what makes a character unique?

[jayleann]

Hi, I am considering to create a character. What makes force-sensitive character unique in your opinion? What kind of character do you think would benefit other characters the most? I don't want to create something for myself alone, but a character others seek to play with, because it has attributes which complement their own development... and I wonder what traits or attributes a new character could have to achieve that. :)

 

[Phantom]

The thing that makes a character unique is you. You are the creator, God, even. The character that you make cant just be some baseline Mary Sue, and have nothing bad happen to them ever. What makes a chracter one of. A kind is the kind of backstory you give them. How does their parent's teachings reflect on them? How has their life previous to you RPing them shaped who they are? Heck, if you want to, you can write their personality to reflect your own. It doesn't matter how hard you try to make your character fit in, one way or another, it will be unique, and I gatubtee people will want to RP with them.

P.S. If you join the Sith, I can help you get acclimated, and give you cookies!

(They are delicious)

 

[jayleann]

It's tempting for sure. :p

 

[Kaane]

I can help with your Sithiness too, if needed = P

Also, oftentimes you'll find that you want to play a character a little bit different than what you wrote him or her as, to make it feel more natural and, of course, unique. My advice to you is to just let it flow naturally.

My Death Watch warrior Cal started out basically as a Sith assassin stereotype. But her personality gradually shifted and molded, and a decent story about a killer tired of the thing she does best, desperately seeking some sort of purpose to her life arose as a result. All when she was originally intended to be PvP fodder. Even if you think your idea for a character is the worst ever, through the organic process of explorative RP, something unique can and will happen. So fear not, in that sense ^^.

 

[jayleann]

Do you think it is possible that a Sith can return to the good side of the force? I am tempted to play a character that is part of the dark side but leans to the light, so to say. But I don't want it to become stereotypical...

I was thinking that the weak spot of my character could be anxiety (and the rage that results from being frightened). So judging from real emotions it would be possible to calm an anxious person with a trustful relationship. I just don't want it to sound ridiculous or irrational. Do you think a character can (in the long term) depart from the dark side without becoming another Neo-Matrix stereotype?

 

[Deviant]

Personally, I feel that it's perfectly reasonable.

I mean, it'll be difficult to try and navigate them through the Brotherhood, but it's completely plausible. My Sithy (link in signature) is an ex-Jedi Knight with loads of good still in him (to which I plan to thrash later in his storyline, since he gotta be macho-macho 'n stuff if I ever want him to survive as a Sith Lord).

Anyway, others might object since the force is rather black and white these days, but I say go for it, because:

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Marf]

Love your character, that's all that I feel matters. If you become passionate and emotionally involved with them, the details will just come naturally. They'll come to life on their own.

Just like a real person, everything makes a character unique from behavioral nuances, tastes, interests, mannerisms and psychology. Don't be afraid to work with cliches aswell, they can just be as fun. My character is definitely the stereotypical OP, darkness eating Sorcerer who looks like a Vampire, but he still has a dimensional personality behind the over the top image.

I don't really agree with this "writing for other people" approach. Write whatever makes you happy and the love and effort will show in your posts, and others will enjoy RPing with you all the more. Fuck I'd be miserable if I actually wrote what other people liked.

@jayleann

 

[Empress]

personally an approach I tend to use - I call life breathing. by that I start off very very simple while formulating the basic ideas- usually move to the art before i really have them or their name figured out. at that point I guess the best way to put it is i shut my brain off mostly and dont really think about it, and " let them tell me their name and story" and when it comes to the RP too i again basically shut my head down and sorta let the character dictate what is said and done how they feel, how they interact with their environment, their likes dislikes, loves, fears ETC is more how THEY shape it instead of me.... Ive had times where I wrote something and went over it after and was quite annoyed by something the character did- but... thats their call not mine. I guess another way to see it is like method acting but in text.

 

[jayleann]

"Ive had times where I wrote something and went over it after and was quite annoyed by something the character did- but... thats their call not mine."

That's impressive actually. I find that difficult. I have catched myself justifying decisions of a character as if they were my own. It limits what I can do sometimes, which is not what I want.

 

[jayleann]

Another short question. How do I know which pictures I can use? Is there a guide I missed? Or a gallery?

 

[Deviant]

Pictures and face claims are entirely up to you.

Though I recommend well-known, RL sources such as actors or actresses, you're more than welcome to go with art, etc.

 

[Kaane]

Use all the anime

 

[Marf]

Use all the anime

troll harder

For real, this is entirely my opinion, but anime pics are really, really cringey and give the other writer absolutely no clue what your character looks like realistically.

I try make a habit of not judging anybody's chars, but that is my one pet peeve.

I did say fuck what people think, but that was in regards to your actual character.

 

[jayleann]

This one looks alright though, does it? Not too anime-ish.

 

[Marf]

This one looks alright though, does it? Not too anime-ish.

That is your FC? Fuck that is badass, I love it.

I recommend putting it on the actual profile instead of using it as your avatar though. That way folks can see it in detail.

 

[jayleann]

Cool, thanks!!

 

[Empress]

art wise Im not a super big help because I make my own from scratch but i do see alot of people start with a basic model like a celeb and sometimes have them altered visually to better meet the look they go for too

 

[Jessica Cloud]

What makes a character unique? Their writer.

One of the things I notice most about awesome new characters is their depth. Things like goals, desires, loves, hatreds, and past that made them what they are today. Characters who are not defined by their super powers, their DnD class, or the color of their lightsaber. They are a personality with drive and initiative. They are not listless. They conquer. :)