Role-playing Log, Rend-Fol, March 29, 2009

Summary:

Coming off a titanic fight against a two-story tall monster bug, Rend-fol began the night's session watching other party members rush to aid the town's wounded and shore up damaged structures. He declined all requests to provide aid, including Quinn's attempts to drag the Behemoth bug into the town square for burning. After resting for the night, the party awakened the next morning and assembled, striking out for Na'ral's nest. Along the way, a horde of gibberlings attacked. The party dispatched the swarms, arriving at Na'ral's nest the following afternoon.

Role-playing Quantity: Medium

Numerous opportunities to role-play throughout the night's session, especially at the beginning and during the journey to Na'ral's nest.

Role-playing Quality: Low

But Rend didn't take good advantage of aforementioned opportunities. Playing an aloof dick makes for difficult role-playing because an aloof dick's default is to . . . do nothing! Which Rend did well throughout the night. True, it was consistent with his character to refuse to aid the wounded and dying, but I don't want his morality completely dictated by his inactions. His role-playing improved later in the session when he questioned a new addition to the party, Kane. But for the most part, I had Rend rely too much on the aloof, despondent archetype. Apathy leads to morose gameplay.

For the next session, I'm going to try and find a way to get Rend attached to his new party. Maybe from mutual respect, the idea that Rend has found adventures equal to him in skill and aptitude. He respects power and rarely confronts those that are his equal or better. If he's invested in the party (or a few member inside it), I can let his aloofness fade somewhat. He'll still be primarily motivated by coin or power, but I'll make him a bit more likely to do something the party asks him to do.