How to Create a Great Character: A RP Guide

[paragon_nemesis]

^^^^^^

Indeed on the don't get too attached. I think the thing wouldn't be exactly too attached to the toon. If you really enjoy your toon that much, forever will they be immortalized in your heart, and the heart of those he/she inspired throughout all of their journeys. The thing I believe would get to "me" personally most is: The endless hours of grinding just to see it all disappear in one instant. xD Just saying. :p

[Lyrewyn]

We don't care that your character is the descendent of Ao that's come down onto this earth to bless all mortals with your divine presence and smite the world of all evils so we can all live a peaceful and happy existence. Please for the love of fiction do not blight the fantasy genre with your abomination!

Quoted for emphasis.

[narcaleptic]

One really useful thing that I have started using is the examine option on other players, this feature is widely not used and it should be. So much more rp can be added to your character by simply filling out the character in game bio when your in the nexas. it only allows for a small paragraph to be written but you can write about what god symbol your character might be wearing? nasty visible scars that might effect the way someone looks at you, your height to waight ratio? even though all are models appear the same this doesnt mean you look exactly like this its just a basic representation of your character. By filling this out when other players examine your character this info will come up and for example...


The man stands 4.9 and looks around 264 pounds of pure muscle he had a necklace baring the symbol of Illmater around his neck, and a priests book hanging from his side. there is a scar across his face that is very deep and nasty, giving him the look of a veteran that has seen many battles.


Something as simple as this would allow other players to get a since of what exactly you might be, giving a really good way to break the ice on a first time encounter, And perhaps even show that his values might be your own as well another follower of Illmater, if your character is also a follower. Or the fact that he has a gruesome scar might lead your characters personality to step away from him in fear, or disgust. vise versa if your the one with the scar. Its a really good option to use and for people that acually examine other players it can really give them a way to better interact with you and spark up a epic story that might lead you on the most fun rp adventure you have ever experienced.

Like they said before its really the little details that round a character out.. for example I play buurk he hits like a truck and can kill the hell outa most anything with a few good hits, but his fears of spiders, mice and rats are so great he cannot bring himself to fight one even if just simply steping on it would end the conflict, he would rather run away as fast as he can screaming or simple faint at the sight of one. These small details can be the key element that makes people really want to come rp with you, and when you find that perfect flaw you will find your character alot more enjoyable.

As far as powerbuilds go I only like them when they are one sided, as in your character hits really hard but suffers greatly in defense, or your characters defense is superior but you often have trouble hiting the ground with your own two feet. like they said in the other posts here, no one likes a perfect killing machine if you have 50 ac and hit for 50 a hit without a crit your going to suck the life out of any monster slaying adventure you go on.
but 50 a hit without crits and 30 ac makes you vunerable, once you get up past lvl 15 to 16, 30 ac is not going to help you much so even though you hit like a truck if you get surrounded for even a few seconds your going to drop like a rock, hence a acceptable powerbuild in my opinion.

My last bit of advice is creativity, just because your character is rounded off and has a since of individuality about him does mean you should stop there. Suprises are always awesome in rp, hiding things your character can do until you really need them, like having the ability to cast certain spells. Its really fun and gives your character big rp + when your stuck down in the bottem of the cloakwood mines with 4 people badly injured hiding and scared, when you come forward with the ability to make everyone invisable to escape. its attracting and those people will want to rp with you in the future and when in a bad situation again they might even all look to your character thinking you have a clever scheme already under your sleave. I personally love a character with mistery whats he going to do next?

I hope this helps and if anyone wants some helping advice you can pm me at anytime, Narcaleptic out ZzzzzzzZzzz...

[Hoihe]

Completely agree with narcaleptic there.


Also, you can write a far longer biography using the DMFI biography editor.

Personally with Hoihe I have a biography one might consider too long.. You don't have to but I just like typing away. A simple one-two paragraph explanation about the most important things will help.

Even something as simple as:

"A young woman with blonde hair and blue eyes who wears her leather armour with undeniable grace" will put you very far from "Nothing/Your history..."

But if you're in the roll then you can do something like..

"First paragraph.............



..


Second paragraph ..




.."

etc

[Duster47]

The "Biography Editor" should first be re-labeled "Description Editor"*. Then it will be clear you should not type your PC's life history in it.

Otherwise, providing some useful physical information about your PC with this "examine" tool is completely awsome. In fact, you can save 3 different descriptions and change one to another on-the-fly as your PC changes outfits or moods or whatever.

* I suggested this design-side awhile ago

[astra]

I for one loove reading all the interesting descriptions people put on their characters.

Then it will be clear you should not type your PC's life history in it.

This is how I take it as well: Just like when hitting Examine on an object, Examining a PC should give a physical description of the character.

I've seen more than a few characters with descriptions including things like "he gives you a look that makes you want to get away from him" or similar, which I found to be a little inappropriate since I should be the one to decide how my character reacts to a particular look.

I tend to just ignore those parts.

[Maverick 40]

Is there a name for players who bend and shape their players to fit into every guild, faction and event they can possibly squeeze?

[Storm Munin]

Ask Lampir, I do not know.

Druid would be THE class for this feat of social aptitude perhaps considering the common Neutral alignment.

[Hoihe]

I don't know, druids' views are pretty far off from everyone else's.

Maybe bard?

[Deathgrowl]

True neutral bard. They have good reasons for being interested in as many factions as possible.

[TheKai]

A bit o'threadomancer here but..what an excellent post!