What happens to the characters in an RPG after they save the world?

[Brawndo]

Okay, the final dungeon is conquered, the Big Bad is dead, a brief epilogue is shown, and credits roll. But now what happens?

Did you ever think that nothing could ever compare with saving the world? At this point the characters' lives have reached a high point and it's all downhill from there (barring a sequel). I could easily see them descend into alcoholism, drugs, violence, and crime to recapture that thrill. Or if not that, at least suffer serious PTSD and develop problems communicating with family members and adopting a normal civilian job.

Numerous films and novels set in the real world have explored the effects of war on returning soldiers; it would be interesting to see the same for some of our most beloved characters from RPGs:

- Magus being prosecuted for war crimes and necromancy
- Cloud never fully developing real emotions and never getting over his obsession with Sephiroth, leading Tifa to leave him
- The Courier, after pursuing the Independent route, develops a serious stim problem after years of abusing them in the wastes, and starts embezzling money from New Vegas casinos to feed his habit

etc etc

 

[Canid117]

Well they move onto the sequel of course. Or in the case of my warden he left with morrigan through the magic mirror for some special alone time.

 

[Rylot]

New Game+, duh.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

The hero gets their soulmate, of course. In my endings, anyway. The sad truth? I would totally buy DLC like "The MC's marriage to Naoto or any other LI." I have issues....

 

[Brawndo]

That totally reminded me of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw4r0yUmXVg

lol good video, thanks for sharing. I liked the build up to the bus ride. I'm going to have to look up more Stewart Lee; he seems like the antithesis to the screaming stand-up comedian who tries too hard

 

[Porecomesis]

I understand that. Epilogues would be nice, like in 'Skies of Arcadia'. I also wondered about that;

Spoiler

the main characters have explored the four corners of the world and beaten the biggest threat in the history of Arcadia. Where are they going to find 'more adventure'?

Having said that, ends are often left somewhat untied to allow for players and viewers to think of what they'll do now. To be honest, I've always found '20 years later...' epilogues to be a bit boring. I prefer endings like 'Up'; we see what the characters do after the adventure's over and done with, but we never get told that their adventures are over.

 

[Soviet Steve]

Immidiate death by snu snu.

 

[sylekage]

They go find the next Big Bad of the Week to fuck up. They have to start at level one, though, or else it's no fun

 

[Paksenarrion]

Well, if Advent Children is any indication, they go their separate ways, and the heroes with the biggest fan bases sulk and listen to Linkin Park for a while.

 

[zerobudgetgamer]

- Cloud never fully developing real emotions and never getting over his obsession with Sephiroth, leading Tifa to leave him

Advent Children?

Having said that, ends are often left somewhat untied to allow for players and viewers to think of what they'll do now. To be honest, I've always found '20 years later...' epilogues to be a bit boring. I prefer endings like 'Up'; we see what the characters do after the adventure's over and done with, but we never get told that their adventures are over.

I have to say I enjoy the same thing, but then I don't see too many '20 years later...' epilogues now that I think about it. I really just like seeing an epilogue in general. For some reason, I get really mad at a game/anime/movie that just sort of ends right after the big climactic fight/scene. As for what I specifically look for in an epilogue, I'm not sure, really. I do want to know that life returns to normal, that loose ends that may have built up over time get neatly tied up, and possibly any of the storywriter's desired - or canon - relationships come to pass, if only to alleviate some of the ENDLESS shipping that goes on.

 

[darth.pixie]

Start drinking.

What? They would. At least mine would. I mean, they saved the world, turned down offers to be Gods or...became Gods (in which case they're busy) and then they get old, start losing experience and selling all their infinity +1 swords. Someone has to play the wise drunk old man for the next generation of heroes.

 

[tzimize]

They get to be king of Ferelden and play a small and insignificant cameo in the shittiest sequel ever (and that is saying something).

 

[Hisshiss]

Most of them get dead or dissapear forever in the name of some kind of poetic bullcrap .

As for the ones that don't, they return to their lame ass not saving the world lives as a farmer or thief or something, since more often than not nobody actually notices all the good they do, meaning no fame for them xD.

That or they go into video game hibernation until the sequel.

 

[Drefanator]

Although not the main character, the female lead becomes an international pop sensation and pirate flying around on a giant lobster-bike.

 

[pixiejedi]

Immidiate death by snu snu.

Sir, you are my new hero. Thank you.

To me, my peeps all go out shopping and then watch a movie or whatever their worlds form of entertainment would be, including people I liked but may have died. What can I say I've been on a Joss Whedon kick lately.

 

[Tiswas]

They lie down and all have a bit of a kip.

 

[E-Penguin]

Remin Amell continued to work as the Warden-commander of Ferelden until he received his calling and blew up about 1794 darkspawn at the same time.

THE END.

 

[Canadish]

Save the world from God armored in a Cthulhu like sea whale.

Get drunk for about 30 years.

Do it again.

Profit?