Character Meme of DOOM - Sterling and Viola
Sterling Alcott
Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
Sterling is about 5’10”, and is what one would call “husky.” He’s no stranger to the middle-age spread, though he carries it well.
2. How old is he?
Sterling, in-game and in story, is about 40 years old.
3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch?
His posture is good, but not perfect.
4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
Sterling is in good health, and is in decent shape. His knee is starting to stiffen up a little, making playing ball with his son a bit of a chore.
5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
He carries himself with ease.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror?
He has strong features that don’t always look like they work well together, and tend to make him look grumpy.
7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
Sterling has skin that always appears sun kissed.
8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style.
He has straight brown hair that he keeps on the short side, but it insists on falling in his eyes.
9. What color are his eyes?
His eyes are light blue.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
No.
11. What are his chief tension centers?
His lower back.
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?
Very classic and on the conservative side. He favors neutral colors.
13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them?
His clothes fit impeccably.
14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences?
He is a lawyer by trade, and his courtroom style tends to carry over into his personal life.
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
Briefs.
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
Sterling’s voice has a soothing quality that makes people want to listen to him. Of his best friends, Sterling’s voice has the highest pitch, but is still very masculine.
2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate?
He speaks in a steady, even tone, and his words flow together like poetry.
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
In his public speaking, he strives to keep his accent as generic as possible. When he’s with Taddy and James, he tends to pick up on their Bostonian accents.
4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency?
He speaks Simlish/English, SimFrench/French, and Latin/SimLatin.
5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
No.
6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words?
Sterling does well whether he is speaking impromptu or from a prepared speech.
7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
He is very eloquent, especially when he’s in court arguing a case.
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart?
Sterling is a hard worker, and that is the main reason everyone perceives him as intelligent. He’s very much a book-smart man, and relies on his friends when he needs to be street-smart.
2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate?
He’s gotten better at thinking on his feet since he’s been a lawyer, but he always feels better about a decision when he’s had the chance to sleep on it.
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
He is very logical and practical in his thought process.
4. What kind of education has the character had?
Sterling has a bachelor’s degree from SimHarvard, and is a graduate of their law school as well.
5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about?
Sterling is an expert negotiator.
6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert?
He’s less of an extrovert than he lets on.
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
Sterling is relatively even-tempered, but he will get fiery when he feels he or someone he loves has been wronged.
8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
He’s cautious.
9. Is he more likely to act, or to react?
Act.
10. Which is his default: fight or flight?
Fight.
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
Sterling very much appreciates puns and intelligent humor, though he’ll laugh at the crude jokes his friends tell.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them?
No.
13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person?
Standing up to his mother and her irrational beliefs about the Bradford family. Standing up to his wife when she was being irrational. The birth of his children. Getting shot at random on the streets of Portsimouth. World War II (stand by for more details).
14. What does he fear?
That his mother’s reformed attitude will go away, and the household will go back to being one at war. That Viola will lose her temper in a big way.
15. What are his hopes or aspirations?
He wants to be able to travel with Viola when he retires, and for his children to grow into happy, productive adults.
16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?
He would hate for Viola to find out that he considered breaking things off with her to keep peace with his mother for the briefest of moments.
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents.
His relationship with his father has always been good, and Sterling idolized him to a degree. His relationship with his mother is a different story. She tried to control him in his childhood, keeping him away from the Bradfords because of her bad experiences with them, and kept him from being friends with James. When Sterling revolted and started dating James’ sister Viola, she became shriller and shriller until she went away for a time. Now that they’re all grownups, their relationship is better, if not perfect. They still walk on eggshells around each other to an extent.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
Sterling is an only child.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand?
No.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them?
His two best friends, James and Taddy. They are the brothers he never had.
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
James and Taddy. They met at Taddy’s house, and have been inseparable ever since.
6. Does he have other close friends?
No.
7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people?
He’s the most guarded of his friends, and does not make friends easily. But once you’re his friend, he’s very loyal.
8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends?
Friends in his younger years; family now.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once?
Married, once.
10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
No.
11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest?
Viola Bradford, the woman he ended up marrying.
12. What does he look for in a romantic partner?
Someone who is an intellectual equal that he can talk with, and who is independent enough not to mind the long hours he spends at work.
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any?
He has two children, a daughter Shirley and a son Howard. He gets along very well with both of them, though he’s dreading Shirley’s teenage years as she’s as independent and stubborn as her mother.
14. Does he have any rivals or enemies?
His mother, Melanie, for a time, but not at present.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale?
Sterling is straight.
16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him?
He likes sex, but he feels it’s not the most important component in a marriage.
17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
Sterling is turn on by brown hair and fitness, and turned off by athletic.
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type?
Sterling is an Aries, and he is far more rational than his sign lets on.
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life?
He goes to church every Sunday and on important holidays, but it’s not very important to him.
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?
Sterling believes very strongly in following the law. He was only willing to break the law when it came to going to a speakeasy with his friends.
4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
He is somewhat indifferent to those with a different moral code, but he does judge them.
5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?
He’s a lawyer, and he believes that the guilty deserve what they get.
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
Sterling is very well off, both from money that’s been in his family for years and the income from his law practice.
2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?
Sterling’s family is very prominent, and that has not changed over the years.
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?
He lives in a grand house with his parents, wife, and children.
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?
Sterling has a weakness for new suits, and books describing exotic locations.
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?
Sterling is a lawyer, and he is very, very good at his job. He loves it, and can’t imagine doing anything else.
6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?
He’s an avid reader, and is doing his best to learn about art so that he can have intelligent conversations about it with his wife.
7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
Sterling enjoys food, perhaps a little too much. He enjoys eating out, and shares his father’s passion for collecting and drinking well-aged Scotch.
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:
1. Color? Brown
2. Smell? Shoe polish
3. Time of day? Morning
4. Season? Spring
5. Book? Dictionary
6. Music? Jazz
7. Place? Courtroom
8. Substance? Paper
9. Plant? Cedar tree
10. Animal? Owl
END
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Viola Bradford Alcott
Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is she heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
Viola is 5’6” tall, and has a boyish figure - she has very few curves.
2. How old is she?
At this point in-game and in story, she is about 38 years old.
3. Describe her posture. Does she carry herself well or does she slouch?
She’s on her feet painting a lot, so she does her best to stand up straight so that her back doesn’t bother her at the end of the day.
4. How is her health? Is she fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
Her health is pretty good, though her eyesight is starting to give her a bit of trouble. She knows she should get fitted for glasses, but she’s not ready to admit that she’s getting older just yet.
5. How does she move? Is she clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
Viola moves with a purpose, and heaven help you if you stand in her way.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does she perceive herself in the mirror?
Viola doesn’t see herself as beautiful, especially not next to Calla. But her face is striking, and no one who’s ever seen her has ever forgotten her.
7. Describe her complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
Her complexion is light, with a healthy glow about her from hours spent outside painting.
8. Describe her hair: color, texture, style.
Her brown hair has always been wavy, and she wears it in a stylish bob.
9. What color are her eyes?
Her eyes are dark blue.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
Her smile will light up a room.
11. What are her chief tension centers?
Her back and shoulders, from standing at an easel.
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?
Viola favors bright, vivid colors. She likes to stand out in a crowd.
13. Do her clothes fit well? Does she seem comfortable in them?
Her clothes do not fit well off the rack, as most of them are cut for ladies with more voluptuous figures. However, with a few alterations, she finds they fit her quite well.
14. Does she dress the same on the job as she does in her free time? If not, what are the differences?
Viola does not work, per say. She paints for her income, and she does wear older clothes then so that she doesn’t spoil her good ones with paint.
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
She wears a girdle, in an attempt to give her a more curvaceous figure.
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
High, bordering on shrill. It crosses into shrill when she’s upset.
2. How does she normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does she talk easily, or does she hesitate?
Viola speaks evenly and easily, but she always seems likes she’s hesitating because she thinks about what she’s going to say carefully. Most of the time.
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
She does not have a distinct accent. If you listen very carefully, you’ll pick up a hint of a Bostonian accent, but it’s just a hint.
4. What language/s does she speak, and with how much fluency?
She speaks Simlish/English, and is fluent in SimFrench/French. She can also speak a bit of Simtalian/Italian, mostly from her art history studies.
5. Does she switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
No, she sticks to Simlish/English.
6. Is she a good impromptu speaker, or does she have to think about her words?
She tends to speak rashly, so it’s better for everyone concerned when she takes a moment or two to think about what’s she’s going to say.
7. Is she eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
The only time she’s inarticulate is when she’s emotional. Then she can barely string a sentence together.
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is she book-smart or street-smart?
She is clever, but not overly smart. Her street-smarts are nearly non-existent.
2. Does she think on her feet, or does she need time to deliberate?
She can think on her feet unless she’s in a fit of temper.
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is she more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
She’s slightly intuitive, but she doesn’t always follow her instincts. When she’s decided she’s right about something, that’s it and she doesn’t budge.
4. What kind of education has the character had?
Viola has a college degree in art.
5. What are her areas of expertise? What, if anything, is she interested in learning more about?
Art. Classic, modern, you name it. She’s pretty much a one-trick pony, but she’s very knowledgeable in that one area.
6. Is she an introvert or an extrovert?
Somewhere in between, leaning towards introvert.
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is she even-tempered or does she have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
Viola has a temper, and she holds grudges. She’s learned to control it better over the years, but when someone close to her is hurt, her temper comes out with a vengeance.
8. How does she respond to new people or situations? Is she suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
If she’s got a friend with her, she’ll be more relaxed than she would be if she were alone. If she’s alone, she’ll wait for someone to approach her.
9. Is she more likely to act, or to react?
React.
10. Which is her default: fight or flight?
Fight if she can win; flight if she can’t.
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does she appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
Viola likes to pretend she’s above crude humor, but she’s not. She loves a dirty joke.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does she deal with them?
She suffers from extreme mood swings, but it’s not a specific diagnosed condition.
13. What moments in this character's life have defined her as a person?
Her grandmother’s nitpicking. Hearing Melanie Alcott call her a hussy. Getting married to Sterling. The birth of her children. Her husband getting shot. World War II, and all that will mean for her and her family.
14. What does she fear?
Something bad happening to someone she loves.
15. What are her hopes or aspirations?
To travel the world and see all the great works of art she’s studied in person. To see her daughter grow up to be a lady, and her son a strong man.
16. What is something she doesn't want anyone to find out about her?
That someone laughed at one of her paintings in a student art show, and it nearly made her drop out of college.
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with her parents.
Mostly, it’s good. Her mother is her ally, and her father is her protector.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
Viola is the middle of two. In her youth, she was closer to her older brother James, until she started dating one of his best friends and didn’t tell him right away. Now she’s closer to her younger brother Cyrus. She and James got into a huge fight (mostly on Viola’s side) over who was to blame when Sterling got shot.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom she is close? Are there ones she can't stand?
No.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom she considers part of her family? What are her relationships with them?
No.
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
Calla Menon Seiff, though Viola really doesn’t understand Calla very well.
6. Does she have other close friends?
No.
7. Does she make friends easily, or does she have trouble getting along with people?
She doesn’t make friends easily, but she gets along well with most people.
8. Which does she consider more important: family or friends?
Family.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has she been married more than once?
Married, only once, to Sterling Alcott.
10. Is she currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
No.
11. Who was her first crush? Who is her latest?
Sterling.
12. What does she look for in a romantic partner?
Someone who’s passionate, and who can put up with her pigheaded nature.
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does she relate to them? If no, does she want any?
She has two children; a daughter Shirley and a son Howard. She gets along quite well with both of them, though she wishes her daughter would act a bit more like a girl from time to time and wasn’t such a tomboy.
14. Does she have any rivals or enemies?
James, for a time, but no one now.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does she fall on the Kinsey scale?
Viola’s straight, but if she lived in a more modern time she’d probably experiment a bit, if for no other reason than the experience.
16. How does she feel about sex? How important is it to her?
She likes it, and considering her temper it’s often of the make-up variety.
17. What are her turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
She is turned on by black hair and logical people, and turned off by jewelry.
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does she fit type?
Viola is a Libra. She definitely does not have the balance thing, but the expressive thing? Yeah, she’s got that.
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in her life?
Like most of my characters, she goes to church weekly, though it doesn’t feature in the story. She prays during times of strife, but I wouldn’t describe her as religious or spiritual.
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?
She believes in doing the right thing. But believing and doing are often two different things.
4. How does she regard beliefs that differ from hers? Is she tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
She’s pretty tolerant.
5. What prejudices does she hold? Are they irrational or does she have a good reason for them?
Viola thinks that her opinion is the only one, far too often. As she was the only girl, she often got spoiled and that has affected her in her adulthood.
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is she rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
Until the Depression hit, Viola made a passable amount of money selling her artwork. Luckily, her husband is rich, and her father gifted her a nice sum as a dowry of sorts when she got married.
2. What is her social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected her?
Viola’s the wife of one of the finest lawyers around, and her lineage is nothing to scoff at.
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?
She lives in a large house with her in-laws, husband, and family.
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does she spend her money on?
Art supplies - canvas, paints, brushes. And art books. And trips to the art museum.
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?
Viola does not work, per say, but she does sell her paintings. She loves it, and her art is very nice.
6. What are her interests or hobbies? How does she spend her free time?
Art. Art. And more art. She’s trying to get one of her children interested in it, but so far they’re not having it.
7. What are her eating habits? Does she skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
Viola would probably miss many meals if there weren’t set meal times in the household - when she’s wrapped up in a painting, she loses all sense of time. She loves red wine.
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is her favorite:
1. Color? Purple
2. Smell? Oil paints
3. Time of day? Morning
4. Season? Spring
5. Book? Anything about art history
6. Music? Jazz
7. Place? Museum
8. Substance? Paint
9. Plant? Violet
10. Animal? Cat
END
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