Game Dream 3: Is It Me or Is It Memorex?
Some people play RPGs to enjoy a viewpoint or way of acting that they just couldn’t do in real life. Others seem to play characters whose motivations are more their own. And some folks do all of the above and everything in between 🙂 What character of yours was most like you “in real life”? Which of your characters is the least like you? Which did you find more fun to play, and why?
Most like: Since I have a tendency to play various aspects of my own personality in the characters I write up, that’s a tough one to narrow down. Off the top of my head, probably Dag, the unsophisticated but good-hearted scout/pilot from Doyce’s “Prince of Alderaan” Star Wars campaign. Always slightly out of sync with the rest of the group, always a bit awkward socially, but dedicated to the cause, and sincere (and square) to the point of “I can’t believe I’m doing this, but …” he was probably the closest “nice guy” I’ve done.
Runners Up include Morrigan (angsty Loner ‘R’ Us), Sian (ditto, with a stick up her posterior that won’t quit), and Grinthorn (clowning bard).
Most unlike: Hands-down it has to be Ken from Doyce’s current Sorcerer “Bibliophage” campaign. He’s just a mean prick, “arrogant and ruthless,” and while it’s sometimes frighteningly easy to play him, he’s not only not me, he’s not even my “dark side.” He’s just … not nice. Aside from his devotion to familial duty, of course. In general, when it comes to judging what Ken will do next, I simply choose whatever I wouldn’t do.
Runners Up include Hanthor (far too bluff and confident a fellow), Shishiko (far too simply fun-loving and irresponsible), and Edward (the irritating Amberite assassin with only a hint of a heart of gold).
As to which is most fun to play … hmmmm. Depends, I guess. The ones Like Me let me sort of play with (usually unconsciously) elements of my personality outside the usual bounds of my Real Life. Ken, and the other Not-Mes are very … palate-cleansing. But all of them have had their moments, and doubtless will continue to.
I find playing characters that are more like me easier, for obvious reasons. But, as you pointed out, playing a vastly different character can be very cathartic 🙂
“Tork SMASH!”
D