Joke characters Options

[HentaiZonga]

So, for all you Shadowrun GM's: how do you feel about explicitly built "joke" or "gag" characters?

i.e., characters whose set of traits and qualities set up for an elaborate, recurring gag throughout the character's appearance in the game?

I ask because I have a player who's generally really good with deep characterization and story ideas, who presented me a new character she wants to play - a Social Adept/"pornomancer" build.

Detailed background, interesting character, lots of real aspirations and interesting story hooks, awesome. As usual, every stat on the character sheet is annotated with the details of what it means to her, how it works, what's unique about that Attribute/Skill/Quality/whatever for her, and maybe a little backstory about it.

Until I cross-correlate a few background bits and See What She Did There.

- The character is a Changeling Dryad Social Adept. Okay, no problem - I specifically stated that I wanted min-maxing and would welcome unique takes on powerful builds, and handed out some house-rule character creation rules that would allow for more powerful characters. Natural Charisma 12 after all the stacked SURGE and geneware and Adept bonuses.

- She's built as your typical "pornomancer", but with an excellent backstory. Exotic dancer/escort trying to put herself through college, who SURGEd and Awakened as the result of a glitched geneware and cosmetic surgery treatment to improve her "stage presence".

- Then I notice her SURGE and other negative qualities, and the notes therein:

Metagenic:
Adiposis (gigantomastia - elven "supermodel" build; Adiposis deposits fat exclusively in the breasts. Mechanical penalties should be the same.)
Impaired Body (her immune system, circulation, and skeleton are strained from dealing with the extra mass)
Normal:
Distinctive Style (You walk around with an 180ZZZ-21-34 figure and see if you can make it from one end of the supermarket to the other without being harrassed. Did not add BP for this, just noting it.)
Addiction: Painkillers / moderate (serious, serious back problems, even with the adept augmentations.)

And then she throws a bunch of links to "extreme big bust" pornstar pictures and internet renders.


So, my dilemma:

1. I can laugh and tell her, "no, I don't want you to play this character, but the idea was hilarious."
2. I can accept the character, and turn the campaign into a high-camp H-anime.
3. I can accept the character, and play everything completely straight, and possibly a little tragic or horrific on occasion.

Which way would you go?

[Yerameyahu]

I guess if you were playing a joke game? Bleh. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif)

[AStarshipforAnts]

Funny idea. If you don't want to play a completely joke campaign, I'd let her keep the general idea. But, I'd tone down the actual character a little bit. Knocking over things with your boobs all the time is only funny until it starts getting completely out of hand and preventing other things from happening in-game.

[Ravennus]

First off, I would appreciate that I had a player who wanted to play Shadowrun.
Then I would appreciate that I had a player who was willing to devote so much time and energy into making their character.
Then I would think it was great that she put as much effort into the background of her character as to the mechanical side of things.

This is about the point that I, personally, would have a good laugh with the player.

Then ideally we would both talk to the other players who are also there to have fun playing Shadowrun.
We would talk about it with them and see if they were interested in playing a less serious game, one that was a bit tongue in cheek. It could also be a great opportunity for the more power gaming inclined players to get their more extreme min-maxed builds off their chest.

However, if the other players weren't interested in that kind of gameplay and didn't think they would have fun... then ideally the first player would be mature and accept that. We would have a good laugh, and then move on to a different kind of game.


*shrug* But that's just me. Every game (and it's players/GMs) are different.

[Xahn Borealis]

....more extreme min-maxed builds off their chest.

You did that on purpose. *glares*

[HentaiZonga]

Huh. So, speaking with her more at-length, it appears she doesn't actually want to run it as a "gag" character.

She basically wants a tragedy - an ex-stripper/hooker with a body that absolutely CANNOT be taken seriously or seen as anything but a sex-object, trying desperately to get people to deal with her as a human being.

She wants to add Day Job (still stripping/doing escort, because at least she knows what to expect and doesn't have to expect anything more) and Bi-polar (up when "performing", down when having to go out in public and deal with people *staring* at her) to her Negative Qualities.

I asked her what she'll do if the other players (most of whom are boys) treat it like a gag, and she says "that's exactly what I'm expecting; the tragedy of fighting that is kind of the point."

[Ravennus]

You did that on purpose. *glares*

Hahaha, maybe. And also maybe because I can make those kind of builds for fun, and sometimes would love to play in a less-than-serious game where I could just whip them out for funzies (are they calling those Pink Mohawk games now?). It wasn't meant to be a jab at power gamers, as I happen to be one. But it's just a style of gameplay, one which would fit well with a more off the wall campaign.

Sometimes those kind of games are fun, especially when you are used to more serious games. Other times it's just great fun to get together with some friends and crack jokes and do some crazy shit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

IMHO, different styles of gameplay aren't better than others. They are just different. But that's a discussion for a different thread, lol.
As long as everyone is playing the game and having fun, that's what matters. Even if sometimes it's hard to come up with a compromise.


If there was any dig in my original reply, it just stemmed from the fact that I can NEVER find local players for Shadowrun, ever. I have a hard enough time finding D&D players (Pathfinder right now, actually).
I thought I got some people interested lately, but then they eventually decided against it. ARRRGH!

So I'm sorry if I sound a little jealous to the OP, just because he actually has players for a Shadowrun game, lol

[Ravennus]

Huh. So, speaking with her more at-length, it appears she doesn't actually want to run it as a "gag" character.

She basically wants a tragedy - an ex-stripper/hooker with a body that absolutely CANNOT be taken seriously or seen as anything but a sex-object, trying desperately to get people to deal with her as a human being.

She wants to add Day Job (still stripping/doing escort, because at least she knows what to expect and doesn't have to expect anything more) and Bi-polar (up when "performing", down when having to go out in public and deal with people *staring* at her) to her Negative Qualities.

I asked her what she'll do if the other players (most of whom are boys) treat it like a gag, and she says "that's exactly what I'm expecting; the tragedy of fighting that is kind of the point."

I just have to say... that sounds like an amazing player you have right there. And smart, knowing the guys in the group and how she can play it to her advantage.
And she's a gamer girl... which always wins points for me! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

It's funny though, because in a semi-regular game of D&D I play in... and have for years.... we are all 30ish, and the majority of the players just happen to be girls. And they are the nastiest of the bunch!
Sometime I want to try a drinking game one night, and take shots every time one of them says 'Penis'. I'd be falling off my chair drunk within a half hour, I'm sure..... *sigh*

Haha, but I love them. They are a fun bunch. Now if only I could get them to play Shadowrun! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[HentaiZonga]

I just have to say... that sounds like an amazing player you have right there. And smart, knowing the guys in the group and how she can play it to her advantage.
And she's a gamer girl... which always wins points for me! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

It's funny though, because in a semi-regular game of D&D I play in... and have for years.... we are all 30ish, and the majority of the players just happen to be girls. And they are the nastiest of the bunch!
Sometime I want to try a drinking game one night, and take shots every time one of them says 'Penis'. I'd be falling off my chair drunk within a half hour, I'm sure..... *sigh*

Haha, but I love them. They are a fun bunch. Now if only I could get them to play Shadowrun! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

So get them to. It's not that hard.

Find out what sorts of movies/TV shows/fiction they like. Figure out what kinds of character tropes are fun for them. Build them characters based on those tropes. Like, build the characters yourself, but putting yourself in their shoes in terms of what's "fun". Then make a story around those characters.

Hand out all the character sheets, sit down, and say "we're going to try this."

I've found that the best way to introduce a new game is to focus on the story, and manage all the start-up mechanics yourself. Once they're hooked, you can convince them to learn more of the rules.

[Ravennus]

So get them to. It's not that hard.

Find out what sorts of movies/TV shows/fiction they like. Figure out what kinds of character tropes are fun for them. Build them characters based on those tropes. Like, build the characters yourself, but putting yourself in their shoes in terms of what's "fun". Then make a story around those characters.

Hand out all the character sheets, sit down, and say "we're going to try this."

I've found that the best way to introduce a new game is to focus on the story, and manage all the start-up mechanics yourself. Once they're hooked, you can convince them to learn more of the rules.

Hmmm... thanks for the advice. I might try that.
My main problem is that I have one or two particular players who stubbornly and outright refuse to play anything but D&D. Like, they won't even give it a chance at all.
Hell... it was hard enough to get them on board with Pathfinder, and heaven forbid I convince them to play a game that's not set in the Forgotten Realms.

I've made some headway lately, but it's been an uphill battle that has taken years.


EDIT: Another problem is that these dame players HATE HATE HATE the idea of pre-gen characters, and ESPECIALLY hate someone else making their character for them. Hmmm..

[HentaiZonga]

Hmmm... thanks for the advice. I might try that.
My main problem is that I have one or two particular players who stubbornly and outright refuse to play anything but D&D. Like, they won't even give it a chance at all.
Hell... it was hard enough to get them on board with Pathfinder, and heaven forbid I convince them to play a game that's not set in the Forgotten Realms.

I've made some headway lately, but it's been an uphill battle that has taken years.

Okay, so don't invite those two. Let everyone else enjoy the Shadowrun game, then tell them how much fun they're having.

[Ravennus]

Okay, so don't invite those two. Let everyone else enjoy the Shadowrun game, then tell them how much fun they're having.

Could work... except I mentioned that most of the players were girls? There are some couples in the group that would not play apart from their SO, even if their SO is the problem.

*shrug*

I'm not THAT worried about it. I guess I cosigned myself to not being able to play locally for a while now. Eventually I might get into an internet game, but we'll see.
Either way, I still support Shadowrun and buy all the books. Still a great read, and it's a fun mental exercise to hack out new characters once in a while.

[HentaiZonga]

*nod* there's always going to be some kind of difficulties.

So, it looks like I've got:

- a Stripperific girl with massive... ahem... self-esteem issues, specced almost entirely for negotiation.
- a troll tank with all the cyber fixin's, specced for vehicle rigging, heavy weaponry, and close combat.
- an ex-simsense star/stuntman, specced for infiltration and espionage.
- A dwarf hacker/rigger/tinkerer who builds custom motorcycles, custom firearms and custom drones.

Now I just need a good story.

Also: Am I reading "Adiposis" right? ANY physical activity gains a -3 dice pool modifier?

[The Dragon Girl]

Another problem is that these dame players HATE HATE HATE the idea of pre-gen characters, and ESPECIALLY hate someone else making their character for them. Hmmm..

I'm with them on that.

[The Dragon Girl]

Huh, you know it seems to me with the proper sort of custom armor, it could take some of the *ahem* weight off her chest. I mean I'm uh.. decently endowed myself and have the back pain problem- except when I'm in a properly made overbust corset. They even offer those in SR with armor ratings (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Edit: additionally if she earned any amount of money well.. they do have reduction surgeries even now for a reason.

[Minchandre]

One point: make sure that the game doesn't end up becoming completely centered around Gigantagirl. She's a very distincitive character, and if would be very easy for the game to end up being the reactions of various PCs and NPCs to her, with everyone else getting a little bit out of the limelight.

Also note that having such a ridiculous build could easily lend penalties to a lot of social interactions, as people don't take her seriously.

[Xahn Borealis]

I'm uh.. decently endowed myself ... I'm in a ... corset.

You have my interest. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Traul]

Edit: additionally if she earned any amount of money well.. they do have reduction surgeries even now for a reason.

Since she got them with a negative quality, mere money is not enough. She would have to spend karma as well or they would grow back.

[Udoshi]

Since she got them with a negative quality, mere money is not enough. She would have to spend karma as well or they would grow back.

Not necessarily. There's precedent for using nuyen to wave away negative qualities - augmentation's Allergy Immunization. It costs 5 grand a build point, so the effective cost is the same as removing it with karma.

Also, Zonga, this character sounds hilarious, and you need to tell us how the game goes.

[AStarshipforAnts]

Since she got them with a negative quality, mere money is not enough. She would have to spend karma as well or they would grow back.

Thank you for that nightmare fuel, sir. Regenerating fandangos that could crush someone.

[Ravennus]

*nod* there's always going to be some kind of difficulties.

So, it looks like I've got:

- a Stripperific girl with massive... ahem... self-esteem issues, specced almost entirely for negotiation.
- a troll tank with all the cyber fixin's, specced for vehicle rigging, heavy weaponry, and close combat.
- an ex-simsense star/stuntman, specced for infiltration and espionage.
- A dwarf hacker/rigger/tinkerer who builds custom motorcycles, custom firearms and custom drones.

Now I just need a good story.

Also: Am I reading "Adiposis" right? ANY physical activity gains a -3 dice pool modifier?

Sounds like a fun group!

BTW, I'm assuming this is a local table-top game.... but on the off-chance, I have to ask... are you running it online? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[The Dragon Girl]

You have my interest. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

*waggles eyebrows*

[Makki]

the more attention she can draw, the less the others will get. that's pretty much a Runner's dream (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[HentaiZonga]

the more attention she can draw, the less the others will get. that's pretty much a Runner's dream (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

It looks like that's exactly how the rest of the group plans to run it.

[Dr.Rockso]

...Does she get a bonus to swimming?


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/silly.gif)