Above all else, the purpose of roleplaying a vampire is FUN. Everyone on Shattered Sosaria is here because we have imagination and want to have a good time. Roleplaying a vampire isn't as easy as roleplaying a human. It's even harder to roleplay a vampire and still make it fun for the other people involved, as well as yourself.
CHARACTER CREATION
So, you've decided to make a vampire character on SS? Jolly good! I recommend doing some planning before you create the character.
PERSONALITY
Choose a personality type for your character. I recommend looking at Vampire: The Masquerade's different clans. Each clan has a different flavor, a feel, a personality. That will help you stay true to your character.
BACKGROUND
After you choose a personality type, brainstorm about their past. How were they made a vampire? How did they meet the vampire that made them? Is it a vampire on SS? (Consult them first, please) What were they before? Do they like what they are?
There's a couple of key questions. One thing I STRONGLY recommend NOT doing : Having a vampire with amnesia. They don't remember who made them a vampire, they don't remember being made a vampire, they don't know who they were before. Frankly, it might be fun to roleplay, but most of the people around you won't find it nearly as interesting as you. It's bland, it's cliche'd. Please don't do it.
NAMING
OK...so now you've got a rough personality, and a background for your character. Now is a good time to think about a name. Something fitting to who they are and where they come from. I wouldn't suggest a name like "Georgina Angelina" if they come from the streets of Britain. My advice on choosing a name:
The rougher and tougher of a background they have, try a unisex name.
If it's something more genteel and noble, a name with 3 syllables is good, and perhaps a second/last name.
If they have a human past they want to forget, maybe when they were made a vampire they got a completely new name. I'd suggest a name that has to do with either: darkness, blood,chaos, etc. Vampiric things. Try looking up "blood" in Latin. Or Greek. Or Italian. Or Cherokee. That's a quick way to get a meaningful name for your character.
Since this IS a fantasy roleplaying game, I recommend really using your imagination when choosing a name. "Sally" has no imagination. "Serafina" has a bit more imagation. "Daratina" is a made up name, so I'd say that has imagination.
On substituting "Y" for "I" : In most cases it simply looks gaudy and silly, because it's being misused. I don't spell my name "Lyza" to try and be unique. I have a normal name, and putting a "Y" in there will not suddenly make it exotic and different.
HOWEVER, if the name is Daratina, or Dataria. Those ARE exotic names. Daratyna, and Datarya are acceptable. BUT, just because I used a "Y" instead an of "I" doesn't make it necessarily more exotic or memorable. If it's an exotic, usually made up name, then it's easier to get away with using a Y.
It's really a judgement call. Just ask yourself whether or not using a Y will take the name to the next level, or simply make it look like you slapped a rhinestone-studded saddle on a common donkey. Catch my drift? The same concept goes for using a "Z" instead of an "S" or a "K" instead of a "C,"etc.
THE SPEECH OF YOUR VAMPIRE
Using Old English is not required. Not using constanents, not required. ("Will not" instead of "won't")
I don't think vampires would say "Freakin' Cool." Maybe instead they might say, "That sounds almost as good as virgin blood!" It takes a bit longer type, but it adds to the experience. Maybe if the vampire is from the streets of Britain, they might have a cockney accent. "Bloody 'Ell! I ain't never seen no orc that big!" If the vampire is a bit crazy, "Minax's tits, that's a big orc!" Catch my drift? Since we're playing vampires, we can really get creative with their speech.
K, you've now got a pretty complete vampire character set down. Hopefully the steps you've taken, and the thought you've put into, making this character will be enough to help you stay in character.
CHOSING A CLAN optional
If you'd like to use Vampire:The Masquerade as a reference, you're certainly free to do so. Please note, however, that not everyone else will be playing along. You won't necessarily have the Sabbat versus the Camarilla, and most people might have no idea what you're talking about. It does hold interesting possibilities for roleplaying, however. Use common sense and maturity, and it could work out.
PLAYING A PRE-ESTABLISHED CHARACTER (Ex. Lestat)
If you're going to borrow a character from a book, a movie, or elsewhere..the bottom line is KNOW THE CHARACTER. Know the very core, the soul, the driving force, of that character. Mimicing the characters traits is not enough. You have to know how that character will react to different situations.
I suggest not using a pre-established character. I find it to be limiting, and restraining. Rather than play the actual Lestat, I recommend basing your character ON Lestat.
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