Balance

[Tobias Nightbringer]

Just tossing in my two Gil real quick. Not sure if this has been said or not in this discussion, but I feel that it is relevant in some form or another.

 

Han Solo shot first.

[Vashies Rosada]

hahahah you have not rped with Vashies then! You can guess right that he is a good guy, though unless you rped with him... well you can see he has a ego. That said he is really straight forward guy who does not know how to hold is tongue.  

So yes a good guy, but lack self control with his words at times.

 

Though i would love have some to one fight or group people to fight.

[Brave]

my guild in the Old Republic has a pretty broad range of alignment variance.  not to knock the idea of open RP but I find that telling an encompassing story with a wide variety of characters is often best done in a guild setting where people can truly be comfortable with each other and the RP they involve themselves in.  It does lack some of the dynamic value of meeting a stranger, but it does allow for drastic story development that you may not have been able to do with those yoy felt uncomfortable giving power too.

 

(Sorry the awful grammer. I'm on my phone)

 

I think I run into more neutral ppl then good ppl though.  The criminal may also be lacking due to a typical "shady" class.

 

One of my guildies almost didn't play the game since there wasn't a thief class.

 

The problem with this is that people dont want to rally behind your cause or join a guild because they consider it to be evil when that is not always the case. And who is to say that a character would even know what it is they are being asked to transport. 

 

And again everyone keeps making reference to menacing characters when that is not all that I'm addressing when I say "bad" characters. Whatever happened to the guy who just wants some decent coin for doing some under the table dealing etc? Does it make him a bad guy? No not necessarily but it doesn't make him pure either.

=)

 

Sorry ma'am I thought I was using non villainous terminology by saying criminal.  Robin Hood for all sakes and purposes was a criminal but I digress.  Now that I'm not on a phone I can try to elaborate.  I simply meant that a guild setting allows for a more controlled environment that and you know the people you're interacting with.  Having someone do something as drastic as cause you to lose a limb, to something as simple as "going into your room when they aren't allowed to" can be done more easily in a group of known RPers who you're more comfortable with.

 

I won't lie, back when I first saw Ambrosia on the LS page I was like one of the (assumed) many people who may have rolled their eyes at the idea of a burlesque.  I did however click on the forum anyway and looked to see a VERY well developed group and was glad to be proven wrong.  Many of the stigmas and social norms associated with titles are going to be something that are a part of a character though.  In some ways it's why we choose that role.

 

For example, there's a lot of rumors buzzing around that the Greatsword wielding class will be Dark Knight and I'm just dreading it lol.  If it turns out to be that way  I'll be fighting the knee jerk reactions of someone seeing my weapon and assuming my "theme". (Just like I imagine not EVERY Sword and Board user thinks of themselves as a Paladin of the sultansworn).  That and I can't stand Dark Knights >< (yep I'm one of the goody two shoes running around =P) BUT the image in my head of Brave, is that he uses a greatsword, so I'll deal with that stigma.

 

Some people can't disassociate class and RP too, just like the notoriety of some titles carry an expected theme.

 

Right now making a forum like this will help "educate" people about who you are and the kind of roleplayer/writer you embody.  Vali is more then a headmistress, just like Brave is more than a lumbering Roe mercenary.  It also helps promote awareness of the type of RP you're looking for.  You've already had a few bites from people who felt they might be what you're looking for in terms of an RP partner.  People just need to RP what they want, and let others know that they're available for that kind of RP.  It's one of the things I've enjoyed so much about this Coalition site. =)

[Jana]

After playing a dark character on Tera, I was all ready to play a more innocent version on Balmung... I haven't really gotten my feet wet in FFXIV's RP yet, so I guess I'm a bit relieved to see that this bad-guy shortage is happening on Gilgamesh, even it's a bit mean to think so!

 

I think part of why so many people prefer playing good guys is that we're more comfortable playing as someone whose morals and viewpoints we can agree with. I also think that so many badly played villains or the stereotypical godmode-ing villains come from people who can't really get into that mindset, or who think it has more to do with "being bad" rather than there being a real reason in the character's background to be. A more experienced writer won't have the same trouble when they play a character whose mindset differs from their own, which is why it seems like a lot of the well-played villains stand out more than the more numerous well-played good guys.

[Nnejo]

After playing a dark character on Tera, I was all ready to play a more innocent version on Balmung... I haven't really gotten my feet wet in FFXIV's RP yet, so I guess I'm a bit relieved to see that this bad-guy shortage is happening on Gilgamesh, even it's a bit mean to think so!

 

I think part of why so many people prefer playing good guys is that we're more comfortable playing as someone whose morals and viewpoints we can agree with. I also think that so many badly played villains or the stereotypical godmode-ing villains come from people who can't really get into that mindset, or who think it has more to do with "being bad" rather than there being a real reason in the character's background to be. A more experienced writer won't have the same trouble when they play a character whose mindset differs from their own, which is why it seems like a lot of the well-played villains stand out more than the more numerous well-played good guys.

 

Hm, you pose a good point about people not being able to get into the proper mindset to portray a "criminal mind" or villainous character. My main reason for playing the type of character I have created is because it is outside my comfort zone. I think of this way, I hate getting stuck in a routine of things. I'm an Aries so I am very spontaneous and like to shake things up with a little change every now and again.

 

Typically I play the intellects, I prefer these types of characters because it forces me to constantly enhancing my working knowledge of the lore. I've often compared roleplaying to acting because to me it is very reminiscent of that. And reminds me of my fun times as a thespian. So "getting into character" for a role for example is much like creating an rp character. Stepping outside one's comfort zone is challenging but can also be very rewarding as well.

[Dravus]

I've never had an issue finding role-play on any of my characters, regardless of the MMO or whether or not they lean towards the morally grey side of things. A good story needs a solid antagonist just as much as it requires a decent protagonist. I like to shake things up a bit and design characters that are protagonists in a story whilst being antagonists in the eyes of many.

My Garlean is charismatic, friendly and generally a decent guy. Most people who encounter him don't even realise that he's part of the Garlean Empire's military - but he genuinely wishes to show Eorzea some tough love and save it by gathering information that can be used to aid in an eventual conquest.

 

I tend to take a lot of inspiration from the wonderful 'Game of Thrones' setting. In many cases, even the characters that behave horribly have their reasons for doing so. Cersei Lannister is often brushed aside as selfish, cruel and manipulative...and yet she isn't lacking in redeeming qualities and if you take the time to understand why she behaves in the manner that she does it isn't difficult to sympathise with her.

 

Of course, a lot of role-players are going to fall into the trap of brushing off anything even remotely morally grey as outright evil, but they tend to be the sort you'd want to avoid anyway.

[Vinter]

In honour of this thread I'll make an effort to increase my character's selfishness and callousness by approximately 15%.

I'm not going to make him pure evil, but I will definitely venture into Chaotic Neutral territory. And that means everyone who stumbles into my path will be sacrificed for my personal benefit. >:3

 

Because Chaotic Neutral is like Godzilla. He doesn't destroy Tokyo because he wants to hurt anyone, it just happened to be in his way.

 

I will be the bane of many a self-professed characters of great moral proclivity.

[K'dath]

He doesn't destroy Tokyo because he wants to hurt anyone. He is indifferent to their suffering because he is a giant nuclear dinosaur.

 

I fixed this for you.

 

---

On a technical note, Godzilla doesn't really do things with intent. CN implies acting to create chaos intentionally, and doing so for the sake inciting of chaos. Godzilla simply acts, making him more True Neutral. Chaos just happens around him as a result of the fact  he's a giant nuclear dinosaur.

[Glimmer Brightmoon]

My thoughts

 

What is the hesitation with playing a criminal mind, or any "baddy" for that matter?

 

A lot of this has been touched on.  A lot has to do with conflict RP, and the difficulty in establishing meaningful longterm RP contacts and friends.  After a while, people tire of associating with someone who is a "bad guy".  Now if played as a "loveable rogue" or Robin Hood type, in my experience what tends to happen is that eventually this character starts to act in a more "heroic" fashion over time, and sort of departs from the rogue model. 

 

Are there any with characters like the one described in the second observation? If so what inspired you to go that route as opposed to the other?

 

I have played nice and sweet characters before, but Glimmer is shaping up to be the closest "white knight" type I have played.  She will help someone because she has a genuine desire.  If she sees someone in danger she won't hesitate to help (I don this ingame all the time as a healer ).

 

Are there any with characters like the one described in the first observation? If so what inspired you to go that route as opposed to the other?

 

The closest I have ever played to that was my character in Age of Conan.  She was a very selfish and manipulative character.  She had a very winning personality, but 9 times out of 10 she was using it to get power.  She was one of my favorite characters that I have played, and one of the only characters that I have retired because her story was told.

 

A character I played in Old Republic was also close.  He was a Sith, and leader of our Sith guild.  He did things that would be considered evil, but he never saw it that way.  He truly believed in the Empire, and that it was the only way to bring safety and security to the galaxy.  To him, the Republic and the Jedi were the "bad guys". 

 

Do you agree or disagree that there needs to be some sort of balance struck?

 

I neither agree nor disagree.  I don't feel like there needs to be X number of "good guys" and Y number of "bad guys".  That being said, diversity in RP is usually a good thing and tends to make things more interesting.

[Zhauric]

-What is the hesitation with playing a criminal mind, or any "baddy" for that matter? 

 

Honestly, I'm kind of surprised there is one. From previous experience I began to feel that it was the reverse that takes place. Way more baddies than goodies. I agree with your point that being 'bad' is not necessarily being an assassin or criminal and maybe some go with the mindset that is what a villan is all about when it can be so much more. One never knows.

 

 -Are there any with characters like the one described in the second observation? If so what inspired you to go that route as opposed to the other? 

 

None for me this time around. It was my first thought but I feel my best character was the shade of grey that may have tempered more onto the darker side. I see the value in both aspects though so understand those that may go the 'white knight' route as it opens a variety of dialogue and inner conflict. But for me, I found a way to make that darker character have that direction as well and found it rather challenging. I try to step outside my personal comfort level in roleplay when possible.

 

-Are there any with characters like the one described in the first observation? If so what inspired you to go that route as opposed to the other? 

 

My character will fall into the first observation in all likelyhood. I do this to step out of my comfort zone. I feel too often some of my characters take on my personality traits and want to force myself to think outside the box. I have only done so a couple of times and enjoyed it thoroughly. The RP partner I had at the time took me to that level which I could not thank her enough since I generally always played the white knight. It was refreshing to go to a different level/new experience. 

 

-Do you agree or disagree that there needs to be some sort of balance struck?

 

While it is nice to have I don't feel there has to be a 'need'. Diversity is nice but it comes down to quality more than anything. If there is a shortage of those who walk a darkery or more grey path then raise the quality that is being held. Network, communicate and bring those under such an aspect together more. It will make a number that totals a few to seem of a greater amount just based on what they bring forward to the community and the roleplay experience shared by all.

 

Plus I'm like others where I'm more of a roleplay what you like and I'll work with it one way or another. Just want all to enjoy themself and have fun *winks* Sometimes things come more naturally for someone playing within themself and I can never fault anyone for that.  

[R'mah]

If anyone is looking for a less than good person to RP with on Balmung feel free to send me a message. Below is a snipit from my character. ^.^ Its much more fun to be a bad guy, far to many goody too shoes out there.

 

 

My character (R'mah Tameo) is somewhat blunt and overbearing most of the time. She despises acts of helping and generosity towards those less fortunate and generally kindness of any form. She feels as though individuals who dont help themselves should simply cease to exist and stop taking up space better utilized by others. Some time ago through events that still make her face flush red with anger, this Hateful Mercenary of the lands acquired the life of another through a chance of fate. A'nzil Oenomaus the cowardly useless waste of air, had been pedaled off to her as a glorious warrior and master chef. One who could assist her as she fulfilled contracts across Eorzea growing wealthy and famous. The incompetent whelp came as an exchange for a debt by a devious captain of the high seas. Determined to get her money's worth out of him one way or another, R'mah employs the lad upon tasks of the most undesirable nature, earning her the title of Cruel Mistress.

 

 

 

[align=center]R'mah Tameo[/align]

 

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"I have a reputation as a woman who will complete any job given to me, it's not a reputation I intend to lose I've worked too hard for it"

[Therese]

My character (R'mah Tameo) is somewhat blunt and overbearing most of the time. She despises acts of helping and generosity towards those less fortunate and generally kindness of any form. She feels as though individuals who dont help themselves should simply cease to exist and stop taking up space better utilized by others. Some time ago through events that still make her face flush red with anger, this Hateful Mercenary of the lands acquired the life of another through a chance of fate. A'nzil Oenomaus the cowardly useless waste of air, had been pedaled off to her as a glorious warrior and master chef. One who could assist her as she fulfilled contracts across Eorzea growing wealthy and famous. The incompetent whelp came as an exchange for a debt by a devious captain of the high seas. Determined to get her money's worth out of him one way or another, R'mah employs the lad upon tasks of the most undesirable nature, earning her the title of Cruel Mistress.

 

lmao, I just read that and kept thinking "R'mah disapproves -12 hearts"

[C'kayah Polaali]

Hahaha, agreed!

 

I'll be in touch, R'mah... 

[R'mah]

Sounds good, anyone looking for me, i get on at about 6 pm eastern.

[Nnejo]

-pouts- And you aren't on Gilgamesh.

[R'mah]

Nyaa Nyaa my lady, i am sorry for that. : (

[S'anhu]

I did not mean for this to turn into such a book. Sorry!

 

tl;dr - Good points in this thread. I went with a good-ish guy because I'm a weenie. But also because I want him to face reality and grow. I may really want to do a baddie now.

 

There have been a ton of good points in this thread for why people don't want to be badguys. And maybe now we've had ample discussion and I'm just throwing my pennies into an empty hallway. Still, this is a topic I'd like to weigh in on.

 

-What is the hesitation with playing a criminal mind, or any "baddy" for that matter? 

I think this one's been answered well enough. Some can't really get into the head of a character like that, or maybe some people just want to be the hero. Others, like me, don't want to run the risk of being shunned for playing a bad character, well, badly. There's certainly nothing wrong with any of that.

 

-Are there any with characters like the one described in the second observation? If so what inspired you to go that route as opposed to the other?

The one character I have certainly fits into this category. He's very much a good person, even if he does illegal things. He's loyal, tries to be friendly, looks for the good in people, and can be idealistic to a sickening degree.

 

 

Now why did I make someone we've all seen twenty-thousand times over? I made a young, naive character not because I'm wildly uncreative and a terrible writer (though if we're being honest, that's a bit of it), but also to give me a bit of a crutch. I haven't done any RP in an MMO, and it's been years since I did any RP at all. So I decided a fresh-faced easy-to-play male would allow me some leeway for when I make mistakes as the writer. I try to do my research and be careful, but I didn't want to mess up and push people away.

 

Of course having a boring one-dimensional character is more than enough to get people away from you without even interacting. So S'anhu is not all happiness and sunshine. Even though he's hard-headed and idealistic, I didn't want him to join a group of people that are wholly good and fight for what's right. I wanted his story to be one of facing the harsher realities of life, which is why I was happy to be invited to the Pirates of a Wayward Star. In order to save his friends, he recently killed two men for the first time, and he's having to deal with the mental and emotional trauma that comes with it. At the same time he's recently fallen for a girl whose business it is to deal in secrets. She offers comfort, but can he trust her? How will he cope with the thoughts that he is a murderer? Will he freeze up next time he gets in a similar situation? And if he does deal with his demons, will he stick around in his relationship? Are his feelings genuine or are they simply because she offers support in a difficult time for him? I could have made a jaded character and dealt with this kind of stuff in backstories, but it's very fun to do it with other players and allow his current friends help him through this and grow as a person. Maybe he will be jaded someday, and perhaps if things go very south he can become warped enough to be a baddie himself. But it's this process and internal struggle that I find more appealing to RP.

 

I also tend to be a very reactionary player. I have some personal points and things that S'anhu will have to deal with, but pretty much the rest of it I do by the seat of my pants. Bad guys have a lot more responsibility and planning to do, from what I've seen. If they're not a proper threat then the "good guys" will just jump all over them, beat them away, and then they're done like the latest Monster of the Week. And it's no fun to put lots of work into a character only to have him or her beaten back so easily.

 

That's all just me, though.

 

-Are there any with characters like the one described in the first observation? If so what inspired you to go that route as opposed to the other?

I have none right now. I will admit, though, that this thread has made me reconsider who my next character will be. I certainly want a different kind of character, and maybe now I can feel a little more confident in my skills so I can push my comfort zone. Should my character need some more lively subjects for research, I'm sure he could get involved with The Blackwater Company.

 

But for now I'm keeping my focus on one character. He's a bit of a handful as-is. If I roll another my already-slow progression will come to a grinding halt. I also need to flesh out this new character more. He's going to need a lot of lore-reading, and I'll probably have to do some storyline spoiling to get him up in any reasonable amount of time. Eventually!

 

-Do you agree or disagree that there needs to be some sort of balance struck?

I definitely think that it's difficult to have a good story without proper conflict. But this can also be done with a difference of ideologies. I guess what I really want to say is I am in full support of more baddies. And I'm sure as people get more comfortable or get settled in with their current characters more will show up.

 

I do want to say that Ambrosia is an excellent place to be. Wayward Star goes there pretty often. Unfortunately it seems that our stuff keeps catching up to us every time. And just about the only time I've seen Y'vali was when I was new and still very nervous. ;_; I'm sorry! It's not your character, I promise!

 

I'd love to get a little more into the dealings that go on there, though. From what little bits of information I've gotten IC it sounds like there's a ton of excellent RP going on there. Now that would be a way to drop poor S'anhu into the deep end of "harsh realities." There should be plenty more interaction come Masquerade time, though.

 

*tosses his two cents to clatter across the floor and runs out*

[Michikyou]

Good guys

I agree there are many nice-minded character. Coming from GW and having played a character that was political intrigue and evilness all the time it wore me out so I made a 'good' character. From my previous experiences not many people could separate my IC actions from my OOC personality to the point where if my character had spies running a muck about the place people would oocly cuss me out or send me death threats etc. Hence my reasoning from sating away from any political drama.

 

Jerks/Bad guys

as I stated above, many people are very attached to their own characters and do not like any sort of negative reaction to them. People may see mean or jerkish characters actions as a personal attack and they generally are avoided by most people.

[Nnejo]

-pouts- Seems all the fun is on Balmung. :cry:

[Michikyou]

-pouts- Seems all the fun is on Balmung. :cry:

 

You could move over; join my awesome family. Make an alt ;D

[Nnejo]

-pouts- Seems all the fun is on Balmung. :cry:

 

You could move over; join my awesome family. Make an alt ;D

 

I'm not much of an alt girl. I exhaust all my efforts into one character, I find it is easier for me

[Tobias Nightbringer]

I'm not much of an alt girl. I exhaust all my efforts into one character, I find it is easier for me

 

This ^. So much this ^

 

I'm trying so bad to start on my alts, but I feel Tobias glaring at me like I'm cheating on him T.T BB nooooo, you're my one and only main, come baaaaaaack *chases after his char*

[Torch Maranda]

I think the problem you may be encountering might be related to the "burlesque club" concept, to be honest. Some RPers are going to see that, think "front for ERP," and dismiss the character and the group.

 

The problem, as Freelance said, is the perception that all it is is a front for ERP. It's kind of ridiculous.

 

You mean it's not?!

 

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