CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Welcome Cadets!
Today's class will focus on character development. In all actuality, character development is an on-going process by which a character grows. Today we will develop some specific character traits for your personal character. Specifically, we'll design a character biography, or BIO. It will be upon this frame work that your character will grow. A BIO should be a dynamic document, changing to meet the perceptions and experiences of your character. The first thing that needs to be understood is that this bio that you are filling out is for your character and not for yourself. The more clear your bio is, the quicker you will be able to join the site.
Having said that, lets start with the basics:
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Position Choices: |
This is your chance to pick your character's career field. Do you want to play an Engineer? Then select engineer for your first pick. At Federation Space, we always try to give players their first pick when it comes to positions. However, we ask for three different pick just in case your first choice is not available. We'll always give you options before we assign you a position. But also understand, that sometimes we are not able to give you your choices…and please don’t put down one choice for all three….we really do try and let people have the position that they want, but not everyone can be a Tactical Officer….please keep that in mind when you look at the vacancies page….the less there are in a career field, the better the chance that your character will see more action as there is less to choose from on that ship…Also, if there is not an opening the career field that you want, you can cross train over into another career field at a later date, when/if that position does become available. This has happened several times on the ships that we have.
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Species: |
This is your race. Are you human? If so, what ethnic background? Let me take this opportunity to lay down some ground rules on this subject. For the most part, players may play any race available from the Star Trek universe. There are some notable exceptions. No player may play a "Q" character. Also, no players will be allowed to play Changelings, Jem Hedar, or any of the Dominion races. Borg characters are also forbidden. Androids, because of their unique nature, are also no longer allowed as we have one on the site, nor are Suliban allowed. Even with these restrictions, there are numerous different racial options to choose from. Also, please be careful about combining races. For example, a 1/4 Vulcan, 1/4 Andorian, 1/4 human, 1/4 Klingon character just doesn't make much sense. If you do choose an unusual combination, be prepared to explain how this combination came to happen somewhere in your BIO. BIO's that come in listing one of the forbidden species choices will not be accepted, but will be sent back to be changed. I cannot state this clearly enough….If you have any questions about the particular species that you wish to play, it is always good to write to the Academy Superintendent at keleios@federationspace-rpg.net.
Another thing to consider is our world takes place 37 years AFTER The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager….so, please do not have your character be a child of Picard, Sisko, or Janeway….or be related to Seven of Nine, unless you can show us how you came to be that way….To do otherwise will mess up the time line and history of our game.
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Bio: |
BIO FORM
Below you will find the standard bio form used on Federation Space along with brief explanations about how each field should be answered. This page is a guide that can be used when first starting out, or if you are looking to improve your character's bio. Not every possible answer is listed below, but it shows many examples of choices for each field.
Q: Describe the most painful experience in your character’s life.
This is to help your Academy Instructor, as well as your Commanding Officer, learn more about your character's life. Also, it allows them a point of reference for possible future subplots surrounding your character.
Q: Describe the best time of your character’s life.
Again, this is a question intended to get into your character's psyche a bit and learn more about what they find pleasurable and when they were happiest in life.
Q: Most crucial experience of your character’s life (experience that helped to mold personality and attitude).
Everyone has had a moment in their life, an epiphany that helped define them as a person. A point where they can look back and see themselves turning an important corner in their life. What is that point for your character?
Q: Describe your role model.
This is to
learn about who you look up to. Who is the person you most admire and wish to be
like and why?
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Physical Description |
| Name: | This field is for your character's name. Depending on what species you are playing, you will need to come up with a suitable name. Obviously a Klingon or Bajoran are not going to have a name like Bob Jones. If you become stumped, you can rearrange letters in your real name and come up with a character name you like. |
| Position: | This is the position you hold on your ship. It will likely be filled out after you have graduated the Academy. |
| Species: | This is the species your character is. There are certain races that are not allowed to be used on Federation Space. Those species have been outlined in the Academy documentation, as well as in the email you received when you applied to the game. If you're not sure about the character you want to play, ask your Academy Instructor. |
| Gender: | Male, Female, or other. It depends on what race you play as some are hermaphrodites (Hermats), while others have no sex at all (J'Nai). |
| Age: | This is your character's age. The normal age for someone entering the Academy is anywhere from 16-24 Terran years of age. While graduating Officers would likely be anywhere from 20-28 Terran years of age. If your character doesn't fall within those ranges, please be sure to explain why. |
| Height: | Your character's height. Please realize that the decks are only about 10 feet tall, and the doorways are probably 8 feet tall. Also, some races are taller than others and it would be unlikely to see a 7 foot tall Ferengi, or a 3 foot tall Klingon. Just use common sense. |
| Weight: | Your character's weight. There is a lot of flexibility here, but also, you have to realize that Starfleet is a military organization. If your character is 4'2" tall and 500 pounds, you're going to need to have a logical explanation about how they can perform well enough to pass the physical demands of Starfleet. |
| Build/Body Type: | What kind of body does
your character have? Attractive Body (Athletic, buxom, leggy, rippling, curvaceous), Big Body (Amazonian, Barrel-chested, beefy, brawny, big-boned, chubby), Aged Body (Gaunt, haggard, withered, spindly), Thin Body (Lanky, Gangling, Anorexic, Slight). |
| Complexion: | This can describe not
only skin tone, but any imperfections your character might have. Acned, Alabaster, Albino, Black, Bronze, Blush, Brown, Cadaverous, Caramel, China Doll, Cinnamon, Cocoa, Cream, Crimson, Ebony, Eggshell, Fair, Flush, Freckled, Glowing, Golden, Greasy, Honey, Ivory, Jaundiced, Leaden, Leathery, Lily-White, Lobster, Milky, Moled, Mottled, Nut Brown, Olive, Pale, Pallid, Pasty, Peach, Pink, Pitted, pocked, Razor-Burned, Rosy, Ruddy, Russet, Sallow, Scarlet, Scarred, Scrubbed, Splotchy, Sun-Browned, Sunburned, Wan. |
| Hair Color: | There are many ways to
describe hair color without resorting to the four or five standard answers,
such as: Alabaster, Ash, Auburn, Black, Bleach Blond, Blue-Gray, Brown, Brunette, Burnt Almond, Cafe Au Lait, Caramel, Carrot, Chestnut, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Coal Black, Cocoa, Copper, Dusky, Fair-Haired, Fiery, Flaxen, Flint, Golden, Grizzled, Henna, Honey, Ivory, Jet-Black, Lily, Magnolia, Mahogany, Maple Sugar, Mocha, Nut-Brown, Nutmeg, Platinum Blond, Premature Gray, Raven, Russet, Rust, Sable, Salmon, Salt and Pepper, Sandalwood, Sandy, Silver, Smoke, Snowy, Straw, Strawberry Blond, Tarnished Sunset, Tawny, Vanilla, Violent Red, Washed-Out, White. |
| Hair Style: | Hair Styles can be as
unique as fingerprints, or perhaps something more traditional such as: Afro, Bangs, Beatle Cut, Beehive, Bob, Bouffant, Braids, Bun, Coiled, Corkscrew Curls, Cornrows, Crew Cut, Dreadlocks, Ducktail, Fade, Feather Cut, Flattop, Flip, French Braid, Mohawk, Pageboy, Pigtails, Pixie, Pompadour, Poodle Cut, Pulled Back, Receding Hairline, Rooster Mane, Shag, Skinhead, Spikes, Topknot, Wedge, Widow's Peak. |
| Facial Hair: | Does your character
wear facial hair? If so, in what cut or style? Full Beard, Mustache, Goatee, Five O'Clock Shadow, Muttonchops, Peach Fuzz, Van Dyke, Viking. |
| Eye Color: | There are many choices
for eye color. If the species you're playing doesn't have a specific eye
color, there are many choices to choose from.
Blue, Green, Hazel, Brown, Black, Gray, Dusky, Earth, Ebony, Honey, Kelp, Mahogany, Obsidian, Raven, Azure, Baby Blue, Blueberry, Cobalt, Dove Grey, Emerald, Grape, Holly Green, Ice, Iris, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Lavender, Lilac, Midnight Blue, Pea Green, Sapphire, Sky Blue, Slate, Smoke, Steel and Teal. |
| Voice: |
What kind of voice do you hear for your
character when you are typing out their dialogue?
Bass, Bellowing, Booming, Breathy, Cackling, Childlike, Cracking, Croaking, Cultured, Deep, Drawling, Droning, Falsetto, Faltering, Feeble, Flat, Fluting, Gravel, Guttural, Harsh, Hoarse, Hollow, Husky, Inflectionless, Lilting, Lisping, Megaphonic, Monotone, Nasal Twang, Piercing, Ponderous, Powerful, Purring, Quavering, Rasping, Reedy, Resonant, Robust, Sensuous, Sharp, Shrill, Sing-Song, Soothing, Spluttering, Squawking, Squeaky, Subterranean, Sultry, Thick, Thin, Throaty, Thunderous, Tremulous, Velvety, Warbling, Well-Bred, Wheezing, Whining. |
| Off-Duty Clothing Taste: | What does your character like to wear other than a Starfleet uniform? Jeans, jumpsuits, robes, cloaks, latest in Betazoid fashions? |
| Distinguishing Features: | What stands out when someone looks at your character? Do they have scars (scars, in the Star Trek timeline, would be very rare. Federation medical technology would make the removal of a scar, even a bad one, as easy as the wave of a dermal regenerator. Scars are acceptable, for certain races that would wear it as a badge. Like Klingons, Mirak, the more warrior-like races), a tattoo, possibly a pointed chin and hatchet-like nose? |
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Personal History |
| Date of Birth: | Month and Day only. The Stardate will be figured out by your Instructor based on this and your character's age. |
| Marital Status: | Single, Married, Engaged, Dating, any of those are acceptable answers. Also, feel free to expand on your significant other. |
| Siblings Name & Ages: | Does your character have any siblings? If so, please explain who they are, how old they are and where they are currently living or working. |
| Mother's Name: | Mother's name. |
| Father's Name: | Father's name. |
| Parent's Status: | Where are your character's parents? Are they alive, deceased, working, retired. This area is for explaining where they are and what they are currently doing. In our experience we have discovered that more often than not, Cadets wish to kill their parents off. I would go so far as to say that 90% of Cadets coming through the Academy have killed their parents in a horrific way. That being said, you're free to write your history the way you wish, just realize that having deceased parents is the norm, rather than a unique circumstance. |
| Pets: | Does your character have a pet? Is it aboard the ship with them, or waiting back home? |
| Best Friend: | Who is your character's best friend. Tell us about this person. |
| Personal History: | This is possibly one of the most important fields on your bio. This area is meant to show what has happened in your life from the time you were born, to the time you graduated the Academy and beyond. This section should be updated regularly as your personal history grows. Please be as descriptive and creative as possible. No one had a 'normal' childhood, or adulthood as there is no such thing as 'normal' when it comes to life. |
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Personality |
| Academy Majors: | What fields did your character major in at the Academy? Security, Medical, Engineering, maybe something more specific like Surgery, Physics or Astronomy? This is your character's main focus during their time in the Academy. Primary classes, or specialties that you would find at Starfleet Academy. |
| Academy Minors: | What did your character minor in at the Academy? Secondary type classes, like xeno-biology, or tactics, holo-graphic programming, etc. Anything you might find in a Starfleet curriculum. |
| Hobbies & Past-Times: | When you're not knee deep in Starfleet duty, what does your character like to do with their off time? What are the hobbies that keeps them busy while sitting around waiting for their daily shift? Maybe hang-gliding in the holodeck, or sitting in their quarters reading an old mystery novel? |
| Short-Term Goals: | Everyone has short term goals. When you achieve the goals you list here, you should have new goals to replace them with. Very few people walk around completely and utterly content with their life. Short-term goals should NOT include graduation, becoming a Star Fleet Officer, or being assigned to a ship. These goals will all be met before you can begin actual game play. |
| Long-Term Goals: | Where do you see yourself in a year, five years, ten years, twenty years? This is the place to outline what your long term and ultimate goals are. |
| Personality: | What kind of personality does your character have? Are they outgoing and adventurous, or cautious and careful? Fun-loving, or responsible? |
| Sense of Humor: | What makes your character laugh? Do they have a dry, understated, witty, sarcastic, slapstick, dirty, or no sense of humor at all? |
| Phobias: | What scares your character? What makes their skin crawl, no matter how unreasonable it may seem. |
| Likes: | What things does your character like? What interests them? |
| Dislikes: | What does your character hate? What makes them cringe? |
| Bad Habits/Vices: | Nail Biting, Alcohol, drugs, finger tapping, nervous laughter, scratching, knuckle-cracking, lip chewing, fidgeting, what habits or vices does your character have? |
| Pet Peeves/Gripes: | What irritates your character above all else? What do they complain about when sitting around with friends while off-duty? Maybe boisterous snobs, or hearing someone tap their toes. |
| Achievements: | Everyone has achieved something to be proud of. Even if it's winning a spelling bee from the third grade. What has your character achieved? |
| Disappointments: | Everyone has had some disappointments. Didn't graduate earlier than your roommate at the Academy? Perhaps you were over-looked for a promotion. What has disappointed your character? |
| Illnesses: | Ever had a major illness, still have one? Perhaps the measles, or mumps, or something more exotic has plagued you in the past? |
| Strengths: | What does your character excel at? What do they do perfectly without hardly trying while others struggle along wondering how you do it? |
| Weaknesses: | What are you not so good at? What seemingly simple tasks are confusing to you, even when explained or demonstrated several times? |
| Fears: | What are you afraid of? What causes your character to wake up in the middle of the night and turn all the lights on in the quarters with cold sweats? |
| Prejudices: | Don't like Klingons, even though they are working with you every day? What about Senior Officers, perhaps even Department Heads of the opposite sex. What prejudices does your character believe in? |
| Referrer: | How did you find Federation Space? 'Internet' is not really a valid answer. We're an internet only site, you wouldn't likely have heard about us on the radio or television. We're looking for specifically where you saw a link to the site, or if you had a friend refer us, who are they on the site? They will get points for you mentioning them. |
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You're done!
The BIO is important because it sets the frame work for your character. When creating your BIO, please try to avoid one line answers to some of these areas, specifically the personal history area. This is your first opportunity to show some creativity. Please use it. We review every BIO. If we request changes to your BIO and ask you to work on a section, please don't take it personally or get angry. In the long run, we're just trying to help YOU out. We won't request changes to a BIO just to be difficult!
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