[Zageron]

Character Development

Considering that, I think you have done a good job in terms of character development, even in a piece as short as this.

Thank you.

Somewhat of a nomad, perhaps? Obviously we take provisions with us when we travel, but I think the word "reserves" was well chosen and utilized. A traveler who does not have a home.

Pretty much what you assume, though aimed at the previous "moonlight" comment. His reserves of moonlight are low, and he thinks that he should fill them back up. (Moonlight is collected in moisture droplets, and sinks into the ground or evaporates.)

As much as he is a traveler, he obviously has some kind of magical properties. No normal person can walk on water. A special breed of person or a single magical hero?

Definitely not a "hero" in the standard cliche sense. If I continue my writing you'll see what I mean.

Supports the nomad hypothesis.

Yes. He does not enter cities often.

Obviously. Gracious. Humble from having so little or is that expected of him?

Very humble. Is not power hungry, though holds a vast amount of it.

"one such as myself" would assert he is a special breed of person, and not just a single magical hero type character.

There are a few others like him in the world, though he has only heard of them--never seen one.

Trying to save face almost with these people. Reassure them that he is a -good- guy. Brings me to the infamous point further down.

He has lived a long time, and times have changed. Such are the rumours surrounding him that he needs to pass himself off as friendly and approachable.

A sense of humor I suppose. Not really a mysterious quality, but it humanizes someone that has sense been described to be magical and unique. The reader can connect, at least to a small degree, with the character.

I made a indirect reference to content that does not yet exist. The sneezing child triggers a memory, which directs his mind to which story to tell.

Environment

I'm not going to quote the whole first three paragraphs were you talk of the environment, but considering the concept art, you seem to hit the main points in the picture. You talk of steams and plains and waterfalls. You even mention the weather which is pretty cool for a fictional environment. Your mention of the "barren wasteland" give insight to the environment the character has traveled through to make it here and what lies beyond the concept art. I guess the mountains are what looks like a floating city to me there in the background, but that's interpretation and writers liberty, so no issue there.

Thank you very much!

Character's Past

Herein lies the majority of the mystique of your character.

"After" I would assume means he has just traversed it. That would explain his reserves being low.

Yup.

What happened in the Nameless sea? Funny how he can walk on water but "not set foot" in the sea. Thought that was a nice intraparagraph juxtaposition. Still, not sure about the events at the Nameless sea in the past. Apparently it is pretty dangerous, considering it has killed many people before.

I did not see this connection, but I absolutely love it. My style of writing has been known to create interesting things like this. (Says every English teacher I've had.)

These establish a familiarity with the location. Somewhere this character has stopped at many times in the past and now again in the present time. This conflicts with the nomad type quality of the character, but what may have happened here in the past is still a mystery.

Mysterious. :P Yes, he has been here before.

"Over the years" So, there is a clear span of time. How long is not stated, which brings me to wonder how old our character must be. Definitely an adult in stature and mannerisms, but he could be incredibly old as he is of another breed.

A long time indeed.

Tales of his good or bad deeds? I guess we can't tell entirely if he's famous or infamous. There is just tension and silence. But, also in this sentence is the question of the "days of cheer." That was when he was good and fought for the people and treated as a hero? Then what happened to bring him to this low state. Why is he a nomad?

You know how the truth is stretched over distance, and how much even more so over time.

Maybe he is running on a short fuse and just a look would set him off? Doesn't seem like that kind of character, but the whole point seems to be building mystique.

They are simply intimidated by him, and do not know what to do. They know that when one such as he appears, they should listen to what he has to say. (In reference to the "confused looks" some of them did not know or remember this, and were reminded.)

Traveling orator? I doubt it, but who knows. Have the people come to expect this of him, or is this just his way of expressing himself: through little words other than stories.

More like walking wisdom, but this is the first time I've ever written anything about ZET. Anything could happen to be honest.

Final Thoughts

Sorry about this block of text, I thought I would put my thoughts on paper for you. For what you are trying to do here, or at lest what I think you are trying to do here, you do so effectively. You definitely build a character that has a cryptic past and is unique in more than one way.
If you want to address any of the questions in my analysis, go right ahead. I can come back with more if you wish. Overall, though, I think you've done a very nice job especially in only an hour and a half.

-o24

No apologies necessary, that is the most thoughtful analysis I have ever read regarding one of my own pieces of work. I appreciate absolutely everything you said, and have already built a firmer image in my head as a result. I tend to lean toward mysterious characters who do not revel the powers granted to them. I have a number of ideas as to "where" he, and his powers, originated from.

Thank you very much for this reply, I have taken a lot from it!

Cheers,