How to Think: Subrace Applications

[xkcdapostle]

How to think: Subrace Application.

So, you've though of a character that is brilliant in concept or an inside joke, however, there is one problem: They're a subrace!!!

SoS has tight controls over who gets to be a Dalek and who can be allowed to have their Half Demon Cultist on the server. (Both are very unlikely, I do not guarantee that this post will help you with either...)

So, what do we need to apply?

1. User Login
2. Character Name
3. Desired Race
4. Race Description
5. Race Abilities (modifiers)
6. Source Material
7. Brief Character background (this shows knowledge of the race)
8. Feedback Desired : (yes/no)

A simple list, isn't it?

Now, the first item, User Login, is simple enough, in fact I won't explain it nor instruct what you need there...
After all, you should be about to grasp its subtlety.

Now, item number 2 is difficult, it is the first step to demonstrating to Avvy, Balls and Bum that you know what you're talking about when it comes to Half-Dragon Celestials from Mars. (Another invalid subrace, so I'm told...)
A name is more than the actual word you should be called over the numerous nicknames Terrance Shadowfist may come up with... With the right name, it can mean the difference between Balls and Avvy not looking at your application and actually getting them to start to read it. (Of course, they do read all applications, some may just not get their interest as much as others.)

I'd recommend that you spend at least 10 minutes using Google or another Search Engine to find a suitable name for your character, Steve the Goblin is rather too mundane and as you can tell, wouldn't really interest anyone... But then, Lord Galligan of Earlsborough is also too grandiose and sounds as though you may not be serious here. (I assure you, these names were not for my amusement, merely to prevent you from using them, in a serious application.)

Now, once you have the name, this step is rather quick, since you already know what Subrace you want, though if not I'm wondering why you've got to this stage... So place the name of the chosen subrace next to item 3.

The fourth item, Race Description, is merely the statistics of your chosen subrace. Nothing more than what the specification, or a page from the DnD manual, of the subrace. A brief of their race's history, the race's characteristics (physical, mental, psionic, etc.) and the other details that make you sound like the encyclopedia on the Duergar or Brownie races. You will need to research this, try multiple sources and pick the one that will support your application.
It is better to have a few sources, just so you can get extra bits that may be missed out.

The fifth item is where you list the modifiers your Subrace alters, i.e. +2 Con and -4 CHA for the Duergar.
Though for simplicity, also include the feats your race gets so that you can also display your knowledge.

The sixth item is merely where you got the information on your Subrace for the race description. If you can cite many sources for your application, that would show your commitment and generally make you be seen in a good light. It also helps Avvy to check over it and ensure you did bother with this application. When you cite your sources, make sure that they are reputable, Wikia's are becoming less taboo for sources of knowledge (at least in Academia) so they can be fine, but if you get a page from the DnD handbook. It would be a more reputable source, giving you a basis for easily supporting the paragraphs for items 4 and 5.

Item 7, the most enjoyable part, at least to those who enjoy it. The Character's background.
This is generally a few paragraphs, describing their lineage, their outlook on life and the history before their arrival to the island. The questions you should try to answer in your paragraphs should be:

• Where were they born? What is their parentage? What were the circumstances?
  
• What did they do? What were their dreams? What are their goals? What do they value?
  
• How do they act? What is their outlook? Is it biased by their race? How do they view others of different alignment or viewpoint? Do they have a grudge or favor certain races?
  
• How did they hear of Siranda? Were they there during the plague? If so, how did they react to it? If not, how did they get there?
  
• Can you show me a scenario, of their past, that demonstrates how you would Roleplay them? Is the scenario one that they would be part of, based on your answers to these questions?
  

If you answer these questions, I can assure you, so long as they fit in with everything you have written, that you have ticked all the boxes to get what you want.

Finally, item 8 is where you want to get feedback from the DMs.
I'd recommend a Yes, since they will provide you with valuable feedback and can give you advice on how to improve your application. That is, sort out something that makes no sense as you got carried away with the Brownie called “Derek Fumblehill” in his amusing tale of when he escaped stealing a piece of silverware from a Giant.

Generally, rather than argue, DMs detest arguing, thank them and then come back with a better scenario, one that is based on what they advised you to do or makes more sense. Though if you need more information about why they refused, ask them by a PM just for a few pointers.

I wish whoever uses this post's advice for their subrace application the best of luck. Again, I cannot stress how much that this post will not guarantee a successful application, but I can tell you that it will give you a better idea of what the DMs look for in an application. Please do not attempt to see if an application for a race or otherwise with certain details that would be impossible to approve would work with this advice, since it would likely lead to smites...

[Addendum]

Your roleplay token, a series of bytes stored on a Virtual Machine as electrical pulses in hardware; indicating your level within the strict Grading System used to denote your roleplaying ability, will also affect the application. However, in some cases, this may not really apply. Most new players will be refused, due to the lack of roleplay that the DM has observed rather than the assumption that they have no skill for roleplaying.

(Thank you Gatalis for your reminder)

[gatalis]

Very true, and reminds me of a few things I overlooked!

EDIT: I'd also like to state under this that, while I'm sure if your RP bio is good enough it can get the application approved anyways, your RP token can potentially effect your capability of getting a subrace.
This isn't to say a blue or green RPer couldn't get a goliath or some such approved, but that the DMs haven't seen your RP potential so it would take a lot more convincing.


For Example of what I'm talking about:

A subrace that doesn't have a lot of bonuses, lets say... Fire Elves from Unearthed Arcana (Like a standard elf, but with +2 INT, -2 CHA, 5 fire resistance on top of the +2 DEX -2 CON) would be more easily approved for an RPer than, say, a Githzerai.

[xkcdapostle]

This is ideally the general points that I would cover if I ever wanted to get a character of a certain subrace. I'm disappointed that Half-Dragon Celestial's from Mars are not able to be roleplayed on Shadows of Siranda. They would make the Server more varied and interesting... Joking aside, if you grasp the general principles of how to go about it, then you will see that this can be applied to applying for anything. That goes without saying, that I doubt any respectable organisation would consider you for an interview if you copied the question: Do they have a grudge or favor certain races? and left it there as inspiration for the creation of your CV or Resume.

[Avvy]

I'd like to pipe in. I will always read every application put up. I will take every one of them seriously, regardless of the name the character is given. If you want to call your goblin Steve, then I may ask "Why is he called Steve? What made him take on a human name?"

[BALLS OF STEEL]

And of course Gatalis is correct, subraces that have been picked for their roleplayability, rather than their beefed up stats do have a better result from us. Though what people need to remember is that most of the time, we say no to subraces because it doesnt fit the setting.

You need to take the setting into consideration when you make an application. For example if you are requesting to play a Warforged, then answer will always be 'No', because they are from the Eberron campaign setting.

Most monstrous subraces will be rejected on the grounds that they dont fit the setting. There is also the degree of difficulty to consider, as playing a monster race will more than likely get you killed very quickly if you are not very careful or very stealthy. However if you are playing a monster and all you do when you log in is run off to Annedhel to hide away or grind, then you are not roleplaying. So be aware that subraces can often come with catch-22 situations attached.

Another very popular subrace to be requested is Vampire, and these are almost always rejected. Its more than likely that how you think a vampire should be played isnt how we think it is, so save yourself the trouble and think very carefully before you apply to be a Kobold, Vampire or Troll.

[xkcdapostle]

I'm not stating you do not, all my advice and pointers written there are there to stress, that whilst a DM may have to read through the most boring application in the world: that doesn't mean the application is guaranteed success. This post was to illustrate how to go about filling an application, I am in no way intentionally or otherwise insinuating that the DMs are not performing their obligations.
I am simply informing the reader that an interesting application will mean a better chance of success, with the name examples, I was simply demonstrating that it is easier for the application to succeed if you chose a good name. Since the name is the first part of the application that refers to the character being applied for, it is the most important to gain the interest and attention needed to allow for a better read and a better chance of a successful application. If everyone would note the bracketed statement after my emphasis of the importance of a good character name, you would note clearly the entire point that this post hopes to clarify.

[Dr.Thor]

I've always wanted to play a retarded Ithilid nicknamed 'Jerry', whose eyes blink at off times from each other. It still makes more sense than a majority of applications I've seen over the years.

[BALLS OF STEEL]

Illithids get +6 to intelligence, making them fearsome wizards when they are not being psions. But as the good Doctor said, playing an illithid or anything like that would make as much sense as me playing a Time Traveller *

[Dr.Thor]

Oh I know. I just thought of a silly and highly unlikely scenario in which an Ithilid just ate retarded brains after I was told that's how they did things. But this is a great example of the point made in this thread. I know next to nothing about Ithilids, and I could just vomit up some funky story that doesn't make sense.

Jokes and all aside, the lesson is to know your stuff and write it well.

[BALLS OF STEEL]

** Yes there was.

[gatalis]

Another piece of advise I would give to players looking to put in -any- sort of application is to look over previously applications that have been approved/denied.

It might seem useless and arbitrary, but I still suggest it for two reasons.

1. Even if it seems like there was no point, it will subconsciously enforce what -not- to do/go for in an application.


2. The observant player can take note of things that tend to get an application approved or rejected.

[Taric]

Something i always say to my friends making characters
If you have no knowledge of a race, don't do it until you feel ready to. i started saying this because i did it myself at one point

[xkcdapostle]

I suppose one should heed such advice... However, research into the race and asking DMs questions about races will nonetheless be an interesting topic that helps you learn about it. If you have a character that would be concerned about other races (wizards desiring knowledge, a racist character that generally uses the excuse of talking about races to express their prejudices, etc.) then talking about it IC can be useful, though limit it to things that are IC. For example, you wouldn't discuss the feat darkvision in terms of a feat, but you could ask if it were true that such and such race has what you'd call Darkvision. Or whether it's true that Elves don't sleep, that they simply lie on a bed staring at the ceiling for ten minutes just to refresh themselves.

So I would recommend that applicants discuss their ideas with their peers and should a DM not be too busy, the DM on the server before applying for their subrace.