D. Rex
Magic Eight Ball
Thanks for the advice, @KingHink, I kinda wish I had gotten this post a bit sooner, it might have saved me a lot of hair pulling and nitpicking myself. I do feel like I'm being a bit misunderstood here, I'm not trying to equate ranks to badassery (which is a super power, actually, look it up, it's got Deadpool XD), I suppose I'm just worried that once I set my character in the RP, they have to stay within the front yard fence and never having the chance to push the boundaries of their capabilities, hence the growth concern. I'm not talking about leveling cities or destroying lives, just having the capability to expand the character's repertoire over time doesn't seem to be encouraged, so I'm trying to jam pack my characters with all the potential they can muster from the get go. That's also the reason for the stats being so high, I'd love to make her a lower-ranking character, but again I'm afraid of setting those limitations and then being forever entrapped by them with no room for expansion.
Another point you hit on, I like simple too. That's part of the problem I'm having, balancing being detailed and covering all the bases with as few words as possible. It's a juggling act, on one hand I'm trying to make sure that it's clear the capabilities and limits that are present, on the other I don't want to write out a novella for every possibility that can happen, which (let's face it) reaches near-infinite numbers in this type of setting especially. (I also like to overload on the limitations, which I'm sure isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I tend to overthink them and lose sleep over "should this be a limitation or just a guideline or is it consequential at all?")
So, I'm writing up yet another version of this character, this time (hopefully) more cohesive and fits better together. I'm wondering if I just put out the sheer basics of what I want to accomplish if maybe I can get some suggestions for limitations and uses? As I've said before, I like to cover all my bases and my characters have a tendency to be "jack-of-all-trades, master-of-most-of-them", which I'm trying to work out of, since that usually creates flat, featureless characters who are too perfect for their own good :/ I look at everyone else's character with a bit of jealousy at how easily they seem to put their characters together and I just have this jumbled mess of a concept that I'm feebly trying to cobble together piece by tiny piece. XD
No worries, and I do understand you. Though I wasn't talking about you, and they weren't criticisms. I was speaking general words to a general audience.
I still refer to what I said. You don't need high stats for high capabilities.
However, what you say is a very real concern. And one I harp about often. "What should my char do when the teacher there can mop the floor with any challenge?" This is something I bring up often, and an issue I always try to mention whenever I see it being a possibility. As such, from my end, I try to do what I can so this isn't an issue.
Part of the reason this can be an issue is the volume of high powered amd high ranked supers in the roster. The character committee is really cracking down on this. Hence why we encourage low ranks, and the higher your rank, the higher level of scrutiny you will recieve to make sure there can be balance.
It is my understand of this rp, that the focus is on the students. While there are many roles, I will be the first to advocate that student characters should get the utmost priority in terms of treatment. Yes, the teachers and staff are characters too, but they should not recieve the same focus. They should be nothing more than glorified NPCs whose OOC purpose is to facilitate the fun of the students. Just because a teacher CAN eliminate a hostile threat in two seconds doesn't mean they should FOR THE SAKE OF THEME AND STORY.
This does not come from a balance of characters. In Aegis, we handle things through episodes. And each episode normally contains several scenes. With each scene being handled by a GM. Sometimes these episodic GM'S are temporary.
For example. In the current episode. I am a GM for one of the scenes. I am just a normal player, but I am leading the scene. (But I need a certain telepath to help so I can move it along! Hint hint, @welian) Anyway, as a GM, it is MY RESPONSIBILTY to lead this scene in a way to engage the players and their characters. As a GM it is my responsibility to see to it that those in my scene have fun. As a GM my responsibility is to get you in there. To get your char challenged. To make sure nobody is left on the bench. What I do in my scene is designed around the characters within it, and I will tailor the experience to them. I have the power to fudge things to ensure that no one is left behind. This way, it doesn't matter if you are S rank or E rank. My job is to make sure you have fun. If a char threatens to steal the show? I will throw a wrench in their plans and take them down a few pegs. Is someone having trouble keeping up? I will give them a supportive nudge to help them along, or otherwise make sure they have something special for them too. Priority wise, the students are the focus.
Anyway. This is the role of a GM, and it is up to the GMs of scenes to see to it that these issues are addressed in game.
Admittedly, my view of a GMs duties is daunting. But I have similar views to what should be expected of the role and duties of a player. (Which I won't get into right now because I am already ranting again. I promised myself I wouldn't.)
Make a char that is fun for you. That should be your priority. Go for a low rank. Trust the GMs to open the yard gate for you. As a player, use what you have to encourage your char out of that fence to put them in a compromising position. OOC, bandy about ideas about discuss things that can be done. Here at Aegis we ALL love to talk about ideas and help each other. We collaborate often and do what we can to make sure that every one of us can have fun and have a moment in the spotlight.
Your character will expand naturally. And you don't need high stats as a buffer to bookmark it. As I always reccomend, save the stats and rank until you have finished everything else about your character. We will help you with that, not only with ideas, but also execution. Trust us!
As for piecing together your CS? Fret not! We at the CC have delivered many a black eyes to prospective characters. Some char have been through discussion for a long time before acceptance. You have yet to produce a mess. And you have a fine concept.
I want you to remember that the character committee is not here just to vote and critique. We are here to help! And we love helping. We will happily discuss your ideas, help you find ways around things, give friendly suggestions, and all around do what we can to make sure you have a char that not only fits well in the rp, but also that you will enjoy as well. Another thing we keep in mind, is not just the short term, but the long term involvement of your char and how they would relate to other characters into the rp. We aren't about to throw you into the deep end. We got your back, fam.
I think I used fam right...
Anyway. I'm gonna shut up now. Because I'm sleepy. And when I'm sleepy, I go into rant mode.
Tl:dr - I understand your worries. Don't worry! Trust us. We will help. You can grow and be important. Get the lead out, Weli. And concepts ftw.
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