Buffy: The Main Characters

For the main characters there are two aspects of the show that really interest me. First, the two main characters with power, Willow and Buffy, are members of marginalized groups. They are both women, and Willow is a lesbian. I love the idea of taking people who traditionally have less power than others, and then giving them more than most.

Second, I liked the fact that Giles was part of the gang. There was an adult thrown into this whole teen life metaphor engine. But I also liked that, at least initially, he wasn't really involved with the action.

Which brings us to creating the main characters in a Buffy game. How do we reflect those aspects I like at this point?

First up, easily enough, to have supernatural power, as a main character, said character must be part of a marginalized group. Choose at least one of: poverty, non-heterosexuality, femaleness, person of colour, transgendered, or disability. There will be no cys-gendered, straight, white, middle-class, abled males with supernatural power. That's right, Xander will never learn the dark arts.

Second, the adult main character will belong to the Fifth Business. He'll be statted up just like the other main characters (and no, I have no idea how they would be statted up), but the Fifth Business would control him while controlling all the other non-main characters. I keep saying him. That's because the adult would be a cys-gendered, straight, white, middle-class or above, abled male. Thus he would have multiple areas where he wouldn't understand the world of the other main characters (besides that of age).

Also, his relationship should be one of mentorship (instructor, trainer, or something to that effect) over one (or more) of the supernatural main characters.

Buffy: Fifth Business Prep

The key way the show addresses teen issues is through supernatural metaphor, often embodied by a Monster of the Week. Therefore, the Fifth Business would have to prepare a Monster of the Week prior to play.

The first step would be to come up with an teenage issue, whether problem or aspect of teen life. Figure out what the risks or dangers are (whether real or perceived, I mean, we know that the library isn't actually dangerous, and yet, as teens, we do fear it, why, what is the perceived danger?), and then supernaturalize them. Make it something you can fight, or get rid of or whatever. Finally, find a twist, a complication to the original problem, while hopefully also delving further into the issue.

Example:

Aspect of adolescent life: Dating.

Risks: Date rape.

Supernaturalize it: A boy who seems and acts totally normal, literally transforms into a monster when alone with a girl and attacks her.

Twist: After attacking someone, the monster transfers over to another boy at the school. Which, to me, reflects the societal nature of date rape.

Buffy

I've always wanted an Entertainment that will give me that Buffy feel. Teenagers dealing with teenage problems either directly in their lives or indirectly through supernatural metaphors.

Would it be nice if all the characters sounded as cool and funny and clever as the characters on the show? Or if they could sing in a musical? You bet, after all, those are also reasons why the show is fantastic. But, let's be honest, the players won't be Joss Whedons, so I'll be happy with an Entertainment that gets us the type of stories, the meat if you will, and for me, that's what I defined in the first paragraph.