Step Six

Hey everyone, sorry for the LONG in-between on the posting. I had a sudden cause of life, and it was taking me away from my work on the comics. School registering, job, career hunting, rent, bills, you know. The fun grownup stuff you hear so much about.

Anyway, where was I?

Step Six; Particular Staples.

What do I mean by “Particular Staples”? These are things that can be found in any given fictional story, whatever the genre. Not always the case in non-fiction, but sometimes history/science can be stranger then fiction could ever hope to be.
The Usual suspects-
Damsel in Distress:

"I'm a Damsel, I'm in distress. I can handle this"
This is the classic princess in the tower, prisoner of the monster, any Disney girl, and so on. A Pure invention of the Victorian Story teller in their attempt to keep us women down and portray a negative image on the women of the Middle Ages. The truth is woman had more rights in the Middle Ages then in the Renaissances or Victorian Age. Or even in Modern times…
How this fits into your story? Well if you are looking at sticking with the classic formula, the typical D.I.D. would easily be the Hero’s love interest. In my cause this doesn’t exactly work to well, but I will admit I will have some very minor D.I.D.s in individual issues.
The Noble Knight:

"Twit"
Also known in RP circles as “White Knight Syndrome”. This would be the compulsive hero type. The Valiant Noble gentlemen who has to save every D.I.D. on the way to the big bad, kill EVERY bloody Orc, Goblin, or Troll. This can also refer to the guy, or gal, who fells they must save the rest of the group from themselves. Fun fact, medieval knights where the quintessential horse’s arse.
How this fits into your story? The Noble Knight is usually the hero of the story so to speak, or in some comedies, he’s the “Upper Class Twit”- Mel Brooks (On the set of Robin Hood Men in Tights). Personally that’s my favorite version of the White Knight. If you chose to ditch the U.C.T. as hero, he’s always good as a sidekick or background character. Or even as a ‘blind’ villain.
Hook Nose Witch on a Broomstick:

"Way to go Phoebe!"
My least favorite of the villain/female stereotypes, she is the typical fairytale villain (Snow White, Rapunzel, est). This particular stereotype was an invention of the Medieval Catholic Church to demonize woman and pagans alike.
How this fits into your story? Again, classic formula, she’s a villain holding the D.I.D. hostage, and someone for the white knight to kill. That’s a wonderful message! Anyway, another way to play with it, is possibly making her a main character, with a history, smarts, and not always evil. Just some food for thought on that one folks.
The Less then Perfect Sidekick:

"Poor Bucky. Just trying to let Capt Know he's walking into a trap."
The best example I can think of is Sancho Panza from Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. The Uneducated squire who rides a donkey following the handsome, charming, and brilliant Don Quixote around Spain, who is riding a Steed named Rocinante. This is the guy who gets the short end of the stick. ALL THE TIME. Barney Rubble, Judas (you know which one), Jimmy Olsen, Bucky, and Ebony White.
How this fits into your story? Well, again, if you are using the classic formula, this can be the hero’s little brother, or friend who’s terrible with the ladies. In some stories I’ve read, the sidekick turns out to be the real hero, is always a nice twist, but it needs to be done right. In my story, I have a ‘sidekick’ per say, but she doesn’t always get the short stick.
Dumb Bruiser:

"Default! Default!"
The classic dumb barbarian or fight, one of the most over played stereotype of all time. Example: Fighter – 8bit theatre. It seems to be a rule, the bigger the muscles, the smaller the brain. This can be the case when it comes to real life, but not all the time folks. I’ve seen some people, in RPs, play some pretty strong and brilliant fighter and barbarians. Strategists, and planners. They end up not being very good people persons though. Oh well, can’t be good at everything.
How this fits into your story? This is good filler on the team, good or evil. In fact I have one on the bad side. If you like the idea of the smart fighter, that makes for a great baddie, or leader/hero.
Lastly;
Kleptomaniac Rogue:

"You are about to regret this"
The Rogue who can’t resist the shiny gold piece that happens to be the dragon’s favorite, or stealing from the party. Classic example, any new player in D&D, Yuffie FFVII, Catwoman (DC comics), or Halflings (Frakkin’ Kenders!). If this was a blog about D&D I can go on and on and on about how to play a REAL rogue, and be a skill fiend, but this is about comic creation so I can go on and on about making a great thief, and not a shiny addict.
How this fits into your story? Well if you want someone on your team or good side who keeps getting everyone into trouble, this is the person. Would steal the crown right off the king’s head cause it’s shiny. If you want a lock picking, trap setting, strategy genius, this you’ve got a real rogue on your hands. They can also be the occasional help to the hero, or the piece to frakk up the hero’s plan. Either way, the true rogue is always my fave skill fiend.

These are classic examples and ideas for you to work with on your development of characters and stories. Hope this helps.
Next up: Step Seven, The Flow.
Blessed Be.