Hello fellow roleplayers, ZonnoSpark + 1 here to talk about a part of a character that often doesn't get talked about a lot or anyone puts thought into and that being: Character Progression. Before, we start I would like to give thanks to EbonSlayer for suggesting this topic.

This discussion actually goes really well with the others we have done before, those being Goals and Psychology because now your character has achieved their goal or has moved closer to it, or they longer think or act like they did before, how does/did your character progress going forward. Did they lose morals? Did they become a better person? Did they just become a mindless killing machine that wants to kill every elf ever to be born?

So we're here to ask you, yes you fellow roleplayer, how did/has your character progress? How did you decide on their progression? Why did they change their ways? How did you handle them changing and progression?

And for this discussion, and for all discussion in future, we politely ask you to reply to someone elses comment once you've posted yours - the fun is in the discussion after all!

I guess progression is quite a fluid thing. You know sometimes you have a character who emerges fully-formed in your mind? They have a backstory, a multi-layered personality, and you know exactly where they're going to end up and what their story will be. Then there are those characters who surprise you. You start playing just for the hell of it and he or she takes shape as you go and the events of the game shape them and inform their personality.

Both can be fun and each has a time and place. For now I'm playing through ESO Morrowind with an Argonian - my first Argonian since my TES IV days. I've never quite understood them, and the more I have read over the years, the more alien they became. As I tend towards perfectionism and will walk from pretty much anything should I feel even slightly uncomfortable, I have avoided the RP challenge that the lizards represent. Until now.

The only 'Gonian that ever made sense to me (apart from Weebam-Na who cracked me up) was Footfalls-in-Snow from Kyne's Challenge, and that's only because I liked the voice he was given:

“Do not tremble, tiny leaf,” Footfalls-in-Snow replied, “for you have finally stopped soiling yourself; the Afraid Wind lessens to a mere draft. Your illness vanishes on the breeze.”

So I used that as a hook and pretty much am running with it. I'm finding him to fall into that latter group, a character who is coming to life as I play. Because the quests are new, I have no choice but to RP, you know? Trying to identify with the character from my normal approach just doesn't work. So I am trying to relax a little and not need to know exactly how he thinks, understanding what matters to him and his values seems to be more important right now. Over time, I will likley get better informed of him when I can look back and see a pattern of consistency in his behaviour.

[/blockquote]

Did they lose morals?

[/blockquote]

This is one of the best things about a character that people are often, in my opinion, afraid to do. Fighting and killing wear away a person down, and with that their hopes and ideals. Someone who starts off as an aspiring hero could easily end up as a jaded mercenary, taking immoral contracts just to put food on the table or because they just can't but down their axe. Who a character is is one of the most important parts of planning, and people put so much time in it that they want to keep on using it, eventhough sometimes its more effective for them to change. Quests are a good way to do this, especially one with choices (Saadia, I'm looking at you), but a player's mood and boredom can also play a part, and thats ok! Tired of slinging spells and want to start bashing in faces? Queue the Rocky music, your character feels the same. And after evolving with you, the character will often feel even more 'real' and will be better overall.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Paws]Paws[/url] said:[/b]

I guess progression is quite a fluid thing. You know sometimes you have a character who emerges fully-formed in your mind? They have a backstory, a multi-layered personality, and you know exactly where they're going to end up and what their story will be. Then there are those characters who surprise you. You start playing just for the hell of it and he or she takes shape as you go and the events of the game shape them and inform their personality.

[/blockquote]

I think this is the best roleplay experience honestly, when I plan a character but when playing go 'Yeah, I got this all wrong, they'd actually be like...' and then let the character form itself. For example, I had a character called 'Throngar the Lad', a Nord who was always second best and wanted to prove himself. He started off as a rangery bloke, but it didn't fit with what he wanted, so now he swings a hammer with the best of them and has now become the stereotypical Nordy Nord hero we all know and love.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Zonnonn]Zonnonn[/url] said:[/b]

This is one of the best things about a character that people are often, in my opinion, afraid to do. Fighting and killing wear away a person down, and with that their hopes and ideals. Someone who starts off as an aspiring hero could easily end up as a jaded mercenary, taking immoral contracts just to put food on the table or because they just can't but down their axe. Who a character is is one of the most important parts of planning, and people put so much time in it that they want to keep on using it, eventhough sometimes its more effective for them to change. Quests are a good way to do this, especially one with choices (Saadia, I'm looking at you), but a player's mood and boredom can also play a part, and thats ok! Tired of slinging spells and want to start bashing in faces? Queue the Rocky music, your character feels the same. And after evolving with you, the character will often feel even more 'real' and will be better overall.

[/blockquote]

That's interesting as normally when I start metagaming it spells the end of that character and playthrough. Being bored or distracted often means I'm not satisfied, and nine times out of ten it means I'll start again rather than use that meta-moment to adjust the character. I like that chilled approach now I read it.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Paws]Paws[/url] said:[/b]

That's interesting as normally when I start metagaming it spells the end of that character and playthrough. Being bored or distracted often means I'm not satisfied, and nine times out of ten it means I'll start again rather than use that meta-moment to adjust the character. I like that chilled approach now I read it.

[/blockquote]

Metagaming is tough, but once you find a way to spin it into something productive it can actually be good. I'm a stubborn git though, so maybe I'm just not willing to give up the characters I've put so much work into. Eh, if it works it works I say!

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/alcrid]ACD[/url] said:[/b]

A contraction of vampirism mid-playthough is always interesting. Do you take on the blood lust of a vampire or try to stay true to your pre-vampire morals and become a Blade kind of character?

With mods like Sacrosanct and Better Vampires, this has excellent gameplay impacts too. How would a 'good' character use blood magic? How would a 'good' character feed?

I like progression where it is very visual and feels different. A hunter character works well because you can't just hunt forever. What's your goal after a fair few hours of that and what do you do with the skills you have become more adept in?

[/blockquote]

All great points, ACD. Something unexpected coming up which changes a character can be frustrating, but its the most realistic way to show serious change in direction, and it keeps a character fresh and interesting even after hours of play.

And I absolutely agree about change needing to be felt, visceral. Yeah you could roleplay that the character has now become incredible at archery, or the Harbringer of the Companions, or anything else, but if you don't take the steps to make it feel that way then it doesn't really 'happen'.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Zonnonn]Zonnonn[/url] said:[/b]

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/alcrid]ACD[/url] said:[/b]

A contraction of vampirism mid-playthough is always interesting. Do you take on the blood lust of a vampire or try to stay true to your pre-vampire morals and become a Blade kind of character?

With mods like Sacrosanct and Better Vampires, this has excellent gameplay impacts too. How would a 'good' character use blood magic? How would a 'good' character feed?

I like progression where it is very visual and feels different. A hunter character works well because you can't just hunt forever. What's your goal after a fair few hours of that and what do you do with the skills you have become more adept in?

[/blockquote]

All great points, ACD. Something unexpected coming up which changes a character can be frustrating, but its the most realistic way to show serious change in direction, and it keeps a character fresh and interesting even after hours of play.

And I absolutely agree about change needing to be felt, visceral. Yeah you could roleplay that the character has now become incredible at archery, or the Harbringer of the Companions, or anything else, but if you don't take the steps to make it feel that way then it doesn't really 'happen'.

[/blockquote]

Good call on the vampirism! When you first enter the Soul Cairn and you are faced with that choice to lose a bit of your soul or lose your soul to Molag provides a good opportunity to have a character-defining moment. Which is the lesser evil in the eyes of your character? The power of becoming a vampire might be tempting, or it could be that the idea of being soul trapped is simply too abhorrent... or even just the opportunity for an intimate moment with Serana.

I confess that I like that choice. For the character there is no certainty for they don't know that they'll get their soul back or be cured depending on which path is picked. It raises a lot of questions, for me it would be a huge decision and so a pivotal in-game moment, I reckon.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Zonnonn]Zonnonn[/url] said:[/b]

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Paws]Paws[/url] said:[/b]

That's interesting as normally when I start metagaming it spells the end of that character and playthrough. Being bored or distracted often means I'm not satisfied, and nine times out of ten it means I'll start again rather than use that meta-moment to adjust the character. I like that chilled approach now I read it.

[/blockquote]

Metagaming is tough, but once you find a way to spin it into something productive it can actually be good. I'm a stubborn git though, so maybe I'm just not willing to give up the characters I've put so much work into. Eh, if it works it works I say!

[/blockquote]

I like that attitude. I could do with relaxing on that, I tend to be a bit intense :D

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Paws]Paws[/url] said:[/b]

Good call on the vampirism! When you first enter the Soul Cairn and you are faced with that choice to lose a bit of your soul or lose your soul to Molag provides a good opportunity to have a character-defining moment. Which is the lesser evil in the eyes of your character? The power of becoming a vampire might be tempting, or it could be that the idea of being soul trapped is simply too abhorrent... or even just the opportunity for an intimate moment with Serana.

I confess that I like that choice. For the character there is no certainty for they don't know that they'll get their soul back or be cured depending on which path is picked. It raises a lot of questions, for me it would be a huge decision and so a pivotal in-game moment, I reckon.

[/blockquote]

Its a great dilemma in the game, probably one of the best given how adamant the characters colleagues would be against vampirism, but equally being soul trapped is probably one of the inhabitants of Tamriel's greatest fears - not going to their after life is a big deal. I wish they didn't make it obvious that the change wouldn't be permanent, then it'd be a real crossroads for the character.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Warlocksg]Warlocksg[/url] said:[/b]

If serena asks you to be a vamp, i'd gladly take on that offer, knowing that i can utilize the powers of the vamp to make skyrim safe and earn lotsa gold :)

[/blockquote]

This right here is why I think vampirism in Skyrim isn't as awesome as it could be, at least from a roleplay perspective. Being a vampire should feel different, like you're actually a monster losing control and not just some uber powerful immortal who needs to use factor 60,000 sunblock. Although it can lead to a perfect chaotic good character, I feel like vampirism should be more raw and bloody, to go along with the general hatred of it.