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riddledwith) wrote2014-06-10 02:34 pm
riddledwith) wrote2014-06-10 02:34 pm
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OUT of CHARACTER
Name: Kirk
Other characters: Newp
IN CHARACTER
Name: Edward Nygma née Nashton
Fandom: Batman/DC Comics (New 52)
Canon point/AU: Beginning of Savage City, Zero Year (End of Batman Issue #31)
Journal:riddledwith
PB: Comic/Art Icons, No PB
History: The Riddler on the Batman Wiki - A general look over the Pre-New 52 version of the character. The only part that is relatively consistent in all version of The Riddler, and I will personally adhere to with the New 52-verse rendition of Edward Nygma is this:The Batman: Zero Year page on Wikipedia, which has been kept up to date very well, summarizing the events of the comic arc very well.
Presentation: Edward Nygma, in all forms and very emphasized in this version, is ruled by his ego which is directly proportionate with what he knows, and according to the writer's notes from the Director's Cut of Batman #21 where it's stated that Eddie has 15 or so diplomas in all kinds of things "just because he can", he knows quite a bit. It's never specified what it is that he has degrees in, but due to his advanced knowledge of business, etymology of the English language, computer technology, physics, and accounting (implied because business), he at least has degrees related to these things. He's fairly cerebral so it could be assumed that he also has degrees in general and criminal psychology as well. The root of his hunger for knowledge is equal parts his own intelligence and his desire to prove to everyone that doubts him that he is valuable and genuinely intelligent.
So with the facts to back up the claims, he finds his ego to be completely justified. He thinks that he's important and that everyone else should think this as well. This also hurts him as he expects things from people and takes apart their words, their behaviors, digs around in their histories, and generally doesn't actually trust anyone, which can result in all sorts of wounded ego and childish tantrums when things do not go his way. If he knows how to work someone, he'll definitely play manipulatively with them for his own benefit, especially if he knows if and how it will benefit him. Because of his high opinion of himself, he often thinks he knows what's best, which is why he feels completely justified when he takes a whole city hostage, threatening to gas them with deadly poison should they try to break his rules. He just has a different perception on what is considered right and wrong, perhaps because of his lack of a good set of role models growing up.
Generally he tries to be amiable and charming to people, because he knows that people generally appreciate a pleasant personality. Even in the face of his own possible death, he smiles, because he assures himself that he has plans for any eventuality: that he can get through anything because he is smart enough. He also dresses impeccably when given the option, but always favors the color green (supposedly, in the writer's notes, Eddie's reason for this is "because it attracts the female eye").
Motivations: Behind all of the composure and ego is a sad and lonely man who wishes that people would acknowledge his talents. Anyone, everyone, especially if that person not only acknowledged him but was also on the same level as he is. There have been a few different sources (one being the Arkham-verse of the Batman video games) that say that Eddie has Borderline Personality Disorder, which makes sense considering all kinds of behaviors of his. His accelerated desire for learning is motivated by his need to not be bored and to be constantly stimulated, which could be rooted in having Combined Type ADD-ADHD. He has aggressive mood swings and anger management issues, especially when it comes to dealing with people. His actions are both planned out extensively beforehand and also seemingly impulsive: his plan to take control of Gotham City could have been planned in as little as 2 days with how he works through things. Or it could have been planned over the course of months, climbing up the business ladder between one company and another, moving things around under the title of "business strategist" so that things were exactly where he wanted and needed them to be for his plan to come to fruition. There is no proper way of knowing canonically. His sense of self is founded on his intelligence and he may even feel lacking in this department when faced with the adversity of being in The Arena, which would leave him questioning his identity and his worth as a human being.
One angle that is rarely explored when it comes to any version of Edward Nygma is that because of all these different factors in his life, if you are a reliable, trustworthy, and intellectually stimulating (even if this means internally laughing at you) companion who gains his trust, you have the guy as a friend (unless you break his trust and then he will plan your demise, more than likely). He often disconnects with his identity as a human being because of his lack of proper human connection but he feels things so deeply that if there is a connection there, a connection is there.
Setting: How do you plan for this character to react to the Games setting? We are not looking for specifics, but more of a general idea for how you plan to play your character reacting to repeated, violent events, and their agency being stripped away from them.
Edward's initial outlook will be more than likely an overly cocky "I got this" where he tries to learn all the ins and outs of Panem, The Capitol, The Arena, and literally everything else there is to know about the world. The Arena first if that's where he happens to be first. He is a relatively reclusive and private person so the loss of agency will definitely be one of the "less desirable" things accompanying the experience but he will remain so positive and cocky (!!! so positive and cocky!!!) that he can beat anyone at any game. And then he will die.
And it's really at that point that he will re-evaluate his life, and his choices, and everything that he has ever known about himself, about everything he's ever learned, and about the world. Generally, doubt everything. It's probably something he will need emotional support to get through, which will be 110+% awful for him if he has no one to trust or confide in at that point.
From there, he could either become more driven to learn about the other tributes and try to manipulate and pit them against each other, or try and learn about the government and find out how to work his way out of being a tribute to instead be a citizen of some kind, or possibly go crazy. Literally anything could happen.
In regards to violence: He turned a scientist into a horrific and bony monster (indirectly, through verbal and financial manipulation), and threatens to kill everyone in the city via poisonous gas. However, this has all been indirect and from behind a computer screen in the safety of his little hideout, which is probably why he has handled it so well. Experiencing it in person without any sort of buffer will be a very different experience that will terrify him, definitely. It may even call back memories of his abusive childhood, which will further create horror and unease within him that will affect how he lives in Panem in the long-term.
SAMPLES
First Person Thread:
[For the longest time, there is only silence and the sound of the recording device waiting. He stares vacantly at the ceiling above him before sitting up and turning to the device.
A mess of pain and feelings of failure. The pain was gone but the shame and horror were still present.]
Disgusted. [In this moment, in the simplest of delivery, the summary of his feelings. Words usually came so easily, and there were plenty he could use--he could probably go on forever about what he felt--, but his throat felt like anything more and the words would just be broken noises without purpose, and he wouldn't waste the time on that.
Empty and full at the same time, a void that overflowed with too many things.
It takes some time for him to become something resembling more level, putting about two-thirds the pieces of his façade back together. His attempt at a smile (if there is video) is weak, almost pitiful, but it's present.]
I prepared for so many things that I did not properly anticipate my own failure. It is a harsh reminder that I am still a student to your traditions, and that I must cultivate and tend to all fields of learning before I can truly see the fruits of my labors here.
[He takes in a breath. If that is not enough to satisfy them, he may scream.]
Prose:
The weapons presents are useless to him on their own. He's not an athlete or a fighter, more skilled (to his frustration at times) to be unseen than stand out. But--, making himself stand out was something he had done before and he could do it again. So with an inward breath, he really took in all the supplies presented to him. His wits were his one true asset in this, and so he began taking things, disassembling, reassembling, breaking, and fitting them together with precise care. He could build traps out of what supplies he had in front of him, something more than likely applicable to whatever arena he'd find himself in.
His presentation was probably a bore to watch, and to avoid breaking his focus, he completely disregarded the Gamemakers. They could be laughing away, gossiping, and engorging themselves on whatever unique (and possibly offensive) cuisine they wanted. It wasn't his business at this moment.
After placing the finishing touches, he took a training dummy and placed it in front of a target in line with his machine. This one required him to set it off manually since he didn't exactly have a moving target to plan for. Once it's ready, he finally breaks his focus, directing it up to the Gamemakers.
"Good evening to you all. I'm Edward Nygma, and I've always believed that the ability to fell one's enemies should not be exclusive to those strong of body, but also to those strong of mind." He reaches, still facing them, towards his device and triggers it. In the manner of a Rube Goldberg machine, it sets off first three arrows aimed for each leg in quick succession. Things trigger gradually, building up to the climax of his device.
"The strong should too feel a sense of terror in the face of their demise. A moment of desperation, a pause as they hope to escape their end." It's unclear if he timed how long his delivery would take between the first and second half of his demonstration, but seconds after he finishes speaking, a spear head launches from his device towards the dummy, landing in the chest just off center from the sternum.
"Ingenuity is the key to survival. Thank you for your time."
What is your character scored: 7 or 8 (?) - Eddie's intelligence is easily on the same level as Sherlock Holmes, but he is (only slightly) more amiable in nature, because he cares more about how others perceive him. Physically he is not terribly strong (like Thor, Steve Rogers, or even Batman, to compare), but I imagine him to be a very good runner, and can at least handle lifting and carrying a 50lb load (because cough computers and books can be quite heavy cough). He's probably well versed in survival tactics and his job title given before his foray into crime was "strategist" so coupling this with his knowledge of psychology, he will probably predict out the moves of the tributes and take advantage of certain benefits or consequences in The Arena. How he will handle violence in person instead of at a distance is of negative impact to his score as he will not take it well at first, if at all. If he were more hands on, he might be less affected by it, which could have gotten him a higher score because even a basic knowledge of anatomy coupled with his knowledge of physics would grant him the potential to be a dangerous killer. He has no powers, only the power of his brain.
Name: Kirk
Other characters: Newp
IN CHARACTER
Name: Edward Nygma née Nashton
Fandom: Batman/DC Comics (New 52)
Canon point/AU: Beginning of Savage City, Zero Year (End of Batman Issue #31)
Journal:
riddledwithPB: Comic/Art Icons, No PB
History: The Riddler on the Batman Wiki - A general look over the Pre-New 52 version of the character. The only part that is relatively consistent in all version of The Riddler, and I will personally adhere to with the New 52-verse rendition of Edward Nygma is this:
"The Riddler's compulsion stems from parental abuse that he endured as a child. After Edward got high scores on some important tests in school, his father, unable to grasp the fact that his son was brilliant and believing he had cheated, beat him out of envy. This, in theory, left him with a strong internal desire to tell the truth, and prove his innocence. This desire manifests itself in the form of his obsession with riddles. His madness, as well as his descent into crime in general, may also have roots in a yearning to rise above the anonymity that he possessed in his youth."
This image, while not directly stating what his birth name is, confirms that the last name of "Nygma" was adopted for reasons. In the Batman Detective Comics Annual #8: Questions Multiply the Mystery, Edward's criminal life begins when after high school he immediately moves into the working world as a delivery man with no credentials beyond his high school diploma. He begins using his job as a delivery man as a means to learn the security protocols for banks, law offices, anywhere with a safe containing valuables, so that he could rob them, but eventually becomes bored of this and develops the persona of The Riddler. The New 52 version of Edward does not seem like he would have followed this route, and perhaps his implied criminal affiliations, since his focus is more on computers, involve things like hacking into government databases, infiltrating cyber security systems, and other such related things.
Presentation: Edward Nygma, in all forms and very emphasized in this version, is ruled by his ego which is directly proportionate with what he knows, and according to the writer's notes from the Director's Cut of Batman #21 where it's stated that Eddie has 15 or so diplomas in all kinds of things "just because he can", he knows quite a bit. It's never specified what it is that he has degrees in, but due to his advanced knowledge of business, etymology of the English language, computer technology, physics, and accounting (implied because business), he at least has degrees related to these things. He's fairly cerebral so it could be assumed that he also has degrees in general and criminal psychology as well. The root of his hunger for knowledge is equal parts his own intelligence and his desire to prove to everyone that doubts him that he is valuable and genuinely intelligent.
So with the facts to back up the claims, he finds his ego to be completely justified. He thinks that he's important and that everyone else should think this as well. This also hurts him as he expects things from people and takes apart their words, their behaviors, digs around in their histories, and generally doesn't actually trust anyone, which can result in all sorts of wounded ego and childish tantrums when things do not go his way. If he knows how to work someone, he'll definitely play manipulatively with them for his own benefit, especially if he knows if and how it will benefit him. Because of his high opinion of himself, he often thinks he knows what's best, which is why he feels completely justified when he takes a whole city hostage, threatening to gas them with deadly poison should they try to break his rules. He just has a different perception on what is considered right and wrong, perhaps because of his lack of a good set of role models growing up.
Generally he tries to be amiable and charming to people, because he knows that people generally appreciate a pleasant personality. Even in the face of his own possible death, he smiles, because he assures himself that he has plans for any eventuality: that he can get through anything because he is smart enough. He also dresses impeccably when given the option, but always favors the color green (supposedly, in the writer's notes, Eddie's reason for this is "because it attracts the female eye").
Motivations: Behind all of the composure and ego is a sad and lonely man who wishes that people would acknowledge his talents. Anyone, everyone, especially if that person not only acknowledged him but was also on the same level as he is. There have been a few different sources (one being the Arkham-verse of the Batman video games) that say that Eddie has Borderline Personality Disorder, which makes sense considering all kinds of behaviors of his. His accelerated desire for learning is motivated by his need to not be bored and to be constantly stimulated, which could be rooted in having Combined Type ADD-ADHD. He has aggressive mood swings and anger management issues, especially when it comes to dealing with people. His actions are both planned out extensively beforehand and also seemingly impulsive: his plan to take control of Gotham City could have been planned in as little as 2 days with how he works through things. Or it could have been planned over the course of months, climbing up the business ladder between one company and another, moving things around under the title of "business strategist" so that things were exactly where he wanted and needed them to be for his plan to come to fruition. There is no proper way of knowing canonically. His sense of self is founded on his intelligence and he may even feel lacking in this department when faced with the adversity of being in The Arena, which would leave him questioning his identity and his worth as a human being.
One angle that is rarely explored when it comes to any version of Edward Nygma is that because of all these different factors in his life, if you are a reliable, trustworthy, and intellectually stimulating (even if this means internally laughing at you) companion who gains his trust, you have the guy as a friend (unless you break his trust and then he will plan your demise, more than likely). He often disconnects with his identity as a human being because of his lack of proper human connection but he feels things so deeply that if there is a connection there, a connection is there.
Setting: How do you plan for this character to react to the Games setting? We are not looking for specifics, but more of a general idea for how you plan to play your character reacting to repeated, violent events, and their agency being stripped away from them.
Edward's initial outlook will be more than likely an overly cocky "I got this" where he tries to learn all the ins and outs of Panem, The Capitol, The Arena, and literally everything else there is to know about the world. The Arena first if that's where he happens to be first. He is a relatively reclusive and private person so the loss of agency will definitely be one of the "less desirable" things accompanying the experience but he will remain so positive and cocky (!!! so positive and cocky!!!) that he can beat anyone at any game. And then he will die.
And it's really at that point that he will re-evaluate his life, and his choices, and everything that he has ever known about himself, about everything he's ever learned, and about the world. Generally, doubt everything. It's probably something he will need emotional support to get through, which will be 110+% awful for him if he has no one to trust or confide in at that point.
From there, he could either become more driven to learn about the other tributes and try to manipulate and pit them against each other, or try and learn about the government and find out how to work his way out of being a tribute to instead be a citizen of some kind, or possibly go crazy. Literally anything could happen.
In regards to violence: He turned a scientist into a horrific and bony monster (indirectly, through verbal and financial manipulation), and threatens to kill everyone in the city via poisonous gas. However, this has all been indirect and from behind a computer screen in the safety of his little hideout, which is probably why he has handled it so well. Experiencing it in person without any sort of buffer will be a very different experience that will terrify him, definitely. It may even call back memories of his abusive childhood, which will further create horror and unease within him that will affect how he lives in Panem in the long-term.
SAMPLES
First Person Thread:
[For the longest time, there is only silence and the sound of the recording device waiting. He stares vacantly at the ceiling above him before sitting up and turning to the device.
A mess of pain and feelings of failure. The pain was gone but the shame and horror were still present.]
Disgusted. [In this moment, in the simplest of delivery, the summary of his feelings. Words usually came so easily, and there were plenty he could use--he could probably go on forever about what he felt--, but his throat felt like anything more and the words would just be broken noises without purpose, and he wouldn't waste the time on that.
Empty and full at the same time, a void that overflowed with too many things.
It takes some time for him to become something resembling more level, putting about two-thirds the pieces of his façade back together. His attempt at a smile (if there is video) is weak, almost pitiful, but it's present.]
I prepared for so many things that I did not properly anticipate my own failure. It is a harsh reminder that I am still a student to your traditions, and that I must cultivate and tend to all fields of learning before I can truly see the fruits of my labors here.
[He takes in a breath. If that is not enough to satisfy them, he may scream.]
Prose:
The weapons presents are useless to him on their own. He's not an athlete or a fighter, more skilled (to his frustration at times) to be unseen than stand out. But--, making himself stand out was something he had done before and he could do it again. So with an inward breath, he really took in all the supplies presented to him. His wits were his one true asset in this, and so he began taking things, disassembling, reassembling, breaking, and fitting them together with precise care. He could build traps out of what supplies he had in front of him, something more than likely applicable to whatever arena he'd find himself in.
His presentation was probably a bore to watch, and to avoid breaking his focus, he completely disregarded the Gamemakers. They could be laughing away, gossiping, and engorging themselves on whatever unique (and possibly offensive) cuisine they wanted. It wasn't his business at this moment.
After placing the finishing touches, he took a training dummy and placed it in front of a target in line with his machine. This one required him to set it off manually since he didn't exactly have a moving target to plan for. Once it's ready, he finally breaks his focus, directing it up to the Gamemakers.
"Good evening to you all. I'm Edward Nygma, and I've always believed that the ability to fell one's enemies should not be exclusive to those strong of body, but also to those strong of mind." He reaches, still facing them, towards his device and triggers it. In the manner of a Rube Goldberg machine, it sets off first three arrows aimed for each leg in quick succession. Things trigger gradually, building up to the climax of his device.
"The strong should too feel a sense of terror in the face of their demise. A moment of desperation, a pause as they hope to escape their end." It's unclear if he timed how long his delivery would take between the first and second half of his demonstration, but seconds after he finishes speaking, a spear head launches from his device towards the dummy, landing in the chest just off center from the sternum.
"Ingenuity is the key to survival. Thank you for your time."
What is your character scored: 7 or 8 (?) - Eddie's intelligence is easily on the same level as Sherlock Holmes, but he is (only slightly) more amiable in nature, because he cares more about how others perceive him. Physically he is not terribly strong (like Thor, Steve Rogers, or even Batman, to compare), but I imagine him to be a very good runner, and can at least handle lifting and carrying a 50lb load (because cough computers and books can be quite heavy cough). He's probably well versed in survival tactics and his job title given before his foray into crime was "strategist" so coupling this with his knowledge of psychology, he will probably predict out the moves of the tributes and take advantage of certain benefits or consequences in The Arena. How he will handle violence in person instead of at a distance is of negative impact to his score as he will not take it well at first, if at all. If he were more hands on, he might be less affected by it, which could have gotten him a higher score because even a basic knowledge of anatomy coupled with his knowledge of physics would grant him the potential to be a dangerous killer. He has no powers, only the power of his brain.