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ClokMaus

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    The Original Character (OC) Creation Guide

    in Roleplaying

    Posted · Edited by ClokMaus

    :The Original Character [OC] Creation Guide 2.0:

    400 views Wow!

    Now with multiple methods!

    CysS4u5.png

     

     

    Hello everyone! I have written, created, and articulated many, many Original Characters overtime, whether it be for stories I write, or for Roleplays on this form. Therefore, after seeing people struggle with OCs, I thought that this community needs a OC Creation Guide! So, this is what this is. I hope this Guide helps you to create and use OCs that you're proud of! So, without further ado, (cause I've already had a lot of ado) here it is.

     

     

    OC Creation Method 1

    In which we go step by step, slowly and carefully.

    This can help if you're somewhat new to RPing, as it guides you over each small step, carefully.

     

    1. Creating the Name

     

    1.1- The First Name

     

    So, when you begin creating your OC, it's best to think of a name first. When making the first name, you can sometimes draw the name from something you like. This also works for middle names.  So, Star Wars fan, you could have an OC named Luke if you wanted, just don't have a Luke Skywalker. Also, something that helps me a lot, is to watch your surroundings. Something that is extremely helpful, is to watch movie credits. In the credits, there are usually vast arrays of names, anything from Bob to Xavier. Another place to watch is the library. No, not the characters in books, but the author's name. You can borrow the first name of some author whose books you enjoy. Or you can even glean names from people you know, or famous actors/actresses. See?

     

    -Examples-

    Luke

    John

    Albert

    Samuel

    William

    Xavier

     

    Amy

    Alisha

    Mary

    Gwen

    Jane

     

    1.2 The Middle Name

    (See 1.1-First Name)

     

    1.3- The Last Name

    So, looking for a family name? Again, I recommend looking in places such as movie credits or book's author names. However, it's not wise to use names such as these if they are fairly un-common. Like, if you saw the name 'Smith', and you wanted to use it, fine. But names that look like 'Amygilgiherilke-Smith' would be best to avoid. Another vastly popular last name style comes in handy when creating fantasy/sci-fi characters; The 'Noun-'Verb'er' style is well used. For instance, Luke Skywalker, (Sky-noun, walk- verb +er). names such as Windchanger or Thundermover can be pulled from this. These are, however, best saved for high fantasy of science fiction. I mean, not many people will go to the day-job at the office and say hello to Bob Thundermover. Always think before you use the name, and it will turn out perfect.

    Examples of the <noun><verb>(er) style.

    Thundercrasher

    Swordslicer

    Windchanger

     

    -For normal examples, see First Name example list-

     

     

     

    2. The Look and the Age

     

    2.1 Creating the Looks.

    Although most RPs take place in text, it's still nice to envision your OC's look. (Some RP forms ask for 'Looks', so it helps.) This is a tough point with me. I always think, how will my OCs look? What do I want them to look like? Some of the world's savviest artists have used real life bases for characters. For instance, Capt. George Stacy in the Amazing Spider-Man comic series was based off of an actor named Charles Bickford. Hmm. Look them up, and see if you notice the similarities. I'll be here when you get back.

    Now, if you don't want to base your OCs off of real like humans, skip this step and finish your OC except for their look. Then, look at the rest of things you've made for the OC, and try to envision what that character would look like. Sometimes, great ideas pop into your head out of the blue. 

    Also, as silly as it sounds, think about the names. Does an OC named 'Billy' sound like he would have a big think beard and bulging muscles? Does a 'Brock'

    sound like he would have a crew cut and go around beating people up? Use common sense, and it'll work out perfectly.

     

    2.2 The Age.

    Well, this is important as well. A concrete age is always something good to have, so people don't go around flip-flopping their OC's age every 5 second. Some RPs have an OC age limit. Like, 'Superhero Teens' probably would frown on Jack the 78 year old OC.

     

    -Ages that most RPs use-

    12-16 (Childhood)

    17-21 (Teenaged)(Most popular)

    22-30 (Adult)

     

     

     

    3. The Backstory

    Well, now to the most interesting and fantastic part of your character. The Backstory! Backstories are where you develop the past, present, and perhaps future of your OC. Ready? Be warned: Before you decide, select which POV (point of view) you're making this from. 1st person, told as if the OC himself was telling it, and 3rd person, where it is being told from an external point of view.

     

    -For examples, see Long/Short sub-sections-

     

    3.1 The Long Backstory

    I find that the best way to help you do this is by presenting a list of questions. Answer these in order, and you should have a basic backstory, ready to refine and smooth off to an epic story!

     

    1. Where was your OC born? 

    2. Who are your OC's parents?

    3. Was the OC born with any powers or abnormalities?

    4. Where did he grow up?

    5. Was the OC popular as a child?

    6. Did the OC acquire any powers at a young age?

    7. What happened to the OC's parents? Did anything?

    8. What major events happened around him as the OC was growing up?

    9. Did your OC excel at any sports or trainings?

    10. If your OC is on a 'quest for justice', or is out just wandering the world, and is there any explanation for this?

     

    Well, does this help? Here's an example of a basic long backstory, about an OC named... Jack, told from a first person point of view.

    I was born in Rachem, which lies just north of Vasteem. My father was a knight of the king, and my mother taught me at home. I grew up across the region between Rachem and Vasteem, which covers at least a week's journey by foot. I was paid attention to by the elders of Rachem, since I excelled at the archery and agility tests. I supposed they just wanted to make a soldier out of me. My parents were killed when I was twelve. The marauders of Kor did that. That was the beginning of the War of the Ogres. It lasted for years, although I managed to stay mainly out of it. I knew in my heart, though; someday, I would find the men who killed my parents, and I will destroy them.

     

    3.2 Refine it!

    Now, for this, you need to finish step 3.1. So, you have a very rough cut bio for your OC. Now for refining it! You can use some, all, or one of these questions, depending on how much depth you want/need.!

     

    Did your OC have any special tokens or trinkets that hold a special value to him or her?

    If your OC was born with abnormalities, how has he/she overcome these? Has he/she overcome them at all?

    What was the OC's childhood like?

    If he/she was popular, in what way were they 'popular; in school? In the jousting arena? Around town? In a bad way?

    If they weren't popular, did it effect him/her in any way?

    if your OC acquired any powers as a child, how? Were they given a magical sword by an dying knight?

    If something happened to the OC's parents that left him/her on their own, what happened? How did it happen? (this is a good place for a plot twist such as your OC goes hunting for justice. Think Batman style)

    Was there a war or conflict in the area of your OC's childhood? Did this effect the OC in any direct manner? Indirect manner?

    If your OC excelled at sports, to what extent? Who was better than him? Worse?

    Did he/she ever fail at anything, and become excellent as they tried to gain back a formerly held place?

    Does your OC have any extremely close friends/allies that help of hinder him/her in their mission/quest?

     

     

    Remember to add your own questions to each OC! Everyone's different!

     

    3.3 The Compact Backstory

    Does the above guide look waaaayy to hard for you? Well, that's fine. Use this guide to make a shorter, quicker, more compact OC Backstory.

     

    Where and when was OC born?

    Did anything major happen in his childhood? (don't mention if nothing did)

    What powers does he have?

    Does he have any enemies/vendettas?

     

    Ta-da! Short, quick and simple. Done!

     

    Here's an example of a short backstory, 1st person view, about an OC named Jack. This tells the same story as the Long Backstory example.

    I was born in Rachem, just north of Vasteem. My parents were killed when I was only twelve. It happened during the beginning of the War of the Ogres. I excelled at archery and agility, though, so I knew I would be able to defend myself. I know that someday, I will meet the men who killed my parents. And I will kill them.

    (Note: Once you're through using the short Backstory section, if you do, scroll up to 3.1 to further refine this backstory [optional])

     

     

     

     

    OC Method 2

    For the savvier, more experienced Roleplayer.

    (Many, many thanks to Amethyst_Dragon, who suggested a lot, lot, lot of this)

     

     

    1. The Vagueness... begin with the personality.

    (I'm starting on the basis that you've already decided your OC's gender)

    Try to get a vague feeling of what you want your OC to be like; the type of OC you want (or need). Not name wise, but an attitude, the personality. Snarky? Playful? Sardonic? Honest? It's all up to you. You are the creator of them.

    Do you want a brave OC? A shy one? A strong-willed one? Stubborn? Figure this kind of stuff out first.

    Try to get a feeling of their personality first, and work with that. Type it up on a .txt file, or write it down for later. This step is important.

    Also, if somehow, someone else I the RP says or does something that manipulates your OCs personality, it's ok. If it's something you can't stand, tough, it's best to not let them, but if you're OK with it, then why not? Having the personality carved in stone can sometimes cause more conflict than having a long backstory. In summary for this: It's ok if other people change your OCs personality, as long as it changes into something you like and are OK with.

     

    -Example-

    "Hmm... I should make a dragon-themed OC..."

    "*sigh*, I need to make a new OC. Maybe a fantasy one will work..."

    "That's cool. I need a superhero OC!"

    "I ought to have a cocky OC. That'd make for some interesting plot twists."

     

     

    2. The Name!

    Now for the name! As I said in the first Method, (if you read that), you can pick up a lot of names from movie credits and stuff like that.

    (So I won't be repeating myself too much, if you want a more in-depth guide to creating names, scroll yourself back up to the OC Method 1; I've got one there)

    But, even more important, try to pick names that sound like they go along with the personality! (Still got that list I said to make?)

    A name that seems to be a perfect match for their personality is always the best shot! Pick carefully, though, because if you plan to use this OC in a certain type of RP, then pick the name accordingly. For instance, you'd be hard pressed to fine an Aiden Fortheseld at the local school, and, in the same way, a Bob Jones might be out of place in the fantastic war of the Elves. See what I'm saying?

     

    -Examples-

    John

    Bob

    Bill

    William

    Joseph

     

    Amy

    Alisha

    Hannah

    Mary

    Gwen

    Jane

     

    3. The Early Years

    Next! Try to develop your OC's early backstory, (childhood, etc.) For instance, How did their parents meet? What was their childhood like? Did they have any siblings? Did anything major happen in their childhood? (i.e wars, etc.) try to etch out their early years. Note: If you're making a teenage OC, don't develop quite as far into the early teens as you would with an adult OC.

     

     

    3.2 How'd I get here? Pulling past to present,

    Next, try to add on to their childhood story by figuring out how they got to where they are now, whether physical or other. How did they get to the city they're in? How'd they get to a high rank in the army? If you don't have this, it might leave some grey area that could cause conflict. Also, don't try to map out their entire life. Leave some holes and gaps in the story , but make sure that there is one solid line coming from past to present.

     

    -Examples-

    Inserting phrases like.... "12 years passed. After that...."

    or...

    "It was a decade later before I found what I wanted. That was..."

     

    3.3 Oh, it's based on the... Basing your backstory.

    Its best to shy away from basing your OC backstory on an existing RP, as it can change at any time. Try to imagine up a different realm, or at least country, that your OC hails from.

     

    -Examples-

    "Oh, well my OC's backstory is just like User8123s!"

    "Yeah, I based mine off of User81301."

     

    4. Multiple RPs, and the explanation.

    While this isn't required, it's sometimes is nice to have explanations on how your OC got to another RP. Say, from... Sci-Fi Thriller to Medieval Fantastic might take a good explanation (time travel?). Try to have more than one OC so that you can have one in each popular genre, instead of just one. For some people, though, one OC is perfect for them, so it isn't exactly needed if you're happy with one.

     

    -Example-

     

    Player 1: How'd you get here?

     

    Player 2: I built a time-travel device.

     

    As stereotyped and simple as that sounds, it will work.

     

     

    5. Let Nature take it's Direction

    After you've done everything here, you can start RPing with it. The character should, if you've done well, start to take on their own story, as things pop up in the RPs, and you can develop the backstory as you RP along. Sometimes, the OC will turn out completely different that you hoped, whether in a better or worse way.  Perhaps you'll like it better than your original intentions!  Either way, happy RPing!

     

     

     

     

    Well, look there! You've made a pretty fancy Original Character! Congratulations! Well, I hoped this guide helps you.

    Please, leave any suggestions or comments below. By no means, at all, is this guide finished. It still has lots to add, and lots to learn! I'll try to update this whenever something new or something I'm missing comes to my attention. Thanks a lot for spending time reading this, and I'd love to hear from you. Thanks!

     

    Also, if you need help creating or working on an OC, please PM me; I'd be happy to help!

    And feel free to leave feedback! It'd mean the world!

    Cheers!

    ~Clok

    The Roleplay Guide

    in Roleplaying

    Posted · Edited by ClokMaus

    Now, I want to apologize to both of you. I understand we all have differences, and some of us disagree with others. I'm sorry if I annoyed any of you. If you guys have any suggestions for this at all, please post them! If you have anything you'd like to ask me about, PM me! I'll be happy to talk. Thanks! :D

    The Roleplay Guide

    in Roleplaying

    Posted

    Look, I value everyone's input, but please let's not argue. Deminu, I'd love to hear your advice from the 5 years of experience. I'm sorry; I'm trying to do my best and help. What advice do you have? I'd really want to hear it.

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