07-29-2011, 03:05 PM
A simple discussion thread, not only to ask for suggestions, but also to see how you all handle similar issues you may have had in the past. Granted this is an RP server, you'd think the only way RP would stop being fun is when it's uneventful, there are too many Sues or too much godmodding, power/metagaming, when there is OOC drama, and the like. And there is this.
I have a confession to make with one of my characters: Diawata, whom I know a handful of people would be able to identify her as Kapre's sister. She was actually my second WoW character in my whole WoWlife, after who would be Asul'Na here, and the first toon whom I managed to reach the level cap and face PvP combat with. You'd think she'd be easy to translate into RP... but the problem is, as far as RP and lore and writing goes, she was created for romance RP with CappnRob. Our own RPs were fine, and we even managed to write our own little story. It was fun. I thought she'd translate here well too. But then came the little problem upon introducing myself here back in May of this year: Dia is meant to be RPed with Cristovao because they just about never leave each other's side. So DERP, I can't just yank her out of character and expect her to be the same here. So instead, I introduce the server to who is now my current and most adaptable main: her derpy lulzboat brother, Kapre.
I don't regret the decision I made, because Kapre seems to have built his own reputation around the server, and it's primarily a positive one. When CappnRob finally did come to the server, I thought "yay! I can RP Dia more!". And I did. But then I came across the issue I am presenting to you: when RP becomes a chore. RPing with Cristovao is fun, and it always has been... but what about when he and other people are away? Then what? Diawata is the type of character who needs certain people to "bounce off" in order for RP to happen. She's a b***h, she's bitter, aloof, she has anger issues, hates Horde, is incredibly vain, shallow, and vapid to the point of comedy, and is quick to pick a fight. You'd think that's recipe for interesting RP because there are -tons- of characters like her, especially other females. But maybe that's the problem.
So far, RP with her hardly happens; she mostly either just stands there, banters in conversations but provides little input, or follows along providing help but never making any efforts in initiating action (at least not without being shot down). Picking a fight hardly ever happens because she'd either be shot down as well ("you know the guards will throw you in jail, right?"), or she's facing something even she knows better than to pick a fight with (like an orc 3x her weight). The longest I can ever RP with Dia is when her brother becomes a topic of discussion. That's not a good thing
There is my problem: Diawata is a bore and a chore to RP. Taking her out is like pulling teeth, even if I'm on my own with intentions to have fun. Dia does have fun traits, and her good traits are there... but they are not like Kapre's where they are adaptable in every situation. A gentle giant who cowers in the sight of danger is somehow more fun and interesting to RP for me than a rough and rowdy combat-proficient hardass. WHY?
I'm sure I'm not the only one who faced this dilemma. I am not willing to toss out or discard Diawata on the basis of character boredom. I'd like to know how you all deal with "boring" characters and how you develop them. I am suggested to find Dia a group of regular RPers who can help give her room to grow, but so far I have yet to find it.
I'd also like to hear your stories in instances where RPs have become a chore. I feel bad that this has befallen on my first main character, and I'd like to know how you remedy your own dilemmas in unRPable characters.
I have a confession to make with one of my characters: Diawata, whom I know a handful of people would be able to identify her as Kapre's sister. She was actually my second WoW character in my whole WoWlife, after who would be Asul'Na here, and the first toon whom I managed to reach the level cap and face PvP combat with. You'd think she'd be easy to translate into RP... but the problem is, as far as RP and lore and writing goes, she was created for romance RP with CappnRob. Our own RPs were fine, and we even managed to write our own little story. It was fun. I thought she'd translate here well too. But then came the little problem upon introducing myself here back in May of this year: Dia is meant to be RPed with Cristovao because they just about never leave each other's side. So DERP, I can't just yank her out of character and expect her to be the same here. So instead, I introduce the server to who is now my current and most adaptable main: her derpy lulzboat brother, Kapre.
I don't regret the decision I made, because Kapre seems to have built his own reputation around the server, and it's primarily a positive one. When CappnRob finally did come to the server, I thought "yay! I can RP Dia more!". And I did. But then I came across the issue I am presenting to you: when RP becomes a chore. RPing with Cristovao is fun, and it always has been... but what about when he and other people are away? Then what? Diawata is the type of character who needs certain people to "bounce off" in order for RP to happen. She's a b***h, she's bitter, aloof, she has anger issues, hates Horde, is incredibly vain, shallow, and vapid to the point of comedy, and is quick to pick a fight. You'd think that's recipe for interesting RP because there are -tons- of characters like her, especially other females. But maybe that's the problem.
So far, RP with her hardly happens; she mostly either just stands there, banters in conversations but provides little input, or follows along providing help but never making any efforts in initiating action (at least not without being shot down). Picking a fight hardly ever happens because she'd either be shot down as well ("you know the guards will throw you in jail, right?"), or she's facing something even she knows better than to pick a fight with (like an orc 3x her weight). The longest I can ever RP with Dia is when her brother becomes a topic of discussion. That's not a good thing
There is my problem: Diawata is a bore and a chore to RP. Taking her out is like pulling teeth, even if I'm on my own with intentions to have fun. Dia does have fun traits, and her good traits are there... but they are not like Kapre's where they are adaptable in every situation. A gentle giant who cowers in the sight of danger is somehow more fun and interesting to RP for me than a rough and rowdy combat-proficient hardass. WHY?
I'm sure I'm not the only one who faced this dilemma. I am not willing to toss out or discard Diawata on the basis of character boredom. I'd like to know how you all deal with "boring" characters and how you develop them. I am suggested to find Dia a group of regular RPers who can help give her room to grow, but so far I have yet to find it.
I'd also like to hear your stories in instances where RPs have become a chore. I feel bad that this has befallen on my first main character, and I'd like to know how you remedy your own dilemmas in unRPable characters.