Voyage of the Star Beast
Project Overview
“Voyage of the Star Beast” is a scyfy fantasy animatic short where Hou Yi, an astral dragon, must ferry Zhi, a lost human soul on an interstellar journey across the universe to fulfill her dying wish of seeing her sister again and to find her next life.
Pronunciations guide:
Zhi = chee, refer to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCFLE4xNfHY
Bai = Bye
Divus = Die - vus
Hou Yi = Hoo - yee
Lyndon = Lin - dun
Xingyin = sing - yen
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She/her
Lead
17 years old
Chinese voice actor preferred
Zhi and her sister Bai were one of the last remaining humans left on Earth, surviving on remains of scattered technical gadgets and an eco home their parents built before they died of radiation poisoning. Zhi had to learn to quickly adapt to a deadly world, and help raise Bai in the process. While she tries to be cautious and reasonable, she is ultimately very headstrong, and is not afraid to fight for what she believes in.
(out of breath, panting) “Every time…we come back…I feel like we’re cutting closer and closer!”
“Hou Yi…why do you want to help me? And you just said my name just now…how is it do I feel like I know you?”
(furious) “I’ll never forgive…I’LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!”
she/her
Supporting
14 yr old female
Chinese voice actor preferred
Zhi’s little sister, she is a little more laid back and is very inquisitive. Despite living on a dead earth, she takes joy in whatever she can. She has ambitions to be a pilot and explore worlds beyond with Zhi.
“Can’t we just take a quick breather? I’m sweating so much I think I’ll melt this suit before the radiation does!”
“I feel like we’re almost there. We’re going to see the stars Zhi! Do you think I can really drive one of those ships?”
“Remember what mom and dad used to say about the worlds out there? Worlds that rain crystals, others completely covered in water, imagine that! I wonder what it’s like, never having to salvage every drop?”
They/Them
Lead
Chinese and or non binary voice actor preferred
older, deeper voice can be masculine or feminine
Hou Yi is Zhi’s guardian and has carried the departed souls of her ancestors for thousands of years prior. They have an affinity for humans, admiring how this species can get so much done in the little time they have. They act as a parental figure to Zhi, trying to comfort her in the trauma she’s endured and support her in her journey. Hou Yi’s is true to their species as an astral dragon, they can be very introverted but will do everything in their power to protect the souls they carry.
“Now, the journey across the cosmos will be long and tedious, there’s no shortage of danger. But know that I will be with you every step of the way.”
(panicking) “That’s a Divus ship. They’re one of the most deadly creatures in the universe, they’ll destroy both of us. We need to move!”
(comforting, like a parent talking to their child) “You’re hurting…and I know you’re hurting terribly. The pain of the mind is a great adversity, from all species on all walks of life. It’s destroyed millions of my kind. But know that you aren’t alone. I’ll be here for you…”
gender unknown
Antagonist
Any gender
Older, deep voice
An undead star that scours the cosmos, hunting and consuming everything in its path. It’s said that there’s something inside of it that only astral dragons and souls can see.
“Lost soul…lost soul…you know how much it hurts to be alone. You know how it was to be something, to be someone, to have lived…show me lost soul…show it all to me…”
“It’s more than alone. It’s nothingness. Never to feel, to hold, to love…oh if only to love…and always so hungry, so hungry….
“Your death still isn’t over is it? You can still feel your skin ripping from your bones, your eyes boiling…every inch of you incinerating until there’s nothing left…”
Gender unknown
Antagonist
Any gender
Older, growly voice
A creature of great catastrophe, it can devastate worlds simply by running through it. It was said to be a soul that was abandoned by its dragon and started collecting space debris, growing bigger and angrier by the second. Now it hunts the thing it once was.
“HOU YI! TRAITOR!”
He/him
Antagonist
Young adult male, about 19 yrs
British accent
A young newly appointed captain of the Royal Anne, a ship on a mission to harvest souls to use as energy for the Divus Capital. Lyndon is very overconfident, having achieved his title at a young age and well versed in combat. However he is very openly prejudice, viewing anything other than his species as inferior and will do anything it takes to achieve his goals.
“You misunderstand my dear. Souls, forged from fragments of stars, are the most powerful source of energy the universe has to offer, and those who can wield it are destined to rule. And if the inferiors do not submit, then they are of no use to us.”
“That’s the most amusing attempt of an escape I’ve ever seen! Sad to say it all ends here. Now…I’m sure Capital base wouldn’t mind if a few goods were damaged along the way.”
(furious) “You! Soul! This isn’t over! I know you’re going to come back as one of them, and when you do, I’ll find you…!”
She/her
Supporting
Old female voice, open to any accent
Astral dragons establish special bonds with the stars next to the planet they’re born to, able to talk with them, ask them for guidance and even summon the star’s solar flare to drive their enemies back. This Mother Star is Hou Yi’s in particular, she is a titanic blue star approximately sixty times more massive than the size of our sun. She worries constantly about her dragon as they fail to check in with her often, like Hou Yi, she is fascinated by humans and is eager to help Zhi with her quest.
“Oh! Hou Yi! You haven’t visited for so long! You’ve gotten so skinny…no wait, you’re hiding your true size again aren’t you? But you still need to stop and eat you know that and…what…you’re carrying a manifested soul! Wow and what a precious one you are…Zhi, such a beautiful name…it’s nice to meet you dear.”
“You’re lucky to have my Hou Yi as your guardian, you know, I raised them well! Why, when they had just awakened as a dragon, they could barely take flight! And when they finally could they crashed into every moon this place had to offer! Some say they would never be able to carry a soul but look at them now!”
(struggling to hide trembling sadness in her voice) “My dear child…it was an honor to raise such a great light glider. Know that I’ll always be proud of you. Take care…and as for you, dearest Zhi…If you find yourself separated from your guardian, I will be there to help you.”
No gender
Minor
Any gender for voice
British accent
The A.I that the Divus use is believed to be completely devoid of emotion, it is used for all of their technology including ships, weapons and escape pods.
“Welcome. This pod is locked to vessel number 99874, The Divus vessel of the Royal Anne under command of Captain Lyndon and will return momentarily.”
“Astral dragon located. It appears to be carrying a manifested soul. Proceed with caution.”
She/her
Female, creature voice
The Baihu is a white tiger like creature that was captured and taken from her world by the Divus. She has formed a bond with Bai and is hostile to others.
Deep growl, baring her fangs at the Divus soldier.
Purring, she’s comforted by her friend’s presence.
Loud roar, charging forward
He/him
Older male voice
British accent
One of Lyndon’s guards assigned to oversee the soul containment unit. He is loyal to Lyndon only and is very lazy.
“I wouldn’t do that if I was you. Second that glass breaks, the whole ship’ll know and we’ll throw you in another one. Next one might not be so roomy.”
(awkward, he’s not quite himself. He says bathroom weirdly) “Um…no. We had a shift change. I was called to…help the pilot take a bathroom break?”
(confused, tired) “What happened? Feels like my head’s going to crack open…
Any genders
British accents
Lyndon’s guards aboard the Royal Anne.
“Arthur? What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be guarding that soul thing?”
“Oy! What’s all this then?”
“Someone call the captain!”
Chinese and/or nonbinary actor preferred
They/them
Approximately 12 years old (in human years)
A young astral dragon, seen in the epilogue. They are usually very shy, but are starting to regain their confidence.
“Long before I awakened, my caretakers told me the legend of a particular dragon. The first one to defy their neutral stance on conflicts between civilizations and hurl their mother star’s solar flare at a Divus fleet. This dragon had given their life for their soul, just as we will lay down our lives to drive the colonizers back as well, and forge a better world for generations after us. Now, my friends, are you with me?”
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