The Whackback

“Truth has many faces.” Chinese proverb

Indiana Jones is my hero. I idolized him as a kid and I still wish I could be more like him. The closest I’m likely to get is a dusty brown fedora and a professorship at a university, which somehow lacks the “derring-do” I so admired. But people do heroic things every day, and sometimes the greatest of deeds go completely unnoticed. We toss out the term “hero” more than we should, probably because we love them and flat out enjoy a parade. Still, I’d like to take a closer look and share some of my views on this lofty status.

A hero is a varied concept in the D&D world. A hired mercenary for instance is really no more than a powerful exterminator. He earns a living by destroying pests, taking their treasure, and returning to his employer for the promised reward. Depending upon the pests, his job may entail a considerable risk and equate to a commensurate benefit to the community. He’s a stand-up guy; a real pip-a-roo. He deserves a slap on the back and a pint of cold ale with his comrades at the local inn. He is good. But I believe it takes more than community service to be a hero. It takes more than goodness.

How important is “intent” on the definition of a hero? Say the mercenary above was, in actuality, evil to his horrid little core. His sole motivation in his endeavors is the glory of the kill and money. If you disagreed with me before, what do you think of our mercenary now? To call him an “inadvertent hero” is tempting but unsatisfying. It feels to me a cheapening of a noble state. Perhaps his actions aren’t heroic but rather an “unexpected windfall”; like the death of a beloved but rich uncle.

Say his “intent” is mixed. The poor bastard has to eat, right? The village is in dire need and no one else will answer the call. In this situation there is righteousness and fear and/or risk as well as potential financial gain. Though I feel he is a hero, the waters darken. Superman doesn’t save a woman from a purse-snatcher only to take a few bucks to help pay the skyrocketing rent in Metropolis. She might even wave the money in his face (or some other savory reward) in an attempt to repay his kindness. He would refuse. He is a better man than I, even though he isn’t a man but an alien. What would the Minutemen do with Kal-El, I wonder. Talk about immigration reform.

A true hero not only does what others can’t, he also does what others know they should.

Say our mercenary isn’t a mercenary after all. He’s a big dude with an even bigger sword and the only reward he takes comes from the evil that falls under that sword. What a guy! And he knows it. Hubris has killed more heroes than every sword or arrow ever made. Mr. Big Sword swaggers into town not only deserving accolades but expecting them; maybe even getting angry when his actions aren’t appreciated. That’s understandable. Still, Superman wouldn’t prevent a robbery at a Quickie Mart and then return every week demanding free diet cherry Dr. Pepper. He would merit it without question but is he entitled? In my estimation it lessens his heroic status to expect and particularly to demand heroic status.

A true hero is self-sacrificing not only in body but in mind and spirit, putting the needs of others before his at all times.

Don’t get me wrong, self-sacrifice can be taken too far. A true hero can only turn the other cheek so many times before it becomes pointless and stupid. But where is that line? He must defend those who not only need it but want it. What if they can’t decide for themselves? And should he save himself at the expense of the lives of others knowing that his continued existence will be a greater benefit to the world over time? These are tough questions and situations; far more difficult than cleansing a dungeon of all evil. Tough enough, in fact, that only a true hero can solve them. Someone should make a game where people “role-play” characters who deal with these issues! Oh, wait…

Heroism, like truth, has many faces and degrees and can even be relative. Was Darth Vader a hero? Perhaps he was more of an anti-hero or both at different times of his life. Was Luke justified in destroying the Death Star when thousands of innocents undoubtedly lost their lives (thanks Kevin Smith)? It gets subjective with the speed of an objective bullet.

In a role-playing scenario the needs, wants, and personality of a character (and player) tend to determine the degree of heroism within our characters. You might find it interesting to consider my thoughts, add some of your own, and actually gauge your character’s heroic status. Is he high good/low hero? Or is he moderate good/high hero? Can a character be high good/low hero or high evil/high hero? What about past characters? Is it better to have a party that is all good and with varying degrees of heroicness or vice-versa?

Hmmmmmm…..

# posted by Decomposer @ 2:41 PM