I've had this idea for a while. I know I enjoy designing characters, but I don't have enough campaigns to put them in. I know other people are in the opposite situation, and need a character, but are unable, for whatever reason, to make that character themselves. Therefor, I think it would be an excellent idea to gather a group of people in the first situation, to help cater to the needs of the second. All I need is people that can help me hammer out the specifics: What forum category should this be in? How should I have people place requests? How do I recruit? What should I call the guild? Anyone who can help, wants to join or both, thank you!
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Pronouns: he/him/his.
My posting scheduled is irregular: sometimes I can post twice a week, sometimes twice a day. I may also respond to quick questions, but ignore harder responses in favor of time.
My location is where my character for my home game is (we're doing the wild beyond the witchlight).
"The Doomvault... Probably full of unicorns and rainbows." -An imaginary quote
I think this would be part of a separate topic where character ideas can be discussed. So like Tips & Mechanics, the various class topics etc, there would be topic on character creation and exchange of ideas, and this would be a thread in that topic.
I don't know how receptive DDB staff would be to creating a new one, though.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
I don't think this needs to go as far as making a new subforum. A single organized/managed thread could handle it.
You could have the first post have a link to campaigns of nothing but unassigned characters for people to join, take what they want and leave the campaign. Creators could have their own campaign each or a few could share.
Certainly, having a moderator help manage would make things much easier. Or if they ever added an option to copy another player's character sheet so you could make your own version (it can be an option owners turn off if they don't want their character copied).
I'd kind if want better character management tools (ie folders) before participating in this though.
I mean, couldn't someone simply linked a character publicly and anyone who wants it can manually copy it?
That said, and not trying to sound like a naysayer out of spite or anything; but I don't think the "market" for players in need of pregens is all that high. I mean, there was this digital toolset developed not too long ago that really streamlined character creation to the point where characters can be built in a matter of minutes and management is much easier than pencil and paper days, ahem.
There was a DM not too long ago who wanted to sort of crowdsource characters from the community so they could populate some sort of arena tourney. I think that's the closest you'd get to any sort of "character exchange."
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
I think General Discussion works, I'm not sure what else it would fit in. Sharing characters might fit in more than one topic, but this one is the most neutral in my mind. (It could also be in the DM topics, but that's more specific and this seems to be a very open idea). When you decide on the right topic, I'll be happy to join in! :)
As for recruiting, like I said this seems like an open idea, so you could recruit if you'd like as the main parts of the guild, but everyone should be able to share their ideas, and recruiting doesn't seem to be particularly necessary.
And to respond to MidnightPlat, a "character exchange" doesn't have to be specific. All it is is a thread to share random characters. Also, an arena tourney might have more characters with a lot of fighting in their background, (and in no way am I saying that's bad), but even in your subconscious you'd be slowly working out how to alter backgrounds and tweak personalities so they could fight in an arena. Characters here wouldn't have to work toward anything but being a character. So this is a "character exchange", no one has to get closer to what it already will be.
And to respond to MidnightPlat, a "character exchange" doesn't have to be specific. All it is is a thread to share random characters. Also, an arena tourney might have more characters with a lot of fighting in their background, (and in no way am I saying that's bad), but even in your subconscious you'd be slowly working out how to alter backgrounds and tweak personalities so they could fight in an arena. Characters here wouldn't have to work toward anything but being a character. So this is a "character exchange", no one has to get closer to what it already will be.
So "character exchange" was my coinage in this thread, and is a more accurate description of the proposed utility. The arena I remembered as the last time something of that sort had any particular value. Was it specific purpose? Absolutely. Is there utility in some sort of dumping ground or showcase of other DDB members work? I don't know. I mean, look at the wildly ranging quality in homebrew. And how would a player navigate a thread to find just the character they're looking for once such a thread gets to page 100? Do we differentiate standard array, point buy, dice roll made characters?
In the end, I think this is a resource that is conceived on the false notion that there is a need for a repository of pre gens for players who were unable or unavailable to make a character. Honestly, if you don't have the time to make a character, how are you going to find time to actually play the game?
OP wants to create a club showing off character creations. As mentioned in this thread already, people discuss characters all the time on this board. I think a further resource to finding characters to use just doesn't have a lot of practical or utilitarian value here ... given the ease this specific website makes chargen.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
That said, and not trying to sound like a naysayer out of spite or anything; but I don't think the "market" for players in need of pregens is all that high. I mean, there was this digital toolset developed not too long ago that really streamlined character creation to the point where characters can be built in a matter of minutes and management is much easier than pencil and paper days, ahem.
It’s been my experience that most people end up creating more characters than they’ll ever get the dance to play.
You're right, generally. But I do know someone IRL that does not like to build characters and only plays to RP.
They have asked me to make all of their characters, and the only input they would give for what they wanted to play is "I don't know".
I'm sure a small portion of the community is like that/knows someone like that. Having a collection of characters that they can shop around for is a lot better for them than getting overwhelmed by build options.
That said, and not trying to sound like a naysayer out of spite or anything; but I don't think the "market" for players in need of pregens is all that high. I mean, there was this digital toolset developed not too long ago that really streamlined character creation to the point where characters can be built in a matter of minutes and management is much easier than pencil and paper days, ahem.
It’s been my experience that most people end up creating more characters than they’ll ever get the dance to play.
You're right, generally. But I do know someone IRL that does not like to build characters and only plays to RP.
They have asked me to make all of their characters, and the only input they would give for what they wanted to play is "I don't know".
I'm sure a small portion of the community is like that/knows someone like that. Having a collection of characters that they can shop around for is a lot better for them than getting overwhelmed by build options.
That’s true, analysis paralysis is a real thing. Too manymuch choices is a problem for some folks.
I've had this idea for a while. I know I enjoy designing characters, but I don't have enough campaigns to put them in. I know other people are in the opposite situation, and need a character, but are unable, for whatever reason, to make that character themselves. Therefor, I think it would be an excellent idea to gather a group of people in the first situation, to help cater to the needs of the second. All I need is people that can help me hammer out the specifics: What forum category should this be in? How should I have people place requests? How do I recruit? What should I call the guild? Anyone who can help, wants to join or both, thank you!
Pronouns: he/him/his.
My posting scheduled is irregular: sometimes I can post twice a week, sometimes twice a day. I may also respond to quick questions, but ignore harder responses in favor of time.
My location is where my character for my home game is (we're doing the wild beyond the witchlight).
"The Doomvault... Probably full of unicorns and rainbows." -An imaginary quote
I think this would be part of a separate topic where character ideas can be discussed. So like Tips & Mechanics, the various class topics etc, there would be topic on character creation and exchange of ideas, and this would be a thread in that topic.
I don't know how receptive DDB staff would be to creating a new one, though.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
I don't think this needs to go as far as making a new subforum. A single organized/managed thread could handle it.
You could have the first post have a link to campaigns of nothing but unassigned characters for people to join, take what they want and leave the campaign. Creators could have their own campaign each or a few could share.
Certainly, having a moderator help manage would make things much easier. Or if they ever added an option to copy another player's character sheet so you could make your own version (it can be an option owners turn off if they don't want their character copied).
I'd kind if want better character management tools (ie folders) before participating in this though.
I mean, couldn't someone simply linked a character publicly and anyone who wants it can manually copy it?
That said, and not trying to sound like a naysayer out of spite or anything; but I don't think the "market" for players in need of pregens is all that high. I mean, there was this digital toolset developed not too long ago that really streamlined character creation to the point where characters can be built in a matter of minutes and management is much easier than pencil and paper days, ahem.
There was a DM not too long ago who wanted to sort of crowdsource characters from the community so they could populate some sort of arena tourney. I think that's the closest you'd get to any sort of "character exchange."
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
I think General Discussion works, I'm not sure what else it would fit in. Sharing characters might fit in more than one topic, but this one is the most neutral in my mind. (It could also be in the DM topics, but that's more specific and this seems to be a very open idea). When you decide on the right topic, I'll be happy to join in! :)
As for recruiting, like I said this seems like an open idea, so you could recruit if you'd like as the main parts of the guild, but everyone should be able to share their ideas, and recruiting doesn't seem to be particularly necessary.
"Hero of the Heavens" (Title by Drummer)
It’s been my experience that most people end up creating more characters than they’ll ever get the dance to play.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
And to respond to MidnightPlat, a "character exchange" doesn't have to be specific. All it is is a thread to share random characters. Also, an arena tourney might have more characters with a lot of fighting in their background, (and in no way am I saying that's bad), but even in your subconscious you'd be slowly working out how to alter backgrounds and tweak personalities so they could fight in an arena. Characters here wouldn't have to work toward anything but being a character. So this is a "character exchange", no one has to get closer to what it already will be.
"Hero of the Heavens" (Title by Drummer)
So "character exchange" was my coinage in this thread, and is a more accurate description of the proposed utility. The arena I remembered as the last time something of that sort had any particular value. Was it specific purpose? Absolutely. Is there utility in some sort of dumping ground or showcase of other DDB members work? I don't know. I mean, look at the wildly ranging quality in homebrew. And how would a player navigate a thread to find just the character they're looking for once such a thread gets to page 100? Do we differentiate standard array, point buy, dice roll made characters?
In the end, I think this is a resource that is conceived on the false notion that there is a need for a repository of pre gens for players who were unable or unavailable to make a character. Honestly, if you don't have the time to make a character, how are you going to find time to actually play the game?
OP wants to create a club showing off character creations. As mentioned in this thread already, people discuss characters all the time on this board. I think a further resource to finding characters to use just doesn't have a lot of practical or utilitarian value here ... given the ease this specific website makes chargen.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
You're right, generally. But I do know someone IRL that does not like to build characters and only plays to RP.
They have asked me to make all of their characters, and the only input they would give for what they wanted to play is "I don't know".
I'm sure a small portion of the community is like that/knows someone like that. Having a collection of characters that they can shop around for is a lot better for them than getting overwhelmed by build options.
That’s true, analysis paralysis is a real thing. Too manymuch choices is a problem for some folks.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting