Parasol's Development Thread

Previously || Day I

Background In General
So before I begin developing Parasol I think it's important I track and record where he has been in the past. What his previous archetypes were and what he used to look like. If I can do this, I know what not to go back to. It also feels good to see how far he has developed.

Parasol was an adopted pictogram from Scythe back in 2009 or 2010. He was created in fall (Northern hemisphere) of 2008. His pictogram name is Parasol, so I never really thought of a name for him. Originally, Parasol was going to be a female. His set was going to be the crying mask, possibly noh stubs or gazelle antlers and the noh pelt or a deer one. He was going to be a sort of geisha or some delicate character. I think this is possible because of the pictogram name. Because of that, when I often play Parasol I keep thinking back to his prior incarnation. After that, I never bothered to play him.

At one point I planned that Parasol was a son to Ravenflight. This was back when Ravenflights story involved a human prior-life. However, I never ended up running with either idea. I think Parasols first significant development began when I met Misako.Which was 09...or 10. I WILL NEED TO CLEAR THIS ALL UP. A long time a go. She began talking about one of her deer Chism, and how she was "mysterious". At one point I put Parasol in game and had them both run around. I had no idea of Chisms true character and imagined a coy, mysterious and scared deer. Very wrong. I then decided to run with that and develop Parasol in a similar manner. In conversation we mentioned a little secret hideout for the mysterious deer club (All in humour). So, I can safely say that one of Parasols true catalysts in both development and relationships was in fact Chism. I feel that he would not be around if We had never talked about it. As such, I feel that I created him purely because of Chism, and tried to suit her characteristics, which was probably a very bad idea. Never create a character to suit another. However, I don't look on it grudgingly, as he would have never developed otherwise.

I have noticed that of all my characters, he is very weak. Like a badly mixed cordial. Whenever I have him in game, I am never quite sure how to have him re-act or interact. I find myself worrying about the two factions of Mary Sue Kind and Mary Sue Evil. I would always find myself in flux of the two because I was not sure of what he was. I think I had an idea of what I wanted him to be, but whenever he hung around chis I would try and push him towards the "evil" because I felt that was stronger. Very wrong idea to have, especially considering some of the characters I have seen as of late. HAAAA.
I think his personality and demeanour will play a strong part in development, if I can nail that, I think I will be getting somewhere. For me it will be important to develop him as he is, and not for others.

History Rough

Parasols history has changed a few times, but overall, it has always carried a dominant theme within it. At this point I am not sure ifI will still be keeping it, as his character is rather transparent, his history doesn't hinge on anything.

Originally, Parasol was born to a lovely doe. The father was kind for some time, but was subject to PTSD. When the mother gave birth, the father was enraged that his son did not look like him, and the mother was accused of having the child with another stag. Father kills doe then goes after the illegitimate child. Parasol always on the run. Parasol grows up, stronger. Father grows older. Weaker. Parasol finally confronts father and kills him. Steals his mask and off he trots to the endless forest. All is well with the world.

Of course, I developed this story when I was 14ish. Whilst it has a beginning an end, a complication and a springboard into his current life; its boring. Plain. its been done. And quite frankly, it does not engage.

I have always had the concept that Parasols mask played an important role in his background. It was a relic of things past. Through this and my studying of ancient history at the time, I began to develop a second storyline. During high school, I was studying Spartan society, and devoid all "THIS IS SPARTA" overused one liners, I decided to have this culture influence Parasols history. I weaved small facts into it so, if worst came to worst in the exam, I would remember parasols history. To a rousing success, parasols history seemed engaging for me. Again following the dickhead father kind mother archetypes, I decided to delve from them further. Parasols Father was a leader, more importantly he was part of the dual kingship. Spartan society was not lead by one ruler, but two. This allowed one to run off to war, and the other to manage things back home.

Parasols father was the more militaristic of the pair, whilst his best friend/leader excelled within political issues. Parasols mother was named Athena. Parasols Father is called Demaratus whilst His fathers friend is called Naxos. Im going to try and summarise it from here because I don't need to babble on. Demaratus wanted a son, so naturally, when he came home from war one day, things were done. But nothing happened. So he went off to war again. Came back. Things were done. Nothing happened. This occurred a lot, and he was beginning to get frustrated. Accusing Athena of being Barren. So naturally, he would knock her around a little. Athena was not a fan of that. Whilst Demaratus was off fighting and conquesting, she would often visit Naxos to relay her troubles and fear. Then things happened with that pair. And things indeed happen. She fell pregnant to Naxos. So when Demaratus came home again and did things, and when Athena finally became pregnant; he was satisfied. And all was well until the birth. Athena called her son Alcaeus, meaning strength. She wanted this name for Parasol as he needed all the strength in the world to confront his father. When Demaratus finally came across Alcaeus, he realised the uncanny resemblance to Naxos. Which lead to confrontations.

Bu this point, his story branches out into two possible scenarios. Parasol runs off when he is able (Athena would have birthed him away, hiding him far from the herd and tending to him frequently. Or leaving him in a midwifes care maybe?), leaving behind athena and the herd. He grows up and comes back to challenge Demaratus. The other possible scenario is much like the previous one. Of a chasing >growing up/old outcome.

I do like my spartan ideas to his history, and I would like to run with them. I feel however, whilst his history surrounds him, it doesn't actually surround him. He is born into it and gone before he gets a chance to learn it. I think what I have here is a good shell for further development of his history. I want to include the agoge;

"was the rigorous education and training regimen mandated for all male Spartan citizens, except for the firstborn son in the ruling houses, Eurypontid and Agiad. The training involved learning stealth, cultivating loyalty to one's group, military training (e.g. pain tolerance), hunting, dancing, singing, and social preparation...The aim of the system was to produce physically and morally strong males to serve in the Spartan army."

I would like to explore the younger parasol through the agoge. Perhaps his mother conceals his blue fur with mud and dirt each day? I think through the agoge it allows to introduce the importance of masks to the herd; the masks being a reward on passing the test and becoming a member of the army (which was a decorated and important role within the herd.)

Im going to put this here too, from his older development blog I made.

Herd structure.
King and Advisor. Under the herd were several patrols each guided by a general . To be a general a deer had to serve in the Main army for a maximum of two years.

Patrols would scout the lands, watching for intruders, making sure no enemy would impregnate their territory.

Dual Leaders(?) similar to Ancient Spartan society. Demaratus was King and Naxos was Advisor. Deer were not monogamous. Had harems, although each member in the patrol as well as the two kings could choose a favourite doe. Deer that served in the army (normal citizens) could only have one doe.

Athena, Demaratus's mate would bear the heir to the throne.
Naxos is Demaratus's best friend. Advisor (Was not leader, but the Kings most trusted friend. High military rank. Could command Patrols)
Demaratus Overrules Naxos Jurisidction over Patrols if he wants to. Commans army and citizens what to do.

So let us begin. I am not entirely sure I still want to run with the Spartan theme. More importantly, with the way I have my herd structure set out. As Misako pointed out to me, why would Parasols father get pissed off at his mother if he could go and have a kid with someone else? I did have planned that It was not Athena that could not conceive; it was actually the father who was shooting blanks. But I do not feel as if it really adds to the character in any way, as this is all things that occur before him, and only affect him in a small way.

However, I still find the Spartan theme engaging, so for today, I am going to run with it. What is said in the following is basically spartan society in deer clothing. When a fawn is born, first they are checked for gender and strength/potential. This is carried out by a band of elder stags. If the male fawns were not deemed strong enough they were left outside of herd protection to perish. Those that passed were taken to another area(?) where they would be slowly trained up into stags (Called the agoge). There they would learn combat and survival skills. During this time the fawns live away from home, and do not see their mothers and parents until the training has finished.
However, when I think about this:

• Would the segmenting of genders prompt issues with sexuality/interaction with another gender?

I feel this could possibly affect Parasol if he was to participate in the agoge; would his confidence with the female gender be damaged? Could Parasol develop a sense of homosexuality? (Which could raise arguments of born/developed sexuality) I can't really answer this in confidence as I have never grown up in such shoes, but it is a possible card that could come into play.

Ultimately in the passing of the agoge, the young stags are granted full citizenship. They also automatically become members of the army and are given masks which hold great prestige. Very similar to a spartan spear or shield. They are a uniform, identity and reward.

From there, a spartan would be given a Kleros, a parcel of land where they can farm and live from. Could the equivalent of that be a harem? I am not entirely sure I am fond with this idea.

Essentially, I have a few paths I could follow.
• Parasol could be seen inadequate at birth and be left to perish.
• Parasol could fail the agoge.
• Parasol could pass the agaoge.

The more I explore this the more unsure I am.
Sleep time. More though on it later.