So, our campaign is just hitting fifth level. I've been playing a Paladin, of a homebrew race (that ISNT blatantly ripped off from the WoW Forsaken). Recently, we decided to turn it from kick-in-the-door, Combat-heavy and RP-light game to a more in-depth and character-focused game. The other players are a little more experienced than I am in this case, cause I'm having some difficulties coming up with a personality.
Any particular steps you use, or a guide or something, to help you roleplay your character better? I'll take any advice.
Being a living corpse, something killed you. What was it? Do you want revenge? Maybe atone for a sin you commited that got you killed. Maybe when your character was alive he was a heartless assassin or mercenary, but he's back alive to achieve some sort of atonement.
Any particular steps you use, or a guide or something, to help you roleplay your character better? I'll take any advice.
I found the easiest way is to pick one or two characters-traits and overdo them without overdoing them. Emphasize those traits often enough so your fellow players realise this is your trademark, but don't annoy them.
Describe what your character is doing when he isn't talking. If you don't express what your character is saying or doing, he barely exists in the minds of the other people at the table. Imagine your party is talking to the local noble, and one of the other characters is talking. Does your character lean against the wall and light the proverbial cigarette? Is he standing next to the party leader, watching the guards wearily? Or is he standing behind the leader, fidgeting with his hands because he feels uncomfortable? Would he make himself comfortable in a chair? Etc. Don't try to steal the spotlight though.
Base your character on characters from television or literature, but twist them enough so the other players don't catch on. Preferable, use traits from two or three characters to make them less recognisable and (of course) a unique character. For example, think Gandalf meets Indiana Jones, or Tom Sawyer meets Dirty Harry. Use it as a base and don't be afraid to add things of your own.
1. Method Acting If you're new to Roleplaying, this isn't a bad way to go. Roleplay yourself as your character; try to imagine how you would react to the character's situation. Maybe not the most interesting solution, but it's a good way to practice immersing yourself in the game. If you'd like to get a little farther outside the box, a few different suggestions follow.
2. Playing to Type With this method, you give your character a very simple, identifiable personality (possibly based on a fictional character) that can be summed up in one or two sentences. For instance: "Jarl seems carefree and irreverent most of the time, but transforms into the consummate professional when the chips are down. His personal life is a mess, and he throws himself into his work to compensate."
3. Public Persona, Private Persona An idea that I've lifted from White Wolf. Essentially, you give your character two key personality traits - one representing his true colors, the other representing the face that he presents to the world. The idea is to keep in mind the things that your character hides from others, and why. You might say that the character in the last example "appears to take few things seriously, but is actually very earnest. He hides his sincere intentions because he fears being taken advantage of."
4. The List Another pretty good approach. Brainstorm five or so one-word personality traits that could describe your character. A Paladin might be "Driven, Compassionate, Devout, Taciturn, and Serious," for example. To shake things up, give the character one or two quirks, as well. Maybe he uses anachronistic expressions, is superstitious, or is afraid of spiders. Little details like that can add a lot to the believability of a character.
Those are just some suggestions off the top of my head; hopefully something in there is helpful.
I'm not necessarily looking for advice for -this- character, just in general.
So, our campaign is just hitting fifth level. I've been playing a Paladin, of a homebrew race (that ISNT blatantly ripped off from the WoW Forsaken). Recently, we decided to turn it from kick-in-the-door, Combat-heavy and RP-light game to a more in-depth and character-focused game. The other players are a little more experienced than I am in this case, cause I'm having some difficulties coming up with a personality.
Any particular steps you use, or a guide or something, to help you roleplay your character better? I'll take any advice.
What's your alignment?
Thank you all for your advice! Still taking more!
Firstly: Remember that your character is not biologically alive. This is good for some macabre moments, such as when you brush a swarm of venomous spiders away from the treasure with your bare hands: also for some moments of morbid farce, such as the classic taking-a-drink-and-having-it-all-flow-out-of-the-arrow-holes gag.
Secondly: Your character believes wholeheartedly in 'family values' (real ones, not election-campaign ones). If he comes across evidence of fratricide, infidelity or corruption, he is simply appalled. You can get quite a bit of mileage from the notion of somebody who is undead (or nearly so) and yet a bit naive in the ways of the world. Or you can go the other way, with a character who has seen great atrocities and vile things, and believes that only steadfast heroism can preserve the world - you'll find yourself stealing lines from the most grizzled and hard-case heroes you can find (Nick Fury, Mad-Eye Moody, virtually any "war movie" sergeant).
- I like the idea of stealing (borrowing) a cool character. John Mclane, Rambo, 007, Blade, Troy, Conan, etc., etc., etc.
- Give the character a purpose.
- What does your character believe in?
- Does he mumble and stutter around nobles?
- What will he always defend?
- What is his hobby?
- What trait does he hate in others?
- Goal? Is he looking for his wife so that he can apologize to her? Is he looking for his long lost child? Long lost love?
- Does he have a personal quest that he is trying to complete?
- One of the best roleplaying tools: What negative trait or quirk provides a bit of conflict? Does he have a personal distaste for dragonborn, elves, etc.? Does he tend to insult noblemen?
Write some of these questions down, then write your answers.
[LIST]
[*]I like the idea of stealing (borrowing) a cool character. John Mclane, Rambo, 007, Blade, Troy, Conan, etc., etc., etc.
If he wants to be a bit more extreme, a good example of extremist Lawful Good would be Rorschach from Watchmen.
[*]Goal? Is he looking for his wife so that he can apologize to her? Is he looking for his long lost child? Long lost love
That has potential, since your character died, maybe they left someone behind in their past life, someone they may be looking for.
Really try to explore what it's like to be undead, does your character connect with humanity at all anymore?
One good idea is that your character may have been a pretty bad man in his past life, and it was his bad actions that got him killed and, thus, seperated by a lover or other loved person. Your character is hoping to do all the good in death that he never did in life as repentance, and at the same time you're hoping to find your lover.
I'm not necessarily looking for advice for -this- character, just in general.
So, our campaign is just hitting fifth level. I've been playing a Paladin, of a homebrew race (that ISNT blatantly ripped off from the WoW Forsaken). Recently, we decided to turn it from kick-in-the-door, Combat-heavy and RP-light game to a more in-depth and character-focused game. The other players are a little more experienced than I am in this case, cause I'm having some difficulties coming up with a personality.
Any particular steps you use, or a guide or something, to help you roleplay your character better? I'll take any advice.
GURPS uses a wonderful system of Disadvantages. Many are social disadvantages. They aren't necessarily things that are socially disadvantageous (though some are, like Bad Breath), but things that restrict your options (like Honesty, Truthfulness, etc). They also use Quirks, which are minor social disadvantages (like Mutters to Self constantly).
Write down a few specific behavioral restrictions for your character. Make some big ones, like Will Never Lie or Fights Honorably (no attacking from surprise, etc). Make some of them small behavioral patterns, like Prays Over Dead Enemies. Once you've written them down, try to observe them and incorporate them into play.
Sometimes, focusing on a few specific behavioral things will help you get into the mindset of your character.