Fun with Archetypes & Stereotypes

Dannyalcatraz · 24th September 2009, 08:58 AM

Every gamer- at least every gamer I've gamed with- has played at least one archetypal or stereotypical PC in their history. Then most of us expand our horizons and creativity and try PC designs that are less derivative.. Some don't, but most of us do.

However, sometimes playing with them as an experienced gamer can be fun as well. For instance, the last "dour Dwarf Warrior" I played stood 5'7" tall and was 380lbs of muscle. This "giant" Dwarf's unusual stature- a cause of some friction in his community- made him act like the most "dwarven dwarf" he could imagine...with one exception. His best ally was a "dwarf" Giant, who stood just over 7' tall, and was similarly outcast.

I'm sitting here watching From Beyond (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_Beyond_(film)) and one of the PCs is the big, strong Action Hero who also happens to be the only Black Guy. He is also a Voice of Reason who says many wise things. The man is constantly expressing the sensible "lets not do that" position, and is constantly proven right. The white female doctor keeps running roughshod over his (and the other star's) objections. (Perhaps, like in Undercover Brother, she is really a White She-Devil?)

No, like many black action heroes- even the smart and wise ones- he does not make it to the final reel, he "dies to prove how serious the situation is."

And I've realized, watching this movie for the umpteenth time, that despite my ethnicity, I've never played the Wise Black Action Hero (expendable or not, as a Player or DM). I have, ironically enough, played a White She-Devil (GURPS: Cyberpunk- a chopped Harley-riding slutty albino biker chick with an Elric fixation and the cybernetics and vibra-sword to match).

Sure- I've statted out a couple such WBAH PCs. There are at least 2 or 3 based on Samuel L. Jackson or Lawrence Fishburne...but I've never played one.

I'm going to have to fix that...but I will have to mod the template somewhat...

How about you other ENWorlders?

Are there any archetypal/stereotypical characters out there that you've never played, but want to?

jaerdaph · 1st October 2009, 10:53 PM

Recently, I've had a desire to play the Wise and Mysterious Older Black Woman as a PC after enjoying CCH Pounder's performance on Warehouse 13 as Mrs. Frederick. Of course she would need to have some sort of supernatural Power/Ability.

I also really want to play a ghost PC after watching Lenora Crichlow's performance as Annie on the BBC's Being Human. Nothing truly malevolent, just someone who died before they completed something.

I did have a favorite NPC, a half-Japanese, half-fraal martial artist named Mrs. Yamamoto in one of my Dark•Matter campaigns. Sort of a modern take on the old Dragon Lady stereotype.

Herobizkit · 3rd October 2009, 05:08 PM

I've been playing for 20+ years, and used just about as many fantasy character tropes as can be - more often as DM than PC. I'd be hard-pressed to think of one I haven't tried.

Nellisir · 4th October 2009, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannyalcatraz

Are there any archetypal/stereotypical characters out there that you've never played, but want to?

I'll have to answer somewhat contrary to the question...I can't think of any archtypes I -haven't- played but wanted to...but the best archtype/stereotype I have played, and enjoyed, was the Freaky Little Girl with Psychic Powers (not the Innocent Little Girl with Psychic Powers...the Strange Little Girl). The one that dresses all in pink, and loves balloons, and uses her TK to open doors...by putting really big cars through them.

Read into that what you will.

I warn DMs that I'm a pain as a player, and I have a relatively short attention span, so I tend to play/enjoy playing less cerebral, more action-oriented characters. Dead-Eyed Killer Chick with the Big Gun is usually fun, as is Big Guy, Big Gun. In the fantasy genre, illusionists are actually great - lots of scheming; lots to do.