Like us, our characters are creatures shaped and defined by our failures as much, if not more than, as by our successes. A dramatic setback can resonate through a character's whole existence, filling him with the resolve to meet new challenges... or with speculation about what might have been, and lingering doubts that haunt him for years.
Unfortunately in an MMO, these sorts of dramatic setbacks aren't always easy to come by. PvE play operates at a "work at it for long enough and success is pretty much inevitable" level of difficulty, while PvP setbacks tend to be very abrupt (your team loses the warzone) and ephemeral (after which you requeue). Even in roleplay, a setback arising out of PvP mechanics (a duel) or simple dice rolls may not feel particularly powerful. Sometimes you, the player, simply have to take matters into your own hands.
Have you ever conspired against your character, forcing him or her to fail at something for the sake of a good story? If so, what were the circumstances? Did you have any second thoughts at the time? What was the long-term outcome? If you haven't had this experience, what would it take for you to decide that your character just needed to come up short? Let us know in the comments!
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Draxus Well, I killed off my main before the game even launched! 'Cept it happens at the end of the war. But he totally bites i ...
Jun Keres You know the old feel-good saying: "our greatest glory lies not in never falling, but in rising each time we do&quo ...
Adrianna To me it all depends on the character itself. I do not plan my rp on this matter but I do keep up like George R. Martin ...
