The world has fallen into chaos. An unknown mutagen is spreading throughout the human race, infecting individuals and causing them to reanimate from the dead and feast on human flesh. Zombies, walkers - all sorts of names are applied to these mindless, undead creatures, but whatever name they are called, they are all just the walking dead. Survivors must band together and fight to survive the chaos that this apocalypse has brought upon them, but not everyone is trustworthy and many are out to look after themselves first and foremost. In a world that is truly not fit to live in, you must find your way to survival by banding with a group of (potentially) like-minded survivors, looking for a way to escape death in the apocalypse.
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Hello everyone! Welcome to my SYOC set within the universe of The Walking Dead. Now, first things first - while this is set within the confines of the world of TWD, it is not necessarily in the continuity of any specific media; TV, games, comics, books, anything is at play here. This is simply a new take on the world of TWD, but with a new cast of characters. You will meet familiar faces along the way, and the story may take cues here and there from the official storyline, but it is in no way meant to adapt the actual story or anything. That way, everything is entirely new and fresh for you all as readers and myself as the story creator!
Basically, this introduction is just to inform you all of the story that I am setting out to tell, and I've really already done that. The rest is up to you to help me complete. The last bit of this chapter is the SYOC form for the story, which will include the specifics about your character that you need to tell me about so I can make sure to portray them as you'd like them to be portrayed. I will try and make the form as all-encompassing as I can, but by all means, feel free to be as wordy or in-depth as you wish, because I love reading just as much as I do writing and want you to be as expansive in your character creation as you want. And if there is anything that you feel is important that I did not include a field for, then definitely include it in some way.
Also, because of the situations that TWD presents, this is not just any old SYOC - because the apocalypse involves families and friends being so close due to the apocalypse, you can submit multiple characters that are related without taking up more than one slot. For example, if you have in mind a family of four or two or three friends, then feel free to submit them all, as it helps the group feel larger and more lived-in.
Once you have completed the SYOC form, send it to me as a PM and I will get to work reading over the form and getting to know your character. If you have any questions, definitely don't be afraid to reach out and ask! I plan on having 10 open submission spots, but if I feel like adjusting it down the line, I will do so to accommodate as many of you that I can! Without further ado, here is the SYOC form!
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SYOC Form
Name: Your character's name. At least include a first and last name, but definitely submit a middle name and/or nickname if you'd like as well!
Age: Your character's age. I don't really have any stipulations about age, it just obviously has a hindrance on certain situations the character could be apart of, but obviously in such an unexpected world anything could happen.
Physical Appearance: Really just about an overall description of your character's physical appearance. Hair, eye, and skin color, as well as height and weight and any other details about how your character looks physically.
Personality: Use this spot to describe the personality of your character. You can be as descriptive as you'd like (the more detailed the better, as it helps me get to know your character the best).
Backstory: Basically your character's background leading up to the apocalypse. It can be in-depth or general, just however much of a focus you want to put on things.
Occupation: Your character's occupation prior to the apocalypse. While the occupation itself may be void at this point, the skills therein could definitely be helpful in the story's evolution.
Clothing/Outfit: Use this spot to describe your character's clothing/outfits/whatever the case may be, just a generalization of the style or fashion of your character, just as an added descriptor of what your character looks like/wears.
Weapons: What kind of weapons does your character own? Really any melee weapon or firearm is permissible, just obviously something like an RPG or something would be too over-the-top to be realistic - unless it's found within the course of the story.
Vehicle: If your character has a vehicle of some sort, make mention of it here. Just a note: the vehicle may not make it the whole way, but it is realistic for your character to have some sort of vehicle at the start of the apocalypse, be it a car, motorcycle, or an RV of some kind. If you feel like an RV would be something your character would have or something then definitely include it, as that is something I would like for at least one character to have as it provides at least one form of transportation for the group.
Skills: List whatever skills your character might have here. These can range from simple things like knowing how to cook to something more important, like occupation-related that could be an important asset in the course of the story.
Goals: What is your character's endgame goal for the apocalypse? Are they looking for a way to find out what is going on or how to stop it? Are they looking to take advantage of these events? Or are they simply just trying to survive? Just basically what your character is looking to accomplish as their primary goal(s) during the apocalypse.
Family: Use this area to describe your character's family. If they are present with the character currently as part of the survivor group, then go into as much detail as you'd like to describe them, as they are essentially a character in this story in and of themselves. You can either do a full other character form for them, or just include as many details as you'd like about them. Preferably the former, as it gives me (again) more details, but I can always ask for more details if need be. Also, you can include any pets here if you would like for your character to have one. I promise, I will go out of my way to keep our furry/feathered/whatever-the-case-may-be companions alive!
Friends: Use this area to describe your character's friends. Similar to the above, if the friend is present in the group, go into as much detail as you'd like to describe them.
Marital Status/Love Interests: If your character has any love interests or is in any romantic relationship, you can go into detail here (unless they are married and you have that info in the "Family" tab, then don't feel the need to reiterate on it). If your character is single, you can also just let me know if you'd want them to have a relationship at any point down the line or if you'd rather them stay single. Alternatively, you can also just give your character's thoughts on such relationships and if they'd be interested in anything of the sort.
Interests: Because the apocalypse isn't all doom-and-gloom 100% of the time, your character will need some time to wind-down and relax. If there are any interests or hobbies you'd like your character to have, list them here!
Likes/Dislikes: If there are any particular things that your character likes or dislikes, list them here. This can give me an idea on how to further build your character when they come across certain situations or circumstances. This may have fit in an earlier category like personality or something, but I just felt like I'd be safe and provide it as a space if there's anything else you'd like to add.
Story Threads: If there are any particular story threads you'd like for your character to have, list them here! This can range from a character arc you'd like to see to help your character develop and adjust to this new world, or if there is something greater, like either a big plan in the works or maybe a search for a lost family member, definitely leave that here. Basically any particular, personal story threads or arcs that you want your character to experience during the course of this SYOC.
Mindset: As something a bit more detailed to this specific event, just give me your character's overall mindset currently. Basically, what is your character thinking right now, a few days into an apocalypse that has seen the dead start walking and eating the living? If it'd help, consider doing it in first person to give a more realistic, firsthand perspective of your character's thoughts.
Character Perspectives: This last section is a bit more in-depth and related to the overarching world of TWD. As I said earlier, we will come across some familiar faces from the canon, and I'd just like to see what your character's perspective would be of each character. This last section helps me further understand your character's attitude and personality, and will obviously be of help in my introduction of these familiar characters into the story. I will provide a list of the main characters that I would expect to include, but if there are any other characters that you would like to incorporate (such as comic or video game characters) be sure to include them. Also, remember that this is a list of potential characters who could show up, and not everyone will, but it's basically a "just in case" list. Characters: Rick, Lori, Carl, Shane, Daryl, Merle, Carol, Sophia, Andrea, Amy, T-Dog, Dale, Glenn, Lee, Clementine, Michonne, Maggie, Hershel, Beth, Tyreese, Sasha, Abraham, Rosita, Eugene, The Governor, Negan.
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And I think that does it! I hope you guys do submit your characters and join me in this adventure, as I am really looking forward to it! As I said earlier, if you have any questions feel free to PM me and I'll do my best to help you out. Catch you guys next time, and thanks for joining me in this adventure!
