Application: Teleios

[paradoxlol]

Player Info

Name: Ros
Age: 27
Contact: rosloops
Characters Already in Teleios: N/A
Reserve: LINK

Character Basics:

Character Name: Arthur
Journal: paradoxlol
Age: 28
Fandom: Inception
Canon Point: Towards the end of the film. Rather than wake up from the dream, he wakes up in Teleios.
Debt:

Class A: 136 years (Corporate espionage and counting all of the projections he's killed as murders)
Class B: 24 years, 6 months (Assault, Theft, Fraud)
Class C: 1 year, 5 months

Reckless Driving

Being a stick in the mud

Cheating the laws of physics

GRAND TOTAL: 161 years and 11 months

Canon Character Section:

History: Film Synopsis

Personality:

Arthur's occupation tells a great deal about who he is. Although it would be simplistic to sum him up solely as a Point Man-- as he is more than his job-- it's the best place to start to get an idea of him. Arthur plays a nearly invaluable role to his partners, and he is regarded at the best at what he does. He's reliable, studious, hardworking, and attentive to details. Surrounded by creative types-- planners, forgers, architects-- Arthur's role is similar to that of a producer. He's the one who takes the plots and ideas and lays down the groundwork to make them happen. He acquires and sets up the workshop for everybody, researches the Mark's background, teaches Ariadne more about dream sharing and architecture, acts as the guinea pig for sedative/kick tests, etc. Not only that, but he tries to keep things in check during planning/brainstorming sessions. Arthur is the grounded member of the group, the one who has to corral the others. Where the creative types bounce ideas off of each other, Arthur asks the questions to remind them of potential setbacks or feasibility. Of the team, Arthur is the jack of all trades. He has numerous, adaptive skills, but he isn't the best at any one thing. He's good because he's attentive, organized and a researcher, and because he knows a little bit about everything.

Arthur is composed, confident and professional. He takes most things in stride, although his calm demeanor can give way to anger from time to time-- even then, though, he quickly returns his focus to the task at hand. Due to the often risky nature of his job, Arthur is no stranger to danger and pain (at least, in the dream world), and he doesn't shy away from it. When Mal has a gun to his head, it's Arthur who remains calm and shakes his head, indicating to Cobb not to give in to her. Although he screams and is obviously in pain when shot in the kneecap, Arthur mostly maintains his steady demeanor and, upon being put out of his misery with a shot to the head (thus kicking him back up a level in the dream), immediately stands up and begins to work on a way to give Cobb more time in the lower layer of the dream. He doesn't hesitate or dwell on his brief torture for even a second, and he doesn't even raise the issue with Cobb until the job is finished.

Unlike Cobb, Arthur can very clearly delineate dreams and reality, which helps him tremendously in the field. Aside from handling guns and explosives well, Arthur is also willing to jump into unarmed combat against armed projections. Knowing it's all a dream no doubt strengthens his resolve in a seemingly deadly situation, and it also helps him adapt to complications quickly because he knows how to manipulate the dream, or at least is prepared to react to the strangeness of a dream. Arthur's derided for being a "stick in the mud" with no imagination; however, that's far from the truth. In the real world, he may be focused on what is or isn't possible, but in dreams, his imagination shines. He is the one who introduces Ariadne to the concept of paradoxical architecture, impossible objects and Escher-esque traps to create a seamless maze, and he uses the same concept to trick a projection into a paradox. More than that, he manages to use his creativity to stage a zero-gravity kick, and in fact, he comes up with the solution to his zero-gravity problem pretty quickly. Rigging explosives to an elevator, he manages to use the force of the explosion to throw the dreamers back up into the next level of the dream.

Of course, he could always stand to dream a little bigger... But still, grounded in reality though he may be, he manages to use it to his advantage, and his resourcefulness is certainly an indicator of creativity and imagination.

Because Arthur is so straight-laced and professional, seemingly focused on the job at all times, he can seem impersonal, condescending and bossy. This isn't entirely without merit, since Arthur is condescending and bossy sometimes. He may not be the leader of the entire operation, but he's the one who knows the plan and the Mark inside and out, and-- most importantly-- the one tasked with making sure nothing goes wrong. He has to react to the unexpected and come up with plans on the fly, not only to ensure his own safety, but to ensure that the plan continues despite setbacks. As a result, he gives orders and berates screw ups, and he doesn’t let things sit. If he doesn’t do these things, then the entire job could be in jeopardy. When Sub-Security unexpectedly show up in Fischer's subconscious, Arthur has to immediately react to escape, lose their tails and keep Fischer in one piece, all at once. So, he tells Eames what to do without hesitating and gets their asses out of there. And, in the beginning, when Nash ruins the job by messing up the carpet details in Saito's love nest, Arthur immediately confronts him on his poor work and insults him.

This isn't to say that Arthur is unfriendly, however, just that he can sometimes come across as stiff and uptight. Still, he isn't all business, all the time, so much as he's very focused. There are exceptions, when he lets that hard, professional mask slip on the job and reveal his more personable side, showing that YES, the tight-ass stick in the mud does indeed have feelings. And a sense of humor. Arthur's more good-natured (and occasionally flirty) than he lets on. For instance, he uses a potentially life-threatening situation to playfully get a kiss out of Ariadne. When Eames warns him about the Security that's about to be all over him, Arthur gives a light hearted response about leading them on a merry chase.

Being an Extractor, a Point Man, isn't just a job for Arthur. He really and truly loves what he does. The technology, the untapped potential of dreams, the ability to harness control over a world, to change and create, this is what he loves. His passion for the work is what keeps him in this dangerous and morally-grey business, rather than the money (substantial though it may be). It's worth noting that given the extremely violating nature of Extraction (and Inception) that Arthur isn't a "good" or "pure" person. He's a well-dressed gentleman thief and a con-man, although he isn't as good at the actual conning as somebody like Eames is (as his and Cobb's deception, in the beginning, is called out as "obvious" by Saito).

Arthur's moral compass is clearly skewed, and he doesn't really regard his Marks as people. They're just a part of his job, a means to an end. As far as Arthur's concerned, he's just doing his job-- a job that he happens to love-- even if it's at their expense. He doesn't really stop and think about the consequences of what he does to these people. For example, when it comes to discussing Inception, Arthur isn't opposed to the idea of it, or how it could come to change a person's entire life. Instead, he's opposed to it on the grounds that it can't be done. It's impossible, as far as he's concerned, just like the Mr. Charles gamble is impossible. Arthur is, often, stuck on what's possible and what isn't, which is particularly odd considering his interest in shared dreaming and paradoxes and adaptation. It's as though he doesn't completely understand dreams, at least, not on the intuitive/emotional level that Cobb or Eames does. He seems to understand things on a technical and conceptual level, but not on an intuitive or analytical level.

Arthur isn't perfect. For all his fastidiousness and hard work, he's capable of missing certain super important details... like Fischer's training in how to handle Extractors. You'd think that'd be the first thing Arthur uncovered. However, as Point Man it's not his job to freak out over these mistakes, and he won't make excuses for himself. He simply adapts, and quickly. While Arthur is great at learning about people and situations, mapping out plans and paying attention to the details, getting out of sticky situations, etc, he DOES lack a deeper understanding of others. He knows about Robert Fischer, but he doesn't understand him, which ultimately limits him as an extractor (but makes him an excellent point man. He's able to research his Mark as a Mark, not get involved or attached). In all the planning, it's Eames who provides the insights into Fischer and presents the best strategy for Incepting an idea, using psychology and his knowledge of the other man's feelings/relationships/etc. to come up with a solid plan. Arthur, on the other hand, is more literal-minded. While they're talking about emotions and catharsis, he's skeptical of the "maybes" and doesn't see how Fischer's lousy relationship with his dad is helpful or relevant. He has to ask Cobb and Eames the point of certain details like that.

Arthur isn't seen outside of a professional context much in the film, but he does have a few connections to others (outside of a strictly professional one), namely Cobb, Ariadne and Mal. While we never see Arthur and the real Mal interact, he considered her "lovely," and he obviously knew her before her descent into insanity. There isn't much that can be said about his feelings for Mal beyond speculation, but given that she was supposed to be this vivacious, fantastic woman, and she was clearly brilliant, intelligent and creative, I imagine Arthur looked up to her in his early days of dream exploration. Her breakdown and death likely shook him, and it certainly left him with the impression that Limbo is a Very bad Thing. Despite his once-fond feelings for Mal, Arthur isn't taken back by her appearance in Saito's dream, indicating that this is not the first time he's seen her shade. In fact, he seems exasperated when she appears. Rather than get swept up under Mal's "spell" like Cobb does, Arthur reminds him that they have work to do.

Arthur's grounding in reality makes him an ideal Point Man-- and friend-- for Cobb. It helps him keep Cobb on point where he may otherwise become distracted or go off the rails. When they run into Sub-Security in Fischer's mind, for example, Cobb's the one to fly off the handle, while Arthur reminds him repeatedly that it isn't that big of a set back, that they'll work through it. When Cobb gets drawn into Saito's deal, Arthur's the one who stands there and reminds him that they have to go, and fast. He doesn't back down from the projections or from Cobb. He obviously respects Cobb, and although he doesn't show it overtly, he does care about him. He's deeply loyal to him, and he does try to confront Cobb on the Mal issue, but it's clear that Arthur's been down that road before with no success, so he doesn't push. He allows Cobb to keep his guilt, all the while looking out for him, trying to keep him in control of himself.

With Ariadne, Arthur builds a friendly connection with her, beyond the professional one he maintains with the others. He engages with her easily, and he shares her enthusiasm for learning about what can be achieved in dreams. More than that, Arthur seems to understand Ariadne's excitement, the way she feels about uncovering the potentials of dreams, the ability to engage in pure creation. Although they never have a heart-to-heart, he understands her feelings, and he's quick to show concern for her. The first time Ariadne encounters Mal, Arthur rushes to her side to give her comforting assurance that she's back in the real world. When he teaches her about totems and paradoxes, Arthur doesn't simply lecture her. He tries to engage with her, to have a dialogue with her, to share with her what he finds fascinating. And he seems to enjoy showing off to her... just a little.

When it comes to more antagonistic co-workers, Arthur tries to take them with professionalism and dignity. With Eames, he rarely instigates any exchanges of snide remarks, although Arthur will certainly snap at him (and others) when under pressure. Arthur is typically unresponsive, as though he's above getting into petty arguments or rising to Eames's taunts, but he has his silent reactions to the Forger, usually in the form of BITCHY LOOKS. Despite their antagonism, Arthur can clearly set things aside and work well with Eames, and he even offers him reassurance about his own safety. Given the way the two interact, there's obviously a professional history there, and Arthur's likely used to the other man's temperament. He doesn't dislike him as much as their brief exchanges may lead others to believe. In fact, Arthur has some respect for Eames, at least as a good thief and forger.

Arthur is a pretty fashionable guy, and he keeps himself well dressed and well groomed for the most part, although he's fond of rolling up his sleeves when he gets down to work. He's not as fastidious about his appearance in the real world as he is in the dream world. When he’s the dreamer, the world takes on a classy, retro-chic look, much like Arthur himself. The décor in Arthur's dreams is pretty distinctively, well, Arthur. He's also fond of post-war British painters, and he probably digs the works of Francis Bacon, Emmy Bridgewater, Ben Nicholson. That style of art.

Arthur's totem says a lot about him, and it's something he considers invaluable, given his line of work. As a loaded die, it illustrates his desire to always know the odds, and to control the odds, even. It will be especially important to him in Teleios, as he'll be arriving from the middle of a dream. Since his new circumstances will be nothing short of strange, he'll want to test it frequently to make sure certain this isn't just another dream.

Powers/Abilties: Arthur's a baseline human in good physical condition. He's highly intelligent and resourceful. A skilled fighter and fairly solid researcher, he's capable of adapting to dangerous challenges without hesitation. Arthur's proficient in hand-to-hand combat and an array of firearms and explosives. Given his skills, it's quite likely he has military training and experience.

Appearance:


CR AU

Game You’re Transferring CR from: N/A
How has your character changed from their canon self? N/A
Are they gaining any abilities from their time in game? Did the game setting take something from them? N/A

Samples:

Actionspam Sample:

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Prose Sample:

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