Developing an Interesting, Memorable Character

[Lulzebub]

I once put this question to Kotenku in reference to Cail Durris, who by any measurement was a very memorable character. I liked his answer.

Every single thing you say or emote should say something about your character's personality.

I've tried to keep to that rule ever since then, and the results have been quite satisfactory.

[Kotenku]

*scowls*

[Divine_Barbarian]

Ask yourself this question: Does this make me look badass, or lame?

[DesertDancing]

While I believe it is good to have your character's background before you make him, what I love doing is making a char, than changing him/developing him as I play (No I dont mean levels) for example, following a new god if circumstances led to this, becoming evil/good/lawful from chaotic etc, joining this faction and changing to join this faction etc.

I never make my chars and have them set in stone, while I do take alot of time, developing them beforehand, I just love to see them change/develop/evolve/whatever as you play. This is my most favourite thing to do, rather than making a char and sticking with the same concept until he is dead/retired.

[Capricious]

Personally I think there's something very badass in playing a PC who isn't badass.

[Secutor]

*scowls*

Mmgh.

[Sternhund]

I find that if you create an interesting personality, augmented by an interesting background, and interact with people, things naturally fall in place. Some people are able to pull off a successful character who is a complete recluse, but usually with the help of some friends who join them in their quest for being anti-social.

[Decimate_The_Weak]

I personally think your character needs to have the "epic", or the "awesome" trait.
 
Basically, getting other people involved. It can be in PvP, or RP conflict, or even just helping your character press through his weaknesses and strengths. You should enter the game with basically an empty slate, and allow other players to impact your character.
 
Nothing brings more to your character than having his/her enviroment and "group of friends" effect his/her life.

[djspectre]

I have not read through all the responses, so I'll reply to the original post with my own perspective.

[COLOR="Red"]1.)  I think your character has to have weaknesses and fears.[/COLOR]

For example, I had a female fighter in the Underdark who was TERRIFIED of rats. You know how many times rats were used as summons? Well that allowed her 'badass' nature to crumble to pieces every time one was summoned...even if it was in a boss fight. She'd freak out and run away! Made for great RP before, during and after the incident.

[COLOR="Red"]2.) the character experiences growth.[/COLOR]

Being torn away from the world you once knew (via a teleporter to an island or stolen as a slave) will change your perspective on life. These changes force maturity on them. This is harder to do unless you have regular players around to see it change. Also growth does not necessarily mean XP and higher levels. I had a paladin who didn't realize he was a divine warrior. As he met others of his faith, he grew to understand his abilities.


[COLOR="Red"]3.) The character must fail sometimes[/COLOR]

Having your own bravado thrown in your face is a real way to learn a lesson. Loss and failure is a good way to grow your character. Learns from it, even stupid characters will learn from messing up. Also failing gives you another avenue to RP, instead of using the "Yep, I'm badass, accept this!" sorta approach. My first rogue ever on the server, used to try and sneak past beholders only to be zapped with death ray. Lesson learned IC, even though OOC I knew better. My paladin in the underdark was a knight of Arvoreen, which meant he had an oath to defend any halfling in danger. This often meant staying in a fight longer than was OOC practical while everyone else got away. Sometimes a halfling would die and he took such failures harshly...he kept every citizen stone of every hin he failed to save with him until his death.

[COLOR="Red"]4.) Have them get into arguments with other characters or have an  'honor' duel. [/COLOR]

This allows richer interaction. I had a paladin in the underdark who used to regularly argue with Seeker Toman about how to accomplish goals. Both were good aligned, but the paladin was Lawful and Toman was Chaotic. Some really wonderful Law vs. Chaotic disagreements happened and the result was a richer character development. Also solving problems with combat (via a duel), also allows a degree of interaction that you don't get just hacking at monsters. It allows both players to engage in pvp, but without the risk of loss (sometimes).

[COLOR="Red"]5.) Have a full back story conceived.[/COLOR]

Several of my characters have a rich and interesting backstory. sometimes the backstory doesn't come out to well (Corrine Lenner was a blacksmith, but never got to forge a single weapon in her career) other times it fits all the time (Halas had about two dozen failed careers before arriving on Ymph and thus is a jack-of-all-trades), having these and timing the RP for when times are quieter and screaming less generic "KILL IT!"-esque statements is often a way to show the nuances of who you're playing.

[COLOR="Red"]6.) Stick with the character! Longevity is key! [/COLOR]

Most of my characters have suffered epic defeat, sometimes going from level 8 all the way back to level 2 in only a few days. Yes, its heart breaking and devastating, but its got an upside! I wanted to throw my computer out the f-ing window. But I stuck with it and he became a fixture of the server. The longer you stick with a character the more exposure he has and the more opportunity he has to make a name for himself. Its also a good chance to redo lower level quests to gain supplies if you weren't slain to PVP/robbed by muggers. Corrine Lenner was robbed once by montezzi's and then later on was killed by an assassin, but I stuck with her. Even though it boiled my blood! My patience was rewarded as Corrine went on to become my first (so far only) level 9 character. Her assassination death (by way of poisoned bolt) also ICly gave her resistance to poison (by way of during a re-level, I took Resist Poison feat). So it had unexpected results that turned out great.

[COLOR="Red"]7.) Involve other players!
[/COLOR]
If your character has a personal quest or goal, make sure you find others that are willing to help achieve that goal. Even if its just making a sending every time you log in to gather people and go exploring because you want to unlock the secrets of the universe! For example, Halas is a thrill seeker, so he's always wanting to do dangerous stuff, he's constantly trying to rally people out of their boredom. My paladin in the underdark, was searching for his lost cadets, and so was always leading expeditions to far flung sections of the server to search for clues. Having a backstory that facilitates this

So in short,

1.) Have the character have an Achilles heel or three.
2.) Have the character experience personal growth
3.) Have the character fail (related to #2)
4.) Incite or engage in conflict
5.) Flesh out your back story, make it applicable to the setting if you can.
6.) Don't give up!
7.) Don't be a loner! Involve others!

Hope this helps!

[Ommadawn]

Excellent post, dj!

[AldanMurier]

OMG, it's Ommadawn.

[Oskar Maxon]

lol poison bolt. :D

[Listen in Silence]

[Stamps the DJ post with his special green Stamp of Approval.]

[Thomas_Not_very_wise]

Somebody copy paste DJ's post and put a sticky on it.

[RIPnogarD]

not all agree with all of dj's list! Although I agree with most of it, #6 blows chunks big time. Anybody, and I mean anybody, like even a retarded monkey can make a memorable character because the friggen thing is immortal and JUST WONT DIE! How hard is that?

I dont think I've ever had a PC with more than 8 deaths and that was Rippley "the Ripper" Ripplebark. (and he was almost 9th level at that point.)