The Heart of a PC

[[DM] Grinning Death]

All this talk about character builds and RP has gotten me curious. I've been on the server for a little while, and I've seen characters (as well as players) come and go, and then come back. Dwarves, elves, humans, gnomes, you name it. And I find myself reflecting on what characters really stood out in my mind, and why.

Was it their typing style? Was it their classes? Their faction? Was it something they did, or how they reacted to other characters?

And I think I've figured out an answer (or at least, for myself). It's those PC's that had a question at the heart of their character that really stood out in my mind. It could be a deceptively simple question such as 'What is right?' or a more complex one such as 'Is vengeance the right choice?'. I think that it's that unanswerable problem that lies at the center of a PC's identity that really creates the conflict and RP that makes a character come alive.

What do you guys think? What makes a PC really seem believable, really seem a real person?

[Taintedglory]

Proper and believable thought put in Actions. Its simple really.

PC who like harming others just because they can have no real reason to stand around Public Conversation places and complain that there is a conversation going on. That's not a believable action for a PC.

PCs who believe in the safety and protection of others who actively go out and look for people to protect and keep safe, even though OOCly their level is way to low to actually help, seem more believable in their actions.

Also People who don't stand around in armor while in Taverns or keep their weapons sheathed as they walk through a town, those guys I look at with a more believable look.

I make fun of my players in my Real Life Campaign I run when they go to towns. Alot of times they don't take their armor off when they get to the Inn when they rent their rooms. They sit around or walk around the city in big, Bulky, Uncomfortable armor. I throw in little things like "The seat cracks under your weight" or "You scare the hell out of the Shop owner when you walk in sporting an arsenal of weapons"

[Kitsunestume]

And I think I've figured out an answer (or at least, for myself). It's those PC's that had a question at the heart of their character that really stood out in my mind. It could be a deceptively simple question such as 'What is right?' or a more complex one such as 'Is vengeance the right choice?'. I think that it's that unanswerable problem that lies at the center of a PC's identity that really creates the conflict and RP that makes a character come alive.

What do you guys think? What makes a PC really seem believable, really seem a real person?

I'm inclined to agree with this point, because an unmotivated wanderere gets rather boring, and really difficult to follow along. (In the case of my P&P group, the only motivation I have to make them move at all is stealing directly from them)

Also, I'm a firm beliver in the 'perfection if boring' ideology: I make every one of my chars with a particular quirk central to how they play. Some are highly obvious, like Kurai/Araman's inability to communicate across a campfire in anything other than italics. Other times, it's more subtle, like Kit's disassotiative personalities, but a significant factor in RP.

[FoogooFish]

What do you guys think? What makes a PC really seem believable, really seem a real person?

To me, the detail of emoting is important. What we as players see on the screen is a collection of pixels that do not have facial reactions or body language aside from the default breathing and weird, random twitching. (Why am I suddenly crouched down and looking around all paranoid-like? ) It is thus the job of the player behind the character to convey, through dialogue or emotes, how the character behaves. I am more immersed when someone describes how their character is looking at surroundings, scratching a nose/chin/butt, polishing armor, sharpening swords, etc. The actions that are being represented outside the usual dialogue are what breathes life into characters for me.

[ManUtd4Ever]

What do you guys think? What makes a PC really seem believable, really seem a real person?

The characters on this server I have enjoyed the most are the ones played by persons who can really express themselves. It makes me want to get close enough to hear what they are talking about, even if I am not communicating directly with them.

I also like characters who stick to their principals even when at a disadvantage. If you combine an effective ability to communicate with a strong willed/principaled character - they become real to me, even if I don't like their character.

My only RP dislike is romance. I am not criticizing those that do... Its just not my style.

Cheers!

[Phantom Lamb]

Two things stand out for me: doubt and flaws.

Doubt, as noted above, is those unanswerable questions at the center of the PCs life. A fun PC for me to interact with is one who is open to alternatives and doesn't have a predetermined idea on everything.

Also, flaws really make someone come alive in my eyes. There are gimmicky flaws, like scars and stutters, and these are nice. But the better ones are flaws that lead a character into trouble and conflict. Flaws like arrogance, a brash tongue, and fear. Yes, actual fear. I almost never see PCs scared of things unless a DM is around. I appreciate it all the more when the rare one does behave fearfully.

[Kaizen]

Longevity, and sticking to your character.

Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix were great, yes, but were they amazing? We'll never know - they didn't have a long enough career to ever prove that. And many an amazing celebrity (Be it in comedy - Dane Cook comes to mind - music, acting) faded out after peeking in just a few years.

It's very easy to make an impressionable and unique character and keep with it for a month or two. It's very hard to make an impressionable and unique character and keep in that same character for half a year or more.

I know this, because I'm guilty of up and dropping characters (IE: All of them) in the middle of whatever after a few weeks. It's shit RP, it ruins many a people's day if they were at all involved with what your PC was doing, and can muddle up a DM's plans. It also shows that your character lacked interesting facets and faults and depths that could keep a story running.

And if you don't have a PC that can't add to the many stories of RP, then you might as well Redshirt them.

[Chiangtao]

Amazing and Dane Cook in the same sentence. You just lost points, bud.

[Snowmane]

Building relationships between PCs helps as well. Other PCs feel more real to me when I see them interacting as more than just members of an adventuring group, but as people who are familiar with each other. Be it friendship, romance, dislike, disdain, whatever. It shows that the characters both have histories that led to the current state of their relationship.

It's because of Maneae's relationship with Emiliana Blackwell and Zane Mirna that she has pretty become my main Sundren character.

Other examples I have seen: Bren Vellus and Natiel, Zane Mirna and Mythradin Aloufin, Zane Mirna and Decado, Ryland Padant and Vilmar.

[Waverider10]

What do you guys think? What makes a PC really seem believable, really seem a real person?

I don't think there is an answer to this since involves each players own opinion. When I first came to Sundren many moons ago, I saw a lot of what people where talking about here in this thread. I still see it today actually. However, when you've got a bunch of people who've all got some emotional baggage, physical deformity, or crazy behavior, their PCs don't seem real to me. Of course some of them are interesting and some of the players have great RPing abilities.

I created a LN fighter a while ago who was just plain ordinary. He was just trying to make a living and maybe start a farm. I got involved with some groups and into some DM events along with the day to day RPing. To me that character was real but not very memorable.

Another friend of mine who played a chaotic Barb was sitting at a campfire listening to a person go on about there "life issues". It was a really well done backstory and the player was a great RPer but honestly, what I remember about that was my friend doing concentration checks every so often and when he failed he'd start snoring.

So, I don't nessessarily agree that you have some internal struggle (Man vs himself). I think great character can also come from Man vs nature and man vs man.

[[DM] Grinning Death]

I don't think there is an answer to this since involves each players own opinion.

Exactly my point, which is why I made sure to add in that bit about it being my own personal opinion

And the classic examples of conflict are excellent ways to go about defining what makes good interaction. It's simply my own personal view that man vs. himself is the most interesting and sustainable way to keep a character going past a few weeks (as Kaizen has noted).

Man vs. nature is a tougher conflict type to have constantly, because nature is dependent purely on DM interaction (and believe me, we wish it wasn't). And nature in this case is shifting and fluid change that your character reacts to.

Man vs. man is also an excellent motivator, but I think that without a firm set of beliefs that is generated from that other man vs. himself conflict, is doomed to less than stellar interactions.

[Waverider10]

For the man vs man... I'm actually thinking up a Character concept that really is more of a Man vs society (Sundren in general) which is really "the man" too. He is at odds with its people through his past, its stricter laws and government control, and factions which have emerged. Sounds like a Veritas agent but its a bit more. I made throw in a little personality twist too.

But I'll agree with you that Man vs himself is easiest to rely on to RP but when you mentioned them being believable and real well... I don't think people are as openly crazy realistically as some put forth here. Although, this is fantasy!

[Standur]

My most enjoyable PC's have a hook of some kind. I like playing Ryland for the plot line and alliances he is trying to build. I like playing Ashard, well because I like playing a vain, self-concerned, preening *pauses* wait does that say something about me? I also enjoy emoting with other PC's to see how they react and behave.

[Root]

What makes characters memorable, right at their core?

Weaknesses. Wrap them in strength all you like. Without them, a PC is empty.

[Doubtful]

Flaws, weaknesses and a personality that's open to new experiences.

Almost nothing looses my attention quicker than characters who're perfect and unchanging.