AUGUST 14, 2024
by Keaira
<aside> đ This is my contribution to Autocratikâs event happening during the month of August aimed to talk more about the hobby of table top roleplaying games.
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There is a lot to say about characters in roleplaying games - whether it is the main player character or the non-player character (even though in some games, they are still played by players). But picking a specific game - or even ten - here doesnât feels right. Even the best game with best tools can fall flat if there is no excitement on the player side, or no time to uncover the layers of their character, their background, shades and quirks. And similarly, a game that would otherwise not shine on the paper can shine as the best memory in hands of creative people.
There are some things that in my opinion do support compelling player characters, taking away the most important factor of player imagination, and that are their goals. In this sense, I will mention Good Society again (RPGaDAY 2024: Most often played RPG (Day 3)) - because I believe the way the character creation is wrapped around their desire (which can be hidden in a in-person game and represented by a quote), is giving even the least experienced players something to really lean on. I believe DramaSystem is similar in this basic concept but with more generality (and I am yet to be convinced it makes things better, thought I lack enough experience to analyze the comparison).
One of the best game because of compelling characters in it that will forever be in my memory, was using a system that I would never otherwise pick to play - ADnD 2e. However, thanks to wonderful approach of GM Lord Cas who truly has a talent of making all his NPCs feel alive, and a group of players that concentrated more on creating music (writing great rap about a mother bear), helping people and protecting their pony, than adventuring for gold and fame, at the end of the run, we left behind a village full of memories and funny, but also heartwarming stories, even with a war raging in the background. We will never forget Geoffrey; you did not die for the apples in vainâŚ
Until now, I was able to recommend and sort games in my head that fit specific prompt, but here I struggle, as compelling characters are not bound to any system, setting or game-length. The games I was lucky to be part of vouch for that: an old spy living in retirement in a apple-producing village in danger of kobold attack, or a good daughter of viscount family, who caused a scandal posing for an art piece and died in a shipwreck, or a mercenary leader full of speeches about saving everyone and then jumping on a first ship out when the opportunity arose. A cat emperor who orders other cats to carry him around. Count Monte Cristo plotting revenge cause of cheese. A young tutor theorizing about moon being a cheese during a hunt. A ghost lingering about to protect his daughter only to find she made a deal with a demon and he has to sacrifice himself to destroy her. An innocent telenovela character who is taking care of and singing to horses only to uncover the real truth 100 episodes in: she hates horses.
System doesnât matter.