Story Focused Grittiness

[Torterrable]

Hey guys! It's been a long time since I was active on this site but I've been feeling more and more in the mood for writing plot-based gritty stuff lately. Apologies in advance for the horrid formatting of this post.

I've especially been wanting to revive an old OC of mine, Ezekial Zamthera, summary below.

Zeke: Originally crafted as an old eccentric wizard (inspired by Bumi from Avatar: The Last Airbender), I've taken to playing him in his youthful days, as an emerald-eyed, blond haired man exploring the world. He's at most at home in the fantasy settings I seek, and he's usually had a pretty hard life on the road. Despite being a magical prodigy, his birth and growth as a peasant boy means he's had to self-train, leading to an unstable, emotionally-driven form of magic. Usually I have him on a quest trying to improve himself and his understanding of magic, by heading to a center of civilization to try and enter the lofty, elitist halls of the arcane. Other ideas appreciated though!

I've also come up with some ideas that have failed with other partners but I don't want to relegate to the trash bin just yet. Perhaps you might want to try?

Right-Hand Man: A noblewoman in desperate straits hires a court magician in similarly bad position. Perhaps her husband has just died, or her land is failing, or politics are turning against her. Whatever it is, it is now her and her newly minted amateur archmage against the world, but what a cruel, unforgiving world it is.

Overcity, Undercity: This is more of a science-fiction roleplay, with Zeke playing a different character than he's used to. The bright, modern Overcities floating in the sky run on, with few of their residents knowing that the Undercity that helps keep them running is a place of corruption and mayhem, where magically infected technology is tossed to rust and die, or to rampage until it is slain. Zeke is one of said slayers, a man born in the Undercity, who makes his living disposing of the trash that falls down but isn't quite dead. In the original, my partner played a girl who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, thrown down to the Undercity to be disposed of. If the setting appeals, feel free to shoot me with your own idea!

I've also been very inspired by Darkest Dungeon recently, and would love to discuss something dealing with that kind of setting/set up. Eldritch and Lovecraftian stuff are cool!

Thanks for reading!