Step 1: Concept
These are the basic elements of who your character is, and what he or she looks like. You can find instructions on inputting this information in the game. You can find a few examples here.
An optional tool that can help you develop a character's personality is a character diamond.
A few things to consider as you fill in these details:
Name
Your character's name is an important element. It's the very first thing that tells other players something about your character. Consider a name carefully (especially since we cannot change character names here — a new name means making a whole new character bit). Try to pick something that conveys a certain feel.
- Take a look at the Characters page, or even the Icons page for an alphabetical list of characters.
- Try to avoid choosing a name that is going to be easily confused with an existing character (e.g. "Harley" if we already had a "Harvey," or "Edwina" if we have an "Edwin").
- Don't lift a name directly from a role your Actor has played, nor should you try to make real-life references with a name.
Also, when it comes to surnames, you can view all of the surnames in the game with the +surnames command. If you want to check if a specific surname is in game, use +surnames <name>. This is of particular importance when it comes to pure-blood wizards, as two pure-blood wizards with the same last name are almost undoubtedly related.
Playing an Antagonist
What is an antagonist? It doesn't always mean a villain. It can a prankster, a troublemaker, a manipulator, or perhaps a criminal. An antagonist is one who antagonizes — in other words, someone that generates conflict. Here are some things to think about when designing an antagonist.
Antagonists can be risky, even on an OOC level. Like any character, you want an antagonist to be enjoyable by others. But it's very easy to become an irritant instead of an inspiration.
Any character ought to have a narrative that other characters can get invested in. This is especially true for antagonists. What motivates this character to generate conflict? Why should anyone care enough about that motivation to look past the flaws and see what is really driving the character?
Being a source of problems does not make for a complete character. In fact, it can make for a pretty shallow one that will end up being a drain on everyone around them. An antagonist needs redeeming qualities, preferably obvious ones. The prankster who always sticks up for the little guy. The thief with a soft spot for the poor and needy. The angry youth who is unfailingly loyal. These are examples of strong choices that give a readily apparent positive quality to characters that would merely be annoyances or two-dimensional villains otherwise.
Furthermore, if you're going to play an antagonist, make sure you've got the time to invest in not only your schemes, but also to face the music for them. There is little more aggravating than someone who will stir things up, then vanish the moment their character might suffer consequences.
We don't mind antagonists. They can be a source of great conflict, which is the essence of all good stories. But be sure to breathe depth into them so that they are more than the problems they create.
Actor
Having an Actor or PB ("Played By") is a great way to portray and gain inspiration for your character's appearance and personality. It also helps others to envision your character. Some people pick an Actor to suit the character they've already imagined. Others start with an Actor and let the casting inspire and inform their character choices. See which method works best for you.
You don't have to choose an actual actor, but remember that a picture of a model has no voice or mannerisms for others to fill in the blanks with. We do insist, at the very least, that your PB has a name to put on the +actors list (to avoid unknowingly doubling-up on the same PB).
Some things to consider when selecting an actor:
- Check the List — When choosing an actor, be sure to check the +actors list to see who has already been taken. Only one person may use a given actor (unless both players have agreed to play twins). If you want to check for a specific actor, try +actor <name>. For example, +actor Brad Pitt will tell you if anyone is using Brad Pitt, and whom. It works for partial names, too, so +actor Brad will tell you about any actors named Brad.
- Age-Appropriate — Try to choose an actor for whom you can find age-appropriate pictures of reasonable quality. This goes doubly for child characters. It's rather jarring to many players when you are playing a 12-year-old, but all of your images are clearly a 15- or 16-year-old. We realize that finding a good child actor can be difficult, but we are more than happy to help and make suggestions. Actor images for student-aged characters must depict that actor at an age within one year of the character's age. Please note that for child characters this is not merely a suggestion, but policy.
- No HP Film Actors — We do draw heavily on the look of the Harry Potter films, including the actors. Please choose only actors that have not appeared in the films. (If the actor was merely an extra, or under heavy make-up, check with staff to see if he or she would be alright to use.)
- NPC Actors— Many player also like to choose actors for NPC's that are relevant to their characters, such as family members that mostly exist off-screen. This is fine, just be aware that unless that NPC actually exists in game (such as a character you make and put on the roster), any new PC that chooses that actor will get priority.
Still having trouble? Check out our list of pre-vetted Actor Suggestions!
Faction
"Faction" is a little misleading. In Witchcraft and Wizardry, Faction is really your character's lineage. The basic choices for Faction are: Pure-blood, Half-blood, Muggle-born, Squib, and Muggle. There are other, more exotic Factions available with the expenditure of Cookies. See the Factions page for more details on lineage.
If you are playing a pure-blood, you must choose one of the existing pure-blood families. Only immigrant characters, whose immigrant status is paid for in Cookies, may create new pure-blood families (though even in those cases, we encourage joining an existing foreign family if one is available).
Organization
Most characters will belong to some organization or another. Sometimes these are specific organizations, such as a department of the Ministry or Magic, or the Royal Air Force. Others are generalized "spheres" or subcultures, such as Entertainment, Religion, or Wizarding Workforce. See the Organizations page for more details on the various organizations.
If your character is a student, set your Organization to "Hogwarts."
Position
This is a freeform entry that is used to describe your characters vocation, occupation, or general role in life. See What Should I Play? for some examples and ideas of Positions.
If your character is a student, set your Position to your house (e.g. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin). See Sorting for some guidelines on choosing a house. Note that only pure-blood students will be approved for Slytherins that started school prior to 1940. Beginning with the First Years of 1940, half-bloods might get approved, but they will still be rare (and have a hefty Cookie cost to demonstrate it).
Rank
Rank is almost always based on organization, and measures the official title and degree of influence your character has within that organization. Refer to the individual organization pages for the appropriate Ranks. Note that, like anything else, Rank is subject to approval (especially for very high ranks).
If your character is a student, set your Rank to "Student," unless applying to be a Prefect, Head Boy, or Head Girl (note that these ranks have a Cookie cost associated with them).
See +ranks in game for details on the ranking systems of certain organizations.