How well would a male drow adjust to the ppc? - PPC Posting Board

Subject: How well would a male drow adjust to the ppc?
Author: cedarcopse
Posted on: 2013-07-11 22:36:00 UTC

I was reviewing my agents today and realized that I should probably get a little help with one of them. Nalfein is from a forgotten realms fan fiction(http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2695514/1/Nym-s-Story), one in which he died pretty young. Back when I was originally writing for the PPC, I got permission from his author to use him in my stories. But, I never really stopped to think about how he'd adjust to:
a) living again and
b) life outside drow society and
c) life in the PPC

I've given him some pretty severe allergies to surface pollen for starters. He has a lot of trouble with open areas, especially where he can see the sky. While he has been taught that the drow are superior to all races, he isn't so sure anymore--especially since he's been brought back to life by a non-drow organization. Nalfein has trouble with women, especially women in authority. He goes between being completely cowed to being a little jerk just because he can be one without fear of torture or death.

I'm also not sure how he would react to his partner, a Generic Human Female who never really dealt with men before. Thoughts? Concerns?

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How well would a male drow adjust to the ppc? by cedarcopse on 2013-07-11 22:36:00 UTC

There is some precedent. by Neshomeh on 2013-07-11 22:54:00 UTC Reply

Mazarun Zothyrr, who was written by Rilwen Shadowflame, is similarly a male drow agent. I'm not completely familiar with his stories, but giving them a look yourself probably couldn't hurt. You might also look to Agent Suicide's new and improved backstory for reference to resurrection.

I like the idea that he has agoraphobia and allergies to unfamiliar pollen, and I think it makes sense that he'd swing back and forth in his reactions a bit until he learns where his new boundaries are. I will say, FicPsych is your friend! Lots of strong yet compassionate women there to help him adjust. Also a Minbari and an a-gendered former Starfleet counselor-in-training. {= ) (Speaking of us possibly co-writing something...)

Hopefully his partner is able to learn along with him and not be completely messed up by having to deal with such an unstable person.

~Neshomeh

His case is slightly different by cedarcopse on 2013-07-12 02:14:00 UTC Reply

Nalfien wasn't fully grown by any means. He didn't even complete his first year of weapons training before death. So he's in the odd position of still needing guidance in the world. I imagine that he's also quite a bit weaker than Mazarun. So that could end up interesting. I'd love to write his back story and some of his time in FicPsych with you.

I think he has an interesting case, and a suitable partner. Agent Rowen isn't a schemer by any means, and is rather naive for a PPC Agent in regards to out-of-job interaction. I was going to write Nalfein as struggling with new feelings such as compassion for his fellow Agents. Although, he'd never admit to having such feelings.

Spiffy. {= ) by Neshomeh on 2013-07-12 14:54:00 UTC Reply

Not everybody in FicPsych is mine, but many of them are. If you'd like to pick a nurse or two to bounce Nalfein off of, I can most likely oblige. I'm afraid I don't know very much about the Forgotten Realms setting in general, but I at least read the beginning of a book about Drizzt once, before he escaped to the surface, and Nurse Jenni knew one from a Generic Medieval Fantasy RP—your typical whiny, angsty Drizzt clone, was my impression. Nurse Elms has the best excuse for being more knowledgeable than I am, but she's also the least likely to be nurturing, as such, since her idea of therapy is to shove a beer into the other person's hand and play bartender. ^_^;

(BTW, you seem to be switching between spelling it "Rowan" and "Rowen." It's "Rowan" in the WM co-write; are you changing it?)

~Neshomeh

Oh boy by cedarcopse on 2013-07-12 19:46:00 UTC Reply

It's spelled 'Rowen'. But, I keep misspelling it for some reason. It's driving me slightly crazy, to be honest. I'd love to have Nalfein speak to just about anyone. Who do you think would be the most therapeutic? I imagine after Agent Suicide's resurrection, a stint in FicPsych would be required.

I had a hilarious idea just now. Rowen and Nalfein might be in FicPsych for Partners Counseling at some point. After all, Rowen has a mini Aragog and that might be causing some contention.

When do you think you'll be free to go through either of those?

Hmm... by Neshomeh on 2013-07-15 17:25:00 UTC Reply

Rowen it is, then! I'll have to remember to go correct the spelling in that mission and on the wiki.

I kinda like the idea of using Nurse Parwill, actually, since that would put Nalfein in the position of having to deal with someone not noticeably male or female. It might help him get down to the business of who he really is/wants to be, without the expectations imposed by the usual gender roles. What do you think?

I like the idea of Partners Counseling. ^_^

As for when I'm free... that's a complicated question. I need to kick my own butt and finish some other things I've been ~~procrastinating over~~ working on to free up some mental slots for new projects. That could take very little time if I'm doing well, or a lot. How about we touch base in a week? My e-mail is neshomeh.soul (at) gmail.com

~Neshomeh

We'll touch base in a week by cedarcopse on 2013-07-16 17:24:00 UTC Reply

I'll send you an email around then.

Awesome. {= ) (nm) by Neshomeh on 2013-07-16 19:27:00 UTC Reply

If I may suggest.... by Cassie on 2013-07-12 09:50:00 UTC Reply

You could try getting in contact with Rilwen. She lurks a lot and doesn't really write much for the PPC these days, but she might well be very interested in a new drow agent - especially one in some need of guidance. Mazarun's been developed a lot off-screen, and I've seen a lot of that - so he might be willing to help out a young man of his own people. (He's not the type to backstab Nalfein for the hell of it, either, as many drow would.)

Do you have any suggestions? by cedarcopse on 2013-07-12 22:49:00 UTC Reply

At least for getting into contact with Rilwen? I think it would be very interesting to see both of them interact.

I do, yes. by Cassie on 2013-07-13 09:44:00 UTC Reply

This is her email address:

rilwenshadowflame AT gmail DOT com

I suggest dropping her a line explaining your Agent situation and just asking her if she would be willing to get involved. You might not get an immediate reply, but if she is interested she will get back to you.

Good luck!