Crafting Memorable Characters for Mothership RPG

In the endless abyss of space in Mothership, characters are pitted against cosmic horrors both physically and mentally. But with so much random chance and brutal encounters, how do you make your crew truly stand out?

Todays post will help you create memorable characters ready to go against any horrors they might come across. We’ll explore tips and tricks that will go beyond basic stats and create compelling personalities, motivations, and quirks that will stay with you and your fellow players long after the last dice roll.

In the horrific universe of Mothership, our characters are more than just avatars or miniatures to look at. In fact, they are the greasy engineers that keep our ships flying, the mad scientists that create impossible creatures, and the cold and foreboding androids that can outmaneuver any man. They are the lens through which we see these harrowing missions and daunting journeys.

However for the newly introduced, creating these character can be a bit jarring. Unlike many hobbies, tabletop roleplaying does not have an “industry standard” to creating characters. Moreover, this open-ended nature, while empowering, can also be daunting.

Character Creation Tips

Below is a list of things I consider every time I go through the character creation process. Id like to reiterate the fact that I am by no means a professional writer, I just do what I find fun:

Character Impact: The significance of character creation for a player’s tabletop RPG experience. Here’s how a well-crafted character can elevate your enjoyment of the game:

• Deeper Immersion: A compelling character backstory and personality allows you to truly inhabit their world. You’ll feel their triumphs and failures more acutely, fostering a deeper connection to the game’s narrative.
• Meaningful Choices: When your character’s motivations and goals are clear, every decision you make in the game takes on greater weight. Will your teamster with a troubled past choose to help a fellow engineer, or succumb to the stress of a looming threat? These choices become personal, shaping the story and your character’s arc.
• Unforgettable Moments: Characters with unique quirks, flaws, and skills are more likely to create memorable moments at the table. Imagine your reliable marine compatriot about to have a panic attack mid motivational speech.
• Stronger Bonds: The relationships between characters are a cornerstone of tabletop RPGs. A well-crafted character with clear strengths and weaknesses encourages collaboration and teamwork with your fellow players. You’ll learn to rely on each other’s skills and personalities, forging bonds that transcend the game itself.

One-Shot vs. Long-Term

Tailoring character creation to the type of campaign (one-shot or long-term) to optimize the playing experience. The difference between these 2 characters is that one needs to be fun in the moment and the other needs to be fun for multiple sessions.

In the unforgiving depths of a Mothership one-shot, your character is a shooting star – briefly dazzling, then burning out in a glorious (or maybe horrific) display. Here’s how to craft a character that makes the most of their limited time:

• Intense Quirks & Psychoses: Mothership thrives on dark humor and cosmic dread. Lean into that! Play a paranoid engineer convinced the ship’s AI is plotting against them, or a cyborg soldier with a crippling fear of the void. These amplified traits will provide instant entertainment and roleplaying opportunities.
• Action-Oriented Specialists: Focus on skills that shine in the immediate. A demolitions expert with a reckless streak or a hotshot pilot with a gambling problem will be invaluable assets in a desperate one-shot mission.
• Haunted Past (Cliff Notes Version): A one-shot doesn’t require a full-blown backstory, but a single, traumatic event can add depth. Perhaps your character barely escaped a previous doomed mission, or witnessed something horrific in the depths of space. This event can fuel their motivations and quirks.
• Visually Striking Survivors: A heavily scarred face from a past space-hulk encounter or a cybernetic arm jury-rigged from scrap are easy signifiers of a hardened spacer. These visuals will help you stand out and establish your character’s history in a glance.

Tropes and stereotypes: Tools, Not Tombstones

Tropes – the gruff captain, the twitchy engineer, the haunted psychic – are like spare parts aboard a derelict freighter. They’re familiar, functional, but can be repurposed to create a truly unique character. Here’s how to avoid becoming another expendable crew member:

• Embrace the Grit: Mothership is a dark and unforgiving game. Don’t be afraid to inject a healthy dose of pessimism and jadedness into your character. Your gruff captain could be haunted by the ghosts of a previous crew, or your twitchy engineer might be fueled by a potent cocktail of paranoia and combat stims.
• Subvert the Norm: Challenge expectations. Is your haunted psychic not a wise sage but a reckless gambler who uses their abilities to cheat at spaceport card games? Does your stoic soldier have a crippling fear of the dark, making derelict space hulks a personal nightmare?
• Layer on the Trauma: In Mothership, everyone has baggage. Weave past traumas and dark secrets into your character’s backstory. Maybe your character narrowly escaped a Xeno infestation, forever scarred both physically and mentally. Perhaps they witnessed the ruthless efficiency of a corporate security team, fueling a deep distrust of authority.

Trope Transformation in Action!

Let’s take the classic trope of the “gung-ho soldier.” This character is typically all about following orders and charging headfirst into danger. But how can we make them a memorable character for Mothership?

• The War-Weary Veteran: This soldier has seen too much. They follow orders because they know the alternative is usually worse, but a deep cynicism lurks beneath their stoicism. They might be the first to volunteer for a risky mission, not out of bravery, but because they don’t expect to see another sunrise anyway.
• The Corporate Drone: This soldier is utterly loyal to the company, even as they witness the corporation’s callous disregard for human life. They see every mission, no matter how dangerous, as an opportunity to further their corporate standing. Their blind loyalty could be a source of tension with other crew members who prioritize survival over profit.
• The Desperate Gambler: This soldier uses combat as a twisted form of gambling, betting their life against ever-increasing odds. They might take reckless risks not out of bravery, but for the thrill and the potential payout upon mission completion (if they survive).

Vague Character Goals: Crafting open-ended goals that provide opportunities for story development within the campaign. This one really does depend on your Warden but I tend to prefer my players write some opened ended goals for me to build around and warp into something that can fit the setting and still be what they want to do.

Leave Room for Interpretation: The specifics of your goal can be hazy. Maybe your character seeks a mythical artifact (e.g., “Recover a lost artifact rumored to grant unimaginable power”). The nature of the artifact, its purpose, and the consequences of acquiring it can all be left open to the GM’s interpretation. This allows for the story to take unexpected turns and keeps you guessing.

Plant the Seeds of Conflict: Don’t be afraid to introduce internal or external conflicts within your goals. Is your character competing with another crewmate for the same objective (e.g., “Secure a legendary payday before anyone else”)? This sets the stage for interpersonal tension and difficult decisions that can make the journey as interesting as the destination. Obviously discuss this with the other player and the warden first.

A Few Examples to Spark Inspiration:

• “Repay a crippling debt to a ruthless loan shark.” This goal can lead to desperate missions, moral quandaries, and the ever-present threat of violent retribution.
• “Find a habitable world outside the corporate stranglehold.” This open-ended goal allows the GM to introduce various potential “utopias,” each with their own dark secrets and hidden costs.
• “Seek revenge on a specific alien species.” This goal can lead to thrilling encounters, uneasy alliances, and the horrifying realization that vengeance might not be all it’s cracked up to be.

Remember, in Mothership, survival is its own reward. But by crafting vague yet impactful goals, you give your GM the tools to craft a suspenseful and personalized narrative that will truly test your character’s mettle in the face of the uncaring void.

Dislikable Characters: The truth is, some of the most memorable characters in fiction are deeply flawed and even downright unlikable. From the scheming anti-hero to the bitter cynic, these characters can add a layer of realism and complexity to your game. Just remember to not take it too far and ruin the gameplay for others.

Why Play a Dislikable Character?

• Nuance & Complexity: Dislikable characters can be fascinating to explore. Their flaws and motivations create opportunities for roleplaying challenges and moral ambiguity.
• Internal Conflict: These characters often wrestle with their own demons. Playing this internal struggle can be a rewarding roleplaying experience.
• Surprise & Subversion: A dislikable character can upend expectations and add a dose of the unexpected to your party dynamic.

Playing the Dislikable Character Well:

• Walk the Line: There’s a difference between being unlikable and unplayable. Make sure your character, while flawed, is still someone you (and the other players) can have fun roleplaying with.
• Find the Humanity: Even the most jaded characters have some shred of humanity. Find what motivates your character, even if it’s something selfish or dark.
• Communication is Key: Talk to your fellow players and GM about your concept. Ensure everyone is on board with exploring a more morally ambiguous character.

Dislikable Doesn’t Have to Mean Evil, See if you can apply this to any of the examples I’ve listed below points before this one.

Looking to push your characters to the brink? My recent trip through the Mothership module Gradient Descent was a masterclass in player stress. This module doesn’t just throw enemies at your characters, it sows the seeds of doubt and isolation within the crew itself. Be prepared to witness paranoia blossom as your characters grapple with depersonalization – a truly unsettling descent into madness. If you’re looking for a Mothership experience that will leave a lasting impact on your players and their characters, Gradient Descent is a must-run!

Character creation is your opportunity to breathe life into a blank slate. By investing time and thought into this process, you’ll be setting yourself up for a richer, more rewarding tabletop RPG experience. So, don’t be afraid to get creative, explore your character’s motivations, and let them guide you on an unforgettable adventure.

Looking to practice some of these tips? Here’s a list of movie characters that you might be able to apply the character sheet along with what you learnt today to:

• RoboCop (RoboCop)
• Theodore (Her)
• Boba Fett (The Empire Strikes Back)
• Stilgar (Dune)
• Caesar (Planet of the Apes)
• Agent J and Agent K (Men in Black)
• Major Motoko Kusanagi (Ghost in the Shell)

And there’s plenty more where that came from, hit up some sci-fi classics if you’re in need of some inspiration!

Have you ever created a character that surprised even yourself? Maybe a seemingly simple trope like a “space cowboy” morphed into a complex war veteran haunted by past mistakes. Or perhaps your “gung-ho soldier” became the most cautious member of the crew, clinging to a desperate hope for survival. Share your stories and character creation tips in the comments below! Let’s discuss: What unexpected turns has character creation taken for you in Mothership, and how did those choices impact your gameplay experience? We can also continue the conversation on our socials, don’t forget to check those out!

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I’d like to finish this off with a little video link that I’ve found and would like to recommend to anybody who got this far down: