The Old Compass

Genre: Adventure, Mystery

Lena Harper, an ambitious young archeologist, arrives in a small coastal town to work on a routine excavation project. One day, while visiting a local estate sale, she stumbles across an antique compass, its brass surface worn smooth by time. There’s something peculiar about it—a small inscription etched on the back that seems like a clue to something hidden. Intrigued, Lena buys the compass and begins researching its history. She soon uncovers that it once belonged to a famous explorer who vanished mysteriously over a century ago, rumored to have left behind a treasure.

As Lena digs deeper, she discovers that the compass is not just an artifact but a key. It seems to point to a series of long-forgotten landmarks around the town, locations that no one has visited for years. But Lena isn’t the only one interested in the compass. A local historian, a retired sailor, and a young wanderer, all drawn to the mystery, find themselves at Lena’s doorstep. Though they come from vastly different backgrounds, they decide to join forces, each bringing a unique skill to the table. The historian knows the town's history, the sailor has knowledge of old sea routes, and the wanderer has experience with obscure puzzles and clues.

As the group embarks on their quest to find the hidden treasure, they grow closer, each learning more about the others’ lives. Lena, who started the journey driven by her career ambition, begins to realize that the compass isn’t just guiding them toward gold or riches, but toward deeper connections with one another. Through their shared adventure, the strangers become a family of sorts—bonded by their pursuit of something greater than treasure. The compass, which once symbolized a solitary path to discovery, becomes the symbol of their newfound friendship and unity.

In the end, the treasure they find is not what they expected. Instead of gold, they uncover a letter from the lost explorer, revealing that the true treasure was always the journey itself—the people you meet along the way, and the connections forged in unexpected places.
What is your polt line?

A Turning Point: When Lena uncovers a critical clue that could lead to the treasure’s location, she faces a choice: take full credit for the discovery and secure her future, or share the success with the others and restore the bonds she’s almost broken.

Using the chart below, create a basic outline for two original characters. Use sensory and figurative language in your descriptions.

for character's 1 sheet use Lena Harper
Character’s Name 1

Character’s Name 2

Physical Description 1

Physical Description 2

Age/Occupation 1

Age/Occupation 2

Personality 1

Personality 2

Background Information 1

Background Information 2

5 answers

Character Sheet Outline

Character’s Name 1: Lena Harper
Character’s Name 2: Thomas “Tommy” Reed


Physical Description 1:
Lena stands at a petite 5’4”, with a figure that hints at both strength and resilience. Her sun-kissed skin is complemented by deep chestnut hair that cascades in soft waves, often pulled back in a practical braid. Bright green eyes sparkle with curiosity and determination, framed by delicate lashes. Her attire typically consists of rugged cargo pants and a fitted, button-up shirt, with a worn leather satchel perched on her shoulder, filled with notebooks and tools.

Physical Description 2:
Tommy is tall and lean, with the strong build of someone accustomed to a life at sea. His skin is weathered and tanned, marked by deep lines that speak of countless hours spent under the sun. Unkempt sandy blond hair falls just above his brow, and his sea-blue eyes gleam with mischief and wisdom. He often wears a faded, short-sleeved shirt paired with rugged shorts and sturdy sandals, clinging to an old sailor's cap that he refuses to part with.


Age/Occupation 1:
28 years old / Archeologist

Age/Occupation 2:
34 years old / Retired Sailor


Personality 1:
Ambitious and fiercely driven, Lena harbors a passion for uncovering the past. Beneath her focused exterior lies a compassionate heart, always drawing her toward the stories of others. She is resourceful, often thinking on her feet and ready to solve problems as they arise. However, her single-mindedness can sometimes render her oblivious to the feelings and needs of those around her.

Personality 2:
Tommy embodies a carefree spirit, with a quick wit and a disarming smile that can light up any room. He possesses a wealth of tales from his days at sea, and his laid-back demeanor makes him the go-to for cheers when the group’s morale dips. Despite his easy-going nature, he has a deep well of insight and is introspective when it comes to matters of the heart, often providing a grounding presence amid Lena’s fervor.


Background Information 1:
Growing up amidst books filled with adventures, Lena felt destined to carve her path in archaeology from an early age. Her childhood in a bustling city, often spent in museums and libraries, fueled her fascination with the unknown. She has faced significant challenges, including skepticism from male colleagues, which has only ignited her resolve to prove herself in a male-dominated field. Torn between her ambition and her evolving understanding of relationships, she is on a journey of self-discovery.

Background Information 2:
Tommy spent the better part of his youth sailing the world’s oceans with his father, a master mariner, before settling down in the quaint coastal town. The transition from the vast, open sea to a mundane life on land was a challenge, leading him to embrace storytelling as a way to connect with others. Haunted by his love for adventure, he often lives in the past, sharing tales of his voyages with locals. Tommy’s jovial facade conceals a longing to return to the sea and find purpose beyond healing the wounds of yesterday.


This outline provides a detailed view of Lena and Tommy, capturing their physical characteristics, professions, personalities, and backgrounds, all while weaving in sensory and figurative language to enrich their descriptions.

make everything as short as you can

Character Sheet Outline

Character’s Name 1: Lena Harper
Character’s Name 2: Thomas “Tommy” Reed


Physical Description 1:
Petite (5’4”), sun-kissed skin, chestnut hair in a braid, bright green eyes. Wears cargo pants and a fitted shirt, carries a leather satchel.

Physical Description 2:
Tall and lean, weathered skin, sandy blond hair, sea-blue eyes. Wears a faded shirt, shorts, sturdy sandals, and a sailor's cap.


Age/Occupation 1:
28 years old / Archeologist

Age/Occupation 2:
34 years old / Retired Sailor


Personality 1:
Ambitious and resourceful, compassionate but often oblivious to others’ feelings.

Personality 2:
Carefree and witty, insightful with a grounding presence, enjoys storytelling.


Background Information 1:
Driven by a love for adventure from childhood, faces skepticism in a male-dominated field, on a journey of self-discovery.

Background Information 2:
Grew up sailing, struggles with land life, shares sea tales to connect, longs for adventure beyond the shore.


make their physical descriptions shorter

Character Sheet Outline

Character’s Name 1: Lena Harper
Character’s Name 2: Thomas “Tommy” Reed


Physical Description 1:
Petite (5’4”), sun-kissed skin, chestnut hair in a braid, bright green eyes. Casual explorer attire with a leather satchel.

Physical Description 2:
Tall, lean, weathered skin, sandy blond hair, sea-blue eyes. Wears a faded shirt, shorts, and a sailor's cap.


Age/Occupation 1:
28 years old / Archeologist

Age/Occupation 2:
34 years old / Retired Sailor


Personality 1:
Ambitious, resourceful, and compassionate, but often oblivious to others’ feelings.

Personality 2:
Carefree, witty, insightful, and enjoys storytelling, grounded presence.


Background Information 1:
Driven by adventure, faces skepticism in archaeology, on a journey of self-discovery.

Background Information 2:
Grew up sailing, struggles with land life, shares sea tales, longs for adventure.


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