User blog:DustpeltX/The Making Of: Asher Stahl



Hey Fanon, Dust here.

So it has been a while since I wrote one of these and I figure I should take a break from reviewing and playing Black Desert Online / NieR: Automata.

Both are really good games by the way, BDO if you like a non-traditional MMO that has a well developed crafting/farming/fishing/trading system. Seriously, it's got a shit ton. However be warned, this is one of those MMOs where you HAVE to grind to level. Also there's no particular end-game other than being super rich and well equiped.

NieR: Automata is for those who wish Devil May Cry 5 was actually a game being made. NieR in my experience is very close in terms of Dark Souls for exploration and such but combat wise is very DMC. If anything buy it for its story and atmosphere. The music is to die for. Also the 2Booty if you're into that sort of thing.

Anyway, for those new here, blogs like this one are a series of writings and snipits in which I try to construct a half-guide using one of my few Original Characters. Other than to show off, I genuinely think that it helps me critically think about future characters when I choose develop them. Again, I encourage those who have the time to do the same.

This one will be focused on the re-design of the purposely bland looking Asher Stahl, the second member and leader of Team HART.

Initial Concept


Asher began as the third character design in HART after Rayne, and Heart before that. As team HART is a breakdown as me as an individual, Asher took the place of logic and reason while Heart was anger/passion, and Rayne was spiritual/religion. The relationship between these three characters also dictate the relationship between the three concepts within my own personality. The fact that Asher saves Heart and is attacked by Rayne is no coincidence and neither Asher and Rayne's relationship. They all represent something but to fully explain it would require a really long story I would rather not tell unless asked to.

Yes, that's it. That's all there is to Asher, logic and reason, and to a certain degree Asher is the only character I would really would really consider as a "self insert" which is strange as I've clearly stated many times that I have a stern distaste for self-inserts due to many temptations they seem to bring to the table. Anyway, you can read about my thoughts on them in my previous posts found on my profile page.

I think Asher is one of the hardest characters for me to write about as he is more a default state of mind for me than anything else. In keeping with the theme, I believe I can sometimes turn into a really angry and blunt Heart or the self-reflecting and cold Rayne. However by default, Asher is who I think like that is his purpose. To be quiet, sit still, and let thigns be until intervention is needed. HIs simplistic design and faults are all reflections of this mindset.

At the same time, there was a sort of sadness and regret in this interation of Asher. It was the younger me. The one who was naive in thinking that "just being who you are" was the right way to live, or that taking your time to help everyone would lead to a fulfilling life. In essense, this Asher was irresponsibly selfless.

Of course, that was the old Asher.

Re-work Concept
One of the things I did not like about the old Asher was his weapon. While it did give him a link to Heart it was uncharactistic and lazy. It almost seemed like his sword defined his character rather than the other way around. So I fixed it, and then turned it up to 11.

Why?

Well for fun I guess, if you were to ask me why this type of weapon design I honestly have no idea how to answer. I suppose maturity just came with the urge to be able to protect oneself, hence the shield, but you also have the tendency to just obliterate anything in your path that seems wrong.

His hair and personality is what I would consider the most noteworthy change as it was a physical change that accompanied a spiritual one. Asher was no longer a reluctant white knight but a properly selfish person, something that took me a while to understand.

And I think that's a very important thing to note. Lots of character have the "protector of friends" trope and that fine and all but it gets cheesy real fast. Realisticlly, I took me a while to realize that I really don't have the energy to be nice to everyone, it was also a dangerously irresponsible and extremely selfish thing to do. Being selfish isn't bad. It's what gives us selfworth and dignity and confidence but too much is just turns into narcisism.