basts_tail

The nature of writing a character and what makes them think has been wandering around my head. Recently I wrote my secondary Mage, Ariel, and have been playing her online, in various scenes. Part of the benefit of doing so is that I get to see how she fits, what her strengths and weaknesses are, what she likes, does not like, what her morality is like.

I did not write this character with a goal in mind beyond wanting to play a pc that is very social, confident, dominant. This got me thinking though.

What make a person like that? What experiences will make them emotionally strong that they have the will not to flinch at having a man who is insane remove a gun from his pocket after saying he has no reason not to kill her. She held her ground, partly becuase she knew it was a test.

I have no clue what makes someone dominant. A top, if you like. Strong enough to stand their ground. Its not something I associate at all. That is not to say I don't think I can do it, because I know I can, I just don't know what would make this character do it.

So... questions I am trying to answer.....
What are her strengths.
What are her weaknesses.
What are her morals.
How does she deal with people she does not like/trust, but is still attracted to, perhaps even because of that? Her vice is linked to this. Sex and violence go hand in hand.
She is small, and this means she can be physically intimidated, but its not easy, because her resolve is good.
How did she get this strong? What events in her past have made her this way.

Ideas and suggestions are welcome.