The Characterby Benji
Perhaps one of the most common things that Semi-lit and higher RPs look at. It's important, and there are standards. I'll explain here.
Disclaimer: The example character below is one of my own design and should not be copied/remade for anyone elses use.
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Lets start with the Name of your character. Most any name is appropriate when entering a RP, though there are always restrictions. In this RP we have 'cannon' or original characters from the actual story line. [Ie. Rachel, Finn, Will, Emma,...] If you are applying as one of these characters, then the name is already chosen for you, and you don't need to worry. However, if you are making up you're own character, then you need to chose a name yourself.
Many RPers like to have themed names that are incorporated into their character's personality. We'll use one of my characters for example. Her name is Gwenyver Wrathe. She is a Pirate in the 1600s, so I used a name that was very common for that age in time. Another Character I have is Bennu, which means Eagle/Bird in Egyptian. Bennu is a Phoenix, so I used an exotic bird name for her.
What if I want to be Raven from That's so Raven? NO. Unless it is a Raven RP, just.... don't. This goes for other Fandoms, ie. shows, stories, mangas, movies. Mixing Fandoms just doesn't work. If the RP you are joining is a mix, then chose from the Fandoms that it is based off of, and not another. Basically, stick to the Fandom the RP is based off of, or make an Original Character.
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Gender Choice Well, this isn't hard to explain. Male, or Female. You're decision.
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How old should I be? This has to be the one thing that can make or break your Character. If you don't read anything else, I suggest you read this, and at least part of the Personality diddy below.
First of all, age is everything. It can tell others what life stage your character is in, [ie. childhood, adolescence, adulthood]. It can tell maturity level. It can tell them where your character will fall, [like most of our characters here are in school.]
It can also tell people what you want from the RP. It's a general notion of Literate RPers that those who keep their ages young in a RP are wanting to find boy/girl friends in the RP. In other words, looking for Romance. This isn't a bad thing, but when it is coupled with a very 'Mary Sue' personality, it can get annoying and tedious.
This is why I am putting some emphasis on this subject. Again, we'll use my character Gwenyver. She is 28 years old, because she is on a Pirate ship, and any younger you can expect her to be preyed upon by sea-dogs who may have some lust in their eyes and crotches if you get my drift. For this character, her age is appropriate. If I were to make her a 13 year old surrounded by a bunch of men three times her age... well, you can see my problem, right?
The Final point for this section is simple; make the age appropriate for your characters setting and situation.
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Personality Lets just go to the basic no-nos that will only mark you down when applying to a Semi-lit to Lit RP.
+ Mary Sue-ing. This is the term I've been using a few times so far. A Mary Sue is a Character that is one of, or a few of, the following;
a. the Perfect girl/guy who anyone would LOVE to date.
b. Someone who is can easily 'fall in love' with the first person they see.
c. a character who flirts or says that like another character on the first RP encounter.
Why is this under Personality? Simple, because it is first in the personality that one can spot a Mary Sue. Why is this such a big deal? Because Mary Sues' are characters that are NOT accepted in Lit RPs, due to the very fact that they do not wait to develop a relationship with other characters, but try to jump into a heavy romance kind of RP as soon as the RP starts. Its like if I were to come up to you right now, without even so much as talking to you, and start making out. Its offensive, and annoying to Lit-RPers. Keep Reading. I need to introduce a few other things.
A Rounded/Dynamic Personality. Something every Character NEEEEEEEDS. This doesn't mean your character dabbles in a little of everything, in fact that is discouraged. What it means, is that your character can DEVELOP. A well rounded character has things they like and dislike, but also things that they will stand for, and FAULTS. The big thing is FAULTS. We'll say it again, just for good measure; FAULTS.
NO ONE IS PERFECT, YOUR CHARACTER INCLUDED. So let him/her have something that suck at, a Downfall, or a bad habit.
Example of a rounded character:
Gwen is stubborn, and tough. She was brought up on a pirate ship, so what can you expect? Being a girl surrounded and constantly being challenged by other pirates because you are a girl can really eat you down. Forget frilly dresses and manners, you have to learn to survive on a pirate ship, and those just aren't part of being a pirate. On a pirate ship, you have to be quick-witted and always on your toes. You have to fast, and able to fight for yourself and pull your own weight. You have to be able to discourage anything unwanted. Gwen does that, and does it well.
Stubborn, tough, and ungirliness. Pitfalls for a girl in the 15th century for sure. However, that was just a brief example, and can not be the only thing you put down for personality.
After some pitfalls, it is good to add something that your character is pretty good at. Gwen, for example, is skilled with a rapier, a sword from the age. And, sometimes pitfalls can be something a character is good at too. Gwen is witty with a quick tongue that will get her into trouble, but that is what makes her fun.
Next, we'll go back to Mary Sue. What would make Gwen a Mary Sue? Though I shutter at the thought, its all for the greater good, so lets get it over with. Here is Gwen Mary Sue'd:
Gwenyver Wrathe is a 28 year old Pirate. She is stubborn and tough, but she does have a soft side that is really hard to get to. She has lovely black hair that accentuates her deep brown eyes that always look like they are swirling. She has the most beautiful voice that anyone could ever hear, and always is singing or playing her flute. She is long and slender, and wears a shall wrapped around her waste so that her legs are visible, and she never wears shoes. If anyone gets up on her, she is very skilled with her sword and isn't afraid to use it, though she won't use it on anyone she likes. She hates it when people stare at her body, and she gets mad very easily because of it. She loves being at the center of attention, and is usually the first to board another boat during a ship raid. She wears a gold locket with a long chain so it rests at the top of her cleavage.
-cringes- Lord.
Okay, raise your hand if you can tell me why that is Mary Sue'd?
Good, a few hands. Lets list them:
1. Stubborn, and tough, but has a soft side that is hard to get at.
2. Talks about her features. Wrong place for this, PERIOD. If you talk about how you’re character looks in your personality, you’re drawing attention to something that you want. With this, I’m trying to say ‘hey, look. I have pretty eyes you can get lost in, sexy legs you know you want to touch, and OH! Look, this locket disappears into my cleavage. –eyebrow wiggle- Want to come find it for me?”
3. ‘Most beautiful voice’. NO. NO. NO. Though I do have a gorgeous voice, doing this is a big NO. What was that other rule… oh yes, you’re character can’t be perfect, even at one thing. Gwen, actually, can’t sing worth beans. She’s skilled with her sword, but she isn’t a master.
4. ‘Won’t use I on anyone she likes.’ Innocent enough, right? WRONG. Its pretty much saying that you are expecting your character to ‘like’ someone.
5. ‘Hates it when people stare… loves being the center of attention.’ Don’t contradict yourself when writing your characters info. S/he can’t hate something one minute, but love it the next. It kind of ties in with #4.
