Scorched App

[wizardsapprentice]

Out of Character Information

player name: Goddess Of Sugar
player journal: http://goddessofsugar.dreamwidth.org/
playing here: n/a
where did you find us? My friend told me.
are you 16 years of age or older?: Yes

In Character Information

character name: Markl Fisher
Fandom: Howl’s Moving Castle (Movie)
Timeline: Right after Sophie and Howl leaves to go see Madame Suliman
character's age: 10 years

powers, skills, pets and equipment:
Although I am apping movie Markl, I will be using some of the book canon to flush out his character. Since like many things in the film, a lot of the side stories get pushed away to focus on Howl’s interpersonal relations.

Markl, being a wizard’s apprentice, possess a certain amount of magical skills. Currently his magical know-how is limited by his age and lack of experience. Presumably they will continue to grow as he ages to resemble that of his master, Howl. The most notable canon ability is his magical disguise of an old man. In the book this is a magical artifact but in the movie Markl states that it is through his own abilities and not an enchantment on the object. If so, going only by what is irrefutable from the movie, that would his only ability. However, it is implied that he able to craft magical potions and powders with either limited or no super vision given the flighty nature of his master. In the book it shows that he does possess the capability of creating such potions. These potions and remedies work on belief, the one crafting them must have faith in magic and in turn the one it was made for most also believe it will work. Otherwise it is completely useless. Although he may not be ready to enchant seven league-boots or catching fallen stars, he defiantly has the capability of learning advance magic as he grows and matures.

canon history: http://howlsccastle.wikia.com/wiki/Markl (Movie Wiki)
http://howlscastle.wikia.com/wiki/Michael_Fisher (Book Wiki)

I would just like to point out once again, not much is said about Markl’s back story in the movie so I’ll be drawing from the book to help.

Markl Fisher was born in the sea side town of Porthaven. He was orphaned at a young age, though it is a complete mystery of what happened to his parents. Whether his dad died at sea or his mother simply abandoned him unable to handle being a single parent raising a precious child alone, it is pretty much anyone’s guess. However, if they are dead or alive, it is not longer important. They are not a part of Markl’s life anymore.

It is my head canon that Markl experienced a brief period of living life out on the streets and back allies of his sleepy port town. It was only a fleeting phase, rummaging through trash cans and fighting alley cats for your next meal loses its charm after a while. After one fateful nap he found himself at the doorstep of the Great Wizard Jenkins! The Great Wizard opened his door that morning to see the sleeping lad. He saw that the orphan had magical potential and made him a proposition, if the boy was still there on his steps when he returned that evening then he would take him on as his apprentice. This offer sounded better than his current living situation and so Markl waited for the Great Wizard to return home. True to his word when the man came back he took him in.

Quickly he learned the true nature of his new guardian, Howl, not Jenkins. Despite his... ‘quirky’ habits and unorthodox teaching methods, he was a kind man and treated him well which was the least Markl could ask for. Even though it felt like at times the main reason he brought him on was to look after his menial affairs while he was away. At times it felt like he was taking care of him rather it being the other way around, though he didn’t mind. It is the least he could do after Howl opened his home to him.

In the passing years living with Howl Markl grew comfortable with their daily routine, until one morning when everything changed. Markl woke up to head down stairs to open up shop to find a strange old woman sitting in front of the fire place. It was not unusual to see women coming in and out of the castle to see Master Howl, but only young pretty women. His first reaction was that of suspicion and was quite short with the old woman not appreciating her intrusion, but he trusted Califer’s judgment. If she posed any danger he wouldn’t allowed the woman in. It didn’t take long however for him to warm up to woman, who he found out her name was Sophie Hatter. In fact he grew very fond of her, viewing Sophie like a mother to him.

personality:
At first glance Markl seems like your average ten year old boy. He appears to be a happy go lucky child with strong sense of faith, which is very important for his magic to work. He is easily impressed by Howl’s magic, adsorbing everything like a sponge. The things he reads about in books and stories told from his master he believes whole heartily. Trusting and having faith in the average person he approaches with caution and suspicion. It is just the nature of his independent ‘street-brat’ to view strangers with a grain of salt. One has to prove themselves to him in order for him to trust people, like how Howl took him in when he didn’t have to or Sophie who was there for him when Howl was not. He of course is polite to customers who visit their shop but that’s about how far his pleasantries go.

Being an orphan Markl is used to being on his own and being self reliant. He had to grow up fast to learn how to look after himself. Even now after he has a guardian, he spends most of his time looking after Howl and his shop. He tries to put on a mature brave front but under it he is still a child. Although he attempts not to let it show he has a fear of being abandoned. Both times when Sophie leaves he was worried that she would never return and is shown to beg her not to leave.

On the subject of girls.... He doesn’t have the best role-model when it comes to wooing fairer sex but he is no stranger to romance. He genuinely looked curious when Sophie and Howl had their moment at the end where the Witch of the Waste had to pull him away. Also in the book he dated Sophie’s younger sister. Of course in the book he was five years older than movie Markl but it shows he does take interest in the ladies. Most likely he would not be as suave as his master, but then again, who would be?

why do you feel this character would be appropriate to the setting?
I think Markl would do great here because first of all.... magical doors. Howl’s Moving Castle is all about magical doors! And second, mysterious fog you say? Could remind someone of The Waste Lands where the castle roams. It wouldn’t even faze him. Also there is a wonderful cast of Harry Potter players which would be fun for a young wizard to be around. There’s no need to worry about him being alone. He’s use to holding down the fort while his master is away and he quite literally holds the purse strings. All in all he’s pretty self-reliant.

Writing Samples

Network Post Sample: [Audio]
[There came sounds of shuffling paper and metallic clangs from heavy objects being shifted. Muffled, a young boy’s voice could be heard, muttering.]

Where is it? I thought it was.... Ha!

[A loud thud of books crashing to the floor was heard off in the background as the device was retrieved from the cluttered desk.]

Evening everyone, this is Markl down at Jenkin's Curiosities. I have a bit of a situation. I’m usually in-charge of the coin purse but Master Howl must have gotten it when I was sleeping and spent all our money on jewelry and things for his hair. Which I guess are important to him but he still expects me to make potions for our customers with no money to buy ingredients. If anyone could help me out, I would be grateful.

Third Person Sample:
Alone again.

Sophie and Howl both had just stepped out to head down to the capital to see Lady Suliman. Markl was grateful to have some alone time, it seemed like forever since it was just him and Califer. Ever since Sophie showed up in their castle there was always something new going on. He welcomed the lively change of pace that the presence of their newest family member provided but a boy needs his space sometimes.

He gazed around the ground floor of the castle. Everything was so neat and tidy, opening up the space. Suddenly it felt empty, his thoughts wondering to his two custodians. In the back of his mind he couldn’t help but be concerned for their safety. Master Howl had told stories about his former teacher and he knew that the woman terrified him. Oh he hoped they were okay! When would they be back? They’ll be back... right?

Markl shook his head driving out the thoughts as he headed over to the table to retrieve a book. He needed a distraction. But just as he reached the counter there was a knock at the door. A costumer? Well that’s one way to distract him from his vivid imagination. He pulled his blue robe off the back of the dining chair and pulled the hood over his head casting his magical guise before heading to the door.

Fiddling with the magical dial he changed the door and swung it open. Instead of seeing the seaside town of Porthaven on the other side, he was blinded by a flash of light and everything went white....

The sting in his eyes faded and he regained his sight. Blinking away the white spackles that lingered his vision focused, finding himself in an unfamiliar eerier square, deserted of people. Everything was deathly silent as he scanned his surroundings.

Alone again...

Anything else?
Not that I can think of....