NPC:Ian
From: The Gaiapedia, the community encyclopedia about Gaia Online
Damian "Ian" Von Helson is one of the main characters in Gaia's storyline. He was first introduced in 2003, as the owner of the Barton Boutique.
Contents |
[edit] Background
Ian is the man who runs Barton Boutique with his talking cat, Rufus. He was one of the first NPCs to appear on Gaia, and one of the most controversial.
Ian originally appeared to be a mild-mannered average guy, and somewhat poor, though without complaint. With the introduction of NPCs from Gambino and Durem, it was revealed that Ian is viewed as kind of a loser by the other NPCs. As the plot line progressed, Ian's personality became more distinct, allowing Gaians to see that there is a lot of tension under the smooth façade. Ian has been plagued by many problems with his family and his love life, to the extent of being falsely arrested and shot.
Ian is half-vampire, and had been taking treatments to suppress those traits. He is the son of Vladimir and Rosalie, full brother to Louie, and the half-brother of Gino Gambino and Marie and Anna Corinne Von Helson.
There is evidence that Ian was once madly in love with Sasha, but at the moment he is completely uninterested in any sort of romance.
[edit] Appearance
- Eye color: Gray
- Skin Light
- Hair: Dyed blond; natural color is black
- Other: Both his original and 2k9 updated outfits are prominently brown, with a hat with a leaf on it. The updated hat is a top hat, the iconic original hat was more shapeless.
[edit] Shop Phrases
- Hey, [username]! It's great to see you again.
- Say hi to Rufus while you're here!
- Has Rufus been taking good care of the place?
- Zhivago's still out there somewhere, but I can't hide forever.
- You like the hair? I finally stopped bleaching it.
- I hope I can still remember how to work the register.
- Do you have any presents to wrap? Just click on your item and click the GIFT WRAPPING option.
- Great to see you, [username]. How's life?
- You like my outfit? I thought it was a little much, but Rufus says it makes me look like a movie star...
- Hope you're not allergic to cats.
- You can sort by price if you're on a tight budget. We've got plenty of affordable stuff.
- Remember to say hi to Rufus. He gets sulky if he doesn't get enough attention.
- Tell Sasha I said hi, would you?
- You should stop by H & R Wesley sometime. Edmund's a great guy, and he sells the best formalwear around.
- Rufus suggested I specialize in funny costumes-- but he's a cat, so all clothes are funny costumes to him.
- Hey, wanna hear a joke? Knock kno-- interrupting cow! No, wait, I always screw that one up.
- I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but you can save a pile of Gold by buying used items on the Marketplace.
[edit] Mini Comics
Tue Apr 22, 2008 The Gold Mountain Basement
- Where Ian had been hiding during his absence from the shop becomes shockingly clear: he was testing pinball.
Wed Apr 08, 2009 Eggcellent Adventure
- Rufus takes over for the missing Easter Bunny, using up his college fund and roping Ian into his scheme.
[edit] Manga Appearances
Halloween2k7
- In the Halloween H2K7 event, Ian's family is central to the plot. In the manga Damian, Ian's past is shown- of how his mother died and he was separated from his brother. It is also revealed that Ian is taking treatments for his vampirism. In Unveiled, Louie and Ian reunite, with Louie calling Ian "Damian". In MMVII, Ian's transformation into Damian is shown.
Prom Crashers 2008
- Ian is uninterested both Prom and the prospect of rekindling his old flame with Sasha. Rufus suggests they go stag, and dancey-dancey commences.
Gaian Rejected Olympics 2k8
- In the Barton manga Cat Fish, fishing in the lake and the surrounding fish-markets are closed, leaving Rufus distraught and hungry. The conclusion is made that if Barton can win the Olympics, the medals can be cashed in to pay off the debt and return the fish.
Halloween 2k8
- In the Stranger Danger comics, Ian and Rufus accompany Rina to see Ms. Fortune - who predicts the coming of great destruction that will result in the survival of only one group. Chaos ensues, and Ian is forced to break up the conflict.
zOMG!
- Ian and Rufus are terrorized by the animated, and decide it's best just to hide in a closet until it's all over.
Valentines 2k9
- Liam and Gino drop by to see Ian at his shop, where it is revealed that nearly every eligible female NPC has asked Ian out for Valentines day. (He turned them down in favor of drunken chess with Rufus.) This includes an attempt from Sam, who Liam had asked out as well, prompting Liam to attempt to strangle Ian. After things calm down, Ian consoles the boys with the prospects of getting some Valentine's day cards from some new girls.
Prommageddon 2k9
- Ian is visible in a single panel, dancing with Vanessa.
[edit] The Trial of Ian
During '05 New Year's Eve, Ian was accused of arson setting fire to Gino Gambino's Mansion on Gambino Island. On January 18, 2006, there was a Trial of Ian to determine if he was guilty or innocent. After a week of deliberation, the results were in and Ian walked out of the courtroom a free man!
But his innocence would not be celebrated, for Ian was immediately shot by the sniper!
[edit] Event Appearances
School Survival Guide 2k9
- In the first guide, dealing with romance, Ian simply states he has no idea about that, for he lives "a life of hermetic solitude." In the second guide, Ian reveals his puke-related nickname was Horkules. The third guide, dealing with embarrassment, Ian reveals that he tripped down two flights of stairs on his first day of school, and his fellow students taunted him with "impressions of [his] girlish screaming and flailing" the rest of the year.
[edit] RIG Appearances
Dark Reflection
- Ian's counterpart in the alternate universe introduced by the Dark Reflection is a cat, while Rufus is human.
[edit] Trivia
- Ian's birthday is rumored to be somewhere from October 23 to November 23.
- It is possible that Ian once had a love interest in Ruby, as he spent Christmas with her and her son Peyo in 2004.
- Ian is one of the few NPCs with two SDPlus dolls.
- Ian once shared his shop with Christian Siriano for the Gaia Prom in 2008.
- Ian's Halloween 2k8 outfit seems to be based off of Daisuke Jigen's from the anime Lupin III.
