For Monday’s Behind The Scenes I give to you the Profile of Terra Graves! Ever since my Uncle Michael gave me my first comic book when I was a kid I’ve loved the superhero genre.
Not just the mainstay line of X-men, Avengers, or Alpha Flight, but also their once-a-year Annual where you could find all the details about your favorite characters. Everything from eye color and height to their history, powers and skills.
I thought why couldn’t my own characters have the same. So, here’s an excerpt of my World Beneath Bible inspired by the Marvel Universe Handbook!
Character Profile: Terra Graves
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA
• Real name: Terra Elizabeth Graves
• Age: 30
• Occupation: Mambo
• Identity: Secret
• Other Aliases: T
• Legal Status: Citizen of the United States with no known criminal record
• Place of Birth: Springfield, Missouri
• Marital Status: Single
• Known living relatives: Joseph and Sarah Graves (parents)
• Known allies: Piper Reynolds, Peregrine Harper, Reynaud Dubois, Granny Sticks (spirit of her great-grandma)
• Hounsi:
o Amara (19) — University student, Black, straightened hair, innocent, kind, fair-minded.
o Tony (19) — University student, white, shaggy curls, jock, golden retriever energy.
o Claire Thibeaux (40s) — Single nurse’s aide, tender, big heart, cares for elderly mother Nancy.
o Ralph Shaw (60s) — Retired teacher, part-time bagger, heavy set.
o Felix Snyder (40s) — Postal worker, heavy set, soft-spoken but prickly; best friends with Gloria.
o Gloria Grant (40s) — Postal worker, dark hair; sister owns a cabin.
o Nia (18) — University student, Black, barista, prospective hounsi; bright-eyed, eclectic.
• Group Affiliation: Head of her own Vodou congregation in Milwaukee; Former member of the Jacmel Solar Lodge
• Base of Operations: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 150 lbs
• Eyes: Brown
• Hair: Black braids
• Heritage: Black
• Sexual Orientation: Straight
• Race: Human
• Appearance: Terra has the presence of someone who’s endured fire and still walks unburned. Her deep brown skin holds a golden undertone; her long black braids often tied back with charms. Brown eyes are sharp and unflinching. Tall in height, grounded build, unapologetically solid. Clothing blends practicality and ritual: wrapped blouses, layered skirts with charm-belts, weathered boots. Scent of sandalwood, vetiver, storm-soaked earth clings to her.
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PERSONALITY
• Fiercely intelligent and resilient
• Grounded in ritual, intuition, and lived experience
• Aloof exterior masks empathy
• Pragmatic, sharp-tongued when challenged
• Protector and leader; empathetic but unflinching
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ABILITIES
Intelligence: Terra possesses the superior intelligence of a woman her age with a university education.
Strength: Terra possesses the average strength of a woman her age, height and build who engages in regular exercise.
Reflexes: Terra possesses the average reflexes of a woman her age, height and build who engages in regular exercise.
Fighting skills: Terra possesses the modest fighting skills of a woman taught self-defense and how to throw a punch by her father.
Supernatural
• Sphere: Divine
• Station: Mambo
• Path Access:
o Path of the Spirit (Calling Path): Channeling and petitioning Lwa.
• Met-tet (Master of Head): Ayida-Wedo
• Abilities via Ayida-Wedo:
o Manipulation of light: brightness, blasts, holograms, invisibility
o Connection and tracking abilities
• Other Ritual Abilities:
o Can call upon other Lwa during ceremony for boons (granted at Lwa’s discretion).
Strengths: Resilient, deeply rooted in ritual, effective leader, culturally knowledgeable.
Weaknesses: Ritual work is emotionally and physically draining; prolonged use of power requires recovery.
Mundane Talents:
• Herbalism & Apothecary Knowledge — Recognizes herbs, creates tinctures, remedies, salves.
• Cultural Scholar & Educator — Documents Vodou oral histories; public speaking, mentorship.
• Skilled Craftswoman — Makes ritual tools and protective charms.
• Percussion & Chant — Strong in call-and-response, resonant voice.
• Conflict De-escalation & Leadership — Mediator, trusted decision-maker.
• Household Repair & Self-Sufficiency — Practical, hands-on; can fix, build, and maintain.
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PARAPHERNALIA
• Weapons: Asson (sacred rattle crafted during her initiation in Haiti)
• Tools: Pot-tet (head pot), ritual instruments (Maman, Segon, Boula drums)
• Clothing: Practical but ritualistic; layers with charms, ritual jewelry, protective belts
• Other Accessories: Jessica, a custom leather jacket with concealed pocket for the Asson
• Transportation: “Queen,” a ’62 purple Chevy Impala (bought for its resonance with Queen Latifah’s Set it Off car)
• Companion: Granny Sticks (ancestral spirit guide)
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KNOWN CONTACTS
• Piper Reynolds — Ally, fellow practitioner.
• Peregrine Harper — Ally with ties to The Spot.
• Reynaud Dubois — Ally, ritual drummer, confidant.
• Granny Sticks — Spirit of her great-grandmother, ancestral guide.
• Amara — Hounsi, university student.
• Tony — Hounsi, university student.
• Claire Thibeaux — Hounsi, nurse’s aide.
• Ralph Shaw — Hounsi, retired teacher.
• Felix Snyder — Hounsi, postal worker.
• Gloria Grant — Hounsi, postal worker.
• Nia — Prospective hounsi, student, barista.
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HISTORY
EARLY LIFE
• Birthplace: Springfield, Missouri, born under stormy skies.
• Family Background: Daughter of Joseph and Sarah Graves. Mother line connected to Vodou traditions; father a stern, practical man.
• Childhood Traits: Clever, resilient, curious. Learned practical repairs and survival skills early.
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ADOLESCENCE
• Supernatural Awakening: At 14, began receiving dreams and omens tied to Ayida-Wedo. Confirmed calling during a storm ritual.
• Training: Taken under wing of Jacmel Solar Lodge in Haiti during her late teens, formal initiation as mambo.
• Sexual Identity & Community: Straight; found grounding among Vodou communities both in Haiti and Milwaukee.
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ADULTHOOD & CAREER
• Specialization: Vodou mambo, focused on Ayida-Wedo’s light and connection aspects. Ritual leader, healer, protector.
• Nickname Origins:
o “T” — shorthand used by close friends and hounsi.
• Relationships: Romantic entanglements fleeting; strongest attachments are spiritual and communal.
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I love this idea of character profiles! This could be an entire book on its own really.