Since the last session I’ve been putting quite a lot of thought into beliefs. In total the guidance from others that I put up in my two previous posts basically recommends that beliefs:
should contain an ideological stance of some sort and should express how that ideological stance drives the character to achieve a particular goal
should vary in scope (e.g. some may be shorter term goals that are stepping stones towards your primary goal)
should be driving your next actions
should change during the course of play
should be tied to the NPCs/relationships and to the situation being tossed out by the GM
This all seems like really good advice but I’ve been finding it a little difficult to put this into practice. From a character perspective I’d say Rhadamanthus’s primary belief would be something like:
I will protect the people I care about, those who have shown me kindness or aided me in times of need. They can always depend on me.
There might also be something about believing that he can’t make up for failing those he cared about but deep down wanting to be redeemed – though where does this fit in?
The thing is I’m not sure that these really meet the criteria stated above and, given the situation in the game right now, I can’t see a way for them to be driving my next actions.
Hmmmm… I started thinking about this and want to make a number of observations to see what you guys think.
To start with, though Rhadamanthus’s primary belief doesn’t really meet the criteria right now, it’s ready and waiting to do so. It’s kind of like a primed trigger waiting to be engaged. It says something like “endanger someone I care about” at which point an immediate goal will emerge.
This got me thinking that to me my character’s ‘beliefs’ and the short-term goals arising from them were slightly different things. I began seeing it more as a belief hierarchy. My character has longer-term beliefs that act to define who he is and flag up to the GM where things ought to be going. As the GM guides the story to trigger these beliefs the more dynamic short-term goals appear and I act to resolve them.
This may not be entirely “player-driven” in the sense that Steven Jarvis was discussing. I can see that there is more onus on the GM than if the goals were already expressed in the beliefs and the players were driving play forward themselves but I think what I’m proposing sits with my own preferred style of play better. It’s probably more “reactive” than “active” play but it’s not passive either. It’s kind of saying where you want the story to go, then waiting for the GM to do it and then reacting to that.
Given that the main objective of beliefs would appear to be flagging up directions of play that will engage the players, I wondered if this could be done OOC to some extent. I’m not proposing replacing beliefs as I think they are an excellent way of describing the characters and getting a handle on what they’re all about. What I’m suggesting is that after each session each player (OOC) could state up to three things that he would like to see in upcoming sessions. For example, right now I might say I’d like to see:
A story where someone we collectively care about (e.g. Philomena, Simonedes) needs our help in some way (either directly or indirectly), thus focusing the characters on a joint goal - this could mean first establishing a new character that we are all invested in (perhaps one of the priestesses from the Temple of Asclepia).
More of Kalliope. Another appearance because I feel there’s some potential there and would like to see how things develop.
More situations that extend the number of NPCs we’re invested in because that makes me feel more invested in the world and opens up more possibilities for the future.
Obviously most of these are in line with my primary belief but as they are OOC there’s more freedom for me to say stuff.
Any thoughts?
PS. When I wrote this, as well as thinking about Rhadamanthus’s beliefs, I was kind of considering the beliefs Tony put out for Thanos (see below). I was thinking that they don’t really have any specific short-term goals either (i.e. the same problem I’m having). So they don’t exactly fit the criteria I posted but they do flag up areas of interest than can be pursued and actually define the character really well. I think they’re excellent ones for Thanos. Nice one Tony!
I am mighty and will never be defeated in battle.
The cult of Agonius is upright and honourable. I will advance my position within the cult to better serve and protect the people of this land.
I was not born a slave and will act with honour in all things according to my station as a free man.
