Feedback for Sumiko

[Darth Libertas]

It's been a little over two years since I started writing Sumiko. She's my first serious attempt at writing a Sith character, since while the original incarnation of Siobhan went Sith on another board she was short-lived and Naamah Aesham's evil self was more of a serial killer. With some exceptions, most of my characters tend to fall into a morally grey zone, whereas Sumiko is one of the few I'd characterise as explicitly evil and amoral.


So I'd be rather interested in feedback and all that, especially since I recently embarked on a new story with her. I'm explicitly looking for constructive criticism. That's preferrable to panegyrics. Below is a list of threads that I believe show her character well. I've left out dominions, rebellions, faction threads etc.


To summarise her background, she used to be an Inquisitor in the service of the old Atrisian Empire (the one from way back that was radically anti-Force-user), until its regime launched a purge to eradicate Force-users in its territory. Betrayed, she became a Dark Jedi contractor for hire until she eventually became a Sith and started setting up her own small power base. She's a Sith Sorceress type and obsessed with the acquisition of arcane knowledge and Sith artefacts.


http://starwarsrp.net/topic/108579-an-explorers-first-steps/page-1

http://starwarsrp.net/topic/111339-religion-is-the-opium-of-the-people/page-1

http://starwarsrp.net/topic/80274-power-vacuum-illyria/page-1

http://starwarsrp.net/topic/92512-ring-of-fear-illyria/page-1

http://starwarsrp.net/topic/88706-sister-act-tomb-raider-edition/page-1

http://starwarsrp.net/topic/101807-the-object-of-power-is-power-illyria/?hl=%2Bsumiko+%2Billyria

http://starwarsrp.net/topic/102023-ye-furies-and-dreadful-styx/?hl=%2Bsumiko+%2Bmatsu

http://starwarsrp.net/topic/103969-and-together-well-make-such-vile-rotten-things/?hl=%2Bsumiko+%2Bmatsu

 

[NightSister]

Needs to stop being cruel to my apprentice.

Spoiler

She's a good Sith, I like her. I haven't read a whole lot of your stuff but from what I have seen: Sumiko is good at being the one in control, good at adapting to situations, good at using people for her own ends. That's all good and well, but it might be interesting to try switching that up? Have her not be holding the cards, have her meet someone she can't/won't manipulate. Being an amoral Sith Lord is great fun ( >.> ) but it adds a lot of depth to explore different dynamics.

That said, I may have missed any such threads, and these are just my thoughts for things you could do going forward. You're doing a good job with Sumiko, nice stuff.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Definitely need to thread, that is all

 

[Vaylin]

You write her very well, she's a Sith that strives for power in the form of further knowledge and any artifacts that are worth getting her hands on. Sumiko is the type that doesn't mind getting her hands dirty; ready to fight, but is equally willing to throw a disposable asset at the problem if there's no need for her to act.

Her personality is also written well, she has a certain haughtiness to her when dealing with those see considers beneath her, and even to those so has power over. It's certainly been enjoyable to write Vaylin with her, given the Zabrak is a lot more naive and innocent in terms of what she experienced with Sumiko. If she desires something, she'll do whatever is needed to acquire it, whether it's an artifact or flesh.

You've built up the pedestal Sumiko stands herself on, taking over a cult that now worships her. Other than that, I looked forward to seeing how much further you can raise her up before her hunger for knowledge begins to bite back.

Overall; based on our thread together and what I've read of the others, you've done a splendid job writing Sumiko.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
I never wrote with Sumiko during her earliest inceptions.

However, I found that over time and especially after becoming a Master she has developed into a much more rounded character. I feel that she was lacking purpose during the early times, but now as a Sith Lady who has alchemy, minions and a cult she has a purpose and an objective.

 

[Darth Libertas]

Thanks for the comments. I appreciate it.


[member="Aria Vale"]

I'm not being mean. I'm furthering her education. She performed quite well. You should be proud. * insert vaguely smug rant *


On a more serious level, thanks for your thoughts. I do need to expose Summy to more Sith or individuals in general that she'd consider to be on her level. I think she's quite capable of liking someone or having fondness even affection, but always in a very selfish way.


E.g. she likes [member="Matsu Xiangu"] and while she used [member="Vaylin"] as an instrument in their adventure, she also took the time to pass on some Sith 'wisdom' to her (or at least what she'd consider to be good life style advice).


But greed and selfishness are her defining traits. It comes from her time in the Inquisition where she was a weapon for others, which is why when push comes to shove, she'd always choose herself. In that regard she differs from say Siobhan and Enyo, who are both capable of love. Likewise got a few setbacks in mind for her. Her colossal ego needs deflating.


[member="Taeli Raaf"]


Totally.


[member="Vaylin"]


Vaylin is one of Sumiko's favourite playthings.


Personally I think her hubris and vanity will be Sumiko's undoing one day. She's more realistic in her goals in some ways because she's neither obsessed with achieving galactic domination nor crusading (she views both as quaint), but is still extremely arrogant.


She's also playing with dangerous toys. It would be appropriately ironic if she gained a lot of power and found herself on the pedestal she craves, only to be undone through her own actions. Perhaps murdered by an apprentice, perhaps by cultists who took her faux message seriously, a Jedi or whatever.


[member="Valiens Nantaris"]


Thanks. I've been totally joking about Summy possessing Illyria one day...

Assuredly. Such a pretty elf.