Role-Playing vs. Roll-Playing in PFS

[Kurthnaga]

First of all, hey Paizo forum goers, this is my introductory thread, but I've lurked for awhile. Thanks for the cool ideas and increasing my game knowledge foundation. Thanks for reading as well.

On to the topic at hand. I walked into my LGS one Wednesday about 4 months ago, sat down with an Ezren pregen, and fell in love with tabletop. Society was a great introduction to PF and really eased me into the rules while providing a fun, social experience. But recently, I've been thinking and while I thoroughly enjoy the mechanics and "meta" environment that Society can provide, I also love the fluff and role playing, particularly the VC chats at the beginning of each scenario. I'm worried that I'm not being the best role player I can be at the table. I'm not quiet by any means, and act as a social member of the party, but I want each of my characters to have an individual personality. I've gotten a code for my paladin, and an idea what I want my Wizard and Druid to act like, but I was wondering if I could get any advice on establishing an identity at the table, and if anyone else has had problems separating roll play and role play in society.

[FanaticRat]

First off, roll play and role play don't need to be separated, as they aren't mutually exclusive.

Secondly, I dunno. Maybe try some freeform with friends before hand to get a feel for how your character acts and talks?

[Finlanderboy]

I find negative stats are huge roleplay pieces. Low wisdom as gullible and unaware, low dex can be fat, and whatever else.

Also let the situations develope thier personality. If you fall intotraps often make them timid. If they drop a boss with one hit

One of my characters has a love/hate reltionship with his sczarni faction leader because he gets threatened with getting beat up.

Have goals for your character. Even if they are not possible or tangible. They can pursue knowledge, attention, danger, combat, whatever.

The goals they have, what they are willing to do to accomplish them, and the tools they have available will dictate what you do in a situation. Keep track of that as you play.

[rknop]

It sounds like you're already doing fine. Just keep thinking the same kinds of things you're thinking.

Don't worry too much about trying to be the best role-player you can be. Just have a good time and enjoy the roleplaying. If you get stressed that you could be doing a better performance, you should probably be in theater, with critical audience members and newspaper reviewers and so forth.... :)

[Kiinyan]

One thing I like to mix role play and roll play is to wait until after the roll to act it out. Don't give this good convincing speech about why they should tell us something and then fail. Roll, and then act out the result of the roll.

[BigNorseWolf]

Quote:

if anyone else has had problems separating roll play and role play in society.

My advice is this: DONT.

Do not separate them, integrate them. Like ebony and ivory they work best when acting in harmony, not opposed and not individually. Build the mechanics and personality together so they play off each other.

[Elvis Aron Manypockets]

One thing that seems to help me get into a character is giving him a voice, whether in or out of combat. It really helps me to think like the character rather than focus on mechanics. I'll admit I felt self-conscious at first, but once I started GMing & trying to use different voices for the NPCs it was much easier to do it with my PC as well.

Basically, find things that make your character unique, whether a voice, weakness, fear, loves, hobbies, etc. and run with it. Add things as you go through scenarios & his experiences grow. You don't have to overdo it (this coming from a halfling bard who tells bad jokes in combat to inspire courage. Every round. From a list.).

[trollbill]

Because you have a character that appears for only a limited time and in a limited environment, subtle characterizations are nearly pointless. Find at least one distinct personality trait that distinguishes your characters from others at the table and more importantly, from your other characters. Accents, voices, catch phrases, distinctive habits, etc. can help to accomplish this. One thing I like to do when I create a character is pick one Trait for Roll-playing purposes and one Trait for Roleplaying purposes.

[Kurthnaga]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm definitely going to start incorporating more of my characters experiences into their personality.

@BNW: It was not my intent to separate the two, but more so because of my inexperience.

@Troll: I am unfortunately bordering on the monotone, so my different voices will not be filled with the character I would like, but I will try.

@Kiin & rknop: Thanks for the advice. I'll try waiting until I roll to act out at least diplomacy.

Thanks for the help guys, I would appreciate any more help you could provide.

[Cire]

I actually have been known to give circumstance bonuses on checks if the person roll plays the situation well. An almost good enough diplomacy check can become a good enough diplomacy check.

Role play adds depth and dimension to the game and is an important aspect. In fact, its the sole reason some of my friends play. They could not care less about rolling dice and killing monsters.

[Jason S]

Kurthnaga wrote:

I've gotten a code for my paladin, and an idea what I want my Wizard and Druid to act like, but I was wondering if I could get any advice on establishing an identity at the table, and if anyone else has had problems separating roll play and role play in society.

Roleplaying in PFS is a lot harder than with a group of friends. First of all, you don't know anyone so there's no comfort level. Then there are people that are annoyed by roleplay and funny voices. And then there are the GMs that get annoyed because they feel there is no time.

Imo just go for it and do your thing. If you play enough PFS you'll feel comfortable. Also, there's nothing wrong with trying an Adventure Path in addition to PFS, I think there's enough time for both.

I wouldn't discount PFS though, you can really grow as a GM/player by seeing a variety in play styles (assuming you leave your local area sometimes).

[TriOmegaZero]

Go big or go home.

At PaizoCon I had the pleasure of playing the Shadow Lodge retirement scenario with a fellow who roleplayed his half-orc rogue as full on stereotypical union member. He interjected with union breaks 'as agreed under the labor contract', accused other Shadow Lodge members of 'going over to management', and had a 'Shadow Lodge only meeting' when it was time to do our faction mission. He even used Fame scores to determine who was the senior union member.

You can certainly roleplay your character, but unless the traits are highly visible you'll find it lost in the chatter. If you can be loud enough without drowning out the table with your roleplay, you and your fellow players should find it enjoyable.