As the last days of 2007 pass by, I’ve been reflecting on the grand MMORPG adventures I have experienced this year through the eyes of my characters. It is my experience that solid roleplayers tend to have more than a few characters on tap, and will generally work to upkeep two or three characters fresh and in play. I could point to fellow roleplayers I’ve met this year alone who fit neatly into this mold, but to be more precise, I’ll use myself as the best example I know.
I’ve said before that I do not completely understand how or why players get bored with their characters or their current MMORPG. One of the ways I keep my game time fun is by playing and developing a variety of characters through four different MMORPGs: Lord of the Rings Online, World of Warcraft, Ultima Online and Anarchy Online. Counting all the characters I’ve made in all those games, I have seventeen total. Of course, I don’t play every single one all the time, there are not enough hours in the day. I do pay particular attention to a few of them at a time, with that time revolving around which ones have the most interesting story or potential for adventure.
By having a number of distinct characters readily available, each with their own personality and place in their world, I am able to quickly jump into the role of any one of them, depending on my own mindset at the time. That, my friends, is how I have defeated the boredom monster!
For example, allow me to share a brief description of the characters with which I’ve had the most fun roleplaying this year. By doing so, I think it may help to show how playing a few different roles keeps boredom at bay, and may help you in combating your own lackluster game time. Also, I call out their names publicly so that fellow roleplayers will know who I am in game to feel free to engage my characters in RP conversation, or just give a friendly /hello!
Lord of the Rings Online
Holo Freefoot (Landroval) is a hobbit burglar, farmer, cooker, tailor, and most importantly, a defender of the Shire. Like the majority of his race, he enjoys cold mugs of ale and huge slices of warm pie, the best of which comes from his home village of Frogmorton. Quite unlike many other Hobbits, though, he has yet to venture very far away from the Shire to assist in defeating the number of dangers currently facing the gentle Hobbits within. If called upon, he is always willing to lend a hand where his burgle skills may be needed, but he much prefers to be closer to one of the many fine Shire inns, and the most excellent Hobbits that can always be found there.
World of Warcraft
Wijon’bu Zentao (Earthen Ring), known as Wichdocta, or just ‘Wichy’ by his friends, is a troll priest of the voodoo discipline. He shuns being called a healer, and his skills go beyond merely using the powers of shadow. He calls no place home, and can be seen walking through Shattrath City or Thunder Bluff one moment, to throwing the voodoo around Shadowmoon Valley or Silithus the next. He meditates often, either in quiet contemplation inside the Pools of Vision, walking amongst the huge mushrooms of Zangarmarsh, fishing around Nagrand, or by mixing and bottling up the mojo at the Undercity Apothecarium. He is always open to helping fight alongside his Horde brethren, especially when it comes to correcting the ways of the tribes of wayward trolls. Don’t hesitate to ask this old troll for help, and may the spirits be with you.
Arsonite Tinkerboom (Blackwater Raiders) is a proud member of the Enlightened Assembly of Arcanology, Alchemy and Engineering Sciences, who know him more commonly and more precisely as Arson. A drastic mishap when he was a babe caused him to take on the magical elements of fire improperly, which was prone to manifest itself at the most inopportune times as he grew up to his current days. He now spends the majority of his time utilizing his engineering and enchanting arts in one experiment after another in an attempt to understand, or better yet, to correct, this problematic status. If you’re wondering who turned up the heat, or how the tome you’re reading suddenly burst into flame, it’s safe to say Arson is at fault.
Ultima Online
Yojimbo (Lake Superior) a samurai who, up until recently, was content to seek out and wander the beautiful places of the Tokuno Islands. Much of his days were spent in study of Bushido, the code of the samurai, that he holds most honorable to him. He didn’t feel the need to venture off the island, having heard and read much about the people of Britannia and their nefarious ways. Happening upon a book of history which went in detail about ‘the eight virtues’, he became very intrigued as to how closely they matched the precepts of Bushido. So, he is now traveling the paths to visit the ancient shrines and modern cities described in the book to investigate for himself these virtues, and hopefully find others who can teach him more about them.
Anarchy Online
Savosix (Rimor) is a Clan soldier-for-hire, ready, willing, and able to report to any front line where there is a fight against the tyranny of Omni-tek. From his meager apartment in Old Athen, he often marches about the city or over to West Athen quietly looking for the next combat operation to sign up for. In his down time, he’s performing constant preventative maintenance on his equipment and replacing or upgrading his weaponry and nano-tech implants, or just chowing down at the local Mongol Meat. Should anyone require his services, his rifle is always at the ready!
I’m looking forward to continuing the story of each of these characters next year, and I’m very sure I’ll add a few more to the list. What characters have you had fun with this year? Have you thoughts towards making any news ones next year? Either way, you know where to find me wherever you may need help. Role on!
