I'm interested in discussing the subject of the title above. I'll give an example, and it's one that I'm still working on trying to figure out RP wise.
My character, who joked quite a bit, died and came back to life a vampire. Logically, in my mind, he'd be far less happy after coming back, he'd have lost his excitement for what's next and his lust for life in general. This might also effect his views on protecting the general population, as I would assume his priorities would change to getting back what he lost (the above plus his humanity) rather then saving people who probably don't care about him or who will never know him.
That's what seems logical to me, but here's where the title comes in. I liked playing him as the fun, joking around because its fun, protect people, sort of character. My problem is now, I think I should do the logical thing, the "unhappy, non-joking character that doesn't have fun" but I want to do the other, where he is fun, continues to joke because he enjoys it, etc... even though I don't think "realistically" and RP wise, it makes sense for him to do it. So, I'm not sure how to go about it.
Anyways, that's just an example really. In your games, if there is a notable difference between logical RP and the way to RP that seems fun for you, which would you go with? Any additional examples would be cool too.
Also, any insight on my example above would also very much be appreciated, although not necessarily needed since its an example.
brooding, emo, dark, sad, and/or depressed is always harder to pull off than funny when it comes to in-person, at-the-table roleplay
brooding, emo, dark, sad, and/or depressed is always harder to pull off than funny when it comes to in-person, at-the-table roleplay
True. Honestly I played a "serious" character the last game and was enjoying playing the joking type this one quite a bit. But I'm not sure it makes sense RP wise for him to do it anymore. Which throws off my personal fun groove.
Why would such a fun-loving and positive character not try to make the best out of a bad situation?
Brooding manpain characters are so 1990's, any "fun" character worth his salt isn't going to do a complete character flip just because one bad thing happened.
Try gallows humour?
The more it unnerves your party members, and the funnier your character thinks it is, the better.
Their sense of humor could become darker and more macabre without them becoming a complete sourpuss. Or the character could be upset at first but make the best of it and try to see the bright side of things.
Basically my advice would be that you shouldn't get in your own way. Give some lip-service to being sad but don't "force" yourself to stop having fun. If acting grouchy would make you actually grouchy then you'll probably end up making your fellow players grouchy and it's a bad scene all around.
Why would such a fun-loving and positive character not try to make the best out of a bad situation?
Brooding manpain characters are so 1990's, any "fun" character worth his salt isn't going to do a complete character flip just because one bad thing happened.
I can see where you're coming from, but at the same time, it's sort of the second worst thing that could happen to this character that I can think of. The first being his friends / family getting murdered / kidnapped / etc... Plus, wouldn't it be a cop out to die, stay in constant pain (extra flavor from my DM) and act like nothing horrible happened?
You can still be the happy laughing joker. Only now you're doing THE Joker, aka Mark Hamill style. You have just became a fully functional homicidal comedian.
I suppose this could be possible. Drop from neutral to evil, finding life itself to be a joke and death the be the ultimate punch line. Not sure the party would enjoy that though.
Try gallows humour?
The more it unnerves your party members, and the funnier your character thinks it is, the better.
I've done a little bit of this actually. And it has in fact kept some of his "fun". Plenty of jokes that can work with the situation too, since it's a modern style game.
"I'm dead to you, I know."
Lights cigar, "Not like they're gonna kill me."
"Look. I know I'm dead, but I don't have forever."
This may be the way I stick with for a bit. Maybe he can transition into normal non-dark humor at a later point.
Their sense of humor could become darker and more macabre without them becoming a complete sourpuss. Or the character could be upset at first but make the best of it and try to see the bright side of things.
Basically my advice would be that you shouldn't get in your own way. Give some lip-service to being sad but don't "force" yourself to stop having fun. If acting grouchy would make you actually grouchy then you'll probably end up making your fellow players grouchy and it's a bad scene all around.
Some sound advice I think. He's sort of a mixture of the first two suggestions right now actually. He'll make jokes about his death, which his friends sort of hate. And he's upset enough right now that he asked the paladin NPC lady that recruited him to kill him if he couldn't find a way out of his current... predicament, since he hates what he's turned into. She refused unless he goes mad, like this type of vampire is known for.
Maybe I just need to wait a little longer for that window of looking on the brighter side. Something that makes him see it's not that bad, even if it's the nifty powers that comes with the sucky limitations / alterations, or saving a little kid that doesn't care about what he's turned into. Or something like that.
Thanks for the help with this everyone. I truly do appreciate it. It seems like the question that was posed has been more indirectly answered in that if one can make up the proper logic, they can have logical rp that they actually want to play.
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The question you have to ask is: Why did he tell jokes? That tells you whether or not he will continue to do so.
If he's the type that told jokes to break tension then he'll probably continue to do so and have a whole bag of vampire/undead jokes to use when people bring up his current state of being. Those who make a sense motive check might realize that even he's bothered by the undead thing, but that doesn't mean he's being brooding about it.
Personally, I'd keep the jokes and go with this angle: His primary goal is to make sure his friends (the party) are at ease. His secondary goal is to make himself be at ease. To this end, he continues the jokes, even poking fun of himself despite the fact that this might be painful to do. Even through the joking he does hint that he would like to be cured, and I'm sure the party would agree, but he avoids calling it out directly. This may mean delaying the cure somewhat, but he'll do what it takes to avoid being a burden.
More to the point: There is no such thing as logical RP. People are inherently illlogical, so be illogical! Don't say "Why would he do X?!", say "what would make him do X?". The results are often much better, story-wise.
Instead of choosing one style of play, or blending them together (Joker style), you could alternate between them. His fundamentally happy nature competing with his vampiric state could manifest as a sort of bipolar personality. Switching between "manic" and "depressive" states could be random or it could be activated by various triggers that your teammates would want to figure out. Mood changes at inappropriate times can have a humorous aspect as well.
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He just went from mortal to an immortal protector. I would say unless your alignment took a hit he could be a 'half glass full' type of vampire. Look at Lestat (in interview the other books were less...), he had a great time as a vampire. Not every vampire has to be Louis.
If you haven't seen the movie Interview with a Vampire I would advise you too. Tom Cruise against all my reservations did a great job as Lestat. The only difference is you will be on the side of good rather than a homicidal maniac...
Stefan Hill - While he did gain nifty powers and has become pseudo-immortal, he's also made to look like a horrific beast thing that he has to use a disguise ability for, and will spread disease if he doesn't wear a magic item given to him. Vrykolakas are not as fun to turn into. So he doesn't feel like himself, nor look like it.
That said, I've watched Interview with a Vampire before, but it's been a while, so I might drudge it back up. I remember liking it though.
StabbittyDoom - Joking about for the others, is a solid idea and it can definitely work. I may go this route, mixing it with darker humor. I may even play it like it's his way of trying to hold onto his humanity.
Gisher - That could be interesting. Maybe he'd trigger off of not be able to be close to people, without fearing that he may try eating them eventually haha.
Lots of good stuff everyone. Thanks again.
Alright, here's what I think I'll probably go with, thanks in large to the suggestions and insights in this thread.
Currently:
He's near suicidal. Having asked and been turned down by the paladin lady that recruited him to kill him if he asked her (unless he's gone insane / out of control) he'll likely insert himself into harms or lethals way if he thinks it can make a difference in doing so. He uses humor occasionally more to make others think that he's ok with what happened.
Intended Changes:
Keeping the near suicidal aspect but lightening it up slightly in that he's not consciously doing it because he wants to die (which he sort of actually is), but because it will help and might look awesome. Style is big for him.
His humor and fun will remain, on the idea that sometimes he forgets his current troubles / dead-ness and acts as he used to without realizing it, as well as the idea that he's doing it to keep his friends and himself at ease about it. His humor will likely incorporate more dark humor, taking jabs at his own undead problem from time to time.
Seems reasonable to me I think. One last time for good measure, thanks everyone. Being able to keep this character as a fun and joking type is a big relief, even if it means incorporating some sad elements feels good.
Your character doesn't have to stop being funny just because he's depressed. He could even become more so.
Some of the funniest people in the world are the most troubled inside. They use humor to cope with life, but for many of them even that isn't enough - see also Greg Geraldo, Robin Williams, and many many many many many many more.
While she wasn't a real jokester going about this pain Collete Brunel style would be perfect. Yes, what happened was devastating and tragic, the pain is excruciating, and you are terrified of what your future may hold, but never let it show, always smile and in your case joke around, maybe even about what has happened. Only express your pain to those you are really close to you and even then only when they have finally seen through your ruse. Then once you've shared with them your true feelings make them swear to never tell as you don't want anyone to worry about you.
While she wasn't a real jokester going about this pain Collete Brunel style would be perfect. Yes, what happened was devastating and tragic, the pain is excruciating, and you are terrified of what your future may hold, but never let it show, always smile and in your case joke around, maybe even about what has happened. Only express your pain to those you are really close to you and even then only when they have finally seen through your ruse. Then once you've shared with them your true feelings make them swear to never tell as you don't want anyone to worry about you.
I had to look up Colette but this could be another interesting way to go for sure. He's already told his greatest NPC friend a bunch of his feels after returning as well as paladin lady, but none of the actual party even know he's a vampire just yet. It may come out soon due to other NPCs but, if not, he'll just seem like a guy that's always joking and taking massive risks to save people. I could easily implement your suggestion into this. Thanks!
Should he live long enough to become used to undeath you can start re-introducing the joking and fun loving aspect and have him be sort of an honorary member of the Addams family
Should he live long enough to become used to undeath you can start re-introducing the joking and fun loving aspect and have him be sort of an honorary member of the Addams family
Grandpa Munster is the character that comes to mind for me.
Meh... IMO, you should forget what's "logical" and roleplay however it is that you find more fun... Having fun is kinda of the whole point of the game... Roleplaying your character should never become a chore.
A humorous care would probably still be humorous to cope with his grim reality. Take, for instance, a certain character from anime...