Eric Staggs: Writer

I’ve been guest blogging again… check out my article on D7D 5E for Nervermet Press!

I’m going to take this opportunity to break the boundaries of comfortable Geekiness. Ever since I read Gary Gygax’s Gord the Rogue series and discovered there were character sheets for Gord in his various stages of development in the back of the book (yes, I’m that old), I’ve been building character sheets in my head for all characters I’ve come across. Today, I’m breaking down the characters from The Walking Dead. I’m not going to provide full, three page sheets, but I’ll offer the basics – the vitals: Alignment, Class, a few choice stats and some skills. For you young folk, we’re doing this 2^nd Edition Style – when the game was The Game.

Rick: Paladin – 5^th, Lawful Good

We have to start with Rick. He’s obviously our protagonist and he’s got one of the hardest jobs of all: keeping himself together while keeping the rest of the group together. Rick is obviously Lawful Good. He was a cop in his previous life, and now, as a zombie apocalypse survivor he spends most of his time keeping people’s spirits up and killing undead. Sounds like a Paladin to me. One could even go so far as to say he’s used his “Lay On Hands,” ability. And though he summoned (acquired) a mount, he wasn’t strong (or wise) enough to protect it. A common mistake for over-excited 4^th level Paladins. His Turn Undead is pretty weak, but he inspires courage and has an Aura of Protection from Evil (giving everyone else a +1 to hit, morale, etc.). Rick’s biggest problem, aside from the fact that I figure he’s only got 45 hit points, is the same problem all Paladin’s have: his alignment – Lawful Good. Characters who voluntarily sport the LG do so because they believe that everyone follows the same rules. To be clear, everyone does not share the same beliefs. That means the LG characters that keep their word are always going to get burned. Watch your back Rick.

Shane: Fighter – 7^th, Chaotic Evil

I’m going to give Shane two more levels than Rick – he’s been busy while our hero was in Coma-land. Shane may have started out as Chaotic Good or even Neutral Good, but the Zombie Apocalypse has pushed him deep into the realm of Chaotic Evil. I know he’s at least 7^th level, because he attacks 3/2 easily and has about 70 hit points. Probably more, since he’s no doubt got a Constitution score of at least 16. He’s a straight fighter; multiple specializations in ranged weapons but can easily roll with a mace or club if a melee should so require. I know Paladins may not knowingly work with those of Chaotic Evil or Lawful Evil alignment; but as is so often the case with Chaotic Evil characters, Shane hides it pretty well, at least, to the casual observer. By the middle of season two, his near rape of Rick’s wife, commando buzz-cut and outright murder of Otis solidifies him as a Chaotic Evil fighter. If I was running the game and it was house rules, I’d give him a bonus Fate Point and be secretly making Ravenloft Powers Checks for him.

Daryl – Ranger 6^th, Chaotic Good

He’s gruff and ornery and thought I can’t smell him, I imagine he’s got a peculiar aroma. This white-trash zombie-slaying redneck nightmare is, in my opinion, rapidly becoming an audience favorite. Hard to get to know and very independent, his early affiliation with Merle cast him in a rather doubtful light. But it’s easy to see he’s chosen a species enemy of Zombie (+4 to hit), has a double specialization in Crossbow. He’s attacking 3/2 or maybe even 2/1 with a +2 for point-blank shots. He’s one of those characters with an average strength but he’s got a Constitution and Dexterity (and maybe Wisdom too) score of at least 16. His skills make him invaluable to a crew of city-folk, but he’s very much a loner. His frequent hunting and scouting forays are the perfect use of his skills. He’s got a Hide In Shadows and Move Silently of about 70%, but likely has an item that gives him a bonus in rural areas and/or versus undead.

Dale: Cleric 4^th, Neutral Good

Though older, Dale is one of those characters that didn’t find his true calling until late in life. He might have dual-classed from Fighter or Ranger (I’d say 2 levels of Fighter for the d10 hit points and Weapon Proficiencies).  Dale is definitely not a specialty priest – he’s a generic cleric with access to most spheres, but at a lesser level.  Like a Space Marine Chaplain, though perhaps inadvertently, he takes the spiritual well being of the group very seriously. His aversion to death in general would indicate he’s a follower of one of the softer Forgotten Realms Gods – Chauntea or Sune; but then again, he might be a follower of Helm or even Ilmater. He’s a staple however, and though the NPC priest is usually the first to die, it’s good to know that a crafty professional is playing this character. I think the group would come apart without him. Like all Neutral good characters, he just doesn’t have the spiritual wherewithal to commit – like shooting Shane when he took the guns.

Glen – Thief 9^th, Neutral Good

We’re giving glen the levels here because he’s demonstrated a few things that only experienced and wily thieves can: he’s still alive. I’m going to give him at least x2 Backstab, maybe x3. He’s got a Hide In Shadows of 80%+ and a 10% bonus in urban areas (probably due to a Kit or a very clever backstory written by his player). His Move Silently is 80%+ as well. He’s got a Dexterity of 19 (it’s the only explanation for his Initiative modifier and To-Hit with Ranged weapons). However, I think his Strength and Constitution are below 11, which likely give him -1 penalties. At best I’d give him 36 Hit-Points. His Pick Pockets is low for a name-level thief (50%?), but his Open Lock is 80% as well. Probably he has no points in Read Languages either. His climb walls is 99% the maximum it can be. He’s a professional survivor in this Zombie world, but he’s going to have ad some HPs to make it long term with his chosen adventuring party.

Lori – 2^nd Fighter, Chaotic Good then Lawful Good

As a woman with a child to protect in the Zombie Apocalypse, Lori quickly adapted and adopted, finding emotional succor and physical protection with Shane. A character with a high Intelligence (18 maybe) she had a few extra proficiency slots available and used them for Wilderness Survival,

Andrea – 3^rd Fighter, Neutral Evil or Chaotic Evil

Lori is a survivor, but early in her career as a Fighter in the Zombie Apocalypse, she spread her Weapon Proficiencies around a bit too broadly – a necessity when one can’t stop by the blacksmith for a specially weighted long sword or height-calibrated composite bow. She’s just now reached 3^rd level and used her new Weapon Proficiency for a specialization in Ranged Weapons. She’s a character with above average Intelligence (15-17) but a low to average Wisdom (11). Her Charisma is high (16-18) and was likely the only attribute she relied upon before the Zombie Apocalypse. The loss of her sister affected to so profoundly that she’s truly lost her way. Now she’s struggling to find another emotional anchor and her choice of Shane shows her low WIS score and her shifting alignment. As she gains experience she will find herself pitted against that same emotional anchor and will be forced to make a choice.

Carl – 1^st Fighter, Chaotic Good

Carl, son of Rick and Lori, is in a unique position. Due to his age, he’s not yet set in any single Class choice and he’s got the benefits of a pretty wide array of trainers around him. I’m going to suggest his Wisdom score is very high – he’s had too much happen to him not to be better for it. I’m also going to suggest he’s got an above average Intelligence (15). These are going to help him in whatever career he finally chooses. It looks like he’s working on another level of Fighter. His affinity for firearms seems to be growing every episode (perhaps dangerously so). But the boy’s wisdom must make him more than a simple fighter. He could end up as a cleric – the spiritual guide and voice of reason for a community of survivors. Likely, an upcoming betrayal by Shane on a scale that none in the group can image will impel Carl towards the Lawful Good alignment. As it stands, he simply doesn’t have the world experience to understand the necessary sacrifices that come with a Lawful Good alignment. We also know that he’s got more than 1d10 hit points – likely about 10 exactly and his father’s Paladin abilities (First Aid, Lay On Hands) were able to stabilize him when he was shot. It’s not too much of a stretch to see Carl adopting some new post zombie apocalypse religion. Regardless, Carl is going to end up with above average STR, DEX and CON stats to compliment his Wisdom.

Duane – 2^nd Thief, Chaotic Good

This poor lad, like Carl has the dubious benefit of experiencing entirely too much entirely too fast due to the topsy-turvy world of the Zombie Apocalypse. Living in a city forces almost all characters to become stealthy. Duane’s whereabouts are unknown – so we’re going to assume he’s still living in a cityscape with his father Morgan. Duane’s adding levels of Thief as a necessity, but likely will dual-class to Fighter or Ranger as he ages. His trauma with his mother will undoubtedly make him an excellent zombie killer – perhaps giving him a natural +1 to hit and damage all undead.

Morgan 6^th Fighter, Lawful Good

When we meet Morgan in Episode 2, we see him demonstrate conviction paired with incredible kindness and understanding. When given the information necessary to satisfy his core needs and beliefs (safety for self and Duane) he immediately offers food and shelter to Rick. Morgan’s Intelligence score is high (16-17) as he picks up the patterns and behaviors of the undead rapidly. However, he didn’t leave the city and neglected to accumulate much of an arsenal. He’s a survivor however, and with more than 55 hit points, we’ll see him again.

Theo – 4^th Fighter, Neutral Good

With only what seems to be a support role, Theo is relegated (unfairly) to the status of low-level jack-of-all-trades, only a stone’s throw above that of NPC. The Walking Dead is a series (campaign) that plants the seeds of tomorrows plot today. Theo is going to be a key character upon Merle’s return. In the meantime, we’ve got a fellow with a pretty high Constitution (15+ as he continually made his Save vs. Poison when his arm was infected) and a solid Strength (15+ as well). In more than one occasion, he’s been Johnny-On-The-Spot with a neatly placed shovel to the back of some undead heads. He’s a stalwart fighter – but perhaps a bit clumsy. His dropping of the Key that could have freed Merle was an accident. Further, his cutting of his own arm was an accident as well. Yes, Theo has a DEX low enough to incur a penalty to all DEX checks (9?).  He’s got a lot of hit points for his level, maybe 50 or more.

Merle  – 9^th Fighter, Lawful Evil

This monstrous creature is obviously Lawful Evil, firmly set in his beliefs and unable to hide them for even a moment. His battle-readiness and durability mark his as a fighter hands down. Add to that his healthy case of PTSD from the Marine Corps and we have a “name-level” Fighter, one or two steps from becoming a warlord with his own randomly generated back of followers. His survival skills are solid as are his Saves vs. Paralyze, Poison and probably Magic as well. I’m guessing his got an item or character trait that gives him a bonus to his Con (17). His strength is 17 maybe 18:01. He’s got a natural toughness, which adds to his Armor Class (it’d be DR 3.5 edition).  His Hit Points must be near 80. Merle is the archetypical villain warrior leading the armies of evil in so many AD&D campaigns. Can’t wait to see him again – it’ll be trouble for everyone, especially Daryl and Theo.

Carol – 1^st Fighter, Neutral Good

By the Mid-Season Finale of Season 2, Carol makes her choice. Until now, she’s been a plot device, one with depth certainly, and plausibility that should be lauded – but a plot device nonetheless. Now, with the death of Sophie – so visceral and brutal, completely inescapable, she’s reached the top of her character arc and is now ready to rocket down the other side. She’s going to take a Warrior Class, Ranger probably, and study under Daryl. As well, she’ll receive a visit from Lori and Dale designed to prop her up. Likely a strange friendship will grow between Carol and Lori (should Lori survive her time with Shane). Carol seems to lack physical Strength, but she’s never caught unless she wants to be. She’s high a high DEX (15+) and her Con, WIS and INT are above average (14+). Her STR is likely around 11. She’s got a lot of Hit Points (as is so sadly demonstrated by her relationship with her dead husband Ed.

Farm Folks

Hershel – 12^th Necromancer, Lawful Evil

Contrary to popular belief, Lawful Evil is only an opinion away from Lawful Good. An evil cleric who razes villages at the behest of his God can’t consider himself evil – he is “righteous.” Hershel is motivated by a higher purpose and he easily blurs the lines between acceptable and survival behaviors. We’re calling him a necromancer because he willingly blurs the lines between life and death – his inability or unwillingness to recognize the undead as no longer living, no longer people, violates all the social mores of civilization. Yet Hershel is able to not only maintain his belief system, but also spread it to his followers, influencing them in ways they likely don’t even realize. We’re giving him so many experience levels because of his ability as a surgeon (veterinarian or not) and a craftsman. He’s got a very low Wisdom – 12 or so, because he can’t see beyond his own belief system. But his Intelligence is easily 17 (which, a mage’s prime requisite gives him a 10% XP bonus). Of course, his “command undead” powers don’t work quite as nicely as they perhaps should, but we can easily see this guy as a benevolent apothecary or even a hedge-wizard who waddles about the village, always there to lend a hard – always there to help “bury” a loved one. Yes, Hershel is a Necromancer – and a closet Lich wannabe.

Beth – 0^th NPC, Neutral Good

I had to do some research to find out the name attached to this familiar face. According to 2^nd Edition AD&D, as a 0^th-level Non-player Character, Beth can make attacks but has only 0-4 hit points (1/2 hit die), so a solid fist could kill her. There’s a big part of me that says she’s only on the screen to add some dimension and up the plausible body count. However, as Maggie’s little sister, she has the ability to be a compelling plot device for a character that looks like she might stick around (Maggie) and of course, manipulate Glen as well. The alignment of Neutral Good is based on her lack of significant involvement in the group’s politics. While this could be contributed to her being a minor character (NPC), more likely, we’re expected to believe her age limits her influence. That said kids grow up fast in the post-apocalyptic world of The Walking Dead. A sixteen year old should not only be patrolling the perimeter and drilling with weapons, but likely focusing on a trade that will increase the over all odds of survival for the group (carpentry, metal working, chemistry). The jury is still out on whether Beth is a character or just NPC body count.

Maggie – 2^nd Ranger, Chaotic Good

It’s tempting to assign Maggie some Rogue class; but she’s not yet demonstrated much ability in that arena. So far, she’s just been the Farmer’s Daughter – a temptress and wild element thrown in distract some of our more stable but easily distracted characters. As we all know, even since the Conclave of Dungeons and Dragons Stereotypes in 1992, all Farmer’s Daughters are Rangers with 1d3 levels. Maggie hasn’t chosen her Species Enemy yet, nor has she demonstrated over-the-top woods lore, tracking or hunting abilities. She’s proficient in Animal Husbandry  (perhaps making her the only character in the history of AD&D to take the Non-weapon Proficiency slot). Maggie’s Chaotic Good alignment comes from her overall desire to do “right,” but an omnipresent selfishness gives her a chaotic streak that may in fact force her into either dual-classing to Fighter or Thief, or worse, simply losing her Ranger Status.

Jimmy – 3^rd Ranger, Chaotic Good

Chaotic Good is in my opinion the most common alignment in the world. It allows a character the comfort of civilization while enabling them to see to their own various worldviews, vendettas, opinions and beliefs. So, with less than 30 lines from Jimmy, we’re going to assign him the alignment of Chaotic Good. He’s bordering on making a change – his willingness to defy Hershel and assist Rick and his bunch implies knowledge and understanding of a “greater need” for good and community. Jimmy might switch over to Lawful Good by the end of Season 2. His weapon skills aren’t remarkable, but he’s alive, and hasn’t been branded a liability, so that counts for something. Ranger is appropriate due to his background and location on Hershel’s farm. Though the jury is still out – many of the folks in Hershel’s group seem to be in the mix for body count.

Patricia – 1^st Cleric, True Neutral

Patricia is Otis’ wife. She’s a dramatic addition, a reminder and downer all at once. She assists Hershel with the healing and first aid needs of the group, yet offers little else aside from chicken broth and maybe a Cure Light Wounds once per day. Her sadness at the loss of Otis will of course change her character. She now walks a dangerous path as True Neutral Character. Many Fighter-class players will argue that True Neutral is the most useful of alignments, enabling the character to willfully and even cheerfully take any action necessary to survive. They are incorrect – the alignment they are talking about is Chaotic Evil – the true Sociopath. Patricia knows her own lack of power and influence – Otis was her anchor and protector. She lacks real influence with Hershel and is a member of the community now only because of Hershel’s twisted views on charity, community and of course, life and death. Patricia may easily find herself becoming Chaotic Evil just to survive, or embracing Hershel’s worldview completely and adjusting her alignment to Lawful Evil. She might also make a complete moral recovery and shift to Neutral Good or even Lawful Good (mothers and wives tend to value life a little too much to stop for long as Chaotic Good).

Obviously what this group is missing is a 5^th Mage. A 5d6 Fireball would go a long way in the Zombie Apocalypse. There’s always next season.

If you enjoyed this you might also like The Problem With Undead, Zombies Again and A Good Night for Zombies

Check this out: the complete thoughts of Eric on the topic of the Anti-Hero! Special thanks to http://www.puretextuality.com for the opportunity!

The anti-hero’s acceptance into mainstream media is a relatively recent happening. Within the past ten years, it seems that we’re saturated with anti-heroes; comics, books, television, video games. The white armored knight is cliché to the jaded Gen-Xers, and down right hokey to me-centric Millenials. Maybe the Millenials can easier identify with a character that takes what he wants, and doesn’t have to go through the hoops to get it. It’s closer to their instant gratification culture. Easier to identify with, perhaps, than the stodgy moralist heroes like Captain America. Regardless of the cultural consequences of a generation raised on Grand Theft Auto, the Punisher and Hellboy, anti-heroes are in.

The Top Ten Anti-Heroes

10. Hellboy (Hellboy I and II)
Seems like this would be a no brainer; the dude is a demon. But he was raised by a wise old man who tried to impart upon him the virtues of being human. I don’t know if it worked, but so far Hellboy hasn’t destroyed the world. He’s a character with a conscience, but an ever lasting teenagers dis-respect of authority. Frankly, he’s a rather mild demon, throwing tantrums and the like when he doesn’t agree with his curfew. It is solely the character’s origins and his perceived destiny that make him an anti-hero. Without that demonic starting point, he might just be a loose-cannon cop movie.

9. Riddick (Pitch Black / Chronicles of Riddick)
The two Riddick films were excellent science-fiction. By no means were they Academy Award winners, both were thought provoking and well cast. The character of Riddick is the quintessential anti-hero. His origins are shrouded in mystery, stalked by the law and the unlawful, he is both prey and hunter, a perfect and simultaneous juxtaposition of dueling realties. He proves he has feelings, but has no qualms about killing. A close viewer will see that it becomes almost an act of pleasure. If not pleasure, then perhaps satisfaction. That’s about as anti-hero as it gets.

8. Corwin of Amber (Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny)
Corwin, one of the Nine Princes in Amber, hails from a family of anti-heroes and outright villains. Pitted in a fatal competition against his siblings, Corwin raises an army from across dimensions to march on his family’s/brother’s castle. But Corwin remains frosty through out the endeavor. Even when his brother puts out his eyes and throws him in the dungeon, Corwin, more or less, stays composed. His love’em and leave’em attitude, his daring-do and cut-throat swordsmanship reserve his place in the Top Ten of Bad Good Guys (or is it Good Bad Guys?) forever.

7. Wolverine
Old snarl butt himself. I’ve been reading X-men comics since I was 11 (which was a long time ago). I think Wolverine is the only character who’s gotten more interesting as time progresses. Of course, he was basically an empty canvass. Introducing generic “bad asses” with amnesia is pretty heavy handed. But I think the writers did okay with it. I mean, he didn’t end up a lost prince or king of the vampires did he? Anyway, Wolverine is a cold-blooded killer with a heart of gold. He’s a perfect, if predictable and somewhat unsophisticated anti-hero. The dichotomy of his personality, the need for efficiency in his function, a sadistic bit of savagery and the idea that he is still a feeling human, make his a pretty classic anti-hero.

6. Bobba Fett
Yes, I know he’s got cool Mandalorian armor. I know he’s got a jet pack, missiles and disintegration ray. But he’s also a bounty hunter; that is, he’s a fighter-type who hunts other sentients for money, regardless of their innocence or guilt. Sure, he does good when he gets the bad guys. But how does that weight against all the innocents he’s accidentally or intentionally disintegrated? He’s a clone of few words, but if we can believe Lucas’ expanded universe, and prequels, he’s the direct clone of the last of the Mandalorian warriors… which makes me wonder why the rest of the clone army doesn’t shoot better. Bob, as he’s known to his friends, later reaches an uneasy truce with Han Solor, as years of Coyote and Roadrunner antics. Bob is a great example of a bad guy being co-opted by public opinion, and being written in to fill the role he’s expected to have. 

5. Blade 
He is a vampire, after all. I mean, half vampire. His heart is in the right place. You know, stalk the night, jack the leeches, send them flying, bursting into hot cinders and ashes, flinging stakes and blasting shotgun shells filled with…whatever the hell he puts in them. For all his grim determination and brutal efficiency, he’s sorta got a heart of gold, or at least a soft spot for strays. Perhaps it’s that so many anti-heroes see themselves, or at least, how they could or should have been in the disaffected and disenfranchised. I know when ever I’m plotting major pseudo-villainy, I always feel a pang of sympathy for the victims of my plots, almost as if I could see it from their point of view…

4. Batman
Everyone’s favorite ego-maniacal pseudo-sociopath! Yes, the Batman is a true anti-hero. But I’m afraid his high-prioced rough and tumble antics are wearing a little thin these days. The last installment of Batman’s legend was a great flick, no doubt. But here’s the thing – putting “Xxtreme” in front of the Joker doesn’t really make for a better story. Don’t get me wrong. The last Batman movie was spectacular, well played, posted, and cut. But I was watching Xxtreme Joker more than I was watching Batman. The hero has actually in this case become too “anti.” Batman’s need to dispense justice is now totally overshadowed by his lunacy. Nevertheless, he’s a classic anti-hero will will likely never escape any listing “chaotic good” characters.

3. Alex (A Clockwork Orange)
His favorite pastimes are assault, rape and thievery. He certainly sounds like a villain. But in the novel A Clockwork Orange, Alex is “our humble narrator.” His apparent inability to tell right from wrong seems to stem from a sociopathic view regarding other humans as not-quite living things. I’m not making much of a case for the hero aspect am I? Well, in this context he’s our only point of reference for the world. While he seems atypical to us, he does have droogs who are more of less, just like him. Perhaps, in fact, he’s not an anti-hero, but more appropriately, just the main character…

2. Dexter comes in at a strong #2 on the top ten anti-hero list. I mean, he is a serial killer. It’s just that he kills the bad guys. His methods are gruesomely effective, his habit are typically fastidious and he’s desperately clever. He’d be a great hero, except that, you know, he chops people up. Nevertheless, for a sociopath, he manages to balance a job, family life and relationships reasonable well. For someone who is off and on again hunted by the FBI, he manages to “take care of business.” It’s Dexter’s ethical code that keeps him in our hearts as a merely misunderstood vigilante. He uses his code to curb, control, alleviate and justify his behavior. And from an absolute justice point of view, he’s absolutely correct. But then again, he’s using his code as a shield, a catch-all excuse that allows him to indulge in his more base behaviors. He is, after all, a serial killer.  

1. Achilles – “Sing oh Muse, of the mighty Achilles, whose wrath laid low so many great and noble heroes…” For my money, Achilles of Homer’s Iliad is the number one anti-hero of all time. Indestructible, or at least, invulnerable, unparalleled martial prowess and an ego to match, Achilles temper and self-centric world view cost the lives of many Greeks. Achilles fights for the Greeks, the invaders, looking to take troy by force of arms. The excuse for the conflict, Agamemnon’s wife Helen, is ostensibly justifiable. She was, according to their cultural tradition, the wife/property of Greek king, and Paris had no rights, legal recourse, or authority to take her, gods or no. Hector, the best of all Greek men, fought on the side of the Wrong. It is precisely because he had conscious knowledge of that fact, that he was the perfect man. He was honor bound to defend his family, his home and his people. When Achilles defeated Hector and his rage drove him to drag Hector’s corpse around, we see clearly what sort of monster we’re dealing with.

Let’s assume you’re writing a science-fiction action epic about a cyber-soldier in the year 2144. The plot is irrelevant for this discussion – let’s just assume there’s plenty of action on earth in some of the most hostile environments available, culminating in a climactic battle scene in near orbit.

Remember, we as humans, have taken every step to make any and all things as complicated as we can. As writers, it’s our responsibility to draw upon that manufactured complication to create a believable or at least, opaque, tapestry of bullshit.  So, take a moment to consider your cyber-soldier character. To make him real, to give him more depth than just a barely-speaking killer of men, he’ll need a past, a present, and a future. We’ve talked about creating those pasts before, and in some cases, they aren’t relevant to the story you’re telling.

Let’s talk about your cyber-soldier’s present. It’s an action story, so he’s in the army? Or is he a marine? Or is there some new branch of the military for cyborgs? Maybe his past as a marine is why he’s a cyborg now. Maybe not – maybe he was so gung ho and such a perfect soldier, that he was selected out of hundreds of individuals. More likely, if fresh parts can keep the flesh fighting, he’s one of thousands of cyborg soldiers just hoping they finish their tours before they need any more “enhancements” to stay on the front line.

So, he’s not special. He’s just a guy. With a job and a maybe a family who eventually wants to go home. But he’s still more than just a camouflage Robo-cop. The army is a complicated thing. So, writer, exploit it. Where did cyber-soldier do basic? Don’t know anything about that? Look it up! To the interwebs! What’s his MOS (that’s military occupational specialty)? In this futuristic world, there might be new trainings available – like a professional anti-intrusion network specialist, or electromagnetic heavy-weapons specialist. Think about it.

So, the characters present is derived from his past, his future, from his present. Looking into the layers of any society, the opportunity for unique and memorable characters becomes apparent.

Taking the exercise one step further, perhaps we could throw away all the assumptions that come with the word “hero.” What about a main character who is a coward? There’s no excuse for hacking out an archetype good-guy or bad-guy.

Seems like every fantasy book begins with a youth, who is typically a loner, outsider, or adopted or some other form of pariah. After a troublesome childhood, they tend to be forced out into the world on a whirlwind adventure, where they not only grow up some, but discover a power or ability, as well as the key to their unhappy childhood.

While emanations of Joseph Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey” and the inherent myth cycle that resides in all cultures can be seen in the standard fantasy plot, one must ask themselves, how many magic swords are there? I’ve personally never come across a magic sword, (though admittedly my collection is rather small) let alone a Chosen One.

Seriously though, a good fantasy novel is getting hard and harder to come by, and I wonder why. Even the vaunted Harry Potter suffers from a formulaic sickness, being the Chosen One who will slay…what’s his name. Anyway, I think the fundamental failing of fantasy is the Chosen One syndrome. It’s often argued that the Chosen One is more interesting to audiences than Schlomo the Shit-cart Boy, who was killed by a runaway shit-cart. Granted. But isn’t it the job of the writer to make Schlomo more interesting? Dare I say, to make him a hero?

What say, Schlomo was indeed killed by a runaway shitcart. But in the stinky conflagration that followed (no one really knows where the flames started – a torch or candle most likely) Schlomo’s son, Bertrand Schlomo Gorp (who would in later years become known as Bert the Unlucky) was injured and orphaned and raised in a priory. His childhood injury, broken bones in his right foot, were treated by the best healers his rather backward village had to offer. Thus, they had mended rather poorly. Until the age of 18, Bert the Unlucky limped about the priory, sweeping and cooking and cleaning dishes, tending gardens. Bert the Unlucky, earned his dubious honorific when he failed to pass the examinations required to become a full fledged member of the holy order which he served.

Now, Bert the Unlucky, a pious and rather naieve, if well educated soul, set off into the world, seeking his fate.

See? Isn’t that some much more satisfying than the son of a king who has a powerful magic sword and rides dragons?

I was once on the set of a short film, working as Production Designer, when I had a revelation about authors. The Writer/Director had pulled from his not-so-deep-well of character archetypes a gun-toting thug, played by an actor with a gravelly voice, and very little understanding of anything outside his immediate location.

In the scene we were about to shoot, he had to, essentially, look like a bad-ass and drop a match. He tucked his prop-weapon into his belt. Squinted his eyes to get into character, and grudgingly waited for me to give him the OK so he could dash out on set and look tough.

I took one look and stopped him in his tracks.

“What are you doing?” said I.

“This is a take.” replied the Tom Cruise wannabe.

“I know, but I asked what *you* are doing. Specifically, I want to know what ghetto-gansta rap video you learned that from.” I gestured to prop 9mm Baretta tucked into his jeans.

“What?” He looked stunned.

Just then, the AD was yelling for quiet on set and places and all the stuff they tend to yell before a take. I shook my head and pulled the pistol from Dong Johnson’s shorts and said “Look, you put a loaded gat in your boxers, and I guarantee you’ll shoot your shit off.”

“No way,” he scoffs, “they do it all the time on TV.”

The AD yells again, and I’m starting to loose my patience with Dong. “Look, Bucky, where the did your character learn to fight?”

He shrugs. “I dunno.”

“No, seriously, we need to know, and we need to know now. I didn’t read the whole script because I thought it stunk. Where did your character learn to use guns? The army? Is he an ex-cop? Is he just a street kid with a grudge? Is he ex-special forces? Is he some muddy-minded wiseguy? What?”

He shrugs at me. In my mind, I’m racing through all the slang terms we used in film school to take about actors. Goddamned Meat Puppets almost escapes my lips before I catch myself and ask, sharply “Who would know?”

“I guess the writer.” says Dong, still not convinced that a moron with a loaded pistol shoved down his pants is uncool.

The dilemma crystallizes when I realize the writer is also the director. Which means, right about now, he’s goddamned busy. But, I have a job to do, and I’m not going to let some stone-skulled meat puppet make the shot look bad if I can help it. So, I haul Dong Johnson and his faux-firearm over to the director, ignoring the AD’s protests and foul looks from the DP.

I said “Sorry to interrupt, but we need to know where this character learned to fight. What’s his background?”

The writer/director looks at me and shrugs. “I dunno.”

In my mind, I saw the stalled bus on the train tracks, the train rocketing towards it, the screeching of the wheels, the sparks flying, the screaming of passengers. In the sky above the moon swung to block out Brother Sun and airplanes fell from the sky.

“What?” I asked.

“I don’t know.”

I nodded my head slowly, shoved the prop-pistol back into Dong Johnson’s crotch and walked back to wardrobe staging opened a beer and lit a cigarette.

The moral of this sordid tale is know your characters. Inside and out. Know where they went to school. Know who their first crush was. Know if they like Chinese food. Know if they went to college. Know if they wanted a pony as a child. Know if they’ve ever broken a bone. Know if they like rough sex. Know if they hate dogs. Know if they like to dance. Know if they are allergic to peanuts. Know if they pee in the shower. Know if they clip their toenails daily. Know if they think it’s okay for a man to get a manicure before a date. Know if they are pot smokers. Know if they like fat girls. Know if they played fire as children. Know if they eat meat. Know if they love to eat shrimp because they like the feeling of power that comes from devouring a whole living creature in one bite. Know if they are a feminist. Know if they are the sort of feminist that doesn’t know anything about feminism. Know if they have tattoos. Know when the got them and where and with who. Know every goddamned thing there is to know about your characters, so you never, ever, have to be the douche-bag who shrugs lamely and says “I’m not sure where the person I invented was born. Or if they’re married. Or if they like to eat Cheetos.”

I know for some folks this seems like a tall order. What do you mean I have to be the biographer for all my characters? Well, I mean just that. That’s what writers do, what good writers do. They are thorough and understand their subjects, their topics, their pawns and players, on a fundamental level.

I was introduced to a surefire method in college. Dungeons and Dragons geeks know all about this one, though to be fair, you’ve got to swap the name of their warhorse or magic sword for something a little more tangible.

Describe your main characters bedroom, from floor to ceiling, without naming your character. Describe the carpet. The furniture, the bedside lamp, the books on the nightstand, the books hidden on the topshelf of the bedroom closet. Describe the things in the top drawer of their dresser. Describe the statues, trophies, knick knacks they have laying around. Describe their laptop computer’s screen saver. Describe their shoes, how many, what kinds, what conditions. Describe what they see out of their window every morning when they wake up.

Know you know everything there is to know about your character.

There’s no end to the books and guides, manuals even, written about writing. Set to that body of work with a ginsu knife and you can carve out probably a dozen or more sub-categories of study within the world of writing.

I know my shelves are lined with books about writing. One topic that’s never well enough addresses for me is the Hero / Anti-Hero. Popular media is rampant with bad-ass tough guys with that one redeeming quality. Are these dudes pinnacle examples of the literary craft? Probably not. But they draw us in, make us what to know more.

A good character can pull even the worst plot through the muck and get it on its feet again. In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, we follow Indy on another exciting, but somewhat predictable whirl wind adventure. In fact, by the tank chase through the desert, we’d seen all the tricks the filmmakers had available – but we *love* Indy, so we watched him battle his way through another legion of very Stormtrooper-esque Nazis.

A good character should never be confused with a Good Character. Luke Skywalker is a good character. Bobba Fett, with only three damn lines, is a Good Character. So what makes ‘em good vs. Good? Well, the best characters have a bit of the baddies in them.

The Anti-Hero, grim faced and of questionable morality, but stern ethics, is a literary entity that I think the average reader can more readily identify with. I mean, even on our best days, sometimes we call in sick to work, lie about eating the last cookie, or slip a stop-light.

I don’t see the “hero” archetype ever living up to its expectations in a realistic setting, so perhaps there is actually only the Anti-Hero?

Consider Hector from the Illiad. This dude was considered by his contemporaries and the listeners of the tale for centuries to follow, as the pinnacle of the ancient Greek arête. The best man. He defended his home, family and whiney brother with his life. Hector knew that Paris was an adulterer, had absconded with a king’s wife and brought an incredible doom to Troy, but he defended him anyway. He’s a hero for his defense of King and Country, but a bit of an “anti” for intentionally choosing the wrong side.

Maybe this isn’t the best example of an anti-hero. How about Dirty Harry? A loose-cannon cop with a bad attitude and “the biggest handgun made by man.” He’s a police officer, ostensibly out to do good, out to keep the streets safe for Little Janey and Little League Pete. At the same time, he’s as destructive as a force of nature and a fearless gun fighter who’s put more than a few baddies six feet under. A good guy we want to fear. James Bond, essentially an SAS thug with expensive tastes. He’s saving the world, no doubt. But he’s also been licensed by MI6 to kill at his discretion.

What’s the difference between a Hero’s Fatal Flaw, and an Anti-Hero’s Redeeming Quality? Well, staying with the Anti-Hero, it’s usually something “cool,” something we admire. The Wolverine from Marvel comics is a perfect example. He’s on the good guy’s team, but he’s not really very good. In fact, he’s a cigar smoking, beer swilling brawler, who’d just as soon knife ya as look at ya. Corwin, from Roger Zelazny’s Amber Chronicles is another great example. He’s charming and suave, yet cold hearted enough to lead an entire shadow population to their deaths ascending Mount Kolvir, his justification being quite simple: they are from a Shadow World, Amber is the only one true City.

In more contemporary media, I suppose Anakin Skywalker could be considered an Anti-hero. He’s a Jedi, but treads dangerously close to the Dark Side, forever tempting powers he simply cannot understand. But here’s the failure in the character: he’s got nothing we want. He’s emotionally unbalanced, suffering from an unrelenting Oedipal complex and constant badgering from his foster-family (the Jedi Order). He’s a killer. He’s a powerful force user. But… he’s lacking that something special. It’s as if he was designed to be an anti-hero, but can’t fulfill the “cool” part. He lacks that suave, debonair charm. Sure, he wears black and has a bad boy attitude, but ultimately, he chooses to murder the Jedi Order’s young students. Perhaps he’s more of a Fallen Hero, or dare I say it, never even achieved that Hero status?