I admit that I have a couple of characters that I created that I love, I have pitched them a couple of times for a new PBP, one hasn’t been picked yet but I look forward to playing him. I think that’s ok. But if you were using the same character for every adventure, even if they didn’t fit, that would be a problem.
That's absolutely valid and something I neglected to point out! Characters, of course, have to fit a setting. But that goes for new *and* refreshed characters.
However, the way I envision it, the character wouldn't bring items, memories, or experiences from other campaigns. It would essentially provide a blank slate to start over and see where the character goes with a completely different set of stimuli. Whether the campaigns keep Fred starting over at 1st level or jump around is simply a matter of game mechanics, not storytelling.
This seems fine to me, but I'm not sure I could do it. If I get invested in a character concept, I'm typically also invested in the growth they've exhibited and how they've filled out during their experiences. Taking it to each campaign knowing I'm back at square one and that these experiences won't stick around either would be kind of a bummer after a few restarts. Like bestowing life on a robot, nurturing it for a few weeks, and then wiping it's memory. If you think that sound overly sensitive and dramatic, you would be right. But that's just how my brain works.
Now on the mechanics side, I think I could handle it fine. If there was a combo I liked and really wanted to explore I could play that build in several games. But roleplay-wise I'd have it be a different person each time, with some different starting conditions.
Sorry, I think I've wandered too far from my intent (even in my original post). My goal isn't to continue using a character (or a stable of characters) in every game, even though I went there with hypotheticals. I have a handful of characters whose games didn't last very long and I'd love another opportunity to play them because they were quite a lot of fun but only for a short time.
That's absolutely valid and something I neglected to point out! Characters, of course, have to fit a setting. But that goes for new *and* refreshed characters.
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
This seems fine to me, but I'm not sure I could do it. If I get invested in a character concept, I'm typically also invested in the growth they've exhibited and how they've filled out during their experiences. Taking it to each campaign knowing I'm back at square one and that these experiences won't stick around either would be kind of a bummer after a few restarts. Like bestowing life on a robot, nurturing it for a few weeks, and then wiping it's memory. If you think that sound overly sensitive and dramatic, you would be right. But that's just how my brain works.
Now on the mechanics side, I think I could handle it fine. If there was a combo I liked and really wanted to explore I could play that build in several games. But roleplay-wise I'd have it be a different person each time, with some different starting conditions.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
Sorry, I think I've wandered too far from my intent (even in my original post). My goal isn't to continue using a character (or a stable of characters) in every game, even though I went there with hypotheticals. I have a handful of characters whose games didn't last very long and I'd love another opportunity to play them because they were quite a lot of fun but only for a short time.
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age