Character Survey • [ work in progress ]
Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is she heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
Her build is slight and petite. She's about 5'7", though it's hard to tell considering her slender frame.
2. How old is she?
canon: Born in 2239, joined Starfleet at 16, she's 19 in 2258.
academy / what if!verse / elegycity: Born 2237, joined Starfleet at 18, 21 in 2258.
3. Describe her posture. Does she carry herself well or does she slouch?
She holds herself with impeccable posture usually, though she's been known to slouch at times. Especially when she's sitting.
4. How is her health? Is she fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
She's fairly fit, and runs primarily to stay in shape.
5. How does she move? Is she clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
A dancer classically trained dancer, Uhura moves gracefully. Seldom is she clumsy.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does she perceive herself in the mirror?
Uhura's her own worst critic, but she is aware she cleans up nicely from time to time. She's not by any means curvy or voluptuous like some girls and she dresses modestly and wears little makeup. If asked she'd say looks aren't important to her, but she does take the time to wear cute earrings and properly line her eyes before she leaves her quarters every day.
7. Describe her complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
Uhura has a even, clear, chocolate complexion.
8. Describe her hair: color, texture, style.
Her hair is deep chestnut with a naturally curly texture. She straightens it normally and parts her bangs down the middle, pinning them to either side. On duty she wears a high ponytail.
9. What color are her eyes?
Dark brown
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
She has very nice legs, or so she's been told.
11. What are her chief tension centers?
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does she have six of the same suit?
13. Do her clothes fit well? Does she seem comfortable in them?
14. Does she dress the same on the job as she does in her free time? If not, what are the differences?
While on duty she's required to wear a red uniform. She avoids red altogether in her civilian clothes because of it, though she still often finds herself wearing skirts and boots.
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
I'm sure we all know the answer to this question for her.
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
2. How does she normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does she talk easily, or does she hesitate?
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
4. What language/s does she speak, and with how much fluency?
She's fluent in 83% of the Federation languages, including Klingon, Romulan (all 3 dialects!), English and Swahili.
5. Does she switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
Sometimes when cursing she'll change languages, Klingon being her favorite. Her first language was a form of Bantu Swahili and is the language she reverts back to in thoughts and when frustrated.
6. Is she a good impromptu speaker, or does she have to think about her words?
It depends on the situation, though Uhura always takes time and care in the words she selects. Sometimes she'll pause and consider how to word things.
7. Is she eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
Normally she is eloquent. Not much changes this unless she's taken off guard or speaking in a language she's not used to communicating in.
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is she book-smart or street-smart?
Like most members of Starfleet officers she's very intelligent. While very book-smart on most subjects, her job in communications requires her to be a bit street smart as well.
2. Does she think on her feet, or does she need time to deliberate?
If the situation is in her area of expertise she can make snap decisions easily. Outside of that she takes much longer when considering the options.
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is she more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
Uhura forces herself to think things through logically, but it's her instincts that shine through naturally. Practicality is present in everything she says/does.
4. What kind of education has the character had?
Elementary and middle school, preparatory school and Starfleet Academy
5. What are her areas of expertise? What, if anything, is she interested in learning more about?
Xenolinguistics, communications and mathematics. She's always expanding her knowledge on languages.
6. Is she an introvert or an extrovert?
Introvert
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is she even-tempered or does she have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
8. How does she respond to new people or situations? Is she suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
9. Is she more likely to act, or to react?
React
10. Which is her default: fight or flight?
Fight
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does she appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does she deal with them?
13. What moments in this character's life have defined her as a person?
14. What does she fear?
Not being in control, not being the best at what she does and risking others because of it.
15. What are her hopes or aspirations?
16. What is something she doesn't want anyone to find out about her?
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with her parents.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom she is close? Are there ones she can't stand?
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom she considers part of her family? What are her relationships with them?
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
Gaila and Uhura were roommates back at the academy.
6. Does she have other close friends?
7. Does she make friends easily, or does she have trouble getting along with people?
8. Which does she consider more important: family or friends?
She's far away from her family and somewhat estranged since her fathers death, so her friends are the most important thing to her.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has she been married more than once?
Uhura is in a relationship with Spock.
10. Is she currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
Yes.
11. Who was her first crush? Who is her latest?
The last guy she showed and interest in was Spock.
12. What does she look for in a romantic partner?
Intelligence, ambition, drive.
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does she relate to them? If no, does she want any?
With her wanting a career at Starfleet, having children isn't in her plan.
14. Does she have any rivals or enemies?
Her and Kirk might have been considered a rivalry of sorts at the academy.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does she fall on the Kinsey scale?
She's heterosexual and a 1 on the Kinsey scale.
16. How does she feel about sex? How important is it to her?
17. What are her turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does she fit type?
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in her life?
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?
4. How does she regard beliefs that differ from hers? Is she tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
5. What prejudices does she hold? Are they irrational or does she have a good reason for them?
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is she rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
2. What is her social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected her?
3. Where does she live? House, apartment, trailer? Is her home her castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does she share it with others?
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does she spend her money on?
5. What does she do for a living? Is she good at it? Does she enjoy it, or would she rather be doing something else?
6. What are her interests or hobbies? How does she spend her free time?
7. What are her eating habits? Does she skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
Added: Trek Exclusive [ from aeruginous ]
1. WHAT IS HER OCCUPATION AND RANK? WHY DID SHE CHOOSE THEM?
2. HAS SHE DONE MUCH INTERGALACTIC TRAVEL? WHAT PLANETS HAS SHE SET FOOT ON? DOES SHE HAVE A FAVOURITE?
3. WHAT IS HER AFFILIATION (FEDERATION, KLINGON EMPIRE, NEUTRAL, ETC)? DID SHE CHOOSE IT OR WAS IT CHOSEN FOR HER?
4. IS SHE A RACE OTHER THAN HUMAN - OR, IF SHE IS HUMAN, WAS SHE BORN SOMEPLACE OTHER THAN EARTH? HOW DOES SHE FEEL LIVING AMONG EARTH-BORN HUMANS IF THIS IS THE CASE?
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is her favorite:
1. Color? Blue (Once it was red, but Starfleet changed that.)
2. Smell?
3. Time of day?
4. Season? Summer
5. Book?
6. Music?
7. Place? Space
8. Substance?
9. Plant? Antarian Moon Blossom
10. Animal?
END
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