I hope that my loyal readers (all three of you) will forgive me if this column is a little brief and pointless. I've been sick all week (woe is me) and all I can really think about is how I wish I could stop coughing and gain the energy to get on with my life. I'm not feeling particularly clever or witty, let alone inspired. So, this month I want to talk about how you should not be that jerk who plays that one character who totally doesn't fit in and makes life difficult for the rest of the party. Seriously dude. Knock it off. In all fairness, sometimes I am that jerk. I take a little teasing for always playing good characters. Even my neutral people lean more towards good. My D&D character is Exalted, which makes life annoying for the group sometimes. And I suspect that when we restart Rifts, I may have to stop playing my Bishamon monk, who is just a little too nice and good-intentioned to run around with a bunch of mercenaries. Still, in neither of those character is completely counter to the group's goal. They just push for the nicer solutions to problems, instead of the easier ones. No, that jerk is the one who makes something that stands in strong opposition of the group, after being told what the group is like. That jerk makes a lawful good paladin for an evil game, and tries to convert the party. That jerk makes a Lion, after being told that every other person in the group hates the Lion clan. That jerk makes an abrasive loner who always goes off to accomplish things on their own, delaying the game for everyone else. And then, that jerk complains that no one likes them or their character. Honestly, why do people have to do this? Why make a character that's difficult? Why make characters who don't get along with anyone, who have phobias that interfere seriously with the plot, who actively seek to undermine the party? Why make a character where every session you have to say "Sorry guys, this is how my character would act" as you once again engage in PvP? How long does it take you to realize that, hey, maybe for once in your life you should make a character who actually fits in the group, helps out, and contributes meaningfully in the plot? When will you learn that character quirks are supposed to round out the game and make it fun, not cause everyone to want to kick you in the teeth? Thank you, that is all.

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Copyright © 2008 By AJ Reardon E-mail AJ at: ErtheFae@aol.com Visit AJ at: www.erthefae.com