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Message: <blockquote data-quote="GuardianLurker" data-source="post: 402613" data-attributes="member: 786"><humor>Sigh. Having failed my Will save, I must now reply to one of the oldest debates in the roleplaying culture.</humor>Does what you roleplay influence you?Sure, maybe. Actually, yes, of course, just like any social interaction influences you. Frankly, your non-gaming peers probably have more influence over you (and how you change over time) than any PC or NPC you roleplay.Yes, actors (especially very good "method" actors) do lose themselves in their roles; sometimes even to the point of forgetting who they are. The extreme forms of this are clinical conditions, but even the less extreme forms can reveal a low level of self-identity. High levels of (strong senses of) self-identity are generally considered to be psychologically healthy.Back to SJ's original point: IF roleplaying can influence you, do you have a responsibility to choose roles that are a positive influence?Anecdotal Evidence:I can't answer for everyone, but I know that my roleplaying experiences HAVE influenced me in the past; not as much as, or as deeply as, almost any other non-gaming experiences, but it is there.Examples:My first encounter with this was an adventure I DM'd in college, where I had the PC's encounter a 1E anti-paladin, a truly evil and vile NPC. Writing that adventure revealed something about me I didn't know, didn't really want to know, and that I probably couldn't have encountered any other way. And in wrestling with the revealed (and defeating it), I know I became a better person.My exposure to Werewolf and Mage increased my awareness of the environmental issues and soceital trends of the modern American soceity, despite never having actually played either (darnit).As a player of a Paladin in my last Rolemaster campaign, I found I tended to be more peaceful, and more aware of my faith than I had been before. But I had also consciously chosen to explore the role faith played in his life so I could explore mine. It worked, but I've gotten deeper insights from reading CS Lewis.Contrariwise, my last PC in a 3e campaign was a wizard/rogue who was brash and outspoken. That bled through too, unfortunately.</blockquote>

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