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Orion James Luis is a character created roughly around the year 2003 for participation in a Greek Mythology based game on Greatest Journal. His timeline development and world history reflect the plot and premise of that game with some additional details and modernization added over the years to further flesh out his character. He is an original character made by me with the PB of Gregory Smith. Orion was a 20+ year old college kid when he was taken from his home world.
If you'd like to get in touch with me for any reason please feel free to reach out via PM or through whatever contact methods are available in our shared game. If none of those work for you or you'd like to leave me some constructive criticism on Orion's portrayal, or any other issue you might have, you may do so here.
Please make sure to note which game you're contacting me regarding (or if the issue pertains to something outside of a game).
Comments will be screened with anon enabled, however, please realize that I will not be responding to anonymous comments, for this reason. Logged-in comments I may or may not reply to at my discretion.
To opt-out of interaction with Orion (or myself) for any reason please see his opt-out, information and permissions post.
Thank you.
If you'd like to get in touch with me for any reason please feel free to reach out via PM or through whatever contact methods are available in our shared game. If none of those work for you or you'd like to leave me some constructive criticism on Orion's portrayal, or any other issue you might have, you may do so here.
Please make sure to note which game you're contacting me regarding (or if the issue pertains to something outside of a game).
Comments will be screened with anon enabled, however, please realize that I will not be responding to anonymous comments, for this reason. Logged-in comments I may or may not reply to at my discretion.
To opt-out of interaction with Orion (or myself) for any reason please see his opt-out, information and permissions post.
Thank you.
Tags:
Jan. 1st, 2018 03:25 pm
Personality
strengths:
Responsible: Orion is a dedicated and caring individual. Insisting on taking care of his sickly mother as a teen, despite his grandparents' protests, he's patient and has always been a person devoted to his cause - whatever that may be at the time. In school Orion was focused and studious, managing to land himself a spot in a famous college of the arts through studying and determination.
Adaptable: For the most part, Orion focused on living a fairly normal life, he went to school, got a job, the usual. Aside from being a certain level of socially awkward, Orion is a fairly well-adjusted college kid considering what life has thrown at him from an early age. He has a tendency to go with the flow, a strength and a weakness - little surprises him anymore after learning of his own involvement with the gods, after dismissing the stories as fairy tales for his entire life. Still, Orion tries to come to a happy medium between all of his perceived obligations, befriending Artemis while following Athena and keeping his grades up.
Dependable: Orion doesn't believe in giving up on people. He takes on training with a sword and bow in order to support how serious he is about getting involved with his obligations to the gods. Later, when he meets Ivy and learns of their supposed history together, he's just as stubborn about not letting her down - torn between his sense of duty and the desire to be a normal college kid falling in love with the girl of his dreams. Despite everything going on he tries to juggle it without abandoning his job at the shelter. A commitment he made, that he chose before the gods returned, unwilling to let that interfere with where he feels he's needed the most.
weaknesses:
Cynicism: Growing up Orion was your typical teen with a chip on his shoulder. He considered his grandparents delusional for worshiping long dead gods and resented his absentee father in the face of his mother's failing health. He was never the most social kid, preferring a world of art and fantasies to interaction with his peers. Having a quick wit was a defense mechanism he picked up early on, prone to dry, sarcastic humor and a tendency to come off arrogant or condescending if he doesn't really know a person. Although he'll act friendly enough with complete strangers, breaking down his walls to find what he really thinks and feels is a feat.
Avoidance: Due to his nature he's also quite a conflicted individual. Orion wants nothing more than to lead a normal life, be a boring regular human who goes to art school and strives to make his deceased mother proud. Instead, he's torn on many decisions. Because of this Orion has a tendency to go with the flow, let the tides of fate carry him along rather than attempt to forge his own path in life. He'll talk without thinking but immediately backtracks or moves the conversation on if things start to feel too personal for him, or becomes otherwise awkward. He spends a great deal of effort encouraging others to talk about themselves for this reason.
TL;DR: Not being the most social, or practiced at socialization meant he also had a tendency to awkwardly fumble through conversations. He is prone to rambling on a topic, getting carried away and going on a bit of a tangent. He's not the greatest conversationalist and will encourage whoever he's in a discussion with to take the floor and talk about themselves, or at least lead the direction of the conversation, for lack of knowing what to say.
Bio:
Growing up Orion was your typical teen with a chip on his shoulder. His mother was ill a lot of the time, his father traveled for work so he never saw him, and his grandparents seemed to live in some delusion in which following the ancient gods still mattered today. For the most part, Orion focused on living a fairly normal life, he went to school, he was raised by his grandparents where he couldn't do things on his own but he also took care of his mother once he was old enough. He was never the most social kid, preferring to go home and be with his mother when he could and generally coming off like a nerd to most of the other students his age. Orion was an artist, he preferred his notepad and pencils to the company of others his age and he spent a lot of his time absorbed in fantasies - comics, movies, tv shows and stories that he came up with himself, as explanations for his artwork.
Having a quick wit was a defense mechanism he picked up early on, prone to dry sarcastic humor and a tendency to come off arrogant or condescending if he doesn't really know a person. Despite that, Orion is a dedicated and caring individual. Insisting on taking care of his mother once he was old enough, despite his grandparent's protests, he's always been a person devoted to his cause - whatever cause that may be at the time. Later, when he meets Ivy and learns of their supposed history together, he's just as stubborn about not letting her down. Due to this nature, he's also quite a conflicted individual. Orion wants nothing more than to lead a normal life, be a boring regular human who goes to art school and strives to make his deceased mother proud. Instead, he's faced with the fact that his obligation to three separate women keeps him torn on many decisions. Because of this Orion has a tendency to go with the flow, little surprises him anymore after learning of his own history and involvement with the gods, and after dismissing the stories as fairy tales for his entire life he holds no devotion to either Athena or Artemis in his current carnation. Still, upon finding all of this out - and meeting them - Orion hears them out and tries to come up with a happy medium between all of his perceived obligations in this lifetime.
He takes on training with a sword and bow in order to support how serious he is about getting involved with these obligations, but his sense of duty remains torn with the desire to be a normal college kid falling in love with the girl of his dreams. At least, until Ivy is removed from the area by her family, likely in an attempt to keep her focused on her own duties and away from Orion. It's only then that he finds more of a purpose in his dedication to Athena and takes his role more seriously as a priest destined to bring believers back to the gods.
Responsible: Orion is a dedicated and caring individual. Insisting on taking care of his sickly mother as a teen, despite his grandparents' protests, he's patient and has always been a person devoted to his cause - whatever that may be at the time. In school Orion was focused and studious, managing to land himself a spot in a famous college of the arts through studying and determination.
Adaptable: For the most part, Orion focused on living a fairly normal life, he went to school, got a job, the usual. Aside from being a certain level of socially awkward, Orion is a fairly well-adjusted college kid considering what life has thrown at him from an early age. He has a tendency to go with the flow, a strength and a weakness - little surprises him anymore after learning of his own involvement with the gods, after dismissing the stories as fairy tales for his entire life. Still, Orion tries to come to a happy medium between all of his perceived obligations, befriending Artemis while following Athena and keeping his grades up.
Dependable: Orion doesn't believe in giving up on people. He takes on training with a sword and bow in order to support how serious he is about getting involved with his obligations to the gods. Later, when he meets Ivy and learns of their supposed history together, he's just as stubborn about not letting her down - torn between his sense of duty and the desire to be a normal college kid falling in love with the girl of his dreams. Despite everything going on he tries to juggle it without abandoning his job at the shelter. A commitment he made, that he chose before the gods returned, unwilling to let that interfere with where he feels he's needed the most.
weaknesses:
Cynicism: Growing up Orion was your typical teen with a chip on his shoulder. He considered his grandparents delusional for worshiping long dead gods and resented his absentee father in the face of his mother's failing health. He was never the most social kid, preferring a world of art and fantasies to interaction with his peers. Having a quick wit was a defense mechanism he picked up early on, prone to dry, sarcastic humor and a tendency to come off arrogant or condescending if he doesn't really know a person. Although he'll act friendly enough with complete strangers, breaking down his walls to find what he really thinks and feels is a feat.
Avoidance: Due to his nature he's also quite a conflicted individual. Orion wants nothing more than to lead a normal life, be a boring regular human who goes to art school and strives to make his deceased mother proud. Instead, he's torn on many decisions. Because of this Orion has a tendency to go with the flow, let the tides of fate carry him along rather than attempt to forge his own path in life. He'll talk without thinking but immediately backtracks or moves the conversation on if things start to feel too personal for him, or becomes otherwise awkward. He spends a great deal of effort encouraging others to talk about themselves for this reason.
TL;DR: Not being the most social, or practiced at socialization meant he also had a tendency to awkwardly fumble through conversations. He is prone to rambling on a topic, getting carried away and going on a bit of a tangent. He's not the greatest conversationalist and will encourage whoever he's in a discussion with to take the floor and talk about themselves, or at least lead the direction of the conversation, for lack of knowing what to say.
Bio:
Growing up Orion was your typical teen with a chip on his shoulder. His mother was ill a lot of the time, his father traveled for work so he never saw him, and his grandparents seemed to live in some delusion in which following the ancient gods still mattered today. For the most part, Orion focused on living a fairly normal life, he went to school, he was raised by his grandparents where he couldn't do things on his own but he also took care of his mother once he was old enough. He was never the most social kid, preferring to go home and be with his mother when he could and generally coming off like a nerd to most of the other students his age. Orion was an artist, he preferred his notepad and pencils to the company of others his age and he spent a lot of his time absorbed in fantasies - comics, movies, tv shows and stories that he came up with himself, as explanations for his artwork.
Having a quick wit was a defense mechanism he picked up early on, prone to dry sarcastic humor and a tendency to come off arrogant or condescending if he doesn't really know a person. Despite that, Orion is a dedicated and caring individual. Insisting on taking care of his mother once he was old enough, despite his grandparent's protests, he's always been a person devoted to his cause - whatever cause that may be at the time. Later, when he meets Ivy and learns of their supposed history together, he's just as stubborn about not letting her down. Due to this nature, he's also quite a conflicted individual. Orion wants nothing more than to lead a normal life, be a boring regular human who goes to art school and strives to make his deceased mother proud. Instead, he's faced with the fact that his obligation to three separate women keeps him torn on many decisions. Because of this Orion has a tendency to go with the flow, little surprises him anymore after learning of his own history and involvement with the gods, and after dismissing the stories as fairy tales for his entire life he holds no devotion to either Athena or Artemis in his current carnation. Still, upon finding all of this out - and meeting them - Orion hears them out and tries to come up with a happy medium between all of his perceived obligations in this lifetime.
He takes on training with a sword and bow in order to support how serious he is about getting involved with these obligations, but his sense of duty remains torn with the desire to be a normal college kid falling in love with the girl of his dreams. At least, until Ivy is removed from the area by her family, likely in an attempt to keep her focused on her own duties and away from Orion. It's only then that he finds more of a purpose in his dedication to Athena and takes his role more seriously as a priest destined to bring believers back to the gods.
Tags:
Jan. 1st, 2018 03:21 pm
Background & History
World History: There isn't much of a difference between Orion's world and our own, in fact until recently they would have appeared exactly the same to almost anyone. They had to him until things began to change.
[Please note that due to this reality being so close to our own many of our legends of Greek Mythology and their history are likely the same unless noted otherwise.]
Background: Legend had it for many generations that the Greek gods had been trapped away in a Labyrinth. For countless years hidden beneath the earth, due to return and reclaim their rightful place again. It was sometime in the beginning of the new millennium that it became apparent such a day would likely be coming soon. When the gods did come back, they would need support from their followers, whatever true believers remained, to help them regain their power.
For as long as he'd been alive he knew the stories. He knew that his family had come from a long lines of priests and priestesses, but he'd always dismissed them as ancient history from a time where such things were still believed. He never took his family's practices seriously, considering them to be rooted in superstition and tradition more than anything. Certainly not actual loyalty to gods that hadn't existed for centuries, if they ever had at all.
Orion was a child raised by his mother in Greece, he never met the man that fell in love with her. His father traveled for work and never settled to be with his family, although he did keep in touch, at least initially. An American who never stayed in one place long, paying the bills by being anywhere but home. A man that made his family because of his job, and in the end, chose said job over his family.
When he was little, Orion spent a majority of his time in Athens with his grandparents. His mother was too ill to care for a young child and there had been complications during the pregnancy that took a lasting toll on her overall health. In some misguided hope that he'd find strength in his namesake, she chose the name of a legend for her son. Having idolized the hunter growing up, during her own studies of the gods and unaware of outside influences, at the time.
Her wish had always been for him to be strong. What his mother had forgotten was that although Orion was a name of great strength, his soul had also been cursed in love.
As he got older, Orion no longer felt like a burden during his mother's illness and soon became her sole caretaker. He was not yet 17 when she passed, once again leaving him in the care of his grandparents. It wasn't until then that his grandmother told him the true story, the reality behind myths and legends, and - more importantly - how they pertained to him.
Almost everyone knew the story of Artemis, the pure Goddess who loved Orion. Even though there were different versions of the tale - as with most myths - one thing remained true across every telling. In the end, no matter the degree of any feelings the godess held or didn't, Orion's love for her is what ultimately brought about his demise.
The story that didn't reach everyone, however, was that Orion was said to have been born again. Orion's heart had belonged to Artemis, but he was later born a devoted priest of Athena. His dedication to the Goddess of Wisdom, War and Justice came above all else. This story, his grandmother only shared with him once he was old enough to understand and take on the responsibility that was held within it.
Orion's grandmother told him that this man had met a woman, this man who scorned love all of his life. He eventually fell for a priestess of the erotes. The two, so dedicated to their duties and their families, knew that they could never be together. Despite this, their bond was strong and they felt inseparable, as such they made a promise that some day they would be born again, and when that day came they would finally be free of other burdens and be together.
Now, as interesting as his grandmother's story sounded, Orion saw it as just that. A story, folklore, ancient myths with no bearing in reality, nothing more. He dismissed it without a second thought until his grandmother took him aside one day to reveal more of the story.
They were from a long line of priests of Athena, she explained. Although he'd known that his whole life what he wasn't aware of was how much actually went into their devotion. For generations, for centuries, his family had waited for a sign that their gods would return. What he'd dismissed as tradition and old habits dying hard was in reality an active following of Athena - lying in wait for her return. Telling Orion that the gods had been trapped away in a Labyrinth for countless years and would reclaim their rightful place again once freed.
More importantly, if he truly was the soul reborn, it would likely be soon. And when the gods did come back, they would need support from their followers, whatever believers remained - and he would need to make a decision about where his loyalties would lie.
Orion eventually forgot about this story, time passed and he graduated high school. Getting accepted into the famous art school of Cetanose College, he found a small apartment nearby and a job at the local dog shelter walking and fostering dogs. He tried to make a normal living there, but things began to happen. He met people that were not quite right, others that claimed to be gods, and a beautiful blind girl named Ivy. Who told him about the dreams she had of a lover she lost in a past life, her devotion to the Erotes, and Orion's own role in all of this.
Even Athena did not expect his loyalty, knowing who he was, but Orion took his responsibility seriously. As much as he would have preferred a normal life with no immortals at all, an obligation to Athena was still an obligation. Just when things were starting to get too unreal, Ivy was moved away by her family and Orion never heard from her again.
[Please note that due to this reality being so close to our own many of our legends of Greek Mythology and their history are likely the same unless noted otherwise.]
Background: Legend had it for many generations that the Greek gods had been trapped away in a Labyrinth. For countless years hidden beneath the earth, due to return and reclaim their rightful place again. It was sometime in the beginning of the new millennium that it became apparent such a day would likely be coming soon. When the gods did come back, they would need support from their followers, whatever true believers remained, to help them regain their power.
For as long as he'd been alive he knew the stories. He knew that his family had come from a long lines of priests and priestesses, but he'd always dismissed them as ancient history from a time where such things were still believed. He never took his family's practices seriously, considering them to be rooted in superstition and tradition more than anything. Certainly not actual loyalty to gods that hadn't existed for centuries, if they ever had at all.
Orion was a child raised by his mother in Greece, he never met the man that fell in love with her. His father traveled for work and never settled to be with his family, although he did keep in touch, at least initially. An American who never stayed in one place long, paying the bills by being anywhere but home. A man that made his family because of his job, and in the end, chose said job over his family.
When he was little, Orion spent a majority of his time in Athens with his grandparents. His mother was too ill to care for a young child and there had been complications during the pregnancy that took a lasting toll on her overall health. In some misguided hope that he'd find strength in his namesake, she chose the name of a legend for her son. Having idolized the hunter growing up, during her own studies of the gods and unaware of outside influences, at the time.
Her wish had always been for him to be strong. What his mother had forgotten was that although Orion was a name of great strength, his soul had also been cursed in love.
As he got older, Orion no longer felt like a burden during his mother's illness and soon became her sole caretaker. He was not yet 17 when she passed, once again leaving him in the care of his grandparents. It wasn't until then that his grandmother told him the true story, the reality behind myths and legends, and - more importantly - how they pertained to him.
Almost everyone knew the story of Artemis, the pure Goddess who loved Orion. Even though there were different versions of the tale - as with most myths - one thing remained true across every telling. In the end, no matter the degree of any feelings the godess held or didn't, Orion's love for her is what ultimately brought about his demise.
The story that didn't reach everyone, however, was that Orion was said to have been born again. Orion's heart had belonged to Artemis, but he was later born a devoted priest of Athena. His dedication to the Goddess of Wisdom, War and Justice came above all else. This story, his grandmother only shared with him once he was old enough to understand and take on the responsibility that was held within it.
Orion's grandmother told him that this man had met a woman, this man who scorned love all of his life. He eventually fell for a priestess of the erotes. The two, so dedicated to their duties and their families, knew that they could never be together. Despite this, their bond was strong and they felt inseparable, as such they made a promise that some day they would be born again, and when that day came they would finally be free of other burdens and be together.
Now, as interesting as his grandmother's story sounded, Orion saw it as just that. A story, folklore, ancient myths with no bearing in reality, nothing more. He dismissed it without a second thought until his grandmother took him aside one day to reveal more of the story.
They were from a long line of priests of Athena, she explained. Although he'd known that his whole life what he wasn't aware of was how much actually went into their devotion. For generations, for centuries, his family had waited for a sign that their gods would return. What he'd dismissed as tradition and old habits dying hard was in reality an active following of Athena - lying in wait for her return. Telling Orion that the gods had been trapped away in a Labyrinth for countless years and would reclaim their rightful place again once freed.
More importantly, if he truly was the soul reborn, it would likely be soon. And when the gods did come back, they would need support from their followers, whatever believers remained - and he would need to make a decision about where his loyalties would lie.
Orion eventually forgot about this story, time passed and he graduated high school. Getting accepted into the famous art school of Cetanose College, he found a small apartment nearby and a job at the local dog shelter walking and fostering dogs. He tried to make a normal living there, but things began to happen. He met people that were not quite right, others that claimed to be gods, and a beautiful blind girl named Ivy. Who told him about the dreams she had of a lover she lost in a past life, her devotion to the Erotes, and Orion's own role in all of this.
Even Athena did not expect his loyalty, knowing who he was, but Orion took his responsibility seriously. As much as he would have preferred a normal life with no immortals at all, an obligation to Athena was still an obligation. Just when things were starting to get too unreal, Ivy was moved away by her family and Orion never heard from her again.
Tags:
Jan. 1st, 2018 03:13 pm
Abilities & Powers
abilities: Due to his upbringing many of Orion's abilities are unexplored and underdeveloped until later in life. He may have control of powers in later canon points that aren't fully developed at earlier ages. This post describes his full range of powers, specifications for games are generally included in the application.
Orion has the ability to speak with and understand powers that may not be able to communicate directly with their followers. As a priest of a goddess in his own reality being able to "translate" for other gods is a genetic trait in his family. This ability would likely never come up in a setting where any gods present communicate on the network just like everyone else. He has worked as the mouthpiece of gods unable to speak directly to their followers or captives in the past in various settings.
Due to the lore of Orion - and myth attributing him to Poseidon - he's able to walk on (and breathe under) water, an ability that he's unaware of and would probably require some skill training to perfect. He's also a natural swimmer with accelerated speed and endurance in comparison to average humans, this skill was honed as part of the swim team in high school.
Orion has an almost empathetic ability to calm animals, although he can't communicate with them directly, there is a level of understanding and mutual respect that is supernatural, primarily shown with dogs, horses, deer and aquatic life. This was extremely useful in his line of work at an animal shelter, as he had a gift in luring out strays and relaxing animals in stressful situations. Animal characters may feel calmed in his presence or as if they've known him for a long time and can trust him.* Although undiscovered, this also ties into his ability to summon animals in times of need say if there was a battle. Fresh from canon Orion would be unable to do this intentionally and would require time to develop this power in game.
He's taken up training in sword fighting and archery after meeting Athena, which he has a natural skill for and actually enjoys during his downtime. He's not much of a fighters, as his personality isn't one of a warrior, but he enjoys sparring and using his bow and arrow leisurely.
*Please note: this is not an ability Orion is aware of, but an innate aspect of who he is. He doesn't actively target and calm animals/characters, they just feel a sense of calm and ease around him.
The closer a character is to being an animal, the more likely they'll feel this (For example a wolf that can become human will be more prone to response than a human that can become a wolf). In game the ability to do this is done on a case by case basis with player permission, at their discretion. Essentially players can determine for whatever reason it does or doesn't work on characters from their particular universe or the character's personality overrides any calming or desire to trust him. Characters may also feel mixed emotions about this should the player see fit, such characters may be uncomfortable around Orion because they don't understand what's going on or resent him for how he makes them feel etc. I'm good with any variety of things, if you have questions or want to hash it out, hit me up - please just let me know how you'd like it to manifest with your character!
Orion has the ability to speak with and understand powers that may not be able to communicate directly with their followers. As a priest of a goddess in his own reality being able to "translate" for other gods is a genetic trait in his family. This ability would likely never come up in a setting where any gods present communicate on the network just like everyone else. He has worked as the mouthpiece of gods unable to speak directly to their followers or captives in the past in various settings.
Due to the lore of Orion - and myth attributing him to Poseidon - he's able to walk on (and breathe under) water, an ability that he's unaware of and would probably require some skill training to perfect. He's also a natural swimmer with accelerated speed and endurance in comparison to average humans, this skill was honed as part of the swim team in high school.
Orion has an almost empathetic ability to calm animals, although he can't communicate with them directly, there is a level of understanding and mutual respect that is supernatural, primarily shown with dogs, horses, deer and aquatic life. This was extremely useful in his line of work at an animal shelter, as he had a gift in luring out strays and relaxing animals in stressful situations. Animal characters may feel calmed in his presence or as if they've known him for a long time and can trust him.* Although undiscovered, this also ties into his ability to summon animals in times of need say if there was a battle. Fresh from canon Orion would be unable to do this intentionally and would require time to develop this power in game.
He's taken up training in sword fighting and archery after meeting Athena, which he has a natural skill for and actually enjoys during his downtime. He's not much of a fighters, as his personality isn't one of a warrior, but he enjoys sparring and using his bow and arrow leisurely.
*Please note: this is not an ability Orion is aware of, but an innate aspect of who he is. He doesn't actively target and calm animals/characters, they just feel a sense of calm and ease around him.
The closer a character is to being an animal, the more likely they'll feel this (For example a wolf that can become human will be more prone to response than a human that can become a wolf). In game the ability to do this is done on a case by case basis with player permission, at their discretion. Essentially players can determine for whatever reason it does or doesn't work on characters from their particular universe or the character's personality overrides any calming or desire to trust him. Characters may also feel mixed emotions about this should the player see fit, such characters may be uncomfortable around Orion because they don't understand what's going on or resent him for how he makes them feel etc. I'm good with any variety of things, if you have questions or want to hash it out, hit me up - please just let me know how you'd like it to manifest with your character!
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