Library of Characters: E.N.Leonard

May the grace and peace of our Lord be with all of you! Thank you so much, Lucy, for putting these character collections together. They’ve been so enjoyable!

I’m E. N. Leonard, a Christian fantasy and dystopian writer who enjoys learning/making languages, sketching, and wandering in the woods (preferably mountainous ones), and you can catch me rambling about writing, art, and travel at my newsletter https://writesy-artist-ramblings.ck.page  A while back I participated in both A Chaotic Collection of Protagonists and Antagonists with my characters Zéra and Gunu Nathírya.

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Introduce your side character to me—who is she? What story is she from? 

I present Gaphríné! She’s a Nydenya, plant lover, friend and handmaiden to Nikthoona,  minstrel forbidden to make music, and mentor to Zéra. She hails from my fantasy WIPs including Starsong.

What is her personality?

She is an excitable, bubbly sort of person with a zest for life and adventure. Her motto might be: “Who cares if we get lost as long as we’re having fun?”

What gave/gives you inspiration for her?

I wanted to write a story about two best friends embarking on a journey, and Gaphí popped out and started chatting my and the other characters’ ears off (my little sister might have inspired this 😜). Also, some time at Beavers Bend gave me the inspiration for making her fond of woodland plants.

Was she supposed to be in the story, or was she a sudden I-have-no-idea-how-you-got-here addition? 

Both? I needed a character, and she showed up. Then she wouldn’t stop talking, wormed her way into another book, and defied death every time I attempted to *ahem* remove her from the story.

What is her role in the story? 

Her role changes a lot throughout the story. At first, she’s Nikthoona’s crazy best friend. Later she becomes Zéra’s mentor, still a wee bit crazy.

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“I thought you liked spring rains,” said Gaphríné.

Nikthoona scrunched her nose at the water that dripped from her hood. “Yes, I like them when I’m inside with a fire and tea and a book. Getting drenched is quite another matter.”

Gaphí laughed. “But that’s what happens to all the flowers to make them grow, so surely it’s not such a bad thing.”

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What is her past and how has it shaped the character she is now? 

Gaphríné grew up the daughter of Nydenya commoners under the governance of the Nathírya house, which even in those days was known for pride and unkindness. When Gunu Nathírya’s   brother rode his horse through their garden, trampling months of work, she was upset but didn’t know what she could do about it. That very day she met young Nikthoona, and upon hearing her tale, the princess invited her to aid in ensuring justice was served to the high-handed nobles, who were already in trouble with the king. This began a lifelong friendship. As they grow up, Gaphríné served as Nikthoona’s handmaiden and remained with her throughout the fall of Nydehl, her exile in the wilderness, and duel with Gunu and Nussné.

Twenty years later, Gaphríné has been evading all attempts of capture, traveling Amalasandai regions as a sort of minstrel in the hopes of finding Nik’s nephew, Ríadnu Seorsavrel.

Through all of this she has retained her sunny, loyal personality and clung to her beliefs, and she also matured into a (slightly) less scatterbrained individual. Her experiences have taught her to value mercy, justice, and truth while appreciating all the little joys of life.

What is her greatest struggle or fear?

Gaphríné struggled between choosing what is right and what pleased those she loved. When she realized that doing the right thing was what was best for others even if they didn’t like it, she gained resolve and maturity to continue making hard but virtuous decisions. Because of the hurt the Nathírya house dealt Gaphí, her friends, and her people, she will have to remember this in order to accept Zéra, who is looked upon with suspicion by most Nydenya.

Is she a vice or virtue to the protagonist?

Both! In Nikthoona’s case, Gaphí is a vice of rashness and a virtue of faithfulness. Compared with Zéra, she is untrusting but wise with experience.

Does she like her name, or would she trade anything in the world for a new one?

She likes it because Nikthoona made the perfect nickname out of it: Gaphí. In turn, she calls Nikthoona “Nik.”

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“Ah, Dehlné Nathírya.” Her lip twitched in disgust, and her eyes flitted to the window at the shadowy edges of the room.

Zéra put out her hand, desperate to keep this woman who seemed to have answers from leaving. “Yes, but wait. You’re full of the light, too, so why — “ she gestured from her own shining form to the other’s. She shook her head. “Please, who are you?”

“Why should I tell you, young Nathírya? Do the Dehlnu and Dehlné know you’re here?” Resting her hand on the pommel of her knife, she returned her attention to Zéra.

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Character Appearance: Hair? Eyes? Height? Favorite color and least favorite food? Other?

Curly blonde hair, brown eyes, rather short for a Nydenya. Described well by the word “sunshine.” She can’t make up her mind among green, pink, or yellow as a favorite color, but she most emphatically loathes the Amalasandai dish of stewed Gerug meat and riverweed. For fun, I’ll mention that she has a fondness for bunnies.

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“I think we cut too far south.” Gaphríné tapped her nose. “Terstu, I wish Nik was here!”

Raqah shot her an incredulous glance. “By ‘we,’ do you mean you chasing those leaves?”

She smiled. “It was worth it. I’ve never seen such gorgeous Nusyihm until then. And aren’t you glad we have them?” Gaphí shook the bag full of fragrant herbs and beamed at Zéra. “Neither of you desert-fwyn shall catch colds on my watch!”