Posted by Jheriohn on July 9, 2000 at 01:09:05:
In Reply to: Proud Blade's Roleplaying Topic of the Day: Playing Flaws. posted by Proud Blade(VIP) on July 6, 2000 at 00:42:38:
This is what I do and it works well for me. Step 1: Pick a stereo-type, arch-type... what ever. That's your foundation. Nothing ever lasts long without a strong foundation (house on the sand?) This is the skeletal frame from which you will build upon later. And remember, there is nothing wrong with doing something that has been done before. It often times breathes life into old things. But the trick is to do something that has been done before in a different way. Preferably a way that is easy for you to roleplay. I don't know about you, but I absolutely hate to force roleplay. If I find I picked a role I can't easily play, then I usually end up deleting or letting the character go by auto-deletion. Example: Arch-type that has been done numerous times Step 2: Flesh and muscles This bard will be a Sylvan bard, eventually. First he will be born into a city and learn what a bard is about. He will learn to sing, dance, fight, juggle, tell jokes. He will learn a sense of humor. He will be of the Sphere truth. He wants everyone to know only the truth. I will make him an elf because I picture elves and peaceful slow to anger happy creatures. That and they learn quickly (I know, cheap, so what?) Step 3: Interesting Features Hrmm... I have this tall, slender elf with a smile on his face. He likes to sing, dance, and generally play. I doesn't like to work, hates work. If it sounds like work, feels like work, he isn't gonna do it. Life should be easy, not difficult. He will work to make everyone's life a bit easier. He will aid in the destruction of the pestilence befalling beloved Thera. But he must do so with a clear head. So he will consume alcohol with caution, only in certain situations. *quirk* He will not harm the natural world intentionally. *quirk* He will attempt to talk instead of fighting (if only you knew how much trouble this got me into... Most people don't wanna talk and merely used the gathering as an attempt to ambush me) As a side note a character that developes, grows, ages is one that will be remembered. I can go through a list of people I know whos characters did this. I wish I could remember the Imm that said something to the effect of "How long does the average player spend on his description? And how long does the average character last> And how often do you notice age old characters with that level 1 young full of life description?" Think into how you your self have changed over the years. How did you act 5 years ago? 10 years ago? Is it the same as now? Now apply that to your character. And it never hurts to add to your character. A lot of people develope little interesting features about them with time. I know that when I was four years old I didn't have that habbit of brushing my forhead to remove the hair from my eyes. Now I do, even though I've never had hair long enough to cover my eyes. Time has gone by, age has begun to set in. His eyes are set further back and that sparkle in his eye has faded. He no longer walks with glee through the woods. He creeps slowly, quietly, nervously. It has been years since he has seen the joy of his youth. Constant fighting has worn his patience thin and he knows this. He tries not to be so harsh, but he just can't help it. He tries to be jolly, glad, but instead he is filled with sadness. The sadness of failure. For many times he has failed. In time he will be deluded by those he speaks to. (yes, I inteded this, no I didn't expect to smart off to Sebeok and piss him off, yes I regret it still :P) On Snarf and company's page there is a HANDY little question list for these steps. Print it out or cut and paste it and answer each question. Then once you have that compilation of answers, you have something to work with. And it can't be said enough. "THINK ABOUT IT" There's nothing wrong with spending a few hours in preparing a character that you'll be spending 20 times that time later with. Find some really good role players, and role-play. Hang out with them. Perma groups only stifle your play, so meet new people. You'd be amazed at the variety there is to seek. Also find some people you enjoy role-playing with and hang out with them on occasion. In my case, Jheriohn admired Ingvar mainly because he stopped to talk. That was the first time anyone had ever stopped their attack and actually had a conversation over some wine with Jheriohn. Last note: Stick with it. Try not to let your self lose interest in the character. If you find your self getting bored with it. Take a break. And please, please, please don't forget your role, your character. This is the biggest and fastest way to destroy what you have probably spent hours into creating. There are many many many many ways to develope and work on these three easy steps. I'm sure Proud Blade will go over them... infact. Here are some topics I'd like him to bring up over time. Emotes, Descriptions, Player to Player Interaction, How to Begin a Role0playing Session, and Character Developement. Those are just some off of the top of my head. But I think that with effort, and a little gathering of ideas the value and quality of role-play in CF can be VASTLY improved into a state where there will be Istendil's running all over the place. Jheriohn, hopefully helpful, hopefully somewhat interesting :P
I want to play a Bard. I also want to play a Sylvan. I have never played a bard before. How do I want to do this? Think into history. Bards, singers in taverns. Traveling musicians, entertainers. Hrmm... I know! I'll play a free spirited happy go lucky bard. One that is content with spreading this joy. One who attempts to turn people to his idea of life with mirth, laughter, and alcohol.(drunks are so gullable...)
This is where you would decide things that make your character exactly that. A character. Pick a name, think for a while on the name too. I usually spend about an hour on just the name alone. Why? Because that is what you will be called until the day you die. Decide upon a physical description. Spend some time on this. I think for a very long time on a role and description mainly because if I spend 300 plus hours working on something, I want it to be good. This here is where you will decide what cabal you aim for, sphere, tatoo, god, goal what ever. This step is very important because it gives you something to work towards. Something to build up to.
This here is the step that makes or breaks a character. As Proud Blade and many others have been saying, the little quirks DO matter. They are what breathe life into the character.