Here’s the deal, I want more sad PCs in D&D. Less heroes and more people pulled in to help because it’s right and they have to, more real emotions and an expectation of no reward other than one day having a peaceful life that’s safe. I love sad/tragic characters in RPGs. It's a running joke these days to throw shade at tragic backstories, but, there's a lot of four-color heroism too.
Though I will say a sad character can also be a hero. Your description in the 2nd sentence is heroic as hell.
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) March 19, 2019
I agree. What you describe is, in my opinion, a real hero. 🙂
— Matthew Mercer (@matthewmercer) March 19, 2019
Right? That 2nd sentence, tho.
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) March 19, 2019
I do really appreciate D&D characters who aren't the flawless, never mussed, and always unflappable caricature that we hang a "hero" label on sometimes. I'm with you 100% there.
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) March 19, 2019
Counterpoint – hardship is too often used as a lazy writing shortcut, replacing actual depth and interesting character facets with cheap melodrama.
Not every character should be a flawless hero type, but at the same time there are far too many tragic orphans, persecuted exiles, and brooding angst-ridden revenge seekers sulking their way through D&D adventures.
Happy or sad, what makes for a good character is depth and realism, such that people can connect with them and take interest in their fates and fortunes.
The key is striking a balance between your characters strengths and flaws. Being too perfect makes them flat and boring, but so does being too deficient.
The perfect-seeming knight in shining armor becomes much more interesting if they’re secretly a coward, but hide it under all their bluster and bravado.
And the street urchin orphan who tragically witnessed their parents die some terrible death and swore revenge suddenly becomes much more interesting if instead of moping and brooding all the time, they’re unflappably cheerful and unwaveringly optimistic, even in the face of great hardship.
Give your characters interesting motivations, quirks, and contradictions, and you’ll have an easier time making them feel alive and believable.