Competition: CDW: Introspection

Finished
CDW: Introspection

Character Development Workshop : Introspection

We’ve all had a chance to take our characters into combat, to take them through a mission or a key event in their lives where they were forced to make a key decision. One doesn’t always have the time to think it through when confronted with such quandaries. That is when their instincts and very nature come into play.

Introspection is a key aspect of being sentient; that ability to look inwards and consider our past actions, our past decisions, to try and understand their implications and consequences, and in turn come to know ourselves. That is how we evolve and mature. Sometimes, we’ll grasp what led us to act in a certain way quickly. Other times, we’ll never reach a conclusion. Yet, for all the good it can do this healthy practice of self-reflection, examination and exploration can become dangerous when it feeds self-doubt and negativity.

These moments often happen during our down time, when we’re off-duty, on vacation, having a drink, in the shower or even in meditation. It can happen on the shuttle on the way home. It can happen while watching a good ol’ holo-vid.

Write a story that depicts a moment of introspection in one of your character’s (Main, Alt or NPC) lives. Your options are wide-open. It can be a simple scene over a drink, or a series of scenes leading into your moment of introspection.

The purpose of this exercise is to explore your character’s personality and get acquainted with their inner voice. The best way to hook a reader is to get them to care for your character, to root for them, and an excellent way to achieve this is to expose them to your character’s inner dialogue, their emotions, even their doubts.

Rules

  • Entries must be a minimum of 500 words with no maximum.
  • Main character, alt or npc allowed. (No snapshots required.)
  • Entries must be submitted in .pdf, .doc, or .txt format using the submission box on the DB website. No googledoc links accepted. (File > Download As > PDF).
  • All entries will be graded using the Voice Fiction Rubric.
Competition Information
Organized by
Lord Idris Adenn
Running time
2021-08-16 until 2021-09-13 (29 days)
Target Unit
Entire DJB
Competition Type
Fiction
Awards
Second Level Crescents and Clusters of Ice as per VOICE guidelines
Participants
20 subscribers, of which 6 have participated.
Results
Member
Combat Master "Aequitas" Anderson
File submission
Seeing Clearly .pdf
Placement
1st place
2nd place
Nikora Rhan
Member
Nikora Rhan
Submission
Nikora Rhan opted out of publishing her submission.
Placement
2nd place
Member
Raleien Sonavarret
File submission
Introspection_Entry_Draft_Huisan.docx
Placement
No placement
Member
Ranger Revs
Textual submission

High upon the peaks of mountain Or'ena, the ruins of the Velastari temple glinted in the setting sun. A loan figure sat crossed legged at the edge of the cliff, with his back to the ancient building. The winds shifted, tugging at the Miralukas' long hair and headband.

Revs reached inside of his robes and pulled out a flask. Taking a long drink, the alcohol helping fight off the feeling of being cold.
" Do you know why we don't call them targets?" The voice of his first master Celevon Erinos echoed in his head.
"Because a target implies that they may escape. We refer to them as deaders, because once you have accepted the contract they are dead. Failure will not be tolerated."

The words of his old teacher were quickly replaced by those of Marick Arconae. "Quit wasting time. You have one purpose, eliminate the threats and move on with your mission. We do not take prisoners, nor do we leave survivors."

Revs had been trained by some of the Brotherhood's top assassins during the time since he graduated from the Shadow Academy on Arx. His career started with killing petty criminals who were wanted dead by rival gang member. From there he would move on to take out major underworld crime lords in Port O'rval. He had fought in two wars. From fighting on the front lines, to assassinating enemy generals in their sleep. He had never questioned his training, never thought twice about taking a life. But now here with the Jedi…..things were changing.

He had come to Odan-Urr in a desperate attempt to get his younger sister away from the Shadow Clan. She had graduated at the top of her class, and the thought of his baby sister being made into a weapon or left to the hands of a Darkside user who used torture for a teaching tool made the Shadesworn sick to his stomach. Here training with the Jedi, her command of the Force had excelled. Even Revs himself had learned a few new tricks, and even found his entire outlook on things changing.

The Miralukas mind wandered to a recent mission he had run. It was a simple job, to hunt a rogue Togruta that had been harrowing a local village over whether or not they should live as farmers or hunters. It was a simple enough task. The assassin could have easily killed the target and been done with the job, but Aura had requested that he not kill the poor hunter.

The scene played out in Revs head again. The Togruta laying on the ground, the viridian blade of the Mystics lightsaber to its neck. One quick push and the job would have been over right there, but Revs stopped. The Zeltron standing behind him tensed as if waiting to see what the former Shadesworn would do. Revs still couldn't figure why he chose to spare the Togruta's life, but if it made the boss happy he guessed. Maybe he was going soft, maybe he was just getting sick of killing. Either way he decided to take his first prisoner that day. Much to Aura and the rest of the teams surprise.

*Maybe it's time to turn a new page.* he thought to himself. *Maybe it's time to just settle down and live a peaceful life for once.* Revs chuckled at the thought. "Yea and maybe I'll quit drinking and settle down. Find a good girl." He stumbled a little as he stood up, talking to himself "Or maybe I can go back to Port O'rval. Lots of good drinks and women there."

Revs turned his back to the setting sun and started to walk into the long forgotten temple. "I hope they still got some beds in here."

Placement
No placement