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9 months ago ::
Sep 21, 2012 - 3:57PM
#21
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Date Joined:
Sep 18, 2012
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In the midst of all this sterotype-bashing, I feel like I must say that sterotypes are inherently bad. Not at all. You can indeed have very interesting, varied, and memorable characters are that complete cardboard cut-outs of their sterotype. The thing to remember is that sterotypes, like all other types of tropes, are tools. When used properly and with a clear purpose, they can be great inspiration. When used like a clumsy bludgeoning instrument, not so much.
Whether you employ sterotypes or not, all that matters is that you are having fun with your character. And if you're not, You're Doing It WrongTM.
Yes, but a DM that says "Shut up and play a stereotype!" is a very, very, very bad DM. The kind of DM you should tell to go play by himself, because you're going home.
...Possibly in less polite language, if you are so inclined. (I know I certainly wouldn't be polite if a DM was telling me to ditch my carefully crafted characterization in favor of a cardboard cut-out.)
Gunmage, a homebrew arcane striker. (Heroic Tier playtest ready.) GDocs link. (More up to date.)
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9 months ago ::
Sep 21, 2012 - 4:11PM
#22
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Date Joined:
Apr 29, 2006
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In the midst of all this sterotype-bashing, I feel like I must say that sterotypes are inherently bad. Not at all. You can indeed have very interesting, varied, and memorable characters are that complete cardboard cut-outs of their sterotype. The thing to remember is that sterotypes, like all other types of tropes, are tools. When used properly and with a clear purpose, they can be great inspiration. When used like a clumsy bludgeoning instrument, not so much.
Whether you employ sterotypes or not, all that matters is that you are having fun with your character. And if you're not, You're Doing It WrongTM.
Yes, but a DM that says "Shut up and play a stereotype!" is a very, very, very bad DM. The kind of DM you should tell to go play by himself, because you're going home.
...which was exactly my point. Not having fun => Doing It WrongTM
Just pointing out that sterotypes aren't inherently bad.
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9 months ago ::
Sep 21, 2012 - 5:00PM
#23
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Yeah, stereotypes are fine if they're optional and you choose to utilize them of your own free will. I encountered a game system not long ago where dwarves had a 'greed' mechanic, and orcs had a 'rage' mechanic which basically meant you had no choice but to be a greedy dwarf and a raging orc.
I can't decide if the game system enforcing that is more or less annoying than the DM trying to enforce it, though.
I'm already disinclined to play the Tolkien races ... this pretty much cemented me not playing one in that game system, ever.
Another day, another three or four entries to my Ignore List.
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9 months ago ::
Sep 21, 2012 - 7:07PM
#24
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Date Joined:
Sep 18, 2012
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...which was exactly my point. Not having fun => Doing It WrongTM
Just pointing out that sterotypes aren't inherently bad.
...Which I agree with entirely. I'm sorry if it came off differently, I was only trying to point out for the original poster (or anyone else reading) that in this case, where the the DM is forcing stereotypes on someone that doesn't want to play one, it is bad.
I really do apologize if I sounded needling or anything like that.
Gunmage, a homebrew arcane striker. (Heroic Tier playtest ready.) GDocs link. (More up to date.)
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9 months ago ::
Sep 21, 2012 - 10:21PM
#25
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Date Joined:
Apr 29, 2006
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...which was exactly my point. Not having fun => Doing It WrongTM
Just pointing out that sterotypes aren't inherently bad.
...Which I agree with entirely. I'm sorry if it came off differently, I was only trying to point out for the original poster (or anyone else reading) that in this case, where the the DM is forcing stereotypes on someone that doesn't want to play one, it is bad.
I really do apologize if I sounded needling or anything like that.
No problem. Sometimes stuff gets lost in communication. Silent medium and all of that.
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9 months ago ::
Sep 21, 2012 - 10:48PM
#26
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Date Joined:
May 14, 2010
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You want to not make waves? At the end of your background add, "And then he joined a thieves guild because of the oppertunities hinted there."
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9 months ago ::
Sep 22, 2012 - 12:10AM
#27
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You want to not make waves? At the end of your background add, "And then he joined a thieves guild because of the oppertunities hinted there."
No, that should definitely happen. The DM needs to pull his head out of his backside, not be placated. This is a time when waves need to be made.
Another day, another three or four entries to my Ignore List.
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9 months ago ::
Sep 22, 2012 - 12:39AM
#28
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Date Joined:
Sep 18, 2012
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You want to not make waves? At the end of your background add, "And then he joined a thieves guild because of the oppertunities hinted there."
No, that should definitely happen. The DM needs to pull his head out of his backside, not be placated. This is a time when waves need to be made.
Indeed. If waves aren't made, if everyone just goes along with the DM when he's being stupid... He'll continue being stupid.
Gunmage, a homebrew arcane striker. (Heroic Tier playtest ready.) GDocs link. (More up to date.)
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9 months ago ::
Sep 23, 2012 - 9:25PM
#29
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Date Joined:
Sep 24, 2011
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My Ideas for an Atypical Wizard and Bard
I figured for a wizard--I could be someone who's actually quite ignorant of how magic works. Rather, they just get whispered the words to spells and told to use them by a symbiotic consciousness that took residence within his (or her) mind.
As for a bard, I figure a morbid poet would be a bit interesting. (S)he'd have Oratory-Specialization with a preference for any spells that do penalties on his adversaries. (S)he'd always be giving long rants on the beauty of death and why it should be respected.
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9 months ago ::
Sep 23, 2012 - 9:51PM
#30
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I had an idea for a wizard once who had no formal education; she scavenged a damaged spellbook off a body on a battlefield and simply did what the illustrations told her to do, and got results. She had no idea how she was doing what she was doing, no idea on 'magical theory' or academia. She just knew, make this gesture, say this word, something explodes.
Another day, another three or four entries to my Ignore List.
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