I felt this would be a great place to discuss the mind of characters in RPGs, based on their age.

There's no real thread discussion like this, and it's perhaps the most pivotal part of creating and establishing all characters. Our age affects our mentality. As character creators, it's beneficial for us to have a firm grasp on what a character at age 16 is like and what one at age 40 is like, and the key differences and similarities between them. It's also important to understand how our age effects our perception n any society, so that we may adapt our knowledge for any setting.

First, because it's inevitable, feel free to bring up the common age of main characters being in their teens. Discuss it, as it may be helpful and is somewhat relevant to the thread.

Second, let us establish what the different age brackets are by opinion.

Third, let us establish typical traits and viewpoints of people in these brackets.

As an example, I'll go first covering all these topics:


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Warning, it's very wordy. You could probably trim your viewpoint down a lot shorter than mine. It's overly long.

Titanhex, you are one intelligent man.




1-10
These children are usually wanting to go out and play. They are pretty much innocent or they are the spawn of Satan. They are pretty extreme and are used very much in an allegory form. They are either really innocent or they are really evil. When they are on the team they are using smart mouth kids that are usually smarter than the adults. Favorite quote " Wanna Play!"

11-14

These kids are very intelligent. They are usually smart mouth kids that usually get on the main characters nerves. They are either thieves or really good mechanics. They may have some fighting skills too. This is also when they begin to start liking the opposite sex. At this time they know what they want to be when they grow up. Favorite quote, "When I grow up I wanna be [insert profession]."

15-18

This is the rebelious group of children. They are usually trained fighters, pretty and they have a longing for the opposite sex. Usually their goal is to try to impress their crush. They have a fiery spirit, or they are intellectually calm. They always tend to get into some form of trouble or they are up for some silly antics. They tend to show their emotions a lot more. They are free-spirited. They also get introduced to great responsibilities. Favorite quote, "I will be the greatest [insert profession] ever!"

19-30

They are usually the people who are on the pathway to self discovery. They want to know who they are. They tend to hid emotions a lot more. They seem to be a bit lazier. They are also master fighters. They have a much more mature approach to romance. Favorite quote is, "Who am I"

31-50

These are usually family people. Everything they do is for the benefit of their family, or some huge responsibility. They are battle-hard people that has a lot in their days. Some are either really lazy, perverted, or they are hot-blooded. Favorite quote is, "I'm to old for this!"

60 and up

These are the wise old men, that younger characters always seek guidance. They are the Ultimate masters or Sages of their traded. They experience a lot of things and they always seem to have a long drawn out story to tell. Some old people are hermits. Favorite quote is, "You just have to believe. You've had the power all along."

Very informative, I like your viewpoint. It will actually benefit me when making NPCs or MCs to look back and reference this topic, I'm sure.

Just my opinion...

if I ever hear someone who is 30 years old say, "I'm too old for this shit", I will beam him over the head with my backhand.

The difference between a 19 year old and a 30 year old is MASSIVE. It breaks down more like this for me

19-25: you're officially an adult. You're not quite sure of what you're doing with your life. But rest assured, you got your whole life ahead of you, and so you take responsibilities without feeling like you need to worry about your future. You have aspirations, but they are at best, vague in your mind.

26-30: you're now an adult, and you're actually quite good at it. Chances are, this is where you start making some life decisions that will truly and utterly change who you are. i.e. get married, have a kid, etc. Usually a lot of the BIG responsibilities in life are taken on at this point. (i.e. buying a house, making your first major financial decision that will stay with you for 10 years or more) It is also at this point that you generally start to develop a TRUE expertise in something. (Unless you're some prodigy that has been doing what you've been doing since 12) At this stage, your aspirations should be fairly solidified in your head. You should know what exactly it is you want to achieve as your big break.

31-40: you have more or less settled into your specialty. Of course, those of you who don't, this is the time you will make that significant switch in your specialty. i.e. I used to be a soldier, but now I'd rather be a farmer. This is not retirement, this is a change in vocation. At this point, the choices you've made in your 20-30 years are starting to either settle in with you or is starting to catch up with you. i.e. your kids are now getting older, your smoking habit is starting to effect your stamina. At this point people tend to have a pretty clear idea as to who they are. You also don't feel invincible anymore. Your experience, however, makes you better at handling all of the things that would drive you crazy in your 20s. Less and less surprises you, even if you've never seen it before. If you had an aspiration at 30, this the point you generally make that come true.

41-50: mid-life crisis can kick in at this stage if you don't really know what you're about. At this point, you're starting to slide past your prime, and you're now looking more for stability in your life than opportunities. Your responsibilities should be maturing by this stage to eventually free you for other pursuits. At this point, you are now really concerned with grabbing onto the last big opportunities that you might get. This is also the stage that really sets apart the people that have reached their peak or the people who still have more to give. (think of it like this. In most big corporations, if by the time you're 40 you still have not made CEO or an equivalent rank in responsibility yet, you generally won't for the rest of your life)

50-60: generally, this is where people start to really look at the end game, the way they can stop doing what they're doing, and hand things off to the next generation. Rest assured, it is already starting to happen. At this point, most people will have either reached their peak or is close to it. Hopefully, most of your works and responsibilities have paid off and you feel you have done your job fostering the next generation. Your age is definitely showing, and you have to start slowing down. Physical professionals just won't be able to perform as they used to and must move to areas that require more leadership and counseling.

60+: the end game. You're now tired. You might still have energy left in you to contribute, but in general it's not something nearly as big as when you were in your 30s, 40s, and 50s. And that's okay. You've lived your life, and now it's time for you to slow down. THIS is the time for people to start saying, "I'm too old for this shit".

keep in mind, none of this is carved in stone. I know people who had kids at 20 and then pretty much skipped straight to the 40s stage.