Forums » RP Discussion » Help with Sci-fi/Fantasy and Character Creation

So, I drew this character while I was in class today. I don't know much about her yet, but I want to do a Sci-Fi story line that involves fantasy races like elves (as you can see from the picture...), dwarves, maybe dragons. That's about all I got, though.

The character I want to make will be female, elf or half-elf, with one ruined eye, a mohwak-braid and a cross tattooed on her nose.



The is all I have for this idea. I would prefer the RP to be para-multi-para. I have been going to one-liners in a lot of the stuff I've been doing lately and I want practice with something long. I don't really know what kind of story I want, but believe me, if I don't like the idea, I'll let you know right away.

Friendly suggestion, maybe a cybernetic or synthetic replacement eye? Kind puts more a sci-fi look to the character imo. Half elf might also make more sense. Stereotypically elves are xenophobic... in a long term aspect the race would inevitably thin out to such a point that pure elves would be rare.

As far as a storyline goes, what sort of sci-fi are you looking for? Future Space Adventure? Post Apocalyptic? (Personally I think "space pirate" is far more fun then "nuclear wasteland survivor")

I do like the suggestion about the eye. I'll keep that in mind as I develop her. As far as xenophobia within the elves, I like that as well.

Probably Space adventuring. I've tried to do post Apocalyptic and it never works out like I hoped it would.

Okay, Space Adventure. We have a starting point.

Well, there's always Space Pirates, Interstellar Wars, Exploration, or... I feel like I missing something, but can't quite place my finger on it. Oh yeah. Hitchhiking. Douglas Adams Style.

I'm more then willing to sit her a ping ideas back and forth if you'd like to actually get something more tangible.

I think that Space pirates works the best, simply because I know next to nothing about anything else. Like, my scifi knowledge can be written on a single piece of paper and as you can see, I have big writing.

I usually look at different sci-fi universes already established, and sorta pick, pull, and blend from them. Or you can just make up things that sound cool. I'm pretty sure there was no working concept behind a hyperdrive generator... just that it makes a ship go faster.

Prefixes are your friend. Example: Space (boring) becomes Hyperspace. Or Subspace. Do I have any idea what these things are? Nope. But I assume they let you move faster then normal space.

I feel he thing that you have to look at about sci-fi as opposed to fantasy: Technology replaces magic. Magic isn't completely gone in some, but its definitely less pronounced. Or Magic begins to incorporate technologies, while the powers of the natural world fall more to the wayside. Or theres psyonics. Those sort of powers pop-up kinda frequent I noticed.

I'm curious about this logic. It seems to me that they might die out, if you assume that there aren't many to start with and they aren't reproducing fast enough to replace themselves, but thin out? Xenophobic races are the least likely to do that.

Looking at it in a totally different light, in a sci-fi setting where races have truly evolved on different planets, you're logically always looking at total genetic incompatibility. In that case, xenophobia actually makes a race more likely to reproduce successfully -- more of their couples will be able to produce offspring. Settings like Star Trek and Star Gate sidestep this issue by explaining that all races were actually seeded through the galaxy based on one master race, so their genetics are close enough to "work".

I don't know how this setting would explain dwarves, elves and dragons. Maybe they all come from the same planet and split off from one race and aren't evolved far enough apart to be incompatible yet, but maybe they're from different places with no common ancestors.

You bring up a valid point, Kim.

My view, is this:

Assuming elves as an alien race, and maintaining all their stereotypes I think there would be an exceptionally small number of them in comparison to the rest of the galaxy. To start with this, lets look at us, human beings as whole. Humans tend to reproduce quicker and in greater numbers then the environment can support. It pushes us to destroy nature in the name of development, and expand ever outward. Why are we interested in mars? We want to colonize it.

Elves as I view it, are more about living in harmony in nature. Their civilization's are almost always described as being difficult to discern where nature ends and artificial construction begins. They also live longer, and age significantly slower then humans. Both socially, and physically they would reproduce slower. In the books I've read (granted I know there are many I have not) I can't recall once where their was an issue of overcrowding, or a need to conquest on their parts for more land.

In my opinion, Elves would expand to new worlds in the name of a quest for knowledge, were as humans I think would do it more for say... necessity. Earth's full, no vacancy, go else where.

Slower expansion and population growth, makes it harder to recover from plagues, wars, or natural disasters. The xenophobia and isolationism would make it difficult to form alliances or trade routes with newly discovered races. This would, I feel just further hinder them against any war driven society encountered.

Given these point the elves would socially drive them selves closer to extinction I feel, in comparison to other races. I agree, they would still exist in isolated pockets. Their home world(s). Small colonies. Etc. But the likely hood of a pure elf outside of these pockets I think would be slim. I also think the population densities in these worlds of theirs would be exceptionally thin, by comparison.

However, as half-elf race characters are almost always shunned by full-blood elves I feel the odds of one of them being out adventuring in galactic society would be far more likely.

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To Lily,

As an overall idea, I'd came up with this:

Elves kind of give me the vibe like they would be one of the last to loose arcane magic. I also believe they would have a colored and rich history that would incorporate stories of these ancient powers. A half elf would no doubt be ostracized by the community he/she grew up in, or at the very least be made to feel unwelcome enough that they would want to leave the colony/planet as soon as they could. But they would have grown up with the stories, likely considered myths or legends by that time. Stories of near limitless power.

Seems to me, if there were a space pirate captain or similar individual they might have an interest in unlocking that power, and harnessing it for themselves. Especially if they found some sort of magic artifact during a raid or something similar. Who would fight against someone that could summon forth the powers of nature, heaven, or hell after all?

Or

Instead of harnessing the magic for themselves, maybe the elves ravaged by war and disease are on the brink of extinction, and magic could not only help save them, but also put the race back into a position of power within galactic society. Surely doing something as great as that could help elevate even a half breed to a respected status within elven society?

In either event... there would certainly be many who would not want such powers brought to light again... others who would want it for themselves instead.

It a simple concept, bringing magic back to a galaxy that lost it. It gives room for adventures (small side ones to find artifacts/people/books etc.) that pushes the group toward the grander goal. And it could be drawn out as long as you want. It even offers room for "leveling up" by finding or learning progressively better spells through the story. It also allows you to incorporate more fantasy elements to the game, as it seems this is your stronger point, Lily.

I offer as counterpoint to TaintedCaribou's most excellent dissertation, what came to me as I sat and watch glass roll by at work last night:

Kanei-Yi Maerlahrri
"SkyWillow, girl of Kanei"
Born in an Elvish concentration camp, she was sent to live with her maternal grandfather after being given the Mark of the Empire, a cross shaped tattoo upon her nose, as a reminder that only by the mercy and will of the Empire was she allowed to live.
She grew up in the slums and ghettos of Dahl Seven-5, a played out mining colony near the fringes of Empire Space.
She Lost her eye when she was attacked by a gang for refusing to pay tribute..
Ran away from home before her "-Ki" ceremony, which would have confirmed her as a woman of her clan.

Moor-Lin-Ka Orimfindel
"Star Reacher, old man of Moor"
Maelahrri's grandfather
Very old
Former Stellar Ranger for the Empire, he was stripped of rank and position following the Elvish Unrest and was given the Mark of the Empire.

I have a lot more braining up in my percoskullalator, including reasons why the Elvish Unrest happened, a series of Orcish Wars, and generally more expansion on the possible universe itself. As far as the character goes, the only two things from my concept that aren't up there are the fact that maybe she was named for a tree and never even seen one, and perhaps she hooked up with an Orcish gang after she ran away from home, hence the mohawk braid?
I don't know, my stuff seems pretty dumb comparatively.

I've been staring at these posts, trying to come up with how to make this character. I'm in absolute awe as to the information you've put into this! You guys are just... Wow!

You guys really put a lot of work into this. I wasn't sure anyone was going to help me at all - but I guess this is the RPR community.

I really like what you both said and I think later I'm going to be working on this character. Thank you so much

I made her. She's not complete, but there she is.