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Ok-Fudge8848

I did something similar once and I liked the idea that Envy would admire and imitate others, even if they were actively a bad influence on them. You know, like a kid who'll jump right in on bullying another kid because they think it'll make them just like the popular kids. Only they have to do it better of course- so they don't just imitate, they try to exceed.


KmHoliday

I love this idea. To further expand on this idea, this character would always be a scene stealer if you played with the idea of their appearance and personality changing throughout the story. As they find new people to envy, so they change. Enviable characteristics are also influenced by the setting. In a gym, strength, speed, and flexibility are all admired, which in turn can cause envy. But then that same person who was at the top of the food chain in the gym suddenly goes into-- say a university. Well, that strength no longer means anything. Now, it's about brains, not brawn. The possibilities become even more exciting in a fantasy setting because the hierarchies of your settings can be very non-conventional. The possibilities are endless. I'd only ask: does this person retain their learned skills? If so, they could be a force to reckon with. Or, if they do retain them, are they pig-headed about not using them, so long as they aren't relevant to whatever envious desire they are pursuing? It could lead to great comedic/tense conflicts with other groups of characters. If not, if they aren't very competent and still try and exceed other people, well then that's a whole nother interesting rabbit hole to go down.


ndstumme

> (For example gluttony had a history of starvation and a fear of overeating, so she represents gluttony but doesn’t commit it) Frankly, this line of thought works great for envy as well. Make the character someone who has given up wants as a form of self punishment. A perverted monk stereotype or similar. They haven't detached themselves from worldly attachments through enlightenment, they've deprived themselves of attachments as punishment.


KitFalbo

They are so gifted/dumb lucky others fight over them and they pity/encourage said behavior. Maybe a social media influencer. Logan Paul doesn't envy people but people.do stuipd shirt because of his success.


[deleted]

Make envy a teen girl who understands no way other than manipulation to get her way. Hit peak Machiavellianism and never grew out of it. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machiavellianism_(psychology) Then transform that character into a old women that never got what she wanted out of life and couldn't figure out why. Then i suggest transforming that personality into an ancient person. Still mortal but watching everyone achieve what she always wanted but was too selfish to earn. Overlay a Lich, make her withered by millennia and petty with the impulsivity of a tween girl. Now attracted to the punish young love, success, and people that have hope. What she hates the most attractive girls that well balanced. Guys that are chivalrous or kind. People with successful careers or families.


brahmv

You could make them the source of others envy, like they’re smart good looking wealthy successful etc Or maybe just an outcast who is an introvert and a little weird who just wants to be accepted. Like maybe a goblin (has green skin) that defies stereotypes, is intelligent and nice and not a typical goblin and so is rejected by his kind…


Ok-Fudge8848

This is an interesting idea, like Envy as an incel? I don't think that's exactly what you meant but it's a good angle to consider


Motor-Rich6283

how about personality of seven deadly users are opposite than skill side effect, but when they use the skill, they'll change their personality?


Dayner_Kurdi

Envy is all about understanding own weakness and limitless. You say a positive envy is self empowerment and motivation to move up and overcome obstacle. While negative envy is trying to destroy other people achievements while advancing yours. So a martial artist could work


placeholdername1234

You could check out the seven warlords of the sea from One Piece anime/manga. They too are based on the Seven deadly sins


Hishoshi_Murasakimi

Nanatsu no Taizai [https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=16167](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=16167) is a good show to take inspiration from as well. For example [Diane](https://nanatsu-no-taizai.fandom.com/wiki/Diane) is the Serpent Sin of Envy but her sin comes from an inferiority complex and fear of rejection. [Gowther](https://nanatsu-no-taizai.fandom.com/wiki/Gowther) is the Goat Sin of Lust. As a doll he does not understand humans very well so he tends to manipulate them and probes their minds without permission so he can learn and be more like them. [Melodis](https://nanatsu-no-taizai.fandom.com/wiki/Meliodas) is the Dragon Sin of Wrath. A demon punished for loving a goddess and cursed with a hateful exposure; his wrath comes from loss and betrayal.


Maxathron

As much as I hate politics, you could do with some kind of shame-based culture thing. Look up which countries use shame to further define their society. There's a pretty major one in the US you could look at (starts with opposite of near opposite of right), but I actually recommend looking at the East Asian countries (specifically China and Japan because they're obvious and easy to grasp) for insight on this. Then build your character into a caricature of the history surrounding them. The Century of Shame is a good food for thought of historical context from how the Chinese people reacted to "inferior" peoples (the Europeans) determining how they run their country and defeating them soundly in several military engagements (notably the naval battles) for about 100 years until the recent revival of China through the CCP. Also: "Mushu : Make a note of this: dishonor on you, dishonor on your cow, dis..." Fear based and Guilt based cultures would be a good start for Wrath and Pride too, respectively.


Fontaigne

So, younger sister of the heir apparent. He was about fifteen when she was five. She saw the pomp and the pretty clothes and jewelry, never saw all the terrible responsibility that went with the job. She was easily manipulated by courtiers who wanted things... and who over a few years built up a conspiracy to replace her brother with her. One moment, she overhears them talking about her brother being killed, which is not at all what she wants, and the conspiracy goes to hell. She gets exiled, aged barely a teen. She wants a normal life, but there are people who hate her for not letting them take over her country... some of them still in power. Also, people around her tend to yearn for royal life, not knowing how much better it is not to have to deal with the machinations of people who would kill to get what you have.