I am joining the game
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By Jussi Ahlroth
I am going to participate in Dragonbane. The name of my character is Isuke. He is one of the priests in the community of Cinderhill. In Dragonbane, priests are people who feel an especially close bond with the dragon. They lead rituals performed in honour of the dragon. Nevertheless, they are no higher in rank than anyone else. They carry water, light fires, and clean the privies.
Isuke was created in co-operation with my "coach" Tiina Kuustie. There are a total of twenty coaches, and they create the characters together with the players. This is another fact that makes Dragonbane an exceptional game. Usually either the organisers of the game create the characters, or the players create them themselves.
This helps prevent stereotypes.
"Players need to be pushed in the right direction, or else everyone creates The Lord of the Rings style heroes."
Dragonbane is role playing for adults, with a credible and interesting storyline and characters. The characters are sufficiently diverse to meet the needs role players of all kinds.
First, I did a test where I described how I would like to play. I got a surprisingly in-depth description of my character's personality as a result. I decided to make Isuke a devoutly spiritual man with firm moral beliefs and a sense of honour. Isuke also has a personal relationship with the dragon.
Tiina Kuustie told me about events in the history of the village that were important for Isuke's development. Isuke was badly injured on a trip outside the village three years ago, and was in the care of the other villagers for two years. How did this influence Isuke's honour-conscious personality?
A few details and features, which seem contradictory at first, begin to form into a personality. It is an interesting process.
Isuke has just been outside the village for the first time in three years at the start of the game. He returns to a scene of total chaos. My game will involve going through feelings of dismay, guilt, and responsibility.
I am now getting to know the players, whose characters Isuke knows. It is then time to design Isuke's clothes and items and order them from the artisans. There is plenty of work.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 22.4.2006
More on this subject:
 Dragon god comes to life in Sweden next summer
FACTFILE: Live action role-playing involves assuming a new identity
JUSSI AHLROTH / Helsingin Sanomat
jussi.ahlroth@hs.fi
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