_________________________________________
     /       -RP: Character Development-       \
     |           -September 27, 1998-          |
     |      Recorded by Snake Silvertongue     |
     |       Edited by Snake Silvertongue      |
     |           & Aubrey McMichaels           |
     \___http://pages.prodigy.net/aubreymcm/___/

[The Portmanteau Club, Sitting Room]

Allan Bullest asks, "Siri is this an assembly?"
Siri Macallan says, "Nope... it's a "seminar".  Or a roundtable
 discussion.... or me blathering."
Siri Macallan smiles.
Siri Macallan says, "Whatever you want to call it."
Siri Macallan says, "Okay... last week we talked about how to start building
 up your character..."
Siri Macallan taps a large blackboard.
Siri Macallan says, "And how to work some or all of these things into your
 character.  We also talked about keeping a PC bible..."
Siri Macallan says, "So today we are going to talk about filling out the
 character.  You have this lovely "base" for your PC... you know where they
 came from, what they want to do (in part, at least), and some of their
 likes and dislikes."
Siri Macallan says, "Last week we ended with the questions that we need to
 ask ourselves as we build the character... All the Why's and Yes or No's."
Siri Macallan says, "This week, we need to look at the questions the other
 players will ask us..."
Siri Macallan says, "One of which is "So what?""
Siri Macallan says, "Or "Why should I care?""
Siri Macallan says, "The fact of the matter is that, just in real life, some
 people won't care about your character... no matter how intriguing,
 balanced or wonderful you make them."
Siri Macallan says, "They won't care about the characters history, or
 thought processes."
Siri Macallan says, "When you RP, just realize that it's going to happen."
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan says, "And then ignore it."
Siri Macallan says, "You're not here to build a character that everyone will
 like... unless you really, really want to play that sort of person."
Siri Macallan says, "The point is to build a character you have fun with."
Siri Macallan says, "Or at least enjoy playing."
Siri Macallan says, "There will be those that care, and those that don't. 
 Don't worry about those that don't."
Summer Matthews raises her hand.
Siri Macallan asks, "Summer?"
Summer Matthews says, "I don't know if this is the appropriate time for this
 question but here goes..."
Summer Matthews says, "I am building a character that I probably won't hunt
 with or anything like that, it's strictly for the rp experience..."
Summer Matthews asks, "but I wonder..are the rp bonuses such that we can get
 a lot of noto from them or no?"
Siri Macallan says, "At times, yes.  At times, no."
Siri Macallan smiles.
Siri Macallan says, "It really depends on what is happening, how consistent
 the player is, and how much they give back to the scenario."
Summer Matthews asks, "meaning their part in the mystery or whatever is
 going on?"
Siri Macallan says, "With the last mystery, there were a few players that
 took a proactive part... they didn't just react to what happened, they
 tried to make things "work"."
Summer Matthews nods to Siri Macallan.
Siri Macallan says, "We tend to give brownie points to those who will do
 more that just wait for things to unfold."
Siri Macallan says, "The next question that others will ask... and this one
 is important... is "Oh yeah?""
Siri Macallan says, "You all know the feeling... a new character shows up,
 and starts saying how they passed the Harvard Medical School finals at the
 age of 16."
Siri Macallan says, "And we all say, Uh huh... right."
Siri Macallan says, "Then we ignore them."
Siri Macallan says, "While there is nothing wrong with having a prodigal
 character, how you represent their talents will determine if they are
 believed or not."
Siri Macallan says, "Maybe the guy really is a medical genius... but he'll
 pay a price in other ways..."
Siri Macallan says, "Such as, not talking about it, because he's learned
 that it really sets him apart."
Siri Macallan says, "Or doing nothing BUT talking about medicine, because
 that's really his focus."
Siri Macallan says, "Believability is a good thing."
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan says, "It not only makes it more fun for everyone, but
 enhances the reality of the RP experience."
Allan Bullest raises his hand.
Siri Macallan asks, "Allan?"
Allan Bullest asks, "Lemme ask a question to you as head Gm: how do GMS look
 upon Charecters like Semmy had?"
Siri Macallan says, "It depends on how well they're played."
Siri Macallan says, "And how consistently."
Siri Macallan says, "If you want to RP someone with a disability, then you
 have to be willing to pay the price of that disability."
Siri Macallan says, "You can't just find tricky ways of getting around it."
Siri Macallan says, "In my not so humble opinion..."
Siri Macallan says, "Disabilties shouldn't be treated as a gimick for
 attention-getting."
Siri Macallan says, "If you want to really explore a character, it should be
 done with respect and honor for what you are trying to portray."
Jack Sanford raises his hand.
Siri Macallan says, "And that goes back to my acting training."
Siri Macallan asks, "Jack?"
Jack Sanford asks, "What if you're trying to portray a psychotic who would
 fake a disability?"
Siri Macallan says, "I'd say you'd better be a really good actor."
Siri Macallan smiles sweetly.
Liz Larson raises her hand.
Siri Macallan asks, "Liz?"
Liz Larson says, "sometimes it get discuraging when others snicker at you
 for your character..what do you suggest"
Liz Larson says, "me being a newbie and all"
Siri Macallan says, "It takes a while for new characters to meld into the
 fold."
Siri Macallan says, "I have a new character, and she's feeling pretty
 ostrasized right now."
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan says, "She'll get over it, I expect."
Liz Larson says, "I feel the same way, although i have to say, others that I
 believe that are relly trying do help me out with the Character"
Siri Macallan says, "But that's how it is with any society... the new guy
 out ends up having to find his or her true circle."
Liz Larson nods.
Allan Bullest raises his hand.
Siri Macallan asks, "Allan?"
Allan Bullest asks, "Siri lemme ask you another question, I even in my real
 life have been a person to love to be around power and influence, and I
 find it hard letting go of that, so I have trouble making charecters that
 are say "dumb" or "not important"....My question is, how do you play a
 really important person, or a smart person like say a navy seal?"
Allan Bullest says, "Without being like to focused on it."
(Armand Chascour has known some SEALS and never knew "smart" to be a
 qualifier.)
Siri Macallan nods to Armand Chascour.
Allan Bullest says, "I dont mean smart in IQ Armand."
Allan Bullest says, "I mean through life experience and other stuff."
Allan Bullest says, "Like the abillity to make bombs outta grass or
 whatever."
Siri Macallan says, "That's a matter for how you build the character."
Siri Macallan says, "And face it... not everyone likes a bossy, know-it-all
 military person."
Allan Bullest nods to Siri Macallan.
Allan Bullest says, "This is true."
Siri Macallan says, "And that's not necessarily going to give your character
 respect."
Siri Macallan says, "For something like that, Allan, I'd say you should
 probably do a lot of background work."
Allan Bullest says, "Ya mean like come up with stories and such.."
Allan Bullest nods.
Justin Markianen says, "I wouldn't think one would need to be bossy and
 know-it-all.  I don't feel that Colin Powell ever presented himself as
 bossy or know-it-all, and he was and is a very powerful man."
Justin Markianen shrugs.
Allan Bullest agrees with Justin Markianen.
Allan Bullest says, "Good point Justin."
Siri Macallan says, "But he's a REAL person, and not a construct."
Allan Bullest says, "Good point Siri."
Siri Macallan says, "So he has a true lifetime of background."
Siri Macallan says, "Allan's got a lot of building to do, if he wants to
 play that."
Siri Macallan grins.
Allan Bullest smiles at Siri Macallan.
Justin Markianen nods.
(Allan Bullest isnt sure how to take that.)
Siri Macallan says, "And respect for a charcter still isn't measured by a
 rank."
Liz Larson says, "But that's not to say that you can't use him and reasearch
 his background to use."
Siri Macallan nods to Liz Larson.
Allan Bullest nods to Liz Larson.
Allan Bullest says, "So basically I just need to focus on building a past"
Siri Macallan says, "I mean, I don't know how a character like Hippy James
 would take to someone like Powell."
Siri Macallan grins.
Allan Bullest says, "And let my guy build the future."
Allan Bullest says, "Hippy might slap him."
Siri Macallan nods to Allan Bullest.
Siri Macallan says, "Yep."
Siri Macallan says, "She may not... but it's a possibility."
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan says, "The last question we ask about others is... "Huh?""
Siri Macallan says, "Whoever you create, try to make it logical."
Siri Macallan says, "A medical person probably isn't going to know a lot
 about making bombs."
Siri Macallan says, "If your character spent most of their life in a foreign
 country, they won't know a lot about America."
Siri Macallan says, "At least, not more that what CNN shows them."
Armand Chascour raises his hand.
Siri Macallan asks, "Armand?"
Armand Chascour says, "I often find it useful, when called on something I
 dont know, to claim to have been half drunk at the time"
Armand Chascour whistles a cheerful tune.
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan says, "Okay... let's move on."
Siri Macallan grins.
Liz Larson says, "As long as being drunk fits with your character"
Karrisma Rachhe says, "It's hard me to stay in role playing sometimes,
 because i guess i am so used to being me that that's how i portray my
 character, and so i end up discussing things that happened during the day
 or week, ect., and i catch myself doing that..is there anyway where i could
 kinda...try and stop doing that, because sometimes i do get little messages
 from gm's sayingm i need to try and stay in character, and i try and
 everything but is there some advice i could have as to try and stay in
 character"
Karrisma Rachhe whimpers.
Karrisma Rachhe says, "sorry"
Siri Macallan says, "Karrisma, I'm going to go over some of that in a bit."
Siri Macallan smiles.
Siri Macallan says, "And if we have time, we'll do some improvs."
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan bounces around happily.
Annie Larson says, "If it is in their profession to learn about current
 american events they might know a thing or two about a thing or two."
Siri Macallan nods to Annie Larson.
Armand Chascour says, "I dont mean all the time...but if someone asks
 something like 'when did the US Army start using the M1 rifle instead of
 the 1903 Springfield? I oughta remember that, but I dont know it"
Siri Macallan says, "That is very true... but then the knowledge gained is
 IC."
Siri Macallan says, "You can always plead memory loss."
Armand Chascour says, "that too"
Siri Macallan says, "We can't possibly know EVERYTHING."
Siri Macallan flails her arms about.
Siri Macallan says, "Most fictional characters have a job to do, and a lot
 of times it is not their profession.  This is their purpose in life."
Siri Macallan asks, "If your character doesn't have a purpose in life... how
 does that make him or her feel?"
Siri Macallan asks, "How does that affect them with their chosen
 profession?"
Siri Macallan asks, "How do they feel when they're in the same room with
 someone who obviously has a strong sense of lifetime goal?"
Siri Macallan says, "Characters are also determined by their motivation...
 WHY they do what they do."
Siri Macallan says, "One of my table top characters is a "fighter".  Her
 goal in life is to right wrongs..."
Siri Macallan says, "Her motivation for doing so is because she screwed up
 really badly when she was younger."
Siri Macallan says, "And so is making amends."
Siri Macallan says, "That's a pretty common character theme."
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan says, "But finding out WHY your character does what they do is
 a good portion of the character itself."
Siri Macallan says, "It -should- color almost everything your character
 wants to do and achieve."
Siri Macallan says, "Motivations may lead your character towards choices you
 didn't think you'd be making."
Siri Macallan says, "When having to make a choice between charging forward
 towards a goal, your motivation may tell you that you have to hang back."
Siri Macallan says, "Think carefully about why your character wants to do
 what they do.  Then think about how they want to achieve it."
Siri Macallan says, "How else to deepen your character?  Try exaggerating a
 feature..."
Siri Macallan says, "Cyrano de Bergerac's entire character was wrapped up
 around his honor and his nose."
Siri Macallan says, "I'm still not sure which was more exaggerated."
Siri Macallan asks, "Do they hate spiders?"
Siri Macallan asks, "Does the character hold any non-conformist ideologies?"
Siri Macallan says, "Maybe they aren't quiet about them... maybe you
 exaggerate that feature so your character is a little bit like a fanatic."
Siri Macallan says, "This is a subtle thing."
Siri Macallan says, "Another way to fill out a character is to twist an
 assumption..."
Siri Macallan says, "Say your character is an ex-cop."
Siri Macallan says, "and it's well known he's been taking bribes for a long
 time... finally got caught."
Siri Macallan asks, "We all would make an assumption about that character,
 right?"
Siri Macallan says, "So what if he wasn't taking the bribery because he was
 venal and greedy... but because he was told that his family would suffer if
 he didn't do as the rest of the department did.  Then it's not greed...
 it's fear."
Siri Macallan asks, "And he'd be played differently, wouldn't he?"
Siri Macallan says, "Or take the case of the "blonde bimbo"."
Siri Macallan says, "Her actions and attitude say "Give me attention."..."
Siri Macallan says, "And we'd judge her based on that..."
Siri Macallan asks, "But what if she doesn't do it to get attention from
 everyone else, but it's the only way she gets attention from her husband?"
Siri Macallan says, "And now it's just second nature."
Siri Macallan says, "She'd be played a little differently."
Siri Macallan says, "So take some of the stereotypes and assumptions we
 make.... and twist them a little bit."
Siri Macallan says, "Okay... now as far as actually PLAYING the character...
 there is one thing that I think is the most important."
Siri Macallan says, "And I mentioned this last week..."
Siri Macallan says, "Love your character."
Siri Macallan says, "They won't be believable, or well constructed if you
 don't care enough to make it so."
Siri Macallan says, "Building a character is an artform, and like all
 artists, we have to care about what we create."
Siri Macallan says, "Playing a character you love is the only way that
 character will expand, grow and develop over time..."
Siri Macallan says, "And that's the real joy of Roleplaying... watching the
 character live and breathe."
Siri Macallan says, "The next thing is to keep it IN CHARACTER.  We hear and
 say those words all the time... IC, IC, IC..."
Siri Macallan says, "What this means is to look at everything form your
 character's point of view.  That means your character's outlook, feelings
 and everything your character does is based strictly on what you've read,
 done, experienced INSIDE the venue (ie Modus)."
Siri Macallan says, "Ignore anything you hear that your character has not
 heard or learned him or herself."
Siri Macallan says, "This is pretty hard at times... if you read on the list
 that there's a gunman hiding in the Balmour ruins, that's great, but your
 character didn't read about it..."
Siri Macallan says, "YOU did."
Siri Macallan smiles.
Siri Macallan says, "I'm speaking from the purist's point of view."
Siri Macallan says, "Something my tabletop group says a lot... "Ack!  I
 don't know that, I wasn't there!"..."
Siri Macallan says, "And we have to simply remember that that's not part of
 our knowledge."
Siri Macallan asks, "Armand?"
Armand Chascour says, "but some of us have a limited time on the isle"
Armand Chascour says, "and some folks refuse to say anything other than
 "Read the list""
Siri Macallan says, "Then don't try to get info out of those people."
Armand Chascour says, "ok"
Siri Macallan says, "That's like blood from a rock."
Siri Macallan says, "There ARE people on this island who WILL give info if
 you ask nicely and IC'ly."
Samson Spade asks, "IC'ly?"
Samson Spade smiles at Siri Macallan.
Siri Macallan says, "In character."
Siri Macallan grins.
Samson Spade asks, "coined that one, eh?"
Zaika Hedlinio asks, "Don't say "I heard about <this> on the list through
 email... Do you know about it?"
Siri Macallan nods to Zaika Hedlinio.
Armand Chascour raises his hand.
Siri Macallan asks, "Armand?"
Armand Chascour asks, "so to use info from a conversation I missed, I hafta
 find someone who was there and then sit down and have them tell me what
 happened?"
Siri Macallan says, "If you're asking a RP purist, which I am, Yes."
Siri Macallan says, "I don't expect everyone to agree with me."
Siri Macallan says, "This isn't a tabletop game, afterall."
Siri Macallan says, "I can handle when someone says... "Yeah, Billy-Bob sent
 me a telegram concerning the guy in the Balmour.""
Snake Silvertongue says, "Maybe you should elaborate on "tabletop game" for
 those who do not know. I have met a lot of people here who have never RPed
 on the Mainland"
Siri Macallan says, "Oh..."
Siri Macallan gets a distant look on her face as she ponders.
Siri Macallan says, "Maybe you should, Snake."
Siri Macallan grins.
Armand Chascour says, "basically ya sit around a table and yell about the
 conversation Bob and Roy had on the way to Taco Bell because it was not
 player knowledge"
Siri Macallan bops Armand Chascour over the head.
Armand Chascour blushes a nice shade of off-pink.
Siri Macallan says, "That's pretty close."
Siri Macallan giggles.
Ichiko Daiumi says, "Back home we cal it table talk.."
Snake Silvertongue says, "Tabletop games are games like Dungeons and Dragons
 where all the players sit around a table, and have there character sheets
 in front of them"
Snake Silvertongue says, "And a GM explains what is happening, and you say
 how your character acts and reacts"
Snake Silvertongue says, "As opposed to all of us sitting at our computers,
 and typing in what we do and say"
Siri Macallan nods to Snake Silvertongue.
Siri Macallan says, "There are a lot of ways to get around "not being
 there"."
Siri Macallan says, "But I think, from a character perspective, you'll find
 your PCs evolving more if you actually use them to interact with others...
 discussing situations, etc."
Siri Macallan says, "And right now, I'm just talking character."
Siri Macallan says, "PC = Player Character."
Siri Macallan asks, "Armand?"
Armand Chascour says, "Im kinda torn...on the one hand the list cuts down on
 a lot of playing time lost recounting 20 min conversations"
Armand Chascour says, "but IMs really cut down on RP"
Siri Macallan says, "See, I happen to think those 20 minutes sitting around
 talking things over are fun."
Siri Macallan says, "And my play time is very limited."
Siri Macallan says, "But then you have to make decisions on how best to
 balance your play time."
Siri Macallan says, "And that is part of what you're personally here for."
Siri Macallan smiles.
Siri Macallan says, "I will reiterate... I LOVE the list."
Siri Macallan says, "I just think it makes people a little RP lazy."
Siri Macallan ducks her head.
Siri Macallan says, "And I know Miles is going to smack me because of that."
Siri Macallan says, "Speaking about what the character knows..."
Siri Macallan says, "If you play Billy-Bob... and also Betty-Sue..."
Siri Macallan says, "You should not be using information gained by playing
 Billy to further Betty's own progress and plans."
Siri Macallan says, "From a RPing stand point, they are TWO SEPARATE
 PEOPLE."
Siri Macallan says, "What one knows isn't necessarily known by the other."
Siri Macallan says, "That gets really very messy at times."
Siri Macallan says, "But that's one of the difficulties in running multiple
 characters in the same venue."
Siri Macallan shrugs.
Siri Macallan says, "No way around it."
Jess Whiterose raises his hand.
Siri Macallan asks, "Jess?"
Jess Whiterose says, "many people enjoying the rp experience will react to
 Judy Jetson who they have never met popping in and acting in the know"
Jess Whiterose says, "with suspicion just like in real life"
Siri Macallan says, "It's because we all love being included."
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan says, "We just need to remember, if your character doesn't yet
 know some one... we have to treat them as unknown territory."
Jess Whiterose says, "it's a fact it does have to be subtle if you know
 stuff from another of your characters"
Siri Macallan nods to Jess Whiterose.
Siri Macallan says, "It's a hard thing to play."
Siri Macallan asks, "Samson?"
Samson Spade says, "On the separate character issue, you might try to
 develop two different social backgrounds for your characters to help keep
 them separate in life"
Siri Macallan nods to Samson Spade.
Siri Macallan says, "That helps your characters from not bleeding into one
 another."
Siri Macallan says, "I want to go over two more things that I think are
 important to RPing... and they seem contradictory."
Siri Macallan says, "So, I'd like to try to hash them out."
Siri Macallan says, "The first thing is living your character.  Don't be
 afraid of your characters emotions.  Characters who laugh, cry, who feel
 confused or cut off or angry are interesting characters.  There's an
 attitude among some people that RP games need to be cold and calculating. 
 Those folks would say that players shouldn't get emotionally involved in
 their characters.  Yet the best kind of RPing is when you DO get
 involved... when you laugh and cry and wail and feel very very confused. 
 That's when you have the best time."
Siri Macallan says, "On the otherside of this idea, is the fact that this IS
 just a game.  It is not -our- reality."
Siri Macallan says, "We don't have the luxury of actors who have a finite
 run to a show, then they hang up their characters."
Siri Macallan says, "We also don't have the luxury of being at a friend's
 home, and packing up our characters as we head out the door."
Siri Macallan says, "Any actor worth their salt will tell you that they
 become their character for a while."
Siri Macallan says, "The real trick, once you know and have accepted your
 character, is how to come back to yourself."
Siri Macallan says, "We all get caught up in what our characters do, and how
 they feel... and that can be the most glorious of experiences."
Siri Macallan says, "It can help us grow as people, and experience things
 we'd never do in our own realities..."
Siri Macallan says, "But we -always- need to remember when the mask comes
 off."
Siri Macallan asks, "I sound sort of somber about that, huh?"
Siri Macallan says, "I see a lot of people taking things very seriously in
 here..."
Siri Macallan says, "From disagreements to romance."
Siri Macallan says, "I guess I just say, try not to let it bleed over... try
 to remember that Modus isn't life."
Snake Silvertongue says, "I think one of the most fun things about "tabletop
 roleplaying" is that your character gets to hate your best friend's
 character, and it's all in fun"
Siri Macallan nods to Snake Silvertongue.
Siri Macallan says, "It's true."
Siri Macallan says, "While we're on the subject of <cough> romance..."
Siri Macallan says, "I'd like to set something out for you..."
Siri Macallan says, "RPing romance can be a heck of a lot of fun... not so
 much pressure as in Real Life... not as many hard and fast committments..."
Siri Macallan says, "But since we all get involved via our characters, we
 have to remember that there are others sitting behind another monitor."
Siri Macallan says, "In real life, if you think you know the person well
 enough to have sex with them... you know 'em well enough to ask about
 sexual history and protection..."
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan says, "In here, you should probably ask if they can keep it
 IC."
Siri Macallan smiles.
Siri Macallan says, "My characters have all had their fair share of love
 lives..."
Siri Macallan says, "And it's been great, but I'm also a paranoid person."
Siri Macallan says, "I usually make sure the other player KNOWS that this is
 an In Game relationship only."
Siri Macallan says, "I've been really lucky... I've had a lot of great
 friendships develop because of that.  But they stay that way...
 friendships."
Snake Silvertongue says, "I've even seen a Mainland campaign dissolve once
 because a player devoloped a crush on another because their characters were
 involved"
Siri Macallan nods to Snake Silvertongue.
Siri Macallan says, "I'm not trying to tell you how to play your
 characters..."
Siri Macallan says, "Just reminding you that we do have the option to keep
 ourselves sane."
Siri Macallan says, "These are our characters, we do have control over what
 we'll have them do and not do."
Siri Macallan says, "And we have the RIGHT to ask others if they're able to
 keep things IC."
Siri Macallan says, "I know that sounds cold and calculating."
Siri Macallan says, "But it really does work a lot of the time."
Siri Macallan says, "Sort of like a prenup agreement."
Siri Macallan asks, "Does anyone have any questions about RPing, or IC vs
 OOC?"
Scoop Masterson raises his hand.
Siri Macallan asks, "Scoop?"
Scoop Masterson asks, "Did you all already discuss responding to unspoken
 thoughts?"
Siri Macallan asks, "Uh nope.  Want to give me an example?"
Siri Macallan smiles.
Scoop Masterson says, "Found a great one the other day."
Scoop Masterson says, "Ester smiles sweetly at Mary. "Mary! You haven't aged
 a bit!" Her tone is light and airy though she inwardly muses that Mary sure
 looks like an old bat."
Scoop Masterson says, "Mary replies "Why thank you, dear! You look as young
 as the day I met you!" She gives Ester a false smile, thinking that she
 looked like hell on the day they met and things haven't changed."
Siri Macallan laughs!
Scoop Masterson says, "But here, most people would respond with:"
Scoop Masterson says, ""What do you mean I look like an old bat" and hits
 her over the head with her purse"
Siri Macallan says, "That's part of characterization."
Scoop Masterson says, "I mean, you can convey a lot and add to the RP with
 act commands or whatever, but most people don't have the self-control not
 to respond to 'em."
Siri Macallan says, "A lot of our charcters aren't secure in themselves to
 dish it out with a light hand."
Justin Markianen asks, "But how would anyone else KNOW what they're
 thinking?  Why would it be expressed?"
Savannah Reynolds asks, "Why are you slamming people here?"
Savannah peers quizzically at Scoop.
(Armand Chascour seems as open as a book.)
Siri Macallan says, "I didn't think it was a slam, Savannah."
Scoop Masterson says, "That was just an example, Miss Sav.  Didn't mean to
 slam anyone."
Siri Macallan says, "We don't usually see what people are thinking."
Siri Macallan says, "We can learn to say..."
Scoop Masterson says, "Right, but when people use the act command, other
 people respond to their thoughts."
Siri Macallan smile insincerely as she says, "You look radiant, darling."
Siri Macallan says, "In reality, we can't hear what people think or say,
 unless they give us an outward sign."
Siri Macallan says, "So, by all rights, we should ignore it."
Siri Macallan asks, "Did that answer your questions?"
Siri Macallan smiles.
Snake Silvertongue says, "But lets say your character is very perceptive, I
 mean you don't have to be Hannibal Lector to tell when someone is giving
 out an insincere compliment"
Siri Macallan says, "At times."
Siri Macallan says, "Not everyone is good at picking up nonverbal clues."
Siri Macallan says, "That's another piece of the character puzzle..."
Snake Silvertongue says, "Like Snake would be clueless, and so would ignore
 it, but other characters could RP it out"
Siri Macallan nods to Snake Silvertongue.
Ciannait Murphy smiles a bit warily at Siri, and says, "Thank you, you look
 radiant as well."
Scoop Masterson says, "I was thinking more of when folks do (Billy thinks
 that Sue looks like an old cow)"
Scoop Masterson says, "And then Sue bops him for it."
Siri Macallan says, "Exactly."
Siri Macallan says, "Joy had a question from last week that I wanted to
 answer..."
Siri Macallan says, "She asked how to work new stories for existing
 characters..."
Siri Macallan asks, "How do you take a character which has possible hit a
 dead end... and give it new life?"
Siri Macallan says, "Several ways to do it... one way is to treat the dead
 end like a good, oldfashioned midlife crises..."
Siri Macallan says, "And you simply have to have your character struggle
 through finding out the meaning of their life again."
Siri Macallan says, "I've had a character do that.  I really hated those few
 months of playing, but in the end, she turned out pretty good."
Siri Macallan says, "And I play her all the time now."
Siri Macallan says, "Another way is to have them get news from an "off
 screen" character..."
Siri Macallan says, "Note from a cousin, brother, ex-lover, husband,
 child... that tells them something they have to react to, and do something
 about.... something to reconcile."
Snake Silvertongue asks, "Like a death in the family, marriage of an old
 friend, inheritence from a lost uncle? Stuff like that?"
Siri Macallan nods.
Siri Macallan says, "Or something even less close to home..."
Siri Macallan says, "The collapse of an ideology or religion."
Siri Macallan says, "See the thing about characters, at least the
 interesting ones, is that they always are developing."
Siri Macallan says, "Sometime take the newspaper and read it with your
 character's eyes."
Siri Macallan says, "That's one of the exercizes we used to do in one of the
 theater groups I worked with."
Siri Macallan says, "See what pushes your character's buttons when you
 read... and then go with that."
Siri Macallan asks, "Did you find a new cause for him or her?"
Siri Macallan says, "Maybe they get excited about learning something new...
 studying a new field... taking up a new art or hobby."
Siri Macallan says, "Sometimes, all it takes is a slight twist on an old way
 of looking at things."
Siri Macallan says, "And that will give new life to an old character."

*****end*****