Current mood:	annoyed
Current music:	Wolfsheim - Sleep Somehow

The Gamer Nuremberg Defense
So I hope that, despite how I'm going to start this, the purpose of this post isn't lost on anyone. See, I have another peeve about gamers, and I saw it addressed in the Vampire Player's Guide about two years ago. (That book, by the way, the last edition of it, is really good for gamer theory in general. Despite my disappointment in many WW supplements for the past 4 years, this is one that I have no regrets about purchasing . Anyone expecting rules and such is going to be sadly disappointed.)

Anyway, in that book, they called it something like the Gamer Nuremberg Defense.

See, most of us are familiar with the "I was just following orders" defense given by many nazi soldiers to explain the atrocities of WW2, and that we, as a species, have pretty much decided that this defense is bullshit. Regardless of the orders one may get, you are still an independent entity capable of judging the morality and immorality of your own actions. Just because someone in authority tells you to club a baby to death doesn't mean that you have to do that.

So what's the Gamer Nuremberg Defense?

"I'm just playing my character." (or some variation on a theme - I'm staying true to my character, I'm staying true to my concept, etc.)

See, there are ways to do that which are fun for everyone. I once had a situation where an easily ticked off noble (witch) had to find a way to interact with an important PC who had just spit on her (and threatened her.) Rather than withdraw from the game or make a scene that could ruin the game, I spent time figuring out how to continue to interact with everyone including said PC. The solution apparently entertained many, caused no harm or disruption to the game, and no one found out about in character.

Before I point the fingers at others, maybe it's only fair if I review my own character. (And yes, many will notice that all of them are female. At the moment, I have no male characters. Though that's finally changing - male concepts are finally clanging around in my head.)


This list is only for currently played table top character.

Alice MacIntyre - Okay, she's a 17 year old goodie-goodie cheerleader who is also the reincarnation of an ancient Egyptian sorcerer. Despite being 17 years old, she has memories of building Rome, the fall of Rome, constructing the pyramids, learning from Musashi (directly), using Voodoo to free slaves in the 19th Century, and such. She's a powerful witch.

What is most likely annoying about her is that she's a know it all. With all the memories she has, she can't help it. But, as she gets more secure, she's letting others show off their intellect. So that's changing. She's also "Little Miss Perfect," but hopefully that's not too annoying (especially when the other characters are adults. A teenager who actually follows the rules put before her and isn't trying to rebel might be a breath of fresh air.)

Celestynna - She's an elf. And a witch. And a gypsy. She's tied to the element of Water, and the concept of Fate and Destiny. Celestynna is flippant, a poor liar, and very outspoken - probably even when she shouldn't be. Despite this, I've never really seen her annoy people consistently. Like her element, she tries to flow around the world, rather than make the world change for her. Like water.

(She's also great at making quick apologies, but does hold grudges - and for an immortal, that's bad.)

Lamia - She has no memory. She's bugfuck nuts. She's also a highly ethical/moral shadowrunner who once justified stuffing a grenade in the mouth of a man who had all four limbs amputated and was stapped to a gurney, woke him up, and told him "Be better next time" before pulling the pin and pushing him down the hallway.

She's a Snake Shaman. She's one of the best healers the group has ever had, and probably the best I've seen in Shadowrun if I do say so myself. She gets mad for no apparent reason, sometimes says things that could jeopardize the missions, but on the other hand is steadfastly loyal to her team, and will do almost anything they ask without question.

Sure, her instability is annoying. But it can also be manipulated if you figure it out. It seems to change (she knows she's crazy, and adds 'symptoms' to best hide what is really wrong with her.)

Peaceful Flame - She's a monk, in the Exalted world, a Dragon Blooded Fire Aspect Immaculate Monk who has trained intensively in the Martial Arts. She's recently begun to step away from the Order (for her own reasons, not the least of which is some kind of enchantment that made her fall in love), but she still maintains her dietary restrictions and her chastity.

Peaceful Flame is a bad-ass warrior. She's taken on Second Circle demons on her own (once). She's also highly determined - if she feels she needs to kill something, then either she or it will wind up dead.

Her steadfastness and morality are probably the most annoying aspect of her. She strongly believes in the Immaculate Faith, to the point where even shown evidence that it's just a construct, she maintains her belief in it. She has even argued it against a few Sidereal Exalts who for some reason were trying to change her mind.

Amadea Giordano - In 7th Sea, she's an oddity - a Vodacce member of the Knights of the Rose & Cross. She's the newest character, but I play her like I'd play a member of my family - passionate, dedicated, and only slightly underhanded. I'm sure her lechery is a problem for some (Hey, it was the Hubris that came up on my Fate Spread. Of course I took it.)

The point of that is that if I learned that people felt some aspect of the characters was making the game unpleasant for more than one other player (because there will always be those occasional glitches), I'd change that aspect.

The reason?

The game isn't just about me. The game is about all the players present. And about the GM. I'm not some selfish bastard - sure, I want my own kind of fun, but as long as that's accounted for (like it should be for every player present), I'm good. I don't want to annoy other players. I want to change my character to work better with the group as a whole if need be.

But to do that, I need it pointed out to me.

Now, there is one player I play with. I won't name names (because that sucks), but pretty much people are going to know who this player is - especially since this isn't the first time I've had this problem with him. (And, in one game, when discussion came in about booting this person from the game, I actually did argue the second strongest to keep them in the game.)

Anyway, he's in the same world that Celestynna is.

He doesn't interact with anyone outside of one character. He's so afraid of dying that his characters have no guts nor glory. He only plays his character based entirely on racial stereotypes. His characters opinion is never given unless he can consult with the character he claims he serves. He won't follow or listen to any instructions given by anyone other than that one character. He found out about this whole concept of magical ascension in the game. But because it involves serious risk, he'll never do it. (It also involves serious sacrifice. Another reason why he'll never do it.) Celestynna found out about it and did it once, almost entirely accidentally. She's begun the path a second time, again entirely by accident. (Accident is actually incorrect. How about "without intent.")

Which is annoying at least two players in the game. Myself and, well, one other. And I know we've brought it up before. His defense? "I'm just playing my character."

Which is a load of shit.

You may be playing your character - so is everybody else. I've made subtle changes to help Celestynna be of more use and of less annoyance than she was in the beginning. So have other players.

Your turn, bunky.

And if you can't, I suggest you retire your beloved character and bring in one who will interact with the others better. It doesn't have to be all - if you want to continue your pointless dislike of whatever character gothboiblinkie is playing, fine. I don't get it, but its been consistent through EVERY fucking game I've seen the two of you in, you whiney git. But the game is more than just you, and more than just you and one other player. If you can't do what it takes to become part of the group, I actually suggest you make the changes in your current character, bring in another character, or leave the game.

Because I'm through being nice.

Rich