For the Newb

Just what in the heck IS roleplaying?

Roleplaying is when आप are playing someone else's role. Sounds simple? It can be. You've just gotta know how to work it.

Do I pick an original character (OC) या a character from a story?

This all depends on your personal preferences. I'm not even going to get into how much और work one is rather than another, because in all honesty I've been down both roads and either is as much work as आप put into it.

So, what's it like to RP a character from a story?

I can't stress this enough. आप need to do some research on the character you're playing. If आप don't get them exactly right physically and mentally, people will notice. Pay attention to mannerisms, thought processes, what they're knowledgeable about. Make sure आप can at least fake their knowledge base.

If आप want और freedom, make an OC. If आप mix your own ideas into a character, most people will not like that. They like the character as he/she is.

So, let's लपेटें this section up. Benefits: less need to be creative, people already know who आप are. Annoying: Can't be और creative, people already know how you're supposed to act. Double edged sword there, I know.

I want to make an original character! Where do I start?

Well, here's the way I make characters.
1. Come up with an outstanding strength. (Makes them useful.)
2. Come up with a flaw that stands out. (Makes them believable.)
3. State what drives them. (Gives them direction.)
4. Say what situation they're in. (Gives आप direction.)
5. Figure out how they got there. (Having a past helps them be fleshed out and believable.)
6. Flesh them out. (Add और strengths, flaws, and personality based on the पूर्व steps.)

Again, आप should do research. If your character is blind, research what sort of things could have caused it. If your character is a ninja, research on ninjas. REAL ninjas. If आप want a good old fashioned unique character, try not to take ideas from shows. Go to the स्रोत and figure out your own take on things.

Make sure your character fits with the story आप want him/her to go into. When there's previously established boundaries, don't push them. Other players do not appreciate this. I've seen it a million times in the Avatar-verse. Silver fire, purple fire, shadow bending, plant bending, etc. No, this world only has WATER आग AIR AND EARTH.

But how can I be unique??

Don't despair just yet; आप can be unique! In fact, आप are और unique if आप don't go through this "I need to be unique" phase in the first place. But anyhow, let me give a few pointers on how to be unique.

Try being unique in personality, family history, या flaw. There's a lot of really wonderful characters, and every single one of them isn't perfect. The EASIEST way to be unique is to try a flaw out you'd never heard about and research it. To be unique in personality is much harder and I suggest आप only try this if you're experienced in roleplay. Your character's family history can make your character REALLY interesting. For instance, if your character's dad was a pirate but your character isn't, that makes for a VERY interesting character with a unique view of the world.

Benefits: Creativity! People don't already have expectations of how your character is supposed to act. Annoying: आप need to be able to take charge, do the research, and आप have to make the character balanced.

For the Experienced Roleplayer

I'll offer a few pointers that आप may या may not have thought of.

1. Always research. OC या not.

2. If आप have trouble remembering character altering events (especially really small ones), make sure to log it. If you're too lazy to log it, आप could always spend a little time thinking about it before आप go to sleep. Yes, you're not the only one who does that.

3. Sometimes if आप feel a little stumped about a character it's REALLY helpful to ask yourself the "what/who/where/why/when". If your character does something that's usually OOC, आप may be able to still explain his/her actions using this method.

4. Have आप लॉस्ट your mojo for roleplaying? I hear this a lot. Roleplaying isn't life. Just leave and come back when you're ready. या आप could try something new. Maybe आप need to scrap your character and go for another. It happens. आप don't even necessarily have to go to that extreme. Meet someone new. Add another aspect. Ask someone for a बिना सोचे समझे problem and give your character something similar. When आप lose your mojo, often times a problem is the solution. (HA! I made a funny. XD)

5. My प्रिय site to research is wikipedia.org. There also may be a wiki inspired site full of knowledge and trivia about लोकप्रिय shows and stories.)

6. Remember your surroundings.

Socially Restricted Characters

First of all, I only recommend these characters to very experienced RPers. They're VERY difficult to maintain and require और than reliance on dialogue to function within such a social game.

Your character won't necessarily wish to interact with the others, which makes character interaction a mess. आप very may well find yourself getting left out. आप as a player will have to rely on the और social characters to keep your character in the story, so make sure to set this situation up with the other players ahead of time.

Obviously then आप can't use this as a crutch because आप have trouble interacting with others. If आप can't interact well with others, I recommend having a friendly character. They're much easier to maintain, just trust me.