The central character trait, merits, and flaws, should be between one word and a sentance or so in length. Each should be accompanied by a paragraph describing the trait in question. This would include abilities, advantages and disadvantages inherent in this particular version of the trait.

The Central Character Trait is the core of the character. If somebody came up to the character and said "Who are you?" (Or perhaps "What", but still) then this would likely be their response.

All characters will have one, a very few charcters will have three, either merits or flaws. In a perfect world, the number of merits and flaws and the magnitude of each would balance out. But if it gets in the way of the story or makes things less fun, then your Story Teller is clear to toss this consideration out the window. Wheee!

Each trait should be accompanied by a paragraph outlining the abilities, advantages, disadvantages and flavour of the trait. Pay careful attention to this part--it's as close as we get to 'mechanics' and 'statistics' during character creation. This is where you and the Story Teller lay out the framework for what your character can and cannot do.

The "Dream" is what your character sees as an ultimate goal, a final, god-like destiny. This is your character's best of all possible worlds, the pinnacle of their journey through life. This may change. There's nothing wrong with that. Conversely, the "Nightmare" is where your character could, in the worst circumstance, end up. The future that you dread, the worst possible doom.

The final stage is to write the story of your character thus far. Detail her history, make notes of important events and circumstances, or training. If you can make it a fun story, then that's even better. There's a happy medium between too long and too short, but that medium doesn't come in a handy '[X] pages long' reference. The neccessary length will vary from character to character.

The Sushi Twins--Iris Zahn and "Wombat" Kyle

Iris and Kyle. Two sides of the same mirror. Very creative, very unlucky. Around B-Town they are most famous for 'Sushi Girl Stick Figure Manga OK!' comics, which were originally intended to build an audience for their 'Sushi Girl Manga OK!' comic--a lush, full, intricate story with elfin and human cast members. They draw, write prose and music, and perform in a band called Sushi Girls, all for an astonishingly small audience. Jig Me Bones covered one of Iris' songs and was the toast of SoHo for two months. Stick Wizard wed the 'stick figure manga' to magic animation and rode that rocket to success themselves.

Iris Zahn

Creative Genius: The spark that lies within all of us has caught fire and taken hold. Often this ability is focused on one or two areas of study, but can be applied to any field one has knowledge in. The flame provides illumination, revealing new, useful, engaging ideas in its light. These ideas, however, may not dissipate easily simply because it's inconvenient for the subject to act upon them and realise them. Constant distraction, or the obsession that keeps you up all night completely unaware of the time--these may be part of the price of an emerging poem or a newborn gadget.

Writing: Essays, scripts, fiction, specialising in novels and in painting exquisite pictures with words; an image permanently set in the brain by the perfect turn of phrase.

Composing: Much like her skill with words, her ability with music manifests itself in pictures--pointilism using notes instead of dots. Most of her work is for vocalist and solo instrument. She has been known to sing.

Drawing: Again, the big picture--colouring, shading, a large canvas--created by intimate attention to the detail, and a style that tends toward realism.

B-Town Luck: Every silver lining has a stormy cloud. Iris seems to have a tendency to get hit by lightning.

Inconvenient Attractions: If there's somebody she shouldn't fall for, whether due to circumstance or psychology, whether she knows it's unwise or not, she's just met their eyes and swooned deep inside.

Hedonistic/Easily Distracted: Iris is very sensual and, especially if she's doing something she doesn't particularly care to be doing, it can be very easy to distract her with a shoulder rub, good music, a chocolate orange, or something of the like.

'Wombat' Kyle

Creative Genius: The spark that lies within all of us has caught fire and taken hold. Often this ability is focused on one or two areas of study, but can be applied to any field one has knowledge in. The flame provides illumination, revealing new, useful, engaging ideas in its light. These ideas, however, may not dissipate easily simply because it's inconvenient for the subject to act upon them and realise them. Constant distraction, or the obsession that keeps you up all night completely unaware of the time--these may be part of the price of an emerging poem or a newborn gadget.

Writing: Essays, scripts, fiction, specialising in the razor-tuned short story or mood piece, and in dialogue that vaults the character off the page and bringing them to life for a reader.

Performing: Both voice and guitar are his strong points, and Iris' compositions are usually written to complement him.

Drawing: The razor tip of his pencil when he writes is also evident in his drawing. he does the lettering, and pencils and inks the outlines for Sushi Twins Manga OK! that Iris fills in with her colours.

Self-Deprecating: If there's a flaw in his work, he'll tell you. If there isn't, he'll explain why all the credit for it goes to somebody else. Ironically, and probably unsurprisingly, he's the biggest obstacle to his own dream.

B-Town Luck: Every silver lining has a stormy cloud. Kyle seems to have a tendency to get hit by lightning.

Inconvenient Attractions: If there's somebody he shouldn't fall for, whether due to circumstance or psychology, whether he knows it's unwise or not, he's just met their eyes and swooned deep inside.