In short, I was thinking about how I haven't really found an outlet for the kind of character I want to play. I noticed the following contradictions with what generally happens:

• I'm looking forward to play a non-combatant, however player characters are normally balanced around combat.
• I want to play a certain kind of spellcaster (one with a big focus on shaping the world), but spellcasting player characters are balanced around combat and I'd need to play at very high levels to have this character (along with all the undesired high combat ability).
• In general, either way bringing a noncombatant brings a liability to the party.
• I want my character to be connected to the world, to have a place to call home and return to. Yet PC rules hardly ever allow it at low levels.
• Now the most controversial, and I know this is a selfish desire, but I can't help it. I want my character to matter to the plot, and have the kind of stories that shape the campaign. To fulfill the plot roles that normally are reserved for NPCs (the rightful heir, the last of her kind, the seer, stuff like that). This isn't to say I want to be the hero of the story, I'm fine with not having the plot agency PCs normally have.

So in short, I want to play what would be a PC that uses NPC rules -or that basically runs by pure DM fiat- one plot relevant enough to be with the party, but lacking any kind of combat ability or relevant magics to solve the problems and challenges the group faces. Is there any GM who would let me do this?

It sounds like you might want to ask for a solo-game with a GM that enjoys the kind of storytelling you are looking for and will keep combat to a minimum. Either that or a Free Form game that isn't combat focused (though I don't really have any experience with free form so I don't know if that would match the type of game play you are looking for).

It sounds like you're describing a game that is less focused on Adventuring, and more focused on Influencing. Where your decisions & actions have a ripple effect on the world around you.

Whole cities impacted by the consequences of your actions. That kind of thing.

Like, playing Dumbledore, instead of Harry...

I can't think of any RPG game systems that specialise in that level or style of play... however, I think some of the Sine Nomine games might be worth looking into -- as many provide very versatile character builds (combat isn't always the focus) and a vast array of sandbox tools for a GM to craft & create a world, or galaxy, to play within.

Stars Without Number Revised now includes Space Magic! As well as psionics.
Silent Legions is more akin to DIY-Lovecraftian Elder Gods & Cults.
Scarlet Heroes is your swords & sorcery flavour...

Then there's all the published add-ons & expansions that extend the possibilities; as opposed to traditional modules which define the plot-line & path for you.

Essentially, each of these games is underpinned by wonderfully crafted tools & systems that provide the potential for far-reaching settings & plot lines.

I would be willing to entertain an experiment, using SWN:R as a backbone for a freeform-style approach, if you wanted to try this in a scifi setting? PM me if you're interested.

Whereas the traditional D&D approach is generally much narrower, as the various versions are predominantly designed for party-led adventuring. Of course, you could try make D&D work for you, if that's what you know...

Well, part of me wanting this is the desire for player asymmetry. Like I'm an outlier in the party -and this kind of character needs a party to accomplish anything-. It isn't that I don't want any combat, I just want to be bad at it -and at a few more things-. Normal PCs in most systems exist within a competence zone, and I'm looking to have a character that can exist outside that competence zone. Specifically below that competence zone.

At the core I want a non-adventurer surrounded by gods, with some significant plot relevance to justify it. It isn't that uncommon to have campaigns where one plot-relevant NPC tags along the party but doesn't really alter the outcomes of combat. Why not inhabit a character like that? Or in other words like still playing Harry but if Harry was nearly helpless little girl that needed to be protected from Voldemort by a group of actually competent Griffindors.

Playing in a solo game isn't entirely off the table, it is just not the same -after all a solo game is just one person away from outright writing fiction-. And this kind of character needs a party to accomplish anything.

A freeform or another system is fine in theory, but at that point we go back to everybody being essentially on equal grounds and thus losing the asymmetry I was talking about.

I see!

Good luck on your quest.

LunarKitty, it sounds like your character is the subject of an escort mission, to use computer gaming parlance.  :D

That could be an interesting party, if you had the right mix of people.

I have some interest in running this, but did you have a particular system in mind?

I’d be willing to play as a sidekick/bodyguard-type character to your PC, though I usually prefer free-form and light systems. I think that due to your preference, a lighter, more flexible system would be a better choice anyway.

I have a lot of experience with the Cypher System (also Numenera and the Strange), which is fairly rules-lite and has a lot of flexibility, if that's of interest to LunarKitty.  I am also very good with D&D 3.5 and Pathfinder, less familiar with 4e Shadowrun and Savage Worlds.  I could probably brush up on Fate, but I've never run it, only played.

Thank you!
I'm not particularly tied to a particular system -as I wouldn't really interact with most of the rules anyway- Any system you feel comfortable with and that you think could give the game longevity is fine with me (Probably not FATE though).

Either this Cypher system, 3.5 or PF is fine.

LunarKitty, I'm going to make a game here within the next 4 days and add both you and Abraham665.  I am thinking to go Pathfinder, partly because there are plenty of options, including many story-based one that might be "sub-optimal" from a pure min/max standpoint but work wonderfully for someone going in a more thematic or organic direction, like your character.

Also I'd go Pathfinder because there is a greater chance of finding more players to join you on your quest!

n_n

Thanks, Isida! I’m familiar with the rules, but I’ve never actually played it before. I’ll do fine though, so go on ahead with Pathfinder.

Here be the link to the game!  link to another game