Ali Banks
The Force
Prophet Ali Banks (a.k.a. The Force)
From the beginning, the flute was something they learned to play for their father. It was his favorite instrument. Ali loved the way he would light up when he heard them playing, even when the music was pretty bad. He would gather them up in his arms and whisper in their ear "One day, you will become a Force to be reckoned with." Then he'd kiss the top of their head and gesture for them to continue to play.
No matter what else happens in their life, they will always play the flute for their father...
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Due to the physical trauma of the car accident, they have chronic pain and medical problems that require management. They are very focused on keeping themselves as healthy as possible. They have extensive cybernetics to make up for their physical short comings, injuries and medical conditions. They make no effort to have the cybernetics blend in or look natural. They put the priority on the functionality of the cybernetic with the result of it being readily apparent that they have cybernetics.
Facial Features
They have several eyebrow piercings. Their eye cybernetics are obvious and have an ominous red glow to them. They are known for wearing dramatic eye make up that further draws attention to their eye implants.
Special abilities
Overtone singing, where one person sings two notes at the same time.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Their father, David Banks, was assassinated by someone within Draco Industries. All the details are unclear to them, but the few things they know for sure fosters a burning hatred for Draco Industries. Their father was a reporter and had uncovered "world changing" information buried in the Draco Industries files. He had planned to go public with that information and he was killed for it. Their mother, Heather Banks, won't talk about it because she is afraid that will lead to more deaths in her family. Ali doesn't know what their father discovered, but they know that he shouldn't have been murdered for trying to tell the truth.
Their father's murder tore their family apart and they have never fully recovered. Ali was 20 when their father died. They and their mother took opposing views on how to move forward after his death. Their mother "put her head down" and tries to go unnoticed by the company. Ali feels their father's truth should come to light and that the company should pay for his death. They are willing to be the source of the reckoning. Because of this difference in view, they have grown apart from their mother. They feel as though their father's death doesn't mean as much to their mother as it should have.
Ali has a brother, also named David, who is 5 years younger than them. They were separated from him after their father's death because their mother felt that they were putting their brother at risk. Because of this separation, their once close relationship has become more distant. They are pleasant to each other, but no longer have any sort of special bond between them like they did when they were children. David tries to take the middle ground between his mother and sister which has only put more distance between the siblings, but he is sure that there are valid concerns and fears in both view points. He refuses to make either of them a villain to maintain a good relationship with the other.
When Ali was 28 they were in a severe car accident that caused serious trauma. The doctors were able to save their life, but not their legs. Their recovery was a long road which they will say has only recently reached its conclusion. They have been able to get cybernetics to replace their legs. They almost always dress in clothing that makes the metal of their legs readily apparent. They consider the cybernetics an essential part of themselves that they refuse to hide or be ashamed of. The mechanical legs gave their mobility back, they refuse to hate them.
When they were 38, Ali was visited by an angel for the first time. They believe that this was the moment that everything truly changed for them. Meeting an angel was a conformation of the Divine. They have become a devout believer in the presence and power of angels on Earth. They formed The Seraphites as a group of believers. Over the past 2 years it has become a full religion with many followers who believe they are the Prophet of Angels.
Their position of power within the Seraphites church has allowed them to travel all over the world and to meet many people they would not have otherwise. It was because of this influence and their online presence that they became connected to The White Knights and began assisting them with their goal to bring Draco Industries down. They believe that the Angels have chosen them as their sword and their voice. They will use both to destroy the evil of Draco Industries and restore the common people to power.
Both their role within the Seraphites and their connection to the White Knights has made Draco Industries the enemy they always believed Draco to be. Now they are actively looking to destroy Draco as much as Draco is looking to destroy them. Because of this, they always surround themselves with streaming technology and with anti-Draco witnesses to serve as a deterrent to their efforts. They are sure that if Draco can ever catch them alone, that they will suffer the same fate as their father.
The public view of Ali Banks is mixed and often hotly debated. Many believe in them and follow them devoutly. Many more believe that they are delusional and raving. The majority of people simply dismiss them as one of the many famous people who create extreme personas to maintain their fame and fortune. After all, they get the majority of their money from their musical performances.
Gender Identity
Ali is gender fluid. They believe that gender is nothing more than a social construct and isn't any more fixed than any of the other social rules they live with. They use gender much the same as all social rules: at their convenience. They don't care what other people think of them or their opinions on the social construct.
Sexuality
Heterosexual
Education
They have received no formal education beyond high school. The online "information highway" was their road to both fame and an informal education. If it was something they wanted to know, they looked it up online and learned everything they could about it. Cybernetics has enhanced their ability to learn and recall information.
Employment
The Force's early work primarily features the baroque flute and their vocalizations cleverly augmented with the use of a synthesizer, guitar pedals and sound board. The only collection they presented online in this style was titled "Broken Self" with the focal work being titled "Pieces of Me."
The Force gathered many online followers with the addition of a pan flute in their second collection presented online which was titled "Whispering Wounds" with the focal work being of the same title.
The Force came into full view when they were discovered and signed by Sidekick Music. Their first studio album was "In Silence" with the focal work being "Hush" which was released on Tuesday, February 7, 2130 when they were 24 years old. Many feel that this was their strongest work. However, no one can deny that they have maintained a devoted fandom since that time.
The Force's "Hush" opens with a sound that is both subtle and instinctive. A quiet hush you might miss the first time you listen. However, if you listen closely, you can hear the declaration of the title itself before a moment of true silence. Chimes shimmer in the darkness; a low flute blows. Far in the distance, a voice faintly reminiscent of Mongolian Throat Singing flares up and is snuffed out. With very few words articulated during the song, The Force manages to send the clear message that the modern world is too loud.They made a significant shift with their second album by making the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) their primary instrument rather then the baroque and pan flutes. This move upset many of their fan base, leading some to declare that The Force had lost their creative edge. This album was also signed with Sidekick Music and was titled "Broken" with the focal work being "Take It Down." This was released Tuesday, January 29, 2132.-Electronic Music Review
They've let the label direct them. They were more creative when they were posting their work online for their fans.The Force put out a third Album with Sidekick Music which shared the same style as their second album. This album was released Wednesday, April 13, 2135 under the title "Crash" with the focal work sharing the same title. They composed this album during their motor vehicle accident recovery and many blame that traumatic event for their inability to produce a unique album. Many fans expressed fears that The Force would no longer be able to produce the ground breaking music they were known for.-Jaded Fan
There is plenty of evidence in this latest album that the accident injured more then their legs.On Friday, April 17, 2144 The Force relaunched their online presence with their own website. That same year, they also established Angel Recording Company and used it to produced a ground breaking new album that they released on Tuesday, June 16, 2144. The album was titled "Lessons Of Necessity" with the focal work being titled "Angels on Earth." The baroque and pan flutes returned. However, they did not discard the EWI. Instead, they brought these elements together to create something altogether new.-Mojo
The music simply meanders, drifting across stray synthesizers, snatches of voice, and sound effects—coughs, lighter flicks, crickets, thunder, rainfall—severed from any context. There are few musical landmarks and little in the way of recognizable compositional form. Angels on Earth is a barren wasteland, warmed only by the occasional church organ and The Force's unique overtone vocalizations that call up images of other worldly beings.There is no denial that this latest album has established that The Force still has their creative ability to deeply effect their listeners. Much of this album now seems to have been a declaration of their religious intentions to bring the world into the light of the angels. Both the Seraphites and their musical fan base have expressed the desire to see another album produced by The Force.-Electronic Music Review
Failures & Embarrassments
They tried to join several musical groups but was never able to make it work. They even tried to form their own band, but they have never been successful at creating music with others.
Mental Trauma
They have never gotten over their father's death. He emotionally haunts them. It is as if a wound still bleeds in their heart and a cry for justice is still called in their soul. They don't believe that anything but fair retribution will ever silence their father's ghost.
They will claim that they have now fully recovered from their car accident, but it has also left marks on them. They dislike being in cars. Whenever possible, they will walk or bike.
Intellectual Characteristics
They are always calm, no matter what the situation. They never raise their voice or let their emotions control them. They always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong, because it is always best to be as prepared as possible. They have a strong sense of fair play and always try to find the most equitable solution to arguments. They are confident in their own abilities and do what they can to instill confidence in others. They are working on a grand philosophical theory and love sharing their ideas.
Morality & Philosophy
They see omens in every event and action. The gods try to speak to us, we just need to listen. The angels are present on earth and they are the voices of the divine.
They are incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide.
Taboos
They cannot tolerate those who take advantage of the weak or disabled. They have a strong sense of justice and expect others to meet that standard as well.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Their primary goal: to see the fall of Draco Industries and see the common people returned to power in the form of a democratic government.
Their secondary goal: to spread the word of the presence of the angels on Earth and to convert people to their worship.
Vices & Personality flaws
They are well known for their work, and they want to make sure everyone appreciates it. They are always taken aback when people haven't heard of them. They are oblivious to etiquette and social expectations. They hold onto grudges forever. Once they feel a person has betrayed them, they are unable to forgive the person.
Hygiene
How they are perceived will effect how the religion is perceived so their appearance being immaculate is essential.
Social
Reign
They are the leader of the Seraphites. They are known for being out spoken against the government. They are also known for advocating for the return of power to the people through a democratic government.
Contacts & Relations
They are one of the few people that have met Abbadon. Having met him solidified their belief in the angels and their belief in the need for Draco's fall. They have fully aligned themselves with The White Knights, enough so that the Seraphites have become a faction within the White Knights in many ways.
Family Ties
They are no longer connected with their mother at all. They are only loosely connected to their brother (more out of a sense of loyalty to their father then due to an actual relationship with their brother). Their family is not as important as the Seraphites or the White Knights.
Religious Views
They have seen angels walking on this Earth and believe that is indisputable evidence of both the Divine and of eternal life. They established the Seraphites in hopes of converting the whole world to worshipping the goodness of the angels.
Social Aptitude
They are highly charismatic and a natural leader. They blend into a group easily. They are empathic and emotionally intelligent.
Relationships
History
Ali is actively rebelling against Draco's rule through their social influence and through their support of the White Knights.
Wealth & Financial state
They are wealthy with many assets and holdings within Seattle. They also have the financial power of the Seraphites which they use to support their members with social services, further the spread of the Seraphite word and as an asset against Draco Industries.
Divine Classification
Prophet
Alignment
Lawful Good
Current Location
Species
Age
40
Date of Birth
Tuesday, November 9, 2106
Birthplace
Seattle Washington
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Pronouns
They, Them, Their
Gender
Female
Height
5'5"
Weight
160 lb Weighs more because of cybernetic legs
Quotes & Catchphrases
“The more that you trust and believe in angels, the more they will pour their blessings upon you.” – Denise Linn
Belief/Deity
The Seraphites
Other Affiliations
Interesting character with a well thought out background. I wonder still though how they started their music carreer as it is not mentioned. On the other hand you seem to already be over the word limit of 2500 so perhaps some cutting needs to be done as well :p
Yes, it does appear that I am over the word count. Sigh. Thank you for the feed back.