From: "M. Jason Knight"
> > Here's a quick example. My character was introduced to a new group
> > (new to both me and my character). According to his history, my
> > character, a courtly guard, spent a *lot* of time quietly observing.
> > The first few sessions, that is mostly what he did. My character was
> > watching and learning the other PCs. By your definition, did he have
> > screen time?
>
> Yes and no. For you, yes - you were getting something out of the
> session, taking "action" even if it was only within the character's
> head.
>
I've often enjoyed playing quite laid back characters. In one
Bushido campaign I played a priest. Bushido goes out of it's
way to emphasise that priests are respected and, with exceptions,
non-violent. The end result of this was that I spent most combats
sitting and watching the samauri party carve up various opposition.
While the other player thought I was nuts there was still opportunity
to interact. At one point in a combat the GM described someone
as "falls to the ground and lays there screaming". My immediate
response was "I step in to tend to his wounds". This caught both
the GM and the players by surprise since in most systems an
unarmed person in combat is blade-fodder. However, when the
GM pointed out that the way was blocked by one of the thugs
I simply stepped in front of him and waited for him to move. Since
my actions suited both the character and the culture the thug shuffled
back out of the way before going back to trying to pound the
samauri's head in.
Personally I've always enjoyed the way that roleplaying can be used
to challenge people's view of the world. In that case the whole idea
of non-violent, respected priests grabbed me as a good way to say
"This isn't AD&D". Maybe it's because I GM a lot that I tend to
think in terms of the total situation.
Mind you, that also taught me that the GM has to respect that
sort of character. That campaign was simply too combat-oriented
and after an entire session spent sitting on the dock watching the
party rampage across a series of boats...
"What's your action, Chris?".
"I splash my feet in the water"
"That's what you said last time"
"Yeah, and for the last half hour your only action has been 'I
attack him'."
"Hmph. Well I could do with some healing"
"Then stop carving up peasants and come sit by me for a while.
I can explain why your actions are inherently futile".
"FUTILE? But these peasants are suspected of encouraging
rebellion"
GM: "Uh guys, Can I point out that you're on opposite sides
of the harbour".
... I retired the character. The GM complained that the character
balanced the party out, so I told him to introduce an NPC and let
me play a central character.
It can be extra work for a GM keeping all the characters in the
play, but it's often a nice break from running combat. I always
found it easier to keep six or seven people focussed on their
character and the situation than run combat for six or seven
combatants.. maybe my combat system was just too complex.
Chris Tutty
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