Name: Fossil Age: 28 Contact Info:bibbety Other Characters: None
Character Information
Name: Alphonse Elric Canon: Fullmetal Alchemist Age: 15 Gender: Male Canon Point: Just before the final fight with Father Background Link:Background (World) and Background (Character) Inventory: The armour that is his body, which includes a large loincloth tied around his waist. Additionally, a notebook and pen (what was his 'future snacks' book).
Personality: Alphonse Elric is the very definition of 'don't judge a book by the cover'. His outward appearance is that of a towering and intimidating suit of armour, decorated with conical spikes, and looming head and shoulders above mostly everyone else. But after only a few minutes of conversation, it wouldn't be hard to find out that he's anything but intimidating. In many ways, Al is a perfect foil for his older brother. Where Edward is hot-tempered, impulsive, and often impatient; Al is gentle, kind, and much more accepting of everyone around him.
One of the most defining things about Al is definitely his ability to keep hope alive, and to keep looking at life through optimistic and happy eyes. He naturally sees the glass as half full and, even in the darkest or most painful situations, he can find a way to put a positive spin on things. The most prevalent way this shows itself is in his attitude towards his armour body. For example. even though he desperately misses sleeping, eating, and even simple things like feeling the rain, he manages to put a positive spin on things by keeping a list of foods he will eat when he gets his body back.
Even Al can't deny that his armour body is a burden on many occasions, but he is still thankful to be in possession of it nonetheless, despite his brother's fears to the contrary. Ed saved Al's life by transmuting his soul into the armour, giving up his own arm in the process, and Al sees this as something to be incredibly grateful for. The depth of Ed's sacrifice showed how much he cares for his younger brother, and because even life in armour is still life and that means there's still hope that things can get better in the future.
It's in this viewpoint of looking to the future, that Al's hopeful optimism becomes intermingled with his impressive determination. The combination of these traits are what allows him to keep single-mindedly moving towards his ultimate goal - the restoration of both his and Ed's bodies - without becoming bitter from what they have already endured, or despondent about how far they still have to go. From burning down their own home so they had nowhere to return to, to following the slimmest of leads across the whole country, the theme of 'moving forwards' and continuing to hope is a strong one that never fades away. Yet despite this determination, Al remains a very moral person and never lets the end goal justify committing atrocities. For example, even though the philosopher's stone may be able to help restore his body, both he and Ed refuse to use one once they find out that human sacrifice is required to make one.
An almost natural progression of his sunny outlook on life, is Al's capacity for kindness and forgiveness towards others. He hates seeing other people hurt, and it's the injuries to the people that he and Ed meet along the way which cut him far more deeply than any hurt to himself. He often goes out of his way to attempt to shield and protect others, such as hiding a chimera girl inside his armour to try and keep her safe from the military, even if it ended up backfiring. This desire to protect and care for others, builds to such a point that eventually he snaps and declares that he "won't let anyone else be hurt for them [he and Ed] any longer."
His willingness to forgive and believe in the goodness of people, is shown the most clearly in his relationships with both Hohenheim and Scar. Hohenheim, the father of Ed and Al, abandoned their small family unit when both boys were very young and didn't return even when their mother died. Understandably, Ed is bitter and angry towards him; however, Al is shown almost immediately accepting his far-fetched life story and calling him 'Dad'. Scar has murdered many State Alchemists, and even attempted to murder Ed, but Al still entrusts the safety of May to him when it becomes absolutely necessary. All of this might make it seem like Al is a very naive and innocent person, but he's actually quite mature for his age and well aware of what the world is really like, it's simply that he chooses to believe that it can be better.
However, all of this kindness and optimism aside, Al is a very human boy at heart and, as such, has some very human failings of his own. He's by no means immune to fits of sadness and despair. His armour body is often a cause of distress to him, though he may try to cover it up, because of its severe limitations. He can't sleep or dream, he can't eat, he can't feel anyone touch or embrace him, and he can't even cry if he needs to. He desperately longs for his body back to regain all of these things, and sometimes the reminders of what he has lost are too much for him - for example, when he haltingly admits to Ed that he isn't sure how many more nights of loneliness he can bear.
His body can also make him very sensitive to the observations of others, as well as sometimes wavering in his own self confidence. He dreads being seen as something other than human, and the brief period when he allowed Barry the Chopper to plant doubts in his mind that he ever had been human led to some of the worst depression Al suffered during the series. He knows he is human within, and Ed knows he is human too, but he is always acutely aware that others may not see him that way, which hurts deeply. Of course, the loss of his mother and the subsequent attempt to revive her using human transmutation has also left deep scars on Al emotionally. The burden of guilt over what he and his brother tried to do, as well as the physical pain that Ed endured for many months afterwards, is something that never truly leaves him.
Finally, it would be impossible to talk about Al, without mentioning his relationship with his older brother, Edward. The two brothers share a connection and love that stems from being all one another has, and is deepened by the experiences they have gone through together. A large part of Al's strength comes from Ed, and his belief in his brother. He looks up to him, admiring his passion, his dedication, and his strength; and in turn takes comfort from knowing that Ed holds him in equally high regard. Yet, despite their closeness, the relationship never crosses the boundaries of being co-dependent. Al knows that Ed is competent, and so trusts him to take care of himself and return safely whenever they are separated.
Flavor Abilities: Al will retain his hollow armour body. However, as discussed here, he will still require food, sleep, and shelter from the elements to survive. Additionally, his armour is sealed shut, and damage to it will result in bleeding despite the metal casing still being empty.
Suitability: As Al is one of those people who displays their heart for all to see, and cares so deeply about others, that the ruthless nature of the environment will get to him even if he manages to shelter himself from the cold. He would also be highly affected by any psychological horrors that were inflicted (such as the cabin fever), and seeing others in distress would hit all his buttons. I am interested in exploring the contrast between the hopelessness of a horror game situation and the natural optimism of Al's character.
RP Samples: Test drive thread - In the setting, with various separate sub-threads Open RP post - For characterisation, with various separate sub-threads
Please note, the linked samples in the setting were written before requesting clarification about Al's body/flavour abilities, so they are inaccurate in the way he would treat the cold. In order to rectify this, I've written another sample in case more is needed.
Written sample: Network (in the setting) [It has taken Alphonse a while to work out the tablet. The technology is vastly superior to the phone network within Amestris and, as if that wasn't barrier enough, the device is hardly made for someone with such giant metal fingers. Still, he's a fast learner, he always has been, so it's only a few days of botched note taking full of typos, and instructions from the help screen, before he's able to utilise it properly.
The first thing to be shared on the public network is a photograph. It's just the white expanse of snow that covers most of this land, but there is an incongruously placed wooden chair planted atop a snow drift. The picture fades away, because Al hasn't quite mastered broadcasting himself and the picture on the network at the same time.]
I think it's about time we took exploring here seriously. Not just to try and find our way home, but also so we can map safe routes to shelter, food, and friends. If we each place markers like this, then eventually we will have a set of rough guiding posts. Then when you pass one, you can note down where it is, and you can get back there in case of a distress call or... well, anything.
[Organisation might be a small step to start with, but it's an important first one in Al's mind.]
Alphonse Elric | Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Name: Fossil
Age: 28
Contact Info:
Other Characters: None
Character Information
Name: Alphonse Elric
Canon: Fullmetal Alchemist
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Canon Point: Just before the final fight with Father
Background Link: Background (World) and Background (Character)
Inventory: The armour that is his body, which includes a large loincloth tied around his waist. Additionally, a notebook and pen (what was his 'future snacks' book).
Personality: Alphonse Elric is the very definition of 'don't judge a book by the cover'. His outward appearance is that of a towering and intimidating suit of armour, decorated with conical spikes, and looming head and shoulders above mostly everyone else. But after only a few minutes of conversation, it wouldn't be hard to find out that he's anything but intimidating. In many ways, Al is a perfect foil for his older brother. Where Edward is hot-tempered, impulsive, and often impatient; Al is gentle, kind, and much more accepting of everyone around him.
One of the most defining things about Al is definitely his ability to keep hope alive, and to keep looking at life through optimistic and happy eyes. He naturally sees the glass as half full and, even in the darkest or most painful situations, he can find a way to put a positive spin on things. The most prevalent way this shows itself is in his attitude towards his armour body. For example. even though he desperately misses sleeping, eating, and even simple things like feeling the rain, he manages to put a positive spin on things by keeping a list of foods he will eat when he gets his body back.
Even Al can't deny that his armour body is a burden on many occasions, but he is still thankful to be in possession of it nonetheless, despite his brother's fears to the contrary. Ed saved Al's life by transmuting his soul into the armour, giving up his own arm in the process, and Al sees this as something to be incredibly grateful for. The depth of Ed's sacrifice showed how much he cares for his younger brother, and because even life in armour is still life and that means there's still hope that things can get better in the future.
It's in this viewpoint of looking to the future, that Al's hopeful optimism becomes intermingled with his impressive determination. The combination of these traits are what allows him to keep single-mindedly moving towards his ultimate goal - the restoration of both his and Ed's bodies - without becoming bitter from what they have already endured, or despondent about how far they still have to go. From burning down their own home so they had nowhere to return to, to following the slimmest of leads across the whole country, the theme of 'moving forwards' and continuing to hope is a strong one that never fades away. Yet despite this determination, Al remains a very moral person and never lets the end goal justify committing atrocities. For example, even though the philosopher's stone may be able to help restore his body, both he and Ed refuse to use one once they find out that human sacrifice is required to make one.
An almost natural progression of his sunny outlook on life, is Al's capacity for kindness and forgiveness towards others. He hates seeing other people hurt, and it's the injuries to the people that he and Ed meet along the way which cut him far more deeply than any hurt to himself. He often goes out of his way to attempt to shield and protect others, such as hiding a chimera girl inside his armour to try and keep her safe from the military, even if it ended up backfiring. This desire to protect and care for others, builds to such a point that eventually he snaps and declares that he "won't let anyone else be hurt for them [he and Ed] any longer."
His willingness to forgive and believe in the goodness of people, is shown the most clearly in his relationships with both Hohenheim and Scar. Hohenheim, the father of Ed and Al, abandoned their small family unit when both boys were very young and didn't return even when their mother died. Understandably, Ed is bitter and angry towards him; however, Al is shown almost immediately accepting his far-fetched life story and calling him 'Dad'. Scar has murdered many State Alchemists, and even attempted to murder Ed, but Al still entrusts the safety of May to him when it becomes absolutely necessary. All of this might make it seem like Al is a very naive and innocent person, but he's actually quite mature for his age and well aware of what the world is really like, it's simply that he chooses to believe that it can be better.
However, all of this kindness and optimism aside, Al is a very human boy at heart and, as such, has some very human failings of his own. He's by no means immune to fits of sadness and despair. His armour body is often a cause of distress to him, though he may try to cover it up, because of its severe limitations. He can't sleep or dream, he can't eat, he can't feel anyone touch or embrace him, and he can't even cry if he needs to. He desperately longs for his body back to regain all of these things, and sometimes the reminders of what he has lost are too much for him - for example, when he haltingly admits to Ed that he isn't sure how many more nights of loneliness he can bear.
His body can also make him very sensitive to the observations of others, as well as sometimes wavering in his own self confidence. He dreads being seen as something other than human, and the brief period when he allowed Barry the Chopper to plant doubts in his mind that he ever had been human led to some of the worst depression Al suffered during the series. He knows he is human within, and Ed knows he is human too, but he is always acutely aware that others may not see him that way, which hurts deeply. Of course, the loss of his mother and the subsequent attempt to revive her using human transmutation has also left deep scars on Al emotionally. The burden of guilt over what he and his brother tried to do, as well as the physical pain that Ed endured for many months afterwards, is something that never truly leaves him.
Finally, it would be impossible to talk about Al, without mentioning his relationship with his older brother, Edward. The two brothers share a connection and love that stems from being all one another has, and is deepened by the experiences they have gone through together. A large part of Al's strength comes from Ed, and his belief in his brother. He looks up to him, admiring his passion, his dedication, and his strength; and in turn takes comfort from knowing that Ed holds him in equally high regard. Yet, despite their closeness, the relationship never crosses the boundaries of being co-dependent. Al knows that Ed is competent, and so trusts him to take care of himself and return safely whenever they are separated.
Flavor Abilities: Al will retain his hollow armour body. However, as discussed here, he will still require food, sleep, and shelter from the elements to survive. Additionally, his armour is sealed shut, and damage to it will result in bleeding despite the metal casing still being empty.
Suitability: As Al is one of those people who displays their heart for all to see, and cares so deeply about others, that the ruthless nature of the environment will get to him even if he manages to shelter himself from the cold. He would also be highly affected by any psychological horrors that were inflicted (such as the cabin fever), and seeing others in distress would hit all his buttons. I am interested in exploring the contrast between the hopelessness of a horror game situation and the natural optimism of Al's character.
RP Samples:
Test drive thread - In the setting, with various separate sub-threads
Open RP post - For characterisation, with various separate sub-threads
Please note, the linked samples in the setting were written before requesting clarification about Al's body/flavour abilities, so they are inaccurate in the way he would treat the cold. In order to rectify this, I've written another sample in case more is needed.
Written sample: Network (in the setting)
[It has taken Alphonse a while to work out the tablet. The technology is vastly superior to the phone network within Amestris and, as if that wasn't barrier enough, the device is hardly made for someone with such giant metal fingers. Still, he's a fast learner, he always has been, so it's only a few days of botched note taking full of typos, and instructions from the help screen, before he's able to utilise it properly.
The first thing to be shared on the public network is a photograph. It's just the white expanse of snow that covers most of this land, but there is an incongruously placed wooden chair planted atop a snow drift. The picture fades away, because Al hasn't quite mastered broadcasting himself and the picture on the network at the same time.]
I think it's about time we took exploring here seriously. Not just to try and find our way home, but also so we can map safe routes to shelter, food, and friends. If we each place markers like this, then eventually we will have a set of rough guiding posts. Then when you pass one, you can note down where it is, and you can get back there in case of a distress call or... well, anything.
[Organisation might be a small step to start with, but it's an important first one in Al's mind.]