Gertrude Robinson (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
archivisnt) wrote2030-12-12 05:31 pm
archivisnt) wrote2030-12-12 05:31 pm
Entry tags:
Permissions - TLV
OOC PREFERENCES:
•CONTACT METHOD: Plurk at![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
tinwateringcan or PM this journal!
•THREAD-JACKING: Unlocked network threads always OK; please check with me before thread-jacking in person threads!
•FOURTH WALLING / CANON PUNCTURE: No fourth-walling, please. Telling her events from her future is absolutely fine!
•BACKTAGGING: Will backtag as long as necessary.
•AVOIDED TOPICS: None.
•PREFERRED GENDER PRONOUN: She/her.
IC CHARACTERISTICS:
•CURRENT CANON POINT: Her death immediately prior to season 1.
•PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Gertrude is a small woman, just over five feet tall and with a rather frail build. She is mildly farsighted and wears gold-framed reading glasses, which she suspends from a cord around her neck when they are not in use. Her hair is iron-grey, thinning, but long, and she keeps it pulled back into a bun. She is in her late seventies, although she is in relatively good physical shape for her age and remains active. She usually wears dark knit cardigans (not black; she favors variegated blues, browns and greys) over slightly old-fashioned long-sleeved blouses, slacks in navy blue or black, and comfortable slip-on sneakers in a dark color; she owns one pair in navy blue and one pair in dark grey.
She can often be found with a cheap paperback in hand when she is killing time. She has a preference for the sort of lurid spy novels that one can find in any airport bookstore.
•DEMEANOR: Most of the time, Gertrude's demeanor exudes an air of "retired librarian whose baseline is mild disapproval." She is a highly intelligent woman, and makes absolutely no effort to hide that at any time, regardless of how deceptive she is being otherwise. Her general posture is slightly stooped, and she tends to peer up over her glasses when disturbed while reading as though she is mildly surprised to find someone so close. She pretends to be slightly out of touch, good-willed, concerned about the safety of others and perhaps in a little need of help and support from younger people despite her gentle erudition.
If she feels no need to appear harmless, she loses the stoop and stops wearing the glasses. Her stare goes from "mildly startled" to laser-sharp, evaluative and dismissive. Her tone sharpens significantly. She moves much more quickly when she is not trying to look harmless; she also makes much less noise when she moves.
•ABILITIES: Physical: familiar with a variety of weapons and explosive devices. Does not hesitate to commit brutal violence if she believes that it is necessary. Although she is by no means a physical combatant, she is dangerous if given the time and opportunity to arm herself and make plans.
Supernatural: She is able to compel people to answer questions, understands all languages as though they were her native language, and, if someone gives her a direct statement about a supernatural experience that they had, both she and the statement-giver will suffer ongoing linked nightmares about the experience that sustain her on their fear.
Barge-nerfed abilities: When she is not nerfed, she is able to compel Statements as well as compelling simple answers. She also has the ability to See things that are hidden from mundane perception, especially if they are linked to the supernatural (such as supernatural influence or corruption) and to Know information that she focuses on, although both of these abilities are very limited and unreliable for her even when they are not nerfed.
•MEDICAL INFORMATION: For a woman of nearly eighty, she is in relatively good physical health. She has mild osteoarthritis in her hands and hips, has lost a fair amount of muscle and would be more easily and seriously injured by impact or violence than she would have been in her younger years. She has no chronic conditions, other than a severe tendency towards insomnia.
•CABIN INFORMATION: Level 5, cabin 11. Her cabin is a near-replica of the Archivist's office at the Magnus Institute of London. She has a large, old wooden desk, likely of pre-WWI vintage, and several bookshelves lining the walls. The bookshelves hold a combination of actual texts, filing boxes in which the printed, handwritten or carbon-copied files are arranged according to a mysterious personal system, and loose files. The bottom desk drawer contains an overnight toiletries bag and a change of clothes. The desk is largely clean, except for a nameplate, a blue mug with "Yes, I Really Do Need All These Books" printed on it that holds a scattering of pens and pencils, an electric kettle, and a laptop with a wireless mouse. A folding cot is tucked between two of the bookshelves, and will fit behind the desk when unfolded. Unlike the real office, there is a small attached lavatory with toilet, mirror and sink.
•OFFENSIVE SUBJECTS: None. Warning: she comes from a cosmic horror canon, and her backstory involves committing murder, desecrating corpses, feeding trusting innocents to said cosmic horrors and committing acts of terrorism including bombing World Heritage sites. It is unlikely that she will easily discuss these things, but close CR may wind up discussing them.
IC PERMISSIONS:
•MENTAL: Ask me first. She has some mental powers and is an avatar of a being that specifically represents the fear of having all your secrets known; attempts to read her mind would be interesting but potentially complicated!
•MIMICRY: Yes. She is likely to have a strong negative reaction to being imitated.
•VIOLENCE: Yes. Physically, she is not very imposing and has no powers that would make her better in a fight. She is as easy to punch as your average petite eighty-year-old woman.
•MAGIC: See "mental"! I'm up for it but we should probably plot, as her powers may interact with magic used on her.
•DEBATE: Absolutely. She is ICly willing and able to argue her point on most subjects.
•OTHER / NOTES: Powers Permission Post!
•CONTACT METHOD: Plurk at
•THREAD-JACKING: Unlocked network threads always OK; please check with me before thread-jacking in person threads!
•FOURTH WALLING / CANON PUNCTURE: No fourth-walling, please. Telling her events from her future is absolutely fine!
•BACKTAGGING: Will backtag as long as necessary.
•AVOIDED TOPICS: None.
•PREFERRED GENDER PRONOUN: She/her.
IC CHARACTERISTICS:
•CURRENT CANON POINT: Her death immediately prior to season 1.
•PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Gertrude is a small woman, just over five feet tall and with a rather frail build. She is mildly farsighted and wears gold-framed reading glasses, which she suspends from a cord around her neck when they are not in use. Her hair is iron-grey, thinning, but long, and she keeps it pulled back into a bun. She is in her late seventies, although she is in relatively good physical shape for her age and remains active. She usually wears dark knit cardigans (not black; she favors variegated blues, browns and greys) over slightly old-fashioned long-sleeved blouses, slacks in navy blue or black, and comfortable slip-on sneakers in a dark color; she owns one pair in navy blue and one pair in dark grey.
She can often be found with a cheap paperback in hand when she is killing time. She has a preference for the sort of lurid spy novels that one can find in any airport bookstore.
•DEMEANOR: Most of the time, Gertrude's demeanor exudes an air of "retired librarian whose baseline is mild disapproval." She is a highly intelligent woman, and makes absolutely no effort to hide that at any time, regardless of how deceptive she is being otherwise. Her general posture is slightly stooped, and she tends to peer up over her glasses when disturbed while reading as though she is mildly surprised to find someone so close. She pretends to be slightly out of touch, good-willed, concerned about the safety of others and perhaps in a little need of help and support from younger people despite her gentle erudition.
If she feels no need to appear harmless, she loses the stoop and stops wearing the glasses. Her stare goes from "mildly startled" to laser-sharp, evaluative and dismissive. Her tone sharpens significantly. She moves much more quickly when she is not trying to look harmless; she also makes much less noise when she moves.
•ABILITIES: Physical: familiar with a variety of weapons and explosive devices. Does not hesitate to commit brutal violence if she believes that it is necessary. Although she is by no means a physical combatant, she is dangerous if given the time and opportunity to arm herself and make plans.
Supernatural: She is able to compel people to answer questions, understands all languages as though they were her native language, and, if someone gives her a direct statement about a supernatural experience that they had, both she and the statement-giver will suffer ongoing linked nightmares about the experience that sustain her on their fear.
Barge-nerfed abilities: When she is not nerfed, she is able to compel Statements as well as compelling simple answers. She also has the ability to See things that are hidden from mundane perception, especially if they are linked to the supernatural (such as supernatural influence or corruption) and to Know information that she focuses on, although both of these abilities are very limited and unreliable for her even when they are not nerfed.
•MEDICAL INFORMATION: For a woman of nearly eighty, she is in relatively good physical health. She has mild osteoarthritis in her hands and hips, has lost a fair amount of muscle and would be more easily and seriously injured by impact or violence than she would have been in her younger years. She has no chronic conditions, other than a severe tendency towards insomnia.
•CABIN INFORMATION: Level 5, cabin 11. Her cabin is a near-replica of the Archivist's office at the Magnus Institute of London. She has a large, old wooden desk, likely of pre-WWI vintage, and several bookshelves lining the walls. The bookshelves hold a combination of actual texts, filing boxes in which the printed, handwritten or carbon-copied files are arranged according to a mysterious personal system, and loose files. The bottom desk drawer contains an overnight toiletries bag and a change of clothes. The desk is largely clean, except for a nameplate, a blue mug with "Yes, I Really Do Need All These Books" printed on it that holds a scattering of pens and pencils, an electric kettle, and a laptop with a wireless mouse. A folding cot is tucked between two of the bookshelves, and will fit behind the desk when unfolded. Unlike the real office, there is a small attached lavatory with toilet, mirror and sink.
•OFFENSIVE SUBJECTS: None. Warning: she comes from a cosmic horror canon, and her backstory involves committing murder, desecrating corpses, feeding trusting innocents to said cosmic horrors and committing acts of terrorism including bombing World Heritage sites. It is unlikely that she will easily discuss these things, but close CR may wind up discussing them.
IC PERMISSIONS:
•MENTAL: Ask me first. She has some mental powers and is an avatar of a being that specifically represents the fear of having all your secrets known; attempts to read her mind would be interesting but potentially complicated!
•MIMICRY: Yes. She is likely to have a strong negative reaction to being imitated.
•VIOLENCE: Yes. Physically, she is not very imposing and has no powers that would make her better in a fight. She is as easy to punch as your average petite eighty-year-old woman.
•MAGIC: See "mental"! I'm up for it but we should probably plot, as her powers may interact with magic used on her.
•DEBATE: Absolutely. She is ICly willing and able to argue her point on most subjects.
•OTHER / NOTES: Powers Permission Post!