Dante Walker's Questionnaire

Dante Walker lives in Bhadlurad, the once-great capital of Vakious, now enveloped by a mysterious purple dome. Bhadlurad is a city that matches Dante’s love for nightlife, adventure, and the unknown. The city is a haven for the unaffiliated, those who seek independence from outside empires and gods, which suits Dante’s free-spirited, rebellious nature. He thrives in the loose moral environment, where strict rules are an afterthought, and magic flows with little enforcement.

Dante is currently homless but he envisions a loft in an old, refurbished warehouse near the heart of the city. Industrial pipes line the ceiling, and steam occasionally hisses from vents. His living space is a blend of modern comfort and urban grunge, with mismatched furniture, brass gadgets, and neon signs lighting the walls. This chaotic, lively environment reflects his connection to the city's pulse.

So far, Dante has not really made any money yet. He has taken a job from Uncle Nicky, who has paid him a few chits of the Fog Hound faction. His first plans for spending any money all have to do with basic survival. Food to eat, somewhere to sleep, clothes to wear, hopefully a roof over his head, weapons for protection, medicine, etc. This place is proving to be a difficult place to stay alive, but Dante is hopeful he will be able to find opportunities as time goes on. His recent colleagues have been already proven to be of some help.

In the past, Dante's ambitions have been almost entirely social, and, frankly, frivolous. Parties, fame, women, good times, etc. But slowly a connection with the city itself crept in and started to make him care for the well being of the world around him. His ambitions now are changing and evolving. He would not be able to tell you what exactly they are. He still has vanity and desires of his own. He is also called upon and called to by the city and by its denizens. Why should he be burdened to care for these others, and for these streets? But it cannot be avoided. There is some spirit or power at play, drawing to him, making him feel.

The most defining event of Dante Walker’s life happened on a late night, deep in the underbelly of the city, when he first truly felt the city's pulse. He had always been in tune with the streets, but that night, after a particularly wild party and one too many drinks, something shifted. Dante found himself lost in the labyrinth of alleys, surrounded by steam and shadows. As he staggered through the darkness, the ground beneath him seemed to hum. Lights flickered in response to his touch, and the air vibrated with unseen energy.

Suddenly, the city spoke to him—not in words, but in sensations, guiding him back to safety. In that moment, Dante realized he was more than just a partier drifting through the night; he was connected to the very soul of the city. From then on, he embraced his role as a conduit between the living and the city’s spirit, though he still indulged in his carefree lifestyle. This newfound power and connection set him on a path where he balances hedonism with responsibility—always with a smirk, and always on his own terms.

1. Kasey “Sparks” Monroe (Closest Friend)

Kasey, an engineer and self-proclaimed inventor, has been Dante’s closest friend for years. They met during one of Dante’s frequent nights out when Kasey was testing a homemade gadget in the back room of an underground bar. Their connection was instant—Kasey fascinated by Dante’s uncanny ability to navigate the city’s streets and Dante intrigued by Kasey’s tech savvy. Sparks is the practical one, keeping Dante grounded when his nightlife indulgences get out of hand. They often work together, with Kasey modifying gadgets for Dante to better interact with the city’s mystical elements.

2. Lilith Kane (Former Lover)

Lilith, a nightclub owner with connections to Bhadlurad’s underground magic trade, was once romantically involved with Dante. Though their romance fizzled out, they remain on complicated but friendly terms. Lilith still has a soft spot for Dante and occasionally calls him in when she needs help dealing with magical disturbances. Dante, meanwhile, can’t resist her magnetic personality and glamorous lifestyle.

3. Tomas "Tommy" Wolfe (Frenemy)

Tommy Wolfe is a local hustler and minor gang leader who both admires and resents Dante’s connection to the city. The two have a complicated relationship, filled with moments of mutual benefit and heated rivalry. Dante respects Tommy’s street smarts but knows not to trust him fully, as Tommy is always looking for an angle. They occasionally work together, but Dante never lets his guard down around him.

Dante Walker’s childhood was a complicated mix of discipline and rebellion. His father, Colonel Marcus Walker, was a high-ranking military officer, known for his strictness and unwavering sense of duty. Marcus expected the same from Dante, pushing him to follow in his footsteps. However, Dante’s free-spirited nature clashed with his father’s authoritarian lifestyle. While his father drilled him in discipline and respect for authority, Dante often found himself rebelling against the rigid structure of military life.

Dante’s mother, Elena Walker, was softer and more understanding. She encouraged Dante’s creative side, recognizing his unique connection to the world around him. She often served as the mediator between her son and husband, trying to balance Marcus’s tough love with her nurturing spirit.

Dante attended prestigious military academies due to his father’s position, but he never truly fit in. While others thrived in the regimented environment, Dante found it stifling. He was more interested in sneaking out at night to explore the city, partying, and making connections with people who lived outside the law. He grew up feeling like an outsider among his peers, rejecting the structured life his father represented in favor of the city’s chaotic energy. Though he learned to play the role of the dutiful son, deep down, Dante always knew he was meant for something far less conventional.

Dante Walker has been in love once, with Lilith Kane, a captivating nightclub owner who seemed to embody everything Dante loved about the city—its mystery, its danger, and its allure. They met during one of Dante’s late-night escapades, and their chemistry was undeniable. Lilith was as drawn to Dante’s charm as he was to her power and influence in Bhadlurad’s underground magic trade. Their relationship burned hot and fast, filled with wild nights and whispered secrets.

But eventually, Dante’s carefree lifestyle and Lilith’s ambitions began to clash. She was focused on expanding her control in the city, while Dante resisted being tied down. Their romance ended in a bittersweet breakup, with both acknowledging that while they shared a passion, they wanted different things. Though no longer romantically involved, they remain connected, occasionally working together in the city’s shadowy world. Dante still carries a soft spot for her, though he knows their paths have diverged.

Dante’s worst fears are deeply rooted in his lifestyle and the nature of his connection to the city. Here’s what he might dread most:

1. Losing His Connection to the City

• Why: Dante’s bond with the city’s spirit is central to his identity and powers. It’s how he navigates the world, and it makes him feel unique and empowered. Losing that connection would mean losing a part of himself, leaving him feeling aimless and powerless. He fears that without this bond, he’d be just another face in the crowd, stripped of his special purpose.

2. Being Trapped or Stagnant

• Why: Dante thrives on freedom, movement, and the thrill of city life. The idea of being trapped—whether physically, in a confined space, or metaphorically, such as being forced into a static, unchanging role—terrifies him. The thought of settling down, being bound to one place or person, or having his options cut off is stifling. It represents the loss of the autonomy and spontaneity he values so deeply.

3. Being Truly Alone

• Why: Though Dante presents himself as independent and carefree, he’s never truly alone. He relies on the pulse of the city, his social connections, and the nightlife to feel alive. The idea of true isolation—where no one knows or cares about him—haunts him. Deep down, he fears that his connections are superficial and that, one day, he could find himself without any real allies or friends, facing the city’s dangers alone.

4. Losing His Good Looks or Charm

• Why: Dante’s charm and appearance are major parts of how he navigates the world, both in social situations and when manipulating people to his advantage. He fears aging, scarring, or any event that could rob him of his magnetism. Without his looks and charm, he’d feel vulnerable and exposed, worried he wouldn’t be able to command the same attention or make the same connections.

5. Being Forgotten

• Why: Dante’s nightlife antics and city connections help him stay relevant and feel a sense of belonging. Deep down, he fears fading into obscurity—becoming just another forgotten face in the city. He dreads that all his escapades, his charm, and his hard-earned reputation could one day amount to nothing, leaving him a nobody in a world that barely remembers he existed.

These fears subtly drive Dante’s need for connection, excitement, and novelty, making him cling to his lifestyle, his charisma, and his city in ways that both elevate and limit him.

A Set of Mysterious Charms

• Why They’re Special: Dante keeps a handful of small charms—a mix of street-craft amulets, city-found trinkets, and enchanted tokens—in his pockets. Each one has its own story: a good luck coin from a fellow street kid, a handmade talisman from an old flame, and a ward gifted by a local occultist. These charms remind him of his past escapades, loves, and connections, and he believes each holds a bit of the city’s energy. In a way, these tokens help him feel protected, like he’s carrying pieces of the city with him wherever he goes.

His Brass Pocket Watch

• Why It’s Special: This pocket watch was a gift from his mother, Elena, who gave it to him just before he left home. It’s an intricate, steampunk-inspired piece with delicate brass gears and a crystal cover, engraved with a simple message: “Time waits for no one.” This watch grounds him, serving as a link to his family and a reminder of his mother’s softer, guiding influence. It’s his only true keepsake from home and a piece of his past he’ll never leave behind. Additionally, he often uses it as a ritual object, flipping it open to help him “tune in” to the city’s pulse.

The biggest problem in Dante’s life right now is his growing sense of purposelessness and the fear that his indulgent, carefree lifestyle might be holding him back from something greater. While he thrives in the nightlife and revels in his reputation as a charming urban mystic, he’s starting to feel an itch he can’t quite scratch—a sense that he’s drifting without direction. He’s haunted by the idea that his connection to the city could be used for more than just wild nights and minor favors for people in the know.

As he watches friends and acquaintances around him pursue their ambitions and build lives with purpose, Dante feels increasingly left behind, clinging to the familiar thrill of the streets without a deeper purpose. This conflict is especially intense with his father, a high-ranking military officer whose strong sense of duty has always loomed over Dante. Though he’s resisted following in those footsteps, the pressure to “become something” gnaws at him. He wonders if he’s wasting his potential or squandering his connection to the city’s spirit.

This internal conflict makes Dante restless, pushing him to search for something more meaningful—but he’s not quite sure what that is yet. Until he figures it out, he’s stuck in a cycle of hedonism and thrill-seeking, hoping to distract himself from the sense of emptiness creeping into his life.

A typical morning for Dante Walker is a blend of casual chaos and streetwise routine. He often wakes up groggy, sunlight slipping through the heavy drapes in his loft, which he never quite managed to hang properly. Last night’s clothes are scattered on the floor, and he takes a minute to gather himself, piecing together hazy memories of the previous evening’s escapades. Dante rarely rises early; his mornings are more like late-morning, easing into early afternoon.

After a quick, lazy stretch, he checks his brass pocket watch, a grounding ritual that reminds him to seize the day before time slips by. He stumbles over to his tiny kitchenette, where he pours himself a strong cup of gritty coffee from the old percolator he picked up secondhand. The coffee helps him shake off the night’s remnants, bringing him back to a sharper state of mind. As he sips, he flips through a small stack of handwritten notes and flyers from various contacts, seeing what’s happening in Bhadlurad or if anyone needs a favor from the city's "urban shaman."

When he’s ready to get dressed, he tosses on whatever looks clean and slightly mysterious, always adding his signature brass goggles as a final touch. Before stepping out, he pats his pockets, checking for his charms and his pocket watch, securing the items that make him feel prepared for whatever surprises the city might throw his way.

Dante doesn’t plan too far ahead; he just gathers himself, grabs what he needs, and steps into the streets with a confident smirk, blending seamlessly into the city’s pulse as he starts his day.