Post by generalfoley on Sept 21, 2011 6:45:08 GMT -4
Alright, ladies and gents, this is The Doctor speaking. With the permission of Wolverine, also bouncing ideas off of our ever-lovable Admin, I've decided to start up a Help thread dedicated to helping out our members with creating a good, balanced profile for your Original Characters. Now, I've seen many Roleplayers, from the green-as-grass rookie to the most grizzled veteran, have some trouble with the profile. It's cool, everyone does. Even I do. Of course, staying up 'til three in the morning doesn't help, but I'm getting off track.
And I know what some of you might say, "You're just reposting the profile skeleton, you aren't doing anything to help us!" Well that's where you're wrong, good sir and/or madame! This is an example profile for a generic OC, for whom we'll call Average Joe for now. I'm going to outline what a good profile uses, and how to properly balance your character. Now, before you go off saying how I'm helping you make a better profile, look at Sirius Nova's new OC profile. If any of you remember how it was before, then know that I helped make that happen. I directed Sirius from the top on how a balanced character could and would be made.
Of course, I had to take the position that no one likes: I had to be the teacher from Hell that would tell you to sit down, shut up, and learn. And I will be over and over again if it helps you make a good and well balanced character.
Let's begin, shall we?
And I know what some of you might say, "You're just reposting the profile skeleton, you aren't doing anything to help us!" Well that's where you're wrong, good sir and/or madame! This is an example profile for a generic OC, for whom we'll call Average Joe for now. I'm going to outline what a good profile uses, and how to properly balance your character. Now, before you go off saying how I'm helping you make a better profile, look at Sirius Nova's new OC profile. If any of you remember how it was before, then know that I helped make that happen. I directed Sirius from the top on how a balanced character could and would be made.
Of course, I had to take the position that no one likes: I had to be the teacher from Hell that would tell you to sit down, shut up, and learn. And I will be over and over again if it helps you make a good and well balanced character.
Let's begin, shall we?
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The person behind the character:
Name/Nickname: John Doe
Age: (Optional)
Experience: None (Let's just say he's new)
Contact information: j0hndoe@genericemail.com or PM (just a place where we can reach you)
Character basics:
Real name: Joseph Schmo
Alright, while this doesn't seem like a big deal, it certainly is. This is a one time deal, once you make your name, you only have the time between typing it here and posting the profile to change it. For now, we'll call him Joe Schmo, since this is a guide.
Code name: Average Joe
This would mean the alias your character takes up when fighting crime/trying to take over the world/plotting to blow up the planet, etcetera etcetera. Some people like to tie this alias in with their chosen powers, or they might take a completely different title because it's what represents both them and this new persona that they take up. So, like the Real Name, tread carefully with this one.
Date of Birth: January 1st, 1970
Alright, this time I won't scare you into thinking this detail is too important. But, if it's tied into their powers, or aging is effected by their biology, then you should at least think about how old your character is. But don't go overboard with this. If your character is two and a half thousand years old and is the last prophet of Who-Gives-A-Crap, than that's going a bit overboard. What I recommend the maximum age limit should be for you to stop at is, at the most, two hundred and fifty years old. That way, it can give you a little leeway on what your character did during that time when you write the history (see below)
Place of Birth: Generitopia, Generica
While this is a very big variable on this site, remember that the place of birth can effect how your character behaves and acts towards others, but remember that there will always be other variables effecting your character. But more on that later.
Age: 41
See Date of Birth. But remember this: With age comes wisdom, not intelligence. So no matter how much your character has experienced and done, he might be extremely ignorant in other areas. Also, if your character is very, very old, but looks a different age, so please do us all a favor and put what age they look like.
Known family:
-John Schmo - Father, Deceased
-Jane Schmo - Mother, Deceased
-Genorma Schmo - Sister, Deceased
-Geronimo Schmo - Brother, Deceased
Alright, so here's the deal with this part; your character has to have some sort of family. Your character wasn't just born out of thin air, nor was he willed into existence by a deity. They don't have to be deceased, but they do have to exist. If he was an experiment and cloned from genetic material, then list the owners of the DNA. It's not that hard.
The Reflection In The Mirror:
This section is for the appearance of your character. You can add in a line for their apparel, if they tend to wear a certain kind of clothing a lot of the time, and if you do add this line, I recommend you write out the description of their clothing. It's a lot easier to do so, since it's more often than not a pain in the ass to try and find the exact outfit you're looking for. But, right under the The Reflection In The Mirror line, I recommend you put an image of someone you think would fit the bill of your character. But, according to the rules, you'll have to use a live, actual person for your person. No exceptions.
Hair: Black
Alright, I really shouldn't have to go over this one, but some of you are thinking "Hey, maybe I'll go with multi-colored hair, a symbolic gesture for blah blah blah." No. If it doesn't fit the picture, then you can't use it. That's what the picture is there for, to act as a base.
Eyes: Brown
This is the same rule for Hair up there. If it doesn't match the picture, it can't go in. That, and you have no idea how many people try to get away with making the character have heterochromia iridum (having two eyes of different colors). But they never do.
Height: 5' 11"
This is something I found often in new roleplayers: they don't know how to measure height properly. The average height for a male is around 5' (feet) 7" (inches) to 6', and the average female height is around 5' 2" to 5' 11". Choose anywhere between those, and you'll be fine. Of course, if your character is an extraterrestrial, then choose between the native species' average heights.
Weight: 200 lbs
It's pretty much the same deal with height, yet slightly different: Newer members often choose extremely low weights for their characters (around 100 pounds to 140 pounds). And I ask you one thing, and only one thing: Stop comparing your character's weight to that of a starving runway model! It's so common, it's sad. The average weight for a human male would be around 180 pounds to 225 pounds, and for a human female, it would be 160 pounds to 200 pounds. Again, if your character's an alien, then make the proper and necessary conversions.
Legal Status: Adult
Now this is simple enough, right? Above Eighteen (18+), you're an adult. Below Eighteen (18-), you're a minor. If you're underage, but are legally considered an adult, then explain how this happened.
Occupation: Gym Owner/Super Hero
This is where you would put your character's first occupation (job, student, etc.), then preferably if they're a super hero, a super villain, or something.
Affiliation: None
This is where you would put the character's affiliation with a certain faction. If they were part of a faction, then you put it here. Simple and easy.
Abilities:
Energy Manipulation- Able to convert energy in his body into a different kind of energy in the form of a blast or some type of energy emission; for instance, he can cast fire bolts, lightning bolts, etc. But he can only use so much energy before he is either too weak to fight on, or he passes out.
Energy Focus - Joe is able to focus his bodily energy into different parts of his body, thus enhancing any kind of physical action Joe needs with the energy being directed into that part. For example, if he pushed energy into his right arm, his right hook can fracture skulls. If he pushed energy into his legs, he'd be able to run faster. Much faster. But, like his energy bolts, he can only use so much energy before he becomes too weak to fight or he passes out.
Alrighty then, now it's time for the fun section; the powers. Now, I know you've been reading this for a while, thinking, 'When is he gonna get to the powers?! I have so many ideas!' But slow down. Powers are great, yeah, but they have to be wary. No 'over the top' superpowers, like snapping your fingers and a rifle pops into existence or imagining victory and gaining victory. No. They have to be somewhat possible. That, and there have to be limits to using your power(s), since there has to be balance for all of this to work. Checks and balances, my friends, checks and balances.
What's hidden behind the mask:
This is pretty much the personality and history of your character, and then a 2-4 paragraph roleplaying example in character. Note that I said 2-4 paragraphs, since I know some of you will skip out. Now, while I did all of the above for your benefit, can't do these last three. I can't, in good conscience, make an example that you will almost undoubtedly follow. And here are the reasons why:
Personality: (2-3 paragraphs)
This is the personality of your character. This means that, while I technically could put up an example, I'm going to let you guys do it. This is your character, you make up the outline of their profile. That way, you get a better understanding of them then when you would following an example.
History: (Tell the History of your character such as birth, location, how they discovered their
superhuman ability, life as a superhero/villain, and what they are currently doing and/or residency.)
This is pretty basic, right? Tell the history of your character. From their birth to present day, tell us what happened. In around 3-5 paragraphs. We want something to read, not reference.
Here you place a role playing sample post, in character. It can be from another site however it must be with the canon character you have chosen. (2-4 paragraphs, once again place as many details as possible people.)
I can't possibly make this any easier than Wolverine did when he made this.
Code word: (Can be found in the rules, proves to staff you've read the rules and understand them.)
Ha! Not letting you off that easily. You've got to read the rules like everyone else. I did it, you have to do it. Besides, you might learn a thing or two.
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Well, there you have it. A detailed example profile, complete with explanations. And it's only *looks at watch* 3:46 in the morning... Well, it's done, and it's extensive. That's all that matters right? Now, if you'll excuse me, I've a bed calling my name.
Good luck to you all. And may the Character be with you.
Always.
Good luck to you all. And may the Character be with you.
Always.
