Ramblings on Character: Wallflower
We often forget that we were all at one point or another new gamers. It’s always ‘fun’ to be the new guy in town, isn’t it? There is the uncertainty, and yes, even the confusion with the unfamiliar. Joining a new table can be an unwelcoming place at the worst of times and deeply intimidating at others. That said, gaming shouldn’t be gatekeepy. It bothers me that it so often can be. In doing Building Character, I often find that issues I run into during the stream come back up throughout the week before I write these blog posts. With Wallflower, it is this idea that he’s a new recruit desperate to prove himself amid more veteran heroes. I bring this up because all through this week this theme was writ large in my day to day, even including a conversation with a co-worker about how gamers tend to think less of and be critical about new gamers.
But here’s the thing; when you have someone new at the table, they notice things that you take for granted, flaws in mechanics and lore. And, more often than not, they offer creative solutions to unique problems at the table. That, my friends, is a valuable thing indeed. I fully advocate trying to bring new people into the hobby.
But back to the character at hand (for a moment). Wallflower is a bit of a weird beast to me. He’s social but also somewhat equipped to handle his newfound abilities. He is powerful but untested; he’s fully capable of commanding a room; but what does it mean if he chooses to do so? He can make or break a mission but… the important part is that he wants to prove himself.
Sound familiar? Yes, like a new gamer! So think about Wallflower when you have newbies at your table, give them the latitude to make mistakes, and to shine. The surprises they bring to the table will be more beneficial to you and your fellow players.
Here is Wallflower’s character sheet. Use him as a PC or NPC at your leisure, but if you do, please hop onto our discord and let us know how he worked out, and more importantly, his heroic stories!