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Description

When people come up to me at conventions and ask about various characters in Age of Arcadia, my first reaction is to ask, "How did you even hear about us?" We're not exactly blowing up the internet (and even as far as web-comics go, we're pretty firmly entrenched in the "literally who?" category).

After that, we usually end up in a discussion about the characters and which designs/characters they like the most. I'm a little saddened that no one has ever picked Aelita as their top choice, although honestly, there is no wrong answer

I think the bulk of the fault lies with me for releasing the basic designs so far before her appearance in the comic. Based on what's been floating out there for her since 2016, there's no doubt people are right when they refer to her as "the pissed off looking bird girl."

Over the years, as I put myself in her head-space to write and develop her character, and she evolved into who she is, I have come to find her one of the most endearing characters in the series. It is my hope that as people get to actually know these characters beyond their design sheets, Aelita can break out of the mold I unfortunately put her in.

Aelita is sincere, stoic, and poised, yet is also terribly awkward when out of her element. She is a soldier, through and through, so it should come as no surprise that she brings a tactless honesty to everything, but it is that tactlessness that kind of makes her endearing to me as a writer. She possesses the rare sort of personality that can levy an honest barb or criticism in any situation without stooping to nastiness. With the added bonus of her aforementioned awkward tactlessness, it frees her to drop her filter from time to time, and embarrass everyone around her by angrily blurting out things like, "I'm not a mammal, so why the hell do I have to wear shirts?"

Quick trivia: She is based on a Harpy Eagle, which can appear shockingly blue at times. Gotta love the crest!

**EDIT**

I got so caught up in blathering about my stuff, I forgot to add the most important thing! Aelita's Bio!

Name: Aelita Von Noir

National Allegiance: Etheria/Arcadian Knights

Bound by her deeply-held sense of honor and patriotism, Aelita found it only natural to conscript into the Etherian Royal Army at the first chance she got. The moment her primary schooling was complete at age 12, she enlisted, moving from her family’s small valley farm into the high-mountain barracks of the Royal Academy. There, in the shadow of the nation’s alpine capital of Skyhelm, she began training to be a soldier.

Her humble beginnings and diligent attitude quickly ran her afoul of many of the more aristocratic cadets, who saw her skill as a threat and her naive regard of convention as contemptible, and something to be crushed from the Academy. However, despite many vicious attempts to destroy her, both literally, and in reputation, Aelita survived and persevered, and in doing so, came to the attention of General Luxion, High Commander of the Etherian Armed Forces.

Impressed in finding a student who shared his assiduous and honor-bound nature, Luxion took Aelita under his proverbial wing, training her from a mere cadet into full Knighthood. Tested in battles, both grand and intimate, Aelita earned a litany of commendations and scars (the latter of which she treasures more than any medal), and while some may find her aloof attitude cold and arrogant, she will simply respond that a true knight must always be “above the fray.” Privately, however, those who she is close to know the Aelita who awkwardly fumbles though everything not covered by her military training, the Aelita who is only now learning to stand on her own without that structure behind her, and has never spent a day in her life just “hanging out” with friends… And who is now ready to try.

Description

When people come up to me at conventions and ask about various characters in Age of Arcadia, my first reaction is to ask, "How did you even hear about us?" We're not exactly blowing up the internet (and even as far as web-comics go, we're pretty firmly entrenched in the "literally who?" category).

After that, we usually end up in a discussion about the characters and which designs/characters they like the most. I'm a little saddened that no one has ever picked Aelita as their top choice, although honestly, there is no wrong answer

I think the bulk of the fault lies with me for releasing the basic designs so far before her appearance in the comic. Based on what's been floating out there for her since 2016, there's no doubt people are right when they refer to her as "the pissed off looking bird girl."

Over the years, as I put myself in her head-space to write and develop her character, and she evolved into who she is, I have come to find her one of the most endearing characters in the series. It is my hope that as people get to actually know these characters beyond their design sheets, Aelita can break out of the mold I unfortunately put her in.

Aelita is sincere, stoic, and poised, yet is also terribly awkward when out of her element. She is a soldier, through and through, so it should come as no surprise that she brings a tactless honesty to everything, but it is that tactlessness that kind of makes her endearing to me as a writer. She possesses the rare sort of personality that can levy an honest barb or criticism in any situation without stooping to nastiness. With the added bonus of her aforementioned awkward tactlessness, it frees her to drop her filter from time to time, and embarrass everyone around her by angrily blurting out things like, "I'm not a mammal, so why the hell do I have to wear shirts?"

Quick trivia: She is based on a Harpy Eagle, which can appear shockingly blue at times. Gotta love the crest!

**EDIT**

I got so caught up in blathering about my stuff, I forgot to add the most important thing! Aelita's Bio!

Name: Aelita Von Noir

National Allegiance: Etheria/Arcadian Knights

Bound by her deeply-held sense of honor and patriotism, Aelita found it only natural to conscript into the Etherian Royal Army at the first chance she got. The moment her primary schooling was complete at age 12, she enlisted, moving from her family’s small valley farm into the high-mountain barracks of the Royal Academy. There, in the shadow of the nation’s alpine capital of Skyhelm, she began training to be a soldier.

Her humble beginnings and diligent attitude quickly ran her afoul of many of the more aristocratic cadets, who saw her skill as a threat and her naive regard of convention as contemptible, and something to be crushed from the Academy. However, despite many vicious attempts to destroy her, both literally, and in reputation, Aelita survived and persevered, and in doing so, came to the attention of General Luxion, High Commander of the Etherian Armed Forces.

Impressed in finding a student who shared his assiduous and honor-bound nature, Luxion took Aelita under his proverbial wing, training her from a mere cadet into full Knighthood. Tested in battles, both grand and intimate, Aelita earned a litany of commendations and scars (the latter of which she treasures more than any medal), and while some may find her aloof attitude cold and arrogant, she will simply respond that a true knight must always be “above the fray.” Privately, however, those who she is close to know the Aelita who awkwardly fumbles though everything not covered by her military training, the Aelita who is only now learning to stand on her own without that structure behind her, and has never spent a day in her life just “hanging out” with friends… And who is now ready to try.