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+--- Thread: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? (/showthread.php?tid=7433)
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - Oscare - 06-24-2014
I'm typically a fan of every and any kind of character. Fleshed out to the bare bones with interesting backstory, or maybe a great personality behind a devious mind, or even just your typical every day gal who just buys a drink at the bar and delivers flowers to her mom. But I have a special flag for character with mental and/or physical disabilities.
I don't know why. But when I see say like, a character with a major attention disorder, or someone who has lost the complete usage of their right arm -- maybe they're actually just crazy or even they have say like, memory loss. These characters stick out to me, because they're easy to identify not because of their physical traits, but because of what's going on within themselves. You can be referring to tens or even hundreds of characters when you say "that miqo'te with the good smile and nice body", but when you say "the miqo'te with DID", then people are all like "Oh, I know exactly who you're talking about!"
I dunno, I find it unique and charming. Makes for great roleplay.
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - Saefinn - 06-24-2014
For me, the character needs to fit in their surrounding and fit with the lore of the game. I don't care if they're an average Joe or Tits McGee. I would also say something that's well written - not necessarily award winning, but nothing to make you cringe.
But how this game is set out appeals to me, I would struggle to RP in something like WoW, but here, the human condition is more present, though there is 'dark' and 'light' as per the crystals, but really, those considered good and bad have human traits that show that they have good and bad aspects to them. The kind of characters I like are therefore easier for me to write, because I write with both dark and light and often bring about the human condition. Yes, I wanted to be a pirate, but I feel I was realistic about it and consider that the stereotypes really don't apply. Granted alcohol is strongly present, but it's not like the stuff of children's stories.
Essentially I would say a character that makes themselves convincing in their environment.
Whilst Saefinn is a Pirate Captain, X'hayu is a Sultansworn, Steinn is an entreprenuer - all pretty high roles, I play them realistically - or so I like to believe. I also have Uhanu'sae, who is a sailor, Oskar who is a labourer (though he is my antagonist, which makes him more interesting) and I am to introduce Felix, Oksar's brother.
But truthfully, I don't enjoy the 'normal' characters so much. I feel the setting of Final Fantasy permits me to being your average Joe. I don't think either is wrong. It's about what you're happy RPing and if you can be convincing, then I'm sure people will want to RP with you. Suppose it depends on the crowd, you can't please everybody.
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - Cato - 06-26-2014
It's a bit of a broad statement but I prefer to interact with characters that boast a lot of depth whilst fitting in with their surroundings rather well. I've never really cared much for characters that feel like they're just one giant walking cliche or gimmick.
I also love interacting with villains, particularly if they're pulled off in a way that makes their goals appear realistic and even sympathetic. I have a soft spot for well-intentioned extremists - which is probably why I love the Garleans so much, I guess!
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - Verad - 06-26-2014
Mostly-harmless eccentrics with a tendency towards the verbose. I am perfectly happy typecasting myself.
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - Aya - 06-26-2014
(06-24-2014, 05:00 PM)Oscare Wrote: You can be referring to tens or even hundreds of characters when you say "that miqo'te with the good smile and nice body", but when you say "the miqo'te with DID", then people are all like "Oh, I know exactly who you're talking about!"Whew! Â Good thing I am a Hyur! Â Maybe Oscare will remember me! ^^
I dunno, I find it unique and charming. Makes for great roleplay.
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - Faye - 06-26-2014
I can't say I'm particularly interested in any certain archetype. I tend to alt and each of my characters have vastly differently personalities and lives. Likewise, I like to RP with a wide array of characters because it's interesting to see the different personalities and how my own characters click with them. I guess the most I could say is I like interesting, fleshed-out, three-dimensional characters and I dislike Mary Sues and self-inserts and other power-fantasy based characters. And kids--I hate young children characters. And futa/lesbian Miqo'te who do nothing but ERP with other futa/lesbian Miqo'te. But I suppose all this is based more on the player rather than a certain character type.
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - Clover - 06-27-2014
(06-24-2014, 06:11 AM)ArmachiA Wrote: I believe very strongly that I don't want an extraordinary character, I want a character where extraordinary things happen around her. She's normal for the world, usually a farmer or a priestess or a pirate, but crazy things happening around her and how she reacts are the most fun.
That's actually what I initially wanted when I created my main character. A normal girl that would find herself involved in crazy things happening around her.
The problem with that kind of character happens when nothing too remarkable actually happens *falls over*. Such was my case. In such a large community, important plots that actually make any change in the world seem to be reserved for FCs, in events which mostly take place in American timezones. Public events tend to be of the social kind (which are fun as well and I love them, but they don't really get characters involved in any plot).
Alas, Clover hasn't developed much because she hasn't been involved in any sort of adventure. She's always there, doing her thing while nothing critical actually happens to change her world.
(A Spanish friend is going to make a plot soon though. A real plot. So I guess Clover will finally have a story. I understand this kind of thing is best developed in small groups.)
So yes, normal characters made to go with the flow also come with a risk.
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - naachyan - 06-27-2014
Honestly, looking back at my favorite titles from Anime/Games, my favorite characters were always the supporting characters. They weren't extraordinary in terms of privileges or skills, but their presence was crucial in the success of the main character's endeavors.
I was happily able to see Mylene take that role among her close friends, and slowly grow into her own from that. It all started with me using her as the character I'm -learning- how to roleplay with, hence her simplicity, and her flaws. I can easily see her as one of the Suikoden 108 Stars of Destiny, which is my favorite video game series. Specifically the fisher character.
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - Zhavi - 06-27-2014
(06-27-2014, 07:33 AM)naachyan Wrote: Honestly, looking back at my favorite titles from Anime/Games, my favorite characters were always the supporting characters. They weren't extraordinary in terms of privileges or skills, but their presence was crucial in the success of the main character's endeavors.
I was happily able to see Mylene take that role among her close friends, and slowly grow into her own from that. It all started with me using her as the character I'm -learning- how to roleplay with, hence her simplicity, and her flaws. I can easily see her as one of the Suikoden 108 Stars of Destiny, which is my favorite video game series. Specifically the fisher character.
When I was a teenager, I read Robin Hobb's take on her main character in the Farseer Trilogy, and how she'd always been interested in supporting characters since she'd read about Sam in LotR as a child (Fitz was, to her, not the main character in the events of the trilogy, but a supporting character who was doing the narration -- assuming I'm remembering right). It stuck with me. It's become my favorite part to play in rp -- the person who helps push things along, but who isn't necessarily the focus of plot/story. Plus, I'll admit, I get a huge kick out of seeing people roll with things I've helped create the foundation for.
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - naachyan - 06-28-2014
(06-27-2014, 11:15 AM)Zhavi Wrote:(06-27-2014, 07:33 AM)naachyan Wrote: Honestly, looking back at my favorite titles from Anime/Games, my favorite characters were always the supporting characters. They weren't extraordinary in terms of privileges or skills, but their presence was crucial in the success of the main character's endeavors.
I was happily able to see Mylene take that role among her close friends, and slowly grow into her own from that. It all started with me using her as the character I'm -learning- how to roleplay with, hence her simplicity, and her flaws. I can easily see her as one of the Suikoden 108 Stars of Destiny, which is my favorite video game series. Specifically the fisher character.
When I was a teenager, I read Robin Hobb's take on her main character in the Farseer Trilogy, and how she'd always been interested in supporting characters since she'd read about Sam in LotR as a child (Fitz was, to her, not the main character in the events of the trilogy, but a supporting character who was doing the narration -- assuming I'm remembering right). It stuck with me. It's become my favorite part to play in rp -- the person who helps push things along, but who isn't necessarily the focus of plot/story. Plus, I'll admit, I get a huge kick out of seeing people roll with things I've helped create the foundation for.
Indeed! <3
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - crowmeleon - 07-08-2014
I prefer flawed characters whose actions have caused, and will continue to cause them genuine consequence. Without those flaws and consequences characters cease to evoke any real emotional response from me. A realistic human psyche is also sorely appreciated, though I understand a certain suspension of disbelief for the sake of the universe. I prefer to conquer realism and bear it as a weapon, rather than be held back by any such effort to deny it- There are both positives and negatives in that, but I promise you it is no easy feat. Especially in a cooperative writing setting.
The exact exaggeration of humanity for the sake of evoking emotion is a difficult line to draw within the truncated time period of ANY media, and unfortunately I'm biased enough toward realism and subtlety that it can be difficult for me to act parallel to others with different priorities.Â
All in all I enjoy characters that make me feel. And that is an art far more delicate than any hollow sob-story. Real tragedy doesn't need to scream to be heard. And I've had far more a whisper crush my heart than any screech. I'm sure this all sounds terribly masochistic, but the end-game is this: Emotion is dualistic, and its potency is dependent on the relativity of that spectrum. Roleplayers (and writers) who can make me suffer as an audience are the only ones who can turn around and offer profound, soul-wrenching happiness. Even more impressive are writers who use their characters to pose philosophical questions that affect me OOC.
I'm no master of the craft myself (though I seek to be) but these are the roleplayers I admire most. If only because of the great skill and self-control it demands. This runs in line with what Zhavi so aptly described as the 'fortitude' it takes to play characters with REAL flaws. And how harder still it is to put in the extra effort to ensure those flaws bring actual consequences to our characters.And don't take this post the wrong way- I am not taking a stab at my fellow rper. I'm recognizing a fault I myself am guilty of, and also see in others.Â
I think a lot of it comes down to the fact that it's human nature to want to be loved. But what makes us love someone in real life and what makes us love a character are two very different things. That in itself could spawn a discussion that would last a lifetime- But essentially, we're so trained to chase the former that it blinds us from the latter.Â
Sometimes it feels like everyone is so desperate to one-up each other in one way or a another that many of our characters are distorted into these hollow caricatures of once-poignant ideas buried under a sea of insecurity-spawned garbage. I know I'm guilty of it. And a lot of my personal goals as an rper at the moment revolve around overcoming it. So I really admire roleplayers who break that pattern and the beautiful characters they create.
And if I keep fighting for it, I'm sure I'll be one of them!
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - Raz - 07-08-2014
I like characters with as many flaws as strengths. Characters who contradict themselves or who don't like to admit that they're wrong, just like people. I just really like characters who are your Average Joe.
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - Zhavi - 07-08-2014
(07-08-2014, 07:23 AM)crowmeleon Wrote: I think a lot of it comes down to the fact that it's human nature to want to be loved. But what makes us love someone in real life and what makes us love a character are two very different things. That in itself could spawn a discussion that would last a lifetime- But essentially, we're so trained to chase the former that it blinds us from the latter.Â
Sometimes it feels like everyone is so desperate to one-up each other in one way or a another that many of our characters are distorted into these hollow caricatures of once-poignant ideas buried under a sea of insecurity-spawned garbage. I know I'm guilty of it. And a lot of my personal goals as an rper at the moment revolve around overcoming it. So I really admire roleplayers who break that pattern and the beautiful characters they create.
And if I keep fighting for it, I'm sure I'll be one of them!
I agree with all of your post, but I wanted to add that I think that sometimes it can become a matter of expediency in the name of plot development or getting involved in this or the other thing rather than following the subtleties to their natural conclusions. That's what makes rp fun -- but also what makes it difficult. There is an element of randomness in rp that you won't find in other forms of storytelling or real life, because you're dependent on the ooc to meet up with the ic (I've had too many character arcs disrupted by the disappearance of other players
).But, otherwise, I agree that finding that sweet spot in character development is a sublime thing to see. Sure, I feel bad for characters often, but getting my heart to genuinely ache (in sorrow, happiness, or anywhere in between) for a character? That takes some doing, and as you said, is something I myself strive for. It's part of making the character believable, and that's no small feat.
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - Erik Mynhier - 07-08-2014
The only type of rper I avoid is the overly aggressive.
RE: What is the most appealing kind of character to you? - Aya - 07-08-2014
(07-08-2014, 12:24 PM)Erik Mynhier Wrote: The only type of rper I avoid is the overly aggressive.*pounce*