Evergreen Characters are characters that can last. They can stand the test of time. Which might sound simple and pointless to discuss but when you bring a character into an MMO where other people have influence over their story and plots and development; things can get messy. Sometimes things can happen that steer them away from your chosen path. Things can be retconned and altered and leave you lost or disconnected with the character. Or the character themselves can get backed into a corner there seems to be no good way out of. And all of these things and more can kill characters prematurely. So today we’re going to look at how to make Evergreen Characters.
Beyond Basics is a series of posts that delve into different aspects of roleplay beyond the basics of character creation within an MMO setting. For our purposes, this setting is World of Warcraft but it can be useful in others too. This series will look at things like plots, storylines, and conversations. As well as the world and community around you as a player in an MMO. Explaining how you can best make use of that; and how it might differ from roleplay on tabletop games for example. You can find the rest of the series here: Beyond Basics Series Index
What does Evergreen Mean
Evergreen is a term used with plants that survive annually. They do not die off and grow dormant over winter, they do not need to be replanted in spring. They are always there and always green. When it comes to characters in MMORPG settings I’m using this term to refer to characters that stick around long-term, for years and years regardless of how the seasons change around them.
In my years roleplaying I have known a few characters that have stuck around for years and years, their characters are still in-character and still driving their RP forwards. They are Evergreen. No matter what the RP, the game and the lore throws their way, they stick around. I have also known folks that have killed off, removed or abandoned characters that they sometimes wanted to keep playing because those characters either got stuck or got stale. And those are the two biggest character killers.
Should All Characters Be Evergreen?
You might think yes, but the answer is no. The truth is not all characters are created to be long-standing features and long-term investments. Some characters are created for a particular plot or arc or role and their time comes and goes. Sometimes for reasons of the players own choosing they decide that the story of a character is done and they want to move on to different things, and this is fine. We’re not talking about those folks They are happy, let them do their thing. Some characters by their nature have a shorter shelf life than others and some players by their own choosing want to move on and do so willingly and happily.
What Stops A Character Being Evergreen?
Here is where the issues start if you have a character that you want to be Evergreen. What gets in the way? This can honestly be too many things for me to list but I’m going to try and give you a collection of general examples in the hopes that you can identify these situations yourself better in your own format.
Stuck
Externally which is where most of these issues in my experience are born character killing events can be things like unwanted drama leaving a sour taste in your mouth and a bad feeling around that character. It’s something I want to talk about in more depth at a later time but for the purpose here, a lot of times when that happens it makes people back away from the characters to avoid the messy feelings attached to it. Similar to retcons if they are not done agreeably and well and consenting can leave characters in limbo and with bad feelings attached to their involvement.
Guilds disbanding or collapsing, or groups of friends leaving can also be a big character killer. And I have almost fallen prey to this one myself when people I have in-depth long term RP plots going on with, for whatever reason, have stepped away from the game. It can be demoralizing and demotivating and often you simply struggle to get a grasp on that character again to carry on with them. All of these external things leave you feeling bad and feeling stuck.
Static
There is another angle however to these character killing sneak attacks and this one is internal. Sometimes there is no external drama or change in circumstances. Sometimes nothing around your character or yourself changes but you still find yourself wanting to shelf them. And this is often due to the character feeling stale or static.
If you find yourself in a position where you don’t know what that character is doing, or why. If you don’t know where they are going in their story or have a feel for them as people you can lose motivation and interest for them. And despite loving the character and the concept and wanting them to carry on you feel like it’s stale and unmovable.
Qualities of Evergreen Characters
Like we said above not all characters are Evergreen. But there are some good qualities to have or find in your character, and in yourself, if you would like them to be long-lasting. So let’s break this down.
Motivation
The main trait of Evergreen characters is that they are driven. And more so that you the player know they are driven and know what their drive is. It should be one of their touch-stones. One of the cornerstones of their concept that you can recall often and stay in touch with. Keep it something overarching and balance the attainability.
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Flexibilty
This one can be IC or OOC. Often when stuff goes wrong and falls apart we lock up; we freeze. we sometimes even get defensive, but none of that is going to help us here. We need to be flexible to some degree. Even if it is just OOC, enough to bend with the current. For example, even if your character is entrenched in a group of friends or co-workers and that falls apart; as difficult as that can be if you add a little flexibility to can bend around it.
And I don’t mean ignoring it, at all. Only that a change in circumstance, however unpleasant, and seemingly world-shattering be it IC or OOC, is just that, a change in circumstances. And sometimes they can seem to mark the end of all that character is and knows and does. It can leave you thinking there are no other options but to shelf them. But Evergreen Characters are the ones that are flexible enough to have those life-altering circumstances occur and then pick themselves up and say ‘’Now what?’’
Mindset
Leading in from the last point a lot of what makes a character Evergreen and long-lasting is the mindset of the player behind them. They have to be willing to take blows like drama, and changes and unpleasant circumstances and get up again. Because this is an MMO and by its nature those things are going to happen and they are going to feel like doors slamming shut in your face. The trick to longevity as a character and as a player is mindset.
It is very natural and easy to get discouraged when doors slam in your face. And in terms of the more static internal issues, just feeling lost. The power lies in your mindset, your ability to take the blow, stand up and look for another door. Because your characters are people. Even when life burns down everything you have you’re choices and slim and grim beyond getting up and keep going. And sometimes, even when it might not be what you wanted, that can lead to some of the most unexpectedly awesome roleplay.
Conclusions
Overall the things that make characters last are not difficult in and of themselves. But they are difficult to remember exactly when it’s important to remember them. I hope this post helps you keep them in mind next time your reeling from a slammed door and thinking about packing in the seemingly wasted effort.
I’d love to hear your experiences and thoughts if you have any related stories! Drop us a line in the comments below!
