Way back in high school, circa 2000, I created a character based on a commonly used emoticon in the chat room I frequented. The character was called Sies (pronounced ‘SEES’ as in ‘ she SEES you’, If you can’t tell already, his emoticon is :D (a big smile). There was something appealing about the simplicity of Sies, so I created more characters based on other emoticons. The characters were divided into two distinct groups, the Happies and the Angries. Minor characters were also developed, but by this time the trend was starting to die off. The rest of this post will discuss the various Happies and Angries.
Erty the Happy is happy like Sies but taken to such an extreme that it sometimes can be a problem. In his possession is the Happy Wand, an artifact that radiates pure joy. The Angries are constantly plotting ways to steal the wand and hide or destroy it. If not for the watchful eye of Pootems, such a dastardly deed would have already transpired. Erty’s happiness is best utilized rejuvenating the lands after they have been blighted by the Angries. In times of peace, his happiness can be a liability because it becomes over-abundant and out of control. The emoticon of Erty is also :D.
Pootems the Judgemental is the keeper of the sacred word that makes the enemies of the Happies cry. Although he is ranked among the Happies, Pootems is nonetheless very serious and judgmental. He is the judge and punisher of the Angries. Diminutive in stature, Pootems is nonetheless one of the most powerful beings in the realm in both strength and cleverness. For this reason, Pootems is the adviser of the Happies. Pootem’s emoticon is :o.
Flambytoes the Adventurous was originally a minor character and not part of the Happies. However, he became a very popular character due to his shape, emoticon, and nifty rocket feet. Thus Flambytoes came to be part of the Happies. Flambytoes is the fastest character. He is also the only character with the ability to fly and is often seen as a messenger of the Happies, conveying their messages to others and reporting back news of the realm. Of all the Happies, Flambytoes is the most faithful in his service to Sies. The emoticon of Flambytoes is ^_^.
Mooflor the Scary is small like Pootems and almost as powerful and clever. He might be considered the leader of the Angries due to his propensity to cause unhappiness. Mooflor’s favorite hobby is to hide along commonly-traveled roads and jump out to scare people as they pass by. When not scaring people, Mooflor plots mischief against the Happies, such as stealing Erty’s Happy Wand. His emoticon is >:€.
Ukhed the Angry is the largest being in the realm and also the most angry. Fortunately he is also quite lethargic and seldom acts on his anger. Instead Ukhed broods in his cave and curses others for behaving in ways that he feels are an affront to him. Ukhed is dim-witted and selfish, only doing things that he thinks will please himself. None of these things turn out to bring Ukhed much pleasure though and, in the end, he finds himself back in his cave blaming others because he is not happy. When Ukhed is motivated enough to join Mooflor’s cause, he can be a powerful ally and their mischief-making usually is successful for a time. Ukhed’s emoticon is >:[.
Borchax the Mysterious is the least seen and least understood of the characters. Some might count him among the Angries because of his inherent creepiness and love of dark places. Really though, Borchax is neither angry or happy because he is too mysterious to be pinned down. He is the manifestation of risk, gambling, chance, and the double-slit experiment. Borchax tends to show up when he is least expected and his appearance causes profound changes in any story, though always indirectly and never because of anything he has purposefully done. His emoticon is 8E.
The Boogar Chronicles 