Brandon’s Scrapbook
So I decided I’d finally give in to temptation and make myself a scrapbook. Indeed. Here I will post random facts and views on Brandon Blackwing, probably his personality. Though there might be some entries about other stuff too… but mainly Brandon. I’ll use this when I feel like writing about Bran, but not like writing a reply or post. Or just when I decide to do this. I don’t know, we’ll see what happens.
Anyways, people who visit are free to comment, ask stuff and whatever, though I’d appreciate it when you’d refrain from flaming and all that.
So, this first post will be about Brandon’s personality type. I saw that a couple of players had some random-looking four-letter abbreviation written down when they talked about a certain personality test… I googled it and managed to find it. Apparently it’s the Myers-Briggs test or so? Anyways, one had to pay to take the test so I searched for a free test. I found a short one, which had a question for each letter, so four in total. Turns out Bran is a ISTP type. I checked with another, albeit longer test, which gave me almost the same results, except for the last letter. I assume however that the first result was the correct one, mostly because I looked at the description of that personality type, which was a pretty accurate description of Brandon (in my opinion anyway). I’ll include that description in the spoiler tag and give some commentary on each aspect, starting with the first paragraph so I don’t confuse anyone
ISTP :
Portrait of an ISTP - Introverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving
(Introverted Thinking with Extraverted Sensing)
________________________________________The Mechanic
As an ISTP, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you deal with things rationally and logically. Your secondary mode is external, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion.
So, I decided it would be much more understandable when I’d include my own comments directly below the paragraph I am giving my own view of. I will compare the type descripted with my view on Brandon to the best of my ability, though whether it won’t be a huge chaotic mess I cannot promise you
Anyway, I’ll use this cursive for that.So, this first bit of text seems pretty accurate when applied to Bran. Surprisingly, Brandon is quite rational, and tends to think things through, he plans and schemes a lot. However, when he goes paranoid he is prone to overthinking and complicating things :/ Also, being one of the Kelvic, he uses his senses more than the regular person. He is observant, not only making use of his eyes, but depending on his extraordinary hearing and smell as well, though more on the former.
ISTPs have a compelling drive to understand the way things work. They're good at logical analysis, and like to use it on practical concerns. They typically have strong powers of reasoning, although they're not interested in theories or concepts unless they can see a practical application. They like to take things apart and see the way they work.
I have to agree with this part as well. Though I’ll nuance it a bit. Though Bran is curious, I don’t think he’s interested in the mechanics behind everything. Then again though, he did get very excited at seeing an Isur’s arm and wanted to know how it functioned… Bran is –like stated before- intelligent enough to reason, but is not interested in theories that do not capture his attention, thus the things that do not have an application he could use. As for taking things apart; I can actually picture Bran being fascinated and tinkering with a lock when training lockpicking skills. I can actually see him being quite interesting in gadgeteering as a whole, or just play a bit with springs and broken devices.
ISTPs have an adventuresome spirit. They are attracted to motorcycles, airplanes, sky diving, surfing, etc. They thrive on action, and are usually fearless. ISTPs are fiercely independent, needing to have the space to make their own decisions about their next step. They do not believe in or follow rules and regulations, as this would prohibit their ability to "do their own thing". Their sense of adventure and desire for constant action makes ISTPs prone to becoming bored rather quickly.
Haha, Ilike this part! This is actually pretty much Bran’s original concept. Well, a part of it. Bradon does get bored quickly, though he does like to sit and think –meditate if you will- for an hour or so. Though he’d rather do that on strolls, since he gets a bit restless when sitting about for long periods of time… er…. So that basically means he doesn’t like to sit and think, but rather would go for a walk and think. Adventurous …. Well, that is just a given and not believing in rules, not to mention refusing to follow them… He’s a thief, what do you expect? Also, he is indeed independent, he’d rather pick his targets himself than have someone picking them out for him, he finds it very frustrating. Unless of course that someone is paying him, then he doesn’t. Of course, then he did choose to give his services to the person who hired him.
ISTPs are loyal to their causes and beliefs, and are firm believers that people should be treated with equity and fairness. Although they do not respect the rules of the "System", they follow their own rules and guidelines for behavior faithfully. They will not take part in something which violates their personal laws. ISTPs are extremely loyal and faithful to their "brothers".
Hm… I don’t know about the equity… I think he does give people a chance, but that’s it. I mean if we take Ollic as an example, Bran was worried for his limbs and feared Ollic was insane. I believe he did give the doc a chance, but the strange looks and weird attitude the man displayed may have given Brandon the wrong impression. I think that Brandon would treat anyone fair and equal at first, until he has formed his own opinion and image of that person, then he starts treating them as he thinks he should. Raien, as another example, interfered with Brandon’s attempts to loot a drunkard and showed himself a threat to Brandon’s existence and an ally of the Shinya. An enemy. Thus he was treated that way. However, he is indeed loyal to his friends and family. He’d do anything to protect Engghaen and …. Uh… he has no other friends… ehehehe….
ISTPs like and need to spend time alone, because this is when they can sort things out in their minds most clearly. They absorb large quantities of impersonal facts from the external world, and sort through those facts, making judgments, when they are alone.
Well, Brandon does go on strolls daily to clear his mind, sift through events and all that. He then loses himself in his own mind, processing everything that has happened and evaluate his actions. I guess.
ISTPs are action-oriented people. They like to be up and about, doing things. They are not people to sit behind a desk all day and do long-range planning. Adaptable and spontaneous, they respond to what is immediately before them. They usually have strong technical skills, and can be effective technical leaders. They focus on details and practical things. They have an excellent sense of expediency and grasp of the details which enables them to make quick, effective decisions.
Heh, a desk job isn’t something Bran would survive. It has been mentioned in a couple of threads that he isn’t suited for academic or desk jobs, since he doesn’t have the patience and is too restless for it. Adaptable, check. Spontaneous, yes. Especially during conversations, but actually in any situation he acts spontaneously, mostly without thinking about it. Consequences mean little to him, though there are exceptions. Bran once started insulting someone else out of the blue in order to have fun, knowing fully well that it could escalate into an armed conflict, but he simply did not care. Expediency..? hm, probably true. When in certain situations he tends to analyze the situation quickly and makes a swift but efficient and rational decision, however there are some exceptions.
ISTPs avoid making judgments based on personal values - they feel that judgments and decisions should be made impartially, based on the fact. They are not naturally tuned in to how they are affecting others. They do not pay attention to their own feelings, and even distrust them and try to ignore them, because they have difficulty distinguishing between emotional reactions and value judgments. This may be a problem area for many ISTPs.
Eh? This is a hard one. I don’t think I can fully agree with this one. I believe Bran is well aware how his behavior affects others, he teases and insults some just to see their reactions, finding it entertaining. I don’t really know about the personal values though… but I guess it could be right. I honestly don’t know. Ignoring feelings … sometimes. He has ignored some of his own problems, like a vast sadness that washed over him during a specific thread, he just was like “yes, well, I should be doing my job and think about that later.” The problem of knowing whether a decision was based on emotions or judgment could be possible, but I am not sure.
An ISTP who is over-stressed may exhibit rash emotional outbursts of anger, or on the other extreme may be overwhelmed by emotions and feelings which they feel compelled to share with people (often inappropriately). An ISTP who is down on themself will foray into the world of value judgments - a place which is not natural for the ISTP - and judge themself by their inability to perform some task. They will then approach the task in a grim emotional state, expecting the worst.
I don’t know either, but I guess not. Though… under stress Bran can become very aggressive and angry when the final drop makes the bucket overflow. He once snapped at Chari –when Bran had just discovered a murder victim- for calling him vile. Bran was on edge the whole time, believing to be followed or watched at first. I listed it in my CS as his inability to withstand insults, but when he actually was insulted far worse in later threads he did get pissed, but not that furious. It would make sense like this. (I’ll maybe change that part in my CS after a while. I’ll do some more experiments first.)
ISTPs are excellent in a crisis situations. They're usually good athletes, and have very good hand-eye coordination. They are good at following through with a project, and tying up loose ends. They usually don't have much trouble with school, because they are introverts who can think logically. They are usually patient individuals, although they may be prone to occasional emotional outbursts due to their inattention to their own feelings.
An athlete is indeed what Brandon is, he is more like an acrobat, but whatever. His hand-eye coordination is excellent, he needs it for picking pockets and such. Following through with a project? Correct, once you hire Bran, he will get the job done eventually, though it may take a while. However, I don’t really think Brandon is that patient. Usually he is not. But when he needs to be he can be very patient, when it is crucial to have patience he probably be it. Outbursts are another matter that could maybe occur, but I don’t really see that happening.
ISTPs have a lot of natural ability which makes them good at many different kinds of things. However, they are happiest when they are centered in action-oriented tasks which require detailed logical analysis and technical skill. They take pride in their ability to take the next correct step.
ISTPs are optimistic, full of good cheer, loyal to their equals, uncomplicated in their desires, generous, trusting and receptive people who want no part in confining commitments.
“Action-oriented tasks which require detailed logical analysis and technical skill” =Larceny. Pride in their ability? Brandon is an arrogant prick, and he takes great pride in his abilities. Optimistic, full of good cheer, loyal to their equals, uncomplicated in their desires? I think so, I am pretty certain that’s true. But generous? *cough* Absolutely *cough cough* No! He is trusting however, due to his naivety no doubt, if given the chance to trust that is. Being a Kelvic, I don’t think he minds commitments, but confining ones would be quite the problem indeed.
Well, that concludes this first post, insight thingy. More are to come when I feel like it!
Credit goes to Ollic
Yes, I lied. Deal with it 
) Thing is, the first thread I ever put up for grading received an intervention instead of grades, and that scarred me pretty bad. Though it was justified, I never got over it and when I got my medal for Nano I really believed I had done something wrong again, only because I saw a blue name that said “Gossamer”. That the title stated “Gossamer has awarded you a medal” was not noticed until I saw the contents of the PM 
For too long. Ehm. I'll get to the point now. 
