The most important ingredient of any RPG is, of course, the hero/ine. Sure, there are a few freak RPGs in which there is no one designated hero/ine, but the player always knows which certain one or two character(s) is/are a hero/ine at heart.

Now the question you must be asking yourself: Do I have what it takes to be a hero/ine in an RPG?

The easiest way to tell is by physical appearance. A lucky few are destined from birth to become hero/ines. A typical hero/ine has one of four basic hair colours -- red (bright red, not auburn), yellow (not dirty blonde), blue, or occasionally green -- which is preferrably worn in large, Gravity-Defying Spikes. Spiky hair is so essential to hero/ine-hood that the difficulty in creating spikes in long hair is often believed to be the main reason why there are so few RPG heroines. Good looks are equally important to a hero/ine. Research indicates that bartenders and mysterious old ladies are more likely to yield vital information to random passers-by if they are young and attractive.

If you are lacking in the above qualities, no need to worry! You can always fall back on your background. Do you have a Mysterious Origin? Were your parents killed or missing since you were a child? Evil-slaying is ten times less difficult if the hero/ine doesn't have to worry about sending back food to the family or writing weekly letters back to over-protective parents. If the hero/ine has no home, or has no idea where home is, even better! No need to pay taxes or check up on the tenants.

Most importantly, try to come from an era where technology is limited to stoves and running water. If there is more advanced technology (e.g. trains, factories, genetic engineering) make sure that this technology does not carry over into weapons or usual modes of transporation. That is, despite having the ability to genetically enhance an infant, be sure that there is absolutely no way you can easily travel around the world in a jet or pick off an enemy three blocks away with a sniper rifle.

Even if none of the above applies to you, there is always the cheesy method of checking whether you have The Heart of a Hero/ine. This is rather hard to judge, and you'll find that most hero/ines you encounter fake their way through this category, but this is one part no one can fail at.

First of all, you must have unshakeable faith that something or someone thoroughly evil and/or twisted is taking over your world (and maybe a neighbouring world as well). The hero/ine must look past the daily humdrum of life and see the evil hidden underneath. The sun may shine, the birds may sing, but goodness, doesn't that rabbit look mighty suspicious?

Now, remember that simply being a hero/ine increases your attractiveness tenfold. So, a good hero/ine should be prepared, when entering civilisation, to be adored and admired by young wo/men. Having an overly shy or modest personality will not make you a good hero/ine, though a little blushing adds to that sweetness that causes random villagers to spontaneously spew forth secrets about the local villain.

Finally, a hero/ine must be willing to sacrifice his/her life. Difficult though this may sound, it is in fact very simple. Logic dictates the following: The hero/ine is the main character. An RPG cannot proceed without a main character. Therefore, the hero/ine will never die permanently (at least until the RPG ends). With this in mind, no hero/ine should have any qualms about sacrificing him/herself for the sake of a comrade.

If you can fulfill any of the simple criteria noted above, you are ready to step into an RPG and become a hero/ine.