tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829093857574761981.post1688834624004641467..comments2024-03-26T01:17:49.256+00:00Comments on Roles, Rules, and Rolls: Players Align Characters Through ActionsRoger G-Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08594440701279968693noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829093857574761981.post-1529699715918572472015-05-17T02:59:10.146+01:002015-05-17T02:59:10.146+01:00"To paraphrase Gygax, "character backgro..."To paraphrase Gygax, "character background is the first three levels" "<br /><br />Can you site the source for that quote? I've been looking for it's origins other than "Gary Gygax" said it.Celestianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12902361852599552483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829093857574761981.post-87293231971242309592015-02-24T02:08:04.469+00:002015-02-24T02:08:04.469+00:00I've seen way too many thespians. They all ne...I've seen way too many thespians. They all need to be kicked from the party and the game group. Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829093857574761981.post-40184693910732760372015-02-18T08:36:21.133+00:002015-02-18T08:36:21.133+00:00Thanks for your observations! Indeed, I see the fi...Thanks for your observations! Indeed, I see the first two types you mention as being an interesting case unto themselves, being about the relationship between player and character that doesn't necessarily follow into how the character would act in the fantasy world.<br /><br />The important thing about the "play what you know" type: best when they provide flavor, when the medieval martial artist describes all kinds of moves to explain their d20 roll, when the esotericist provides plausible incantations as their character casts a spell. The temptation, though, is to question the rules and rulings and strongarm the GM into a mechanical accommodation.<br /><br />The against-type character is the butt of much humor and psychological speculation especially when crossing gender lines. When done wrong it can be awkward, even offensive. Judgment is needed, for sure.<br /><br />One comment about bored players - when I DM'd in high school, for sure they would try to wreck the game.Nowadays they just tend to retreat into their smartphones.Roger G-Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08594440701279968693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829093857574761981.post-82181911225786293202015-02-18T02:36:22.298+00:002015-02-18T02:36:22.298+00:00Over the years, I have seen a number of RPG types ...Over the years, I have seen a number of RPG types you describe. Much of this seems to be based on a number of types I have noted over the years. I have been an off and on RPGer since the mid ’70s. These days, the mechanics of the game and the group dynamic holds as much fascination as actually playing or GMing. Not all of these types I am listing are negative per se, some are just good people in over their heads. I’m not going to cover those you have already talked about, but here are a few types I have seen as well. I guess it’s more about their motivation to RPG than about the in-game role playing itself.<br /><br />There are the folks who play what they know. They are going from a position of strength, which is a good thing, especially for beginning players. There are those, for example, like weapons and add that knowledge to their game play. Their character is an added extension to themselves. They go from the known to the unknown and what they know the best is themselves. These types are generally pretty good players, although a bit obsessive on occasion, but they often fill out to become really good RPGers if they can hang on long enough. <br /><br />There those who play opposites. It’s more than a challenge, it’s a compulsion, such as the 12 foot Amazon warrior queen is played by a 5 foot 5 guy who really needs to be outside getting exercise. The unempowered person suddenly has powers or at least is trying to get them, often at the expense of everything else. Playing an opposite is actually a great challenge or playing an alien character and trying to figure out how its mind works & etc. But playing an opposite or an unknown factor is not generally for the beginner. <br /><br />The Bored One, you know the type, they just want things to happen because if they are not in play, they just can’t stand it. They think messing up a careful group plan is funny and their head is not into the game or the or role playing. Bored players may not always be their fault. Bad group dynamics, a poor scenario, environmental factors, and the like may play its role. So it just might be more than a short attention span. Many bored ones are peripheral players, fine for a quick and dirty game, but not so good on a campaign. <br /><br />I think over the years RPG playing as really mellowed from the GM adversary to the PCs and thing have become more cooperative and synergetic. The idea that the GM is part of the team and uses feedback both ways to the PCs has been around for a while, but it doesn’t always hit its stride early one, especially with people just thrown together. Anyway, I enjoy your posts, they are insightful and I find them rather nostalgic. Consider having a post about the types of GMs out there. I hope to see more of your posts on the fascinating group therapy called RPGs. <br />CoastConFanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07250561260148656254noreply@blogger.com