Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Corey_Austin 02-20-08, 02:29 PM	So I'm joining a new group has already started their campaign, and for a huge change of pace I've decided not only to take on the cleric role (usually play my-age melee types), but an elderly bookworm (complete with a very strange dorky sense of fun) at that. To quickly summarize the background i had written, he was a young priest with a lot of potential, who was expected to become a great leader in the church of Azuth. However, for some reason he took the easier route and never aspired to rise beyond his position as a scribe and librarian. Now, decades later he feels time closing in on him, and in his regret he resolves to go out and try to experience one great adventure and come back with some knowledge of his own for the church after a life of studying the lives of others. TL;DR? Here's the question: As I'm a young-ish player, this is a lot different from what I normally play. Do any of you have any tips or recommendations on playing a character with this sort of pseudo-melancholy or regret without having the character turn into an emo act/annoyance to the party?
Leader-of-the-Pack 02-20-08, 04:21 PM	Well, first, is that playing that particular character, role playing him as melancholy doesn't entail being "emo". Emo, is a a style, that is typically used by teens to get attention, thats why an "emo" person would suddenly have a negative statement or response to something. Role-playing melancholy doesn't mean screaming about how terrible your life is, but rather your characters state of mind. When he goes to tavern, does he sit with the drinkers at the bar? At a table with friends? Or does he sit alone in the corner with a sullen look on his face? A character who feels deep regret will not discuss it or even make note of it, because if they did, they would be looking for attention, not trying to fill a hole in their lives. Maybe you character is touchy about the way the things he does turn out. He'll have a tendency to do things correct the first time, and generally, he might spend his time trying to keep things off his mind that are typically hurtful. The key is not being downright obvious that he's sad. Rather, but to try and be sad in others eyes. He might have once had a love at a young age, whom he had given up on due to the church. Maybe he has a portrait of her in a book, or something like it that he looks at with fond memories. Then, when others ask what he is looking at, he folds it up and puts it away, resuming the sad, worn out look on his face. Well, I hope this helped some, good luck on playing your character!
Orchomenos 02-21-08, 11:09 AM	You could complain often on how "this is not of your age", or how "things were differents by my time". That definitely cuts you from an emo teen!
skydragonknight 02-21-08, 03:41 PM	"Back in MY day, the monsters had twice as many tentacles!"
JaiaDrottsingr 02-21-08, 11:21 PM	Senility now!!
Kiioro 02-22-08, 12:16 AM	Since he's older than the other PCs, you could show that in skill. Pick up some skill that doesn't have to do with your current idea, and just for flavor, put some ranks in it. Maybe he sang to himself while reading all those books when he was late at night and didn't need to be quiet, so he isn't that bad of a singer. Maybe he has seen so many handwritings and has kept so many records that he may actually be good in the Forgery skill. Another few things are: Stubbornness. Years of experience has taught your character that X is the correct way to do Y, and no amount of logic will convince him otherwise, until he has seen it successfully executed. If he's old enough, he could usually sink in reveries of the past and sometimes seem to tune out. He'd be the first one to tell the other PCs that they should stay true to their dreams. And the never failing "I'm getting too old for this..."
Terjon of the Blue Rose 02-22-08, 04:51 AM	Kiioro, Orchomenos, and especially Leader-of-the-Pack have given you some excellent suggestions. I would add in one more point. You were a librarian and scholar so your regrets are likely tied heavily into that profession. You read much about the doings of others in your time and now realize how little, by comparison, you have accomplished. I would make it a personal goal to meet those legends who still live. I would also dismiss much of my own as trivial by comparing it to greater-still deeds of others. This would heavily show your sadness and regret for your wasted youth without actually bringing it up directly.