RpNation

The Mechanist
The Mechanist
Oh ( •-•) does that mean you don't like me anymore?


Oh wait I didn't change me name though
Blaire Wisteria
Blaire Wisteria
Nah, I mean like in actual RPs and stuffs. I don't care out of character, but if you just take a character from a movie, use screenshots from the movie as your face claim, then use an exact description of what the character in said movie can do, then I hate you forever.
The Mechanist
The Mechanist
Haha so I can be the terminator but call myself the obliterator instead? That's what it takes to make you hate me?
Blaire Wisteria
Blaire Wisteria
Yeah, for the most part.
M.J. Saulnier
M.J. Saulnier
I hate fandom bro. It's one thing to know your canon and a host a story within it, but I hate when people launch RPs about TV shows after the 1st season, or RP's where they are telling a central canon story, and people are playing central canon characters. 9 times out of 10 it's inaccurate garbage, feels nothing like a canon story, involves strange "ships", or is just contrived for people to play out their fantasies using these characters.
Blaire Wisteria
Blaire Wisteria
^ This. 


I stay as far away from fandom stuffs as much as I can.
The Mechanist
The Mechanist
Never did like fandom to begin with, half the time I think theyre cringey as hell and filled to the brim with overly passionate fan girls/boys who are one word away from being offended. And I'm talking an offense level so high it's like they're behaving the way someone would if you kicked their dog
Doomshroud
Doomshroud
What if someone acknowledges that they're essentially making a direct archetype of an existing character, but with their own spin on it or outside of the restrictions of roleplaying a canon character? For example, say I want to write a character that is essentially, say, Captain America in terms of powers, abilities, equipment, and appearance; but the character is a byronic hero or anti-villain with a muddled sense of justice, is completely Anti-Government/Authority, etc. Would you hate me then?


I ask this because the website I come from (a comic book site) has its very own RPG Universe that, for obvious reasons, doesn't allow direct imports of Batman and Superman into the universe, but making identical archetypes or appearances is the norm. Essentially we can create characters that draw from or are directly taken from canon/existing characters if we so choose to do so, but we have the freedom to explore beyond the constraints of their established personalities, powers, history, and do our own thing.


Example: http://comicvine.gamespot.com/profile/thee_champion/about-me/
The Mechanist
The Mechanist
That's not a link to an outside rp site is it?
Blaire Wisteria
Blaire Wisteria
Then that's fine, but if they are a carbon copy with nothing changed and no acknowledgement, that's just a big no-no for me.
Doomshroud
Doomshroud
The Mechanist
The Mechanist
I'm not a mod, not completely familiar with the rules but I'm sure it's fine if it's for example purposes 
Doomshroud
Doomshroud
M.J. Saulnier
M.J. Saulnier
See what's the point, Alex? You just want to play Dc or Marvel characters, and that compromises the integrity of that original universe, having little more than makeshift character ports with some changes to personality and stuff.


Why not actually create your own character, even based upon the canon character you find appealing for whatever reasons, mainly abilities, and I ready-made costume, I would safely assume.


To me that defeats the purpose of creating a unique universe in the first place, the acknowledgement is a nice gesture, but the principal remains the same. If you want to play Steve Rogers, start a Captain America RP.


I have a super hero universe here, and there are character that have some similarities to some DC or Marvel heroes, but nothing so direct or obvious, and nothing intentional. They are very much their own concept and character. It's not that hard to create a unique concept based on or inspired by others.


When I created Chris Stokes (Lone Star), he was going to be the quintessential All-American hero of the universe, or at least one of them, so I drew inspiration from Captain America, and Superman. But he doesn't have to be an alien, or a WWII super soldier, he doesn't have to sport a big red cape, or rock an indestructible shield. :P


Lone Star (Christopher Stokes)

In 1979 scientist Jonathan Stokes was working with Global Tech to develop a formula that could give ordinary people superpowers. He succeeded, but came to realize what his creation would be used for and the damage it would do to mankind and the world. He betrayed Global Tech, and Frank Faulkner by taking his formula, his research, and fleeing Global Tech to destroy it all. Knowing the Syndicate would find him no matter where he went, he gave the formula to his only son, Christopher. He injected him with the serum to hide and protect his legacy, allowing his work to live on and do some good in the world. He had faith in the man his son would grow to be, and he wasn't mistaken to do so. Christopher grew up to be a fine man gifted with a range of abilities he uses to protect Citadel City and mankind from evil. He is the GLU's quintessential all American superhero. Founding member of The Guardian League.

  • Superhuman Strength & Endurance
  • Enhanced Speed
  • Flight
  • Healing Factor (If killed, he cannot regenerate)



Nemesis:

  •  



Chris is his own character, but his entire concept is a nod to the great American superheroes, and the superhuman formula is a nod to Captain America.


Some other examples:


One could easily compare Atlas to Thor.


Atlas (Formerly Balder)

Lesser Titan Deity. Atlas is charged with protecting and overseeing Earth. He becomes directly involved when Owen receives his powers. Founding member of the Guardian League.

  • Superhuman Strength & Durability
  • Immortality



Nemesis:

  • Kronos, Rhea, Harbinger



But they only share basic concepts in common. Atlas is a lesser Titan who sides with Hyperion against Kronos and Rhea during the Titan Wars. Earth was displaced and hidden in our solar system under the protection of Atlas thousands of years ago.


Major Pentecost (Sean Jeremy Pentecost)

Sean is a battle hardened tactical operative and infantryman. He has been on and led ops all over the world for the last 12 years. IN his recent years he has vanished off the grid in any official capacity. He has been working on the most top secret black ops for nameless divisions of the government. After the First Battle for Earth, the government could no longer sit back and watch from the edge of their seat. Something had to be done. Under the command of General Stanley Briggs, Operation Prometheus was formed. Sean was chosen to lead the team and accepted the job. He fearlessly combats gifted individuals despite his lack of any superpowers. He is a tough, tenacious man who refuses failing to meet an objective. Operation Prometheus has bigger plans. They intend to recruit and train gifted individuals of their own to combat their enemy.

  • Military & Tactical training



Nemesis:

  • The Guardian League, The Syndicate

You could compare Sean to Richard Flag if you really wanted to, even though the nature of the unit they run is totally different, even after Sean has gifted people working with him, they aren't a "suicide squad" they are superhero/villain hunters. Again totally different characters with some similarities.


I think either way it's the same principal, acknowledgement or not.
M.J. Saulnier
M.J. Saulnier
Not to nag on the subject, but this makes my point even better. My favorite superheroes are Wolverine, and Batman. So naturally I created characters inspired by them.


John is inspired heavily by Batman, and admittedly, you can feel it right away, but at the same time, he is completely his own character, and serves the purpose of being inspired by Bruce Wayne.


Icarus (John Lancaster)

CEO of Lancaster Industries and vigilante crime fighter. John pursued vengeance for his brother and sister-in-law when they were slain by members of a large crime family. He helped found the Guardian League with Owen, combining their resources to create SARA (Systems Analysis & Repair Algorithms) to monitor Earth and the galaxy.

  • Mechanical Wings
  • Archery
  • Martial Arts



Nemesis:

  • Deadlock





My Wolverine-inspired character doesn't have a full bio yet, but you can kinda get the sense just from his abilities that he is a bear-like man who values solitude and nature. No claws, no healing factor, no Weapon X project. :P


WIP Yukon Jack (Jack Abbott)

Member of the Canadian superhero team Task Force 5.

  • Superhuman Senses
  • Superhuman Resistances (disease, cold, heat, etc.)
  • Tactical Training



Namesis:

  •  





Having said all of this, I'm very professional and serious when it comes to RP, It's still just a passion and hobby, but I respect the story over the player, or the character, always have. Also, I that unique superhero stuff is literally the hardest to do in terms of creativity and integrity after the fact. It's not easy, and I get that, so I don't want it to seem like I'm being too hard on the subject.
Doomshroud
Doomshroud
It's as a said;  "Essentially we can create characters that draw from or are directly taken from canon/existing characters if we so choose to do so, but we have the freedom to explore beyond the constraints of their established personalities, powers, history, and do our own thing."


I see your points and such (awesome characters by the way :-D), but in some cases (such as the universe I mentioned), it just isn't so simple as "If you want to RP Steve Rogers, make a Captain America RP". Because what if you don't want to RP the thorough and unwavering boyscout Steve Rogers, but wish to keep basic attributes of the character (the shield, superhuman stats) while exploring new stories, interactions, personality and ability developments?


Not everyone wants to write a direct fanfiction. The look? Sure. Powers, certain qualities, maybe even a backstory inspired by or similar to canon characters? Alright, make it work. But ultimately, we don't want to write the Marvel Universe's Captain America or DC's Superman within the constraints of his personality, backstory, and abilities. At the end of the day, we still want to, in a sense, write our own character. More potential developments. More fun. More freedom.


Another Example: http://comicvine.gamespot.com/profile/lichter/about-me/. You'll notice hes using Doctor Doom as a look. Before that, he was using Baron Zemo. His background delves into aristocracy, the character's a genius, and his father was a notorious supervillain. Ultimately, he isn't Dr Doom and Baron Zemo. Why? Simple. He isn't. He doesn't share the supreme arrogance of Doctor Doom nor a vindictive outlook of heroes like Zemo, even if he shared their appearances. He is a humanitarian defending humanity from behind the curtain, an entity that ultimately stands for good (if not conventional good). He shares the magic/science of Doom (if far more in-depth and developed over months OOCly), but at the end of the day, he is his own character.


With all this said, there's nothing wrong with making our very own characters at all, without canon looks and such. The offsite RPG universe I speak of doesn't actually allow direct imports of canon characters into the universe (for good reason), nor does it completely revolve around the use of archetypes. It's rather all encompassing really, but that's a description for another time, hahaha.
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