LOYAL. Whilst River doesn't get attached to many people, a result of her upbringing and the life that she leads, there are a few people that she would do anything for. Being a time traveller means that River doesn't stay in one place for very long, going to places that interest her or she's hired to dig up. That being said there are some people that have managed to worm their way into her life, most notably her parents and her husband. For them River has shown to be fiercely protective, trusting that they will help her if she's in trouble just as she will equally come to their rescue when they call. River would run into danger for those that she loves, even kill for them, though she hopes that no one sees some of her darker acts even if it is in their name. As well as protecting those that she loves River will also listen to them above anyone else, trusting their opinions about a situation even if she disagrees. River has held back on some of her actions if the Doctor has disapproved or believes there is a better way, trusting him above her own beliefs. When River was younger and 'wilder' she enjoyed the act of exploring more than getting involved, though her time with the Doctor, learning who she is and 'growing up' has helped River to develop into a more responsible person, someone that will put others first in order to help, sacrificing her adventure as she does.
COURAGEOUS. River prides herself on being brave, a product of how her life is filled with adventures. She portrays herself with a wild persona, someone that runs towards danger rather than away from it. Whilst some would see that as foolish River has enough faith in herself and her abilities to know that she will be able to get herself out of danger, being able to save those that are in trouble, rather than letting everyone die. River has learned not to show fear, something that the Doctor taught her, knowing that even if she feels afraid that showing such fear only helps their enemy rather than herself. She has become highly resourceful, having to use only the items on her or in the near vicinity in order to get herself out of danger. It has lead to her being creative both with resources and information, having to know when the best time to run or fight is, and how to disseminate relevant information to those that are around her. She is known as being very clever, a rare individual that is able to keep up with the Doctor's wild thoughts where few others can, helped by her knowledge of advanced science and temporal theory. She is very skilled, holding a doctorate in archaeology, five separate masters degrees as well as being an incredible sharpshooter (even without looking at her target). Her vast knowledge of time and space travel, alien cultures and mechanics has assisted River in her survival.
RESOURCEFUL. At her core, she is a very cheeky person with a lot of pride in herself, her appearance, and knowing how to use it to her advantage. She will flirt to turn someone to her side, or play a 'weakened' version of herself to garner sympathy (or a misjudged appearance of herself), knowing how to skillfully play people's strengths and weaknesses to try and gain the upper hand in a situation wherever she can. With those that River feels comfortable around she is calm, kind and playful, easily engaging in banter with the Doctor and her parents, particularly if it is at the Doctor's expense. She knows when the moment is appropriate, quick to turn serious and more practical when the situation requires it and not afraid to tell someone to shut up. River relies on her experiences and skill to see her through knowing that, unless the Doctor is around, that she is usually someone's best hope of survival.
INDEPENDENT. Though River occasionally travels with the Doctor, sharing adventures and parts of their life together, she has spent much more of it alone. Whilst she makes acquaintances, even building herself a life at times, she doesn't often stick around for too long -- River has more that she wants to see or 'dig up'. She has had to learn to rely on her skills, knowing how to react in a situation and how to get herself out of trouble, particularly when she's usually gotten herself into it. Though River may sometimes have a team with her it is more than likely that she hasn't told them much, either of herself or the job, and whilst she may use them for their skills, equipment or a little bit of back up she doesn't trust them in a way that would have them save her life. River will protect them but she won't expect that they can save her. Though a lonely life it has helped River to become stronger, more skilled and more certain of who she is and what she can feasibly do, though sometimes she will overestimate her own capabilities.
Weaknesses:
RUTHLESS. River is someone that is feared. As an associate of the Doctor, someone who prefers to give chances and reason rather than take action, it is assumed that River will be the same, as all of his companions follow his methods. After a Dalek shoots and is assumed to have killed the Doctor River begins to take aim at it, threatening to kill it. When it claims that she will show mercy she tells it "I'm River Song, check your records again" causing the Dalek to beg her to show mercy, knowing that her threat of death is not a threat but a certainty. River is particularly ruthless, very quick to act and equally quick to shoot and kill. She will kill without hesitation if it will protect those that she loves, or herself, and whilst she prefers the Doctor not to see her do this, knowing he disapproves, it doesn't stop her from still doing so. Though she was flirting with the Doctor, upping his estimate of how many Silents she would kill from 3 to 7, maybe 8, River proved that this was not just flirting but something that she was absolutely capable of doing, killing all of those in the room to allow the Doctor to rescue her mother.
LIAR. River lies. When River is with the Doctor and her parents she lies out of necessity, doing so to prevent them from finding out about events in their future (her past) before they are supposed to know them. Though River may wish that some things in her life were different she refuses to have one line of her life changed, knowing that the results would be unexpected -- if she gave herself back her childhood perhaps she wouldn't end up marrying the Doctor. It is something that River isn't willing to risk and thus lies to protect her life. It isn't the only time that River lies. As a time traveller, she can't tell the truth about who she is or why she's really there, lying again out of necessity. It's something that has become so familiar to her, a natural part of her existence that even when River can be truthful it has become harder to do. Lies are another cover, protecting people from seeing the truth about her, protecting herself from being hurt.
STUBBORN. She has an incredibly strong will, something that has been present since River was a child. Raised by the Silence River was very afraid of what they wanted her to do, and what they did to her, and tried to run away from them, calling out for help before managing to flee. From here River kept running though the Silence caught up to her and forced her to carry out her mission -- to kill the Doctor. Given that River had fallen in love with him she tried to prevent this from happening. It should have been impossible, the suit she was in acting on its own, the moment being a fixed point in time that couldn't be changed, but River did. She overpowered the suit, stopping it from killing the Doctor and changing that event, though it resulted in time being broken. Even knowing that the universe was collapsing in on itself, all of time happening at once, River was determined not to undo the event -- it would mean killing the Doctor and whilst he was integral to the universe she also couldn't live without him being there or live with that action. It was only with the Doctor showing that he had another way that convinced River to undo that moment.
INSECURE. Though River is very confident in her abilities some of this is a front. She is good at what she does, a skilled archaeologist that is sought out for her skills, having made substantial progress in the field. Someone with a big personality, very flirty and bold, much of this is a cover of her insecurities. Raised with one purpose, a hand-crafted psychopath made to kill the Doctor, River feels guilty about some of what she has done in her younger years. Many people have died and whilst she seeks atonement River doesn't believe herself worthy of positive affection. She grew up without knowing love and whilst she has found it now, having an intense love for the Doctor, River doesn't believe that he loves her. Some of that she deflects onto the fact that he is an "ageless god", almost placing him on a pedestal with her belief of him, she also doesn't know what it is like to be loved. As such, and perhaps in a way to compensate for what she is, River projects herself as bigger than life to protect herself from pain. She doesn't shy from what she is, a psychopath, someone to be feared, and has slowly come to accept it but it also doesn't stop herself from trying to change, to repent and to be someone else.
PSYCHOPATH. Despite all that River has learned throughout her life, despite trying to be more than what she was raised, River is a psychopath. Though she is personable and shows affection she also has little remorse, able to kill someone without a second thought and quickly moves on in a situation after someone has died, rather than showing sadness or upset over their death. It would be too easy to look at that and think that River was limited just by her upbringing and moulding into a psychopath. Though she can easily kill someone she only does so when tactically advantageous, in revenge or when someone is in danger. Though River doesn't show sadness when someone has died it's a compartmentalisation -- they're likely still in danger and she wants to save everybody else. After her parents died and the Doctor tried to comfort her she brushed him off, saying that it didn't matter even though it did, even though it hurt her deeply. River never had a proper childhood with them, instead spending a different childhood as their best friend, but grew to love them. Though she didn't show her sadness at that moment of their death it could have been in shock or the fact that River refuses to let the Doctor see her when she's hurt, having earlier told her mother that she never lets him see the damage, whether that is a physical or emotional pain. Though she is a psychopath she has built herself to be so much more than that -- finding love, feeling hurt from loss, working to become more than just an assassin. There are still a lot of flaws to her character, parts of herself that River does not like or isn't proud of, but she is more comfortable with who she is.
THE DOCTOR. For as much as River loves him and would do anything for him, there is a lot more to their relationship and her love than simple marriage. River's love is intense, the Doctor being on her mind more than perhaps should be healthy, something that she hopes he isn't aware of.
After River refuses to kill the Doctor, defying a fixed point in time, it causes the universe to collapse with all of time happening at once -- the past, the future, everything happening all in one moment. When the Doctor finally meets with River again he tries to talk to her, trying to get her to see the reason that they need to undo what has happened, but she ignores his attempts and instead flirts. River isn't stupid, she knows exactly what is happening, but she doesn't want to undo what has happened because she doesn't want the Doctor to die.
It leads her to try to find another method of saving the Doctor, something that is a hopeless cause but doesn't prevent her from trying. Anything is better than her having to kill the Doctor, in having to live in a world without the Doctor. She states to him that she'll suffer if she has to live without him, begging him to not force her to change things even if that means killing every living thing in the universe. She knows the consequences of her actions and it doesn't deter her -- she's too hopelessly in love.
River did eventually reset the timeline after the Doctor revealed that he had a plan, saving his life, with River serving time in prison (willingly) for a crime that she didn't really commit. In order to protect the Doctor, her husband, River agreed to serve her prison sentence in order to make the Silence believe that he was dead. Though it was cut short, with the Doctor later deleting all records of him and thus of her crime, River served for many years in solitary confinement (with the occasional break out).
Though River had joked on a few occasions that the Doctor would be the death of her those words ended up being far more true than she would ever realise. When trapped in a library by the Vashta Nerada River sacrificed her life to prevent the Doctor from doing so. Though he believed that he had a chance of surviving River didn't and, given that his future was her past, refused to let him do anything that would jeopardise everything that she had lived through -- not one line of their lives would be rewritten. This wasn't the first time that River had attempted to sacrifice herself to save him, believing that the world needed the Doctor more than her, believing that she couldn't live without him, though it was the final time. She loves her husband and would do anything, murder or sacrifice, to help him, protect him and save him.
Driving Force:
THE DOCTOR.. The man that River was raised, trained and conditioned to kill ended up being the man that she fell in love with. Though River did try to kill him one time of her own volition this was before she truly knew who he was -- the only information that she knew about him was what the Silence had brainwashed her with. After seeing, despite his impending death from her poisoned kiss, that he would still do everything possible to save her parents, that he seemed to be kind and compassionate, River endeavoured to learn more about him. Her mother told her that the Doctor was worth saving, that he was a good person and then she found out something about what she meant to the Doctor.
So she saved his life, almost sacrificing her own in the process, believing her mother's opinion of the Doctor. It leads her on a new quest, getting her to study archaeology at Luna University in order to find out as much as she could about the Doctor and track him throughout time. I'm looking for a good man, being the words she uttered as her reason for wanting to study archaeology.
And she did. River tracked his adventures, meeting up with him a few more times, and fell in love with him. This ended up being the Silence's downfall. They'd engineered her to kill him and instead made him the perfect person for her to love. When she was kidnapped by them for the second time in order to kill him River defied their ideas and ended up marrying him instead.
The Doctor is the one person that River trusts above all else, and more than herself. She trusts him to have her back, as she will always have his, and even though she doesn't truly believe that he loves her (not as humans love) she utterly and truly loves him, trying to become the person that he knows her as in her future.
Patron:
MERCURY. As a time traveller and adventurer River is incredibly bold and daring. She loves adventures, gets excited by the prospect of something unknown and doesn't run away when the situation gets dangerous -- she runs towards it. She's had to get creative with her lies and knowledge of the future when she meets someone from the past, even needing to be creative with how she gets herself back out of danger. River has been able to creative "timey-wimey" distress beacons in the past, even potentially developing the sonic trowel that she will have in her future.
River is incredibly charismatic, able to charm others to get information from them, calm them down or to try and get things to go in her favour. Whilst she can be charming she is also quite bold, particularly when she flirts. River knows that she looks good and has no problem using it to her advantage, using her appearance and flirting as a distraction and doing so without shame, even at a moment which would seem inopportune (but perhaps the best time to distract).
She's also not the most honest person around, having had to lie to protect herself and her secrets and to prevent paradoxes. Even outside of her life with the Doctor she lies -- a lot. Though she will give her name River very rarely tells anyone about herself, partly not wishing to divulge the darker/sadder parts of her past but also because information is dangerous. So she lies, willingly so, without guilt and very easily.
More so when she was younger River could be particularly irresponsible and even though she's matured and learned better ways now she can still be rather reckless. Diving into dangerous situations often puts her own life at risk, not to mention others, particularly if she does so without fully examining the situation, not realising the full extent of her actions or the consequences of them. If something worse does happen because of her actions River will take the time to try and fix it though had she slowed down and not acted so impulsively perhaps she wouldn't have had to do so.
GAME INFORMATION
Setting Suitability:
As an associate of the Doctor, and a time traveller herself, River is used to dipping into different moments in time and, if there's something threatening the planet/time (particularly Earth), River has a tendency to get involved and try and help out. She has also found herself drawn to different places, usually with the Doctor, without knowing quite how or why she's gotten there but if the need for help is great she doesn't say no. River would help simply because it is the right thing to do, because the Doctor would, particularly if there is something mysterious about it. She'd quickly adjust, find some way to occupy herself in the interim and engage with what she needed to do to help, though it might not be quietly (she'd have plenty of her own ideas) and she's good at getting into (harmless) trouble.
Even outside of her adventures with the Doctor River has a long life of doing similar things -- investigating things that have happened in history or even helping to save a planet/group of people. Being over 200 years old she has experienced a lot and has travelled alone more than she has travelled with the Doctor. This has made her resourceful and resilient, forcing her to come up with creative methods of involving herself or saving the day.
As an archaeologist River is also incredibly knowledgeable in human history. Though she doesn't know everything in history she is well researched, resourceful and has even spent time in Roman Britain, posing as Cleopatra in a Roman camp around Stonehenge (102 AD). She would find it fascinating being here from an archaeological perspective, enjoying the opportunity to actually interact with history and build on what she already knows as well as discover new things.
One thing that River would find more difficult to adjust to is the change in her physiology by being turned completely human. With her "Time Lord" DNA River has as much, and suspected more, Gallifreyan aspects to her physiology than human, including two hearts, a respiratory bypass system, enhanced strength and a reduced need to sleep. Being fully human, such that she will need to sleep as much as humans do, have only one heart and have a different respiratory system, will be a big adjustment for River and she'll likely run into her limitations frequently as she adjusts. Though it won't stop her from working with the gods and helping with the task she agreed to it will annoy her.
To investigate the history of Rome, the gods and their war. To uncover any items or information that could be of use in the war.
INFORMATION TO NOTE.
River will train anyone that wishes to take part in an archaeological dig before embarking on any expedition. She won't allow anyone on an expedition if she doesn't believe that they will be safe or if it could compromise the dig. Depending on the expedition the number of people selected for each dig will differ. A group that is selected for one expedition will not be selected for the next to allow others to participate.
DEMONS RUN. Melody Pond, born at Demons Run, was kidnapped by a religious sect known as the Silence under the command of Madame Kovarian. Trained as a weapon to kill the Doctor Melody grew up knowing fear, pain and hatred. When she was still a child Melody was placed into an Apollo astronaut suit, sent to 1969. Afraid, the Silents and the suit scaring her, she called out for help. This caught the attention of the Doctor who tried to help her, though Melody was so afraid that she ran away. With the Silence having lost track of her Melody kept on running, finding her way into New York. Unfortunately, River was ill, causing her to die six months later -- and regenerate for the first time.
SECOND CHILDHOOD. Having regenerated she was found again by the Silence, continuing her training in Leadworth, England, still using the name Melody (or Mels). In a strange turn of events, she found herself growing up alongside Amy and Rory (her parents), becoming their best friend and even the push that saw them begin their relationship (thus ensuring her own existence). Melody was a troublesome child and teenager, constantly getting into trouble at school (making a record of it) which continued into her adult life with her spending the night in a holding cell more than once. Though she had a job she also had a habit of stealing cars and loudly sharing her opinions. This childhood is also what marked the beginning of her change in opinion of the Doctor. Though she had been brainwashed as a child that he was not a good man, dangerous and needed killing, growing up hearing of Amy's belief in him and the stories shared with Amy and Rory shifted her opinion of him slightly, with Melody stating that one day she was going to meet him and marry him.
LET'S KILL HITLER. She lived up to her promise. Stealing yet another car she met up with Amy, Rory and the Doctor, kidnapping him at gunpoint with the wild exclamation of "what the hell, let's go kill Hitler". Though they ended up in Berlin, 1938, her focus was not actually on killing Hitler and, accidentally, they ended up saving his life. After Hilter, confused by what was occurring, tried to shoot the person who had actually been trying to kill him accidentally shot Melody it caused her to regenerate again -- into River. When the Doctor, Amy and Rory called her River she ended up being very confused as it was so early in her timeline that she hadn't used that name yet. After a brief flirtation with the Doctor, combined with her threatening to shoot him, Melody did end up managing to poison him -- with a kiss. Job complete, knowing that he couldn't save himself, Melody fled to explore Berlin and her new body.
Unfortunately, everyone else had other ideas. Amy, Rory, the Doctor and a time travelling justice crew (Teselecta) ended up following her and, given that she was just about to kill the Doctor, ended up causing a lot of trouble. Amy and Rory had been captured by the Teselecta which, when it caught up to Melody, caught her in an energy field to "give her hell". The Doctor, who was not yet dead, was determined to save Amy and Rory, something that caught River's attention -- he was dying and yet couldn't stop helping. It went against everything that she'd learned about the Doctor and though terrified made her want to know more. After Amy and Rory managed to get free, and free Melody, they begged her to help a dying Doctor but she didn't know how. With his dying words, he asked her to give a message to River Song, someone that Melody could tell meant a lot to him. Confused and scared Melody asked Amy if the Doctor was worth saving and who River Song was. Amy pleaded that the Doctor was worth everything and, knowing Amy and her belief from childhood, Melody believed her. And then she found out who River Song was -- it was herself. Moved by the Doctor's dying words and Amy's belief she chose to be River Song, using her remaining regeneration energy in order to save his life -- with a kiss.
This almost ended up killing her. Thankfully the Doctor, Amy and Rory took her to the best hospital in the universe for her to recover, with the Doctor leaving her with a gift -- a TARDIS-shaped diary and the contact of someone at Luna University. Wanting to know more about the Doctor, to uncover the truth about him and also figure out who she was, going now by the name River Song, she enrolled as an archaeology student at Luna University. She wanted to find a good man, to track his adventures throughout time and to have some of her own with him. This marked the path of River really loving the Doctor -- she'd turned away from everything that she'd been made to believe as a child, discovering the truth, and though she'd been trained to kill him had ended up falling in love with him.
THE WEDDING OF RIVER SONG. Though River had thought that she'd gotten away from the Silence they managed to track her down. After having received her doctorate in archaeology, and discovering many things about the Doctor (including the date of his death), Madame Kovarian kidnapped her again in order for River to fulfil her role. Placed back inside the astronaut suit and sent to Lake Silencio, the place at the fixed point in time where the Doctor was due to die, River was sent to kill the Doctor. After a tearful conversation where the Doctor told her to let it happen, and that everything would be okay, River refused. Even though the suit was acting on its own River managed to drain its weapons systems, changing the fixed point in time -- and time broke.
All of time ended up happening at once with River and the Doctor at the epicentre of it. They both knew that they had to fix time, or the universe would be destroyed, but River couldn't face it, stubbornly trying to keep the Doctor away from her. If time restarted she would end up having to kill him and that would break both of her hearts -- people would suffer if she didn't do this but she would suffer if she did. River knew that it was selfish but she wanted to find another way and she absolutely couldn't let the Doctor die without him knowing that he was loved. It prompted the Doctor to finally marry her, revealing a secret to River that swayed her. With a kiss River and the Doctor restarted time, with River killing the Doctor -- or what everyone assumed it was. This had been his plan, hide inside the Teselecta, stay safe as River "killed" him. Sadly it meant that River had to serve time in prison, 12000 life sentences, though this is something she willingly did in order to protect his secret -- and his life.
ADVENTURES. On her first night in prison, in the Stormcage Containment Facility, River went on a date with the Doctor. He assured her that being in prison wouldn't stop her from living her life, something that she managed to figure out very easily. Over the decades River had adventures, both with the Doctor and on her own. This time helped River to discover more about who she is and the kind of person that she wanted to be. Though a psychopath from her upbringing River wanted to be more than this. She'd found love, seen greater empathy and compassion than she could imagine, and had felt what it was like to hope and believe in something so deeply. The Doctor had also taught her a few other lessons -- not to show fear, to know when to run, and compassion. Though River's empathy wasn't always the greatest she had learned the value in stopping and helping someone, saving strangers from harm and fighting to save lives even on her own adventures. Though River often travelled alone, finding it so much easier, she ended up finding people around her just as the Doctor did, coming to care about them and feeling hurt if she couldn't save them.
Through her adventures River learned her strengths, what she wanted to be better at and most importantly who she was. Though she was bitter about her past, angry about the childhood denied to herself but also Amy and Rory, River also learned that she wouldn't change her life (and she'd had the opportunity to). Changing her past, giving herself back her childhood, would change who she was and perhaps she wouldn't end up marrying the Doctor. With how much she loves him, and how great their lives have been, River wouldn't ever want that to change. She also came to terms with the fact that she was a psychopath -- something that was useful when needed but also something she would always work to be more than.
» FIT:
As an associate of the Doctor, and a time traveller herself, River is used to dipping into different moments in time and, if there's something threatening the planet/time (particularly Earth), River has a tendency to get involved and try and help out. She has also found herself drawn to different places, usually with the Doctor, without knowing quite how or why she's gotten there but if the need for help is great she doesn't say no. River would find the station interesting, particularly as no prison has yet been able to trap her, wanting to find out as many secrets as she can, particularly with there being a planet below. River is also very good at being able to survive.
» POWERS:
TIME LORD. Though born to human parents, River was conceived in the time vortex granting her a third helix strand of DNA that was Gallifreyan, making people question that she was more Time Lord than she was human. As such River has an augmented lifespan, a decreased need for sleep, has been able to regenerate (essentially cheat death and change her appearance, healing all injuries), possesses super human strength, has a respiratory bypass system (allowing her to go long periods of time without breathing, though she is not very experienced in using it), enhanced senses (including being able to distinguish materials/etc through smell) and two hearts. Though River has the ability to regenerate she gave all of her regeneration energy to the Doctor to save his life, thus sacrificing all of her remaining "lives" preventing her from being able to regenerate again. She has described herself as a "Proto-Time Lord", given that she's not quite human and not fully Time Lord, as well as being a "child of the TARDIS". TELEPATHY. Time Lords are telepathically linked, allowing them to communicate over distances and understand any language. Using a form of touch telepathy they can share information or search another person's mind. As River isn't fully Gallifreyan her telepathic abilities are more limited. Using low-level psychic influence River was able to implant thoughts into Madame Kovarian's mind and, as all Time Lords can, she is able to translate any language, all of which River credits as being a "gift of the TARDIS" -- her genetic gifts. She also shares a psychic link with the other Proto-Time Lords made from her embryonic DNA when in their presence and, with the Doctor and another Time Lord, was able to help build a "psychic battering ram" against the Clocksmith by linking their minds. TIMEY-WIMEY. A child of the TARDIS River is a fast learner, shown with how quickly she learned how to pilot the TARDIS. She is also able to detect time shifts and is well versed in temporal theory and advanced sciences. She is able to fix and operate the TARDIS, has built a "timey-wimey" distress beacon, and is highly familiar with sonic technology. As a child of a TARDIS River also has a unique psychic link with "her" TARDIS, able to be heard telepathically by the TARDIS over distance or through someone else's mind (as a data ghost when psychically linked to Clara's mind). While trapped on Gallifrey River was able to create a physical projection of herself through the time vortex of the TARDIS, which was supposed to be impossible, using it to help her friends get to safety. ARCHAEOLOGY. River possesses a doctorate in archaeology, gained in the 52nd century at the Luna University. She has made significant progress in the field, even being contracted for her skills whilst in prison, and later goes on to become a Professor in archaeology. She, additionally, also has five other masters degrees. LANGUAGES. River is fluent in multiple languages, including English, Gallifreyan and Old High Gallifreyan. She is also able to translate any known language in their universe, though there are the occasional languages that cannot be translated (usually very old or complex langugaes), and can tell when something is being translated. Being an archaeologist as well as a time traveller River may also have some insights into when languages developed though it isn't a hobby. COMBAT. She is highly skilled with a gun, a very accurate shooter, and has used guns from human history as well as human future (from pistols to sub-machine guns and sonic blasters). She is also good at thinking logically to try and get herself out of a situation, sizing up the enemy and using multiple methods, including her strength, to fight her way out. Given that River was raised to kill she became familiar with weapons at an early age and would have some passing familiarity with other forms of handheld weaponry or how to use mundane objects as a weapon. She is also trained in Venusian aikido. ESCAPING. River always has an escape plan, whether it is getting herself out of trouble or escaping from prison. Despite the Stormcage managing to hold all of its prisoners it could never keep its grasp on River who escaped that frequently that all of the guards were aware of it and her -- though she did always return, even mocking them sometimes as she did. HACKING. River has some skill with being able to hack into computer databases or other ships systems. She is capable of repairing/maintaining ships, including the TARDIS, and being able to operate other ships with minimal effort.
» NOTES:
I am hella aware that River's powers section is ridiculous. In terms of her telepathic abilities, whilst this is something River has only ever used twice "on-screen" in canon, I'll provide an opt-out for them. They are parts of her that she rarely uses and only when there has been no other alternative. In terms of her ability to translate any language, this would only be for languages from her universe and not any new/alien language that she may encounter in the game. In terms of her "timey-wimey" senses, being out of their universe, River wouldn't be able to instinctively know when or where they were or thus detect if there have been any time shifts as this is out of her time stream. Her connection to the TARDIS would also no longer be there. I am willing to discuss other nerfs if you think they're necessary though none of her abilities would break the game.
River prides herself on being brave, a product of how her life is filled with adventures. She portrays herself with a wild persona, someone that runs towards danger rather than away from it. Whilst some would see that as foolish River has enough faith in herself and her abilities to know that she will be able to get herself out of danger, being able to save those that are in trouble, rather than letting everyone die. River has learned not to show fear, something that the Doctor taught her, knowing that even if she feels afraid that showing such fear only helps their enemy rather than herself. She has become highly resourceful, having to use only the items on her or in the near vicinity in order to get herself out of danger. It has lead to her being creative both with resources and information, having to know when the best time to run or fight is, and how to disseminate relevant information to those that are around her. She is known as being very clever, a rare individual that is able to keep up with the Doctor's wild thoughts where few others can, helped by her knowledge of advanced science and temporal theory. She is very skilled, holding a doctorate in archaeology, five separate masters degrees as well as being an incredibly sharpshooter (even without looking at her target). Her vast knowledge of time and space travel, alien cultures and mechanics has assisted River in her survival.
Whilst River doesn't get attached to many people, a result of her upbringing and the life that she leads. Being a time traveller means that River doesn't stay in one place for very long, going to places that interest her or she's hired to dig up. That being said there are some people that have managed to worm their way into her life, most notably her parents and her husband. For them River has shown to be fiercely protective, trusting that they will help her if she's in trouble just as she will equally come to their rescue when they call. River would run into danger for those that she loves, even kill for them, though she hopes that no one sees some of her darker acts even if it is in their name. As well as protecting those that she loves River will also listen to them above anyone else, trusting their opinions about a situation even if she disagrees. River has held back on some of her actions if the Doctor has disapproved or believes there is a better way, trusting him above her own beliefs. When River was younger and 'wilder' she enjoyed the act of exploring more than getting involved, though her time with the Doctor, learning who she is and 'growing up' has helped River to develop into a more responsible person, someone that will put others first in order to help, sacrificing her adventure as she does.
Though River occasionally travels with the Doctor, sharing adventures and parts of their life together, she has spent much more of it alone. Whilst she makes acquaintances, even building herself a life at times, she doesn't often stick around for too long -- River has more that she wants to see or 'dig up'. She has had to learn to rely on her skills, knowing how to react in a situation and how to get herself out of trouble, particularly when she's usually gotten herself into it. Though River may sometimes have a team with her it is more than likely that she hasn't told them much, either of herself or the job, and whilst she may use them for their skills, equipment or a little bit of back up she doesn't trust them in a way that would have them save her life. River will protect them but she won't expect that they can save her. Though a lonely life it has helped River to become stronger, more skilled and more certain of who she is and what she can feasibly do, though sometimes she will overestimate her own capabilities.
Though River is very confident in her abilities some of this is a front. She is good at what she does, a skilled archaeologist that is sought out for her skills, having made substantial progress in the field. Someone with a big personality, very flirty and bold, much of this is a cover of her insecurities. Raised with one purpose, a hand-crafted psychopath made to kill the Doctor, River feels guilty about some of what she has done in her younger years. Many people have died and whilst she seeks atonement River doesn't believe herself worthy of positive affection. She grew up without knowing love and whilst she has found it now, having an intense love for the Doctor, River doesn't believe that he loves her. Some of that she deflects onto the fact that he is an "ageless god", almost placing him on a pedestal with her belief of him, she also doesn't know what it is like to be loved. As such, and perhaps in a way to compensate for what she is, River projects herself as bigger than life to protect herself from pain. She doesn't shy from what she is, a psychopath, someone to be feared, and has slowly come to accept it but it also doesn't stop herself from trying to change, to repent and to be someone else.
River lies. When River is with the Doctor and her parents she lies out of necessity, doing so to prevent them from finding out about events in their future (her past) before they are supposed to know them. Though River may wish that some things in her life were different she refuses to have one line of her life changed, knowing that the results would be unexpected -- if she gave herself back her childhood perhaps she wouldn't end up marrying the Doctor. It is something that River isn't willing to risk and thus lies to protect her life. It isn't the only time that River lies. As a time traveller, she can't tell the truth about who she is or why she's really there, lying again out of necessity. It's something that has become so familiar to her, a natural part of her existence that even when River can be truthful it has become harder to do. Lies are another cover, protecting people from seeing the truth about her, protecting herself from being hurt.
She has an incredibly strong will, something that has been present since River was a child. Raised by the Silence River was very afraid of what they wanted her to do, and what they did to her, and tried to run away from them, calling out for help before managing to flee. From here River kept running though the Silence caught up to her and forced her to carry out her mission -- to kill the Doctor. Given that River had fallen in love with him she tried to prevent this from happening. It should have been impossible, the suit she was in acting on its own, the moment being a fixed point in time that couldn't be changed, but River did. She overpowered the suit, stopping it from killing the Doctor and changing that event, though it resulted in time being broken. Even knowing that the universe was collapsing in on itself, all of time happening at once, River was determined not to undo the event -- it would mean killing the Doctor and whilst he was integral to the universe she also couldn't live without him being there or live with that action. It was only with the Doctor showing that he had another way that convinced River to undo that moment.
River is someone that is feared. As an associate of the Doctor, someone who prefers to give chances and reason rather than take action, it is assumed that River will be the same, as all of his companions follow his methods. After a Dalek shoots and is assumed to have killed the Doctor River begins to take aim at it, threatening to kill it. When it claims that she will show mercy she tells it "I'm River Song, check your records again" causing the Dalek to beg her to show mercy, knowing that her threat of death is not a threat but a certainty. River is particularly ruthless, very quick to act and equally quick to shoot and kill. She will kill without hesitation if it will protect those that she loves, or herself, and whilst she prefers the Doctor not to see her do this, knowing he disapproves, it doesn't stop her from still doing so. Though she was flirting with the Doctor, upping his estimate of how many Silents she would kill from 3 to 7, maybe 8, River proved that this was not just flirting but something that she was absolutely capable of doing, killing all of those in the room to allow the Doctor to rescue her mother.
At her core, she is a very cheeky person with a lot of pride in herself, her appearance, and knowing how to use it to her advantage. She will flirt to turn someone to her side, or play a 'weakened' version of herself to garner sympathy (or a misjudged appearance of herself), knowing how to skillfully play people's strengths and weaknesses to try and gain the upper hand in a situation wherever she can. With those that River feels comfortable around she is calm, kind and playful, easily engaging in banter with the Doctor and her parents, particularly if it is at the Doctor's expense. She knows when the moment is appropriate, quick to turn serious and more practical when the situation requires it and not afraid to tell someone to shut up. River relies on her experiences and skill to see her through knowing that, unless the Doctor is around, that she is usually someone's best hope of survival.
Despite all that River has learned throughout her life, despite trying to be more than what she was raised, River is a psychopath. Though she is personable and shows affection she also has little remorse, able to kill someone without a second thought and quickly moves on in a situation after someone has died, rather than showing sadness or upset over their death. It would be too easy to look at that and think that River was limited just by her upbringing and moulding into a psychopath. Though she can easily kill someone she only does so when tactically advantageous, in revenge or when someone is in danger. Though River doesn't show sadness when someone has died it's a compartmentalisation -- they're likely still in danger and she wants to save everybody else. After her parents died and the Doctor tried to comfort her she brushed him off, saying that it didn't matter even though it did, even though it hurt her deeply. River never had a proper childhood with them, instead spending a different childhood as their best friend, but grew to love them. Though she didn't show her sadness at that moment of their death it could have been in shock or the fact that River refuses to let the Doctor see her when she's hurt, having earlier told her mother that she never lets him see the damage, whether that is a physical or emotional pain. Though she is a psychopath she has built herself to be so much more than that -- finding love, feeling hurt from loss, working to become more than just an assassin. There are still a lot of flaws to her character, parts of herself that River does not like or isn't proud of, but she is more comfortable with who she is.
TIME LORD. Though born to human parents, River was conceived in the time vortex granting her a third helix strand of DNA that was Gallifreyan, making people question that she was more Time Lord than she was human. As such River has an augmented lifespan, a decreased need for sleep, has been able to regenerate (essentially cheat death and change her appearance, healing all injuries), possesses super human strength, has a respiratory bypass system (allowing her to go long periods of time without breathing, though she is not very experienced in using it), enhanced senses (including being able to distinguish materials/etc through smell) and two hearts. Though River has the ability to regenerate she gave all of her regeneration energy to the Doctor to save his life, thus sacrificing all of her remaining "lives" preventing her from being able to regenerate again. She has described herself as a "Proto-Time Lord", given that she's not quite human and not fully Time Lord, as well as being a "child of the TARDIS". TELEPATHY. Time Lords are telepathically linked, allowing them to communicate over distances and understand any language. Using a form of touch telepathy they can share information or search another person's mind. As River isn't fully Gallifreyan her telepathic abilities are more limited. Using low-level psychic influence River was able to implant thoughts into Madame Kovarian's mind and, as all Time Lords can, she is able to translate any language, all of which River credits as being a "gift of the TARDIS" -- her genetic gifts. She also shares a psychic link with the other Proto-Time Lords made from her embryonic DNA when in their presence and, with the Doctor and another Time Lord, was able to help build a "psychic battering ram" against the Clocksmith by linking their minds. TIMEY-WIMEY. A child of the TARDIS River is a fast learner, shown with how quickly she learned how to pilot the TARDIS. She is also able to detect time shifts and is well versed in temporal theory and advanced sciences. She is able to fix and operate the TARDIS, has built a "timey-wimey" distress beacon, and is highly familiar with sonic technology. As a child of a TARDIS River also has a unique psychic link with "her" TARDIS, able to be heard telepathically by the TARDIS over distance or through someone else's mind (as a data ghost when psychically linked to Clara's mind). While trapped on Gallifrey River was able to create a physical projection of herself through the time vortex of the TARDIS, which was supposed to be impossible, using it to help her friends get to safety. ARCHAEOLOGY. River possesses a doctorate in archaeology, gained in the 52nd century at the Luna University. She has made significant progress in the field, even being contracted for her skills whilst in prison, and later goes on to become a Professor in archaeology. She, additionally, also has five other masters degrees. LANGUAGES. River is fluent in multiple languages, including English, Gallifreyan and Old High Gallifreyan. She is also able to translate any known language in their universe, though there are the occasional languages that cannot be translated (usually very old or complex langugaes), and can tell when something is being translated. Being an archaeologist as well as a time traveller River may also have some insights into when languages developed though it isn't a hobby. COMBAT. She is highly skilled with a gun, a very accurate shooter, and has used guns from human history as well as human future (from pistols to sub-machine guns and sonic blasters). She is also good at thinking logically to try and get herself out of a situation, sizing up the enemy and using multiple methods, including her strength, to fight her way out. Given that River was raised to kill she became familiar with weapons at an early age and would have some passing familiarity with other forms of handheld weaponry or how to use mundane objects as a weapon. She is also trained in Venusian aikido. ESCAPING. River always has an escape plan, whether it is getting herself out of trouble or escaping from prison. Despite the Stormcage managing to hold all of its prisoners it could never keep its grasp on River who escaped that frequently that all of the guards were aware of it and her -- though she did always return, even mocking them sometimes as she did. HACKING. River has some skill with being able to hack into computer databases or other ships systems. She is capable of repairing/maintaining ships, including the TARDIS, and being able to operate other ships with minimal effort.
WARPS/NERFS. My permissions post contains an opt-out for River's telepathic abilities, though this is also something that she has only (been seen to) use twice in canon and likely wouldn't again (excepting without any other option). If she does happen to use her telepathy I'd like it to be that whoever she is trying to get information from they also get a glimpse into her mind and see some of her memories. In terms of her ability to translate any language, this would only be for languages from her universe and not any new/alien language that she may encounter in the game. In terms of her "timey-wimey" senses, being out of their universe, River wouldn't be able to instinctively know when or where they were, though should she step further outside Deerington I'd like her to still know that there has been a time shift/loss of time (and how long she has lost). Her connection to the TARDIS would also no longer be there.
Inventory:
-- her blaster -- sonic screwdriver -- her diary -- TARDIS key -- outfit [#1]
WARPS. with the sonic screwdriver being a technological crazy thing I was thinking of warping it so that it only worked some of the time/maybe didn't quite do what she wanted. I can discuss something else too if you'd prefer!
Player Name: Kerry Player Age: 27 Player Contact: skitties ( plurk )
Other Characters In Game: In-Game Tag If Accepted: river song: kerry Permissions for Character: here Are you comfortable with prominent elements of fourth-walling?: having river question how real she is is a+ but no "you're fictional". her life is made on myths and legends (such as the doctor, or fictional characters that are actually real) so anything could happen. (plot wise it's fine for plot/npcs to say she's fictional/not real but i'd rather other characters didn't just go you're from doctor who etc) What themes of horror/psychological thrillers do you enjoy the most?: body horror, monsters, psychological trauma/horror Is there anything in particular you absolutely need specific content warnings for?: nope Additional Information: hello sweetie
Character Name: River Song Series: Doctor Who Canon Point: Post-The Husbands of River Song Character Age: 200+ Background:link | episode timeline
Personality:
River prides herself on being brave, a product of how her life is filled with adventures. She portrays herself with a wild persona, someone that runs towards danger rather than away from it. Whilst some would see that as foolish River has enough faith in herself and her abilities to know that she will be able to get herself out of danger, being able to save those that are in trouble, rather than letting everyone die. River has learned not to show fear, something that the Doctor taught her, knowing that even if she feels afraid that showing such fear only helps their enemy rather than herself. She has become highly resourceful, having to use only the items on her or in the near vicinity in order to get herself out of danger. It has lead to her being creative both with resources and information, having to know when the best time to run or fight is, and how to disseminate relevant information to those that are around her. She is known as being very clever, a rare individual that is able to keep up with the Doctor's wild thoughts where few others can, helped by her knowledge of advanced science and temporal theory. She is very skilled, holding a doctorate in archaeology, five separate masters degrees as well as being an incredibly sharpshooter (even without looking at her target). Her vast knowledge of time and space travel, alien cultures and mechanics has assisted River in her survival.
Whilst River doesn't get attached to many people, a result of her upbringing and the life that she leads. Being a time traveller means that River doesn't stay in one place for very long, going to places that interest her or she's hired to dig up. That being said there are some people that have managed to worm their way into her life, most notably her parents and her husband. For them River has shown to be fiercely protective, trusting that they will help her if she's in trouble just as she will equally come to their rescue when they call. River would run into danger for those that she loves, even kill for them, though she hopes that no one sees some of her darker acts even if it is in their name. As well as protecting those that she loves River will also listen to them above anyone else, trusting their opinions about a situation even if she disagrees. River has held back on some of her actions if the Doctor has disapproved or believes there is a better way, trusting him above her own beliefs. When River was younger and 'wilder' she enjoyed the act of exploring more than getting involved, though her time with the Doctor, learning who she is and 'growing up' has helped River to develop into a more responsible person, someone that will put others first in order to help, sacrificing her adventure as she does.
Though River occasionally travels with the Doctor, sharing adventures and parts of their life together, she has spent much more of it alone. Whilst she makes acquaintances, even building herself a life at times, she doesn't often stick around for too long -- River has more that she wants to see or 'dig up'. She has had to learn to rely on her skills, knowing how to react in a situation and how to get herself out of trouble, particularly when she's usually gotten herself into it. Though River may sometimes have a team with her it is more than likely that she hasn't told them much, either of herself or the job, and whilst she may use them for their skills, equipment or a little bit of back up she doesn't trust them in a way that would have them save her life. River will protect them but she won't expect that they can save her. Though a lonely life it has helped River to become stronger, more skilled and more certain of who she is and what she can feasibly do, though sometimes she will overestimate her own capabilities.
Though River is very confident in her abilities some of this is a front. She is good at what she does, a skilled archaeologist that is sought out for her skills, having made substantial progress in the field. Someone with a big personality, very flirty and bold, much of this is a cover of her insecurities. Raised with one purpose, a hand-crafted psychopath made to kill the Doctor, River feels guilty about some of what she has done in her younger years. Many people have died and whilst she seeks atonement River doesn't believe herself worthy of positive affection. She grew up without knowing love and whilst she has found it now, having an intense love for the Doctor, River doesn't believe that he loves her. Some of that she deflects onto the fact that he is an "ageless god", almost placing him on a pedestal with her belief of him, she also doesn't know what it is like to be loved. As such, and perhaps in a way to compensate for what she is, River projects herself as bigger than life to protect herself from pain. She doesn't shy from what she is, a psychopath, someone to be feared, and has slowly come to accept it but it also doesn't stop herself from trying to change, to repent and to be someone else.
River lies. When River is with the Doctor and her parents she lies out of necessity, doing so to prevent them from finding out about events in their future (her past) before they are supposed to know them. Though River may wish that some things in her life were different she refuses to have one line of her life changed, knowing that the results would be unexpected -- if she gave herself back her childhood perhaps she wouldn't end up marrying the Doctor. It is something that River isn't willing to risk and thus lies to protect her life. It isn't the only time that River lies. As a time traveller, she can't tell the truth about who she is or why she's really there, lying again out of necessity. It's something that has become so familiar to her, a natural part of her existence that even when River can be truthful it has become harder to do. Lies are another cover, protecting people from seeing the truth about her, protecting herself from being hurt.
She has an incredibly strong will, something that has been present since River was a child. Raised by the Silence River was very afraid of what they wanted her to do, and what they did to her, and tried to run away from them, calling out for help before managing to flee. From here River kept running though the Silence caught up to her and forced her to carry out her mission -- to kill the Doctor. Given that River had fallen in love with him she tried to prevent this from happening. It should have been impossible, the suit she was in acting on its own, the moment being a fixed point in time that couldn't be changed, but River did. She overpowered the suit, stopping it from killing the Doctor and changing that event, though it resulted in time being broken. Even knowing that the universe was collapsing in on itself, all of time happening at once, River was determined not to undo the event -- it would mean killing the Doctor and whilst he was integral to the universe she also couldn't live without him being there or live with that action. It was only with the Doctor showing that he had another way that convinced River to undo that moment.
River is someone that is feared. As an associate of the Doctor, someone who prefers to give chances and reason rather than take action, it is assumed that River will be the same, as all of his companions follow his methods. After a Dalek shoots and is assumed to have killed the Doctor River begins to take aim at it, threatening to kill it. When it claims that she will show mercy she tells it "I'm River Song, check your records again" causing the Dalek to beg her to show mercy, knowing that her threat of death is not a threat but a certainty. River is particularly ruthless, very quick to act and equally quick to shoot and kill. She will kill without hesitation if it will protect those that she loves, or herself, and whilst she prefers the Doctor not to see her do this, knowing he disapproves, it doesn't stop her from still doing so. Though she was flirting with the Doctor, upping his estimate of how many Silents she would kill from 3 to 7, maybe 8, River proved that this was not just flirting but something that she was absolutely capable of doing, killing all of those in the room to allow the Doctor to rescue her mother.
At her core, she is a very cheeky person with a lot of pride in herself, her appearance, and knowing how to use it to her advantage. She will flirt to turn someone to her side, or play a 'weakened' version of herself to garner sympathy (or a misjudged appearance of herself), knowing how to skillfully play people's strengths and weaknesses to try and gain the upper hand in a situation wherever she can. With those that River feels comfortable around she is calm, kind and playful, easily engaging in banter with the Doctor and her parents, particularly if it is at the Doctor's expense. She knows when the moment is appropriate, quick to turn serious and more practical when the situation requires it and not afraid to tell someone to shut up. River relies on her experiences and skill to see her through knowing that, unless the Doctor is around, that she is usually someone's best hope of survival.
Despite all that River has learned throughout her life, despite trying to be more than what she was raised, River is a psychopath. Though she is personable and shows affection she also has little remorse, able to kill someone without a second thought and quickly moves on in a situation after someone has died, rather than showing sadness or upset over their death. It would be too easy to look at that and think that River was limited just by her upbringing and moulding into a psychopath. Though she can easily kill someone she only does so when tactically advantageous, in revenge or when someone is in danger. Though River doesn't show sadness when someone has died it's a compartmentalisation -- they're likely still in danger and she wants to save everybody else. After her parents died and the Doctor tried to comfort her she brushed him off, saying that it didn't matter even though it did, even though it hurt her deeply. River never had a proper childhood with them, instead spending a different childhood as their best friend, but grew to love them. Though she didn't show her sadness at that moment of their death it could have been in shock or the fact that River refuses to let the Doctor see her when she's hurt, having earlier told her mother that she never lets him see the damage, whether that is a physical or emotional pain. Though she is a psychopath she has built herself to be so much more than that -- finding love, feeling hurt from loss, working to become more than just an assassin. There are still a lot of flaws to her character, parts of herself that River does not like or isn't proud of, but she is more comfortable with who she is.
TIME LORD. Though born to human parents, River was conceived in the time vortex granting her a third helix strand of DNA that was Gallifreyan, making people question that she was more Time Lord than she was human. As such River has an augmented lifespan, a decreased need for sleep, has been able to regenerate (essentially cheat death and change her appearance, healing all injuries), possesses super human strength, has a respiratory bypass system (allowing her to go long periods of time without breathing, though she is not very experienced in using it), enhanced senses (including being able to distinguish materials/etc through smell) and two hearts. Though River has the ability to regenerate she gave all of her regeneration energy to the Doctor to save his life, thus sacrificing all of her remaining "lives" preventing her from being able to regenerate again. She has described herself as a "Proto-Time Lord", given that she's not quite human and not fully Time Lord, as well as being a "child of the TARDIS". TELEPATHY. Time Lords are telepathically linked, allowing them to communicate over distances and understand any language. Using a form of touch telepathy they can share information or search another person's mind. As River isn't fully Gallifreyan her telepathic abilities are more limited. Using low-level psychic influence River was able to implant thoughts into Madame Kovarian's mind and, as all Time Lords can, she is able to translate any language, all of which River credits as being a "gift of the TARDIS" -- her genetic gifts. She also shares a psychic link with the other Proto-Time Lords made from her embryonic DNA when in their presence and, with the Doctor and another Time Lord, was able to help build a "psychic battering ram" against the Clocksmith by linking their minds. TIMEY-WIMEY. A child of the TARDIS River is a fast learner, shown with how quickly she learned how to pilot the TARDIS. She is also able to detect time shifts and is well versed in temporal theory and advanced sciences. She is able to fix and operate the TARDIS, has built a "timey-wimey" distress beacon, and is highly familiar with sonic technology. As a child of a TARDIS River also has a unique psychic link with "her" TARDIS, able to be heard telepathically by the TARDIS over distance or through someone else's mind (as a data ghost when psychically linked to Clara's mind). While trapped on Gallifrey River was able to create a physical projection of herself through the time vortex of the TARDIS, which was supposed to be impossible, using it to help her friends get to safety. ARCHAEOLOGY. River possesses a doctorate in archaeology, gained in the 52nd century at the Luna University. She has made significant progress in the field, even being contracted for her skills whilst in prison, and later goes on to become a Professor in archaeology. She, additionally, also has five other masters degrees. LANGUAGES. River is fluent in multiple languages, including English, Gallifreyan and Old High Gallifreyan. She is also able to translate any known language in their universe, though there are the occasional languages that cannot be translated (usually very old or complex langugaes), and can tell when something is being translated. Being an archaeologist as well as a time traveller River may also have some insights into when languages developed though it isn't a hobby. COMBAT. She is highly skilled with a gun, a very accurate shooter, and has used guns from human history as well as human future (from pistols to sub-machine guns and sonic blasters). She is also good at thinking logically to try and get herself out of a situation, sizing up the enemy and using multiple methods, including her strength, to fight her way out. Given that River was raised to kill she became familiar with weapons at an early age and would have some passing familiarity with other forms of handheld weaponry or how to use mundane objects as a weapon. She is also trained in Venusian aikido. ESCAPING. River always has an escape plan, whether it is getting herself out of trouble or escaping from prison. Despite the Stormcage managing to hold all of its prisoners it could never keep its grasp on River who escaped that frequently that all of the guards were aware of it and her -- though she did always return, even mocking them sometimes as she did. HACKING. River has some skill with being able to hack into computer databases or other ships systems. She is capable of repairing/maintaining ships, including the TARDIS, and being able to operate other ships with minimal effort.
Power Nerfs (if applicable):
I am hella aware that River's powers section is ridiculous. In terms of her telepathic abilities, whilst this is something River has only ever used twice "on-screen" in canon, I'll provide an opt-out for them. They are parts of her that she rarely uses and only when there has been no other alternative. In terms of her ability to translate any language, this would only be for languages from her universe and not any new/alien language that she may encounter in the game. In terms of her "timey-wimey" senses, being out of their universe, River wouldn't be able to instinctively know when or where they were as this is out of her time stream. Her connection to the TARDIS would also no longer be there. I am willing to discuss other nerfs if you think they're necessary though none of her abilities would break the game.
Inventory:
-- outfit [#1] -- her diary -- TARDIS key -- sonic screwdriver
NERFS. considering that the sonic screwdriver is ridiculous in terms of what it can do (open doors, mend broken wire, scan things etc) I would definitely nerf its effectiveness so that it can only unlock some locks (just fitzes out occasionally) and that a lot of its scanning results would be incomprehensible, just plain weird/not make sense or incomplete. Whilst I'd love River to have her screwdriver I don't want it to be too ridiculous. If it's a no go then I'll pick something else for her.
▶ PLAYER HANDLE: Kerry CONTACT: pm OVER 18? yes CHARACTERS IN-GAME:
▶ CHARACTER NAME: River Song CANON: Doctor Who CANON POINT: 602 Day of the Moon AGE: 100+ BACKGROUND:link | episode timeline
PERSONALITY:
LOYAL. Whilst River doesn't get attached to many people there are a few people that she would do anything for who she has shown to be fiercely protective of. River would run into danger for those that she loves and even kill for them. As well as protecting those that she loves River will also listen to them above anyone else, trusting their opinions about a situation even if she disagrees. River has held back on acting if the Doctor has disapproved, trusting him above her own beliefs. As River explored time and space she learned who she was, particularly during her time with the Doctor, developing into a more responsible person, even sacrificing her adventure to save others.
COURAGEOUS. She portrays herself with a wild persona, someone that runs towards danger rather than away from it. Whilst some would see that as foolish River has enough faith in herself and her abilities to know that she will be able to get herself out of danger and save those that are in trouble. She has learned not to show fear, something that the Doctor taught her, knowing that showing fear only helps their enemy.
RESOURCEFUL. She has become highly resourceful, leading to being creative with the items around her to get out of danger. She is known as being very clever, able to keep up with the Doctor where few others can. She is academically skilled as well as being an incredible sharpshooter, her vast knowledge of time and space travel, alien cultures and mechanics assisting in her survival.
PERSONABLE. At her core, she is a very cheeky person with a lot of pride in herself and knows how to use it to her advantage. She flirts to turn someone to her side, skillfully playing people's strengths and weaknesses to gain the upper hand. Around those River feels comfortable with she is calm, kind and playful, engaging in banter with the Doctor and her parents, particularly if it is at the Doctor's expense.
INDEPENDENT. Though River occasionally travels with the Doctor she has spent much more of it alone. She has had to learn to rely on her skills and though River may sometimes have a team with her it is more than likely that she hasn't told them much of herself or the job and whilst she may use them for their skills or back up she doesn't trust them in a way that would have them save her life. Though a lonely life it has helped River to become stronger, more skilled and more certain of who she is and what she can feasibly do.
RUTHLESS. River is particularly ruthless, very quick to act and equally quick to shoot and kill. She will kill without hesitation if it will protect those that she loves, or herself, and whilst she prefers the Doctor not to see her do this, knowing he disapproves, it doesn't stop her from still doing so. Though she was flirting with the Doctor, upping his estimate of how many Silents she would kill from 3 to 7 River proved that this was not just flirting, killing all of those in the room to allow the Doctor to rescue her mother.
STUBBORN. She has an incredibly strong will, something that has been present since River was a child. Raised by the Silence, River was very afraid of what they wanted her to do, and what they did to her, and tried to run away from them. Given that River had fallen in love with the Doctor she tried to prevent this from happening. It should have been impossible, the suit she was in acting on its own, the moment a fixed point in time that couldn't be changed but River did. She overpowered the suit, stopping it from killing the Doctor and changing that event, though it resulted in time being broken. Even knowing that the universe was collapsing in on itself, all of time happening at once, River was determined not to undo the event -- it would mean killing the Doctor and whilst he was integral to the universe she also couldn't live without him being there or live with that action.
PSYCHOPATH. Despite all that River has learned throughout her life, despite trying to be more than what she was raised, River is a psychopath. Though she is personable and shows affection she also has little remorse, able to kill someone without a second thought and quickly moves on in a situation after someone has died, rather than showing sadness or upset over their death. It would be too easy to look at that and think that River was limited just by her upbringing and moulding into a psychopath. Though she can easily kill someone she only does so when tactically advantageous, in revenge or when someone is in danger. Though River doesn't show sadness when someone has died it's a compartmentalisation -- they're likely still in danger and she wants to save everybody else. After her parents died and the Doctor tried to comfort her she brushed him off, saying that it didn't matter even though it did, even though it hurt her deeply. River never had a proper childhood with them, instead spending a different childhood as their best friend, but grew to love them. Though she didn't show her sadness at that moment of their death it could have been in shock or the fact that River refuses to let the Doctor see her when she's hurt, having earlier told her mother that she never lets him see the damage, whether that is physical or emotional pain. Though she is a psychopath she has built herself to be so much more than that -- finding love, feeling hurt from loss, working to become more than just an assassin. There are still a lot of flaws to her character, parts of herself that River does not like or isn't proud of, but she is more comfortable with who she is.
POWERS/ABILITIES:
TIME LORD. Though born to human parents, River was conceived in the time vortex granting her a third helix strand of DNA that was Gallifreyan, making people question that she was more Time Lord than she was human. As such River has an augmented lifespan, a decreased need for sleep, has been able to regenerate (essentially cheat death and change her appearance, healing all injuries), possesses super human strength, has a respiratory bypass system (allowing her to go long periods of time without breathing, though she is not very experienced in using it), enhanced senses (including being able to distinguish materials/etc through smell) and two hearts. Though River has the ability to regenerate she gave all of her regeneration energy to the Doctor to save his life, thus sacrificing all of her remaining "lives" preventing her from being able to regenerate again. She has described herself as a "Proto-Time Lord", given that she's not quite human and not fully Time Lord, as well as being a "child of the TARDIS". TELEPATHY. Time Lords are telepathically linked, allowing them to communicate over distances and understand any language. Using a form of touch telepathy they can share information or search another person's mind. As River isn't fully Gallifreyan her telepathic abilities are more limited. Using low-level psychic influence River was able to implant thoughts into Madame Kovarian's mind and, as all Time Lords can, she is able to translate any language, all of which River credits as being a "gift of the TARDIS" -- her genetic gifts. She also shares a psychic link with the other Proto-Time Lords made from her embryonic DNA when in their presence and, with the Doctor and another Time Lord, was able to help build a "psychic battering ram" against the Clocksmith by linking their minds. TIMEY-WIMEY. A child of the TARDIS River is a fast learner, shown with how quickly she learned how to pilot the TARDIS. She is also able to detect time shifts and is well versed in temporal theory and advanced sciences. She is able to fix and operate the TARDIS, has built a "timey-wimey" distress beacon, and is highly familiar with sonic technology. As a child of a TARDIS River also has a unique psychic link with "her" TARDIS, able to be heard telepathically by the TARDIS over distance or through someone else's mind (as a data ghost when psychically linked to Clara's mind). While trapped on Gallifrey River was able to create a physical projection of herself through the time vortex of the TARDIS, which was supposed to be impossible, using it to help her friends get to safety. ARCHAEOLOGY. River possesses a doctorate in archaeology, gained in the 52nd century at the Luna University. She has made significant progress in the field, even being contracted for her skills whilst in prison, and later goes on to become a Professor in archaeology. She, additionally, also has five other masters degrees. LANGUAGES. River is fluent in multiple languages, including English, Gallifreyan and Old High Gallifreyan. She is also able to translate any known language in their universe, though there are the occasional languages that cannot be translated (usually very old or complex langugaes), and can tell when something is being translated. Being an archaeologist as well as a time traveller River may also have some insights into when languages developed though it isn't a hobby. COMBAT. She is highly skilled with a gun, a very accurate shooter, and has used guns from human history as well as human future (from pistols to sub-machine guns and sonic blasters). She is also good at thinking logically to try and get herself out of a situation, sizing up the enemy and using multiple methods, including her strength, to fight her way out. Given that River was raised to kill she became familiar with weapons at an early age and would have some passing familiarity with other forms of handheld weaponry or how to use mundane objects as a weapon. She is also trained in Venusian aikido. ESCAPING. River always has an escape plan, whether it is getting herself out of trouble or escaping from prison. Despite the Stormcage managing to hold all of its prisoners it could never keep its grasp on River who escaped that frequently that all of the guards were aware of it and her -- though she did always return, even mocking them sometimes as she did. HACKING. River has some skill with being able to hack into computer databases or other ships systems. She is capable of repairing/maintaining ships, including the TARDIS, and being able to operate other ships with minimal effort.
NOTE. I have a permissions note regarding her telepathy, having it on an opt-in basis (particularly with it being touch telepathy). She also will not be able to maintain her psychic link with the TARDIS nor know any temporal information about their location aside from what is available to be discovered by characters. River will also only be able to translate language from "her world" rather than automatically translate anything new she encounters in game that would not exist in her universe.
INVENTORY:
-- outfit [1] [2] -- her diary [1] [2] -- her blaster [1] [2]
VISUALS | ~5'5, comfortably dressed in clothes easy to move in, wild curly, dark-blonde hair, light makeup and no distinctive markings. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] SMELL | A light scent when working, though to have fun she has a stronger, more distinctive perfume. Those with additional senses might detect another subtle scent to her (stardust). VOICE | British sounding, easily flirty and warm with hidden depths. Very confident and difficult to fluster. [1] [2] [3]
INVENTORY |
-- outfit [1] [2] -- her diary [1] [2] -- her blaster [1] [2]
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► ACTIVITY LINKS
► FASTI
PLAYER INFORMATION
Player Name: Kerry
Are you 18+?: Yes
Preferred Contact: skitties ( plurk )
Current Characters:CHARACTER INFORMATION
Character Name: River Song
Canon: Doctor Who
Canonpoint: 602 Day of the Moon
Character Age: 200+
Appearance: [1] [2] [3]
Background/History: link + episode timeline
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
no subject
Driving Force:
Patron:
GAME INFORMATION
Setting Suitability:
Sample: tdm link
► RESEARCH AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
AIMS.
INFORMATION TO NOTE.
MEMBERS.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS.
► REVERIE
» HANDLE: Kerry
» CONTACT: skitties ( plurk )
» AGE: 27
» CHARACTER(S) IN-GAME: Vanessa Ives ( possidetur )
CHARACTER
» NAME: River Song
» CANON: Doctor Who
» CANON POINT: 705 The Angels Take Manhattan
» AGE: 200+
» SETTING: link | episode timeline
» SHORT DESCRIPTION: loyal, courageous, resourceful, ruthless, stubborn, independent
» INFLUENTIAL EVENTS:
» FIT:
» POWERS:
» NOTES:
» SAMPLES: link + link + additional
► DEERINGTON
IN CHARACTER
Character Name: River Song
Canon: Doctor Who
Canon Point: Post-The Husbands of River Song
In-Game Tattoo Placement: tattoo | high on her inner thigh, 1 inch in diameters
Current Health/Status: Alive
Age: 200+
Species: Human/Time Lord
History: link | episode timeline
CRAU History and Impact:Personality:
no subject
Inventory:
Writing Samples: a disaster of a conversation + tdm link
OUT OF CHARACTER
Player Name: Kerry
Player Age: 27
Player Contact: skitties ( plurk )
Other Characters In Game:In-Game Tag If Accepted: river song: kerry
Permissions for Character: here
Are you comfortable with prominent elements of fourth-walling?: having river question how real she is is a+ but no "you're fictional". her life is made on myths and legends (such as the doctor, or fictional characters that are actually real) so anything could happen. (plot wise it's fine for plot/npcs to say she's fictional/not real but i'd rather other characters didn't just go you're from doctor who etc)
What themes of horror/psychological thrillers do you enjoy the most?: body horror, monsters, psychological trauma/horror
Is there anything in particular you absolutely need specific content warnings for?: nope
Additional Information: hello sweetie
► EL NYSA
OOC
Handle: Kerry
Contact: skitties ( plurk )
Over 18? Yes
Characters Played:THE CHARACTER
Character Name: River Song
Series: Doctor Who
Canon Point: Post-The Husbands of River Song
Character Age: 200+
Background: link | episode timeline
Personality:
no subject
Power Nerfs (if applicable):
Inventory:
Incentives: The safety of the Doctor
SAMPLES
► PRISMATICA
HANDLE: Kerry
CONTACT: pm
OVER 18? yes
CHARACTERS IN-GAME:▶ CHARACTER
NAME: River Song
CANON: Doctor Who
CANON POINT: 602 Day of the Moon
AGE: 100+
BACKGROUND: link | episode timeline
PERSONALITY:
POWERS/ABILITIES:
INVENTORY:
MOONBLESSING: Cordis
▶ SAMPLES
link #1
link #2
► INFORMATION
► THREADS
► SEPTEMBER