The Mary Sue

Who or What is a “Mary Sue”?
“Mary Sue” is a derogatory term used for the over-the-top character which is virtually flawless, beautiful, stereotyped to an nth degree and can do anything. Seriously anything…

By anything, I mean do taxes, create wormholes and make a mean ham sandwich while averting a nuclear disaster by going back in time. Also, there’s a good chance she’s an alien vampire and is seducing main characters as we speak.

That’s an extreme, but you get the idea. Your actual mileage may vary, of course. *grin*

Mary Sue, or Gary Stu (if male), are found sometimes in movies, books and stories. The term also has different variants, like the “Angsty” Sue and the “anti-Sue” which takes the extreme opposed path. They also happen to be created sometimes by role-players in MMORPG’s.

These types of characters/players tend to “god-mode” others (overriding role-play) and want the spotlight firmly focused on themselves. Most tend to bend the genre and lore of the genre to suit their characters - sometimes at the expense of other player’s role-play. This behavior can potentially ruin role-playing for others and should generally be avoided when both creating and role-playing a character.

The end result normally can be the “Mary Sue” being avoided, perhaps not really understanding why folks don’t RP with him/her. Some may not even understand what they are doing.

Some really want to make their characters “special” and go overboard. It happens.

This is a common thing that many new folks do or those that want to add everything but the kitchen sink to their characters.  Even “veteran” role-players add a bit of “Mary Sue” in their characters, just like famous writers and directors. Sometimes it has zero impact on others - other times it really causes problems. Alot of it depends on the player and how it is used or abused.

Note: While you may have a “touch” of the fantastic in a character, balance it out and know where and when you’re gone a bit too far. A well thought out character than role-plays with others as opposed to others is always a better choice.

In alot of cases, it’s up to folks like us in the role-playing community to try to help by setting a good example, educate and trying to help others - not giving them rude whispers. A least trying is better than not at all.

Remember that no one is perfect - even Superman had Kryptonite.

“Mary Sue” Information and Tests:
Mary Sue: Wikipedia
150 Years of Mary Sue, by Pat Pflieger
The Universal Mary Sue Litmus Test
The Original Fiction Mary-Sue Litmus Test
The World of Warcraft Mary-Sue Litmus Testl
The Official Mary Sue Society Avatar Appreciation Site
Whatever Happened to Mary Sue?