Character making...?

[Steven Stone]

Okay, so I've looked around plenty enough, and I just had a few questions about NPCs and other things...*

1> What are the 'terms/limits' to NPCs? — I've seen the limit as to how many you can have, but I meant what defines an NPC exactly? Does it have to play a key role in whatever current scene, or can it be someone as little as a passing bystander?

2> How long do you keep an NPC? — In most role-playing games I've played, you may see NPCs as little as once or twice throughout the entire game. As time progresses, and you no longer use an NPC, can you 'delete' an NPC from your account, or is it 'stuck' to your account permanently?

Okay, so I only had a couple NPC-related questions, but the following are others not too far away...

3> What defines a main-character? — (Yes, seriously.) Does said character have to play a key role, or can it be someone as little as a 'sidekick'?

4> How do you 'create' another main-character? — Do you have to create another account? Or can you simply 'register' it to your current account (with minor adjustments)?

Okay, so all-in-all, some pretty basic, just-starting-out, questions. If you could find the time to answer these, that'd be great!
Other than that, thanks for (at least) taking the time to read... ^-^'

*Few notes: Yes, I know I've been here for well over a few months now, but I just started posting after finding out I can get on here on my 3DS (my only, currently available, internet access). I also am planning on adding characters to some future 'stories', hence why I need ask these questions... <_<'

[Lea]

Hey, it's fine, don't worry. Sorry it took so long for me to see this.

Originally, an NPC was conceived as a character who played second-fiddle o a main character. If a main was a hero, the NPC would be their sidekick. NPCs can also be original characters. As I originally thought of the idea, NPCs are more important to a character's personal story than the main storyline.

There is no limit to how many times an NPC can show up, or how big a role they play to the plot. These are the people who work under, around, through, or are somehow related to the main characters, but they can be 'main' in their own right. As an example, Wresie's NPCs have somewhat taken over parts of the plot, and I've been using my NPCs to create the illusion of the Network's vast support system and their enemies/friends. If you no longer use an NPC, if you decide you don't want to keep them around anymore, I personally don't see why you can't replace them with a new one, just like you can delete main characters and replace them with others.

A main character is just a character you want to roleplay. You can have more than one main on an account, but we generally prefer it (for ease of use, and because pretty much everyone else does it this way) if you have only one main per account.

There is no limit to how big or small a role a main character can play. That main's role probably shouldn't be dwarfed or eclipsed by their NPCs, though. For example, if you had a main character that was a young girl who could se demons etc. but who wasn't good at fighting, if you wanted to make her have a big brother who protected her and fought these demons for her etc. and who would interact with other main characters/Crossings more than she would, you would probably want to make the Big Brother either a second main, or change little sister to an NPC.

In my case, Lea and his two NPCs, Tifa and Seifer, are a good example. Lea is the main character - he fights in Crossings, he's Neku's best friend, he's met several otehr characters, has his own opinions, etc. Seifer probably could be a main in his own right - he does all of the same things - but originally, his importance to the story was filling in the role of Lea's somewhat-rival, and establishing background in the way of leading the Scarves. Tifa rarely does anything, but she owns Veil, works as Lea's boss, and provides a safety net for stranded Otherborn. Seifer may have gotten more screen time than, oh, Joshua - another of my mains - but if Joshua had an NPC, they'd have to have an even more minor role than he does, and Seifer doesn't eclipse Lea.

Does any of that make sense?

[Steven Stone]

Yes; thank you. It makes a lot more sense now, then before, being explained just a little more. ^-^'
Now I just need to know: how do you register an NPC? Do you simply post them in the registration forum?

[Link]

Yep. That's all you gotta do. Of course, you could also just make a reply in your original character submission.

[Steven Stone]

Okay. Thanks guys!
(I will sure to remember this in the future...!)