Playing The God

Playing The God
by Vampire Hunter D
[The author of this document is asked to email Warboss Alex at this address, when and if he reads this.]

Before we begin this lesson, please understand that this is only the text from one individual. The advice presented hereforth could possibly backfire, depending on the crowd you roleplay with. That being said let us begin.

What is classified as a God-PC (Power-Gamer)?

This seems to be a simple enough question, yet often times we find that certain individuals have absolutely no clue as to what they are doing wrong when they happen to get kicked from a channel for being too strong. Let me break down what power gamers are:
A god character who has unlimited powers and can never be defeated.
A demigod (Half god) character who takes forever to die.
A very annoying person who refuses to be defeated, no matter what
In truth, there are probably many other descriptions of what a power-gamer could be, but let us stay with these for now. First off, let us examine the first number.

God Characters

A god character, as described above, is a character that can never be defeated, and has unlimited powers. Now, in a few, very few mind you, cases, there are god characters that enlighten the role playing experience. However, 9.99 times out of 10, there are god characters that completely ruin the role playing experience with their never-ending show of power. Let us step away from this text and watch what an annoying god character could possibly look like:
* Mr-Godman enters the tavern, his high and almighty presence radiating off of him, making it known to all that he is superior to everything else around him.
Mr-X: Welcome, sir... How fare this day for you?
Mr-Godman: Leave me alone, mortal!
* Mr-Godman raises his hands and causes the tavern to catch fire in an inhuman blaze... The entire tavern within a matter of minutes is reduced to a heap of cinders.
* Mr-X draws his sword... "You have no right destroying our tavern like that!"
* Mr-Godman snaps his fingers and stops Mr-X's heart in a split second... "Ill do whatever I please, infidel!"
* Mr-Y slices through the god's calves through his robe from behind... "Stay away from here, fool!"
* Mr-Godman snaps his fingers as his wounds heal automatically. He turns around and stops Mr-Y's life with one single glance... "You shall never defeat me! EVER!"
Mr-ChannelOp: Bubuy, godboy!
*** Mr-Godman was kicked from #Anonymous-Tavern (Loser! Stay away!)
Now... Seem familiar? Someone who no one knows walks in and tries to wreak havoc. Now, let me show you a case where this might not be all too bad. In fact, it could prove to be an interesting venture for the patrons of a tavern...
* Mr-Godman enters the tavern, seeming somewhat inconspicuous... His plain brown robes cover his other garments underneath... A small flash of gold as the robes rustle reveal rich clothing, but only for a moment. He leans back against the wall with a slight nod to the others... "Good evening to you all..."
Mr-X: Good eve, sir... How do you fare?
Mr-Godman: Quite well, indeed... But perhaps you could further help me...
* Mr-Y watches the new patron carefully, having a certain bad feeling about this one...
Mr-Godman: ::Perhaps you would be wise to keep your unwanted feelings below the surface, boy...:: (To Mr-Y)
* Mr-Y has a sudden moment of fear, confused and somewhat distressed as this newcomer reads his feelings... He turns and walks away to the fire, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword in case anything breaks out...
* Mr-X remains oblivious to the exchange between Mr-Y and the newcomer... He smiles slightly as he offers help..."What are you looking for, sir?"
Mr-Godman: "...I have been in search of a certain person for many a year... I believe he is within these walls as we speak, boy..."
* Mr-Z lets his hand fall to the hilt of his sword...
Mr-Z:I know who you are...
* Mr-Godman smirks slightly as he turns, facing the other insolent boy..."Ah...You do, eh? Well then...Shall you tell them who I am?"
--Pause--

Now, from this small bit of log, you can see that one good hint is to arrange such an event with a god PC with another who is a regular in the channel. Such arrangements could provide an ongoing personal vendetta or perhaps even a channel wide quest. In any case, if things get too hot, he/she will be able to vouch for you and tell you when to cool down.

--Play--
Mr-Z: Stay back, please... These people have caused you no harm... It is I you want...
Mr-X: What is he talking about, Mr-Z?
Mr-Godman: Yes, please tell him what this is about, "Mr-Z"...
--Pause--

Another thing: If playing an evil character, many times a sophisticated character is the way to go. Use big words and heavy language. Intelligence is sometimes the upper hand. Don't worry, you will have a chance to get down and dirty later on.

--Later in the scene, fighting breaks out--
* Mr-Godman easily throws Mr-Z out the nearest window, the shattering of glass very audible as he crashes through.
* Mr-X yells loudly as he draws his sword, charging Mr-Godman directly.
* Mr-Godman smirks slightly as he simply sidesteps the attack, letting Mr-X run smack into the fireplace behind him.
* Mr-Y, before Mr-Godman can turn, plunges his sword deep into the robes that he wears, watching as blood flows slowly.
--Pause--

Now we come to another turning point -- Godman is hit -- Does he acknowledge, or shake it off? Sometimes, this is a judgement call. Look at how I would do it, and decide for yourself whether or not you would go this same route.

--Play--
* Mr-Godman groans slightly as he turns, smacking Mr-Y with a backhand across his face, sending him flying into the nearest wall, the sickening thud heard as he strikes the wall. Mr-Godman curses audibly as he yanks out the sword from his wound, tossing it aside carelessly as he slowly murmurs a regeneration spell, the mortal wound he has suffered slowly healing as he continues the fight.
Mr-X: ... He's ... Too ... Strong ...
* Mr-Y curses as he stands up, trying to run back to the god....
* Mr-Z grabs Mr-Y from behind, not letting him go any further... "Let him be..."
--Pause--

Perhaps this is a good place to let the battle end for now. You can always come back at later times, and make this an ongoing saga.

--Play--
* Mr-Godman smirks slightly as he kicks the sword back to Mr-Y. "Farewell, I've had enough of this child's play... But I will be back, back for you, Mr-Z..."
--End--

You see? Perhaps this is only one way to go, though. There are other possibilities. This is the way that I would handle playing a god-PC. How about you?

Demigod Players

They are not too much different from god players, except they can be injured more easily. Just use your judgement on how easy or tough these characters are played.

Annoying PCs

As above, try to stay away from PC-ing as an all powerful person who can do whatever they want, whether it be by snapping its fingers and automatically killing someone, or blinking its eyes to heal their wounds automatically. Just try to use your judgement on how to play the PC. And remember what was aforementioned. Arrange the event with a channel regular beforehand, and don't go too far on the first day. Break up the event into installments. You don't have to have all your fun in a single hour.

Overall, as well as arranging beforehand, be sure to create a good history with you and your character, as well as including the person you are interacting with. People will want to know where you came from, how you are connected to the other player, and why you are after them.

Just Plain Annoying God PCs

Now, we all have run into those certain PC's that are just completely annoying. Most of us more than once. These PCs are the ones that can avoid any attack, kill any enemy, and do anything better than anyone else. Not necessarily evil PCs either. Many of them are newbies, just looking for a way to fit in, thinking that FFRP gives you a license to go out and freely do whatever you choose. In most cases, these players are just not educated, or in some, these players just plain "suck". In any case, there is a way to spot them and give them help, no matter how hopeless they may seem. In this next example, you will see a PC who seems normal, somewhat, but is soon shown to be near invincible.
* Mr-BadPC walks into the tavern, through a wall as if it weren't there at all.
* Mr-Y bids greeting to the newcomer, somewhat odd as he may seem.
Mr-Y: Welcome, sir. How are you?
* Mr-Godman appears out of nowhere, holding Mr-Z as a hostage. "I have finally captured him! Now, you all will pay the price!"
Mr-Z: Don't listen to him! Just run! No one will get hurt!
Mr-BadPC: Never fear, Mr-Z!
* Mr-BadPC unleashes a super ray of lightning, which completely disintegrates Mr-Godman!
Mr-BadPC: There, all done... Come and have a drink with us, Mr-Z!
Mr-Z: ((Hey, buddy, that was kind of sudden... We're in the middle of a storyline, and this person isn't someone you just kill all of a sudden... He's much too strong for that.))
Mr-BadPC: ((But this character is from another planet, and his powers are much superior to any other being around. He is fully capable of killing anyone he chooses.))
Mr-Godman: ((I don't think so, pal... That's god playing the wrong way...))
Mr-BadPC: ((Look who's talking, mister god guy, just walkin in and takin over! I am much better than you could ever be!))
* Mr-BadPC ((can dodge any hit and take any shot, and never get hurt, because he is wearing special titanium armor made from metals dug deep from mars!))
*** Mr-BadPC was kicked by Mr-ChannelOp (Dodge this, pal!)
--End--

Now, not all PC's who RP badly are this obvious, so it's something to keep an eye out for. For those of you who think that you might be like Mr-BadPC, just work on your skills and you will improve.

Summation

In closing, my final advice to you, the reader and player, is: Don't Play a God PC or Power Gamer. Period. Many people just aren't good at it, and many times it takes an RPer of many years to know the difference between a good and bad God PC. And maybe even more years to play one brilliantly. I don't know if I am an expert, and I am probably in need of much work myself, but I have played an evil PC for 5 years nonstop on IRC, and I think this little bit of advice will take you in the right direction if you wish to play a powergamer, good or evil, online or through any other means of FFRP.

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