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PBeM and Forum Characters!
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When you want to participate in a PBeM and/or Forum simm, it is required to have a fully developed character. This means that you will need to create a character profile. This to makes it possible for other players, to know what to expect from your character. It also gives some background information about who / what / … your character is. According to the group rules one will be or will not be allowed to have multiple characters.
When creating your character you have to stay true to universe, the nature of your race, … . Best way to do this is to keep in mind the good and bad point of your character ( ex: knows many languages, knows nothing about technique ). So you have to try and stay true to the nature of your character when creating it, but also when using you character in a simm.. That way you will also avoided having a "god like character".
For more information about the "supper hero syndrome (SHS)" and "character creation", see below.
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God - like characters are characters that are untouchable in any meaning of the word. They have powers that aren't true to the outline of the race / type of character that is being played. Even more important is that they don't have the weaknesses connected to the "person" they are playing.
While this is an extreme version, "god like" characters can appear in any simm when people ignore some weaknesses of their character or give their character several "impossible" powers, knowledge and/or strengths. This last phenomenon is what they call the SHS.
Example ( god like character ):
I'm a 19 year old boy who studies nursing and with just a blink I can heal persons and a bullet can't kill me since I know how to treat those wounds (by a blink ;)).
Example ( SHS ):
Lotr: being a hobbit that can use a longbow, or fight with 2 long swords.
So you need to keep the universe or world the simm is located in mind, when you decide what can and can't be part of your character. Make sure that all actions taken and a characters powers/weaknesses are reasonable and believable.
Stay true to who you are, even during a simm!
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The creating of your character is a very important part when you want to participate in PbeM and/or forum simming. The best way to do this, is by creating a profile/biography of the character you want to play. This has 2 reasons, it makes it easier for you to fully create the character and it makes it possible for the other players in the simm's to look up information regarding your character.
Wile your imagination is the tool to create your personal character, you must keep in mind that the less "flexible" you create your character, the harder it will be for other players to involve you into a plot. Furthermore remember to kept true to the universe and nature of the simm and avoid the "supper hero syndrome"!
Below, we will go over the most common aspects of what should be in a profile. Other items can be added when you deem them necessary. Tough when a profile has been created, it always has to be agreed on by the simm leader before you can start playing in a PBeM and/or Forum simm!
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Name!
A suitable name is vital for you character. The choice of the name and is influenced by various factors: the culture, the gender, the species, … tough at the end it is still the players decision. Your name must however like the whole of your profile be agreed apon by the simm leader.
Note: The name "ice" wouldn't be realistic, it could however be someone's nickname but then it would have to be placed and explained in the history/background part.
You will find, unless you have a specific name already, the selection of the name can prove to be quite hard. Remember that you will be stuck with the name for the duration of that characters existence so do not rush when choosing one.
One of the easiest ways to pick a human name is by picking up a phone book and flipping to random pages, or perhaps you have a name that you wish you had been given when you were born. Maybe you want to use your own name or a friend's name.
If you need a more exotic name, another method to use is the "backwards technique". Quite simply the "backwards technique" is just a reversed word. Say I have an alien character that I want to name, I could choose an ordinary name like Phillip, and write it backwards Pillihp. This seems difficult to pronounce, so for more realism I can edit it to be Pillih, or Illip. You don't even have to use "real" names. My character's name could just as easily be derived from the word "Canyon". In this way I would end up with Noynac, or Nonac. The options are endless. But be sure to try a few, and remember to consider the realism of the name when considering your characters overall history and character.
When looking for names of other species in any genre you can try to create one yourself or use the internet for ideas.
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Gender!
It may sound weird, but you do have a choice here. It is relatively easy to simulate one's own gender, but e-mail simming doesn't mean you have to skip the challenges. Many simmers have both male and female characters, and by simming the opposite gender from your real life gender, might give you a unique view of what the other gender goes through.
The choice of you gender in combination with your specie might in some universes be very important; it may give different strong and weaker points.
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Age!
The age of your character depends on; the species you decided to play, the type of training you undertook in the past, the rank you may hold (ST), …
Examples:
In Lotr, a wizard can be older the 100 years
In ST, People who went to the Starfleet academy and graduate must be at least 20 ( joined at 16 graduated at 20) however, some education takes longer, …
In ST, an admiral can't be 20 years old
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Species / Race!
The species / race you choose will have a profound effect on every aspect of your character; your name, your social skills, your behaviour, strengths / weaknesses,….
It's best to choose one you are familiar with, rather than a species / race you have seen once in a show or read about in a book and "kind of liked". To able to simulate specific specie other then human you will need to some research before you will be able to fully understand how a male/female from that species/race will react as well as what there strengths, weaknesses, skill's, … are.
If in a universe there is a species/race that is god like (ex: ST - ) you are not permitted to play that specie. If they would be needed for a story line, they will be played by one of the simming leaders / masters as secondary character.
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Physical Discription!
Physique/Build/Frame:
Are you large, small, or medium in stature?
If you're very muscular you will be large build). But equally, you could be quite short, yet in relation to your height, be large build very strong. But you could also be quite tall not strong or large in frame. ( slim)
Eye Colour:
Eye colour is pretty much open as long as it's not "too" exotic (no "chameleon eyes" such as changing colour!), but it might be needed to keep your species / race in mind.
Hair Colour:
Most species / races have a variety of hair colours, but some are restricted in their choice. Review your species of choice, and see what the norm is for them.
Skin Tone:
Most species / races have a range between pale white to dark tan, other colours can depending with some specific species.
Scars/Marks:
Is there anything, which would "mark you" or identify you, things like tattoo's or an old scar, …? You could also include "racial" features here.
Height/Weight:
People come in many heights and weights, just remember that muscles weigh more that fat and that your 1m heigh you can't be an active character when you weigh 200Kg.
Other:
If there is anything els you find importand feel free to add this in your profile.
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Hystory / Background!
Events that "make" your characters life before the present helps to create a personality. Knowing these event will be helpful for other players and yourself to keep true to your character when simming. This are basically events from your past that have helped shape your current character: past romances, information about your parents and your upbringing, did you do something particularly or did something happen that shaped your beliefs, old friends, why you don't see friends / parents / … anymore, which education you have taken and when / why you took them if any, what diplomas you hold, …
A single line for your history is often frowned upon. Players have in the past suddenly had characters develop amazing abilities, and attempted to claim that they didn't write that in their biography so it would be a surprise to the crew, or something equally similar. This is a major issue in terms of superhero syndrome. This can seriously disrupt the game, and it's never fun having one player trying to overshadow everyone else. As such a very limited history is not very ideal.
(Star trek ) This is more important when we consider the Trill symbiont. Players who create a Trill who is a host for a symbiont need to also include all the relevant history for any past hosts, if there where any. Remember a host takes on some characteristics of past hosts, and has memories etc of those people. You do not need to be as detailed, but a list of the ages each host died, gender, occupation and anything that could prove important in your own characters development should be included.
Examples of what not to do:
You were found abandoned without any information about who you were.
You were found abandoned with no clue as to who you were, but with indications that you might have a unique origin.
Strange events indicating you are not who you seem to be.
Wolves raised you.
You were raised by god - like person.
Unrealistic events that happened in the past.
One of the biggest "must not do's" is using existing major characters in the show or books covering the universe you are simming in or even sub-characters. Having one or more as your parent, relative, partner, or good friend is not really acceptable; it conflicts with the series, and is another form of superhero syndrome. It adds an element of extravagance to your character, which is unrealistic.
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While having the above information in you profile gives most of the needed and wanted information about your characters, there is always an opening to add something extra. This information can help to bring your character "to life" in the simm univers.
Details that you could include in your profile could be: hobbies, special skills, likes and dislikes, …. These are just examples of what you could include, so be original. Below there is a bit of information about some:
Special Abilities:
Do you have any abilities that are unique to you, your species / race or personality? Try to avoid the god like characters ( cave: Supper Hero Syndrome )
Strengths/Talents:
Wile we can't all have special abilities, we all have areas that we are particularly strong in. This could be work related, such as quantum physics, hunting,… or you could personal strengths: particularly good chess player, or being a violinist, …
Limitations/Weaknesses:
What affect your performance? Is there a specific species that you hate, or find hard to be friendly with? Do you have any phobias?
Likes:
What things does your character like; particular food, music style …?
Dislikes:
What do you really hate? Is there an annoying habit that others have that just bugs you? Or are there a foods or drinks you just can't eat or drink or just hate?
Quirks:
Is there anything that's very noticeable about you? You always get out of bed on the left, you can't sleep on the port side of a starship / sailboat? You always follow a strict regime of making your bed, going to the gym having a shower, then breakfast before doing anything else, every day regardless.
Hobbies/Interests:
What do you enjoy doing regularly to helps you relax or that gives you enjoyment? (ex: Walking, reading, listening to music, sports, … ). What particularly do you enjoy about these things; is there a specific book, trail, … you love/like?
Ambition:
What would you like to have accomplished within 20 years? Do you want a family, Command war troops, Be a more proficient scientist/doctor?, … .
Psychology Report:
This is an ideal opportunity to explain aspects of your characters psychology that are impossible to explain in other areas of the biography. For example, maybe your character hasn't yet realised s/he have commitments problems. Just be sure to list the origin of the report, a doctor, and elder, … . Keep in mind that Psychology isn't know in all universes!!!
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