Applications and You: A Workshop.

[Random_White_Guy]

I've spoken with a fair deal of people as of late concerning the topic of Applications. I'd like to settle some things, for those interested.

In my speaking with folks, As I often love writing a good application and building characters/factions, I've come across numerous reasons why individuals don't write more.

A good deal of people can make interesting backstories for their concepts, and have an idea what/where they want it to go, but more often than not, Appaphobia boils down to one thing: Goals.

I hope to show you some easier ways to app, as well as work with Goals, to see that more people Apply for cool things.

1) "Because I'm no good at apping". Applications are, in a nutshell, everything you've done already if you are playing a character you enjoy. Traditionally there are two ways I've seen people like to apply. First, Paragraphs.

My first goal as Joe is a Hardened Warrior would see what I can do to whip some of the rabble in the city into a stable of assisting PC's on Plots and RP that I come across. He spent his youth in an academy at the behest of his father, and though it took him a while Joe finally learned to love, and thrive under military service. I would hope to set up a small academy of sorts in which Joe would share his knowledge with newer/inexperienced Warriors. A fee, Some lectures, some PvP. Should enough people grow interested or I find an individual who shines, I would do my best to help him make his way into the faction

The second way I have seen people apply for things, is the idea of an Outline.

As Ted was Born and Raised in a harsh criminal community, in which a brutal dictator reigned, He quickly found himself teaming up with Rabble-rousers and Tormish Rebels. My goals are as follows:

1) Organize goodly individuals
- I would hope to see those of like minded interests come together, in which I would help point them in the direction of the true villains
- I would do my best to see that any and all goodly individuals (Even those not of Torm's faith or the Order's blessing) find themselves with a mission. Spies, Merchants, Wizarsd, Anything.
- Using Spies to investigate crimes with the assist of the guard to build Public Relations, Use merchants to outfit my fellow footmen and other allies, Use Wizards to investigate arcane and alchemy and other means to fight the troubles of the server as well as perhaps use them to spy on necromancers
- Warriors, Paladins, and the like that I came across I would hope to take on regular patrols of known troubled areas. The Sewers, The Webbed Woods, the Wilds, and other places the Order has regularly fought the Orcs.

2) "Because I cannot think of any good goals" This is one that I find many people have trouble with, and often times find myself saddened. The idea of Applications Goals in EFUA can be everything from "I hope to make a respectable and honest merchant who has a weakness for all things shiny" to "I hope to see the Goblins of Gobsquat driven out in Moradin's Honor and see the place turned into a Haven for the Dwarven Race".

All the DMs are looking for, is that you have a plan of some sort. Something that says "Hey, I love this idea, Have a look at some things that i've thought about that I think would be fun! Hopefully you think they would be fun and hopefully together we can make things fun for some PC's".

Lets say you wanted a PC Faction HQ. Who doesn't want a place to hang out and relax, as well as meet and RP? Lets also say you enjoy questing regularly, because the challenges of it get your heart pumping and you love overcoming odds.  What do you do?

You do what you love. Tell the DMs you want it because you hope to put together a group to topple every challenge they can throw at you, be it scripted or DM, and become an elite group of adventurers, with a bar to hang out in and recruit PCs to join you in your adventures. That sounds like a pretty solid goal to me.

Goals, Most people already have with PCs. I don't know if its an intimidation factor in an application, or there's some folks that have trouble putting their ideas into words, but anyone can do good with apps.

Important note: Not all applications have to be -you- doing things. Many people apply for roles of henchmen, or individuals who are remarkably poor at leading things. A goal you could have of a Tiefling Ranger with Horns who is an outcast, is simply to do your best to find new and innovative ways to come off as a horrific even monsterous outcast. Maybe you want to make a Half Orc Stygian who while not a great leader is a man who has difficulty between his role as Soldier and the internal bloodlust that makes him want to slaughter everyone when he's angry.

3) Because I'm afraid of Applications Don't be. This, is likely the #1 reason I speak with people about who say they don't like applying for things. That, be it due to sincere fear their idea won't be accepted, or a misconception, they dislike applying. DMs are very good about helping you out with ideas, as are numerous other PCs. Some of us really enjoy it, and no DM will ever go "Man, That's a dumb idea" ([sarcasm]Except maybe DangerousDan[/sarcasm])

Believe it or not, DMs and PCs alike enjoy interesting, dynamic characters. Sometimes, that comes in the form of applications. If you've got an idea you want to pursue, Ask around in IRC, here, or talk to people. EFUA is full of helpful folks.

4) Because no faction suits my concept Then make one! PC factions are some of the most dynamic and interesting things you can do on EFUA. Applications can be used to give Faction HQ's, Special alliances with NPC/DM Factions, Special back stories and possible preludes to enhance your Faction RP, etc.

Not only do applications give DMs an idea of what you're doing with a group of PCs or your PC in particular, but it also helps them get to know PCs better, as well as make things -easier- for -you- to RP. I often find even when I'm not applying for something, using the format of an applciation to just fill out for myself helps out a great deal in creating a character.

To summarize:

Ask around, Talk with people, and Don't be afraid. The Application Process can yield a great deal of RP opportunities and fun for everyone, if you do it correctly.

Its been said time and again already, that DM factions at the moment are lacking members.

The Stygian Armada and The Order in particular.

Look around the forum. Talk with existing members of these faction IC and OOC. Talk with the DMs.

Hope it helps.

[Tyrael]

Personally, I'm still struggling with my draft of a monstrous race app. Every time I try to write a goal, I realize that it's a goal that's easily achievable with Joe the Human Normal, but if I make all his goals completely crucial to and revolving around his race, then the entire character is focused upon his race and himself rather than RPing or adventuring with others. You don't see normal PCs going around saying, "I'm a human! Look at my human-ness! My goal is to create a human-only Zigguraut! GTFO everyone else! Humans FTW!" To me, a character's RP and personality is far, far more important than the race, but with the application format and questions, I'm being forced to base the entire character around his race, making a cliche instead of creating an actual CHARACTER.

Nothing I write can ever get past my internal censor. Possibly I'm being too hard on myself, but having been denied twice for an app of that race, I'm trying to make the best app I can possibly write. At this point it's irritating and disheartening, and not in the least bit fun, but after two denials I'm determined to try to make it work.

[Talir]

If you cannot get an application approved for whatever reason, one of the best ways to improve is speaking with the DMs about it. They will help you out and through seeing their view on the matter, it may be easier to get it approved and help you understand why it didn't work out.

[madaket]

Subraces are tricky because, as you said Tyrael, often you can complete your goals without being a lizardman or a tiefling. That being said, unless you are panning to create a very race-driven character (such as a werewolf who conspires with the island pack, or an orc which does similarly with the Spirit's army) think of subrace applications more as a flavor for your character than a definition.
Applications don't need be a complete summary of your character, they are a mission statements of what you intended to do when you started your character or acquired whatever it is you were apping for. If your character changes or deviates from this outline, then all the more power to you. That's what makes things interesting.
Subraces are, to me, just another facet or nuance for your PC. I liken them to custom familiars/companions. It's an app that has a more marginal effect on your goals than, say, a faction or PrC.

[Thomas_Not_very_wise]

In sub-race applications DM's want goals, and the sub-race in question is merely flavor for your character in question. You can apply to organize a guild of thieves as a tiefling, and be extremely evil in the formation and carrying out of guild objectives of assassinations, the Race is an -incentive- for your to behave a certain way, goblins are generally are petty, greedy, and evil.

Imaskari are generally open minded, but have a pretentious attitude toward others who aren't of magical heritage as they are, and are extremely curious about any magic that isn't imaskari, so many would have magic oriented goals.

Earth Genasi have a tendency to claim land and defend it, so you might have in your app to claim a bit of land and defend it by clearing out enemies and organize others in keeping it safe.

Many sub-races are just flavor, you can accomplish them without the sub-race, but they are to add difficulty/more fun in the process.

The Sub-race is expected to confine to the general outlook of the race, Aasimar's would be goody two shoes, etc...


Also, your app depends on your past conduct as well, if you do not play a successful non-app character, the chances of being approved for a sub-race is minimal, or even a Dm faction to boot.


Food for thought.

[Daemonic Daz]

I've always welcomed people to send their app to me via PM on IRC or forums if they want a second opinion on their apps. It was just a year or two ago that I was hopeless at such things, after recieving guidance from The Beggar however I've now got the grasp of what a app is about and needs to include.

So if you want a chat about your app, just hassle me on IRC and I'll see what I can do.

[dragonfire9000]

The real thing I struggle with on this is hating goals in general. The greatest characters I've played, the ones who have had the most impact and I have had the most fun with, had no goals. Ulgar Ulgarsson (Long-standing Mithrilsoul, so much fun I nearly passed out) was just a good old-fashioned I-want-to-roll-up-a-dwarven-fighter-to-beat-shite-up character. Parto Colds (Archibald guy) stupid farmboy, minimal backstory, shot from the hip straight into PanamaLane's lap. So, I don't really have a fear of apps, so much as a fear of too much structure. What sense does it make to plan out your character's every move? I don't even like rolling up characters for specific factions for Pete's sake! Ick.

Well, that was a fun rant/ramble.

[Cruzel]

i was one of those people who was like  goals suck because my pc changes what they want a lot. that is why i generally played uninteresting pcs. i think i have adresssed this problems with my newest crushbot concept and i hope it will have more great success and then people will actually love me *emo*

rwg makes a good point if you dont like making friends with goals it might b a good idea to include what you have already done and what might happen because of it. that way the dms have something to go off knowing that you have done or are about to do or cause something toally fucking cool.

i think its better to look at why ur past apps have failed so in the very least you know what the dms want and do not want. i do not have the best approval rating in the world for apps, but the amount of 'not going to happen, lol u suck' has really helped me get a grasp and looking back and reviewing such, i have made a new conceptual crushbot which should surpass all my prev chars.

ty efudm app process 4 all my  future succes

[Howlando]

Maybe "goals" is the wrong word for us to use. Perhaps "what your character will do" is better.

Is your character going to go mill around and wait for a quest sending, and then go on the quest? If so, say that.

I mean, whatever it is, just be honest about it, and tell us that. If it's neat, that helps the app get passed. But it's more important to list things that you will in fact try to do/do rather than invent things that you think will please us.

[Vanquishried]

I agree with Howland. I have just starting redewing my apps and thank for the following info.

[lovethesuit]

It's VERY important not to be afraid of applications. If you fail, there's only two options: One, the thing being applied for is not right for the server and thus cannot be applied for by anyone, even you; Two, the application wasn't strong enough and you can rewrite it/get some help.

Don't be afraid.