Your favorite characters in Sci-Fi/Fantasy.

[a_lost_packet_]

<p>Everybody has favorites.&nbsp; What's yours?&nbsp; Who or<em> what</em> are your favorite characters in Sci-Fi and Fantasy?&nbsp; Give name, a short description (if relatively unknown), author and what you like about them most.&nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Then, maybe towards the end, we can argue who's favorite character can beat up some other favorite character's dad. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[BrianSlee]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Everybody has favorites.&nbsp; What's yours?&nbsp; Who or what are your favorite characters in Sci-Fi and Fantasy?&nbsp; Give name, a short description (if relatively unknown), author and what you like about them most.&nbsp; &nbsp;Then, maybe towards the end, we can argue who's favorite character can beat up some other favorite character's dad. <br />Posted by a_lost_packet_</DIV><br /><br />The stainless steel rat.</p><dl><dt><em>From wikpedia&nbsp;</em> </dt><dt><em>The Stainless Steel Rat</em> (1961)&nbsp; </dt><dd>At the beginning of the first novel, the Stainless Steel Rat believes he has pulled off a successful bank job, but is out-conned into working for the government. In the Special Corps, the elite law-enforcement and spy agency led by the former greatest crook in the Galaxy, Harold P. Inskipp (a.k.a. Inskipp the Uncatchable), he joins the ranks of an organization that is entirely constituted of ex-criminals like himself. In the novel, he has several adventures during which he believes he has escaped from the Corps, and meets his love interest, Angelina, who is even more sociopathic than he is - she too is a criminal genius but lacks Jim's moral strictures against killing. She is attempting to have an illegal space battleship built on a backwoods planet. It transpires that Angelina was born unattractive and committed crimes to pay for her transformation into a beautiful woman; her psychological traumas are cured when Jim captures her, but she retains her allure and her criminal tendencies and joins Jim in the Special Corps. </dd></dl><dl><dd><ul><li>re-issued in paperback (1986): ISBN 0-441-77924-7 </li></ul></dd></dl> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>"I am therefore I think" </p><p>"The only thing "I HAVE TO DO!!" is die, in everything else I have freewill" Brian P. Slee</p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

<p>The Doctor, of course.&nbsp; &nbsp; And my favorite companion from Doctor Who is, undisputably, Sarah Jane Smith. </p><p>Actually, I have a lot of favorite characters.&nbsp;&nbsp; I love Death from the Discworld series, and also Commander Vimes of the City Watch, Death's granddaughter Susan, Nanny Ogg, and Grannie Weatherwax.</p><p>I'm also a fan of Methos from Highlander: the Series.</p><p>Ender Wiggins.&nbsp; Musn't leave him off the list. </p><p>Dr Susan Calvin, of many of the "I, Robot" stories.&nbsp;&nbsp; And if I list her, I must also list Gregory Powell and Mike Donovan.</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[yevaud]

<p>^ All good ones! ^</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Miles Naismith Vorkosigan </p><p>Lazarus Long </p><p>Colonel John Christian Falkenberg</p><p>Barlennan </p><p>Corwin </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>To name just a few... </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[nimbus]

I can't recall off-hand, but the Shaftoes (except the daughter in Cryptonomicon) in Neal Stephenson's books are definitely near the top of the list. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[jmilsom]

I've always had a soft spot for Cugel the Clever, from Jack Vance's Dying Earth series. <br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[StrandedonEarthsince1970]

<p>Roland Deschain of Gilead, son of Steven, aka the Gunslinger. Someone you'd like on your side in a firefight.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Similarly, the little gren runt from Dagobah...</p><p>&nbsp;(to the tune of <em>Lola</em>, by 'The Kinks.')</p><p>&nbsp;<em>I met him in a swamp down in Dagobah<br /> Where it bubbles all the time like a giant carbonated soda<br /> S-O-D-A, soda<br /><br /> I saw the little runt sitting there on a log<br /> I asked him for his name and in a raspy voice he said "Yoda"<br /> Y-O-D-A, Yoda<br /> Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /><br /> Well, I've been around, but I ain't never seen<br /> A guy who looks like a muppet, but he's wrinkled and green<br /> Oh, my Yoda<br /> Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /><br /> Well, I'm not dumb, but I can't understand<br /> How he can lift me in the air just by raising his hand<br /> Oh, my Yoda<br /> Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /> Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /><br /> Well, I left home just a week before<br /> And I've never ever been a Jedi before<br /> But Obi Wan, he set me straight, of course<br /> He said, "Go to Yoda and he'll show you the Force"<br /><br /> Well I'm not the kind that would argue with Ben<br /> So it looks like I'm gonna start all over again<br /> With my Yoda<br /> Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /> Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /><br /> Yoda<br /> Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /> Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /><br /> So I used the Force<br /> I picked up a box<br /> I lifted some rocks<br /> While I stood on my head<br /> but, I won't forget what Yoda said<br /><br /> He said, "Luke, stay away from the darker side<br /> And if you start to go astray, let the Force be your guide"<br /> Oh, my Yoda<br /> Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /><br /> "I know Darth Vader's really got you annoyed<br /> But remember, if you kill him, then you'll be unemployed"<br /> Oh, my Yoda<br /> Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /><br /> Well, I heard my friends really got in a mess<br /> So I'm gonna have to leave Yoda I guess<br /> But I know that I'll be coming back some day<br /> I'll be playing this part 'till I'm old and gray<br /><br /> The long-term contract I had to sign<br /> Says I'll be making these movies till the end of time<br /> Oh with my Yoda <br /> Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /> Yoda Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /> Yoda Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /> Yoda Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /> Yoda Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /> Yoda Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda<br /> Yoda Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda Yo-yo-yo-yo Yoda</em> </p><p>&nbsp;-Weird Al </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><em><strong>Now where on Earth did I park my UFO?</strong></em></p> </div>

 

[nerdyhardy]

<p>My favourites are Fox Mulder and Dana Scully from The X-Files without any doubt. You must believe and doubt at the very same time, to reach the real truth. That's what also Epistemology says: argue an idea. Mulder and Scully together make up a team that can perfectly accomplish that.</p><p>The truth is out there! <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#000080"><em>"We all use math everyday; to predict weather, to tell time, to handle money. Math is more than formulas and equations; it's logic, it's rationality, it's using your mind to solve the biggest mysteries we know." --Charlie Eppes of CBS's NUMB3RS</em></font></p> </div>

 

[eburacum45]

<p>I'm a fan of The Sainless Steel Rat, too. </p><p>A character which has inspired me greatly is Louis Wu, from thr Ringworld saga; he never gives up, even if faces with someome faster, smarter or fiercer than he.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>---------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>http://orionsarm.com  http://thestarlark.blogspot.com/</p> </div>

 

[10_stone_5]

<p>Right now it is Theo Faron, the reluctant, somewhat drunken&nbsp;hero from Children of Men.</p><p>Though I could easily be talked into Rick Deckard from Blade Runner/Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? or Dave Bowman [especially as played by Keir Dullea].</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><strong></strong></em></p> </div>

 

[derekmcd]

Vain from the The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div><br /><div><span style="color:#0000ff" class="Apple-style-span">"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</span></div> </div>

 

[a_lost_packet_]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Vain from the The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Posted by derekmcd</DIV></p><p>Oooh... Good one. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[derekmcd]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Oooh... Good one. <br /> Posted by a_lost_packet_</DIV></p><p>Thanks for the reminder.&nbsp; I've been intending on re-reading the first 6 books due to his recent release of 2 more (still has 2 more yet planned).&nbsp; I only have 2 paperbacks left that have survived my many, many moves since I was 12ish. I've got the first 6 in .lit format, but never bother to find a converter (i'm on OSX).&nbsp; I just found a converter and will start tackling them all over again.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>It's been 25 years since I read them as a youngster... should be interesting all over again.&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div><br /><div><span style="color:#0000ff" class="Apple-style-span">"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</span></div> </div>

 

[BrianSlee]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Thanks for the reminder.&nbsp; I've been intending on re-reading the first 6 books due to his recent release of 2 more (still has 2 more yet planned).&nbsp; I only have 2 paperbacks left that have survived my many, many moves since I was 12ish. I've got the first 6 in .lit format, but never bother to find a converter (i'm on OSX).&nbsp; I just found a converter and will start tackling them all over again.&nbsp;&nbsp; It's been 25 years since I read them as a youngster... should be interesting all over again.&nbsp; <br />Posted by derekmcd</DIV><br /><br />I just picked up the first of the new series.&nbsp; Unfortunately I haven't had time to read it.&nbsp; But the first two trilogies were among my favorites of all time. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>"I am therefore I think" </p><p>"The only thing "I HAVE TO DO!!" is die, in everything else I have freewill" Brian P. Slee</p> </div>

 

[derekmcd]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I just picked up the first of the new series.&nbsp; Unfortunately I haven't had time to read it.&nbsp; But the first two trilogies were among my favorites of all time. <br /> Posted by BrianSlee</DIV></p><p>There were discussions a few years back to make movies out of them, but it never happened unfortunately.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>PS.&nbsp; My other favorite fantasy character is my lvl 70 mage in WoW <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" /> </p><p>As for Sci-Fi, I have to go with Valentine Michael Smith from Stranger in a Strange Land (book) and 'Sonny' from I Robot (movie).&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div><br /><div><span style="color:#0000ff" class="Apple-style-span">"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</span></div> </div>

 

[Arion]

I have a large list of great characters. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[DigitalKnight]

<p>Ender Wiggins and Petra&nbsp;from Orson Scott Card's Ender Series.</p><p>Gerald Terrant from C.S. Friedman's Cold Fire Trilogy.</p><p>Drizzt Do`Urden of more books than I care to mention by R.A. Salvatore.</p><p>Aragorn from the Lord of the Rings.</p><p>Rikus from the Prism Pentad (set in the Dark Sun world) by Troy Denning.</p><p>Elric from the Elric saga by Michael Moorecock</p><p>Riddick as portrayed by Vin Diesel in the films.</p><p>Any character portrayed by Bruce Campbell.</p><p>I could continue, but the list would be far too long if I listed ALL my favorites.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[a_lost_packet_]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Thanks for the reminder.&nbsp; I've been intending on re-reading the first 6 books due to his recent release of 2 more (still has 2 more yet planned).&nbsp; I only have 2 paperbacks left that have survived my many, many moves since I was 12ish. I've got the first 6 in .lit format, but never bother to find a converter (i'm on OSX).&nbsp; I just found a converter and will start tackling them all over again.&nbsp;&nbsp; It's been 25 years since I read them as a youngster... should be interesting all over again.&nbsp; Posted by derekmcd</DIV></p><p>Like all my really good books, I've lost them due to "lending" them to friends...&nbsp; I need to grab a new set.</p><p>I read the first new book but haven't picked the next up yet.&nbsp; I keep forgetting to check for it.&nbsp; Also, I'm a standard paperback guy and the only printing I have seen of it is an oversize binding.&nbsp; So, it's not on the shelves I normally check.&nbsp; I read too many books to be scrounging around in the hardback/oversize section.&nbsp; I even designed my mini-library room with built-in shelves that will fit two standard paperbacks placed one atop the other.&nbsp; I hope the standard doesn't change. At least the shelves are adjustable.. but it'd ruin "the look." heh heh. </p><p>I can't remember when I first read the series.&nbsp; I do remember that it was one of the first series that actually made an emotional impact on me when I read it.&nbsp; There was something I identified with in the combined characters of Covenant, the Haruchai, Hile Troy and later, Vain.&nbsp; The devestation of The Land was something that really struck me.</p><p>So, one of these days I'll remember to buy the series again.&nbsp; I re-read just about everything and that set has been on my "to do list" for far too long. </p><p>Oh, and Thomas Covenant IS one of my favorite characters in Sci-Fi/Fantasy along with a multitude of others.&nbsp; I need to narrow down my top ten and post those. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[a_lost_packet_]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Gerald Terrant from C.S. Friedman's Cold Fire Trilogy.</DIV></p><p>Awesome. Another Terrant fan. <br /> </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Drizzt Do`Urden of more books than I care to mention by R.A. Salvatore.</DIV></p><p>Drizzt is a great character.&nbsp; However, I grew somewhat tired of him.&nbsp; It seems Salvatore sometimes likes to BEAT a story out of Drizzt and the character ends up just becoming a little too much of a "whiner."&nbsp; </p><p>"But, nobody likes me!"&nbsp; <em>Drizzt, you're a hero in half the known world.&nbsp; Everyone respects you and you're famous.&nbsp; You've got half the Sword Coast wanting to sell you their daughters and you couldn't sneeze in the North without 10 people handing you the shirt off their back so you can wipe your nose.</em>&nbsp; "But, nobody likes me!"&nbsp; <em>AW CRAP.&nbsp; Shut up already.</em> "See! You don't like me either!"&nbsp; <em>/sigh </em><br /> </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Elric from the Elric saga by Michael Moorecock</DIV></p><p>Excellent choice. A longtime favorite of mine as well.</p><p>It seems we both enjoy the classic "anti-hero." </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[BrianSlee]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I can't remember when I first read the series. <br />Posted by a_lost_packet_</DIV><br /><br />I will never forget the first time siggggghhhhh LOL</p><p>I was in A school at Millington TN.&nbsp; A friend lent me the whole series.&nbsp; I loved them so much I wouldn't put them down.&nbsp; Ended up reading all three in a weekend.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>"I am therefore I think" </p><p>"The only thing "I HAVE TO DO!!" is die, in everything else I have freewill" Brian P. Slee</p> </div>

 

[DigitalKnight]

<p>The anti-hero and the dark hero are the two types of character I identify with best. Tragedy and I are on far too familiar of terms for me to enjoy the more standard "happier" kind of hero.</p><p>The first character I read about that had an emotional impact on me was Dracula, his pain and rage that sprung from such powerful tragedy was...painfully familiar, it has been that type of character that has drawn me ever since.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[DigitalKnight]

<p>I just remembered another favorite. I'm not sure if he's appropriate for this list, but I'll include him anyway.</p><p>Beowulf.</p><p>and for fun I'll throw in Batman.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[a_lost_packet_]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>PS.&nbsp; My other favorite fantasy character is my lvl 70 mage in WoW..Posted by derekmcd</DIV></p><p>70 Shadow Priest and 70 Prot Warrior here, along with a few other lower level chars.</p><p>But, I haven't played in months so they don't count. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[TheOscarMP]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>70 Shadow Priest and 70 Prot Warrior here, along with a few other lower level chars.But, I haven't played in months so they don't count. <br />Posted by a_lost_packet_</DIV></p><p>bah,&nbsp; when you get tired of playing that kiddie game come on over to EQ2 and play a grown-up game.&nbsp; <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" /></p><p>80 Conjuror, 72 Fury and 56 Paladin</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff00ff">Screw you guys...I'm going home:  Eric Cartman</font></p><p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>SILENCE...I KILL YOU!!!!:</strong>  Achmed, the dead terrorist</font></p> </div>

 

[observer7]

<p>Robinette Broadhead from the Gateway series.&nbsp; He's an ordinary average guy who finds himself in some extraordinary situations.</p><p>Harry Seldon from Foundation.&nbsp; He plays a small part, but the entire book is based on his vision.</p><p>Zaphod Beeblebrox.&nbsp; "He's just this guy, you know."</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>And let's not forget James T. Kirk, who always saved his ship, expended red shirts to save his freinds, and worked the babes to save the day.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>--&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em><font size="2">"Time exists so that everything doesn't happen at once" </font></em><font size="2">Albert Einstein</font> </div>