Level 13

If Cam is a slacker, Pavel Dysan is an over-achiever, serving as a foil to the novel’s main protagonist. He is the class valedictorian, an active member of the P.A.G., and still finds time to help Cam with his streaming. Pavel's effortless intelligence earns him the label of genius among his friends. Despite dedicating significant time to video games, Pavel maintains the highest GPA in the school.

Pavel is the “idea man” of the Awesome Threesome, using his smarts and tech skills to help Cam with his streaming. He is very loyal to his friends but struggles with change. This is clear when he gets upset at Chuck for dating Daphne, temporarily ending their long friendship.

Among the trio, Pavel is the most self-aware. He is the first to notice when streaming stops being fun and admits when he makes mistakes. Pavel contrasts Cam, who does not realize how unhappy streaming makes him until he must stop. Pavel's self-awareness shows his maturity and his ability to understand situations clearly.

Pavel has the most challenging time with the breakup of the Awesome Threesome. He tries to keep their old friendship together but struggles to see that it can change and still be as fulfilling as ever. Pavel's difficulty with change shows his need for stability and discomfort with new social dynamics. Eventually, he grows as a character and welcomes Daphne into their friend group.

Honesty is another key trait of Pavel. He talks to Cam about how streaming affects him, even though Cam does not listen at first. He also tells Chuck directly what bothers him about Chuck's relationship with Daphne. This honesty extends to himself; Pavel is truthful about his feelings and actions, as when he decides to quit the stream when he realizes it is terrible for him.

Pavel Dysan's character is defined by his intelligence, loyalty, self-awareness, and honesty. His story in Level 13 shows the complexities of friendship, the need for personal growth, and the challenges of accepting change.

If Pavel is the genius and Cam is the star gamer of the Awesome Threesome, Chuck struggles to find his place. As Mr. Fanshaw notices,

Chuck seemed to be part of Cameron’s inner circle, along with Pavel Dysan, one of our academic superstars. Between Pavel’s smarts and Cameron’s success as a student leader, Chuck seemed like the odd man out. He had Daphne—that was kind of a claim to fame (91).

Chuck disrupts the group dynamic by introducing his girlfriend, Daphne, into their circle of friends.

Chuck is incredibly loyal, which makes his role challenging in the story. He tries to balance his friendship with Cam and Pavel and his relationship with Daphne. This often leaves him feeling torn between his friends and girlfriend. At first, Chuck thinks his friends are jealous of his relationship with Daphne and does not take their concerns seriously. They, in turn, overlook Chuck’s concerns, blaming everything on Daphne, like when Chuck objects to their use of Elvis in the stream.

Chuck emerges as the most selfless member of the Awesome Threesome. He compromises his beliefs to assist Cam and dedicates significant time to supporting Daphne in her various activities to be closer to her. Ultimately, Chuck ends his relationship with Daphne to remain loyal to Cam, profoundly impacting all involved.

Chuck’s character remains relatively unchanged throughout the novel, but the perceptions of those around him evolve. Daphne realizes Chuck’s need for time with his friends, Pavel sympathizes with Chuck’s difficult position, and Cam comes to understand the sacrifices Chuck has made on his behalf.

Chuck’s characterization illustrates that loyalty and sacrifice can be challenging but they also define true friendship. His journey demonstrates the importance of balancing personal relationships while staying true to oneself.

Daphne is a complex character in Level 13, often playing the antagonist's role as she inadvertently disrupts Cam's streaming and strains the bonds of the Awesome Threesome. Mr. Fanshaw describes Daphne as the epitome of a student leader—”motivated, outspoken…ambitious” (89)—and her well-intentioned actions frequently overlook their unintended consequences. While admirable, her relentless drive and energetic personality sometimes make her insensitive to the perspectives and feelings of those around her. Physically described as slight with medium-brown hair, green eyes, and glasses, Daphne possesses a good heart but can be overbearing. She eagerly offers help to Cam with his P.A.G. duties but overwhelms Mr. Fanshaw with her endless fundraising ideas, many of which he finds impractical. Despite setbacks, Daphne's determination shines through. At the same time, she struggles with feelings of inadequacy and can be slow to consider alternative viewpoints.

Daphne is a foil to Cam in many ways; she is driven and high-energy, whereas he is laid-back. While Cam avoids Mr. Fanshaw, Daphne actively seeks him out, often to his chagrin. Her approach to the P.A.G. contrasts sharply with Cam's more uninvolved, avoidant stance, as she pushes for numerous projects despite potential pitfalls.

Daphne and Cam, however, share a single-mindedness that limits their ability to see beyond their initial perspectives. Cam fails to recognize how his streaming negatively affects him and his relationships, while Daphne struggles to shift her focus once committed to a particular goal. However, Daphne's growth throughout the novel is evident in her evolving attitude toward Elvis, the beaver. Initially protective, she becomes more understanding when she sees Elvis enjoy video games, demonstrating her capacity for reflection and adaptation.

In Level 13, Daphne Leibowitz exemplifies the complexities of ambition and empathy. Her journey challenges traditional notions of heroism and villainy, highlighting the nuanced consequences of good intentions and the importance of growth and understanding in relationships and personal development.

Melody Boxer, Cam's sixth-grade sister, plays a crucial role in Level 13 as the one character outside the Awesome Threesome who sees Cam realistically rather than through the idealized lens of the P.A.G. Melody finds Cam's seemingly effortless luck frustrating.

As a sibling, Melody embodies a realistic portrayal of familial dynamics. She simultaneously loves Cam yet purposefully teases and challenges him. Her cleverness, opportunism, and exceptional gaming skills make her one of the most adaptable characters in the novel. Melody transitions from being confrontational with Cam to recognizing his deteriorating mental and physical health due to his dedication to streaming. Like Pavel, Melody understands the detrimental effects of Cam's obsession with gaming. Following a game competition with Cam, Melody undergoes a significant transformation by abandoning gaming altogether. This decision creates a rift between her and Cam, who struggles to comprehend her motivations. Melody's adaptability and introspection enable her to surpass level 12 and reach Level 13 in Guardians—a feat that eludes the other characters. While others attempt to conquer the level through combat, Melody astutely perceives it as a puzzle and swiftly overcomes its challenges.

Melody's motivations are multifaceted; she desires to see Cam face consequences for his actions, yet not to the extent of serious harm. Her concern for Cam’s health surfaces when she witnesses the toll his illness takes on him, prompting a temporary ceasefire in their sibling rivalry. However, once Cam recuperates, Melody resumes her teasing, reflecting their relationship's complex blend of sibling dynamics—love, rivalry, and concern.

Melody Boxer's character in Level 13 exemplifies the narrative's exploration of familial relationships, personal growth, and the consequences of obsession. Her adaptability and keen insights into Cam's behavior highlight the interplay between ambition, empathy, and the bonds that define siblinghood.

Mr. Fanshaw, Sycamore Middle School's guidance counselor and the faculty advisor for the P.A.G., plays a pivotal role in Level 13 as both a helpful figure and an antagonist to several characters' aspirations. Despite his kind-hearted nature, Mr. Fanshaw becomes a significant obstacle to Cam's gaming pursuits and intervenes in ways that hinder the ambitions of other characters.

Specifically, Mr. Fanshaw actively thwarts Cam's gaming activities by requiring his attendance at P.A.G. meetings and fundraisers, seeking him out despite Cam's attempts to evade him. Despite these actions, Mr. Fanshaw genuinely respects Cam's leadership within the P.A.G. He cares for the well-being of all students, even advising Cam to prioritize his health over academic achievements.

While blocking Cam's gaming, Mr. Fanshaw also impedes Daphne's fundraising efforts, often due to the impracticality of her ideas. Ironically, he adopts Cam's evasion tactics by avoiding Daphne around the school premises.

Furthermore, Mr. Fanshaw's interventions with Chuck, such as issuing detention for damaging the GameFox229 picture and preventing him from leaving school to search for Daphne, illustrate his dedication to maintaining order and discipline. However, his actions sometimes lack context, leading to harsh consequences for Chuck.

Like Daphne, Mr. Fanshaw exemplifies how well-intentioned actions can yield unintended outcomes. His efforts to guide and support students often clash with their desires and plans, highlighting the complexities of authority and its impact on individual pursuits.

In Level 13, Mr. Fanshaw is a nuanced antagonist, embodying the dual role of mentor and obstacle to the characters' goals. His actions, driven by genuine concern and duty, underscore the novel's exploration of authority figures and their influence on the adolescent experience, where good intentions can inadvertently hinder rather than help.