Sitting in the back of the room, they watch the crowd and learn. They ruminate and ponder, hiding their skills and knowledge beneath their aloof veneer. Yet, somehow, they save the world…
Menu of Subtle Characters
- ranger, scout, tracker, trapper, hunter, watcher, observer,
- detective, private eye, investigator
- sneak, assassin, poisoner,
- librarian, lore keeper, elder, academic,
- servant, butler (he did it), driver, serf, slave, porter, doorman, torch bearer,
- musician, artist, painter, singer (especially Jazz), bard,
- writer, author, poet,
- whittler, carver, potter, spinner,
- artisan, cobbler, baker, brewer,
- artist, painter, portrait artist, sculpter,
- composer, musician, lyricist, bard, singer,
- bartender, innkeeper, cook, waiter,
- stable hand, ostler, farrier, ranch hand, cowboy,
- squire, page,
- courtesan, escort,
- jester, fool, juggler, entertainer, magician, illusionist, hypnotist, dancer, belly dancer,
- taxi driver, rickshaw driver, coachman, train conductor, driver, chauffeur,
- mechanic, tinkerer, handyman,
- courier, postman, messenger, runner,
- garbageman, junkman, flea market vendor, trash-picker, dumpster diver,
- auditor, accountant, bookkeeper,
- recorder, stenographer, typist,
- secretary, assistant, hand, aid,
- interpreter, translator,
- robot, cyborg, servant-bot, android,
- ticket taker, toll operator, usher, host, hostess,
- waiter, waitress, server, tavern wench, barkeep, innkeeper, busboy,
- custodian, maid, cleaner, the help, janitor, street sweeper, chimney sweep,
- sidekick, tag-along, entourage, fan, follower, henchman, grunt,
- clerk, retailer, merchant, seller, peddler, hawker, marketeer,
Descriptions for Subtle Characters
- watchful, perceptive, observant,
- mindful, thoughtful, wise,
- wise-cracking, aloof, comical veneer, ironic, sarcastic,
- ruminating, stewing, melancholic
- quiet, reserved, laid-back, aloof,
- suspicious, doubtful, paranoid,
- carries a secret; knows “the truth”; holds “the key”; harbors deep hatred;
- has magical powers, has super powers, is a spy,
- is a werewolf; has vampire in their blood;
- hidden skills, deeply knowledgeable despite aloof facade, secret training,
- knows jargon, technical language, specialized terminology,
- quick hands with specialized tools,
- perceptive, gets nuance,
- problem-solving skills in fields related to line of work,
Stuff
- hidden weapons, secret weapons, gun under the counter,
- tools of the trade, specialized equipment,
- money stashed somewhere, “rainy-day fund”, petty cash,
- relic, artifact, object of power, magic item,
- trinkets, knick-knacks,
- map, code, access key, deed, secret note, sigil, sign,
- pet, animals, creature, beast in the basement,
- alarm system, hidden cameras, nanny-cam, listening device, recording device,
- records, documents, bills, receipts,
- technology, computer, phone,
- clock, watch, time-piece, sundial, egg timer, hourglass,
- storage, boxes, barrels, files, crates, bins, storage shelves,
- hygienic equipment, cleansers, mop, hand sanitizer, wash basin,
Notes and Ideas
- a cool, laid-back character might have a sidekick, helper, assistant, right-hand-man, pal, hirelings, henchmen, co-workers, partners,