Leland Van Aelst, age 24, glaring with a crooked smirk beneath messy strawberry-blond hair, surrounded by mustard-yellow paint splashes and social-media icons on a lit game-show stage.

Leland Van Aelst

An entitled nepo-baby and Reddit moderator who thinks the game show might be his chance to get a girlfriend.

Leland staring ahead with a furrowed brow, tousled shoulder-length blond hair, one hand behind his head and the other in his pocket, wearing an oversized dark jacket, white shirt, and dark cargo trousers.
"Actually, if you'd read the rules, you'd know I'm right."
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Background

Leland grew up with money he didn't earn and opinions nobody asked for. He moderates a handful of subreddits, spends most of his time online, and calls himself an incel like it's a credential. He's genuinely smart, and he's never once let anyone forget it. Under all that arrogance is a kid who's terrified of being ordinary.

Why he joined

An ad turned up on his feed promising a shot at something real for "guys like you." He didn't need the money. He wanted the attention, and maybe, finally, a girlfriend. The ticket came in the mail, all expenses paid, and he took it as proof the world was finally recognizing him.

Play style

Leland treats every game like a comment thread he has to win. He reads the rules twice, looks for loopholes, and corrects everyone along the way. He won't take advice from the women in the cast, tries far too hard to impress them anyway, and would rather lose than admit someone else had the better idea.

Strengths

Sharp mind. Spots patterns and loopholes fast. Stubborn enough to never give up.

Chibi Leland wearing a gaming headset and screaming at his computer, hands on the mouse and keyboard.

Weaknesses

He can't work with anyone he thinks is beneath him, which is everyone. His arrogance blinds him to obvious traps, and the moment someone bruises his ego, the insecurity takes the wheel.