Your Favorite Characters

[Fighter1000]

Out of all the characters you have ever played in your tabletop roleplaying experience, which would you say is your favorite? It doesn't matter what system it was for, but please do mention what system you used to make the character. If you can't decide on an absolute favorite, just mention two or three characters instead.
Thanks for your time, fellow playgrounders.

[imaloony]

That's easy: Smidget, the Thief/Illusionist Kender from our AD&D campaign.
The guy playing him did such a fantastic job playing a Kender, and the number of crazy situations he got into was astounding, and I've already mentioned a few on this board.
He got his soul ripped from his body at least twice, he invented a new extreme sport for dwarves, he created a KENDER GOD (And became prophet of said God), there was "Smidget the Melee Weapon," the first few sessions in which he managed to do more damage to the party than the enemies, and that's just scratching the surface. This character was the funniest part of the whole campaign, and that's saying something.

[DoctorStandard]

Kevros Lucassen, a halfling paladin in a Pathfinder game that went from level 1-8 in just over a year. The party started as orphans in Waterdeep having grown up together in the same orphanage that they had just "graduated" from. Kevros was, in my mind, the quintessential Paladin: Compassionate, generous, soft-spoken, nonjudgemental and more apt to teach by example than coercion. Not a crusader against evil, but a defender of the weak and a kind healer. He wasn't much of a leader, which reflected my own personality and sometimes led to trouble for him, but he had very little regard for his own safety when it came to saving the innocent or helping his friends (he was a paladin of Ilmater, the god of self-sacrifice, which he lived up to often). He was definitely the party's soul and moral compass, and his church membership was often a great resource, sometimes to Kevros's chagrin - once the rest of the party stole a powerful artifact from the church vault without his knowing, which he got in huge trouble for later. He was also probably the strongest character in combat - halfling archery paladins are ridiculous, by level 8 he was getting 4 attacks a round which almost never missed and dealt around 15-20 damage each, and that's before any buffs besides Smite and without any magic weapons. That was definitely the best campaign I've ever played in, for a number of reasons.

A close second, though, is Pavo, the wizard in my current avatar. He was pretty much Kevros's polar opposite. He was an analytical genius (at level 8 he had 27 int), but also greedy and selfish. He lived for the acquisition of knowledge and lore, traveling the world to learn and study. He also was a prolific crafter of magic items, so he tried to amass as much money as possible for that purpose. But he knew his time was running short, so he came up with a plan to turn himself into a Lich; unfortunately the campaign ended before he was able to enact it, but I'm thinking about bringing him back for a higher-level game, post-undeadifying himself, or possibly as a villain if I run a game he'd fit in. Pavo was an excersize for me to actually play the overpowered Wizard in a real game. He mainly buffed the party and debuffed the enemies so the party thought they were soing the real work and still had fun/didn't feel useless, but in a pinch he was more than capable - he singlehandedly killed (who we thought was) the Big Bad in only 4 rounds, after winning initiative in the surprise round and using a Pyrotechnics spell to blind everyone in the room, then summoning a bunch of monsters to beat on the disabled villain. It was an epic moment.

[Katasi]

Without a doubt, Arumfaerwed, who was a gnome conjurer/duskblade/spellsword in 3.5. My enjoyment of him had only a bit to do with his stats, though they where fun his HP was through the roof for a wizard, because he had 18 CON and Improved Toughness, and he rode around on a dire badger. He also managed to get his hands on an orb of blasting, which was devestating the first few battles he used it in. I never got him up to where he would have been totally awesome but I had calculations to put him in a mithril twilight breastplate, put his badger in adamantium full plate (or mountain plate) barding, and have him ride amongst his enemies as a living tank.

The thing that made him the most fun was on the roleplaying side however. He had a developing case of paranoid schitzophrenia and instead of battle cries he just spent every battle cursing nearly constantly, usually making some very suggestive comments about monster's ancestors. Oh yes, and he harvested body parts from slain enemies for using in his spells and magic items.

Now I want you to REALLY think about this.... it's a living tank, whose IFF system is going out. In fact I had planned that if the game went far enough this guy was going to start running through town throwing fireballs at the buildings because they're "giants" and generally causing trouble, not for the fun of it but because he thinks he's saving everyone..... while wielding an enchanted troll liver.

[mistformsquirrl]

Holy crap I have a lot of favorites to tell you the truth... In fact I'd almost go as far as to say "every character I create I love in their own way"

That said I have a few standouts that I wish I'd gotten to play further, but for various reasons was unable to do so -

Elwynn - A Battle Sorceress who's left arm was withered by a bad encounter with a wraith. She was former military in her city-state and rather patriotic; but also quite nervous around the undead.

Inoue Ame - A young samurai woman on a journey to improve her skills - sadly the campaign died before she got to do anything really, but I loved the character concept and in a lot of ways brought it back in an older more mature fashion with one of my current characters, Inoue Kaede.

Atriel Whitewing - My very first D&D character - a half-celestial fighter/sorcerer/spellsword. I don't remember his background to be honest; but he was in a lot of ways a cross between a Jedi and an Angel. I may have to remake him at some point with a DM who ISN'T trying to kill me (and won't make "little mermaid" jokes about his name)

[DisasterArea42]

So, mine involves a bit of a story.

I was playing a character that required more time than I had to plan things, due to classwork and what not. So, I go to my DM and tell him I want to do a ridiculous character. So I settle on playing the classic Barbarian Wizard. My DM, though, he knows I'll make this guy really fun. So he gives me a free Wish AND Iron Heart Surge, once per day. I had one sheet of notebook paper with everything I would need to know on it, just in case my party that I'm getting ready to antagonize wants to see my character sheet.

Enter Krog, Barbarian 9, the Half Orc so dumb we had to look up whether or not he would recognize his reflection, which would probably shatter mirrors because he was that ugly. The party thought I was just playing a barbarian that wouldn't be able to figure out what limb the shoes go on until they head off into a jungle to fight a dragon and I stay behind just to teleport to the camp ahead of them. I about wore my throat out after 1 session, got him arrested for replacing a residential area with a forest after 2 or 3 sessions, after which I went back to playing a character that wasn't made to annoy my friends and throw out puns left and right.

[Grommen]

I can narrow it down to a top 3. And in no way decide what one would be #1
I've tried to keep it short too.

No pactular order.

Kellin - Elven Fighter/wizard (AD&D 1st and 2nd). I didn't create the character, he was out of some 1st edition adventure. I'm told the name means "Bog" in German. Don't know...don't care. The name means doom in the Realms. He was my first character. Retired some where around 18th level fighter / 22nd level wizard (Yes I'm aware they can't get that high legally in 2nd ed)

Kellin was fond of sneaking up to Elmenster's tower and casting detect magic on the sucker (back then everything magical glowed). A second sun would rise that day. Poor old wizard never figured it out cause Kellin had an Amulet of non detection that he never took off. Once fought and captured an achient red dragon, cause he wanted a pet. Was old enough to tell the upstart Mystra to "take a hike", cause he knew the original one. Kellin used claws similar to Wolverines (it was highschool peoples) made out of Admantine, was fond of casting meteor swarms. He retired after having a battle of the Wizards in the middle of Waterdeep (nearly leveling the place). He kinda won haveing shattered his staff of the maji that was fully charged. It killed everyone, but he died last. He was then given divinity and rules my home made world. Yep I realize that is a lot of hooie, but we were 18. What would you expect? He still rocked.

Then we have "Q"

"Q" was born Qulairious VonSteven III. And that should about cover the name. He is an Elf Spell caster in Shadowrun (2nd and 3ed). Because abusing one game system with a spell tossing warrior type was not enough. "Q" is a hopeless addict, and adrenalin junkie. Best spell tosser the world has ever seen (ours anyway. yours may vary). When sober, he is completely insane, having lost his battle with reality some time ago. I gave up calculating his karma around 300 points. Last I recall he is a grade 6 initiate, 8 will (before spells), sorcery 8, power focus 4, has a familiar with more karma than other player characters, and two bound level 6 elementals (I don't even know how they are still bound to him). Has a katana weapon focus that resembles a lightsaber (with sound). His last job was protecting "Big D"... Ya that didn't work out so well. He is currently the president of Grease after wakening up on the beach with no memory of his former past. His past however has a memory of him, and it keeps trying to kill him.

And lastly "The Jynx"

I started her in AD&D (2nd) and she is semi retired now (Yes this character is older than a lot of you reading this post). Converted her to 3ed and then 3.5. Jynx is 25th level, and a prestige bard/archmage. Jynx began life as a half-elf bard (con man). Her goal was to be the spy and information broker of the group. She had dozens of persona's, from old women, to young boys. Has always been fun to play. She also robbed a lot of people blind, and was banned from Coymer for starting up a thieves guild (seems that they just cleaned out the old one). Once robbed a dwarven temple of all it's gems by picking a fight with a dragon, then dragging the town into the frey to help her fight it. Wile they were busy fighting, she cleaned out the temple. Would have gotten away with it but the dwarves were so grateful for her help with the dragon they wanted to give her a reward. After decades of adventuring Jynx and her close friend Quintion "The Great" the only person in the world that could tell when she was lien, moved up to Darma to Lay low (seemed The Black Staff was looking for them). After saving the Bloodstone Valley and overthrowing the Witch King Jynx has been appointed the Magester of the newly formed county of Bloodstone. Ironically she is charged with keeping the law and order of the kingdom. The fact that she is the defacto leader of the thieves guild didn't seem to bother anyone. Her bluff skill (unmodified)is over 30. Lived by only one creed "I get half."

I think they are my favorites because the are nothing like myself in life. They lie, cheat, steal, get wasted, shoot people, blow stuff up, and have a nack for setting everything on fire. They are out going, loud, socially unacceptable, amoral people. And in the end they still manage to save the day. And not the gritty anti-hero way. Q and Kellin are raving lunatics, who make a habit of blowing up their problems. Jynx is simply a heartless sociopath, who made a liveing deceiving anything she could. Damm I love em all.

[Katasi]

Originally Posted by Grommen

Then we have "Q"

"Q" was born Qulairious VonSteven III. And that should about cover the name. He is an Elf Spell caster in Shadowrun (2nd and 3ed). Because abusing one game system with a spell tossing warrior type was not enough. "Q" is a hopeless addict, and adrenalin junkie. Best spell tosser the world has ever seen (ours anyway. yours may vary). When sober, he is completely insane, having lost his battle with reality some time ago. I gave up calculating his karma around 300 points. Last I recall he is a grade 6 initiate, 8 will (before spells), sorcery 8, power focus 4, has a familiar with more karma than other player characters, and two bound level 6 elementals (I don't even know how they are still bound to him). Has a katana weapon focus that resembles a lightsaber (with sound). His last job was protecting "Big D"... Ya that didn't work out so well. He is currently the president of Grease after wakening up on the beach with no memory of his former past. His past however has a memory of him, and it keeps trying to kill him.

I don't suppose he ever went out pestering Starfleet captains?

[Grommen]

Originally Posted by Katasi

I don't suppose he ever went out pestering Starfleet captains?

Nickname was given to him because his hair was "White as a Q-ball", and it got turned into "Q". Harassing Star Fleet came latter. No one, includeing me could remember his official name till I found a very old character sheet.

Did have a replica of one of the James Bond cars, the lience plate (in chrome) read "Continuum".

My next Shadowrun wizard was named "K". No he did not wear a black suit, or sunglasses, nore did he work for the MIB.

[Grommen]

Come to think of it. I forgot Been.

Been R. Shot. (the R was for Repeatedly).

He got his name because that was the first thing that ever happened to em. Shadowrun character. Was walking down the sidewalk in Seattle and the sun came out. We knew right then we were in trouble. Next thing we know a black sedan screeched around the corner and the windows rolled down.

Well Bob dodged, Been got shot.

No one ever managed to figure out how to kill Been though. In the end he has been shot, been stabbed, been possessed, hacked, set on fire, pummeled, framed. He survived being hit by a Panther Assault cannon (not lien here, used all his karma but he lived). He is co-owner of a nuke, a Delta Grade clinic, and island in the Caribbean. So awesome was he that he made it to the last encounter of a Shadowrun adventure before having to shoot every mother #@$#'er in the room.

[DigoDragon]

My favorite all-time number one PC...?

I'm going to go with Trixie, the mashup character I had that was a combination of Booster Gold (Justice League Unlimited) and The Great and Powerful Trixie (My Little Pony).

It was left intentionally vague OOC on where she came from (past, future, other world, etc.) but in character she assumed that Earth was a low magic world she transported herself to. Magic was so common in her world that Trixie was a nobody, but on low-magic Earth she knew of the potential to become the biggest hero known.

So yeah, an altruistic spellcaster who loved the spotlight and the fame of being a superhero. Never was in it for the money though. I quite enjoyed hamming up my performance to the Nth degree. It was also fun to find creative ways to defeat technology with magic as she didn't like the idea of using anything that wasn't running on mana.

[Angel Bob]

I've made a lot of characters I quite appreciate, but I'll limit myself to those who have actually seen play.

One of my favorites would be Lo-Kag. Despite being a goliath fighter/runepriest, I ended up playing him more like O-Chul: a tough-as-nails paladin-esque warrior who upheld law and order. He also had an Intelligence score of 8, meaning that he was occasionally a bit thick. Quite fun to play. A shame his campaign sort of burned out; I might bring him back sometime.

Another contender for my favorite would be Ghesh Heskan, whose character concept began as an "atheist paladin" for our group's evil campaign. He ended up as a dragonborn Doomlord who wielded a vicious greataxe, making his critical hits truly devastating. I recall there was one combat encounter with a band of drow, in which the PCs were entirely blinded by some of their dark elf magic. This didn't stop Ghesh from charging blindly ahead, swinging his greataxe... and rolling a natural 20 that took out about 75% of an enemy's health. The DM ruled that I'd severed his arm. Appearance-wise, he ended up looking like Ganondorf from Zelda: Twilight Princess, complete with black plate armour and thick cape. Ghesh was also fun to roleplay, because out of the entire party, he was perhaps the only sane man.

Speaking of a lack of sanity, the other evil PC I played in this campaign (we only had three people playing, so we took up multiple characters) was Thom the Drummer, a wild mage whose backstory was basically Rumpelstiltskin gone terribly wrong. Long story short, his mother promised her firstborn to a demon lord in exchange for arcane power, resulting in a demonically infused person of mass destruction: Thom himself. Whereas Ghesh was exciting on natural 20s, Thom was hilarious on natural 1s: in that same encounter above, he fired off a chaos bolt while blinded, rolled a natural 1, and then rolled to determine what happened. Turned out he switched places with the target, which had apparently been the middle of a prison cell. From there, he blasted a few chaos bolts out at the drow -- only to score another natural 1, and again switch places with the target. Next thing you know, one of our opponents was locked up in a cell, making the encounter substantially easier. That campaign was pretty hysterical, all things considered.

[Jay R]

Jean-Louis, a Flashing Blades Rogue:

[All of the following was his backstory, written before the game started.)

Jean-Louis is a Parisian street-rat. He was an orphan, raised by the nuns of Notre Dame, until he fled at age eight, upon hearing that he was to be taught Latin. Since then he has lived by his wits, developing the skills of a cutpurse and thief.

Jean-Louis particularly enjoys climbing, feeling happiest and most secure when climbing buildings. (He has discovered that most Parisians never look up.) In the last few years he has spent a lot of time exploring the architecture.

Flashing Blades characters get one Secret and one Advantage.

Secret Origins

Jean-Louis was a foundling, left at Notre Dame in a basket. Nothing is known about him except that he was left with a satin blanket with the monogram "JL". Is it a clue to his parentage? Is he the bastard son of a noble with those initials? Or was he born to a servant girl who stole the blanket? Is he the inconveniently legal heir that somebody wants dead? He does not know, although he still has the blanket.

Note to GM: Neither the character nor the player has any idea what this means. If you choose to clear up the mystery, the secret could easily develop into a Secret Identity, Sworn Vengeance, or Blackmailed, depending on the details. Feel free to use it any way you choose. A monogram cannot be traced (how many JLs are there?), but it might be recognized by a family member, washerwoman, or the original embroiderer. It could also be a blind to the child's identity.

Advantage: Contact - Master of the Fencing School

Jean-Louis, at age 14, was climbing and exploring. Finding an open window, he entered the lavish rooms. He was surprised in one room by a middle-aged man in a nightgown who grabbed a sword off the wall and challenged Jean-Louis.

Although Jean-Louis had a rapier, he had only fought untrained street ruffians like himself, and had an entirely unjustified high opinion of his own fencing skills. Drawing his sword and attacking, he was astounded to be:

1) parried,
2) sidestepped,
3) swatted on the butt with the flat of the blade, and
4) admonished to "Point your toe forward, don't lean over, hold the pommel up, keep your point on line, don't telegraph your blows."
Jean-Louis had no idea what was going on, and charged again, with similar results. This time he was told that he had managed to combine the elegance of a plough horse with the killer instinct of a milk cow. After the next pass, the man screamed, "Point your foot at me, fool!" Rather to his own surprise, Jean-Louis did. For the next five minutes, he was subjected to his first fencing lesson, at two in the morning, in a house he'd broken into, from a man in a nightgown.

It broke up when Jean-Louis's stomach rumbled. The fencing master asked him when he'd last eaten, and Jean-Louis said three days ago. (A flat lie -- he'd had a perfectly good crust of bread a day and a half ago. But street urchins always say they haven't eaten in three days, even when they're hopelessly overstuffed.)

The master fed him, and asked many questions. (Maítre Francis Toquin is involved in politics, and was frankly wondering which of his enemies had sent so hopelessly incompetent an assassin.) Deciding that Jean-Louis was too foolish to be a spy, the fencing master offered to teach him at the Toquin Fencing School.

Jean-Louis couldn't find the place the next day, since he had been too embarrassed to admit that he couldn't read. He next saw Maítre Toquin three weeks later, and was escorted to the school.

Several years later, Jean-Louis is an assistant at the school, and has the friendship of the master.