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Character ProfilesIn order to play at Utopia on Hold, you must have an approved application for each character that you intend to play. Please register your characters here. You must await approval before commencing play.
Given how daunting filling out a good application may seen, the staff has decided to assemble a guide about what we expect to see in each field. You shouldn't treat this guide as comprehensive or mandatory. You have plenty of liberty to add information not included in this guide's rough layout. Also, if the UH staff feels that your character is remarkably well-done even without every iota of information recommended, it won't be a big deal. Usually, if the staff asks you to consult the guide for what we expect, it means that what you have written is either underdetailed or otherwise inadequate.
Please note, that while we may have subdivided each category in our guide, we do not want you to do the same in your application. The application template actually includes all the fields you need, do not (repeat: do not) subdivide the fields further. The application is meant to be fluidly written through with each field getting its own independent and continuous explanation. If you choose to subdivide the fields as elaborated in this guide, you will not be accepted. You have been warned.
Also be reminded Utopia on Hold has adopted a strict anti-list notice. This means, under no circumstance, do we want you to simply write a list for any of the explanation fields, with the exception of pets and genealogy. For more information regarding the anti-list notice, please click below:
While some of the fields may seem daunting, please remember that we really only want you to give your best effort. This RPG really distinguishes those who wishes to merely get by from those who are willing to go above and beyond—we want more of the latter and less of the former.
Let us remind everyone that Utopia on Hold is an "advanced" RPG. We are advanced not because we impose stringent and rigid requirements on length (we actually don't hold length requirements at all), but we emphasize quality in particular, and beyond just generic quality, we emphasize concise, accurate, and realistic quality.
You've probably seen a million and one Harry Potter RPGs with similar applications. Let me be the first to warn you that you almost certainly will have to rewrite your application from scratch if you want to play at Utopia on Hold. Why? First, because our application is formatted differently from most, with heavy emphasis on the analysis and commentary of the details you bring up. We want you to penetrate as far as you can, rather than just skim the surface and elucidate as much as you can. There is a difference.
For that purpose, we are taking a rigid "No List" policy. That means, your application can not read like a list. We have already subdivided the list for you, we don't need you to partition it any further. We want to see one continuous, fluid, and seamless piece of work from you on each individual category.
Lists obviously do not qualify for those three aforementioned adjectives. First off, lists are the lowest form of written communication. They require no real writing skills, they are pre-packaged, require little analysis, and are often contrived notions meant to fill up space. We don't want to see them. In fact, we won't accept your application if your fields contain a list.
This means that you can't break down your application into a list and then provide commentary on each field either. If we feel that your application reads like it should be in bullet points, we'll point it out to you, and we expect you to finish it. Remember: continuous, fluid, and seamless… that's your goal.
The only place where a list may be acceptable is when the topic itself demands it. This includes things such as the special abilities, acquired abilities, special items, linguistics, pets, and genealogy.
Believe it or not, no other field is intended to use a list. And if you choose to use a list in the other fields, your chance for acceptance will drastically decrease because you obviously did not read this very well. So I'll bold and italic it, so no one has any excuse not to follow it: We do not want any lists. Those that use lists in unapproved categories will not be accepted.
That said, you may now commence to the guide.
Quick Reference Fields
Character Type: Choose from Active, Limited, Background, or Plot. Keep in mind that everyone must have at least one active character at all times.
For more information, see the Guide to Character Types.
The Name: A lot of roleplayers struggle to find a good name for the character, particular names of other nationalities and ethnicities. Behind the Name is a very good source of first names of various origins. Behind the Name: Surnames offers a wide selection of popular surnames, if you're stuck on a last name, also be sure to check this source. Please find a name that suits the character and their ethnicity and nationality; it really doesn't make much sense for people of Anglo-Saxon origin to have Japanese names.
We expect to see the character's full name here. That includes any and all middle names and nicknames. We'd also like a little explanation, too. Why does the character have that nickname? Why did his or her parents choose the names they did? Where do they come from? Any other information is welcome, too.
Age and Date of Birth: The date of birth should be pretty self-explanatory. If you're interested in astrology, Astro.com is a good source for most things astrological. Keep in mind that these dates of birth do include a year, and that you should mind the timeline, including the current month, when calculating age.
Keep in mind that you must have an active character at all times. Active characters cannot be attending a Triwizard school, so your first character should, most likely, be an adult, someone who is, at the youngest, seventeen. Remember this when you determine your character's date of birth.
Feel free to include the character's astrological information in this field.
Blood Status: Give us an indication of your character's blood purity. A percentage is good; so is a description like "pure" or "muggle-born." Keep in mind that purebloods must provide an extensive genealogy with family trees, history, and appropriate descriptions. Pureblood families should be interrelated with most other pure families. We are not going to add very many more new pureblood families, if any. Most preexisting pure families are open for new members, though. If there is an original family that you would like to play a member of, contact whoever created the family to work out the details.
See the Pureblood Registrar [link] for more information.
Current Residence: Where your character currently lives. Feel free to include a floorplan, address, or other relevant information that gives a better idea of where and in what condition your character dwells. Please be as detailed as you wish, but again, please keep it within reason. A janitor is not likely to be living in an upscale apartment or palatial manor, and said upscale apartments and palatial manors are not likely to be found in rundown neighborhoods.
Current Employment: What is your character's profession? If your character has more than one profession, make sure to mention them all. Who is his employer, if applicable? Where and in what conditions does your character work? How does your character feel about his or her situation? The employment of your character indicates a lot of things about your character, including things like specialty, strengths, temperament, and habits, so much sure to give this field the attention it deserves.
For more information about wizarding jobs, see these threads in the Great Compendium: [insert links here when they're up]
Linguistics: This field is for a description of your character's language proficiency. How many languages does your character speak, read, and/or write? Which ones? Please keep this plausible. An eleven year old is not likely to know four different languages already. Also, indicate how fluent (or not fluent) your character is in said languages. Note that while your character may know how to say "Hello" in 20 different languages, not all of them need to be listed here. A language should get a mention if your character has enough proficiency to conduct rudimentary conversations.
Special Abilities: Most characters have no special abilities. Only intrinsic abilities specifically mentioned on the SA list (found here [link]) should be listed. If your character does not have a special ability, feel free to leave this field empty, strike it out, or put "N/A" or something like that. If your character does have the special ability, please list it and give some details.
A supplementary application is required for characters with a special ability (or abilities). This is where you should give the complete details of the ability. For more information, take a look in the Special Abilities forum, found here [link].
If you have any questions about special abilities, feel free to post in Your Corner or direct a PM to a staff member
Special Items: Special items are items that carry special value or need to be regulated. If you have items such as broomsticks, pensieves, invisibility cloaks, or other objects that have notable magical abilities, you need to list them here. Enchanted or particularly dangerous items fall into this category as well. Make sure that all items are properly described (we don't want to see abilities spring from nowhere) and explained. All scenarios should be realistic; a muggle-born wizard should not have an invisibility cloak as a family heirloom. You may be creative with magical items, but major inventions need to be approved through the RealmCrafter.
If in doubt about a special item, you're better off writing it up to be approved. If you have any questions, you can post in Your Corner or PM the staff.
Acquired Abilities: The most common acquired ability would be the apparition license. If your character has one, feel free to let us know when your character got it, and any details surrounding the event. Other acquired abilities include legilimency and occlumency. If your character is approved for any acquired abilities on the special abilities list, feel free to list them. Any unusual magical skill that your character picked up anywhere except in class is a good thing to list and explain here.
Explanation Fields
The Physical Aspects: This is the place for any sensory descriptions of your character, and for his relationship to those aspects. We want to know what he looks like, what he sounds like, how he moves, how he smells—all of it. There is a huge amount of information you can provide about your character here. We don't expect all of it because that would just take too long to read and even longer to write. We do want the important points, though, and enough detail that we can visualize your character very clearly.
Remember to give both specific details and general descriptions. You need a balance of the two to give a useful picture of your character.
Feel free to include your character's model and a picture, if you wish. However, remember that such information should supplement, not replace, your writing. You are expected, first and foremost, to give a good verbal description of your character.
Following is a checklist of features you may want to include. These are just recommendations. You don't necessarily need each one, and you can certainly add others. This is just to give you some idea of the details that are helpful to us, your readers and fellow RPers. We don't want to see you filling these out like they are subfields and we really don't want to see you actually marking each one out with its own heading like they are subfields.
Facial features. Describe your character's face. This includes things like eyes, nose, mouth, eyelashes, teeth, etc. It also incorporates the size, shape, and bone structure. The totality of your character's face is also important. What kind of impression does your character give? Facial expressions play a large part, so be sure to mention them, too. You should also describe make-up use and skin texture and appearance, if applicable. Irregularities, such as scars or smallpox pits, are very important, too.
Hair. The three main points here are color, texture, and style. Please go into plenty of detail; it is not enough to say that your character has a pin-straight red bob, even though that does cover each of the above points. Exactly how long is her hair? Is it shiny? How does it move? How does she wear it? What does she do to get it the way it is? If your character spends an hour each morning in front of a mirror with a straightening spell or a bottle of gel, we want to know.
Body. This covers a lot of different details. First of all, how is your character built and proportioned? How did he get that way? Remember to be realistic. A couch potato probably is not going to look like a champion runner and an eleven year old girl probably isn't going to be stacked. Also make sure to include how your character moves and carries himself. Is he a total klutz? Does she go really slowly? Too quickly? Does he gesture a lot when he talks? Does she leap around, acting each point out? Again, remember to keep this realistic. Most characters that aren't dancers are not going to move as gracefully as a dancer. Comment on your character's posture and carriage, too. And don't forget to include a general overview of the appearance your character gives off.
Clothing. How does your character dress? Please, please keep this realistic. Your pureblood, purist character does not like muggle designers, no matter how upscale they are. It just does not make sense. Most wizards brought up in magical families are familiar with robes, and not much else. Remember all the wizards trying unsuccessfully to navigate muggle clothing in The Goblet of Fire? That's pretty much how most of the wizarding community is. Also, give some indication of the state of the clothing. The difference between pristine, like-new robes and tattered, dirty, potion-stained robes has a huge impact on your character's appearance. Don't forget accessories, such as jewelry and bags and the like.
Sound. This isn't just about how your character looks. We want to know what he sounds like, too. Does he speak loudly? What pitch is her voice? Does he have loud, heavy footfalls? Do her endless bits of metallic jewelry jingle? Does he breathe really loudly? Snore? Have a habit of whistling gaily? All of that should be in here.
Smell. Does your character wear a specific scent? Or is it obvious that he can't be bothered to wash his clothes more than once a year? Does she always have melting chocolates in her pocket, or is he constantly popping mints? Mention anything that contributes to your character's aroma.
Mannerisms. This has some overlap with personality traits, but it also impacts the sensory perception of your character. What kind of nervous habits does your character have? Does she bite her nails? Does he have an odd tic in his right eye? Does she always stand with her arms crossed, or in her pockets, or playing with her hair? Does he twirl his wand around without noticing? Things like that are very important to your character's appearance. Make sure to give them due attention.
Here are some resources to help you develop and describe your character's appearance: Models Models Models Models Models
Personality: The personality is the crux of your character. It explains all his motivations and behavior, his interactions, his thoughts and feelings. We want to know everything that goes on in your character's head, on both the conscious and subconscious levels. The personality section should be able to adequately explain all of your character's behavior. Any part of his psyche that influences the way he acts and thinks should be described.
Obviously, characters are meant to be as three-dimensional as the people they represent. It is impossible to record all the facets of someone's personality, all the neuroses and emotional responses. But we want you to give it a go anyway. You should, at least, lay a firm foundation for playing and exploring your character. Remember that as you develop and discover your character through further play, you are welcome and encouraged to come back and update your character's profile with new revelations.
Your description of your character's personality should answer these questions:
What are your character's motivations? Ambitions?
How does your character react to and cope with problems?
How does he see himself and the world?
What internal behavioral code does he follow? Why?
How do his emotions manifest? How does your character react to his emotions?
What does your character genuinely care about? Why?
What kind of political, socioeconomic, and religious views does your character hold?
Remember, don't try to answer these questions like you are filling out a form. Just try to incorporate the answers in your writing.
Likes/Dislikes. Explain your character's preferences and prejudices. Obviously, this should extend beyond superficial likes and dislikes, such as food and colors. Let us know about any strong feelings your character has. Why does he feel that way? This is a really broad category; you can include anything that has to do with your character's opinions. What does he find pleasurable? What does she find annoying in other people? Always remember to put in a detailed explanation. The explanations of each like and dislike are the important part of this field.
As always, make sure you explain what [generally] triggers things that your character likes and dislikes, and give an explanation why. This is your opportunity to play psychologist on your character, so make sure you make the adequate analysis instead of merely listing traits.
Strengths/Weaknesses: Describe your character's strengths and weaknesses. This should not be a summary of obscure ways that other characters can somehow defeat your character. Instead, write about internal challenges that your character faces and the way he copes with challenges, both internal and external. What does he struggle? What are obstacles to your character's success and happiness? What traits help your character overcome these obstacles? Which personality facets are admirable or desirable?
Make sure you also explain how each trait helps or harms your character. Bear in mind that most traits are not clearly cut one or the other. A trait may be both a strength and a weakness with advantages and disadvantages.
The strengths and the weaknesses should be fairly balanced. Characters who have too easy a time at life run a high risk of being Sues, so watch out for that. Remember, however, that while balancing these traits, a character does not have to be a cookie-cutter. High intelligence does not mean that you can't be athletic, nor vice versa. We want a good combination of average, below average, and above average characters—but each character should have a unique set of circumstances and inhibitors that make it tough for them.
Patronus: Tell us what form your character's patronus takes, or what form it would take if your character could/would cast a patronus. Then explain why the patronus takes that form. This is the important part of the field. What significance does that form have for your character?
Also include the memory your character uses to conjure his patronus.
Boggart: What shape does your character's boggart take (or what shape would it take if your character saw a boggart)? This is similar to the patronus field, except using the opposite emotion. Again, explain the significance of that shape. Also share what happens to the boggart whent the riddikulus charm is used.
Feel free to alter the shape of the boggart as your character's fears change.
Amortentia: What scents does your character smell when he inhales amortentia? This applies even if your character has never smelled amortentia. We want to know what smells your character finds appealing, and why (the why is very important). What significance do those scents hold for your character? Make sure your description of the scents is detailed and precise.
Genealogy: This is the place for you to detail your character's family's background. Basically, you're trying to answer the question "who are his relatives?" Feel free to provide family tree graphics, family history, blurbs about notable family members, including the close relations of the character, and explain how the family is related to other families. You can also include heraldic information, such as crests and mottos and the like, if applicable.
It is expected that you give at least a basic graphical or verbal representation of the character's family tree for a few generations and provide some details about important relations (usually parents, siblings, and close friends). Of course, the more detailed the information you give, the better. Fuller background makes it easier to integrate your character into our realm and establish relationships with other characters.
Purebloods must submit an extensive genealogy. We won't accept too many new pureblood families, so make your background good. A good genealogy will contain close relatives to your character, explain their relationship to him, his family history (both sides), and notable [historic] members of his family tree.
Also, it is extremely important that you include your characters close relations. Include people that your character interacts with on a regular basis, and this should include the nature of their relationship. Characters applications without a character relations portion will not be accepted.
Family and Character History: The history, culture, and lifestyle of a person always has some influence on that person's personality and opinions. This field is for you to elaborate on the events that occurred during your character's lifetime. Naturally, the events of his life did not take place in a void, so include some background information regarding his family and the events surrounding his birth and life.
A well-written character history will elaborate on significant events throughout the character's life time, will illustrate the influences that shaped his viewpoints and perspectives, and narrate the events of his life. Think of it like a biography of your character; there are many events that you could put in this field.
Because this field is called family and character history, we expect to see some description about your character's family, the situations of his upbringing, and any other relevant information that you would like to share.
Magical Proficiency: This is a general category describing your character's overall ability to use magic, including any subjects in which he is particularly strong or weak. Please remember that not everyone can be Albus Dumbledore, so if a character is brilliant at multiple fields, make sure to give us some reason for his proficiency.
This field is especially for any particular subjects that your character is above/below average in, so if he is particularly strong in transfiguration, make sure that you illuminate us here. Also try to let us know why your character is especially strong at certain fields. What makes your character good at some magical fields but not others? Include also which fields that your character enjoys (if they are different than the ones they are good at).
Wand: The wand chooses the wizard.
The wand is the critical tool for the majority of magics. It also is a powerful tool that can give great insight about the character. Let us know about the length, temperament, design, and core of the wand, as well as any other details that you would like to let us know about. If your wand is a hand-me-down, or if the core is something of sentimental value, make sure to let us know.
Also remember to include where you got your wand from. Most British wizards and witches would have gotten their wand from Ollivanders, so make sure that it falls under their supply.
Pets: Does your character keep any pets? If so, who are they, where does he keep them, where did he get them, and what do they look and act like?
Just like each dog has their own appearance personality, so too does each pet animal. Also remember the context, a Hogwarts student can only actively own a cat, toad, or owl. There will be no dogs, mermaids, dragons, killer rabbits, or any such absurdities at a school like Hogwarts, but a ministry worker may keep more exotic pets. Keep in mind that a horse, for example, wouldn't be appreciated on Academy grounds.
However, just because your character is not inseparable from his pet, it doesn't mean you don't have to include it. For example, it's perfectly plausible that your character may attend Hogwarts and keep pets at home with his parents. Feel free to elaborate about them too.
Other: This is for anything else you want to tell us. You can describe how others see your character, you can tell us about their daily lives, or you can tell us about any other tidbit that you would like to share. There is a lot of room for elaboration outside of the fields we provided, so make sure that you give an effort to elaborate on it. However, this field is unstructured and it is not mandatory.
RP Sample: So you've gotten this far, now it's time for you to close strong.
After all of the effort of this application, this is your opportunity to get in a nice showing. We want to see your abilities here. Showcase your writing skills and your feel for the character. After this application, you should have a decent idea of your character. Feel free to show us. Remember that this sample must be written like a post from your character. You are permitted to use background NPCs, but do not control the actions of another member without permission; all IC posting rules still apply for this sample.
You have significant freedom to create whatever setting you want, so make sure to dazzle us. A great sample can pull the weight of a subpar application. A bad sample is enough ground for the staff to reject an application.
09-30-2007, 04:46 PM 
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