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Again with the aspects

Started by Ghost Whistler, June 16, 2012, 05:47:42 AM

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Ghost Whistler

June 16, 2012, 05:47:42 AM
Is it common to struggle to come up with (enough) aspects for characters/NPC's?

Or just me.
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Silverlion

#1
June 16, 2012, 07:27:52 AM
Quote from: Ghost Whistler;549333Is it common to struggle to come up with (enough) aspects for characters/NPC's?

Or just me.


Not for me, but I'm generally fast at coming up with such things, its easier for me than trying to decide what I need/want to create my character idea in a point based system.
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jeff37923

#2
June 16, 2012, 07:30:46 AM
Quote from: Ghost Whistler;549333Is it common to struggle to come up with (enough) aspects for characters/NPC's?

Or just me.

I cheat.

Most of my NPCs are based on public figures or people I have met in real life. Makes it easy for me.
"Meh."

Soylent Green

#3
June 16, 2012, 11:17:14 AM
Yes, I think it's pretty common to struggle to come up with a whole lot of Aspects especially when you've not even played the character yet. That is way I favour the optional "character on the fly" rule. Start off with maybe just a couple of Aspects and choose the rest in play, as and when they arise.

Likewise if you find some Aspects aren't working you should be able to just replace them with better ones as you go along.
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Insufficient Metal

#4
June 16, 2012, 03:12:57 PM
Yeah, I usually start with about three -- one catchphrase or motto, one affectation or habit, one psychological trait... the rest I come up with as the game progresses. Otherwise it's a pain.

RPGPundit

#5
June 17, 2012, 05:59:59 PM
Are you talking about Fate?

If you're the GM, I'd suggest you just cheat. Make up the aspects as you go along, based on what develops in the NPC's personality.

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#6
June 18, 2012, 06:15:02 PM
The easiest way is to just come up with a few things the character believes, or events which were important in the character's past.

daniel_ream

#7
June 18, 2012, 08:19:24 PM
Quote from: Ghost Whistler;549333Is it common to struggle to come up with (enough) aspects for characters/NPC's?

Not really, no.

For most FATE games, I find at least three Aspects will get defined for you, in the race/class/specialty sense.  For instance, in Legends of Anglerre, three of your Aspects will usually go to race, occupation, and specialty within that occupation.  For a Good character, that leaves only three Aspects left, which should be easy.

For instance, a typical captain of the watch will probably have Human, Stalwart Fighting Man, and Captain of the Watch of Brockmere.  And that's before we know that he's also Fearless, Inordinately Proud of his Moustache, and Crooked as a Broken-Backed Snake.
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Silverlion

#8
June 18, 2012, 08:29:43 PM
I should type up my most recent SOTC character. I've got the notes for him somewhere.
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