WITCHES REIGN APPLICATION
Name: Lizzie
Journal: ohlizzie
Contact: PLURK! @ohlizzie.
Character Name: Lloyd Irving
Series: Tales of Symphonia
Gender: Male
Age & Canon Point: 17, Taken from before the final fight.
Requested Sponsor: Carbuncle!
Entry position (Cadet, SeeD, Instructor, other): Cadet
History: http://aselia.wikia.com/wiki/Lloyd_Irving
Abilities & Physical Abnormalities: Due to the exsphere embedded on Lloyd’s keycrest on his hand, it gives him enhanced speed and strength behind his attack, making him virtually faster, stronger and more powerful.
Personality: As the hero of Tales of Symphonia, Lloyd comes across as very simple. A young boy raised in the woods by a quaint village in the country, he isn’t the brightest or world-weary adventurer or leader. On the contrary Lloyd is usually described as an ‘idiot’ by his friends and those who follow him. And yet despite what seems to be seemingly generic heroic traits, bravery, courage, compassion, it is Lloyd's pure-hearted vision for the world and how he treats those around him that draws people towards him like a magnet.
But while Lloyd is certainly a person worthy of being called a hero, let alone one of two worlds, he is also just a kid, seventeen years old and learning new experiences by the day. He is easily bored for one, whenever the party finds a new use for their group item, the Sorcerer's Ring, Lloyd is the one to have the most excitement over what new ability it will possess, but unlike the group, always ends up saying, 'Oh that's it? That's kind of boring.." He's described as quick to lose enthusiasm if a part of the journey takes particularly too long, however as the story progresses, he begins to mature as someone who knows what needs to be done and is willing to do them.
One of the biggest things about Lloyd that the party loves to tease him over is the fact that he is well, somewhat of an idiot when it comes to academics and common knowledge. He's not exactly the boy you'd like to tell all your jokes to. The worst he would do is if you said 'don't rain on my parade' is he'd probably turn, stare at you, and ask quite seriously, "Whoa, you have a parade?! That's so cool!" With his typical, sunny-bright enthusiasm.
His skills in school are hardly any to boast at.
“Genis is really smart, he can even say his multiplication tables!” Lloyd protests to one of his best friend’s academic rivals, when in reality it’s a common knowledge to most students in Sylvarant. In a test where the highest score is 400, Lloyd got a 25. He’s not necessarily stupid, but his laziness and general dislike of school makes him quite the slacker (and sleeper) in class. So perhaps a better word is that he is shall we say..very impatient. He loves to move about and do things at his own pace, and sitting in a classroom? Not Lloyd's style. Combine that with a level of genuine obliviousness. At times Lloyd does not even realize that someone is making fun of him, and most of those times he will often assume he is being complimented, much to the frustration of the party. When called out on it he usually shows a fine level of embarrassment, often saying, “That’s what I thought” or, “I-I knew that” showing that despite all his very heroic qualities, Lloyd is still, essentially a bit of a moron. (A big goof, really.)
And yet while not academically sound, Lloyd possesses a keen level of insight that surprises most of the party considering his rather clueless nature on the most obvious of things.
For example when Colette is suffering from Angel Toxicosis, Lloyd is the one who takes first notice of her symptoms and is the one to actually break the news to the party. Not only he always seems to be the one in the party who actually sees when someone seems upset, not always necessarily at face-value. When the party often has to deal with less than trustworthy people, for example, Yuan of the renegades, a double-agent, Lloyd says, "He's putting his life on the line, that's got to mean something, right?" His simple yet honest words often shine a light of sense on the party.
Most of the time this insight comes and goes, because Lloyd’s go-get'em nature is to be constantly busy or doing something and that easily makes him overlook the most obvious of things. This is probably a reason why he is so lacking in sense when it comes to studies, he lives his life experiencing it by his own actions, due to his free-spirited nature. This simple insight isn’t just him being a good observer: it’s the way he is.
Lloyd's a kid at heart, and if there's an adventure to be had, you can bet he's going to be someone to be the first to take the lead and start one. Of course his over-eagerness can easily become a flaw, just as his pride and aversion to being scolded or instructed can be as well.
When Kratos joins the party, Lloyd immediately doesn't like his seemingly condescending nature towards him, or the fact that he is so much stronger than him. But as he comes to begrudgingly trust and rely on him, he grows to push himself to surpass those that are more powerful than him, making it a goal. A lot of his actions are stemmed from the desire to better himself, or the people around him. Namely Colette, but as he progresses on his journey, he fights not only for her, but for the sake of both worlds.
And yet while he has his flaws, Lloyd's pure heart is what endears him as a leader and a person worth believing in to his friends. His deep compassion for others, his ability to see people as they are, without labelings or racial discrimination, that is what his friends see beyond the goof. In fact, that's his dream, as he goes on the journey with Colette and the others, he sees with his own two eyes the nature of the worlds, racial inequality, suffering and hatred, errors with how people run the worlds itself--and he vows to change it. Because in his opinion, if the reason why the two worlds have to barter off on the life source of the two worlds by sacrificing chosen people to maintain order : it's no solution at all. Especially when one of your dearest, most precious friends is told she has to die to save the world. "I don't want anymore sacrifices, " Lloyd tells the group seriously, and while originally he clings to the idea that Colette is the only one who can save the world at the start of the journey, as he progresses and matures, he realizes that all he was doing was allowing things to happen, saying words he didn't act on. He steps up on his words and starts to follow through with them, and this is when he begins to change. Especially after Colette's seemingly uncurable result of her sacrifices. He blames himself and promises to protect her, no longer relying on her as the only way everyone can be saved. Most seventeen year olds aren't making promises like that.
One of the key points of Lloyd's character, that shows him as a foil to Mithos, the original hero, is that he acknowledges his mistakes. He comes to realize his faults, apologizes, and grows stronger from them. Unlike Mithos, he doesn't ignore what he's done, and instead carries his sins on his shoulders, as he tells Zelos during a scene at Dirk's house, he will never quit. If he quits, how will he ever make it up to those who who lost their lives from his mistakes? "I'm going to fight, till the very end. I can't give up." To which even the party members define to the player Lloyd's personality: "Stubborn as hell, " Zelos replies, and it's true: Lloyd never gives up. He loses his way, he falters, he gets crippled by incidents just as much as the average person, but with words from his friend's, and a little bit of time, Lloyd eventually always gets back to his feet, ready to face the next challenge. Because to him, the world he imagines, a world where "Everyone can live freely" where his best friend doesn't have to sacrifice herself, is worth fighting for.
"Lloyd, your intentions are always honest and pure." One of Lloyd's greatest strengths and weaknesses is the fact that he literally cannot stand by while someone around him is suffering, or injustice is being done in front of him. His kindness is abundant and never lacking when it comes to others. He is a true idealist in every sense of the word.
In the manga of Tales of Symphonia, his teacher, Professor Raine says that his 'morals are without flaw' and yet, due to this trait early in the game, an incident occurs that causes him to be responsible for the destruction of his village, Iselia. Lloyd realizes that his pure idealism for the world is not so easily accepted, helping someone does not come without consequences, and as he sees that, he says very solemnly: "I will atone for what I've done." And yet--instead of not involving himself in affairs where people might get killed, Lloyd instead promises that he 'won't allow any more sacrifices'. He turns to his professor in Palmacosta when he is about to attack the Desians, and says flatly, "How can we go on a journey of Regeneration if we can't save the people right in front of us?" If the world seems to see some laws and structures as right, Lloyd doesn't necessarily believe that it's the right thing to do. He's rebellious, not just by his sleeping in class, but his morals won't allow him to sit by and see these sort of injustices go on. He's willing to bet his life to face the wrongs of the world--even if they seem right.
"Just because logic says so doesn't make it sound." This is partially due to his upbringing believing in the Dwarven Vows, a set of laws a person (dwarves usually, he's a special kid, okok?) can live their life honorably by. He has a good idea of how he should live and act, but most of it is all him.
Lloyd doesn’t understand how other people cannot accept others due to their race, in this case, the half-elves, the lowest caste on the social levels in Symphonia, are treated like cattle. When he discovers that his best friend and his childhood professor are half-elves, instead of casting them aside like 90 percent of the world would do, Lloyd turns and says in a way that is clearly him: “Who cares about that?”
“My best friend is my best friend, and my teacher is my teacher. That’s all. “ He says in the manga novels, and while saying he hates the Desians, who are mostly comprised of half-elves, for their suffering, he doesn’t brand other people who are of the same race because of what a certain group of them are doing. Lloyd sees people as they are, and as described by his friends, it’s simple, it’s naïve, and it’s idealistic. When told by the people of Mizuho that he is an idealist, and compared to the legendary hero Mithos, who was a ‘sublime’ idealist, Lloyd says very seriously, “But I’m not Mithos. I’m going to do things my way, with the help of my friends. “ When Mithos explains that the truth of the world is that half-elves are hated by half-elves simply for being who they are, Lloyd immediately replies that it's the fault of people with weak hearts for not looking past their race. Lloyd tells people quite a few times that there is no meaning in sacrifices, or in people simply being born to die, like the Chosen ritual entails. "From the moment they are born, people have the right to live." He fiercely claims, "No life is born for the sole purpose of dying. If you die, that's just running away. " Lloyd's ideals are so powerful, that even his biological father is humbled by it, and he's 4000 years old! Not to mention he is one of the main people who brought about the twisted system of the two worlds. "To think my own son could teach me such an obvious lesson. "
From left to right, Lloyd's ideals and personality change himself, and the world around him. Jaded people like Zelos brought up in a world where no one can be trusted, are even softened by his goofy yet trusting nature. Lloyd trusts, a bit stupidly, a bit too naively. And yet Zelos, who has been betraying the party the entire time in the first and half of the second disc, is florred when Lloyd turns after telling the party they're going to strike Cruxis, their enemy, first, and says very seriously:
"Zelos. I trust you."
He might not even be aware of it, but his words deeply affected him. Zelos admits in the manga that 'am I really being affected by this hot-headed idiot?". And even when it seems like Zelos is betraying the party in plain sight, Lloyd shouts back almost immediately, "You're lying. I still trust you, you hear me? You were the one that told me I could trust you!" He believes deeply in his friends and others, and just like Colette, strives to see the good in people, even the fallen and twisted Mithos. "I keep thinking that if he just repent.."
Lloyd's trust is something that is easily given, just as his faith is, but like anyone, he is deeply, deeply hurt by people who betray him. Kratos, and Zelos, mainly Kratos, is the first person to betray him, which is even more drawn out when he discovers that he is his actual real father! "What am I supposed to believe?" He even blames himself for being betrayed at times, looking back on what he's done. "Maybe we should have watched Zelos more carefully.." "Did I make another mistake?"
He isn't immune to his share of breakdowns, but even against something so painful and sensitive, another of Lloyd's powerful traits is explored:
Lloyd is a forgiving person. As he fights his father to release Origin's seal, (which is in his body! yikes), the same man who betrayed him, who hid things from him, who is also responsible for the twisted system of the worlds, he could have easily ended his life or finished him simply because of his sins. But instead, as his father asks him if he will finish him off, Lloyd says seriously, "I've defeated Kratos, the Angel who betrayed us. And I've forgiven Kratos of the Ancient War, who helped us. That's..all." And just like that Lloyd forgives his father, and once again moves forward towards his goals. To reunite the worlds based on equality, happiness, and a fufilled life.
So in a basic summary, Lloyd is a bit of a clueless idiot who sometimes, when he stops moving around all over the place, notices and see's what's important, something not everyone else can see. He accepts people where they're at, not for what race they are, and not for their past. He's trusting to a fault, and his kindness is his greatest and deepest weakness. He wants to protect everyone he sees, and he realizes that real power doesn't come from himself alone. It comes from his friends, with this in mind, Lloyd's optimism, his purely unselfish nature and ideals are the main factor that ushers in and unites people to fight alongside him. Just like the Dwarven Vows he didn't take so seriously at first:
"Dwarven Vow #1: Let's all work together for the sake of a peaceful world."
What are your plans for the character in-game? To help support his castmates and to help out around the school! Also I imagine he will want to understand the reason why they are fighting Witches, and try and find an alternative. Lloyd always is looking for a way to spare sacrifices or fights that might not need to be fought. Naturally he will be acting like a huge derp!
Anything else?
THREAD SAMPLE HERE: MASSIVE THREAD COUNT HERE
What do you prefer to be known as? Lloyd!
How old are you? 17!
Do you have any history in combat? Yeah, I taught myself how to fight when I was little. Dad made me these two wooden swords and I trained every day afterwards..
If so, have you ever killed? ..Yeah. [he lowers his eyes]
i) How do you feel when you get involved in some project that calls for immediate and rapid activity? I guess I’ll just have to work really fast, huh? Just leave it to me, I’ll get things done no matter how much time we’ve got.
ii) Do you organize and initiate leisure activities?
Sure! One time me and Genis went to the beach and made this huge sand-castle..Colette came too, and we decided to be ocean soldiers! It was so cool! We fought with sticks and-[trails off] Is uh, that what you meant?
iii) What role do you take when working in a group? I never thought about it like that. Everyone’s going along with my ideas right now so..I guess that makes me the leader, huh? Heheh, not bad for me, right?
iv) How talkative are you around other people? I dunno. I don’t like it being quiet, that’s boring!
v) What three things would you want to have with you on a desert island? State your reasoning. Aww..man, that’s seriously tough! Well, I’d like my friends-but I guess until I find them, I’d want lots of chicken! And a swimsuit so I’m not too hot..and water too, --or maybe the Sorcerer’s Ring! I could have it shoot out ice! I’d have water in no time..
vi) Is it important to be liked by a wide range of people? It’d be nice, but you know, I’m happy with the friends I have, they’re seriously way better than everyone liking me.
vii) When the odds are against you, is it worth taking a chance? Always. Just because it looks hard, you can’t give up, ever.
viii) Do you consider yourself to be an impulsive person? Sometimes you don’t have time to think about stuff, you just have to do it!
ix) Would you agree that planning things ahead takes the fun out of life?
Not always. It’s good to be prepared..I’ve learned that while traveling with everyone. But, sometimes I think we should act more on the now instead of worrying so far ahead. Each day at a time, right?
x) Do you like surprises? Hahah, sure! Surprises are fun!
xi) Do you sometimes wonder if there is something wrong with you? ..Why, am I sick or something? I don’t feel sick..
xii) Do you consider yourself to be smarter than your superiors, and disagree with their decisions? I doubt anyone is smarter than Genis or Professor Raine.
xiii) Lastly, how do you feel about cabbages? ..Huh? What does that have to do with anything?