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Elen_Gilthoniel Vice Captain
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 Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 12:57 pm
I wanted to write up a section on flaws and how to make them a part of your character, because this is something that a lot of people seem to have trouble with. Adding flaws is a part of good character building but I've seen so many people have incredible struggles with this area, that I decided a full write up would maybe help those who do actually want to improve their character. So here we go.
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First, let's define what a flaw is vs what Rosentale wants to see in this section. Flaws are defects or imperfections, simply put. Everyone has minor flaws--many people have the SAME minor flaws as other people, such as biting their nails or cracking their knuckles, or other annoying habits. And all our characters are going to exhibit minor annoying qualities--things we may not even intend for them to have, but that show up as a natural part of Roleplaying.
However, those kinds of things are not what we want you to tell us. What we want you to put in this section are not trivial, minor flaws that all our characters have. We want to see your character's notable flaws--the things that make them real, not perfect, give them depth and set them apart of the other students. Things that will come up frequently as they try to interact. Flaws in this section should exist as 'above and beyond' the normal. For instance, if you put that they have a quick temper, this shouldn't mean 'they get mad sometimes.' Everyone does that. This should mean they get mad more often than other people and act out, because of it.
Physical flaws should be disfiguring and detract from their appearance. A small scar on their arm is not a flaw--everyone has a myriad of scars peppering their body. However, horrible burn scars over most of their body, would be a physical flaw, for example.
These flaws should be negative aspects that are a part of your character; you will need to think about flaws that actually make sense for the rest of what you have down. If you label a character as being brash, opinionated and quick tempered, you cannot also try to say they're shy. If you have someone listed as a good fighter, you can't also try to say they're clumsy. The flaws need to blend with everything else seamlessly, not just be stuck in there.
Flaws are vices--insolence, disrespectful, sleazy, lying, greedy, lazy, vain, angry, sarcastic, hateful, distrustful. They are things that get on other people's nerves--not respecting personal space, oblivious to the feelings of others, pushy, loud, no sense of personal space, extreme naivety that gets them into trouble, etc.
Character flaws are things that might cause other characters to look down on them, or make it difficult to get along with certain people. They are qualities your character would be justifiably ashamed of--not a silly flaw they're horribly ashamed of for no good reason. But something most people would also be ashamed of if that had that quality.
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 1:14 pm
Flaws are NOT: Fears. A lot of people try to say that some kind of superfluous fear is a flaw. Fears that would impact them on a regular basis (like fear of crowds) might be considered a flaw if played properly. However, for the most part a phobia of some kind wouldn't be a flaw so much as just a personality trait. Everyone has fears and with the exception of a few phobias revolving around social interaction, they don't affect us on a daily basis. I may be afraid of cows but I also...am never around cows. I think about my cow fear like once a month, when I have nightmares of them chasing me. It doesn't affect my life at all. I'm afraid of spiders but again, I think about it approximately...occasionally, when I see a large one. And even then, I don't particularly flip out and cause a scene. I find someone who can kill it for me, and move on with my life. If you are going to try to list a phobia in this section, you need to ensure that 1. This phobia will come up enough to impact them on a daily basis and 2. You play it as a truly irrational and crippling fear that may isolate the character. Inability to do a superfluous thing. Many people try to tack on something like 'can't cook,' or 'can't stand on their head' or 'can't sing' as a flaw. Again, in this RP, none of that is going to matter. Unless you're the cooking teacher, this isn't a skill that will EVER come up for your character. Besides, lots of people can't cook, stand on their head, or sing. It's not that something is wrong with them for not being able to do it. Inability to do something that not everyone can do in any case is NOT a character flaw unless there is a reason your character SHOULD be able to do it. If you have a mermaid who can't swim, that could probably be considered a flaw, for example. Otherwise, this kind of flaw is rarely going to be accepted unless paired some others that are actually significant. Again, not being able to do something that most of the population can do (like read/write, talk coherently, etc) might work as a flaw. But if it's a skill that a large portion of people don't have, or that is not expected for them to be able to know, it's not really a flaw. Disorders. Unless your character has an actual psychotic disorder (for which they should probably be medicated, not running around like a nutball anyway), a disorder is not going to count as a flaw. PTSD, OCD, Bipolar, Depression--these aren't "flaws" in the RP sense. They are personality traits and can be medicated and dealt with. Sleep disorders like nightmares, night terrors, etc, also don't count as flaws. I think most people who HAVE these disorders would be annoyed by the idea of having it listed as some kind of character flaw, as if they choose to be that way. Keeping that in mind, though, many people exhibit traits that could be considered flaws, as a result of having a mental or mood disorder--such as chronic lying, inability to control emotions, emotional outbursts over trivial things, obsessive over details, inability to control impulsive behaviors, etc. Try to be sure to list those traits and behaviors as the flaw instead of the disorder itself. If your character's PTSD makes it impossible for them to trust other people, then you could list things like "reclusive" or "distrustful" as flaws. But don't list the PTSD itself. Very common traits like clumsiness or shyness. Unless this means your character can't walk two feet without falling on their face, clumsiness is not a real flaw. Most people think clumsy characters are "cute" and flaws shouldn't be something that makes your character cute--that's defeating the purpose. If you're using a common trait like temper, clumsiness, shyness, bluntness, etc--you need to be prepared for this to be a part of their personality that constantly influences them. Shy characters should do more than blush around cute members of the opposite sex. People with tempers shouldn't mope and cry when someone is rude to them--they should get MAD. Clumsy people shouldn't be graceful--they should run into things, stub their toes and other clumsy things. When you choose a quality like this as a flaw, be sure to make it above and beyond the norm. If your character's temper is on par with everyone else, then what makes it even stand out as a flaw? Everyone gets mad occasionally, if you push the right buttons. If your character is listed as "blunt" then make sure they are truly blunt rather than "honest in a very kind, diplomatic way." Blunt people tend to not try to be kind or diplomatic because they don't care if they piss people off. Natural traits and behaviors. Like a vampire with "blood lust"--wanting to drink blood is a natural behavior for vampires. Going a bit crazy when they see it is a trait that nearly all vampires in every bit of vampire fiction EVER has. This isn't a flaw. This is completely normal for them. It would be weird to list "gets insatiably hungry every day!" as a flaw for a Human because being hungry is, well, normal. And we remain hungry until we eat something, right? Well, the same is true for vampires, demons, werewolves, any other creature. This kind of thing is not a flaw. If something you are listing as a flaw is just a normal behavior for that race, it should not be in this section. This section is for imperfections, not instinctive behaviors. Things that make your character better in some way. Flaws do not add mystery and melancholy. They do not make your character cute, sly, witty, cunning, clever, hot, attractive, intriguing, desirable...If you are trying to use a flaw that will get attention for your character, make people notice them or be impressed by them, you are doing it WRONG. Start over. While imperfections can make a person attractive to SOME people, the purpose of flaws is not to that end. Don't create a flaw specifically TO look cute--if it happens as a natural result, it happens. Some people find Angela's temper cute. That isn't really my goal, but some characters find her angry flailing hilariously adorable. But I didn't create it for that purpose and most characters find it scary or annoying. Contradictory. Your character's flaws should make sense with the rest of the character. If you say in their personality, that they're outgoing, they can't have "shyness" as a flaw. Outgoing people are not shy...they are outgoing. If your character is blunt, they can't also be sensitive about people being mad at them. People who are blunt don't care what other people think--that's how they're able to be blunt (unless hypocrisy is also a flaw emotion_awesome ) If your character has a bad temper, don't turn them into a crybaby who goes teary eyed when someone upsets them. People with tempers don't weep and feel sad and emo when people are rude to them. They get angry. They may ALSO feel sad, but they're not going to sit back and just cry. They will get angry and lash out--and maybe cry later, in private. If you have someone who is naive, don't give them trust issues. Trust issues stem from bad experiences and cynicism. Naive people should be overly trusting. Conversely, cynical people shouldn't be happy optimists who make like to make friends. Try to make sure your character's flaws don't contradict their other personality traits.
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Elen_Gilthoniel Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 1:28 pm
Giant List O'FlawsPlease note that I did not type this up myself. It has been copy and pasted from this website.
Please note that the flaws with dashes through them will NOT be accepted. I left them in to also show what is not acceptable. * Absentminded- Preoccupied to the extent of being unaware of one's immediate surroundings. Abstracted, daydreaming, inattentive, oblivious, forgetful.
* Abusive- Characterized by improper infliction of physical or psychological maltreatment towards another.
* Alcoholic- A person who drinks alcoholic substances habitually and to excess or who suffers from alcoholism.
* Addict- One who is addicted, as to narcotics or a compulsive activity. (gambling, drugs, sex, etc. List specific addiction.)
* Aimless- Devoid of direction or purpose.
* Anxious- Full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried; solicitous.
* Arrogant- Having or displaying a sense of overbearing self-worth or self-importance. Inclined to social exclusiveness and who rebuff the advances of people considered inferior. Snobbish.
* Audacious- Recklessly bold in defiance of convention, propriety, law, or the like; insolent; braze, disobedient.
* Bigmouth- A loudmouthed or gossipy person.
* Bigot- One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.
* Blunt- Characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion. Frank, callous, insensitive, brusque.
* Bold- In a bad sense, too forward; taking undue liberties; over assuming or confident; lacking proper modesty or restraint; rude; impudent. Abrupt, brazen, cheeky, brassy, audacious.
* Callous- They are hardened to emotions, rarely showing any form of it in expression. Unfeeling. Cold.
* Childish- Marked by or indicating a lack of maturity; puerile.
* Cruel- Mean to anyone or anything, without care or regard to consequences and feelings.
* Dependent- Unable to exist, sustain oneself, or act appropriately or normally without the assistance or direction of another.
* Deranged- Mentally decayed. Insane. Crazy. Mad. Psychotic.
* Disloyal- Lacking loyalty. Unfaithful, perfidious, traitorous, treasonable
* Disability- A disadvantage or deficiency, especially a physical or mental impairment that interferes with or prevents normal achievement in a particular area. (List the disability or disabilities. Exp blind, missing limbs, deaf, color blind, no sense of smell, etc
* Dubious- Fraught with uncertainty or doubt. Undecided, doubtful, unsure.
* Dyslexic- Affected by dyslexia, a learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to recognize and comprehend written words.
* Egotistical- Characteristic of those having an inflated idea of their own importance. Boastful, pompous.
* Envious- Showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages; covetous, jealous.
* Erratic- Deviating from the customary course in conduct or opinion; eccentric: erratic behavior. Eccentric, bizarre, outlandish, strange.
* Fanaticism- Fanatic outlook or behavior especially as exhibited by excessive enthusiasm, unreasoning zeal, or wild and extravagant notions on some subject.
* Fickle- Characterized by erratic changeableness or instability, especially with regard to affections or attachments; capricious.
* Fierce- Marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid; "fierce loyalty"; "in a tearing rage"; "vehement dislike"; "violent passions".
* Finicky- Excessively particular or fastidious; difficult to please; fussy. Too much concerned with detail. Meticulous, fastidious, choosy, critical, picky, prissy, persnickety.
* Fixation- In psychoanalytic theory, a strong attachment to a person or thing, especially such an attachment formed in childhood or infancy and manifested in immature or neurotic behavior that persists throughout life. Fetish, quirk, obsession, infatuation.
* Frail- Physically weak and easily broken or damaged. Having delicate health; not robust. Feeble, breakable, sickly, dainty, brittle, fallible, imperfect, weak.
* Fraudulent- Given to or using fraud, as a person; cheating; dishonest. Deceitful, deceptive, crooked, underhanded.
* Gluttonous- Given to excess in consumption of especially food or drink. Voracious, ravenous, wolfish, piggish, insatiable.
* Gruff-Brusque or stern in manner or appearance. Crusty, rough, surly.
* Gullible- Will believe any information given, regardless of how valid or truthful it is, easily deceived or duped.
* Habit- A rather revolting personal habit. (List habit- picks nose, spits tobacco everywhere, drools profusely, bad body odor, etc.)
* Hard- A person who is difficult to deal with, manage, control, overcome, or understand. Hard emotions, hard hearted.
* Hedonistic- Pursuit of or devotion to pleasure, especially to the pleasures of the senses.
* Hoity-toity- Given to flights of fancy; capricious; frivolous. Prone to giddy behavior, flighty.
* Humorless- The inability to find humor in things, and most certainly in themselves.
* Hypocritical- One who is always contradicting their own beliefs, actions or sayings. A person who professes beliefs and opinions for others that he does not hold. Being a hypocrite.
* Idealist- One whose conduct is influenced by ideals that often conflict with practical considerations. One who is unrealistic and impractical, guided more by ideals than by practical considerations.
* Idiotic- Marked by a lack of intelligence or care; foolish or careless.
* Ignorant- Lacking knowledge or information as to a particular subject or fact. Showing or arising from a lack of education or knowledge.
* Illiterate- Unable to read and write.
* Impatient- Unable to wait patiently or tolerate delay; restless. Unable to endure irritation or opposition; intolerant.
* Incompetent- Unable to execute tasks, no matter how the size or difficulty.
* Indecisive- Characterized by lack of decision and firmness, especially under pressure.
* Indifferent- The trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally, remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern. Having or showing little or no interest in anything; languid; spiritless.
* Infamy- Having an extremely bad reputation, public reproach, or strong condemnation as the result of a shameful, criminal, or outrageous act that affects how others view them.
* Intolerant- Unwilling to tolerate difference of opinion and narrow-minded about cherished opinions.
* Immature- Emotionally undeveloped; juvenile; childish
* Judgmental- Inclined to make and form judgments, especially moral or personal ones, based on ones own opinions or impressions towards others/practices/groups/religions based on appearance, reputation, occupation, etc.
* Klutz- Clumsy. Blunderer.
* Lazy- Resistant to work or exertion; disposed to idleness.
* Lewd- Inclined to, characterized by, or inciting to lust or lechery; lascivious. Obscene or indecent, as language or songs; salacious.
* Liar- Compulsively and purposefully tells false truths more often than not. A person who has lied or who lies repeatedly.
* Lustful- Driven by lust; preoccupied with or exhibiting lustful desires.
* Masochist- The deriving of sexual gratification, or the tendency to derive sexual gratification, from being physically or emotionally abused. A willingness or tendency to subject oneself to unpleasant or trying experiences.
* Meddlesome- Intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner, given to meddling; interfering.
* Meek- Evidencing little spirit or courage; overly submissive or compliant; humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness.
* Megalomaniac- A psycho pathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of wealth, power, or omnipotence.
* Murderer- One guilty of murder; a person who unlawfully kills a human being. Killer, butchered, cutthroat.
* Naive- Lacking worldly experience and understanding, simple and guileless; showing or characterized by a lack of sophistication and critical judgment.
* Nervous- Easily agitated or distressed; high-strung or jumpy.
* Nosey- Given to prying into the affairs of others; snoopy. Offensively curious or inquisitive.
* Obsessive- An unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something or someone.
* Oppressor- A person of authority who subjects others to undue pressures, to keep down by severe and unjust use of force or authority.
* Overambitious- Having a strong excessive desire for success or achievement.
* Overemotional- Excessively or abnormally emotional. Sensitive about themselves and others, more so than the average person.
* Overprotective- To protect too much; coddle.
* Overconfident- Excessively confident; presumptuous.
* Overzealous- Marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a cause or idea.
* Pacifist- Opposition to war or violence as a means of resolving disputes. (Can double as a merit in certain cases)
* Paranoid- Exhibiting or characterized by extreme and irrational fear or distrust of others.
* Peevish- Expressing fretfulness and discontent, or unjustifiable dissatisfaction. Cantankerous, cross, ill-tempered, testy, captious, discontented, crotchety, cranky, ornery.
* Pest- One that pesters or annoys, with or without realizing it. Nuisance. Annoying. Nag.
* Pessimist- A tendency to stress the negative or unfavorable or to take the gloomiest possible view.
* Perfectionist- A propensity for being displeased with anything that is not perfect or does not meet extremely high standards.
* Predictable- Easily seen through and assessable, where almost anyone can predict reactions and actions of said person by having met or known them even for a short time.
* Proud- Filled with or showing excessive self-esteem, and will often shirk help from others for the sake of pride.
* Rake- An immoral or dissolute person, acting without moral restraint, who defies established religious, social, expected precepts; a freethinker.
* Rebellious- Defying or resisting some established authority, government, or tradition; insubordinate; inclined to rebel.
* Reckless- Heedless. Headstrong. Foolhardy. Unthinking boldness, wild carelessness and disregard for consequences.
* Remorseless- Without remorse; merciless; pitiless; relentless.
* Rigorous- Rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard; demanding strict attention to rules and procedures.
* Sadist- The deriving of sexual gratification or the tendency to derive sexual gratification from inflicting pain or emotional abuse on others. Deriving of pleasure, or the tendency to derive pleasure, from cruelty.
* Sarcastic- A subtle form of mockery in which an intended meaning is conveyed obliquely.
* Sadomasochist- Both sadist and masochist combined.
* Skeptic- One who instinctively or habitually doubts, questions, or disagrees with assertions or generally accepted conclusions.
* Seducer- To lead others astray, as from duty, rectitude, or the like; corrupt. To attempt to lead or draw someone away, as from principles, faith, or allegiance.
* Senile- Showing a decline or deterioration of physical strength or mental functioning, esp. short-term memory and alertness, as a result of old age or disease.
* Scoundrel- A wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately.
* Selfish- Concerned chiefly or only with oneself.
* Self-Martyr- One who purposely makes a great show of suffering in order to arouse sympathy from others, as a form of manipulation, and always for a selfish cause or reason.
* Self-righteous- Piously sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic. Exhibiting pious self-assurance. Holier-than-thou, sanctimonious.
* Shallow- Lacking depth of intellect or knowledge; concerned only with what is obvious.
* Spineless- Lacking courage. Cowardly, wimp, lily-livered, gutless.
* Spiteful- Showing malicious ill will and a desire to hurt; motivated by spite; vindictive person who will look for occasions for resentment. Vengeful.
* Spoiled- Treated with excessive indulgence and pampering from earliest childhood, and has no notion of hard work, self care or money management; coddled, pampered. Having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or over-solicitous attention.
* Stubborn- Unreasonably, often perversely unyielding; bullheaded. Firmly resolved or determined; resolute.
* Squeamish- Excessively fastidious and easily disgusted.
* Superstitious- An irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear from an irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome.
* Tactless- Lacking or showing a lack of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others.
* Temperamental- Moody, irritable, or sensitive. Excitable, volatile, emotional.
* Temptation- They have something that tempts, entices, or allures them, that is hard to resist. This could be anything, and can drive the character to do things of ill nature.
* Theatrical- Having a flair for over dramatizing situations, doing things in a 'big way' and love to be 'center stage'.
* Tongue-tied- Speechless or confused in expression, as from shyness, embarrassment, or astonishment.
* Timid-Tends to be shy and/or quiet, shrinking away from offering opinions or from strangers and newcomers, fearing confrontations and violence.
* Troublemaker- Someone who deliberately stirs up trouble, intentionally or unintentionally.
* Untrustworthy- Not worthy of trust or belief. Backstabber.
* Unpredictable- Difficult to foretell or foresee, their actions are so chaotic its impossible to know what they are going to do next.
* User- A person who uses something or someone selfishly or unethically.
* Vain- Holding or characterized by an unduly high opinion of their physical appearance. Lovers of themselves. Conceited, egotistic, narcissistic.
* Weak-willed- Lacking willpower, strength of will to carry out one's decisions, wishes, or plans. Easily swayed.
* Withdrawn- Not friendly or Sociable. Aloof.
* Zealot- An excessively zealous person; fanatic.
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