Sunday, September 4, 2011

Begining Characters As Blank Slates

I've been at my parents house for a few days before term starts and have been pondering a Mutant Future games.

As much as I like many of the concepts the game brings, I feel like it's just too much for me at times. The main reason is that I'm not so into non-human characters. Not sure why, but I've never really liked them. Many because me players (and myself) tend to play them as humans with funny faces and different powers, not like inhuman aliens with complete different outlooks. Mutant humans, while I like the concept, I would for prefer mutation to be gained during play instead of during character creation.

For me, newly created characters are blank slates. They don't have interesting histories and backgrounds. Maybe a couple words or a short phrase on concept, but that's all I'm really interested in. Ideally, all of the character's personality, legacy, and defining characteristics should arise out of play. Before the game begins the characters were nobodies. Background can be added during the game to explain all of the oddities generated by die rolls.

That way, the character experience the game world along with the players. I don't need to assume that the characters have certain knowledge about the game world that the character wouldn't be aware of.

I'm thinking now that a Bandits & Basilisks might just be exactly what I'm looking for. I'll give it a shot and let you know how it goes.

1 comment:

  1. Bandits & Basiliscs = pure win. From what I read, of course! Might as well give it a shot :)

    ___
    call Sri Lanka

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