Exotics/Hostile Races In The City
• Have A Solid Reason For Being In The City
Maybe your demon got summoned in the city and is trying to find their way back home? A gnoll could be selling trinkets and bobbles in the black market to provide for their tribe. An undead could be picking away at the poor population for food or bodies.
Having a good reason for being in the city makes your character feel more believable and more palatable. Plus, you can use it as a roleplay hook.
• Hangout In Lesser Known Spots
A Gnoll or demon lurking in an alleyway or haunting the graveyard is way cooler and impactful than say one having a shot at the tavern.
Think about where your exotic would feel most comfy when not in the city. They may try to replicate that feeling.
I know a lot of people hate disguises and ask “what’s the point of playing an exotic anyways?”. As someone who rped with a lot of disguised demon rpers, it’s honestly super cool when you DO find out or it’s revealed.
Disguises speak on your characters cunning and intelligence. How easily are they caught? Is it a funny one? A serious one? What’s the purpose and persona of their disguise.
Give people a chance to figure it out. It’s really rewarding in rp for both parties.
Every rper and character is different, but some exotics have very distinguishable behaviour. Yes, there are exceptions but it’s gotten to the point that everyone is the exception. If you’re writing a traditionally evil race (nagas, gnolls, undead, demons, etc etc) maybe try actually making them evil! Be the bad guy! It’s fun! It’s really jarring at times seeing this genocidal demon talk about loving hugs, sunshine and drinking with their friends when galaxies have fallen to these creatures and literally drove a Titan mad.
That being said, people can also change and grow. Ask yourself what would change this generational trauma and cycle of evildoing for your character?
There’s so much potential and writing with those topics and you can craft a really lovable character with this. Think of Minthara from BG3, Zuko from A:TLAB, or any other characters from media who came from traditionally evil environments and became good guys.
This is for exotics that aren’t exactly “evil” but are in a weird grey area due to lore or history (centaur, vrykul, ogres, nerubians, etc). It is VERY IMPORTANT to be able to denote the different factions, tribes and clans for neutral exotics, as many neutral exotics have an enemy version attached to them. Neutral Exotics are on shaky footing, their presence will probably make people feel uncomfortable because of said evil faction. Take this into account and decide if your exotic is of the neutral or evil faction for their race (if evil see above).
Read up on the different factions within the race: know which ones are more hostile. Be ready to defend or shun your clan!
This gives you a chance to share lore too when these conflicts are brought up.
Exotics that have been canonically confirmed to be good and allies (dragons, dryads, tuskaar, etc). Maybe you helped out in one of the many world conflicts: think of the events that have happened around your exotic. They could have even helped the alliance or horde, giving you a connection and hook for them.
Dryads could know druids, from the Dream or living world. Tuskaar could know people from the Northrend Campaign and Dragon Isles. Ask why they would fight for or have interest in non-exotics and leave their comfy home even after. How strong is their bond?
Im glad you all liked the first set of tips. Here’s another. Again, not rules just tips to help those who may be anxious to make an exotic or struggling with walk-ups due to being one.
