The Ultimate Character Profile Template: Part 1 - The Outer Layer

The Ultimate Character
Profile Template
Part 1 — The Outer Layer

Definition: How your character looks, sounds, and moves.
Similar to: An offender profile.
1.1. THE BASICS
Name Essmira Guldir

Age 19
Place of birth Ellymura, Vredriere
Current location Travels alot, so no clear location
Nationality Vredrieran
Education Homeschooled + age 14-18 academy (completed)
Occupation Flower seller (beggining) soldier/huntress (middle, end)
Income varied
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1.2. PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Height average
Eye color brown
Hair color light brown
Build curvy-ish
Distinguishing features (tattoos, scars, birthmarks, etc.):

Likeness to Nymae (antagonist)
Gold ring around her pupil
Star shaped freckles (faint)
Preferred outfit?
revealing, extravagent clothes (short dresses, ball-gowns, etc.)
practical, warm clothing (cloaks, tunics, trousers, etc.)
Glasses?
/
Accessories (cane, pipe, necklace, etc.):

A small, gold lantern shaped necklace on a thin gold chain that can channel her light-magi.
Grooming:
Disheveled Smart, very put together Untidy but clean
Other? If so, explain:
Meticulous and tidy, but sometimes a bit on the 'untidy but clean' side.

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Distinguishing “tics” and mannerisms:

/
Health? Do they suffer from chronic illnesses?

/
Handwriting (sloppy, neat, careful, unintelligible, etc.):

elegant, loopy handwriting with longer and slimmer letters.
Gait:
Confident, powerful strides Lazy stroll Fast, walks at a clip
Distracted, eyes on the ground Other? If so, explain:
Confident, arrogant strides
1.3. SPEECH AND COMMUNICATION
Style of speech (elevated, educated, peppered with slang, etc.):

educated and somewhat formal but quite a bit of cursing.
Tempo of speech (rapid, slow, measured, drawl, etc.):

regular speed with a faint lilt.
Do they have an accent?

Yes No

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Pitch (melodic, gravelly, deep, etc.):

melodic and light
Posture:
Stiff, military Slouching Casual and relaxed
‘Turtle’, tired Other? If so, explain:
Straight back, but not stiff.
Gesturing:
Only when agitated or eager Doesn’t gesture
Compulsive “hand-talker” Controlled, only to make a point
Only when agitated or angry, usually to make rude gestures.
Level of eye contact (direct, shifty, etc.):

direct (depending on who)
Speech impediments:
/
Distinguishing speech “tics”:
Preferred curse word:

Vyx (Drevni for 'ice' which is never welcomed)
Catchphrases:
/

Laughter? What do they tend to find funny?
Its a bit varied, but usually clever jokes, sarcasm, or melodramatic events.
Describe their smile:

Soft and sweet at first glance, but wicked and sharp if you look again.
Emotive? Do they wear their emotions on their sleeve? How easily can others read them?
Essmira rarely shows her true emotions, preffering to channel them into her magi and rid herself
of them.
They have a resting ______ face.

Angel Side-eye Neutral
Confused Other? If so, explain:
Cool and calculating
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Part 2 — The Flesh
Definition: How your character is a product of their environment.
Similar to: The character bio and backstory.
2.1. THE PAST

Hometown:
Ellymura
Type of childhood (sheltered, neglected, etc.):

cared for and loved, but taught to be sharp-minded, determined, etc. (turned her into a narssisist)
Education:
Was home-schooled for until she was 13, when she went to an academy for young-nobles up
until she was 18. She graduated at the top of her class.
Were they involved in organizations and clubs at school:

Sports Debate Gay/Straight Alliance
Model UN Drama
At graduation, they were named Most Likely to __________________ in the yearbook.
Jobs (if applicable)? What would their résumé look like?

/

Dream job as a child? Why?
To be a Queen. She felt that power would make evrything better.
(still is her dream 'job')
Who were their role models growing up? Describe them:

The princess of Vredriere; Aelaina Silverstone
She was beatiful and elegant, as well as loved by her people.
Greatest regret:
Trusting Keiryan Vaerhys.
Hobbies growing up:

Shopping, going on walks, picking flowers.
Favourite place to be as a child?

The enchanted well in the cities green.
If they could change one thing from their past, what would it be? Why?
Their Narcissistic personality. Once she realized how she was acting she thought about all
all the peoples lives she probably ruined, and wholly regrets it.
Major turning points or “life beats” in childhood:

Her Father disapearring when she was a few weeks old.
(she obviously didnt witness it first hand, but her mother told her everything.)

Earliest memory:
Staring up at the royal family of Vredreire and wishing that it was her up on that 'pretty'
throne.
Saddest memory:
(beggining) Being ignored by the crown-princess at a tea party with a few other nobles.
(end, 2nd book) Being betrayed by Keiryan Vaerhys,
Happiest memory:
Finally mastering her light-magi, and it becoming almost a friend to her.
Clearest memory:
Her Mother being killed by enemy soldiers.
What are their skeletons in the closet?

/
Three adjectives to describe them as a child?

Chaotic, creative, sharp-minded
What advice would they give to their younger self?

Her mother and herself.
Criminal record:
/

2.2. FAMILY
Father
Age (if living)
/ Occupation
Briefly describe their relationship with your character:
Mother
Age (if living)
43 Occupation Flower seller / Noble (has money already)
Briefly describe their relationship with your character:
Very close relationship, her mother is one of her few role models and the only person
she shows any empathy towards.
Siblings
How many? 0
What are their names? Ages?
Briefly describe their relationship(s) with your character:
Children (if applicable)

How many? 0
What are their names? Ages?
Briefly describe their relationship(s) with your character:

Extended family
Grandparents /
Uncles and aunts /
Cousins /
Other /
Family’s economic status:

low-born Noble
How often do they see their family in a year?

Never (no family)
2.3. EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS
Closest friends? Describe them:

Lysus Ivenoak ; brooding and stubborn at first, but a great listener, funny, and brave later.
Other significant friends:

Keiryan Vaerhys ; cold-hearted but has a 'soft spot' for Mira, sarcastic, smug, and a bit emotion-
less.
Enemies? Describe them:

Nymae (the Witch) ; cold and cunning, wicked and dramatic, cruel and bloodthirsty.

How are they perceived by...
...strangers in the street?

Stuffy, narcissistic, elegant.
...acquaintances at a work function?

/
...colleagues in the office?

/
...authority figures?
/
...friends in their friend circles?

/
...children?
/
...the opposite sex?

beautiful, but stuck up.

...extended family?
/

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What social media platforms are they on?

Twitter Facebook Reddit
Instagram Snapchat Tumblr
There are no socials in Vadronys.
How would they use their social media platforms?

/
How would they fill out an online dating profile for themselves?
/
What’s their role in a group dynamic?

Le
ade
r Joke
r Pare
nt
Hype man Mooch

Who do they depend on for...
...practical advice?
Her mother and herself.
...mentoring?
Lysus Ivenoak.
...a wingman?
Lysus Ivenoak.
...emotional support?
Herself, and her light-magi
...moral support?
/
What do they want from a relationship?

Power. She's not in it for the love.
Who would be their ideal partner?

Keiryan Vaeryhs.

Do they have a significant other? Describe them:
Keiryan Vaeryhs ; cold-hearted but with a soft spot for Essmira, sarcastic and a bit rude. But
later on, seems to almost worship Essmira.
How many people would attend their funeral?

All of Wyvyth and Vredriere.
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Part 3 — The Core

Definition: How your character is deep down.
Similar to: A psych test.
3.1. PSYCHOLOGY
What do they do on rainy days?
Go outside and dance in the rain (but make sure nobody is around or sees her)
Are they:
Street-smart Book-smart Optimist
Pessimist Introvert Extrovert
What is their favorite sound?

Of rain on stone roofs or glass windows.

Favorite place in the world?
The enchanted forests of Wyvyth.
What secrets do they keep? What are they most afraid of people finding out?
Most afraid of people finding out how she truly feels, and how scared she is.
What do they want the most?

Power or to rule, and to be known by all the kingdoms.

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Biggest flaw:
Vanity, and narcisstic personality, hides her emotions.
Biggest strength:
Courage and sharp-mind / logical thinking.

Biggest fear:
People finding out how she truly feels / how scared she is.
What is their biggest accomplishment?

Saving Vadronys from the Witch (Nymae)
What is their idea of perfect happiness?

Start : To be Queen, to do whatever she wishes and to be worshipped.
End : To live a life seperate from all that she has endured (wars, power-struggles, etc.)
Do they want to be remembered? What for?

Yes, and to be remembered by anything so long as her name and legacy forever lives on.
Favorite quote:
(NOT CHOSEN YET)
How do they approach...
...power?
/
...ambition?
/

...love?
/
...change?
/
PRO Lost the plot for your characters? We present:

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What is the one object or possession that they would rescue from their burning home?
Either her lantern-necklace, or enchanted sword.
What (or who) bores them?

People who dont take risks, who color inside the lines rather than being brave enought to be
different.
What makes them angry?

Uneducated people, really hot days, and Keiryan Vaerhys.

What do they look for in a person?
/
How strong is their moral compass? When, specifically, are they willing to compromise their
morals?
/
List the last 10 books that they read:

/
Which fictional world would they most wish to visit?

They live in a fictional world already.
If they didn’t have to sleep, what would they do with extra time?
Increase her attempts to be known and to be more.
What are their pet peeves?

People who ramble when they talk, or people who mess up her hair or clothing.
If they won the lottery, what would they do?

Use the money to get more money and use that money to become more powerful or to get
clothing.

Describe the character’s bucket list at the ages of:
15 Formally meet the crown-Princess of Vredriere
20 Live.
30 /
40 /
List the 10 songs that would occupy their All-Time Most Played playlist on Spotify:
Music is just classical (piano, violin, etc) so no spotify.
What is the best compliment that someone ever paid them?

She beleives people only use compliments as bribes, so none.
In an elevator, do they push the elevator button more than once?

Yes
No
What would they want their tombstone to say?

Essmira Guldir - A brave huntress through and through, right till the end.
3.2. THE PRESENT AND FUTURE

Story goal:
(WRITTEN SOMEWHERE ELSE ALREADY)

Story motivation:
(WRITTEN SOMEWHERE ELSE ALREADY)
Congratulations on your brand-new character!

Now it’s time to write their story.
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The Ultimate Character Profile Template: Part 1 - The Outer Layer

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The Ultimate Character

Part 1 — The Outer Layer

1.1. THE BASICS

Name Essmira Guldir

reedsy.com | Where beautiful books come to life Page 1 of 20

1.2. PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Distinguishing features (tattoos, scars, birthmarks, etc.):

Accessories (cane, pipe, necklace, etc.):

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Distinguishing “tics” and mannerisms:

Health? Do they suffer from chronic illnesses?

Handwriting (sloppy, neat, careful, unintelligible, etc.):

1.3. SPEECH AND COMMUNICATION

Style of speech (elevated, educated, peppered with slang, etc.):

Tempo of speech (rapid, slow, measured, drawl, etc.):

Do they have an accent?

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Pitch (melodic, gravelly, deep, etc.):

Straight back, but not stiff.

Level of eye contact (direct, shifty, etc.):

Distinguishing speech “tics”:

Preferred curse word:

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Describe their smile:

They have a resting ______ face.

Cool and calculating

Ready to start writing?

Try Reedsy Book Editor

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2.1. THE PAST

Type of childhood (sheltered, neglected, etc.):

Were they involved in organizations and clubs at school:

At graduation, they were named Most Likely to __________________ in the yearbook.

Jobs (if applicable)? What would their résumé look like?

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Who were their role models growing up? Describe them:

Hobbies growing up:

Favourite place to be as a child?

Major turning points or “life beats” in childhood:

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What are their skeletons in the closet?

Three adjectives to describe them as a child?

What advice would they give to their younger self?

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Children (if applicable)

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Family’s economic status:

How often do they see their family in a year?

2.3. EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

Closest friends? Describe them:

Other significant friends:

Enemies? Describe them:

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...strangers in the street?

...acquaintances at a work function?

...colleagues in the office?

...friends in their friend circles?

...the opposite sex?

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Learn more with Reedsy Learning:

What social media platforms are they on?

How would they use their social media platforms?

What’s their role in a group dynamic?