Demon
Designing a character from the ground up can be an exciting process. Think about creating someone you would enjoy playing and consider themes that resonate with you personally. Reflect on how these themes have influenced characters you admire, but make your creation uniquely yours. Consider the character's upbringing, the obstacles they face, and how these experiences have shaped their personality.
Give your character realistic goals with varying time frames that they can work towards and achieve. Determine the character's ethos and provide supporting reasons for their beliefs. A useful method for breathing life into your character and making them believable is to use Ash's Guide for inspiration and to explore different aspects of core traits and then character development:
Ash's Guide
Balance good and negative traits to create a well-rounded character. Negative traits can be turned to strengths, and positive traits can sometimes lead to challenges. Explore their interests and hobbies to add depth.
Many people create characters and quickly move on when the initial spark fades. Instead, invest in your character and give them problems that affect their function in some way, challenging yourself to write them through these issues. Sticking with one character allows for more fulfilling development rather than relying on gimmicks alone. Consider their worldview and how they impose it, or not, on others.
When writing a Jedi character, it depends on what kind of Jedi you want to portray. Some may criticize your idea for not fitting the traditional mold, but remember that even established Jedi can deviate from standards. The essence of a Jedi character is reflected in their spirituality, beliefs, discipline, training, connection with the Force, roles, responsibilities, social structure, and hierarchy.
Research various Jedi characters, their beliefs, and focus areas. Use inspiration from canon characters to build your own Jedi or introduce a new spin on things.
A helpful exercise in character creation is to use tropes. Tropes / Archetypes exist for a reason and can help you tell an effective story and develop your character. Just be cautious not to overuse them. Here are some examples of Jedi archetypes and corresponding tropes:
(
Archetypes refer more to a role, whereas tropes refer more to a personality. So a 'mentor' archetype is a character who plays a role of guiding and teaching a main character.)
- Role: Focuses on martial skills and combat, serving as frontline defenders of peace.
- Tropes:
- The Knight in Shining Armor: Heroic and brave, always protecting the innocent.
- The Soldier: Highly disciplined, follows orders, dedicated to their mission.
- The Protector: Shields the weak, putting themselves in harm's way to safeguard others.
- Role: Specializes in diplomacy, healing, and the study of the Force. Often advisors, healers, and scholars.
- Tropes:
- The Sage: Wise and knowledgeable, offering guidance and insight.
- The Healer: Mends wounds, both physical and emotional, striving for peace and harmony.
- The Diplomat: Skilled in negotiation and conflict resolution, using words and wisdom to resolve disputes.
- Role: Balances combat skills with knowledge of the Force and practical skills such as investigation, espionage, and technical expertise.
- Tropes:
- The Detective: Investigates crimes and mysteries with keen observation and problem-solving skills.
- The Spy: Operates covertly to gather intelligence and undermine threats.
- The Technician: Skilled in technology and engineering, often using gadgets and technical know-how.
- Role: Assigned to specific regions or planets, acting as guardians and peacekeepers with deep connections to the local populace.
- Tropes:
- The Lone Ranger: Operates independently, watching over their territory.
- The Local Hero: Beloved by the community, seen as a protector and ally.
- The Mentor: Guides individuals or small groups, fostering growth and development.
- Role: Hunts down and eliminates dark side threats, including Sith and dark side artifacts.
- Tropes:
- The Dark Avenger: Relentlessly pursues and destroys evil.
- The Vigilante: Takes extreme measures to combat darkness, often outside traditional boundaries.
- The Silent Guardian: Protects the galaxy from hidden threats, often unnoticed and unthanked.
- Role: Focuses on crafting, creating lightsabers and other Force-imbued artifacts.
- Tropes:
- The Craftsman: Masters the art of creation, producing items of beauty and power.
- The Innovator: Seeks new ways to use the Force in their creations.
- The Hermit: Works in solitude, dedicated to their craft away from distractions.
- Role: Immersed in the study of the Force and ancient lore, serving as historians and philosophers.
- Tropes:
- The Scholar: Pursues knowledge, often found with ancient texts and artifacts.
- The Philosopher: Contemplates the deeper meanings and mysteries of the Force.
- The Archivist: Preserves Jedi history and teachings for future generations.
- Wookieepedia: Anakin Skywalker
- Tropes:
- The Knight in Shining Armor: Anakin embodies heroism and bravery, often leading the charge in battle and protecting his comrades.
- The Soldier: He is a disciplined and highly skilled warrior, respected by his peers for his combat prowess.
- The Protector: Anakin is fiercely protective of those he cares about, sometimes to a fault.
- TV Tropes: Anakin Skywalker (For more tropes related to Anakin Skywalker)
- Wookieepedia: Yoda
- Tropes:
- The Sage: Yoda is the epitome of wisdom and knowledge, often providing profound guidance to other Jedi.
- The Healer: While Yoda is more of a spiritual healer, his presence brings calm and peace to those around him.
- The Diplomat: Yoda frequently engages in diplomacy and negotiation, seeking peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
- TV Tropes: Yoda (For more tropes related to Yoda)
- Wookieepedia: Bastila Shan
- Tropes:
- The Detective: Bastila's role often involves uncovering secrets and understanding the nuances of the Force and her enemies.
- The Spy: She operates in a stealthy manner during missions, often gathering critical intelligence.
- The Technician: Bastila is adept with technology, using her skills to navigate and manipulate various systems during her quests.
- Wookieepedia: Qui-Gon Jinn
- Tropes:
- The Lone Ranger: Qui-Gon frequently operates independently, following his own path and instincts.
- The Local Hero: He develops strong connections with those he encounters, often earning their respect and admiration.
- The Mentor: Qui-Gon takes young Anakin Skywalker under his wing, guiding him with a mix of unconventional wisdom and paternal care.
- Wookieepedia: Jaden Korr
- Tropes:
- The Dark Avenger: Jaden Korr is relentless in his pursuit of dark side practitioners, hunting them down to protect the galaxy.
- The Vigilante: He often takes extreme measures to ensure that the dark side is eradicated, sometimes bending the rules of the Order.
- The Silent Guardian: Jaden operates in secrecy, focusing on his mission without seeking recognition or praise.
- Wookieepedia: Huyang
- Tropes:
- The Craftsman: Huyang is a master lightsaber architect, helping young Jedi construct their own weapons with precision and care.
- The Innovator: He constantly seeks new ways to improve lightsaber construction and functionality, sharing his vast knowledge with the Order.
- The Hermit: Huyang often works in solitude, dedicated to his craft and the preservation of lightsaber lore.
- Wookieepedia: Jocasta Nu
- Tropes:
- The Scholar: Jocasta Nu is the chief librarian of the Jedi Archives, dedicating her life to the preservation and study of knowledge.
- The Philosopher: She provides insights into the history and philosophy of the Jedi, often contemplating the deeper meanings of the Force.
- The Archivist: Jocasta ensures that the vast knowledge of the Jedi Order is meticulously documented and preserved for future generations.
For a general reference on archetypes, you can visit:
These archetypes provide a range of personalities and roles within the Jedi Order, allowing for rich storytelling and dynamic character development.
For further examples of specific Jedi characters, you can explore canon characters and their corresponding tropes. This can offer inspiration for building your own Jedi or trying a new spin on established themes.
Another useful tool for character creation is "The Hero's Journey," a narrative framework identified by Joseph Campbell in "The Hero with a Thousand Faces." It outlines common stages found in many myths and stories across cultures. Here is an overview of the Hero's Journey:
- Description: The hero's normal life before the adventure begins. Establishes the hero's environment and personal context.
- Example: Luke Skywalker living on Tatooine as a farm boy.
- Description: The hero is presented with a challenge or adventure that requires leaving their ordinary world.
- Example: Luke receiving the message from Princess Leia via R2-D2.
- Description: The hero may initially hesitate or refuse the call due to fear or doubt.
- Example: Luke initially refusing to join Obi-Wan Kenobi on his mission.
- Description: The hero meets a mentor who provides guidance and assistance.
- Example: Luke meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, who begins his training in the Force.
- Description: The hero commits to the adventure and enters a new, unknown world.
- Example: Luke leaves Tatooine with Obi-Wan and others.
- Description: The hero faces tests and challenges, meets allies, and confronts enemies.
- Example: Luke forming alliances with Han Solo and Princess Leia.
- Description: The hero approaches a major challenge or crisis.
- Example: Luke and his allies plan the attack on the Death Star.
- Description: The hero faces a major hurdle or life-and-death crisis.
- Example: Luke's final attack run on the Death Star.
- Description: After overcoming the ordeal, the hero receives a reward.
- Example: Luke and his allies receive medals for bravery.
- Description: The hero begins the journey back to the ordinary world, facing additional challenges.
- Example: Luke and the Rebels prepare for further conflicts.
- Description: The hero faces a final test, experiencing a form of rebirth.
- Example: Luke's confrontation with Darth Vader and the Emperor.
- Description: The hero returns to the ordinary world with new wisdom or an item that can help others.
- Example: Luke returns as a true Jedi Knight, ready to rebuild the Jedi Order.
The Hero's Journey is a powerful tool for understanding story structure and character transformation, emphasizing growth and the overcoming of challenges.
My final advice is if you are unsure, start with a neophyte character who is not skilled or well-known, such as a Padawan or an initiate, and let them grow as you write. Think of the hero's journey framework when developing a new Jedi character to help track and set up events for their growth.
In addition to crafting the core aspects of your character, the way you write can significantly breathe life into them. Here's how focusing on your writing style can enhance your character narrative:
Using a descriptive, reflective, and narrative style allows you to delve deep into the psyche and surroundings of your character. This style not only paints vivid pictures of the world your character inhabits but also provides insight into their inner thoughts and emotions. It creates a layered, immersive experience for the reader, making the character's journey more engaging and relatable.
Elaborate descriptions help to build a rich, detailed world that enhances the believability of your character. By carefully describing settings, actions, and physical appearances, you can transport the reader into the story. This attention to detail can also highlight subtle aspects of your character's personality and background, providing clues about their past and motivations.
Exploring themes of growth and struggle adds depth to your character's journey. Characters who face and overcome obstacles tend to be more dynamic and compelling. By showing their vulnerabilities, failures, and triumphs, you create a narrative arc that resonates with readers. This makes the character's achievements feel earned and their development more satisfying.
Incorporating mature themes and content can add complexity to your character and story. Addressing issues such as loss, betrayal, love, and redemption can create a narrative that appeals to a more mature audience. It allows you to explore the darker and more profound aspects of human experience, adding layers to your character's personality and motivations.
Immersive storytelling pulls the reader into the character's world. Detailed storytelling involves not just visual descriptions but also the sounds, smells, and textures of the environment. By engaging multiple senses, you create a vivid and tangible world. This helps the reader connect more deeply with the character and their experiences.
A balance between descriptive imagery and narrative keeps the story engaging. Descriptive imagery sets the scene and mood, while narrative drives the plot forward. Combining the two ensures that the story is not just a series of events but a cohesive experience where the reader can visualize and feel what the character is going through.
Acknowledging uncertainty within the narrative makes characters more relatable and realistic. Characters who doubt, hesitate, or struggle with decisions are more human. This vulnerability can endear them to readers, who may see their own uncertainties reflected in the character. It also creates tension and suspense, as the outcomes of their actions are not always predictable.
Building anticipation keeps readers hooked on the narrative. By setting up future events, hinting at potential conflicts, and developing subplots, you can create a sense of excitement and curiosity. Anticipation makes readers eager to see how the character will handle upcoming challenges and what consequences their actions will bring.
Consider a Jedi character navigating the complexities of the Force and their personal beliefs. Descriptive passages might detail the serene beauty of a Jedi temple or the chaotic aftermath of a battle, grounding the reader in the scene. Reflective moments could explore the character's internal struggle with the dark side, making their choices more impactful. By weaving in mature themes like betrayal or loss, you add emotional weight to their journey. Immersive storytelling could bring to life the tactile feel of a lightsaber hilt or the haunting silence of a meditation chamber. Acknowledging the character's uncertainty about their path makes them relatable, while building anticipation for their ultimate confrontation with a Sith antagonist keeps readers invested in their fate.
In summary, how you write your character's story is just as crucial as what you write. A rich, descriptive, and immersive style, combined with deep exploration of themes and anticipation, creates a vibrant and engaging character narrative.
