The Rules of the Create-a-Character Showcase!

I know I said tomorrow, but I got it done early.

I want this series to be community based and I felt this is the most sure-fire way to get many of you involved. This is a growing series in its infancy, and I do believe I can do more. That is why I have done this, monthly Create-a-Character polls that you the people will get to choose. I am going to do four weekly polls every month (if necessary) and your choice will shape the Cross Roads Universe. Like every game, there are rules. So here they are!

Week One

Every month, I will give you an image poll, about 8 characters from you to choose from and you can choose more than just one in this poll. After seven days, we tally it up and choose the one with the vote of course.

Week Two

You get to choose the role of character you want her or him to be. Remember, in this poll, you can only choose one and if it results in a tie, then it will be my choice:

• Protagonist
• Antagonist
• Deuteragonist
• Tertiary
• Confidante
• Love interest
• Foil

Week Three

You get to choose the archetype of character you want her or him to be. Remember, in this poll, you can only choose one and if it results in a tie, then it will be my choice:

1. The Lover: the romantic lead who’s guided by the heart. Their strengths include humanism, passion, and conviction. Their weaknesses include naivete and irrationality. Some famous lovers are Romeo, Juliet, and Scarlett O’Hara.

2. The Hero: the character who rises to meet a challenge and saves the day. Their strengths are courage, perseverance, and honor. Their weaknesses include overconfidence and hubris.

3. The Magician: a powerful figure who has harnessed the ways of the universe to achieve their goals. Their strengths may include omniscience, omnipotence, and discipline, while their weaknesses center on corruptibility and arrogance.

4. The Outlaw: the rebel who won’t abide by society’s demands. The outlaw can be a bad guy, but not always. The outlaw’s strengths include independent thinking and skepticism. Their weaknesses may include self-involvement and criminality.

5. The Explorer: a character naturally driven to push boundaries and find what’s next. Their strengths: They are curious, driven, and motivated by self-improvement. They are weak in that they are restless, unreliable, and never satisfied.

6. The Sage: a wise figure with knowledge for those who inquire. Strengths of the sage include wisdom, experience, and insight. In terms of weakness, the sage may be overly cautious and hesitant to actually join the action.

7. The Innocent: a morally pure character, often a child, whose only intentions are good. Their strengths range from morality to kindness to sincerity. Their weaknesses start with being vulnerable, naive, and minimally skilled.

8. The Creator: a motivated visionary who creates art or structures during the narrative. Their strengths include creativity, willpower, and conviction. Their weaknesses include self-involvement, single-mindedness, and lack of practical skills.

9. The Ruler: a character with legal or emotional power over others. The ruler’s strengths include omnipotence, status, and resources. Their weaknesses include aloofness, being disliked by others, and always seeming out of touch.

10. The Caregiver: a character who continually supports others and makes sacrifices on their behalf. Among their strengths, caregivers are honorable, selfless, and loyal. Among their weaknesses, they lack personal ambition or leadership. Sometimes they even lack self-worth.

11. The Everyman: a relatable character who feel recognizable from daily life. When it comes to strengths, they are grounded, salt-of-the-earth, and relatable. In terms of weaknesses, they typically lack special powers and are often unprepared for what’s to come.

12. The Jester: an intentionally funny character who provides comic relief but may also speak important truths. Strengths include the ability to be funny, disarming, and insightful. Weaknesses include the capacity to be obnoxious and superficial.

Week Four:

Finally you choose a Zodiac sign. In my book series, this is completely important. When you are born decides how powerful they are. Remember, in this poll, you can only choose one and if it results in a tie, then it will be my choice::

Fire

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

Earth

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

Air

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

Water

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

After that, I will write a full backstory of that character with attributes and abilities. That might take some time, but everyone will see the final result when it’s finished. This will happen every single month and will start the process over again.

So, that is it! The first poll with be up… NOW!

CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER! (August 2022 - Part One!)

https://strawpoll.com/polls/1MnwvBq1Ky7