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[Discus]

I am about to start my third playthrough of origins and awakening, including all dlc except lelianas song and darkspawn chronicles.

My first playthrough was just going through the game, roleplaying the character as I went along. Second time around was about making my "perfect" character to import to DA2.. All in all it was never really about powergaming but roleplaying and making the choices I wanted to see the affects of in DA2. Mind you, I haven't played DA2 yet. But I realized I never really got a surprising experience, first time through I made all the choices based on how I usually do them in rpgs and the second time I more or less did the same but with a few adjustments, still in a very calculated fashion; so there were no big surprises in terms of the games responses and plotline twists.

This time I want to do it differently. I want to develop a strong character background that will naturally shape the characters choices throughout the game based on that characters emotional, psychological foundation. More or less create a way to surprise myself and play a character that would make choices in a way I never would myself. My question is if any of you have advice on how to go about this in a thorough but still managable way. Share some of your inspiration!

Thanks and looking forward to see what you come up with..

Discus

Modifié par Discus, 23 août 2011 - 08:41 .

[DKC95]

First of all it's great to see another roleplayer.
I am also going to be starting a very similar playthrough, I might be able to help give you a few ideas but that would be much easier if you posted information about the character for example their gender, race, origin, class then i should be able to help you develop a story.

[LZA_FUNK]

Try playing as a arcane warrior, After playing through all DLC, this character you see in my portrait is a level 34 mage.

[Discus]

DKC95 wrote...

First of all it's great to see another roleplayer.
I am also going to be starting a very similar playthrough, I might be able to help give you a few ideas but that would be much easier if you posted information about the character for example their gender, race, origin, class then i should be able to help you develop a story.

Yes, nice to see there are others roleplaying as well!

WARNING: No spoilers but still some hints of the plot coming up, for those who wish to avoid that.


I was thinking a male, human noble, rougue. My idea so far is someone who feels unappreciated as the younger brother and therefore acts as if he does not care about anything, rumbling around, sleeping around, partying, no care for responsibility, a bit of a rebel. His motivation to step up later becomes what happens to his family (trying to avoid spoilers, but you know what happens I guess) even if he does not want it. He also develops a strong hatred for religion, why should he beleive in something that caused him so much pain.. So he becomes a egocentrically driven character, who against his own will is forced to become a savior, does what he has to do but looks at the world through cynical eyes. But the more time passes he realizes how little his fate matters in relation to everything else and matures in his responsibility but still remains quite cold in his choices because of what he lost. His concern is to survive and save what he can save, but has no need to be seen as a paragon hero.

Suggestions to deepen this? Or perhaps a completely different idea?

Thanks a lot!


Discus

Modifié par Discus, 23 août 2011 - 11:37 .

[JoHnDoE14]

Hey there fellow roleplayers!
OP, you could also roll a ''Lawful Evil'' human noble. Having been the second son of the Couslands, he accepted that Fergus was the heir, but that didn't make him stop wanting more power. He is loyal to his family and would do everything to make them an even stronger family. He coldly manipulates people, supports the chantry (or thinks he does) and is a rascist. He rules (his team) with an Iron fist. He supports Ferelden and hates Orlais. He believes in ''the goal justifies the means'' and wants to brutaly punish anyone who dares to defy the things he holds sacred (Law, Order, Ferelden etc). The rest, is up to you!

[LeBurns]

I think you can justify most of what you are trying to do. What you end up doing with Alistair will be interesting though, since you will be in a position to get a whole lot more power, but you may not want it due to the crowns connections with the Chantry and all. You may just rather be a rebel and run off with Leliana when it's all over.

[Discus]

LeBurns wrote...
You may just rather be a rebel and run off with Leliana when it's all over.

Or never even let Leliana join because of her religious lunacy .

JoHnDoE14 wrote...

Hey there fellow roleplayers!
OP, you could also roll a ''Lawful Evil'' human noble. Having been the second son of the Couslands, he accepted that Fergus was the heir, but that didn't make him stop wanting more power. He is loyal to his family and would do everything to make them an even stronger family. He coldly manipulates people, supports the chantry (or thinks he does) and is a rascist. He rules (his team) with an Iron fist. He supports Ferelden and hates Orlais. He believes in ''the goal justifies the means'' and wants to brutaly punish anyone who dares to defy the things he holds sacred (Law, Order, Ferelden etc). The rest, is up to you!

I like the idea. But power hunger is not something I ever felt attracted to exploring though. Maybe a good challenge though! He could still be anti-chantry. Maybe even hate all forms of institutions, slight anarchist. After the family tragedy he no longer believes in going through the common channels for change. But rather takes the law in his own hands as the grey warden he is.

Keep on coming with new ideas or suggestions fellow roleplayers!


Discus

Modifié par Discus, 23 août 2011 - 01:44 .

[LeBurns]

Being anti Chantry may make you pro-Circle Mage Rebel as the mages plight may been seen as Morrigan describes it. Not many ways to play this out though as Wynne is definately another pro-Chantry person you would want to avoid. Letting Blood mages live when possible perhaps.

The ashes quests? Well even if you hate the Chantry the cult is practically pro-Adrasta (in their twisted way).

Dwarves, probibally lean more towards the less traditional.

Morrigan - Yes.

[JoHnDoE14]

Hmmm. I am running out of ideas for Human nobles...Anyway how about that?
A ''chaotic neutral'' human noble. She never took anything seriously. The darkspawn threat, Orlais, his family, and pretty much anything were only distant realities. Fun was the most important thing. She never cared about anyone, and simply invented excuses to live ''the wild life''. Even the attack on Highever couldn't change that attitude. The grim reality of the blight however, and the realisation that not everyone was as free as she is, soon changed her, but nothing could dampen her wit.

[Discus]

Maybe it is me, but when you describe it like that it sounds more dull then I first thought? Not your fault, just me realizing maybe my idea is not solid enough. Would be nice to add some flavour to it, a "Hamlet-ian" predicament perhaps, something that makes him/her (you suggest a her?) a bit more torn as a character. More emotionally driven. He can't be Hamlet of course but can maybe aquire a similar emotional drive resulting in cynisism and ruthlessness...?

Discus

Modifié par Discus, 23 août 2011 - 05:30 .

[Discus]

Hamlet: in a sense a young man living an easy royal life (at first an unaware or ignorant noble perhaps) but turns into a cynical anti-hero who does what he has to do to fight for truth. Changes the rules of the game completely to challenge the integrity of his surroundings. In a way it is selfish but also a sacrafice; he lives a lie to achieve honesty and to heal what has been scarred. A sincere joker if you will or atleast that is one interpretation. This is getting deep

Modifié par Discus, 23 août 2011 - 05:30 .

[Ferretinabun]

Role-playing is SO the point of games like this! Love it - can't get enough.
The one point I can't stress enough is it's better to work out your character's FLAWS. And not even necessarily ones you intend to overcome. By far my favourite runthroughs were with my most flawed characters - the first a Dwarf Noble, supremely arrogant, and yet also given a depressive martyr complex by the events of his origin. Developed a psycho obsessive-redemptive fixation on Leliana and killed her out of jealousy because she loved the Maker more (I hope she'd appreciate a death which so closely mirrors Andraste's).
Then a human noble warrior who irrationally dispised magic. Never had a mage in the party (beyond Lothering). Not as much of a handicap as you'd think.
For your own 'Hamlet', perhaps the events of your origin gave you a fixation for any kind of pseudo-parent authority figure (Hello Wynne... MOTHER ME!!!) - or the opposite: an absolute horror for getting close to ANY of your companions so you can't be hurt like that again.
I think the reason I like the Dwarf Noble origin so much is that it is the origin with arguably the potential for the most psychological angst.
Alternatively, go for the comedy angle! Play it like your character is a coward who honestly doesn't WANT to do any of the things he/she is doing. They'd rather run and hide in a corner until the Blight's over. But you have to make it look like you're the big brave hero to keep your family honour, and events just kinda carry you along. If only everyone would look away for a while so they can slip away without anyone noticing...
P.s, I know this post makes me sound like a total fruit-loop, but it honestly does make roleplaying fun.

[Ferretinabun]

As an afterthough, I wanted to stress playing a flawed character is not the same as playing a bad/evil character. I tried one of those too - a mage who deliberately chose the worst decision every time out of petty spite for the world and contempt for those around her. Romanced Alistair just because she planned to make herself queen (the gullible fool). But her evil plan comes undone at the last mnute when Alistair jumps on the grenade because he wubs her. No friends in the throne room at the end and she and Anora exchanging poisoned congratulations while wanting to butcher each other behind the wafer-thin veil of civility. But while it was fun to play, the ending just didn't feel right. Anora was too warm, and I didn't find it too much fun being a total **** just to spite everyone.

[gingergen]

It seems to me that magic is a very polarizing issue in the DAO world... you could also take a very strong stance one way or the other -- that could tie in to how you feel about the Chantry, as well, given the relationship there. If you're anti-Chantry you could go pro-blood mage -- amplifying the "whatever it takes" angle of the Wardens. That might give you some nice conflict with Alistair as well, who's a lot more about honor/goodness than "whatever it takes".

(I kind of want to do a Be Mean to Alistair run through at some point, though I don't know if I'd be able to stick to it. Too susceptible to the puppy dog eyes.)

It sounds like you're going from a noble origin -- there's a lot of room for playing politics there. Certainly my current Warden has never forgotten that she's a Cousland, Warden's vow or no, and she'll be making a power grab when she can (unlike my last Warden).

[LeBurns]

greengoron89 wrote...

I'm playing my current Cousland differently than I've played previous ones (bear with me while I lay it all out).

... ...

That sounds like a very cannon way of playing the character.  Most of your game-play decisions seem to be backed up in game.

If playing a male noble I generally play the playboy rogue who is forced to accept resposibility against his will, but after accepting it excels.  He will have a romp with Morrigan, but kinda backs off when she makes a drama of it.  Has some issues with Leliana's faith, but after hardening her finds her much more appealing.  Will save the mages.  Will side with the werewolves against the evil dalish that cursed them (will force them to be cured).  Would like the dwarves to break away from traditions that seem to be holding them back.  Does ritual to save self.

A female noble is generally a warrior who is trying to prove herself through her skills.  She sees the joining of the Wardens as the perfect opportunity to accomplish this.  All choices generally good and pro-chantry.

Modifié par LeBurns, 24 août 2011 - 12:56 .

[Corker]

Ferretinabun wrote...
I think the reason I like the Dwarf Noble origin so much is that it is the origin with arguably the potential for the most psychological angst.

I'd agree that it's up there, but I've also found the Dalish Origin to be pretty good for that, as well.  Lost to beloved kin and clan, forever apart because the taint in your blood will destroy their dreams of a new Arlathan.  The Dalish treaty becomes one long exercise in seeing everything you've lost flaunted in your face, made worse because the clan is *so much nicer* to a Dalish Warden than they are to any other.

[furryrage59]

Corker wrote...

Ferretinabun wrote...
I think the reason I like the Dwarf Noble origin so much is that it is the origin with arguably the potential for the most psychological angst.

I'd agree that it's up there, but I've also found the Dalish Origin to be pretty good for that, as well.  Lost to beloved kin and clan, forever apart because the taint in your blood will destroy their dreams of a new Arlathan.  The Dalish treaty becomes one long exercise in seeing everything you've lost flaunted in your face, made worse because the clan is *so much nicer* to a Dalish Warden than they are to any other.

I actually got really angry at what happens at the culmination of the Dwarf Origins, in a good way. I want revenge so much my character is seething, fantasizing about murderous vengence!!!

[mousestalker]

If you are on a PC, it may behoove you to check out some mods to enhance your rpg choices. For example, my last play through was Jezebel Cousland. I started her shortly after the game came out, but only managed to finish her recently. She's sort of evil. She's very brave and a good fighter, but she is both short sighted and manipulative. I modded the game with the 'equal love' mod for her as she is omnivorous.

Both the human and dwarven noble origins lend themselves to playing a mentally and morally lazy character.

[DarkLaplace]

I actually just started a new character after seeing a couple of comics on Dragon Age and I plan to do some role playing with him myself This is also to set up for when I finally get Dragon Age 2 as well.

[GSSAGE7]

The best thing to do would be to decide on a character that would fit in the Origin, and then plan out ahead of time where your character would go in most of the major choices, as long as you keep yourself open for different options.
For instance, my Warden was willing to kill Connor, but quickly changed his mind when Alistair suggested going to the circle for help.
As for how you roleplay a character, hell, just go nuts. You may even find yourself doing things you wouldn't think you'd do. My Cousland, for instance, went for Bhelen instead of Harrowmont, because Bhelen's guy was closer, and he was annoyed that the dwarves's problems are so minor compared to the elves suffering from a werewolf attack, or the Circle being overrun with abominations. Just to highlight how out of character that seemed on retrospect, every other major choice was, effectively, the "paragon" one. Elves, Mages, save Connor with circle help.