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To have your characters seem more believable, you must do one thing, BECOME THE CHARACTER!

Ok maybe that isn't the only way. One of the easiest ways is for you to remember that you are trying to portray your character as a living, breathing person.

(If after reading this section and you wish to get advice/help with your character, please do not post your character in this thread. PM me your character or a link to your character's profile and I will try to give you what advice I can. All posts other than ones partaining to helpful information about character creation shall be deleted.)

(If you have some imput for character creation, by all means add in your thoughts. If you want, you can PM me your opinion and tips and we can discuse it before it is added.)

Don't forget, your character should seem real. Think about what you might do, and how you would do something. That might be a good limit for your characters.

I have found that basing my character after a piece of myself, like my kindness, usually helped give my character a more realistic touch. I would base my character after that, and then I don't have to think about how they would react, for they would react the same way I would. This can have very reliable and believable results.

This may sound weird, but trust me on this one, it works. Also! Don't forget to let your characters grow. Let them change, and maybe start doing things you normally would have them not do, if they might or would do it. Just because you don't want them to do it, doesn't mean they wouldn't want to do it.

That depends upon the definition of 'perfect'. Your character should be well thought out, with as many details and descriptions that you can think of. Flaws, conflict or 'mistakes' within your character can make your character seem more life like.

I think I have posted in here somewhere a link leading to a 'merry-sue' test... That test gauges your character on the 'perfect' scale. This kind of perfect is not a good perfect. This is the 'I have the more powerful character in the world!' perfect. A flawless character without weaknesses is a very badly made character. Characters should make mistakes like everyone else does. Try to think of them as their own person, one that you are trying to convince everyone else that your character is a real person. Try to make them think you are playing a real person, that is breathing, living and (if it happens) dieing.

When I say treat your character like a real person, have them trip. Make them studder. Let them be afraid. Have them do something reckless. Let them be them. No person is perfect, and every has fallen in their lives. So should your character (usually at the worst or best times).


Some flaws I can think of off the top of my head:
-Cluts -can't help but to knock things over, though usually without hurting anyone, or hurting only themselves, or hurting people around them by accident.
-Clown -Likes to get attention, even if it means making a fool on themselves. They can't help it. They can be labeled the trouble maker, prankster, or just the person that like to pull friendly joke on everyone.
-Eater - Loves to eat, and that is all that this character thinks about. Even if their life is on the line, they will be thinking of food. If they fight, it is for food, about food, or something related to food. Otherwise, they just aren't interested.
-Thief -Can't help but to take what isn't theirs that they want. They might take stuff from their friends, giving it back at a later time. They might steal from anyone they can, getting those around them into much trouble. Can be a point of much mischief.
-Brawler -Just likes to fight. Anything else they find boring. This doesn't mean 'strong silent type'. They have a voice, and usually aren't afraid to use it. They might fight to defend their friends, family, honor, or something else.
-"Big Mouth" - Just can't keep things to themselves. They can't help but to butt in where they don't belong. If they have an opinion, they just spit it out and don't think of the consequences.
-Shy - They try to stay to themselves, even when they want to reach out to someone. If someone else reaches out to them, they will hide or try to remove themselves from the situation. They almost never have an opinion they wish to say, and usually give on to those around them.
-The leader- Likes to just take control and they are always right. Either you follow them, or they will try to make you follow them. They might not always know what they are talking about, and they are too stubborn to listen to others first. Can be labeled as brash and hotheaded as well. They always have a plan, even if it only makes sense to them.


These are extremes. Usually people fall within one, or many parts, of these few flaws. There are many other flaws/personality types. Find what works best for you.

The basics are there fro a believable character. What would make the big difference with that one would be how you play him. If he can 'disappear' into thin air at any time, then you lose some believability, but then again, you are trained to do that.

The little details are the parts that will really make your character come to life, as well as a history, even if only you know about it. Everyone has a past, and their past affects who they are now. 3nodding

The full thing without the link, just because I can... mrgreen

Part 1: The Basics
1. What is your full name?

2. Where and when were you born?

3. Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.)

4. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?

5. Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.

6. What is your occupation?

7. Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.

8. To which social class do you belong?

9. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?

10. Are you right- or left-handed?

11. What does your voice sound like?

12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?

13. What do you have in your pockets?

14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?



Part 2: Growing Up


15. pan>How would you describe your childhood in general?

16. What is your earliest memory?

17. How much schooling have you had?

18. Did you enjoy school?

19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?

20. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.

21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?

22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

23. As a child, what were your favorite activities?

24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?

25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?

26. When and with whom was your first kiss?

27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?

28. If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.



Part 3: Past Influences


29. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?

30. Who has had the most influence on you?

31. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

32. What is your greatest regret?

33. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?

34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind?

35. When was the time you were the most frightened?

36. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?

37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?

38. What is your best memory?

39. What is your worst memory?


Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions


40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?

41. What is your greatest fear?

42. What are your religious views?

43. What are your political views?

44. What are your views on sex?

45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?

46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?

47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?

48. What do you believe makes a successful life?

49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)?

50. Do you have any biases or prejudices?

51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?

52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?



Part 5: Relationships With Others


53. In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how?

54. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?

55. Who is the person you respect the most, and why?

56. Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people.

57. Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person.

58. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.

59. What do you look for in a potential lover?

60. How close are you to your family?

61. Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not?

62. Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help?

63. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?

64. If you died or went missing, who would miss you?

65. Who is the person you despise the most, and why?

66. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?

67. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?

68. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not?

69. Do you care what others think of you?



Part 6: Likes And Dislikes


70. What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?

71. What is your most treasured possession?

72. What is your favorite color?

73. What is your favorite food?

74. What, if anything, do you like to read?

75. What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)?

76. Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit?

77. How do you spend a typical Saturday night?

78. What makes you laugh?

79. What, if anything, shocks or offends you?

80. What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself?

81. How do you deal with stress?

82. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?

83. What are your pet peeves?


Part 7: Self Images And Etc.


84. Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted?

85. What is your greatest strength as a person?

86. What is your greatest weakness?

87. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

88. Are you generally introverted or extroverted?

89. Are you generally organized or messy?

90. Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.

91. Do you like yourself?

92. What are your reasons for being an adventurer (or doing the strange and heroic things that RPG characters do)? Are your real reasons for doing this different than the ones you tell people in public? (If so, detail both sets of reasons...)

93. What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?

94. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

95. If you could choose, how would you want to die?

96. If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left.

97. What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?

98. What three words best describe your personality?

99. What three words would others probably use to describe you?

100. If you could, what advice would you, the player, give to your character? (You might even want to speak as if he or she were sitting right here in front of you, and use proper tone so he or she might heed your advice...)