Puxie is a goblin street urchin, born and raised in the dark and dusty alleys of Markad City, among the warring gangs of goblins and humans. His father ran away when he was just a baby, to become a cowboy on the arid plains of eastern Tangenia, and his mother died when he was very young. He’s been on his own since then, living on the scraps of upper class elves, trusting no one except his one friend in this world, a crusty old human shopkeeper named Brian, who tells Puxie entertaining stories and sometimes lets him share his meager meals. Puxie has not been inducted into one of the goblin gangs, as most orphans are, because he’s known for legendary clumsiness. He’s been known to fall up the stairs, trip over his feet while standing still, and once even got his foot caught in a bucket that wasn’t even on the ground. In a way, Puxie regrets not getting that chance, and feels inadequate for not being accepted, but he’s resigned himself to being a loner, and is sure that it’s best that way. Still, he looks up to the gangsters, in their pinstripe suits with their wool caps, who patrol the neighborhood and keep the peace.
INCITING INCIDENT
One day, Puxie meanders over to his friend Brian’s establishment, hoping for a good story and an even better meal. Upon entering the shop, which looks empty, he hears noises from the back. He makes his way back there as quietly as he can (which is a chore for him, since he has a way of knocking things over with his aura), and sees three goblin gangsters surrounding the old human, who is tied to a chair. They’re mercilessly beating him for not paying his dues to the gang, as all business owners on this street are required to do. Brian whimpers and tries to explain that it’s coming, business has just been slower than usual, but they don’t listen, just keep pounding on him. Puxie wants to rush in and try to help his friend, but he’s scared, and besides, what could he do against three armed gangsters? He stays hidden in the shadows. When they’ve finally left he goes to Brian and unties him. The old man is overcome by his injuries, and after a brief conversation he dies of his wounds. This changes his perspective on the goblin gangs, and he starts to see them as sinister and threatening, not as keepers of the peace.
THEMES
Puxie has lived under the misconception that because the gangs won’t accept him, he’s not worthy of belonging to a group of his peers. He will start to realize that he’s been looking for love and companionship in the wrong places, and that he had it all along with his old human friend. As he reflects on his friendship with Brian, Puxie begins to understand that true companionship is built on trust, kindness, and shared experiences, not fear and intimidation.
The inciting incident of Brian’s death becomes a catalyst for Puxie, igniting a spark of courage within him. Determined to honor his friend’s memory, he resolves to fight back against the gang’s increasing brutality towards humans and other innocents. Throughout his journey, Puxie gradually overcomes his legendary clumsiness, discovering that his perceived weaknesses can become strengths with the right mindset and determination.
As he stands up to the gang’s tyranny, Puxie finds new allies who appreciate him for his loyalty and bravery. These genuine relationships help him build the self-confidence he always lacked. By the end of his journey, Puxie not only avenges his friend’s death but also transforms into a symbol of hope and resistance, showing that true love and friendship can inspire extraordinary courage and change.
VOICE PRINT
Puxie is always:
- Self-deprecating
- “I’ve been known to screw these things up.” “Leave it to me to make a mess of things.” “I’m the last person you want for the job.”
- Passive
- “Whatever you think is best.” “I guess?”
- Wary
- “I’m not sure this is a good idea.” “I really shouldn’t be here.” “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
- Curious
- “Wow, what is that?” “How does that work?” “I wonder what’s in there?”
- Self-depricatingly optimistic
- “At least this is better than that time I tripped over an invisible pebble and knocked the mayor over.” “Knowing me, this could be a hell of a lot worse.”
Puxie is never:
- Cynical
- Aggressive
- Formal
- Confident
- Emotionally expressive
EXAMPLE DIALOG:
Brona: You know, Puxie, some folks see clumsiness as a curse. But I reckon it’s just a different kind of grace.
Puxie: Grace? You mean disgrace?
Brona: Ah, don’t put yourself down like that. You see the world differently. You notice things others don’t, ’cause you’re always lookin’ for the next trip-up. That’s a gift, lad.
Puxie: Some gift. I once tripped over my own shadow.
Brona: Every time you trip or fall, you learn something new, don’t ya?
Puxie: I learn how to fall better, I guess.
Brona: Exactly! Most folks avoid mistakes. But you, you embrace ’em. That makes you wiser than most.
Puxie: I may be a lot of things, but wise?
Brona: Stop selling yourself short, Puxie. Look, there’s something you need to see.
[Brona holds up a shimmering piece of tangium.]
Puxie: Whoa, what is that? It’s… it’s like it’s laughing at me.
Brona: It is! That’s tangium. The only metal with a sense of humor, and the closest thing we have to magic. It’s dangerous, unpredictable. But you, Puxie – you can handle it.
Puxie: I can’t even handle staying upright most of the time.
Brona: Exactly! I keep telling you, your clumsiness is a gift! It means you can handle tangium safely. You’ve got the mutated gene, making you a tangium handler!
Puxie: So, you’re saying all my trips and falls… they’re because of this stuff?
Brona: Not excatly. But it means you’ve got potential, lad. I can help you reach it, if you like.
Puxie: I don’t know…
Brona: Well, think about it, Puxie. You just might stumble into greatness.