Character Creation

Welcome to Trial By Fire! The first thing you’re probably going to note is that we have a more rigorous character creation process than you might be used to. There’s a couple of reasons for this. First off, it allows us to get to know you a bit better! Role playing is a social activity, and it really helps to know who you’re talking with. Second is that we strive for a high quality in our writing and play, and the best way to do that is to make sure every character fits with us in theme and tone. We’re never going to say “I don’t like a character, you’re not allowed to play them”, but we do feel free to request changes to make sure you fit in with Hamilton.

What is Hamilton? Hamilton is a metropolitan city located in the state of Massachusets. Similar to Boston with a dash of New York City, Hamilton is a fictional location that we use to give us maximum creative freedom while still grounding us in a real-world setting. That’s important: our server is all about the interplay between the magic and the mundane. In the World of Darkness settings, that’s important: the games are at their best when they’re about both the human and monstrous, the fantastic adventure and the quieter moments to their life, and we strive to make sure both are important. When you’re creating your character, that’s a big emphasis we’d like to see.

Hamilton is also a city on the grow: it’s going through a bit of a supernatural boom, which means that newcomers of all sorts keep cropping up and dipping their toes into the water. That’s what you’ll be playing. Rather than an established character or a high-status authority, you’ll be playing one of the new kids on the block who are looking to fight to change the world and make their name big, whatever that looks like. However, being New doesn't mean not being powerful; as many newly introduced beings are fairly powerful.

To that end, Hamilton is also a city of action. To quote the old adage “I don’t care who you are, I care what you’re going to do.”

Backstories are great, they ground the character and give them a sense of person and humanity. But ultimately, what we want to hear about is your character’s motive, drive, personality, actions. What do you want to do with the character? How are you going to interact with others? What are their goals?

For those interested, here are some additional links you might find interesting.

https://springhole.net/writing/create-and-roleplay-better-characters.htm

https://springhole.net/writing/grail-characters.htm

https://springhole.net/writing/how-to-make-your-rp-character-stand-out.htm

Pre-Creation
Before we begin, there's two important things to note:

The first is just to finish the RP samples on the RP Sample page. This isn't a quiz nor a test, but it's just needed to see how you write. There's no right or wrong answers, we just want to know your experience and style. It shouldn't take more than 15 minutes.

The second is just something you'll see when you look on the Merit/Flaw list. A lot of the banned/Ask-First merits are there for power issues or over abundance of people taking it. You should treat all of the ones in yellow as something to ask for, while banned ones are more akin too "This is why my character needs it, and it's core of their story." We'll try to be accommodating, but please accept a no.

Thirdly, keep cross splat features to a minimum. The world of darkness is vast, and while a mage should and could know about the technocrats, having relationships with a vampire is no go.

Route to Character Creation
'''These are all done in public in the appropriate channel. Please only PM an ST if it's necessary.'''

Still with us? Great! We’ve got some fantastic writers on board, and we’re a fun-loving bunch, so don’t be put off by our stodgy and strict starting spiel. Here’s how you make your character.

Character Creation
When creating a character, there are certain questions you must answer, and others you should answer.

Ultimately, what makes a character is who they are and not what they are. While there are many parts of you that come from your circumstances and birth, the vast majority is shaped by your actions.

All characters are meant to be only in the World of Darkness for a year or two, at a level comparable to Neonates/Cliaths (Able to think on their own, but very, very low ranking members -- not cubs or childe, but not important).

When you feel ready to submit, you can either place your character pitch first, or upload a sheet with a google doc/the background information filled out. We wont approve sheets with only dots and no information on it, but you're welcome to post your sheet first anyway.

Note: The Method below doesn’t mean it's the only way we want you to answer it. Any pitch that fundamentally answers these questions is fine. Ultimately, it's the principle/spirit of what we’re looking for that matters, not the wording.

The Who
Who is your character?

Generally, this can be answered in a few words. This is fundamentally a very quick "My character is Jessica Lhorne, She's a Glass Walker Galliard that blogs."

A picture really helps! A general rule about pictures though: No Anime (Doesn't fit the tone), nor any A-List or B-List Celebrities. Anything else is fair game.

The What
The what is the more complicated part, but it's only really needed for a few key steps.

When you're creating a character, we'd like to know 4 things about them.


 * 1) What were the circumstances of their change? While some splats are born into it (Werewolf, Demon, Changeling), others are molded into it (Mage, Vampire). We'd like to know the circumstances of this.
 * 2) * For Vampires we'd like to know why your sire embraced you? What did they see in you that couldn't have been replaced by a ghoul? This is particularly important for the more secretive/prestigious clans like Lasombra and Tzimisce, whereas we all know a Malkavian would embrace a goldfish since its funny.
 * 3) * For Werewolves, we'd like to know the circumstances of your first change. What caused and trigged the beast within to burst out? How did your character handle it? What was the rite of passage to bring them into Garou Society? What is your deed name? For the Fera (non-Garou, like the bastet and Nuwisha) -- you've two additional questions. Why are you in Hamilton? What is your view on the Garou?
 * 4) * For Mages, we'd like to know your paradigm and belief. We aren't accepting the normal ones the book suggests, but making your own isn't very hard -- it's the core of making a mage. Then, we'd like to know the circumstances of your awakening -- from your mentor, to your rituals you've performed. If you're above Arete 1, we'd like to know (each) of your seekings and what your character learned. You don't need to describe them in depth, but having an idea of your characters growth helps create future seekings.
 * 5) * For Changelings, we'd like to know what led to your Chrysalis? Are you for the old ways, or more for a commoner republic?
 * 6) * For Demons, we'd like to know why you bonded to the host you did, and your view on Lucifier.
 * 7) What are your characters goals and dreams? What do they aspire too? Do they plan to be the first Verbanna offering herbal remedies to all magical creatures, or a changeling boggan that wants to own a food resturant that becomes the talk of the town?
 * 8) What does your character do on the mortal side, their public face? What makes normal people want to interact with them, or would talk to them about if isn't just their secret society?
 * 9) What makes your character Unique? Can you talk to dead? Are you part Angel? Have you slept with everyone in your university?

Background Change
All Splats start with 7 Background Points (like in Mage: The Ascension).

Freebie Points
Mortal Characters start with 21 freebie points (This includes Ghouls, Kinfolk, Kinain, Acolytes, Thralls). Supernatural splats start with 15.

When using freebie points, Please put it on your sheet and format it like this.

Skill old_level > new_level (pointcost)

eg, Alertness 2 > 4 (4)

Allies and Contacts
Every ally and contact needs to be detailed. They don't need a sheet made for them, but their purpose needs to be clear. We don't play with 'wide breath of contacts', so if your contact list doesn't have someone in the underworld, you can't roll contacts there. Likewise, Allies are done at 1 per dot, and while you don't have to make a sheet for them, you're more than welcome too.

By detailed, we really just mean.

"John Smith -- A contact that sells me real samurai swords."

"Eva Smith -- Buddy from High School. Capable sniper."

A Bonus Treat
If you get the numbers on your sheet right without making a mistake and format the freebies right, you'll receive a bonus +2 XP after your first week is done.

Concepts
Outside of the standard (or the basic type) there's a few concepts that are allowed.

Newly Changed
For many splats, the nature of their change is inherent. It's only a matter of time till that happens. With other splats, it's about being chosen and finally coming to terms.

For werewolves and changelings, your first change and chrysalis can be done on this server, if you're also willing to do the training period afterwards. For those interested in this route, please do tell me the heritage (Breed/Seeming) that you plan to belong too.

For Mages, this would be during your acolyte days. You need to be tied to a Mage PC who wants an apprentice, and through their help you'll be awakened. From there, you'll start at Arete 1.

The other route for this is awakening by Wild Magic -- usually ending up as an Orphan, or part of the tradition/union (in nomine) from studying a grimoire. However, this route needs a bit more discussion, but is viable to do too.

People interested in being embraced are more than welcome, and you may request a particular clan to embrace you; however, just be aware that clan might not be actively recruiting.

Rogue Agents/Independents
Orphans, Lost Cubs, Caitiff, and the like are fine. When playing this route, do know your character isn't necessarily invited to join Requests/Story. Playing an Independent means you're focusing on your own goals, or finding your own place in the World of Darkness. Just remember; the story wont go out of its way to find you -- the price of freedom is responsibility, and your character will need to make the effort to join the group.

Soda
If you've read everything so far, name the Chronicle on your submitted sheet your favourite type of soft drink. I'll give you +1 XP for it. (+2 if its the same as mine).