Sep. 1st, 2022

strawberryredgrave: (Default)
Player: Riki
Age: 31
Contact: [plurk.com profile] rikimaruhitori, rikimaruhitori#6431 on Discord
Current Characters: None

Character: Dante
Canon: Devil May Cry, post DMC5
Age: Never officially stated. Possibly in his 40s or 50s.


Background Information: He's had a rough life, but at least he can still laugh

Personality: Dante is a goofball and a colossal dork. This is the first impression he makes on just about everyone he meets. He cracks jokes, he's confident, he doesn't always seem interested in the task at hand...this is all by design. Dante learned to put on a front that he wears at almost all times and while he's learned to make his own fun when circumstance doesn't permit, even more genuine emotions are buried within.

His ability to make jokes and laugh in the face of imminent danger stems from his incredible power. As the son of the legendary demon Sparda, he and his brother, Vergil, inherited immeasurable demonic power. With this power, there are few threats he can't take on, but going all out all the time is no fun for him. He inherently holds back, proceeding with flashier moves and emphasizing style whenever taking on a task, especially fighting demons. Constantly coming out on top makes his confidence well earned. Fortunately, the last thing he does is let this power get to his head. He can be reckless, sure, especially since he regularly shrugs off injuries that would be fatal to most other people, but he only takes such risks with his own life rather than anyone else's. He knows he can handle it and he knows he can protect others, when need be. Hell, he firmly believes part of what makes him so powerful is his ability to care for something enough that he'd endure so much to protect it (a trait he inherited from his father). For Dante, those are the few friends he's made in his life.

Despite how closed off he can be, he's capable of making friends. They can be abrasive at first and even aggressive. More than once, has a close friend of his tried to kill him before they knew him very well and he's okay with that. It takes more than impalement or a bullet to the head to even make him say ouch. He's a tough nut to crack, physically and emotionally, but people who spend enough time around Dante learn that he's often indirect about communicating his thoughts and feelings. There's a person underneath all of the bravado who doesn't know how to confide in people, but genuinely cares about them at the same time. This side of him always shows after enough time. Lady saw it when he related to her task to find and kill her father, Trish saw it when he lamented his inability to save her, Nero saw it when he entrusted him with Vergil's sword.

The most important aspect of Dante is the one he keeps hiddden beneath a thick layer of bravado and taunts. He didn't just inherit Sparda's power; he inherited the grudge all of demonkind had for him. Sparda freed mankind from demon enslavement and forced demonkind to return to Hell; demons marked him as a traitor and from that point on, Sparda had a target on his back. As do his sons. As do anyone they care for. When Dante was a boy, demons invaded his home. His mother, Eva, hid him in a closet for his safety while she left to find Vergil. He watched her run off and he heard her die. He tried to start a new life with a new name, as his mother begged, but demons eventually found him. They always find him. He made it his mission to fight back against them every time because they are an active threat. They will not stop until he is dead and they won't hesitate to target anyone close to him. This is the largest reason why he tries to keep himself closed off from others.

He tries and fails. Unlike his brother, he can't live a life of solitude. He needs other people in his life, but he knows caring for them will make them targets, too. He has a good heart, and despite it being bruised with fear and rage, he never stops trying to be a good person. He doesn't let his feelings decide whether someone needs to be killed or not. He's met good demons and evil humans; while a younger him may not care for the distinction, current him does. One of his closest friends, Trish, is a demon modeled after his dead mother who was meant to lure him to a giant trap on an isolated island. She betrayed him, but also nearly died saving his life afterwards. Opposite of this are humans like Arkham or Agnus, who sacrificed innocent people and their own humanity whether for power or crude research. Trish he learned to trust and care for, Arkham and Agnus he killed. He makes the effort to learn about a person before making any judgment calls.

However, Dante can be supportive to a fault. Despite being a mercenary, he picks and chooses his jobs and doesn't always go for the highest paying jobs. His expertise in the supernatural means he gravitates towards those kinds of jobs, even if they don't always well. On top of that, it's normal for him to decide to wave off the fees if the person is too poor or some other circumstance. Generous as it may be, he still has bills to pay. He doesn't mind it nearly as much as some of his friends do, but it's just like him not to stress details like that.

Dante is a good man who learned to push through countless adversities and come out on top without giving up on his beliefs. He does what he can to enjoy his life and the people around him, but for all of his immeasurable fortitude, the wounds that haven't healed are the ones from childhood. He's improved over the years and no one can take that away from him. However, he still has a long way to go before he can really move on. While it may be admirable for him and his brother to seal themselves away in Hell, far away from any loved ones who can get caught in the crossfire, there are plenty who personally know the man who would insist he deserves a better fate than that.

Abilities & Inventory: An overview of his powers
Sin Devil Trigger is basically an enhanced devil trigger
A collection of fighting styles Dante switches between regularly
Quicksilver and Doppelganger stopped appearing after DMC 5, so they can be removed as Dante no longer needs them.

Inventory

While Dante possess a bunch of weapons, most of them are back in his office. The ones on him are usually the ones he picked up during that mission, including his staples.

Melee weapons: Devil Sword Dante, King Cerberus, Cavaliere, Balrog
Guns: Ebony and Ivory, Coyote-A, Dr. Faust
While 5 also gives him rocket launchers, Kalina Ann and Kalina Ann II, they personally belong to his friend, Lady. Dante won't have them.

Dreamotion

A work in progress idea here, but thus far, the main idea of his abilities involve becoming a devil arm himself, much like the ones he's used throughout the franchise. He won't be able to do much on his own, but can strengthen whoever wields him. Maybe a basic stat boost, let them wield some of his abilities and, most importantly, the ability to look really cool at whatever they're doing. That might be difficult to pull as it would require player permission to work, but DMC is known for its over the top shenanigans and I think giving others the chance to play with that will be fun. Also a personal thing for Dante so he can learn that others are able to defend themselves and he doesn't always have to stress himself out doing the fighting.

Suitability & Plans: The strongest motivation I have for playing Dante here is to explore the trauma and fear he keeps bottled up most of the time. Most of the time, I play him as the lovable goofball and chaotic uncle who helps other characters through their problems. He'll still be capable of that, but DMC 5 forced a lot of his personal problems to the center stage, specifically the disaster known as his brother and actually needing to talk about the day their mother died and things like that. As the game ends with him entrusting the world's safety to Nero before disappearing into hell with Vergil, I want to build Dante towards showing his true feelings more often and giving him the chance to heal and move on with his life. It's only right, as the games may be working to let poor Dante retire.

Sharing dreams and the way dreamotion works mean Dante can't keep his feelings and worries secret forever. He'll need to learn to trust and confide in others to not only keep his nightmares in check, but to also let his own dreamotion abilities help others succeed.



Test Drive Sample: TDM Toplevel, Business opportunity with Loona, turkey hunting with Moxxie

Questions: Any questions you might have.
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