ROLEPLAYING THE ROGUE

Author's Note: Strictly speaking, this is an essay, not a fanfiction. It's something I wrote long ago, to help spark ideas for fledgling roleplayers (computer or pen-and-paper) who wanted to try out a rogue. It may be of interest to authors as well. Still, I think it fits here, and I hope you enjoy reading it.

A NOTE ON ROGUES IN GENERAL: Because of their "adventurous" lifestyles, rogues often have a fondness for life's finer things- especially those which they cannot have! Rogues can come from any social status, from the street urchin gutter rat to the wealthy, jaded nobleman. But most have one thing in common- at some point in their life, fate dealt them a cruel hand. There are many rogue archetypes to draw from. Matthew Broderick's character "Mouse" from Lady Hawk, Cary Grant's "John Robie, the Cat", James Garner's "Brett Maverick" character, Pierce Brosnan in "The Thomas Crown Affair", Bilbo Baggins from "The Hobbit," and the most (in)famous rogue from the fantasy genre, the Grey Mouser.

ROGUE ARCHETYPE #1- THE SWASHBUCKLER: The swashbuckler typically fights against some injustice and loyally serves some higher power. They are often forced to become rebels against the political status quo. Most swashbucklers are members of a band of like- minded fellows. Burt Lancaster in the movie "The Flame and the Arrow" was the greatest example of what a swashbuckler should be. He was also excellent in the movie "the Crimson Pirate". Yul Brenner in the movie "The Buccaneer" is another good example. The Robin Hood characters, played in the movies by Kevin Costner or Errol Flynn, were swashbuckling rogues. The dread pirate Roberts in the movie "The Princess Bride" is another good example of a swashbuckler. This is who my current rogue character is modelled after. The elf Elaith Craulnaber in Elaine Cunningham's Forgotten Realms novels is a good example which shows the swashbuckling rogue can be evil as well.

ROGUE ARCHETYPE #2- THE BURGLER: These guys are usually exciting if not fun to be around. The burgler doesn't plan out his crimes in advance, he just takes an opportunity when it arises. They frequently end up getting into trouble and rely on their luck to get them out. Burglers generally hate violence and are usually not mean-spirited. These are the only rogues who are likely to pick your pockets. Most burglers operate alone. Matthew Broderick's character in the movie "Lady Hawk" is my all-time favorite rogue. My original thief character was modelled after him. Bilbo Baggins from Tolkien's "The Hobbit" is probably the best example of this type of rogue. Merry Brandybuck is a burgler as well- in "The Return of the King" he got in an awesome backstab against a Nazgul. The Kender characters in Dragonlance are probably this type of rogue.

ROGUE ARCHETYPE #3- THE THIEF: The hard-edged professional who reveals little about himself. He is coldly calculating, trusts no one and is always thinking and watching. He is usually after one thing- money, and he doesn't bother with that pittance of coins in your pockets, either. He wants that treasury in the nobleman's vault or the golden idol on the temple altar. This type of rogue works at all his skills, and has to be an expert at picking locks and disarming traps. Some retired thieves are even able to make an honest living as professional locksmiths. Keep in mind the classic sayings "honor among thieves" and "a kind word and a knife in the back gets you more than a kind word." Thieves can operate alone or in groups. Just remember- it's best not to act alone, so there is someone else to pin the blame on if you get caught. The Grey Mouser in the books by Fritz Leiber is the pre-eminent example of this type of rogue. John Roby the Cat in the Alfred Hitchcock movie "To Catch A Thief" is an upper-class version in a modern setting. The "Thieves World" series of anthologies is full of colorful examples of all types. The Gord character in the old Greyhawk novels by Gary Gygax is a somewhat less memorable example. The main character in the recent Dungeons and Dragons movie was another rather bland version of the thief.

ROGUE ARCHETYPE #4- THE ASSASSIN: Much more evil than thieves are the assassins. They use their rogue skills only for killing. Though they sometimes charge for their services, they usually aren't in it for money. Most assassins are a little unstable, even psychopathic. Most assassins operate alone. I once played an elven rogue who could frighten everyone around him with just a look. No one ever saw him kill and he always acted the polite, educated gentleman, but there was always something menacing about him just below the surface. He kept everyone on edge with the impression that he might lash out with a hidden knife and slash their throat if left alone with him. The character Artemis Entreri in R.A. Salvatore's Forgotten Realms books is the most famous example.

A NOTE ON VILLAINS IN ON-LINE GAMES: A good villain uses fear and lies to manipulate his enemies and keep them off balance. He may draw his weapon to menace someone, but if he has to fight, he's doing something wrong. Most of his atmosphere can be described as haughtiness or arrogance. Picking pockets is for jesters, beggars and fools, not thieves. The best way to roleplay a villain is to gain someone's trust and then betray them.