So, what is the official policy on...

[Ryla Relvinian]

... other universe characters? I mean LOTR characters as well as Anime and the like. The FAQ says:


SW related races/type of characters are highly recommended (this is SW roleplaying after all). You may chose any type of character that you would find in EU literature. If you chose anything non SW, like Dragon Ball Z, Marvel Universe characters etc, you agree that any abilities of such characters will not overpower Force abilites. Force powers takes presedence.

I'm not referring to people who simply use those pictures as their character's pircure, but people who claim to be Elves, Dwarves, or whatever.

(And this isn't a flame, this is an honest question) :)

[Marcus Telcontar]

Far as I'm concerned, any race could exist - as long as the race doesnt have hyper over the top powers, OR their powers can be logically explained in The Force, it's fine. I tend to call Helenias "Of the First Born", which differentiates her from myself and places her in a different race, I always try not to specifically say "Elf". I jsut simply say I'm a near-human.

But I always place myself firmly inside the SW universe and make damn sure anything I can do is explainable in Star Wars terms.

[Dalethria Mal Pannis]

personally, I don't care but would like to have such things explained that they originated in the SW universe somewhat instead of .. we are from this show so boom .. here ya go :)

Otherwise, everyone that has ever added something to SW here would have to go.... :lol and that would be alot

[Zeke]

You started this over Those Who Hunt Elves, right? I've read their thread, and I don't think they're out of line at all. Post something in the Trading Base and have them explain themselves if you're worried they won't rp fairly.

[Navaria Tarkin]

I dunna tink dis has be doing wit dem being outta line... dis be doing wit dem havin de right ta play wot dey be wantin'

:)

So in other words, Ryla curious what is the general rule about peeps playing peeps from other universes :)

[Alpha]

Nav could you repeat the first part in english? :lol

[Dalethria Mal Pannis]

no!

[Alpha]

:(

[Jedi Master Leia Solo]

:lol What did you expect from DALE :p

[Navaria Tarkin]

:angel

[Jedi Master Leia Solo]

:lol but...we know Nav is an ANGEL :angel ;)

[Dalethria Mal Pannis]

:angel

[Jedi Master Leia Solo]

:lol

[Ryla Relvinian]

Marcus: Gotcha. :)

Zeke: Actually, no. This is just a random question.

I just want to make sure that the major focus of this board is on Star Wars... I know that a lot of us here are major fans of other universes, and sometimes we can all get carried away. Not to say that I am against any Elf characters (heck no... the more of Legolas I see the happier I am. :lol ) or Anime, but I'm just trying to make this as accesible to all as possible. I know that a lot of new players come in here with very developed characters, as if they have to be up to the same level as some of us who have been her for 2 or 3 years. This might be going out on a limb here, but to a new player, to see all non-star wars characters around here might suggest that there isn't enough SW characters or races to go around.

[Navaria Tarkin]

this place has always been leniant.. which is why things are they way they are.

[Marcus Telcontar]

to be intolerant just doesnt work. I tried. It failed. I also was wrong insisting on purity at that time. Who am i so say what is possible and what is not? Thence, if I can imagine it in a Star Wars universe, it's fair game.

[Kelt Simoson]

Speaking on behalf of my Dwarf char, i trust any race could exsis as the Galaxy is huge and anything could be made in EU...so i think mixing a little D&D/LOTR magic into SWfans is a nice addition, however as i do with my chars i keep it to a SW level and do go overboard with Magic and spells and stuff....only the force

[Ryla Relvinian]

Yeah, Kelt, I agree. And I'm not suggesting that we be intolerant, or start turning anyone away for any silly reason. I mean, heck, I'm blue for crying out loud. :)

[Chase Starwalker]

IM BLUE
dababadee dad a da da be dee dad ada

ok sorry i broke out that old school song, couldn't resist. :)

[Ryla Relvinian]

Yeah, that was my CT for the longest time, ya know. :lol

[Dasquian Belargic]

I know nothing about Elves and very little about LOTR aside from what's in the movie, so I'm finding it very confusing everytime I get called an Elf :\

I didn't originally intend for Dasquian to be an Elf, I hoped I could work out some other race that would fit him in the future - but I just got labelled as an Elf and just ended up playing along with it since so many people automatically assumed it of me

[Helenias Evenstar]

I would rather not say I was an Elf - there are other words and pharses to use that disguise what I am - First Born, Eldan and I would use them first. Calling yourself an Elf directly breaks the suspense of disbelief.

Then again, it is true looking at Arwen as a Avatar makes that suspense of disbelief even harder

[Ryla Relvinian]

Helenias - you bring up a good point... You, as well as most of the people here, know how to create a realistic character, and attempt to 'suspend disbelief' even though the only thing we have to see as being your character is Arwen. You too, Das, I never see you prancing about acting overtly Elfish... I mean, you two (as well as most of the ones I have seen) make it seem effortless and believable.

I was thinking about some sort of a beginners character creation class... Not to 'weed out' the stranger characters but rather to help new players in their back story, help get them prepared for future RPs.

Whaddya think?

[Navaria Tarkin]

depends on what this starting class was because then, you are limiting people to what they can play

[Ryla Relvinian]

Well, I wouldn't say limiting... This would be a purely OOC class, like fundamentals of RPing and how to create a realistic backstory. Preventative measures against 13 year old bounty hunters with classical music training who can speak seven languages and knit their own parkas. Hey, it could happen, but it's not terribly likely.

This would be more of an introductory writing class.

[Anbira Hicchoru]

or basically...a "Star Wars for dummies" thread...since some have no idea of the universe they're trying to RP in.

and :eek I can't believe you're supporting this, Marcus. If I do recall correctly, you were a monumental stick in the mud on this issue in the past. Guess it all changes once LotR comes out, huh :mneh

[Navaria Tarkin]

a RPing for dummies sounds pretty good :) Just have to be willing to be patient tho and answer lots of questions =^_^=

[Ryla Relvinian]

Yep. That's what I'm planning on. I'd love to get some long-term people to put some input into this as well... teaching the basics between 1st and 3rd person writing, how to 'show' a scene instead of 'telling' a scene, how to play a wide range of emotions.

Fun stuff like that. :) (Remember, you're talking to an English major/Theater minor here... I have too much free time on my hands.) :D

[AmazonBabe]

:lol

Not a bad idea. Helps ppl to figure out how to and what to RP, as a story or character.

And I love the title "Star Wars Roleplaying for Dummies". :lol :p

[Chase Starwalker]

And I love the title "Star Wars Roleplaying for Dummies"

:D Speak of the devil...:p

[Zeke]

WTF? o.O...neato, I guess.

[Liam Jinn]

Augh. I didn't mind all this mixing of universes back when it was a minority thing. But now, it's getting a little overboard in my opinion. Sure it adds variety, but what I see mostly is people playing characters that have absolutely nothing at all to do with SW and just giving them the ability to use the force. Which is fine, to an extent, though it makes me forget which universe this is supposed to be.

I just can't wait until a new fantasy-flick comes out so less and less SW can be seen! :\

[Dasquian Belargic]

I don't think we're playing them over the top. I mean at least I hope Dasquian doesn't act like Legolas, I don't intend him to. I'm sure Xazor isn't like Eowyn and Kelt certainly isn't like Faramir.

[Kelt Simoson]

Actually i cant play him like Faramir yet untill i see or read TTT, but i intend to play him a bit like Faramir eventually...

But i think that its the face more than the attitude, you dont see Dasquian or Kelt running around saying old english stuff do you?...'Ye old man and thee horse'.....no you dont so i fully disagree with you Liam, you get swords in SW..you get swords in LOTR...you just use the image and part of the personality..i mena you wont see a halfling (hobbit) with a giant sword do you?..no...so you need to play them to there chracter in the movie to a certain degree of that chracter or it wont suit the looks of its image. And to be honest Liam you dont play a Starwars chracter yourself mate...

[Dasquian Belargic]

If you're going to use someone like Legolas, you can't really have him being this big loud mouth macho man can you? It doesn't fit his image at all. Similarly, I can't picture Arwen being a sultry whore, so you have to keep some degree of similarity in the personalities as its what the image gives the impression of.

[Helenias Evenstar]

In a way, being who you base your chaarcter on is an influence. For one, Jedi dont carry swords and second, the back story can be affected.

But I would say so what. Does it matter whom you base a character on, as long as it can be reconciled to Star Wars, it does not really matter. have always had Helenias a tall and dark haired woman and interestingly, used green dresses when she was not in Guardsman armour. It is not hard to put Helenias into the image of Arwen, for a warrior type woman whom is affected by her love has always been what I have been doing.

But I would add this point - who here can honestly put their hand up and claim to be 100% Star Wars, as it was in the movies? Are you telling me your not influenced from other places?


nothing at all to do with SW and just giving them the ability to use the force. Which is fine, to an extent, though it makes me forget which universe this is supposed to be.


Star Wars is a fantasy, where magic is subsituted with The Force. Lucas was influenced by LOTR itself. I might add that taking a character and applying it to a Star Wars setting, is that not what this is about? Who here is Luke? Or Anakin? Or Qui Gon?

I have always thought the point was to imagine yourself inside the Star wars universe and interpret it. I draw the line at clearly perposterous things (like immortal Vampires) But a dark haired woman from Imdralas, in the system of Arda, whom is a fighter, whom is a Jedi Knight, whom can see over vast distances for the ones she knows and can see the future well with The Force, whose race calls itself The First Born, that is quite legitimate and likely sounding. So what if the image you see in my signature and Avatar is Arwen?

[Kelt Simoson]

Originally posted by Helenias Q'Dunn
In a way, being who you base your chaarcter on is an influence. For one, Jedi dont carry swords and second, the back story can be affected.

Actually i would say it depends on what sort of personality you had. Realisticly any person can carry any weapons based on what they favor as a weapon or indeed what there trained in. Take Kelt, he uses a sword because he was brought up on them..where he was born they did not have Light Sabers...so i think it slides both way...as to races...just look at EU and see what you find...i bet somewere there is a Elf or Dwarf type race named diffrenty to its a original name.

[Sanis Prent]

:lol I'm sorry I gotta laugh.

The two biggest opponents to non SW characters are now their most vocal supporters. Its irony like that.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Well they're still against Vampires soooo :x

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: walks the Pattern :: :D :p :lol

[imported_Lance Stormrider]

Lmfao@Sw for Dummies

[Liam Jinn]

They don't have Humans in SW Kelt?

I'm not just talking about what image is used for characters, it's how people play them.

So you people feel the need to draw the line at Vampires why? Because none of you play them?

[Ange Tot]

*ahem*

I don't mind different Non-SW races because it's adds varitey to the RP, and REALLY don't like the fact of Vamps because they are "IMMORTAL" which means they live forever and are frelling hard to kill.

I mean look at me! Ange is a Saiya-jinn(wot, ya didn't know?) but I don't have her doing DBZ crap, like flying about and shooting energy balls, I'm keeping her within the SW Universe. Which I think is fine.

Liam, maybe if you thought about the whole idea of vamps, you'd understand WHY some people don't like the IDEA of them in SW.

[Zeke]

I don't care if you're vampiric, hunt down female elves to strip them, fling balls of light (or balls of poo), or do other crazy stuff or play characters that aren't related to SW, so long as you can fit them to the SW theme of things. If you're gonna go be Goku and throw energy, make it a Force thing, like Force lightinging or whatever. If you're a character that's ungodly strong and strips elves and eats curry, make it Force based. Just so long as you can explain it away with SW.

[Marcus Telcontar]

The two biggest opponents to non SW characters are now their most vocal supporters. Its irony like that.

Read between the lines. At least we are making some sort of effort to place ourselves firmly within the SW unvierse. If you made no effort to do so, I would still say to go get rooted, even if you have a LOTR character template. That is always what I have been against, not whether you go and spit fireballs out your a@@. If I remember, I even said to you LL in your DBZ obsessed days, if it can be explained in the Force and is sensible, go right ahead. Helenias has always been against vampires cause they make absolutly no effort to restrict themselves into a Star Wars setting. Undead is still a complete and total load of BULLCRAP, magic is still a complete load of crap, ripping up a mountain and throwing at someone is still a load of crap. A physical vampire is possible, the more spirital ones, well they can still FOAD.

If you make no effort to place yourself in a SW situation, same again.

I would say that if we were running around doing complete BS, there would be legitimate complaints. But we're not - fact is, I'm not even sure when the last time I did more than throw someone through a wall with The Force was. If my sin is to act and look like Aragorn, then really, I dont think there's much to whine about, because Aragorn would make a pretty good Jedi. If anything, I still have that mean temper and impulsiveness of Tohmaahwk still there and who was he based on? Neo, yet Hunter / Tohmahawk with his gun blazing antics, sharp tounge and take no -DO-NOT-SWEAR--DO-NOT-SWEAR--DO-NOT-SWEAR--DO-NOT-SWEAR- from anyone is still revered. And never queried too.

Really, Marcus express one side of my real personality, the quieter and more observant side, thoughtful and still, somehow sad. Tohmahawk was the violent and sadistic part.

There is also one other difference. Helenias / Marcus / Xazor / Dasquain are all highly visible faces to the Jedi, cause we are out there and involoved. Might do well if you think we are too visible to get out there and be just as visible.
Blech. Typed too long, going back to work

[Ryla Relvinian]

See, this is what I wanted to read about. I have no problem with using someone's picture to represent your character, a la Xazor and Das, but to simply take a movie character and give it force powers shows, in my opinion, a lack of creativity. Yes, it is entirely possible to have that person exist, entirely possible to have someone use a sword or bow instead of a lightsaber, entirely possible for them to have your own language or magical properties, but when many other players take time to build a realistic SW based character... I dunno. I mean, I like LOTR as much, if not more, than the average person. I speak Quenya for crying out loud! Just... I don't see the originality in simply taking Arwen, or taking Aragorn and giving them midichlorians. NOT to say that I don't like how you too RP those characters, just more of a simple observation.

[Marcus Telcontar]

I dont have a single midibullcrapian in me :p

[Ryla Relvinian]

Well then, allright. :lol

I hated GL for that... it made the Force more like a flu.

[Chase Starwalker]

Originally posted by Lance Stormrider
Lmfao@Sw for Dummies

:D *takes a bow

Thank you, Thank you!

[Sejah Haversh]

I have an honest question. How well have I managed to make a character form a competely differnt place and way of life fit into the SW world? I would like to know if someone such as Sejah, who is not from another well-known storyline, but is from another one (my own) anyhow, is able to fit in well enough to be considered a normal character.

[Ryla Relvinian]

Mitch, you know I already like what you do with your Nehantish characters... If you hadn't told me they weren't from some EU thing I would have thought they were sw. They have a complete culture, a history, and a great personality. I would say that you've done a fantastic job. :)

[Figrin D'an]

A picture is exactly that... a picture. Nothing more. One could use a picture of Kermit the Frog for all I care. Just as long as the character one portrays is developed within the realm of the Star Wars Universe, and abides by the RP rules that we have laid out, I have no major objections. Taking a character from another storyline entirely and inserting it into our SW roleplay realm as is... that's a big problem. Borrowing a couple of traits from a character from another realm (LOTR, DBZ, etc), fine. But bascially ripping off a character from someone elses work... I have major issues with that.

"Actually i cant play him like Faramir yet untill i see or read TTT, but i intend to play him a bit like Faramir eventually"

I don't mean to pick on you Kelt, because I really am not familiar with exactly how you are currently portraying your character... but its that kind of statement that really bugs me. Here's a character from Tolkien's works that has been thrust into the spotlight because of the recent films... so, you grab a screen cap because he looks cool, and maybe you've seen a little bit of preview footage of the film that makes you think that the character has some traits that you want in your own character... but, without really delving into it, you intend you begin playing your character "like Faramir," without reading any of the text that defines the character and well before you see David Wenham's on-screen interpretation of him. What if, after you see the film, you decide that you don't like Faramir's character? Will you pull a paradigm shift and alter your character towards the mold of a different LOTR personality? That just seems to be quite indicative of a trend that has existed around the boards for a while now...

Maybe I'm reading too much into your statement, and if that is the case, I apologize. I've just seen far to many people try to RP on the boards as, essentially, clones of characters from other sci-fi and fantasy realms, and when it doesn't jive with SW, people end up getting pi$$ed at each other...

I guess I'm ranting. Hope I haven't offended too many people. If I have... well, it's just my opinion.

[Sejah Haversh]

Thanks, Ryla, though the EU they come form is almost completely my own, so it was a bit easier for me...

And good points, Figrin, I agree with it most of the way, though the occaional break to the method is nice every now and then. Not that I want to see Optimus Prime joining our ranks or anything...

[Maia Tharrinn]

Let me give you guys a little insight to the Vampires that are rped in the SW universe. First off we are longed lived yes just like yoda is how old? and we can be killed and we do have our drawbacks we can explain our powers thru Sith magic. They are ran after the Anne rice vamps. We do not mist or turn into other animals or anything. every power we have can be explained with Sith magic. Mind control. force speed and all the other goodies.

We have set our standards no differently from any other we make sure that we stick to SW universe stuff and do not claim to be not killable though last I heard no one's char could be killed so what's the worry there. All the powers we use are explained by the force. So before you pass judgment on us why not read our rps or ask? There are plenty of long lived races in SW fans why not vamps. There are demons so why not us? This prejudice is simply tiring. There seems to be leeway for all other char but vamps like ummmm garu? If there are shape shifting humans why cant there be vamps we claim no other power than what Sith magic gives us and the fact is we hinder ourselves more than you know because you choose just to label us. We may be long lived but that's no diff from other races. Sigh All we want to do is RP so instead of flaming us why don't you give us a chance like you do all the other things that are rped here.... And ask if you want to know about us and what we do instead of assuming what you want...

[Kelt Simoson]

Posted By Figrin D'an

I don't mean to pick on you Kelt, because I really am not familiar with exactly how you are currently portraying your character... but its that kind of statement that really bugs me. Here's a character from Tolkien's works that has been thrust into the spotlight because of the recent films... so, you grab a screen cap because he looks cool, and maybe you've seen a little bit of preview footage of the film that makes you think that the character has some traits that you want in your own character... but, without really delving into it, you intend you begin playing your character "like Faramir," without reading any of the text that defines the character and well before you see David Wenham's on-screen interpretation of him. What if, after you see the film, you decide that you don't like Faramir's character? Will you pull a paradigm shift and alter your character towards the mold of a different LOTR personality? That just seems to be quite indicative of a trend that has existed around the boards for a while now...

Well i can basicly grasp where you coming from there, but i said that i would read, or watch the movie or book first before i made any sort of desision on that, the fact i might hate him the way hes played, yes i could see your point, but again as mentioned i said i would watch it before hand to see what he is like.Every char had his own personal look as i said before, you dont see a hobbit with a broad or longsword it would be to heavy for them to fight with, so you see them with a Shortsword or a small Axe...Indeed Kelt is supposed to be a Crusader anyway, i have played him out wrong from the start may i add. But my point is is Faramir has his own Hard-Man kind of look then i will play him like a hard-man sort of guy, i couldent imagin a Human with armor on and a long bow in that pic as a toltal wuss. And to add to your point "I found a pic and thought he was cool". Actually no...You can ask Marcus yourself, Marcus showed me 5 or 6 diffrent types of pictures from diffrent areas and i chose what i thought would best suit a crusader looking chracter and his looks i had already placed in a Bio, but i agree on your point you made there Fig, only it does not apply with me mate :).

[Liam Jinn]

Um Kelt, re-read what Ryla wrote...

[Kelt Simoson]

Apologies..read that upsidedown..sorry...

But putting it the way i read it right now, i gather what shes saying, but Kelt at this point in time is NOTHING like Faramir, or what ive heard and read snippits about him...so...im..just going to shut up now..:lol

[Figrin D'an]

Originally posted by Kelt Simoson


Well i can basicly grasp where you coming from there, but i said that i would read, or watch the movie or book first before i made any sort of desision on that, the fact i might hate him the way hes played, yes i could see your point, but again as mentioned i said i would watch it before hand to see what he is like.Every char had his own personal look as i said before, you dont see a hobbit with a broad or longsword it would be to heavy for them to fight with, so you see them with a Shortsword or a small Axe...Indeed Kelt is supposed to be a Crusader anyway, i have played him out wrong from the start may i add. But my point is is Faramir has his own Hard-Man kind of look then i will play him like a hard-man sort of guy, i couldent imagin a Human with armor on and a long bow in that pic as a toltal wuss. And to add to your point "I found a pic and thought he was cool". Actually no...You can ask Marcus yourself, Marcus showed me 5 or 6 diffrent types of pictures from diffrent areas and i chose what i thought would best suit a crusader looking chracter and his looks i had already placed in a Bio, but i agree on your point you made there Fig, only it does not apply with me mate :).


That's fine... there's nothing wrong with borrowing some character traits here and there, and if the pic fits the "crusader" mold that you are looking for, great. Like I said before... it's only a picture. I just found that statment very odd, that you were presuming to base your character on a personality that you basically knew nothing about. Perhaps a bit of misinterpretation on my part...

My complaints come into play when people try to play characters, or near clones of characters, from other storylines in this realm... copying appearance, personality, behavioral traits and backstory... not only does it not work well in a Star Wars RP universe, it's essentially a form of plagiarism.

[imported_Lance Stormrider]

Originally posted by Figrin D'an
A picture is exactly that... a picture. Nothing more. One could use a picture of Kermit the Frog for all I care. Just as long as the character one portrays is developed within the realm of the Star Wars Universe, and abides by the RP rules that we have laid out, I have no major objections. Taking a character from another storyline entirely and inserting it into our SW roleplay realm as is... that's a big problem. Borrowing a couple of traits from a character from another realm (LOTR, DBZ, etc), fine. But bascially ripping off a character from someone elses work... I have major issues with that.

"Actually i cant play him like Faramir yet untill i see or read TTT, but i intend to play him a bit like Faramir eventually"

I don't mean to pick on you Kelt, because I really am not familiar with exactly how you are currently portraying your character... but its that kind of statement that really bugs me. Here's a character from Tolkien's works that has been thrust into the spotlight because of the recent films... so, you grab a screen cap because he looks cool, and maybe you've seen a little bit of preview footage of the film that makes you think that the character has some traits that you want in your own character... but, without really delving into it, you intend you begin playing your character "like Faramir," without reading any of the text that defines the character and well before you see David Wenham's on-screen interpretation of him. What if, after you see the film, you decide that you don't like Faramir's character? Will you pull a paradigm shift and alter your character towards the mold of a different LOTR personality? That just seems to be quite indicative of a trend that has existed around the boards for a while now...

Maybe I'm reading too much into your statement, and if that is the case, I apologize. I've just seen far to many people try to RP on the boards as, essentially, clones of characters from other sci-fi and fantasy realms, and when it doesn't jive with SW, people end up getting pi$$ed at each other...

I guess I'm ranting. Hope I haven't offended too many people. If I have... well, it's just my opinion.




So damn true :)

[Ryla Relvinian]

Thanks Figrin, you said it best. :)

[Salemn Lysce]

Maia, I can see your point. However, I can also see Marcus's point. Basically, it's how one views things. :)

[Dasquian Belargic]

I do think its a bit stupid that people deny Vampries could exist yet accept Garou. They can be killed, they have lots of draw backs. But then I probably only agree with Maia because I play a Vampire so .. feh

[Ryla Relvinian]

And what if I don't like either? :lol

[Dasquian Belargic]

Then I kick yer ass :)

[Marcus Telcontar]

<img src=http://www.swforums.net/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=354003>

[Kelt Simoson]

OOoohh Crap