Comics and RPGs: Voices in my head

Comics and RPGs: Voices in my head

April 10, 2017

Have you ever played a possessed character? How about a Malkavian from World of Darkness? I love the crazy character, the haunted ones; they have so much to offer.

Now I think most Vampire: The Masquerade players and GMs know that the Malkavians aren’t necessarily crazy, that in fact they are speaking to someone through a dimensional wormhole or some other such story, but to everyone else they seem perfectly mad. Imagine if you were warped from the ’80s into the future “McFly!” and you saw all these people walking down the street talking to themselves? You don’t know what Bluetooth is, so they all look crazy to you.

But what if that wasn’t even the case? What if you played a character who was possessed, but the possession was so complete there was no semblance of the original host, no resistance? Is it a magical item which has you possessed? A demonic entity? Maybe you’re playing your warlock but it is actually the patron who controls the character.

I have two examples from the comics this week. Moon Knight was the avatar of Konshu, the God of Vengeance. He was basically a cleric/ monk. You can check out the “Moon Knight (Explained in a Minute)” video on Comic Book University for more, but I’ll provide stats for him below (D&D-ized).

Strength 18 (+4) Race: Half-Elf
Dexterity 15 (+2) Class: Cleric-Domain of War 8th/ Fighter-Champion 7th
Constitution 20 (+5) AC 16 (Chain Mail)
Intelligence 12 (+1) Background: Soldier (mercenary/ myrmidon)
Wisdom 16 (+3) Half-Elven Darkvision
Charisma 18 (+4) Movement: 30

My second example is the son of Professor Charles Xavier, Legion (Yes, the guy with the TV show on FX). He was once possessed by The Shadow King, an entity that represents all the bad thoughts, intentions, and fears of mortals projected as psychic residue.

Both characters in the Marvel Universe could be any character they choose, and that could be a great way to keep some continuity in a story, whether you’re the player or the GM. Much like Denzel Washington’s role in “Fallen” (1998), if your character should die, it will simply seek a new host (role a new character) and, though you are weaker (explained by having to adjust to the new body), you still have the same goals and all the same memories.

However you play this character type, you’ll always keep the other players on their toes with a character who appears crazy.

Professor Bill
Comic Book University
Class dismissed

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