Elmira Medina
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Caffeine, nicotine, and gasoline- I think I got enough "-ine" to fuel me for awhile!
Posts: 124
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Post by Elmira Medina on Mar 3, 2009 20:52:44 GMT -5
Creating a character is half the fun of roleplaying (in my opinion, anyway). Some of you might have had your character growing and developing for quite some time, while others of you may have thought him/her up as you filed out the profile for the first time. I think it would be interesting to discuss how your character came about. ^^
Since I started this thread, I suppose it is natural that I go first. Elmira Medina was actually based off a character I had thought up as a partner and friend for my other RP character, Jun. At this point, she was named Maiko, which would be the Japanese name meaning "dancing child," emphasizing her enjoyment of dancing and the overall major usage of her legs as a combat force. I changed the name to Elmira because I thought Japanese names were a bit overused, (though a similar name, Mai, is Chinese for dance), and her appearance would not be anything of that ethnicity. Elmira Medina is a Spanish name, with Elmira being the Spanish form of the originally Brazilian name, Aleira, which means "princess." I thought this meaning was suiting because it effectively describes her wealthy status as well as the way she is treated- spoiled only daughter. One of the meanings of "Medina" is "from the market; having to do with the market," and I thought it again emphasized the wealth of the family and the focus on materialism that is present and a possible flaw. Of course, Elmira does not have a "Spanish appearance," which may make one question whether her daddy is her real father, but that's a plot twist that can come later on.
The Brazilian roots of the first name are equally important, if not more so, as the Spanish. Her combat style originated in Brazil, and though Elmira herself may not be found of it, her body type (large hips and butt) is often the preferred type in Brazilian culture. And though Australia may seem like another random country to through into her international mish mosh, her interest in the country is mostly due to her love for kangaroos. It might just seem like a favorite animals, but there is some common ground: kangaroos often fight for dominance, using harsh kicks as finishing blows. They have strong legs and are very tall when upright. Their body shape is also larger on the bottom and smaller on the top. Plus, on an uber-special symbolic level, as marsupials, their young are born quicker than most mammals, but they are sheltered in pouches for a second "rebirth." I'd like to think this parallels Elmira's character.
I also like to use colors and shapes as part of symbols of a character. Her eyes, which often reflect a person's inner self, are large and round; circles are a sign of happiness, and I think that reflects on her party-girl status as a pleasure seeker. Yet they are grey, which as you know is a hue between white and black, or dark and light, showing the mixture of her good and bad sides. As hair comes out of one's head, it is often a symbol in many cultures as a representation of one's mind, and since her hair is always changing, you can see how it is hard for her to stay focused and content on one thing for extended periods of time. She wears a large amount of green, her favorite color, symbolizing both her greed as a consumerist and a materialistic dependent person, as well as envy, with her irrational and dramatic jealousy of attractive girls.
I could put way more, but I think this post is already way longer than I want it to be. So your turn! You don't have to be as neurotic as me about symbolism and crap. This isn't Nathaniel Hawthorne.
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January
New Member
[M:1461]
It's GO TIME
Posts: 23
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Post by January on Mar 3, 2009 23:50:29 GMT -5
Interesting. You've clearly put a lot of thought into this. Kudos, kudos!
When I make a character, the first thing I usually think about is "What is it about this new character that will make it unique and interesting for me to write, and for my fellow roleplayers to interact with?" I plan characters for as much thread topic potential as I can manage.
Sometimes that manifests itself in the form of a "gimmick" that sets the character apart. "Johnny 'Hobo Johnny' Smathers," for example...his gimmick is obviously that he's a bum of sorts. I got the idea when I found a pair of fingerless gloves in my backpack that I had left in there after the last time I went snowboarding. Sometimes the quirks are large lifestyle choices that are central to the character (like Johnny), and other times they're minor things that have very little actual effect on the character. Regardless of the scale and importance, there's always some such idiosyncrasy that helps get me started on character design.
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Elmira Medina
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Caffeine, nicotine, and gasoline- I think I got enough "-ine" to fuel me for awhile!
Posts: 124
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Post by Elmira Medina on Mar 4, 2009 1:33:15 GMT -5
When I make a character, the first thing I usually think about is "What is it about this new character that will make it unique and interesting for me to write, and for my fellow roleplayers to interact with?" I plan characters for as much thread topic potential as I can manage. That's actually a good point. Like, the fact that Elmira gets jealous often makes it pretty easy to pick fights, which is fun and interacting. The reason I didn't choose my original character was because though she's painstakingly thought out and interesting, one of her flaws is that she doesn't communicate well, making it hard to use her as a solo main. And thanks for actually reading all my blabber. ^^;
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Post by seishounohana on Mar 4, 2009 10:44:59 GMT -5
You know, Ellie (may I call you that?) I like you. You put a lotta thought into your characters O:
As for me, I tend to follow a certain theme and stuff I can relate to. Though my style is to create a 2-dimensional character that is static and let her/him grow in the story. Hence why Emily went from total sociophobic artist to idealistic do-gooder. XD
Sacricia, Emily's first name, was originally a character I made with that name with the rootword "Sacrifice". I really did intend her to be a totally selfless person; the type to be placing herself in danger for the sake of others and totally trusting -- but not the sort that ends up being a Mary sue.
Emily meant "Rival", which states much of her determination. Her greatest rival is herself sometimes, as she puts herself down a lot.
The rest of her name was derived from an avenue here called "EDSA" O:
Her theme color, which is green, symbolizes creativity and life-- totally things which she is. Creativity is something she has for being a mangaka, and life... well, Females are attributed to that color. Green is also one of the colors that are easier on the eyes, so it's one thing that makes her so amiable.
Her transition from black hair to white hair symbolizes something, a change in her outlook of life that came from allowing herself to explore things and emotions, which she previously shut herself off from. Her japanese name, and alter ego name is Kari Aoyama. Which goes something like light of the blue mountain or something.
Which is ironic, since Kari has been nothing but light. XD
She's bipolar because I am, which makes her easier to RP, and makes for a good plot device in terms of emotions.
Her living in a japanese environment for a few years is primarily because of my fascination with Japanese culture -- I'm more or less convinced I know enough to RP a Japanese person, so I made two. Haha.
Currently, Emily has grown to be very devoted and three dimensional as compared to when I started out as her. :) She's now mah babeh.
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Elmira Medina
New Member
Caffeine, nicotine, and gasoline- I think I got enough "-ine" to fuel me for awhile!
Posts: 124
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Post by Elmira Medina on Mar 4, 2009 20:00:05 GMT -5
I'm impressed. ^^ This is just the kind of thing I was hoping for by creating this thread. Haha.
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January
New Member
[M:1461]
It's GO TIME
Posts: 23
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Post by January on Mar 4, 2009 20:52:33 GMT -5
I'm impressed. ^^ This is just the kind of thing I was hoping for by creating this thread. Haha. Hehe surprised people are actually interested in the writing side of things? I know I would be too ^_^
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Valekin
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[M:3287]
Posts: 63
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Post by Valekin on Mar 5, 2009 22:10:50 GMT -5
It would take me over an hour to tell you everything.
Really.... ask Mike. He had to sit through it once. (I think it was actually three hours.)
I might get around to telling you guys. If I'm ridiculously bored one day.
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Adrian
New Member
Earth Dragon Potentiate[M:95]
...that was a bit disappointing.
Posts: 503
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Post by Adrian on Mar 6, 2009 10:58:14 GMT -5
My very first RP character (of this style, at least) was basically me in RP form. That was cool and all, but since then, it seems like every character after that, I just took one small part of my multi-faceted personality and amplified it. Essentially, Dain (my original character) was created to fly in the face of the common 'anime-style' RP stereotypes: He was an American, he had no martial arts training, he was in no way a hero or a bad ass, and he wound up in one of the most violent and dangerous schools because he took the fall for a friend.
Every character after that, I opted to go the opposite route: Take one of those over-used stereotypes in RP character creation and play it as close to perfection as I could. Of this idea, Adrian was born.
The name was specifically chosen, actually, unlike a lot of my characters where I just reach into my brain-bin and pull out something that sounds realistic, but cool. The first name "Adrian", in my eyes, just seems to represent perfection. There's no direct correlation between the name and the ideal of perfection, at least not that I'm aware. However, one of the characters in Alan Moore's "Watchmen" graphic novel was named Adrian, and he had trained himself to be the epitome of human perfection, so perhaps my thinking flowed from that.
"Hanlon" was a name I found after searching through a database of Irish surnames and their meanings. "Hanlon" means "champion," apparently, and I really liked that, plus I thought the name flowed really well together. Adrian Hanlon.
He's a rich, cocky bastard, and that arrogance is based in part upon my own. Most of you who've talked to me on MSN probably can't attest to it, because it's not something I show often, but, and I believe many people can agree with me on this, sometimes... you just feel better than everyone. With Adrian, I take this little feeling I have occasionally and amplify to be a constant. Adrian's got money, he's got looks, he's got power. He's got everything, and he knows it. There's no reason NOT to be cocky.
I think the character has a very likely chance of making other players uncomfortable, because unlike so many people that make the choice with their wealthy characters to either a) abandon their money or b) choose not to let their money get to their head, Adrian is a 'living' testament to 'the other choice'. He's like that little voice that lives in everyone's head that says "Take no prisoners, and step on everyone you can to get what you want." People don't usually want to listen to that voice.
I don't know, this is just my thoughts. He's definitely the first arrogant bastard I've taken this far in development. Most other times were just half-ass attempts at making a stereotype. Adrian's really become something more in the short time I've had him.
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Elmira Medina
New Member
Caffeine, nicotine, and gasoline- I think I got enough "-ine" to fuel me for awhile!
Posts: 124
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Post by Elmira Medina on Mar 6, 2009 17:05:26 GMT -5
Well, I like characters with flaws. A lot of people try to make their character too perfect, and I think that's lame. And then there's people who just want to be a total badass, and it's like, "Eh. Come on."
Arrogance is fun. ^^
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Sam Ballerino
New Member
[M:0]
Just dance like nobody's watching...
Posts: 347
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Post by Sam Ballerino on Mar 10, 2009 20:50:29 GMT -5
Sam was a very different experience for me. usually i develop a personality, and find a name that fits. Sam started with the name. like, literally, i was like "i wanna write about a girl named Sam." cause that just struck me as fun. haha
i love putting symbolism into things, too. i don't always do it, but it's awesome when i do. i spent a couple hours looking up the right name for Sam's dad - Vincente. i really wanted to find something that represented his personality. Vincente means "to conquer," which i found appropriate because of his overbearing nature and his need to control his family and everything in his (and their) lives.
Sam's last name is Ballerino, which is basically "a nickname related to an ability in dance." the reason i decided it would be neat to give her a dancing background in the first place is a) write what you know. and i know it. and b) one of the options i'm looking at for a possible Qi is related to shadows, which is apparently known as a Shadowdancer in D&D. i never got into it, so i wouldn't know. haha. but i thought it was such a coincidence that i was planning on making her a dancer, and her (possible) Qi ability was Shadowdancing that my choice to make her a dancer was solidified. haha.
and even if that's what what happens with her Qi, i still like the way she turned out. even if she does need some SERIOUS toughening up >.>
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Post by Allen Daughtry on Mar 10, 2009 21:22:25 GMT -5
PHS 552 OOC Thread - "Inspiration" by Alexis GreenThere's a link to a massive list of my characters over the years and my reasons for making them. I listed the post because I don't want to fill this thread with a lot of space that you folks would probably skip over because of "tl;dr" anyways. But there's my motives for character design across the last three years. I didn't include the current Rahkier or my planned alternate because they're still playing out in my head.
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