I find it helps to have a very strange quirk at the start, that gives you a reason to approach strangers. My first character, Natalie, was a member of the Sultansworn, so I'd always approach strangers, ask them if they were new to the city, tell them not to cause any trouble, etc etc.
Evangeline is a angry political agitator (though she's calming down these days), so I would approach every random stranger and hand them political pamphlets, and lecture them on issues. Most characters reacted negatively, but it was a connection, and that's really all you need.
Think of some reason that your character might need to approach strangers, even if it's not normal for them to do so. It really helps build the initial connections. Here are some ideas:
Your character lost something important, and is trying to find it
Your character needs a loan, or needs to buy some sort of rare item
Your character is lost, and needs directions
Your character does not understand the local customs, and has to ask others to explain
Your character needs to learn a certain skill, and is looking for a trainer
Your character has controversial views on a certain subject, and wants to share them
Your character is biased against a certain group/race of people
Your character is looking for work
Your character is looking for employees
Your character is looking for a place to stay
Your character is trying to sell something
Your character is looking for someone
Those are just some I thought up in a few minutes, but you get the idea. I find when you have a new character, it's a losing bet to hope people find you. However if you have something, even something temporary, it can help you make a large number of connections very quickly.
Evangeline is a angry political agitator (though she's calming down these days), so I would approach every random stranger and hand them political pamphlets, and lecture them on issues. Most characters reacted negatively, but it was a connection, and that's really all you need.
Think of some reason that your character might need to approach strangers, even if it's not normal for them to do so. It really helps build the initial connections. Here are some ideas:
Your character lost something important, and is trying to find it
Your character needs a loan, or needs to buy some sort of rare item
Your character is lost, and needs directions
Your character does not understand the local customs, and has to ask others to explain
Your character needs to learn a certain skill, and is looking for a trainer
Your character has controversial views on a certain subject, and wants to share them
Your character is biased against a certain group/race of people
Your character is looking for work
Your character is looking for employees
Your character is looking for a place to stay
Your character is trying to sell something
Your character is looking for someone
Those are just some I thought up in a few minutes, but you get the idea. I find when you have a new character, it's a losing bet to hope people find you. However if you have something, even something temporary, it can help you make a large number of connections very quickly.
