Obsessions motivating "all actions"

Stormcrow · 10-28-2022, 01:35 PM

I'd also challenge the notion that Obsessions make for unplayable characters. I might make a Solar Patrolman with Obsession (Get promoted to Full Lieutenant, resist almost all the time [15 or less]) [5]. The character is constantly following orders quickly and to the letter, constantly trying to impress his superiors, and tries to get himself into situations where he can prove himself. His uniform is always perfect, his bunk always spotless. When he's on shore leave and his Obsession tells him he should really turn his friends in for getting into that fight in Venusport, he'll "almost always" be able to resist this temptation. When the captain tells him to stay behind on the ship while the crew explores a dangerous asteroid, he'll "almost always" resist the temptation to try to find a way to come with them (without violating orders). There's definitely tension there, but not an amount that is impossible to manage. It does, in fact, make a more compelling character, which is rather the point.

If you're only dealing with Obsessions about killing people, then yeah, you probably end up with some dificult-to-play characters, but Obsession is a lot more open-ended than that.

10-28-2022, 01:35 PM	#17
Stormcrow Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ronkonkoma, NY	Re: Obsessions motivating "all actions" I'd also challenge the notion that Obsessions make for unplayable characters. I might make a Solar Patrolman with Obsession (Get promoted to Full Lieutenant, resist almost all the time [15 or less]) [5]. The character is constantly following orders quickly and to the letter, constantly trying to impress his superiors, and tries to get himself into situations where he can prove himself. His uniform is always perfect, his bunk always spotless. When he's on shore leave and his Obsession tells him he should really turn his friends in for getting into that fight in Venusport, he'll "almost always" be able to resist this temptation. When the captain tells him to stay behind on the ship while the crew explores a dangerous asteroid, he'll "almost always" resist the temptation to try to find a way to come with them (without violating orders). There's definitely tension there, but not an amount that is impossible to manage. It does, in fact, make a more compelling character, which is rather the point. If you're only dealing with Obsessions about killing people, then yeah, you probably end up with some dificult-to-play characters, but Obsession is a lot more open-ended than that.