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Kestal Ssinjinn

Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 2:07 am
by Kestal
Name: Kestal Cairie Ssinjinn
Age: 21
Race: Human
Height: 5"6
Weight: 100lbs
Occupation: Singer/Songwriter (bard)

Physical Description:

Kestal is petite by anyone’s standards. Her skin, while smooth has a pale undertone that is highlighted by the dark smudges under her eyes, and the rash of freckles across her nose and cheeks. She’s beautiful in a waifish kind of way - there are too many angles to her face, and her expressive powder-blue eyes look slightly too big. The point of her chin and pouted mouth give a pixie like quality to her. Her hair sits just against her shoulders and is a dark honey blonde. Thick and slightly curly, Kestal often keeps it pulled back from her face in a simple braid, with those stubborn little wisps of hair refusing to be kept at bay framing her face.

It is apparent that she is underweight by a large margin, though she hides this relatively well with the clothing she chooses, always layering despite how hot it may be. She can be found wearing simple, inexpensive clothing, usually trousers, and shirts that are a few sizes too big, which she then covers with waistcoats with long tails, or a jacket.

Personality:

Kestal is a quiet soul and a deep thinker. She is extremely introverted, and almost painfully shy, given to blushing hotly when under scrutiny - except for when she performs, when she becomes a bright light, full of life and emotion, and almost another persona entirely. Her shyness however does not affect her aproachability - she is receptive to people who come to her - she just doesn't go out of her way to meet new people.

Her nature is such that she is more likely to think of you before she thinks of herself. In fact, her only goals and desires in life are to be at peace, and to have someone to miss her when she is gone. Even in this desire, she does not actively seek it, considering herself to be nothing special or worth anyone's undivided attention. She avoids conflict and is a people pleaser, wanting everyone to be happy, even if she isn’t. She is almost self-defeatest in the way she puts others needs, goals and desires above her own.

She is kind and considerate, and very softly spoken. She hardly says a word out of turn, but what she does say is always well thought out. People often feel safe in coming to her with things they would like objective input with. Kestal is often tired, but will say nothing of her own needs. This is perhaps her biggest secret, her own personal battle that she is determined not to burden anyone with.

Kestal has no strong feelings towards any political leaning. Of the rebels she is slightly sympathetic, believing that there is good in all beings, and that all sentient beings should be judged on their own individual characteristics, rather than the blanket judgement of a kind. Of course, she is loyal to the government, and remains quiet regarding her sympathetic tendencies. Politics do not feature strongly in her music, if at all.

Possessions:

Lute - To accompany her music, Kestal is self taught on this beautiful instrument

Strengths:

Gifted Singer - Kestal's talent is raw, but unmistakably unique. Her tone is rich and slightly rasping. Her middle ranges are full bodied and strong, while her upper register is slightly weaker, but no less powerful in terms of it's impact.

Songwriting - Again, a natural talent for putting words together. Kestal writes and sings from a deep well inside of her, that views the world in a very thought provoking way.

Compassionate - Kessy is willing to help others without thought of herself. She will go above and beyond to ensure that people around her feel accepted and understood.

Being quiet and shy has its advantages. Kessy enjoys watching people, their interactions and moods. She is perceptive in gauging the emotions of others, and uses this to her advantage in helping out where she can. Her quiet observance of the world around her strengthens not only her writing and performing, but also her aproachability.

Weaknesses:

Kestal's way of putting others above herself sometimes leads to her being treated like a doormat - she'll not often say no, if she thinks that it will make people happy.

She is often exhaused and prone to melancholy, and more sullen than quiet when she has a creative block.

More focused in her music than her social life, with a hidden fear or rejection, having only been loved by her parents.

Low self esteem in all areas but her music, sometimes still very anxious over how her music will be recieved, and in fact how she as a person is recieved.

Kestal is shy and reticent and avoids making close relationships, and might be considered a loner by many. She fears being alone, but at the same time fears the hurt she could cause by becoming close to someone.

History:

To say her life has been unimportant wouldn't be far from the truth. Kestal was born to a lower-middle class family in Marn; Hector and Jane Ssinjin, her parents were normal, hardworking citzens with nondescript jobs. Kestal was their pride and joy, a quiet, polite child who kept to herself and respected her elders. Being an only child, Kestal was very close to her parents, and they treated her as a young adult, capable of making wise decisions beyond her years.

She began writing songs when she was fourteen, making up ditty after little ditty about the people she'd see on the streets - the homeless beggar, the children, the market vendors and the daily goings on of life in Marn. She had an 'old-soul' way of looking at the world, seeing it through eyes and with a heart that has more melancholy than most. She never made close friends, and as she began looking for work following her passion of music, she discovered that life with many acquaintances was lonesome. Her music became slightly darker, full of heartfelt sadness and longing.

Despite the nature of her music, she became a fast favourite in her local tavern, and was able to get a regular job.

Both Kestal’s parents passed on early in her 20th year. Their deaths, brought on by illness rather than old age, devesated the girl, and she became even more introverted than normal, becoming almost hermit-like in her behaviours, except for venturing out to work. She lives alone in her childhood home, caring for herself, working as much as she can, publishing and preforming pieces of her art. She lives a quiet life in Marn, and does not desire for that to change.

Kestal does, however, have a secret. The way circumstances are, she knows time is running out for her secret to stay hidden... her sets are becoming shorter, and cracks are starting to show.

Re: Kestal Ssinjinn

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 5:41 pm
by Saruna
Hi there and welcome to Thar! I apologize for the wait, we're normally quicker about picking up apps.
Kestal is often tired, but will say nothing of her own needs. This is perhaps her biggest secret, her own personal battle that she is determined not to burden anyone with.


I am curious if this is foreshadowing to something greater going on with her physical well-being. If it is something you might be wanting to play out in rp that's fine, but if you do want it a bit more in the open I'd add it into the weaknesses (even if it's just that she might be prone to exhaustion/depression, I'd add it for flavor).

I'd like to see one or two more strengths/weaknesses: a strength or two not specifically about her barding ability (does she charm people with her music easily? Is she very agile/have dextrous fingers? A good sense of humor? Does she learn new languages easily or know multiple languages due to her musical background?) , and a weakness or two perhaps related to her barding (does she obsess over her music to the detriment of her social life or personal welfare? Does she have any allergies? Burned bridges? The start of arthritis? Fears? Stuff like that).

This is an intriguing character and I like where it's headed, but I would like to see a little more depth to her beyond her talent and love of music. Does she have political leanings? Philosophical leanings? Religious leanings? What are her dreams or goals outside of music? Does she even have any or is music strictly her life? Right now as far as I can tell her only skills, emotions, and everyday life relates to music. If so, that's fine, but having a very narrow character like this might make it a little harder to interact with other characters and get her interested in things outside of music, which could be very difficult to play in the long run. Very few characters presently have an interest in music, and if your character is shy to boot it might make interactions sort of forced or contrived. Giving her some other leads (or better defining some of them, such as her reaching out to those who seem to be in need) could give you more options when looking to build a thread and plot with other players.

On a more practical level, if the secret is a hidden power I'd like for you to pm me so we can make sure it is balanced. If it is more of a plot device and unrelated to Kestal's ability to cause others harm (or otherwise affect other characters), then there is no need.

If you have any questions or comments don't hesitate to reply to this thread or send a pm to myself, Niabi or Frug. As well you can hop into chat if you see people in there.

If you make any changes to your app please leave a reply in this thread so I know to take another look.

Re: Kestal Ssinjinn

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 3:33 am
by Kestal
Have made some of those changes you suggested. Sorry for any formatting issues...my tablet hates me, and its all i can get to at the moment. I'm willing to flesh out a bit more if you need it, but I prefer to get little and often feedback so I know I'm on the right track.

Also, as a side note, with there not being many characters who are into music, I'm pretty certain we'll be able to get something going, since she spends a bit of time in taverns/bars performing :-)

Re: Kestal Ssinjinn

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 4:42 pm
by Saruna
Heheh, yeah, my concern wasn't so much getting her in the same spot as other characters, it would be keeping them interacting with each other without forcing it once the initial reason for them to start interacting wore off (though violence is always a nice shortcut to keep everyone together, ha). Would she want to get involved with anything outside of her beloved music?

One thing I wonder, given that she is shy, is whether or not she is a good conversationalist. Is she good at small talk, or is she better at prompting people into mostly carrying the conversation? That in and of itself (getting people to talk) could be a major way to get her involved in things outside of music.

I feel right now she's sort of in that goody-two shoes state where she's this wonderful woman who does nothing but good, where her worst faults are worries that she might fall below a state of perfection -- it might deepen her to give her something that makes her angry. The most kindhearted, best woman I have ever known (a nun, as it so happens) -- while the most pure soul I've met -- had things that would get her into these cute spurts of . . .I don't know if I'd call them anger, per se, but she would definitely get frustrated about a few things in relation to how people act. Let's see a little bit of that in Kestal's weaknesses (since she is so passionate about music, perhaps it might relate to people who are rude during performances, or since she is so compassionate it might relate to bullies). Something that cracks her composure, be it internally or externally.

Alternatively you could go further with the weaknesses you've already shown. When she dips really low, does she have a harder time being compassionate? When she feels very small and anxious, does she lash out at others? When she becomes sullen due to a block, does she retreat from the world and perhaps unwittingly spurn those who show concern? Does she perhaps have a hard time accepting sympathy, leading some to believe her cold or calculating?

edit - one more thing. It has only been a year since her parents died. Is she still grieving? If so, how does that grief affect her internally and does it come out at all during her daily life?