Author Topic: Visual Novel Project  (Read 9049 times)

Arch-Magos Winter

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #30 on: November 04, 2013, 04:11:55 PM »
School is kicking my ass but I can still write.

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #31 on: November 05, 2013, 02:02:07 AM »
I can help... in some way... I think.

Well, if anyone's interested, I can do some of the dialogue programming (meaning, I can translate the story to VN format, if needed).

Alice

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #32 on: March 22, 2014, 01:39:53 PM »
Right, time to revive an old thread after freaking ever, wheeeee~

So yeah, this is about that one Otome idea that was being tossed around, the one with the Necromancer protagonist. I'm still interested in it. And I've started to figure things out about it~ ...Whether these are good things that I have figured out I'll let you guys decide. ^^" But hey, potential progress! That's always good, right? ...Right?

So, here's general idea thingies that I have. Well, less ideas and more potential character profiles. Sometimes I'm better at just showing this stuff rather than typing big ol' profiles like this, so apologies ahead of time if any of this seems dumb because of that. So far I have the protagonist, two of the love interests, and two of her friends figured out, as well as maybe a potential plot starter thing in the loosest sense.

...I do worry that it may be too much inspired by other things (not intentionally, but thinking about it, I can see things that certain things resemble perhaps a bit too much for comfort, but I could be worrying too much over stuff yet again) so if it seems that way, please tell me. ^^" Also, suggestions for other love interests, other characters (species and professions is mostly what I mean), etc, would be good. I'll see if I can maybe draw up some potential character designs too. ...They might not look spectacular, since I'm not the greatest artist, but hey, it's a start. ^^"

So yup, feedback of the constructive sort would be much obliged. ...Also, if there's anything you guys want me to do to make this less text blocky and more readable, also tell me. And now to the actual content!

Potential Characters Thus Far:

Protagonist: Young lady, aged somewhere between 18-20. A necromancer, but not in the strictest sense, and can do a few other neat things too, some of which make her more viable in combat in places where there ain't no materials to make a skeleton army out of. One of her abilities, possibly more unique to her, is the ability to see the final moments of the dead. This makes her useful naturally in homicide investigations, so she would collaborate with the police department to help solve murders. She does other odd jobs too, and these things combined is a lot of how she makes her living.

Her personality is somewhat deadpan. She regards the world with weary exasperation. She knows her powers are regarded with apprehension and distrust, and she lives with it. While not exemplary at physical combat or anything like that, as expected from a squishy mage type, she can take care of herself. As expected from a squishy mage type, is intelligent. Somewhat to the point. A bit of a snarker, but not excessively so. Is the type to stand her ground when she's made a decision about something. Is perhaps a bit too serious, and sometimes even stern.

Dave (Not a Love Interest): The most consistent familiar the Protagonist has, and also her oldest and dearest friend. Most of the time he's just a skull that gets carried around with the Protagonist, but she can bring back a body for him when it's necessary.

In contrast with the Protagonist, he's more of the cheerful, optimistic sort, despite being dead. Dave's soul was trapped within his remains, but the Protagonist reanimated him unintentionally, to Dave's relief (not being able to talk to anybody was terrible, you see). He's more often than not the one to try and compensate for the Protagonist's lack of people skills. Oddly enough, despite being a skull, he's not fond of seeing remains unless they're nice, clean bones, as he was somewhat of a neat freak in life.

Love Interest 1: The Vampire. Is thousands upon thousands of years old, but looks somewhere in his early to mid 20s. Tall, handsome, intimidating in an aristocratic, charming sort of way. Is also a moron with a strong sense of justice who also almost acts more like a superhero (a slightly evil superhero) than a proper vampire. But with a more noble, aristocratic air of course. Is able to say things with a straight face that would make most either chuckle or groan. Is also the type to make loud declarations on a whim. And is also somewhat hotblooded, just in a quiet, aristocratic way. Noble demon that he is, he tends to help the Protagonist with her cases and side jobs, wanting to keep his fair city clean of crime and corruption.

The Protagonist, despite often groaning at his lack of common sense and his silliness, appreciates his morality and helpfulness. If either one is attracted to the other, neither one of them realizes it at this time.

Love Interest 2: The Werewolf. 22-25. Taller than the Vampire, possibly with a more tanned complexion. In contrast to the Vampire, he has more common sense and is more down to earth, but is also a bit looser morally. While more primal than the previous love interest, he's more cunning and cool headed. The Vampire exasperates him, while oddly enough, said Vampire has no real gripes against him, other than giving him the occasional lecture. He helps the Protagonist with her cases and side jobs more out of finding the cases themselves interesting as well as wanting to find out more about the Protagonist and her abilities rather than because it's the right thing to do. May be planning something.

The Protagonist doesn't always know whether to trust him or not, but she usually ends up letting him tag along in the end. They're more alike, so they have more natural conversations than she and the Vampire do, but their senses of Right and Wrong don't always agree. The Werewolf seems to have some interest in her, and she may have a bit of interest in him, but not much, given that she still regards him with caution.

The Cop/Possible Token Same Gender Love Interest: Tough and straight forward, and yet has more of a sense of humor than our protagonist. She's also somewhat more easy going. Is pretty much a more normal, sane person that just happened to get caught up in the supernatural somehow, she might have pissed off one of her bosses at some point, I don't know.  Hates paperwork. Is a homicide detective, but is the one usually shunted to these cases. They couldn't even bother to make a separate division. Handles all the weird shit she gets assigned with a wry smile while imagining herself flipping the bird at her superiors. Is the type that likes to just kick back some nights, watch some tv, and maybe munch on some pizza rolls or something. Likes finding peace for the various crime scene victims, but wished it didn't have to involve so much weird shit.

Likes the Protagonist well enough, though wishes she'd develop more of a sense of humor. Groans at the Vampire, trusts the Werewolf about as far as she can throw him.

The Forensics Monkey/Possible Token Same Gender Love Interest: One of the fine folks down in the forensics lab. Hates it that she has to keep the cool stuff she finds so hush hush. Is more cheerful and exuberant about things than The Protagonist and the Cop, but is also more shy. Is a nerd, and likes video games. In other words, she's One Of Us. Unlike the Cop, she freaking LOVES all the weird shit, and hates that she doesn't get to go out into the field more often.

Finds the Vampire hilarious and adorable and finds the Werewolf really cool, and perhaps trusts him way more than she should. She's good friends with the Protagonist, though not quite as close as Dave and the Protagonist are. She's proud that she's the one that got the Protagonist into video games, even if it's more of an occasional thing.
« Last Edit: March 22, 2014, 01:42:59 PM by Alice »

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #33 on: March 22, 2014, 02:30:01 PM »
DAVE BEST NAME BEST CHARACTER MAXIMUM SWAG #YOLT

Must the opposite gender love interests all be mutants and beasties, though? I vote we have a human runecaster as a love interest, for the folks who don't want to fuq da vampire/werewolf.

People like me, whose first instinct with these guys is to whip out the flamer in the name of the emperor. Purge the unclean!

Alice

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #34 on: March 22, 2014, 03:03:18 PM »
Dave best character~

Also, yeah, certainly, we can have a human caster guy as a love interest. :3

Hell, let's see if this works:

Love Interest 3: The Mage/Runecaster. Human. Age 19-22. Still on the taller side, and also good looking of course, but not as tall as the Vampire or the Werewolf. A workaholic. At least in terms of his spellcasting things.  He's a serious, somewhat deadpan, snarky sort, and he tends to go "Holy Shit!" at some of the weird shit he sees, unlike the protagonist, who just tends to shrug it off and try and deal with it. He's more organized than she is, but his place is a mess of spellbooks and candles. Odd, considering that otherwise he's the type that's all too fond of planners and the like.

He loves them spells and spellbooks, perhaps a bit too much. He tends to geek out about magic, while the Protagonist doesn't so much. He wants to learn more about the Protagonist's magic, and the various phenomena around him, even if he does freak out at the freakier things. Has a sort of love/hate it relationship with technology and video games, but secretly loves him some Role Playin'. He also tends to harp on the protagonist for not studying enough, both in terms of magic and school. He's the type that tends to obsessively study at both, but tends to favor the former more. He does have his weaknesses in this department though. There's certain sports he'll forgo his meticulous studies to catch the game for (for school at least).

He and the Protagonist like each other well enough, birds of a feather as they are, though the Protagonist wishes he'd stop freaking out about things, and stop lecturing her about studying so damn much. He thinks the Vampire is a moron, and he doesn't trust the Werewolf and thinks he's manipulative (which he is). The Cop he's mostly ok with though he wishes she'd stop teasing him all the time. The Forensics Monkey gets on his nerves at times, but secretly he's totally cool with being friends with her and lecturing her on magic things, he'll just never admit to it.     

And for the fun of it:

The Mage's Twin (also possible opposite gender love interest): The Mage's twin sister. Same age, about average height. Is a lot like her brother, but likes to tease more than he does, and also likes to yell at him for not focusing enough on his school studies in addition to his magic studies (ironically enough. Naturally, our Protagonist finds this highly amusing, and gets a certain smug satisfaction when this happens. A secret sort of revenge, that sort of thing). She does better at him in both, which he resents and she likes to rub in his face. She's a good enough person though, just kinda a know-it-all, worse than even her brother. 

She and the Protagonist get along well enough, though there's a bit of a rivalry. Also, the Protagonist wishes the Mage's Twin would be less of a Know-It-All, while the Mage's Twin wishes the Protagonist would focus more on her magic and stop being so nonchalant about things. Ironically though, she cuts the Protagonist a lot more slack in this department than she does her brother, to the Protagonist's significant relief.
« Last Edit: March 28, 2014, 03:12:55 PM by Alice »

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #35 on: March 22, 2014, 04:36:07 PM »
Ohoohoh, because I love half breeds, what about a Dhamphir?

He's hunting the Vampire because, you know that's what Dhamphirs do.

He's in his early twenties, a little above average height, taller than the protag, but not as tall as the vampire or werewolf.  Very intelligent, but also a bit of a sociopath because he doesn't know how to fit into society.  He was born of two worlds but belongs in none, a real outsider.  He's quiet, thoughtful, and soft spoken. 

He also loves his weapons and is a master of hand to hand combat.

And he's incredibly gorgeous.

Oh, and combating his bloodlust.

Alice

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #36 on: March 22, 2014, 04:40:51 PM »
Works for me~ :3 Also a nice contrast to the Vampire. :)

I think we have something going here! :D

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #37 on: March 22, 2014, 05:25:00 PM »
Hmm, yeah, this looks pretty well-worked-out so far. The characters certainly seem like they would work.

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #38 on: March 22, 2014, 06:52:39 PM »
Works for me~ :3 Also a nice contrast to the Vampire. :)

I think we have something going here! :D

Plus in this sort of thing, you have to have a monster hunter somewhere.

Also, I think the Cop Lady Love Interest should be either Asian, Indian, or Native American decent. 

Oh!  Maybe the forensics tech could be black.

Also, what about Fae?  Any thought about including them or not?

So, you know, it's not just white people.
« Last Edit: March 22, 2014, 06:57:03 PM by Elf »

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #39 on: March 22, 2014, 07:03:35 PM »
Well, I don't think the race of any of the characters has been specified yet, although I guess it is something that does need to be worked-out, since we're going to be actually drawing them....

Elf

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #40 on: March 22, 2014, 07:08:58 PM »
Well the reason why I'm thinking of it was because I read this really intriguing blog/review site talking about exclusion in Urban Fantasy.

Then the more and more I thought about it, I was like, "Holy shit, Urban Fantasy is really full of white people!"

Like for example, The Dresden Files, which I dearly love, takes place in Chicago. 

Every major character is white.   Seriously, the only reoccurring characters that aren't are a Knight of the Cross, and three members of the Wizard's Council.  And that's it.

Alice

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #41 on: March 22, 2014, 07:26:57 PM »
Hmm... For Cop Lady, maybe Native American? :) Always need more representation there. :D

Asian we could maybe hit by making the Protagonist herself Asian. :3

As for the Forensics tech, that reminds me I need to actually think up personalities for more of the Forensics Team. ^^" After all, you can't run a lab with just one scientist. :3 So we'd probably need at least two more prominent people there minimum, one of which could easily be black. :3 ...Mostly the first lab tech is the only one listed because that's the only one I came up with a personality for. ^^' ...Hmm....

High Level Forensics Tech: Human of course. Age 28-32. Black, about average height. Very pretty. Has the burden of having to work with and manage a bunch of weirdos all while having to hide tons of weird stuff from the general populace. Plus forensics work on top of that. Not exactly the most relaxing of jobs. But she handles it well, all things considered. Like the Cop and the Mage, she's weirded out by all this stuff, but like the Protagonist, she just looks at it all with exasperation. Thankfully she's both brilliant and knows how to handle people, so she's prepared. Though it takes her a lot of coffee and a lot of sweets to help her get through the day. There's sometimes some awkwardness in terms of her relating to the others, given the slight age gap, but she gets along well with everyone.

She often worries about the protagonist, wondering if it's right to endanger someone so young like this, but she's come to accept it, albeit with some reservations. Though her magic still weirds her out. As does Dave a bit, though he's growing on her.

How's that? :)

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Alice

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #42 on: March 24, 2014, 10:30:38 AM »
Blah, and as soon as get all excited with this, thinking about it, I lose faith again. ^^" Worried that the characters are possibly too derivative and not that creative (and this is beyond Mage. Mage is what you get when you give me two minutes to come up with something in a hurry :P). Or even stereotypical in some cases (see the Mage). Plus general lack of feedback.

...Help?
« Last Edit: March 24, 2014, 01:08:42 PM by Alice »

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #43 on: March 24, 2014, 02:19:53 PM »
Well, they seem OK to me. I think it's difficult to make a character seem creative in a one-paragraph description....

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Re: Visual Novel Project
« Reply #44 on: March 27, 2014, 01:08:55 AM »
Well, the real way to make characters stand out is how their personalities and stuff are fleshed out.

A really important thing that a lot of writers don't do is make their characters sound unique and individual from each other when they're talking.