#RPGaDAY2020 10: WANT

#RPGaDAY2020

10: WANT

What do the players want, and what do the characters want? And what if they conflict?

Characters may have solid reasons to adventure, depending on genre and tone. Dungeon delvers seeking gold and glory, space explorers with the thrill of discovery, superheroes and monster hunters with power and responsibility, something that can motivate them for the duration of a campaign or series. Horror games are usually the shakiest here, since they involve going into serious danger more than once.

Players on the other hand generally want interesting things to involve their characters. They may question or deny specific plot hooks, but they’ll usually go for most things. (I say generally because I’ve met players who really don’t, who actively avoid the call to adventure on a regular basis. Just a couple, and they baffle me, but they exist.)

The second edition Chronicles Of Darkness introduced Aspirations and noted that they can be a mix of in-character and out of character. Right there on the character sheet, possibly opposing player and character goals.

A character may well want a quiet life. Few games will deliver that.

“All that I want is to wake up fine...”
Paramore, Hard Times

Ultimately for a functioning ongoing character I find it’s best to have some reason to get involved, not have to be reluctantly dragged into every single story.

As a GM, my motivation is simple, I’m here to entertain.