1. Read the Web Site
Read the Web site.
2. Submit 3 Different Character Concepts
Consider the crossover world of Amber and Star Wars and come up
with three different, yet playable, character concepts. These concepts
do not have to agree with the status quo all the time, but each
should have a distinct personality and can interact within a group
of PCs and the game world. Loner, powergamer, and PCs who require
constant GM direction to facilitate play will be rejected. In-character
(IC) banter is encouraged, though out-of-character (OOC) insults
will not be tolerated.
You don't have to play a Jedi, a senator, a smuggler, or even
a scout. You will have to play a character that you think
will fit in well with the other characters and the game atmosphere.
Please let me know what your character's description, background, goals, and name are as well.
Note: Working with the other Player Characters in character to
create group cohesion is strongly encouraged. This will help both
you and the GM to structure and to enjoy the campaigns. One easy
way to do this is to write up an in-character group background
story that meshes with the overall campaign story. Some examples
include, but are not limited to: war buddies, ace fighter rivals,
royal house cousins, or university classmates. Come up with something
interesting yet playable. You should not feel obligated to have
a shared background with all of the other PCs, but one or two will
be helpful overall.
3. Spend 200 Points
Players have 200 points to spend on their character's Race, Attributes,
Skills, Allies, Powers, Artifacts, and Stuff. Spend them wisely.
You can never buy Force Points, but instead earn them by doing
dramatic things through the course of play.
4. Character Image, +5 Points
You will receive 5 points for the submission of a suitable image
for the Shadow Wars web site. Suitable meaning an Amber / Star
Wars genre picture in jpg/jpeg or gif format that is at least 200
pixels tall. I will optimize and format the image for the site.
5. Short Answer, +10 Points, Total
1. What is your character's name, and does it carry any special meaning?
2. Where is your character from and how does this affect him now, such as opinions,
loyalties, strong memories or feelings when he visits or thinks of the place(s)?
3. What are your character's virtues and vices, including any types of social/religious/political
codes of behavior that may influence her?
4. What is your character's style (physical and personality appearance: dress,
walk, voice, mannerisms, the way he uses powers, any personal symbols, etc.)?
5. What are two adjectives to describe your character quickly and accurately?
6. What really matters to your character (such as interests/prejudices, likes/dislikes,
fears, emotional motivations, goals/ambitions, loves/hatreds, passions/loyalties, possessions, etc.)?
7. What is your character's greatest strength and weakness?
8. What is one thing your character most regrets and one thing she is most proud of in her life so far?
9. What does your character think of Magic, Shape Shifting, Force Use, and Pattern Imprint?
10. Does your character belong to any organizations, such as guilds, clubs, secret societies, etc.?
11. What kind of upbringing did your character have and was he formally educated?
12. Is your character a fight, flight, or panic type of person?
13. Does your character believe in fate, destiny, luck, or anything similar?
14. Who does your character implicitly trust and implicitly NOT trust?
15. If your character has (or has had) a profession, what is/was it?
16. Is your character left or right handed? (Note: only shape shifters may be truly ambidextrous.)
17. Is your character interested in any of the royal successions of Chaos,
Amber, Rebma, or anywhere else?
18. What is your character's theme song?
19. Who would write your character's biography, and what would it be titled?
20. If the game were to be dramatized in a movie or television series, which
actor would you choose to play your character? Would she be involved in the
writing, editing, production, directing, or other area for the movie? Who would
play her/his sidekick, leading man or woman, and chief rival?
21. Who does your character hang out with and what do they do together?
22. What is your character's avatar form? (Note: it can be anything you can
imagine for your character and is not restricted by size.)
23. What emotions can your character express in public? Sorrow? Anger? Sadness?
Humor? Disappointment? Joy?
24. Which would your character describe as the greater evil: murder of a Shadow
person, or the maiming of an Amberite or a Chaosian?
25. If you could, what advice would you give your character?
26. Is your character pro or anti Republic?
27. Would your character turn in a friend who has committed a crime to the Republic authority?
28. Should the Senate stay in Amber, or move to Ygg?
29. Should Amber open its resources and technology to other Republic members,
or should it keep these things private?
30. What does your character think will happen to Amber now that King Random is missing?
6. Essays, +5 Points each (choose up to 4)
1. Your character is plagued by a recurring nightmare/dream. Describe
the dream, and what may have triggered the the dream in the first place.
2. Your character has need of a ship for a long journey. Describe the ship's
size, coloring, structure, amenities, and "personality."
3. From your character's point of view, in relations with family, is it better
to be loved than feared, or better feared than loved? Would the answer be any
different with any other group of people? If so, who?
4. Taking a Devil's Advocate point-of-view, describe what you (the player)
hate about your character. What are the good reasons for other characters to
dislike/hate her? What little, minor bad habits does she have that would annoy
anyone after awhile? How do you see that maybe changing over the course of
the campaign?
5. Describe your character's first, or most memorable, love affair. Can be
anything from a pre-teen crush, to a long-term romance. Be sure to describe
the object of your character's affection, along with the changes that your
character went through in terms of feeling and thoughts about that person.
Did it start out as a maddening hatred, or instant love? Who fell for whom
first? Was love a surprise? How did it all end? How does everyone, including
your character, his lover, rivals, parents, friends, observers, feel about
it now?
6. Your character returns to a comfortable, way-Shadow port that has housed
her numerous times over the years. She finds that the kindly family has just
been threatened, beaten up, and robbed. She tracks down the guilty bandit leader
and captures him. What will she do now?
7. While visiting a strange Shadow your character comes across an Artifact
that interests him, but to remove the Artifact might have dire consequences
for either himself or for his allies, but on the other hand this same Artifact
may be a key to defeating a powerful enemy. What choice does your character
make and why?
8. Your character gets into a discussion about death and dying. How would she
describe the perfect death?
9. What was your character like at the age of ten (fifth grade)? Was he a wimp,
a bully, a nerd, a snitch, or a klutz? Was he popular or not? Write up a little
description, and, if you like, a little day-in-the-life story about your character
at that age.
10. Did your character ever have a pet? What kind of pet? Where is it now,
or what happened to it?
7. Start up Backstories
Writing Backstories are an important part of creating your character. They help to define relationships with
fellow PCs through a joint story-writing process. The GM encourages
you to have at least two Backstories (and prefers Players to share
them with Players who they've never played with in a game). Particularly
well written Backstories may earn the participants extra Experience
Points. Please remember to Carbon Copy the GM to all Backstories
for approval.
A Quick Note on Backstories, and to some extent threads in Shadow Wars
I like Players to have fun.
I prefer that it remain within the genre, though
Amber is quite vast in that regard. The Star Wars family tone should
keep things moving along at a fairly in game fast pace focusing
on a mixture of the usual elements: intrigue and (melo)drama. That
means... nothing graphic sexually or violently. If there is a love
scene, allude to it and move on. If there is a death scene, allude
to it and move on. Thankfully Zelazny didn't write about every
single person Corwin slew. Something about "They died and
they died," to keep the pacing going. There is so much more
to language than blatant blow by blow description. Skim over the
little things, focus in on the important stuff, and often begin
in the middle of things when possible--more exciting to read in
my opinion. :-) I like to see Players talk in a way that shows
their character without having to state explicitly things about
their character. I like Players go out of their way to interact
with other PCs and take risks. To spend time playing through the
things that matter in most stories: blood and money.
So, it is best for the both of you, if you had
an idea of what kind of story you wish to co-write with a beginning,
middle, and end. It doesn't mean there needs to be a conclusion
or closure, but an end that shows a pause or a change in the page,
perhaps for another story to take flight.
I don't think that any of us want this backstory
to linger on for eternity, but just decide when you're done together.
i.e. what is the purpose of this interaction... to show off to
each other, to test one another, to make an ally, etc. Again, duration
is your call. Hope that helps.
8. Working with the GM and the Players
It is imperitive that you, the Player, can get
along with the GM in order to have a good time in the game. Also,
it is a game of character interaction, not always with other PCs,
but the game is not meant to play many solo threads with the GM.
It is a game of PC to PC interaction as much as the GM can help
it. If this does not fit your kind of game you should seek another
game. If there are any problems/concerns/questions that you may
have out of character, please talk to the GM first. That is part
of his job description. He is grateful to be asked something beforehand.
9. Check-in with the GM
The GM will have conferences with the Players
to make sure things are going well or how to improve game enjoyment
mutual. Plotting, tips, redirection, etc. Feel free to talk to
the GM about any issues as they arise, i.e. Let the GM know if
something doesn't make sense or if you want to try something completely
different.
1. Play Nice OOC
2. Contribute to the Game
3. Take Risks in Scenes
4. Get EXPs
5. Keep in Touch
6. Have Fun
10. Game Contributions
Besides earning Experience Points monthly, Players
have opportunities for extra points through creative writing that
furthers the game. Talk with the GM about your interest in doing Game Contributions.
