Long term character goals and roles

psikeout · Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 8:20 pm

Earlier, I was looking at our cast and where the story has taken them. Though I've known it for a while, I've begun to more seriously realize that we may have some things to consider in order to continue to have a story to RP, and continue using the characters we have without defaulting to worn-out plot devices and motivations.

To put it bluntly, it seems to me that most of our cast is mired in a sea of indifference. They sort of care about one another, enough that they do not want to see bad things happen, and enough that they would help each other, but no one has strong bonds of friendship. They don't want the world to fall to pieces, but they're not inclined to organize and go chasing after problems themselves; instead, they just get snared in outside conflicts and disasters that drag them along against their will. While a couple may be the kind of characters who would "adventure" just for the fun or chaos of it (lookin' at you, Ember), given an opportunity, many seem like they'd just as soon run off into the sunset and live happily-ever-after as far away from conflict as possible if only they had the chance.

That's not the best recipe for an ongoing ensemble-cast story with no foreseeable ending point. Those characters do have their place, and it'd be unrealistic if every single character was some kind of go-getter hero (and we'd probably be unsettled if Mako suddenly became that), but it doesn't change the fact that we gotta have a reason to keep going. So far we've only been able to because we've literally had some of these characters in a chain-of-misfortune stranglehold from which they couldn't escape ever since the beginning of Chapter 3.

So, I think maybe now's a good time to start taking inventory of what kind of characters we play, and what they're really after story-wise — and what's going to keep them going.

First, indulge me for a minute and take a look at this little article-thang I made here some time ago: Roles

Now, think: Which is your character? How has it changed role from chapter to chapter (if it's been in more than one chapter)? Where's he or she actually heading, or trying to head? And is that destination somewhere that will actually keep him or her in the story?

Maybe I'll break it down with a few of my characters. You don't hafta read this, but if you want to, it's here.

Anyway, as you may see above, my personal approach is to make characters then retire them once they no longer have reason to be a part of the story. I might bring them back later, but for the time being? Irrelevant. Meanwhile, I try to keep a main character who is extremely driven. Things don't have to happen to him to involve him, because he has his own agenda, and the will and determination to pursue things on his own.

I'm not suggesting a bunch of other people do the exact same thing. Instead, I'd like to think there is a way to keep virtually any character involved, with enough effort. But it'd definitely help if most folks had a character who had the sort of heroic (or antagonistic!) personality that would make him or her stay in pursuit of action without needing to be overly cajoled or ensnared by outside forces. As it stands, I think a good chunk of our cast would just as soon escape and never be seen again if only calamities would stop interrupting them (just as some of my own characters have already). And... honestly, the calamitous chain's gotta give way sooner or later. It'd be cool to see some stories driven by player character agendas rather than just by Eggman oppression, dangerous macguffins, or purpose-made-antagonist-agendas, you know?

Anyway, if you're up for the task of considering it, I'd encourage you to reply and do this sort of evaluation yourself. It might be fun to pick one of your duders and strive to smack it with some sort of character development that changes its outlook and makes it determined to accomplish something, even if it's as tame as chasing its own subplot of some kind, or as aggressive as picking an enemy force to engage to the bitter end and setting off on the warpath.

Post if you dare, or if you didn't fall asleep reading this.

Zaka51 · Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 8:50 pm

I think I may as well include my little one bit here.

I'm working with two characters in the Chun-Nan arc, and they're basically in their own subplot that works parallel to everyone else--or hopefully does, anyway. There's Tyra, who is searching for someone who is caught up in the Li Fang story, and then there's the mysterious mouse man, who is working with/for Li Fang for short-term profit and long-term power, along with a few obscure but strong ambitions.

I am hoping that Miss Tyra Gulo will find new motivations as this dramatic crime story evolves on. She won't lose sight of her search, that's what matters most to her, but after that's resolved, her continued involvement depends on finding something else to convince her to accompany the main group of characters. Because if she doesn't find a reason to stick around, then...she won't.

Seafarinhare · Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 9:15 pm

I suppose I can take a moment to analyze my characters.

Archer is a Specialist. He's also an antagonist, as his motivation; simple as it may be(money) puts him in confrontation with the good guys more often than not. It's a simple motivation, and I would say there's more to it, because there's alot of ways to make money that doesn't put him in contention with the good guys, but he chooses this. I just haven't thought of it, yet.

Wild Badge, I wanna say, is also a Specialist; but he's also comic relief for obvious reasons. His motivation is simple. The pursuit of Justice. He doesn't need a reason to jump into the fray when someone is doing something he perceives as bad or wrong. He will put a stop to it. And he has a number of gadgets and vehicles that can assist him and his friends. He's also got a luchadore sidekick!(Kidding...)

Also, to a degree, he can play the role of Vigilante, but I feel like anyone he works with, grows on him on a personal level, even if it's not mutual, so he's not REAALLY a loner. He plays well with others.

Ivan... Probably alot easier to involve than is evidenced by his lack of involvement. He sails around for the fun of it, goes where he wants 'cuz a pirate is free. Hell, his original creation was due to Knuckles being hard to involve, so yeah. His motivation though, is not so clear(booze aside). His role? Haven't really thought about it, but I suppose if the situation suits it, a benefactor(his ship? It's pretty big), or supporter. Maybe even just comic relief.

Kazz · Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 9:22 pm

Mako
Has remained Support throughout his playing existence from late chapter 1 to present. Specialist, too, whenever there's water involved.

At first glance of this I was kind of worried about this, but on further thought, I'm... not that worried about him, I guess. He's most assuredly a support character at best, and will never ever ever ever ever ever ever (five minutes later) ever be a gung-ho hero, as stated. But that said

For all he complains, Mako has his own... method of things, I suppose. He doesn't have to get involved in at least a few of the things he does. (He could easily have just stayed in the oasis during the chapter 4 finale, after all.) He's admittedly more reactionary than one to leap to action, but he probably does want to do something or another and try to be whatever help he can be. Just not a Big Damn Hero.

That said, he does suffer a bit from not really doing much that's meaningful. Phoo. I just delight too much in making him suffer.
I'd really rather like to give him a chance to grow/get more involved instead of just being the buttmonkey 24/7, halp

Theoretical, I'm-guessing role in the story: To help out when he can, whenever that is. And to complain a lot while he does.

Rodolf
Has been lingering around as Support, buuut could probably work out as a Leader(tm), since he's the sort to actively... take... action. (This conflicts with my OoC reluctance to take action and do story-important things for fear of borking them up.) Hasn't been particularly active, tho', but isn't hard to slot into whatever mess is going on, due to that whole "kind of like a unicorn batman" thing.

Theoretical, I'm-guessing role in the story: To right the wrongs of his day or whatever. Will actively chuck himself into whatever's going on around him.

Murdoch
Disruptor. He exists, and always will exist, to be an annoying, loud, foul-mouthed, bad-smelling pain in the ass. (Though he did help out a bit come the beginning of chapter 4; could be used as a sort of reluctant Vigilante, provided someone for the ~*side of the right*~ can convince him that doing so and so is in his best interest and/or pay him.)

Theoretical, I'm-guessing role in the story: The furthering of his greatness. Really relishes torking people off, too. Great if we ever start a bar fight; otherwise just has a knack for showing up just in time to be annoying, then shimmy off again.

(Not going over Corin, because he only appears when the story calls for him. Big will probably go off on his own, too, once he's not stuck with the group in order to get home.)

Mie · Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 9:38 pm

Jam

Ch.1 saw Jam as a Specialist/Supporter working indirectly for Rekk via Rock. Her skillset was not expressly a "path-opening/enabling" one, ergo, she was pretty much half and half. Her motivation was pretty sophomoric, in that it was essentially, "Hey, cool; zombie robots. I guess I don't have to go to work today. Let's blow some s**t up."

In ch.2, she definitely shifted into more of a Supporter/Deadweight role, depending on how morose her ineptitude had her feeling in a given thread. Initially just accompanying Rock, her Specialist status was revoked courtesy of Seven, and it remained so up until the finale, wherein she may have even dabbled in Leader-ism. I will say that her motivation from that point on, had nothing to the with Rock for once; suffice to say, she had red in her ledger, and she wanted to wipe it out.

Ch.3, Jam pretty much reverted to being a Specialist to Rock's ventures, which, hey, she was actually getting paid for, for once, so that was pretty much all the motivation she needed for the proverbial pebble to be kicked off the hill. As the events played out, and things grew darker and more dire (and especially after Rock's altercation with Tracer), her drive became one of protectiveness.

In ch. 4, Jam was only too happy to jump ship, and turn some of her pent up wrath on her former allies as comeuppance for what she considered to be poor treatment of Rock, and by extension, herself. Though not entirely in the loop as to precisely what the plan was at all times, she became a willing Special-Supporting-Disruptor. By chapter four's end, even though she assists Rock in essentially saving the world, by sentiment alone, she's still pretty much classified as a Disruptor in danger of becoming a full-on antagonist.

Ch.5, Jam's intentions are murky, and the only thing that is clear is that she's sticking with Rock, wherever that takes her. She remains a Specialist, but even together with Rock and Tau, is pretty much a loner type of character, and her bitterness towards 99% of the cast doesn't really forecast sunny skies.

Overall Goal / Motivation: Though she would never really phrase it as such, Jam feels, above all, inclined to protect Rock. He certainly doesn't need her to, but she feels driven to avenge his honor/integrity/character/missing ear (in some cases) on his behalf since he so seldom does.This keeps her pretty closely and very resolutely tied to him as a Specialist on good days, and a supporter on others. Her anger and resentment leaves her on uneven moral footing, and I'd be interested in pursuing that lead, especially with all the new resources at her disposal.

Tabitha

Introduced in Ch.4 as a Specialist with intent to move into a leadership position, but that never really got off the ground. Tabby was only interested in restoring freedom to the people, breaking the tyrannical chains of robotic oppression, and lots of other flowery allusions to fascist rule. While the Eggman Empire was mostly overthrown, she isn't entirely trusting of the Chimera regime, but has not organized any formal stand against them. She could theoretically continue in the story, but for now, has returned to business as usual.

Overall Goal / Motivation: Idyllic, utopian society, with singing flickies, and love and peace and all that jazz. For now, she hands out flyers, starts petitions, organizes charity marathons, and participates in other varied philanthropic activities that ultimately do and mean nothing.

Latika

Debuted as of ch.5 as a Supporter... Mmmmaybe a Specialist. Not sure how important "carrying lots of stuff really far" is. Lati's a sheltered, small-town girl, tired of her boring provincial life, and wants to get out and see the world before settling down with her betrothed. Her curiosity is insatiable, and drives her to see and do and try all the things she's only read about up until now. Naturally, she's a little naive, but is an extremely compassionate individual, and tries to help anyone in need.

Overall Goal / Motivation: Get her fill of the world and everything it has to offer before returning to Bhatguri to work, reproduce, and die, just like everyone in her family before her. That being said, "her fill" is a very ambiguous quantity.

MuffinUnsane · Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 9:47 pm

Ember is a Specialist.

To be honest, I didn't expect to remain in a rp for so long. Therefore, I'm afraid I kinda faltered on why she sticks around. I plan on fixing that without retconning the character.

She dislikes being alone and enjoys 'action/adventure'. So she would tag along whichever way a group would go. Not much of a leader however.

Overall Goal / Motivation: So far, I can say she lacks a true goal. She's concerned with filling her life with as much as there is to offer. There is no planning for the future and as far as she's concerned, no need to plan. It seems though, as she sees more of the world she's starting to get some sense of purpose.

I suppose I really do need to work on her. I am terribly sorry.

Sheff · Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 9:49 pm

Geoff
Has pretty much been a Specialist since the minute he's been generating crystal since Chp. 1. Although at first been willing to assist where needed (mostly concerning the boxing tournament and Chaosol Emerald searching in Chp. 2), his attitude has obviously been deteriorating to a state where he is one of the previously mentioned group; completely willing to walk away and live in peace.

Now, of course, I obviously don't want there to be a chance for that to happen. The only way I foresee an option to avoid such a conclusion would be to nail some proper character development. Geoff has a good heart, even if it doesn't show in the most blatant ways, and I think it'd be possible to drive something into his mind to continue his not volunteered (so far) "heroic" side. I already have an idea or two rolling around in my head on that matter.

Omnis
So far has only appeared as a Supporter in Chp. 3b for a short period of time before disappearing for unknown reasons at the beginning of Chp. 4. Using his own past as a moral (being controlled by his insane creator, knowing the fates of helpless victims back on the Nocturnus planet, etc.), Omnis has a certain drive to do good when there is a chance. Could easily be one to try to rally up others if its needed.

I fully intend to bring him back into play at the first chance I see, continuing his role as a Supporter and perhaps becoming a Specialist over time (the capability of copying others and all that).

--

Lance won't be analyzed thanks to the fact he hasn't even popped up in any of the threads yet, and Shadow is... Shadow. Chances are we won't see him for a long, long time.

Rachel · Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 10:05 pm

This is indeed food for thought. I haven't sat down and thought about my characters and their involvement in a while.

Jack
I've been struggling with her as of late, With the rebuilding of Yellow Desert why would she set out again? But with what Matt's said It's pretty clear the character herself has gotten to the point of no return. Having been involved with what she has its only natural that she actually has flourished into the heroine role. So that really makes her involvement that much easier. She's happily a supporter, benefactor (being wealthy has its advantages though she doesn't advertise it) even a leader as well, but it seems people don't much care to follow her (at least I'm assuming because of Ch.3).

I definitely think there is some updating to be done to her profile.

Tracer (Disruptor)
Involvement for her has always been case by case. Whenever muscle is needed or a merc is appropriate I'll toss her in there. To be honest Tracer doesn't have any underlying motivation outside of survival. There is SO much blood on her hands there isn't an option for her to settle down somewhere or quit the life. Tracer probably assumes she'll die sooner or later in a fire fight, which is the only way she'd drop entirely. She's a disruptor to be sure, popping up only to cause issues.

I'd like to see Tracer one day bloom into a full blown Antagonist. That's always kind of been my hopes for the character but clearly I've never thought of how to do so. For now her direction only extends job to job, unless someone has a keen suggestion. I'm never above taking input.

Long term character goals and roles

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