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Applicant Info
Name: Snarky
Contact: discord: millamaxwell#9086 or plurk:![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
wildzubat
Current Character(s): n/a
Reserve: here though i know it's expired
Character Info
Character's Name: Gandalf (or Olorin or Mithrandir or listen he's got a lot of names but Gandalf is how he is best known)
Character's Canon: Tolkien Legendarium / Middle Earth
Character's Age: ??? (He's an immortal spirit who has been around since before his world's inception so his age is technically immeasurable, but he's been in his current form for roughly two millennia.)
Canon Point: On his way to Bilbo Baggins' 111th Birthday Party
Background/History: Wiki page!
Strengths:
Warmth, Compassion, Kindness, Hope, Leadership, Wisdom
1. Wisdom - Gandalf has been around a very long time, and he knows a great deal both about how his world works and how people work in general. If he gives you advice on something you ought to do, then you really ought to at least consider it, because his advice is very often on point. This is both because he's had an awful lot of experience, and he's blessed with good judgement. This along with his great patience and his ability to see the strengths of others (even if they can't see them themselves) and work with them helps him nudge others into making wiser choices, and it also helps him strategically in the overall fight against Sauron.
2. Compassion - Experience alone doesn't necessarily make one wise, and a large part of Gandalf's wisdom derrives from his patience and his compassion, particularly for the weak and small. He never dismisses someone's worth because of their station or appearance, and he places great value in kindness and acting with good intentions. It is precisely his concern for others that keeps him from underestimating the help even hobbits can be in the grand scheme of things, and it is also part of why he makes friends with all sorts of people - all beings great and small are worthwhile in his eyes.
3. Hope - Gandalf never gives up, and he uses his determination and faith to inspire others to likewise not give up. It doesn't matter if he's facing a frustrating person, a dead end, or a mighty Balrog, he refuses to accept that this is the end, and he will keep on fighting to see things through. Nothing, in his eyes, is ever truly hopeless, and no one is ever worthless.
Weaknesses:
• Temperament:
Gandalf is described as being just as quick to laughter as he is to anger. Although he is generally patient, his moods can be unpredictable - all the more because he does not always share his reasons for this or that action until after the fact if ever. Moreover, the greater his sense of haste, the more brusque he is; he will interrupt and force conversations along the track he wants them on at times. He does not suffer fools lightly, and he can be quite sharp and mean in informing them as much. Although he doesn't always mean his scathing words, they can certainly hurt others, and he does expect people to listen when he tells them to do things.
• Meddling:
While Gandalf is a force for Good and his meddling is never malicious, it is certainly not always welcome. He has been at times labeled "a disturber of the peace" and a troublemaker. If Gandalf's involved, you know there's going to be trouble - largely because he tends to put himself in the way of trouble as part of his duties, and he works to inspire others to get involved. Still, his enemies and those who don't like him much use (or attempt to use) this as a mark against him regularly. And they do have a point in that he can be at times manipulative or pushy in achieving his goals, and working with him can be dangerous because he gets involved in dangerous things. No doubt, even in a world outside his own, he will readily get involved in major problems he sees and try to bring others with him -- probably without even explaining everything, because in addition to meddling, Gandalf also has a bad habit of being vague and mysterious! He is not very good at giving straight answers...
• Unwillingness to Lead / Avoidance:
Despite wandering everywhere and getting involved in all manner of things, Gandalf is quite unwilling to take up any sort of direct leadership role (except at last resort). He's quite happy to advise and guide others and otherwise tell them what to do, but he'd much prefer to let others be leaders. Technically, this is part of his duties - to guide the Free Peoples of Middle Earth but not to rule them - but he also has a specific fear of his own corruptibility. He is keenly aware of the potential for abuse from positions of power, and he worries about what he would do in such a position. While this helps him avoid things like the temptation of The One Ring or succumbing to the same arrogance and pride that corrupts one of his fellow wizards, it also hampers the effectiveness of his wisdom and plans at times and can allow others with ulterior motives to steer things to their own agendas.
Bonus: He's kinda short, standing at 5'6". Someone else needs to get the top shelf for him!
Powers/Abilities:
To start with, a note that Gandalf is one of the maiar, which are essentially powerful spirits who helped shape the world. Maiar are immortal, and in their natural state, they lack a fixed physical form. However, they can make their own bodies and sort of wear them much as you or I might wear a coat. These bodies can die, and it's possible for their shapeshifting abilities to be restricted in various ways, but the maiar themselves do not ever die in any conventional sense. That said, it's important to note firstly that Gandalf is at present restricted to the form of an old man until his task is complete, which both makes him more vulnerable and acts as a natural limiter on his abilities, and secondly, in-game I'll treat Gandalf's body dying as an actual death.
Anyway, onto his powers:
• Endurance / Durability - Although he looks and moves like a fit old man and is still subject to things like pain, hunger, etc., Gandalf is sturdier and stronger than an actual average human. He can last much longer on fewer resources.
• Magic - the exact breadth and limitations of his magic is never really defined. However, he does seem to be limited to channeling major stuff through his staff, and he tends to favor fire, lightning, and light. But mostly fire. (bright flashes, flaming pinecone projectiles, fireworks, lighting fires, etc.) He uses magic for combat, of course, with fire, lightning, shields, etc., but also for other practical uses such as lighting fires that don't easily go out while camping or illuminating dark rooms. He can also make himself appear more intimidating, which can help when making a statement! Also of note is using his powers to heal hearts & souls. And lastly, it's worth mentioning he has no compunctions about using his powers for fun either, what with changing the color and shape of smoke or the fireworks he makes and is quite famous for in places.
• Swordsmanship - he's had hundreds if not thousands of years to practice this, and he's pretty ok with it. Also being able to channel lightning through his sword is a plus.
Other Noteworthy Traits:
He seems able to communicate with animals to a degree.
He makes absolutely excellent Fireworks!
Also he knows a lot of things about, uh, a lot of things, simply by virtue of having been hanging around in the world for a long time.
Weapons & Other Special Inventory:
On His Person:
• Wizard Staff - a wooden staff he uses both as a walking stick and as a conduit of his power
• Narya, the Ring of Fire - one of three Rings of Power made by Celebrimbor for the elves. Its exact powers are never elucidated, but it is known to bolster his stamina/endurance and help him inspire hope and courage in others. Cirdan says of it: "in all it will support thee and defend thee from weariness. For this is the Ring of Fire, and herewith, maybe, thou shalt rekindle hearts to the valour of old in a world that grows chill." It's also invisible except to other people with special powers or if Gandalf lets people see it.
• a sword called Glamdring - a magical sword that has apparently stayed in tact and sharp for like six thousand years. Glows when orcs are near. I really doubt it's gonna glow here, though.
• pipe and a bag of pipeweed (aka tobacco) - these are very important for sitting and thinking mysteriously!
Color: Red because Gandalf is strongly associated with Fire.
Sample: TDM thread
[ OPTIONAL ] World Aspect: Ents because all worlds need talking, walking tree-things.
Name: Snarky
Contact: discord: millamaxwell#9086 or plurk:
Current Character(s): n/a
Reserve: here though i know it's expired
Character Info
Character's Name: Gandalf (or Olorin or Mithrandir or listen he's got a lot of names but Gandalf is how he is best known)
Character's Canon: Tolkien Legendarium / Middle Earth
Character's Age: ??? (He's an immortal spirit who has been around since before his world's inception so his age is technically immeasurable, but he's been in his current form for roughly two millennia.)
Canon Point: On his way to Bilbo Baggins' 111th Birthday Party
Background/History: Wiki page!
Strengths:
Warmth, Compassion, Kindness, Hope, Leadership, Wisdom
1. Wisdom - Gandalf has been around a very long time, and he knows a great deal both about how his world works and how people work in general. If he gives you advice on something you ought to do, then you really ought to at least consider it, because his advice is very often on point. This is both because he's had an awful lot of experience, and he's blessed with good judgement. This along with his great patience and his ability to see the strengths of others (even if they can't see them themselves) and work with them helps him nudge others into making wiser choices, and it also helps him strategically in the overall fight against Sauron.
2. Compassion - Experience alone doesn't necessarily make one wise, and a large part of Gandalf's wisdom derrives from his patience and his compassion, particularly for the weak and small. He never dismisses someone's worth because of their station or appearance, and he places great value in kindness and acting with good intentions. It is precisely his concern for others that keeps him from underestimating the help even hobbits can be in the grand scheme of things, and it is also part of why he makes friends with all sorts of people - all beings great and small are worthwhile in his eyes.
3. Hope - Gandalf never gives up, and he uses his determination and faith to inspire others to likewise not give up. It doesn't matter if he's facing a frustrating person, a dead end, or a mighty Balrog, he refuses to accept that this is the end, and he will keep on fighting to see things through. Nothing, in his eyes, is ever truly hopeless, and no one is ever worthless.
Weaknesses:
• Temperament:
Gandalf is described as being just as quick to laughter as he is to anger. Although he is generally patient, his moods can be unpredictable - all the more because he does not always share his reasons for this or that action until after the fact if ever. Moreover, the greater his sense of haste, the more brusque he is; he will interrupt and force conversations along the track he wants them on at times. He does not suffer fools lightly, and he can be quite sharp and mean in informing them as much. Although he doesn't always mean his scathing words, they can certainly hurt others, and he does expect people to listen when he tells them to do things.
• Meddling:
While Gandalf is a force for Good and his meddling is never malicious, it is certainly not always welcome. He has been at times labeled "a disturber of the peace" and a troublemaker. If Gandalf's involved, you know there's going to be trouble - largely because he tends to put himself in the way of trouble as part of his duties, and he works to inspire others to get involved. Still, his enemies and those who don't like him much use (or attempt to use) this as a mark against him regularly. And they do have a point in that he can be at times manipulative or pushy in achieving his goals, and working with him can be dangerous because he gets involved in dangerous things. No doubt, even in a world outside his own, he will readily get involved in major problems he sees and try to bring others with him -- probably without even explaining everything, because in addition to meddling, Gandalf also has a bad habit of being vague and mysterious! He is not very good at giving straight answers...
• Unwillingness to Lead / Avoidance:
Despite wandering everywhere and getting involved in all manner of things, Gandalf is quite unwilling to take up any sort of direct leadership role (except at last resort). He's quite happy to advise and guide others and otherwise tell them what to do, but he'd much prefer to let others be leaders. Technically, this is part of his duties - to guide the Free Peoples of Middle Earth but not to rule them - but he also has a specific fear of his own corruptibility. He is keenly aware of the potential for abuse from positions of power, and he worries about what he would do in such a position. While this helps him avoid things like the temptation of The One Ring or succumbing to the same arrogance and pride that corrupts one of his fellow wizards, it also hampers the effectiveness of his wisdom and plans at times and can allow others with ulterior motives to steer things to their own agendas.
Bonus: He's kinda short, standing at 5'6". Someone else needs to get the top shelf for him!
Powers/Abilities:
To start with, a note that Gandalf is one of the maiar, which are essentially powerful spirits who helped shape the world. Maiar are immortal, and in their natural state, they lack a fixed physical form. However, they can make their own bodies and sort of wear them much as you or I might wear a coat. These bodies can die, and it's possible for their shapeshifting abilities to be restricted in various ways, but the maiar themselves do not ever die in any conventional sense. That said, it's important to note firstly that Gandalf is at present restricted to the form of an old man until his task is complete, which both makes him more vulnerable and acts as a natural limiter on his abilities, and secondly, in-game I'll treat Gandalf's body dying as an actual death.
Anyway, onto his powers:
• Endurance / Durability - Although he looks and moves like a fit old man and is still subject to things like pain, hunger, etc., Gandalf is sturdier and stronger than an actual average human. He can last much longer on fewer resources.
• Magic - the exact breadth and limitations of his magic is never really defined. However, he does seem to be limited to channeling major stuff through his staff, and he tends to favor fire, lightning, and light. But mostly fire. (bright flashes, flaming pinecone projectiles, fireworks, lighting fires, etc.) He uses magic for combat, of course, with fire, lightning, shields, etc., but also for other practical uses such as lighting fires that don't easily go out while camping or illuminating dark rooms. He can also make himself appear more intimidating, which can help when making a statement! Also of note is using his powers to heal hearts & souls. And lastly, it's worth mentioning he has no compunctions about using his powers for fun either, what with changing the color and shape of smoke or the fireworks he makes and is quite famous for in places.
• Swordsmanship - he's had hundreds if not thousands of years to practice this, and he's pretty ok with it. Also being able to channel lightning through his sword is a plus.
Other Noteworthy Traits:
He seems able to communicate with animals to a degree.
He makes absolutely excellent Fireworks!
Also he knows a lot of things about, uh, a lot of things, simply by virtue of having been hanging around in the world for a long time.
Weapons & Other Special Inventory:
On His Person:
• Wizard Staff - a wooden staff he uses both as a walking stick and as a conduit of his power
• Narya, the Ring of Fire - one of three Rings of Power made by Celebrimbor for the elves. Its exact powers are never elucidated, but it is known to bolster his stamina/endurance and help him inspire hope and courage in others. Cirdan says of it: "in all it will support thee and defend thee from weariness. For this is the Ring of Fire, and herewith, maybe, thou shalt rekindle hearts to the valour of old in a world that grows chill." It's also invisible except to other people with special powers or if Gandalf lets people see it.
• a sword called Glamdring - a magical sword that has apparently stayed in tact and sharp for like six thousand years. Glows when orcs are near. I really doubt it's gonna glow here, though.
• pipe and a bag of pipeweed (aka tobacco) - these are very important for sitting and thinking mysteriously!
Color: Red because Gandalf is strongly associated with Fire.
Sample: TDM thread
[ OPTIONAL ] World Aspect: Ents because all worlds need talking, walking tree-things.
