How Special Are We?

[Dravus]

On the subject of mechanical limbs I've always been rather wary of interacting with characters that claim to be 'disabled' in some way, shape or form. A few pull it off tastefully, but the majority don't. If a character is blind, deaf or missing limbs then it shouldn't make them more powerful as a result. It's not a character flaw or a disadvantage if the character ends up being better off - which I suspect is a major reason as to why there's quite the aversion to characters with mechanical limbs that just so happen to be even more skilled at archery or combat than their peers who are still fully intact.

 

It's the same with characters who are depicted as having scars on almost every inch of their body and yet are somehow meant to be considered as strong and capable combatants. Chances are if you've been struck enough times in combat that your hide is one big canvas of scars you're probably not that good of a fighter.

[Remis Locke]

See, I’ve never truly understood what a ‘Sue’ was until I just did some research on the subject. When I create characters I find the thing that makes them special is character progression. There is nothing more rewarding, more exhilarating, than having a character start at one point and through roleplay, discover new aspects about the character you never even considered. How they deal with love, loss, danger, things which every normal human beings struggle with. The stories we create with our characters is what makes them special in the end.

 

My main character was just that, he crawled his way out of the gutter and fell into numerous chains of events which formed him into the person he is today. Neither strong with a sword, nor especially important, as a matter of fact I enjoy having him fail in his endeavours more than anything purely for humour sake.

 

I’ve got to be completely honest when I say, in the past, I tended to back away from characters who could never be defeated, had powers that no one else possessed or in one particular case, played characters which just shouldn’t be, like a Maiar from Tolkien’s world on LOTRO. I just found it awkward, and when lore is being torn to pieces I suppose it did bother me. Do I instantly dislike the roleplayer behind the character and think less of them for their choice? Not in the slightest, we just clashed on point of view.

 

I am new to the lore of Eorzea though realise there are many opportunities for characters to be powerful. Given the fact that those with a magical background are quite common, there is a large amount of opportunity to expand on that. So long as the character’s unique abilities aren’t forced upon me and it is played responsibly I’d have no problem roleplaying with said character in the slightest.

[YesGood]

A few pull it off tastefully, but the majority don't. If a character is blind, deaf or missing limbs then it shouldn't make them more powerful as a result.

 

It's the same with characters who are depicted as having scars on almost every inch of their body and yet are somehow meant to be considered as strong and capable combatants. Chances are if you've been struck enough times in combat that your hide is one big canvas of scars you're probably not that good of a fighter.

 

I think situations like Illidan Stormrage, Edward Elric, and Jet from CB probably influence a lot of people in that respect because those characters are special and unique in their worlds. I always assume that giving up physical sight, like in the case of Demon Hunters, gives many people as many drawbacks as benefits. Like... insanity... in that case, but otherwise -not- being able to physically see people makes things difficult. I went with a 'mute' once, who actually suffered the Curse of Tongues which rendered her unable to speak anything but Eredun. Incidentally, she didn't understand Eredun so many of the warlock or demon RPers who tried to converse with her only hurt her ears. This was mostly to practice my ability to emote to communicate points and while it turned out to be rather difficult, I steadfastly refused to explain what she was saying OOCly and was rewarded by having people interpret her actions they way one would have to interpret miming OOC. She could've gone to pen and paper, and did at times, but it was rather rare.

 

Still, not having words is a big drawback in and of itself. If you're in danger or trying to warn someone of something abstract very quickly, it's difficult to get your point across.

 

The scars thing, I can't wholly agree with if only because everyone has to start somewhere and if you were born with a sword in your hand -maybe- you never accumulated any terrible scars. If you were raised by particularly brutal fighters, you might have picked up numerous scars, each one teaching you when to move faster or more appropriately in a certain situation. Likewise, if you've moved on and continue to challenge even better fighters who specialize in what your weaknesses are, such as range, scars can continue to accumulate even if you are an 'expert' swordsman. Doesn't mean you're an expert at dodging arrows or fireballs to the face all the time.

 

I do like that you pointed that out though, because it does make sense to a degree, in many situations. Siobhain has scars on her forearms and shins, but her trainer was particularly disciplined-- pulling most of his strikes before they could land. Not all trainers are like this, however, and one might end up maimed, at least aesthetically, before they start picking up the harsh lessons.

[Cesar]

Pertaining to the IC duels and text based combat. I am on of the ones who wishes they would implement a dueling system. But I am not totally against text-based combat. But without complete cooperation between the combatants that can get ridiculous. With actual PvP there isn't any excuses. (Lag or any other computer glitch is usually BS anyways.) When you lose a duel in PvP you just lose. Nothing is more humbling that getting your face planted by another player. Also it's more life like. There is an increase in heart-rate and the anticipation ha! With text based after twenty minutes (Which is totally un-realistic for an actual bout of combat.) You may or may not be done with the duel. I have always loved RPvP servers though. 

 

 

Using the RPvP Idea it would also discourage all of those "masters of a secret special martial arts passed down by their great great grandfather" folks at bay. They would be stalked and killed instantly. Thus making more characters that are all crafting characters.

[Strife]

I think, like anything else, going to extremes on 'specialness' one way or the other is bad.

 

On one hand, yes, the overpowered wunderkind, master of all disciplines of war, magic, land and hand is not a good thing. Even if that's actually possible in game (And in fact, some people approach this as time goes on, game-ability-sie).

 

On the other hand, playing an inept, dull, untalented drip with no redeeming qualities or special abilities is equally bad.

 

 

Without repeating what has already been said, this is exactly how I feel. I'm a normal person IRL, when I get home I want to RP being something a bit "more" than I can be IRL, but without going overboard and declaring myself to be Shiva in Miqo'te form.

[LilMomoshi]

I do have a question more pertinent to this thread and what you just said-- About how 'Special are we?'. Many people like to RP that they're fighters yet OOCly make it a point to avoid all potential conflict. In your case, do you go to efforts to build a character that's not the type to get into fights because you consciously know, as a player, you don't enjoy them? Or do you play a 'fighter-esque' character while avoiding fights with other members of the community that you may or may not instigate?

 

I understand, and here's where it's pertinent, that many RPers -want- to include the 'special snowflake' detail of being an awesome -insert-some-form-of-combat-specialist-here- and I also understand some of the reasoning (excuses?) for not wanting to actually fight other PCs, such as not wanting to fight in a guarded city or a sacred area. I'd just like a little more input on that special characteristic; if a character advertises what a great fighter they are, what ways do you implement, if not through PVE, Leveling, gear, text-based duels, etc. that characteristic so that others can witness that degree of skill during roleplay? 'You' being general, for anyone this pertains to.

 

I personally tend to involve myself in group RP events against DM'ed opponents (this can actually be a lot of fun, and I loved that my last guild on WoW did it), and get it out that way. I've been in too many situations where I'd get involved in a fight or conflict involving other players that just brushed off my involvement or ended up in me getting smashed up by a godmodder. Of course, that's something I'm going to be working on getting over, and being more of a part of again, now that I'm away from the WoW community.

 

I tend to take my level/skill-centric approach to my character in fights and use that as kind of a basis for it all, though. If my character knows few spells, that's all he or she has to work with, and they have to adapt it to the situation. If they're maxed out, then they have more to work with, and I try to adapt what spells/skills they use to the opponent they're facing, just as I would in PvP.

 

Dunno if that answers you, but there we are!

[Dieuvont]

I believe this is a subject that does arise rather often and it is quite detrimental when it regards the community's view on characters that simply appear to be entirely too special. The Mary Sue concept is often the primary label we tend to apply to characters that present themselves as either untouchable or masters of all. However, there is even a tasteful way one may endeavour into playing a Mary Sue character.

 

My personal view and basis on whether I enjoy a character or not has immensely to do with the grounded and solid design of what presents the character as believable. That is, believable within the tasteful parameters the world and lore permits. This includes believable positives and believable negatives, or perhaps a concept that is merely neutral on both ends of the spectrum. When a character is designed in such a way as to draw natural interest towards it and in addition does not create an atmosphere of desperation, that in turn displays well developed character conceptualisation and purposeful mental effort.

 

This in turn does not negate the reality that there are a vast plethora of various character personalities, from positive to negative and everything in between, but instead shows that there is a conscious decision to create a character that, although may have great negative traits, still has purpose behind the actions they perform.

 

This is simply my personal view on characters and the issue regarding how special one ought to be. In conclusion, balance is key and perpetual awareness of your character design is the most optimal state a player can place themselves in to remain continuously creative in a tasteful and healthy manner.

[Mewnie]

I've tried to become more open to text-based fighting than I used to be (super strict PVP-based fighting is often only suitable for communities, large or small, that have agreed upon some sort of structure by which to judge the outcome). My primary issue with text-based fighting has always been the sometimes unintentional issue with not acknowledging other individuals joining in the scrap. I'll get onto that elsewhere, though.

 

I do have a question more pertinent to this thread and what you just said-- About how 'Special are we?'. Many people like to RP that they're fighters yet OOCly make it a point to avoid all potential conflict. In your case, do you go to efforts to build a character that's not the type to get into fights because you consciously know, as a player, you don't enjoy them? Or do you play a 'fighter-esque' character while avoiding fights with other members of the community that you may or may not instigate?

 

I understand, and here's where it's pertinent, that many RPers -want- to include the 'special snowflake' detail of being an awesome -insert-some-form-of-combat-specialist-here- and I also understand some of the reasoning (excuses?) for not wanting to actually fight other PCs, such as not wanting to fight in a guarded city or a sacred area. I'd just like a little more input on that special characteristic; if a character advertises what a great fighter they are, what ways do you implement, if not through PVE, Leveling, gear, text-based duels, etc. that characteristic so that others can witness that degree of skill during roleplay? 'You' being general, for anyone this pertains to.

When I do play the more soldierly types, I tend to go for either the measured ones who just don't start fights and shrug and walk away from hot-headed punks. Or I play the hot-headed punk and will pick a fight with someone stronger and get a bloody nose in a duel- that is, if the other person is willing to do so. edit: I avoid RP fights mostly because they all end up being really awkward and silly drawn out affairs. Again, the ones I've seen have been in public spaces and you can't quite control who is interacting with who, as well as the general quality level But they do seem to devolve into RP pissing matches more often than not in my experience.

 

I do miss the bare knuckle dueling in Age of Conan. Many a good Cimmerian scrap was had at meets.

[Zyrusticae]

As for my own character, I tend to prefer to portray them as being able to handle themselves but more on the anti-hero side of the fence. They're usually flawed, even if they're intentions are pure. I find it much more interesting than being a flawless hero who can do no wrong. I guess it's why characters from the 'Game of Thrones' setting such as Jaime Lannister, Catelyn Stark and Cersei Lannister fascinate me so much.

Yeah, I tend towards this as well. It's not very often I play a character who's an honest goody-two-shoes - and when I do, they always have to have some kind of notable flaw (one has an annoying mental defect that makes speech very difficult for her, another tends towards dissociation when criticized in any way). My current main is a bit on the rough side - she means well and wants to become a hero, but is still interminably lazy when it comes to physical labor and possesses questionable ethics (though not morals - she's quite empathetic and it's the reason she's on a quest to become a hero in the first place).

 

But like many others in this thread, I must echo that the execution is really more important than the premise in any case. It's not really what flaws or strengths your character has that defines them, as much as how they deal with having those flaws or strengths. Someone with incredible martial might, for example, might despair at how their considerable ability is not enough to save everyone, for they cannot be everywhere at once. Someone who excels at all kinds of trades might find that they are completely at a loss as to what they want to focus on, and end up running into financial ruin because of it.

 

So I try not to judge based on concepts and premises, and more on whether or not someone is actually doing interesting things with those ideas. Unfortunately, Sturgeon's Law being what it is, most people have a difficult time with this. But it's not like I'm not going to give people a shot at it.

[FenixDarkblaze]

I do enjoy playing characters that invite interaction in some form or another -- but not because of say, beauty or immaculate skill or anything of the sort. I don't want to be the center of the universe around whom everyone turns, but simply make it easy to find a reason to RP with my character, to want to interact with them.

 

For example, my World of Warcraft character, Solieyu,  was a hyperactive, obnoxious and half-manic Night Elf. Playing that sort of character made it very easy for me to engage in RP with well, just about anyone because it was well within his personality to walk up to someone and start babbling about whatever was in his brain at that particular moment. 

 

For my Final Fantasy character, Fenix, I'm taking a much different approach -- for me, this character is all about challenging myself to play something new and refreshing. He is a very mysterious, quiet character -- little is known about him, and he reveals very little. He is a skilled fighter, but he has realistic weaknesses and strengths -- at least, as far as I believe.

 

But to me, the trick to playing that sort of character is not to go overboard with it. Just because he is mysterious and a closed book doesn't mean his past has to be grand or filled with nothing but sorrow. I write him to have this air of mystery simply to invoke questions in other peoples' characters to allow hooks for interaction. 'Where does he come from?' 'Why is he so guarded about his past?' 'Who is he, really?' Things of that sort. Even if the truth behind his past is entirely mundane and 'normal,' I'm challenging myself to make the character intriguing enough to make people want to find that out. Maybe that's a bit attention seeking, but to me interaction is what RP is all about, and giving people ways to do that is helpful, I think.

[Clover]

Honestly, I haven't seen a single case of a child (ICly) stating (oocly) they want to be stronger than a High Commander simply because they spent more time playing the game.

But I have! That example was a real one from the Spanish Aion community I used to play in. That's simply something that can happen when ingame levels matter more than the story itself. We might not find such hardcore cases, but we might still find cases that won't quite work ICly.

 

It depends on the character people want to play. Say that I want to play a 38 years old veteran soldier who managed to survive Carteau. I can't imagine that he has no experience whatsoever when he starts at lv1 five years later, for all his heavy training and experiences happened in the past. This is why I'll only care about your story and who your character is, not about their OOC levels.

 

Another example is my own characters. They do start as inexperienced at lv.1 because I consider that more fun, but they don't gain experience as they gain levels. That would mean that they've killed Ifrit, Titan, and even Jesus, which doesn't work. Until Clover receives proper training in the RP itself (and perhaps not even then), she won't be any sort of outstanding fighter.

[Dubs]

Personally I find RPing weaknesses, quirks, and or habits to be more rewarding than lets say the power grab. My character has a particular affinity for fire but it's uncontrollably sporadic so he just doesn't try to attempt it. I decided to try out THM to see how astral fire would work out with RP not really understanding the mechanics of the class. The issue is I RP that I cannot access the other elements within THM besides fire. The whole mechanic of THM mp management is using umbral ice...which I refuse to use (Ice spell). So i just keep casting fire over and over again because that's all I can tap into, thus draining my mp pool and becoming mentally drained and exhausted. All in all it's just something my character is not good at and I'm perfectly happy with RPing that vulnerability.

 

I just find that having faults is part of being well rounded, though it can be completely subjective and misinterpreted of course. As of now I find playing a supporting role to others stories is fun. If at some point in time we alternate through each character's goals and plots I'll maybe toss something involving my character's story in there but not too often. Subtle, long intermittent character growth/ plot development is more appealing to me.