51 replies to this topic

[FltAdml. Wolf]

When creating a bio, I recommend choosing a species with some kind of culture you can play off of. In my case, there was nothing and I was forced to use another species culture.

Wanted to do a spin-off thread to talk about this issue.

I don't think it's always necessary to create a species that has been developed. There are lots of great ways to develop any species -- especially those that are canon, but have no background.

I'm interested to know, however, what other folks have found in trying to play an alien species. Because we're obviously not looking from their viewpoint, have you found it difficult to try and integrate yourself into the mindset of their culture? What if they don't have an onscreen culture? Klingons are pretty well developed and we know how they think -- but what about Katarians? Can we, and should we judge their entire race by the conniving of one person?

I'd love to hear how everyone has dealt with this

[Idril Mar]

Playing a Trill, with it so developed by DS9, is a mixed blessing. I have a lot of material to draw on, but I'm caught in some ways into some stereotypes as well.

[Varaan]

I play a Vulcan, and there's TONS of material out there to draw from, similar to Idril's Trill. And yes, there would be similar limitations, but...

Do we know everything there is to know about Trills? Or Vulcans? Or only the important stuff that they decided to put into an episode? There is always room for imagination to expand the culture in certain directions.

As for underdeveloped races, like Ktarians, we can create whatever culture we'd like. In the table-top ST RPG I play, they've fleshed out the Ktarian race somewhat, and they're realatively peaceful and Federation Members now. The female who tried to take over the Enterprise-D with the Game was apparently a known criminal, and her actions were not reflective of the entire society. Alternately, they could have gone the other way and made the whole race dispicable, and noone would have known the difference. Personnaly, I'd like to play underdeveloped races...there's more freedom of creation for someone with a good imagination. But imagination is the key. If you don't have a good imagination, you might want to stick with Human.

[FltAdml. Wolf]

One of the difficulties I've always had with Trills is that writing for one seems like an extremely difficult task. How can a Human, who's never had a symbiotic relationship, begin to convey the emotions involved therein? Seems like a monumentous task.

Idril, perhaps you could give us your thoughts on the subject? Any other Trills around?

[JSheriden]

We have one named Ensign Tre Amandi aboard the Constitution.

[Ra-Uleyra]

It is a great challenge to play a character that is of a race that is canon but far from developed. But it is an enjoyable challenge. Andorians have appeared in a couple of TOS episodes, a handful of ENT episodes, and either appeared or their names came up in dialogue throughout the movie era, TNG, DS9, and VOY. The lack of data leaves me with an open playing field to really define who the Andorians are in my own vision. Wolf is right, it would be unfair to base an entire race on just a handful of colorful characters. There are some elements of Shran that I try to portray in Avatar...but at the same time he did spend some time on Earth so there is a human aspect as well. I think we all have to take that in account as well. Us aliens did go to the Academy on Earth so chances are we have some human traits. That can be a blessing in disguise as well as some simmers create an alien character in name only but really are human.

[James]

If anyone is still reading this thread. *grins* I play a Trill character, Lieutenant JG Rayne Rowax, he is joined. *smiles* I took an interesting take on it. I like to look at the confusion the character is feeling inside of himself. Because he was you know, himself the individual, and assumed it was him and his surroundings, now with the joining he understands there is so much more, plus the melding of his personality with the symbiont, which is made up of the personalities of previous hosts, makes him a new person. Its not Rayne or Rowax, its Rayne Rowax, and Rayne is Rowax, but Rowax is Rayne, and Rayne as Rowax shows that Rowax is an ever changing thing.

*sighs* Sorry for the riddles...sometimes i do that. But Rayne now sees himself as *ROWAX* when he remembers things from previous hosts, he thinks of them as *himself* but he's aware taht they happend to a different person. But he views himself as that same person, just changed. Like he *Rowax...speaking of the symbiont who now is Rayne* is just getting older, changing his perspective and such. *smiles* and the little bit of individualism in Rayne that is left, has him grasping with the confusion of it all. *smiles*

So yes you can see its wretchedly hard writing for a joined Trill. But I usually like to have the previous hosts fleshed out in Rayne. So that the other readers see that Rayne is Rowax, and Rowax has many personalities. *smiles* like i portray Rayne as quite and meek, and well shy, and hardly the type to be mad. But in a flashback sim, I show a side of him that comes from one of the previous hosts. And i like to often try and play the previous hosts out through Rayne. *smiles*

I cant think of much more 2 say...but if anyone wants 2 keep talking...please ask questions or comment. *smiling*

James

[Chaag]

I play a character that is from a human gene type. This means that while this race at one time came from the Human gene pool, over time it has changed. This means that this race, this character is simlar to the the typical Human but there are slight differances.

So how to play an alien character,for me, means to play a character that is slightly differant from everyone else. Its the smal details that matter.

[FltAdml. Wolf]

Can you explain this a little more? Mutation takes an awful long time -- I'd be interested to learn how you justify the changes IC. (i.e.- how did the changes come about, what exactly are the changes, etc.)

[Idril Mar]

Maybe its something like the altered humans from the Stargate series.

[Aquiss]

I have always played an "alien" Alder is a El-Aurian but over the years, I think that I have played nearly every race LOL!!

My advice to playing an Alien well is "Do your research and do it well" Re-watch the Star trek Eps that they feature in, jot down in a note book everything relevant to them and bookmark all web pages that has some information on them too.

I have literally note books FULL of information on each of the chars I choose, although not an easy task in the first place, it soon becomes VERY rewarding for yourself to play Aliens and enjoyable for your fellow crew mates to interact with them.

A.

[Roon-TLoc]

char·ac·ter
Pronunciation: 'kar-ik-t&r
Function: noun
2 a : one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

One of the main reasons I enjoy the Star Trek role-playing enviroment is the ability to create and role play otherwordly characters. It is a unqiue opportunity to explore the different aspects of humanity.

I agree with Aquiss. They become great sources for interaction with other characters in the sim.

[Roon-TLoc]

I have been playing a Civilian Roon T'Loc for about six months at Starbase 118 Operations. The insights I have gained into the Vulcan culture have been 'fascinating'. Below is a little bit of research I gleaned from the ST: TNG Role Playing Game Core Game Book:

Vulcan Physiology

[] Strong and resilient
[] Green copper-based blood.
[] Second protective eyelid
[] Pointed ear lobes

Vulcan Personality

[] Logical and highly analytical
[] Excel in intellectual tasks
[] High prowess in personal combat

[Chaag]

Can you explain this a little more? Mutation takes an awful long time -- I'd be interested to learn how you justify the changes IC. (i.e.- how did the changes come about, what exactly are the changes, etc.)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My character, Barlow, is a result of his inviroment. In his case, it is a dry planet, with less gravity the Earth. I gave him the ability to change his skin color, like a lizard. In fact he is raptilian, but has the human gene also.

I thought this change makes sense, considering the type of planet.

Barlow, also hates clothing, and that makes sense on a hot planet also.

Not very big changes, no super power stuff, just changes so barlow race can survive better.

Hope this helps.

[Rocar Drawoh]

hmm ...well playing a Ktarian (mentioned in the first post to this thread ) has its pros and cons.

The first thing is that its great being to create things as you want and take the species in the direction you want. Now with the Ktarians I was really lucky because they appeared briefly in an episode of TNG and then VOY made loads and loads of little canon references to the Ktarians and Ktarian traditions/biology (Naiomi Wildeman's father was Ktarian...hence she grew up so quick.)

This really offered a blank page but with various small facts to peg things on... eg. our children grow up quick, we have music festivals and we have ski resorts! (to name a few) -clearly I have areas to look at but not as much to conform to as for a Klingon say.

The drawbacks are that it is difficult to catalogue all my developments for the species (culture and history). I know them, but listing them online requires a lot of time... for example I’ve made up things like a Ktarian Grand Piano has demi-semitones between the black and white keys; that Ktarians traditionally have big families and that its a source of male pride...the men bring up the children (since the only Ktarian seen on TNG was a woman on a mission)

Its also a little drawback that a new cadet could start simming a Ktarian tomorrow and not play it to these traditions I've established with my character over the years... but then who's to say the diferent areas of Ktaria VII dont have different traditions etc.

[Alana Devar]

I play a Betazoid character with Vulcan upbringings, so I try to flesh out the best of both worlds onto an emotional plate. It has it's rewards -- I use the canon information, but I've also tried to make Alana unique. By that I mean straying away from the Lwaxana's and Deanna's.

I made a character that was tormented with mental noise as a child who was torn from her parents at a tender age. Alana was snubbed by her genetic bondmate, and, with everything else, these factors left a complex about the woman who kept reverting back to the people in which embraced her as a child. She's passionate, but is unsure.

She's also made mistakes, but that makes her interesting to play. She has real feelings and I try to stay true to form with them.

I've always broadened the character by creating some Betazoid culture of my own. Alana is native in an ancient Betazoid tongue and worships a goddess by the name of Karawati. Just like Earth has it's many religions, I figured Betazed might as well, though I did incorporate Rixx into the mix. That just leaves things interesting for me without controlling too much.

[Admiral Hollis]

Hi all,

I play a Bajoran, who was not part of the resistance or particularly scarred by the occupation. He is a prylar, or monk who was sent to join Star Fleet after confirmation.

A lot of Bajoran's played are of the angry former resistant fighter type. So I play counter to that.

There is a lot developed on Bajor, and early on I tended to do more research than I do know. One thing I've found is his spiritual self has become less obvious as he advanced in rank. I think it is often true that as one become higher rank it is harder to do personal sims, because so much time is spent focussing on others.

Still I recently did a sim where Hollis was confronted by a blood sucking mist creature. In fear he called out a Bajoran invocation against evil that I put together from known Bajoran words. I may try to build on that and show more of his culture.

I've also play a medusian for a short periond on the old Walace. That was a lot of fun.

For my part when I play an alien I try to think of what their pardigm is and then play with in that. I also like to get an idea of their general attitude.

One of my best and most challenging characters was actually a human. He was a Texan engineer whose family was linked to Bowie. He was a big character and had to talk a certain way and think a certain way.

I'd love to play him again.

Hollis

[Aeryn Skylar]

I play a half Bajoran half Betazoid. I'm just starting to delve into her background and personal life. And I'm trying to make her different than most from both species. She didn't experience any of the Occupation so that sets her apart from most Bajorans. She also isn't particularly crazy about being telepathic and uses it as little as possible.

I'm finding it more challenging and fun to play her differently than the typical from both species.

[Seph 647]

Hi,

I played a Hermat. The species was introduce to me of a good friend who played a Caitian named K'trani Vr'Ner.

My character grew up in a Starbase and was fascinated about ships specially how they work. So, s/he became an engineer.

Here is a little bit about Hermat:

Hermats, as a race, tend to keep to themselves, and they have tended to segregate themselves from the rest of the Federation. In the mid 2370's there were still few Hermats in Starfleet. Hermat individuals are possessed of two sexes, and each has fully functioning male and female capabilities. They are exceptionally hedonistic in general and they celebrate the duality that makes them unique.

Physically Hermats look much like humans, that is a cross between male and female humans. Their hips are typically rounder than human males, yet not so curvaceous as typical female humans. Similarly, they are typically small busted. Also, Hermats have somewhat larger foreheads, slightly sharpened canine teeth, and very dark eyes. Hermats possess physical strength about two and a half times human norm. They also possess a very acute sense of smell in regards to detecting pheromones. Many members of other races find the Hermat's dual sexuality to be disturbing. One race who are completely comfortable with Hermats are the Trill for obvious reasons.

Because of their bi-gendered natures, special pronouns and honorifics are used when referring to members of species possessed of both sexes such as the Hermats. In place of him and her, the term hir (pronounced "HEER") is used. Hish is a possessive pronoun which replaces the mono-gendered terms his and hers. The pronoun s/he (pronounced "SS-hee") replaces the masculine he and feminine she. In place of such honorifics as Sir or Ma'am, the dual-gendered Shir (pronounced "SHER") is used.

[Denari]

That's very cool Seph. There was a Hermat CEO in the ST: New Frontier Book Series. They also have some other interesting characters that aren't the tradition Starfleet members.

My character is Bajoran and while I originally had her be the typical angry Bajoran, this go around I am going to make some changes. Hopefully I can make her more interesting by delving into the more spiritual side lost to most Bajorans.