What Are You Thinking?

[Foxtrot94]

When a character isn't a chosen one, however, they're only involved in what they can plausibly get involved in given their current alliances/abilities/location/whatever, which kinds keeps the plot a lot smaller and more focused on what's happening at that moment.

I think the Witcher books are a good example of the fact that that's not necessarily the case.

Geralt is not a chosen one, yet the plot revolving around him is massive, involving a number of kingdoms and organizations. That's because his profession makes it so that his services can be requested by both the paesantry and the highest places in society, making him a character that can easily move between the various ranks of society, and gets sucked in major plots and big scale events. And yet, he's no chosen one, he's a reject, that everybody scorns but everybody needs.

I personally think that chosen one stories are the lamest kind. Not that they can't be good, granted, but I tend to give more props to a writer who is able to create a character that is involved in big events, is complex and has charisma without the need to make it a chosen one. Such a character is far more interesting and compelling to me than one that's destined to be great or to do great things to begin with.

 

[DDutchguy]

I think chosen ones feel like they have the most to add to a story because they get involved into every aspect of the world. They kinda have to. All the governments want their support. All the people want their help. They're being pulled in a million directions. When a character isn't a chosen one, however, they're only involved in what they can plausibly get involved in given their current alliances/abilities/location/whatever, which kinds keeps the plot a lot smaller and more focused on what's happening at that moment. (I'm agreeing with you, btw, though I usually do lean towards smaller characters.)

Paradoxically, I prefer small-scale stories over large-scale ones. It helps keep the story focused around the main character without the need to keep raising the stakes. Maybe it's that I like playing as a chosen one in games, but I don't prefer it as much in a book or movie because games have the interactive element to them and you can create a character's thoughts yourself during gameplay sections. That way you sorta make the character more your own.

 

[Kurisu]

After beating Resident Evil Revelations for the first time (I only watched it on youtube years ago since I didn't have a PS3 back then) I had enough Valenfield to restore my soul and ship them more. Also Sailor Chris makes the game GOTY.

 

[DDutchguy]

I personally think that chosen one stories are the lamest kind. Not that they can't be good, granted, but I tend to give more props to a writer who is able to create a character that is involved in big events, is complex and has charisma without the need to make it a chosen one. Such a character is far more interesting and compelling to me than one that's destined to be great or to do great things to begin with.

You make a fair point. I can agree on someone being born for great things without having gone through a struggle to obtain it, but I see it as another way of placing a character in a certain situation. What will he do with his powers, did he want these powers, will they prevent him fro doing certain things, etc. If it comes down to a chosen one that is a do-good'er and is perfect in every way then it does create a very flat character.

What I like about being Dragonborn in Skyrim is that you have the freedom to work with the power you're given. You can be good with it sure, but you can also exploit the gifts. You could even make a character that in a way rejects his power by not shouting at all. Of course then the issues arrive with dialogue portraying you as someone that does embrace being Dragonborn, but I have a tendency to headcanon my way around those types of things lol

 

[Foxtrot94]

@DDutchguy
I see what you mean but you don't need to be a chosen one to be able to choose (no pun intended) how to use your powers or how to behave in the world you're in. Example: the Academy cadet in Neverwinter Nights, just to mention another RPG.

What you're saying doesn't depend on what kind of character you are, rather what kind of game you're playing. You just need the right writing and adequate dialogue options, regardless of the character you're playing as.

 

[Shadow]

@Rebel Dynasty @DDutchguy @Foxtrot94 I agree with all of you, to be honest. In real life, I actually hate the thought of fate and destiny (actually, it makes me angry to think there's a being up there that decided what I deserve to be good at or have happen to me before I was even born...it really, really makes me mad to think maybe all these years of practicing my skills amount to nothing because destiny decreed I should be good at it and I didn't earn it. screw you, fate), but I do have fun with playing games as the chosen one. Story wise, I prefer when the person is ill-equipped for the job and has to fight to reach the end. The problem with writing a chosen one is that, unless they're the villain, they are always stuffed into being a perfect person with no choice. None of them seem happy with their life. Whereas, using people that are basically nobodies in the world feels less restrictive; more personalities and stuff.

 

[ReaperHunter]

I tend to like chosen one type of characters most when it's subverted. Like in Dragon Age: Inquisition for example, the Inquisitor could have been anyone but, once they became the Herald of Andraste they are the most important person in the world.

 

[Lain]

All this talk of fate and pre-destination reminds me of a trippy episode of anime I was watching last night where two fish are going to be turned into sushi and the Trout accepts his fate while the Black Bass decides to go against it.

Black Bass: "Are you going to just be eaten like that? Well not me! I shall not bow down to fate. Even if I end up on the cutting board, I will die proud that I fought it till the end, on my own terms. Out of the way humans! None shall obstruct my path to freedom!!!"

And then the fish started piloting a giant robot and fighting the humans and stuff. It was really weird.

 

[Shadow]

All this talk of fate and pre-destination reminds me of a trippy episode of anime I was watching last night where two fish are going to be turned into sushi and the Trout accepts his fate while the Black Bass decides to go against it.

Black Bass: "Are you going to just be eaten like that? Well not me! I shall not bow down to fate. Even if I end up on the cutting board, I will die proud that I fought it till the end, on my own terms. Out of the way humans! None shall obstruct my path to freedom!!!"

And then the fish started piloting a giant robot and fighting the humans and stuff. It was really weird.

Ah, they finally did an accurate representation of my origin story. Now all is revealed. Time to get a better robot.

 

[Rebel Dynasty]

Ah, they finally did an accurate representation of my origin story. Now all is revealed. Time to get a better robot.

:laugh:

I'm with you on the destiny thing. Or at least in the terms that someone or something else is calling the shots and decided the course I'm on long beforehand. I do, however, believe that we are in control of our own fates--which is more of an "action equals reaction" thing. Yeah, there are things outside of our control (the actions of others), but how we act or react to situations comes down to us. But now I'm just steering into a whole 'nother territory. ^^; But yes, likewise, I agree that all character types have their place; it just boils down to how the creator portrays and uses them.

 

[Foxtrot94]

unless they're the villain

Yo. Once again I gotta bring up The Witcher. That's exactly what CD Projekt did in the first game. Dunno if you played it but the way they pulled off a chosen one villain was nothing short of awesome.

 

[Lain]

Hmm, the Calendar Store in town has finally closed after 3 months of being open.

That's definitely more than I expected. :tongue:

 

[ArabPikachu]

Today, I practiced my 1st session as a Student Driver. In this session, the teacher had me start driving in my neighborhood and I managed to drive 16 miles; thankfully, I'm now not as scared of driving as I was in the past.

 

[Foxtrot94]

@Dark Drakan
You still have your big beard? I'm starting to grow it back and this time I wanna leave it alone too see how much I can let it grow before I absolutely can't stand it anymore. :laugh:

Although I am in exam period, I wonder if having a big beard is considered to be trashy or not.

 

[Skagewid]

@Dark Drakan
You still have your big beard? I'm starting to grow it back and this time I wanna leave it alone too see how much I can let it grow before I absolutely can't stand it anymore. :laugh:

Although I am in exam period, I wonder if having a big beard is considered to be trashy or not.

Bah... I cut my beard three days ago.... it's longer than yours.

 

[Foxtrot94]

Bah... I cut my beard three days ago.... it's longer than yours.

You're a special case, you're more ape than man, LOL.

 

[Xeroxis]

Clean apartments are the best

 

[Skagewid]

You're a special case, you're more ape than man, LOL.

Ape isn't the right term... better VIKING.

 

[Meg]

*is the only member online*

Where'd everyone else go???

...................................*sniffs armpit*

Nope. That's not it. Is there some kind of secret meeting I wasn't invited to??

 

[Rebel Dynasty]

Finally, done the read-through. Starting tomorrow--the second draft of "Fall of the Spectrum". :thumbsup:

+Please behave, weather. This is the first week back; bus cancellations/school closures would kinda be a mood killer at this point.

++Pain. Pain everywhere. Curse you, flutter kicks... :dead: