New, and straining for my first RP character.

[Kryodrache]

It's the hardest part, for me. I love to make them so complex in personality and backstory till they feel like living, breathing people that you could meet on the street, no matter how odd they might look. That's probably my favorite part of writing... the character, his/her development, and the sheer amount of drama and action one can illuminate. So many times have I sat back, my eyes closed, and just imagined running at a high speed... to leap off of a cliff, open my wings, and fly through a forest, dodging trees at Mach 13. There is a beauty and magnificence you can get in writing that you can't get from any other kind of medium, and try as I might, strain as much as I possibly can, there are STILL some moments of extreme drama, character, and pure soul that I simply cannot draw onto paper. But in writing, I can fill out that wanting need to the best of my ability, and to let others enjoy that sheer burst of energy, excitement, and emotion that imagined events and characters can emulate.

I've been considering a lot of character ideas since I got here. Everything from a ranch owner, who raises, weans, breeds, and trains everything from horses, to wargs, to big cats, and even rhinoceroses for trade. I've considered (possibly, one of my most favorite characters ever, from an earlier RP game) bringing an undead into the game, who calls himself Hammerhead, who is a vapid, intellectually challenged ghoul obsessed with sparkly things, sugary things, and hugs. I've Rped him beforehand, and some truly hilarious scenarios have come from it... from staring in abject horror at a friend once put in a pink dress, mouth agape, to run screaming from the room in a high-pitched, grating voice, to purposefully slobbering and chewing on a cookie about three inches away from someone else's face JUST for the enjoyment of watching their disgusted face. Probably one of my favorite characters. I've also considered bringing in a Lizardfolk (for my unending love of Argonians :D) who would have the magical ability of illusion... but at a dramatic price, as he/she would be mostly/partly insane and often sees nightmarish images and hauntings that are brought to the material world... but only as illusions.

And even more recently, after watching a video... I got the strongest urge to make a holy character. Quiet, pristine, gentle, dressed in silver and white, wearing a porcelain mask and sporting two cruel sabres upon his back, able to call upon the wrath of the divine should he feel the need. Lawful good, essentially.

Anyone have ideas? Shall I choose one of the above mentioned, and try my best to integrate my first character into Valucre as such, or shall I try yet another idea to better fit in? I really want my first RP character here to be a good choice. I have searched far and wide for an excellent place that roleplays... but with actual writing skills, rather than "kusominaganato growls and bites her leg off and runs off with it."

..........

Yeah I'm done with that.

I have seen some things that makes me want to stab my eyes out. .....With a baseball bat.

[Ronule]

Well, I say whatever sounds the best to you is what you should go for, but me, I'd say I'm partial to the way you were making that holy character sound.

Also, welcome to Valucre, I'm sure right now I probably have some angry glares coming my way for being gone so long, but alas... <Flash Bang>

<Skitters to the safety of the dark void of the interwebs>

[King]

Rather than making a character where everything is already figured out, why not just make a character (literally; just make something you're interested in) and see where your writing takes them? Don't focus so much on who\what they are in the beginning, but rather how enthusiastic and determined you'll be to make sure they experience some measure of change during your stay here.

[Archival]

You can most definitely have a fleshed-out character, rich in background, but no need to reveal all at once (for mystery, for surprises, for suspense, for drama). Sounds like you got the personalities already thought out. Now the plot, setting, etc. Can't get those started unless you just dive right in.

Novels are 'static'. RP provides interactivity. Feed off others' responses!

I think you're just having rookie jitters. When I started 9 months ago, I also was afraid to jump into a X Mystery Murder thread (full of excellent writers) with my Insurance Agent character investigating if insurance claim is legit... and he has evolved ever since. From life insurance provider to life protector to... hehe... who knows? I myself don't even know, but he's on the verge of... snapping.

[King]

The background of a character, in most cases, matters more so in novels than roleplay (unless you're coming from prior major plot). Granted, some of their experiences will dictate how they act around people, but the only thing that really tends to matter in a roleplay is the history you make via the writing you do with others. Your character won't be remembered for whatever past you give him or her for the sake of creation; they'll be remembered for what you do with that character in the time that you roleplay, if at all.

Long story short, don't stress yourself over the details surrounding the actual character creation. You've got a lot more that you should be thinking about, like: what you'll do with said character once they're created.

Besides, shit happens in roleplay that changes characters. For instance, you might make the holy character, but by the end of his or her story they could be a major villain of the forum. I'd know: Alexander, my necromancer, is a perfect example!

[Kryodrache]

H'uh... true, that. You guys do have some good points. When I was RPing with my boyfriend, we often did something we ended up calling 'asspulling' (Pardon my language) where we just yanked something out of midair to add to our characters, in order to explain something or fill a plot hole. It could be anything from personality, to backstory, to even what was going on, and it would always fit the current situation. I always loved it, cause it proved the level of creativity one can conjure up on the spot.

Maybe I am thinking this through too deeply, however. This isn't the first time I've got, as you put it... the 'rookie jitters.' I think I'll just pop a character in, and see how it goes from there... because I honestly do enjoy character development, a character that can learn, expand, and... yes, even change alliances and social standing.

Hell, that last one is the most fun!

[Modulation]

>.>. It seems I've asspulled a lot over the years for character story. However, I could suggest taking a character you've used before, and rebirthing them. In fact, most(if not all) of my characters are rebirthed. Somewhat different backstory, somewhat different circumstances...but they end up the same person as they were when you first played them. See where events lead, y'know?

[Archie]

Speaking of characters changing, I made a character that set out to dominate the world, but now is helping Weland to put out a fire O.o

Anyways, hello there and welcome to Valucre :D

[Ran Iji]

Welcome. Strive to create interactions; rationalize it later.

[Codeh]

When it comes to characters, I think the best ones are a part of you. Look within yourself, find something that is you but that you hide. Maybe it's dark, maybe it's heroic, but whatever it is it is something that you are incapable of doing, incapable of expressing, incapable of achieving in the real world. Let that little piece of you out in the writing.

We are all ultimately our characters, they just tend to be a little exaggerated.

[Acies ab Vesania]

Putting a piece of yourself, in some respect or another, into your character is a great place to start. What could you know better, other than the things that make you, you? Well, that could into a philosophical/psychological debate, but for the purpose of discussion, it is easy to run with something you are knowledgeable and comfortable with, and then build more around it. What truly makes the character, is taking that trait, and becoming passionate with it and the character.
Let the character draw you in for that trait and the others that you integrate. If you can truly get behind what you are doing with that character, you can create something truly engaging. That, and be different. I like your ghoul; coincidently, I once played a ghoul in a Heroes Unlimited RPG, of all things to call a 'superhero'. Characters that are different and realistic are easier to identify with.

Also, don't worry about every detail. Get a skeleton of who they are and what they are about, and then write with them. If you have some directions in mind, write towards that goal, but watch as your stories unfold and the character grows on their own. Soon, you will have something wonderful created. :)

Welcome to Valucre.

[Modulation]

We are all ultimately our characters, they just tend to be a little exaggerated.

You know, I've said before that I'm the sum of the characters I play. Just...somewhat more logical.