imo, it's mostly the latter. an active author can turn a passive character into a plot mover, while an active character in the hands of a passive author can easily fall short of their potential.

IC/OOC qualities that i think differentiate an active character from a passive one (i was initially gonna group them into different sections but tbh i think there's enough of an overlap) -

> autonomous characters who want something and [xyz traits that come up when you google 'how to write a good protagonist']. characters who are played by people who aren't emotionally invested in their character being happy/liked/etc tend to draw my attention more - but that's mostly b/c that's how i, personally, tend to approach character creation & narrative development. alternatively you can app an edgelord or a dumbass twink and you'll probably get bites

> writing with a goal in mind. my most plot-active characters are the ones that i went into with some kind of goal that i, myself, wanted to hit. whether it's joining or leaving a faction, falling in love, being able to write a specific scene, whatever, i think having a plot point tied to internal motivation as an author can help a lot with getting the ball rolling, and i think having that ball rolling attracts attention and gives people a reason to give a shit about a character's journey.

> willingness to play a side character/serve as a plot device for the purpose of a larger narrative. i think it's the nature of the craft for characters to end up playing roles of varying importance (not every character can be the protagonist all the time, nor is every character suited for a leading role) and IMO leaning into it instead of indulging in the human instinct to take your ball and go home can set characters up to have a much greater impact. some of the cooler threads/plot points i've been in or observed came about because someone mentioned they liked the idea of XYZ plot point happening to a character, and someone else offered a character as a means to make said plot point actually happen.

> OOC sociability. i'm of the opinion that, similar to most things in life, the more social/outgoing you are in RP, the more successful you'll be. i don't think playing an active character hinges on being a super bubbly extrovert, but i think maintaining a presence in the community as a kind person, taking an interest in the plotlines of others, and/or simply showing a bit of initiative can go a long way.

> actually on that point: initiative, full stop. tbh that might be my #1 answer to what differentiates an active character/author from a passive one. OOC initiative. IC initiative. being the person willing to cold dm someone, to start the thread, to write the want ad, to mention that insane idea for a plot point you had that won't leave you alone - to put in more effort without expecting anything in return. there's a much more consistent success rate when one starts the conflict themselves rather than waiting for the conflict to come to them.