Names and Descriptions

Here at Dark Risings, we prefer that our players have original names. If you are asked to change your name, please do not argue with the immortal asking you to do so, and take a few moments to come up with an original name. We have a command that will rename your character and won't require you to log off or delete, so its really easy. Here are a few guidelines to help you in choosing an appropriate name for your character:

* Try to stay away from names that are previously used in works of fiction, whether it be a book, movie, television show, etc.
* Do not use names that are other words backwards, profane, verbs, nouns, or adjectives.
* Do not choose a name that may offend someone based on race, religion, or ethnic background.
* Some "modern" names may not be permitted. For example, "Bob" is not an acceptable choice for a name.

Also consider how your name ‘sounds’. An ogre with the name Lathrethielle is a little unbelievable.

If you would like help choosing a name, the following resources are available:

Fantasy Name Generator

Dire Press - Name Generator

Serendipity - Fantasy Names

Kabalarian Name Site

After logging into Dark Risings, you will need to write a description of your character before your name is approved. You have until level 11 to do this. Your description should be a physical description of yourself rather than a character history. Avoid lines that force events to happen such as, "You see so and so before you and he slices your throat!" Instead, describe your physical attributes, what you are wearing, etc. and be creative. A good description can lend a hint to who your character is and what they are about just by their physical appearance. Resources? The dictionary and thesaurus are powerful tools.

-A Good Description Example-

You can tell by looking at this young woman that she is pure drow. Her skin is dark brown, a sharp contrast to her pink lips. Her jet black hair is cut sharply, at an angle and falls just below her rounded chin. Liquid brown eyes peer up at you through heavy curly lashes, you notice tiny gold flecks in them.

Her stature is that of someone who is quite proud, as she turns away from you, you notice the uplift of her chin and a small tattoo of an encircled dragon on a sword on her slender neck.

-A Bad Description Example-

teh first thing you notice on this kine man is his peg leg it is shorter than the other leg and clops when he walks you see his bare foots pokes out under long pants cinched at the ankles his toes are green and yellow and sick looking like he not bathed in years as you eyes travel up you notice how skinny he and how my clothes hang off his bo dy in raggedy form with tears in it you see long scar run on my forearm from when his dad beat him up in forth grade for leaving my toys on the dloor and not cleaning up he likes to dance his chin is big and round and flat with a big dimple hole in it you think he wants to rule the world by enslaving all races under my power with m y super thinking ray that makes you think what he wants you to think and be his s lave

Stardryfter is in excellent condition.

Catriona's Guide to Magnificent Descriptions

This guide was written by a former ADMIN of Dark Risings. It includes many useful tips for writing great descriptions.

The basics:

So...No forced roleplay. At all. You cannot make me think, feel, or do anything just by looking at you.

Relating to that: The use of subjective adjectives such as beautiful, awe-inspiring, or disgusting. You should in general avoid these as revulsion is in the gut of the onlooker. This is one of those areas, though, where I'm a little less strict.

Your description should contain nothing about your history. You are describing what you look like, not your life story. If you're good, though, there are subtle hints you can incorporate.

Your description should not directly describe your personality. 'He looks slow and stupid' is too direct. Instead, think what is it about him that makes him look slow and stupid. A more appropriate phrasing might be 'He stares at his hands with an empty gaze and a slack jaw.'

Relating to that: The use of actions in your description can either enhance or detract from your descriptions. I'm not against it as a rule because I personally see a desc as a portrait frozen in time. So if it shows you sitting the corner, I'm okay with that. Actions that have you interacting in a major way, however, are not appropriate.

Spell- and grammar-check your description. Errors of that nature are not going to win you any favor.

I'm not a fan of ascii. Generally, unless it enhances your description in an amazing way, I'm biased against it. Use it if you want, but know that it makes me cranky.

The less basic but more vague:

A great description is original. There are hundreds of pretty maidens and strong warriors out there. I'm looking for something that sets your description apart from everyone else.

An extraordinary description does not have to be a book. Sharp, concise prose is much more effective. It also does not have to contain large words. If I have to frequently visit the dictionary, you end up missing the point of a description, namely, for other people to read it.

Finally, your description should give me a sense of your character without flat-out telling me. A subtle description that insinuates your character into my perception is what I'm looking for. And clever use of language. Consider not only what you say, but how you say it.

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