Hello fellow roleplayers, ZonnoSpark + 1 here to talk about a massive part of a character that often gets overlooked and one that should be talked: Psychology.

Now, you have thought of your character, their name, back story, class, goal, and such forth, but now there is one question you: Why?. This is where a good character and great character can be separated, just by asking why?. This is what I would like to talk about today, the Why or the Psychology of your character. Why does your Necromancer practice Necromancy? Why does your Dunmer Thief what to make 100,000 gold? Why does your Mage seek help from Mora? These are just some basic questions, but hopefully, you get the point.

So we're here to ask you, yes you fellow roleplayer, what is your character's Psychology or even Mental State? How did you decide on their State? Why do they think that way? How do they handle their state or even thinking?

And for this discussion, and for all discussion in future, we politely ask you to reply to someone elses comment once you've posted yours - the fun is in the discussion after all!

Awesome idea, King, and for me I think this relies a lot on backstory. We're basically just a collection of moments in the past that make us who we are - decisions and actions that changed perceptions and shaped ideals.

For example, I played a warrior ages ago who was a bully in childhood, and as he grew up fighting and lording over people it just made sense for him to end up fighting people for a living. But when he got battered by a far more experienced mercenary, he finally found out what it was like to be weak and helpless. It wasn't an instant switch, but that moment and moments after shaped him, and eventually he basically became a paladin, but far less religous.

What I like to do as well is take moments, like the one above, but in game, and use them to shape a person's psychology. Obviously one thing isn't gonna completely change someone, but I've always thought subtlety in transitions and details was better, so it slowly, gradually altered them a bit.

My character is what he is because that's all he knows. He was born and raised in Cloud Ruler Temple, trained to be a Blade since he was young, just like the rest of his family for the last 200 years (he's a direct decendant of my Champion Of Cyrodiil). All he knows is his duty to the Emperor, and it's hard to throw away 40 years of your life (he's also a vampire).

Could someone link to the other discussions? I'd like to check them out and it really makes me think about my character.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Zonnonn]Zonnonn[/url] said:[/b]

Awesome idea, King, and for me I think this relies a lot on backstory. We're basically just a collection of moments in the past that make us who we are - decisions and actions that changed perceptions and shaped ideals.

For example, I played a warrior ages ago who was a bully in childhood, and as he grew up fighting and lording over people it just made sense for him to end up fighting people for a living. But when he got battered by a far more experienced mercenary, he finally found out what it was like to be weak and helpless. It wasn't an instant switch, but that moment and moments after shaped him, and eventually he basically became a paladin, but far less religous.

What I like to do as well is take moments, like the one above, but in game, and use them to shape a person's psychology. Obviously one thing isn't gonna completely change someone, but I've always thought subtlety in transitions and details was better, so it slowly, gradually altered them a bit.

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It's always a weird sort of suspension of disbelief when examining a character's motivation, backstory, and psychology isn't it? Who looks at a dark, yawning cave and thinks, "hey, imma going in!" And that's not even a double entendre. Or is it?

However, like your bullied warrior turned paladin, something happened to make our characters look at that gaping hole and think entering sounds like a solid plan. Often it isn't just one thing but a series a of somethings, a causal tree with hard, deep and twisted roots. Finding moments in-game to help define those roots that shape the viney trunk is always more compelling to me too, but we always need that reason why he or she picked up a staff and thought, "I like how this wood feels in my grasp."

@Zon It does rely on backstory, and I follow a personal rule for backstories that allows me to expand my characters to seem almost human.

I like the idea of a Paladin, who isn't religious just like how Potemus is a Necromancer and yet never attacks, and the backstory does make sense. A guy who thought he couldn't be defeated, but then when he did he realized what he had to do.

@Ebonslayer, I like that idea, though a bit generic. I do think it can always be done right, and from what I know from what you have posted in the other discussion, I would say you have somewhat twisted it, which is always great.

@Paws your innuendo game is strong.

@Legion Thank you for linking that, I was going to, but you beat me to it. Also, I wouldn't expect anything but something long-winded from you.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/ErikUlfrblod]The Nameless King[/url] said:[/b]

@Ebonslayer, I like that idea, though a bit generic. I do think it can always be done right, and from what I know from what you have posted in the other discussion, I would say you have somewhat twisted it, which is always great.

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I haven't twisted it at all. As I said in the other discussion all he wants is a new purpose. He was trained since he was young and all he knows is to kill and serve.

As for being generic, I'd say that's true. The family tradition is based off the Shadowscale's "recruitment at childhood" so it makes sense.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Ebonslayer]Ebonslayer[/url] said:[/b]

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/ErikUlfrblod]The Nameless King[/url] said:[/b]

@Ebonslayer, I like that idea, though a bit generic. I do think it can always be done right, and from what I know from what you have posted in the other discussion, I would say you have somewhat twisted it, which is always great.

[/blockquote]

I haven't twisted it at all. As I said in the other discussion all he wants is a new purpose. He was trained since he was young and all he knows is to kill and serve.

As for being generic, I'd say that's true. The family tradition is based off the Shadowscale's "recruitment at childhood" so it makes sense.

[/blockquote]

Yeah, he wants a new purpose in life, something very few characters of the same background actually do, which is why I said you twisted because if you didn't then he would be a mindless killing machine that only kills for whatever reason, something that is super generic and boring.

I actually figured it was based on the Samurai and not the Shadowscales.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/ErikUlfrblod]The Nameless King[/url] said:[/b]

Yeah, he wants a new purpose in life, something very few characters of the same background actually do, which is why I said you twisted because if you didn't then he would be a mindless killing machine that only kills for whatever reason, something that is super generic and boring.

I actually figured it was based on the Samurai and not the Shadowscales.

[/blockquote]

I see the problem, I worded it wrong. I meant he is still a tool made for killing but he wants to find a new way to utilize those skills, since he lost his previous occupation and he doesn't really know anything else. I'm sure if Alduin didn't come along he'd just join the Companions, though his being a vampire would cause... issues.

As for the Shadowscale connection I'm stupid and tend to leave important details out. He's an Argonian and his great grandfather (the Champion of Cyrodiil) was a Shadowscale before and during the events of Oblivion, after which he left the Shadowscales and made his home in Cyrodiil. I'm trying to mix Samurai and Shadowscale traditions because he raised his family in Cloud Ruler Temple alongside the Blades (who are practically samurai) while he served as the Emperor's private assassin, as did his decendants.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Ebonslayer]Ebonslayer[/url] said:[/b]

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/ErikUlfrblod]The Nameless King[/url] said:[/b]

Yeah, he wants a new purpose in life, something very few characters of the same background actually do, which is why I said you twisted because if you didn't then he would be a mindless killing machine that only kills for whatever reason, something that is super generic and boring.

I actually figured it was based on the Samurai and not the Shadowscales.

[/blockquote]

I see the problem, I worded it wrong. I meant he is still a tool made for killing but he wants to find a new way to utilize those skills, since he lost his previous occupation and he doesn't really know anything else. I'm sure if Alduin didn't come along he'd just join the Companions, though his being a vampire would cause... issues.

As for the Shadowscale connection I'm stupid and tend to leave important details out. He's an Argonian and his great grandfather (the Champion of Cyrodiil) was a Shadowscale before and during the events of Oblivion, after which he left the Shadowscales and made his home in Cyrodiil. I'm trying to mix Samurai and Shadowscale traditions because he raised his family in Cloud Ruler Temple alongside the Blades (who are practically samurai) while he served as the Emperor's private assassin, as did his decendants.

[/blockquote]

I have to say this first it seems like when I reply I get more and more details, which is great, but why not state this at the beginning.

So how was he in the blades if he is a vampire? Also, joining the Companions would still be different from that archetype, I get that he is a killing tool, but let me ask you this does he need a purpose or does just kill to kill? I ask so I know how to respond correctly.

No need to call yourself stupid, I just like very detailed things since it helps me understand items and characters. I mean Shadowscale and Blades/Samurai basically have the same concept to an extent, being raised from birth to obey a master and become a killing tool. Also, I get your concept/character now.