Extended Character Insight - Uklag

The Inspiration for Uklag was actually derived from Gul’dan. More specifically the version Blizzard used for the pre-Legion Harbingers Videos. Even if you are not a fan of World of Warcraft I suggest you check that video (Gul’dan Harbringers) out because it is an excellent piece of art and storytelling.

So, if you have no idea who Gul’dan is: He is power hungry orc warlock who makes a council in the shadows of the orcish horde (aptly named The Shadow Council) and does all kind of evil as fuck stuff to gain more power. The original idea for Uklag then spawned after I read in the forums that somebody wanted a warlock/mage type character in the world of To Prove Superiority. I answered the call and started exchanging messages with bastardlydastard.

I originally wanted Uklag to be a very physically weak character, much like Gul’dan was. That plan however got tossed out when I heard that this worlds magic was based on stamina. In hindsight this was probably for the better, because writing sex scenes with the main guys weak physical condition always being a factor wouldn’t have been for much fun on the long run.

It also would have turned into a much shorter story where the warlock would get into Estara because of the higher population density, thus having more people to steal life energy from. That was my original plot for immortality, which is the one thing that all versions of Uklag have in common.

So, I scratched the physically weak and pretty ugly warlock for a fit and handsome young man. I then put in the twist to make him a **** in this matriarchal society. The young man then turned thirty so I had something to show for the amount of time he spent under heel. If I could I would probably put another chapter between the first two to show how boring and fucked up the life as a **** was. I have enough regrets about the story as is however.

Uklag at that point started to take his current form. Narcissistic, Sociopathic, yet aware of these things and trying to not be outdone by his own pride while still catering to his lower desires. A great mind focused on the most simple of pleasures. I think I did a relatively good job here, although I played the rage card a few to many times.

I just really like writing angry characters. Probably because I like getting fake angry myself. It is my form of stress relief, leave me alone.

The decision to have Uklag hail from the desert instead of Estara was a rather easy one. Being from Estara comes with a narrowing of backstories that hardly allow for narcissism in the way Uklag developed it. In Estara a man gets told he is worth less every day and he might rebel against that worldview. In the tribal society of Ushye Uklag had the chance to be valued because of his abilities and not get done in because people NEEDED him for these abilities. Not particularly possible in a city, where everyone is pretty much replaceable.

So, I had character traits (Powerful, narcissistic, Sociopath), Origin Story and Place (Enchanter, Ushye) and Goal (Immortality). The design I hastily slapped together, brown skin because of desert, green eyes because I had enough of blue from another story, short hair because that is easy to describe and he was done.

Next was the character arc. The rough draft I sent our dear chapter-master back in the day could still be used as reference material to this day. However the order greatly changed and one point was completely tossed out for a more structured storyline. For the interested: Originally Uklag was supposed to just kill a fuckload of people to get the ritual going. I changed that to getting different materials because I found that to be a more interesting story to tell. Murdering people in books is very boring. (He threw a fireball and the soldier died. Wow. Much surprise. Such visuals. Very interesting.) What stayed was the fact that Uklag would ‘die’ upon becoming immortal. I never intended to change that, Uklag was always meant to end and make place for something greater.

And that then was it. Over time I added more details. The moments his magic powers awoke for example. The Bended City (A name I still regret but spilled milk and all that). His Sister. I should have planned with more things in mind but to be honest I thought this story would be like thirty chapters. We are now at what, 120?, I still have like twice the length to tell.

This was the extended character insight for Uklag, if you have further questions please ask away, I will be happy to answer.

Funatic out.