Making a good character

[EBunny]

So, you need help making an original character? We can help! Don't worry too much about where your char would fit in and instead just make one who interests you, and who you would enjoy playing. Below is an index to help you get started!

Post 1: Intro/Rules
Post 2: Inspiration
Post 3: Physical appearance
Post 4: Personality
Post 5: Abilities
Post 6: Backstory
Post 7: Plans


INTRO/RULES

1) NO COPYING. I kindly ask that you do not play any direct chars from other people's works, such as TV shows, books, webcomics, etc. This means no Narutos or Batmans, and so on. Despite being a copyright infringement, you also get people who want to play the same char, ones who argue that you're not playing the char right, and so on. Now of course you could play a char that is inspired by one or more works, just as long as you don't try to involve any actual chars directly. Eg, a ninja who trained under Naruto and didn't appear in the series would be fine. Also, if you're using a picture to represent your char, be sure to give the artist credit.

2) TRY TO BE ORIGINAL. You can have your char be as crazy or as normal as you like, and even though there is an entire school devoted to your stereotypical chars, try to give them at least a few flaws/quirks that will make them more memorable. An angsty, pretty vamp? There's a million of them. A teen who got bit by a rabid vamp and is permanently stuck in pimply puberty? Now THAT'S something different.

3) NO GOD-MODDING. Unless you have permission, do NOT call shots for someone else's character. I cannot stress this enough. There's nothing to keep your char from trying, but whether or not you succeed should be up to the player. And if you so have permission, prove it first. And along those same notes...

4) BE FAIR. I know some of you like to play overpowered chars, but try to be fair. Don't just dodge every attack/maneuver as if it were nothing. If your opponent did something original or that you weren't expecting, let them succeed. Take a few hits, or just barely get grazed. Even super chars have their off days. If you want to start a big plot, clear it with the captains first.

5) MANNERS! Even if another char or player gets on your nerves, don't get personally offended and take it out on them. It's just a role-play, its meant for fun. The world is not out to get you.

6) RULERS: EBunny (me) is the Captain, and Taba_Atwood is the Sub Captain. Out of character, we are the bosses. In character, we may not be. That means that we will not persecute someone unless they are breaking Gaia's TOS or our rules. If you have any issues, please contact us. We won't bite. Maybe.

MORE RULES LIKELY TO FOLLOW
 

[EBunny]

Post 2: Inspiration

You want to make an original character, but where to start? First you'll need a little inspiration. Think about who or what you would like to play. There are no restrictions here! Don't be afraid to try something different or new, if it doesn't work out you could always try again. Inspiration can come from your favorite shows, books, drawings, friends, or just about anything. To help you out, here's a few classifications you might consider:

Human/humanoid: Chars who are/appear more human than anything else. This includes, but is not limited to, humans, dwarves, people with a few animal features, and so on.

Furries: Chars who are more animal/creature than anything else. Eg, animals & lycanthropes.

Monsters: Chars who are mostly monster. Eg, Orcs, demons, experiments gone wrong.

Robots: Chars who are mostly mechanical. Eg, giant robots, androids, AI units.

Aliens: Chars who come from other planets/dimensions. They could range from giant blobs to tiny intelligent plants to your "classic" aliens.

In Between: Chars who shapeshift or fall in multiple categories. And yes, you can play villains.
 

[EBunny]

Post 3: Physical Appearance

*NOTE* If you use a picture to show how your char looks, give the artist credit!

Think about your char and how you want them to look. If you want to play a certain type char, will they generally look the part? Taking the vamp example from the rules, your average vamp is dashing, thin, and pale. If you don't want them to look the part, just change a few things and see what you get.

When you've got your general looks down, think about specifics, such as hair/eye/skin color, rough height and weight, and so on. Also think about any oddities your char might have, especially if you're playing a non-humanoid char. Either way, try to think of a few details that make them more interesting, such as larger/smaller than usual features, missing/extra limbs, and so on.

Another thing to consider is what general style your character is in, unless they are from the Real World. Other chars can be from anything from realistic to cutesy anime to pixels to abstract concepts. If you want this to be an important factor, make sure to mention it. It would also help to include a pic that's an example of the general style. Be sure to give the artist credit.
 

[EBunny]

Post 4: Personality

How does your char act and respond? First think about generally how they appear to others. Are they usually smiling, grumpy, rude, gentle? Is this how they want to appear to others, or do they just come off that way? Consider general likes/dislikes that might affect how they react. They could be nicer to girls, scared of spiders, etc.

Next, consider specific situations-how would they react if someone hit on them? Wanted to fight? Pulled a prank on them? Would they do these things to others? Personality is very closely linked to appearance, for instance if you're playing a tomboy she would probably not want to look girly.

Since this is a rp that focuses on fictional chars, think about how your char might react if they knew that they were fictional. They don't have to know, but it brings up some interesting points. Also, how would they react to a school full of all sorts of weird chars ranging from humans to aliens? Would they be curious, scared, neutral?

 

[EBunny]

Post 5: Abilities
*NOTE: Whatever the abilities, just try not to make them over-powered.*

So, what can your character do? They won't need superpowers, but what are they good/bad at?

First, consider general physical ability. How fit are they, and would they be relatively successful or unsuccessful? Try to focus on one area in which they are better than other areas, eg. speed or intelligence. It's ok if they're not good at fighting, there will be plenty of other things to do. Consider roughly how much damage they might be able to take before getting seriously injured.

Next, think about mental/spiritual capabilities. There's many different kinds of smarts, from general to books to street to technical and so on. Of course, this also includes psychic abilities. Even if your char isn't that smart, there's bound to be a few areas where they are more knowledgeable, even if it is just survival skills. Also think about how mentally stable they are and what it would take to break them.

Now you'll want to think about what sort of equipment they usually carry. Are they just regular items, magical, even intelligent? If you want to have a magical bag with lots of items in it, you'll have to provide a list of exactly what's in it or what it can do-I don't want players to magically come up with just the right thing at the spur of the moment, that's a bit cheap.

 

[EBunny]

Post 6: Backstory

The nice thing about this rp is that you don't necessarily need a backstory, especially in SoRe where you can have an unfinished char. However, your backstory can help determine who your char is and how they react. You don't necessarily need an elaborate or tragic past. Here's some things to consider.

Where and when were they born/grow up? What was the best and worst thing that happened, according to them? What were their family/friends/enemies like? Did they come across SoRe/Pearl/The Real World on purpose or accident?
 

[EBunny]

Post 7: Plans

This is what you'd like to do with your char. You don't have to have plans for this, but say if you want to play a char w/ powers you could start out as a regular char who learns how to use them. Plans for your char can be as simple as learning new skills to finding out more about themselves to trying to take over the school. However, if you want to try something huge, you'll have to clear it with me or Taba_Atwood first. I don't want people conquering worlds out of the blue.