CARTIER, GUINEVERE

TWENTY-SEVEN

FEMALE

HETEROSEXUAL

MISSIONS BOARD

GENERAL

PURGE

No matter how stoic, powerful, reflective an individual - despite their resolve - every human being has a breaking point. Guinevere has been living under pressure her entire life, and isolation aside, the circumstance will catch up to the woman. The pressure has already started to form cracks: she aims to bring down the government that has invested the time and resources to develop her. Along with her personal rebellion driven by resentment and repugnance, I want to play with the interpersonal relationships the trope of strong, silent characters develops. Gwen is distrusting and independent by nature, yet she has been thrown into group settings since infancy. I want to see how both her relationship with her Squadron members, along with the members of other factions, influence and develop her as a character either restoring her faith in humanity and bringing out a more maternal aspect of her character; or deepening her disgust and further distancing herself from the biome. 

Predominantly described as the ‘strong and silent type’, Guinevere has an uncommon leadership style, and her charisma is inherent; although aware of her presence, it is not often something she alters to generate allure. A woman of few words, General Cartier is well worded and eloquent, never speaking carelessly or without though. She is articulate, conscience, and able to address any audience in an appropriate manner. Her inherent charisma likely results from a combination of her profound words and an element of surprise: the General does not do anything without a reason, so when she does speak there is a damn good reason and everyone feels inclined to listen. She is also able to read others’ emotions well, an invaluable asset when she is faced with a difficult argument or conversation. Moreover, she knows how to use her words and body language, and is able to demand attention without raising her voice.

Due to the inconsistency that surroundeds Guinevere’s life, she has always been observant: being attentive and resourceful has been critical to her survival. Guinevere is acutely aware of her surrounds and the situation at hand, ensuring she takes careful and diligent note of everything that is physically present and the events that transpire. With her insight on the human condition and knowledge of the harsher side of humanity, she is able to detect even the most subtle facial expressions or undertones in conversation. Not much is able to slip past the General, she is diligent with her attentiveness, and is meticulous with keeping a memory of everything she notices. Her uncanny ability to observe both people and the natural environment are key in her formulation of judgments and mission tactics.

Guinevere is intelligent and resourceful both in and out of an academic setting. She is a critical thinker and sees everything with a keen, calculating eye. She is rational able to think on her feet. She is not rash and prefers to make decisions only after considering all options and weighing their benefits and drawbacks. Although General Cartier is proficient in martial arts and is well versed in using a diverse array of firearms and other melee items, Guinevere’s mind is her most powerful weapon. Her extensive molecular science background and several years in the Gamma Sector has given her a diverse array of experiences, which make her especially insightful when faced with otherworldly situations. By being guarded and intelligent, Guinevere is sure to never lay all of her cards on the table; and even if it does not seem so, Guinevere always has the upper hand. If anyone is brave, or foolish, enough to challenge Guinevere’s opinion or authority, her sharp wit and tongue would be more than enough to break through one’s defenses.

An introvert by both nature and conditioning, Guinevere does not often seek out the company of others and prefers to keep to herself. She is highly independent and is skeptical of most people, relying solely on herself and avoiding being reliant or dependent on others at all costs. This prominent aspect of her personality has been amplified by her childhood and experience in the failed genetics program, because she quickly learned the less people know about you, the better. Initially used as a defense mechanism to prevent others from hurting or manipulating her, Guinevere has learned to appreciate the silence and enjoy her own company. Her inverted nature helps her remain calm under stressful and intense situations, and allows for personal reflection and growth. At this point in her life, Guinevere is especially cautious about expressing her thoughts and emotions because if anyone heard of her true plans or ambitions, it really would be the death of her.

Despite being a living oxymoron because she is jaded by the Biome’s condition but still strives to rectify and save it in some way, Guinevere is neither a pessimist nor an optimistic. She is pragmatic and realistic, not dwelling on things beyond her power or control. She is not one for self-pity and is able to quickly recuperate from hardships. Guinevere is a firm believer in the sentiment ‘keep moving forward’ because although it is important to learn from the past, it should not be dwelled on because the past cannot be changed. Moreover, Guinevere sets realistic goals and expectations; even if they appear lofty, they are surely attainable in her eyes, because the General absolutely loathes failure.

Although she does not speak her mind readily, Guinevere is rather opinionated and judgmental. Her moral compass points due north, and she has very little patience or tolerance for those who have a wicked nature or enjoy cruelty. Of course, she cannot readily express these feelings, but she does harbor them. Guinevere will be especially harsh to these crooked people if given the opportunity, and she does not forget or forgive those who have wronged her. When the tables turn, Guinevere will be sure to bring her wrath upon those deserving of it. Her judgments are highly critical and are based on her assessment of a person’s character. Although Guinevere understands people well, she is not empathetic, and casts her judgments readily and realistically. Disinterested in how arrogant or rude she may appear, Guinevere has very little time or patience for people she deems unworthy.

Despite having to obey commands that fall into ethical ‘grey area’ at best, General Cartier herself is a very moral individual. She is a honorable and principled human being: she has a strong sense of right and wrong and very little patience for anyone who disagrees. The irony of her position and status is not lost on her, but Guinevere does attempt to complete tasks in the most humane way without being obvious about her true intentions. She abhors the hypocrisy and the discrepancy between her personal values and her day job, though she is patient and willing to wait for the opportune time to rectify the situation. In an almost backward manner, it is this moral compass that drives Guinevere forward: one day her position as General will enable her to correct many of the wrongs that the government has created, and help lead the biome to salvation; freeing it of its proverbial chains and militant, dubious government.

Guinevere Vera Cartier, referred to as Gwen by her friends (at least if she had any), and effectively always addressed as ‘General Cartier’, or simply just ‘General’, is the second-in-command of Squadron Eleven in the Biome’s seedy Gamma Sector.

General Cartier is a strong, commanding woman in virtually every respect: her physical form is in peak condition; well toned and lean; and standing tall at five feet and eight inches, Guinevere emanates power, towering over the men that she commands. There is no dainty, delicate lady beneath the layers of silent charisma and calculated control. With fair skin and golden hair, Guinevere is a lioness: dominating, powerful, and skilled. She thrives in the harsh world she lives in and her piercing grey eyes are filled with wisdom beyond her mere twenty-seven years.

Orphaned during infancy, Guinevere has never had a family or strong sense of belonging. She spent her childhood in the foster care system, never staying more than a year with a family. Despite her fragmented life, Guinevere never thought much about her predicament, always just accepting the situation. She was able to endure loneliness and isolation, because in Guinevere’s pragmatic mind there is no use fighting something that could not change. It was easier and more beneficial to keep moving forward. The General lives her life by this dogma.

The lack of consistency in Guinevere’s childhood has led the young woman to be unattached to people or places: everything in her life has been fragmented. At fourteen Guinevere was invited to attend boarding school in the capitol. At seventeen, she was uprooted prior to her graduation and selected to participate in a prestigious molecular biology program to learn more about individuals who could survive in extreme conditions and aid in the fight against these incredible humans. Eight months later the program was shut down due to a treasonous infiltration and two weeks after that Guinevere was recruited to the Gamma Sector for placement on the Missions Board.

A lifetime spent under the Biome’s watchful gaze has made Guinevere untrusting, observant, and often reclusive. The government’s grooming of the woman has had the opposite effect of what was intended: they created a rebel, not a loyalist. Guinevere is disguised by the repugnant state of disrepair the world has fallen to, and knows that these individuals that the government is trying to eliminate, the ones who have the potential to release inhuman power, are the only hope in restoring the balance, nature, and good of this godforsaken place.

MADE BY KIROUKO OF GANGNAM-STYLE