richa@tekid.UUCP (Richard Austin) (09/19/83)
Ok folks... here I come w/ my opinion on using minitures as an aid to frp games (AD&D in particular). I really feel that having a minature for each individual character is a great aid. After you run a character for a few runs, get a basic idea of what personality this one is going to have, then it is time to buy a figure for it. Now the fun really begins. Modify the figure... its boring to have a bunch of identical figures around. Make a sword a hammer by using liquid solder, or alter the helmet... modifications add per- sonality! Now comes painting. With water colors you can add shading, hi-lighting, details which express how you view your character. When you are done, you have a talisman which embodies the personality of who it represents. It has been carefully and pain-stakingly developed so now when you see that figure have a monster (also well-painted) set beside it, your FEEL IT AS THAT CHARACTER WOULD. I believe most people dont "role play" enough and reduce the game to the abstract level of pure strategy. It is hard to send a character into a situation YOU recognize as stupid simply because HE/SHE is stupid. It is also glorious beyond compare when that same persons special abilities shine thru and aid the party. Glory AND sorrow together are what make 'frp' so special. Minatures help me to escape my intellect and truly role-play. ...tektronix!tekid!richa Sho Nuff Dwarven Lord Lord of the Eastern Keep