The American Heritage Dictionary defines stature /stăch′ər/ as noun meaning 1. The natural height of a human or animal in an upright position, 2. An achieved level; status, 3. The natural height of an animal body; — generally used of the human body.

So how might stature motivate, drive, or define a character? For this one I decided to use four characters from our Star Trek campaign to illustrate how stature might be used.

The first uses a character introduced in yesterday’s post, Commander Fiona Kerr. The character, physically, is about average height — in this case, the stature is her rank: a commander, and the commanding officer of the heroes’ vessel. By the nature of her office, she has a status that is higher than the others, and places this NPC in a superior role to the PCs. That was purposeful to use her as the “glue” for the PCs to get attached to the ship, setting, etc. but also to have an instrument to keep the players on track during an adventure. (Also, placing a character in a superior position socially or in authority is often a tricky thing until the players and the characters have established a rapport.) She is also the only character in this group that came from nothing: a family on the dole and generally living a small life. She is the one that got where she is through hard work and spite; but the others have a different story.

Kerr contrasts sharply with her best friend on the ship, Lieutenant Sheras Kor, M.D. Kor was a successful doctor who joined Starfleet for the Klingon War and was posted to the PC’s ship. He saved Kerr’s life; she’s done the same. An Andorian, he values family, rank, and honor highly. In his case, he is the son of a minor aristocrat (even though the titles are “ceremonial” is the running gag, the heads of the respected clans are still highly influential). One of Kor’s fathers (Andorians marry in fours…) is the Andorian ambassador to the Federation and a member of their equivalent of the Security Council. So, Kor is an “important person” beyond his commission in Starfleet, and his family connections often provided cover for the ship and crew when they were less than successful. In this, he is more influential, with more status and privilege, than his own commander. (He’s also tall…as is the player.)

Kor’s stature is — in some ways — matched by two other characters on the ship: Lieutenant Junior Grade Stephen Archer, their new helmsman and a relation to the first president of the Federation, and whose name and connections to other Archers in Starfleet mean that he has folks interested in his success. He doesn’t have the pull of the doctor, as a new officer, but his value “My Family IS Starfleet” means that he often takes actions that might not be advised because his family’s stature requires him to act in a certain way. (He’s also Scott Bakula tall — 6’4”.) There’s more expected from him on a social and institutional level than is probably fair. But it also sets his main goal — to be a better, more famous captain than any of his uncles or his father.

His roommate at the academy and best friend is the last of the four: Ensign Garav Idrani. A member of a famed military keth (clan), his entire parental structure is tied to the Andorian Imperial Guard (now just the Andorian Guard — ‘cause, you know, all those titles are ceremonial). Like Archer, there’s a lot expected of this guy. One — the player decided this was Dolph Lundgren in blueface; he’s massive (6’5”). As the security officer, his physical stature has come into play a couple of times in play, both in combat and social settings. Two — as the son of Guardsmen, there is an expectation of excellence and service that he simply can’t ignore; his social rank might not be the same as the doctor’s, but he is still Andorian gentry, if you will. Lastly, he is a world champion ushaan fighter, a celebrity; this means that when dealing with Andorians and certain sports fans, he has a status that is higher than any of the others just described. He has a reputation to maintain, and that is a main driver of the character.

Each of these characters winds up have their own advantages, drives, and limitations due to their status: the captain came from nothing and many in the admiralty view her as an interloper (though they’d never say it openly); her drive for a life of excellence means she treasures the rank, the recognition, and it motivates her to take risks that sometimes might be inadvisable. The doctor is a representative of his family in the organization, and as a possible inheritor to his father’s positions, he has limitations in what he can and can’t do — which complicated an almost romantic relationship with his captain. Archer wants to be THE Archer, and he’s got big shoes to fill, and he takes foolish chances that have gotten him into trouble periodically. Idrani, similarly has a lot to live up to, but has already started to cut a name for himself, so when he screwed up in play, it had real consequences for him with his family.