Roleplayer's Message Board

Geco - no prob with your post... I trust you and you know my style of posting & characters good enough to do what you want with it :)

I vote yes.. sounds like a fun idea. I see it quite interesting (if I understand it correctly) to see you dropping hints here and there on how to move forward...
Plus, it would be a nice change for shorter, more often posts than these long (even if very good and interesting to read).

I'm interpresting Rensha's post like the GM can powerplay if needed those individuals that are closely involved with the main plot, but not "All" characters.
So to take Geco's last post as an example he shouldn't have pwp Jade if she was not directly involved the main plot, even if it brings the post more alive, but could have pwp Jasper if he was more directly involved...
or perhaps I'm mistaken...

Hi, I want to get back to Rping after a long(ish) absence. Is Ama still alive? i saw Ren mention her on the last page. So sick of life at this point in time (saving up for a trip overseas) I haven't much money to spare really. Anyway, there is way too many posts for me to catch up quickly so if someone would like to write a short summary please, since the got back in the air from the island. I will read up but it will take me a week or so. Add me to all the Google Wave OOCs too, please. This may seem like a silly question but why is there so many OOCs? Google account: zran1189@gmail.com

Sure thing Zran, and yes, she's still alive, injured severely at the moment, but still there. I'd suggest just reading the previous page which is the last 20 posts or so, or even just the last 10-15. Basically we're looking for a book, in a cave/tomb of a general, and at his final resting place, when he comes alive and we're attacked by undead warriors.

Okay, will do. Would have had to to get the gist of events.

I'd just take the time to read up on the entire set of events since you last posted. Without that you're going to be hard pressed to reintegrate your character into the storyline, imho.

I agree - why be lazy about it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Geco

I'm obviously not that skilled & that is why we have an OOC thread here still ^_^ and does that /vote mean you are voting for trying this out?

REN - could be, be I'll be honest in saying it's probably too much effort to keep up on a consistent basis. From how I've read it, the best bet to do something like that would still be to talk offline with the other player and arrangement what you want to accomplish or write a post together, but I may have missed your idea completely, it seemed abstract.

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Maybe you should just take a fresh look at it. Basically, limiting the DM to Main Arc relevant characters only. And only at the point of that character being immediately relevant. For e.g. - Phoenix and others (myself included at times) posting about what nearly every character is doing, rather than just arch/kyra/cyr, who are directly involved with the general.

not a bash, just a convenient example is all, Phoenix. :)

For instance Amateira's near demise (Possible demise?) was directly involved with Ptolomy, however Arlen's destruction of a ghoul was not. I dont' mind, in fact I think it is beneficial, for others to shuffle (mildly) other's characters around. I think it is great to experiment with, but it should not get out of hand. I have noticed a trend of increased frequency and amplitude of prps, and like a properly manicured tree, it's growth should be managed. Trees are pruned and PRP must have hazard controls. :)

No offense taken. It's an interesting topic of discussion(segueing away from upcoming events a bit). I've rarely powerplayed dialog, instead using a handful of actions to help illustrate a scene. Every time I mention another PC, I fully expect someone to object, ask for a rewrite, or tweak the powerplay. However, most of us seem to have a good grasp on what is acceptable and how far to take it... Geco gave Archamae some confidence in her dialog that kind of contradicted my previous post some, but I do like a different perspective on her. He might have seen her as dutifully going about her tasks with stern efficiency, even if inside she was shaking. I feel like the powerplay has only helped me.

Also, as you are no doubt aware: for the sake of giving the story urgency and life, I like to kill and maim NPCs.

Yes I've noticed it as well, mostly with myself, and it may tie into the fact that we've gone to longer posts less frequently, which can make interaction a bit hard. Although, I thought you and Shari and Shari and Phoenix did good jobs while we were separated, so I think it's just a skill I have to improve. I completely understand where WF is coming from, but when I was writing my post I never thought twice about it. In my head, it was really minor in the grand scheme. Looking back, I'm a bit hard pressed as to how I could have done it that both let her reply and didn't leave any holes. e.g. Tarra saves Gabe at one point, if I'd wanted to keep that included, how would I leave it so I don't prp Tarra and continue the post. I could have ended it there, and it would have been fine, but then I would have to wait for her to post before I can do the rest. And that ties back to my theory that since we are all posting less frequently, I'm more inclined to prp chars, get done what I need to, so I can keep things moving, because I know I'm one of the worst at consistently posting, so better to do it all while I'm doing it.

That was a mouthful. Like I said, I get it, but probably something I need to work on. And yes, I'd agree, it should be limited to the characters that are most directly involved. A note for all, and most of you seemed to have done this, but feel free to prp Gabe/Seph when needed. As I've done, if I noticed anything that is inconsistent, I'll simply mention it for next time. Although, Ren, you're forbidden from prping Sephara ^_^ I think you see her completely different from me haha

Phoenix - you are basically bang on with my take. While you post a lot with Arch's inner emotions being shown, from what I gather at most times she keeps her composure on the outside as her years of military training have taught her to do. She might be scared, but she doesn't show it, at least not to everyone. It's a fairly common lesson that most military people know/learn - that fear or panic in the heat of battle usually gets you killed :p But again, I would revise anything you told me to, as we did with the alcoholic vs sober confrontation on the island ^_^

And, secret confession, I'm always excited and nervous when I see other people using my characters in their posts. I can't wait to read what they've had them do or say, I feel more involved because my characters are being involved, and usually it's minor and it's rare that I find anything that I go "Well that's just not going to work at all." That's my own personal comfort level though, and I don't want to force it onto anyone else.

lol I like that last line, Arch ("as you are no doubt aware" part). :)

I agree that 90% of the time i actually think the PRP has helped me get over some 'hump' I've been having with character perception. which is why i like prp's to a reasonable degree.

and i will agree with you there Gec. ;) I don't see her the same as you at all. I can't figure her out. One minute she's cryptically playful, the next she's stern and choppy with her statements like a raving fiery irish girl. I guess I'll just have to take your advice and PRP her more to get into her head.

I rather enjoy this whole 'i feel' game around PRP opinions. :)

on another point, I think prping someone's character gives us the unique benefit readers don't have, another opportunity to 'get into the character'. Do we really know this character? How they would talk/move/act? Obviously, never as well as the author. However, to a reasonable level? I pride myself with being able to see things very oddly and perhaps sometimes just as accurate but totally different than others. This is an opportunity to see if I am correct of that self-assumption and to get to know other's characters better. I like it. and if we don't have the right pov on a character, we are told pretty plainly that we are wrong. :) WIN / WIN!

work time.

I would just like to say that I am not upset or anything. You are doing a fine job playing Tarra, Geco. The thing is that it feels like you are playing her a little too much. I am quick poster, I check the boards on a regular basis. However I got a little annoyed at the fact that I had just posted before you did, but your post seemed to erase everything I had just written. It felt as if you hadn't even read my post. I don't know, I feel a wee bit ignored really. Maybe its because every one has other people to interact with, and Tarra is just being dragged along by everyone else. You guys are not giving the chance to actually play her. I cant discover who she is if every one else is deciding her steps. I understand the need to move things along, but give me a little more credit.

Not to be... blunt, but the middle of a fight isn't exactly the best place to venture into character discovery XD
Geco is just trying to avoid another Lag Island effect, where we end up stuck in the same place for months. Coincidentally, we ended up here for months anyway, but it was rife with character development (at least, for Ren, Phoenix and myself), where Lag Island was pretty stagnant just before going to dethrone Pukki (Paki? Pukakiriki (KI KI KI!)).

Your character is what you make it, but you have to realize her realistically. She's not going to tell about her life history while battling a death knight. Pretty much, she's going to be fighting the things trying to kill her. Honestly, if you want to make Terra a more interesting member of the crew, you have to make the opportunities yourself. I didn't walk in to the thread and Phoenix just automatically say, "Hey, let's start some drama with Cyradis and Archamae!" He posted one thing, I thought it was interesting, so I made up something to go along with it. Sooner or later, we ended up where we are. Same with Kyra and Arlen. Ren and I never talked about having them pair up for a philosophical/religious chit chat through the tunnels. We simply responded to each other in kind. Such is the nature of roleplaying. Your character is only as interesting to other characters as you make her out to be.

REN - haha, I can see how it would look that way. She is almost always formal and serious. She takes her responsibilities seriously and expects everyone else too as well. In truth, I may have mis-rped her on occasion because for a long time I was trying to keep a slightly lighter tone to the thread and tried to add some comedy. Basically her relationship with Gabe has gone on for so long and is so close that the barriers are down. She'll joke and play with him, but only him. It takes a lot to break through her defenses. She'll respect everyone, but she thinks of herself as the First Mate, not a friend of the crew. I think you also made a comment in Wave about what you assumed she did or was like not too long ago, and I was like "where'd he get that from?" but I didn't say anything just cause I thought it was kinda funny ^_^ hopefully that helps a bit. And I always love these discussions, they are fun and enlightening and I think make us stronger as a group.

WF - I never thought you were angry, so no worries there. I basically say ditto to what Shari has mentioned. I shall try to explain my thoughts on how I did my posts. As the original GM I still am trying to maintain control, pace, and engage all the players as much as I can whether I'm running the current arc or not. You did just post, and I posted a response in my first post after that. In my second post I was fully into the battle, and you had 2 small paragraphs at the end of your post that didn't say much, so I took the freedom (and perhaps too much of it) to move Tarra along with us. I could be way off base with her mannerisms or speech, so definitely let me know whenever that happens. But from my GM perspective, I wanted to get into the battle a bit more and (like Phoenix did) involve all the characters. In this case I assigned actions without consulting players, which I also thought was a bit risky, but as a player it can be nice to be told your character is doing something, and then you can focus on detailing it in your post as Carrot did with Steiner. In the case where it ever conflicts with something you had planned to do, I'm more than happy to change what I wrote, I just need to be informed. I was also trying to engage a new player, in this case, Carrot. As you may have noticed, when you came in, no one had really done anything with your character when you exploded into our group. I took it upon myself to have Gabe interact with you so you'd start to feel like one of the gang as a player as well. That was me wearing my GM hat and trying to make you feel welcome and involved ^_^ I don't think I do a great job of it, but I am trying. Finally, I also wanted to end by giving potential solutions to the problem, but leaving it open to other players to follow orders, go rogue, jump on one of my solutions, or think of something themselves. In this case, I did check with Phoenix to see if he had something specific in mind, but he gave us the green light to do whatever.

To sum up, we're just having a discussion, it's not a right or wrong thing. I like describing my perspective and thoughts because I think it helps people understand where I'm coming from, and when people know that, it makes working as a team that much more effective. Every player has a style, and I respect that, and now that you've told me how you feel I can work to incorporate that into how I'm interacting with you. I think we're all good really.

Except for the lack of IC posting... wtf people?!? I'll be posting as Seph soon (hopefully sometime today)

I have to disagree on your point about character development Shari Tana. Character development should be 24/7. Now its a little hard to interact with other characters during battle, but personal character development would be advantagous. For instance, Tarra is a stranger among the group and she has to trust that they will have her back in the fight, and vice versa. She has never been out adventuring in the world and though she is not ignorent of the world, she is still learning lessons that most do when they first start. I may not be the best of writers, but I'm not a newbie. I completely understand that is my responsiblity to make things interesting. Thus the interaction with Steiner before the battle broke loose. I am still used to not playing others characters. I didn't write much because I was waiting for Carrot to interact back, however he didn't.

I get where you are coming from Geco, moving forward however just be aware. Its still ok to play her, but give me a chance to respond back. I will do my best to make things interesting as well.

adding some quick thoughts...

I to think it is quite exciting to see what people do with Jade and Jasper in other posts. If I don't like what you do I can always complain about it :)
I have mentioned before that I have been ahving trouble to get the right feel for the twins, and sometimes when I'm stuck it helps to get another persons view of my characters of how they would act and what they would say... it has helped me to shape them actually...

Just a suggestion Wildfire... It is your right to decide how much you want us to playing your character, but even so I don't think Geco stole the option of character development from you, if we take his last IC posts as example. (He used her a bit more with dialogue in his previous post in my opinion. )
He wrote about her actions, how she helped Gabe, shot some evildoers and what not. My suggestion is that you can still use his post to develop your own character, weaving in the actions he made your character do to what she was actually thinking at that moment in your next post. That gives a deeper meaning to every action.

I think Phoenix made a good point. If Geco for example powerplay Jade's actions more than he do her dialogue it is easier for me to fill in more personal characteristics, phrasing and inner thoughts. And her inner thoughts might be the opposite to what Gabe for instance interprets a look she give him.

Sorry for using you Geco ;)

Wildfire - I do get you though... we all have been playing quite closely for many years, so I'm guessing we trust each other when it comes to powerplaying and feel more comfortable with it. :)