Creature [Dragon] Arix

[Arix]

Note before I begin: Though I'm an experienced RP'er, this is the first time I'm doing it in an established universe rather than an original world. I've read over the rules and guidelines, so hopefully everything's in order, but if I get something wrong, DEAL WITH IT. Or tell me about it and I'll be happy to change, either way.

Name: Arix Bladewing

Sex: Male

Age: Teen

Species: Dragon

Eye Colour: Blue. Blind in the left eye, indicated by its milky white colour and a slash-like scar over it.

Physique & Colors: Red, with tan-coloured underside and wing membranes. Muscular, but in a slim and lithe way, rather than big 'n' bulky. Wears a specialised set of armour at all times - white with gold trimmings and an emblem on the chest that appears like a broken stormcloud.

Residence: A spacious cavern in the Everfree Forest, located nearby the moon castle ruins.

Occupation: Warrior.

Strengths: A swift flier and powerful physical fighter. High endurance. Expert tracker.

Flaws: Often reckless, allowing wild instincts to take the place of logic and reason, especially when injured. Loyalties can be divided, as I can occasionally be indecisive on which path is "correct". Highly values honour, to the point where I often find myself unable to back away from a challenge - no matter how bad the odds - when my honour (or that of a close friend) is insulted or threatened.

Character Summary: Abridged version

Hatched among a clan of very war-like dragons, where only the strong held any power. I was raised very much believing the same values, and trained from a young age to join the ranks of the warriors. During one battle against a rival clan, I was captured, and taken away. Though initially hateful towards my captors and disgusted at their way of life, as I saw more of it, I begun to question the values of my own clan - although these dragons were, too, war-like, they upheld other values that were alien to me at the time.

I was eventually broken free by warriors of my own clan and escaped. During the trek back to my home, I brought my new concerns up with my mates. Predictably, the results were disastrous, my concerns seen as having grown "soft" and "weak". Proclaiming "My species doth protest too much", I fled the clan, before taking up residence in the dark forest known as Everfree.

Character Summary: Expanded version

I was hatched among a clan of dragons who called themselves the Stormbound. The clan was very aggressive and war-like - the "chieftain" was determined through ritual combat, as only the strongest dragons were seen as fit to lead us. My parents had hoped that I would grow into a strong enough dragon to take the role of chieftain one day, as most dragons in the clan hoped for their young. As such, I and my peers were trained from a young age - as soon as we were in full control of our muscles - to become fit for the position. Aside from basic strength and agility training, we were also taught clan values. Honour towards the Stormbound, respect for our superiors, loyalty to our comrades.

I loved every minute of it. I soaked up every bit of my training that I could, both physical and spiritual. I never had any true ambition to challenge the chieftain, thinking I would be perfectly content serving as a warrior instead. The competition, after all, was fierce, and though I had no doubt in my own abilities, those of my peers were equally impressive. Would it really have been wise to risk serious injury fighting for the leadership role, perhaps crippling me and my chances of even serving as a warrior?

It turned out, I didn't have to worry about it.

It was about a month before the combat rites when we were attacked - or, depending on who you ask, we attacked - over unclaimed territory in the mountains surrounding our home. Every trained and able warrior was called to the battle. I did not know the rival clan, as we didn't tend to mix with those even nearby. All I knew was how important it was for us to defeat them - the Stormbound was growing in numbers each day, and though we had not yet outgrown our current territory, it would only be a matter of time.

I didn't know the outcome of the battle. I was knocked out before it was over, and when I awoke, I was bound and restrained, and too weak to struggle back in any case. By the time I had regained enough strength to be fully aware of what was happening, I was already locked away.

I fully expected to be killed by my captors. After all, that's how it worked - if I was too weak to perform satisfactorily, what other use would they have for me? I didn't struggle or protest. I was one dragon against a clan of many, struggling would just be ignoble. I sat back and accepted my fate.

The day never came. My captors brought me food - good food, not even simple leftovers and scraps. They spoke to me, and though I initially refused to speak back, I eventually (grudgingly) mumbled a few short replies, and before long was holding true conversations. I even found myself enjoying it. I was their prisoner, there was never any question of it, but I was a well-treated and looked-after prisoner.

Over time - how much exactly was hard to tell from my position - I came to learn of this clan's own values. At first blush, they seemed exactly the same as the Stormbound's; honour, respect, and loyalty. But in a short time, I realised that my home clan's values were twisted versions of what this clan held dear. Honour, respect, and loyalty towards the Stormbound? This clan were honourable, respectful, and loyal to all dragonkind. For the first time in my life, I questioned my beliefs, everything Ihad been taught.

It was around this time the riot had begun. Initially confused, I soon learned that there was no riot - there was an attack. A raid by my own clan. The first dragons I saw were two of my old comrades. While the rest of our "enemies" were occupied fighting off our raiding warriors, these two freed me and took me away. The rest soon followed.

When we were safely away from our rivals, I expressed my gratitude to my fellows, and brought up what I had learned. "Why should we only respect ourselves?" I had told them. "All dragons share a common heritage. Just because we happened to break off into arbitrary clans at some point in history, does that mean we should be so intraverted?"

I had learned this slowly, over time, by dragons who held this belief. My fellows were suddenly hit with it, from one of their own. Predictably, they didn't take it well. They tried to convince me I had grown soft, that the Stormbound way was the only way. The argument escalated, until a full-blown fight broke out. It was in this fight when I lost the vision in my left eye, and I hold the scar to this day. I knew, of course, that I could not win this fight, so I fled as soon as I had the chance. The others, believing that I would soon die outside of the clan's support, weak and on my own, left me be.

I don't exactly know how far I flew, but I eventually came to a rest due to hunger and exhaustion, in a dark forest. Crawling into a cave I found there, I rested. I never returned to the Stormbound - how could I, knowing how wrong they are? I also never returned to the other clan - friendly though they were, I was still their prisoner and enemy. At this point, I decided I was finished with the business of "clans" all together. Dragonkind would be united, or I would die alone. Alone, but free.

[Thunder Boomer]

If he's a young adult, I'm curious to know his size. Adult dragons have been established to be extremely large.

I'm also not sure what a dragon would need armor for. Setting aside the fact that Equestria is a pretty peaceful place, dragons have very hard scales and tough hides. So armor on top of natural armor seems redundant. The fact that it's impervious to magic borders on mystical relic, which we try to avoid here.

The application also seems to be written in 1st person. Applications and RP posts are generally written in the 3rd person.

Character summery could stand to be expanded on. Some of those values you mentioned? What are they? Go into detail about his life with his home clan and compare it with details about when he was taken. How did the second clan's value's differ. Did it change Arix somehow? How long was he there before he was freed etc. . . the more you can give us, the better.

[Arix]

If he's a young adult, I'm curious to know his size. Adult dragons have been established to be extremely large.

I've never liked the image of "ludicrously huge" dragons, which is why I went for young adult over full-grown. Respectfully large compared to ponies, but not vast enough to have your average Fluttershy walk up and down on my nose.

I'm also not sure what a dragon would need armor for. Setting aside the fact that Equestria is a pretty peaceful place, dragons have very hard scales and tough hides. So armor on top of natural armor seems redundant. The fact that it's impervious to magic borders on mystical relic, which we try to avoid here.

Consider combat between dragons. Although Spike's hide may be able to have pins stuck in it without bothering him, does it really make sense to you that a dragon's hide would be impervious to another dragon's claws or teeth? It would be tough, sure, but the added layer of protection against things like that seems valuable in a war-driven society.

The magic thing I can let go. It was more for added flavour rather than anything necessary.

The application also seems to be written in 1st person. Applications and RP posts are generally written in the 3rd person.

Hmmm. I've always RP'ed in first person, and found it more comfortable that way. I'd like to continue that way if possible, but if not, I'd be willing to change. Just would take some getting used to.

Character summery could stand to be expanded on. Some of those values you mentioned? What are they? Go into detail about his life with his home clan and compare it with details about when he was taken. How did the second clan's value's differ. Did it change Arix somehow? How long was he there before he was freed etc. . . the more you can give us, the better.

I kept it short because, well, the guidelines said keep it short, one or two paragraphs. I tried to keep it to the point and not go into the stuff that isn't really relevant because I was afraid of it going on too long (and believe me, I can certainly ramble), but if you want more, I can most certainly give you more.

[Thunder Boomer]

It's hard for anyone's character to accurately interact with him with out a little more to go off of, so I'd like to see it added to the application. It's general concusses here on our forums that a "Teen" dragon is probably much larger than a pony (about double or triple the size), but not so big it becomes a hindrance. Most are still small enough to fit in buildings and airships.

Somebody with a simple pony character might be able to fit an appropriate amount of information into a couple short paragraphs, but your dragon seems to have a more complex backstory. Expanding on it will help anyone who reads it understand your character better.

[Arix]

Will do. Anything else before I make changes? I'd prefer to gather feedback and then make one big overhaul rather than a bunch of small tweaks.

[BlindJester]

We currently have this app under executive decision.

The size of this dragon is under debate for the moment and we will get back to you with the results.

Be sure to keep what Thunder said in mind as you readjust your app during this deliberation.

Thank you for your paitence

[Arix]

The size of this dragon is under debate for the moment and we will get back to you with the results.

I chose the age because I felt that would best fit my wanted size. Feel free to change as required - size is more important to me than age. As I said, respectfully large, but not massively vast.

Will make changes based on feedback some time today.

[Arix]

Turne dout to be busier yesterday than I thought, but I've gotten the expanded version up now. It's...significantly longer.

[MyLittlePonyTales]

Alright, after talking it over, it's been decided that in order to play a Dragon in normal RP, it must be teen size or smaller, according to the Dragon Size Chart:

[thumbnail=center]http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Thunder-Boomer/DragonSizes.png[/thumbnail]

(Click to enlarge.)

If this was not the size you were planning for your Dragon, we're sorry, but we cannot allow it in normal RP scenarios. However, large Dragons may be used in the crossover section, or in special RP cases. If the teen size is not suitable for your character, perhaps something else can be worked out.

[Arix]

No, teen is perfectly suitable. Perhaps moreso, as that's closer to the size I was after anyway.

[BlindJester]

[Arix]

Excellent!

Now...what do I have to do to actually get into the rp boards?

[BlindJester]

Excellent!

Now...what do I have to do to actually get into the rp boards?

Once it is moved to the correct folder you will then be recognized as a Roleplayer and then will have access to the RP boards. Mane will move it to its correct folder within a day or two.

[Skye]

I do suggest changing your first-person roleplay style to third person. Reason being, is that Roleplay here is more like telling an interactive story written by multiple authors from multiple points of view at the same time. Having everyone writing as a third person view and suddenly having an RP jarred with First Person view Roleplay suddenly changes the roleplay from being about everybody to suddenly being about the One. While this is fine in a fic or a multiplayer vocally spoken roleplay, on the forumboards it's probably not a good idea. Just don't think of your character as 'I' and think of it as he. What it would be like observing your character from third person omniscient. You know everything there is to know about your character, but we do not. It becomes only a change from pronoun. And try writing a story that doesn't constantly refer to 'I' and 'Me' constantly throughout without sounding selfish and self-centered, it's very hard! I challenge you!

Per Manestream:

[Arix]

I can do third person, I just prefer to do first person. I tend to do first person when roleplaying and third person when just writing a story, for a couple reasons. First person helps me get into the character, and stay there. In addition, I find the use of first person helps to lessen the impact of accidentally controlling other characters. And honestly, it's never seemed self-centered at all to me - and not just my own, reading first-person from other characters' points of view has been fine as well. It doesn't suddenly make the story all about me just because I write in first-person. It just makes it easier to get into character.

Like I say though, I will go for third-person if necessary.

[ziddia]

I can do third person, I just prefer to do first person. I tend to do first person when roleplaying and third person when just writing a story, for a couple reasons. First person helps me get into the character, and stay there. In addition, I find the use of first person helps to lessen the impact of accidentally controlling other characters. And honestly, it's never seemed self-centered at all to me - and not just my own, reading first-person from other characters' points of view has been fine as well. It doesn't suddenly make the story all about me just because I write in first-person. It just makes it easier to get into character.

Like I say though, I will go for third-person if necessary.

I don't count for anything but I don't know why speaking in first person would be a problem. We can all still RP like that...

Of course, I'm just an ordinary member, so ignore me

[Skye]

Well, think about when you read a book. When you read 'He' and 'She', you're seeing it from the perspective of anyone. You're watching a movie, only its in text. But when the perspective changes to 'I', and suddenly the story is about you. Remember that for an RP, the Roleplay is about everyone, not just you, and when someone else is reading it from the outside, that's how they're going to see it. So when they see everyone else posting third person and then someone is posting first-person, it naturally looks as if suddenly everyone else has become a backseat character to your main character. Which isn't very nice at all, really. Unless you're writing an RP specifically for that purpose, it's generally considered rude to hijack an RP like that (See RP Etiquette and Quality , specifically item #4).

[ziddia]

Skye makes a good point...

Perhaps ignore my last post. It is now made void ^.^

[Arix]

I know it's not all about me, and I never intend it to be. But I have participated in many rps that mix first and third person and honestly, it's never felt like anyone's hijacking anything - it's just a sign of someone's personal preference when writing. It also seems that your analogy of reading a book is a bit flawed - heard of the "omniscient third person" point of view? Regardless of whether "I" or "he" is used, the book does follow one single, main character. If anything, that just supports my point that POV doesn't change who the main character is, it's just a style. And I have good reasons for following my style.

I should say at this point, please don't take my arguing as a sign of disrespect. It's not my intent to overhaul anything or make everyone do things my way - you're the boss, and I fully respect that. This is just the sort of thing I particularly enjoy talking about.

[Skye]

It also seems that your analogy of reading a book is a bit flawed - heard of the "omniscient third person" point of view? Regardless of whether "I" or "he" is used, the book does follow one single, main character. If anything, that just supports my point that POV doesn't change who the main character is, it's just a style. And I have good reasons for following my style.

Indeed, that's how the RP's go.

Omniscent First Person - "I went into the bar and looked around. The Stench of Forty Thousand Patrons assaulted my nostrils, and I knew that I was going to have to say something or lose my lunch." (Most Vocally-run RP's and some Books)

Third Person - Sleeper went into the bar and looked around. He appeared to be ill at what likely was the smell, as nobody had cleaned it in so long. (Most Movies and some Books)

Omniscent Third Person - Sleeper went into the bar and looked around. The Stench of Forty Thousand patrons assaulted his nostrils, and he felt sick to his stomach. He knew that he was going to have to say something, or he was likely going to lose his lunch. (Most Books)

[Arix]

Exactly.

[ziddia]

Exactly.

Agreed. Also, are one word posts allowed? XD

[Arix]

Iunno.

So, no more arguing, just one more thing. Are first-person posts disallowed or just frowned upon? With permission, I'd like to give it a "trial run" if possible. If you still say no afterwards, I'll happily go back to third-person. Your call, I'll go with whatever you say.

[ziddia]

I don't count for much, but maybe you could start an RP with a first person tag in the title? Then everyone could speak in first person just for that RP.

[Arix]

It's a possible solution, but I don't want to force people into doing things in a way they're not comfortable with.