Heroes Revisited

From: Peter Nordstrand <doctorpeace_at_...>
Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2001 16:41:51 +0100 (CET)



The Hero Player Character

Not every campaign is about the player heroes becoming Heroes with capital H, and not every player is interested in playing such a character. But here is the advice I would give to players wanting to create a character with potential for herodom. This text is really not about game mechanics, so I have chosen to post it on this list.

  1. Make sure that your hero has some unusual qualities that separates her from the rest of society. Something that makes her special.

"Jasoran has a special relationship with
    the winds, and has an inborn ability to fly."

2. Your hero should have some kind of foundation in society. You need Allies, Followers and Contacts. Make sure that your hero has the potential to increase her Relationship ratings during play. In play, support your society. Be generous to your friends and allies, and they will offer their help and support when you need it. In short: Act for the good of your society, not for just yourself.

3. Think about your hero's goals, values and outlook on life. Then allow those values to be challenged in the game. A hero needs to develop spiritually. Create a hero with the potential to change his mind. Someone who is able to learn new things, to grow. (Even a stubborn, single-minded disaster of a human being like Arkat changed, grew and discovered new truths.) In order to do this, YOU must be able to challenge YOUR goals, values and outlook on life, and on role-playing. Why not give your hero a few flaws that she will have to overcome in order to prevail?     

"Orlaront is a traditionalist."

"Ernaldesta, a devotee of Chalana Arroy, mistrusts

    strangers, and have trouble cooperating with men."

"Vanstakos wants to be everyones friend, and
     avoids conflict at all cost."

4. Use symbols and symbolism a lot, when describing your hero's attitudes, appearance and actions. Let the fact that Orlaront is a traditionalist show in his dress, his manner of speech, and his choice of household pet.

5. Take charge! Action over reaction! Don't just wait for the narrator to throw new challenges at you. You should be actively pursuing your goals. They are not just there for colour. Be creative. Try to find new, unexpected ways of solving the problems at hand. If you need to get up close and personal with queen Martolaz of the Sazdorf, why not use your Carve Wooden Figures ability, instead of your Hack'n'slash ability? This will be more fun, and it will create much more exciting stories.

And the stories are really what being a hero is all about.

Did I forget anything?

/Peter Nordstrand



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