I’m including Play Dirty sidebars in the GM chapter. I’m also following Machiavelli’s advice: I’m not using any abstract, theoretical or hypothetical examples. All my examples are real experiences. Here’s a taste of what I mean.
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Munchkin to Storyteller in 60 Seconds
It’s easy to categorize players as “munchkins,” “actors,” or “rules lawyers,” but that misses the point. There’s a reason gamers act the way they do. I find, most of the time, that reason is as simple as “I want my shtick to work.” Let me show you what I mean.
Earlier, I mentioned my buddy Vach. In every game, he always wants to play something completely outside of genre. What I didn’t mention was that Vach is also one of the world’s best munchkins. He can tweak any system beyond its limits, almost breaking it. He completely exploits rules. Completely. So, one day, I sat down with him and asked him why. What I found out during the conversation made sense.
Vach wants his character to be distinct. He doesn’t want to be “just another Bear” or “just another Wolf.” He wants his character to stand out, to have his own voice, to be something unique. As for the munchkin stuff, Vach also wants his character to work. What I mean is, if his character is supposed to be stealthy, he wants to sneak across a crowded room without anyone knowing he’s there. Even if he rolls like crap, he still wants his stealth to work at least a little bit. After all, if he’s the greatest thief in all Shanri, shouldn’t he be able to get some level of success from even an abysmal failure?
I agree with Vach on both points. Players should feel their characters are unique. After all, we’re talking about protagonists from ven opera and pillowbooks. They should have a distinct voice and flavor all their own. At the same time, I also agree with him on the other point. If he’s the greatest thief in all Shanri, he should get some level of success, even if he fails.
This conversation with Vach inspired much of the system you see in this book. Even if you fail, you’ve always got one wager to play with.
So, here’s my solution for Vach.
Dude, I know you want to play a distinct character, so I recommend you play a servant who’s been secretly Blooded by his liege. That’ll probably be a player from the group, or if you like, I’ll play him as an NPC. As a servant, you’ll stand out. You won’t be like the other characters and you’ll have opportunities the other characters don’t have. And, like we talked about, you’ll also have unique challenges. I also recommend you get yourself a really high Cunning and Wisdom. Possibly Strength as well. You could also go for the no Wisdom option. After all, you are a peasant, but you can make up for your lack of Wisdom with Aspects like “I Never Forget a Face” or “Quick Learner.”
You can also play a Mountain Man: one of the ven who has gone native, joined the orks, and embraced their culture. (Orks have culture? Damn your tongue for such blasphemy!) Again, you’ll have unique circumstances on your side, making your character distinct, and at the same time, you’ll have access to benefits the others do not.
Finally, remember that your unique circumstance also puts you at a serious disadvantage. Whatever kind of outsider you choose to play will put you on what Sun Tzu called “serious ground.” You’ll always be at a disadvantage, always be treated as an inferior, always get spit on—even if it’s behind your back. I know you like this kind of challenge, but I wanted you to know it is there.
I won’t use it to piss you off, but I will use it to make stories.
I won’t use this as an excuse to be a jerk, but the ven will.
What a player does and why a player does it are two different things. Go beyond the cliche. Find the motivation.
Just a few questions turned Vach from a “munchkin gamer” to a “storyteller.” It all rests in the motivation.
(Sorry, Shel.)