Bio

[summertimeshores]

Ruben's full, generic-setting bio is hosted on Google Docs. Click here to see it. Some parts of it may be altered for specific games, but this info is the "template" that other bios/apps will be based on. However, it's essentially become my dumping ground for all of my references, thoughts, and ideas about him, so brace for text wall.

If you don't feel like reading that mess (I don't blame you), then below is a shortened, semi-spoiler-free version to give you a basic understanding of his character. Any info that he really doesn't like people knowing is not included here.



Basics:

Name: Ruben Taylor
Age: 25
Birthday: June 22
Species: Claims he's human
Occupation: Selling souvenirs (that is, seashells he's found) to tourists at the beach.

Appearance:

For Ruben, the most important thing about his appearance is his ability to give others the first impression he wants them to have. With a casual, laid-back style (and matching but cheery attitude), he can come across as friendly and easy to trust.

Physically, Ruben is about average. He's just slightly below average height for a guy his age, and his body is thin and lean, though he might look a little underfed. He has dark brown skin, and deep brown eyes with a few flecks of brighter colors like orange and gold. He keeps his jet-black hair short and out of his face, but that's as far as his care for it goes, often leaving it tangled and damaged from constant wind and surf.

His most recognizable feature may be his smile. Ruben tries to always have a bright and charming grin on his face, even if he has to force it and cover up some other emotion.

Because he spends so much time at the beach, Ruben is usually dressed in a light-colored T-shirt and swim trunks. He also wears a necklace made of a white, spiral seashell on a black cord, which he is strangely protective of and refuses to take off. On the other hand, he stubbornly insists on never wearing or owning a pair of shoes. No matter how many times this creates problems for him, he still goes barefoot everywhere.

Personality:

Ruben acts as if everyone he meets is already his best friend. He is highly outgoing and good-natured, and happy to stop and chat or help cheer someone up. He's also quite energetic, and always wants to meet new people, try new things, and have a good time. Even if he isn't sure that he'll get along with someone, he tries to never be rude to a stranger. Ruben also doesn't like to get angry with anyone, and will stay calm and cheerful until he can avoid the source of frustration entirely.

However, Ruben's kindness is mostly an act. It doesn't take a lot of time with him to learn that he's a habitual liar with a massive ego. With a businessman-like savvy and a used car dealer's ethics, he's constantly trying to "read" people and say the things they want to hear, hoping to stay on their good side. Every action he takes is based on what benefit it will give him, and that includes his emphasis on being nice to get people to like him. He shows signs of having a superiority complex, and while he knows it's rude to outright say that he thinks he's better than everyone, he'll keep thinking it anyway. Everyone who falls for his sweetheart facade and every advantage he gets from his manipulative behavior is simply another boost for his already over-inflated pride.

That said, he does not consider himself to be a bad or villainous person. He will never base a decision solely on being cruel or who it will hurt, but on which solution will reward him the best, and the morality of his choice is an issue he can deal with later. His excuse for his behavior is that he’s trying to ensure his own survival in an unfair world. If a little bit of guile is necessary to keep him alive, then he’ll do it in any situation.

Strengths:

• Ruben is highly intelligent, and loves learning new things and finding solutions to problems. He's also deeply curious and willing to try new experiences, and may wander off wherever adventure might lead him.


• Ruben's friendly cheer isn't entirely fake, as he's quite optimistic. Nothing can discourage him for very long, and he doesn't like being sad or discussing negative events. He also thinks very highly of himself and his abilities, and any challenge quickly becomes his newest goal.


• Ruben is aware that his personality can make it unlikely for him to form close friendships. Therefore, he becomes very loyal to anyone he does get attached to. This doesn't mean that he will instantly be honest and straightforward with his friends, though. His motives switch from trying to get something out of the other person to trying to keep that person around longer. Anything he can do to make his best friends happy is worth it to keep his loneliness away. With a strong enough relationship, his loyalty is one of the few things that can trump his, "What's in it for me?" attitude, and he will refuse to go against his alliances for any minor gain.

Weaknessess:

• Ruben is a compulsive liar. Misleading, dodging questions, changing subjects, and fabrications are all normal parts of most conversations with him. In some cases, he may even lie when there's no need to do so, just because he's so used to not telling the truth.


• Ruben has very little physical strength and no formal combat training (and what little training he did have was so long ago that he's forgotten it). He can also be a bit slow when it comes to things like running and swimming, and doesn't have the stamina to keep going for long. His weak build makes him pretty much useless when it comes to fighting, and so he prefers to talk his way out of bad situations. He knows he would never win in a fair fight.


• He tries not to show it to other people often, but Ruben is very self-centered. His positive attitude towards himself tends to go a little too far, making him a bit cocky and conceited at times. While he knows he does have his limits, he may forget about them or ignore them entirely if he sets his mind to something, and he's much worse at judging his safety in situations that don't immediately involve combat.

Other:

• Likes: Meeting people, video games (particularly arcade games), astronomy (particularly space travel).


• Dislikes: Isolation, people who ask too many questions, sharks.


• Ruben often carries with him a long, gnarled branch of driftwood that he uses as his walking stick. He may occasionally have his metal bucket too, which he uses to carry shells for sale and coins he's earned (He refuses to accept paper bills, though he may take anything particularly shiny or impressive-looking in place of money), but he prefers to stash the bucket somewhere safe, as it gets heavy after a while.


• Ruben has a soft spot for children. He won't be entirely truthful with them, of course, but he feels guilty about trying to manipulate them. He's more likely to be genuinely nice to a kid, as opposed to the "customer service"-style kindness and empty promises he gives to adults. He may even jump to their defense in situations that he knows would end badly for him.


• Ruben is not a thief, and considers stealing what he wants to be a cheap and lazy solution to a problem. Convincing someone that his ideas are really their ideas provides the kind of challenge he enjoys, while pickpocketing does not.


• Ruben refuses to talk about his history. Good luck getting any kind of straight answer to personal questions.