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McBeefâ„¢ · **08-20-2015, 05:39 PM**

I just think that people should play characters as people and not a collection of tvtropes.

There is no need to artificially declare your character is smart, stupid, strong, weak. Just play it ICly and let people come to their own assumptions.

Caspar · **08-20-2015, 05:46 PM**

(08-20-2015, 05:39 PM)UMcBeefâ„¢ Wrote: I just think that people should play characters as people and not a collection of tvtropes.

There is no need to artificially declare your character is smart, stupid, strong, weak. Just play it ICly and let people come to their own assumptions.

But it's natural to want to play something specific. I dissent from the majority of players on here in that I do not see characters as people, and rp as group writing with some improv, rather than acting. Both exist to tell the story you're trying to articulate, and whether you can write it or not is independent of said character's traits but does color the execution to some extent. It is important to flesh them out and make them believable as hypothetical people of course, but every character I've made has a specific purpose in mind, and the background and traits necessary to execute it.
I've played enough of a diversity of character types to find writing "myself" pedestrian and bland. I've no interest in whether others think writing a character whose personality or competencies do not align with my own is "above my station."

McBeefâ„¢ · **08-20-2015, 05:52 PM**

(08-20-2015, 05:46 PM)Caspar Wrote:
(08-20-2015, 05:39 PM)UMcBeefâ„¢ Wrote: I just think that people should play characters as people and not a collection of tvtropes.

There is no need to artificially declare your character is smart, stupid, strong, weak. Just play it ICly and let people come to their own assumptions.
But it's natural to want to play something specific. I dissent from the majority of players on here in that I do not see characters as people, and rp as group writing with some improv, rather than acting. Both exist to tell the story you're trying to articulate, and whether you can write it or not is independent of said character's traits but does color the execution to some extent. It is important to flesh them out and make them believable as hypothetical people of course, but every character I've made has a specific purpose in mind, and the background and traits necessary to execute it.
I've played enough of a diversity of character types to find writing "myself" pedestrian and bland. I've no interest in whether others think writing a character whose personality or competencies do not align with my own is "above my station."

That's fine, but why do you have to publicize it? What is the advantage of letting everyone know OOCly.

'My character is really smart!!!'

Instead of just playing them in a way that suggests that through IC action.

Eses Fafa · **08-20-2015, 05:52 PM**

I just create nonsensical jargon for the supernerd chars. For the rest, there's internet research!

Oscare · **08-20-2015, 05:53 PM**

(08-20-2015, 05:14 PM)Nakoli Chalahko Wrote: I agree with ignacious in the most part. You are limited by what you can write. If you cannot display wit or intelligence through your writing, then no one is going to believe your character witty or intelligent.

That sounds a little unfair though. Just because you don't know how to write something doesn't mean you're not welcome to try. A "slower" player should be allowed to play whatever they so choose to want to play instead of only sticking to concepts they know they can write without ease. As much as I love playing oblivious, silly, ridiculous characters, sometimes I want to break my own mold and go with something that is "claimed" to be "smart", even if I can actually write it worth beans. It's a learning process in my eyes.

Nebbs · **08-20-2015, 05:56 PM**

(08-20-2015, 05:39 PM)McBeefâ„¢ Wrote: I just think that people should play characters as people and not a collection of tvtropes.

There is no need to artificially declare your character is smart, stupid, strong, weak. Just play it ICly and let people come to their own assumptions.

Great point. Much better than asserting what the character is.

Personally I try to shy away from OOC description of a character, and will even avoid people who insist on OOC commenting on RP and what they character will and wont do.

Caspar · **08-20-2015, 05:57 PM**

(08-20-2015, 05:52 PM)McBeefâ„¢ Wrote:
(08-20-2015, 05:46 PM)Caspar Wrote:
(08-20-2015, 05:39 PM)UMcBeefâ„¢ Wrote: I just think that people should play characters as people and not a collection of tvtropes.

There is no need to artificially declare your character is smart, stupid, strong, weak. Just play it ICly and let people come to their own assumptions.
But it's natural to want to play something specific. I dissent from the majority of players on here in that I do not see characters as people, and rp as group writing with some improv, rather than acting. Both exist to tell the story you're trying to articulate, and whether you can write it or not is independent of said character's traits but does color the execution to some extent. It is important to flesh them out and make them believable as hypothetical people of course, but every character I've made has a specific purpose in mind, and the background and traits necessary to execute it.
I've played enough of a diversity of character types to find writing "myself" pedestrian and bland. I've no interest in whether others think writing a character whose personality or competencies do not align with my own is "above my station."

That's fine, but why do you have to publicize it? What is the advantage of letting everyone know OOCly.

'My character is really smart!!!'

Instead of just playing them in a way that suggests that through IC action.

Then that is a problem (arguably) with writing style, and not the player presuming to play something not like themselves. I agree you should show, not tell, but that only tell me the writer is inexperienced or perhaps not accustomed to rp, not too dull to play their character.

Aduu Avagnar · **08-20-2015, 06:09 PM**

(08-20-2015, 05:53 PM)Oscare Wrote:
(08-20-2015, 05:14 PM)Nako Wrote: I agree with ignacious in the most part. You are limited by what you can write. If you cannot display wit or intelligence through your writing, then no one is going to believe your character witty or intelligent.

That sounds a little unfair though. Just because you don't know how to write something doesn't mean you're not welcome to try. A "slower" player should be allowed to play whatever they so choose to want to play instead of only sticking to concepts they know they can write without ease. As much as I love playing oblivious, silly, ridiculous characters, sometimes I want to break my own mold and go with something that is "claimed" to be "smart", even if I can actually write it worth beans. It's a learning process in my eyes.

And they can, nothing is stopping them but their writing ability.You do not have to be inteligent to be able to write as an inteligent person. You simply need to get across what your intent is.

Caspar · **08-20-2015, 06:17 PM**

(08-20-2015, 06:09 PM)Nako Wrote:
(08-20-2015, 05:53 PM)Oscare Wrote:
(08-20-2015, 05:14 PM)Nako Wrote: I agree with ignacious in the most part. You are limited by what you can write. If you cannot display wit or intelligence through your writing, then no one is going to believe your character witty or intelligent.

That sounds a little unfair though. Just because you don't know how to write something doesn't mean you're not welcome to try. A "slower" player should be allowed to play whatever they so choose to want to play instead of only sticking to concepts they know they can write without ease. As much as I love playing oblivious, silly, ridiculous characters, sometimes I want to break my own mold and go with something that is "claimed" to be "smart", even if I can actually write it worth beans. It's a learning process in my eyes.
And they can, nothing is stopping them but their writing ability.You do not have to be inteligent to be able to write as an inteligent person. You simply need to get across what your intent is.

I feel that is contrary to what the Op and Ignacious argued, though, and you yourself at the top of the quote pyramid, unless I'm misunderstanding.

GloryRhodes · **08-20-2015, 06:29 PM**

Page 6 Thread Summary:

Question posed: Should a person that is mentally deficient be allowed to roleplay a person of intelligence, or is their implicit stupidity too egregious a flaw to allow such behavior?

For the question: Wit is an inherent ability which cannot be faked and which must be presented in detail in order for it to be taken seriously. Â The deficient cannot do this therefore their attempts are invalid and disruptive.

Against the question: People, despite any deficiency should be allowed to do as they wish, and there are methods for faking wit which must be considered before dismissal.

Uncomfortable assumptions:Â The posters for assume that they are not mentally deficient, and that their judgement of others to be less intelligent than they is reliable. Â The posters against suppose that the mentally deficient do not have the responsibility to be accepted, but rather that the intelligent have the responsibility to be accepting.

Unanswered questions:Â

What is the definition of "dumb"?
What is the definition of "witty"?
Who is qualified to pass judgement as to what is acceptable and what is not?
When judgement is passed, who is the gatekeeper to prevent such behavior?
Why is the posed question important, and whose opinion determines the value of the discussion posed?

Aduu Avagnar · **08-20-2015, 06:31 PM**

(08-20-2015, 06:17 PM)Caspar Wrote:
(08-20-2015, 06:09 PM)Nako Wrote:
(08-20-2015, 05:53 PM)Oscare Wrote:
(08-20-2015, 05:14 PM)Nako Wrote: I agree with ignacious in the most part. You are limited by what you can write. If you cannot display wit or intelligence through your writing, then no one is going to believe your character witty or intelligent.

That sounds a little unfair though. Just because you don't know how to write something doesn't mean you're not welcome to try. A "slower" player should be allowed to play whatever they so choose to want to play instead of only sticking to concepts they know they can write without ease. As much as I love playing oblivious, silly, ridiculous characters, sometimes I want to break my own mold and go with something that is "claimed" to be "smart", even if I can actually write it worth beans. It's a learning process in my eyes.
And they can, nothing is stopping them but their writing ability.You do not have to be inteligent to be able to write as an inteligent person. You simply need to get across what your intent is.
I feel that is contrary to what the Op and Ignacious argued, though, and you yourself at the top of the quote pyramid, unless I'm misunderstanding.

I cannot see how what I wrote was contrary to what I wrote at the begining.... In the first one I state that you are limited by what they can write. Which is the same point I made in the second quote of mine.....

McBeefâ„¢ · **08-20-2015, 06:32 PM**

(08-20-2015, 06:31 PM)Nako Wrote:
(08-20-2015, 06:17 PM)Caspar Wrote:
(08-20-2015, 06:09 PM)Nako Wrote:
(08-20-2015, 05:53 PM)Oscare Wrote:
(08-20-2015, 05:14 PM)Nako Wrote: I agree with ignacious in the most part. You are limited by what you can write. If you cannot display wit or intelligence through your writing, then no one is going to believe your character witty or intelligent.

That sounds a little unfair though. Just because you don't know how to write something doesn't mean you're not welcome to try. A "slower" player should be allowed to play whatever they so choose to want to play instead of only sticking to concepts they know they can write without ease. As much as I love playing oblivious, silly, ridiculous characters, sometimes I want to break my own mold and go with something that is "claimed" to be "smart", even if I can actually write it worth beans. It's a learning process in my eyes.
And they can, nothing is stopping them but their writing ability.You do not have to be inteligent to be able to write as an inteligent person. You simply need to get across what your intent is.
I feel that is contrary to what the Op and Ignacious argued, though, and you yourself at the top of the quote pyramid, unless I'm misunderstanding.
I cannot see how what I wrote was contrary to what I wrote at the begining.... In the first one I state that you are limited by what they can write. Which is the same point I made in the second quote of mine.....

Ah, bad news if you're trying to RP someone intelligent then.

Lydia Lightfoot · **08-20-2015, 06:37 PM**

(08-20-2015, 06:29 PM)GloryRhodes Wrote: Page 6 Thread Summary:

Question posed: Should a person that is mentally deficient be allowed to roleplay a person of intelligence, or is their implicit stupidity too egregious a flaw to allow such behavior?

For the question: Wit is an inherent ability which cannot be faked and which must be presented in detail in order for it to be taken seriously. Â The deficient cannot do this therefore their attempts are invalid and disruptive.

Against the question: People, despite any deficiency should be allowed to do as they wish, and there are methods for faking wit which must be considered before dismissal.

Uncomfortable assumptions:Â The posters for assume that they are not mentally deficient, and that their judgement of others to be less intelligent than they is reliable. Â The posters against suppose that the mentally deficient do not have the responsibility to be accepted, but rather that the intelligent have the responsibility to be accepting.

Unanswered questions:Â

What is the definition of "dumb"?

What is the definition of "witty"?

Who is qualified to pass judgement as to what is acceptable and what is not?

When judgement is passed, who is the gatekeeper to prevent such behavior?

Why is the posed question important, and whose opinion determines the value of the discussion posed?

Haha. Mic dropped. Well said.

Aduu Avagnar · **08-20-2015, 06:39 PM**

(08-20-2015, 06:32 PM)McBeefâ„¢ Wrote: Ah, bad news if you're trying to RP someone intelligent then.

Please explain to me then the difference in the statements then. I would rather learn as to how my intent got lost, rather than receive an off the cuff comment that adds nothing to the discourse.

Edda · **08-20-2015, 06:42 PM**

(08-20-2015, 05:14 PM)Nako Wrote: I agree with ignacious in the most part. You are limited by what you can write. If you cannot display wit or inteligence through your writing, then no one is going to believe your character witty or inteligent.

(08-20-2015, 06:09 PM)Nako Wrote: And they can, nothing is stopping them but their writing ability.You do not have to be inteligent to be able to write as an inteligent person. You simply need to get across what your intent is.

(08-20-2015, 06:31 PM)Nako Wrote: I cannot see how what I wrote was contrary to what I wrote at the begining.... In the first one I state that you are limited by what they can write. Which is the same point I made in the second quote of mine.....

Either you are not getting your point across, or you are contradicting yourself. While both posts support your belief that one is limited by their writing ability, the following thoughts are rather contrasting. I have little personal interest in your explanation - this post is merely for the sake of yourself and the rest of the thread.

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"Witty" characters, can they be roleplayed by the dumb?

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