All About Forspoken's Reluctant Hero: Frey Holland - Gamezon

Introduction

Heroes come in many different forms, and stepping into the role isn’t an easy decision. Sometimes it’s done out of necessity, while other times, it comes down to a person’s honor and virtue. Sometimes, greed or fanfare can drive such desires. No matter the reasoning, it takes great confidence and courage to take up the mantle, and sometimes finding those attributes is what makes a hero’s journey so interesting.

Frey Holland voiced by Ella BalinskaCharlie’s AngelsForspoken is the story’s lead character. For the most part, Frey is an ordinary young woman, but when she mysteriously gets transported from her home in New York to the magical land of Athia, she has to dig deep to find not only herself but also the strength to save this suffering world from the Break – a malevolent arcane fog which has corrupted people, animals, and the land. For our recent cover story, we chatted with Luminous Productions about how Frey came to life, and she isn’t your typical textbook hero.Keep reading for more information.Learn more about the expectations you can expect to have when she steps into your shoes.

Trouble in the Future

When Luminous Productions set out to create its leading character for Forspoken, the writers were tasked with crafting a flawed and believable character – someone who felt very human. “When we meet [Frey], she isn’t benevolent and worried about others,” says writer Allison Rymer. “She’s been knocked down every which way and is barely scraping by. We get to join her on a path of self-discovery.”

Frey was raised in foster care and spent most of her childhood in New York City. When we’re introduced to her, she’s at a really low point in her life and feels very alone, with only her cat, Homer, at her side for companionship. “Growing up in Hell’s Kitchen has been rough,” says writer Todd Stashwick. “She feels no one has her back. She’s tough and has been running as fast as she can in New York, for her and Homer.”

The scars from her past haven’t faded, and Rymer says her backstory plays greatly into her identity. “For Frey, growing up in the foster system hasn’t been all bad, but it did leave her with a feeling of low self-worth and strong desire to fit in and have a family – which she’s yet to find,” she says.

Frey has no one but Homer to help her make the right decisions. Trailers suggest Frey may soon be in prison. Like any human, she is making her share of mistakes, and many times you won’t see her say or do the right thing. “She’s a good person, but in these desperate times, she has put herself in bad circumstances,” Stashwick explains. “She may have hit a point of no return, physically and emotionally. Frey, at this breaking point, has put herself ‘on trial’ internally, judging her own life and direction. This metaphor is extended to Frey’s story and other situations. So that the hero can rise, she needs to start in a less than heroic place.”

The Fantasy World: Enter Them

The Fantasy World: Enter Here

At her lowest, Frey just wants out of her current life, but Rymer reminds us, “as the old adage goes, be careful what you wish for.” Soon she is mysteriously transported to the fantastical and medieval-looking Athia, where she’s imbued with magical powers, facing off against evil sorceresses and dragons. She’s also unaffected by the Break’s corruption, something she’ll discover the reasoning to as she goes on her journey. Nonetheless, it gives her a special upper hand in saving this world, but she’s not so quick to jump on board with helping. Like Dorothy in The Wizard of OzShe just wants to be home.

Stashwick calls it “a Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” type of story. But even with such a big change of scenery and a lot of turmoil to distract her, Frey can’t escape her problems from New York. Stashwick identifies the conflict between Frey’s grounded modern sensibilities and Athia’s fantasy world. “Frey’s feelings of abandonment and insecurities follow her from New York into Athia,” he says. “So even though there are wonderous landscapes, magic, and dragons, she is processing and meeting it with all of her personal issues. She is acclimating to her new reality and enhanced abilities.”

Frey may have the power to cast magic, but she’s not certain she’s ready to have a whole world’s fate on her shoulders. Nobody ever stuck their neck out for her, so why should she jump to help a group of people she knows nothing about? While there’s something inviting about the beauty of Athia, it’s also downright dangerous and holds plenty of darkness, adding to her uncertainty and desire to leave.

She’s also feeling everything on a much more amplified level in this strange land. “Athia is also a very ‘grounded’ fantasy realm,” Stashwick says. “The conditions are harsh, the human drama and problems are just as real as in New York, even if the circumstances are heightened. Frey is facing more than her personal problems. It’s life or death for a lot of people.”

The Hero We’ve Got

Frey’s journey is a lot about her growing as a hero and conquering her demons. “Frey isn’t totally onboard to be Athia’s knight in shining armor from the get-go,” Rymer says. “For starters, she’s not so sure she wants to do the job or is even capable of it. Second, she would probably agree with some Athians. She begins to get to know the Athians and realizes that it might be worthwhile fighting for them. And with her powers, she might just be their only hope.”

Frey has a lot on her plate and Frey knows she must find a way to survive. Often, humor is her tool against the immense problems. Rymer and Stashwick see humor in people’s ability to deal with stressful situations. To them, it felt truthful to give Frey quips as she contends with the world’s over-the-top moments. “In order to realistically portray a modern woman who has found themselves in such an absurd situation, it was natural that some of her reactions would be humorous,” Stashwick further explains. “To self-consciously avoid anything funny would have been a disservice.”

Rymer is quick to add that while Frey’s humor is one of her weapons against Athia’s darkest days, she can’t use it against everything, and it surely won’t save Athia from peril. “It’s like armor. Humor protects her – keeps her safe from feeling icky emotions. They bounce off. But yeah, when s— gets real … Frey’s weapon is rendered useless. A joke or two can’t protect her anymore – she has to deal with what’s happening head-on, and it won’t be easy.”

Frey may face unexpected adversity. For her conflicts, Stashwick teases: “A Hell’s Kitchen Gang. New York law system. The council of Athia. The bad Tantas. She is self-doubtful. Freaky beasts and a dragon.”

“Frey will also face xenophobia,” Rymer adds. “She is an outsider in Athia. Some people will welcome her, but others, who feel threatened by her, won’t. Frey is also likely to struggle with her insecurity. She’s prone to put up walls and push people away.”

Realizing Reality

Forspoken is a fantasy-reality story. This happens because Frey needs them to coexist in order to live the life she deserves. While casting big magical attacks and leaping through a fairytale-like world should hold much of the excitement, there’s something to be said about watching a character become a different version of themselves.

During our interviews with the writers, it’s clear they’re making a genuine attempt to say something about the human condition. As Rymer says, “Through Frey’s eyes, we wanted to tell a story about humanity. Even in darkest times there is still hope and kindness. And sometimes it takes a little help to see that — sometimes it takes being thrown into a strange new world.”

Homer The Cat

Homer The Cat, The Wonderful, Wonderful Cat

Frey’s cat Homer is her only family, and that love between the two was instantly apparent in trailers. Not only did the pair’s bond pull at viewers’ heartstrings, but Homer quickly stole the spotlight. The writers promised us they’d never let anything happen to Homer, saying her role is much more about the love she brings into Frey’s life.

Frey’s relationship with Homer is really important,” says writer Allison Rymer. “They have an unconditional love. Homer is there for her every step of the way. Frey is a great friend to Homer. Their relationship sets the groundwork for the kind of love and respect that Frey yearns for.”

Writer Todd Stashwick agrees about Homer’s importance, saying: “Homer is the only thing that Frey feels needs her, giving her a small sense of purpose, and to that, she, in turn, needs Homer. Her relationship to Homer actually mirrors bigger, important ideas and themes in the game.”

We asked about Homer’s connection to the famed ancient Greek poet, who composed the “Iliad” and “Odyssey” and if that connection plays into the game’s themes. Stashwick coyly responds: “Frey’s Odyssey begins.”

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