In-Character Stories

[Ravven]

I was wondering if anyone (being literary types and all) wrote actual stories about their characters? I generally don't, althought the snippets below were done for RP-server guild apps on my hunter Kitsune and my warlock Ravven. For some reason, each snippet takes place in an inn.

And yes, I admit to being too lazy to research the historical lore to an extent which would avoid pissing off a lot of people on an RP server.

Kitsune tossed her dusty bags and travelling gear into a heap in the corner. She was exhausted and filthy from the long journey, and looking forward to a bath and a nap, not necessarily in that order. The inn was plain and the room small, but everything was clean and the bed looked like heaven.

From behind her she heard a surreptitious creak of bedsprings, and turning around she saw her huge black armored boar, Ennui, trying to look inconspicuous in the middle of the bed.

"Hey, fleabag! Get your fat self off that bed!" Ennui heaved a deep sigh, and closed his eyes. "Ah, well…move your great arse over, and make room." She flopped on the bed next to the boar, and he happily rolled over onto his back so that she could scratch his stomach. Kit noticed that she had dried blood rimming each fingernail, and there was a distinct odor that she honestly couldn't claim was boar. She needed a bath.

There was a mirror hanging over the cracked clothes chest, and she stood for a moment looking into it. Used to seeing her reflection in water, if at all, she flinched a bit as she studied her scarred face. There was more extensive scarring on her back, and around her wrists, but usually that was covered up by mail. Her face felt so exposed.

Ah, well – she’d never been a beauty, and having been imprisoned in an Orcish hellhole for so long hadn't improved her looks. As a young druid in training in Ashenvale, she'd been looking forward to her initiation ceremony and tattoos, but then the Horde forces had swept in and changed all of that. Her parents were some of the first to go down before the onslaught…so much lost, so much time, so much changed.

But anyway…what was needed was a pint or five of strong dwarven ale. She quickly washed, rebraided her long white hair, and stripped off the blood-spattered outer armor. It was easier, she reflected, to face a room full of demons and undead than to walk downstairs into a crowded tavern and try to start up a conversation, and make some friends.

That is why she was here, after all…the long years of solitude in the autumn woods of Azshara had done a lot of healing, and she was almost ready to rejoin the world.

The second is for Ravven, a gently-born person banished from her family due to an embarrassing sexual fetish for demons:

Ravvenna rose from her bed in the inn, and went over to the cracked chest to wash her face and get ready for the day. This definitely wasn’t the environment that she had grown up in, but the days of living in the luxury of her ancestral home were long behind her. Hmmph, their loss. She tossed her pale hair and looked closely at her sky-blue eyes. No lines there yet - she was still as beautiful as ever, although it was getting difficult to maintain her wardrobe while travelling.

The bedclothes rustled behind her. Looking in the mirror, she could see her minion Selxia sitting in the rumpled bed, sulky expression on her face.

"Good morning, sunshine," Ravvenna said, just so that she could see Selxia's expression darken.

There would be another battle today, and again she would kiss Selxia deeply and then sacrifice her, drinking in her powers, knowing that she would call her over and over again, sacrificing her when needed. Selxia would never, ever be free.

No, Ravvenna was not a nice person.

[Ricah]

That was awesome! I really enjoyed reading that

[Nefernet]

I wrote a few stories about my night elves sisters (hunter and druid) on my blog if you want to check those :
krasuskronicles.wordpress.com/category/roleplaying/
I absolutely need to translate the first one I wrote... I love it.

I'll give you an excerpt :

Nefernet felt dirty. By her side, Sethi was breathing painfully. The battle had been the hardest they had ever done and the brave wolf was badly hurt. He was limping and wining softly at each step. She took him on her shoulders to walk the remaining of the way home.

The summer night was clear and the moon was full and high. The streets of Dalaran were crowded even at this lately hour, and the air filled with fireworks. The Summer festival was at its full swing and the people she crossed in their summer outfits stared at her dark mail armour covered in blood, slime and dust with a sidelong look. She didn’t care, her only concern was dressing her wolf’s wounds and taking a hot bath.

The inn was lit and the common room was crowded, people singing and dancing, beer flowing from the barrels on the bar. Nefernet frowned, looked like the bath will have to wait. She followed the wall and get up the stair at a quick pace, just pausing to ask the overwhelmed waitress for some hot water and a meal. She entered the little room she was sharing with her sister. Neferna wasn’t here. The room was filled with the smell of plants littering the small table along with empty vials and Nefernet recognised some pigmy oil in the little cauldron. The only light in the room was the faint blue glowing of the alchemist’s stone and the starlight coming from the little window.

She gently laid down Sethi from her shoulders on his couch and stroked him to check for broken bones. One of his front legs had a weird angle, and he had several open wounds with a disgusting aspect. The hot water arrived at this moment and she used it to clean Sethi’s wounds before bandaging them. The wolf licked her hands giving her a grateful look before going to sleep instantly.

Nefernet began to put off her armour slowly, piece after piece. The fight had been rough on it too. It would cost her a fortune to get it repaired. She took out her gun and began to clean it with an oily rag but her hands were shaking badly. Her arms were aching and she had numerous cuts and bruises all over. Her head was buzzing and things around her were a little hazy.

The door banged open and the light flowing into the room blinded her for a second. Neferna was standing on the doorstep in a light green dress.

- Hey Sister ! she said giggling. Where have you been ! Come on with us, Gotri drank so much that Darkminus made him believe he can fly and he’s presently standing on the bar, flapping his arms and trying to take off. It’s so funny if you could hear him !

Nefernet gave her a funny look.

- Are you drunk ?

Neferna’s smile disappeared at once.

- No I’m not drunk, I was just cheerful but as usual, you spoiled it. You’re like an old hag. And since you joined this guild, you’re worst ! You’re so serious and boring when you come home. And anyway we have so few time together now and you spend it complaining ! I’m fed up with you ! I am going out tonight and will get drunk to the point I will believe I can fly too and you can stay here if you wish, I don’t care ! Or go with your new friends, if they are so interesting ! But leave me alone !

Blind to the blank look her sister gave her, she turned away and strode out of the room. The moment she crossed the threshold, Nefernet said with an exhausted voice :

- We killed Yogg Saron tonight.

Neferna stopped at once.

- You what ?

- We killed Yogg Saron.

krasuskronicles.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/summer-night/
You will find the rest of the story, including a flying dwarf... Yeah, now you *have* to read it...

[Ravven]

I love it! Really nicely written!

[desukar]

Thanks for sharing guys Both a great read.

I make up little stories about my characters as I'm playing them, giving them backgrounds, personalities, and imagining conversations and scenarios and things, though only once or twice have I written something out.

Maybe one day if I've built up the nerve to share any stories I've written, I'll share them here with SAN...

[wabashaw]

I have a rough idea of my shaman Djaboo's background story, I might try to make something out of it some day.

Oh, and very nice reads! If you're in the EU you should definately make pages for your characters at the argentarchives.org!

[eumenide]

I tend to write stories about my characters just so I know a bit about them. Here's an IC account of my warlock's application to her RP guild back in pre-BC days:

“Tell us about yourself”, says the Guildmistress.

“As my mistress commands.” Megeara cackles. She takes the stage, tall and slim, but hunched, and clawed. Restrained by leather straps, her bones protrude at awkward angles as she moves. The scythe over her shoulder flickers balefully, and her hooded face is hidden in shadow.

“Once I was beautiful!” she says. Her voice is harsh, like fingernails scraping on stone.

“Young and healthy, I was, with smooth alabaster skin and lips the colour of blood. The men flocked around me like flies on rotten meat, and I loved it. I was low-born poor, but the softness of my thighs and the skill of my lips conspired to raise me high. The great and good of Azeroth showered me with wealth and status simply for a night in my scented bower, or sometimes merely for the touch of my hand.”

“Then the plague came to Lordaeron. All my wealth and connections counted for nothing. The rich merchants fled the city, the poor died in their droves, only to rise again as rotting slaves of the Lich King. Those who could not flee barricaded themselves in the rooms. In such times, who could make a place for a pleasure-girl in their caravans? “

“Amidst the stench and carnage, many died quickly. It came slowly for me, for I was strong. I lay in my filthy silken sheets for weeks, amid the sweet smell of incense, as the plague agonizingly took hold. My skin festered and sloughed off. My carefully tended nails became claws, and maggots infested my skin. But all that was as nothing, when Ner’zhul entered my mind. He tore through my soul like a wild animal, tearing away my thoughts, memories and will, leaving me a hollow vessel into which he poured his malice.“

“I was powerless to resist, and for what seemed like an eternity I performed his bidding. I served in the army of the scourge, under Arthas. I killed men, women and children, yes, and ate their flesh. But the flesh was ashes in my mouth, and the killing meant less. I was truly dead. “

“But eventually, his grip on my soul loosened, and another’s voice came into my mind, softly cajoling me, awakening me to the world. She restored the least part of my strength, and freed me from bondage. Her name was Sylvannas Windrunner, and I follow her still.”

“Under her guidance, I made my way to the Sepulcher, and began my life anew. I vowed then that I would never again be the slave of man or god, and set to studying the dark powers which had enslaved me for myself. I mastered my first demon that day, and with the thrill of power, I became alive again.”

“A while later, when I had come into the greater part of my powers, I rescued a young orc from the wailing caverns in the Barrens. He swore he would repay me, but he was weak, and I thought little of it. I was tired, and for a spell I went back into the earth, and when I awoke the world had changed.”

“The young orc now surpassed me in his powers, and had banded together with other followers of Lady Sylvanus. He introduced me to the Plague Queen, and I realised that this was a place where I could serve the Dark Lady, whilst furthering my own ends.”

“Still I kill my lady’s enemies. Soon I shall pass beyond the dark portal and face the demons themselves. I have killed just about everything that walks, crawls or flies on Azeroth, but it is not enough. The hunger still burns within me, but now the flesh tastes good, for I have power.”

Megeara cackles again and gestures at the next applicant. “Your turn next, you fat oaf.” She says.

[Kae]

This is my first time on an RP server, but I have written a bit about my druids. Back in TBC I wrote a short bit with my horde and alliance druid having a chat together on the roof of the temple in Shattrath (can't find it though), and when dual-specs were released, I did write this short bit:

"Curious, she knelt along the water's edge, feeling the sun-warmed mud and moss squish up between her roots as she leaned her trunk forward to stare at her reflection in the still waters. The face that greeted her mirrored her movements and expressions, but was wholly different in form: a small, hooked beak, curving horns, and feathers of cream and sand replaced the golden bark and autumn leaves she knew herself to have. Calmly, she studied the reflection with a druid's spiritual wisdom, wondering what the lake was showing her of her inner self."

Wordy. Ironically, her offspec is now kitty

...but this one is my favorite of my occasional writings,


Fighting back a surge of disgust, Kae wrinkled her nose and stepped gingerly through the rotting vegetation. "Blech," she murmured. "They smell worse on the inside."

The elf at her side chuckled, though he too was careful to limit how much of the corrupted ichor he got on his boots. "You know, it wouldn't smell as bad if you weren't a panther."

Kae purred at him in a feline smirk. "Just do your thing, Verd."

"Patience, patience," he chided. Verdicus scanned the browned landscape surrounding them, littered with the broken and twisted remains of the Nightmare's abominations. They continued to slowly pick their way through the rot, until the elf paused. "Here," he finally said.

Kae backed away politely to give the elf room as his form shimmered, great wings unfurling from his growing bulk. A green drake reared back from where the elf had stood and unleashed a rumbling roar; a swirling green mist spilled out in its wake. As the mist rolled out, leaves and flowers sprouted up from the decay, growing up and over the remains of the Nightmare creatures.

Verdicus slowly turned in place, roaring out in each direction to blanket the area of blight with fresh growth. Kae sniffed gratefully at a flower as it grew up between her paws, then turned her golden eyes towards the horizon.

"Verd... the wind has shifted," she said stiffly.

The drake paused before his last roar, turning his own green eyes towards the mass of darkness looming over the hills. "Then we must go," he replied, spreading his wings wide. "Get up here."

"What?" Kae asked, taken aback. Then she laughed. "You deign to let me ride you?"

Verdicus was not so amused. "It's too close, we must go, now!"

Kae sobered and looked back over her shoulder at the swirling mass of clouds. There was no arguing with the drake; she hopped over the fresh carpet of green and leapt towards him. Mid-air, she twisted into the form of a stormcrow, beat her feathered wings a few times to gain height, and then dropped into place along Verdicus' shoulders. Again, her form shifted, this time into the slim figure of a night elf.

As soon as she had a grip along his wing joints, Verdicus beat into the air, sending a ripple through the grass and a littering of debris into the wind. Up and up they rose, angling away from the mass of dark clouds.

"You fly too slow," the drake finally explained, yelling into the wind.

Kae rolled her eyes but smiled. "Shall we go around it and start clean-up on the other side?"

Verdicus hovered for a moment, looking about and eyeing the storm, then continued on. "We must get out of its path regardless... but I have no wish to remain close when it is acting so unpredictably."

"It's always unpredictable," Kae murmured to herself. Though she had spoken quietly, she knew he had heard her over the whistle of the wind, for he huffed a bit and jostled her on his back. "All right, all right. We'll back off for a bit."

He rumbled in content at her agreement. "Besides... I should check up on you. Can't have you going hungry. You little elves eat so frequently."

"Bear!" Kae corrected. "Far less often than an elf. I can shift outside the dream as well, remember."

Verdicus seemed to be relaxing now that their flight was away from the Nightmare's clouds. He chuckled. "Even still... if you could become a dragon, it wouldn't be so much an issue, nor would I have to carry your slow feathers upon my back!"

"Certainly. Teach me to become a dragon, then, good sir!" Kae grinned.

"Hmmph," he snorted in amusement.

"Shall I fly now, then?" she asked.

In response, the drake arched his back, bucking her out into the air before flying on, leaving the elf tumbling through the sky. Kae squealed out an insult before shifting back into her stormcrow form and tearing after him.


...still waiting for access to the Emerald Dream in-game

[pilfkin]

Thanks for posting these - I adored reading them!! I'm very new to writing RP stories so reading how others write is a great help. I'm using Jaedia's The Explorer Task to get my muse on.... and the ones that I have felt able to share are on my blog...

[Rahana]

Okay. There is quite some story behind Kilriana by now and it is starting to crystallize so I guess I will post a little sneak-peak to get some feedback:

Kilriana was standing on top of Elrendar Falls. A place that she called home since the day she was born. Long time ago. A life ago. She was standing there, naked, only old and worn amethyst necklace around her neck, enjoying the touch of the water mist on her skin. Enjoying the break of dawn. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, feeling the cold spreading through her veins. The misty drops of water on her skin started turning into ice, painting beautiful yet somehow scary pattern on her slim body. She loved it. Ever since she went through the transition.

Another deep breath in, long, calm relaxed breath out. She raised her hands with her swords ready. There was no blood in her veins anymore. Just ice. She leaned back a bit and attacked the invisible enemy. Turn, step back. Deflect, attack. Block, spin. Step back, crouch, lean forward. Slash. Mind clear, focused on nothing but chaining attacks and dodging enemies that weren't there this time.

Eugenne was slowly walking up the hill from Silvermoon City in order to pass the message to his mistress. He was bitter old corpse of a man he used to be, so every step he took was followed by grumbling and insults in various languages. Every time his gnarled staff touched ground so he could lean against it he was cursing his life. And his un-life too. Both. From priesthood in Lordareon cathedral to being her personal slave. A toy if you like. How he hated it. How he hated her. He raised his head and looked around. He had to admit, the alteration made by Royal Apothecary Society that she paid for, allowing him to see again was the only good thing in his miserable life. How he loved her. Oh well, almost there. He was too old for this, he really was. Messenger. Bah. He took the last turn right and saw her. Dancing on the wet stones on top of the waterfall, turning the air around her into freezing mist, slicing through it in deadly combination of strikes. He stood back and coughed to let her know of his presence. She was deadly and beautiful. She was his Frost Swan.


A quickstep and combination of swings. Her breathing controlled, she was doing her blade dance like every morning. Practice. Swing. Makes. Swing. Perfect. She performed one of finishing moves and stood there calmly, again. Balanced, relaxed, catching the early sunlight reflecting of her face. She opened her eyes and looked back at the corpse standing there. Eugenne. The closest thing she ever had to a friend since she became... this. She turned around and smiled at him, knowing that he can't probably see the smile. She was still very unsure as to what he can actually see and what he can't, he had no eyes after all and the operation she paid for was supposed to only alter his perception of things.

"What is it, corpse?" she asked.

He grunted and started signing back with his hands, "You are summoned, m'lady."

[Nefernet]

Nice Rahana ! I liked it. I always wonder how to RP a death knight...

[bullcopra]

I like... Should we have a section for these stories, so everyone interested could start a thread of their own?

It could encourage people to write, even in shorter form, about their adventures.

[bullcopra]

Oh, another thing which just popped in my mind. How do you keep up with your character's adventures and/or actions within the game (or are you just relying on your memory or making it all up for the sake of writing)? Is the good old pen and paper the best way to keep things in order?

I'm asking this because even though you have to come up with the dialogue, I'd like to record the actual growth of the character within the game and I have such a poor memory on what I have been doing after I log off...

Are there any notepad type addons available...? That might be a solution (along with an Achievement Screenshotter...)

[Nefernet]

Apr 14, 2010 4:04:52 GMT -5 bullcopra said:

Are there any notepad type addons available...? That might be a solution (along with an Achievement Screenshotter...)

This ?
wow.curse.com/downloads/wow-addons/details/enotepad.aspx

wow.curse.com/downloads/wow-addons/details/notes-uneed.aspx

[pilfkin]

I tend to rely on screenshots and good old fashioned memory But it does help that I tend to not do mammoth gaming sessions nowadays (seems I lack the stamina to play for 3+ hours, or maybe I'm just out of practice!)

I also have a fair idea of 'in game' stuff that I intend to actually write 'in character' about. It might also be why I found Jae's Explorer Task post such a helpful prompt as whilst it didn't tie in directly with what Pilf was doing at that point, it provided a frame of refence to start from. I don't find it easy to tie in game stuff into 'in character' writing, it tends to be why Pilf (and Kyr) have slightly random 'in character' stories...

This is only my experience mind you, and this is the first time I've done anything like this, but I really can't force it. MY IC stories develop over a period of time in my head (usually whilst I'm suffering insomnia at 3am!) and take some time to come to full fruition (the only one I rushed I deleted and re-wrote it because it had too much of 'me' in it and not enough of Pilf. I'm also doing a two pronged attack on it, Pilf is written in the first person and Kyr is written in the third person (I think, what is the second person???) because the thought of trying to get really into the head of a sulky, early 20s bloke frankly made my head spin - never let it be said that I don't know my limits....

Oh and I really struggle with lore (and the difference between canon and aditional but accepted stuff) having played WoW for three years and not paid much attention to it *ducks* so the whole process is made even longer by my constant referencing between websites and my panic not to ride roughshod over that which others hold dear.

Ok, I'm stopping now because I'm rambling....

Pilf x