Character Creation

Okay, how many here have ever had trouble coming up with characters to doodle, or for a plotline? I'm sure we've all had some instances where we just, for the life of us, cannot think up a decent character to draw. It's pretty frustrating, right? Well, here's a nice way to invent a character, or two, or eight, without frying, imploding, and/or killing your brain in the process.

Ever played the game MASH in school? For those of you who have, go ahead and skip these parts until you see this symbol: ~***~. For those of you who haven't, or want to refresh your memory, go ahead and read.

MASH is a game played on a piece of paper. It's kind of like a fortune teller game. What happens is that there is typically seven to nine (occasionally more) catagories. In each of these catagories, there are up to four options. Example from a previously played MASH game:

MARRIED
Yes
No

KIDS
1
2
3
4

You see? Usually, these options come from the person who is playing. There is no limit to the options you can have. (This is actually a great game to play when you're bored, or need to pass some time, as it could take anywhere from five minutes to two hours, depending on how many options you have and a few other things.)

Now, after all the catagories are filled out, and all the options are placed, you pick a random number off the top of your head. This can be anything. Once that's done, you start counting. I know what you're thinking: Counting? What is she talking about?!

What you do is you start counting out the options. Let's say you picked number two. So, you would count out two options. The Option you land on, you cross out. Once there is only one option left in a single catagory, you circle the last option, and then leave that catagory alone. Confused? Here's an example (Let's pretend my number is six or something):

MARRIED
(1)Yes
(2)No

KIDS
(3)1
(4)2
(5)3
(6)4- This option is crossed out. You then resume couting, beginning at one and at the next option. It's really like an endless circle, until you're out of options.

PETS
(1)Cat
(2)Dog

See? Once every option has been used, and every catagory has only one option circled, you do a recap. So let's say, using the example above, that when I was done with it, I was left with:

MARRIED
Yes

KIDS
2

PETS
Cat

That would be the end result. I would be married, with two kids and a cat. Please remember that there are many other catagories. Some examples are: Salary, Job, Annual Salary, Age, Car, ect. (By the way, for those of you interested in playing, the word MASH, is part of the game. You count each letter as an option. Each letter stands for the type of home you'll have. M-Mansion, A-Apartment, S-Shack, H-House).

~***~

Now then, here's the idea: This is a character creation system using the MASH system. Here's the framework for the game. You can edit this as you wish. Mind you, these only go as far as physical traits. I think personality should be devoloped individually, rather than using a system, because it seems to take out the uniqueness.

GENDER
Female
Male

AGE
Young (Child)
Medium (Teen)
Adult (20+)

SKIN
Dark
Tan
Light

HEIGHT
Tall
Adverage
Petite

EYES
Blue
Green
Brown
Violet

HAIR
Auburn
Red
Brown
Black
Blonde
Unnatural

HAIR LENGTH
Short
Medium
Long