Favourite character in The Astonishing

[fischermasamune]

Townspeople, otherwise miracles wouldn't have happen, and Gabriel would still be a voiceless douchebag. And he'd lose the girl.

I think he Townsperson in the poll is the person answering Faythe in Ravenskill. I think there should be a choice for the townspeople, the one-thousand-crowd, because of what you mentioned.

[jayvee3]

I love Nafaryus and how he is sung in the album - pompous, over the top and quite brilliant. But I'll say Faythe as she is really the catalyst for the whole story and is the connection between the two factions...

[425]

I think at this early point I would say Nafaryus. I was worried on account of his name that he would be a very boring villain, but I was pleasantly surprised that JP actually wrote him as a multifaceted character who has a deep inner love for music that he has repressed and pushed down out of a desire for control. If JP ever brings us back to this world, I'd like to learn more about Nafaryus, how he went from the kid with the iPod to the power hungry dictator, and then what he did after his somewhat redemptive story arc. I honestly think that his family tensions are pretty interesting as well, since he has an abiding love for Faythe that is the thing which ultimately helps him overcome his obsession with power.

Plus, "Remember Bug?" is just a great moment. I'm not going to praise the story of this concept as a modern literary classic or anything, but that twist is awesome and the line is really cool, because is totally switches our perception of Nafaryus and makes us see this kid running around the palace with his iPod. I think that's probably the most clever part of the actual storyline of The Astonishing.

[Pragmaticcircus]

Can I say that I loved the NOMACS and that they really moved me? 

[ariich]

Townsperson is now more popular than Daryus, Arabelle and Xander combined, yeah!

[Evermind]

Well he has a very poignant line and all. You could even say it's a call back to TGoM lyrics. You hear his response and it's clear that people just don't have the time for helping anymore. Clever, that.

[IdoSC]

Comparing James' interpretations and singing, I like Nafaryus the best - but character-wise I like Faythe the best (also she's my 2nd favorite James voice). So I voted Faythe!

[Bertielee]

Following the Duran Duran tune :

Naf-Naf-Nafaryus!

B.Lee

[Metropolis Pt. II]

I picked Arabelle because she seems like she knows what's up. She can read people and she's a kind and patient person. Also, she extends forgiveness to Daryus, which is a very upstanding thing to do.

[Art]

TOWNSPERSON 

[DragonGuitar]

I picked Arabelle because she seems like she knows what's up. She can read people and she's a kind and patient person. Also, she extends forgiveness to Daryus, which is a very upstanding thing to do.

...but Daryus is a jerk.

[Sir Walrus Cauliflower]

Nafaryus for sure! The Nafaryus songs are awesome, and I like the style of his vocals. Pompous and fun.

HAHAHA HAHA HA HAAAA

Agreed.

[pcs90]

I think at this early point I would say Nafaryus. I was worried on account of his name that he would be a very boring villain, but I was pleasantly surprised that JP actually wrote him as a multifaceted character who has a deep inner love for music that he has repressed and pushed down out of a desire for control. If JP ever brings us back to this world, I'd like to learn more about Nafaryus, how he went from the kid with the iPod to the power hungry dictator, and then what he did after his somewhat redemptive story arc. I honestly think that his family tensions are pretty interesting as well, since he has an abiding love for Faythe that is the thing which ultimately helps him overcome his obsession with power.

Plus, "Remember Bug?" is just a great moment. I'm not going to praise the story of this concept as a modern literary classic or anything, but that twist is awesome and the line is really cool, because is totally switches our perception of Nafaryus and makes us see this kid running around the palace with his iPod. I think that's probably the most clever part of the actual storyline of The Astonishing.

While my favorite is Faythe I have to agree, I wish more time was given to Nafaryus and his past...which is why we needed a 3rd CD! At first I was very confused by the Bug line because it was before the website was up, but after reading that I thought it was really cool. There's more to Nafaryus than what I had originally expected, for sure!

[cramx3]

Arabelle easily.  She is the only one who seems to not only have a level head, but compromises and seems to care.  Also, she is sexy.

[Progmetty]

The inclusion of the townsperson, the narrator and imperial Guards in that poll turned it into a joke that I'm personally complicit in since I voted townsperson
But Arhys is my favorite character atm.

[thosava]

Hey, who are you to say people aren't serious about REALLY liking the Townsperson? 

[Progmetty]

Fair enough hehe

[The Astonished]

Arhys. Much admiration for his spirit to overthrow Nafaryus' empire. He's battleborn, won't back down from achieving his goals, and went out like a true hero. But, the one thing I don't get is: Why did he had to die? How I see it, only Faythe's "death" had real importance to the story.

[RoadTrain_of Thought]

Can't really decide.

Daryus and the Narrator have a really cool section that I can't stop listening to. The ending of The Path That Divides.

[JMSE]

Finishing up my review (posting on the weekend). I just realized Daryus is my fav character. He's not the vanilla villain who's just bad because "reasons". Jealousy, and emotional abandonment drove his actions but even at his worst he wasn't a ruthless dude. He could have killed Arhys or Kidnapp Xander at Ravenskill and try to get Gabriel and punish him emotionally but he just presented an offer instead, which really conflicted Arhys. Sure, he wanted to kill Gabriel but that's just a result of Nafaryus labelled him as the enemy and Daryus seeking his father approval.

A really touching moment for me is the end of "A tempting offer"

And I won't have to stand
In Faythe's dark shadow anymore
I am through with being pushed aside
Tired of fighting for my father's pride
Take an evening to decide.

(those violins after are so somber and tragic. Good I Love this album!!!!!)

He killed Arhys out of frustration and desperation. He also never turned on his sister either (which is seen in a lot of bad guys in fiction). He was shocked when he thought he had killed her.

I won't say he was a saint but he was a tragic antagonist driven by everyday human emotions and reasons like seeking approval, seeking respect, wanting to make a name for himself, jealousy etc.


Same can be said about Nafaryus, while he's introduced as guy who feels too important (tango music) who has a tough leader image to show (he was moved by Gabriel song for a short moment only to issue a threat and an epic HAHAHAH HAHAHA) he's actually a guy who loves his family and has a softer side than apparent. Really touching when he calls Gabriel "Son" when Faythe is dying.

I also loved the empress isn't a bitch because she's married to the antagonist. 

[SebastianPratesi]

I picked Arabelle because she seems like she knows what's up. She can read people and she's a kind and patient person. Also, she extends forgiveness to Daryus, which is a very upstanding thing to do.

Arabelle easily.  She is the only one who seems to not only have a level head, but compromises and seems to care.  Also, she is sexy.

All of this. I remember that when Arabelle's portrait was revealed, there was the opinion in the 200+ page thread that she would really evil, considering her looks and her belonging to the Empire. After reading through the albums lyrics, it became evident we were wrong.

[CharlesPL]

Arhys

[Mladen]

I think Gabriel is a good example of a guy who's just plain gifted. Not particularly intelligent, strong, good looking, nor talkative. He's just an average guy with one specific difference - he's incredibly talented. He portrays that possessing gift is enough to be a hero.

[SystematicThought]

I like Nafaryus and the way JLB sings his parts as well as the music that accompanies him: Tango, Saloon, Jazz, Swing, and 80s rock. I wish they had more throwback music for him, but it's all awesome.

Arabelle was also the other character that I thought was interesting because I thought she was going to be evil as well, but really she's such a great character.

[SebastianPratesi]

I like Nafaryus and the way JLB sings his parts as well as the music that accompanies him: Tango, Saloon, Jazz, Swing, and 80s rock. I wish they had more throwback music for him, but it's all awesome.

Well, in "A New Beginning", after the second Nafaryus' verse, there's this baroque/classical* bit played by the orchestra: https://youtu.be/sm2ozMjYB5w?t=2m18s. The chord progression is actually the same as the pre-choruses in "Three Days", so you have a nugget there.

So, I consider baroque/classical* another 'genre' associated with Nafaryus.

*Based on the harpsichord, I'd consider it baroque, but there are horns, and those were more common in the classical era, right? So anyone with more knowledge: what is it really - baroque or classical?

[SystematicThought]

I never noticed the Three Days reference. And yeah, there's that section too, I forgot about that one. Do you think it is a harpsichord, or just JR playing a patch?

[SebastianPratesi]

I never noticed the Three Days reference. And yeah, there's that section too, I forgot about that one. Do you think it is a harpsichord, or just JR playing a patch?

It could be. I just figured, since there are some other sections in the album in which only the orchestra/choir is playing ("Act Of Faythe" intro, "The X Aspect" outro), that it is a harpsichord in the orchestra. That said, maybe it is Jordan after all.

[ADramaticTurnofChaos]

"Sorry, can't speak, someone is waiting" is the best line of the whole play and probably of any theatre or Theater production in existence.

#Townsperson2016

[ToT-147]

In fact I voted for the only option that isn't really a "character".. But since there he is, I've voted for the narrator, and now I find myself being the only one in having done that..

He's not a character, but precisely that... the narrator..

But I couldn't resist.. If we do the maths, then we should have that JP himself is the narrator!.. He's the storyteller all along, right?..

[ariich]

I'm really pleased that Townsperson is the 4th most popular character!

[Renzo]

Tough choice. But I had to go with Arabelle, she is the kind of wise person which isn't afraid in saying what he thinks and she has the gift in making people think with reason.
Plus, she is indeed a cool woman..

[gzarruk]

My real name is Gabriel, so... 

[Pragmaticcircus]

Victoria