Comments on: Character Creation, Part 2

By: Successful Game Mastering 101 | Umbral Echoes Blog

Successful Game Mastering 101 | Umbral Echoes Blog — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 21:28:57 +0000

[...] Yes, it seems that I’ve decided to go on a tangent about my thoughts on roleplaying. [...]

By: Dustin Shampel

Dustin Shampel — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:54:00 +0000

Wow, that's stupid. I think you're right, Mike.

By: Mike Todd

Mike Todd — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:38:00 +0000

@Daniel: I find that playing things outside of my "comfort zone" helps me to overcome some personal barriers. Probably the same way that many introverts end up guild leaders in MMOs, and then begin to take on leadership positions in the real world.@Liana: Right, but I just find it interesting that when I talked about character creation, you immediately think visual design for the character. For most of us, that never enters the equation, as you are among the talented minority that has worthwhile artistic talent. @Dustin: It shows in your NPCs, all of which are very unique and archetypal in their own way, but with quirks and twists that give them depth. I don't think I've actually ever played in a game where you were one of the PCs, have I?

By: Dustin Shampel

Dustin Shampel — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:31:00 +0000

I like to play characters who highlight parts of the universe that I really enjoy – or even better, romanticize. Then, I ground aspects of the character in my favorite parts of myself. Once all of that is done, leftover points are used to make the character more fun to play in the game that they're intended for.

By: Liana Lavoie

Liana Lavoie — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:17:00 +0000

@Mike: "What body shape…" Well, a rogue will look different from a fighter, because they will require their bodies to be doing very different things. High int would possibly look more bookish than a high wis, while charisma could be shown either in looks, style, or facial expression. It is a very visual way of going about it. My goal is for any person to be able to accurately read what that character is about, just by looking at the sketch.

By: Daniel Moore

Daniel Moore — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:08:00 +0000

I generally, but not always, play characters that exaggerate one or more aspects of my personality. Sometimes I will be inspired by a person (a Scoutmaster springs to mind), and sometimes I invert it to play something a little out of my normal mode.Building up a backstory during play is my typical MO. It depends on the character.Re: names, when I play Exalted I try to have a story to go with the name, and only occasionally will that name go along with the character's nature. I've also had an Eclipse named Light Protector, so it goes both ways

By: Mike Todd

Mike Todd — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:28:00 +0000

@Justin: So you prefer to work the details of your character's personality out during play? That's an interesting twist that for some reason I didn't think to mention. It seems natural enough, though. Sketch out the character, then as you play them, see what works best for you.@Liana: Hah, perhaps I'm just not artistic, but I'm not sure what the personality equivalent of "What body shape would they have in order to look believable" is. Notable that you tend to think very visually though, with the character's personality being closely linked to their appearance. And yeah, stupid damn names! Maybe one reason why I like Exalted better — it's easier to name characters in that.

By: Liana Lavoie

Liana Lavoie — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:48:00 +0000

Like Justin, I also start with either concept or class and then refine a personality. Then, I go through the same questions as drawing a sketch: What would the character's pose denote? The cut of the hair and clothing? What body shape would they have in order to look believable?The name is always the hardest part, either way.

By: Justin Achilli

Justin Achilli — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:40:00 +0000

I start with either concept or class, if I'm using a system with the latter. If I start with class, I "drybrush" personality that slowly becomes more refined over the course of play.

By: Michael Pastrana

Michael Pastrana — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:51:00 +0000

Excellent backstory for Sammael. It was a good read.