New Submissions
Appearance:
Blueish black hair, bright green eyes with silver flecks, a long, runner’s build body with all the right curves. Her face is soft lined which might lead one to underestimate her abilities, except the scar running through her right eye. (She can still see out of that eye) She prefers to wear blacks and silvers and is usually quiet and standoffish until she gets to know a person. Even then she isn’t trusting.. it takes years for that.
Background:
Born and raised in a peaceful and loving family, its hard to understand why this woman would be a fighter if you didn’t know her history. Her family home was pillaged by a band of humans. Her father, mother and sister were killed while she was taken to be a slave. One night as the band rested she managed to slip out of her restrains and was about to escape when the patrol caught her. Getting her hands on a blade she managed to succeed in escaping but only after the injury to her face. From then on she went where she could to find training, finally gaining a teacher in a Master Bladesinger. When at last she had learned all she could from him, she became an mercenary. Now she fights for money and adventure.
Michaela Reed
By:
Michaela is a strong, fair minded woman. She isn’t afraid to work or to get her hands dirty. She is honest and tries hard not to judge someone on first glance.
January 7, 2005, 13:26
January 7, 2005, 16:46
Can't we move past the old "raiders killed/enslaved her/his family" gimmick? I am so BLOODY sick of it.
And in any case, there is no drama or real backstory. After she escaped, she just became, suddenly, a "bladesinger" (whatever that is), and went off to be a mercenary. What else happened? How is she different from any other character on this site who's family was taken by raiders? How is she different from any boring, flat, pointless novella character?
And can't you come up with a better name than "Michaela Reed"?
Think of your submissions as if the game was going to be a novel- if the character is not good enough to fit in a well-written novel, it is not up to snuff here.
1/5.
January 7, 2005, 20:49
First, I'll have to agree with the captain: Try to avoid the 'X' Killed 'Y's family, so 'Y' now becomes a fighter. When it was first made, Im sure that idea was a gem, but now its so overused it just grinds on most peoples nerves.
Next! Try to develop your character more deeply and more realistically. What we see here is just a surface picture, and as such, isnt that interesting.
Lets say we DID stick with the whole Raiders story. After seeing her family slain, Id expect a child to develop psychological disorders.
Either way, the character is your own, so develop it how you like.
What will get you high marks is originality and detail. I suggest taking a look at some of the 4 and 5 voted characters on this site to see the kind of depth we like :)
In all, I'll give this a 2/5, because it DOES show promise, at least, even if it is quite bland.
Oh, And contrary to the Captain, I don't much mind the name :P
Good luck in future submissions
January 8, 2005, 10:36
There is no real plot or drama for the character. There is no story hook large enough to use for it either. Nothing to make this character more than a cypher.
I want you to think about the Gold Standard:
If the character (item/ setting/ plot) is not as well described or as well developed as a character (item/ setting/ plot) in a novel (excluding horrible game fic novels), then it is not yet ready to be posted. If it is not the equal of said characters, then you need to do more work on it.
If the character is in the begining of her career, you need to give us these details. If they are secure in their career we need those details of her past as well.
I really want you to read our five and four star characters to get a feel for what we are looking for.
cut and paste the link
http://www.strolen.com/npc/index.php?order=rating&dir=DESC
January 8, 2005, 19:20
Hmm, pillaged home and murdered family. Temporary enslavement. Cliche...but again, not a bad start. Alot of cliche things are becoming popular these days.
What get's me is that she has become a mercenary. Which means over time she will be hired out and will become just like the ones who attacked her home. And then someone else will take up the reigns. Kind of an endless cycle of violence there.
:pokes Penguin:
I dont think there is anything wrong with the name given. But one would suggest that an elven character have an elven name. Unless she has adopted the human name as a way of survival. If so, some details of why she chose this name would be appreciated.
Why did the band of humans chose to pillage her home?
Why was Michaela's life spared?
How long was she a prisoner to the band of humans?
What is a bladesinger? (most of us have no clue what this is)
What things did she endure before the Master Bladesinger agreed to become her teacher?
Not trying to be mean. Just trying to give some constructive criticism. These are some questions that need to be answered. And as I have been told many many times. Details are appreciated, even if they are really long. Not bad for your first character.
January 15, 2006, 10:55
January 15, 2006, 11:01
This background is an exact replica of the childhood of Conan, except instead of your friendly neighbourhood savage, nude barbarian, we got the coffe bar urban version.
While black and silver look dashing on pirate vessels and mausoleums, I get "Kiss" (the rock group) vibes when it is worn on clothing. In europe we have a television figure known as "Black Adder" and well, he wears black and silver (or white).
Better luck next time ;)
May 13, 2012, 9:32