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Post by jasony on Feb 5, 2020 2:27:12 GMT
I have this idea for a post about making PCs and NPCs orphans since it seems to be a common thing in Star Wars (even before Disney). Something to stimulate some conversation. It's easy to say "My parents were killed" as a motivation factor, as it both removes them from the picture and gives a character purpose. In fact, most character backstories kill, maim, or otherwise cause problems for off screen NPCs, because it's both easy and a useful story point. I mean, look at many classic super heroes (Batman, Robin, Superman, Robin, Professor X, Robin (I'm sensing a theme here)) the deaths of their parents/families are a huge motivating factor. Thor on the other hand has a different take, where family is just as important, but in a different role. And don't get me started on the "killed my wife" theme I know when I made Jerot, I didn't have a plan for my family till it got asked in a situation I needed the info, so I rolled (The Dice Killed My Dad!) and just went with it. It wasn't a major motivator, but I wove it into the character's backstory (that has evolved as I both learn the character, as well as what I learn about the culture of the Echani). This is purely my opinion and not meant to be seen as a criticism against someone's character (roleplaying or otherwise). As Time said, it's easy. Too easy. In my experience, a player who made an orphan character generally went that route because they wanted to give the GM as little chance to mess with them as possible. The orphan PCs tended to be "lone wolves" with no friends or family that their enemies could threaten. There were some exceptions that really considered the psychological effects of losing one's parents and used it as a roleplaying aid instead of a shield. Also Organized Play has a different style of roleplay than a traditional campaign. In OP we have a different groups, time restrictions, explicit goals, and a module with limited customization options for individual players. That can restrict how much our characters can shine (especially when you're more goal oriented and time-conscious) outside of a PI. I think most of us who were in more traditional campaigns that had a few sessions that was all roleplay and few dice rolls. When I worked on Jules's background to help me get into his head I decided his parents were divorced, Mom was in prison, older sister was a criminal smuggler, and Dad died while they were talking on a vid-phone from an Imperial orbital bombardment. I tried working that into how I play him (with some success). In a traditional campaign, Sister may make an appearance to taunt/blackmail Jules. Mom make get out of prison wanting revenge on those who put her there. Dad might have survived and went into hiding. A GM could do those things and more. That won't really happen in an OP. So that's my take. It's a tool that's easy to use but can be hard to use well. |
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Post by Jeremy on Feb 5, 2020 3:26:12 GMT
Some do use it as an easy out and motivator, but for our setting it also works since we are in a time of war. So there are a lot of orphans out there, and even if a PC starts with parents, they may be an orphan without even knowing it if they dont check in. And a good GM can always find ways to connect the character's story if you have a story they know. Just because you think you're an orphan, does not always mean you are... (oh, well they had to fake their death to protect you... or, they were kidnapped... or, etc)
Personally, its up to each individual to determine what they want to focus on for their character and role playing that character. 1 of my character's has a very detailed background with a public and secret background (one story is an orphan while the other has parents and family with no contact). The other character is an orphan because that fit the character concept of a street urchin that grew up on the streets and fends for herself.
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Post by jasony on Feb 5, 2020 4:47:45 GMT
I'm not saying being an orphan is a bad thing or should be discouraged. You make it work. Just that I think it can be easily overused by those who put more thought into their order at McDonalds than the backstory of their PCs. It's like being a mutant in a Marvel RPG; "GM: How did you get your powers?" "Player: I was born with them."
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Post by garhkal on Feb 5, 2020 5:35:29 GMT
One thing i often (in home games) ask players, who are thinking of going that route.
"WHERE and who raised your character, then? If it wasn't your parents, or some other extended family, who took up that mantle"
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Post by Tim B on Feb 5, 2020 13:12:00 GMT
A lot of it also is about what was important to the character's backstory. For Jerot, her parents weren't an integral part, so I ended up ignoring them till it came up.
I agree with Jeremy though, in war, orphans happen. It's easy, but honestly not every character is defined by their backstory, and eventually events in game should help shape your character as well.
And honestly, in a living campaign, some people need a backstory, and some don't. Whatever gets you to RP better and fits your character concept, go for it and have fun.
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