1. A character is real when they are not aware they are a character. Nothing makes a character look two dimensional to me faster than seeing them make a reference to something OOC (Out Of Character). That includes mentions of players or muns, IMsects or IM hazes, the AOL gods, etc.. As soon as I see any of the above, the character is reduced to a name on the monitor and nothing more.
2. A character is real when they have signature habits and expressions. For example, Beth has a habit of tilting her head to the side when she is confused. Characters who know her have seen that gesture and know what it means. They respond to it by explaining themselves further without me having Beth ask for clarification.
3. A character is real when they respond to the world around them. If someone throws a glass against the wall with a loud crash, the character responds by jumping, getting angry, smirking … something. Reacting to the things happening around your character can be difficult in a crowded room. But even if you have trouble keeping up, you can use the chaos of the room as a valid reason for why your character might miss something.
4. A character is real when they are flawed. The flaw can be a physical one such as a scar or a limp. It can also be a personality trait. Some characters are stubborn to the point of foolishness. Some faint at the sight of blood. Others must respond to any and all challenges.
5. A character is real when they are consistent. I lose respect for characters who change dramatically depending on who they are talking to. For instance, a demure woman who is shy while talking to a scholar, suddenly starts dancing on the table tops when interacting with a cyber punk, and then changes back again when a bard comes in.
6. A character is real when there is a detailed continuity of movement. Spice up your character’s actions. Which of the following characters seems more real to you?
Character A
::enters the room::::walks to bar::
::sits::
Character B
::Enters the inn, pausing for a moment to glance over those gathered in this place.::::Weaving between both patrons and tables, she makes her way to the bar.::
::She gathers up her skirts and settles comfortably onto a barstool::
7. A character is real when they have a history. This doesn’t mean you have to hammer out all the details of your character’s life before you play them, but you should at least have a vague sketch of their past at hand. A character will react to a certain situation based on his/her past experience. A world weary mercenary will react differently to the sight of a bleeding stranger than a wide eyed farm boy.
Some players put a lot of work into creating their character’s history. It’s natural to want to display your hard work, but resist the temptation. Most people will not spill their guts to a total stranger, so why should your character? Parts of your character’s history will come to the surface over time. Most of it will probably never be talked about. A finely crafted history gives the player a solid foundation for their character. It does not necessarily have to be shared.
8. A character is real when the player believes they are. While the player might guide the character in a certain direction by creating plot twists, it is the character who reacts to these events. I might decide to have an Orc break into Beth’s home and start trashing it. But Beth will react to that situation according to her own personality, not mine. I put a lot of work into developing Beth as a character. Now it’s time for me to step back and let my creation breathe.
