Character Creation 101: Better Characters are a Click Away!

[Korva]

welllll now

I need to write up the right hand man of one of the generals in Padnak's junta and I'd like to make him a little more interesting then just a bad guy enforcer

My idea for Colonel Tadthep Sudham (the character in question) is to have him be something along the lines of the dragon for the general but to also be a devoted family man when hes not burning villages and being an asshole

any ideas for flushing him out?

gonna need a really big toilet to do that

Give him relatable goals, such that from a certain point of view he would actually be the hero. He isn't burning villages to suppress dissidents, he is denying shelter to violent criminals who threaten the social order of the nation. He isn't ruthless because he is a sadist, but because he knows the slightest hint of weakness can lead to defeat and that the nation would fall into disorder without the junta guiding them.

[Fashie]

So I need a bunch of names to fill out military positions, but I never have been good at coming up with names.

[Rhodevus]

So I need a bunch of names to fill out military positions, but I never have been good at coming up with names.

http://nine.frenchboys.net/index.html
this is a great website to use for names (just click on the links).
Another good way to create names is choose a random first name, and then choose a random occupation.
ex. Henry Smith
Bob Sailor

another way is to make up random words. As long as it flows, it can be a name. It is all in how you use the characters to make them feel real

[Common Territories]

So I need a bunch of names to fill out military positions, but I never have been good at coming up with names.

http://nine.frenchboys.net/index.html
this is a great website to use for names (just click on the links).
Another good way to create names is choose a random first name, and then choose a random occupation.
ex. Henry Smith
Bob Sailor

another way is to make up random words. As long as it flows, it can be a name. It is all in how you use the characters to make them feel real

http://www.behindthename.com/random/

This is also a neat site for making names for characters.

[Rhodevus]

http://nine.frenchboys.net/index.html
this is a great website to use for names (just click on the links).
Another good way to create names is choose a random first name, and then choose a random occupation.
ex. Henry Smith
Bob Sailor

another way is to make up random words. As long as it flows, it can be a name. It is all in how you use the characters to make them feel real

http://www.behindthename.com/random/

This is also a neat site for making names for characters.

I like it! will be added to the OP list

[The Alexanderians]

Unfortunately most of the links go to springhole...

[Rhodevus]

Unfortunately most of the links go to springhole...

Why is that unfortunate?
The website is very good for this type of thing

[The Alexanderians]

Unfortunately most of the links go to springhole...

Why is that unfortunate?
The website is very good for this type of thing

I've used it before, while it is well thought out in many places I hold some grievances with it in others. The overall tone gives me the impression it's making a lot of assumptions about it's readers and their skills/points of view/academic background/etc. I also find it's difficult to take serious anything that uses "xe" unironically but that just me.

[Rhodevus]

Why is that unfortunate?
The website is very good for this type of thing

I've used it before, while it is well thought out in many places I hold some grievances with it in others. The overall tone gives me the impression it's making a lot of assumptions about it's readers and their skills/points of view/academic background/etc. I also find it's difficult to take serious anything that uses "xe" unironically but that just me.

well, if you have some websites that may be more useful, please feel free to post them here.

[The Alexanderians]

I've used it before, while it is well thought out in many places I hold some grievances with it in others. The overall tone gives me the impression it's making a lot of assumptions about it's readers and their skills/points of view/academic background/etc. I also find it's difficult to take serious anything that uses "xe" unironically but that just me.

well, if you have some websites that may be more useful, please feel free to post them here.

I may submit my own sources?

[Rhodevus]

well, if you have some websites that may be more useful, please feel free to post them here.

I may submit my own sources?

of course! That is what this thread is all about. Asking help for character development, and giving resources to help others

[The Alexanderians]

I may submit my own sources?

of course! That is what this thread is all about. Asking help for character development, and giving resources to help others

I'll get right on that and compile a list of sites and sources I've used and get back to you tonight or tomorrow. Unfortunately I have to search by memory since my computer with all of them bookmarked is on the fritz.

[The Alexanderians]

Character Dev and Creation:

http://fuckyeahcharacterdevelopment.tumblr.com/post/50825149893/character-sheets-and-character-creation
This one has a lot of resources, be warned though some of them can be very time consuming if you plan on completing them.

http://www.be-a-better-writer.com/creating-characters.html
This one is a bit of a typical writer's aid rather than specifically for RP or individual characters, though it can be very easily used as such. The rest of the site beyond just this page is worth a peek too.

TVTropes
'Nuff said. This site is the proverbial Bible for all things entertainment. Spend some time browsing it and you'll learn the ups and downs of certain "tropes" and how to avoid being cliche/overpowered/boring. WARNING: The Wiki effect is at full power on this site, if you are not careful you WILL waste a lot of time.

http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/most-common-mistakes-series-is-your-2/
Again this is good advice for any kind of writer, but it's good to have for NationStates purposes.

Name Generator:

http://www.thinkcalculator.com/generator/
Thinkcalculator has practically everything from businesses and SSN and Canadian and UK equivalents to names from specific franchises. It can also be used for a ton of other things regarding calculations and conversions (go figure).

http://fantasynamegenerators.com/


http://rumandmonkey.com/widgets/toys/namegen#.VdPZMbJVikp
A lot of variables with this one including things like band names and strippers, downside is things can be random to the point of being nonsensical some of the time.

http://www.chronofus.net/wargames/amazon/names.htm
This one is less of a generator and more of a list, all female. It is comprised mostly of Amazon names but does include female names from other cultures such as Greek, Arthurian, Celtic, Roman, and Norse (And a few others). Most of the names are warriors or prominent figures in mythology with some listed with a meaning or explanation of their fame.

http://www.behindthename.com/
A site normally used for parents to find a good name for their baby. I use it for getting unique names for characters from specific cultures. It also gives meanings, origin, and nationality(s) as well as variations of the name.
Edit: I done goof'd, it seems this one is already on the OP's post.

[The Alexanderians]

I think there are a few more I used before but I can't think of them right now. I'll do some more digging and get back with another list.

[Estainia]

Advice: Don't take advice as to be 100% correct or incorrect, take what you need and leave what you don't. Do your homework when writing cultures you don't know or understand and try not to fall into stereotypes. Above all strive for quality over quantity, a single well developed character is far better than a hundred blank ones.

[Mejirland]

http://www.fakenamegenerator.com/
this is a really good name generator....

[Ktilqr]

I have used the name K'tilqr in various forms for nearly 5 years and have a very good picture of her in my mind.
She has been described as "someone not to be messed with, relentless and never forgets" but she is known for her diplomacy and helpfulness and willingness to help others, especially the weak and the bullied. She is independent and hates asking for help, and although prepared to fight for what she believes in knows that sometimes calling it a day and walking away with her head still in one piece is NOT the worst thing that can happen - the stress of fighting an unwinnable fight is much worse. And you can always withdraw, rally your forces and come back and beat them later when you know what you are doing.

[Solvienthymema]

Amazing links that will be very helpful

[Rhodevus]

Amazing links that will be very helpful

thanks! If you ever need help with developing a character, you know where to look!

[Euroslavia]

Removed one of the "Name Generator" links, as it was linked to twice in the first post.

[Rhodevus]

Removed one of the "Name Generator" links, as it was linked to twice in the first post.

thanks! I didn't even notice!

[Euroslavia]

Removed one of the "Name Generator" links, as it was linked to twice in the first post.

thanks! I didn't even notice!

It seemed to have slipped by everyone for a good 7 months.

[The Alexanderians]

thanks! I didn't even notice!

It seemed to have slipped by everyone for a good 7 months.

Which one?

[Euroslavia]

It seemed to have slipped by everyone for a good 7 months.

Which one?

http://www.behindthename.com/random/ was linked to twice in the original post. (No worries though, it happens to the best of us!)

[Euroslavia]

Character Dev and Creation:

http://fuckyeahcharacterdevelopment.tumblr.com/post/50825149893/character-sheets-and-character-creation
This one has a lot of resources, be warned though some of them can be very time consuming if you plan on completing them.

http://www.be-a-better-writer.com/creating-characters.html
This one is a bit of a typical writer's aid rather than specifically for RP or individual characters, though it can be very easily used as such. The rest of the site beyond just this page is worth a peek too.

TVTropes
'Nuff said. This site is the proverbial Bible for all things entertainment. Spend some time browsing it and you'll learn the ups and downs of certain "tropes" and how to avoid being cliche/overpowered/boring. WARNING: The Wiki effect is at full power on this site, if you are not careful you WILL waste a lot of time.

http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/most-common-mistakes-series-is-your-2/
Again this is good advice for any kind of writer, but it's good to have for NationStates purposes.

Name Generator:

http://www.thinkcalculator.com/generator/
Thinkcalculator has practically everything from businesses and SSN and Canadian and UK equivalents to names from specific franchises. It can also be used for a ton of other things regarding calculations and conversions (go figure).

http://fantasynamegenerators.com/


http://rumandmonkey.com/widgets/toys/namegen#.VdPZMbJVikp
A lot of variables with this one including things like band names and strippers, downside is things can be random to the point of being nonsensical some of the time.

http://www.chronofus.net/wargames/amazon/names.htm
This one is less of a generator and more of a list, all female. It is comprised mostly of Amazon names but does include female names from other cultures such as Greek, Arthurian, Celtic, Roman, and Norse (And a few others). Most of the names are warriors or prominent figures in mythology with some listed with a meaning or explanation of their fame.

http://www.behindthename.com/
A site normally used for parents to find a good name for their baby. I use it for getting unique names for characters from specific cultures. It also gives meanings, origin, and nationality(s) as well as variations of the name.
Edit: I done goof'd, it seems this one is already on the OP's post.

Great links. I'm wondering if we could use a similar format (like the above post) to separate name generators from character development in the original post, just for organization purposes.