Developing the Protagonist

Written by ashyslashyx

Five+ Positive Qualities:

1. Veronika is tough. They can easily put on a tough guy bluff, although this is mostly used as a defense mechanism.
2. Veronika is defensive of loved ones after years of never fighting back.
3. Veronika is no longer scared to stand up for what they believe in.
4. Passionate about magic. This passion has helped open up the eyes of their companions.
5. Veronika is street-smart. Being a Healer, they have ties to an Underworld not many people, not even other Seaside Dwellers, have access to.
6. Empathetic of others; willing to help

Five+ Negative Qualities:

1. Veronika is prone to bouts of depression and hopelessness. This often frustrates their companions
2. Overwhelmed by most things associated with the Darkness easily.
3. Not always willing to open up or be vulnerable around friends
4. Tries to use less than reasonable means to face inner demons; has addiction problems. This will eventually cause problems in the story.
5. Has too much pride, refuses to ask for help or open up to people
6. Has a mouth that gets them into a lot of trouble. Sarcastic.

Personality Type:

• INFP-T Mediator: empathetic, generous, open-minded, creative, passionate, idealistic
• Weaknesses: unrealistic, self isolating, unfocused, emotionally vulnerable, desperate to please, self-critical
• may be quiet and unassuming
• lose themselves in daydreams and conversations/inner reflections with themselves
• sensitive; can have profound emotional responses to art, music, nature, people
• long for deep and soulful relationships; feels called to help others
• may feel lonely or invisible

Aspirations or Goals:

• At first, Veronika's only goal was to find the nearest village on the Coast of the Sunless Sea. Veronika is hoping that they can find a Healer who can give them more information about who their own Healer was.
• After meeting with the first village and surviving an attack, Veronika tags along to go to other villages and find out more about why the villages are being attacked.
• Is tired of letting Darkness take entire towns of people and no one fights back.
• Note: the version of Darkness that Veronika is fighting may not be the same Darkness companions are fighting.

Belief Systems: (I Believe...)

• I believe magic is the only way we can defeat this Darkness.
• I believe magic is the only reason I have made it this far.
• I believe Healer is right about everything he told me. I don't believe he lied to me about anything.
• I do believe healer used me for his own means.
• I believe other people will use me for their own means, as well.

Significant Life Events and Backstory:

• Veronika grew up being raised by Healer after being found on the coast of Sunless Sea.
• It is unknown where Veronika came from before then, although most people believed they are cursed and come from Darkness.
• use a symbol for generational trauma?
• Since no one knows where Veronika came from, the fear of the unknown kept a lot of villagers from acting once Healer's abuse of little Veronika became apparent.
• Veronika has clear memories of villagers who came to visit doing nothing when they saw how Veronika was treated/was living.
• As a result, Veronika has grown to not trust others when they say they want to help. Most don't when they realize the gravity of the situation Veronika is faced with.
• After a lifetime of abuse, Veronika's pain comes to a boiling point. On the night of Healer's spell, something backfires. Not only does Veronika wake up during the process, they regain their memories from all previous spells.
• They don't know what caused all of the magic from his spell to transfer to them, but it did, and it caused the memories to come back.
• Veronika wasn't expecting any of this. Their mind broke from the pain of these events.
• In retaliation, Veronika listened to the other voices they heard, telling them to use their magic to make it better and make the pain go away.
• It didn't make it better and the pain never went away. Instead, Healer's body was ripped apart. A bright flash of melting magic destroyed nearly the entire village. There was only one survivor.

Skills/Magic:

• Can use magic to shape their will through spells
• in theory, this power is only limited by the trade made with Darkness
• Most people instinctively cannot make any real trade for a tangible threat, though only few are taught this gift to avoid any wrongful use.
• Veronika, being made from Darkness, can make nearly an unlimited exchange. This will be used against them.

Appearance:

• thick, wavy, shoulder-length midnight-blue hair
• pale skin; so pale it glows in The Darkness.
• black eyes
• thin, frail, uses binder
• hair hangs in face; they hide behind their hair and clothes.
• wears clothes that hang off, despite making the clothes themselves.
• short. Five foot 1, though seems shorter due to slouching.

Mannerisms, body language, speaking style:

• Veronika is shy, mostly choosing to remain quiet and keep to themselves. Does not trust divulging information freely to others.
• Frail, slouches and hides behind hair in face and baggy clothes.
• Veronika seems to be sinking into their clothes at times.
• Hands often shake; often checks behind their shoulder
• speaks quickly and quietly, almost as if they're in a hurry to get it over with as quickly as possible.

What is Veronika's character arc in the story? How do they change and grow?

• Veronika starts to use the magic to try to make Healer go away. 
• It didn't pose much of a noticeable problem before Veronika had to also use the magic more during travels. 
• when magic is used more, it causes more problems with the psyche
• character arc in story happens when Veronika realizes they must face down the demon they created and gave power. 
• Friends help them change/grow by learning to trust and love others.