A Guide to OCs: What They Are and What They are For
- Locked due to inactivity on Aug 4, '16 4:32pm
Thread Topic: A Guide to OCs: What They Are and What They are For
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Please note that anyone can add on because I know I leave out important pieces of information from time to time!
What is an OC?
A lot of people ask, "What is an OC?" In fact, I'm sure you're asking the very same question, seeing as you've found yourself here and you don't know what exactly I'm talking about.
Well, let me start you off here; OC stands for Original Character. Do you remember watching Elmo from Sesame Street when you were younger (or maybe you watched it yesterday and learned about the letter P)? Well, Elmo is a character. If you were to use Elmo the way an OC is used, you wouldn't be able to call him that. You know why? Because Elmo isn't originally yours!
To have an Original Character is to make up a character that is entirely yours. While you can use a character like Elmo when roleplaying, he isn't the same thing as creating your very own character. He comes from another "world", he has a very different purpose than what you have in mind.
For example, have my character Con!
Name: Con
Sex/Gender: Male
Age: Presumed to be around 20 appearance wise; 100 years old in vampire years
Birthday: October 18, 1914
Species: Vampire
Appearance:
Likes:
-Twin brother Seltar
-Girlfriend Emily
-Animals
-Snuggles
-Licking
-Getting to do random jobs
Dislikes:
-Having to be mature
-Penguins
-Fluffy things
Powers: [Error: Unknown]
History: Con was born with his twin brother Seltar a year after their mother met their father. Con, being the first one out, tries to act like the tougher man; However, he usually ends up being the goofiest, and cannot stand to be outdone by his brother. Ever since he was a small child, he'd host private contests for only him and his brother and would attempt to win. However, Seltar, being stronger and colder than the older twin, always won. Con, however, has never envied his brother and will always adore him. They've been the closest friends and tell each other everything- Mainly because on their 9th birthday their mother died and their father became a drunkard. Con was usually his father's target, seeing as how he was the older and the weaker one. It was during times like this when Seltar showed the only ounce of kindness he had; And his love for his brother. They stood up for each other for the next eleven years until their twentieth birthday. The two had been enjoying themselves tremendously until a gang of hungry vampires broke into their house. Their father ended up being their prey, and was instantly drained before their eyes. While they would have preferred the vampires to do the same to them, the leader of the group thought that they would make for good gang members. They were turned with the idea they'd fall into the leader's trap of being able to control fledglings. However, Seltar, who didn't enjoy the idea of having been forced into a group, took Con and left. The two wandered around and met other vampires that they made an alliance with. Years after that, they came upon a castle, where Caine Vander Carlotta-Smith was ruling. They started to work for him. Around that time, Con met a girl named Emily. He instantly fell in love with her, and asked her out. At the same time, Seltar left his girlfriend Nefarious and went back to being silent and cold. The two now work as spies for Queen Wendy Dark Lithe Miko Carlotta-Smith, pretending to be under Frost (one of Furri's gang members)'s command.
Pets: N/A
Family: Mother (DEAD), Father (DEAD), Seltar
Friends: After Dark, Demitri, other people
Foes: N/A
Dating: Emily
Children: N/A
Other: --
Con here is my OC. He doesn't come from any book, movie, or TV show. While I might've based him off of an existing species (he's a vampire), he belongs to me. I made him up from the little back part of my brain called my imagination. He isn't real, but he exists. Confusing, right?
Con: I'm not confusing. -.-'
No, not at all, Con! We know you aren't confusingoh yes you are. I'm talking about the idea of your existence. What's the point of me having created you? Why do I need a blonde vampire that smiles a lot and likes pillows and has a pretty clique background around?
Con: Because you love me?
That, and because you have a purpose. I didn't write up everything for no reason. Which brings us to... -
What are OCs intended to be used for?
Different people make up OCs for different reasons. Maybe you have someone in your head and you want to talk to them when your friends won't talk to you. Maybe you want to write a story. Really, what you do with your OC is up to you!
When it comes to GTQ terms, OCs are used for Roleplaying, or Soaping.* Sometimes, OCs are only used once in a soap. Maybe they're a ninja and that's all you want them to be used for. That's OK; You don't need to make an OC that lasts a lifetime. Sometimes it's okay to make a friend that will only last you for one soap/roleplay.
Really, OCs can be used for anything! While you might not want to bring them into everyday conversations, you can bring them into a roleplay and use them with other user's OCs or you can talk to them and converse with other users.
Conclusion
Basically, an OC is a made-up character. :) I hope that was clear in the beginning. Remember, you can use an OC whenever you'd like, it doesn't matter!
One last thing; Although you don't have to /love/ your character, to some peoplelike me, OCs are really important. Some people become very attached to them, and it's NEVER fun to see an OC get mocked for existing or to see their admin get mocked for making them. Try to appreciate what another person has, and appreciate your own character! Maybe that other person prefers werewolves over vampires and maybe they use the same species for all of their characters. That's their choice, not yours.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask 'em!
*If you don't know what a soap or a roleplay is, please see these threads for assistance!
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