Some time ago, I made a post regarding my plans on doing a "self-insert" play through. I have never done one before (in any rpg), and decided I would try a bit of an experiment. Here is the original post, with some of the
rules I intended to abide by, to add a smidge to realism....in a fantasy video game.
Like Sporkfu, I am going to start a new play through soon. It is an experiment, so bear with me.
This past weekend, I received my birthday presents from my husband, early - new hardware to rebuild my decaying PC. YAY! (To finally be able to use DAI Cinematic Tools will be my new crack....can't do that with my current system). Once I have rebuilt my PC, I am going to start my very first self-insert play through.
I have never done a true self-insert. I have always had some PC's that had a few traits, or a couple of tastes/preferences, that were similar to me, but that was about it. So this will be a new experience.
I should note though, I will make one concession. Apparently I live too close to a power plant or was tested on by aliens, because my self-insert will be an Elf. I chose this for two reasons: one, the background has some odd similarities to my family and youth. And two, I am most attracted (LI-wise) to Solas. It is meta-gamey I know, but the reason for the metagaming has a lot to do with the specifics I am setting up for this "experiment".
Because I want this self-insert to feel "authentically me" - so to speak - I have set up a number of rules. The criteria for this play through is quite detailed. Here are a list of some of the "rules", and feel free to comment (if anyone is bored and wishes to add thoughts/ideas/whatnot).
1) Age/Appearance/Race I am actually turning 46 in two weeks, and I want to stay within the game's age parameters (i.e. 20-40yrs old). So I considered an age closer to my age, where I was the most fit (the Inquisitor after all, is meant to do battle from time to time 
). I have chosen my 38 year old self. I was heavily into long distance cycling at the time, and 38 is near the top end of the game age range. I have pictures of myself from that age, that I will base my in-game appearance, and have mentioned my choice (and reasons) on Race, up above.
2) Class - I have done a small amount of fencing in my youth, and some archery. Have no experience in large weapons or shields, nor twirling two long daggers. In the end, it made the most sense to go with Archery.
3) Specialization - Being sneaky or dousing myself in chemicals, seems highly unlikely. I did have a time, where I was fond of "tinkering", so I will choose Artificer (which I am actually happy about, since I have yet to play that specialization 
).
4) Difficulty - This was a tough one. Realistically, Nightmare makes the most sense. The problem is, I have never played nightmare. If I have to reload for fights too often, I suspect I will eventually get too frustrated to continue. LOL! The compromise, I believe, will be Hard Difficulty. This will still make me work harder than I do on my Normal play throughs (which is what I usually play), but won't risk the potential "rage-quit", on Nightmare.
5) Limitations - These are both combat and rping related. I'll start with a few ideas for combat
- No Leaping Shot (have never been able to do a backflip...ever.)
- No Stealth (since it boarders on magicky. I may change my mind, if I can restrict use to when enemies are not engaged - like before combat begins, and I want to set traps at a planned choke point).
- No Hook and Tackle (gymnastic stuff again, soooooo no.)
- No Caltrops (because those damn things look like they should always give FF even if FF is not enabled).
- No Fallback Plan (mostly because I really don't get how that would work in real world conditions. LOL!)
- Limits for potions. Haven't made final thoughts on that yet....subject to change. 
As for limits on rping, those won't be hard and fast rules so much, but more of a guideline. If I really don't think I would personally do something (like a certain side quest, or take a certain action), I won't do it. Some exceptions may happen, if I can determine a logical reason behind doing it.
**Exceptions** I will allow for Fade Touched items in crafting (and yes, crafting will be allowed). Magic that comes from mages or magic touched items, I am fine with. I just can't do anything that is magicky myself. Passives are also allowed (or at least most of them), for the ability points. But I won't necessarily be taking advantage of what they are actually meant to do. Unless by accident.
I am forgetting a few other things that I have written out (my build set up, is on another computer), but this is a general idea. It is still a fantastical setting (Thedas, that is), so I am not treating this as a true life simulation. That should go without saying. But, I just want to imagine how I might do, in a fantastical situation such as this.
tl:dr
I understand...HA!
Long and short, created my new self-insert earlier this week. I am using the following mods:
Settrah's brows
Elf bob
Custom Body Mod (athletic/larger chest)
Ended up turning on a number of Trials as well, and that turned out to be a good plan. Difficulty feels genuine, especially with my limitations. I am just about to head to Redcliffe, so not a lot of screenshots....yet.
*NOTE*I tried for multiple days, with a couple of different mods, before settling for this version of "me". It doesn't look exactly like me, but it is the closest I could get. Even attempted it as a human (in case working with the elf pre-sets was hemming me in a tad), but nup! Apparently that was worse.
Go figure. LOL! The profile is nearly spot on though. And from the front, the shape of the face, brows (though not entirely satisfied with the angle), and the nose are damn close. The eyes and lips, are what I had the most difficult time with. Again, except for profile.
And so it begins....
Just give Solas an "I'm with stupid" shirt, in that picture.
Even though I am metagaming some aspects (to fit my person and background), I still am choosing Solas as the LI, since he is my
type - personality wise. (minus the god complex and potential genocide.)
Cheers!
they have good reason to be scared.
Retour en haut
*sigh* I really want Flemeth back for DA4. It just doesn't seem like DA without her. 
I might add manShep flunked it. Never made one because unfortunately, he himself is not motivating enough. 
