| QUOTE (Compiled by November) |
Name and meaning:
Although the meaning of a name does not always relate to a character’s personality, the inclusion of it may help you to discover something about your character. If you can find a way to link personality and name, please elaborate on the meaning.
Age and date of birth:
Include circumstances of birth. Perhaps an RP of the family at a time close to the birth would shed light on their early childhood/parental personalities.
Physical attributes:
Elaborate on everything, from hair style to muscle tone to the their eyelid's tendency to flicker up and down during a boring teacher's lessons. Twitch.
Distinguishing features:
Anything unusual—scars, tattoos, etc. Or an unusual color of hair. What makes your character an individual? Please do not say violet-coloured eyes.
Frequently used verbal expressions:
Either phrases “unbelievably pretentious!” or attitude.
Frequently used facial expression or other physical gesture:
They motion with their hands while they talk, never look people in the eye while giving speeches, tap their pens while listening to professors.
Education (and house):
Please elaborate on education prior to, during, and after school, including their level of interest in their subject of choice (or as chosen by another) and their general academic behaviour. Did they attend primary schools? Home tutoring? Somehow, they managed to read and pick up other basic skills, right?
Academic skills:
Classes they excel at, whether or not essays are the thing for them, neat handwriting, attentive listening—how they manage to pass their classes or career.
Academic weaknesses:
And everything they manage to do to fail.
Main goal (dream) at this point in time:
Their main goal or dream is likely to change over time. How does it reflect their character? What hidden aspects are there to it? Elaborate.
Secondary goals:
Like before, but smaller things that are somewhere in the spectrum, but not at the top of the list.
Love interest:
One hopes this will change over time. What draws them to this person? Is there a common characteristic in all those they adore? What types of relationships are they involved in?
Family:
At least 100 words on each character should cover occupation, family history, how family members met (your character's parents), and a basic personality description.
Place of residence (city, house, etc.):
Where does your character live? 200+ words.
Worst past experience:
RPs are acceptable. 200+ words. Please remember that experiences are not limited to relationships--early/childhood experiences would be best, unless something that happened to your character as an adult has had a more significant impact.
Best past experience:
RPs are acceptable. 200+ words. Please remember that experiences are not limited to relationships--early/childhood experiences would be best.
Hobbies:
All interests.
Profession (aspired to):
What does your character want to be when they grow up? Or, if they're already an adult, what do they wish they were doing?
Strengths:
Try and keep the number small—weaknesses are more important.
Weaknesses:
More important for role playing—please include several at least.
Habits:
Both the good and the bad.
Any other information:
Basically an “other” category.
Possessions:
Brooms, quills, wands, owl… Details as well. What your character owns and what quality it is in.
Wardrobe:
What your character wears and its condition. This should reflect their blood status, financial situation, social involvement, etc.
What they would say about themselves:
50+ words.
What others would say about them:
100+ words. Testimonies/RPs acceptable.
What is the one thing in the world your character would do anything to avoid?
Explain. RPs acceptable. 100+ words.
What is the one thing in the world your character would do anything in the world to have?
Explain. RPs acceptable. 200+ words.
How did your character make their enemies? Their friends?
Although this doesn’t have to be detailed, explaining circumstances and what unites and estranges your character with others is important.
What does your character fear?
Explain fears and the reasons behind them. RPs acceptable.
What is irresistible to your character?
Explain why they can’t resist the irresistible and the reasons behind their inability to resist. RPs acceptable.
Who does your character admire most?
The person, their admirable qualities, and your character’s reasons.
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Tips for creating a well-rounded character:1. Characters must have weaknesses and make mistakes. Most characters develop and change during their time at an RPG, but usually not drastically.
2. Include as much background information as you can, and consider it as it is written. Is it realistic? The people that your character has been exposed to have, undeniably, had a great impact on them.
3. Be careful when you’re creating your character’s name—names like Brittani, Tiffani, Tokyo, Denim, Celeste, or Serenity are names often associated with poorly developed characters.
4. Use dialog to reveal your character’s traits and opinions, as well as inner thoughts and actions. Make sure dialog is appropriate to age, gender, cultural background, and personality.
5. Always stay in character! Try and be consistent when you are writing characters.
6. Not everyone will love your character. A big part of making your character believable is balance. They should have some friends and some enemies. Not everyone can be perfect, and OC’s never should.
7. Use verbs instead of descriptive words to "show" your character.
8. Motivation—make sure you know what it is and why they do what they do.
9. Your character does not have to receive happiness, wealth, love, perfection, etc. in the end. Does your character have too much? You do not need to resolve everything in exactly the best possible scenario.
Related links:A Harry Potter Mary Sue litmus test : Check to see if your character is a 'Mary Sue' (a poorly written character that is generally perfect and excells at everything).
OC character map (by BitterEpiphany): An excellent resource for mapping an OC with very specific blanks to fill in.
Please note that this member guide was created by Alec Gantner of [EM]Envious Magic, a Harry Potter RPG. 
How To
