Creating
a Bio
All
bios must be approved before you can start writing. Items
with an asterix *
are necessary for your bio to be approved.
Name:
A name can be anything that suits your fancy. If you need
help choosing a name, there are several websites listed on
the Useful Links Page that
can help.
Species:
Your character's race will effect how they go through life
and how others react to them. A vampire isn't going to open
a pastry shop and a unicorn isn't going to walk into a tavern
and order a beer. If you want to play an unusual character,
be prepared for the limitations.
Of
course the species of your character is only limited by your
imagination. Keep in mind that some of the more unusual or
notorious species may not be welcomed. A Lich walking in the
centre of town may find himself attacked by heroes or the
Gendarmes, and gods and god-like characters are not
allowed.
There
are several races that are unique to The Unknown Lands. If
you wish to play something more than a human while staying
away from the usual stereotypes, you can choose from one of
the Races of the Land, and
further information on various races can be found on the Useful
Links Page under Races & Classes.
Class:
A character's class is similar to a profession or career.
It's what your character has worked and trained at while growing
up. Some examples of class are bard, priest, warrior, wizard,
rogue, etc. If you are unsure, ask a member of staff or use
commoner or noble. Further information on Class can be found
on the Useful Links Page under
Races & Classes.
Occupation:
Occupation should be specified if it's something other than
your character's class. For example, a wizard down on his
luck maybe working as a thief, or a fighter after hitting
a string of luck may become a lord or innkeeper.
Age:
When choosing an age for your character, be reasonable. Being
500,000 years old is just silly. If your character's age is
beyond a mortals, also list how old he appears. IE.
Age: 174 but looks 35. If your character does not know his
age, you still need to list it. IE. Age: Unknown (35).
Alignment:
Alignment reflects a character's basic attitude toward
society and the forces of the universe. There are nine different
alignments and each is described below:
Lawful
Good: Character of this alignment believe that
an orderly, strong society with a moral government can work
to make life better for the majority of the people. When
people respect the laws and try to help one another, society
as a whole prospers. Therefore, lawful good characters strive
for those things that will bring the greatest benefit to
the most people and cause the least harm. Lawful good characters
keep their word.
Neutral
Good: These characters believe that a balance of
forces in important, but that the concerns of law and chaos
do not moderate the need for good. Since the universe is
vast and contains many creatures striving for different
goals, a determined pursuit of good will not upset the balance;
it may even maintain it. If fostering good means supporting
organized society, then that is what must be done. If good
can only come about through the overthrow of of existing
social order, so be it. Social structure itself has no innate
value to them.
Chaotic
Good: Chaotic good characters are strong individuals
marked by a streak of kindness and benevolence. They believe
in all the virtues of goodness and right, but they have
little use for laws and regulations. They have no use for
people who "try to push folk around and tell them what
to do." Their actions are guided by their own moral
compass which, although good, may not always be in perfect
agreement with the rest of society.
Lawful
Neutral: Order and organization are of paramount
importance to characters of this alignment. They believe
in a strong, well-ordered government, whether that government
is a tyranny or benevolent democracy. Laws must be created
and obeyed. The benefits of organization and regimentation
far outweighs any moral question raised by their actions.
An oath is binding, regardless of the consequences. A completely
impartial magistrate, or a soldier who never questions his
orders are good examples of lawful neutral behaviour.
(True)
Neutral: True neutral characters believe in the
ultimate balance of forces, and they refuse to see actions
as either good or evil. True neutrals do their best to avoid
siding with the forces of either good or evil, law or chaos.
It is their duty to see that all of these forces remain
in balanced contention. True neutral characters sometimes
find themselves forced into rather peculiar alliances. To
a great extent, they side with the underdog, sometimes even
changing sides as the previous loser becomes the winner.
A true neutral druid might join a local barony to put down
a tribe of evil gnolls, only to drop out or switch sides
when the gnolls were brought to the brink of destruction.
Chaotic
Neutral: Chaotic neutral characters believe that
there is no order to anything, including their own actions.
With this as a guiding principal, they tend to follow whatever
whim strikes them at the moment. Good and evil are irrelevant
when making a decision. Chaotic neutral characters are extremely
difficult to deal with. Such characters have been known
to cheerfully and for no apparent purpose gamble away everything
they have on the roll of a single die. They are extremely
unreliable.
Lawful
Evil: These characters believe structure and organization
elevate those who deserve to rule. They prefer a clearly
defined hierarchy between master and servant. If someone
is hurt or suffers because of a law that benefits lawful
evil character, too bad. Lawful evil characters obey laws
out of fear of punishment or pride of power. Because they
honour any contract or oath they have made, lawful evil
characters are very careful about giving their word. Once
given, they break their word only if they can find a way
to do it legally, within the laws of the society.
Neutral
Evil: Neutral evil characters are primarily concerned
with themselves and their own advancement. Their only interest
is in getting ahead. If there is a quick and easy way to
gain a profit, whether it be legal, questionable, or obviously
illegal, they take advantage of it. Although neutral evil
characters do not have the every-man-for-himself attitude
of chaotic evil characters, they have no qualms about betraying
their friends and companions for personal gain. They typically
base their allegiance on power and money, which makes them
quite receptive to bribes.
Chaotic
Evil: Chaotic evil characters are motivated by
the desire for personal gain and pleasure. The strong have
the right to take what they want, and the weak are there
to be exploited. When chaotic evil characters band together,
they are not motivated by a desire to cooperate, but rather
to oppose powerful enemies. Such a group can beheld together
only by a strong leader capable of bullying his underlings
into obedience. Since leadership is based on raw power,a
leader is likely to be replaced at the first sign of weakness
by anyone who can take his position away from him by any
method.
Alignment
Quiz
Character
Premise: Character
premise is what drives your chatacter. It's what gives them
purpose and meaning. It can be something as simple as looking
for a work, or something more complex as seeking revenge or
an object. A
character's premise can change many times throughout their
lifespan.
The
following is an excerpt from How to Write a Damn Good Novel
by James N. Frey
What's
a premise?
- Think
of premise as the love in a marriage.
-
Think of premise as the abracadabra that puts the rabbit
into the hat.
-
Think of premise as the steel in reinforced concrete.
- It
is the reason you are writing what you are writing.
-
It is the point you have to prove.
-
It is the raison d'être of your character.
-
It is the core, the heart, the centre, the soul of your
expression.
Demeanour: Describe
briefly your character's traits, foibles, habits, mannerisms,
etc.
Attire: A brief description
of a characters attire will help other writers visualize their
appearance. This is especially necessary if they are wearing
armour.
Skills
& Abilities: If a character has any special skills
or abilities that are unique or out of the norm, they should
be listed. This include exceptional handling of a weapon,
magical skills or even character skills such as stealing,
lying and fire-breathing, etc. Godlike characters are not
allowed.
Weaknesses
(optional): If you wish you may list any weaknesses
your character has. For instance a vampire will be susceptible
to sunlight and garlic, or a tavern keeper may be an alcoholic.
Weaponry: All weapons
should be listed. Futuristic weapons are not allowed as they
must fit in with the era. This includes pistols and canons.
Magical
items: If a character has any magical items, they
must be listed along with a brief description of what they
do. Magical items should not make make a character extremely
powerful or overly protected. If a magical items gives your
character too much power, it should come at a cost, or the
bio may not be approved.
History
(optional): History is good when developing a character
as it adds to their personality and explains why they are
the way they are. It is not necessary to provide a history
right away, but as your character progresses it is helpful
if one is developed. Through the course of roll playing, your
character's bio should be updated regularly to reflect any
changes or skills they may have acquired.
Signature:
Signatures are not necessary, but if you have one it should
be no larger than 400 x 400 pixels and be no more than 40k.
They should not contain nudity of offensive material. If you
need help with a signature, post in the OOC folder and someone
will be happy to help. For further information, visit the
Signatures section of the website.
Once your bio has been approved, your character must be presented
IC (in character) either at the Visitors Centre if arriving
by land or the Harbour Gates of arriving by sea. Once they
are given a pass into the city, you will be given access to
all the folders. For further information, see Your
First Post and Folder Descriptions.
When in doubt, you can look at existing bios in the Bio
Folder as a reference, or post to a member of staff in
the OOC Folder.
Editing
Bios: Edits to Abilities and Magical Items (including
enchanted weapons and armour) must be added to the bio in
a separate post in the original thread so that it is bumped
for approval and brought to the attention of all members.
In other words, reply to your original bio and place the additions
in the new posts well as adding them to the original
post. If members aren't made aware of the changes, they won't
be able to respect your character's abilities. |
