Forums » RP Discussion » How to create a new character

(If I put this in the wrong forum topic, please correct me ^^)

Lately I have been struggling to create someone new. I don't know if it's lack of creativity or what. I feel as though everyone has grown bored with my set of characters as more than half of my partners have simply stopped replying. I want to remedy this with a fresh new character...

I know what I want... I want a fantasy mage character-- an elf. The issue is coming up with a design. I tried looking at adoptables but of course, all the ones I really liked were sold out. I even tried piecing together a bunch that i liked into one, but it just didn't look right.

I even tried recycling an old character but I can't seem to come up with a concrete outfit.

How do people create characters? I am really struggling here...

I want to create an elf mage... but I feel I am ripping off dragon age by taking elements from their mage outfits... I want something that feels unique and "mine"

Start from the inside out.

This mage-person - why did they want to become a mage? Or was it just thrust upon themby birth or culture? Do they submit to this? No? Are they formally trained? How did their family afford that? Or are they not? How do they cope with uncontrollable powers? How much talent do they have? Or can they do what they do through hard work and study?

How does magic fit into their culture? Scum? Elite? Posh? Or is it somewhere in none of those categories, like having a highly marketable skill in the real world? How do THEY fit in, once you consider their initial reactions to having magic above? Does their opinion jive with the culture they are in? What are the consequences that they have to deal with for fitting in, or not fitting in?

Worry about all the exterior stuff last, like outfits and hair and eye colour. That's just ~stuff.

Building up someone fresh and unique from your other babies will require digging out a new core and wrapping layers around that.

This has a section on creating characters. http://viralremix.deviantart.com/art/So-You-Want-to-Join-an-RP-Group-299443345

Though like Kaji has said. Create a new core and work around that. Appearance should reflect on personality, a fresh change of clothing doesn't make a character different, their personalities make them different.

Thanks everyone. I wasn't too worried with the back story or the personality, I just struggle most with the exterior. Once I have a solid look I can usually come up with something based on how they look.

Usually a look is one of the first things I come up with and then a name... and then I worry about the rest I guess I'm just a visual thinker... But sometimes it's fun to play with a doll maker just to see what you can come up with and then take your ideas from there

Yep, thats how I am. A doll maker is a good idea... I think I'll look for one.

http://www.dolldivine.com/
http://www.azaleasdolls.com/

I like these sites for when I don't have the tools or time to sketch an idea

There's also Hero Machine. If you're patient (and a little "creative"), you can come up with some pretty neat stuff. I typically use version 3.

Link keeps 404'ing

Nova accidentally omitted the www part of the URL. This should work: http://www.heromachine.com/

Odd. I copy-pasted the thing.

Fixed now.