OOC: RPing Literary figures - opinions please!

Hey folks I have a dillema - hopefully you all can help me out. IRL I have been playing all sorts of RPGs for decades. Well over 10 yrs ago a began RPing Dorian Grey in several games. Now i'm not talking the Dorian Grey from the comic book or movie LXG, but rather the one from the Oscar Wilde book. (which is of course where LXG stole him from anyway) Any how my problem is whether or not I should RP the character here. I made a trial version of him just to test the waters and virtually no one had even heard of the book. Most accused me of ripping off the movie - not even knowing there was a comic book. Now for this trial charcter I messed up and gave him the gray suit(probably should have gone with a different color).

When I RP Dorian I play him as the real deal, in fact he often pokes fun at the book, comic and movie. Much as a real person might if they had stories told of them for centuries. Now since the book is from the 19th century - there is no Trademark or Copyright on the character. Hence he should be allowed to be played in this game. Opinions, comments, suggestions, questions . . . . fire away guys i'd like my fellow RP gamers input on this one.

Oh and should i Remake him with out the grey suit outfit. Currently he is a level 6 Magic Scrapper Broadsword/Regeneration and yes i will try to keep his 'powers' as acurate as i can.

D'OH also forgot - are there any other RP characters from classic literature out there? I'm sure i can't be the only one. It would be neat to do a LXG style thing with all our characters. (no we wouldn't use the LXG name)

This is just my personal, OOC opinion, but I feel the same way about someone playing Dorian Grey or Dracula as I do about Spider-man or the Punisher.

But thast just me

Actually, you could call your character Dorian Grey... you're right, there isn't a trademark or copyright issue.. but it's still copying a character... and that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Now I will admit, I created up a Six String Samurai... based of the Palm Pictures movie of the same name. The movie was just too cool, I loved the character of 'Buddy' and he's got some of the best lines to use as battlecries (Nice tuxedo... Nice tuxedo to DIE in!) But... ultimately I stopped playing him. Apart from feeling a bit wierd because I was the only one who got the joke, I decided it was just something to pull out when I was in that goofy of a mood.

In other words, he's not my main. But if you see him standing around, he'll be In character, showing off his Samurai skills, and playing rock & roll.

Note also that I changed the origin, gave him a bit of a background, and had a bit of fun with the character (still a dead ringer for Buddy Holly, tho).

Now, what I'd suggest... How about (from your own imagination/homage to Dorian Grey) you make up 'the real' Dorian Grey... but to protect his secret, that name was made up for the book? His real name is Lord Nigel 'Bunny' Picklefeather and gosh he gets a kick out of that book, comic, and movie.

So you can play something very similar to Dorian Grey, but add in some originality to the character.

Ah, well, I have a lot of good ideas, but most of them suck.

Six String

My personal opinion: Do what allows you to enjoy the game. Don't do things to impress others because there are always nay-sayers to any idea someone may come up with. And play with those that enjoy the game the same way you do.

I've seen so many versions of the Hulk since I started playing the game, but you know what? If they roleplay and are in character they are all good in my book. Some have really silly names that crack me up too.

Well, Dorian Gray is not copyrighted anymore so that's fine I guess. I agree with the others though that that is stilly copying a character and shows a lack of imagination.

Also, from a good guy/bad guy perspective Dorian Gray (from the story)is a disgusting individual with no redeeming qualities other than a pretty face. He's even disgusting compared to most other comic villains.

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Well, Dorian Gray is not copyrighted anymore so that's fine I guess. I agree with the others though that that is stilly copying a character and shows a lack of imagination.

Also, from a good guy/bad guy perspective Dorian Gray (from the story)is a disgusting individual with no redeeming qualities other than a pretty face. He's even disgusting compared to most other comic villains.

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yes, but being a 'nice' guy IRL - i find it really fun to occasionaly play dark, brooding, disgusting and even sometimes downright evil.

As fof the Nigel 'bunny' concept - no to the name, but that would help me solve all the other problems.

As for 'copying' the character, i feel it is more of an homage to Oscar Wilde and that era of literature. While it does lack the originality of some ideas (i have seen tons of great ones out there) it does have its own originality - i have personally expanded some of his back story and been thru many an adventure with my 'Dorian'. At least in my mind, he has evolved well beyond a simple copy of a character. But, i really don't want the image of a copycating idiot in this game. I have always played him with RL friends that understood a lot of the background and reason for playing him. I know that is not always going to be the case here, hence why I asked for the general RP communities opinion.

Thanks for the comments, suggestions and opinions
feel free to keep em coming!

My advice would be to use the character you love as a seed to create something that is uniquly your own. Take what you like from the story and expand upon it... That's what makes a character really interesting.

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My advice would be to use the character you love as a seed to create something that is uniquly your own. Take what you like from the story and expand upon it... That's what makes a character really interesting.

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This is actually what I wound up doing with my current character in game, but as I went along I started to get concerned that there are too many similarities to the original. Since that's the basic topic of this thread I'll ask your opinions.

Made a tanker in game, he wears a black suit with dark red shirt (black tie of course), a black diamond above his pocket. Chose the Metalic face look with a silver sheen. His name is Lord Havok.

His (incredibly simplified) story is that at the time of WWII was a crime boss who took part in the battle agains't the 5th and during the fight realized he took pride in what he had done and decided to go straight (like I said, incredibly simplified version of the story here.) He's cultured, intelligent, incredibly strong, and hits people with a gigantic stone hammer when he's angry. He decided not to switch to a typical "hero" name, instead keeping the name he was previously known by..sort of as a penence.

As you can probably tell, he's based loosely on Kingpin, but I worry that he's too close to his inspiration...any opinions?

He kind of reminds me of the crime boss from the Rocketeer, more than Kingpin...

I may be scum, but I'm American Scum... *shoots at Timothy Dalton*

Six String

I can see the similarities between him and Kingpin, but i think you made them different enough. Afterall the only real likenesses are size, crime boss, and a few powers. other than that they are totaly different.

I find nothing wrong with you playing the character. I am a high School Librarian and happen to have the book on hand. I quote ".....the tale of Dorian Gray's moral disintegration caused something of a scandal when it first appeared in 1890. Wilde was attacked for his decadence and corrupting influence." Though the character may not be copyrighted the book certainly is Random House/Modern Library have the rights as of 1992. I hope this helps your dilemma. Good luck and beware the portrait on the wall.

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I agree with the others though that that is stilly copying a character and shows a lack of imagination.

Also, from a good guy/bad guy perspective Dorian Gray (from the story)is a disgusting individual with no redeeming qualities other than a pretty face. He's even disgusting compared to most other comic villains.

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First, the reason that many of us play COH is to try to duplicate our favorite Super Hero, so I don't find anything wrong with trying to get as close that ideal as possible. It does not show a lack of imagination, but more of an apprecaition of someone elses work.

As for being a disgusting character, with no redeeming qualities, I think you should read Wilde's book, and then make that determination

PAX

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As for being a disgusting character, with no redeeming qualities, I think you should read Wilde's book, and then make that determination

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I have read it, several times. That story is the main reason I watched The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The movie made him seem almost human, just mean and nasty. In the book he has none, zero, zip, zilch. He's a base human who goes corrupt and follows the base of humanity. He is Oscar Wildes warning to us all of what lies burried within us. Before he becomes immortal he is vain and stupid, after he becomes immortal from the painting he is corrupt and dirty in the soul. The one good thing he did was die at the end from his burdened, disgusting soul.

Don't get me wrong, the story is amazing. I like Dorian Gray the character, but I have no illusions of what he really was intended to be.

It doesn't matter how much you make a character close to a literary
figure eventually he becomes yours.. Since you essentially gave up
his script a long time ago.. The Dorian Gray you are playing is your Dorian Gray. Essentially it is like a director taking someone elses
script and giving it his vision.. I applaud you.

No, no, no! There's nothing wrong with using a character someone else created! It's been done very effectively before, it can result in perfectly great roleplay, and it can inspire better roleplay from those around you.

It is precisely through this process, by one generation of creators building upon the ideas of the last, that mythology was made. As well as most comic book titles these days-- you think the original writers still script their characters? Each new creator adds nuances, fills in the blanks, brings out new dimensions to what was already there.

Some of the very best roleplay to be found out there is built on other people's characters. Since you and I already know what Superman's all about, what he's capable of, where he's been-- if we wanted to roleplay him we're free to concentrate on the things that make him a full character, beyond a mere heroic caricature.

Finally, have you seen some of the "original" characters in this game? The shirtless horned and tattooed demon using every costume option available? The natural blaster with a big gun and cigar? The alphanumeric robot with the iMac background (plug in... turn on... there is no step three)? These can all be roleplayed well, but they won't initially inspire much from other roleplayers. On the other hand, an established personality, ooc'ly recognized by everyone, is a muse-- people know the story that came before and want to see where it goes next.

I honestly disagree. To use your Superman example, sure if you Rp Superman you're continuing the story or what not, but when is the last time any of us has been surprised by what Supes is going to do or what he does? We always know what he's going to do, he's been around for over 50 years, in hundreds of incarnations, suits, respecs, and what not. The Hulk is the same thing, there are no surprises there, no stretch of the imagination.

So I guess, I still stand by my original post. You can do whatever you want to do, I'll just question your imaginative capabilities.

All of these are great comments guys!

I slightly disagree with the imaginative part of using someone elses charcter. It is in fact sometimes much harder to play, interact and expand upon a known charcter then it is an entirely original concept. After all when playing a character such as Dorian, one must try to remain faithful to the authors vision while making the character something more! Yes, some will just cookie cutter anothers work. With this example in particular it is not the case. I have expanded the character dramatically beyond anything in the books, comics or movies!

In order to not get him deleted - since I will be pumping alot of time into him - I will be using a different name in this game.

Since I have concluded my first dilemma - I pose a new question for you:

Is there anyone out there interested in RPing similiar characters? If so post here with name / background. All characters should be made on Virtue, not be a carbon copy clone of the original, have some from of original backstory, and be willing to actually RP. Thanks!

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Is there anyone out there interested in RPing similiar characters? If so post here with name / background. All characters should be made on Virtue, not be a carbon copy clone of the original, have some from of original backstory, and be willing to actually RP. Thanks!

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I would love to, but since I have no imagination, and cannot roleplay very well at all, I will have to , at this time, pass up your kind offer. I hope to see you around virtue sometime, I will gladly tag along and stand back to watch your team in action, and if I ever find a char that I love as much as you do Dorian, I will send you a mail and let you know. Good luck!

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I don't know who Grey really is, but if he comes from a comic book then don't use him.

I've always said that to take another person's idea (even if it is not copy-righted) is the lowest form of rp. That character is not YOUR character, as much as you may rp him in your style. The character truly belongs to the original creator, and it is dis-respectful to continue his story without the permission of the original said creator.

When I see characters like "Capt. America" or "Catwoman" or "Ironman"... it sickens me. Worse is when they even make the character to look exactly like the original.

Now, while I say it is the lowest form and it sickens me to see, does not mean it can still work. Just, as you have asked, in my personal opinion, I'd rather make something original that I can call my own.

Due to the vast amounts of characters in comics... it could happen the name we pick is already taken. The difference from us choosing a name like that and molding a character off the one in a comic is the look and the story. Say I made a character named Dazzler, not realizing this is an X-men character. Yet, my dazzler is male and has a completely seperate look and persona to THE Dazzler. Sadly, the name of Dazzler may belong to someone else but my Dazzler would be mine, my creation. This is what seperates the names and stories and make them our own.

Once again, this is my opinion...

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I don't know who Grey really is, but if he comes from a comic book then don't use him.


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Dorian didn't come from a comic book, he comes from a story written by Oscar Wilde. The book itself is now public property, you can find and read the story for free just about anywhere on the interent. Here's a link to just one of the hundreds of sites that carry the story.

That's why this one is a good argument, since nobody can do anything to him for using the name and look of Dorian Gray.

As long as you like the character and make the story different in some way than No, I don't think there is a problem with using a character as Dorian.

And for all those people sceaming cookie-cutter I give you what I call the Speedster Theory. Comics have for years taken other peoples characters and made them there own. Taking for example The Flash. DC comics itself has made dozens of characters that all have the same powers as The Flash. So much so that they made up a whole story as to how they all have the same power. Basicly they could all tap into this cosmic energy known as the Speedforce. What made these characters different is THERE ORIGIN. The Flash got his powers by accident while Impulse was born with it.

Long story short is play what you have fun with.

Accually I based my char off of Abe Van Helsing(the from the books). Only diff is mine is mondern day so he speak english a little better .

Okay, i had a friend of mine (happens to be a lawyer) look over the EULA for CoH and look into the TM and copyrights for Dorian Grey from LXG. It breaks down something like this.

Random House has the copyrights to the story - but only for profitable publication - hence they couldn't touch me.

LXG has a mild TM on the look of their Dorian Grey - but only the look - the character itself IS public domain. So as long as i don't look like their character they can't do anything.

CoH can delete any character they feel like for any reason - and there is nothing any of us can do about it. Period, the end. No arguements, discussion or any other action allowed.

Now the original post was meant for my fellow RPers - cause i don't want to piss of the community have no one left to play with. Judging from the posts you all seem to be fairly split on the idea - but no one said they would shun me if i chose to play him as Dorian.

Since NCsoft has the ability to delete him if they like, i think i am going to simply do a mild name change, tie it in to the existing backstory and call it a done deal. I'll post the name here as soon as I get him recreated on Virtue. That way if any of you would like to RP with Dorian you can - if not that is okay to.

Once again thanks for all the input and keeping the thread positive (i was afraid this might turn into a flame war)

Oh, and for those that haven't read the book by Oscar Wilde - you are truly missing out on a great story!!

Hmmm, how would people feel about creating a character in homage to one of your favorites? Not a carbon copy or complete rip-off, but similar in maybe costume and powers? Just curious how my idea for creating a Captain America "clone" would boil over with people. Not exactly the same, but similar costume and possibly a similar background.