I'll keep this one short since I'm in the office, but...
I often worry about "underpowered being annoying" myself, since I play that sort of character. It's not for any great story-purpose, but rather who she is as a person; a physically weak, aetherically-sensitive "back-row" kind of individual. It's balanced out by the fact that Reima's strengths aren't in power or ability, but in the sheer force of her Will that drives her attempts to endure and succeed when there are those who believe that she can't. That right there is a certain type of strength that sometimes folks tend to overlook, or not take seriously.
It's that latter bit that always leaves me concerned and wondering: "Do I come off as just a useless damsel? Do the motivational speeches and determined soul make up for not being able to face combat or great powers as well as others? Do I gimp myself too much in an attempt to be believable and real? Am i just a liability?"
But at the same time, I saw "screw it", because if you are an "underpowered" character, as I discussed with Draco today, as long as that character still has their own set of strengths to balance out the lack of "power", then that gives you an interesting backdrop against which to grow, develop, and learn in a variety of different ways. People will find and appreciate that, and--as with all great collaborations--use the strengths you do have to fill the holes in what they may lack.
I often worry about "underpowered being annoying" myself, since I play that sort of character. It's not for any great story-purpose, but rather who she is as a person; a physically weak, aetherically-sensitive "back-row" kind of individual. It's balanced out by the fact that Reima's strengths aren't in power or ability, but in the sheer force of her Will that drives her attempts to endure and succeed when there are those who believe that she can't. That right there is a certain type of strength that sometimes folks tend to overlook, or not take seriously.
It's that latter bit that always leaves me concerned and wondering: "Do I come off as just a useless damsel? Do the motivational speeches and determined soul make up for not being able to face combat or great powers as well as others? Do I gimp myself too much in an attempt to be believable and real? Am i just a liability?"
But at the same time, I saw "screw it", because if you are an "underpowered" character, as I discussed with Draco today, as long as that character still has their own set of strengths to balance out the lack of "power", then that gives you an interesting backdrop against which to grow, develop, and learn in a variety of different ways. People will find and appreciate that, and--as with all great collaborations--use the strengths you do have to fill the holes in what they may lack.
"Bran thought about it. 'Can a man still be brave if he's afraid?'
                                -George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones
