ELLINGTON "EL" TAYLORĀ survived another night. The town would certainly feel less safe without a them close by. Not to mention, we canāt lose anotherĀ LEVEL THREE MECHANIC,Ā plus theyāre onlyĀ THIRTY-THREEĀ years old. Crazy to think, itās beenĀ TWO YEARSĀ since their arrival, though in a place like Oblitus it can feel much longer. Good thing theyāre staying at theĀ RESIDENTIAL AREA. Almost like it happened yesterday, they still rememberĀ LONDON, ENGLAND, and where they came from. Itās no secret, they wereĀ LEAVING THE AIRPORT FROM A WORK TRIPĀ when they came across the tree, and is still keeping them up at night. Truth be told, theyāre awfullyĀ COMEDICĀ andĀ DISTANT, but theyāve survived this long. Well, itās almost day light again, maybe theyāll playĀ SITTIN ON THE DOCK OF THE BAYĀ byĀ OTIS REDDINGĀ this time. Welcome to another night in Oblitus, please donāt open the doors. (fitz, 27, he/him, est)
BASIC INFORMATION
NAME: Ellington "El" Taylor GENDER: Non-binary (they/them) NICKNAMES: El BIRTHDAY: April 23, 1991 AGE: 33 ASTROLOGY: Taurus Sun, Taurus Moon, Cancer Rising SEXUALITY: Lesbian HOMETOWN: London, England BIRTHPLACE: London, England RELIGION: Agnostic EDUCATION: Master of Engineering (MEng) in Aerospace Engineering from Imperial College London RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
HEIGHT: 5'8' EYES: Green HAIR: Brown BUILD: Slim DISTINGUISHING MARKS: Large back tattoo of an airplane
PERSONALITY & BEHAVIOR
HOBBIES: Model Plane Building, Stargazing, Gardening, Cooking/Baking, Vinyl Record Collecting, Photography LIKES: Routine, Neatness, Reading, Meaningful Conversations DISLIKES: Rashness, Superficiality, Crowds, Loud Noises. QUIRKS: Fidgets, Slightly Mismatched clothing, Ritualistic morning routine, Collects small objects. STRENGTHS: Patient, reliable, empathetic, determined WEAKNESSES: Stubborn, overly-cautious, emotional absorption.
BACKSTORY:
you can find the full story here.
BACKSTORY BULLET POINTS ( tw: addiction. overdose. death. )
Family: Youngest of three; parents instilled a love for precision (mother was a nurse, father an engineer). Childhood: Quiet, introverted, obsessed with model planes; early fascination with aircraft due to fatherās influence; El's mother hurts her back lifting a patient and begins on a tumultuous path with prescription pain killers. Teen Years: Developed a passion for aviation; earned a private pilot's license at 18; inspired by father's military stories to join the Royal Air Force (RAF). Tragedy: Just before leaving for basic training for the RAF, El's mother overdoses on heroin. Military Career: Served as an aircraft technician in the RAF, excelling in aircraft quality assurance; served for five years. Education: Left the RAF and earned a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Aerospace Engineering from Imperial College London in 2019. Post-Military: Worked as a global aerospace quality assurance engineer, conducting aircraft inspections. Personal Life: Had a serious relationship with Maude, a fellow servicewoman, but they broke up due to emotional differences. Trapped: On their way back from a work trip in 2023, encountered the mysterious tree in the road and became trapped in a strange town with no way out. Life in Town: Struggles with anxiety and the loss of routine but uses their problem-solving skills and military training to contribute to the community.
WHERE WAS YOUR CHARACTER WHEN THEY SAW THE TREE AND THE MURDER OF CROWS? WHERE WERE THEY GOING? WERE THEY TRAVELLING ALONE? HOW DID THEY FEEL?
As El returned from a work trip, their mind was still filled with thoughts of quality checks on the latest aircraft. The long day at the facility had drained them, yet the routine of their job had provided a comforting structure amid the chaos of the town they found themselves in. The evening air was cool as they drove, the familiar route easing their mind, but the calm was shattered when they encountered a massive fallen tree blocking the road. āOf course thereās a tree in the road,ā El muttered, rubbing the back of their neck as they slowed the car. The sight felt surrealālike something out of a horror film rather than the mundane reality they had come to accept. The tree lay sprawled across the asphalt, roots exposed like the twisted fingers of a buried hand clawing for freedom. They parked a few feet away and stepped out, heart racing as the cawing of a murder of crows echoed ominously overhead. āWhat now?ā El sighed, running a hand through their brown hair. The tree, large and menacing, seemed to loom over them, its presence a stark reminder that this town was anything but ordinary. El's analytical mind, trained to assess and diagnose issues in aircraft systems, began to work overtime. āThis must have fallen recently,ā they thought, observing the fresh splintering at the base and the disturbed ground. Their engineer instincts kicked in, but an unsettling feeling prickled at their skin. The air felt heavy, as if the tree had absorbed the darkness of the night. Stepping closer, El felt a wave of anxiety wash over them. The crowsā caws intensified, and they glanced up, trying to read the sky for answers. āItās just a tree, right?ā they reasoned, but something in their gut whispered otherwise. They took a deep breath, trying to shake off the discomfort that had settled in. āJust get past it, El,ā they urged themselves, but the sight of the tree held them captive. The serene world of aircraft engineering felt a million miles away. āWhat if this is a sign?ā El took a step back, the urge to turn around growing stronger. Their practical nature battled with an emotional intuition that had been sharpened by their experiences in this strange place. āNo need to tempt fate,ā they decided, finally pivoting on their heel, ready to find another route.
DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTERS FIRST DAY/NIGHT IN TOWN. DID THEY ARRIVE IN THE DAYTIME? WERE THEY WARNED BY THE RESIDENTS? DID THEY HAVE TO BE RESTRAINED?
El's first day in town was a slow descent into confusion and dread. After arriving in the late afternoon, they felt an uneasy air of anticipation wrapping around them. The sun hung low, casting an orange hue over the streets, but as they drove through, an unsettling realization struck: every turn led them back to the same spot. It was as if the town itself conspired against them, trapping them within its confines. After several frustrating attempts to leave, El began to feel the weight of impending nightfall pressing down on them. Just as the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, they spotted a townsfolk wandering byāa woman with wide eyes, her demeanor frantic and wild. Desperation surged through El as they pulled over, stepping out of the car and rushing toward her. āPlease, can you help me? I canāt leave!ā they exclaimed, shaking her shoulders gently. āWhat is happening here? Why canāt I get out?ā The womanās eyes widened in alarm, and she took a step back, her hands trembling. āYou have to stay away from the trees andāā she started, but Elās mind raced, logic slipping away as panic gripped their chest. In an instant, the serene engineer was replaced by a whirlwind of anxiety. āNo! This doesnāt make sense!ā El gasped, their breath coming in quick bursts. The world around them began to spin, shadows stretching and creeping closer, and they could feel the pressure building in their chest as the realization of their captivity hit home. āBreathe, El! Just breathe!ā they muttered to themselves, trying to cling to the remnants of their calm nature, but it felt futile. The anxiety attack washed over them like a tidal wave, and they stumbled back, disoriented and gasping for air. Within moments, the townspeople had gathered, understanding the urgency of the situation. They moved in, gentle but firm, restraining El as the darkness thickened around them. āYou canāt be out here when itās dark,ā one of them said, voice steady, almost soothing amidst the chaos. El's heart raced, and they fought against their hold, a mixture of fear and frustration coursing through them. āI just want to go home!ā they cried out, but deep down, they knew that was no longer an option. The sun had set, and with it, the true nature of this place began to reveal itself. As night enveloped the town, El felt the reality of their situation sink in, the comforting familiarity of their engineerās mind now a distant memory.
WHAT DID THEY LEAVE BEHIND? WHAT WAS THEIR LIFE LIKE ON THE OUTSIDE?
Before El found themselves trapped in the mysterious town, their life outside was one of structured routine and quiet heartache. As an aerospace engineer, El thrived in their work, meticulously overseeing quality checks on aircraft and collaborating with a dedicated team. Their days were filled with problem-solving and innovation, but the weight of a recent breakup lingered heavily on their shoulders. El's life was centered in London, where they lived in a cozy apartment adorned with model planes, vinyl records, and a small herb garden that they tended to with care. Although they cherished the serene evenings spent stargazing from their balcony, contemplating the vastness of the universe, the shadows of their past relationship cast a long pall over their thoughts. El had recently broken up with Lila, an artist whose vibrant spirit had once breathed life into their more structured world. Their relationship had been passionate and creative, but the differences that once attracted them eventually created rifts that were too wide to bridge. Lilaās spontaneity and free-spirited nature often clashed with Elās need for stability and routine, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion. Their last conversation still echoed in Elās mindāan emotional farewell that left them feeling adrift, yearning for the connection they had lost. Now, facing the horrors of their new reality, El felt the ache of what they had left behindāan unfulfilled life, a job they loved, and the memories of laughter and friendship shared with Lila. Those recollections became increasingly distant, tantalizing yet painfully unreachable, as they grappled with the chilling thought of whether they would ever return to that life or if they were destined to remain in this endless nightmare, haunted by both the town and the echoes of a lost love.
CONNECTIONS IDEAS
Mentor-Like Figure: El has bonded with an older resident who has been stuck in the town for much longer. This person could serve as a mentor, helping El navigate the strange rules and creatures that roam at night. Close Confidants: After two years, El has found people they trust deeply and they all rely on each other for survival. A Rivalry Turned Alliance: This is another resident who challenges Elās way of thinking, maybe someone more impulsive or emotionally driven. They clash over how to handle their entrapment, but after a crisis (like a close encounter with the night creatures), they realize that working together is the only way forward. Unspoken Romantic Tension: El develops a complex connection with someone in town who reminds them of what it is like caring for someone else romantically, sparking a mix of nostalgia and hesitation. Their connection could be subtle and unspoken for a long time, with moments of vulnerability and near-confession. The townās dangerous environment could keep them from pursuing anything deeper out of fear of attachment and loss. Sibling Dynamic: El has taken a protective role over someone younger, perhaps a teenager or a young adult who stumbled into the town recently. This person could look up to El, relying on their patience and problem-solving abilities. Resource Exchange: El has a transactional relationship with another resident (neighbor?), where they trade resources, skills, or information. This person might be particularly good at scavenging or making life in the town bearable, while El offers practical engineering skills, such as maintaining equipment or building makeshift defenses against the night creatures. Newcomers: After being trapped for two years, El encounters a new arrival who refuses to accept the reality of the town, mirroring El's own initial reaction. The newcomerās optimism might trigger memories of when El still believed in escape, creating a bittersweet dynamic.
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