Well folks, it’s been a long while since my last proper blog entry. I suppose that with all these new members signing onto our forums, now is as good a time as any to start writing again. This time though, I’m focusing on specific subjects pertaining to WoE RP; mainly intended to be read by those already familiar with WoE’s basics but want more out of it. What I’ve got to write about it something that’s been on my mind for sometime, and maybe if other people like my musings, I’ll write more of these.

Anywho, I’ve evaluated a lot of character apps in the few months that I’ve been on the RP Helper Team. I’ve seen my share of every sort of original character: from ones that really felt wonderfully-designed enough that I could see them as characters in FiM to those that deviated wildly from what we expect from the show. And then... there have been a fair number of OC applications that while they met WoE’s standards quite easily... they also didn’t feel like they have clearly-designated roles as pertaining to the expanded universe established by WoE.

The trend I talk about is the tendency of a number of users, especially first-timer applicants, who conceive their OC as more as an avatar than a fully-characterized character. Inevitably with these sorts of characters, you’ll see a vast in-depth history for the OC while the character summary is only a mere 1-2 paragraphs. Oftentimes, these OCs are engaged in creative occupations like art, playing music, and DJing without going too-much into specifics on what they do uniquely. Worst of all though, I can’t even make judgments on how they actually play out in WoE because so many of these blank slate apps either get abandoned before they get finished or are just not seen at all in WoE... at least in the threads I participate in.

Ultimately though, there is nothing wrong with making your pony a mere avatar devoid of unique personality attributes other than basic things like “she is kind to friendly ponies and grumpy towards bullies”. Provided a RPer is skilled enough, they can definitely create a fun time for other players (and crafting fun for others should always be a RPer’s highest priority) even though they use a character with only a minimum amount of pre-existing characterization. However, it is my sincere belief that the OCs that RPers find themselves invested in the most are those with well, actual roles to play.

Should you want to make a character engrossing enough that other people eagerly want to play with, the single-most absolutely important thing you need to do is make sure your OCs role fills an unfulfilled niche in the grand scheme of WoE things. By this, I don’t mean having your OC be an entrepreneur running a business which no other user has thought of yet... no, it goes much deeper than that. The average OC (including a number of mine, to be honest)... they’ll basically muddle through a thread, do basic slice-of-life stuff that anypony else can do no matter their official occupation, and go on their happy merry way when finished. Whoever roleplays these OCs may be very skilled indeed, but chances are these ponies won’t forge lasting impressions. On the other hoof, the most memorable OCs on Canterlot will be those that serve an unique storytelling purpose or have a place in society much different from those around them (ie. other ponies in the same thread).

I really, really hate to do this, but I’ll have to use Steel Eagle’s Pathfinder to illustrate my point. Anyone who’s been with WoE long enough will know her as a demented adventuring fanfilly, the number one pony to call upon when an adventure thread is established. And by demented, she’s really cracked; cracked enough that she entertains most of us Canterlot members, who clearly understand how the cosplaying pegasus relates to other characters according to the “big picture”. And the thing is, no other pony can provide the same service as Pathfinder does. In other words, Pathfinder fills a special role in WoE.

If you have issues in transitioning from using blank-slate avatar ponies into creating OCs with memorable roles, I’d suggest thinking of what sorts of storylines you want to act out with others and creating characters that play specific parts in these storylines. Having a long-term character arc in mind will also work wonders in making both yourself and others invested in your OC. To put it simply, you’re less likely to merely meander through WoE threads and accomplishing nothing of significance if you’re writing with a clear purpose in mind, and that passion you share for your character’s development will show and attract other RPers.

Going back to the Pathfinder saga for a moment, two of my very own OCs, Merlot and Colonel Pummel, began life as mere NPCs created as antagonists for Pathfinder to face. I eventually realized though how much they stood out from everypony else and what unique roles they can fulfill in WoE threads that nopony else could fulfill; Merlot being a cultured upper-class jerk, and Pummel acting as a high-ranking tough-as-nails REA officer. In fact, I grew so attached to them that I’ve apped them as WoE characters successfully; now Merlot and Pummel are two of my favorite characters to RP as, and I dare say that I feel immerse pride whenever users come to me stating how much they hate Merlot’s guts.

Hopefully, those who read my editorial will have their horizons broadened when it comes to creating new characters. If only one person claims this entry helped them create a better character, then I feel I’ve done my job. Just remember: every OC has the potential to be much more than a simple avatar designed for a game player to transverse a virtual Equestria with. Your OC can also be your means to help craft an engrossing character-driven story that delights everyone at Canterlot.

As always, feel free to like and comment! ^_^