The two are not mutually exclusive. I feel our characters are at their best when everything is naturally moving along. If we're involved in plots 100% of the time, there's really no character development. It's all story development. I understand that -those- two things aren't mutually exclusive, either. They just tend to act that way.
I'll use my character as an example of what I prefer. She has an overarching goal that is pretty broad in spectrum and relatively unattainable (which I think is perfect for a goal. It keeps characters moving.). She wants to see the war in Ishgard end. Most of her roleplay is mingling around in Coerthas. She has your normal day-to-day conversations: work (she's an astrologian and can tie that into her big goal), friendships, hobbies, etc.
Doing all of that presented an opportunity when an Ishgardian heretic chose to steal something from my character, setting into motion a series of events where she is being investigated for heresy.
If I had avoided the 'slice of life' aspect of character building, I never would have had an opportunity to let the world shape my character.
I'll use my character as an example of what I prefer. She has an overarching goal that is pretty broad in spectrum and relatively unattainable (which I think is perfect for a goal. It keeps characters moving.). She wants to see the war in Ishgard end. Most of her roleplay is mingling around in Coerthas. She has your normal day-to-day conversations: work (she's an astrologian and can tie that into her big goal), friendships, hobbies, etc.
Doing all of that presented an opportunity when an Ishgardian heretic chose to steal something from my character, setting into motion a series of events where she is being investigated for heresy.
If I had avoided the 'slice of life' aspect of character building, I never would have had an opportunity to let the world shape my character.
Kate Lander
