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Message: <blockquote data-quote="SBMC" data-source="post: 2458437" data-attributes="member: 30040"> ------------------------------------------------------   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I think that perhaps things are a bit mixed up here. You see, I think there are really two portions to this. One is Character Creation and the other is Playing the Character. I really don' think this question can be answered in a simple manner: Character Creation:I think most folks, including myself go through a process. We all start out with either the "Pawn Stance" or the Author Stance. Typically however we all know what character class(s) we wish to play and that in and of itself forms a portion of both of these stances by default. Character Creation - Pawn Stance Precedent:We create a character we want to play; attempting to maximize exactly what it is we want out of that character. Noting that that could mean we want to play a wizard with an 18 Strength and 11 intelligence or a more standard Wizard with an 18 Intelligence and 8 Strength. The Pawn Stance includes everything you put down on your character sheet. The next step - the start of the Author Stance is the biography and background of the character - Noting here that the Pawn Stance is the foundation of the Author Stance. We justify the Character Sheet by writing the biography and background to it. Character Creation - Author Stance Precedent:In this case we write the biography and background of the character then move forward to the Pawn Stance where we build the character directly around that Author Stance - Noting here that the Author Stance is the foundation of the Pawn Stance. We justify much of the biography and background by what we put on our character sheet. Character Creation - Mixed Precedent:Here we create portion of the biography and background and a portion of the actual character sheet (Pawn Stance) as well. Many times we justify what is on the character sheet by adding to or modifying the biography and background of the character and vice versa. I would think this is by far the most used method of character creation. NOTE: Of course there are those things that we may never actually "justify" outright; such as why the PC is such a good climber (with max Climb skill ranks). But we would most likely see why it is the Wizard specialized in Evocation or the Ranger is best with a Bow, or the Fighter is also an able diplomat. Playing the CharacterHere is where I think your original question comes to mind - however it can be answered at least in part by how the character was created; as that points to the tendencies (at least with this particular character) of the player. However I would think few people ever actually partake in the full blown "Actor Stance", at least in the first few levels as the real nature of the character unfolds. Here the "Author Stance" would still hold as modifications, be them written or not, are made by the player for a variety of reasons (lets call these "roleplaying elements").  The reasons could be after playing it out; they don't like a particular roleplaying element of the character, the roleplaying element causes friction in the group (IC and/or OOC) that is unwelcome, you discover that the roleplaying element actually does not fit, even though you like it. There are probably others as well… Then, after the first few levels, a player moves into the Pawn, Author or Actor Stance. However even here there is room for discussion. When leveling for example one would tend to again go back to the Character Creation mode when choosing feats and skills or even adding additional classes to the character. The Actor Stance is of no use here. However the rest of the time there would most likely be a mix of Author/Actor. Where the Player Author's something then Acts it out. Such as if you decide to charge that Ogre out of the blue; your authoring; ya want to get the battle going! The Actor - Your character is a bit reckless and foolhardy. The immersion potion is so intangible that it is really not measurable in any meaningful way except by those at the same gaming table as compared to the environment the game is played in. Perhaps everyone comes in dressed up in costumes and perhaps they all come after work in their business suits… IMO a pure Pawn Stance would appear to me to be pure powegaming/muchkinizing better suited for wargaming or miniatures. SBMC</blockquote>

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