First, I'm starting a monthly (weekly?) journal-format serial to go along with my character and his backstory -- we'll see where it winds up. For lack of a better place to put it for now, I threw it in a post on the beta forum which you can access here if you'd like a read:Â http://forum.square-enix.com/ARR-Test/threads/97059-The-Tale-of-Gilbert-La-pine-Ch1%21Â :D
Part 1: The Basics
Part 1: The Basics
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Part 1: The Basics1.What is your full name? Gilbert La'pine
2.Where and when were you born?Â
Gridania, not sure on the date. 26 now.
3.Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.)Â
Both dead, don't know much about them.
4.Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?Â
None still living, mostly died in early childhood.Â
5.Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.Â
Garlean prisoner of war. Hope to return to Gridania some day.Â
6.What is your occupation?
Wood Wailer before internment, occupation unknown upon returning. I can feel my magical abilities increasing from the testing, though... (read backstory)
7.Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.
Full mask, usually, to hide disfigurement. If I get back to Gridania, I'd like to join the twin adders and will likely wear the uniform regularly.
![[Image: dx7m.png]](http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/8941/dx7m.png)
8.To which social class do you belong?
Commoner, but ambitious and would like to become a leader or nobility after escape or release.
9.Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
Was blinded in left eye from gunblade discharge at point-blank. However, whatever the Garlean scientists are doing to me is making my vision return, albeit slowly.Â
10. Are you right- or left-handed?
Right handed.Â
11. What does your voice sound like?
Hard to say, I'm not one that enjoys listening to themself talk.
12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?
I try to vary my speech; I don't have any taglines.Â
13. What do you have in your pockets?
Prison clothes don't have pockets.
14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
See #7.Â
2.Where and when were you born?Â
Gridania, not sure on the date. 26 now.
3.Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.)Â
Both dead, don't know much about them.
4.Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?Â
None still living, mostly died in early childhood.Â
5.Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.Â
Garlean prisoner of war. Hope to return to Gridania some day.Â
6.What is your occupation?
Wood Wailer before internment, occupation unknown upon returning. I can feel my magical abilities increasing from the testing, though... (read backstory)
7.Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.
Full mask, usually, to hide disfigurement. If I get back to Gridania, I'd like to join the twin adders and will likely wear the uniform regularly.
8.To which social class do you belong?
Commoner, but ambitious and would like to become a leader or nobility after escape or release.
9.Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
Was blinded in left eye from gunblade discharge at point-blank. However, whatever the Garlean scientists are doing to me is making my vision return, albeit slowly.Â
10. Are you right- or left-handed?
Right handed.Â
11. What does your voice sound like?
Hard to say, I'm not one that enjoys listening to themself talk.
12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?
I try to vary my speech; I don't have any taglines.Â
13. What do you have in your pockets?
Prison clothes don't have pockets.
14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
See #7.Â
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Part 2: Growing Up15. How would you describe your childhood in general?
I don't remember much. Mostly just working at the botanist's guild to make ends meet.Â
16. What is your earliest memory?
My memory has gotten shady in prison. I think it's the experiments.
17. How much schooling have you had?
Some martial education as a Wood Wailer recruit, some training at the botanist's guild. Learned to read and enjoy books.
18. Did you enjoy school?
If you mean my training, it involved a lot of people yelling at me so not a lot.Â
19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?
See #17.
20. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.
I looked up to the Wood Wailers a lot. Never put much stock in the seedseer voodoo, though. I think they're great leaders, just don't have much faith in the Matron as a god.Â
21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?
They were dead.
22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Alive.
23. As a child, what were your favorite activities?
Not starving.
24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?
Determination.
25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?
Didn't have much time for friends.Â
26. When and with whom was your first kiss?
Still waiting for it (in Eorzea
).
27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
Yes. Waiting for someone who won't let me down.
28. If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.
See link at beginning of post.
I don't remember much. Mostly just working at the botanist's guild to make ends meet.Â
16. What is your earliest memory?
My memory has gotten shady in prison. I think it's the experiments.
17. How much schooling have you had?
Some martial education as a Wood Wailer recruit, some training at the botanist's guild. Learned to read and enjoy books.
18. Did you enjoy school?
If you mean my training, it involved a lot of people yelling at me so not a lot.Â
19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?
See #17.
20. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.
I looked up to the Wood Wailers a lot. Never put much stock in the seedseer voodoo, though. I think they're great leaders, just don't have much faith in the Matron as a god.Â
21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?
They were dead.
22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Alive.
23. As a child, what were your favorite activities?
Not starving.
24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?
Determination.
25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?
Didn't have much time for friends.Â
26. When and with whom was your first kiss?
Still waiting for it (in Eorzea
).27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
Yes. Waiting for someone who won't let me down.
28. If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.
See link at beginning of post.
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Part 3: Past Influences29. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
Being captured by the Garleans.
30. Who has had the most influence on you?
Right now, Caern Strathmore most likely. He's the one running Mordion Gaol's medical science division and the experiments. Other than that, Doer has been a good friend, and likely the next most influential person in my life right now.
31. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Surviving.
32. What is your greatest regret?
Getting captured.
33. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
Being an arrogant ass to other recruits. I wish I could apologize to those who died because I wasn't strong enough...
34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind?
If you count being a prisoner of war, yes.Â
35. When was the time you were the most frightened?
Probably right now.
36. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?
I don't want to talk about it.
37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?
Not getting captured.Â
38. What is your best memory?
Being free.
39. What is your worst memory?
Now.
Being captured by the Garleans.
30. Who has had the most influence on you?
Right now, Caern Strathmore most likely. He's the one running Mordion Gaol's medical science division and the experiments. Other than that, Doer has been a good friend, and likely the next most influential person in my life right now.
31. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Surviving.
32. What is your greatest regret?
Getting captured.
33. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
Being an arrogant ass to other recruits. I wish I could apologize to those who died because I wasn't strong enough...
34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind?
If you count being a prisoner of war, yes.Â
35. When was the time you were the most frightened?
Probably right now.
36. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?
I don't want to talk about it.
37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?
Not getting captured.Â
38. What is your best memory?
Being free.
39. What is your worst memory?
Now.
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Part 4: Beliefs and Opinions40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
Cautiously optimistic.
41. What is your greatest fear?
Dying in obscurity.
42. What are your religious views?
The religion of the Twelve is for fools. The Twelve are powerful, even otherwordly beings, but not gods. I believe there's a higher power.Â
43. What are your political views?
Independent Gridania Forever! our government works pretty well, even with the hocus pocus of the seedseers.
44. What are your views on sex?
Should be done responsibly. I came from a family broken by death, despite the best efforts of my parents. I can't imagine someone indulging in their own lust to doom their child to a broken home willfully. That's not love, to the child or the partner.
45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?
Don't know yet. My first mission in the field I was taken prisoner, though I certainly tried to skewer that centurion!
It's acceptable when it's necessary.
46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
Imprison and torture another human being in the name of scientific advancement. Kind of like what the Garleans are doing to me right now.
47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
I think life, and love, are what you make of them.
48. What do you believe makes a successful life?
It's length.
49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)?
It depends on the circumstances.
50. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
Not sure.Â
51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?
Anything immoral. The list is a bit long to go in to here...
52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?
Hearth and home, liberty and country.
Cautiously optimistic.
41. What is your greatest fear?
Dying in obscurity.
42. What are your religious views?
The religion of the Twelve is for fools. The Twelve are powerful, even otherwordly beings, but not gods. I believe there's a higher power.Â
43. What are your political views?
Independent Gridania Forever! our government works pretty well, even with the hocus pocus of the seedseers.
44. What are your views on sex?
Should be done responsibly. I came from a family broken by death, despite the best efforts of my parents. I can't imagine someone indulging in their own lust to doom their child to a broken home willfully. That's not love, to the child or the partner.
45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?
Don't know yet. My first mission in the field I was taken prisoner, though I certainly tried to skewer that centurion!
It's acceptable when it's necessary.
46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
Imprison and torture another human being in the name of scientific advancement. Kind of like what the Garleans are doing to me right now.
47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
I think life, and love, are what you make of them.
48. What do you believe makes a successful life?
It's length.
49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)?
It depends on the circumstances.
50. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
Not sure.Â
51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?
Anything immoral. The list is a bit long to go in to here...
52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?
Hearth and home, liberty and country.
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Part 5: Relationships With Others53. In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how?
Politely and with respect, so long as they are deserving. Generally I mete to others what I would that they would to me.Â
54. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
Right now me, myself, and I are about the only 'people' in my life, so I guess me. Just trying to survive. After that, Doer is the only friend I've really got, but I don't see him much. There was one girl back in Gridania, but...
55. Who is the person you respect the most, and why?
The good men and women of the Alliance enduring this hell alongside me. Heroes, every one of them.Â
56. Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people.
See #54.
57. Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person.
I might if I make it out alive. We'll see.
58. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
Yes, but I don't know if it was noticed or reciprocated.Â
59. What do you look for in a potential lover?
Trusting, kind, capable.
60. How close are you to your family?
Dead, so not very.
61. Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not?
No, but it would be nice. War is a scary time to start a family, though. Then again, when else would it be more important...
62. Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help?
Doer, though theres not much he could do in the current situation.Â
63. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?
See 62 and link above.
64. If you died or went missing, who would miss you?
Um... most people probably think I'm dead already or don't remember me. Doer probably.
65. Who is the person you despise the most, and why?
The Garlean empire at large. Ruined my life.
66. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
Neither, I just win.
67. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
Yes.
68. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not?
Yes, but it depends on the people. I enjoy collaborating with good people.
69. Do you care what others think of you?
Not overly so, but sure.
Politely and with respect, so long as they are deserving. Generally I mete to others what I would that they would to me.Â
54. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
Right now me, myself, and I are about the only 'people' in my life, so I guess me. Just trying to survive. After that, Doer is the only friend I've really got, but I don't see him much. There was one girl back in Gridania, but...
55. Who is the person you respect the most, and why?
The good men and women of the Alliance enduring this hell alongside me. Heroes, every one of them.Â
56. Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people.
See #54.
57. Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person.
I might if I make it out alive. We'll see.
58. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
Yes, but I don't know if it was noticed or reciprocated.Â
59. What do you look for in a potential lover?
Trusting, kind, capable.
60. How close are you to your family?
Dead, so not very.
61. Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not?
No, but it would be nice. War is a scary time to start a family, though. Then again, when else would it be more important...
62. Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help?
Doer, though theres not much he could do in the current situation.Â
63. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?
See 62 and link above.
64. If you died or went missing, who would miss you?
Um... most people probably think I'm dead already or don't remember me. Doer probably.
65. Who is the person you despise the most, and why?
The Garlean empire at large. Ruined my life.
66. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
Neither, I just win.
67. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
Yes.
68. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not?
Yes, but it depends on the people. I enjoy collaborating with good people.
69. Do you care what others think of you?
Not overly so, but sure.
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Part 6: Likes and Dislikes70. What is/areyour favorite hobbies and pastimes?
Â
I usedto enjoy botany, and may pursue carpentry if I ever survive. That and fishing.
Â
71. What is yourmost treasured possession?
Â
I haveno possessions.
Â
72. What is yourfavorite color?
Â
Yellowand green.
Â
73. What is yourfavorite food?
Â
Anythingbut the rot they serve in prison.
Â
74. What, ifanything, do you like to read?
Â
Thingsthat make me feel more educated/well read. I also enjoy a good hero's tale.
Â
75. What is youridea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)?
Â
Adventuring.
Â
76. Do you smoke,drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit?
Â
No, Iget enough of those in the tests I expect.
Â
77. How do youspend a typical Saturday night?
Â
Sleepingin my cell.
Â
78. What makes youlaugh?
Â
Ihaven't laughed in some time...
Â
79. What, ifanything, shocks or offends you?
Â
Hard toshock me anymore.
Â
80. What would youdo if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself?
Â
Notmuch to do in a 3 yalm x 3 yalm cell. Count the straw?
Â
81. How do you dealwith stress?
Â
Stareat the ceiling.
Â
82. Are youspontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
Â
Spontaneous,but plans are nice.
Â
83. What are yourpet peeves?
Â
Being interrupted.
Â
I usedto enjoy botany, and may pursue carpentry if I ever survive. That and fishing.
Â
71. What is yourmost treasured possession?
Â
I haveno possessions.
Â
72. What is yourfavorite color?
Â
Yellowand green.
Â
73. What is yourfavorite food?
Â
Anythingbut the rot they serve in prison.
Â
74. What, ifanything, do you like to read?
Â
Thingsthat make me feel more educated/well read. I also enjoy a good hero's tale.
Â
75. What is youridea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)?
Â
Adventuring.
Â
76. Do you smoke,drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit?
Â
No, Iget enough of those in the tests I expect.
Â
77. How do youspend a typical Saturday night?
Â
Sleepingin my cell.
Â
78. What makes youlaugh?
Â
Ihaven't laughed in some time...
Â
79. What, ifanything, shocks or offends you?
Â
Hard toshock me anymore.
Â
80. What would youdo if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself?
Â
Notmuch to do in a 3 yalm x 3 yalm cell. Count the straw?
Â
81. How do you dealwith stress?
Â
Stareat the ceiling.
Â
82. Are youspontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
Â
Spontaneous,but plans are nice.
Â
83. What are yourpet peeves?
Â
Being interrupted.
Show Content
Part 7: Self Images and etc.84. Describe theroutine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted?
Â
Â
I don'teven want to talk about it.
Â
Â
85. What is yourgreatest strength as a person?
Â
86. What is yourgreatest weakness?
Â
Â
Depression.
Â
Â
87. If you couldchange one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Â
Â
I wouldchoose to not be a POW in a Garlean prison.
Â
Â
88. Are yougenerally introverted or extroverted?
Â
Â
Cautiously
extroverted.
Â
Â
89. Are yougenerally organized or messy?
Â
Â
Both.
Â
Â
90. Name threethings you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.
Â
Â
Good
at...
Â
Â
-
Surviving
Â
Â
-
Leading
Â
Â
-
Strategizing
Â
Â
Bad
at...
Â
Â
- Notgetting captured
Â
Â
-Remembering the past
Â
Â
- Beinglocked up
Â
91. Do you likeyourself?
Â
Â
Wellenough, though I'm starting to wonder if I even know myself anymore.
Â
Â
92. What are yourreasons for being an adventurer (or doing the strange and heroic things that RPG characters do)? Are your real reasons for doing this different than the ones you tell people in public? (If so, detail both sets of reasons…)
Â
Â
Iwanted to defend my homeland, now I'm in a bit of a rough spot.
Â
Â
93. What goal doyou most want to accomplish in your lifetime?
Â
Â
Get outof Mordion Gaol.Â
Â
94. Where do yousee yourself in 5 years?
Â
Â
Home,in Gridania.
Â
Â
95. If you couldchoose, how would you want to die?
Â
Â
Not
here.
Â
Â
96. If you knew youwere going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left.
Â
Â
-
Escape.
Â
Â
- Killthe emperor.
Â
Â
- Paysomeone to smuggle my corpse home.Â
Â
Â
97. What is the onething for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?
Â
Â
I diedfree.
Â
Â
98. What threewords best describe your personality?
Â
Â
Independent.
Â
99. What threewords would others probably use to describe you?
Â
Â
-
Pigheaded
Â
Â
-
Determined
Â
Â
-
Kind...sometimes
Â
Â
100. If you could,what advice would you, the player, give to your character? (You might even want to speak as if he or she were sitting right here in front of you, and use proper tone so he or she might heed your advice…)
Get outta dodge, bro! You gotta get home to Gridania!
Â
Â
I don'teven want to talk about it.
Â
Â
85. What is yourgreatest strength as a person?
Â
86. What is yourgreatest weakness?
Â
Â
Depression.
Â
Â
87. If you couldchange one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Â
Â
I wouldchoose to not be a POW in a Garlean prison.
Â
Â
88. Are yougenerally introverted or extroverted?
Â
Â
Cautiously
extroverted.
Â
Â
89. Are yougenerally organized or messy?
Â
Â
Both.
Â
Â
90. Name threethings you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.
Â
Â
Good
at...
Â
Â
-
Surviving
Â
Â
-
Leading
Â
Â
-
Strategizing
Â
Â
Bad
at...
Â
Â
- Notgetting captured
Â
Â
-Remembering the past
Â
Â
- Beinglocked up
Â
91. Do you likeyourself?
Â
Â
Wellenough, though I'm starting to wonder if I even know myself anymore.
Â
Â
92. What are yourreasons for being an adventurer (or doing the strange and heroic things that RPG characters do)? Are your real reasons for doing this different than the ones you tell people in public? (If so, detail both sets of reasons…)
Â
Â
Iwanted to defend my homeland, now I'm in a bit of a rough spot.
Â
Â
93. What goal doyou most want to accomplish in your lifetime?
Â
Â
Get outof Mordion Gaol.Â
Â
94. Where do yousee yourself in 5 years?
Â
Â
Home,in Gridania.
Â
Â
95. If you couldchoose, how would you want to die?
Â
Â
Not
here.
Â
Â
96. If you knew youwere going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left.
Â
Â
-
Escape.
Â
Â
- Killthe emperor.
Â
Â
- Paysomeone to smuggle my corpse home.Â
Â
Â
97. What is the onething for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?
Â
Â
I diedfree.
Â
Â
98. What threewords best describe your personality?
Â
Â
Independent.
Â
99. What threewords would others probably use to describe you?
Â
Â
-
Pigheaded
Â
Â
-
Determined
Â
Â
-
Kind...sometimes
Â
Â
100. If you could,what advice would you, the player, give to your character? (You might even want to speak as if he or she were sitting right here in front of you, and use proper tone so he or she might heed your advice…)
Get outta dodge, bro! You gotta get home to Gridania!
