Yeah, people do tend to fit into certain character types, huh? Looking back I always play characters who're really powerful in whatever they do (what can I say, my first experiences were with power gamers), but always, let me stress, always filled with doubt. I also love driven characters, ones who have one main purpose for living, and though they are generally (hehe) good, they will do just about anything for this cause. (Hope my GM isn't reading this) One of my favorite things about them is that almost everything that sucks in their lives (which is usually a lot) can be traced either to what they are or what they've done. Let me tell you about my three favorite characters to illustrate.
First off is a human (most of mine are humans) by the name of Virago Animi (all my names have cool meanings that play into who they are). He is a sorcerer, but I player with the whole magic blood thing and even developed a group of feats for him. Are you famiiar with Draconic feats from Complete Arcane (D&D)? Well, I developed a whole new line of those for a different bloodline, which is what Virago gets his power from - illithids. An ancestor of his long ago disappeared while adventuring and returned very much changed (i.e. he was experimented on by our tentacled friends). He returned to his hometome, and, utilizing his "gifts" became it's ruler. Now, the family is no longer the rulers, but they are still a rather rich noble family. However, every generation a child, just one child, is born with violet eyes, and this child is destined to be a sorcerer, often living up to the illithid blood in him/her in every way. This child is a mark of family shame, and is always hated, sometimes even killed, but always hated and rejected by the rest of the family. You guessed it, Virago is this generations lucky boy. I'm going to skip a lot of details (I make really long character histories...) but he got out and began adventuring. This, however, is what I love about him. He has decided to embrace that part of him that he hates most-his illithid blood and the powers it gives him. Why? Because, even though he was abused and hated by his family, he loves them, and his pride in his family is what's most important to him. He is going to become a great and powerful sorcerer for one thing only-so he can then use his great magic to purge his family's bloodline. But the big question is, what then happens to him? After all, he'll be wiping out the source of his powers. So, when that moment comes can he do it? Can he relinquish the power to reshape reality as he sees fit to do what he thinks is best for those he loves, even though it might destroy him? I love it. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to play him very much at all. I hope to do so sometime, because I can't wait to see what happens to him, and what decision he'll make in that far off future.
Well, I don't think I wanna saturate you with my other characters, and perhaps Virago's good enough to illustrate. I love dark characters, with deep doubts, serious emotional problems, dark pasts, but always a chance for redemption. In short I love characters that I would think are interesting and that tie in to certain aspects of my personality. For instance, several of my characters have my rage as an important feature of my personality. Others my compassion. It really depends. I like characters the GMs can play with, but also ones that no matter the situation, it'll still be interesting just because it's that character.
Well, I hope my little dissertation on Virago there didn't sound like bragging. What can I say-my characters are almost like my children and so I'm pretty proud of them. Heaven help me, though, if I have children like my characters. And I'm a writer, so I love interesting characters, and try to make mine as interesting as possible.
Well, that's my characters.
Yeah, people do tend to fit into certain character types, huh? Looking back I always play characters who're really powerful in whatever they do (what can I say, my first experiences were with power gamers), but always, let me stress, always filled with doubt. I also love driven characters, ones who have one main purpose for living, and though they are generally (hehe) good, they will do just about anything for this cause. (Hope my GM isn't reading this) One of my favorite things about them is that almost everything that sucks in their lives (which is usually a lot) can be traced either to what they are or what they've done. Let me tell you about my three favorite characters to illustrate.
First off is a human (most of mine are humans) by the name of Virago Animi (all my names have cool meanings that play into who they are). He is a sorcerer, but I player with the whole magic blood thing and even developed a group of feats for him. Are you famiiar with Draconic feats from Complete Arcane (D&D)? Well, I developed a whole new line of those for a different bloodline, which is what Virago gets his power from - illithids. An ancestor of his long ago disappeared while adventuring and returned very much changed (i.e. he was experimented on by our tentacled friends). He returned to his hometome, and, utilizing his "gifts" became it's ruler. Now, the family is no longer the rulers, but they are still a rather rich noble family. However, every generation a child, just one child, is born with violet eyes, and this child is destined to be a sorcerer, often living up to the illithid blood in him/her in every way. This child is a mark of family shame, and is always hated, sometimes even killed, but always hated and rejected by the rest of the family. You guessed it, Virago is this generations lucky boy. I'm going to skip a lot of details (I make really long character histories...) but he got out and began adventuring. This, however, is what I love about him. He has decided to embrace that part of him that he hates most-his illithid blood and the powers it gives him. Why? Because, even though he was abused and hated by his family, he loves them, and his pride in his family is what's most important to him. He is going to become a great and powerful sorcerer for one thing only-so he can then use his great magic to purge his family's bloodline. But the big question is, what then happens to him? After all, he'll be wiping out the source of his powers. So, when that moment comes can he do it? Can he relinquish the power to reshape reality as he sees fit to do what he thinks is best for those he loves, even though it might destroy him? I love it. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to play him very much at all. I hope to do so sometime, because I can't wait to see what happens to him, and what decision he'll make in that far off future.
Well, I don't think I wanna saturate you with my other characters, and perhaps Virago's good enough to illustrate. I love dark characters, with deep doubts, serious emotional problems, dark pasts, but always a chance for redemption. In short I love characters that I would think are interesting and that tie in to certain aspects of my personality. For instance, several of my characters have my rage as an important feature of my personality. Others my compassion. It really depends. I like characters the GMs can play with, but also ones that no matter the situation, it'll still be interesting just because it's that character.
Well, I hope my little dissertation on Virago there didn't sound like bragging. What can I say-my characters are almost like my children and so I'm pretty proud of them. Heaven help me, though, if I have children like my characters. And I'm a writer, so I love interesting characters, and try to make mine as interesting as possible.
Well, that's my characters.