User blog:Maki Kuronami/Character Creation Guide (Basics)

Though I'm still getting the hang of doing RWBY-based characters, I've had a couple of experience creating characters. Here's a few tips on how to create. As a bonus, I'll be giving tips on how to create weapons for your character. This isn't just for RWBY fanon though, but it may help out.

Character Creation
I always start with creating a name for a character before everything else. It's possible to create a great nameless character, though it takes a little practice. The reason a name is important is because it's the ultimate identifier for your character, obviously.
 * Names

Creating a name is harder than it sounds. But there are three methods I know of that will guarantee a great name.

1.The Thematic Method

Applying symbolism to the name. This is wherein the name you give your character defines him. Most names in RWBY are on this method.

For example, one of my OC is named Ivory Dietrich. Dietrich is German for lockpick. He's a detective who seeks to know the truth.

An example from canon RWBY is Ozpin, who's entire motif is centered around the Wizard of Oz. Not the greatest example but you get the gist of it.

2.The Creative Method

Applying creativity to the name. This method requires some clever thinking and will often be attempted by amateur writers. A bad example is... let's say, Sephiroth Goku the Stampede. Creative, yes. Does it make sense? Not quite. A decent example I know of is Marguerite Karine Moreau, by a friend of mine. Often, certain names go great with each other. The sky is the limit when it comes to this methohd.

Sadly, the naming rule of RWBY restricts the usage of this method.

3.The Originality Method

This one is a bit more vague. This one requires far more originality than the Creative Method. It requires you to create your own name not based on anything. A bad example of this would generally be names with lots of flashy letters. Like... Xlamahdiz. (...I made that up on the fly.) To make this naming method work, you have to create a name that's believeable enough that it might exist. One way to do this is to give your character an original name and give them an existing surname or vice versa depending on preferences. A (possibly) decent example I can give is Jacques Azluette, also by the same friend who made Marguerite above.

Usage of surname?

Certain characters don't have surnames (yet...) for some odd reason. There may be a justified reason like said character was an orphan or they abandoned their family, and by extension their surname. Those are common reasons, but there are a lot more to make use of. Heck, it may be because it's a plot point which is why it's never revealed.

It's really a matter of preferences if you wish to give your character a surname or not. Some characters work better with no surnames, like say, supernatural characters. Though that's not possible in RWBY yet so don't do that.

Generally I would've headed straight for appearances for the guide, but I'd like to emphasize this aspect for fantasy-based stories, not just RWBY.
 * Color Affinity

Color is important, and the color you give your character may influence how you see them. I categorize colors based on how I see them, so this is interpretative. In fact, it's amusing to subvert this ideas sometimes. Just ask Ruby.

I'll mostly be focusing on eight colors I commonly use. It's up to you to discover the rest.

Red

Often associated with the main hero or the bad guys, this color will generally signal that the hero is hot-blooded. Another usage of this color is for the villains, often combining it with black to emphasize their evilness. Generally, the heroic red is bright and cheery. The evil red is dark and fire-esque. Notably, red machines go three times as fast. Just ask Char and his clones.

Blue

If the hero doesn't use red, it'll be blue. If another character is themed red, the blue one is generally the calm and relaxed counterpart. Usually, it's paired with white and/or other bright colors like red and yellow. Just ask Superman.

Yellow

This is a more arguable color. Generally, characters with this color tend to be neutral if good and evil are blue and red respectively. Sometimes they're associated with fire as well. Just ask Yang.

Green

Usually a color associated with nature... or evil chemicals. Good characters are often nature lovers and generally down to earth. Evil characters of this color are often associated with mad science. Think Kryptonite.

Purple

The common color of a Mary Sue. You can't really blame them, purple is generally a color that emanates power and dignity in ye olde days. Characters with this color tend to be ex-tier and a bit powerful. Their alignment can go either way.

Black

Though easy to associate with bad guys, black has recently been played around with lately. It's better to call them as characters with ambigious alignments. Like purple, Mary Sues likes to use black. Doesn't mean it's all bad though.

White

Color of a paragon of good... usually. Combining this with other colors generally means that the character is really a good guy. A pure white character? ...Not so much. It's a common belief among Asian culture that white represents death. That's usually the reason why some of god-like forms of JRPG final bosses are freakin' white as hell. Like Safer Sephiroth.

Gold

Different from Yellow wherein it's far more shinier or lighter. It's a color normally associated with aristocrats and divine beings, such as angels. Pairing it with white would signify holiness and purity.

As stated again, this is all the common views on said color. You can invert them, subvert them, and avert them however you please. Following this concept is optional. Now for the flesh and blood of a character. This one can be done as you please. Though a few rules should be noted.
 * Appearance

1.Make their outfit suit the setting

You won't see an armored knight in modern times. Nor would you see a gangster in the Rennaisance era. For RWBY, this rule is broken, since Jaune is wearing an armor despite the setting being seemingly in the modern times.

2.Don't go overboard

It's easy to break this rule when you make your character's outfit over-the-top. It's arguable when is the point you start going overboard. However, a quick way of knowing if you went overkill is if the image of your character in your head is pretty difficult to visualize constantly.

There's more, but they're generally not relevant since these are just the basics.

This is commonly the hardest thing to do when creating a character. Combining all the aspects above, you should be able to imagine how your character acts. Here's a few tips in developing their personality.
 * Personality

1.Give them a key trait based on yourself

The quickest method is to find an aspect of your personality and exaggerate it to the point it's the thing that defines who the character is. From there, develop a few side traits that will complemenet the key trait. By the time you're done, you should have a rouded character.

2.Don't make them flat

As note above, emphasize a key trait for your character. However, don't focus on it forever, or your character may devolve into a one-trick pony and be considered a flat character. To remedy this, as noted above, add a few side traits to give detail to the character's personality.

3.Give them a purpose

This is often jossed. A character must have a reason for his existence. Dreams, Ambitions, Desires, Will, Destiny... those are some of the motives that they can have. A character with no purpose is no different from a zombie. Even something as silly as "fulfilling the fantasies of the author" is a valid reason for a character's existence.

4.Choose an alignment

A jerk can be good and evil. It all depends on morality. This isn't really needed, since it's easy to be restricted by giving your character a morality alignment. Some great characters have vague moralities. But since it's just the basis, using a morality alignment for a crutch is a good start, since it draws a line between Good and Evil, and Law and Rebel.

5.Give them a backstory, from birth to present

Though optional, it's important to do a thorough backstory for your character. That way, you can pinpoint when exactly is the point your character becomes who they are and how they learn their skills and knowledge.

These are just some of the things you can do.

Now, we move onto my favorite part of creating a character: Their weapon.

Weapon Creation
As a personal rule, a character I create must have a weapon. As such, creating weapons have been one of my hobbies. Logic be damned.

For now, I'll only be giving advice on creating weapons for RWBY.

1.Make it an extension of your character

A good weapon is a weapon that might as well be your character's third arm. Depending on what kind of weapon you give them, it must complement who they are.

2.Don't make it overpowered

This applies to more than just the character's weapon, but also themselves. A weapon's power is proportional to the relevance of the character.

I rule I often follow is the "Morality Power Roof" rule. That is, to make use of a limit for your character. The peak power in RWBY currently among the main characters is Glynda. As such, you can't make someone more powerful than her. Among the villains, Crimson is currently the strongest. The same applies. If you make a good guy, they can be weaker or on par with Glynda. If you make a bad guy, they must at least be weaker than or equal to Crimson.

3.Give it a good name

This is important. A nameless weapon isn't quite as threatening as a weapon named Celestial Reaper. However, giving it a non-threatening name isn't out of the picture. Just make sure it's good. Unlike the RWBY naming rule, the weapon name isn't as restricted so go wild.

4.Categorize it (RWBY exclusive advice)

One aspect unique to RWBY is that every weapon is categorized. Like Ruby's High Caliber Sniper Scythe.

Giving a category to your weapon should be simple. Just summarize how the weapon is used in four words.

These are just some of the basic advice I can give. You should be able to create a good character at this point.