Retarded people in a campaign... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Retarded people in a campaign... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
fudgethepolice
12-13-07, 06:31 PM Retarded people in a campaign,
how would this work?
Master_Vega
12-14-07, 08:19 PM I'm going to assume you mean mentally retarded characters, as opposed to players like mentioned in many rants on the "What's a DM to Do?" board. :P

What are you asking about? Mentally retarded NPCs, PCs? How to roleplay a mentally retarded character? How to work one into your campaign?

I personally find autistic characters to be fun to roleplay and include in games because they can be insanely helpful one moment, and then entirely clueless the next. As for retarded characters, I don't know many people in that situation (where I actually do know quite a few autistic people).

Thought I'd get the ball rolling; I hope this isn't a troll thread 'cause this could actually be really interesting.
Anuvrix
12-15-07, 09:06 AM I think it'd be fun, but difficult. A retarded character is basically one with a wisdom of about 4-6. Roleplaying this could be difficult for the player, and game statistic wise, spot checks and will saves would SUCK. lol

It's just like running a normal player, except he has a limited view of problem solving and probably won't get muchy problem solving done unless some one gives him the answer.

I wonder, is this similiar to Lenny? he's a half-orc we had (22 base str, 4 intelligence), we would tell him that a naked woman is on the other side of a wall, and he'd get us through; and be a bit dissapointed when we got there.
CryoSilver
12-15-07, 11:14 AM Just how retarded are we talking here? Do you mean someone who just isn't going to pass a GED exam, or someone who needs help getting dressed in the morning?

Ask yourself this: how would a retarded character have gotten the training to be a member of their class in the first place?

Even the "mook" classes like fighter and barbarian require a certain level of intelligence and prowess.
fudgethepolice
12-16-07, 05:31 PM This is not a trolls thread,I just wanted to have some advice on interesting retarded npc characters,and how to roleplay them.
Araes
12-16-07, 11:05 PM Darn, and I was all ready for this to be a trolling thread about players.

That said, I tend to question the value of having the mentally handicapped as integral parts of games. Particularly those who are so handicapped as to be incapable of properly caring for themselves. They might be useful as a an "awe, warm fuzzies" moment, but almost all players I have ever come across, even the good role players, would either be immature around them, or would deal with them, work around whatever issues were attached to them, and then leave them because they were a hinderance to their progression.

Generally, D&D ends up being a game about progression and exploration, not helping Corky achieve his dream of slaying a green dragon.

As non-integral parts of games, I could see them being interesting as one-off or infrequent occurance that just lend a slight bit of realism to the world of the players. The role playing on the part of whoever controlled the NPC would have to be quite good to not just have them come off as silly, but with the correct mannerisms they could be interesting for a session or two.

In this capacity, Rain Man style autistic characters who excel at one or two skills and who have easily identifiable (and roleplayable) character traits would be the best candidates. The players would immediately get what the DM was trying to do and hopefully cooperate.
Artifact
12-17-07, 04:20 PM If you're serious, my best advice is simple and straight-forward: Spend some time with the mentally retarded, talk with them, get to know them; it doesn't take long and its not hard. I think you'll learn everything you need to know about mental retardation as it applies to a D&D campaign. You might even make a friend or two. That's the real deal, and far more rewarding than any imaginary game I can think of.
toucanbuzz
12-17-07, 05:41 PM Note that the terms "retarded" and "handicapped" are no longer PC. People-First language (the person comes first, not the disability) suggests a Person with ______ (insert disability). If you're running folks with low intelligence, check out Dragonlance's gully dwarves in literature. If you're actually looking for a disability and are not just looking to giggle everytime someone says retarded, then a standard search for various physical or mental disabilities (e.g. Down's Syndrome) will give you plenty.

I worked several years during school in a residential facility for some pretty great folks with disabilities, so I'm not raining on anyone's campaign but rather hoping people take this chance to learn what they can.
fudgethepolice
12-17-07, 08:15 PM Yeah,im serious.

P.S. Artifact, I like your Knights of Everest campaign.
Artifact
12-17-07, 08:31 PM Yeah,im serious.

P.S. Artifact, I like your Knights of Everest campaign.

Thanks! I saw your post a few weeks ago but it was brief (an understatement ;)), so I didn't comment. Drop by again anytime; feel free to share any ideas or suggestions you might have for the setting, or just add a few words of encouragement. That's always helpful and appreciated :).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
fudgethepolice 12-13-07, 06:31 PM	Retarded people in a campaign, how would this work?
Master_Vega 12-14-07, 08:19 PM	I'm going to assume you mean mentally retarded characters, as opposed to players like mentioned in many rants on the "What's a DM to Do?" board. :P What are you asking about? Mentally retarded NPCs, PCs? How to roleplay a mentally retarded character? How to work one into your campaign? I personally find autistic characters to be fun to roleplay and include in games because they can be insanely helpful one moment, and then entirely clueless the next. As for retarded characters, I don't know many people in that situation (where I actually do know quite a few autistic people). Thought I'd get the ball rolling; I hope this isn't a troll thread 'cause this could actually be really interesting.
Anuvrix 12-15-07, 09:06 AM	I think it'd be fun, but difficult. A retarded character is basically one with a wisdom of about 4-6. Roleplaying this could be difficult for the player, and game statistic wise, spot checks and will saves would SUCK. lol It's just like running a normal player, except he has a limited view of problem solving and probably won't get muchy problem solving done unless some one gives him the answer. I wonder, is this similiar to Lenny? he's a half-orc we had (22 base str, 4 intelligence), we would tell him that a naked woman is on the other side of a wall, and he'd get us through; and be a bit dissapointed when we got there.
CryoSilver 12-15-07, 11:14 AM	Just how retarded are we talking here? Do you mean someone who just isn't going to pass a GED exam, or someone who needs help getting dressed in the morning? Ask yourself this: how would a retarded character have gotten the training to be a member of their class in the first place? Even the "mook" classes like fighter and barbarian require a certain level of intelligence and prowess.
fudgethepolice 12-16-07, 05:31 PM	This is not a trolls thread,I just wanted to have some advice on interesting retarded npc characters,and how to roleplay them.
Araes 12-16-07, 11:05 PM	Darn, and I was all ready for this to be a trolling thread about players. That said, I tend to question the value of having the mentally handicapped as integral parts of games. Particularly those who are so handicapped as to be incapable of properly caring for themselves. They might be useful as a an "awe, warm fuzzies" moment, but almost all players I have ever come across, even the good role players, would either be immature around them, or would deal with them, work around whatever issues were attached to them, and then leave them because they were a hinderance to their progression. Generally, D&D ends up being a game about progression and exploration, not helping Corky achieve his dream of slaying a green dragon. As non-integral parts of games, I could see them being interesting as one-off or infrequent occurance that just lend a slight bit of realism to the world of the players. The role playing on the part of whoever controlled the NPC would have to be quite good to not just have them come off as silly, but with the correct mannerisms they could be interesting for a session or two. In this capacity, Rain Man style autistic characters who excel at one or two skills and who have easily identifiable (and roleplayable) character traits would be the best candidates. The players would immediately get what the DM was trying to do and hopefully cooperate.
Artifact 12-17-07, 04:20 PM	If you're serious, my best advice is simple and straight-forward: Spend some time with the mentally retarded, talk with them, get to know them; it doesn't take long and its not hard. I think you'll learn everything you need to know about mental retardation as it applies to a D&D campaign. You might even make a friend or two. That's the real deal, and far more rewarding than any imaginary game I can think of.
toucanbuzz 12-17-07, 05:41 PM	Note that the terms "retarded" and "handicapped" are no longer PC. People-First language (the person comes first, not the disability) suggests a Person with ______ (insert disability). If you're running folks with low intelligence, check out Dragonlance's gully dwarves in literature. If you're actually looking for a disability and are not just looking to giggle everytime someone says retarded, then a standard search for various physical or mental disabilities (e.g. Down's Syndrome) will give you plenty. I worked several years during school in a residential facility for some pretty great folks with disabilities, so I'm not raining on anyone's campaign but rather hoping people take this chance to learn what they can.
fudgethepolice 12-17-07, 08:15 PM	Yeah,im serious. P.S. Artifact, I like your Knights of Everest campaign.
Artifact 12-17-07, 08:31 PM	Yeah,im serious. P.S. Artifact, I like your Knights of Everest campaign. Thanks! I saw your post a few weeks ago but it was brief (an understatement ;)), so I didn't comment. Drop by again anytime; feel free to share any ideas or suggestions you might have for the setting, or just add a few words of encouragement. That's always helpful and appreciated :).