Games Without Tears

Try To Stay In Character I'll illustrate this point with two examples. Firstly how it should not be done: Jalanka, a thief played by John, Haan, a fighter played by Paul, and Kwandra a wizard played by Steve, are carefully advancing down a narrow corridor lined on either side by large statues. Carelessly Jalanka reaches out and brushes a statue. Instantly all the statues come to life and begin to move towards the party. "John you total dickhead!" screams Steve "you've just bloody well killed us." How it should be done: Jalanka, a thief played by John, Haan, a fighter played by Paul, and Kwandra a wizard played by Steve, are carefully advancing down a narrow corridor lined on either side by large statues. Carelessly Jalanka reaches out and brushes a statue. Instantly all the statues come to life and begin to move towards the party. "Jalanka you fool, are you possessed?" screams Kwandra, "you've condemned us all to the flames of hell!" The second piece, whilst perhaps a bit unbelievable in language is at least an attempt to roleplay the situation rather than resort to personal abuse. Both of these dialogues are liable to result in a punch-up, the difference is that the second will be between the characters, the first between the players. I firmly believe that the more players try to remain 'in character', the better and more harmonious the roleplaying will be.

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