#like sure it would be more realistic for various advisors trying to usurp the king but it is so much more compelling

[thylionheart]

If i can give anyone advice for writing an insanely large cast of minor characters who don’t necessarily need to be fully fleshed out, but have to feel real, is you give each of them 1. a temperment and 2. a hobby.

The hobby gives them something to focus on/a goal to follow that is just running in the background, as well as giving each character something unique to associate them with so the reader doesn’t feel like all theses same-face guys run together. A hobby could be as simple as luxury items and gold baubles to something deeper like trying to become the best athlete to impress their father.

their temperament informs how they approach their hobby, with zeal or reluctance, or whatever. Which translates to how they react to the world and actions around them.

The vengeful athlete character resents the main character brother who will always be the better athlete than him. And the easy-going bauble-collecting brother encourages his athlete brother’s mischief because it’s funny. Neither of them can capture their father’s attention.

Neither of their stories are necessarily interesting or relevant to the story we’re currently writing, but y’all are going to be so sad when i kill both of them off