Character Creation & Biography Templates

[Arie]

character creation

A character concept (commonly known as a biography) is basically a character sheet that lays out certain key details about your character. It's like the foundation on which you can build your roleplay. Your character concept can be as long or short as you like. Some people like to flesh their characters out more during the roleplays, and as long as you have a good base to start from, that is perfectly fine.

Note that you are encouraged to read other characters' biographies before RPing with them, but your character cannot know information that has not been revealed to him/her. For example, even though you as the writer know that a certain character is from Illian and was raised by an innkeeper who was not his biological parent, your character does not know that until he or she is told, though may guess by the Illiander accent where he or she is from.
 

Any tips on writing a good bio?

Some general tips that are common to all groups:

 

I. Your character should be from a continent in the known world.

 

II. Don't include the main plot characters such as Rand, Egwene, or other Main Characters of other Books. It has been verbally expressed by the Jordan Estate not to use the characters whose story is already written. We intend to honor this and will not approve any character account that expresses name relevance or connection. Note that we do have a few Chosen characters from the books (Moridin, Graendal, Semirhage, and Demandred) available for play. Their names will likely change upon formal creation.

 

III. Unless you have played your character for a very long time already, you shouldn't be the 'greatest Channeler' or some other particularly 'well-established' character without the Staff's permission. 

 

IV. Avoid Items of Power. These are better earned "in play", and are highly unlikely to be approved without a good reason or story-driving plot at a character's start.

 

V. Please know that some nationalities' physical attributes are limited by their race; for example, Atha'an Miere is all dark skin with black hair ("darker than Tairens") while Aiel all have either red, blonde, or dirty blonde hair and blue, green or gray eyes, and are taller than other people in the world, Cairheinins are short and pale, etc. This information will also be included in our geography section.

 

a. Characters who have parents from two different countries and therefore come from two different cultures are welcome, within the "realistic" confines of the WoT universe, and your physical appearance can reflect this. 

 

b. Characters from Shara are not allowed.

 

c. Seanchan characters must be in Seanchan until the Forerunners arrive.

 

d. Sea Folk characters who leave their ships lose the rights to all earned ranks and are treated more lowly than deckhands by their people as a result.

 

e. Children of the Light can come from any country in the Westlands, as can Aes Sedai and Warders. Sea Folk Aes Sedai will be extremely limited due to being so rare. Aiel cannot become Aes Sedai and non-Aiel cannot become Wise Ones. Non-Sea Folk cannot join Sea Folk ships in any capacity.

 

 

 

how to apply

There are 2 different Biography Templates available, Basic & Expanded, that you can fill out. You will have TWO WEEKS to complete your application. Biographies that are older than two weeks will be archived. If you wish to still complete your application, reach out to a member of the RP Staff to have it moved back into the Registry.

 

Once your profile application is completed, you are welcome to let us know in the READY FOR REVIEW thread. Please try and give us at least 48 hours to review your application before reminding us. 

 

There are some parts of the application that come under the MANDATORY section, but the primary one is TRIGGER WARNINGS, which should be filled out for anyone reading the biography. While we do not allow expressed adult themes in detail, even illusory references can be subject to issues for other players. Above all, we encourage and support communication between our members. 

 

final note

All Biographies should be titled with the following format:

 

LAST NAME, FIRST NAME - GROUP (TITLE)

 

We do not allow the same last names of characters unless part of a family. Nor should you have the name of a book character, unless the character is yours through Brandon Sanderson’s time as a writer. 

 

Groups include Commoner, Nobility, Darkfriend, Channeler, Wolfkin, and Children of the Light. If part of multiple groups, please list the primary, and include the second group with the Title. As an Example: Tarou, Arie - Channeler (White Ajah Aes Sedai, Darkfriend).

 

the application - basic

There is no change to the template from what had previously been available. Feel free to copy and paste the following:

 

TRIGGER WARNING:

[Any warnings, or "none" if none.]

 

Name:

[Full Character Name]
Age:

[Age in the current timeline / Character's current age]
Place of birth:

[City/Town, Country. If you don't have a small town name, you can make one up or list a general geographical reference; i.e., "southern Arad Doman." City and country names, as well as facts, are found in our Geography Information Thread.]

 

Physical:

[A full physical description so we know what your character looks like.]

 

Mental & Emotional: 
[Personality is more than just skin deep, but is also a reflection of what the character puts out into the world but also has hidden behind their intentions. Mental and Emotional aspects are where you can delve into more well-rounded characters.]

 

Character History:

[This is when your character was younger and what led them to where they are today.]

 

Character Reputation:

[This applies to characters who have been in any area for a certain amount of time, ranging from between a month to many years. How is your character perceived by others? What rumors might others have heard about them? Are there past incidences your character might be known for? (i.e., your character might be known for how they like to dance all day or night at festivities, or for their pickiness about clothing or other such behaviors).]

 

Connections: (optional)

[These are the connections that your character STARTS with. Often these are potentially people from their background or characters that can be picked up by other players. Named characters already in play should have the consent of that player, and if a potential high-ranking character, this can be denoted as an NPC or WANTED with staff approval.]

 

Character Goals: (optional)

[While not a requirement to share all of these things, listing a few goals can help you as the player build a direction of what you would like to write. This can be in bullet form or paragraphs.]

 

 

 the application - extended

Here is a more detailed template, specifically for more experienced players and higher-ranking characters in pivotal roles. Feel free to copy and paste the following:

 

 

TRIGGER WARNING:

[Any warnings, or "none" if none.]

 

Name:

[Full Character Name]
Age:

[Age in the current timeline / Character's current age]
Place of birth:

[City/Town, Country. If you don't have a small town name, you can make one up or list a general geographical reference; i.e., "southern Arad Doman." City and country names, as well as facts, are found in our Geography Information Thread.]

 

Physical:
[A full physical description so we know what your character looks like.]
 

Mental & Emotional: 
[Personality is more than just skin deep, but is also a reflection of what the character puts out into the world but also has hidden behind their intentions. Mental and Emotional aspects are where you can delve into more well-rounded characters.]
 

Talents:
[No, we are not talking about the Talents in the One Power, or other unique abilities, though if you wish to have one, here would be an appropriate place to put it. We're also talking about those skills that they are exceptionally good at, or good at being bad at. Whether it's a talent for making the perfect pie, intricate embroidery, or simply a unique talent of being completely incapable to using a bow safely, feel free to explore.]
 

Weaknesses:
[Balance, with all good things must come weaknesses. Be it ankles, prejudges, or unable to be mentally stable in a small box, something has to keep them from being able to achieve what they want in the next thread at the snap of their fingers.]
 

+ Traits:
[Postive Traits! Bullet form or paragraphs is fine. Any listed types of traits can easily be things they are or are not aware of.]
 

- Traits:
[Negative Traits! Bullet form or paragraphs is fine.]

 

Character History:

[This is when your character was younger and what led them to where they are today. If this is a high-ranked character there should be a minimum of 3 paragraphs that cover their growth, how they achieved their position, and where they are in that position to date. (Ei. If a Queen, how long were they in that role, how have they ruled, and what sort of struggles are they currently facing both as a person and as a Queen. ...etc).]

 

Character Reputation:

[This applies to characters who have been in any area for a certain amount of time, ranging from between a month to many years. How is your character perceived by others? What rumors might others have heard about them? Are there past incidences your character might be known for? (i.e., your character might be known for how they like to dance all day or night at festivities, or for their pickiness about clothing or other such behaviors).]

 

Connections:

[These are the connections that your character STARTS with. Often these are potentially people from their background or characters that can be picked up by other players. Named characters already in play should have the consent of that player, and if a potential high-ranking character, this can be denoted as an NPC or WANTED with staff approval.]

 

Character Goals:

[While not a requirement to share all of these things, listing a few goals can help you as the player build a direction of what you would like to write. This can be in bullet form or paragraphs.]

 

 

 

 and then??

If you already have an approved bio within the "New Beginning" area, there is no need to edit unless you absolutely want to. Biographies are the introduction to Roleplay, and what grows from there will be in development. You are always welcome to go back and edit your character using the above process, but we strongly encourage you to try out our development section and share wanted characters in the wanted and requests for further plotting fun! 

 

Aren't we supposed to start at the beginning? What if I am a novice? How do I get Raised? I am sure there are a lot of questions as this is the first time in our RP history that we will NOT require players to start at the bottom of the totem pole. While you CAN be a Novice, or a Trainee, the idea is to let people PLAY and not just level up characters. Start where you are comfortable. If you know what an Aes Sedai is and are inspired to play one, then play one! If you're still unsure, don't get lost in the details, and reach out to staff! 

 

More information on what comes next will be forthcoming in the next few days. (And I'll edit this area with that information, too.)

 

_{MODIFIED 2.4.24 - Added One Power Item rule}

Edited February 4 by Arie

[Arie]

 

Age Suggestion Guidelines 

 

WHITE TOWER & WARDER YARD

Novice and Trainees: 13-18 years old
Trainee - Guardsman = 3-6 Years
Novice - Accepted = 4-8+ Years of study
Guardsman - Bannerman = 2-4+
Accepted to Aes Sedai = 4-12+ Years of study
Banner Captain = 24 Years Old Minimum
Blademaster = 24 Years Old Minimum *must apply*
Sitters = Min 60 Years Old
Head of Ajah = Min 150 Years Old