How to spice up bland characters

CountVladDracula · Joined: 07 Oct 2010 Posts: 8078 Location: USA - NY

I have heard this question asked a lot lately (once or twice by friends). How does one go about spicing up a character that is ...kind of bland?

Let's say you have a character you like to play but even you, yourself find them a little boring. What do you do to improve playing the character? Or what are your suggestions for someone trying to improve a character that might be dull to themselves or those they play with?

Sometimes changing the character a bit by either turning them into something or disabling them might help but this can often just be a temporary fix.

Another idea might be to take a break from that particular character until you feel inspired to do something with them.

You could explore the character's past and personality. Seek out quirks or aspects of their history that could effect them in game. An example of this is when in Highlander the series it was revealed that Methos, the oldest living immortal, was the fourth horseman of the Apocalypse and before educating himself and seeking personal redemption he had been a pretty nasty character. That was a major reveal and it effected a lot about the character without retconning previous events in the series.

So what are some of your ideas for spicing up characters?
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XxMissSnowyxX · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 2235 Location: Antarctica

How about dipping the character in buffalo sauce?

On a serious note; though people tend to loathe at the thought of mixing OOC and IC. I think this is one instance where that line can be blurred a bit, and done in a safe and productive manner.

Everyone usually has something they like doing OOC, be it writing poetry, maybe collecting stamps.

Depending on the RP your character is involved with, what is stopping the player from somehow incorporating something they might like doing OOC and adjusting it to something their character has decided to want to try and maybe enjoy.

I think if you find things that you like to do OOC, and you never really thought about these hobby's for your character if possible and practical, why not blur that OOC / IC line.
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CountVladDracula · Joined: 07 Oct 2010 Posts: 8078 Location: USA - NY

rubytuesdayhr · Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 2165 Location: Isle of Man

~grins~ I don't usually have that problem. Mine is sometimes the opposite - that everybody else is pretty blandly average and mine stands out as the quirky one who is rocking the smooth sailing boat.

My Alice in IMVUland character is like Forrest Gump and can insert herself anywhere and say 'whooo are youuuu?" My physician character is rather eccentric as some geniuses are. My servant character is a bit slow, having some residual brain damage from trauma, but she is very devoted and does her very best. I have a poet/musician that likes to entertain at the drop of the hat with little amusing ditties. A pratfall at a boring time can liven things up, especially when done by otherwise dignified characters.

The thing about bland is that it is when even exciting things get repeated too often and become routine. kinda like in a marriage.