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serafim_azriel
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#1
Old 02-26-2008, 03:21 AM

So I got an idea awhile ago for a Forgotten Realms shared world story that I would like to see published. However, I seem to be having some disagreements with myself on the characters and the plot. The main problem is: In most Forgotten Realms/ Dragonlance/ Eberron stories, the characters are borderline (or are actually) "Mary-Sue" (according to the Mary Sue Limitus Test and other such works) and they are ALWAYS fighting some big evil or personal skeleton.

It's just how the setting is. The characters must have rich backgrounds to be adventuring, perhaps tragic. (Drizzt was nearly killed by his mother, after all!) Mainly because, let's face it, if you've ever played a D&D campaign, that's how it has to be. In the setting it's in, the character has to either be somewhat of a rebel (or curious) or have a more tragic reason to not live the life of a farmer (or a noble, etc.).

So, here's (one) dilemma, considering this, I have been feeling that my characters are too... well, cliche. Maybe this is because I didn't try to really make my story with completely out there characters, but with somewhat stereotypical characters with some flaws and odd quirks and such. I can't decide if it's just me not being used to it or if they really aren't that good.
The main character Alyse, is the daughter of a nobleman and a knight's daughter. Her mother was a rebellious spirit and such and a bard and that's how her father and mother met. Her great grandfather stole a demonic weapon and those he stole it from, or more correctly, their descendants, want it back. Alyse is dragged into the affair when they come and kill her family. She only survives because of the other main character, Cain, who actually came there to steal from the family (it was a challenge from his friends), and doesn't want to get himself killed, ends up saving her.
Then there is Natasha, Caalix, and Alwar.
Natasha's grandfather was in the party with Alyse's great grandfather.
Alwar (an elf) becomes their guide/tracker/ranger (I'm undecided on how, either he is a friend of Natasha, hired, or his father was also in the party.
Caalix is the least connect, but I've had the hardest time deciding his personality. He is a tiefling (part demon), but a cleric of Selune (goddess of the moon), he is in the story because of either he is a friend of Alyse or Alyse's friend asked this favor of him.
There are two characters that I'm trying to decide between.
A halfling socceror (which rarely happens) or an Aasimar (part angel) wizard/something like that. I've found no real reason for the halfing to be in the group, while I found a way for the Aasimar to be.
(If he was, Alyse's family was 'cursed' by taking the blade and a helpful half-angel decided to protect and instruct the family (and the Aasimar would be the descendant)).

I almost feel however, that my story is too... well, I'm not really sure. I'm used to dealing with darker themes and darker characters.

I just would like some suggestions or advice, perhaps even some critical questions (if that makes sense), something that would help me to figure out if I'm going the right way with this story.

(For those who don't know, Forgotten Realms is a fantasy setting.)

JoieD
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#2
Old 02-27-2008, 03:59 AM

One great way of keeping your characters from being cliche is to find out more about them than is readily apparent in the story. Ask yourself questions about the character, how they would react in different situations, what they feel about different things, etc. The better you know your character, the more real he/she will be in your writing. Don't limit them to things that are going on in your story, or even the backstory that's relevant to the book--go crazy. So maybe if you know a little more about their characterization outside the stuff you plan to include, you'll have a better idea as to why they are in the situations they are in now.

 


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