Preset Characters

Personally I do not necessarily like joining a RP in which I am expected to take control of a character that has already been created (even if I am given limited liberties in changing that character to better suit my style) unless I take a particular interest in the characters and story presented. Even then it is unlikely as I always feel like a stranger in someone else's shoes when playing a character I did not create.

Now, I am not just looking for other peoples' opinions but am also posing another question. While you may (or may not) have a problem with playing a character created by the GM; how do you feel about fulfilling a specific character role?

Let me elaborate. Let's say that a GM has a very specific story in mind and while the characters are flexible, he/she needs specific character roles to be filled. This could mean that the GM needs someone to play a corrupt politician but everything else is up to the player. Or perhaps the GM needs someone to play an alcoholic swordsman who lost his right arm in a war. The one-armed, alcoholic swordsman is a better example than the corrupt politician as the swordsman character actually offers less freedom than the former. A player who must base his character around the swordsman concept must make sure they properly understand the mind-set of an alcoholic AND a cripple (thus limiting just how much the player can do with that character).

Personally I feel that not enough GMs use this method but maybe it is because it is not popular as I know how much some people love making their own character. I have just never understood why people insist on creating their own characters down to the very core detail when they are going to be playing someone else's world. I mean, I can understand it to a point but in the end I have always felt like a RP is more than the world it takes place in or the characters that participate. I always thought it was more about the story that was being created by the GM and all the players.

Sometimes, just sometimes I think it is the very freedom of a RP that so many GMs strive to give to their players that is the cause for the RP's downfall. I don't think I would have a problem fulfilling a certain character role (rather than a whole character). In fact, I think I just might prefer it.

-RogueMinstrel

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/aYbFPQUMN0k/viewtopic.php

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