Guide
At ChroniclesRP we love and share in the creation of new fantastic stories and locations. However, to keep our Wiki organized and to keep from being overrun we ask that you submit sentient species carefully and that you first roleplay it on our board. Only submit a species if you are actually going to use them. This will not only help flesh out your creation but will also allow people a better view into the small piece of your story you are creating.
Below you will find the guide on Species Creation and the template in code at the bottom for your use.
Below you will find the guide on Species Creation and the template in code at the bottom for your use.
Overview
You can add a summary of your species in a paragraph here. The following list provides the key details, but can also be provided in the species infobox (add link)
- Name: (What is your species called? How are they referred to by others?)
- Size: (Our world and species are as varying as could be. How big are your species? Big, small? Titanic? The size of a creature can affect how they react and respond to other races, how they act, and of course how they appear. This can be further elaborated on in the Appearance section, but please just give a simple reference answer here.)
- Lifespan: (Many species have long lifespans; many have short. Long-lived species tend to be broader in their thinking and perhaps less brash; shorter-lived species might be more inclined to a bit of wildness. Of course, this is not mutually exclusive, but keep in mind that one's lifespan is important in the development of personality. This can be elaborated on in the Traits and Background section.)
- Diet: (Are they herbivores, omnivores or carnivores? This can often affect the demeanor of a race, with carnivores being more aggressive and herbivores like siding to a more passive side. Keep that in mind.)
Language
(Language is the foundation of many civilizations, it is what binds a people together and creates a common understanding. Every species has a way of communicating, whether it is by speech or another way. There is a single Common tongue within the world that used to communicate between species, but most species have a language of their own.
These languages can and will vary. Some communicate via speech, others through telepathy or even hand signals. The method of communication you choose for your species should reflect your species itself. Not every race will have a unique way of communicating, but some will. It is essential to figure out what fits with your species before deciding on something. It's also important to note that some species will speak multiple languages.
If your species is an isolated human tribe then it's it's very likely that they will not speak the common tongue and have their own language. If that's the case, feel free to describe the language and a bit about it, mannerisms, how it sounds, etc. You don't have to create a whole alphabet of course, but flesh out the language.
Similarly, if your species is more off the beaten path and uses a method of communication that isn't speech or otherwise “ordinary” you can use this section to explain in depth how that communication and language actually works. The more detail, the more people will be able to understand how it works and better roleplay it down the line. You should also explain how your species communicate with more ordinary and standard languages, especially those who use the common tongue.
Of course, If your race is heavily diplomatic, mercantile, or just interacts with lots of folks you can simply say they use the Common tongue. Not everyone is unique, and that's okay!)
These languages can and will vary. Some communicate via speech, others through telepathy or even hand signals. The method of communication you choose for your species should reflect your species itself. Not every race will have a unique way of communicating, but some will. It is essential to figure out what fits with your species before deciding on something. It's also important to note that some species will speak multiple languages.
If your species is an isolated human tribe then it's it's very likely that they will not speak the common tongue and have their own language. If that's the case, feel free to describe the language and a bit about it, mannerisms, how it sounds, etc. You don't have to create a whole alphabet of course, but flesh out the language.
Similarly, if your species is more off the beaten path and uses a method of communication that isn't speech or otherwise “ordinary” you can use this section to explain in depth how that communication and language actually works. The more detail, the more people will be able to understand how it works and better roleplay it down the line. You should also explain how your species communicate with more ordinary and standard languages, especially those who use the common tongue.
Of course, If your race is heavily diplomatic, mercantile, or just interacts with lots of folks you can simply say they use the Common tongue. Not everyone is unique, and that's okay!)
Appearance
(A key component of how your species will be perceived is their appearance. This category is about how they appear to everyone. Size, weight, height, eyes, hair, everything can and should be described here. Your species' looks will affect many different aspects of your future roleplay. For instance, if your species is composed of demonic humanoids with horns, red eyes, and big menacing features everywhere, it is unlikely that your future character will be well received in many civilized areas.
The appearance of your race is important to future interactions; however, it is also important to represent the species itself. Generally, when creating a race you should have a general theme, and that theme should be worked into the species itself. This will help people better understand what your species does and what the idea behind them is.
It is of course also important to note that a species appearance does not have to be overly complex and complicated. Some will inevitably be simple and rather plain, and that's okay. Do your best to describe your species so that anyone encountering them will know what they look like to others.
Lastly, remember to be reasonable about your species appearance. While we understand the thought behind uniqueness and the want for something “cool,” your species shouldn't be entirely over the top. So please don't have things like dragon wings, unicorn horn, laser eyes, and fire hands all combined.)
The appearance of your race is important to future interactions; however, it is also important to represent the species itself. Generally, when creating a race you should have a general theme, and that theme should be worked into the species itself. This will help people better understand what your species does and what the idea behind them is.
It is of course also important to note that a species appearance does not have to be overly complex and complicated. Some will inevitably be simple and rather plain, and that's okay. Do your best to describe your species so that anyone encountering them will know what they look like to others.
Lastly, remember to be reasonable about your species appearance. While we understand the thought behind uniqueness and the want for something “cool,” your species shouldn't be entirely over the top. So please don't have things like dragon wings, unicorn horn, laser eyes, and fire hands all combined.)
Habitat
(An important part of any species is their habitat. For many races across the world, their habitat is what shaped them and made them what they are today. Of course, habitats change over time, but this section of your entry is mainly about the way that your people live today. It is here you should say where your people actually live and feel at home.
Does your species do well in the forest? Are they primarily based in a large city? What is the name of the city? Describe just how your species live and what sort of environment they truly excel in. This is important in shaping your species and telling us where they tend to be and what they are doing.
It’s important to also note in this section what/if your species has any actual limitations. For instance, Mer-people wouldn’t do well in a desert environment, and it would be good to point out any such limitations within this section. Of course, it is also important to detail any extremes.)
Does your species do well in the forest? Are they primarily based in a large city? What is the name of the city? Describe just how your species live and what sort of environment they truly excel in. This is important in shaping your species and telling us where they tend to be and what they are doing.
It’s important to also note in this section what/if your species has any actual limitations. For instance, Mer-people wouldn’t do well in a desert environment, and it would be good to point out any such limitations within this section. Of course, it is also important to detail any extremes.)
Traits
(All species have what we call ‘traits.’ These are tendencies, abnormalities, or general qualities that set a species apart from everyone else. Traits can be physical, psychological, or anything else that makes your particular species different. These features are both invariably good and bad, taking many different forms and fleshing out the species a bit more.
In this section, you can list what makes your species different. This could be the general tendency for a species to be more magically inclined than others, with more sorcerers cropping up throughout the entire people than is ordinarily found. It could also be something physical, such as vestigial tails or small horns that are found on the body. Traits are what set even more standard humanoid species apart from their close genetic cousins.
It should also be noted that some negative Traits should be included here. Nobody is perfect, and here at ChroniclesRP, even the most powerful beings have a bad side. Negative Traits, like positive ones, can be physical, psychological, or transformative in other ways. An example would be lack of night vision, an inability to use magic at all, or even something like a lack of vocal cords and inability to speak.
Try to make Traits unique, and remember to keep them within the realm of reason.)
Notes on Mixed breed Species
If you decide to create a half breed species, please consider the following for fairness and balance purposes in regards to traits.
In this section, you can list what makes your species different. This could be the general tendency for a species to be more magically inclined than others, with more sorcerers cropping up throughout the entire people than is ordinarily found. It could also be something physical, such as vestigial tails or small horns that are found on the body. Traits are what set even more standard humanoid species apart from their close genetic cousins.
It should also be noted that some negative Traits should be included here. Nobody is perfect, and here at ChroniclesRP, even the most powerful beings have a bad side. Negative Traits, like positive ones, can be physical, psychological, or transformative in other ways. An example would be lack of night vision, an inability to use magic at all, or even something like a lack of vocal cords and inability to speak.
Try to make Traits unique, and remember to keep them within the realm of reason.)
Notes on Mixed breed Species
If you decide to create a half breed species, please consider the following for fairness and balance purposes in regards to traits.
- Half Breeds - race mixing will have diminishing returns in racial traits.
- A mixed race of more than 2 species will become sterile and unable to breed. (IE Half Orc with a Dwarf’s child would be sterile and the end of that family legacy) The more diluted, the more racial traits are lost and instead become nothing really special. (obviously not all the strengths of both species)
History
Background
(An important part of a species is its background. Integral to the identity of the species, it is important to know where they came from and exactly how they have functioned within the world of Chronicles RP.
This section is not necessarily about the history of your species on a grand scale but rather focused on your people themselves. We aren’t looking for you to add every single piece of Core Lore or board history into your article, but instead wanting you to focus on exactly what your species has done so far. Have they participated in any major wars? Do they have a central leader? Have they built cities? Who are their favored allies? Most hated enemies?
These details should all be included here, and of course, can be updated whenever notable events happen.
This section is more of an Out of Character blurb than anything else. It details what we the readers should know about your species in order to properly roleplay with them. It will give us a better picture of what we can expect and just how to use them in a narrative.)
This section is not necessarily about the history of your species on a grand scale but rather focused on your people themselves. We aren’t looking for you to add every single piece of Core Lore or board history into your article, but instead wanting you to focus on exactly what your species has done so far. Have they participated in any major wars? Do they have a central leader? Have they built cities? Who are their favored allies? Most hated enemies?
These details should all be included here, and of course, can be updated whenever notable events happen.
This section is more of an Out of Character blurb than anything else. It details what we the readers should know about your species in order to properly roleplay with them. It will give us a better picture of what we can expect and just how to use them in a narrative.)
Lore
(The Lore Section of this Template is perhaps one of the most important. Here you should detail what is known of your species within the wide-ranging world of Chronicles RP.
This section can be both short and long; it can be written in the style of a journal, a history book, or just in a standard way. It is however important to fully convey just how your species is viewed by others and how much is known by folk at large. This will aid other writers in actually interacting with characters of your species and further aid them in including you in the narrative.
It helps if you describe how different nations and/or species might see them, as these views can differ a lot from people to people. One country might see your species as their mortal enemies, whereas another will consider them their staunch allies and paragons of justice.
Basically, this is the section where you can establish unique and interesting story aspects of your species.) [1]
This section can be both short and long; it can be written in the style of a journal, a history book, or just in a standard way. It is however important to fully convey just how your species is viewed by others and how much is known by folk at large. This will aid other writers in actually interacting with characters of your species and further aid them in including you in the narrative.
It helps if you describe how different nations and/or species might see them, as these views can differ a lot from people to people. One country might see your species as their mortal enemies, whereas another will consider them their staunch allies and paragons of justice.
Basically, this is the section where you can establish unique and interesting story aspects of your species.) [1]
References
- ^You can also add footnotes through the article that will automatically appear in the references section with a link.
In this section, you should list the references of IC roleplay to your species. As stated at the beginning of the guide, we ask you to RP out your creation before submitting the article itself.
Template
Code:
<SUMMARY PARAGRAPH>
[LIST]
[*][B]Name:[/b]
[*][B]Size:[/b]
[*][B]Lifespan:[/b]
[*][B]Diet:[/b]
[/LIST]
[h=1]Overview[/h]
[h=2]Language[/h]
[h=2]Appearance[/h]
[h=2]Habitat[/h]
[h=2]Traits[/h]
[h=1]History[/h]
[h=2]Background[/h]
[h=2]Lore[/h]
[h=1]References[/h]
[reflist][/reflist]Template with infobox
Alternatively use the Monster Infobox if it is more appropriate.
Code:
[template]Infobox_species
|image=
|name=
|alternative names=
|origin=
|lifespan=
|diet=
|subspecies=
|height=
|distinctive features=
|organisations=
|languages=
|source=
[/template]
<SUMMARY PARAGRAPH>
[h=1]Overview[/h]
[h=2]Language[/h]
[h=2]Appearance[/h]
[h=2]Habitat[/h]
[h=2]Traits[/h]
[h=1]History[/h]
[h=2]Background[/h]
[h=2]Lore[/h]
[h=1]References[/h]
[reflist][/reflist]