#(lmao what is rp)

[bonefall]

Hey, what makes a character a 'plot device but not a character'? And how do you not do that? I'm trying to do it on purpose but also I need to still make them interesting because it's on purpose, yknow?

A good skill to pick up is to learn to criticise criticism itself. A "plot device" is simply a thing that moves the plot along, it's a neutral literary analysis term! Usually, when people are angry that "a character has been used as a plot device," it doesn't mean they hate plot devices. It means they're gesturing at something deeper.

Runningwind and Bumble are equally plot devices in their deaths. They are both killed by the antagonist to escalate political tension. Runningwind is rarely "accused" of just being a plot device, and yet, we're talking about Bumble for the same thing.

So, why?

Well, Runningwind is just a background character, but in life, he was a part of the community. He was characterized as impatient but responsible. Yet, he wasn't SO important that he died with a bunch of unresolved plot threads.

He is mostly an extension of the entity of ThunderClan. His killing by Tigerstar, and the fear and paranoia that settles on the group after this, feel like a progression of the story insteas of something forced.

Bumble, on the other hand...

Is hated immediately by Gray Wing, when she's established as Turtle Tail's friend. Bumble's abuse at Tom the Wifebeater's hands invites even MORE investment. The rejection is shocking and upsetting. There's a story there about our main characters being imperfect; jealous, bigoted, and judgemental.

But, she is simply killed off. Everything they set up for this character is gone with little personalized fanfare. It's not a tragedy with a lesson about cruelty, or something anyone regrets.

It's just... plot. Gray Wing whinging that no one will like his shitty brother now that his body count is 2.

More than that, in the discussion of women in particular, "Fridging" was coined to give a name to the way women characters often don't get their stories told at all. There is a CULTURAL trend of female characters facing disproportionate violence, for the sake of advancing male plots.

Bumble has a lot going for her. Petal had a lot going for her. Turtle Tail had a lot going for her. Bright Stream had a lot going for her. When they died, they took their potential with them.

It's not always wrong to kill off a character of high potential, mind you. In Gurren Lagann, Kamina's death is sudden and shocking, leaving a massive hole in the hearts of the cast that never heals. Grappling with that loss, but also letting his memory fuel them, is a major theme of that story.

All that to say... there's no formula for avoiding it. You've gotta identify what the deeper issue is, in your specific narrative.

I can't say for certain what that will look like for your story, but here's some things I keep in mind;

When you make characters who exist to die, make sure they're people before you axe them.

Ask yourself; what about them does the cast miss?

If they just miss them because they were (pre-existing relationship), go back to the drawing board.

Fluttering Bird as an example. Who was she? Dead sister. Why do they miss her? Dead sister. No traits until after her death.

Runningwind was short-tempered and helpful. Kamina was a valuable leader who made people believe in a brighter future. Swiftpaw was fiesty and desperate to prove himself. The better characterized, the more profound the loss usually is.

If this is a female character who is dying just to serve the plot, be aware of cultural bias and tropes. How is the gender ratio looking in your cast? Is this happening disproportionately with your girls?

Note how Quiet Rain's litter had both a boy and a girl, but the girl was chosen to be "weaker" and wither away.

And how most of the time in DOTC, whenever a man had to be upset, a girl would get killed for it.

If you ever feel like the character on the chopping block is NOT a full character, ask yourself why it needs to be a character at all. You don't need to spend narrative time building out someone when a literal object of high value might suffice.

"My sister died when I swore to protect her and I can't face my family" = Old. Tired. Ive seen this.

"I lost my heirloom sword when I swore to protect it and I can't face my family." = Fascinating. Why was the sword so valuable? Will they really not take you back? How did you lose it?

When you do kill off "high value" characters, try to make sure you're not leaving too many plot threads hanging. Or at least make a point of how they will never get closure.

[ack-cough]

HIHI WOW TAKE A BUNCH OF MISCELLANEOUS ART THAT WOULD FLOP IF I POSTED BY THEMSELVES<\3

please don't let this flop

[h3lian]

Working on thing eheheh

PLUS

[bizarrebazaar13]

one day I’ll overcome the part of my brain that says I’ll be publicly executed if I try roleplaying and end up Doing It Wrong. and then I’ll be unstoppable. but not today.

[winewinebloodwine]

I have so much random ass shit that I will never use but weirdly find fucking cool.

[the-kipsabian]

[justsigma-bsd]

*At Dairy Queen, Vincent was siting inside, enjoying a cookie dough blizzard.*

@pleadformynumber

*He's just walking past, pausing when he notices Vincent, and frowns slightly.*

[astroninaaa]

forever has just paused his stream to explain that

1. all of this is rp, cellbit and him are good and not actually mad at each other, what happens in the qsmp stays on the qsmp!

2. he agrees that q!forever is in the wrong. he thinks what happened shows that q!forever is truly at his lowest point, bc q!forever’s whole thing is that his main goal is to protect not only richarlyson but all the eggs, so the fact he hurt leonarda just showcases how much he’s losing it. (and my own note: it so is against q!forever’s morals that he immediately went to apologize to q!foolish and explain himself after)

3. he wants to remind the audience that in the last couple days q!forever has genuinely been going crazier and crazier and getting more tense by the second, being away from richas and not knowing if richas is safe, being stressed with the whole judgement that might make it so he isn’t even richas’s dad anymore, having the french doubt him and his motivations towards protecting the eggs (before he did anything to leonarda), and now being frustrated with the fact his xp farm (that he’s put hours of work and effort on) has been ruined. so while q!forever is in the wrong and definitely not in his right mind, this is not something that’s coming out of nowhere.

[ask-ring-schwartz]

Sorry...

*Throws a duckify potion onto him.*

Don't worry, you won't be like this forever.

*Places a reversal potion before kissing him on the head and vanishing into her smoke bomb.*

(I think my duckify rampage is done now).

He looks around, realizing he's suddenly much shorter

"Quack?"

He grabs the potion with his beak and runs after you, flapping his wings with agitated duck noises

[jaylestial]

Overtarn jumpscare from RP shenanigans. ✨

[riiviir]

hi tumblr sorry I disappeared I am back with lamb

[blake-in-the-closet]

i want to watch star wars. where do I watch star wars.

[thathatchetfieldconspiracist]

I.. something weird is happening. I don’t know why I didn’t come to you sooner, but I can help. I think.

@richielipschitzaot (richie timeline au)

Richie!! It's nice to hear from you again, I've missed you! Uh... A lot has happened since we last spoke.

Something weird is happening? Weird how...?

[ripgray-moved]

      ❛ SORRY, KID. NOT EVEN THE CURSE CHOSE YOU!       YOU WERE JUST HERE. ❜

( an independent and semi-selective portrayal of peter graham from the iconic hereditary; canon is both loved and majorly expanded on. read the carrd carefully before interacting / following, please! there's a LOT of original lore here! both possessed and thoroughly adored by killjoy. )

[the-kipsabian]

[justsigma-bsd]

Sigma :D

how are you today? have you drink some water?

(i hope you got some water and a good day, mod :D)

"I'm doing fine, mostly. And yes, I had some water"