Post by johnny on Jul 28, 2008 15:01:34 GMT -5
There are two Great Enemies of the roleplayer, and those Great Enemies go by the names "Godmoder" and "Mary Sue."
Also called "god-modder," this destructively ignorant character can turn a generally fine roleplay into a chaotic tornado of anger, sadness, and more anger... Also, a bit more anger. And sadness. Also, a possible depression, loss of hope for humankind, and the urge to throw things at walls if the god-moder persists in its unflappable existence.
The god-moder character is immortal.
He is all-powerful, all-seeing, and all-knowing.
He knows when your character is thinking about attacking his character, because he reads it in your italic thoughts.
He knows where you're weak, because he read your character's profile, under "Weaknesses," where you put "has a permanently damaged shoulder from a fight when she was younger."
He doesn't get hit, because that wouldn't be any fun.
He has the ability to fight the moderator, even out of character.
He can fly, when flying isn't allowed.
He has the power to generate lightning bolts from his eyes, even though he wasn't permitted to have magic powers.
If he actually is hit and killed, it's either a ploy to get everyone's guard down so that he can (illegally) take over the entire roleplay, or it's so he can come back as a truly-immortal zombie.
He is immune to all magic. And non-magic... And poison, and weapons and...
The Mary-Sue is quietly lethal to any and all roleplays. She's not nearly as obvious as the God-moder, but she's just as loud and just as conceited.
Characterized by extreme beauty, a history of royalty or ascention, and an unnatural, sickeningly nice personality, the Mary Sue's history began in fanfiction. Unfortunately, it did not remain there, and leaked into every form of writing - including roleplaying.
The Mary Sue is always beautiful. It's a must.
She is always described in excessive detail, with lots of "shimmering" adjectives. (i.e. Her fur shimmered like diamonds/sapphires/emeralds/silver/gold and her eyes glowed like stars in the sky. Her face was gorgeous, her form was perfectly lithe and desirable, and each paw was delicate. She seemed to float in her ethereal beauty, as she walked along the forest floor those perfectly formed paws barely touched a leaf, barely made noise.)
She is always wonderful. Always.
She is compassionate, intelligent, empathetic, strategic, a perfect mate, a perfect mother, a perfect alpha.
She can defeat the enemy with love. She's just that good.
There's a possibility she's either the child of a god or goddess. Probably the god or goddess of love, beauty, or music.
She could also be a "fallen angel" thrown from heaven for being "too compassionate towards mortals," in which case she will most likely have the "shimmering outline of angel wings" while casting magic spells, or even just sleeping.
Her eyes change colour depending on her mood. There's no science behind why, they just do.
Even in a society (such as with animals; wolves, dogs, etc.) without any form of government, the Mary Sue will undoubtedly be a princess of something. Probably a "lost princess" or the princess of some empire thought to be naught but myth and legend.
The Mary Sue is the last of her kind. Whether it be the last of her pack, the last of her family, or the last of her specific species, she's the only one left.
Along this same vein, the Mary Sue comes from a tragic past. Her family was slaughtered by marauders, then she was raped, then her true love was killed before her very eyes.
Then, for good measure, they "cursed" her with beauty, grace, and a loving disposition before sending her out on her own to find a new "one true love."
Despite this angst, the Mary Sue will be stoic in her pain. She will only shed one carefully placed, glittering tear as she tells her tragic story to every single person she meets.
If the time comes when a Mary Sue dies, she does so dramatically. She gives a final vow of love to her... love, then she dies with "tears glittering like diamonds" in her eyes which, "having been so full of love and life in the past, were now cold in her beautiful death."
The Mary Sue will then proceed to Heaven, where "she rightfully belongs," to take on a role as an angel/goddess/healing warrior/protector of everyone she loves/the moon/a new star in the sky, "glowing brighter than the rest."
With these roles described fully, I don't expect any of you to make either kind of character. Be careful, be balanced, and be honest.
THE GOD-MODER
Also called "god-modder," this destructively ignorant character can turn a generally fine roleplay into a chaotic tornado of anger, sadness, and more anger... Also, a bit more anger. And sadness. Also, a possible depression, loss of hope for humankind, and the urge to throw things at walls if the god-moder persists in its unflappable existence.
The god-moder character is immortal.
He is all-powerful, all-seeing, and all-knowing.
He knows when your character is thinking about attacking his character, because he reads it in your italic thoughts.
He knows where you're weak, because he read your character's profile, under "Weaknesses," where you put "has a permanently damaged shoulder from a fight when she was younger."
He doesn't get hit, because that wouldn't be any fun.
He has the ability to fight the moderator, even out of character.
He can fly, when flying isn't allowed.
He has the power to generate lightning bolts from his eyes, even though he wasn't permitted to have magic powers.
If he actually is hit and killed, it's either a ploy to get everyone's guard down so that he can (illegally) take over the entire roleplay, or it's so he can come back as a truly-immortal zombie.
He is immune to all magic. And non-magic... And poison, and weapons and...
THE MARY-SUE
The Mary-Sue is quietly lethal to any and all roleplays. She's not nearly as obvious as the God-moder, but she's just as loud and just as conceited.
Characterized by extreme beauty, a history of royalty or ascention, and an unnatural, sickeningly nice personality, the Mary Sue's history began in fanfiction. Unfortunately, it did not remain there, and leaked into every form of writing - including roleplaying.
The Mary Sue is always beautiful. It's a must.
She is always described in excessive detail, with lots of "shimmering" adjectives. (i.e. Her fur shimmered like diamonds/sapphires/emeralds/silver/gold and her eyes glowed like stars in the sky. Her face was gorgeous, her form was perfectly lithe and desirable, and each paw was delicate. She seemed to float in her ethereal beauty, as she walked along the forest floor those perfectly formed paws barely touched a leaf, barely made noise.)
She is always wonderful. Always.
She is compassionate, intelligent, empathetic, strategic, a perfect mate, a perfect mother, a perfect alpha.
She can defeat the enemy with love. She's just that good.
There's a possibility she's either the child of a god or goddess. Probably the god or goddess of love, beauty, or music.
She could also be a "fallen angel" thrown from heaven for being "too compassionate towards mortals," in which case she will most likely have the "shimmering outline of angel wings" while casting magic spells, or even just sleeping.
Her eyes change colour depending on her mood. There's no science behind why, they just do.
Even in a society (such as with animals; wolves, dogs, etc.) without any form of government, the Mary Sue will undoubtedly be a princess of something. Probably a "lost princess" or the princess of some empire thought to be naught but myth and legend.
The Mary Sue is the last of her kind. Whether it be the last of her pack, the last of her family, or the last of her specific species, she's the only one left.
Along this same vein, the Mary Sue comes from a tragic past. Her family was slaughtered by marauders, then she was raped, then her true love was killed before her very eyes.
Then, for good measure, they "cursed" her with beauty, grace, and a loving disposition before sending her out on her own to find a new "one true love."
Despite this angst, the Mary Sue will be stoic in her pain. She will only shed one carefully placed, glittering tear as she tells her tragic story to every single person she meets.
If the time comes when a Mary Sue dies, she does so dramatically. She gives a final vow of love to her... love, then she dies with "tears glittering like diamonds" in her eyes which, "having been so full of love and life in the past, were now cold in her beautiful death."
The Mary Sue will then proceed to Heaven, where "she rightfully belongs," to take on a role as an angel/goddess/healing warrior/protector of everyone she loves/the moon/a new star in the sky, "glowing brighter than the rest."
------------------------------------
With these roles described fully, I don't expect any of you to make either kind of character. Be careful, be balanced, and be honest.