Players Seeking Games and GM's Who Want to Run Games
I wish I was raised in an environment where tabletop gaming had been accessible and/or not demonized. When I was a kid I was informed that the game books had real spells in them that would summon the devil. Crazy stuff.
I definitely lean towards grittier, conflicted characters. When I write that I promise I'm not hiding a secret fascination with edge-lord characters, though I believe that even they have their place. Those that kill because they have to eat, those that have been doing dark deeds so long that they don't even see it as evil, those who care more about saving their own family then saving a village.
I also like to play the devil-may-care professional, who has a taste for finer things. They are either just as shallow as they seem, or are filled to the brim with problems hidden behind thin veils of paranoia and depression. I've even played a character that was blind with these issues, and they seemed to work relatively successful in a campaign I'd played for about twoish years before it fizzled out.
I've also really enjoyed playing very flamboyant characters, ones with egos too big to contain, and happily subject these individuals to the consequences of their actions. I've definitely played less of these types characters though; I've found that many players take their actions personally, though these actions have no effect on the story or other characters. I really do enjoy the character development opportunities, but not at the expense of other players' experience. Or my own.
Soon I'd like to play a Lawful Good character, and play them out in that alignment as strictly as I can in order to see the inevitable dilemma that comes with the pursuit of justice, order, and good.
More than anything, I create personalities and behaviors that will allow for three essential things:
1) Opportunity to create stories with other people; my character's personality and behavior should never prevent them from interacting with their companions. Even if they happen to be a lone wolf, they should be able to find an excuse, a reason to have extended interaction with others. Or what's the point?
2) Tension; I never want to play a character that doesn't have some sort of struggles that will constantly cause them hiccups. It's great!
3) Growth; while it's something difficult that I'm still mastering, and while it applies much differently in writing a book, I want everything the chracter does to advance the agenda of those around him, the story, or their personal growth.