Inspiration (IV)

In this next installment I will begin to talk about some of the characters that appear early in the stories and next time I will focus on some of the later developed characters.

Obviously, the first characters to recognize are the four High Grandmasters.  The four HGMs, Cherish, Zach, Sean, and Gabe, are actually based on my brother, two of our friends, and myself.  The four of us as friends actually created the elemental power concept and even played out in some manner the first and second adventures.  Since that time, I have gone on to pull some of the random pieces of our game play and began turning it into the massive number of adventures that will come into existence.  The weapons that are given to the characters in the book are actually ones that we selected to use.  As for looks, some aspects are locked in as how we looked back when we first met, but it would be the elemental powers of the world, not growing older, that caused them to change in looks.  Other then that, I have based the original bases for the characters' personalities as we were and then let them evolve with the stories.

Phoenix Jem serves as both Zach's older brother in Elementia as well as the first Master to the High Grandmasters.  Phoenix himself is not based on any individual, in fact, he is a composition of mentors that I have had over the years.  He represents himself as a strong willed, intelligent, takes no bs, handles problems with a calm demeanor, and is continually improving himself.  These traits mark him as one of Elementia's strongest leaders.

Zenzer is Elementia's top military commander.  In the early adventures, Zenzer is portrayed as one of the worst representations as a military leader, doing whatever he can to get a higher rank, being highly negative and condescending to his superiors, as well as being hot headed.  As the adventures continue he becomes a much more respectable military officer.  He focuses on the "team," works to accomplish the mission in an appropriate manner, respects his superiors, though he still keeps some of his condescending attitude with the High Grandmasters, except it tends to be more of a fun back and forth.

Professor Willow is the leading individual on Creatures.  He doesn't have any real inspiration other than being a hard working scientific researcher that puts his heart and soul into his work.  Also, much like a veterinarian, he has a large heart for animals/creatures which also leads to him becoming a beloved individual.  Every so often, he also serves as an expert on Elementia folklore and shares his knowledge with the people that he both meets and works with.

These are some of the most direct inspired characters that have an early existence in the books.  In my next post(s) I will focus on some of the "generic" characters as well as some of the other characters that have very direct inspiration (similar to the HGMs).