Character Sheets: Where do you stand?

[Karkinos]

I just dumped & dipped so... what’s you guys’ fav & least fav things to fill out in a signup? Obviously depends but just of what you’ve seen so far.

[Fabricant451]

I just dumped & dipped so... what’s you guys’ fav & least fav things to fill out in a signup? Obviously depends but just of what you’ve seen so far.

@Karkinos

If a sheet has me having to fill out a number of arbitrary 'likes' and 'dislikes' while also having an 'interests' section I'm probably going to take longer to fill it out because I will be concussed from bashing my head against the wall.

[Gentlemanvaultboy]

I don't like filling out height and weight because I seem to have this mental blind spot about it. I've just never been able to judge that sort of thing.

My favorite part is finding the perfect picture for their appearance.

[BrokenPromise]

what’s you guys’ fav & least fav things to fill out in a signup? Obviously depends but just of what you’ve seen so far.

I just sort of like having the character come together on the sheet. Sometimes it happens in the personality section, other times it's the power section. It can even happen in the Bio section. But there just comes a point I'm like "Oh yea, I know what the character is now."

Least favorite is selecting artwork. When I describe an outfit, others seldom remember. Using pictures removes this problem, but I feel like the picture then dictates how I have to make the character. It's even more infuriating when I make the character before looking for art. It's almost impossible to find something that works.

[Kidd]

Think about every dumbass sheet you've ever seen rejected or rejected yourself.

Now imagine if the makers of those sheets were allowed to just jump into the RP without being screened via CS.

[pugbutter]

<Snipped quote>

I just sort of like having the character come together on the sheet. Sometimes it happens in the personality section, other times it's the power section. It can even happen in the Bio section. But there just comes a point I'm like "Oh yea, I know what the character is now."

Least favorite is selecting artwork. When I describe an outfit, others seldom remember. Using pictures removes this problem, but I feel like the picture then dictates how I have to make the character. It's even more infuriating when I make the character before looking for art. It's almost impossible to find something that works.

@BrokenPromise

Worst is when the character fits your vision physically but his clothes very obviously don't fit the personality you had in mind for him. Like they're way too flamboyant, or too clean, or they look impractical for his profession. ("Assassins" and rogues are the hallmark here.)

[BrokenPromise]

And so you search and search and find something similar with those features, only to realize they are holding a weapon/device that doesn't mesh with the character or the RP. Drats!

[Silver Carrot]

I just dumped & dipped so... what’s you guys’ fav & least fav things to fill out in a signup? Obviously depends but just of what you’ve seen so far.

@Karkinos

I like everything, mostly. I don't like the filling out the bio so much because it's big but it's important. You shouldn't be allowed to play a character if you can't fill out a bio for them. It shows you don't know them well enough.

My least favourite parts are either the personality (Especially if there's a two paragraph minimum. I hate trying to put my character's personality into words. Especially that many) or finding a real-life face claim.

[Loco Mofo]

On the other hand, I feel like some GM’s use them to assess writing ability or to just have a pile of lengthy info regardless of whether or not it’s necessary. This is where, I think, we get into the territory of a CS being “useless” and a waste of creative energy, especially for meaty parts of a CS that may take a while to formulate. How relevant is that background or complete life story to the start of the roleplay? Will it get mentioned at all? What purpose does it serve in starting the roleplay? If it serves no purpose, I would argue that it doesn’t need to be there in the first place.

@Chai

We do this for several reasons.

First of all, most people hate big sheets. They just want to plug & play, because they could give a shit about the story, only what their character can do within it. A beefy, detailed sheet sets up a first line of defense against plug & play types.

Second of all, that beefy sheet makes sure we know, that you know your character. That you've taken the time to fully flesh out a fictional human being, rather than a shapeless mass of potential to unleash upon any given situation.

Finally, it attempts to force establishment of FACTS. So that you can't, at any given time, retcon that character's past and skill set to serve your needs as your situation evolves.

I have to dumb my sheets down for most projects, because no one would apply if I used the full version.

[Briza]

I just dumped & dipped so... what’s you guys’ fav & least fav things to fill out in a signup? Obviously depends but just of what you’ve seen so far.

@Karkinos

Filling the prescription bottle for alleviating the pain of my lazy bones when I see a player put infinite (∞) times more effort into a CS than I did mine. Rip, Briza.

[Dervish]

Thing is, when you only want to manage X amount of players for an RP, you need some metric to determine if a player is going to mesh with the group, of their character is appropriate, and in my eyes, if a player is willing to put considerable effort into a sheet and patiently wait for and meet deadlines, then character sheets are invaluable; as a GM, I personally like to draw parts of different characters' bios and introduce them into a plot. It's very important to me that my players feel like the story values their characters and gives them personal story arcs. Sheets facilitate that.

I never liked the idea of fleshing out a character's history over the RP because a) most RPs don't last that long to have that be relevant and b) what ensures consistency? A sheet helps you keep track of important character traits and history. Also being able to write an interesting and fleshed out bio is a good gauge of how a player is for writing for my RPs; my games are very collab heavy and are more collaborative storytelling than a game (current word count is over 500,000 words). I view the CS as a snapshot of a character at the start of an RP, not necessarily who they are going to be the entire duration.

One system doesn't work for every style, so it's a mistake to try and treat all RPs the same, and enforce a singular set of standards for all players. Variety is important. I just know for the past 7 years, I've found what works for me and mitigates a lot of headaches, player drama and conflicts, keeps players engaged and active, and ensures a consistent writing quality and standard for all players. Having a detailed character sheet and a two part audition process is a necessary evil, I feel. The more you can do to mitigate problems and ensure that players are at least starting off at a certain level and standard does wonders to ensure the game has a good chance of going smoothly to the point all a GM has to do is keep things moving along to keep it alive.

Also, check applicants' posting history; if they have a history of flaking and not staying with an RP for long, you do not want them.

[Sierra]

I like surprises, so in my upcoming attempt at taking the GM reins again, I've opted to go for a ridiculously small CS for an advanced section RP. Though, that's just what I'm going to have people send me and post publicly. I'm also going to give my players the same character-building framework I use when I write a new character and tell them to go work through that on their own time. I have no plans to ever ask for that sheet; its entirely meant for personal reference and doesn't need to be readable to anyone other than the author. Maybe that's a risk since I'm relying on people's word, but in the advanced section I feel that's not too much of a risk. People there are willing to put in the effort even without me wanting verification. As a disclaimer, I would not be trying this if I intended to post this in the casual section for several reasons.

[Delta44]

Though, that's just what I'm going to have people send me and post publicly.

@Sierra

I feel like this is important; funnily enough, I'm doing the same thing :3 the public CS can be short and sweet, but the GM should definitely get a good grasp of the character, otherwise it's hard to put them into the story without potentially breaking something. Ofc it depends on the RP, but in my case I benefit a lot from it, though I should give my co-GMs more information >-> _{sorry stalfos and shwig}

[spicykvnt]

Thing is, when you only want to manage X amount of players for an RP, you need some metric to determine if a player is going to mesh with the group, of their character is appropriate, and in my eyes, if a player is willing to put considerable effort into a sheet and patiently wait for and meet deadlines, then character sheets are invaluable; as a GM, I personally like to draw parts of different characters' bios and introduce them into a plot. It's very important to me that my players feel like the story values their characters and gives them personal story arcs. Sheets facilitate that.

I never liked the idea of fleshing out a character's history over the RP because a) most RPs don't last that long to have that be relevant and b) what ensures consistency? A sheet helps you keep track of important character traits and history. Also being able to write an interesting and fleshed out bio is a good gauge of how a player is for writing for my RPs; my games are very collab heavy and are more collaborative storytelling than a game (current word count is over 500,000 words). I view the CS as a snapshot of a character at the start of an RP, not necessarily who they are going to be the entire duration.

One system doesn't work for every style, so it's a mistake to try and treat all RPs the same, and enforce a singular set of standards for all players. Variety is important. I just know for the past 7 years, I've found what works for me and mitigates a lot of headaches, player drama and conflicts, keeps players engaged and active, and ensures a consistent writing quality and standard for all players. Having a detailed character sheet and a two part audition process is a necessary evil, I feel. The more you can do to mitigate problems and ensure that players are at least starting off at a certain level and standard does wonders to ensure the game has a good chance of going smoothly to the point all a GM has to do is keep things moving along to keep it alive.

Also, check applicants' posting history; if they have a history of flaking and not staying with an RP for long, you do not want them.

@Dervish

Dervish knows.

[PrinceAlexus]

<Snipped quote by Chai>

We do this for several reasons.

First of all, most people hate big sheets. They just want to plug & play, because they could give a shit about the story, only what their character can do within it. A beefy, detailed sheet sets up a first line of defense against plug & play types.

Second of all, that beefy sheet makes sure we know, that you know your character. That you've taken the time to fully flesh out a fictional human being, rather than a shapeless mass of potential to unleash upon any given situation.

Finally, it attempts to force establishment of FACTS. So that you can't, at any given time, retcon that character's past and skill set to serve your needs as your situation evolves.

I have to dumb my sheets down for most projects, because no one would apply if I used the full version.

@Loco Mofo

That has points but then again with the fact so many Don t quite take off, a enwrmousous sheet is a major investment in somthing that may or many not succeed.

Theres a middle ground, you do not to hyper detail everything but get a solid view of charceter and the basics. The little tiny stuff can worked out as things go but thr big stuff needs to be nailed down.

A charceters exact likes or disliked can be general, plus everyone knows that a sheet by thr end will have changed as such through the RP if long ernough and charceter experience and events will change reactions.

Theres a middle ground. It needs detail but not also a monster of a thing with full fnaily trees and all involved.

Sample of details from one I'm in and help run.
Theres ernough, and some people have added avobe and beyond. But those titles have covered most of everything needed.

sheet sample

Name: (First & Last, middle if you like)
Age: (needs to be between 18-35)
Appearance: (anime-style picture please, you can also include a description if you like)
Height:
Weight:
Likes:
Dislikes:
Zodiac Sign: (His/Her personality doesn't have to be a perfect fit for their sign)
Special Talent: (Any particular thing your character is good at?)
Profession: (What you do and where you work)
Bio/Personality: (one paragraph minimum, more is fine) (If in chapter one, what were you doing)
Your character's favorite song: (We just think this would be interesting)
Actor or Actress who would play your Character in a movie (Optional, we just think it can better help get an idea of your Character)

(Refrence images to plot elaments, or for helping to describe a charecter are allowed. Please make these in hiders, real life, anime or drawn etc are allowed in this case.)

The following is not required, but we strongly encourage you to at least put a little something. In the past we have found that when players get to know each other as real people, not just as names on a screen, it helps the longevity of the game. Seriously, please get to know your fellow players.

Tell us about yourself:

*Your age:
*What part of the world are you from?
*How many years have you been writing/roleplaying: (if you're on your first year, that's totally fine too)
*How often do you have time to post? (this is just a general, honest question, no judgment)
*Anything else you want to mention? What you do for a living? How much do you work a week? What do you enjoy doing besides writing? Put as much as you want.

"These are the things that make a good story great and good writers even greater."

[Karkinos]

I used to love personality sections... I don't know what happened. I think I've figured there's a limit of what traits really distinguish a person, especially when you're trying to convey a real, contemporary person, without exaggerating things for internal consistency, like "Oh, I hate beets; I'm a POMPOUS, CANTANKEROUS individual of SOPHISTICATED palette." God, I've always had a better example of that but now it's gone poof.

So here's something I'm really starting to realize that isn't that poignant, honestly, and I'm going to hang myself out to dry here rather than shade anybody else. It's that the level of intricacy of a sign-up, or the amount of information it asks of prospective players, doesn't equate to how good the character is gonna be.

The sign-up I just started conveys the character in-question poorly, in my opinion; I think it relies too much on justifying his "gimmick" with little development otherwise. And yet the sign-up itself's pretty meaty from the outlook, even if it doesn't ask for that many words. (Technically finished it but I don't think attaching a bunch of random skills and flaws to an already flawed character is going to have everything suddenly get super nuanced and interesting.) My takeaway from the experience so far is that the sign-up process of writing out his history, the way he interacts with others, his motivation, hasn't realized the character I have in my head.

And it's not solely the sign-up process holding me back as a writer but this might be something to consider since there's talk above of developing a character privately vs. sharing a character publicly. Maybe the sign-up is just a means to convey and not a means to actually develop — but this is only one scenario, of course.

Has anyone been in a situation like mine?

Yo, and I have another question: Do we like writing samples, or do we not? I'm, like, totally neutral to them.

[BrokenPromise]

@Karkinos I find personality sections work best when you give some direction and mention things that actually matter. If left unchecked, yes, it just becomes a collection of random facts. Your character preferring sweet drinks to alcoholic ones isn't really important to the RP. The fact that they build robots as a hobby means your character has a background in robotics, despite their occupation being an accountant or something.

Yes, good sheets do not always mean a good character. Just as a good resume doesn't mean someone is a good fit for the job. That's why interviews exist. Fortunately, it is very easy to look at a posters history to find out how they write characters, if they cause a lot of OOC drama, etc. The types of things they choose to focus on also tells you a lot about the direction they want to take the character in, or what they feel is important about a character.

Most importantly, as a GM, I just like potential story hooks to be exposed so that I can wrap the story around the characters. I don't need to know every last detail about your character's backstory, just "They use to work for the mob" is enough to let me know it's possible a mob NPC might know of your character.

I find writing samples are sort of unessisary, as I can just look at someone's post history. Everyone has that one epic post they want to share, but how does their writing look at it's worst, when they aren't working on something epic?

[Dervish]

@PrinceAlexus A counterpoint, but saying a character sheet is a big investment also goes hand in hand that participating in an RP is a big investment. I feel more comfortable taking a chance on someone who put effort into their sheet instead of someone who half-assed it.

A good rule of thumb is check the GM's posting history prior to even signing up
If they have run long-term RPs, they're worth taking a chance on. If the RP dies within a few weeks/ couple months, maybe give it a pass.

As I mentioned in my last post, I view character sheets as snapshots of a character at the start of an RP and not a total representation of them for the duration. I expect characters to grow and evolve as the story progresses.

@Karkinos I tend to treat personality sections as fields for character quirks, habits, and other things that don't change easily that doesn't fit in the bio or appearance section. Stuff that just helps with character consistency and offering tells, such as they wring their hands when they're uncomfortable, or break eye contact when they're lying. It's a good place for fears and phobias, prejudices, and things of that nature. It can be useful for other players as a reference, such as catching your character in a lie or reacting accordingly to certain body language or attitudes.

[PrinceAlexus]

@Karkinos I find personality sections work best when you give some direction and mention things that actually matter. If left unchecked, yes, it just becomes a collection of random facts. Your character preferring sweet drinks to alcoholic ones isn't really important to the RP. The fact that they build robots as a hobby means your character has a background in robotics, despite their occupation being an accountant or something.

Yes, good sheets do not always mean a good character. Just as a good resume doesn't mean someone is a good fit for the job. That's why interviews exist. Fortunately, it is very easy to look at a posters history to find out how they write characters, if they cause a lot of OOC drama, etc. The types of things they choose to focus on also tells you a lot about the direction they want to take the character in, or what they feel is important about a character.

Most importantly, as a GM, I just like potential story hooks to be exposed so that I can wrap the story around the characters. I don't need to know every last detail about your character's backstory, just "They use to work for the mob" is enough to let me know it's possible a mob NPC might know of your character.

I find writing samples are sort of unessisary, as I can just look at someone's post history. Everyone has that one epic post they want to share, but how does their writing look at it's worst, when they aren't working on something epic?

@BrokenPromise

Also a personal thing.

Hidden tricks, or so in CS and such applications really turn me off. If you want a writing sample or so, please just make it clear.

I've seen someone use a very brilliant but never seen before broken img type code to hide the writing prompt, that's bloody hard to find when you on mobile melded into the centre of a paragraph.

Writing samples... 50/50 on em... But people, please be honest.

The codling was cool. The level of trick. Far less.

[BrokenPromise]

@PrinceAlexus yea, I saw that too. I think hiding passwords in character sheets or OOCs is kinda retarded though. its usually pretty easy to tell if people read stuff anyway.