Creating a Jedi

[Aedan Archer]

Does anyone have any advice on how one can go about creating and designing their character as a Jedi without making the character seem stereotypical or archetypical? The forun offers a good guide in character creation, but I always feel that when I work on a character, he always seems too cliche.

 

[Wit]

A few things to avoid would be the character being an orphan, their parents/siblings/loved ones being murdered by a Sith, some sort of stressful situation in the past that made them trigger their hidden Force abilities, a character that's fallen and seeks redemption by joining the Jedi. Off the top of my head these are some of the more common backgrounds we see, and they don't always result in the best Jedi character. Sometimes a more simple background creates the best characterss. The creative freedom you have to throw your character into different scenarios and let that develop them is also a lot of fun!

At work right now so can't give a more detailed reply, but I'm sure people will chime in with better replies!

 

[Aedan Archer]

I get that. I dont know if its my inexperience with SW rp, but I do find it difficult creating something with depth when that character has had a typical youngling upbringing. Is anyone able to give me some insight about potential settings for a backstory, just to guide me in the right direction?

 

[Raydo]

I think a lot of time people come up with the above stories because it is easy to explain why a person would totally commit to the Jedi under those circumstances (And if you can't be edgy what is really the point to life). Maybe think about putting the character in a position where choosing the Jedi lifestyle is actually the harder paths they could take. Explain why they would. That's really all you would need.

 

[Vosrik]

Another piece of advice I can add to the above is this: don't focus too much on making such an intricate backstory. What makes a character's story amazing is when it's been role played out over time, not written about when you're just getting started. Focus more on your character's personality, and even more importantly, their motives and goals. If you don't have a reason to rp with the char other than to just be in a thread, then the character will get boring very fast.

Characters with huge backstories can be interesting, but people who've created their stories through RP are far more fascinating. It's also a huge incentive to build your character up and develop quirks or difficulties to overcome.

 

[Undine]

When it comes to keeping characters feeling unique or non-standard, I always like to start with an image, something that grabs my attention. Almost every character I write for roleplaying purposes is inspired by an image. I like to go this route because if I ever get bored or am unsure of what to do next with them, I can look at the image for inspiration. As an example, here is an image:

Right off the bat there are three key features of this image that invoke inspiration. Her bald head invokes a sense of illness, it reminds me of cancer treatments so I instantly see her as being sick somehow. Yet she had a calmness to her that tells me she has either found peace in the knowledge she's dying, or found some way to overcome her illness. If she's a Jedi then perhaps she's a healer, a classic character trope is that of the wounded healer. She overcomes her own fears of death by helping to heal others.

The second impression is caused by her clothing, it's loose and free flowing, neutral and earth toned. This adds to the sense of calm her facial expression carries, making her feel kind and openhearted even though it's only an image. She's a free spirit, someone that seeks to do good in the world, someone you know will help you if you come to her, yet there is a strength to her as well.

The falling leaves and the fact that it looks like she's standing on water while looking towards the heavens with her eyes closed, almost in prayer, it all gives her a deeply spiritual vibe, perhaps religion or faith is what gives her solace in the face of her illness? Perhaps it's through her faith that she came to become a healer.

Once I know what an image makes me feel, what it evokes from my mind, I use that to develop the character's personality. In that moment in the image, what is going through her mind, what emotions does she feel. Is she alone, is she comfortable being alone. Is she with someone else, a friend, a lover, a mentor? How does she feel about them. What is it about her that everyone gets wrong? What hidden skill or quirk does she have and how does it make her feel that it goes unrecognized?

Once you have a personality, then you come up with the backstory that morphs the character into having that mindset. Does she fear death because she's never known anyone who's died? Does she remember watching a grandparent die peacefully so she isn't afraid? Does she regret not having children before she dies or does she regret not being able to see her children grow older? Who is the father of her children, and how did they meet? Was she brought to the Jedi as a small child or did she seek them out for healing and discover her own Force sensitivity?

From there, you go back, look at the image again and think about everything you've come up with by this point and reaffirm it in your mind as true to the person in the image. Make it feel real, like they are a real person, someone you've been getting to know. If you choose to go this route when designing a character, it helps to give that character an authentic voice, almost like they are speaking through your words rather than you puppeteering them with a keyboard, at least in my opinion.

Hope that helps, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

EDIT: I forgot to include one of the most important aspects of character creation, at least as far as the way I create my characters. Now this can be done with any character, but I specifically do this with Force sensitives. Once you've figured out the personality of a character, give them a defining Force ability or an affinity for a specific skill, not something to make them overpowered, but definitely something that is a focal point of the character.

With everything I've said about the character in the image so far, the obvious ability would be Force Healing, but I don't think that's it. I find it easiest to go with a sensory type ability, such as Force Empathy, Sight, or Hearing. But this time around I have something else in mind. What if this character's most prominent ability was Force Light? The ability to heal the Force itself from darkness. To be a literal beacon of hope and peace to the galaxy? How would this affect her personality, her fighting style, or perhaps she's a pacifist?​

 

[Aedan Archer]

@Undine that was magnificantly insightful. I struggle with creating personality with my characters. Im good at creating magic systems or unique surface level ideas, but I always struggle with developing the inner layers of a character and the example you gave me has given me some tools to use.

I also like thank everyone else who replied. You all are awesome people! I look forward to RPing with you all

 

[Undine]

@Andy Character creation and development are some of my favorite aspects of writing. The only thing I enjoy more is seeing a well developed plot or story arc come to fruition, though I am much better at building characters.​

If you need any pointers, advice or if you want me to read over a character, just let me know. I'm always willing to help.​

 

[Vosrik]

Character creation is something I need to work on as well, I really love finding pictures though :D

 

[Undine]

Character creation is something I need to work on as well, I really love finding pictures though :D

I have multiple subfolders dedicated specifically to pictures of future character ideas. It's actually where I pulled the image from above from.

Spoiler: Here's Another Pic

I'm pretty much a water gypsy at heart.

Also, @Andy I've decided I'm gonna turn the above example into an actual character, it just so happens that I ended up falling in love with her too much not to RP her. So thanks for that. :P​