- - Ross’ Guide to Making a “Perfect” Character!
Jul 11, 2018 22:01:24 GMT -5
ʀᴀɪɴʟᴇᴀғ 🍁, -` gumi ´- .✫ 🐾, and 5 more like this
Post by -` gumi ´- .✫ 🐾 on Jul 11, 2018 22:01:24 GMT -5
- - Ross’ Guide to a “perfect” Character!
Please keep in mind, this is for mostly newbies that wish to create a character but have no idea how to, though this isn’t just limited to newbies, as anyone is free to use this guide.
If you find a person joining your roleplay, feel free to link them here, or even link it in your join section for those you believe will have trouble.
This is for everyone!
First thing’s first!
- Naming your character!
Naming your character something that you like can be rather difficult. When doing so, you may come up with names that just don’t seem to fit, or don’t make any sense. Such as naming an orange tabby feline Rain or Drizzle. While it isn’t completely out of the question, you just need to keep in mind how confusing it can be for a character with said name, contradicting what they look like. So, as far as prefixes go, try to keep them relevant to a characters design (more about that can be found later in this post!) Finding a good prefix is - in my opinion - easier than finding a good suffix. A suffix can range from anything such as a cats looks, personality, to past things they may have done. The following links will prove to be extremely useful when looking for a fitting prefix and suffix! Take a look and pick out a name for your character, and then we can start with your characters design!
- Link to Prefixes [ these are traditional names, and the easiest to come by. ]
But if you’re looking for unique, check out these prefixes. Or check here!
But if you’re looking for unique, check out these prefixes. Or check here!
- Link to Suffixes. [ these are traditional names, and the easiest to come by. ]
But if you’re looking for more of a flare feel free to look here.
Coming up with a tribe name can be a bit harder, and take a bit more thinking. But try and think of how you wanted your character to be born, since that is usually how the traditional naming is done. If not, think of a name that flows. That's extremely important for a tribe name! For example, Autumn leaves that fall from tree flows much better than something such as Fish leaping for air. I know, it’s silly, but it makes sense. Easier naming a tribe cat over things that make sense, y'know? If you are having trouble, feel free to search here (continue clicking "other names" until you find one you like) for examples, or free to use names! [ while it is a generator, i couldn’t find a better source that gives good names, other than the warriors wiki! Which you could also use! ]But if you’re looking for more of a flare feel free to look here.
Fear your name may already be used canonically? While some RP owner may not be 100% on board for the name, it’s better to just use a name that fits your character- just beware that you don’t make an exact copy of the character that is seen in any book, unless you are actually RPing said canon character.
A list of canon warriors and tribe cats can be found here! If your characters name is shown, feel free to take a look at the character listed on the wiki, and try to steer away from making yours like that one ! (unless nothing is even said about the character!)
As for humans- anything really goes, but try to refrain from nearly impossible names to spell or pronounce. I know I like to think of how to pronounce names when I’m roleplaying with someone, though harder names are not out of question. While you don’t need to take in personality or looks into consideration like a warrior cats name, the name you choose for your human original character should indeed be something you like, and pushes you to end up using either the name, or the character as a whole once again.
Having trouble finding names? Look here for a list of female, male and unisex names!
Now, lets get on to the more fun parts of your character!
- Description of your character !
While getting a good description of your warrior may seem hard, don’t overthink it! The easiest route I can tell you is naming a character using the name you chose for a prefix! If you choose something like Rain- you may want to create a gray tabby, silver tabby, or a solid gray cat, or even, which isn’t rare but not ordinary, a brown tabby. Rain is seen to be a gray color, so, it makes sense. But if you want to steer away from pelts corresponding with name, then try making a personality that matches the name.
Common pelt colors include the following: brown tabby, gray tabby, torties, calicos, (even tabbicos), or even the plain black and white cats.
While your character pelt does not have to correspond with anything in the name, it makes descriptions easier.
Check here if you’re having trouble figuring out what you wish your character to look like!
Another thing that helps- if you name a character “little-” then maybe make your character small! But, by all means, have fun with it! You don’t have to make a description exactly like a character sounds, though it does prove to be an easier task then name a cat “Whitepetal” and the character is an all black cat without a trace of white, you know?
Personality is also a major thing to take into consideration! Remember this character is yours- make them however you wish, but try to refrain from having traits contradict each other. Such as a shy character, being loud-mouthed, yknow? It confuses others. An easy way to figure out traits is by doing three positive, and three negative. You can find a list of personality traits here!
As for humans, these characters are something you can make your own! Make your characters skin color and hair correspond with each other, unless you truly wish for them to be unique. Such as, dark skinned and blonde hair. Make females petite, or make them broad shouldered. Personality can also play a bit on how your character looks. Are they more girly and friendly? Maybe a petite, brunette with fair skin would work! More masculine and broad shouldered? Try dark skinned and tall! Want a nerdy character? Add those glasses, or even braces! (though braces do not exactly correlate with being nerdy all the time!) It’s just the right spice to make your character yours, and unique to your preference. Another thing to keep in mind is race and ethnicity- do background information on things you want your character to be, or what you want to know more about! Everything is simple click away with google! Now- eyes are also a specific part of a description- the common eye color is brown and dark brown.While that being said, keep it realistic, unless a character wears contacts, then heck, give them purple eyes. This also goes for more anime like characters- get crazy with it. Purple hair, silver eyes. But for natural humans, I suggest keeping things simple- stick with brown, hazel, green or blue eyes. Possibly mess with colors and make golden colored eyes, but that’s all on you. Personality could also be a difficult task. I find making your character as much like yourself can help, OR making the character the opposite of what you are in real life can also prove helpful when making them. The three positive and three negative traits also applies! Check out the link above for traits!
The best advice I can give to you about any characters description is to be realistic!
want more ideas and help as to what you can add into your characters description? Take a look at this list and pick out things that will help make a more detailed description!
Age:
Height and weight:
Body type:
Eyes:
Hair:
Race:
Nationality:
Birthday:
Other phys. traits:
Preferred outfits:
Family background:
General history:
Schooling:
Talents and skills:
Special powers:
Myers-Briggs:
IQ:
EQ:
General personality:
Maturity:
Relationship status:
Social standing:
Philosophy/Values:
Quirks and mannerisms:
Misc. Views:
Minor Notes:
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
given to us by Flamestar96
Height and weight:
Body type:
Eyes:
Hair:
Race:
Nationality:
Birthday:
Other phys. traits:
Preferred outfits:
Family background:
General history:
Schooling:
Talents and skills:
Special powers:
Myers-Briggs:
IQ:
EQ:
General personality:
Maturity:
Relationship status:
Social standing:
Philosophy/Values:
Quirks and mannerisms:
Misc. Views:
Minor Notes:
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
given to us by Flamestar96
History:
Another important thing to add to your character that helps develop them even more is giving them a history. When you make a characters history, it's easiest to make something that's relatable. When I say that, try something simple like, abondoned at an orphanage or at the border of a clan. Or try something simple like giving the character a family. If they're older, it's easier to say they died of old age, or disease (this can apply for younger characters in the warriors setting). While most people like to go that route, it can tend to be a little... over used. Try to steer away from **** back stories, or a character having abortions, and overall sensitive topics. I understand making a depressed character is fun, and they get attention, but please, by all means, do not make them uncurable. Have it be possible for others to help them, have them visiting a doctor.
Back to picking a history- get creative, but try to stick away from the trends of abandonment and suicidal. (which isn't really accepted here, unless a user says otherwise due to triggers).
A history shapes a character into what they are today- have fun with that and make this character your own. But do not make them have a perfect life. Trust me, no one will roleplay with your character then.
That leads us into our next topic!
- Flaws !!!
This right here- this is a major yes. Add flaws to alllllll characters. A flaw can be anything as simple as getting lost in thought very often, to being disobedient. A flaw can easily be taken out of the personality traits you have chosen for your character (i find this to be the easiest route to take when finding a flaw!). Try to make your characters flaw something that could possibly be improved, but please remember that some flaws take time, while others don't. Some are flaws that may not get improved due to the severity you give to your character. It all comes down to the flaw, and how severe you choose it to be. Remember, try to keep it possible, and don't have it contradict a character completely, make it something that can be worked with, and something you, and everyone around you, will enjoy. It also helps checking with an owner of the rp too if a flaw is acceptable. But other than that, have fun and get flawful c:
Here are some examples of flaws if you're having trouble!
- Sexuality and Romantic Attraction and Other Genders
Now that we have our character named, and designed, plus our characters flaw, let's discuss the one thing we all love to talk about- sexuality and romantic attraction. This is where the forums rules are definitely going to apply- you may not have a character that is sexually or romantically attracted to those young than the age of 16. UNLESS the character themselves is 16 to the age of 13, but really? Anyways, sexualities come in all shapes and stuff... the difference is: who your character will, erm, "sleep" with, versus who they could just fall in love with. You know? Gender is also something to take into account: and the following link can help you figure out a gender if your character doesn't exactly fit "male" or "female" aspects, or they were simply a male before, but transitioned to a female, and vice versa.
WCRPforums is a LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY community, and many roleplays include said differences in who a character is allowed to be attracted to, sexually, and romantically. While some users may not be okay with it, it will be listed in the rules, but this can also help form a character if needed.
A gay character for example, may be a feminine male with a flamboyant and bubbly personality. Or a more masculine female with possibly a tomboyish look.
NOW, those are extremely stereotypical but please keep in mind people/characters can look and act like anything with out those traits.
Want to check out a list sexualities and romantics? Check here for more information!
-- I hope you all found this guide useful! Please feel free to leave comments about things you wish were added, or things you don't think are really all that useful.
Please do not steal this off these forums to post them anywhere unless i know, but it most likely will not be allowed.
I have Feathertalon to thank for her help with proofreading and helping with the ideas, thank you! --
- Sincerely, Ross/T/Icyleaf/
Icy/Bumblebee/Bee
Icy/Bumblebee/Bee
