(04-15-2015, 12:20 PM)Aya Wrote: Why do people play unusual combinations? Sometimes they just accidentally fall into it. Miqo'te Dragoons are incredibly common characters to make, some of them decide to role play, and hence we have Miqo'te Dragoons! That's a large swathe of individuals.ÂThere is a Mi'qote- Elezen running about. and I've seen a few Hyur-elezen
What about those who set out intentionally to make something unusual? Well, I can understand the desire to be unique, since there was a time I strove for that every time I played a pen-and-paper RPG. I generally played something unusual and rather unique, not just in the party, but in the world itself.
When it comes to MMO's though I've never really thought that way, which I really think comes down to two main things:
1) You're not Unique. No matter how hard you have tried to make some unusual combination, or some wild background, you're really not unique. On one hand its not unlikely at all that someone else has already made a very similar character. The player bases are massive, and the idea that you've stumbled upon an entirely new idea that no one else has tried, is relatively small. Secondly, there's no GM to say "yes, you're this, and you're incredibly rare." You're reliant upon others who on an individual level set their own canon to accept your story and set you aside as "unique", and unique in your own significant way. In reality those you interact with who are affected in some way by your character's "unique" background, will almost certainly classify you in a very non-unique fashion. You might believe yourself to stand out amidst the sea, while in reality you're entirely blending in with a very large and preexisting group.
2) You are Unique. Before you ever started to try to create some very unusual and unique character idea, your character was already destined to be entirely unique upon his or her own merits. Each are individuals, played by a unique and individual player who provides the mannerisms, and interaction in an unique manner. Its sometimes fun to see how other people write a character of yours they know, but you can be sure that everything they grab on to in their own vision of that character, was animated and given life by yourself as the player. My point is just that every character is unique from the very beginning. And if you want to establish an unique identity that actually stands out, and is remembered as such, this is the only manner in which you'll actually achieve that end.
Ultimately, most of the uniqueness we're discussing boils down to back story. I think people put far, far too much weight on backstory. While it does provide an interesting writing exercise, and can sometimes produce interesting writing which is worthwhile on its own merits and valuable hooks for RP, it really does not contribute all that much to role play itself. If your character is to be remembered positively it will be because of your interactions, or the way you've interacted within stories. If someone remembers your character it will be because of what he or she did, not because she is "that Miqo'te Dragoon." Instead it will be, "That Miqo'te Dragoon who did such and such." The supposed uniqueness of your back story is really irrelevant to this, and in the case of some that are outright outlandish can actually provide an obstacle.Â
I see such a heavy emphasis on backstory on these forums, and I think its just part and parcel of being RPers, but I think the time we invest is inordinate compared to the actual impact and import they have on actual role play.Â
Lastly, just an off-hand comment, every single half-breed I've encountered has been a Hyur-Miqo'te. Are there any others out there?
