How necessary is it to play "in-character"? [Archive] - Wizards Community

How necessary is it to play "in-character"? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
the_icon
07-14-07, 08:44 PM Or, more appropriately, how necessary is it to play "in-cliche"?

The question comes to mind as a result of the character I'm planning for the next campaign I'm playing in. He's a bit of a handful and I'm finding a hard time justifying my choices.

He's a half-orc. A lawful-good one. A monk one. A smart one. People are having a hard time with this. Let me explain myself:

As his story goes, he was abandoned at a very young age, as is the case with many half-orc children, in a forest. Shortly thereafter, he was happened upon by a monk who was passing through the woods on his way back to his monastery, deep in the mountains to the west. Unable to simply leave the child behind, the monk took the baby up and continued westward on his journey. The child was welcomed into the monastery, despite his outward appearance, and was raised there from that point on. Throughout his life he was taught equality and compassion, combat and above all, discipline. Also, that one cannot be physically strong without a strong mind. Pretty tough stuff for a half-orc, or so one would be led to believe.

What I want this character's goal to be, primarily, is to challenge peoples' perceptions and what they consider to be solidly "inside the box". Like I said, I've been having a hard time justifying why this guy is so "out-of-character" for a half-orc. Well see, I'm something of a rogue player; I like to test the boundaries of convention. I've seen people play half-orcs before, but it's always the same: Big and dumb, big and dumb, barbarian, big and dumb. I wanted something a little different, flavour-wise.

I got some amazing stat rolls for this guy (18, 16, 18, 14, 15 and 10) and I already know that one of the eighteens is going into Intelligence. Because it's something half-orcs aren't supposed to excel in. That's me, going against the grain.

If you want an example, think Beast from X-Men; the hardships he had to face and the enlightenment he gained. Now put it into a D&D context. Yeah, it's kinda like that.

My main question to you folks is, what do you think? Also, any tips on playing the part would be greatly appreciated.
Maianavain
07-14-07, 08:55 PM I really like the concept of the smart monk LG half-orc.

I would have to say you're playing a role like this is perfect for breaking out of the big, dumb, ugly and rude cliche. He's a smart guy, sophisticated in his speech, but his voice sounds low and gruff from his physical being's heritage probably. I'd say given a monk usually dresses simply and practically, he'll probably look like a big and dumb fighter who's not wearing his armor to someone unenlightened on things, but then he'll probably also be able to wow an entire town with his likely quite capable tongue and as you make him have int 16 after the drop, capable brain. I'd have to say I'd enjoy meeting him.
Anarch_Bushey
07-14-07, 08:56 PM Excellent. Breaking away from the stereotypes of Dungeons and Dragons. Role-playing wise this character would work out quite nicely I think. However due to his race he is less charismatic and less intelligent then say his other monk brethren. So perhaps showing a sort of abrasion and such once in awhile might be fitting.
Kind of like a Clingon sort of way you know? However you are breaking the stereotype of Half-Orc. And quite well I'd say.
the_icon
07-14-07, 09:07 PM Another tangent that I've considered for the character was to first take the three levels in half-orc paragon (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/racialParagonClasses.htm) to illustrate his coming to understand and harnessing the power that he derives from his parentage, as a result of his life on the monastery, before actually training to become a monk.

Your thoughts?
JellyPooga
07-14-07, 09:15 PM I played a Half-Ogre Monk once and rolled amazing stats...he had a 14 on Int (which says it all really).

I played it pretty much the same as your character (abandoned to a monastery and raised to use hisbrains rather than his brawn, style of thing) and kept surprising the other characters (and players) with how smart, stealthy and restrained he was...that he could crush a mans skull in one shovel sized hand was a given...that he had reason and self-restraint behind it made for a really good, out-of-the-ordinary character that "broke" all the stereotype rules. Just to push the boat out even further, he was a pacifist and although he had no qualms about bear-hugging someone into unconsciousness if they were...disagreeable, he flat out refused to kill, even to the point of putting himself in the way of his fellow party members to stop them from needlessly (as he saw it) killing foes.

I really hate playing characters that are cliched...at the moment I'm trying to make an Aasimar Paladin character that 'breaks the mould' by not having a stick up his butt (i.e. he drinks, smokes, gambles and generally leads a life that could only be described as one of debauchery), but I'm having trouble with reconciling the neccesary attitude for being a Paladin and the easy going guy that I want him to be. I'll make that reconciliation eventually though...
CrimsonDeath
07-15-07, 03:01 AM Another tangent that I've considered for the character was to first take the three levels in half-orc paragon (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/racialParagonClasses.htm) to illustrate his coming to understand and harnessing the power that he derives from his parentage, as a result of his life on the monastery, before actually training to become a monk.

Your thoughts?
I like the idea of challenging people's perceptions about half-orcs. I'm currently playing a Neanderthal Bard (12 Int, 18 Cha), and I like the reactions I get from people.

One interesting thing, mechanically, about the half-orc paragon levels is the ability to Rage, despite being Lawful. Could result in some interesting RP and advancement opportunities.
cog_n_taz
07-15-07, 03:14 AM hmm... how about a state of deep focus, kinda like meditating, while in combat? Alternatively, you could go for "that's the last straw, I'm going to punch you in the face now. With a piano."
Fithero
07-15-07, 07:28 AM I once had a half-orc bard that started off with 16 Int and Cha, now *that* was an interesting character due to the fact that he was the face for the party :P

Going against the grain is good and all, aslong as you dont let it become the focus of your character.

Sure he is smart for a half orc and a monk is an odd/rare career choice, but dont let it go to his head.

Have fun, break a few expectations... and then a few faces :D

Peace
the_icon
07-15-07, 11:57 AM One interesting thing, mechanically, about the half-orc paragon levels is the ability to Rage, despite being Lawful. Could result in some interesting RP and advancement opportunities.

Yeah, it should be intriguing, to say the least. It's obviously going to be a last resort kind of thing for him, since throwing oneself into a bloody mad rager pretty much goes against everything he was taught in life. Maybe it could carry along with it feelings of guilt or betrayal of his ambition: to change the negative view that people have half-orcs -- and he definitely won't be able to do that if people see him flying off the handle. Needless to say, it certainly adds depth to the character.
CrimsonDeath
07-15-07, 04:00 PM It could also be sort of a weapon of last resort-- he doesn't really want to, but he's on his last legs, one more hit will probably knock him down, and if he's going to die, he at least wants to go down fighting.
Alric
07-16-07, 01:36 AM Heck there are pure orc wizards running around. Orcs have human level intelligence. Just because the tend to want to smash stuff doesn't mean their all stupid, so theres nothing wrong with that character.

As for being lawful good, thats more of how things are raised than what they are born as.
Westbound
07-18-07, 12:10 AM As a rule, it's only necessary to play "in-character" as much as your table accepts. If playing in-character is discomforting to other players or the DM for some reason, or if it takes up a ton of time, or it monopolizes the session to you or another PC, then it might be too much.

One problem I've had in D&D is that once you've played for awhile, it becomes so easy for players to stereotype the characters you play, and it's very common for people to remind others at the table what character he is, and pertinent details, such as gender, age, race, special features, and other things. And once they do that they will make automatic presumptions about your character, and at times it becomes easier to simply let it go until all you're playing is pieces on a board much like Monopoly. I've played with groups that run adventures without going into the hooks or other stuff that, in their opinion, really don't matter because all they've come to do is play a wargame with D&D rules.

In my campaign, I've told people when they present their characters to do a number of things:

1 - Give us your name, gender, and race. Do not tell us about your class.

2 - Tell a little bit, and I mean a little bit, about the character's background. Don't go into too much detail. I find that details can bog things down, and besides....most people, especially if they've just met, don't tell everyone everything about each other. If another PC knows that character, then you can tell that other PC of pertinent details.

3 - Under absolutely NO CIRCUMSTANCES tell your fellow players what alignment you are. NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER! If you do it at my table, it costs you an entire experience level! In fact, don't put it on your main character sheet (you give me a copy of your sheet with your alignment on it). If at any time another character manages to discern with magic your alignment, I will tell him and only him with a note.

Doing this helps to break stereotypes. Finding appropriate minis helps too, as does personal artwork that everyone can see (when my players do this, I make it a point to present their artwork in such a way that everyone can see it at all times). Also, I use nametags - everyone gets a sticker that says, "Hello - My name is:," and if someone doesn't use that name, they get docked xp.

It sounds draconian, but it works.
the_icon
07-18-07, 02:18 PM Westbound - Those are some good pointers. I'll bring them up to our DM and see what he thinks.
Drow64
07-18-07, 08:46 PM You know, I have an extremely smart and sophisticated half-orc sorcerer. He actually acts more like a pacifist aristocrat.
This is VERY weird...My best friend has an Illithid character who's NEUTRAL GOOD.:mymy: And his character is like a pacifist. And I mean vegetarian, has-a-pet-frost-worm, dances in the flower field pacifist.:mymy: :mymy: :mymy: Well, everybody thinks he's a total nutso, and they're probably right.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
the_icon 07-14-07, 08:44 PM	Or, more appropriately, how necessary is it to play "in-cliche"? The question comes to mind as a result of the character I'm planning for the next campaign I'm playing in. He's a bit of a handful and I'm finding a hard time justifying my choices. He's a half-orc. A lawful-good one. A monk one. A smart one. People are having a hard time with this. Let me explain myself: As his story goes, he was abandoned at a very young age, as is the case with many half-orc children, in a forest. Shortly thereafter, he was happened upon by a monk who was passing through the woods on his way back to his monastery, deep in the mountains to the west. Unable to simply leave the child behind, the monk took the baby up and continued westward on his journey. The child was welcomed into the monastery, despite his outward appearance, and was raised there from that point on. Throughout his life he was taught equality and compassion, combat and above all, discipline. Also, that one cannot be physically strong without a strong mind. Pretty tough stuff for a half-orc, or so one would be led to believe. What I want this character's goal to be, primarily, is to challenge peoples' perceptions and what they consider to be solidly "inside the box". Like I said, I've been having a hard time justifying why this guy is so "out-of-character" for a half-orc. Well see, I'm something of a rogue player; I like to test the boundaries of convention. I've seen people play half-orcs before, but it's always the same: Big and dumb, big and dumb, barbarian, big and dumb. I wanted something a little different, flavour-wise. I got some amazing stat rolls for this guy (18, 16, 18, 14, 15 and 10) and I already know that one of the eighteens is going into Intelligence. Because it's something half-orcs aren't supposed to excel in. That's me, going against the grain. If you want an example, think Beast from X-Men; the hardships he had to face and the enlightenment he gained. Now put it into a D&D context. Yeah, it's kinda like that. My main question to you folks is, what do you think? Also, any tips on playing the part would be greatly appreciated.
Maianavain 07-14-07, 08:55 PM	I really like the concept of the smart monk LG half-orc. I would have to say you're playing a role like this is perfect for breaking out of the big, dumb, ugly and rude cliche. He's a smart guy, sophisticated in his speech, but his voice sounds low and gruff from his physical being's heritage probably. I'd say given a monk usually dresses simply and practically, he'll probably look like a big and dumb fighter who's not wearing his armor to someone unenlightened on things, but then he'll probably also be able to wow an entire town with his likely quite capable tongue and as you make him have int 16 after the drop, capable brain. I'd have to say I'd enjoy meeting him.
Anarch_Bushey 07-14-07, 08:56 PM	Excellent. Breaking away from the stereotypes of Dungeons and Dragons. Role-playing wise this character would work out quite nicely I think. However due to his race he is less charismatic and less intelligent then say his other monk brethren. So perhaps showing a sort of abrasion and such once in awhile might be fitting. Kind of like a Clingon sort of way you know? However you are breaking the stereotype of Half-Orc. And quite well I'd say.
the_icon 07-14-07, 09:07 PM	Another tangent that I've considered for the character was to first take the three levels in half-orc paragon (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/racialParagonClasses.htm) to illustrate his coming to understand and harnessing the power that he derives from his parentage, as a result of his life on the monastery, before actually training to become a monk. Your thoughts?
JellyPooga 07-14-07, 09:15 PM	I played a Half-Ogre Monk once and rolled amazing stats...he had a 14 on Int (which says it all really). I played it pretty much the same as your character (abandoned to a monastery and raised to use hisbrains rather than his brawn, style of thing) and kept surprising the other characters (and players) with how smart, stealthy and restrained he was...that he could crush a mans skull in one shovel sized hand was a given...that he had reason and self-restraint behind it made for a really good, out-of-the-ordinary character that "broke" all the stereotype rules. Just to push the boat out even further, he was a pacifist and although he had no qualms about bear-hugging someone into unconsciousness if they were...disagreeable, he flat out refused to kill, even to the point of putting himself in the way of his fellow party members to stop them from needlessly (as he saw it) killing foes. I really hate playing characters that are cliched...at the moment I'm trying to make an Aasimar Paladin character that 'breaks the mould' by not having a stick up his butt (i.e. he drinks, smokes, gambles and generally leads a life that could only be described as one of debauchery), but I'm having trouble with reconciling the neccesary attitude for being a Paladin and the easy going guy that I want him to be. I'll make that reconciliation eventually though...
CrimsonDeath 07-15-07, 03:01 AM	Another tangent that I've considered for the character was to first take the three levels in half-orc paragon (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/racialParagonClasses.htm) to illustrate his coming to understand and harnessing the power that he derives from his parentage, as a result of his life on the monastery, before actually training to become a monk. Your thoughts? I like the idea of challenging people's perceptions about half-orcs. I'm currently playing a Neanderthal Bard (12 Int, 18 Cha), and I like the reactions I get from people. One interesting thing, mechanically, about the half-orc paragon levels is the ability to Rage, despite being Lawful. Could result in some interesting RP and advancement opportunities.
cog_n_taz 07-15-07, 03:14 AM	hmm... how about a state of deep focus, kinda like meditating, while in combat? Alternatively, you could go for "that's the last straw, I'm going to punch you in the face now. With a piano."
Fithero 07-15-07, 07:28 AM	I once had a half-orc bard that started off with 16 Int and Cha, now that was an interesting character due to the fact that he was the face for the party :P Going against the grain is good and all, aslong as you dont let it become the focus of your character. Sure he is smart for a half orc and a monk is an odd/rare career choice, but dont let it go to his head. Have fun, break a few expectations... and then a few faces :D Peace
the_icon 07-15-07, 11:57 AM	One interesting thing, mechanically, about the half-orc paragon levels is the ability to Rage, despite being Lawful. Could result in some interesting RP and advancement opportunities. Yeah, it should be intriguing, to say the least. It's obviously going to be a last resort kind of thing for him, since throwing oneself into a bloody mad rager pretty much goes against everything he was taught in life. Maybe it could carry along with it feelings of guilt or betrayal of his ambition: to change the negative view that people have half-orcs -- and he definitely won't be able to do that if people see him flying off the handle. Needless to say, it certainly adds depth to the character.
CrimsonDeath 07-15-07, 04:00 PM	It could also be sort of a weapon of last resort-- he doesn't really want to, but he's on his last legs, one more hit will probably knock him down, and if he's going to die, he at least wants to go down fighting.
Alric 07-16-07, 01:36 AM	Heck there are pure orc wizards running around. Orcs have human level intelligence. Just because the tend to want to smash stuff doesn't mean their all stupid, so theres nothing wrong with that character. As for being lawful good, thats more of how things are raised than what they are born as.
Westbound 07-18-07, 12:10 AM	As a rule, it's only necessary to play "in-character" as much as your table accepts. If playing in-character is discomforting to other players or the DM for some reason, or if it takes up a ton of time, or it monopolizes the session to you or another PC, then it might be too much. One problem I've had in D&D is that once you've played for awhile, it becomes so easy for players to stereotype the characters you play, and it's very common for people to remind others at the table what character he is, and pertinent details, such as gender, age, race, special features, and other things. And once they do that they will make automatic presumptions about your character, and at times it becomes easier to simply let it go until all you're playing is pieces on a board much like Monopoly. I've played with groups that run adventures without going into the hooks or other stuff that, in their opinion, really don't matter because all they've come to do is play a wargame with D&D rules. In my campaign, I've told people when they present their characters to do a number of things: 1 - Give us your name, gender, and race. Do not tell us about your class. 2 - Tell a little bit, and I mean a little bit, about the character's background. Don't go into too much detail. I find that details can bog things down, and besides....most people, especially if they've just met, don't tell everyone everything about each other. If another PC knows that character, then you can tell that other PC of pertinent details. 3 - Under absolutely NO CIRCUMSTANCES tell your fellow players what alignment you are. NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER! If you do it at my table, it costs you an entire experience level! In fact, don't put it on your main character sheet (you give me a copy of your sheet with your alignment on it). If at any time another character manages to discern with magic your alignment, I will tell him and only him with a note. Doing this helps to break stereotypes. Finding appropriate minis helps too, as does personal artwork that everyone can see (when my players do this, I make it a point to present their artwork in such a way that everyone can see it at all times). Also, I use nametags - everyone gets a sticker that says, "Hello - My name is:," and if someone doesn't use that name, they get docked xp. It sounds draconian, but it works.
the_icon 07-18-07, 02:18 PM	Westbound - Those are some good pointers. I'll bring them up to our DM and see what he thinks.
Drow64 07-18-07, 08:46 PM	You know, I have an extremely smart and sophisticated half-orc sorcerer. He actually acts more like a pacifist aristocrat. This is VERY weird...My best friend has an Illithid character who's NEUTRAL GOOD.:mymy: And his character is like a pacifist. And I mean vegetarian, has-a-pet-frost-worm, dances in the flower field pacifist.:mymy: :mymy: :mymy: Well, everybody thinks he's a total nutso, and they're probably right.