RP descriptions and you

by Alex Ziebart May 10th 2008 at 3:00PM

We've discussed RP descriptions in the past, both their usefulness as well as their potential hilarity. Our David Bowers has given an overview of two of the big description mods, so you have all you need to get started.

Personally, I like to keep my descriptions short and sweet. Lengthy ones certainly have their place, I just prefer being brief. A short physical overview- height, build, hair, that sort of thing. Then I plug in a few baubles or unique pieces of clothing people may notice. A tabard, medals, jewelry, something that could spark a conversation. Things that someone might walk up and ask, "Where did you get that?"

On my main, my human priestess, most of those things are pins on the collar of her robes that signify organizations she's involved with or support. For example: Her guild, the Argent Dawn, and the Aldor. All in all, her description is about a paragraph long to paint a picture of her and give some conversation inspiration.

Now, here's my request for all of you. Show me your descriptions! Copy-paste them straight from FlagRSP or make one from scratch, it's up to you. Long or short, tame or ridiculous, I'm interested in them all. We might even learn a thing or two from those posted. A little style goes a long way.

Tags: flagrsp, myroleplay, roleplay, roleplaying, rp, rp-descriptions

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves, AddOns, RP

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Pingmeister May 10th 2008 3:40PM

This is the kind of thing that makes me want to hire someone to beat me up. :( I mean this is nerd++ territory.

Still, here is my Description (more of a backstory since he is low level and his garb changes daily):

The pig trailing behind Pingley is no pet. It is his brother, cursed. You can tell by looking at him that Pingley has no time for drinking or revelry. He is on a mission to reverse this curse and hunt down the Arrakoa Witchdoctor who, in a fit of rage, cursed Pingleys family. Stay out of his way.

Siggy May 10th 2008 3:47PM

Oh, I've been waiting for this one. Before I post everything, do note that Siggy is my main and Shadypeon and Brothersarno are joke-alts.

Sigmund "Siggy" N. Rothas
"I DO SAY, IS THAT A MAD PALADIN?"

"WHY YES, I DO BELIEVE IT IS."
Now this is the story all about how
My life got flipped, turned upside down
And I’d like to take a minute just sit right there
I’ll tell you how I became the hermit of a town called Plaguewood

In east Lordaeron born and raised
On the House of Nobles where I spent most of my days Chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool
And all throwing pitiful peasants into a pool
When a couple of Scourge said "we’re up in no good" Started making trouble in my neighbourhood
I got in one mad escape and I got scared
And said "I'm moving into a shack in the woods"

I ran and hid from them the other day
But they never found me and I made my way
Nobody gave me a kissin’ and I eat from a thicket
I put my armor on and said I might as well kick it

No class, yo this is bad,
Drinking boiled water out of a wooden cup
Is this what the people of the Plaguelands livin’ like,
Hmm this might be Hell!

I whistled for a Paladin and when it came near
the tabard said "Argent Dawn" and shone like a mirror
If anything I could say that this cab was rare
But I thought now forget it, yo home to Light's Hope!

I pulled up to a chapel about seven or eight
And I yelled to the Paladin "Teech me 2 ues lite"
Looked at my shack I was finally there
To settle my throne as the Madman of Lordaeron

Brother Sarno
"The Greeter"

Greetings, ! Welcome to the Cathedral of Light!

Shadypeon (Future Death Knight)
"A Suspicious Peon"

What you want? Me busy!

Shadd May 11th 2008 11:05AM

You, sir, are a genious

Kaljin May 10th 2008 3:55PM

I've always despised descriptions. Whenever I see one, its a blatant mary-sue and they have a whole bunch of weird characteristics. I have seen: Catgirls; satyrs; half whatevers; vampires; and finally demons.

Talludora May 10th 2008 4:10PM

I love reading character description. I use MyRoleplay probably more for the reading of others than mine, but I did write one for my level 70 Blood Elf Warlock, Bedelia, which I change often because her looks have changed over the course of her RP life (She's gotten married and had kids, etc, etc). This is her most current one:

Bedelia DeClavier
Wife, Mother, Afflictionist (or X months pregnant)

Bedelia stands at a somewhat lofty 5'9". She is slim in figure but not overly so, carrying extra weight in her bust and hips. Her long black hair is thick, shiny, and hangs long and loose down her back.

She wears six golden hoops in her ears, three in each. On her left hand, a diamond ring and wedding band. On her right, an engraved silver bracelet. Around her neck, a phoenix pendant.

She currently sports a round belly. She is clearly expecting.

One thing I try not to do is tell people what to think when they see her. I see wording like, "You are amazed by her beauty and shocked at her knocked-upness" I just put it out plain. It might make for a boring desciption but meh...I feel corny enough putting her preggy status out there like that but it keeps my RP buddies updated.

Bill May 10th 2008 11:53PM

I applaud you for not telling my character what to think and feel when he meets yours. That's up to him and me. ;)

Aurochs May 11th 2008 12:11AM

You do know that 5'9" is short for a blood elf?

Good description otherwise though, I find it's always a real help to have the wowwiki page for the race of the character I'm making open the whole time I make the desc. And it helps gives you some hooks and traits to liven things up too.

And since I critiqued:

Tarrok, like most Tauren, has a very muscular frame. From years of running the plains his legs are strong and he can run for hours without stopping for a breath. From the many battles defending himself and his clan from the centaur attacks his arms are thick and his hide is scarred in many places.

Tenchan May 10th 2008 4:16PM

There is one thing I put into all my descriptions which I find extremely important and which can never be displayed properly by the game itself: the voice. (I've had only one character in my whole WoW time whose voice was actually that much like the in game voice that I didn't need this.)

It's the first thing you notice when someone starts speaking, and it has a huge influence on the impression you get about that someone.

A description should only contain what deviates from the in game appearance or can't be displayed by it, and is important for an adequate first impression. Trust me, you don't need to tell me that your blond elf is blond. No, I don't care what scars you have between your buttocks because unless we meet in bed, my character wouldn't know right away.

Tenchan May 10th 2008 4:27PM

This is what I get for pressing submit too soon. Here some example flags of mine, from the mundane to the more 'out there':

"A tall, calm man in his middle ages. His tone of voice is smooth and self-secure."

"Very pale, skinny and on the short side, this young man is in a perpetual good mood, most often shown by a small grin. His voice is energetic and lively, but sometimes, he seems a bit short of breath, or look unfocused or tired."

"A tall, severe looking, very flat-chested woman appearing to be in her early 30s. Her voice is hard and rather deep."

"A young man in his 20s, very muscled, especially for a Blood Elf and a caster. When not fully covered by clothing and in darker surroundings, faintly glowing lines are visible across his body. His voice sounds hard and authoritative."

Bill May 10th 2008 11:55PM

Good point about voices.

Hurode May 10th 2008 4:31PM

Hmmm...I like the idea of pins on the collar. I might have to steal that for my priest main.

I'm just getting back into RP for the first time since I started my US account, so I'm still working on configuring my FlagRSP and working on my character's story/description. One thing I like to do with physical descriptions is appeal to more of the senses than just sight - I include smells, sounds, and touch as well. I generally forgo taste.

PeeWee May 10th 2008 4:36PM

Sorry to say, there are way to many of you. Not RP:ers, I'm one myself. I'm talking about the Sephiroth Syndromites.

Ametrine May 10th 2008 10:39PM

Mind explaining what that is?

Marco Polaris May 10th 2008 4:41PM

Character descriptions have always been fun for me; they're a useful way to pick out the more . . . . unique and disturbed types, or those with no imagination. Sometimes, too, non-RPers who have the mod throw something funny into the description since they're not using it for anything else, and I can have a good laugh. My own descriptions usually go on about two paragraphs; one for physical description, another for general mood and personality - it might not *sound* necessary, but things like tones and body language do not translate as well on text as you think unless you're willing to repeat yourself over and over or spend paragraphs on every emote.

Alas, I still haven't gotten around to redownloading an RP mod. I need to get to that sometime.

Bakuryu May 10th 2008 4:56PM

Here's one for my shaman and priest.

An unusual arm, made of stone. Hair tied back, bound by a leather cord. Blind eyes stare forward, hidden and scarred. Upon first glance, Kashagrav is merely an old, tired man. However, his ruinous appearance tells much more.

A stench of gunpowder and...gnomes? marks Swindlah's entrance. His unique hairstyle ((Mohawk)) and color mark him as an eccentric. He tends to stand just outside city gates, hawking his 'mechanical miracles' to those who pass by, much to the dismay of the guards.

Ellyndia May 10th 2008 5:19PM

From my BE shadowpriest, and born from a guildie's thoughtful 'gift' and a Karazhan run:

"She carries a [Vial of Tears] because Misery sustains her."

Sean Riley May 10th 2008 6:26PM

OK. Let's get basic. Here's my two main characters' descriptions.

Baron Ligradi DeMontafe, Undead Warrior.
"Proud and regal, if wide-eyed and wild, Baron Ligradi DeMontafe takes care with his appearance, raking his straw-dry hair into some semblance of regal grace, keeping his skin clean (if thin and translucent). A steady treatment of Goblin Rocket Fuel has finally begun to kill off the maggots in his chin somewhat, even as the skin hangs loose from the jawbone. Traces of white buildup along the joints in his arms seem to hint at some crude repair of bone damage. His glowing yellow eyes manage to convey a crazed imagination and intelligence above high cheekbones and proud bearing."

There, see? One paragraph. Not even a very long one. But that gives you all you need to know -- The man's clearly off his rocker, he's falling apart at the seems, he's a crazy genius. Beautiful. Let's rock with Fulthruttle, my Gnomish Rogue.

"A young adult, Fulthruttle never really grew into a gnomish frame -- Meaning she's very tiny indeed, not quite hitting three foot tall. Her green hair is braided to keep it out of her face, and a small smattering of freckles compliments her expressive green eyes, which flick back and forth swiftly whenever she's nervous, which is very often indeed. She tends to wear very little makeup, but does enhance her appearance with a tiny bit of pink lip gloss. Her tendency to bite her nails has left her with ragged, unattractive fingertips.

If she is not wearing long-sleeved shirts, which is rare, the Icon of the Technology can be seen tattooed on her right shoulder."

Not quite as good, I have to say -- But I've yet to update this one. Still, there's the basics of her. Very small, nervous and fidgety.

Both of my mains are engineers. What can I say?

Still, that's my basic formula: One paragraph, two at the most. Keep them short. Be descriptive, and memorable, but don't overdo it. This is how you rock an RP description. Remember, every second someone spends reading your description is a second they're not roleplaying with you.

Ametrine May 10th 2008 10:43PM

Three feet is short for a gnome? I thought that was about average? I mean, humans are around five-and-a-half to six feet, and dwarves average about a foot shorter than that, with gnomes, judging by a side-by-side with the other races, seeming barely clearing three-and-a-half (excluding the hair).