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Brynweir
Senior Scribe
USA
436 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Jan 2008 : 13:15:00
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I have no idea if this has been brought up before or not, but my friends and I were discussing how we sometimes become attached to our characters. It can seem like they are real people, and even though we know they are not real (we're not crazy after all), we still find ourselves wishing that they were. We still find ourselves hurt when they die or happy when they triumph. I was wondering if we are just freaks  or if other people experience this same sort of attachment.
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Lady Fellshot
Senior Scribe
USA
379 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2008 : 16:21:10
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No, you aren't the only ones I've had it happen with some of my NPCs as well. I don't think I'm nuts (at least, not in that way). |
Rants and reviews that interest no one may be found here. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2008 : 21:01:28
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Heck yes, I tend to grow attached to the characters I create. I also don't think there's anything wrong with that. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 09:53:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Heck yes, I tend to grow attached to the characters I create. I also don't think there's anything wrong with that.
I agree with Rino completely. I have been attaached to my PCs as well. Always. Sometimes almost overly much. Not that I cried after his death, but... And is the attachment not an essential part of playing the game? If you did not feel any attachment to your character, I imagine you'd treat him rather ruthless and character death would be an every-session event with nobody caring. |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 13:31:57
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| An NPC actually died in one of my campaigns and everyone was mad at me because he was there since the beginning....Mission Accomplished |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 19:23:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Ergdusch
I agree with Rino completely. I have been attaached to my PCs as well. Always. Sometimes almost overly much. Not that I cried after his death, but... And is the attachment not an essential part of playing the game? If you did not feel any attachment to your character, I imagine you'd treat him rather ruthless and character death would be an every-session event with nobody caring.
Yeah, I would think some amount of "character attachment" is part of the point of playing a role-playing game. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Slaygrim
Learned Scribe
111 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 19:51:34
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| Can't say I've ever had a real attachment. I mean, I have had characters that I was really fond of playing, would hate to have them killed, etc, but nothing more than that. |
Watch my gorgeous wife sing at:
www.youtube.com/Airicx |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2008 : 22:41:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Slaygrim
Can't say I've ever had a real attachment. I mean, I have had characters that I was really fond of playing, would hate to have them killed, etc, but nothing more than that.
That is attachment
Since I GM most of the time it's kinda hard for me to grow attached to my own characters. But I do get attached to PCs in my longest running group, and it's sad to see one of them go...but it happens. It's a game
As for getting to know my own characters...the one I was most fond of and had a blast playing: Richard Darias, the most ruthless and opportunistic human male in the galaxy, and I mean he'd have screwed his pals over to make a deal and then kick them out of jail again when it was certain he'd look even more cool, the only problem was: he was dating a woman that was even more ruthless than he... Man, I was pissed when she put me in cryo and send my ship off with close to lightspeed.... |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Slaygrim
Learned Scribe
111 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2008 : 23:15:33
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| I guess what I mean is that if they did die, I woudl be like, "Damn." But then I'd get up and go watch UFC or something. I wouldn't ever get upset. |
Watch my gorgeous wife sing at:
www.youtube.com/Airicx |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2008 : 23:33:29
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What was the longest you played a character?
and
How much personal time did you invest into the character?
One of my players wrote 8 or 9 pages of backstory for her character. If that character were to die, I know she would be really pissed...
It's all a matter of time investment.
Imagine you build a platic-model of, say, the Bismarck...it would be a bitch to attach all those railing, guns etc. So you rebuilt the Bismarck for 7 months, taking your time, being extra careful so that everything is right. At least 2 hours every day. Then, because you had to look after your child, you forgot to put the almost finished model someplace safe and away from the dog. And the pooch thinks that the model is a great chewing toy...
2 hours per day, 30 days to a month (just for the math!), and 7 months work. 420 hours work invested, destroyed in 2 maybe 3 minutes... |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Brynweir
Senior Scribe
USA
436 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2008 : 00:49:09
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My BG story started at over 25 pages, and now is novel length. If she ever dies, I'm gonna quit gaming. J/K.
I do think it matters how much time you invest in the character...It also matters how they go. If they die doing something noble it is a little easier to take. |
Anyone who likes to read something that's really dark and gritty and completely awesome ought to read The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. You can check out a little taste at www.BrentWeeks.com I should probably warn you, though, that it is definitely not PG-13 :-D
He also started a new Trilogy with Black Prism, which may even surpass the Night Angel Trilogy in its awesomeness.
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Brynweir
Senior Scribe
USA
436 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2008 : 01:16:27
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Of course, if they die for no reason, then I guess it would be rather annoying. I was involved in a campaign with great BG stories and all kinds of connections between the PCs, and many of us were attached to the characters. I have mentioned it before, but I just have to share this:
One of my characters was a rogue/mage.
The thief was actually CE, though nobody bothered to check...she was very charismatic...we went through an agonizing dungeon crawl, lots of treasure and injuries, and got the spell book we went after. When we finally came out, our little party of 7 was faced with 2 score elves with crossbows, and 4 wizards.
They wanted the book and her party said no. She pretended to try to negotiate with the elves - but secretly agreed with the elves to give them the book. She told her party that she was tricking the elves and was going to put them to sleep, pretended to cast at the elves, put her own party to sleep, gave the elves the book and then killed her party because she knew they'd come after her. She was VERY rich after that campaign
It was entirely something she would do, but of course my TT group wouldn't let me play for like a month and I had to be LG as punishment. I'll never be LG again - that's for damn sure. |
Anyone who likes to read something that's really dark and gritty and completely awesome ought to read The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. You can check out a little taste at www.BrentWeeks.com I should probably warn you, though, that it is definitely not PG-13 :-D
He also started a new Trilogy with Black Prism, which may even surpass the Night Angel Trilogy in its awesomeness.
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2008 : 09:21:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Brynweir
My BG story started at over 25 pages, and now is novel length. If she ever dies, I'm gonna quit gaming. J/K.
I do think it matters how much time you invest in the character...It also matters how they go. If they die doing something noble it is a little easier to take.
Indeed some deaths are just 'fitting' for a certain Character. Than again others are just not.......... caused by your own stupidity e.g. Than you can't even blame the DM.  |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
Edited by - Ergdusch on 02 Feb 2008 09:23:59 |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2008 : 09:50:49
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| Hell, I even let one of my characters commit suicide and take at least 2 characters with him because I saw that as what the character would do. I was sad, but the other players were majorly pissed... |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2008 : 10:21:14
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quote:
Originally posted by Mace Hammerhand
Hell, I even let one of my characters commit suicide and take at least 2 characters with him because I saw that as what the character would do. I was sad, but the other players were majorly pissed...
Ouch! Group in-fighting! That's bad! I never had a game where such issues could be resolved smoothly. Always ruined the game for that session at least! And some were never resolved leading to long lasting personal grudges.
Remember, the time investment part you mentioned earlier? Now, its not the innocent poppy that wracks your Bismark but the resonable 'friend' across the kitchen table....! And you have to stand by and watch, too!
That's pain, right there! |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Slaygrim
Learned Scribe
111 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2008 : 17:34:00
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| Mace, I am not trying to take away from or diminish anyones investment in a character. The question was asked about each of our attachments to a character we played and how deep of an attachment it is. My oldest played character I have had since the early-to-mid 90's. While there have been YEARS between playing him at times, he's still been around for a long long time with many hours put into him. The answer to the question for myself would be that if he died, it would suck, but that I would move on just fine. The next gaming adventure, or even immediately after, I would create a new character and have fun with that one too. This is how I would do it and I wouldn't presume to judge anyone how they would handle it. |
Watch my gorgeous wife sing at:
www.youtube.com/Airicx |
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Lady Fellshot
Senior Scribe
USA
379 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2008 : 07:05:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Mace Hammerhand
What was the longest you played a character?
and
How much personal time did you invest into the character?
Here's another question to add to those two: Do you enjoy your characters when they are not adventuring?
I know I do. What about anyone else? |
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Brynweir
Senior Scribe
USA
436 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2008 : 14:28:04
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quote:
Originally posted by Lady Fellshot
quote:
Originally posted by Mace Hammerhand
What was the longest you played a character?
and
How much personal time did you invest into the character?
Here's another question to add to those two: Do you enjoy your characters when they are not adventuring?
I know I do. What about anyone else?
I actually enjoy my character sometimes more when she is not adventuring (if that makes sense). In the campaign I am currently involved in, she has spent more time in general RP than actual adventure and I have seen a whole new side to her that I did not know existed. I am even more attached to her than ever.
That may eventually be a problem.... |
Anyone who likes to read something that's really dark and gritty and completely awesome ought to read The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. You can check out a little taste at www.BrentWeeks.com I should probably warn you, though, that it is definitely not PG-13 :-D
He also started a new Trilogy with Black Prism, which may even surpass the Night Angel Trilogy in its awesomeness.
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Edited by - Brynweir on 12 Feb 2008 14:28:55 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2008 : 21:16:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Lady Fellshot
Here's another question to add to those two: Do you enjoy your characters when they are not adventuring?
Yes I do. It's fun to imagine how characters live out their daily lives. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2008 : 21:21:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Lady Fellshot
Here's another question to add to those two: Do you enjoy your characters when they are not adventuring?
Yes I do. It's fun to imagine how characters live out their daily lives.
I had loads of fun playing my Runequest minotaur, Brute, when he wasn't adventuring... he re-designed chess while in jail a whole silly story of its own, and he ended up with a new game called Bruling
I leave it to everyone's imagination how a game very similar to bowling can coome from chess  |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Lady Fellshot
Senior Scribe
USA
379 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2008 : 01:26:22
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Well the pawns do look like pins ^.^
For my own part I was very surprised to write a back story to a ranger and realize that she loved embroidery for the winter months and long boring watches. |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2008 : 08:34:25
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Chess - bowling - bowling - chess? Aaaah! Whatever...........
WHat I tuned in for was the following I woul like to share with you:
Characer attachment does also happen with DMs, it seems as it happend to me. I grew attached to the players characters and some of my own NPCs over playing a campaign for about 7 (or even more, can't recall anymore) years.
Makes killing off the players characters or seeing your favorate NPC getting hacked to pieces quite tough on you! |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Rollo Ruttikin
Acolyte
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - 21 Mar 2008 : 20:14:06
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I think you should be attached to your characters. From a DM point of view, I think it's just fine to become attached to the PCs and NPCs as well.
We are dealing with heroes and villains of epic scale. These aren't the ordinary folks, but the stuff legends are made of!
They should be treated accordingly. That's not to say that you eliminate all risk of death, but letting someone take a saving throw where one wouldn't normally apply might be something to consider. Especially if the death of the PC or NPC would drastically effect the campaign.
It's really all about the story anyway.
Rollo |
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GoCeraf
Learned Scribe
147 Posts |
Posted - 28 Mar 2008 : 00:11:23
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I go by a rule to take care of character attachment. If I feel that a person has played their character intelligently and understandably, I'll not send a save-or-die their way.
That in mind, I often get attached to the characters I create, be they my PCs or NPCs. Incidentally, when I DM, I spend a lot more time working on villains than I do allies or neutrals, at least statistically-wise, so I tend to like them more.
I've made a few PCs that I'd hate to lose, though. Unfortunately, my tendency to make slightly reckless characters often puts them in dangerous situations. There are, indeed, better ways to fight a dragon-riding wizard than jumping from a tower onto the dragon's back and proceeding to tackle the wizard off... |
Being sarcastic can be more telling than simply telling. |
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IngoDjan
Learned Scribe
Brazil
146 Posts |
Posted - 28 Mar 2008 : 11:12:23
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| THIS IS RPG! |
Ingo Djan
DUNGEON MASTER AO OF THE DIAMONDS!"I see the future repeat the past. It all is a museum of great news. The Time do not stop." |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 28 Mar 2008 : 13:36:26
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quote:
Originally posted by GoCeraf
I go by a rule to take care of character attachment. If I feel that a person has played their character intelligently and understandably, I'll not send a save-or-die their way.
That's nice of you. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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GoCeraf
Learned Scribe
147 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2008 : 19:16:30
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Well, there's a bit of a problem there, too.
Sometimes, the gods of the dice are ridiculously cruel. In a Star Wars game, for instance, I had a player who spent 2 hours building his new character while I ran the game a few feet away. When he was finally ready to jump in, the first attack roll against him rolled a natural 20 on the attack and a natural 20 on the confirmation. From here on, he could have been auto-killed.
Long story short, I saved him, but there's a danger of breaking the suspension of disbelief in games if you go out of your way to save an unlucky player. |
Being sarcastic can be more telling than simply telling. |
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Baldwin Stonewood
Acolyte
34 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2008 : 00:02:47
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I've grown attached to many characters that I've created, they are my creations. If one died needlessly that would stink. I have rogue in one of the games that I am in and I really like him. I've developed a neat BS and it certainly fits with the overall game.
In my current game that I GM there in one player who has a dwarf barbarian that I really like. If he died the bards would write fascinating lore on him. |
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Aravine
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2008 : 16:10:43
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| You know, we(my IRL DM and me,) grew so attached to a certain half-orc(who by the way started as a moblin in a Zelda RP)) That there have been reincarnations of him in almost every campaign. |
The brave don't live forever,the cautious don't live at all |
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Tethir the dragonslayer
Acolyte
11 Posts |
Posted - 03 Apr 2008 : 22:11:16
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| Hell yes I'm attached to my character... he died once causing my never-ending hate towards dragons... |
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Dezmodu
Acolyte
Netherlands
17 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2008 : 12:15:09
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I have a rogue, he is realy keen on taking over some work from Ollidamara (in a friendly way, as an asistant or somthing) he has a tattoo of the Olli symbol (the mask) on his face. he fainted 6 times during tatooing :P he steals just about everything he can, buys what he needs and gives the rest to the tempel of...... Olli.
by the time he was lvl 10 he had comunicated directly with his beloved god 3 times and been granted 1 wish and 2 minor artifacts by Olli.
one time one of his Olli artifscts was stolen by an undead mindflayer, he went to get it back managed to steal it right from under his eeeeh tentacels, but got cought on his way out. to save himselfe he jumed tru a hole in the fore into a cavern but the bottm of the cavern was about 700 800 feet straight down.
my DM gave me some time to figure out my next move while he went on with the rest of the party for a bit. after he was done end I already a bit down becouse my character was about to die, all players and my DM sat down together to divise some verry skillful manuvres to save him (thats how attached everyone was to him(he was a verry likable halfling)) he managed to keep himself alive... bearley. lay oncountiouse in a cave for about half a day before the rest of the party could get to him.
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paladin: Ignorance is no excuse!
Rogue: Why?
Paladin: I don't know.
Rogue: IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE!!!
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Edited by - Dezmodu on 11 Apr 2008 12:20:07 |
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Character Attachment
