Viola Futynyu

DAY 5 - Prompt: Fur

During Spookoctober, I will create a character sheet for twenty one dark Fae of the Court of Dew and Dusk, the main protgagonists in a new novel filled with humour, mystery and courtly shenannigans.

If Terry Pratchett had written 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' ... well, I am likely not going to be as witty as Terry, but it should be fun!

Backstory

Early life

Viola was born into a faun family 400 hundred years ago. Fauns are not as long-lived as faes but can be alive after millennia—as such; Viola is still considered young for her species.

She was born in the village of  Randolfine , as rustic and charming a fae settlement as can exist in the Overworld. Randofline is situated within the dark redwoods of the Gorsang, which is part of the Ducal lands of the Lord of the Moonlit Skies.

No one can remember the Lord's first name; he has not been seen in millennia. This means that the lands in this nook of the Overworld are pretty much left to self-governance. It makes the Gorsang and the rest of the Ducal lands a relatively safe place for the more independent-minded creatures of the Dark Courts, as well as an excellent place to banish the out-of-favour nobles.

 Viola's family is a quiet, law-abiding tradesfolk. The Futynyu are strong magically—something they always try to downplay to avoid drawing attention to themselves. Their magic is transformative, a mighty and rare power in the Dark courts. 

Viola's father, Magol Futynyu , attributes the family's strength to their ancestors, who seem to have come and settled in the Overworld from the lands of the Light Court a few millennia ago. 

Viola's mother, Daisy Futynyu, has given birth to quite a family over the years. Viola has nine other siblings - Viola being number 5. Eight of her siblings are sisters: Marguerite, Ivy, Dalia, Mimosa, Heather, Poppy, Lily, and Marigold.  Her only brother is the youngest of her siblings, and his name is Cornelius. Cornelius was born when Viola was already away from her family home 20 years ago. 

Youth/Education

Magol is a clothier and tailor, and Viola follows in his footsteps. She also inherited her mother's knack for potions, and she is a passably good healer. However, she never was that interested in the healing arts.

She spent her first two centuries learning her trade and became well-known in Randolfine for her delicate and refined designs, so much so that the local faes started to give her work.

Soon, she found herself in the exclusive employ of one of the banished Lady of the Dark Court, who had settled down in a small but beautiful dark castle on the edge of the town. Gavrielle, Lady of the Twilight's Whispers, was a terrible person to work for. As with most dark fae, she was capricious, exacting, and totally unpredictable.

Gavrielle was particularly furious about her fate and took it on everyone around her as a general rule. Viola became increasingly worried for her family and was desperate to be let off her contract and find employment somewhere else.

As it happened, this was when a young Failin, Prince of Mists, was residing in his great uncle's tower. Failin was very fond of his Magick tutor, an ancient distant relative named Fariel Devalour. The old fae had stopped counting the centuries when Failin was sent to his mage-like tower to study and learn, only aged 50.

Away from the rigour of the court, Failin enjoyed his time in the tower and surrounding forests immensely. He spent 150 years there. When he returned from the material plane, he struck up a friendship with Viola.

Fariel had many unorthodox ways—one of them was being friends with many lesser faes in the village. He was a very good friend of Viola's father, who often visited him in his tower. Fariel was fascinated by Magol's magical talents, and both spent an inordinate amount of time doing experiments in Magol's laboratory, endeavours which were not lost on the young Failin.

 In the meantime, Failin and Viola became very close friends. Failin, aware of how his friend was unhappy being in Lady Gavrielle's service, managed to get Viola off Gavrielle's contract with the help of his uncle and his wiles. When Failin was summoned back to court, Viola decided to accompany him. Not only did she want to put some space between Lady Gavrielle and herself, but she also wanted to support Failin in what was going to be a bumpy ride. 

Mid Life and Present

Viola is officially in the service of the Shadestorm House and makes up her patron's clothes and other accessories. She is also responsible for Shadestorm Keep's decor and upkeep.

However, she has been asked several times to moonlight by other nobles of the court, and Failin has given her free rein to lend her services (against huge rewards) to other noble houses. 

Viola is a stable influence on Failin, and their bonds are strong - is there more than friendship between them? Maybe not. Viola knows that, as a faun, it is not socially acceptable to be with a fae. Viola is also a mother figure to Ealann Shadestorm, Failin's younger sister.

To make Viola not boring, be careful that she has failings and faults.Viola can get angry quite easily and will put herself in danger for Failin, which can lead to Failin having to save her from herself at times.

Personality

1 Heart

How does it show?

What lies?

How do others see him?

2 Intellect

How does it show?

What lies?

How do others see him?

3 Habits and Abilities

How does it show?

What lies?

How do others see him?

4 Morals, Beliefs and Ethics

How does it show?

What lies?

How do others see him?

5 Social

How does it show?

What lies?

How do others see him?

INTERVIEW (Sara Cannon)

Talent/Abilities

Good at (knack/special talent) / Bad at (embarrassment) /Skills rely on /Secret talents (shared?)

Interests

Loves/dislikes/Obsessed by/Pet peeves/Interests/hobbies/Hobbies would like/Alone why? Stress outlet/Find boring/entertaining/Creative side

Moral and Ethics

Black and White?/Champion causes issues?/Reactions when beliefs challenged?/Influencers?/Hidden moral beliefs no matter what

Relationships

Who closest to?/Make the first move?/Current relationship lacking?/Vulnerable with?/Show sensitive side to?
Who they avoid, why?/What type turn them off?/Person from their past? (upset/happy)

Secrets

Biggest secrets?/Fear of discovery?/Why secret important?/Think about it often? (Humiliating?)
Secrets they know (Secretkeeper)/Are they trusted? Found out? Confided?

Fears

Quirky/Surprising fear(s)/Cause embarrassment?/Irrational fears?/Trying to overcome it?/Past events caused fear?
Deeper fears (not want to admit)/How affected by fears?/How do they hide fears? (fake/pretend/personna)

Wounds

What caused deeper fears?/Sent life on a new path?/Who/what did they discard from their past?/What was lost/joy given up?
Is the character flawed by it? (feel unworthy?)/How wounds can be introduced in present story?/How can they face similar wound/situation again? (so they can overcome it)

Character Arc Questions

1 Plot: What does the character want to achieve?

Arc: What must be resolved by growth, change of mindset shift?

2 Plot: Why do they want to achieve the plot goal?

Arc: What do they need to make that internal change?

3 Plot: What is blocking them from achieving the goal?

Arc: What is blocking them from internal change?

4 Plot: What's at stake if they fail to achieve their goal?

Arc: What's at stake if they don't change?

Arc/Embryo

1 YOU

2 NEED

3 GO

4 SEARCH

5 FIND

6 TAKE

7 RETURN

8 CHANGE