Character 101--How to make really great characters for role-plays

[computeradmit]

great idea

[orangefairy555]

Originally Posted by colette609

Alright, so I'm making a new character (not for WI, but for a different role playing site) and I'm in a bit of a pickle.

I have all the basics (history, appearance, ect.) but... I'm not sure. I find her lacking something.

I would post her history but I fear that it's a bit too... explicit for WI. But basically, this character was abandoned by her parents when she was born because she was a girl and not a boy. Her parents wanted a boy because they needed an heir for their company.

(A quick note: the role play that I'm using this character for is set in 1900)

Her parents dumped her off with the grandmother who is very poor. Then other things happen that are a bit too inappropriate.

After all of that, she ends up joining a circus.

Now, the girl's name is Lyle Marie Wellings. Her hair is long, curly, and chestnut brown and she has dark brown eyes. Her skin is fairly pale.

Lyle is a rather odd girl... She's very obbsessive and controlling. Nice and caring isn't in her vocabulary.

So, she's pretty much finished but I need help on one thing: a "superpower." The circus that she joins is a gifted circus, meaning that all of the performers have powers.

Thanks in advance!

Why don't you try something like the ability to control an element? Maybe like a fire-breather kind of thing? Because usually in circuses they have people who can breathe/swallow fire. That's usually pretty interesting.

[computeradmit]

yes a fire breather would be very cool !

[Miafire]

Suggestions:

Mind Reader
Psychic
Element controller
Can turn completely into one element
Invisibility
Turn into an animal
Fly
Grow wings
Turn into an Anthro
ETC.......

[computeradmit]

ok those are good thanks for the suggestion .

[Miafire]

Ps. An Anthro is someone who is like an animal, and human.

[computeradmit]

ok thanks i was wondering what that was lol

[colette609]

Those are all great suggestions, but elemental powers and shape shifting are just so overdone. I really want something... different. Bah. I don't know what I want. >.<

[computeradmit]

yeah i am not to sure what i am going to do yet

[Kuseria]

Some ideas, if anyone needs them.

Naming: A good idea for character's names is to search for celtic names. Each is unique in it's own way. For example Raelyn, or Derryth. Most of my charries have celtic names, and I'm quite happy. The meanings can have something to do with your charrie, too. Any other type of name would be good too. Asian, Old English. May be even read some old tales. Get ideas from them. Or you cloud make anagrams of a name you like, even though it may seem regular. If you have a name with some letters left over, it won't be a problem. Other wise you'll be forced to make up a name with the leftovers. And you may not like it.One of my characters is named Arianna Raelyn Griffin. But that can turn into Rigan Alyf. There are letters left over, but I find that an interesting name-maker, don't you?

Personalities and Descriptions: Make your character different in any way. It could be a lust for power, or a desire for immortality, maybe even a strange belief. It will make your character very unique. If powers are needed, choose something associated with their history. Your character will become more interesting then. Your posts may be longer too, describing the thoughts coming from using that power.

If powers are needed, choose something associated with their history. Your character will become more interesting then. Your posts may be longer too, describing the thoughts coming from using that power.

There's nothing much to say for descriptions. Make them strange if you want to. And unique/different of course.


I hope I was able to help!