If Yer Character’s a “Chosen One,” I Hope the Gods Choose Differently Next Time
Mike’s Rant
Ah yes. Another Chosen One. Another brooding half-elf with “a mark on his soul” and a “destiny forged in prophecy.” Another orphan with dreams of a crown, a cursed blade, or a father who’s secretly the king of hell.
How original.
Now don’t get me wrong — everyone wants to feel important in the story. That’s the point of the game. But if yer whole character concept boils down to “main character syndrome,” then I got bad news:
YOU AIN’T THE CENTER OF THE DAMN UNIVERSE, LAD — YOU’RE A PARTY MEMBER. ACT LIKE IT.
The game’s called group play. Not solo campaign plus emotional baggage.
Why "Chosen One" Builds Fall Apart
Let’s be clear: being special ain't the problem. Wantin’ to matter? That’s good. That’s real.
But when the rest of the table has to twist the story around your backstory every session — and when the GM’s forced to either indulge ya or ignore ya — then yer not addin’ to the tale. Yer hijackin’ it.
Common symptoms include:
Declarin’ things like “this is MY fight” every time the plot thickens
Refusin’ to share the spotlight cause “this arc is about me”
Sulkin’ when someone else has a big moment
Overloadin’ yer backstory with ten pages of prophecy and secret parentage
And if yer doin’ all four? By the stone — may the next dragon eat ya first.
Don’t Be the Hero — Be Part of the Fellowship
You want to feel like the star? Help others shine. Be the reason someone else’s story hits hard.
👉 Read Yer Not the Main Course, So Stop Hoggin’ the Spotlight if yer still not sure what “sharing the scene” looks like. And dig through Tavern Etiquette if yer afraid you’ve become that guy.
What to Do Instead of “Chosen One” Syndrome
Alright, I’ve roasted ya enough. Let’s patch this up.
If you want yer character to matter without makin’ everything revolve around ‘em, try this instead:
Shared Threads: Tie yer backstory to other party members. Make yer goals overlap.
Open Questions: Instead of pre-writin’ the prophecy, build questions the GM can explore with the group.
Growth Hooks: Start as a nobody. Let the table witness yer rise. That’s better than walkin’ in like a god and actin’ confused when no one kneels.
Fail Forward: Embrace setbacks. If the “chosen one” flops a persuasion check, play it out. That’s where the fun lives.
Want to see what controlled flair looks like in a player character? Try The Paladin Who Can’t Lie But Carries a Shield That Does. That lad’s got flavor, flaws, and more tension than a wagon wheel in summer.
Yer Not the Main Character — But Yer Still a Damn Good One
That’s the lesson here. You don’t need fate marks and divine dreams to be memorable. You just need:
Choices that matter
Scenes that share
And the courage to let others be important too
Want to know what good spotlight balance looks like? Read The Strongest Character at the Table Is the One Who Listens. You’ll find that listenin’ does more than shoutin’ ever could.
The Tale Don’t Need a Chosen One — It Needs a Good Party
Yer job ain’t to steal the scene — it’s to build one that everyone wants to be part of.
👉 If yer not sure where to go with yer backstory now, Contact the Tavern or hit the FAQ to learn how to start small and grow big — together.
FAQ
Q: Can I still have a “special” backstory?
A: Aye — just don’t expect the whole table to bow to it. Let it flavor the game, not dominate it.
Q: How do I keep my spotlight moments from feelin’ selfish?
A: Share them. Bring others in. Ask for help, drag someone else into the plot, or tie your moment to another player’s arc.
Q: Isn’t it the GM’s job to make my character important?
A: Only if yer helpin’ make the rest of the group important too.
