#based on an rp lmao

[bonefall]

Hey, what makes a character a 'plot device but not a character'? And how do you not do that? I'm trying to do it on purpose but also I need to still make them interesting because it's on purpose, yknow?

A good skill to pick up is to learn to criticise criticism itself. A "plot device" is simply a thing that moves the plot along, it's a neutral literary analysis term! Usually, when people are angry that "a character has been used as a plot device," it doesn't mean they hate plot devices. It means they're gesturing at something deeper.

Runningwind and Bumble are equally plot devices in their deaths. They are both killed by the antagonist to escalate political tension. Runningwind is rarely "accused" of just being a plot device, and yet, we're talking about Bumble for the same thing.

So, why?

Well, Runningwind is just a background character, but in life, he was a part of the community. He was characterized as impatient but responsible. Yet, he wasn't SO important that he died with a bunch of unresolved plot threads.

He is mostly an extension of the entity of ThunderClan. His killing by Tigerstar, and the fear and paranoia that settles on the group after this, feel like a progression of the story insteas of something forced.

Bumble, on the other hand...

Is hated immediately by Gray Wing, when she's established as Turtle Tail's friend. Bumble's abuse at Tom the Wifebeater's hands invites even MORE investment. The rejection is shocking and upsetting. There's a story there about our main characters being imperfect; jealous, bigoted, and judgemental.

But, she is simply killed off. Everything they set up for this character is gone with little personalized fanfare. It's not a tragedy with a lesson about cruelty, or something anyone regrets.

It's just... plot. Gray Wing whinging that no one will like his shitty brother now that his body count is 2.

More than that, in the discussion of women in particular, "Fridging" was coined to give a name to the way women characters often don't get their stories told at all. There is a CULTURAL trend of female characters facing disproportionate violence, for the sake of advancing male plots.

Bumble has a lot going for her. Petal had a lot going for her. Turtle Tail had a lot going for her. Bright Stream had a lot going for her. When they died, they took their potential with them.

It's not always wrong to kill off a character of high potential, mind you. In Gurren Lagann, Kamina's death is sudden and shocking, leaving a massive hole in the hearts of the cast that never heals. Grappling with that loss, but also letting his memory fuel them, is a major theme of that story.

All that to say... there's no formula for avoiding it. You've gotta identify what the deeper issue is, in your specific narrative.

I can't say for certain what that will look like for your story, but here's some things I keep in mind;

When you make characters who exist to die, make sure they're people before you axe them.

Ask yourself; what about them does the cast miss?

If they just miss them because they were (pre-existing relationship), go back to the drawing board.

Fluttering Bird as an example. Who was she? Dead sister. Why do they miss her? Dead sister. No traits until after her death.

Runningwind was short-tempered and helpful. Kamina was a valuable leader who made people believe in a brighter future. Swiftpaw was fiesty and desperate to prove himself. The better characterized, the more profound the loss usually is.

If this is a female character who is dying just to serve the plot, be aware of cultural bias and tropes. How is the gender ratio looking in your cast? Is this happening disproportionately with your girls?

Note how Quiet Rain's litter had both a boy and a girl, but the girl was chosen to be "weaker" and wither away.

And how most of the time in DOTC, whenever a man had to be upset, a girl would get killed for it.

If you ever feel like the character on the chopping block is NOT a full character, ask yourself why it needs to be a character at all. You don't need to spend narrative time building out someone when a literal object of high value might suffice.

"My sister died when I swore to protect her and I can't face my family" = Old. Tired. Ive seen this.

"I lost my heirloom sword when I swore to protect it and I can't face my family." = Fascinating. Why was the sword so valuable? Will they really not take you back? How did you lose it?

When you do kill off "high value" characters, try to make sure you're not leaving too many plot threads hanging. Or at least make a point of how they will never get closure.

[defender-of-jouvente]

{comp of sketches i did of rp stuff over the past couple days, up until Sharpie Quest started.}

{full page under the cut!}

[wolfram-but-art]

surprise, i'm not dead, here's some practical espionage

[astro-g0re]

So toxic yaoi core

[demimonde-semigoddess]

Tbh I think Ada is really underrated as Kitten Burst characters go.

[endurae]

vashwood week day 1: smoke

[the-kipsabian]

@giftober 2024 | Day 11: "orange"

[the-depressed-comedic-relief]

sorry for so much oc art but I’m hyperfixating on a guy I made up and y’all have to deal with that. trying basic level comics w the sillies

(@bonk-youre-dead)

[snobgoblin]

was thinking about how in Portia's route when you compliment her she just goes "I know!" (I think Mazelinka does the same thing actually...)

[zefirart]

Nice shirt you got there Lord Rafal (Rafal design by my friend Soji!)

Bonus:

[ditzyfinalgrlowo]

Inside joke between my siblings that I think is funny enough without context for everyone to enjoy <3

[supercutts]

         ❛  yeah,  sure,  of  course  i'm  happy  for  you     and  your  ugly  fucking  boyfriend.  ❜    brows  raise  in  feigned  innocence.    ❛  what  ?  i'm  serious  !  ❜

[piers-official]

do you have anything in your hair. like a knife maybe.

Oh yea only the essentials. I even keep m'microphone stand in there, jus' in case someone wants t'battle me.

Also got a hairbrush, wallet, keys, passport, cheri blossom lotion (I like how it smells), an' o'course yer mum.

[arckade]

i actually dont know if im over exaggerating on how good death vote smp is, i just want more people to watch it lol

[habitual-creatures]

uhm… if HABIT now has an adopted kid… would Evan be open to having one..?

i’m kinda in need of a new father figure…

If not that’s fine, I was just asking

I- what? Why do you think I would be a good dad???

I'm not like- mad or anything, but can you explain???

I've been called a wife, and now people want me to be their dad???

I just- I mean, I wouldn't REALLY be your dad, but- uh... give me time to think?

[sorrowveined]

hello! no proper promo yet (i'm still working on one currently), but just to get this blog out there - this is a new independent multimuse for characters from the castlevania game series, featuring alucard as the primary muse! it's worth noting that i'm extremely new to the series, so i'm still unfamiliar with plenty of the games at the point - though I'm working my way through them steadily as I can. if you're interested in interacting despite that, then would you consider leaving a like and/or reblog on this post so that I can check out your blog? thank you so much, and have a great day! c: