| From: | "Steven A. Tinner" <bluewizard@*****.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Characters... |
| Date: | Sun, 29 Dec 1996 10:09:39 -0500 |
> use, and based upon what criteria?
Our group has run the gamut at one time or another.
The best TEAM we ever had was all just about the same power level, and came
from similar backgrounds - gangers, sammies, a mage or two - the
"traditional" SR group.
Some of the best CHARACTERS have been - a robot, a lesser dragon, a free
spirit, several split personalities, a vampire, and a few hideous munchkins
that gradually developed personalities.
If the player can give me a good reson to play the character, I'll let them
TRY it. If they dominate the game, or are obviously useless, we can them
right away.
> If you're wondering how on earth I could let this happen, please realize
> that I'm still in the process of figuring the GMing biz out and that I
> worked with most of the players on the characters. I do not yet have
> backgrounds on any of them (except the last two), but I think I can come
> up with suitable ones when I get the chance to work one-on-one with
> players and put the enemies rules in the SR Comp. to good and judicious
> use. In any case, what kind of justification would you require of a
> player to make use of such powerful and potentially game-unbalancing
> characters?
Well for starters, your player running a vampir needs to have a good reason
to be associating with "the herd." or anyone else for that matter. Vampires
tend to be solitary predators.
The biggest complaint I have with White Wolf's Vampire:The Masquerade is
the concept of a team of vampires.
If I drink blood, am immensely strong, and almost impossible to kill, the
only way I'd be part of a team is as the leader! There's no way I'd play
second fiddle to anyone!
I'd say the same for the shapeshifter. What's the point?
This isn't to say that it CAN'T be done, just that you need to develop a
good background as you said. :-)
In our game, we ruled that the dragon had just suffered a major loss of
power and status in the dragon community. His actions had accidentily led
to the death of his mate, and he was running as a way to atone for her
death.
Our vampire was also a rocker, and used running and rock to meet potential
food sources! He had a high disregard for his fellow teammates though, and
eventually left them to pursue his own goals.
For shapeshifters, I think money is a good reason, as well as the thrill of
the chase.
I'm currently playing a wererhino who uses all his SR income to help
establish African game preserves for rhino's. :-)
My best advice is to try to think of a logical reason these critters would
be running, and hold the team together.
If it doesn't pan out, don't be afraid to talk to the player about it.
Maybe it can be resolved, and if not, Oh, well . . . try again next time.
Good luck learning this GM thing!
Steven A. Tinner
bluewizard@*****.com
http://www.ncweb.com./users/bluewizard
