Steampunk Archetypes
Those familiar with the steampunk genre should also be familiar with the types of characters you expect to find within the fictional steampunk world. Well, if you aren't familiar with steampunk at all, just know that these characters tend to make up a majority of the world, and without them, there would be no inventions or explosions or general irreverence and progression!
The Airmen
You know the saying "the sky's the limit"? Well, steampunk clearly goes beyond the sky, and even traverses it whenever the occasion calls for it! Whether the fictional technology involves a hot air balloon, a genetically engineered flying whale-zeppelin, or magnetically charged, floating rocks, there will always be someone among the folds geared and ready to fly them. This is where the airman comes in. Just like navigating the seas, the airman navigates the sky, steering clear of dark clouds and occasional ruffians. Airmen include: aviators, the brave and sturdy military flyers, usually the heroes of a tale; and, in contrast, the air-pirates, the bold and the bad, the cur of the skies, as it were.
The Adventure Seekers
Not necessarily skilled in flying, but these are the folk who make it out of their way to seek and explore exciting new places. These explorers or adventurers--or tomb raiders, even--are more than welcome in any story, because they're the ones driving the plot onwards and upwards. For the most part. Adventure seekers come from a wide area of classes, from the bored, overly curious lady to the poor, dreaming urchin, to the ever-moving bounty hunter or archaeologist. Obviously, these characters are not against some risk and a great deal of travel.
You know the saying "the sky's the limit"? Well, steampunk clearly goes beyond the sky, and even traverses it whenever the occasion calls for it! Whether the fictional technology involves a hot air balloon, a genetically engineered flying whale-zeppelin, or magnetically charged, floating rocks, there will always be someone among the folds geared and ready to fly them. This is where the airman comes in. Just like navigating the seas, the airman navigates the sky, steering clear of dark clouds and occasional ruffians. Airmen include: aviators, the brave and sturdy military flyers, usually the heroes of a tale; and, in contrast, the air-pirates, the bold and the bad, the cur of the skies, as it were.
The Adventure Seekers
Not necessarily skilled in flying, but these are the folk who make it out of their way to seek and explore exciting new places. These explorers or adventurers--or tomb raiders, even--are more than welcome in any story, because they're the ones driving the plot onwards and upwards. For the most part. Adventure seekers come from a wide area of classes, from the bored, overly curious lady to the poor, dreaming urchin, to the ever-moving bounty hunter or archaeologist. Obviously, these characters are not against some risk and a great deal of travel.
Femme Fatales and Dandies
These characters don't really need much of an introduction. They're usually the untrustworthy individuals who may or may not be the villains of the story. They tend to use their looks and wit to gain the upper hand in most situations, and if they're very good at what they do, they can probably trick their poor victims more than twice in a row. Without raising as much as a hand. It goes without saying that these women and men are dangerous to cross, even more to employ as romantic interests. Try not to linger too long on their seemingly perfect demeanors or overly-busty corsets...
Reformers and Suffragettes
The steampunk world is not without its political climate, and often you will encounter females--and males--who are set to reform, sometimes even revolutionize the world. Some of them are clamoring to create unions and herald strikes for better pay. Others are clamoring for equality and the right to be heard. After all, what is the Victorian era without its wide array of clubs, unions, and sister suffragettes?
These characters don't really need much of an introduction. They're usually the untrustworthy individuals who may or may not be the villains of the story. They tend to use their looks and wit to gain the upper hand in most situations, and if they're very good at what they do, they can probably trick their poor victims more than twice in a row. Without raising as much as a hand. It goes without saying that these women and men are dangerous to cross, even more to employ as romantic interests. Try not to linger too long on their seemingly perfect demeanors or overly-busty corsets...
Reformers and Suffragettes
The steampunk world is not without its political climate, and often you will encounter females--and males--who are set to reform, sometimes even revolutionize the world. Some of them are clamoring to create unions and herald strikes for better pay. Others are clamoring for equality and the right to be heard. After all, what is the Victorian era without its wide array of clubs, unions, and sister suffragettes?
The Scientists
Exploration and discovery play a major part in steampunk in general. While the adventure seeker goes off into the wild unknown to explore and experience new things, the scientist does not need to venture no further than his work room. That's not saying he or she doesn't go outside to explore, but for the most part, the scientist explores what can be explored by analyzing and experimenting in his/her laboratory. The scientist is a creator in his/her own way and is often the inventor of the gadgets that most steampunk characters use in the story. Scientists are the inventors, girl and boy geniuses. They may occasionally enjoy explosions, and can be thought of as utterly mad, but there's really no denying that they're brilliant.
The Tinkers
Tinkers can be considered scientists, though they do not necessarily have to invent things from scratch to achieve progress in their work. For the most part, they are the mechanics and engineers, the ones who find parts in broken toys and end up not only fixing the toys, but including a customized levitating feature. And they do this just because they can. The tinker can be found in all walks of steampunk life, whether she/he's pounding away at a boiler on an airship, or is an apprentice to a mad scientist, breathing life into automata by giving them the necessary components. Which, by the way, they probably find from scrap metal discarded by inventors.
Exploration and discovery play a major part in steampunk in general. While the adventure seeker goes off into the wild unknown to explore and experience new things, the scientist does not need to venture no further than his work room. That's not saying he or she doesn't go outside to explore, but for the most part, the scientist explores what can be explored by analyzing and experimenting in his/her laboratory. The scientist is a creator in his/her own way and is often the inventor of the gadgets that most steampunk characters use in the story. Scientists are the inventors, girl and boy geniuses. They may occasionally enjoy explosions, and can be thought of as utterly mad, but there's really no denying that they're brilliant.
The Tinkers
Tinkers can be considered scientists, though they do not necessarily have to invent things from scratch to achieve progress in their work. For the most part, they are the mechanics and engineers, the ones who find parts in broken toys and end up not only fixing the toys, but including a customized levitating feature. And they do this just because they can. The tinker can be found in all walks of steampunk life, whether she/he's pounding away at a boiler on an airship, or is an apprentice to a mad scientist, breathing life into automata by giving them the necessary components. Which, by the way, they probably find from scrap metal discarded by inventors.
The Thinkers
Undoubtedly, this group is also a set of brilliant individuals, often the admirers of the old and the arcane, and can find just as much information in a book than a scientist can in an experiment or an adventurer can in a new location. They are not far from their books, and if they must be routed out of their libraries, they are dragging with them tomes of information. Or, perhaps they are the tomes of information. Regardless, these thinkers--the philosophers, the scholars, the wide-eyed readers--may help bring to light an understanding of a situation. Just be careful how you treat books around them. They tend to get touchy on the matter.
The Socialites
It's not about the money, money, money...actually, it very well is. These are the title-wielders, the land-owners, the creme-de-la-creme, the cherries on top. They are aristocracy, and they live in manors and palaces, in noble city estates with country houses on the side. They are the epitome of society, and what is being upheld is in the values of the rich. It is this grand lifestyle which is romanticized in stories, though of course, all is not peachy keen in their department, what with the social intrigue and occasional tea times of excitement. This is not to say that the lady or gentleman must be looked on as snobs; at times they are helpful in funding the adventures and research taken on by the adventurers, airmen, scientists, and scholars. Sometimes, they even partake in the adventures themselves!
Undoubtedly, this group is also a set of brilliant individuals, often the admirers of the old and the arcane, and can find just as much information in a book than a scientist can in an experiment or an adventurer can in a new location. They are not far from their books, and if they must be routed out of their libraries, they are dragging with them tomes of information. Or, perhaps they are the tomes of information. Regardless, these thinkers--the philosophers, the scholars, the wide-eyed readers--may help bring to light an understanding of a situation. Just be careful how you treat books around them. They tend to get touchy on the matter.
The Socialites
It's not about the money, money, money...actually, it very well is. These are the title-wielders, the land-owners, the creme-de-la-creme, the cherries on top. They are aristocracy, and they live in manors and palaces, in noble city estates with country houses on the side. They are the epitome of society, and what is being upheld is in the values of the rich. It is this grand lifestyle which is romanticized in stories, though of course, all is not peachy keen in their department, what with the social intrigue and occasional tea times of excitement. This is not to say that the lady or gentleman must be looked on as snobs; at times they are helpful in funding the adventures and research taken on by the adventurers, airmen, scientists, and scholars. Sometimes, they even partake in the adventures themselves!
World of Invention
Steampunk is never far without its inventions! For some, it's the inventions that make the entire story, and oftentimes enough, these gadgets actually help progress the plot. In any case, here are just a few terms you're likely to encounter in a steampunk story. (I did not include "steam power" because that's a given, and I've already discussed it heftily in previous lessons).
Aether
The fifth element, as it were. The term itself may be a man-made "invention," but it refers to an otherworldly force, something beyond human powers of control. Sometimes the Aether is a place filled with shrouded power, or it contains a domain of magical creatures (steampunk fantasy anyone?). Sometimes the Aether is considered a source of power, much like electricity would be in the modern world.
Automaton
Automaton, automatons, automata...regardless of the term used, these are practically the automated machine, self-operating and elaborate, almost lifelike. These creatures usually have an inventor, often they were the mad scientists or the tinkers, and while they tend to be almost autonomous, there is still a portion of them that needs maintenance, a piece that distinguishes them from human. Steampunk automata tend to be found in various forms: as birds or bugs, as four-legged animals, or wind-up girls and boys, or even as human-like as possible. Many stories can be gotten of the automata, because the subject of their having "free will" always comes to mind as an interesting topic.
Clockwork Technology
Clocks have been a popular steampunk aesthetic since goodness knows when. Never mind that clocks pre-date Victorian era, because the creation of such an ornately fashioned timepiece is a symbol of the handcrafted, do-it-yourself idea. Machines continue on "like clockwork," after all, so it is no surprise that writers tend to use this technology in place of--or linked to--steam power.
The fifth element, as it were. The term itself may be a man-made "invention," but it refers to an otherworldly force, something beyond human powers of control. Sometimes the Aether is a place filled with shrouded power, or it contains a domain of magical creatures (steampunk fantasy anyone?). Sometimes the Aether is considered a source of power, much like electricity would be in the modern world.
Automaton
Automaton, automatons, automata...regardless of the term used, these are practically the automated machine, self-operating and elaborate, almost lifelike. These creatures usually have an inventor, often they were the mad scientists or the tinkers, and while they tend to be almost autonomous, there is still a portion of them that needs maintenance, a piece that distinguishes them from human. Steampunk automata tend to be found in various forms: as birds or bugs, as four-legged animals, or wind-up girls and boys, or even as human-like as possible. Many stories can be gotten of the automata, because the subject of their having "free will" always comes to mind as an interesting topic.
Clockwork Technology
Clocks have been a popular steampunk aesthetic since goodness knows when. Never mind that clocks pre-date Victorian era, because the creation of such an ornately fashioned timepiece is a symbol of the handcrafted, do-it-yourself idea. Machines continue on "like clockwork," after all, so it is no surprise that writers tend to use this technology in place of--or linked to--steam power.
Flying Machines
Who doesn't love a good ole' flying machine? What is an airman to do without one? Back in the Verne and Wells era, flying machines were the things of the future; hot air balloons had been popularized and romanticized, and traveling across the world in one seemed almost too good to be true. It's no surprise then that airships such as dirigibles and zeppelins became a staple in retro-futuristic storytelling. This is not to say that the flying machine must be a blimp or a dirigible. It could very well be styled similarly to a pirate ship, or designed like a whale. Or, perhaps these machines are portable, gliders or detachable wings, powered by aether or steam or, heck, clockwork.
Time Machines
Obviously, time travel is a concept that still escapes us, and H.G. Wells is not the only one writing about adventure across time, whether it be heading towards a futuristic environment or traveling back to meet your younger self (or, well, to meet people in the past that's not yourself if you're scared about time paradoxes...). Now, wouldn't it be great if you can travel through time and relative dimension...in space?
Who doesn't love a good ole' flying machine? What is an airman to do without one? Back in the Verne and Wells era, flying machines were the things of the future; hot air balloons had been popularized and romanticized, and traveling across the world in one seemed almost too good to be true. It's no surprise then that airships such as dirigibles and zeppelins became a staple in retro-futuristic storytelling. This is not to say that the flying machine must be a blimp or a dirigible. It could very well be styled similarly to a pirate ship, or designed like a whale. Or, perhaps these machines are portable, gliders or detachable wings, powered by aether or steam or, heck, clockwork.
Time Machines
Obviously, time travel is a concept that still escapes us, and H.G. Wells is not the only one writing about adventure across time, whether it be heading towards a futuristic environment or traveling back to meet your younger self (or, well, to meet people in the past that's not yourself if you're scared about time paradoxes...). Now, wouldn't it be great if you can travel through time and relative dimension...in space?
Now onto the Assignment!