How to Write a Character Story on this Game
By
Aggelakis,
Posted on: 2012-02-11 16:31 in CoH and CoV General Discussions
Now I have to admit to being curious... for those folks who've made characters that are very heavily steeped in COH's lore, how about posting the character's bio here? (The short form, only 1023 character version that we're allowed in the game) You can post a screenshot of it if you want.
Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite
Dark_Respite's Farewell Video: "One Last Day"
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
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There you are. He -is- steeped in the lore, but its not like I make it obvious or go about trying to be like DV has.
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Death is an odd thing, you know? There are those that embrace it, those that fear it, and those that try to master it. Can you truly master a domain such as death? Can you run from that which is, in the very end of the tales you weave, inevitable to come? Those are the sort of questions I ask myself as an immortal who can't stay dead. That is a funny story, but thats for another time. My name is Christopher Blackwood and I am 'something else', as so many I've met would say. I am a man of magic and to the world, I'm just the man you can come to with mystical and supernatural problems. Funny thing is? One of those mystical problems? That would be what I am, but not to who you think. Every night, I defend this world as a guardian of the night. I am the knight of myths. They call me Shadeknight. |
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Just my 2 cents:|
Originally Posted by Demetrios Vasilikos
And Lore in every form be it minor or major is far more important then so called freedom. In my experiance those who ignore lore are the worst of god moders.
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I honestly don't care how you RP. Do whatever you wanna do. It's really annoying how people *think* they can stand on their soap box and dictate what people *should* do, and that goes for you Demetrios, and all the others you're arguing against.
You want to god mode, go god mode with other god moders. So long as what you RP doesn't dictate that everyone *should* believe, listen or even bother with what you put out, I don't see a problem. It's a game so have fun with it.
The thing about lore and freedom is, we have the freedom to adhere to lore or not or only in part. Because some people may not like a piece of lore and choose to ignore it. Just because the lore is there doesn't mean one cannot or should not think to create their own stories or that they're any more important than other stories. Because we have freedom. If you're against freedom, call yourself a commie or something and go RP that. No one will let you take their freedom without dragging them into the bowels of hades kicking and screaming and cursing you by name.
That said, I enjoy having strong ties to the lore of the game, fleshing out things that are basically not explained, transitioned into or forgotten. Using stuff like that helps anchor a story in the world as well as expanding the world as a whole.
BUT! When it comes time the devs actually use that character whose boots you slipped into, expose that story that wasn't transitioned into or continue that forgotten element you used, then you have to compromise your freedom to accommodate the changes the devs choose. That's not *really* a problem, but you have to do it and some may not want to adapt...but you're forced to adapt...So if Aeon grabs the demon guy you play as and uses him in a one-oft mission that is canon, and he acts like a biker dragqueen, you have to explain why you acted like a dragqueen there "Because I was possessed by a dragqueen...it was very embarrassing". And Aeon comes back, makes another mission explaining you always liked motorcycles and dressing up like a lady since you were a youngling...welp, then you have to just start acting the way the lore tells you to. Basically, to use someone else's 'property', you have to give up some freedoms.
I see nothing wrong with it myself. In its purest essence, roleplaying has nothing to do with *creating* a role that you then play, just simply playing *a* role. It's all you (yess, all of you *points to everyone in the thread*) that are probably the reason I never bother RPing in game much besides character banter...you're all so uptight, it's never any fun >_>
Just like this thread. I'd have more fun replying to this than dealing with high-horses in-game.
I have two toons that have some lore to them....more than my other toons.
Black Spyder- During the initial Rikti invasion, Jared Owens, while searching for a place to hide discovered an abandoned Arachnos lair under Kings Row. The automated lair came alive and enacted Protocol 8 which encased Owens in a skin tight combat suit.
Mr Mystik- was once a Soul Mage of the Circle of Thorns. He had a change of heart when asked to kill a young woman and tried to escape the Circle. He escaped but the Circle took his eyes. He was taken in by the Midnighters and taught to not only deal with being blind but able to combat the Circle where ever they may be.
"I believe there's a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady, and give up the thing we want the most. Even our dreams." Aunt May SM2
i dreamed a dream, but now that dream is gone...good bye Paragon
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I'm not sure how us telling DV he's an idiot is infringing on your RP.
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Originally Posted by Leo_G
It's all you (yess, all of you *points to everyone in the thread*) that are probably the reason I never bother RPing in game much besides character banter...you're all so uptight, it's never any fun >_>
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My guides:Dark Melee/Dark Armor/Soul Mastery, Illusion Control/Kinetics/Primal Forces Mastery, Electric Armor
"Dark Armor is a complete waste as a tanking set."
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From my horribly out of date character pages, characters that might be considered to take liberties:| Now I have to admit to being curious... for those folks who've made characters that are very heavily steeped in COH's lore, how about posting the character's bio here? (The short form, only 1023 character version that we're allowed in the game) You can post a screenshot of it if you want. |
Eva Knight/Champion -- references Knives of Artemis (character rerolled w. similar origin)
Iphigenia/Freedom -- references Skulls. "The Tsoo Shenannigans" arc
Mr. Pagliacci/Freedom -- references Carnies (retconned; Virtue version rerolled but retains this origin)
The Laughing Gnome/Justice -- references Croatoa, Redcaps
Master Shadowscale/Liberty -- ancient history
Exergia/Protector -- related to Luminary
Ion Lash/Protector -- Dr. Aeon, Bat'zul, Lanaruu
Current Blog Post: "Why I am an Atheist..."
"And I say now these kittens, they do not get trained/As we did in the days when Victoria reigned!" -- T. S. Eliot, "Gus, the Theatre Cat"
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This would be good.
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Originally Posted by Leo_G
horses in-game.
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@Golden Girl
City of Heroes comics and artwork
To put my money where my mouth is, this is my Mind/Psi dom. Inspired partly by the Web of Arachnos novel, and partly by the in-game lore, I came up with...
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Michelle|
One of three genetically engineered beings known as the ERINYES Project, Tisiphone MistWalker is an Arachnos experiment with the potential for greatness... or disaster. Along with her 'sisters' Alekto and Megaera, the MistWalkers are humans who have been virtually saturated with magic. Using Aracnhos' greatest mages, Lord Recluse had the powers of the ancient Furies bound within human form. As a safeguard, the humans were genetically engineered and given intelligence, but no 'soul.' Theoretically, this was to keep them from being driven mad when the Furies were bound to their mortal forms. However, this had the unintentional effect of having no mortal restraint, comprehension, or even morality paired with the Furies' might. Then the subjects broke free, and carved a swathe across the Isles before being 'recruited' by the Nova Dominion with the promise of vengeance against Arachnos. Fury is loose in the Rogue Isles, and one way or another, Arachnos will pay... |
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite
Dark_Respite's Farewell Video: "One Last Day"
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
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Unless you can fire up your time machine and drag this thread into the past several years, who said this thread was infringing on me? I simply don't RP in-game.
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Originally Posted by Nalrok_AthZim
I'm not sure how us telling DV he's an idiot is infringing on your RP.
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Originally Posted by New_Dark_Age
Just being honest here but was playing on Virtue lately and realize that no one knows how to write a character story. Motivation for this thread was made when debating someone who wanted there to be more room for their character stories. While I guess I am fine with that.. seriously I dont see the problem in explaining a character with the space given. Its irrelevant anyway since no ones going to read your character story if its a long novel.
Example: GOOD CHARACTER STORY 1:Genectically engineered to be the ultimate destroyer, Coldar is a powerful villain who wields the cold of space.............. 2: The Impervious Hard Man is a destructive villain that is completely invulnerable to physical damage and possesses immense strength and endurance. No known substance on Earth can penetrate his skin................................... 3: 8-Ball is evil cause he makes money selling crack to children.......................................... ............ (Actual bio of a former player on Champion) BAD CHARACTER STORY 1: When he was 7 Henry enjoyed watching cartoons at his moms house............................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ..................his parents were killed............................................ .................................................. ...............................he made a costume .................................................. ............................................he became a hero called General Justice........................................... ........................ now he protects the city. 2: I was sick of all the widespread crime in my neighborbood. When I was younger the gangs would harass me and my friends .................................................. ................................................. ...... the toxic waste gave me power .............. ........ .......... I no longer recognized myself in the mirror.......... I killed a gang member not knowning my own strength. ......... I ...blah blah blah. .................YAWN People dont understand, especially on Virtue, that no one wants to read a novel so if your character isnt summarized quickly in your bio like an Encyclopedia article...its worthless cause no ones going to read pass the first 3 sentences unless it grabs their attention. Sorry Virtue ... EDIT: Also put spaces in your story for each paragraph. No one wants to read a big block of text. |
Nothing you have done here is original
But then again, Stan Lee wasn't exactly breaking new ground, he simply re-imagined old stories for new environments.
Original is very difficult, as the Bard has observed. To me, the trick is not writing a new story, it's telling an interesting story.
Thelonious Monk
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This made me giggle in a completely non-CoH way. There's a pizza chain in Seattle/surrounding area called Pagliacci's Pizza. |
Originally Posted by Venture
Mr. Pagliacci/Freedom -- references Carnies (retconned; Virtue version rerolled but retains this origin)
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Paragon Wiki: http://www.paragonwiki.com
City Info Terminal: http://cit.cohtitan.com
Mids Hero Designer: http://www.cohplanner.com
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Originally Posted by Dispari
I don't know why Dink thinks she's not as sexy as Jay was. In 5 posts she's already upstaged his entire career.
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Whos complaining about that?|
Originally Posted by SilverPharaoh
complaining that someone used the character limit on their character bio is as useless as complaining that someone used all the slots on their costume
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I use almost all space usually. I just go from general to complex rather than assbackwards like some people.
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Character description is not a story... its a summary.|
Originally Posted by Scarlet Shocker
Nothing you have done here is original
But then again, Stan Lee wasn't exactly breaking new ground, he simply re-imagined old stories for new environments. Original is very difficult, as the Bard has observed. To me, the trick is not writing a new story, it's telling an interesting story. |
Overall you are right. Doesnt matter if a concept is original as long as its interesting.
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A good opportunity to change streams in what has become a rather negative thread... so here goes.|
Originally Posted by Dark_Respite
Now I have to admit to being curious... for those folks who've made characters that are very heavily steeped in COH's lore, how about posting the character's bio here? (The short form, only 1023 character version that we're allowed in the game) You can post a screenshot of it if you want.
Michelle aka Samuraiko/Dark_Respite |
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Before discovering her arcane abilities Miriam led a troubled life. Her rebellious nature drove her from her home and into the arms of 3k Kelvin, a low ranking Hellion at the time. For a time she thrived on the excitement, but as Kelvin became more immersed in the gang Miriam fell to the wayside and boredom ensued. The lull came to an abrupt end when a group of Skulls burst into her home and abducted her. When she awoke from the assault she found herself in a fog filled warehouse. Initially, she assumed that this was part of a plot to strike at the Hellions and Kelvin. As she fumbled about in the haze she discover a stone altar and realized she was about to become a human sacrifice. This could have easily been the end had they doors not burst open with a fiery flash. A motley band of heroes rushed into the room. "We've got a live one," someone shouted as he helped Miriam to her feet. "She's the source," another responded. "Get her back to MAGI." From here she began her illustrious career. |
Praetorian Miriam, having her mind occupied by another, was resistant to the psyche stripping that would render her another of Mother's Seers. She narrowly escaped elimination when a Resistance plot, directed against Mother's Hospital, disrupted the Seer network and openrf the door to her freedom. However, neither Primal or Praetorian Miriam, or the many other versions that may exist for that matter, are truly free of the shadow being just yet. Eventually, they will confront this being and take control of their destinies completely.
So anyway... there's my story. What I like about it is that it is tied to the lore in a variety of ways (the Hellion/Skull connection, the Superadine fed extra-dimensional visions that led to Portal Corps technology, Black Swan and the Shadow Dimension, and, of course, Mother Mayhem), but it doesn't make her the key player in any story that has been told.
I do feel it's a bit more difficult and a good test of ones creativity to create within the constraints of a setting. Not that I dismiss characters that eschew the lore, but when I read a bio that ties suits the game I'm sure to give that player a tell with my appreciation and praise.
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Subjective, but this thread has been de-railed long enough.
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Originally Posted by New_Dark_Age
LOL RPers arguing. You are all weirdos
It would be forgivable if you all weren't so boring. |
I was doing some playthroughs of City of Heroes. Now they will serve as memories of a better time ...
You know, I was going to write up a snarky reply to the original post, but then I decided to be nice. So look where that got us.
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Originally Posted by New_Dark_Age
LOL RPers arguing. You are all weirdos
It would be forgivable if you all weren't so boring. |
Blood Widow Ricki * Tide Shifter * T-34 * Opposite Reaction * Shaolin Midnight * ChernobylCheerleader
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I forgot you also lived in Seattle, Agg. |
Originally Posted by Aggelakis
This made me giggle in a completely non-CoH way. There's a pizza chain in Seattle/surrounding area called Pagliacci's Pizza.
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Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite
Dark_Respite's Farewell Video: "One Last Day"
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
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I have tons of those. I consider it a challenge to weave an original story into the game's lore. Sometimes I play it straight, sometimes I have fun with it.|
Originally Posted by Dark_Respite
Now I have to admit to being curious... for those folks who've made characters that are very heavily steeped in COH's lore, how about posting the character's bio here? (The short form, only 1023 character version that we're allowed in the game) You can post a screenshot of it if you want.
Michelle aka Samuraiko/Dark_Respite |
The Alt Alphabet ~ OPC: Other People's Characters ~ Terrific Screenshots of Cool ~ Superhero Fiction
Ditzkrieg totally needs to meet Sieglinde. They can hook up with Becky and RULE THE WORLD...like, totally.
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| This made me giggle in a completely non-CoH way. There's a pizza chain in Seattle/surrounding area called Pagliacci's Pizza. |
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Originally Posted by The Tick
"Even now he sulks like Achilles in his tent. Achilles? It's the Iliad!? It's Homer!?! Read a book!!" -Handy
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Current Blog Post: "Why I am an Atheist..."
"And I say now these kittens, they do not get trained/As we did in the days when Victoria reigned!" -- T. S. Eliot, "Gus, the Theatre Cat"
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Originally Posted by New_Dark_Age
LOL RPers arguing. You are all weirdos
It would be forgivable if you all weren't so boring. |
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Originally Posted by SpyralPegacyon
You know, I was going to write up a snarky reply to the original post, but then I decided to be nice. So look where that got us.
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Ah hell, I'll just say it anyway. His ideas of "good" are only good in the same kind of mediocre mind that introduced Youngblood to the world.
Also, DV's full of crap as usual.
And, once again:
I like novels.
Of course, to earn his own.
But, of course, of course, there is always, "I didn't have time to write you a short letter, so I wrote you a long one." - Mark Twain
Concise is good, but a long bio can still be concise and full of material! Length is not everything.
Member of:
Repeat Offenders Network - The Largest Coalition Network in the Game, across Virtue, Freedom, Justice and Exalted. Open to all, check us out.
Current Team Project: Pending
I love the Jordi pic. Frankly I'm surprised this thread continued on after the following post by the OP:
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When the equivalent exchange below happens, it is obvious that someone is a troll.|
Originally Posted by New_Dark_Age
lol dont be mad cause you do not know how to start a character summary.
... snip... No one reads your bios Mr. professional. No one cares about your creative writing abilities. They may care about what superhero you made though..pity they will never know cause they fell asleep after the first line. |
Person A: I like to do something.
Person B: No you don't. You're lying and an evil man for it.
TPN trial guide video / MoM trial guide video / DD trial guide video / BAF trial guide video
/ Lambda trial guide video / Keyes trial guide video / Magisterium trial guide video / Underground trial guide
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It's the weekend. Mods are off duty.
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Originally Posted by Blood Red Arachnid
I love the Jordi pic. Frankly I'm surprised this thread continued on after the following post by the OP:
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You're both right and wrong. How you write is what makes a character's story sound good and makes people want to read it but, it does not need to be direct or to the point at all to be good.|
Originally Posted by New_Dark_Age
It is the way you write that makes your character sound good by explaining the concept you have. Having a direct to the point story/description increases the probability of other players seeing that concept. So you would probably have twice as many people congratulating you on your story if you just wrote more directly and wrote to capture attention and put spaces in your bio.
Any maybe if more people do what I recommend there actually could be a sensible way to have a Biography costume contest because currently its impractical cause of the time it takes to read the novels of 50 people. Seriously no one cares about little Henry. |
One of the best bios I ever read on this game was neither. The whole thing was a series of metaphors that summed up the character's life and what led them to be the way they are. I liked it so much that I actually scolded that player when they changed the information in their bio for getting rid of what was possibly one of the best pieces of writing on this game.
I've also read ones that were short and to the point, like you suggest, that I thought were great, like Adam's Friend (a toon that's been deleted for some time), an imaginary friend that was on a search for the little boy that created him.
Length of backstory means nothing when it comes to the quality of the writing.
Heh.
Well, hes a VIP (Incarnate Content :s) so I may just get suspended for three days, woo.
In other news, today has been quite eventful.