Figured i'd re-make this thread with a slight diffrece, since discussing the outsider characters as their made, or before they're put into the story, is actually quite interesting to me, and more importantly, might be helpful to Arioch when he gets stuck with something (bouncing ideas around has been helpful for me when i get stuck in the character creation process) but lets try and say on topic, just to make the topic more clear,
Its about observing and discussing the Characters of Outsider, the concepts of these characters and how they might have changed when they were put into the actual story and what they're like in the story (personality, how they act, maybe their back story?)
lets try and keep the topics clean, m'k? if you really feel someone had said something which you absolutely must comment on and its out of topic, make anew thread, quote them and link the new thread....sorry that was more of a rant than anything wasn't it? ok back to topic,



Stillstorm early concept, she seems more mischievous in this pic, whereas she seems more world weary now.

What the...that's Stillstorm?

I...that's so different from Stillstorm as we know her, I just...what...

I must say that the cold, emotionless Stillstorm works better than the mischievous, pony-tailed Stillstorm.

Also: Beryl.

Although there's several big differences between that concept art and the current Stillstorm (to the point where they could be mistaken as different characters), it does strike me as a younger her, before decades of being a commander and having a crew of twenty to fifty somethings. Am I remembering right in that she's 150?

more or less 50 year yes.


Well one thing i find hard to draw is age "marker" you know the hint that make you think, this character look 25 or 50 or 80. Since they are concept art, it possible Arioch left those hint (making the character look younger) or his technique improved to the point were he would more accurately show the desired age of his character

The other possibility is that he decided to make her older for some reason. Thus it not the first character that look older in recent sketch than in older one. (see Graywind)

Forget Graywind, look at Beryl. It seems that her entire character changed multiple times during the various concept stages. While Stillstorm went from mildly playful to I'm-gonna-rip-your-throat-out-and-feast-on-your-innards-while-maintaining-a-calm-and-solemn-demeanor, Beryl went from more serious to positively adorable. It's like she lost a few years during the process. (Which may have been what Arioch was shooting for.)

My suspicion for Beryl is that Arioch realized he kind of needed a character who was actually pleasant on the Loroi side early on. Since if the best he was going to offer was Tempo they were going to look like a race of assholes.

In the first sketches of the age - not the main thing. Her smile seems to me more sarcastic than mischievous.

Mischievous boss - nightmare for subordinate .

That does make sense. Given the Loroi racial description we have, having Beryl be the way she is (openly inquisitive, generally approachable, actually friendly), gives Alex, and by extension, us, a latch point into the story. Through Beryl, we can get Loroi backstory in a plot-plausible way; Alex doesn't have to somehow convince a Loroi to have a "change of heart," and talk to him.

As to the Stillstorm concept, I have to agree, she looks much younger. And we see that smirk again, on page 89. Of course, in the original context, it appears mischievous or sarcastic, but in the comic, it isn't anywhere near as pleasant. I'd say it appears cruelly mocking, at best. Which, from how we've seen her act thus far, fits quite well.

Plus, he needed a character for the pin-up art. Telepanty, anyone?

And, you know, the whole viewpoint character thing. But telepanties are just as important.

There is no denying just how vitally important telepanties are. To do so would absolutely foolish. I'm sure when we get to discussing Beryl in detail, this is a point that will bear full analysis.

...and my mother
always said that in her
day a purple ribbon
looped in the hair was thought
to be high style indeed

(Sappho)


Its the ribbon and the ponytail that makes her seem younger (and less scary) to me.

I will agree that Beryl is the most likeable character in the whole thing (minus our trusty protagonist, of course, since he's the protagonist). That probably explains the pin-up art. And the telepanties.

As for Stillstorm's hairstyle: there's something about the volume of her hair in the finalized version of her character. Just as how Fireblade flaunts her awesomeness with her mane of hair, so does Stillstorm intimidate with her...whatever that is. Ribbon and ponytail just doesn't cut it, although I'm sure the Umiak can't tell the difference.

Plus the eyebrows. Especially on P89, panel 2.

Silly me, to forget the eyebrows. Of course. I would not like to get Stillstorm pissed off at me, that's for sure.

Looking at Stillstorm, and actually thinking about her appearance... Her face is defined, with sharp angles. Her hair is sleek, back out of the way, with absolutely no excess (when compared to say, Fireblade). Her appearance exemplifies a cold, focused predator. Her actions do not deny this essential nature.

Based on looks alone, she's not a woman I would ever want to be at odds with.

Page 64. Second panel.

Enough said.

*high pitch noise warning*

SO CUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTE!

Yeah, her features seem softer in that one. As if she has a bit more understanding of Alexander. Even if he isn't up to snuff for a warrior on looks alone, she can definitively relate to his defiance after an attack from an overpowering force. She's probably seen almost all of her friends killed, so him making a vow of vengeance makes sense to her mind.

i always looked at that shot as 'Good greif, there you were floating in the dead of space, almost out of air, and you were picking to rant at some unseen attacker and personally swear to get vengance WHEN YOU ARE ABOUT TO DIE ANYWAY? Humanity is even more idiotic than i thought.'

The 'I don't even believe it, you really did THAT?' look of disbelief

its just alex's way of saying "my species are way more awesomer then yours!"

I wouldn't say Stillstorm is looking particularly understanding or critical of Alex--looks more like she's just rolling her eyes in mild contempt.

Imagine:

Strange pink alien gets dragged aboard ship, half-dead.

Heal him up, interview him. He claims to be a warrior.

Inquire as to the nature of some of his transmissions.

"Oh, those? Those were death threats. I was getting bored of floating in the void."

Although we can't see much of the rest of the bridge, I assume they are either reacting as Stillstorm is, or going "d'aww, it's so cute!" Sort of like a kitten after a bath or something.

The funny thing is, those are not even personal death treats but racial on how badass humans really are .