How to do Romance?

[Psion]

I'm thinking about throwing the possibility for romance into the next game.

The things I am thinking about are:
- Player investment. If the player is not invested in playing such interludes, there is no point.
- "The Look" - some rules or guideline for deciding who a young character is smitten by
- "Am I the romantic type?" - some guy with a girl in every village and Khaavren/d’Artagnan falling in love with the wrong girl to draw you into adventure are both interesting but entirely different ways of making romance part of the game.

I'm looking ways to make these part of the character description and rules.

 

[Doug McCrae]

Do realise that you'll be putting one player in the spotlight. You'll have to work to give the other players their turns.

"Listen to me. We're always sitting here. I'm always helping you with your girl problems, you're always helping me with my girl problems. Where do we end up?"
"Here."
"Exactly. Because neither one of us can handle a woman all by ourselves."
"I'm trying."
"I've tried. We don't have it. But maybe the two of us, working together, at full capacity, could do the job of one normal man."
"Then each of us would only have to be like a half-man. That sounds about right."

 

[interwyrm]

Try making the romantic object an NPC that has equal or greater combat potential than the PCs. If the romance pans out, it won't force a change of pace.

As for handling the dialogue, I'd say, even if you speak in first person with most NPCs, consider using "she says, blah blah blah" for romantic interests. That should avoid some of the awkwardness of proxying a romance.

Also, know your players. Don't try it with a heartless bastard. Try it with a hopeless romantic.

 

[GSHamster]

I would start out with a romance that did not involve the PCs. Perhaps an NPC romance (Romeo + Juliet, but hopefully with a better ending) and the PCs take the position of the priest or something. They are friends with one or both of the lovers, and they have to help true love overcome all odds.

This has a number of advantages. It doesn't single out a player, it might not be as uncomfortable as DM to PC.

You can culminate it in a grand marriage/wedding ceremony, and even have intrigue and danger at the wedding ceremony.

I find that players really like this type of adventure, if they sympathize with the NPCs. Playing across social class lines is big. You can bring out a lot of maternal/big brother/big sister instincts if you play the NPCs right.

 

[Mythmere1]

Ok, give me a roll...

You have won the thread. I recognize it even if no one else does.

 

[Psion]

I would start out with a romance that did not involve the PCs. Perhaps an NPC romance (Romeo + Juliet, but hopefully with a better ending) and the PCs take the position of the priest or something. They are friends with one or both of the lovers, and they have to help true love overcome all odds.

Say some star crossed love like helping a devil send a message to his beloved succubus in the abyss.

Oh, wait... that's been done.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Do realise that you'll be putting one player in the spotlight.

Not if they're polygamist elves!

 

[WayneLigon]

I would start out with a romance that did not involve the PCs. Perhaps an NPC romance (Romeo + Juliet, but hopefully with a better ending) and the PCs take the position of the priest or something. They are friends with one or both of the lovers, and they have to help true love overcome all odds.

That's a very, very good suggestion. Also, you have immense comedic potential if you rip off Cyrano de Bergerac.

 

[GlassJaw]

You have won the thread. I recognize it even if no one else does.

I'm actually surprised no one chimed in about it before you did.

Maybe if I made reference to "butter-supple loins" they would have.

 

[fusangite]

I was thinking about this the other day. I was fancying the idea of adding romance to the game. Nothing too R rated, just, boy meets girl sort of thing.

Only problem is, I have absolutely no idea how to approach this. I've never done it before and I'm a little worried about how to go about it.

Does anyone have any experiences, hints, tips, comments, or quotes to give me a hand?

Just a warning: don't do it. In my experience, romance is a bad idea to role play out and is largely pointless when it proceeds off-frame. The RPG social dynamic is good for doing a lot of things; representing romance is not one of them.