Faults and Vices
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A key part to making a fun and interesting character is having faults and weaknesses in addition to their strengths. So I though it might be helpful to come up with a list of those that would be fun to roleplay, for both the player and those interacting with them. I've only listed a few here, so if anyone else has ideas feel free to list them below.
Greed - Greed probably isn't the best fault for a character to have, especially if you fall into the trap of being greedy for more gold/items, because lots of times that might be to the detriment of another players good time. However, greed when it comes to power is a very suitable trait for villians in most settings.
Arrogant - Playing an arrogant, in your face character can be fun. People will hate you, but they'll also probably think you're someone to be listened to. A lot of characters pull this off quite well, and those that do are usually respected/feared, but probably not loved.
Cold - I've been trying this one with my current character and I've got to say its a lot of fun. This isn't a trait that will make you a lot of friends, but the allies you do make will probably respect your serious nature. Just don't expect to get invited to birthdays.
Paranoid - I've never tried playing a paranoid character, but I imagine it would be really fun to play. Whether the characters comes this way, or ends up becoming a bit paranoid from IC events, its definately a great quirk that could possibly lead to some conflict.
Overly Zealous - The religious or political zealot is essentially made for conflict. Someone who doesn't back down on their ideals, consistantly trying to force it on others is bound to make waves if they try hard enough.
Corrupt - Perfect for intrigue. Corruption is a very real problem in all facets of society and it can work as a great conflict device in our setting as well. Proactive corruption works best though, because people can often be too cautious when seeking out corrupt characters in positions of authority.
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Naivety
You may end up in trouble if you are too trusting, and plenty will try to take advantage of you. It opens up ideas for role play if people either try to educate you, or swindle you.Poor Manners/Hygiene
I've had characters dig out of the trash, roll in the dirt and dress in rags. It brings you pity, scorn, or like-minded filth-mongers. If nothing else it makes a scene that people can join in.Physical Weakness
Play your character as if they are old and/or physically weak. Not everyone has to be the swash-buckling hero. If you are physically weak people will wonder what your strengths are and it can lead to a mutual cooperation or admiration. -
Alcoholic: A character that can be a functional alcoholic or barely able to stand half the time. Both are fun and even amusing or serious and somber.
Sins of the Flesh: Keeping in mind the PG-13 (ish) rating of the server, this vice is one that can lead the most stalwart mind astray as they spend more time pursuing tail than their goals.
Having played both kinds of characters, I have to say I'd never want to play a 'perfect hero'. . . It's just not as much fun as playing a wizard who spends half her time in a bottle when she's not hobnobing with infernalists or a cleric who, instead of persuing her gods' goals, is trying to find a warm bed for the evening. . . Your millage may vary.
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Poor visual accuity- might make for some interesting roleplay.. A wizard who can't read scrolls in dim light… a warrior who isn't quite sure if it's friend or foe he's swinging at... a ranger who depends on animals to tell him where he is or where he's going... etc.
Obsessive about safety- Won't let a party travel unless they are extremely well equipped and prepared. ie. do we have X in case X happens? Is everybody wearing a helmet? etc. This kind of character would have a plan for everything and would sometimes border on the absurd.
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Cowardly: Half the elves/archers/wizards already act this way, may as well roleplay it too. Scream like a baby when you run from the monsters and so on!
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Self Absorbed - So involved with themselves that they tend to forget others needs.
Speach Impediment - I can think of a few characters that have this trait.
Phobias - I've had fun with them, but sometimes it's better to really consider carefully what you are being afraid of and why.
Depressed - Some who is going to need cheering up. This would fit in better with good aligned characters, because some will want to help you.
Cronic Liar
Irresponsible
Lazy
Obsesive Compulsive
Here's what's great about weaknesses/faults. Besides adding more color and dimension to your characters, they in some cases can help keep your character alive! A greedy thief, for example, would make more coin than a generous one. Some can be fixed, and some are so ingrained that they are impossible to get rid of. Just don't break your character with them.
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Country Bumpkin - Your character has spent their whole life in a backwater village before coming to the Big City. You have no idea how the big city works. Different than the feral halflings and elves who pass through.
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Cowardly: Half the elves/archers/wizards already act this way, may as well roleplay it too. Scream like a baby when you run from the monsters and so on!
So true.
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Cowardly: Half the elves/archers/wizards already act this way, may as well roleplay it too. Scream like a baby when you run from the monsters and so on!
My Rogue does it all the time well when i fail the will save vs fear at least.
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Glutton: will eat anything, anytime, anywhere >_>
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Vain: (stunted charisma, low wisdom)
A character obsessed with appearance, social status and everything influencing such. They tend to chase after famous people in an attempt to share in their renown and power; surrounding themselves with the cream of society boosts their own status and egos. They tend to have little interest in uncivilized lands - though being a close friend of a daring explorer is always handy - and are by their nature fragile, flamboyant and almost never truly sincere, lest the facade fall and they become just another unsophisticated commoner. -
Curmudgeeon always has something negative and disparaging to say about anything and anyone, always sees the bad side of people and situations, and considers himself wiser and more prudent for it.
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Stingy
This character will never use his wand charges, healing kits or even beneficial spells on others.Erratic
Erratic characters don't know how to move around in combat and incur attacks of opportunity every chance they get.Badass
The badass never brings a ranged weapon to any fight, even though they basically amount to free damage. The badass never changes his position once he has begun combat, no matter how useful it might be.Idiot Savant
Even though highly intelligent and able to master many spheres of magic, this type of spell-caster still insists on drawing monsters to himself with badly-timed crossbow-shots at the enemies the fighters try to keep away from him.Suspicious
This character expects to be ganked by other characters at every opportunity. Therefore, he never uses any of his wands or potions during battle to "save them for PvP".Plays it Safe
This kind of character does the same quests every time because he has done them many times and knows they are easy, so the is no personal risk involved, only gain.Market-fetishist
This type of character waits at the market for hours at at time for a sending while spending the wait flirting with cyber-females. -
Lawlz!
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I read that with such a giggle!
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Country Bumpkin - Your character has spent their whole life in a backwater village before coming to the Big City. You have no idea how the big city works. Different than the feral halflings and elves who pass through.
Aka Redneck? :wink:
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Corpse Hopping Pennysaver Warrior
Often these characters tarry on to lowbie quests in groups involving partial to full party wipes, just like stingy players. However, unlike the stingy, they will not be using even healing kits on themselves and may be nearly guaranteed to die on the most trivial of quests once or twice. Not to be confused with poor characters, these characters have a vastly fat coin purse two to eight times the coin of a normal starting adventurer doing lowbie quests and will not use consumable equipment even if it saves healing wand charges. Often cause other characters to be retired within the first 20 hours of playtime by their liability. Probably trying to save for fullplate. (Example: Noobs.)The Zinger
Spends most of their time with one liners, innuendo, and insults than being focused on character goals, development, adventure, constructive conversation. (Example: Awesome characters that aren't in plots, all of them.)Captain Choo Choo
This character is obsessed with getting to levul tin, pushing character goals, and/or getting loots. Often gets characters to join to make an implied or explicit adventuring group that usually is serious business adventuring. (Example: Non-DM supported PC faction leaders)Quest Lemming
This character seems to push on to the quest regardless of preparation, skill, or nature of the mission. (Example: Bored characters)Trap Bipolarity
Despite facing numerous dangers much more lethal and damaging with caution, this character will absolutely hate a trap being triggered despite fair warning if someone does it dwarven style and will not have the intelligence to get the heck out of the effected possible area. Sometimes is contagious in areas with lots of characters. (Example: I'm so glad that I got burned with all the things we learned, for people that are still alive. >=D) -
Can we try to keep this on topic? That being, weaknesses that people can give their characters that are actually fun or interesting to interact with.
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Reckless:. this character throws all caution to the wind and scoffs at any who try to hold them back naming them cowardly.
Conniver Why work hard for something when you can manipulate somebody else into doing it for you?
Extremely Competitive This character must always be the best at something. Every interaction is an opportunity to be the best at something.
and every loss is a great insult.
