Heroica RPG General Discussion

[Scorpiox]

Quirks are highly overrated are a cover for bad writing.

No, just no...

Developing a character's personality shows good writing at the very least. I don't know what literature you read, but it certainly isn't my sort.

[Sandy]

I, and especially Nessa, will be inactive for some time. I have certain plans for her advanced class but that needs time. Until then just think she is going reeaalllyyy sloooooowly back to the hall...

It's totally alright. This game was designed so that people can hop on and off in-between quests. As you've probably seen, even though the game has only run for two years, there has already been some comebacks after long absences (Etzel, Jebediah, The_Customizer, just to name a few).

[UsernameMDM]

No, just no...

Developing a character's personality shows good writing at the very least. I don't know what literature you read, but it certainly isn't my sort.

Haha. Don't get your panties in a knot. Apparently you haven't been paying attention as Hoke is the gimmick-free-man-about-town.

But I will say, if all you can offer is gimmicks and quirks, then that's not very good writing. Sprinkled in for a bit of flavor? Sure. Dominating every/majority character? No. I see it a lot of that today, especially in modern cartoons. Everything is over the top, zany, gimmicky quirks stacked on top of quirks with not depth.

There is a difference between having a personality/personality trait and how it interacts with everything else and having a gimmick/quirk.

[Scorpiox]

Haha. Don't get your panties in a knot. Apparently you haven't been paying attention as Hoke is the gimmick-free-man-about-town.

But I will say, if all you can offer is gimmicks and quirks, then that's not very good writing. Sprinkled in for a bit of flavor? Sure. Dominating every/majority character? No. I see it a lot of that today, especially in modern cartoons. Everything is over the top, zany, gimmicky quirks stacked on top of quirks with not depth.

There is a difference between having a personality/personality trait and how it interacts with everything else and having a gimmick/quirk.

gim·mick
/ˈgimik/
Noun
A trick or device intended to attract attention, publicity, or business.

quirk
/kwərk/
Noun
A peculiar behavioral habit: "his annoying quirks".
A strange chance occurrence: "a strange quirk of fate".

Quirks, as a feature, are not a bad thing. When overused, yes, but so is every other feature of writing in that case. Gimmicks, however, are inherently poor writing. The trick is also to not become afraid of using well-establish archetypes and come away with a bland figure who readers will become bored with quite quickly.

And anyhow, you failed to mention any of that justification in your original post (which appeared to show you being disrespectful to folks who were discussing how they like to use quirks), so therefore I am allowed to wash my hands in this affair.

[The Legonater]

I agree with MDM to an extent. If a character's whole existence is wrapped around that quirk or gimmick, and that's all he or she's about, the character quickly becomes boring and flat. I do understand what Kintober is saying, though - not as using that quick as the purpose of that character, but the base. There are a lot of amazing characters that can be nailed down to a basic gimmick, but grow and develop beyond that. Any of you who watch Red vs Blue no full well what I'm talking about.

That paragraph became a lot more rant-y than I intended.

[Kintobor]

Haha. Don't get your panties in a knot. Apparently you haven't been paying attention as Hoke is the gimmick-free-man-about-town.

But I will say, if all you can offer is gimmicks and quirks, then that's not very good writing. Sprinkled in for a bit of flavor? Sure. Dominating every/majority character? No. I see it a lot of that today, especially in modern cartoons. Everything is over the top, zany, gimmicky quirks stacked on top of quirks with not depth.

There is a difference between having a personality/personality trait and how it interacts with everything else and having a gimmick/quirk.

When Is say "quirk", I mean anything to help the character stick in the PC's mind besides his inherent personality. A cocky, hotheaded gambler is a fun NPC in his own right, but perhaps he has a lucky coin he always fiddles with and carries with him. Why? I'm certain the PC's would be curious, no?

The rogue who masks themselves in an ornate kitsune mask may be doing more than hiding their identity. Perhaps they've been horribly scarred. Or maybe they themselves don't feel human. A quirk in my book can be used to simply help the PC's remember NPCs.

I agree with MDM to an extent. If a character's whole existence is wrapped around that quirk or gimmick, and that's all he or she's about, the character quickly becomes boring and flat. I do understand what Kintober is saying, though - not as using that quick as the purpose of that character, but the base. There are a lot of amazing characters that can be nailed down to a basic gimmick, but grow and develop beyond that. Any of you who watch Red vs Blue no full well what I'm talking about.

That paragraph became a lot more rant-y than I intended.

You got it!

[UsernameMDM]

And anyhow, you failed to mention any of that justification in your original post (which appeared to show you being disrespectful to folks who were discussing how they like to use quirks), so therefore I am allowed to wash my hands in this affair.

Now I see where Haldor gets his moodiness.

Meh, maybe people shouldn't be so sensitive. I've posted a few times how I am playing Hoke pretty vanilla and, because of that, he seems to be somewhat unique to Heroica as straight laced characters with no historical drama seem to be in short supply.

When Is say "quirk", I mean anything to help the character stick in the PC's mind besides his inherent personality. A cocky, hotheaded gambler is a fun NPC in his own right, but perhaps he has a lucky coin he always fiddles with and carries with him. Why? I'm certain the PC's would be curious, no?

The rogue who masks themselves in an ornate kitsune mask may be doing more than hiding their identity. Perhaps they've been horribly scarred. Or maybe they themselves don't feel human. A quirk in my book can be used to simply help the PC's remember NPCs.

Or like when characters in Cat's Cradle by Vonnegut always carried a thermos. That is a big leap from a quirk like Spongebob's laugh.

[Scorpiox]

Now I see where Haldor gets his moodiness.

Meh, maybe people shouldn't be so sensitive. I've posted a few times how I am playing Hoke pretty vanilla and, because of that, he seems to be somewhat unique to Heroica as straight laced characters with no historical drama seem to be in short supply.

In what part of that did I say that I was upset? Not posting a load of winking faces doesn't mean that there is any kind of negative emotion, at least, not for me. Must just be a thing with my generation then; I've always believed that debates aren't the same thing as arguments.

Plus: I hope that this doesn't come off the wrong way, but... playing a sane, non-traumatised character and one with a personality don't have to be mutually exclusive. Take real life, for instance: I doubt that you had a horrific childhood that twisted you into the person you are today - but there must have been some things that have impacted your personality, no? Flexibility is key to this kind of roleplaying, as is believing in a middle-ground between character extremes. Your character does not have to be either completely stoic, or wildly outspoken, there does exist a realistic 'grey area'

Also, I'm certain that Haldor is not a 'moody' character. Have you read his post-53 quests?

I agree with MDM to an extent. If a character's whole existence is wrapped around that quirk or gimmick, and that's all he or she's about, the character quickly becomes boring and flat. I do understand what Kintober is saying, though - not as using that quick as the purpose of that character, but the base. There are a lot of amazing characters that can be nailed down to a basic gimmick, but grow and develop beyond that. Any of you who watch Red vs Blue no full well what I'm talking about.

That paragraph became a lot more rant-y than I intended.

This is what I'm getting at.

Edited October 14, 2013 by Scorpiox

[UsernameMDM]

In what part of that did I say that I was upset? Not posting a load of winking faces doesn't mean that there is any kind of negative emotion, at least, not for me. Must just be a thing with my generation then; I've always believed that debates aren't the same thing as arguments.

Must have been lost in translation. The emoticon on the end is doing a 'rimshot' which means (at least to Americans) that I just told a joke. Cultural exchange lesson FTW!

Plus: I hope that this doesn't come off the wrong way, but... playing a sane, non-traumatised character and one with a personality don't have to be mutually exclusive. Take real life, for instance: I doubt that you had a horrific childhood that twisted you into the person you are today - but there must have been some things that have impacted your personality, no? Flexibility is key to this kind of roleplaying, as is believing in a middle-ground between character extremes. Your character does not have to be either completely stoic, or wildly outspoken, there does exist a realistic 'grey area'

Oh, I know that, but in Heroica, it seems that being vanilla is the quirk, the oddity, which is ironic. But being too 'flexible' with roleplaying could lead to having a muddled/undefined character.

Also, I'm certain that Haldor is not a 'moody' character. Have you read his post-53 quests?

If you can't tell, I've been quite tongue-in-cheek the last few posts.

[Zepher]

Playing NPCs is the same as playing PCs is the same as living life - everyone wants something. If your character wants something, they'll act a certain way, and from there on in, you have a character who is believable.

I might do a write-up one day if people are actually interested, though I'm certain that WBD or CMP could do an equally interesting one (their characters are a little more true than mine, in my personal opinion, or at least more successfully communicated in their honesty).

Another question (though maybe we should move this elsewhere...) do people like random encounters in quests, or do you prefer a perfectly stream-lined quest? I prefer a random encounter or two, but people don't always seem to jump at them. I don't mean battle-wise, I mean character and roleplaying wise.

Edited October 14, 2013 by Zepher

[Scorpiox]

Haha. Don't get your panties in a knot.

Now I see where Haldor gets his moodiness.

Meh, maybe people shouldn't be so sensitive. I've posted a few times how I am playing Hoke pretty vanilla and, because of that, he seems to be somewhat unique to Heroica as straight laced characters with no historical drama seem to be in short supply.

In what part of that did I say that I was upset?

Must have been lost in translation. The emoticon on the end is doing a 'rimshot' which means (at least to Americans) that I just told a joke. Cultural exchange lesson FTW!

If you can't tell, I've been quite tongue-in-cheek the last few posts.

I'm getting so damn confused by all this that it's probably time to stop now. Rule #335: Making judgement calls over the internet is a bastard.

Playing NPCs is the same as playing PCs is the same as living life - everyone wants something. If your character wants something, they'll act a certain way, and from there on in, you have a character who is believable.

Another question (though maybe we should move this elsewhere...) do people like random encounters in quests, or do you prefer a perfectly stream-lined quest? I prefer a random encounter or two, but people don't always seem to jump at them. I don't mean battle-wise, I mean character and roleplaying wise.

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes y...

Quest #49's event (putting Haldor as the accidently killer) really pushed my abilities to the limit, we need more character-driven moments.

[Kintobor]

Another question (though maybe we should move this elsewhere...) do people like random encounters in quests, or do you prefer a perfectly stream-lined quest? I prefer a random encounter or two, but people don't always seem to jump at them. I don't mean battle-wise, I mean character and roleplaying wise.

If the Hitchhiking ghosts in 61 and 78 are anything to go on: yes.

[CMP]

Another question (though maybe we should move this elsewhere...) do people like random encounters in quests, or do you prefer a perfectly stream-lined quest? I prefer a random encounter or two, but people don't always seem to jump at them. I don't mean battle-wise, I mean character and roleplaying wise.

That depends what you mean.

Random encounters as in how they work in video games are sort of difficult to fit into things, though I've tried. By this I mean encounters that both are and occur in a manner that's truly random.

Random encounters as in meeting people that have pretty much no bearing on the main plot of the Quest, though it may have been planned? I've had plenty of those.

But I love both in either case.

[Professor Flitwick]

Another question (though maybe we should move this elsewhere...) do people like random encounters in quests, or do you prefer a perfectly stream-lined quest? I prefer a random encounter or two, but people don't always seem to jump at them. I don't mean battle-wise, I mean character and roleplaying wise.

I like them, if by random encounters you mean like how Thothwick met Ella (coming to a cinema near you). If not, then I'm not sure what exactly you mean by random encounters.

[Zepher]

I meant the second. I sometimes fear throwing in "red herrings" or making it appear like the quest is dragging, but I personally like doing things that way. Glad to hear that people like them as well.

[Kintobor]

Quest #49's event (putting Haldor as the accidently killer) really pushed my abilities to the limit, we need more character-driven moments.

So Karie, feel like betraying the party today?

"Sure."

[CMP]

Noxious Venom: 90 gold "Just touching this venom makes someone's head spin. Makes enemies Badly Poisoned and Confused for the duration of the battle... Not even I enjoy mixing this stuff. Ghastly."

Actually the Confused-effect only lasts three rounds, but the timer can be reset by hitting the enemy again with the poisoned weapon.

[Scorpiox]

Random events can really progress a character, in my view. Returning to the Quest #49 example: the accident could have happened to anyone... but it's how each individual character deals with these things that defines them.

[CMP]

Though it's awesome to see one of my items show up.

Returning to the Quest #49 example: the accident could have happened to anyone... but it's how each individual character deals with these things that defines them.

True.

"Gaaah! Who killed Mandric?!"

"Cronk did it. Cronk sorry."

THE QUEST IS SUCCESSFUL!

[Endgame]

I do have a certain love for Noxious Venom, CMP. Is it the only item that can inflict Confused? Either way, thanks for the heads up!

Anyway, a recurring character from 36/48 - Huzzah!

So Karie, feel like betraying the party today?

"Sure."

I love how Masson hardly even had to convince you. Karie pretty much convinced herself after seeing Masson's room.

Edited October 14, 2013 by Endgame

[CMP]

Is it the only item that can inflict Confused?

Flash Bombs from Quest 18 can.

[Duvors]

Kintobor, you do realize that if someone coated their lips in poison then they themselves would be poisoned?

[CMP]

Kintobor, you do realize that if someone coated their lips in poison then they themselves would be poisoned?

Only if for whatever reason they decided to swallow it.

Harlots work in strange ways.

[Kintobor]

Kintobor, you do realize that if someone coated their lips in poison then they themselves would be poisoned?

She's probably immune.

You've obviously never seen the Princess Bride.

Only if for whatever reason they decided to swallow it.

Harlots work in strange ways.

Which is why Heckz needs to get his hands on that book!

Edited October 14, 2013 by Kintobor

[Duvors]

You know what I find disturbing about Quest 85? Byblos hasn't even said Ook for almost the entire length of the quest.

You've obviously never seen the Princess Bride.

Yes I have actually, it's probably to be one of my favorite movies.