Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by
(kentthayermiller@hotmail.com) on Saturday, December 4, 2004 at 02:54:16
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Name: Benjamin Law
Race: Vampire
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 08/08/1988, Chinatown LA
Description: When one surveys the scores of undead beings lurking in Los Angeles, Benji Law doesn't really stick out. If one tries to spot him in a crowd, they won't find a mammoth monster of a man; nor will they find a pretentious "dark master" of the night. What is almost immediately noticeable about Benji is that there is very little to notice. Of average height and slight build, Benji looks like a normal Chinese-American high school student dressed in baggy jeans, skate shoes, and a long-sleeved T-shirt. There isn't anything that the boy possesses that makes him "special" or unique from other teenagers. In fact, if anything, it?s what Benji *lacks* that sets him apart from most of his generation. He lacks two things in particular: life, for one thing, with the second being much of his emotional capacity.
History: Benjamin Chung Law was born into one of Chinatown's lower-middle class families in the late 1980s. His parents Maggie and Benjamin were both second-generation Chinese immigrants, happy to be in America. They tried to make sure that Benji and his younger sister Joy had everything they could ever possibly need despite the family's meager earnings.
Benji never completely understood his parents' devotion, nor did he fully appreciate it. By the time he was in high school Benji began to realize his lack of enthusiasm for deep emotional ties. Benji was secretly affectionate for his family, as most teenagers are. The thing that began to become apparent was that he didn't exactly love them; not in the way that they loved him, and not nearly as much. He found his home life unsatisfying, to say the least, and saw no hope for salvaging it. He even contemplated running away several times, but was never compelled to carry out such a drastic act. He was stuck in a rut, as it seemed, and had begun to accept his fate.
High school granted Benji the perfect opportunity to experiment with new sensations: drugs, dating, things *beyond* dating. These experiences were fun for a while?not even *he* could deny that--but they were not nearly as fun as his classmates claimed. What was the point of it, then? Benji could have spent his entire life in a haze of sex and chemicals and it wouldn?t have done a damn bit of good for permanently improving his emotional state.
The end of high school drew near, and Benji had managed to spend four whole years jumping through educational hoops and dodging exams. His parents proposed to throw him a graduation party, but he decided to blow off their plans at the last minute. Something had come up; a school buddy was hosting an early-summer warehouse party on the same night, and Benji saw it as his last chance to bleed any enjoyment at all from his teen years. During one particular break in the techno beat, Benji met up with a young female raver that he hadn?t seen around school before. She offered to take him outside and share a drink, and before Benji knew it they were quietly smoking in a side alley. And then they shared a drink. As the party girl tore deep into Benji's neck, his mind went blank...and then his head began to swim with myriad conflicting thoughts. This was the first time that Benji could feel--*actually, truly* feel--passion. Up to that point his sensibilities had been deadened. As odd as it sounds, in the end Benji had to die in order to realize that he'd been dead all along.
So upon his demise and rebirth, Benji was left with a refreshing ecstasy. The feeling didn?t last of course. Benji awoke the next evening half-buried in the dirt of an unfinished parking lot. From there he began wandering around Los Angeles. He never saw his sire again, nor did he seek her out. The euphoria of death had left him almost completely, and now all that remained was the half-hearted emotional range he'd been born with.
Benji does not possess a true "home base"--just a series of places to squat and hide from hunters. It isn't that he fears the hunters; it's just that he wishes to avoid conflict with them. Benji doesn't necessarily "get" the whole killing aspect of being a vampire. He'll kill humans to feed, naturally, and occasionally torture his victims just "to see what it's like" (he's found that its different every time). However, he doesn't take pride in being a predator.
In Benji's own words, he doesn't see his lack of passion for his un-life as a fault, or something to be abhorred. "I'm not some heartless fiend. I'm NOT. So I don't experience the full *human* spectrum of emotion--so what? I'm not human anymore and those rules don't apply. Besides--when I'm really passionate enough about something, you'll know it."
Still, for all eternity Benji Law will have that memory of true happiness, if only for one moment and only forged in death. "It's not something that'll happen again, I know. Kind of a one-shot deal. The next time I die, it won't be like that. But I'll still remember -"
And he *will* always remember that feeling. If he survives this world long enough, Benji Law might just have to remember it forever.
Items: Benji doesn't regularly carry any items. Sometimes, however, since it's very hard for Benji to be moved towards one option or another he'll tote a small "magic-eight ball". The irony and symbolism isn't lost on him, but, oh well--he can't seem to care.
Powers: Benji possesses only the most basic vampiric powers, and on the level of relatively fresh vamp to boot. He isn't very skilled in his fighting, but he's got all eternity to hone his skills, right? (Uh, hopefully) Strangely enough his thirst for blood doesn't appear to be as great as it is in other vampires--desperate hunger seems to be yet another capacity which he is sorely lacking. As far as strengths go, it's quite convenient.
Played By: Edison Chen ( http://www.hkfilm.net/hkfc/genxy3.htm and http://mywebpage.netscape.com/hpwpdl/wped03.jpg)
Player: My name?s Kent ~ I?m 20 and I've been RPing *on-line* for a little over 2 years now (on-line haunts including the old BuffyWorld site and the King of Spades on-line rpg). I'm also an aspiring comic book writer/artist/creator working towards a double major of Professional Writing and Philosophy in college. I think it goes without saying that Buffy/Angel's my favorite TV show/property ever ;)
I know you guys have loads of players, so if I have to wait then that's okay. I also know that you are looking for more regular, "Joe Vampire" types, so I hope this is appropriate. ~ Thanks for reading!
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Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
His name will change - definately. However I like the rest of it a lot. We might consider inviting this chap.
Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
Nice variant on the vampire write-up. Quiet, unassuming, just trying to make sense of his unlife. There are plenty of points in this guy's favour. Good writing style, detailed background, new spin on an old character type.
As Dave says, the name should change - a second vampire called Jamie/James would be tricky... (unless it was deliberate, for a story idea where he gets confused with Ripper :wink:).
Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
Can't be bothered to repeat what Heather's said, so: I like :) He'll make a great...umm...'pal' for Kyle.
Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
Oh this is good....I think Kyle has competition for Emo kid of the month now though :P id vote yes
Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
I think I can also add my thumbs up to the rest for the reasons already stated. It's nice to have a vampire that - although he is unique in character doesn't feel the need to amplify it with lot of cliche ridden 'extras' like a soul or added magical powers.
I also like the fact that the player has actually taken time to find out what we're looking for in new candidates.
Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
i like him alot hes abotu a million times better than my charator i say let em in :wink:
Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
Okay, the "not being able to see picture" thing bothered me. So being the awesome person I am, my fat ass went out and found one:
Alright, opinion time: I like him. He's a new vampire, fresh off the market with a lot to cope with. Plus, he's cute :wink:
So, I approve :D
Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
Why,not?
He seems pretty interesting and it's always nice with a new bloodsucker on the streets.
So, he's got my vote :) .
Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
I'm all for it. Fresh blood is invigorating to the game. And this idea is different.
relaying a message
From: "kent miller"
Subject: Re: LA By Night Character Submission - New Name
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 08:01:29 +0000
Thank you for the kind words (all of you).
Now, about the name: I didn't notice that "Ripper" was "James" at first, but
of course it wouldn't make sense to have two Jameses running around. I wish
I'd had Tasha's idea and done it on purpose--then I'd look "S-M-R-T" smart!
For a new name, I was thinking that his full given name could be Benjamin,
and for short he can be called Benji. That's sort of "emo" as Kyle put it
:), and it sounds like a good raver name, too. (I haven't seen any
characters or NPCs named Benji, but if there are just tip me off and I'll
think of something else). Thanks for your consideration ~ Hope to drop by
soon!
Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
Since someone asked I found this link on the subject:
What the heck is EMO anyway?
NOTE: I also altered his Submission to take into account the new name
Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
I like him too. Do you use msn, Kent?
Hello, and thanks
Hello, everyone! Hope you're all...groovy :x-mas:
Alessa: I have used MSN in the past but not lately. I'm totally going back to it, though :wink:
Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
G'day Kent, and welcome. :)
Hmm, I notice in your profile you mention an interest in comic books... methinks we'll have to introduce you to our other game, Fantastic Legends, as well. :wink:
Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
Welcome to the addiction, mate ;) (even if you don't write that much, like me, you'll soon still be thinking up storylines and plot ideas all the time :P Which reminds me, need to write more...)
Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
I still don't unerstaad what emo is....
Character Proposal: Benji Law [Accepted]
An angsty mood among people, specificly, teenagers, in which they are usually depressed :D