CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

In order to get into a game here on the "Adventures of Caelereth" Role Playing Board you of course need to first have a character, which fits into the fantasy setting of Caelereth/Santharia. You can have several characters at the same time if you want, just make sure that you can handle playing them all. However, in order to join a story, you first need to write a character description and get the approval for it from the game moderators/admins. So take a seat, get some Santharian ale, and read through this page to get introduced in how you'll get your approved character.

Also don't be afraid of the length of this page. Although it may look long in appearance, it is only long because it contains everything character description related you might need:)

Note: Character Descriptions might be refered to as CD on this board. So don't be confused when we start speaking about your CD, we are not talking about your musical CD you may have, though we are sure it is a good CD;)

In the following paragraphs we cover the listed topics. If you want to know answers to a question below, simply click on it (and return back by clicking on the arrow at the end of the question):

• How do I define a role playing character?
• What happens at the character approval process?
• When will I know that my character is approved?
• So what are the basic requirements for a Character Description?
• What are the measurements used in Santharia/Caelereth?
• I can't think of a title for my char - any suggestions?
• Where can I see how far character approval has already progressed?

And here are the answers to these questions. If you're new to Santharia/Caelereth, please make sure to read most of the information below, as it will make role playing much easier for you:

ow do I define my role playing character?
To define a character you need to have some minimum requirements fulfilled. So take your time to describe your character according to the rules layed out (see below). This isn't really as complicated as it sounds - no novel writing needed, a few paragraphs will do.

Also make sure to have a copy of your character description stored on your own computer, in case there is an unexpected a problem with posting it and you don't want to write it all again, don't you? - Well, if you're done with your description you should post the character in the Character Description forum with the character name as title of the post. The first part on your side is done now, as this Character Description post initiates the character approval procedure, for which you need just a little patience.

hat happens at the character approval process?
During the character approval process Character Description Moderators and Admins will take a look at your Character Description (often refered to simply as CD) and comment on it. They will point out if you have forgotten something which is a basic requirement or if there are contradictions in your CD, which you need to fix before the final ok can be given.

Therefore you may need to work a bit more on your character to get him/her approved, iron some problems out, add something here and there, till everything fits and you're finally ready to play. So make sure to do your homeworks when you first post your Character Description, because the better the description is done, the speedier approving your character will take place!

hen will I know that my character is approved?
The final stage of the character approval process is the titling of your character, the character's quality seal. You get the title you decided to have in your description as soon as a Character Creation Mod or an Admin sees no further problems with your details. The titling will be confirmed by a post of the Mod/Admin that you're now ready to play. Next time you post, your title will show up:)

o what are the basic requirements for a Character Description?
In order to define a role playing character, you need to include the following details in your character's description:

Basic Requirements

• Name
  Please choose one, which fits into Caelereth (you can use the Elven or Dwarven dictionaries on the site if you want). Don't include numbers in your name, though.

• Gender
  State your character gender, male or female. Don't be afraid of playing a gender opposite of your own gender, it may turn out better and funnier than you'd expect.

• Age
  Upon choosing an age make sure that your character could realistically achieve the skills you'd like to give your char (e.g. a young mage won't be able to cast high level spells, a young warrior won't have that much experience than an older one etc.)

• Race
  Decide upon a race. If your character is a crossbreed between two races then state the two races. You'll find more details on what races are allowed in the Races section on the site.

• Tribe
  You need to decide which one, it defines your physical appearance and character. Again here, consult the races section on the site, here you'll find a lot of information concerning the various tribes.

• Occupation
  If you have one, specifiy it here. This is what your character does to make money.

• Title
  What would you like to be? This should tell players what you are at a quick glance (fighter, mage, thief etc.). Your title will always be visible left to your post once you're titled, just like you character portrait.

• Character Portrait (optional)
  You don't need to have a character portrait right from the start, but it is advised that you have one as soon as you're ready to play (after you've been titled that is). If you need some advice where to find a fitting portrait, take a look at our Character Portraits page.

Detailed Description

• Overview (optional)
  If you want you can describe your char in one or two short sentences in a short overview paragraph. This way people see the most important things of your char already at the first glance.

• Physical Appearance
  What are the physical attributes that your character possesses? The attributes are defined by your race, tribe, gender, which will limit what you can do! You should add things such as height, hair coloring, and eye coloring here. Do you have a slender, female curved body or the muscled of a dwarven warrior? Also some characteristics that might set you apart. Perhaps a scar of some sort, a tattoo or a hunch, or the lack of a limb. There are many possibilities, and a simple thing can give your character its own uniqueness.
  
  Note: Please make sure to use the Santharian measurements (click here to open them in a new window).

• Clothes
  You don‘t need stick too close to what your tribe wears, though this is always nice, but be sensible what is possible, what is needed and reasonable. Jewelry?

• Personality
  What is your character like? Don't go by "good" or "evil". Rather, describe the way your char views the world. Are you happy and outgoing, grim and silent? Maybe dark and sinister? It is up to you, just remember that this should be kept somewhat intact throughout your postings. A silent person would not just start talking unless there was a very good reason, and a character that lives for money would have to have a good reason to do something without reward.

• Strengths and Weaknesses
  Strengths and Weaknesses are used to gauge a character's balance of power. Every character regardless of their power must have balanced strenghts and weaknesses. In other words, the more potent a character's strenghts, the more potent the character's weaknesses must be. Be specific, try to write your strengths and weaknesses in well written and specific sentences. There is no limit to how deep or complex your character's strengths and weaknesses can be, but you should try for at least two or three of each.
  
  a) Strengths
  These are things that are of advantage to you character. These can be skills or knowledge your character excels at, a talent or special afinity towards tasks that advantage your character, or even a physical attribute that the character makes the best of.
  
  b) Weaknesses
  These are things that represent disadvantages to your character, and should not be easily changed, though as the character develops these can be more easily overcome, but not removed. Weaknesses should counter your strengths, and can even be present in areas your character excels at. Some areas to consider for weaknesses are lacking skills, knowledge or a physical attributes, particularly in areas that most influence your character.

• History
  One of the most important things though! It is the reason why your character is the person that he/she is today. The mundane things such as where you were born and where you moved are important, but not nearly as much as other things.
  
  Things such as was your father not nurturing enough, did your parents die, have you been in many battles, were you sheltered growing up etc. could be placed here, You should also mention where you got training of certain skills that you have in your history.
  
  You don‘t have to do your entire history now, but you should start thinking about it soon and try to evaluate it to a certain degree. It will improve and deepen your role-playing.

• Weapons
  Anything which fits to your char - we mean that! You might want to look what we have already developed specifically in Caelereth (click here to open an overview in a new window).

• Belongings
  Mention the important ones, or what you have that not everybody else would have.

• Familiars (optional)
  Do you have a special horse which you are riding? Or a rat in your pocket?

hat are the measurements used in Santharia/Caelereth?
At this role playing board we use measurements that are unique to Santharia/Caelereth. I will explain the main two measurements your character will need to know for his/her character description below. But feel free to get more precise and use other measurements which can be found at the Measures and Weights page (click here to open in new window).

• Height
  Your height is considered a line measurement here. The most common used measure to describe height is the ped measure. 1 ped is roughly 1 meter or approx. 3 feet.

• Weight
  Your height is considered a heft measurement here. The most common used measure to describe weight is the pygge measure. 1 Pygge is equal to 100 pounds or 50 kg

Like stated above feel free to add other measures to your character. It adds more precise detail to your Character Description and helps to connect your character more to the world of Caelereth.

 can't think of a title for my char - any suggestions?
Welcome to the Santharian Titles List! The lists below were compiled by Rayne, Uragel and others to help those who are creating their character descriptions to more easily come up with a title. This list of over 500 titles and will hopefully inspire you to find the perfect name. We encourage you to individualize your title. Instead of being "Warrior" or "Knight," be the "Black Warrior" or the "Knight of the Blue Rose". Make it interesting by being creative!

• Titles for the Magically Inclined • Titles for Fighters • Titles for Thieves • Titles for the Royals and Respected • Titles for Merchants

• Titles for the Peasantry • Titles for Exiles • Titles for Those of the Arts • Titles for Sailors • Titles of the Church and Monastery

• Titles for Adventurers • Titles for Those of Math and Science • General Titles

here can I see how far character approval has already progressed?
The current state of the character approval process can be is represented by the posticon you can see in front of the character thread. Below is a summary on the posticons used for the character description approval process. The posticon of the first post should always be edited according to the current state of completion of the character description (either by the player, a Moderator or an Administrator). Details are as follows:

... 1) PLAYER - The character is still being worked on. Use this symbol if your description is still quite incomplete.	... 4) MODERATOR - Character was checked already in detail by at least one Moderator. Now a second Mod's opinion is required to gain approval.
... 2) PLAYER - The character now awaits comments from the Moderators. Assign this symbol if you're done with describing your char and would like to receive comments.	... 5) MODERATOR - The character was checked by a second Moderator and both have given the character approval. The title can now be given so that you can start playing soon. An Administrator should soon take care of the titling.
... 3) MODERATOR - There's a specific problem in a certain area (magic, race, history etc.) which needs the attention of an expert in this field to give an opinion here. The title of the post will be updated to reflect what specifically would need attention.	...6) ADMINISTRATOR - An Administrator just titled the character and you're ready to play. The Admin will ask you to post in the thread to confirm the title worked and is to your liking (should the Admin had altered it for some reason). Soon the thread will be moved to the Character Archives. You can then link in your signature to this moved thread if you want.