Character Survey
Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
He might have the face of a cute kid, but he's tall. I remember there were character notes but he was something around 6'0"? Also he has a relatively thin frame, but he has HUGE arms so no doubt, he has a built body. He isn't a muscleman, but he is definitely not a stick.
Example
So he's definitely solid and I like to think that although his body looks like it's sort of an hourglass figure (or one that goes straight down at least), he actually has broad shoulders under the clothing because his upper half is more distinct than his lower.
2. How old is he?
24.
3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch?
He stands up completely straight for the most part. He likes to be at a good position to fight when the occassion arises. It's a good posture that can change into any sort at any given moment and for a person like hime, he needs to do that. He likes sitting rigid but relaxed as well. It's better balance, and I like to think he concentrates better because of it.
4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
He's very calm if anything. There's no reluctance in his movements so it's very unlikely for him to make a mistake. He's the type that would be able to move his way through a crowd with the least discomfort and awkwardness.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror?
He's not a bad looking man! Possibly second to Machi (maybe hisoka if you're that kind of person) in terms of looks. He's a bishonen type! Cute, boyish face and always smiling. He recognizes this, too. It helps not to have a scary face when he wants to get closer to someone.
7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
Light, probably smooth. May or may not have leg hair. :| I haven't decided it yet though I am leaning towards a light amount.
8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style.
Stringy but soft enough. It's a dirty blonde with a tint of orange.
9. What color are his eyes?
An emerald green.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
Nothing in particular. Manly hands? For his type of character, just his bodysize is noteworthy enough.
11. What are his chief tension centers?
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit?
13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them?
14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences?
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he 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 he speak, and with how much fluency?
5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words?
7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart?
Both. It isn't because he's magical and gary-stu like, but he's seriously both. The book-smart side of him is because his IQ is waaaay up there. He can rattle off facts about soil and bugs like a walking encyclopedia. Any sort of data or information that he stumbles upon, he absorbs right then and there and it's available. He's definitely an intellectual.
However, just because he's booksmart doesn't mean he doesn't know how to work the streets. In fact, there's a good chance he also had to live on these streets while growing up just like most of the Ryodan. That's also the thing. He's a part of the Ryodan. They HAVE to know how to work the underground laws and adapt to any way possible and Shal's got the skill for that (thanks to the added booksmarts).
If I had to pick one, I'd say he's more booksmart than streetsmart but he definitely has a lot of both.
2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate?
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
4. What kind of education has the character had?
Self-taught is my best guess. It seems like he learned most of his knowledge on his own, searching through hunter websites and the like. It's also a lot of information to swallow in such a short amount of time, and he seems to be the type that enjoys finding that kind of info on his own, not through teachers.
5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about?
6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert?
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
9. Is he more likely to act, or to react?
10. Which is his default: fight or flight?
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them?
13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person?
14. What does he fear?
15. What are his hopes or aspirations?
16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents.
There is none. Nothing in the manga has given any sign that he had a family at all. However, it's likely that if he did, they had given him up long ago. There are possibly two directions that I like to go with. The first one is more headcanon if anything. With his genius, his parents would have been able to sell Shal to a mafia family or sort for a great sum of money. The second option is that he was abandoned as a kid.
From the personality he has, he seems to have already come to terms with this. He's not unhappy whatsoever. In fact, he's always cheerful! However, he's very disconnected from any sort of "emotion". It was like he was raised using his brain so he's very much like a robot in that sense. I figure a lack of any strong parental figure has done that to him.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
Again, no family. I'd like to think he might have siblings somewhere that isn't as smart as him. They could go on living normal, but he could not. He makes no contact with them however. Even if he had them or knew their whereabouts, he could seriously care less. They're normal people. So what? What's to be jealous about? Revenge? Nah. He's not angry at them. He's glad to be where he is! So those are his feelings towards any siblings he may or may not have.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand?
None. I expected that if he wasn't an orphan, his family resented him. He would correct everything the family had said and would prove it right off the bat. And he was a little kid! What the heck. So any feelings would probably have been disapproving ones that he wouldn't have been able to understand. Thus, again, he doesn't really care.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them?
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
6. Does he have other close friends?
7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people?
8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends?
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once?
10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest?
12. What does he look for in a romantic partner?
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any?
14. Does he have any rivals or enemies?
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale?
16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him?
17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type?
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his 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 he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?
3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?
5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else?
6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?
7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:
1. Color?
Associate: Green. A bright one. He's peppy but yellow is too bright. Green is more of a neutral shade, but
Favorie: I feel like he'd like a light blue. A good color to work against?
2. Smell?
Associate:
Favorie:
3. Time of day?
Associate: I associate him with the mornings. Around 8-10am?
Favorie: Afternoons! 2-4pmish.
4. Season?
Associate: Spring.
Favorie: Summer.
5. Book?
Associate:
Favorie:
6. Music?
Associate:
Favorie:
7. Place?
Associate:
Favorie:
8. Substance?
Associate:
Favorie:
9. Plant?
Associate:
Favorie:
10. Animal?
Associate:
Favorie:
END
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