I haven't read the entire thread yet so pardon me if I reiterate something.
I think it's worth noting that realism is not only contextual, but it isn't the first and only rule of RP. For example, while it might not be "realistic" for a person in our world to group up with a self-professed villain, or just generally dickish character, we have to remember that the characters we're playing aren't people in our world. And if you simply watch the CSs in FFXI, or any of the FF's, you'll find several if not numerous instances where the protagonists and various neutral characters DON'T act in ways that are realistic to us. That doesn't make them less entertaining though! Even grossly absurd characters can still be compelling if done tastefully.
So I would encourage RPer's of non-villainous characters to not be afraid to make their character unafraid of something that might by all rights be worth fear. There are as many motivations for teaming up with a villain as there are for being a villain. Point being, if you want the spice that comes with having villains in your RP, be flexible enough to actually encourage that kind of RP. Same goes with the "lone wolves" and jerk types-- whether because your objective requires their help, or your character is curious to understand them, or you simply want to keep an eye on them, there are plenty of reasons to keep villains close at hand and active in the RP.
I think it's worth noting that realism is not only contextual, but it isn't the first and only rule of RP. For example, while it might not be "realistic" for a person in our world to group up with a self-professed villain, or just generally dickish character, we have to remember that the characters we're playing aren't people in our world. And if you simply watch the CSs in FFXI, or any of the FF's, you'll find several if not numerous instances where the protagonists and various neutral characters DON'T act in ways that are realistic to us. That doesn't make them less entertaining though! Even grossly absurd characters can still be compelling if done tastefully.
So I would encourage RPer's of non-villainous characters to not be afraid to make their character unafraid of something that might by all rights be worth fear. There are as many motivations for teaming up with a villain as there are for being a villain. Point being, if you want the spice that comes with having villains in your RP, be flexible enough to actually encourage that kind of RP. Same goes with the "lone wolves" and jerk types-- whether because your objective requires their help, or your character is curious to understand them, or you simply want to keep an eye on them, there are plenty of reasons to keep villains close at hand and active in the RP.
