Thread:Crowsoul50/@comment-33229352-20191222061337/@comment-33229352-20200105062855

Something I really want to work on with my characters is giving them all distinct voices. Not how they actually sound, but word choice, how they interact with people, the kind of language they typically use, sayings, stuff like that. I've done a little bit with it, but I can do a whole lot more, I feel.

Huck speaks more formally and doesn't use contractions, which is a nod to it being his second language. He's also a little bit more careful with his words, and speaks concisely. He typically gets right to the point and speaks frankly. Metaphors and meandering are not his thing, and he tends to be more literal. Realistically, him and Milo should have a very similar manner of speaking because he is the one who taught the Bushbeast how, but I also think that he already spoke like that in Tree, and it carried over. So I guess there's no such thing as contractions in Tree. Huck's voice is extremely deep and resonant.

Milo's a little different. He's got a lot more nervous energy than Huck, so he talks more, and his bird characteristics give him a higher pitched, lilting voice. He's prone to voice cracks, especially when he's feeling strong emotion, typically fear. He sings beautifully, but rarely does so, because he used to be punished for it in the smuggler's camp, so he's "forgotten" how to. He will often talk as a way of filling dead air. Silence bothers him, so he will often talk or mutter to himself if there's nothing else going on around him. He has a few mantras he will repeat over and over, his "bird calls", if you will. He's pretty good at imitations of sounds and other people.

Bliss! She's loud and proud. Her voice sounds like a typical young girl's, but her vocabulary is pretty advanced for her age. She's very informal, and sometimes she picks up words and phrases that Orphos says, then applies them in a completely wrong context. She's got a few missing teeth, so it's difficult for her to say some words, but don't point that out to her or she'll kick you. She tends to speak without thinking, which can and has gotten her into trouble.

Ishmael's voice is actually pretty low, but he's conditioned himself to speak in a higher pitch because he thought he sounded too much like his father. He will occasionally slip, typically when he's giving orders he expects to be followed, or if he's really angry. His word choice varies widely depending on who he's talking to, but typically he speaks simply and opts for easier words, a habit he picked up from his medic days. He has a very slight Scottish accent.

Orphos has a deep and gravelly voice, and a flair for the dramatic. He greatly enjoys speaking in riddles, and long, convoluted metaphors. He typically speaks rather quietly, but if he's drunk and/or in the presence of others, he's a loud boi. He laughs from his belly. He likes using more complicated words than he needs to in order to make himself sound more intelligent, a trick he has found effective when making deals. If there's a witty retort to be made, odds are he's the one who will say it. He has a a bit of a southern twang that thickens the drunker he is. He often becomes more prone to making dark jokes and being sassy when he's been drinking. If you catch him at the right time, he exudes a strong "outlaw from the Wild West who is disillusioned with life" kind of vibe. Of course he sings and plays a mean guitar, as all cowboys do.

Shiloh's voice is very deadpan and monotone. Her frequent use of sarcasm makes it difficult to tell when she's joking or not. And she can excel at making people uncomfortable. She's manipulative, often talking circles around someone and obfuscating when asked about where her loyalties lie. She's difficult to convince, and even harder to trick.

Felix has a British accent, and has a very kingly voice. He has a little elevated vocabulary sprinkled in with very casual language. He's very relaxed and will often adapt his speech to suit the situation. He loves slang, but can't use it because iT's NoT pRoPeR. He often speaks in positives, and has a hard time telling people "no" outright. He's quick on his feet.

Figura is more formal and uptight, especially when he's on the job. He has a baritone voice, which adds to his intimidating aura, and his responses are snappy. Other times, he's much more relaxed and is very expressive with his emotions. He is full of kelpie terms and sayings, the vast majority of which make absolutely no sense to anyone but himself.

I don't know yet for Gevar and the Masked Ones 🤷‍♂️ will probably revisit later. None of these are like set in stone.