The Characters

Building a character is simple for the most part. Building a character really just depends on the dedication and depth of the person playing the character. Many find it hard to play anything that deviates too far from their own nature, but with time and experience a player will learn that it really isn’t that hard.

The key to detaching yourself is in the mindset we portray realizing that it is just a game and understand that this is not you. This is a fantasy, a character, even though from your creation, is just using you so to speak. You are just the medium for the character.

Online, whether through Yahoo, MSN, Gaia, Forums, IMVU, Second Life and so many others, you will be interacting with multiple characters, each putting in their own bit to keep the story progressing. It is important that if you begin or join a story to keep original, be an individual but also be practical. Think in the terms of real life, realistically, would this happen? As an example, let us say that you are joining an story that is aquatic in nature. It would be very unlikely and unpractical to have a fire elemental.

Now, is it possible? Very, that is where the depth comes in. Research the terrain and the elements of your character then it is possible to create a back story (history) for your character to give him/her a reason.

When creating your character; what you need to remember is that this is a story. Even if an avatar is present to resemble the character, writing will be the way you are to give the mental image. So think of the physical characteristics. Hair, eyes, skin, size, scars, among other traits that are minor and go unnoticed add to the appeal of your character. Deformities and physical flaws add to the originality of your character. Then go deeper, have a story for each scar or flaw.

After you have your characters past detailed out, use each event to define their personalities, morals, and values as an example: When your character was a child, a homeless man had attacked them and stole their money so now they are leery when around people living in poverty. Or say that your character was raised in squalor so as an adult they put more value into money than other aspects of life, or hold no value towards money because they had gone most of their lives without it. Make sense?

If you are using a character based off a historical or mythological being, research that being and learn their portrayed nature as a guide to put you in the mindset for that character. As an example: Let us say that you are playing a Drow (Dark elf). Their natures are dark and in follow a chaotic neutral, chaotic evil morality. So playing a Drow that is sugar and spice and everything nice, wouldn’t work.

But, once again anything is possible. Think to your back story perhaps the Drow was abandoned, found and left at an orphanage. The change of environment would change the characters morality and influence them differently than had they been in their own environment. Not all this information has to be put in the back story, however if you are playing a character opposite of what history/mythology depicts them, it is best to do so. Other side stories, explanations will come out in game play.

If you are playing a character with magical, psyonic or astral abilities, then it is best to list them for the other players, who are not familiar with the mythology, to be aware. Otherwise, it too will come out in game play. Once again…even though this is a fantasy, there is such a thing as too much. Over empowering your character loses appeal and is quite frankly, ridiculous.


A character sheet would follow along this guideline with some minor variations depending on personal preferences.

Name:
Age/Age apparent:
Height:
Weight:
Hair:
Eyes:
Skin:
Abilities/Powers:
Weapon(s)/Proficiency:
History:

((( also look at character templates blog page )))

and or add more if you wish..