whoaeasytiger
human disaster
omg i know bil okay. like, snobby, rich white girl who like, struts around and stomps on everyone with their heels and with perfect red lipstick everyone fauns over like lol stop pls.
What Do You Like or Dislike In a Character?
- Thread starter DxFoe
- Start date
ᵇᶤˡˡʸ
twink, blond and uber gay
Omg ikr, like character diversity pls, or like p l e a s e id love to see more characters that arent just "black/white/asian", like you don't see many native americans, arabians, people from places like italy or lebanon, you see me point??
Looollll i have way too many pet peeves
Looollll i have way too many pet peeves
Imperatus Rex
Semper Imperatus
~~Time for the Imperial rant~~
Characters are a reflection of the player, but they are also a critical story factor and pivot. You are free to have your own little character, but sometimes you need to step back and look at the abomination you plagued the threads with. I will list my least favorite qualities used in characters, also please note that nearly all types of characters can be good if played well.
-Horny 24/7
-Overly tragic backstory, usually as a pity magnet.
-Overly introverted characters that refuse to talk to other characters. Honestly, how the hell does the plot move when you can't even communicate.
-Depressed characters that distract from plot and act as a pity magnet.
-Became an assassin because their parents were slain and they needed to blah blah blah
These are only a few cliches, but they are annoying if you don't actually play it right. Yes, I am saying that a Horny 24/7 character can possibly be done right, although you better be a damn good writer to make it not get old quickly. The dead parents can be a good detail... if you actually put effort into it.
Example of a bad usage of cliches: "Asunari-kun's parents died when she was young so she fought bandits and became an assassin who discovers she is infused with the blood of a demon and has the ability to transform into a demon ninja dragon and-"
Example of a *better* usage of cliches: "The war raged on for years as the skirmishes took the lives of citizens, including Dante's parents. Feeling pity for the boy, an innkeeper raised the boy himself. After the inn was raided, Dante managed to sneak out. After sitting on the streets hungry for days, he was taken in as the apprentice of a sword-maker. After several years of grueling work, he finally worked as a sellsword wandering the towns. His infamous deeds of blood and justice carved his name into the minds of the town, if not the continent."
In conclusion, please don't use cliches unless you can actually utilize them for an efficient character. Also do not include a bunch characteristics that distract from plot, because the plot is far larger than your characters insolent whining.
Have a nice day, and feel free to point out flaws to me.
Characters are a reflection of the player, but they are also a critical story factor and pivot. You are free to have your own little character, but sometimes you need to step back and look at the abomination you plagued the threads with. I will list my least favorite qualities used in characters, also please note that nearly all types of characters can be good if played well.
-Horny 24/7
-Overly tragic backstory, usually as a pity magnet.
-Overly introverted characters that refuse to talk to other characters. Honestly, how the hell does the plot move when you can't even communicate.
-Depressed characters that distract from plot and act as a pity magnet.
-Became an assassin because their parents were slain and they needed to blah blah blah
These are only a few cliches, but they are annoying if you don't actually play it right. Yes, I am saying that a Horny 24/7 character can possibly be done right, although you better be a damn good writer to make it not get old quickly. The dead parents can be a good detail... if you actually put effort into it.
Example of a bad usage of cliches: "Asunari-kun's parents died when she was young so she fought bandits and became an assassin who discovers she is infused with the blood of a demon and has the ability to transform into a demon ninja dragon and-"
Example of a *better* usage of cliches: "The war raged on for years as the skirmishes took the lives of citizens, including Dante's parents. Feeling pity for the boy, an innkeeper raised the boy himself. After the inn was raided, Dante managed to sneak out. After sitting on the streets hungry for days, he was taken in as the apprentice of a sword-maker. After several years of grueling work, he finally worked as a sellsword wandering the towns. His infamous deeds of blood and justice carved his name into the minds of the town, if not the continent."
In conclusion, please don't use cliches unless you can actually utilize them for an efficient character. Also do not include a bunch characteristics that distract from plot, because the plot is far larger than your characters insolent whining.
Have a nice day, and feel free to point out flaws to me.
ᵇᶤˡˡʸ
twink, blond and uber gay
that was beautiful lol
ugh like you can pull off the horny 24-7 characters too, I had one, for a previous literate group where we had like
- slut x jock
- popularity queen x druggie
- artist x anger management
for a lil drama lmao, anyway, I was playing the "slut", she was manipulative, hard to pin down, curious and new how to use what mamma had given her.
however, she also had flaws, she was emotionally stunted, apathetic and shameless.
moral of the story, be careful with cliche characters kids
ugh like you can pull off the horny 24-7 characters too, I had one, for a previous literate group where we had like
- slut x jock
- popularity queen x druggie
- artist x anger management
for a lil drama lmao, anyway, I was playing the "slut", she was manipulative, hard to pin down, curious and new how to use what mamma had given her.
however, she also had flaws, she was emotionally stunted, apathetic and shameless.
moral of the story, be careful with cliche characters kids
Imperatus Rex
Semper Imperatus
Exactly my point, billy. Thank you.
ᵇᶤˡˡʸ
twink, blond and uber gay
you my friend, are welcome.
i would avoid cliches unless you are either uber literate or uber experienced.
omg tho biggest peeve is when people join something above their level, like,
I hosted a fully literate, minimum four paragraphs, and while everyone was making it with ease, like ten lines a paragraph, this one user, who we all collectively dislike for this vey reason, was barely making three lines a paragraph, etc etc.
see what i mean?
i would avoid cliches unless you are either uber literate or uber experienced.
omg tho biggest peeve is when people join something above their level, like,
I hosted a fully literate, minimum four paragraphs, and while everyone was making it with ease, like ten lines a paragraph, this one user, who we all collectively dislike for this vey reason, was barely making three lines a paragraph, etc etc.
see what i mean?
whoaeasytiger
human disaster
*hey, which one was that one my love?*
whoaeasytiger
human disaster
THAT ONE LASTED TWO SECONDS AND I NEVER EVEN DEVELOPED FAKE WOLFGANG LMAO.
For me I would say what I dislike most in a character, is a character who routinely disrupts the ability for a story to progress and keeps dragging it back to them. This can be done in any number of ways (many already outlined by others in this thread). Many Mary Sue characters are guilty of this (but not all).
For me personally the worst of these disruptive characters are the overly aggressive kind. There's a time and a place for aggression, and a level at which it makes sense, and a level at which it makes NO sense. IE: The story's villain has captured one of the heroes. If the hero is bad mouthing and spitting at the villain, one is going to expect some element of consequences. But the guy in a public establishment full of witnesses who decides that to maintain his/her honor he/she MUST KILL THE INSOLENT CUR WHO IMPLIED HE/SHE WAS BEING AN IDIOT.
Past a point it's just '... this character should have been killed or in prison ages ago if this is their goto response to EVERYTHING'.
It also makes it very hard to progress a story if one of the characters is turning every little thing into a life or death blood match so every time story progress is made- OMFG I WILL KILL YOU - Queue up another fight.
There's other ways characters can disrupt story as well. Overly helpless characters can (but not always). There's a fine line with working such a character into the flow of a story, and CREATING trouble for your character to be saved from every moment the story shifts away from the character. After a while it can get exhausting for people who want to progress the main story if every time they post, the story gets derailed by the same character needing saving. I once encountered a case of this so severe, that the player would have her character trip and fall and crack her head open on a table if there was nothing else at hand to need her character saved from.
Within the flow of a story, I find many 'taboo' types of characters actually work just fine. It's just a matter of playing them in a manner that doesn't hamstring the story via jarring interruptions and derailments, but instead works in sync with the story. A moody, asocial, antihero may not work in one story and feel forced, but in another story the character may suit just fine due to circumstances specific to that story and character.
As for what I LIKE in characters? I like a character that feels genuine to me. I want to be able to look at a character and their actions/reactions to things, and think 'this could totally be a real person in this situation'. They fit the story, their motivations are logical and realistic, and they're acting within the realm of what one would expect for a character of that type/age/upbringing.
For me personally the worst of these disruptive characters are the overly aggressive kind. There's a time and a place for aggression, and a level at which it makes sense, and a level at which it makes NO sense. IE: The story's villain has captured one of the heroes. If the hero is bad mouthing and spitting at the villain, one is going to expect some element of consequences. But the guy in a public establishment full of witnesses who decides that to maintain his/her honor he/she MUST KILL THE INSOLENT CUR WHO IMPLIED HE/SHE WAS BEING AN IDIOT.
Past a point it's just '... this character should have been killed or in prison ages ago if this is their goto response to EVERYTHING'.
It also makes it very hard to progress a story if one of the characters is turning every little thing into a life or death blood match so every time story progress is made- OMFG I WILL KILL YOU - Queue up another fight.
There's other ways characters can disrupt story as well. Overly helpless characters can (but not always). There's a fine line with working such a character into the flow of a story, and CREATING trouble for your character to be saved from every moment the story shifts away from the character. After a while it can get exhausting for people who want to progress the main story if every time they post, the story gets derailed by the same character needing saving. I once encountered a case of this so severe, that the player would have her character trip and fall and crack her head open on a table if there was nothing else at hand to need her character saved from.
Within the flow of a story, I find many 'taboo' types of characters actually work just fine. It's just a matter of playing them in a manner that doesn't hamstring the story via jarring interruptions and derailments, but instead works in sync with the story. A moody, asocial, antihero may not work in one story and feel forced, but in another story the character may suit just fine due to circumstances specific to that story and character.
As for what I LIKE in characters? I like a character that feels genuine to me. I want to be able to look at a character and their actions/reactions to things, and think 'this could totally be a real person in this situation'. They fit the story, their motivations are logical and realistic, and they're acting within the realm of what one would expect for a character of that type/age/upbringing.
ᵇᶤˡˡʸ
twink, blond and uber gay
yes !!!! that !!! you said it perfectly.
If a character's personality/background or upbringing can fit realistically withing the realm of the roleplay or within real life, then it works.
This isnt a character thing, but when users decide to make a major plot change without the gm/creators permission, and screws up the plan you had.
or those characters whose personality isnt consistant/keeps changing.
If a character's personality/background or upbringing can fit realistically withing the realm of the roleplay or within real life, then it works.
This isnt a character thing, but when users decide to make a major plot change without the gm/creators permission, and screws up the plan you had.
or those characters whose personality isnt consistant/keeps changing.
Imperatus Rex
Semper Imperatus
Isn't this thread "Like or dislike in a character?" Why aren't we making more comments on what is good in a character?
Imperatus Rex
Semper Imperatus
Some things I like in characters are as following:
- At least slightly opinionated
- Uniquely named
- Multiple weaknesses
- Not distracting from plot, of course
- A unique eye color, e.g. not plain blue (I personally prefer shades of hazelnut for characters, depending on their personality.)
- Consistent tone in their dialogue, mildly affected by temperament.
- At least slightly opinionated
- Uniquely named
- Multiple weaknesses
- Not distracting from plot, of course
- A unique eye color, e.g. not plain blue (I personally prefer shades of hazelnut for characters, depending on their personality.)
- Consistent tone in their dialogue, mildly affected by temperament.
ᵇᶤˡˡʸ
twink, blond and uber gay
Ooooo ill add to that
- when people type out accents, i absolutely love it
- unique appearances, not just your standard white, blond and blue eyes, i have a character who has cocoa coloured skin, blond curls and freckles, have fun with your character's appearance kids
- characters with realistic relationships
- siblings, specifically if you share between another roleplayer, they are always fun.
- characters with spunk are cool too
- when people type out accents, i absolutely love it
- unique appearances, not just your standard white, blond and blue eyes, i have a character who has cocoa coloured skin, blond curls and freckles, have fun with your character's appearance kids
- characters with realistic relationships
- siblings, specifically if you share between another roleplayer, they are always fun.
- characters with spunk are cool too
I'm mixed feelings on accents. When people phonetically type them out fully in great depth, it slows the peace of reading down and ruins immersion as you stumble through trying to sound things or to figure out what's being said. This in my mind is too much and I personally loathe it. Much like putting too much description into a rapid paced fight scene that makes you have to stop and break out the acrobatics to try and figure out what movement the author is trying to describe. Dialogue must flow smoothly or it becomes a jarring experience for the reader and you lose the pacing of the conversation.
However I do very much enjoy when accents are done sparingly with words that are easy for the brain to recognize and adjust to. Example: going vs goin' are similar enough that the brain quickly figures it out.
If a few consistent accents are used that are appropriate for the given accent being portrayed, the reader will subconsciously read the rest of the character's dialogue with the appropriate accent and quickly adjust to the few accents that are routinely written. It adds flavor and immersion without jarring the reader.
However I do very much enjoy when accents are done sparingly with words that are easy for the brain to recognize and adjust to. Example: going vs goin' are similar enough that the brain quickly figures it out.
If a few consistent accents are used that are appropriate for the given accent being portrayed, the reader will subconsciously read the rest of the character's dialogue with the appropriate accent and quickly adjust to the few accents that are routinely written. It adds flavor and immersion without jarring the reader.
I'll roll my eyes at certain cliches, but generally in an amused way. I don't tend to overly dislike any archetypes, they all exist for a reason and each have their places in which they fit. So long as whatever you write can conform to the plot, have a motivation to resolve the conflict presented in the story, and interact with other characters in a manner other than "me angry I kill you" we'll probably get along fine. If anything, when I see certain dead horse tropes (like dead parents backstories, or "abused growing up" stories, or so on) I don't get angry--I tend to be quite doting, and laugh at it. Not because it's inherently inferior or because I think the author is dumb, but mostly because I remember when I used to use those tropes. I remember being a novice writer in my early teens writing "totally original characters do not steal" and being overly defensive of my creations too.
That being said, I do want to address one thing I saw earlier in this thread...
Eeeyeaaahhhhno. Gonna stick a clarification on this.
As someone who has written some pretty horrible people doing pretty horrible things, I wouldn't say those characters were a reflection of me. I'm a GM, I have to create antagonists in my world for the players to overcome. Some are just people with different views, and others are just straight up villains looking to kick puppies and murder anything that's different from themselves. I wouldn't so much say that my characters and worlds are a reflection of me personally, as they are my interests, values, ideas, knowledge, and so on. As a writer, you can (and inevitably very well should) end up questioning your views of the world, and write in the shoes of a character who thinks, acts, and believes differently from yourself.
I'm not so much saying you're wrong, as I am just clarifying the point. Because I am certainly not reflected within the eyes of a cold hearted monster attempting to murder innocent people--but I can attempt to write from its shoes nonetheless.
That being said, I do want to address one thing I saw earlier in this thread...
For the Greater Good, Gue'la.
Eeeyeaaahhhhno. Gonna stick a clarification on this.
As someone who has written some pretty horrible people doing pretty horrible things, I wouldn't say those characters were a reflection of me. I'm a GM, I have to create antagonists in my world for the players to overcome. Some are just people with different views, and others are just straight up villains looking to kick puppies and murder anything that's different from themselves. I wouldn't so much say that my characters and worlds are a reflection of me personally, as they are my interests, values, ideas, knowledge, and so on. As a writer, you can (and inevitably very well should) end up questioning your views of the world, and write in the shoes of a character who thinks, acts, and believes differently from yourself.
I'm not so much saying you're wrong, as I am just clarifying the point. Because I am certainly not reflected within the eyes of a cold hearted monster attempting to murder innocent people--but I can attempt to write from its shoes nonetheless.