Tyrant Queen of Darkness
Concept/Role?
Before you start building your character, think about the kind of stories you want to tell in the Dark Court. This faction thrives on political intrigue, covert operations, and the slow, deliberate spread of influence. Do you want to play a manipulative aristocrat who buys loyalty with credits? A skilled assassin who removes problems before they become threats? A charismatic fixer who makes deals no one else can? Or perhaps a quiet, unassuming figure whose real power lies in the secrets they know?
Once you know your story direction, decide where your character stands in relation to the Court. Are they a willing loyalist who has pledged themselves to it's vision? A hidden agent embedded within another faction, feeding information back to the Court? A reluctant pawn who doesn't yet realize they're being used? Or an independent contractor who takes work from the Court for their own gain, without committing to it fully?
Finally, think about why the Court would value your character. What makes them worth it's attention? It could be their skills—combat, politics, espionage, negotiation—or their position in the galaxy: a noble title, a corporate seat, a criminal network, or even access to restricted information. Whatever it is, make sure your concept gives the Court a reason to draw your character deeper into its web.
Background/Hooks?
Your character's backstory is the bridge between who they are and why the Dark Court would take an interest in them. You don't need an elaborate history—but you should give them at least one connection, flaw, or circumstance that makes them vulnerable to the Court's influence. This could be anything from political ambition, mounting debts, and criminal ties to dangerous secrets they can't afford to have exposed. Even a seemingly "clean" background can hide hooks—an unsatisfied thirst for power, a risky personal relationship, or a history with someone already in the Court's service.
When building your backstory, include at least one plot hook that other writers can grab onto. This might be an unresolved feud, a mysterious past job, a missing person, or a personal vendetta. The Dark Court thrives on weaving characters into each other's lives, and leaving doors open in your bio makes it easier for others to create organic story connections with you.
Finally, decide how much your character knows about the Court when play begins. Do they already understand what the court is and serve it willingly? Do they only know they have a mysterious employer with deep pockets? Or are they completely unaware they're working for the Court at all? This choice will shape your early threads and determine whether your arc begins with loyalty, suspicion, or ignorance—each offering different opportunities for intrigue and manipulation.
How do I get intergrated?
Once you have your concept and backstory, it's time to place your character into the Dark Court's ongoing narrative. Start by choosing an entry point that makes sense for them. This could be a direct recruitment from a known member, being hired for a single job, or being subtly manipulated into acting on the Court's behalf without realizing it. Your entry doesn't need to be dramatic—sometimes a quiet, almost incidental connection leads to the most interesting stories later on.
Work with faction staff or other members to establish initial ties. This could be as simple as agreeing to have met during a mission, shared a mutual ally, or crossed paths in a political or criminal setting. Even a small link is enough to anchor your character in the Court's web.
For your first threads, focus on situations that show who your character is and what they bring to the table. If they're a fighter, a dangerous retrieval mission might be perfect. If they're a manipulator, perhaps a delicate negotiation or blackmail attempt. If they're unknowingly a pawn, a simple courier job could lead to their first brush with the Court's true nature. These early stories set the tone for your character's place in the faction, and give you and others the hooks to pull them deeper into intrigue, corruption, and influence.