining something along those lines. Fell miasma and weighty shadows, able to inflict nasty maladies and crippling curses.
Well, actually the "weighty shadows" remark is more of a Dark Souls reference, where dark magic is derived from the darker aspects of humanity.

Come to describe it, I think my character might be a bit reluctant to divulge that particular talent... xD

I suppose that just describes the combat aspect of it, but maybe the dark element could generally deal in occult-ish forces that can be manifested in or from darkness. In its most basic form, this could just mean simply darkening an area, no spooky strings attached.

Given how magic the likes of curses tends to be depicted too, I'd like to also propose that some dark magic is derived from emotion, so inspiration can be drawn from both Fire Emblem and Dark Souls. I'm just particularly drawn to that idea by part of a description of one of the dark spells from Dark Souls: "It appears to be an expression of envy, or perhaps love towards another, that will tenaciously pursue its target. Even if, like so many human desires, it amounts to nothing but misfortune."

Man, I just finished writing out the personality of an outgoing, curious young man who's supposed to be talented with this stuff.
Starting to debate whether I should revisit it to make him a little darker, or if I should just roll with the contrast...

@DrabberRogue: I think that framing for dark magic is fine, honestly.

@PKMNB0Y

Sorry about my silence the past several days, figured I'd try to put a character form together before speaking up again.
Speaking of which, I hereby present my submission for a character~

Can you please NOT make every mention of the word dark a dark purple. The entire site has a dark colour scheme!

Yes, full accessibility checks are probably overkill, but seriously, some contrast.

Dark purple (and capitalization) removed for all but the first mention of dark magic.
I've also increased the brightness, and made bold, that first mention in an effort to make it pop out more.

Probably should've anticipated that'd be a problem, sorry... ^^;

Thank you for that.

It's like people posting entire sections of dialogue in dark blue; I shouldn't need to highlight it or zoom in to read from a comfortable distance...

I decided to check if there was still room for one more. It's says "apply", but never hurts to ask.

Now, I haven't pondered the character's "Original Role" much yet. I was thinking of developing him according to what kind of character this RP would need or is missing (bored prince, commoner kid, novice monk etc.).

Anyway, I was thinking that historically my character was more knowledgeable of Otome genre from reading manga and webtoons, and generally didn't have much interest in Visual Novels. He got pulled into playing Cross Heart Academy after hearing it would take inspiration from otome mangas, including villainesses.

Within the story the character's drama would center around "flawed meta-knowledge". He knows the tropes, archetypes and flags of the otome isekai stories, but he has trouble seeing the reality behind them. For example, he thinks Anne is the main antagonist, because "Whenever Heroine reincarnates, she becomes the new villainess".

But, what do you think?

Right, I FINALLY have time now.

@DrabberRogue: Hm...
I think the character would have more to gain by not being super heavy magic spec, personally? Having it in the repertoire is fine, but I think that with our cast, too much magic might not be the greatest path to take. We don't have any mixed magic/physical people in the crew, for example, and reasonably speaking if you want that combat spec you should consider something like that instead of going for super magic focus. That's a power thing, though. Reasonably, it being rare should be sufficient to make him valuable, not that it should need to have access to the BEST of the rarest.
As for personality... I think you could probably do with making it a bit more defined? I get a feel for what he's like, sure, but only in a bit of a vague sense where I get how he "acts" but not the sort of person he "is", if that makes sense.

So I think for now it's not quite a rejection, but... Not acceptance, either.

@Chiro: We're still open, yeah. As for that concept, though... It's all about execution on that front. Gotta come up with someone compelling to be more than just "a character who tries to mess with meta-knowledge" like that.

@Chiro: We're still open, yeah. As for that concept, though... It's all about execution on that front. Gotta come up with someone compelling to be more than just "a character who tries to mess with meta-knowledge" like that.

Fair.

I'll try and see, what I can come up with.

Speaking of, what's your stance on playing royalty(or are there any preferences to the rank or skills)?

@Chiro: Uh... I would rather you not play royalty, if that's what you're asking.
That aside, uh... We probably want to try and balance the cast in terms of abilities/personality to some extent...?

@Chiro: Uh... I would rather you not play royalty, if that's what you're asking.
That aside, uh... We probably want to try and balance the cast in terms of abilities/personality to some extent...?

I'll keep that in mind.

Well, better re-check what others have made. BRB