UCPS Explained
From AlphaOne
This will be used to explain some of the various entries in the Ultimate Character Profile Sheet (UCPS) and provide practical examples of how to use them. This is by no means the definitive guide to using the UCPS, it's just meant to provide more inspiration for fleshing out your characters.
- Working on getting information for all the sections in.
Contents |
General
Name ( Title, Given, Middle, Surname, Suffix ):
The character's name, by which they are known.
- Subfields
- Title
- A designation added to a person's name to indicate distinguishment, a position the person holds, or professional or academic achievement.
- Examples
- Doctor
- Sir
- Her Royal Majesty
- Given
- Usually the primary form of address between two people familiar to each other or in informal circumstances.
- Middle
- Often used as a second given name, and may often be 'inherited' from a parent's given names, or carry some special meaning or signifigance. Some people may carry two middle names (or more).
- Surname
- Also called the Family name, this is a name usually shared by everyone in a given family. Some people may have a hyphenated name to reflect both of their family lines ( such as when a woman marries into another family ).
- Suffix
- A designation added to the end of a person's name which may have multiple meanings including, but not limited to, distinguishing from a family member sharing the third name, or professional or achademic distinguishment.
- Examples
- Senior (Sr.)
- Junior (Jr.)
- the Third (III), the Fourth (IV), etc
- Ph.D.
- M.D.
- Esquire
Examples
- Sir Reginald Harlin Masterfield III
- Doctor Joseph Merriweather-Smith, M.D.
- Her Royal Majesty Ascotta Charlotte Louis, the Exalted
- James Michael Jones
Alias ( Title, Given, Middle, Surname, Suffix )/( Alter Ego )/( Nickname ):
A character may have some secret identity for any number of reasons. It may be an alias they only use for specific occasions, or it may be their 'main' identity, while their real name is kept a secret.
( Title, Given, Middle, Surname, Suffix ): Refer to these entries under Name for their descriptions.
Alter Ego:
An alter ego alias is one that describes a persona the person assumes on a part-time basis. Aliases of this type are usually secret, and not meant to be connected to the 'main' persona. They are often descriptive, one or two words, and symbolic in some way.
Nickname:
A nickname is a name used as a term of endearment or simply as a quicker reference to the person than simply saying their name - it does not have to be related to their name in any way, but may reference past events or habits. It may even just be purely random.
Examples
- Name Alias
- John Q. Smith
- Alter Ego Alias
- Raven
- Nightstalker
- The Shadow
- Nickname
- Nicolas to Nick
- Samantha to Sammy
- Twerp, Buddy, Munchkin
Age:
A measurement of how old the character is, usually measured in years.
Birthdate:
The date and year when the character was born. The exact date of one's birth often holds some mystic or other meaning, usually in some form of astrology.
Examples
- January 15th, 1923
- 12th Day of the Month of the Laughing Crane, First year of Pelonius
Sign/Omen:
Generally a symbol of great signifigance, tied to when the character was born. These symbols may dictate anything from personality and temperment to success and luck in life.
Examples
- Born under the symbol of Libra, the Just
- Born on the Blue Moon
- Born under the star sign of the the Mage's Apprentice
- Born under the Millenium Comet, an ill omen.
Current Residence:
Where the character currently lives or resides.
Birth Place:
Where the character was born. Usually the same as one's home town, but sometimes not.
Hometown:
Where the character spent most of their life growing up and being raised.
Example
- Ascotta Louis' mother was visiting a neighboring kingdom when she went into labor. Ascotta Louis' birthplace may be the neighboring kingdom's castle, but her hometown is her own native land.
Allegiance:
An allegiance is a sworn oath between an individual to another or to a group, or a variation upon that.
Examples
- Royal Order of Knighthood - Position: District Captain
- Auberdine Medical Association - Position: Treasurer
- The Raven's Cabal - Position: Information Gatherer
Belief/Religion:
The character's personal belief or philosophy. Sometimes this may be coupled with allegiance, and sometimes it operates independently. This may be a religion of some kind, a more spiritual belief, or even something more abstract.
Examples
- Religious
- Christianity
- Judism
- Dedication to an individual god or a pantheon
- Spiritual
- Bhuddism
- Universal Karma
- Abstract
- Path of the Sword
- Forest Acolyte
Title/Honorific:
Any rewards, commendations, or dispentions the character has recieved.
Examples
- Defender of the Kingdom
- Master Smith
- Doctor of the Year
Profession:
Any boring or mundane job the character may hold. This will most likely be seperate from or held in place of an alligiance.
Examples
- File clerk
- Blacksmith
- Magician's Assistant
Hobby:
Any recreational activity the character may engage in to pass the time. Hobbies can range from minor to major, depending on the character's inclination.
Examples
- Fly fishing
- Model train building
- Collecting ( Various )
Physical
Gender:
Describes the gender of a character.
Examples
- Male
- Female
- Neutral
Racial
Race:
Non-scientific naming of the person's people.
Examples
- Human
- Elf
- Ogre
Sub-Race:
Non-scientific naming of a person's biologic minority.
Examples
- German
- Night Elf
- Hill Giant
Strengths and Weaknesses can be omitted if a more complete description of a race is availible. For example, as another page in the same wiki project.
Strengths:
Describe any positive extraordianary characteristics the character's race posseses.
Examples:
- Superhuman strength
- Immune to Fire
- Fast regeneration
Weaknesses:
Describe any negative extraordinary characteristics the character's race posseses.
Examples
- Sensitive to bright lights
- Thirst for blood
- Unable to use Magic
Physical Characteristics
Height:
How tall the character is measured from the top of their head to their feet. Creatures with unusual anatomies may need a note to explain this entry. Eg: Nonbipedal creatures, creatures with unusual postures, characters with multiple forms.
Examples
- 6'2"
- 1.4 m
- .7 m (wolf form, standing upright on all fours)
Weight:
A measure of how much the character measures on a scale. Can be called Mass if represented in a Metric measure.
Examples
- Weight: 162 lbs
- Mass: 4.5 kg
Build:
A general description of the character's body type, accounting for muscle mass, physical fitness, and other factors.
Examples
- Muscular
- Lean
- Overweight
Measurements:
The measurement of a character's bust, waist, and hips.
Example
- 42-32-36
Hair ( Color/Style):
A description of the character's hair. Include both color and hair style, as appropriate.
Examples:
- Firey red, shoulder-length with messy bangs covering the forehead
- Bald
- Raven, pageboy cut
Eyes [ Right / Left ]:
A description of the character's eyes.
Examples
- Dark red eyes
- Cloudy blue eyes
- Silver ( Right ), Gold ( Left )
Skin/Fur/Scales/Etc:
Description of the character's skin, fur, scales, or whatever else is appropriate for their type. Indicates not only what kind of hide they have, but its appearance.
Examples
- Skin: Dark tanned
- Fur: Short white fur, with black stripes
- Scales: Large green scales
Handedness:
Indicate whether the character is Left-handed, Right-handed, or Ambidextrous.
Examples
- Right
- Left
- Ambidextrous
Marks:
Marks are anything that can be considered unusual or distinguishing about a character. There are several subcategories to help serve as a guideline. You are free to add your own as you wish.
Birthmarks
A birthmark is a mark present from birth that is unique or identifiable to that character. These marks can often take on special meanings depending on its shape, and the culture or setting the character is born into.
Natural
Natural markings can include anything that specific to a character, but not overtly unusual.
Scars
Scars are marks left on a person from the healing of injured tissue.
Tattoos
Tattoos are artificial markings made on a person, normally by applying some sort of pigment to a person's body. The meaning of a tattoo can be anything from being fashionable to ritualistic.
Examples
- Birthmark: Hexagram on the right palm
- Scars: An 'X' shaped scar on the left cheek
- Tattoos: A dragon with its wings spread on her back
Basic Description:
Use this to describe a character's appearance in a literary manner.
Disabilities:
Describe anything your character is incapable of doing, that a normal character of its type should be able to do.
Examples
- Blind
- Deaf
Fashion:
Describe the type of clothing your character is usually likely to wear.
Primary Outfit:
Your character's 'main' outfit.
Secondary Outfit:
A secondary but common outfit to your character.
Occasion Specific Out:
Any outfit your character wears for a specific, but usually recurring situation.
Location Specific Out
An outfit your character wears in a specific place.
Example
Serena wears typical teenage fashion.
Primary Outfit: Serena wears her school outfit most of the time while in classes, which is a sailor fuku which consists of a blue pleated skirt, and a white blouse with a blue sailor collar.
Secondary Outfit: When not in class, Serena usually wears a pair of tight jeans and a shirt.
Occasion Specific: While fighting off the Negaverse as Sailor Moon, she wears a modified sailor fuku.
Location Specific: When she appears in Neo Tokyo or the Moon Kingdom, she is seen wearing a long flowing white dress.
Internal Biology
Blood Type:
A character's blood type. For humans, usually one of A, B, AB, or O, and either + or -. Some cultures place importance on a character's blood type, believing they may determine your personality type.
Possesions
Examples will be provided in the mock character profiles.
Most Prized Possession (Material Value):
The most materially valuable item a character owns.
Most Prized Possession (Emotional Value):
An item the character owns that he places the most emotional attachment to.
Item Template:
This should probably be used more for significant and extraordinary items
[ Item Name ]:
The name of the item.
Source: [ Item Source ]
Where the item was or can be acquired.
Function: [ Item Function ]
What function or purpose the item serves.
Description: [ Description ]
A description of the item's appearance. Powers and ability should probably go under Function.
Value: [ Item Value ]
If you can assign some sort of numerical or other cost to the item, list it here.
