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Sir Nicholas -> RE: What do you use for good Rp source and refrence material? (12/21/2012 12:33:52)
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I agree with Ghost. Professor Tolkien really was a genius you know. He created several languages, and an entire fantasy world, upon which countless imitators have popped up over the years. He isn't called the "Father of Modern Fantasy" for nothing.
On a different note, I also like to use R.A Salvatore's "Drizzt" series, as a character source.
I particularly like the idea of the outcast - an anomaly that rejects his species' regular social values and standards and instead follows his own idea of right and wrong. He rises to the occasion, eventually becoming a powerful figure in his own world until his reputation and his ideals become the stuff of legend.
Then, along the way he gathers a group of like-minded individuals that help him, provide him with emotional support and reason, and aid during times of strife. Even when confronted with the dark half of himself (reflected in a rival character of opposite alignment) he only displays steadfast conviction in his ideals.
But unlike Drizzt, my character's efforts actually have changed his entire race's ideals, and for the better. He gives them the idea that they can live in peace with others.
The particular ideas I play with regarding this character are Knight of Faith, and the "Reforming Crusader".
Unlike many other examples however, my character isn't at all angsty or guilt ridden at his nature. He is really a cheerful, sunny and optimistic fellow. He's not immune to self doubt, but he deals with it when it's appropriate, and not in the heat of battle.
And as well, he's made complete peace with his animal-instinct. He has in fact harnessed it, used it for the greater good. He thinks nothing of it in fact, citing it as the same way a human might use tools to overcome obstacles that cannot be bypassed with physical might.
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Then of course, there's another character I'm working on, which I happen to take certain concepts from both Ciaphas Cain (Warhammer 40K's own Hero of the Imperium!) and Commissar Ibram Gaunt (also from 40K) - the title character of Gaunt's Ghosts.
His name and basic archetype are that of the ronin: A wandering, masterless samurai - though he eventually becomes an authority figure in a military organization. He even becomes a full-fledged Colonel. With a reputation as both a master swordsman and a skilled leader, he fights his way through every major threat that comes his way.
Morever, he comes to terms with himself as a fighter and as a leader. He eventually comes to enjoy the life of a soldier - realizing that he's become something of an example to his men, though he also sometimes wonders where he would be in peacetime.
The general idea I like to play with, with him is the "Old Soldier - looking for a purpose after the War is won".
He eventually has to come to grips with the fact that the war will end sooner or later, and that there's always room for greater aspirations than just fighting and killing, and that not all warriors get to die in battle - with their pride intact.
He later becomes a rather famous artist, having made peace with himself.
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