The Mary Sue Test

[MKSheppard]

The Mary Sue Litmus Test FOR FANTASY FICTION
--------------------------------------------

SECTION 1: What's In A Name

* Is the character named after you? (10, automatic Mary Sue.)
* Is the character's name an unusual spelling of a more common name or word? (1)
* Is the character's name unusual in another way? (1)
* Reversed gender name (a woman with a male sounding name, or vice versa) (1)
* A name the character chose for him or herself? (1)
* A noun or adjective not normally used for a name? (1, 2 if the character is human)
* Does the character have a really cool name that you wish you had? (1)
* Is the character's name the title of the story, or is the title a description of the
character? (i.e., "The Girl Who Could Fly") (3)
* Is the character's name Hunter, Raven, any gemstone, or any variation on 'Angel' or 'Demon?'
(i.e., Cherub, Angelica, Desdemona) (4)
* Is the character's name that of any real-world mythical figure? (1)
* Did you spend more than a day looking for just the right name? (1)
* Did you spend no time at all looking for the right name, because all of your characters have
the same name? (2)
* And it's yours? (10 again. Bad, bad writer.)
* Have you considered naming your child, your pet, or yourself after the character? (1)

SECTION 2: Here's Lookin' At You

* Is the character the same gender as you? (1)
* Is the character any non-human race? (1)
* Is the character a hybrid of two or more species? (3)
* Is the character a cross-breed of any other type? (i.e., multi-ethnic, multi-clan) (1)
* Is the character not subject to limitations normally put upon members of his or her species?
(i.e., a human who is immortal, a vampire who does not die at dawn, a fairy who is not vulnerable
to iron) (4)
* Is the character subject to the limitations of his or her species, but does not receive any of
the benefits? (i.e., a fairy who cannot do magic, a vampire who cannot exert mystical control over
his or her victims, etc) (-4, only -1 if this situation is removed by the end of the story)
* Is the character a teenager or in his or her early twenties? (1)
* Does the character LOOK like he or she is a teenager or in his or her early twenties, even though
he or she is not? (2)
* Does this become a plot point? (1)
* Is your character the age you would like to be? (1)
* Is the character beautiful or handsome? (1)
* VERY beautiful or handsome? (1)
* Do one or more of your other characters find this character immediately extremely attractive? (1)
* Do other characters see the character as a threat due to his or her extreme good looks or effect
on those of the opposite sex? (2)
* Is the character plain? (-2)
* Is this commented on by other characters who are not motivated by jealousy? (-1)
* Is this changed somehow by the end of the story? (2)
* Is the character ugly? (-3)
* Is this commented on by other characters who are not motivated by jealousy? (-1)
* Is this changed somehow by the end of the story? (3)
* Is the character overweight? (-3)
* Is this commented on by other characters who are not motivated by jealousy? (-1)
* Is this changed somehow by the end of the story? (4)
* Does the character have a non-standard eye color for no good reason (such as species)? (2)
* Does this become a plot point? (2)
* Are the character's eyes emerald green, pure blue, or warm brown? (1)
* Do they change color when the character is feeling profound emotion? (1)
* Does the character have really nice hair that you describe more than once? (1)
* Is the character's hair raven black, pure white, gold, or flaming red? (1)
* Does the character have notably golden, dusky, or pale skin? (1)
* Does the character have an accent that you do not share? (1)
* Because the story takes place somewhere where everyone has that accent? (-1)
* Is the character's voice exceptionally attractive or dulcet? (1)
* Does the character have a strange scar or marking (such as a tattoo) that is noticed by another
character? (1)
* Is the character deaf, mute, or both? (1)
* Is this changed somehow by the end of the story? (3)
* Is the character otherwise physically disabled? (-2)
* Is the character mentally challenged? (-2)

SECTION 3: History

* Is the character the long-lost child or decendant of anybody? (2)
* Of another character? (5)
* Was the character adopted, or otherwise not raised by his or her own parents? (1)
* Is the character the last surviving member of any species, organization, or family? (1)
* Add points for each aspect seen somewhere during the character's life:
- abandoned by caregivers (1)
- born or forced into slavery (1)
- born or raised in extreme poverty (1)
- sole survivor of a calamity (2)
- physical abuse (2)
- sexual abuse by a caregiver (3)
- rape (3)
- member of a despised or pariah class or race (1, 2 if the story focuses on overcoming this)
- illigitimate birth (2)
- parent of an illigitimate child (1 each)
- any other life experience inspired by V.C. Andrews (3)
- death or death equivalent (3)
- resurrection from death (10)
* Does the character suffer from guilt about something terrible that he or she did in the past? (1)
* Do the other characters eventually convince him or her that it was not his or her fault? (1)
* IS it the character's fault? (-1)
* Does the character share your religious beliefs? (1)
* Did the character have an unusual birth or an unusual experience in early infancy? (i.e., abducted, placed
in a basket and set afloat, visited by Three Weirdos, etc.) (1)
* Does the character have a twin, a clone, or a sibling of the same gender? (2)
* About whom you intend to write a story later? (2)
* Does the character have a very good singing voice? (2)
* Or play an instrument amazingly well? (2)
* Like the harp, the dulcimer, or any other antiquated instrument? (2)
* Does the character have better (that is, more sophisticated) taste in music than you do? (1)
* Does the character have the same profession you have? (1)
* Does the character have a profession you WISH you had? (1)
* Is the character royalty of any description? (3)
* And he or she doesn't know it? (3)
*Does everyone wind up liking the character? (1)
* Even though she's showing them up and correcting them all the time? (1)

SECTION 4: The Voodoo You Do

* Is the character any inherently magical race? (1)
* Is the character extraordinarily powerful for a member of this race? (1)
* Does the character come from a different world or dimension? (Heaven and Hell count.) (1)
* Does the character, not being inherently magical by species, have magic anyway? (2)
* Did the character gain special powers upon reaching puberty? (1)
* Does the character have telekinesis or telepathy? (Twins count.) (2)
* Does the character just "know things?" (2)
* Can the character fly? (1)
* Without the aid of wings? (1)
* Can the character heal with a touch or a thought? (1)
* Do animals (particularly fuzzy ones) instincively like or respond to the character? (2)
* Does the character have a horse? (Substitute 'horse' for 'bird' or 'wolf' as needed) (1)
* A white horse? (1)
* A black horse? (1)
* That she can talk to? (1)
* And it talks back? (1)
* Only to the character? (1)
* Telepathically? (1)
* Does the character have a perceptible aura of power? (1)
* Of goodness? (1)
* Of evil? (-1)
* Is the character the smartest character in the story? (1)
* The best looking? (1)
* The most powerful? (1)
* The best fighter? (1)
* The only person from his or her village or culture or species to be trained in fighting? (2)
* Because he or she was just so talented? (1)
* That he or she was taken on by the super-talented master fighter? (1)
* Until he or she surpassed him? (2)

SECTION 5: The Love Connection

* Does the character fall in love with another character at some point in the story? (1)
* With more than one character? (1)
* Does the character have sex with another character at some point in the story? (1)
* With more than one character? (1 each)
* Does the character get married at any point? (1)
* Does the story end with the character's wedding? (2)
* Do all of the other characters attend? (2)

SECTION 6: The Real World

* Would you like to be friends with the character if you met in real life? (1)
* Would you dislike the character if you met them in real life? (-2)
* Do you think everyone who reads the story should like the character? (1)
* If someone doesn't like the character, do you take it as a personal attack on you? (1)
* Do you ever pretend, if just to yourself, that you ARE the character? (1)

SECTION 7: The Fiendish Plot

* Is the character the main character of the story? (2)
* When the character is introduced, is he or she immediately, or after a few pages of tense
plotting, admitted into the group of other characters? (1)
* Does the character manage to develop a relationship with an otherwise villanous character, and
through this relationship, reform the other character? (2)
* Does the villain became evil again after losing the character, but retain some last
vestige of goodness, evidenced by one selfless action at the end of the story? (4)
* Is the character transformed into a magical being? (4)
* Is the character happier in his or her new form? (1)
* Do the other characters like the character better in his or her new form? (1)
* Do you wish you could be transformed, for the neat powers? (1)
* Does the character save the day, or another character's life? (2)
* Through magical intervention? (1)
* Through dying? (3)
* Through almost dying? (1)
* Does everyone go into mourning? (1)
* Does the character save a life by weeping over the recently expired corpse? (3)
* Do you plan to write more stories revolving around this character? (2)
* Do you plan to write more stories revolving around this character's children? (2)

-------------------------------------------------

SCORING

0-22 points: This is not a Mary Sue.
22-33 points: Borderline; could go either way depending on the author's skill.
34-45 points: Mary Sue. Proceed with the greatest caution.
46+ points: Reconsider your character and plot. Please.

[MKSheppard]

So by this scoring, ADM Mark Sheppard of Imperial Phoenix is:

Is the character the same gender as you? (1)
Is your character the age you would like to be? (1)
Is the character plain? (-2)
Was the character adopted, or otherwise not raised by his or her own parents? (1)
Does the character have a profession you WISH you had? (1)
Would you like to be friends with the character if you met in real life? (1)
Is the character the main character of the story? (2)

TOTAL: 5

0-22 points: This is not a Mary Sue.

[CaptainChewbacca]

Otho Niccoletti from my "Scattered Earth" fic is a 16.

No Mary Sue for me!

[The Last Rebel]

Lessee...CMDR. Nathan Yates from Imperial Phoenix: Revenge and Loyalty is:

Is the character the same gender as you?(1)
Is the character a teenager or in his or her early twenties? (1)

(Only when the story begins...this thing is supposed to span at least 20 years)

* Are the character's eyes emerald green, pure blue, or warm brown? (1)

(WTF does this have to do with the price of tea in China?)

Does the character have a profession you WISH you had? (1)
Does the character fall in love with another character at some point in the story? (1)
* With more than one character? (1)

* Does the character get married at any point? (1)
(Supposed to happen at some point...IF I ever get around to it.)
Would you like to be friends with the character if you met in real life? (1)




10 points. No Mary-Sue for me!

[CaptainChewbacca]

The eyes thing isn't "Are the eyes Blue, Green, or Brown?" But specifically PURE blue, EMERALD Green, or WARM brown."

Like the hair color. Black hair is ok, describing it as RAVEN black is not.

[Majin Gojira]

I wonder if "Fecal Brown" is ok

[LadyTevar]

GAH!!

Teamhair NicIomhair-Tahalshia is a 56!!

But I'd hate to see what Nitram, Blackthorne, or Philedelphia Tahalshia would add up to....

[SirNitram]

The Mary Sue Litmus Test FOR FANTASY FICTION

This should be funny. Once for the giant walking Plot Device, named Nitram. Maybe I'll do one later for Phil, who is probably the saddest example of a fantasy hero around.

SECTION 1: What's In A Name

* Is the character's name an unusual spelling of a more common name or word? (1)
SECTION 2: Here's Lookin' At You

* Is the character the same gender as you? (1)
* Is the character any non-human race? (1)

I figure a god whose slowly becoming mortal because no one believes in him is a 'non-human'.

* Is the character plain? (-2)
* Is this commented on by other characters who are not motivated by jealousy? (-1)
* Does the character have an accent that you do not share? (1)
* Because the story takes place somewhere where everyone has that accent? (-1)

Lessee... Main character born and raised in Lousiana.. Will he have my accent? Noooo...

* Is the character mentally challenged? (-2)

Does completely fucking batshit insane count?

SECTION 3: History
* Add points for each aspect seen somewhere during the character's life:
- death or death equivalent (3)

Being forced to incarnate as little more than a mortal is pretty 'death equivalent' for godlings. Or possibly the equivalent of being slapped with a wet fish.

* Does the character suffer from guilt about something terrible that he or she did in the past? (1)
* IS it the character's fault? (-1)

Being the incarnation of creation and destruction gives bad guilt trips.

SECTION 4: The Voodoo You Do

Cause we all know a sci-fi character is a Mary Sue if he can use the supertechnology![/Sarcasm]

* Is the character any inherently magical race? (1)

Small God, check.

* Does the character come from a different world or dimension? (Heaven and Hell count.) (1)

Check.

* Did the character gain special powers upon reaching puberty?

No. Real main characters struggle through childhood trying not to be a pyro by mistake.

* Does the character have telekinesis or telepathy? (Twins count.) (2)

Yep.

* Does the character just "know things?"

No. Real heros spend gut-wrenching hours in the library they constructed.

SECTION 5: The Love Connection

* Does the character fall in love with another character at some point in the story? (1)
* Does the character have sex with another character at some point in the story? (1)
* Does the character get married at any point? (1)

Check.

SECTION 6: The Real World

* Would you dislike the character if you met them in real life? (-2)

I dunno. Would you want to stand close to a guy who personifies every destructive force in existance, with only the mild reassurance that he also personifies the creation in those forces wake?

SECTION 7: The Fiendish Plot

* Is the character the main character of the story? (2)

Shocking. A story with a main character. Such terrible writing.

* Do you plan to write more stories revolving around this character? (2)
* Do you plan to write more stories revolving around this character's children? (2)

Too late.

-------------------------------------------------

SCORING

0-22 points: This is not a Mary Sue.

Total score of twelve for the weakened God of Chaos. Hrm, I think this test isn't that good...

[LadyTevar]

-------------------------------------------------

SCORING

0-22 points: This is not a Mary Sue.

Total score of twelve for the weakened God of Chaos. Hrm, I think this test isn't that good...

AHEM!!!

You forgot a few, m'dear.

Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 7:12 pm Post subject: The Mary Sue Test

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Mary Sue Litmus Test FOR FANTASY FICTION
--------------------------------------------

SECTION 1: What's In A Name

* Is the character named after you? (10, automatic Mary Sue.)
* Is the character's name an unusual spelling of a more common name or word? (1)
* Is the character's name unusual in another way? (1)
* A name the character chose for him or herself? (1)
* Does the character have a really cool name that you wish you had? (1)

Oh my.. Nitram/Martin. Nah, not named for you at all. Unusual? Nah, couldn't be. He chose it himself? Sure, a Small God of Chaos wouldn't name himself. And you don't wish for the name, you *are* the name!

Shall I go on, or will you tally it CORRECTLY this time?

[SirNitram]

-------------------------------------------------

SCORING

0-22 points: This is not a Mary Sue.

Total score of twelve for the weakened God of Chaos. Hrm, I think this test isn't that good...

AHEM!!!

You forgot a few, m'dear.
Oh my.. Nitram/Martin. Nah, not named for you at all. Unusual? Nah, couldn't be. He chose it himself? Sure, a Small God of Chaos wouldn't name himself. And you don't wish for the name, you *are* the name!

I wouldn't want to be named Nitram. It's a silly name. And no, he didn't pick it. I wrote this all down.. Now if I could only find it all, I could prove it.

[LadyTevar]

Total score of twelve for the weakened God of Chaos. Hrm, I think this test isn't that good...

AHEM!!!

You forgot a few, m'dear.
Oh my.. Nitram/Martin. Nah, not named for you at all. Unusual? Nah, couldn't be. He chose it himself? Sure, a Small God of Chaos wouldn't name himself. And you don't wish for the name, you *are* the name!

I wouldn't want to be named Nitram. It's a silly name. And no, he didn't pick it. I wrote this all down.. Now if I could only find it all, I could prove it.

So you're trying to claim that you, Martin, have a character named Nitram, and he's *NOT* named for you?


Pull another one, it's got bells on it.

[SirNitram]

So you're trying to claim that you, Martin, have a character named Nitram, and he's *NOT* named for you?


Pull another one, it's got bells on it.

No stealing my sayings, you aren't sufficiently British for that one.

And no, Nitram Tahalshia is not 'naming a character after myself'. There's, for largest reason, the staggering fact my last name bears no resemblence, not even in lingual roots, to the name Tahalshia. Is it rearranging the spelling of a popular common name? Yes. Is it naming it for me? No. That is specifically referring to authors who put their entire name onto their main characters.. Which is quite common.

[phongn]

Going for my STGOD character, which is obviously an SI. Now, ignoring the automatic MS for the first point...

* Is the character named after you? (10, automatic Mary Sue.)
* Is the character the same gender as you? (1)
* Is the character any non-human race? (1)
* Is the character plain? (-2)
* Does the character have an accent that you do not share? (1)
* Because the story takes place somewhere where everyone has that accent? (-1)
* Is the character any inherently magical race? (1)
* Would you like to be friends with the character if you met in real life? (1)

+12, ignoring the automatic qualify, no, not an MS

[Pablo Sanchez]

Hmmm... using my eponymous character from Suicide Squad...

* Is the character named after you? (10, automatic Mary Sue.)

Damn.

* And it's yours? (10 again. Bad, bad writer.)

Well... duh...

* Have you considered naming your child, your pet, or yourself after the character? (1)

YES! But only because it was my name first.

* Is the character a teenager or in his or her early twenties? (1)

Er... sort of?

* Is the character plain? (-2)

Yes. I believe I referred to him as a "small, dark-looking man."

* Is the character ugly? (-3)

Only on the inside.

* Is the character otherwise physically disabled? (-2)

Yes, secretly Sgt. Pablo Sanchez has erectile disfunction. I hope that changes your entire view of Suicide Squad, dear readers.

* Is the character mentally challenged? (-2)

I resent your implication, sir.

* Is the character the long-lost child or decendant of anybody? (2)
* Of another character? (5)

Of himself, yes.

* Was the character adopted, or otherwise not raised by his or her own parents? (1)

Well, he didn't have any parents.

- resurrection from death (10)

He personally wasn't, but...

* Does the character suffer from guilt about something terrible that he or she did in the past? (1)

Guilt? What's that?

* IS it the character's fault? (-1)

Probably.

* Does the character share your religious beliefs? (1)

Yes, as in what beliefs?

* Did the character have an unusual birth or an unusual experience in early infancy? (i.e., abducted, placed in a basket and set afloat, visited by Three Weirdos, etc.) (1)

Yes. Clone.

* Does the character have a twin, a clone, or a sibling of the same gender? (2)

Lots and lots of 'em. Wow.

* About whom you intend to write a story later? (2)

No.

* Does the character have a profession you WISH you had? (1)

YES.

*Does everyone wind up liking the character? (1)

At the end of the story, he kills almost all his friends at the rest of them hate him and describe him as evil. I should get -1 for that.

* Does the character just "know things?" (2)

Yes... clone.

* Of evil? (-1)

Bwahah.

* Is the character the smartest character in the story? (1)

I should also get -1 for this.

* The best looking? (1)

That would be Kynes.

* The most powerful? (1)

No. I should get -1 for that, the most "powerful" character (highest ranked) which actually appears is Deimos Anomaly

* The best fighter? (1)

Gets his ass kicked by a computer geek (who was admittedly also a Ubiqtorate assassin clone) despite having the advantage of a weapon.

* Does the character have sex with another character at some point in the story? (1)

God no.

* Would you like to be friends with the character if you met in real life? (1)

No. He's an asshole... but so am I.

* Would you dislike the character if you met them in real life? (-2)

Yes. I do dislike the person he's based on, as well.

* Do you think everyone who reads the story should like the character? (1)

They should hate him. Again, a -1 I deserve but don't get.

* If someone doesn't like the character, do you take it as a personal attack on you? (1)

Yes. I relish it.

* Do you ever pretend, if just to yourself, that you ARE the character? (1)

... how did you know?!?

* Is the character the main character of the story? (2)

Indeed.

* When the character is introduced, is he or she immediately, or after a few pages of tense plotting, admitted into the group of other characters? (1)

Well, he sort of starts as a member of the titular group.

* Does the character manage to develop a relationship with an otherwise villanous character, and through this relationship, reform the other character? (2)

Hah. No.

* Does the villain became evil again after losing the character, but retain some last vestige of goodness, evidenced by one selfless action at the end of the story? (4)

Does this count if the Mary Sue being tested, the main character, and the villain are the same person, and the action is merely "not evil" rather than "selfless?"

* Does the character save the day, or another character's life? (2)

Well, yeah, but it doesn't count. 'Cos he killed all the others.

* Do you plan to write more stories revolving around this character? (2)

No.

0-22 points: This is not a Mary Sue.
22-33 points: Borderline; could go either way depending on the author's skill.
34-45 points: Mary Sue. Proceed with the greatest caution.
46+ points: Reconsider your character and plot. Please.

Not gonna add it up.

[Singular Quartet]

I've written a grand total of one fantasy story, although the present stuff I work on could be considered fantasy, in the same way that Star Wars could be considered fantasy. Anyways...

* A name the character chose for him or herself? (1)
* Is the character any non-human race? (1)
* Is the character beautiful or handsome? (1)
* Is the character plain? (-2)
* Does the character have notably golden, dusky, or pale skin? (1)
* Does the character share your religious beliefs? (1)
* Does the character have a profession you WISH you had? (1)
* Is the character any inherently magical race? (1)
* Does the character come from a different world or dimension? (Heaven and Hell count.) (1)
* Is the character the best fighter? (1)
* Does the character fall in love with another character at some point in the story? (1)
* Would you like to be friends with the character if you met in real life? (1)
* Does the character save the day, or another character's life? (2)
* Do you plan to write more stories revolving around this character? (2)

13: This is not a Mary Sue.

[Singular Quartet]

I will, however, put my most recent (and oldest) character of mass devestation and desctruction through the paces...

* Is the character's name unusual in another way? (1)

Trenchin Macgrove. The only part about it that's unusual is the fact that the last name isn't McGrove

* Is the character's name the title of the story, or is the title a description of the
character? (i.e., "The Girl Who Could Fly") (3)

The working title is "The Legend of Trenchin Macgrove"

* Did you spend more than a day looking for just the right name? (1)

A few years, but only because he didn't have a name for a few years.

SECTION 2: Here's Lookin' At You

* Is the character any non-human race? (1)

Does robot/AI count as a race?

* Is the character not subject to limitations normally put upon members of his or her species?
(i.e., a human who is immortal, a vampire who does not die at dawn, a fairy who is not vulnerable
to iron) (4)

Yes, most AIs don't have free will. Him and his "family" do.

* Is the character ugly? (-3)
* Is this commented on by other characters who are not motivated by jealousy? (-1)

Does the fact that the character inspires fear in every single thing, entity and creature he encounters count?

* Does the character have an accent that you do not share? (1)

He has no accent whatsoever, unlike myself, who lives in New England. I have whatever accent comes with that.

* Does the character have a strange scar or marking (such as a tattoo) that is noticed by another
character? (1)

* Is the character mentally challenged? (-2)

Does completely deranged for seventy years count?

SECTION 3: History

* Add points for each aspect seen somewhere during the character's life:
- sole survivor of a calamity (2)

Does exterminating a planet, and then making sure that there were no survivors count as "sole survivor of a calamity?" If it does, I get Mary Sue because he did that so many times...

- member of a despised or pariah class or race (1, 2 if the story focuses on overcoming this)

Nobody likes robots, but he doesn't care.

- death or death equivalent (3)
- resurrection from death (10)

Yes!

* Does the character suffer from guilt about something terrible that he or she did in the past? (1)
* IS it the character's fault? (-1)

Yes, as he asks for forgivness from someone.

* Does the character share your religious beliefs? (1)

Yes. None.

* Does the character have a twin, a clone, or a sibling of the same gender? (2)

Yes.

SECTION 4: The Voodoo You Do

* Is the character extraordinarily powerful for a member of this race? (1)

Well, I did mention plantary destruction.

* Does the character come from a different world or dimension? (Heaven and Hell count.) (1)

It's sci-fi.

* Does the character, not being inherently magical by species, have magic anyway? (2)

JEDI MIND TRICKS! WHOO-HOO!!!

* Can the character fly? (1)

Yes. He even makes his own damn wings.

* Can the character heal with a touch or a thought? (1)

Does forcing somebody to become permanantly immortal count?

* The most powerful? (1)

* The best fighter? (1)
Quite easily, it's sad to say. But that's the way he was made...

SECTION 5: The Love Connection

SECTION 6: The Real World

* Would you dislike the character if you met them in real life? (-2)

I would run for my life, except I knew it wouldn't matter.

SECTION 7: The Fiendish Plot

* Is the character the main character of the story? (2)

The book's named after him, afterall.

31 points! BORDERLINE!

[Kuja]

16 points for Frey Amethyst. *whew*

[Peregrin Toker]

Supreme Battle-Lord Txaxil from my "The Wormhole War" gets 17 pts.

I wonder how John Baylor from Shroom Man 777's "Soldiers Of The Sovereignty" will do....

[Shroom Man 777]

30 points. Borderline. Thank God!


Is the character named after you? (10, automatic Mary Sue.)

Did you spend no time at all looking for the right name, because all of your characters have
the same name? (2)

And it's yours? (10 again. Bad, bad writer.)

Is the character the same gender as you? (1)

Is your character the age you would like to be? (1)

Is the character plain? (-2)

Does the character have a profession you WISH you had? (1)

Would you like to be friends with the character if you met in real life? (1)

If someone doesn't like the character, do you take it as a personal attack on you? (1)

Do you ever pretend, if just to yourself, that you ARE the character? (1)

Is the character the main character of the story? (2)

Do you plan to write more stories revolving around this character? (2)

[Warspite]

Just for shits and giggles...

SECTION 1: What's In A Name
* Is the character's name unusual in another way? (1)

Not unless you count ancient Persian kings...

SECTION 2: Here's Lookin' At You
* Is the character the same gender as you? (1)

* Is the character not subject to limitations normally put upon members of his or her species?
(i.e., a human who is immortal, a vampire who does not die at dawn, a fairy who is not vulnerable
to iron) (4)

Hum, does genetic manipulation count???

* Is the character ugly? (-3)
* Is this commented on by other characters who are not motivated by jealousy? (-1)

Hum... being bald, having leather-type skin, weird eyes, and several deep scars count???

* Does the character have a strange scar or marking (such as a tattoo) that is noticed by another
character? (1)

SECTION 3: History

* Was the character adopted, or otherwise not raised by his or her own parents? (1)
* Is the character the last surviving member of any species, organization, or family? (1)
* Add points for each aspect seen somewhere during the character's life:
- sole survivor of a calamity (2)
- death or death equivalent (3)

SECTION 4: The Voodoo You Do

* Is the character extraordinarily powerful for a member of this race? (1)
* Does the character have a perceptible aura of power? (1)

Yeah, 2 metres tall, and weighing 130 Kilos can make a difference...

* The best fighter? (1)

SECTION 5: The Love Connection

* Does the character fall in love with another character at some point in the story? (1)
* With more than one character? (1)
* Does the character have sex with another character at some point in the story? (1)
* With more than one character? (1 each)

SECTION 6: The Real World

* Would you like to be friends with the character if you met in real life? (1)
* Do you ever pretend, if just to yourself, that you ARE the character? (1)

SECTION 7: The Fiendish Plot

* Is the character the main character of the story? (2)
* Does the character save the day, or another character's life? (2)
* Do you plan to write more stories revolving around this character? (2)

-------------------------------------------------

SCORING

22-33 points: Borderline; could go either way depending on the author's skill.

[CrimsonRaine]

Reiyana (from the story that STILL doesn't have a title) got a 14. Not bad.

Raine

[CrimsonRaine]

AHEM!!!

You forgot a few, m'dear.
Oh my.. Nitram/Martin. Nah, not named for you at all. Unusual? Nah, couldn't be. He chose it himself? Sure, a Small God of Chaos wouldn't name himself. And you don't wish for the name, you *are* the name!

I wouldn't want to be named Nitram. It's a silly name. And no, he didn't pick it. I wrote this all down.. Now if I could only find it all, I could prove it.

So you're trying to claim that you, Martin, have a character named Nitram, and he's *NOT* named for you?


Pull another one, it's got bells on it.

Jesus Christ, I'm slow. So that's why it's Nitram. Pretty cool name.

Raine

[Zaia]

16 points for Frey Amethyst. *whew*

What about 'Groove'?

[LadyTevar]

So you're trying to claim that you, Martin, have a character named Nitram, and he's *NOT* named for you?


Pull another one, it's got bells on it.

Jesus Christ, I'm slow. So that's why it's Nitram. Pretty cool name.

Raine

And he still claims Nitram's not named for him

[Setzer]

I'd like to suggest something:

We should flesh this list out a bit more and sticky it in the forum to avoid the promulgation of Mary Sues.

A few of my suggestions for addittions:

Does the character have a magic sword? (1)
That is noticably different from a normal sword?(1)
That is longer than 1 meter/3 feet? (2)
That they can talk to (1)
and it talks back? (1)
Telepathically? (1)
Only to the character? (1)
Does the character have a completely ordinary sword, with no magic, no name, and no special history whatsoever? (-4)

Does the character achieve a high rank (General, etc.) in less then half the time it took others to achieve it? (2)
While still in their teens or early twenties? (2)
Because they had a powerful parent who got them a rank? (-4)
Does the character command their own unit? (1)
That serves as their elite bodyguard? (1)
Which the character never needs because the character is so tough?(2)
Which does all the fighting because the character is a coward? (-4)
Is the character such a good fighter that they can perform some trivial action (such as reading or drinking tea) while in the middle of combat? (3)
And continually come out unscathed?(2)