Stealing Ifrit's thunder

[Blitzkrieg]

Ok. I'd just like to let everyone know that i'm gonna be laying off my other four accounts, Seth_Rahl, Whiteshadow, Bullet Witch, and Red Lightning for a little bit. The problem is, I've been focused on trying to make my character Ifrit something he's not, so instead i'm creating a character that I can put those dreams into. Don't worry i'll still post with those four accounts, but i'm not creating any new threads with them nor am I joining any, and posting will probably be a little sporadic. It might be a little while, but i've been thinking of this guy since way back when.

Meet Seth Rahl. ;)

Anyways, i'll have the character sheet up sometime. Until then, ciao.

[Reiko]

hey, no worries, hope your new character works out.

[Blitzkrieg]

Check out my character, Reiko. He's awesome, and almost exactly the way I wanted him. Plus a 100 exp bonus! *does happy dance*

Can't wait to put this character to the road.

[Call me J]

Have you ever heard of Bleach?

[Blitzkrieg]

Nope.xD

Just kidding, yes I have. I didn't mean to intentionally make him like Ichigo, but the mask caught my attention. I asked Zook what specifically needs to be changed, but I'll ask you too.

So yes, i'm gonna need clarification. I really, really don't want to redo the whole character though.

[Call me J]

Are we going by what you need to change to avoid plagiarism, or what you should change in general?

[Blitzkrieg]

Both. Might as well get it all done and over with.

[Call me J]

Well your appearance is ripped off from bleach, but in general, I just find the character really seems to lack substance. It almost seems as though you wanted to make him so he has no interesting characteristics other than ones that are shortly contradicted by another. It's like you designed him to one day make a run for President. You'll have a tough time beating Ashiakin, he designed vb you know.

[Blitzkrieg]

lol! Interesting bid. The appearence I can certainly change, that's no biggie. But even though I respect your advice, if that's the way he is then i'll play him like that.

Maybe if I explain it this'll make sense a little. Seth is what Ifrit was eventually going to turn into (minus the gravity and several other unique factors), but I found I was straining trying to do that. I was trying to turn Ifrit into something he wasn't. So instead I created a whole new character, without any sense of direction and just my instincts to guide me (epic, isn't it), and without any real plan for him, a first for me. Really he was just a character I could have fun with, as his gravity controlling abilities might make things wacky in the future.

Not a good character, maybe, but he's fun. So i'll change the appearence to avoid plagerism, but I think I'll leave the other stuff there. Is there anything else though I need?

Oh, and I notice other people watching this thread. Please, post with what you think as well. Its late and I want this done asap.

[Blitzkrieg]

LMAO Niiiice. I don't really care, but hey, good for laughs. :) Man, like cold coffee in the afternoon...

Anyways, I get it I get it, I should scrap Seth. lol, If all i'm gonna get is bullshit behind my back flying like my fiance' and my mother at thanksgiving (DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUUUUUN), then he isn't worth the trouble.

So these are the brains behind Althanas. *shakes head* May (_______) have mercy on our souls. Or whatever.

"Even as a baby I know not to eat my own shit"?--o,0 C'mon guys, give 'em a break. He's new, he's eager, and not everyone's as....*ahem*Anyways...character scrapped.

[Seth_Rahl]

Jack Raynes: "Okay I'm dark and mysterious and therefore really handsome but I'm also cute and lovable and sensitive, okay? I'm anything you want me to be, baby!" Newfags of the world, quit this shit. No matter how universally appealing you make your dipshit rip-off White-panese character, the glorious nippon fairy will not wave her magic wand over your computer and let out all the intarweb girls who want to suck your cock.

lol really? Sorry, but that happens to me in real life. xD But its true. Don't talk to them, bait them in, and when they are desperate enough, be friendly. May sound gay, but its true, and it works. ~_^ And no, i'm not talking about guys either. I saw that one coming.

[Godhand]

I'm sorry for what I said Seth_Rahl. Also I'm sorry for posting that conversation without your permission, Shyam.

[Witchblade]

All right, Seth. I'm putting a character cap on you. :p No more.

[Seth_Rahl]

*rolls eyes* Look, I really don't care, and I appreciate that you were honest. So please, no apologies. And Witchblade--character cap? lol, if anyone needs a character cap, its Shell (and her other accounts), or Rok.

[Blitzkrieg]

Rewriting up character today. Ugh...and Witchy, I wasn't blaming Zook for the copyright infringment being brought up, I think Godhand and Call me J were talking about the 100 exp bonus he gave me for an "well-organized profile" or something like that. xP Anyways, thanks for moving the profile Witchy, after all this I went to bed and had a cold cup of coffee.

[Cyrus the virus]

I totally get blowjobs all the time too ~_^ Teehee kekeke. It's so easy!! ^_^_^_^ nya ka keke, despite how TOTALLY engaged I am because I'm so NOT thirteen hehe!

But really, all this reminds me of Oolong's struggle to get action in the unbelievable anime Dragonball Z!!! I will base a character on it.

[Blitzkrieg]

-_- You know Cyrus, the fact that you are a total dick almost amazes me. Then I remember that you have no life to speak of, and its one of those "oh I see." moments.

(And admins, I don't really care that I'm flaming him. He deserves it.)

But in a way, he's right. Almost every single one of my characters i've based off something that I've seen, watched or played.

Ifrit--Final Fantasy 7's Cloud Strife, Dante (DMC3), and Inuyasha.

Leigh Tyrfing--If you don't know this one i'll shoot you.

Eternium-- Xemnas, duh.

Seth Rahl--apparently I ripped him from Bleach. When I don't have "talking swords" or "bankai" or "spirits", i'm condemned for making him look like Ichigo.

In that case, ya might as well unapprove all my other characters, since they are, as we say "ripped" from other things.

In fact, the only character I didn't rely on anything for inspiration was my character Beniiro Denkou. I guess i'll be roleplaying as him from now on, since everyone's throwing a hissy fit that OMG HE LOOKS LIKE ICHIGO COPYRIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gasp.

And Cyrus, the fact that you post such stupid imitations and make fun of everyone you don't like just shows that your maturity level doesn't allow you to have a life or a girlfriend. I suggest taking some time off and thinking about it.

[Red Lightning]

--Zook: Sorry, I'm not blaming you about the copyright infringment, I'm just saying that if Seth is being disapproved because of the fact he looks like ichigo then almost every single one of my other characters should be too.

And Serriliant, I know you reading this, so if you have anything to say please do so.

[Serilliant]

(And admins, I don't really care that I'm flaming him. He deserves it.)

I have a suggestion for you if you're interested in longevity: Care.

[Max Dirks]

I have a suggestion for you if you're interested in longevity: Care.That works two ways, Serilliant.

If you are going to call out Rahl for flaming, you should probably call out your own moderator too.

[Red Lightning]

I asked Serriliant for someone to please unapprove Ifrit, Leigh, and Eternium, so I'll be only using Beniiro here for awhile.

[Cyrus the virus]

I challenge someone to suggest a positive purpose in re-opening this thread.

[Max Dirks]

I challenge someone to suggest a positive purpose in re-opening this thread.Making sure you get reprimanded for your willful and wanton disregard of Althanas' rules.

[Red Lightning]

Making sure you get reprimanded for your willful and wanton disregard of Althanas' rules.

In that case, I think this thread has served its purpose and needs to be closed. I've already brought our arguement to PM, and i'm hoping someone will take care of unapproving my other copyright-inflicted characters.

[Cyrus the virus]

Making sure you get reprimanded for your willful and wanton disregard of Althanas' rules.

And that's the sort of thing that should take place in a public thread, and not in a PM? Even Seth and I had the sense to take things to PM.

Came to my attention that this was NOT closed, though I was positive it was. Strange. Well then I retract my sass toward Dirks (at least somewhat).

[Red Lightning]

Hmm, are you sure? When Serriliant posted I was sure it was closed...In any case, is any more bickering really necessary, people?

[Max Dirks]

I've already brought our arguement to PM, and i'm hoping someone will take care of unapproving my other copyright-inflicted characters.You're missing the point, Rahl. This is taken from the Althanas rules:
Remember, the most important rule about your character is that he or she (or it!) must be your own work - you cannot role-play as Luke Skywalker, or Legolas, or Elton John. However, you may borrow or use parts of your favorite character, meaning that you can make a character that is based loosely off of him or her, provided you use an original name and make it so that the character you are registering isn't recognizable as a character from another setting.Emphasis added. You can be inspired by whatever game/movie/book you want. Do you not see a load of John McClane and James Bond in Dirks? I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill here, and should just play whatever character you are comfortable with.

[Red Lightning]

I just wish to roleplay as a character that is truly my own creation, rather than something that I need to take inspiration from. Might sound stupid, but in my mind if I need to copy someone else's work in order to create a workable character, then my roleplaying abilities are nothing. Also, I have to say that I copied more than just appearences when it comes to my characters.

Ifrit: Giant Falchion, changes shape--Inuyasha
Loses control, transforms when beserk--Dante and Inuyasha
Emotional problems--Cloud
Able to use giant swords with one hand--Again Cloud, and dante

Eternium: Bassically everything about him is a rip off of Xemnas, as I explained to Cyrus. in KH2, Xemnas teleports by using darkness and can create and control blades of light (or darkness), plus Eternium looks almost exactly like him. The fact that Eternium is an experiment also is a copyright, as Xemnas was technically one as well, beng not a real person with a real soul.

And Finally, Leigh--Almost everything about her was taken from Bullet Witch. I tried BS it and saying she was merely inspired from it, but that was merely an excuse to get her approved.

So i'd rather continue on with Beniiro, as he is the only one I relied on my brain for. I appreciate you bringing the rules up, Max, but my opinion stays the same.

[Cyrus the virus]

Hey man, by the time you get to level 2, characters are probably so different than what they started off as that they're more yours. Luc was very much a Suikoden character, as I told you, but he truly became nothing like the original Luc after some time.

Just change Eternium's abilities and personality, make that your focus. You'll probably have a lot of fun doing it.

[Atzar]

Let me tell you something, guys. One of the main reasons I loved Althanas so much was the general maturity. When something was said, it was met with a smirk and a witty comeback, rather than erupting into a giant flame-fest.

This thread has made me seriously question that.

[Red Lightning]

Cyrus, I genuinely do enjoy roleplaying with Eternium, so I'll take what you said into consideration. Ifrit and Leigh, though, I think should remain in the depths for now.

>>Atzar: Thankfully its over now.

[Witchblade]

Holy crap on a stick!

Thank god this little flame fest is over...

Seth, I was never mad at you for what you did with the character. If anything, I would have told you to change a bit and you would have been able to keep him. Plagerism is a fine line and though you can be inspired by things you like, you have to be careful how much you take from it.

And you don't have to go around un-approving all your other characters, they're just fine the way they are!

[Serilliant]

I have great faith in the judgement of our RoG staff. If your other characters have been approved and have not been challenged for any reason, I am content to say that they are acceptable. As such, I will not be unapproving your characters as you have requested. You are welcome to stop using them or to submit new profiles if you want to tweak things.

[Whiteshadow]

Alright. I didn't really expect you to, when you didn't respond right back. I may make a new character for my Blitz account, though.

Edit: Nah.

[Caden Law]

*Reads. Re-reads. Cue D:! face.*

Millennium hand and shrimp.

It needed saying.

And to Seth: I may be new to Althanas, but if you need help bouncing ideas off someone, I'm around.

[Whiteshadow]

Thanks for the offer. I've decided that i'm just gonna go ahead strong with the characters I already got, as being in several thread that recently just got judged have brought inspiration to me. (yay!) In the end, the only thing that this thread brought was trouble. *grumbles*.

[Raimeiken]

Heyyyy~!!! What about our bout between Red Lightning and me?!

Phooey.

[Whiteshadow]

Don't worry its still on, like I said I'm going back to my four original characters.

[Raimeiken]

Oh? Really? I guess I skipped the sentence or something...

^^;

[Seth_Rahl]

I do have a character idea for my Blitzkrieg account, but I wanna lay it on you guys first.

I don't know all the details yet, but I do know he is a high-school senior who lives in a version of Earth where monsters run as rampant as cats and dogs. Thus people can use these monsters, or rather their souls, for battle and stuff.

They are called "soul puppets", and the controller is called the Puppeteer. All in all, its just monster summoning and controlling.

That's what I got so far. How's it sound?

[Cyrus the virus]

Pokemon-like.

[HikariAngel]

As long as you don't have to "catch them all", I think it's a decent idea. Personally, I'd be the person who attacked the summoner instead of the summoned beast, but meh.

[Seth_Rahl]

I was thinking that too, Cyrus. Except I did some research, and found out that what I was doing was very similar to a game called Shin Megami Tensei Persona3.

I was thinking about it some more and decided that scrapping him but saving the idea for a later time would be good. After all I'm more of the type of person who would jump in the middle of a battle than stand on the sidelines and command monsters.

*sigh* So bear with me. I had another idea. *takes a deep breath* A fallen elven paladin who's married to a vampire. xP I dunno if that's very original, but I wanted to try somethin' new.

[Rok the Blade]

Do vampires marry? I gots to find myself one!

I don't know if it's original or not, though. I mean, I haven't seen it much but that might be because the idea was played out in the past. Ya never know.

Whatever you do, though, be sure to gimme all the details.

[Seth_Rahl]

I was thinking it out in my head as I was comin' home. He used to be a high paladin of some sort who specialized in slaying the undead and unholy, and was basically like your general paladin. That is until he fell in love with one he was hunting, blah blah blah, they eventually get married. Of course the Church doesn't allow this and threatens to strip him of his status if he does not do two things: kill his offspring that he had with the vamp, (don't ask me how she had a child, but just look at Dawn of the Dead--zombie children poppin' out of a zombie mother) and also kill his wife. he does so, afeard more for his status than his family, and ends up regretting it some how. So he goes to Haidia and makes a pact with a wandering devil to revive her(his wife), in exchange for surprisingly not his soul but for just a spot on his shoulder as his familiar. Suspicious deal, huh. Nevertheless he takes it, but is immediately stripped of almost everything that called him a paladin and his status as a commander, not only but the Church but by the gods as well. So this takes place a short time after that, maybe half a year or so.

How's that sound?

[Blitzkrieg]

Can someone help me out with Elven names? I don't wanna use Sethrahl, but right now I have Thana'fiel, but for some reason I feel like I'm stealin' from somethin' with it. Help?

[Zook Murnig]

I usually crack open the PHB for names like that. Ivellios Ilphukiir.

[Vampiric Angel]

I wanna help you with your idea Seth. So here's some constructive criticism.

~Instead of having the elf paladin fall in love with what he's hunting and marry the vampire, why not have him be married and his wife becomes a vampire. So now he has to choose between love and duty. Let her roam rampant, or hunt her down. And I think it'd be more interesting to have him hunt her.

Meh, just a thought you might want to consider.

EDIT: An elven name perhaps? Noldinor, Ralinthos, Fenidaliir, Nurelanar..

[Blitzkrieg]

True...I like that. Thanks, VA.

I really like Ralinthos. Seems to fit. Thanks again.

[Vampiric Angel]

No problem, here to help. I used to write vampires all the time, so I know some subtle nuances of their kind.

[Cyrus the virus]

You might want to stop trying to come up with the most ridiculous and impossible ideas you can, and instead focus on making what you come up with believable and deep.

[Bloodrose]

While I wasn't going to phrase it quite like Cyrus did, I was going to take this opportunity to encourage you to shut down the cliché factory and try something simpler.

I find that starting with a simpler, toned down character gives you a lot more room to grow and experiment than if you paint yourself into a corner right off the bat with these crazy back stories and nuances.

Of course, you might be the kind of person that likes to do that kind of thing, and character creation isn't something one person can teach another. You've gotta find what works for you...

[Blitzkrieg]

I wasn't gonna make him too "out there". Really, Ro is gonna be the most ordinary character I have, next to Beniiro.

And what's the fun doing that anyways? :)

But he's not gonna have a crazy amount of skills like I gave Seth Rahl. My outline:

-above average swordsmanship with two handed swords
-slight regeneration
-natural elven traits
-blade of judgement (kinda similar to Call me J's Questioning Crossbow or something or other, in that it judges whether a person is innocent or guilty)

And thats bout it for skills.

Edit: Wait, I misunderstood what you were saying. I see. I actually had a character like that in mind, named Althan. Yes, Althan. He was a simple thief with a bit of extraordianry luck that gave him a book of magic. But I don't feel like I can really RP a character like that...that's why I use "cliche's". Not because its easier, but I can feel I can really expand upon what is already there.

[Ataraxis]

Sometimes, coming up with an idea could be by following a system. For example:

What do I never write about?

What do I like?

What animals are cool?

Librarian. Kinkiness. Spiders.

Thus spake Ataraxis!

[Doomsday]

What animals are cool?



A definite for furries^^

[Vampiric Angel]

I'd change the Blade of Judgement, you might get some pokes about it being like Call me J's. Unless it's absolutely essential to your character. Then I'd say change the weapon into a normal sword and give your guy a skill that he can see whether a person is telling the truth or lying...like a human lie-detector.

[Blitzkrieg]

What I usually do.

Sit.

Close my eyes.

Fall asleep.

Sit some more.

Watch a movie.

Listen to music.

BANG! gets hit over head for random reason by gf.

Idea is born! xD

Edit: Either its Blade of Judgement, or Holy Flame, but I didn't want to introduce that until Ro really started getting some of his paladin abilities back. Blade of Judgement is just one of his innate skills, as is his regeneration.

I'll think on it. And avoid gettiing hit over said head.

[Blitzkrieg]

I just realized that this thread has so many fuckin' responses for being a intro thread its rediculous.

Anyhoo, I'd just like to clarify that Blade of Judgement is not an actual sword but an ability he can use with any sword. Still thinkin' about doing somethin' else about it though...'

[Cyrus the virus]

You should throw 'think' into that series of actions, there. Might help!

[Elijah_Morendale]

I'm always late to the party, but I'll add in my two coins anyways.

You'd be surprised how dynamic these "ordinary" and "boring" characters can be. Elijah started out as a dime-a-dozen adventurer with a conscience that didn't always agree with him and a general ice-creating power. Pretty open-ended right there. After a few quests, I got a bead on his character, brought the conscience out as a split personality/imaginary friend (still don't know why I made her a lesbian though), and I've been keeping a list handy of neat crap I can do with his icecrafting ability.

It's a hell of a lot easier than having a strict backstory to adhere to. I can pretty much just drop him in any situation and let Nadia have a ball. It leaves future storyline ideas open, rather than saying "okay, I've killed so-and-so, completing my destiny. What the hell am I going to do so I can reach level 2?" Believe me, I've tried sticking to the script (so to speak) with Madison... It just doesn't work out. I had to have her undergo an identity crisis so I could open up possibilities rather than "here's the target, now go kill them while acting all depressed about your family hating your guts".

Give it a try, mang.

[AdventWings]

Letting the characters think for themselves is always a nice way to bring out their character. :D

But, hey, what do I know? I'm late for the party like that guy over there as well. :D

[Blitzkrieg]

Maybe I should go buy drinks for this party. o.0 everyone give me five bucks and lets get drunk.

I only brought in the the whole vampire mairrage thingy because I needed a reason why my character would lose his paladin status (yes, like in D&D xP), and killing some random good guy to lose it just sounds awkward. If anybody has any ideas on how he could lose his paladin status without it being to cliche' (vamp marraige, demonic pact, depresson, etc) I'd appreciate that.

Everyone has got their own way of thinking about things: mine is music. When I listen to a song, I immediate start thinking about one of my eight characters (4 on here, 4 on something else) and how te song could relate or be "backround music" for the scene. I'm a budding screenwriter, so I guess its natural. Anyways, thats one of the reasons everything (or everybody) I make is somewhat dramatic and out-there. Like, when I listen to the song "Decadence) which is no relaton to the thread made by Dissinger and Izzy, I can't exactly picture my thief character lauging and playing dice. Maybe another song I could, but my repitoire seems to be consisted of rock and drama. xP For example, this is what I think of:

In the case of "decadence", i ususally think of a sand desert with these giant ships herding humans like they were cattle. Ifrit and friends, from my story, get an army of their own somehow and siege the ships. etc... In any case, that is how I work. You guys probably sit down and think about your characters for a long while, but I just like to see what my head comes up with.

g2g

[Rayse Valentino]

I'm sure I'm just echoing sentiments expressed exactly, but it's very simple: The less details, the better.

When you add details, you add complexity. You may think, hey, complexity means deep! Right? No. Complexity means harder to portray. Instead of some basic guidelines and a general idea, you have to follow the rules of your character. When you fail to follow those rules, the judges notice, as well as anyone else that reads anything you write. Don't think you define those rules; they're defined for you. I nearly gagged when I read about the elven paladin who marries a vampire. That entire concept violates its own rules, I could give you an essay on how none of that makes any sense and no matter how you role-play it, you'll fail all the rules repeatedly, but I'm not here to break down your ideas, that's up to you.

I'm also not a fan of anything involving Earth or real-life references, but there are some exceptions when they are used well so it's a personal preference.


Yes, Althan. He was a simple thief with a bit of extraordianry luck that gave him a book of magic. But I don't feel like I can really RP a character like that...that's why I use "cliche's". Not because its easier, but I can feel I can really expand upon what is already there.

You got the wrong idea about cliches. There's nothing to expand upon, that's why they're called cliches! Although, that character concept is the best one I've heard from you yet. Thieves are looking to win big in their heists, thief gets lucky, thief... learns magic? For me, that breaks a rule. A thief wouldn't use the book, he would pawn it. Take out the magic book part and you got something that you could expand upon. But, do the expanding after you make the character. Histories are malleable and better left simple at start, simply develop a back story to suit the purposes of the character now, otherwise they might as well be amnesiacs like some people are.

There was someone called Devon Starslayer on here a while ago. His only description would be a swordsman. A generic swordsman traveling around. Yet, I think he was probably the best role-player this site has ever seen. With the only limitation being his knowledge of swordsmanship, he excelled at developing his character and interacting with others. He oozed personality, and it was very believable. Start with something simple, and add on as you go along. Start with something complicated, and you're left being unable to express the character correctly. There's just too many factors to consider.

Don't draw inspiration from pop-culture or video game sources. They are very shallow. Stick to basic DnD concepts and you'll excel at character creation. By that, I mean the absolute FIRST things you should figure out in a character is the personality, or 'alignment' as DnD simplifies it. Then, back up that personality with a history. Your character is a nice guy, his history should reflect that. But, as I said, history is a small issue. You can put where the character was born and the current location and that would be enough.

fake edit: While hitting preview I saw your most recent post. I don't understand your motivation for wanting to get rid of his paladin status. What exactly does it contribute to the character? It seems like something that requires a lot of reasoning, but you're prepared to write off all that reasoning with a simple, awkward explanation.

Also, when I'm posting I just put down whatever I want. I don't take time to think about anything, in fact: In my FQ thread Rise of the Underground, I didn't have anything planned out more than 1 post, so I was winging it the entire time. I barely have anything in mind for Part 2, and NOTHING in mind for any parts after that. The only times that involved planning were when I asked Teric if he wanted any parts or I was making sure we were on the same page on some things.

Anyway, I'd be less concerned about how he's going to lose his paladin status and more concerned with why he's a paladin in the first place. What does the word Paladin even mean to you? It's a very ambiguous word, and if you assign it some sort of religious connotation, you have to define exactly WHAT being a Paladin means.

THIS IS ONLY AN EXAMPLE: If you're going by DnD definitions,


The paladin is a holy knight, crusading in the name of good and order, and is a divine spellcaster. Paladins are always of the Lawful Good alignment.

It seems that if a Paladin found that his wife became a vampire, he'd kill her. That's just an example though, and what I think a Paladin would do. It doesn't really matter. In any case, to stop being a Paladin is pulling a complete 180 on the character's personality. If there isn't some serious evidence for this, the entire affair will be dubious at best.

[Call me J]

blade of judgement (kinda similar to Call me J's Questioning Crossbow or something or other, in that it judges whether a person is innocent or guilty)

Sounds considerably different from the Questioning Crossbow IMO.

[Seth_Rahl]

I'm sure I'm just echoing sentiments expressed exactly, but it's very simple: The less details, the better.

When you add details, you add complexity. You may think, hey, complexity means deep! Right? No. Complexity means harder to portray. Instead of some basic guidelines and a general idea, you have to follow the rules of your character. When you fail to follow those rules, the judges notice, as well as anyone else that reads anything you write. Don't think you define those rules; they're defined for you. I nearly gagged when I read about the elven paladin who marries a vampire. That entire concept violates its own rules, I could give you an essay on how none of that makes any sense and no matter how you role-play it, you'll fail all the rules repeatedly, but I'm not here to break down your ideas, that's up to you.

I'm also not a fan of anything involving Earth or real-life references, but there are some exceptions when they are used well so it's a personal preference.



You got the wrong idea about cliches. There's nothing to expand upon, that's why they're called cliches! Although, that character concept is the best one I've heard from you yet. Thieves are looking to win big in their heists, thief gets lucky, thief... learns magic? For me, that breaks a rule. A thief wouldn't use the book, he would pawn it. Take out the magic book part and you got something that you could expand upon. But, do the expanding after you make the character. Histories are malleable and better left simple at start, simply develop a back story to suit the purposes of the character now, otherwise they might as well be amnesiacs like some people are.

There was someone called Devon Starslayer on here a while ago. His only description would be a swordsman. A generic swordsman traveling around. Yet, I think he was probably the best role-player this site has ever seen. With the only limitation being his knowledge of swordsmanship, he excelled at developing his character and interacting with others. He oozed personality, and it was very believable. Start with something simple, and add on as you go along. Start with something complicated, and you're left being unable to express the character correctly. There's just too many factors to consider.

Don't draw inspiration from pop-culture or video game sources. They are very shallow. Stick to basic DnD concepts and you'll excel at character creation. By that, I mean the absolute FIRST things you should figure out in a character is the personality, or 'alignment' as DnD simplifies it. Then, back up that personality with a history. Your character is a nice guy, his history should reflect that. But, as I said, history is a small issue. You can put where the character was born and the current location and that would be enough.

fake edit: While hitting preview I saw your most recent post. I don't understand your motivation for wanting to get rid of his paladin status. What exactly does it contribute to the character? It seems like something that requires a lot of reasoning, but you're prepared to write off all that reasoning with a simple, awkward explanation.

Also, when I'm posting I just put down whatever I want. I don't take time to think about anything, in fact: In my FQ thread Rise of the Underground, I didn't have anything planned out more than 1 post, so I was winging it the entire time. I barely have anything in mind for Part 2, and NOTHING in mind for any parts after that. The only times that involved planning were when I asked Teric if he wanted any parts or I was making sure we were on the same page on some things.

Anyway, I'd be less concerned about how he's going to lose his paladin status and more concerned with why he's a paladin in the first place. What does the word Paladin even mean to you? It's a very ambiguous word, and if you assign it some sort of religious connotation, you have to define exactly WHAT being a Paladin means.

THIS IS ONLY AN EXAMPLE: If you're going by DnD definitions,



It seems that if a Paladin found that his wife became a vampire, he'd kill her. That's just an example though, and what I think a Paladin would do. It doesn't really matter. In any case, to stop being a Paladin is pulling a complete 180 on the character's personality. If there isn't some serious evidence for this, the entire affair will be dubious at best.

Thanks for putting down your opinion. I'll try to answer as best as I can in the short amount of time I have.

I'm a detail person, obviously unlike you. But this isn't because of storyline: I like details because I come from an era of forums where powerplaying, godmodding, and etc were acceptable (rather, it wasn't prevented nor discouraged) and lack of detail meant lack of control. So I'm used to and guilty of powerplaying myself. Thus, the more details I have on my characters the more retriction I have on them, which I meant by "growth".

I also dont' really plan things out beforehand, but in the middle of a thread I'll sometimes get an idea that really grows on me: thus was what happened to Ifrit during his quest with the giant wolves and Lexxum. Its not really a good thing to do, but heck it happens.

Really I create my characters on here to get bases off for characters that I would use in my writing outside of Althanas. Thus, that is why I don't create simple things like the thief idea you like, because even though he would be a good start for an Althanas character I would not enjoy roleplaying with him and I couldn't use him in my current project. Maybe as a small character role, but as someone that the player would depict I know that I would not choose that option.

I have been trying to draw less and less inspiration from games and movies, and rely more on my own head and books. That and old legends. Ifrit, Leigh, and Eternium may be drawn from pop culture, but my current char and Beniiro I'm taking from my own ideas. (Cept for the appearence of my current: I like it. Its from FF: Dissidia, a game coming out on the psp sometime in japan. No, I'm not gonna copy it though. xP)

On to paladins: my father being a D&D nut himself, he got me into it and so I do know what the "defenition" for paladin is. Your right in that the average Paladin would immediately kill his wife her turning into a vamp, but Rolinthor isn't your average paladin to start out with. First off he has been married to his girl for awhile now, over three hundred years, so they have a strong bond. (Yes, she's elven as well.) That is why he would have so much hesitation towards her being a vampire. He still loves her, but his duty as a paladin demands that she be killed. Which is why once the Church finds out that he brought back his wife (i'm getting rid of that demon stuff, I use too many demons xP), he is stripped of all his status and ranks. Plus, his Sephiroth status (Sephiroth of the Kaballah, not Final Fantasy Sephiroth) is taken away by the gods themselves.

But since you brought this up, I thought about it and it makes sense. Even if he did try to regain his paladin status, his wife is alive, in a sense, and well, so he cannot ever go back to that state without killing her first, which he would never do (at least not permanently). So i'm going to have him try and gain the favor of the gods once more without being a paladin.

I developed this character as something I don't usually do: I don't usually make knight-ish characters, but this one I like. Obviously I favor quick swordsmen and those light on their feet, and neither do I usually play elves unless they are drow. So this character is a step in a new direction for me, and I appreciate whatever help I can find.

(when I mentioned that he would be one of most ordinary characters I have, I think I was referring to his skills and not himself, cause he's not ordinary. xP)

Call me J, I've already decided to try and replace his Blade of Judgement with something else, I dont' know what yet.

[Caden Law]

*Pops in.*

I admit to not reading the whole thread, but honestly? Come off it, guys o_o;

When it comes to character creation, the use of a cliche or fifty is just bloody fine. Cliches exist because they work, and the constant attempts to avoid and destroy them simply add to them and become cliches in and of themselves.

And while we're at it, throw away that DnD book. If you're going for anti-cliche, DnD is not your best bet. It's the very definition of regulation fantasy, and it can be even more shallow and uninspiring than any form of pop culture. Period. Do not confine yourself with other people's rules and definitions; the only ones you have to follow are the character registration rules and whatever codes of conduct apply in each forum. Besides that, just go for what makes sense to you, and if you can't make it fit then look at it from another angle.

Regarding the idea of a Thief and a magic book: Do it. Rayse has made a critical error in judgement in that not all Thieves are inherently alike. Maybe yours has an intellectual hard-on for reading and literacy? Maybe he thinks magic will give him an edge in his line of work? Maybe he's just compelled because the book happens to give him dreams about lots of naked women doing pole dances in anti-gravity? Who cares! There are all sorts of reasons to keep the magic book, and only one all too transient reason not to! Hell, maybe the Thief intends on trying to hand-copy it and then sell one or the other? Either way, DO IT!

Regarding the Elf Paladin and the Vampire, that's another can of worms. You want to get rid of his Paladin status? Then it's simple! He chose love over the Church. Noble fall, ahoy!

That all out the way...when it comes to character creation, my main advice to you is to always, always, always use multiple sources as inspiration for a single character's appearance, personality, and general feel. Don't restrict yourself to any one source. The failing of using pop culture or video games as a base isn't that they're shallow or uncreative, it's that they're obvious. Use multiple sources and the resemblance becomes less and less and less, until only you even know it's there.

And if you see something you want your character to do, don't change them to match it. To use an example: You're not playing Ichigo, you're playing Ifrit. You can't use Tensa Zangetsu's Black Moon Fangs, but you can use black-colored hellfire and shape it to match. You can't use superspeed, so you can improvise with teleportation and come up with your own mechanics for it. You already know this, but it seems like you need someone to remind you.

Don't weigh yourself down using character pictures either -- unless you have an artistic friend willing to draw them for you.

AntiEdit: And you posted again as I was writing all this, but I'm leaving it as is. It needs saying, I think.

Real Edit: And don't go changing something entirely just because somebody else used it. Just ask yourself, How can I get the same effect using different mechanics?

[Cyrus the virus]

I need to ask why the hell your character is going to be hundreds of years old. That is not necessary unless you're going to use it as a plot or personality device. Do you know how hard it is to realistically write as a character who's lived, let alone been married, for three hundred years?

If you're going to make him that old, at least dedicate a lot of his character to that particular characteristic.

[Caden Law]

I need to ask why the hell your character is going to be hundreds of years old. That is not necessary unless you're going to use it as a plot or personality device. Do you know how hard it is to realistically write as a character who's lived, let alone been married, for three hundred years?

If you're going to make him that old, at least dedicate a lot of his character to that particular characteristic.
And again I'm compelled to jumpin: Nothing is wrong with being old. Plenty of the elves and other non-humans seem to be pushing anything from late 70's to 290-some years. It's a background detail, and it doesn't need to be the center of the character.

[Seth_Rahl]

Rolinthor's about thirty if you consider the elf-to-human age balance. So hundreds of years aren't really all that much. No, its not necessary, but again, as being someone who usually uses younger characters, and older, more "experienced" character is a new step.

Althan was actually going to use the magic book to help his thievery at first. So he would kinda be a thief/mage later. *looks over to dissinger* oh.


And if you see something you want your character to do, don't change them to match it. To use an example: You're not playing Ichigo, you're playing Ifrit. You can't use Tensa Zangetsu's Black Moon Fangs, but you can use black-colored hellfire and shape it to match. You can't use superspeed, so you can improvise with teleportation and come up with your own mechanics for it. You already know this, but it seems like you need someone to remind you.

Don't weigh yourself down using character pictures either -- unless you have an artistic friend willing to draw them for you.

You seem to understand what I used to be going for, especially with Ifrit. I guess I was so impressed with Bleach that it became locked in my memory for awhile.

I'm not getting rid of Blade of Judgement because it would be similar to Call me J's quetioning crossbow: I'm getting rid of it because it's contradictory to my character. It is more of a paladin-based technique, and really it is up to the opinion of the character to judge someone guilty or not, so that defeats the purpose of the technique. CMJ's crossbow is more workable in that it does not matter what the person's opinion is: If they are wrong, they die. Simple as that.

[Blitzkrieg]

I feel compelled to double post and say this before anyone says anything more.

Rolinthor is not, I repeat, not based off any one book or idea. He is a completely original idea, including his appearence, which I developed before finding the picture. I've made a list regarding what sources I have conciously taken or been influenced by from:

Final Fantasy 2+dissidia--appearence basis
666 Satan (O-Parts Hunter in english) + religous context: Sephiroth of the Kaballah
Drizz't Do'Urden--skill basis
Okami+the Legend of Zelda --"familiar" basis

And regards to my friend Rok the Blade for the inspiration to make a knight character.

This is to prevent further copyright issues and clarify things. Now, on to the party.

[Zook Murnig]

Plus, his Sephiroth status (Sephiroth of the Kaballah, not Final Fantasy Sephiroth) is taken away by the gods themselves.

OMG! You be stealin mah ah-dee-ahz.

But seriously, don't worry about having a character that's similar to someone else on here. Just because your thief-mage resembles Diss' character in that it's a thief-mage, doesn't mean that your character is the same or is stepping on Dissinger's toes.

[Seth_Rahl]

Oh, I don't. :P Althan would probably be more carefree than the hexmage and he considers luck to be a sentient being. Maybe it is...bwahahahahahahahahhaa...

I'll probably be writin' Rolinthor later tonight, or this afternoon, once I get home from school.

Due to some thought: I've decided to forego making him a "fallen" paladin and just make him a knight-like character with some heriditary abilities. And I've done enough with angels and demons that makin' him the Sephiroth of the Kaballah is overdoin' it. Go elves. (Or somethin'.) That way I can expand upon him more.

Still keepin the vampire wife though. Huzzah!

[Cyrus the virus]

And again I'm compelled to jumpin: Nothing is wrong with being old. Plenty of the elves and other non-humans seem to be pushing anything from late 70's to 290-some years. It's a background detail, and it doesn't need to be the center of the character.

A 300 year old character who acts like a 20 year old character is a flawed character. What an ugly sentence that is!


Rolinthor's about thirty if you consider the elf-to-human age balance. So hundreds of years aren't really all that much.

You're thinking about this in terms of sheer math and ratios, not keeping in mind that a person who literally lives for three hundred years will have more than triple the life experience, lessons learned and emotional development/pain that an elderly man will. Rolinthor is not 'about thirty' in your example, he's three hundred. His life does not begin at three hundred, and it's impossible to take a character seriously if you write him that way.

Does anyone else agree?

[Lucien]

It's why I try to avoid writing old characters. They need to have had too much damn life experience, events that have played out, and flaws that they rid themselves of.

[Rayse Valentino]

Forget it, Cyrus. Technically Caden is right; he can do whatever he wants. It's all theorycraft, anyway.

The ONLY reason we were suggesting something simple is because it's easier to RP. When you make a post, you don't have to take into account 500 different factors you put into the character at creation.

Do whatever you want, but my only warning is: suspension of disbelief.

[Whiteshadow]

I usually avoid rping with older characters for the same reason. Look, nothing is definitive for him right now, there are still things that are thrown up in the air for debation. I do not intend to make him the perfect character and neither do I think he will be but the point is if I cannot enjoy role playing with him then it is useless making him.

When I was thinking that he would be about thirty, I was talking about in consideration to other elves or such that his how they would treat him. For example, I've put down that Ifrit is still bassically a young un' in another demon's eyes, and that is true. To another, he would be a fledgling, barely old enough to be considered a man. Do you see what I was saying now?

[Cyrus the virus]

Oh yeah, that makes more sense :)

If you want, you should check out some info in Raiaera, namely about the elves there. They have a different life expectancy than your typical fantasy elves, if I recall correctly. Could be fun to make a Raiaeran elf :p

[Blitzkrieg]

lol, well the elves that my dad created usually have life expectancies of about 1200 years, about 70-75 to us. And that there were tales of elves who have lived to be 2000 or more, which would be considered around 100-110. Legends tell of these elves as have transcending the physical body and achieving a Higher State of Conciousnous. Or something like that.

Anyways I'll check it out and see if the Raiaera elves have what i'm looking for. I'm looking to make an angelic kinda elf with out making him an angel. Any grabs?

[Cyrus the virus]

I think just integrating your character into Althanas' world is a fantastic source of inspiration. Creating a DnD Lawful Good High Elf kind of leaves you stranded, in a sense, since you're thinking of what DnD elves do in a non-DnD world.

[Call me J]

A 300 year old character who acts like a 20 year old character is a flawed character. What an ugly sentence that is!

You're thinking about this in terms of sheer math and ratios, not keeping in mind that a person who literally lives for three hundred years will have more than triple the life experience, lessons learned and emotional development/pain that an elderly man will. Rolinthor is not 'about thirty' in your example, he's three hundred. His life does not begin at three hundred, and it's impossible to take a character seriously if you write him that way.

Does anyone else agree?

Yes and no. It really depends on 300 years of life experience. Since I'm guessing none of us know how someone who has lived 300 years would act, as long as you come up with a reasonable enough idea, I wouldn't object to it. For instance, I had a character who was 75 years old as a drow, and a recently sired vampire. He had 75 years of experience at life, and it made him more interested in garnering fame and fortune even at the risk of his own peril, because 75 years had taught him that life was meaningless without fame. Someone who is 300 years may have a number of different motivations. If they spent their 300 years in the lap of luxury and were suddenly empoverished by a cruel twist of fate, I wouldn't expect that 300 year old to act the same way as a 300 year old who has been poor his entire life.

However, Cyrus is right in that if you play a 300 year old, you should have a good idea of what he has done for 300 years, and how his life is effected by that. Personally, I like my histories vague and so I can fill them later through flashbacks (look at Jame's initial level 0 profile and compare it to the level 1 profile). When you have 300 years of history, its a bit harder to fudge that way. I'm not saying that you can't have a character who is that old, but I am saying it brings on a great deal of challenge to the role. Rayse Valentino also made the same point.

That said, no one has the right to tell you what a 300 year old's life would be like, unless they know a bunch of 300 year olds. Seth's imagination is just as good as Cyrus' or mine.

[Blitzkrieg]

Well, back when I thought he would turn out to be a fallen paladin, Rolinthor's life was kinda in 100 year sections, every 100 years or so something happening or his life taking a turn. But I'm still kinda meh about making him so old, and even more so at making a knight. That's what I'm worried about the most: that i'll make a knight character and play him like a ranger or rogue. I have absolutely no experience in knight characters, the closest I've made is a Valkyrie. even so i'll give it a go.

[Call me J]

Well if you make him and play him and hate him, just give up on the character. No shame in that. I've had a few characters who didn't get off the ground, and probably every Althanas vet who's played multiple characters can say the same thing.

[Seth_Rahl]

I'm not saying that I'll hate him, thats why I'm spending so much time on this character considering him. Usually I just make characters spur of the moment. I can't say I've been considering this idea for awhile, as I just came up with it recently, but alas its really taken me. No shame in trying him out first.

Besides, I really wanna play an elf. xD