TreblE's GA&D Projects: The Gazebo (Log 3: Characters & Dilemmas)

(March 2nd, Mild Sunny)

Characters in The Gazebo are all very much influenced by and represents certain weight of dilemmas and tragedies. This also plays a big part in the solving of each in-game realm; the environments are catered to the different character's personalities, each one serving different purposes and poses different conflicts. I also designed them in a way that looks recognizable from one another, be it in terms of shape, color, size or feel.

I'll divide this into sections just simply because its easier for everyone to browse, including me.

Characters & Dilemmas:

Protagonist

Antagonist

Recurring Characters

Plot Characters

Protagonist

Tryp

Final Version of Tryp, slightly an older version than initially intended.

Early conception, was meant to resemble the kid from 'The Omen' and a young Thom Yorke.

Antagonist

(TO BE CREATED)

I have no idea at this point who or what the villain is going to be just yet, but I do believe a good story needs a good conflict and although technically all the Plot characters represents this intent; I still think having a main psychotic baddie is always a plus especially in an almost JRPG-esque feel game like this.

Recurring Characters

There are 6 main recurring characters that Tryp will bump into time and time again in The Gazebo world.

The Puppet

Semar

A shadow Puppet that wants to stop living in the shadow. Semar is a comic relief in the entire journey and often does silly and morbid jokes, but is also a very insightful and knowledgeable individual.

Only exist in Gazebo worlds as Tryp’s shadow and guide.

(In-game guide, Padawan is the one player will refer to for objectives in a current gazebo level and also level hints)

The Musician

(Only in Black & White)

Jean

A wise street musician - the only person in the game without an apparent dilemma or tragedy. Jean is very fond about the idea of space, time and communication, he also plays his guitar for the nearby Illuna trees to hear.

He hangs out under an Illuna tree in the central part of Bloom Town.

(Serves as a background-storyteller and hints for upcoming events)

Final look of Jean, very suave - his serenades will tickle your braincells

Jean is modelled after Django (Jean) Reindhart - as a homage to the godfather of Gypsy Swing

Left & middle; Jean where you find him in the game - under an Illuna tree.

Right; Jean's guitar - resembling him with them Frenchy moustache-like design.

Early Sketches of Jean

The Traveler

Trevall

An aimless traveler, also a peddler. A calm but troubled introvert who travels around in search of a purpose. Trevall starts out just indifferent, but as encounters gets more often, he starts to get more and more agitated by his tragedy of being lost & free.

Can be found in many places throughout The Gazebo realm.

(This character sells items to Tryp in exchange for currency points.)

Final B&W design for Trevall, just nerdy, introverted & brave enough for the Gazebo world travelling

Left: The pants are cool but they made him look TOO cool, and he ain't that kind of peddler

Right: He looks like he just wasn't into it in this...

So I scratched this, but kept the overall feel - the cap, glasses, jacket, bag and boots

The Pilot
(Only in Black & White)

Ludwig

An old man that lives on a blind Whale-Dugon’s back; on a mutual ground – that he utilize the Dugon as his extension of maneuverability, and that the Dugon depends on him as its ‘eyes’.

First found beneath the Mansion area of Bloom Town. When befriended, appears wherever the Whale Whistle is played in Bloom Town’s edges.

(Once befriended, he and the Whale-Dugong functions as a form of transport within Bloom Town world)

Final version of The Pilot, he's very zen

His coat wore a crest that resembles the Dugon-Hut

Initially the pilot wasn't even crippled, but its not a fair dilemma if only the Dugon that has psychical disability, so I broke the old man's right leg.

And the

Whale-Dugon
(Only in Black & White)

Oscar

The Dugon is blind and not just psychically, but also metaphorically, its a very gentle creature so not only does it have scratches on its skin; they are also present in its soul, the old pilot is its best mate and they've been taking care of each other for timeless. it also grew so large due to the spacious nature of the environment its in.

Final version of the Dugon, just ginormously sensitive enough

Left: The first final version was too colourful and jolly for this tortured being

Right: Final profile design

The hut that sits on the Dugon's back was built on barnacle layers that grew on the back - therefore no harm was really done to the Dugon itself

The Aardvark
An Aardvark, with the whole universe in it!

Plot Characters (So far)

The Superficial

Maschera

A person with many layers, mask and personalities. A generally hostile character, but changes personality depending on the character its ‘donning’ at the time. Its true form consists of only a blank mask on its face, because it had forgotten its true self.