Interesting post by Robin Laws about “inactivist” characters — PCs that are defined more by what they won’t do than what they will.
Memorable characterization occurs when a PC actively moves the story in a new direction ? not when he fails to act or prevents others from acting. A player who thinks a possible action violates his sense of the character should, instead of doing nothing, find an alternate, suitable action.
Wow. How simple. And yet it’s a trap I know I’ve fallen into. I tend to write up characters more about how their own choices are hemmed in by their own hang-ups. And here’s the simple advice he passes on to (as the player) address it:
a.) List three things you character will always do, whenever possible.
b.) Review the list at the beginning of each session.
c.) Pick the one that seems to relate to the scenario at hand.
d.) Try to move events in the story so you can actively do this thing.
I like it. Now I have to do it.
(via 20×20)