Entry 14: Friends to the Rescue!

I finally got into the sound booth today and recorded all of Maya's dialogue.  Kay Johnson, a current sophomore and Performing Arts major here at SCAD, did the voice over work.  She was really amazing and very eager to do her best, which was really helpful.

I had a bit of a fiasco at first because the people at the Cage (where all of the technological equipment is kept) weren't very helpful at all.  I was told they were supposed to tell me how to set up the sound booth, but when I got there they told me it wasn't their job to be giving me tutorials.  I wish I had just gotten a straight story, but whatever.  I ended up calling my friend TJ because he's a graduate student in the Sound Design major, so he helped me set up the equipment and ProTools session so I could record.  ProTools is actually totally badass and cool, so I'm looking forward to learning even more about it when I use it in my Intro to Sound class next quarter.

Kay had some trouble with stiffness in her dialogue at first, but then Andrew (my brother and the voice of Declan, the main character) got in the sound booth with her so they could actually say lines to each other like they were having a real conversation.  This helped Kay immensely, and she became much more natural almost immediately.  It was a really long day, but I got a lot accomplished.

Entry 13: Act II of the Script

I don't need to preface this much, really.  Just the second act.  I struggled a bit with not revealing too much to the player before I was supposed to.

ACT II, Scene I – Valon’s House

Declan faces Valon.  Inside the house, it is dreary and dark.  There are books lying everywhere and alchemical experiments unfinished or just begun.

VALON

Who are you, that walks into my house unannounced?

DECLAN

Forgive me, sir, but I have a certain problem and I was told you might be able to help.  I’m from the valley below.  My name is Declan.

VALON

Ah, yes, one of the farm people.

DECLAN

No, I’m a mage, like you.

VALON

Hmph.  You don’t seem it.  So, what is this problem of yours?  Cows not producing milk?  No rain to water your crops?

DECLAN

No, nothing like that.  I don’t even own a farm.  It’s my wife.

VALON

Ah, yes.

DECLAN

(confused)

Ah, yes?

VALON

(faltering)

Eh, uh, nothing.  Get to the point now.  Speak.

DECLAN

There’s something wrong, sir.  She’s one of the best mages I’ve known.  But, of late, she’s lost her powers.

VALON

Curious.  That’s a bit of an inconvenience, isn’t it?  Any other symptoms?

DECLAN

Not that I can tell.  She says she’s been losing her abilities for a few weeks now.  It started slowly, but now she’s lost her powers completely.  She’s very sick.

VALON

What makes you think she is sick?

DECLAN

What mage just loses their powers?  After years of dedicated study?  Unless the Order stripped her of them, that seems to be the only other explanation.

VALON

And you think Maya is above reproach?  The Order would never have a reason to do something of the sort?

DECLAN

Never.  She has always abided by the law.  Wait—did you say Maya?  How do you know my wife’s name?

VALON

I have heard of her.

DECLAN

(incredulous)

From whom?

VALON

I have dedicated my life to the study of magic that repairs broken bones, seals wounds, and sucks the plague from blood.  There are many from your town, and neighboring towns, who seek my aid.  It is not unusual for someone to have mentioned her, or you, you know.

DECLAN

No, I suppose not.  Does her illness sound familiar to you?

VALON

(ominous)

Oh yes, very.

DECLAN

Good!  You can tell me what it is, and I can set this straight.

VALON

Do not worry yourself with your wife.  Leave this matter be.

DECLAN

What?  No.  I haven’t come all this way to be dismissed.  You will tell me.

VALON

(sighs)

If you insist.  Your wife has contracted a disease.  A disease which attacks the very gene that allows us to use magic.  It is biological, see?

DECLAN

Is it—permanent?

VALON

Well, yes.  If it goes untreated.

DECLAN

So there’s a cure?

VALON

I know the cure, and only I know the cure.  But it takes a very long time to make.

DECLAN

You said she contracted the disease.  What do you mean by that?

VALON

It was given to her, from someone else.  A miserable gift, wouldn’t you say?

DECLAN

Did someone do something to her?  Hurt her?

VALON

No, sir, I’d say she rather enjoyed it.

DECLAN

Enjoyed it?

VALON

Oh dear me.  I didn’t want to have to put you through this, but—this disease is contracted through… intimacies, you see?  The act.

DECLAN

(angrily)

What are you implying?

VALON

I imply nothing, sir.  I have said it simply.  Your wife has contracted this disease through fornication.  Copulation.  A pairing with another.  And I certainly think she wouldn’t have gotten it from you, since you are the one who has sought me.

DECLAN

No.  No.  She couldn’t have.  That’s not Maya.

VALON

Perhaps your lovely lady is not as irreproachable as you thought, eh?  In any case, I suppose you’ll be wanting that cure.

DECLAN

(a) Yes.  I suppose I still do.

(b) I don’t know now.  If what you say is true, I don’t know if she deserves it.

(c)  What?  Absolutely not.  If she has betrayed me then she deserves my help no longer.

VALON (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)

Right, then I’ll begin immediately.

VALON (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B OR C)

Well, I shall begin anyway, in the event that you change your mind, hm?

DECLAN

Fine.  I’m going to talk to her.  (ends conversation)

BEAT

Act II, Scene II – The Mountains

DECLAN V.O.

Maya.  How could you do this to me?  I want to believe that you didn’t.  I want to.  But why would this man lie to me?  To think of you with another man— I can’t.  It can’t be true.  I have placed so much trust in you, to think that I’ve been blind, that I’ve placed it wrongly…I can only hope I haven’t.  We shall see…

BEAT

Act II, Scene III – Declan’s House

MAYA

My love, have you come with news?  Good news, I hope?

DECLAN

Good.  And bad.  There is a cure.

MAYA

Oh that’s wonderful!  And the bad news?

DECLAN

The man, Valon… he told me a very disturbing thing.  He told me you have contracted this disease from—I can’t say it.

MAYA

From what, Declan?  I must know.

  

                                                                                        DECLAN                        

                                                                              (a)  Another man.

(b)  You do know Maya.  You’ve been hiding it all along.

(c) Don’t play coy with me.  I know what you’ve been doing.

MAYA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)

What on earth are you talking about?  What man?

MAYA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B OR C)

I don’t understand.  What are you blaming me for?

DECLAN

(a) Valon said you’ve contracted this from sleeping with another man.

(b)  Who is he?  With whom do you betray me?  Speak!

(c) I know that you’ve been with another man while I’m away.  Laughing at my expense, I presume?  Then joining me in the war as if you’re concerned for my well-being.

MAYA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A, B, OR C)

What?  Declan, this is absolutely outrageous!

DECLAN

(a) I want to believe you.  Please, for the sake of my sanity, tell me something that makes it true.

(b) Just tell me why?  Why did you?

MAYA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A OR B)

I love you too much.  It is not in my capacity to hurt you.  I would never do something like this.

DECLAN

(a) Wouldn’t you?  You have always been faithful, Maya, but there is no other reason for your illness.  Only if the Order had taken your powers, and we know this is not so.

(b) I cannot believe you.  I will not.  Was it Richard?  You two have always been so close.

MAYA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A OR B)

(sobbing)

Declan, please, don’t make me say.

DECLAN

What, tell me now!

MAYA

I had my reasons!  I had them Declan, please believe me.  You say I have always been faithful, so believe it!  I was only being faithful!

DECLAN

(a) Maya, I cannot know your reasons.  I cannot imagine them.  What on this earth would spur you to do such a thing?

(b) Who you were with is besides the point, really.  He can rot for all I care, but this will not go unpunished.

MAYA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A OR B)

Please, don’t trust Valon, he’s a horrible man.  He is lying to hurt you, to hurt us!

DECLAN

(a) He has offered to help.  I see nothing wrong in that.

(b)  End your lies!  I have heard enough of them!

MAYA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A OR B)

Declan, you must find out if you’ve gotten this disease, but not from Valon.  I know we have lain together since my illness started.  I don’t want the same to happen to you.

DECLAN

(a) Fine, I will see, but not for your sake.  And I will go to Valon, he is already making the cure. (ends conversation)

(b) Spare me your sympathies woman!  Valon is easier trusted than you!

MAYA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)

Declan, please forgive me.

DECLAN

(a) I don’t know if I ever can.  But I’m leaving now. (ends conversation)

(b) To think of you, looking at him in a way you should have only ever looked at me—I will make you regret what you’ve done! (attacks Maya)

BEAT

Act II, Scene IV – Town

DECLAN V.O.

I must visit Valon again.  I will not fall to the same illness as her.  I will not suffer for her betrayal.

END

Entry 12: Act I of the Script, Revised

As I was creating the actual environment in the tool set, and learning about waypoints and transitions between areas, it was obvious there were some things I really needed to change in the script.  So I revised Act I.  I'm glad I learned what I did before I wrote the entire script.  It would have been a major time sink to go back and edit all three acts.  So, in it's revised glory, here's Act I, again.

Act I, Scene I – Warfield

Declan is on a warfield.  The sun is setting and the sky is streaked with red clouds.  There are dead bodies strewn everywhere.  He turns to see his wife, fighting by his side.

(DECLAN  V.O.)

We were commanded to fight and given no reason.  I told my wife not to come, but she said she’d never leave me to die by myself, soaked with the blood of men from foreign lands.  Her powers are waning and yet she stands by my side.  Still, I’m glad of it.  She’s already saved my life…more times than I care to count.

MAYA

Declan, are you all right?

DECLAN

Quite alright, Maya, thanks to you.  If you weren’t here today, I’d be dead ten times over.

MAYA

There’s no need for thanks, I’d do anything for you.  You must be exhausted.  Are you ready to go?

DECLAN

(a)    Yes, let’s go home. (ends conversation, sends to Declan’s House)

(b)   Not quite yet.  I’d like to explore the enemy’s cache first. (ends conversation)

BEAT

Act I, Scene II – Declan’s House

MAYA

How are your wounds healing?

DECLAN

They’re fine.  I’m more worried for you.  Why are your powers failing?

MAYA

I don’t know.  I’m a mage.  This is my livelihood.  Without them, I’m useless.  At first it was just exhausting to cast, but I can’t even do that anymore.

DECLAN

You shouldn’t have followed me to war.

MAYA

(lovingly)

What can I say?  I’m stubborn, I refuse to leave you.

DECLAN

Yes, and now I have to leave you.  I’m going to find a cure, Maya.

MAYA

Leave me?  I’m going with you.

DECLAN

(a) The townspeople already resent us, and their dependency upon us.  If they knew you were powerless, there might be an uprising.

(b) Absolutely not, it’s too dangerous.  You’re staying here.

MAYA (IF A OR B)

(reluctantly)

I suppose you’re right.  I hate to let you go alone, but I’m a liability aren’t I?

DECLAN

A liability?  No, you’re my wife.  Bar the door when I leave, and open it only for me.

MAYA

Alright.  Richard might be able to help, be sure to go see him.  And please, be careful.

DECLAN

I love you.  I’ll return when I know more.

BEAT

Act I, Scene III – Town

Declan walks into town.  It is quiet and sunny, yet there is an undertone of tension.  Townspeople are busy going about their day, and pass by Declan with only cold regard.

(DECLAN V.O.)

I can only imagine what it must be like for Maya to lose her powers.  She must feel obsolete, like a priest who’s lost his faith, or a warrior succumbing to the infirmities of old age.  She has always been faithful.  I won’t allow her to fall.  Not like this.

                BEAT

FALK THE BUTCHER’S HOUSE

FALK

(brusquely)

Eh, what do you want?

DECLAN

(a) Sorry to bother you, but I have a problem.

(b) Cheerful, aren’t you?  I’ve got some questions.

(c) I can see I’m not wanted here.  I’ll leave.

FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)

So?  What about it?

FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)

Snarky, aren’t you?  That won’t make me want to help you.

FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES C)

Good.  I don’t sell to your kind anyway. (end conversation)

DECLAN

(a) Have you heard of anything strange lately?  Any strange illnesses?

(b) I know someone who’s very sick, and I need help.

FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)

Erm…no, not so much.

FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)

What do you think I can do for you?

DECLAN

(a) I just need to know who I can talk to.

(b)  You’re not going to be very useful to me, are you?

(c) I’m wasting my time here, goodbye. (end conversation)

FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)

I don’t know anything, and you’re botherin’ me, so leave. (end conversation)

FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)

Smart comments like that will get you in trouble.  Hey, aren’t you the mage that killed all the crops?

DECLAN

(a) I was trying to help them grow, but the farmers didn’t follow my directions, so their crops died.

(b) Yes, I am.  What of it? 

(c)  I’ll be going now. (end conversation)

FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A OR B)

My sister is a farmer.  Her youngest son starved to death because of your foolishness!

DECLAN

(a) I’m very sorry, truly.  But I was only trying to help.

(b) If your sister were more intelligent, I’m sure that could have been avoided.

FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)

Save your apologies!  It won’t bring my nephew back! (attacks player)

FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)

You’ll pay for what you did, you bastard! (attacks player)

BEAT

ALESSIA’S INN & BROTHEL

ALESSIA

Good day to you sir, lookin’ for a bit of strange? 

DECLAN

Strange?  No, I’m here because of my wife.

ALESSIA

Ah, a gambling debt what needs to be paid off?  I’ve got room for your wife to make some money.

DECLAN

No, no, I don’t want my wife working here.

ALESSIA

Well, sir, you don’t got to be so condescending.

DECLAN

Sorry, I’m not trying to be, it’s just that my wife is very sick, and I need help.

ALESSIA

You’re looking for help here?  Well, who’s your wife?

DECLAN

Maya is my wife.

ALESSIA

Yes, sweet girl, she and I see each other at the market all the time.  She’s sick?

DECLAN

(a) Please, if you’re a friend of hers, keep this quiet.  Has anyone in town been ill lately?

(b) Yes, and if you tell anyone I’ll cut out your tongue.

ALESSIA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)

I’ll keep me lips sealed shut.  But I haven’t heard of anyone bein’ sick.  Just a few starvin’ after the crops went bad.  Lucky they brought in wheat from the next valley over.

ALESSIA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)

Hold your threats, sir!  I would never to do harm to Maya.  Maybe she’s sick because of your sour attitude.

DECLAN

(a) I must admit I’m dismayed you don’t know more.

(b) Do you have anything to tell me that might actually be helpful?

ALESSIA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A OR B)

Have you talked to Richard?  I see her walk past the inn every week on the way to his house.  If he’s sick as well, then perhaps there’s a common factor…

DECLAN

Richard, yes.  They’re old friends.  They studied magic together when they were young.

ALESSIA

(jesting)

I imagine they’ve been doing a bit more than studying, eh? Heh.

DECLAN

What do you mean?

ALESSIA

Oh nothing, nothing.  Look sir, all’s I can say is, Richard might know something, might know what your wife was doing before she left to join you in the war.

DECLAN

Right, thanks.  Goodbye. (end conversation)

BEAT

RICHARD’S HOUSE

RICHARD

Declan, so good to see you alive and well!  Was the war exciting?

DECLAN

Exciting?  No.  I will never be excited to spill another man’s blood.

RICHARD

(tsks)

Oh, Declan, forgive me for offending.  I’ve just been cooped up in the house in the last few weeks, what with Maya being gone.  There’s nothing to do around here!

DECLAN

Agreed!  And that brings me to my point, actually.  There’s something terribly wrong with Maya.

RICHARD

Oh dear, well what’s the matter?

DECLAN

I know I don’t have to worry about you saying anything to anyone else. 

RICHARD

No, no, of course not.  I love Maya, I would never do anything to bring danger to her.

DECLAN

Right…well…Maya is losing her powers.  Her ability to cast has been declining steadily in recent weeks, and now it is so exhausting for her, she cannot even summon her energy.  I don’t know what to do.

RICHARD

(frantically)

Declan, this is a crisis!  This is horrible!  An epidemic!

DECLAN

(a) Epidemic?

(b) Please, calm down, you’re making me nervous.

RICHARD (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)

My cousin visited recently, and has suffered the same thing.  But none of us know what it is.  I’ve kept it private, to shield her from rebellious peasants.

RICHARD (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)

I’m just worried for sweet Maya.  She’s not the first person to experience this.  I’ve a cousin who visited a month ago.  She’s having the same problems.

DECLAN

This is odd indeed.  What was Maya doing before she joined me in the war?  Perhaps there’s some cause there.

RICHARD

She spent her days here.  There’s nothing else for intellectuals like Maya and myself to do in this town but sit and talk. 

DECLAN

What did you talk about?

RICHARD

She talked about you, mostly, and wondered if you were alive.

DECLAN

(suspiciously)

And you said your cousin visited recently, too, eh?

RICHARD

She visits rather frequently, actually.  Are you alright, Declan?

DECLAN

I just find it odd.  Both of these women visited you in the past month, and they are experiencing the same problem.

RICHARD

Surely you can’t think—Declan, I assure you, I’ve done nothing to either of them!  I love Maya as well as my cousin!

DECLAN

(a) It’s strange, is all I’m saying.

(b) Her livelihood depends on your honesty.  If you really care for her, you’ll tell me if you’re hiding something.

(c) Stop saying you love her!  I love her!  And whatever this sickness is, you’re beginning to look like the culprit!

RICHARD (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A OR B)

Declan, please, believe me.  Maya is my oldest friend.  Hurting her would be inconceivable.

RICHARD (IF PLAYER CHOOSES C)

Surely you can’t mean that!  Have you gone mad?  I’m her best friend!

DECLAN

(a) I suppose you at least deserve the benefit of the doubt, until I find out more.  So what more can you tell me?

(b) What evidence do you have that you’re not involved? 

RICHARD (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A OR B)

I don’t know the cause.  But I know a man who may know the cure.  He’s a mage, like us.  He specializes in medicinal magic.  He lives high on the mountainside to the north.  He keeps to himself.  I think his name is Valon.

DECLAN

(a) Then I’ll visit Valon.  I suppose he can be trusted, otherwise you wouldn’t direct me to him. (end conversation)

(b) Better, but not enough.  I will see Valon, but you’ve failed in convincing me that you have nothing to do with this.

RICHARD (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)

Please, I don’t know what else I can tell you, except that I have been a loyal friend to Maya for years.

DECLAN

(a) That does not absolve you, but I’m wasting my time here.  Don’t go near Maya. (end conversation)

(b) Friend?  You call her pet names and spend all of your time together while I’m away.  No, you’re no friend.

RICHARD (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)

(frightened)

Declan, what are you going to do?

DECLAN

(a) I forbid you to speak to my wife until this situation has been resolved.  And may the gods rain Hell upon you if you go against me. (end conversation)

(b) Make sure that you never see my wife, or anyone for that matter, again. (player attacks Richard)

END

Entry 11: MORE Voice Actors

I'm really excited because I found all of my voice actors except one. I still need to find someone to voice the medic-mage. Who still doesn't have a name...ahem... anyway, my brother will be voicing Declan, the main character. A girl named Kristen Johnson from my short story class will be voicing the wife, and possibly the bar wench, although I may have found another girl, Rachel, to voice the bar wench. My professor, Jack Mamais, will be voicing the disgruntled butcher, and Harald will be voicing Maya's best friend, who I've been calling Richard and Robert. That leaves the mage. ZOUNDS! On a lighter note, the man who coined that phrase, and also the man I'm going to be taking a class on next quarter:

Entry 10: Act I of the Script

I've written almost all of Act I of the script. I searched and searched for an awesome template that had a dialogue tree format, where I could just input the information and it would organize it for me. Alas, I found no such thing, not for free anyway. I'm modeling my script after the scripts in my text book for my Narrative Content class, Creating Emotion in Games by David Freeman.


Act I, Scene I – Warfield
Declan is on a warfield. The sun is setting and the sky is streaked with red clouds. There are dead bodies strewn everywhere. He turns to see his wife, fighting by his side.

(DECLAN V.O.)
We were commanded to fight and given no reason. I told my wife not to come, but she said she’d never leave me to die by myself, soaked with the blood of men from foreign lands. Her powers are waning and yet she stands by my side. Still, I’m glad of it. She’s already saved my life today…more times than I care to count.

BEAT

Act I, Scene II – Declan’s House

MAYA
Darling, how are your wounds healing?

DECLAN
They’re fine. I’m more worried for you, Maya. Why are your powers failing?

MAYA
I don’t know. I’m a mage. This is my livelihood, Declan. Without them, I… it takes so much energy to cast now, I’m exhausted afterwards.

DECLAN
You shouldn’t have followed me to war.

MAYA
(lovingly)
What can I say? I’m stubborn, I refuse to leave you, husband.

DECLAN
Yes, and now I must leave you. I’m going to find a cure, Maya.

MAYA
Leave me? I’m going with you.

DECLAN
(a) The townspeople already resent us, and their dependency upon us. If they knew you were powerless, there might be an uprising.
(b) Absolutely not, it’s too dangerous. You’re staying here.

MAYA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A OR B)
(reluctantly)
I suppose you’re right. I hate that you must go alone, but I’m a liability aren’t I?

DECLAN
A liability? No, you’re my wife. Bar the door when I leave, and open it only for me.

MAYA
Alright. Richard might be able to help, be sure to go see him. And please, be careful.


DECLAN
I love you. I’ll return when I know more.

BEAT

Act I, Scene III – Town

Declan walks into town. It is quiet and sunny, yet there is an undertone of tension. Townspeople are busy going about their day, and pass by Declan with only cold regard.

(DECLAN V.O.)
I can only imagine what it must be like for Maya to lose her powers. Obsolete, like a priest who’s lost his faith, or a warrior succumbing to the infirmities of old age. She has always been faithful. I won’t allow her to fall. Not like this.

BEAT

NPC HOUSE 1

NPC 1 (MALE)
(brusquely)
Eh, what do you want?

DECLAN
(a) Sorry to bother you, but I have a problem.
(b) Cheerful, aren’t you? I’ve got some questions.
(c) I can see I’m not wanted here. I’ll leave.

NPC 1 (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)
So? What about it?

NPC 1 (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)
Snarky, aren’t you? That won’t make me want to help you.

NPC 1 (IF PLAYER CHOOSES C)
Good. I don’t sell to your kind anyway. (end conversation)

DECLAN
(a) Have you heard of anything strange lately? Any strange illnesses?
(b) I know someone who’s very sick, and I need help.

NPC 1 (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)
Erm…no, not so much.

NPC 1 (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)
What do you think I can do for you?

DECLAN
(a) I just need to know who I can talk to.
(b) You’re not going to be very useful to me, are you?
(c) I’m wasting my time here, goodbye. (end conversation)

NPC 1 (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)
I don’t know anything, and you’re botherin’ me, so leave. (end conversation)

NPC 1 (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)
Smart comments like that will get you in trouble. Say, aren’t you the sorcerer that killed all the crops with that ill-advised spell?

DECLAN
(a) I was trying to help, but the farmers didn’t follow my directions, so their crops died.
(b) Yes, I am. What of it?
(c) I’ll be going now. (end conversation)

NPC 1 (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A OR B)
My sister is a farmer. Her youngest son starved to death because of your foolishness!

DECLAN
(a) I’m very sorry, truly. But I was only trying to help.
(b) If your sister were more intelligent, I’m sure that could have been avoided.

NPC 1 (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)
Save your apologies! It won’t bring my nephew back! (attacks player)

NPC 1 (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)
You’ll pay for what you did, you bastard! (attacks player)

Entry 9: Names and Voice Actors

Currently, I'm trying to decide on names for my main character, his wife, and the rest of the NPCs.  I'm also trying to find voice actors.  NWN has sort of an old English culture, or more broad... old European? Either way, I'm trying to find appropriate names for the world setting; I'm using this site and this site. The girl that I'm hoping to have voice act the wife is African American, so I'm going to have to account for the fact that her voice is a bit lower and has a raspier quality than the typical white female.  I will probably end up making the wife's character be of a darker ethnicity so the voice matches.  Here are the name choices so far:

Main Character:
Aidan (little fire in Gaelic)
Braedan (broad/wide in English, salmon/son of salmon in Gaelic...wtf?)
Caelan (slender in Gaelic)
Declan (full of goodness in Gaelic)
Hadyn (heathen in German, not sure this meaning is appropriate for his character)
Eben  (stone of help/foundation stone in Hebrew)

Wife:
Nulani (can't find the meaning, was the name of my friend in 5th grade)
Maya (means illusion in Sanskrit)
Amala (means pure in Sanskrit, which I particularly like because of her infidelity)

Medic Mage:
Achan (to besmirch/change in a negative manner in Aramaic, could be a last name)
Shamir (a sharp thorn in Aramaic)
Yanai ( he will answer in Aramaic)
Besian (loyal, faithful in Albanian, this and the next would just be ironic)
Besnik (loyal, faithful in Albanian)
Liridon (longing for freedom in Albanian)
Valon (seething in Albanian, I really like this one)

Friend (of wife):
Richard (I know it's so normal but I keep coming back to it)
Kireg (benevolence in Breton)
Maden (good in Breton)
Winoc (meaning unknown, Breton)

Those are the most important characters.  There are also 3 other NPCs, 2 males and 1 female.  One of them I know for sure is a butcher, so he will probably be named "Insert Name" the Butcher.  Creative, yeah?  As far as voice actors, my brother, who has a Masters in Performing Arts, will be voice acting the main character, and I've been trying to scrounge up other voice actors from the Performing Arts major at SCAD.  We'll see how it turns out...