Alrighty. I think we could use some good ol' fashioned freeform roleplaying to spice things up around here. Allow me to explain.
In a freeform RP, there aren't any (or are, such as in this case, only a few) major rules when it comes to character creation, powers, and personality. There aren't any hard-and-fast game stats, only the character as the author sees in his minds eye.
To prevent this from descending into chaos (and to help serve the purposes of the Guild), however, I'm going to institute a few rules:
1) The Open Door Inn is an interplanar tavern which has special ties to other planes-- it can even touch planes that believe themselves isolated. As such, your character can be from any CBG campaign setting except your own[/i]. It might be a good idea to get into contact with setting writers about questions for unclear information or character details that you need. Think of it as a small-scale review. It might also be good to ask them for permission, some folks are posessive about their intellectual property.
2) All the typical rules are in place. No harassment, no out-and-out hatred, and keep the sillyness to a *reasonable* level (i.e., dropping anvils on somebody might be a bit much).
3) Conflict resolution. There is a simple system of conflict resolution. No modifiers, no complex rules, etc, just roll between 1 and 20. That being said, be sure you write things in a conflict resolution manner, not a definitive one:
[ic=Correct]
Feldorn attempts to trip Gorbin.
[dice]1d20[/dice][/ic]
[ic=Incorrect]
Feldorn trips Gorbin and laughs.[/ic]
4)The Inn closes from time to time. During long periods where the innkeeper is not available to at least monitor his business (or a responsible employee of the innkeep), it will close for a few hours (meaning a temporary lock on the thread). Posting can resume when the thread is unlocked.
So, with those four rules out of the way, who's interested?
Me cometh in!
Ok, here's my thing. I am very, very interested, but having done Inn RP before, I have some suggestions.
A) APC Bartender/Barmaid. An APC is an all player character. Having a Bartender and Barmaid be APCs means someone can post something like this.
[ic=Mr. PC]I walk in and order a Cabbage Delight.[/ic]
If no bartender replies to give him a drink, he can then edit his post to say:
[ic=Mr. PC]I walk in and order a Cabbage Delight.
As Bob serves the Cabbage Delight, I scan the room.[/ic]
Keeping it flowing smoothly when there are no bartenders online, but multiple people want to do stuff. This model has worked before in four different tavern based freeform RPs I've played in, so I'm reasonably certian it will work here.
B) Don't ban people from playing characters from their own setting. Playing a character from you setting can help you promote an relatively unknown setting and allow you to experiment with a homebrew race, class, or idea unique to your setting. However, we do want to encourage people to play other peoples setting, so I think people who play characters from other settings should get to add 1 or 2 to their conflict resolution rolls. (BTW, the conflict resolution rolls is the best idea I have seen for keeping freeform RP fair and fun. I'm reserving full judgement until I see it in action, but otherwise Kudos on it!)
3) Voluntary failure. While someone can't claim an action hits or succedes, they should be able to forgoe their conflict roll to fail at an action. Just a thought.
That's all that I have for now. More thoughts coming later, and I want to talk to you about general Inn setup over AIM to share some ideas I have if you're interested.
Also, anyone interested in playing a character from one of my worlds is more than welcome to, just PM me with the race/concept you have so I can give you some feedback. :)
One other question we need to adress - on these boards we have two super-hero settings and at least two future/modern tech settings. Are people going to be allowed to play characters from these settings with their superpowers or advanced technology, or not?
If I can play someone from my own setting, I'm in. Otherwise, I'll have to do that thing... what's it called? Oh yeah... "work".
Quote from: limetomIf I can play someone from my own setting, I'm in. Otherwise, I'll have to do that thing... what's it called? Oh yeah... "work".
Well, one of the points of the project is to stimulate some feedback on settings, in addition to having something to spend "downtime" on.
I am totally in. I'm going to be a.... hmm... I'll have to think about it.
I've done extensive freeform/collective storytelling on the Wizards boards (look up the Forgotten Freedom if your curious). This'll have more actual rules than I'm used to, but I think I can manage it.
I haven't tried any kind of PbP before, but this sounds really cool. If there's space, i'd like to join.
When is this going to start? I've been wanting to play someone from JS all this time! @_@
Also, you talk about how conflict resolution occurs, but how do you tell if you've succeeded? I mean, you got a 7. Good for you. Did you trip me? I don't know.
Opposed rolls, obviously. Or 11+ succeeds.
Kay, I see interest has picked up in this, so let's go ahead and consolidate initial character ideas here-- everyone has until Tuesday to get their character concept thought of.
And Rael-- the way it goes is this.
You want to trip me, you roll a seven. I roll a twelve. Since you don't beat me, you did not trip me-- it's that simple.
We'll go ahead and use a 100 dice, just to decrease the likelihood of ties. (Ties mean that the defending action wins)
I'm so playing something from the Jade Stage...
Since I got a lot of interest in them on their setting thread, I think I'll be one of my drasil, plant creatures resembling the other races of my setting. Since I also put a lot of my personal views into elves, this will be a female elf-drasil with leaves instead of hair, from the dragon empire of Horun.
I'd like to join too. I want to be an Umady Taer Sorcerer from Kahtar. Hmm... details...
Yay! :) You want any info, I'll give it you...
[spoiler=Character]Garuheech
Setting: Jade Stage
Race: Liriss
Gender: Male
Age: 42
Location: Lezhas
Garuheech is a typical Liriss. Without any family, he manages a canal in southern Lezhas day after day. The tolls from merchant ships have kept him rich and comfortable, leaving him time to his hobbies. However, Garuheech is a bit restless. Having spent almost a decade tending the canal, the lack of change has pushed him into a somber mood, reminicent of a mild depression.
Garuheech is slightly overweight and has tan scales, flecked with gold. No major distinguishing marks can be seen. Among warmbloods, Garuheech wears a comfortable silk robe, white with gold trim.[/spoiler]
Alright, i'll post mine. I even made stats, but i'll just post appearances and a small bio.
[spoiler=Character]
Name: Volixis Bloodclaw Ehrjak
Setting: City of Stratton
Race: Kobold
Gender: Male
Age: 38
Volixis is a member of House Gixustrat in Stratton. He has recently become an expert transmuter and architect within the lower house ranks. He has been sent to gather any information he can find on new transmutation spells and architectural or engineering techniques.
Appearance: Volixis typically wears dull red robes, as he has become accustomed to. On his back, he wears a bundle of iron chains from which dangle two old spellbooks and a worn crossbow. A chain also emerges from the bundle to form a leash for his weasel familiar. Volixis also uses a quarterstaff, the bottom end of which has been fitted with an arrowhead.
[/spoiler]
I think I might use him as an occasional NPC in my own adventures, if Stratton's author is OK with that.
[spoiler=Character]Name: Daann Tnu-aa
Setting: Midgard
Race: Drasil (elf form)
Nation: Horun
Gender: Female
Age: likely 16
Daann was uncovered by a minor acolyte of the dragon god of the sky, Aahh. She was raised collectively by the templeâ,¬'located in a small transit town in the south-east of Horunâ,¬'and trained extensively in their religion. Recently Daann decided to make a pilgrimage to the grand temple of Aahh on Mnt. Deepwarren, but she got caught in a snowstorm, heading toward what she thought was a lone mountain lodge and stumbling into the Open Door Inn.
Appearance: Daann looks like an adolescent female human with thin, 2-inch ears that change angle depending on her mood. The only feature that distinguishes her as a plant is the fern leaves that grow in place of her hair. Her main item of clothing is a long fur cloak, but she also has on a wool shirt and pants.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Character]
Name: Stareth
Setting: Jade Stage
Race: Liriss
Gender: Female
Age: 45
Stareth was born in the Formerian empire, into a noble family of low standing. After being exiled for crimes unknown, she wandered through the non-imperial lands, living for a while in Yolek-Ja. She has dark, brownish scales flecked with a few spots of lighter colours, and has several scars. Among her time among the warmbloods, she has become cynical and slightly arrogant, considering even other Liriss lesser than herself.
[/spoiler]
Cool guys- I'm handing the reigns of the thread over to Xathan, but if you need any mod-like work done on it just tell me. I'll be around still and may eventually add a character of my own, but for now, the one keeping track of things for this PbP will be the big X.
On another note, I believe he is starting the official thread today.
~ElDo
In response to a question Rael asked me over IM, anyone entering the Inn comes under the affects of a tounges spell.
Already realizing I'm going to need additional bartenders and barmaids/men. If you want to make a character to act as one, pm me with the character for my approval. :)
can i play one of my fav pc from my world? her name is Jade Dagger and she could be a barmaid.
Quote from: Elven DoritosAs such, your character can be from any CBG campaign setting except your own[/i].
Quote from: RaelifinQuote from: Elven DoritosAs such, your character can be from any CBG campaign setting except your own[/i].
I already broke that one. Sometimes the options from other settings just aren't interesting enough. In my case I get picky about certain points of culture that I see all the time and wish to be something different.
Quote from: SilvercatMoonpawI already broke that one.
And we encourage people to follow the few rules around here, not break them. ;)
Quote from: Elven DoritosAnd we encourage people to follow the few rules around here, not break them. ;)
My explanation still stands. There is a lot of setting stuff to wade through, and even if I do it there is no guarantee I will like any of it that much. I can stop if you want.
Quote from: SilvercatMoonpawQuote from: Elven DoritosAnd we encourage people to follow the few rules around here, not break them. ;)
My explanation still stands. There is a lot of setting stuff to wade through, and even if I do it there is no guarantee I will like any of it that much. I can stop if you want.
It's just that one of the principles of the whole thing was to encourage inter-setting activity and reviewing, the reason this Guild was founded to begin with.
It's kind of counter-intuitive to do otherwise is my point.
And I'm not trying to dispute that encouraging reviews of another's setting is a good idea, I'm just saying that I did it and nothing was interesting enough to me.
QuoteSometimes the options from other settings just aren't interesting enough.
none[/i] of it is particularly interesting to you?
Regardless, ElDo's rule still stands. It would not be wise to encourage breaking the rules, even if you find them constricting. That's what debate is for, my friend.
Quote from: Luminous CrayonQuoteSometimes the options from other settings just aren't interesting enough.
none[/i] of it is particularly interesting to you?
I don't have the patience to look through
ALL of it (and don't mock me because I'm like that, it's not something I'm proud of but there seems to be no way to change it), but of what I have looked through yes. I'm sorry, but dragon-descended reptiles convinced of their own superiority, the endless parade of aloof elves, playing things like that would grate on my nerves. My worlds and their races have always been designed as if there is some sort of subtle cosmic joke underlying the whole thing, and I have yet to find that in any of the other settings. The other settings aren't
bad, and I'd play by their rules within them. but in a free environment I have to express myself.
Like I said, I can leave the Inn if you want.
I'm not about to ask anybody to leave a freeform CBG activity, and I'm not about to mock anybody, either. I'm just asking questions because I am honestly confused. I can't imagine skimming over the settings here without ever saying to myself, "Hey, that's really interesting," so you're coming into this discussion from an angle that is completely foreign to my experience.
Quotebut in a free environment I have to express myself.
with which to express themselves.[/i]
Are you suggesting that you cannot write a unique and self-expressive character unless you have written the entire world that goes with it? If so, I'm really curious as to why not, because that's something that other people do all the time.
QuoteMy worlds and their races have always been designed as if there is some sort of subtle cosmic joke underlying the whole thing, and I have yet to find that in any of the other settings.
anything at all[/i] in other settings unless you read them.
I'm not saying you need to read through everything on the whole site, because
nobody has done that. But it's sort of hard to have much sympathy for your situation when your justification for going outside the parameters of ElDo's event basically boils down to: "My own work is the only material on the whole site that is even a tiny bit interesting to me, because I won't read enough of anyone else's work to actually find something interesting in it."
Quote from: RaelifinRegardless, ElDo's rule still stands. It would not be wise to encourage breaking the rules, even if you find them constricting. That's what debate is for, my friend.
I'm going to have to agree with this. If we started a game here on the site that said, "Halflings are disallowed in this game," it would be pretty silly to just assume you could come on in and play a halfling anyway, just because they're your favorite. Even as free-form a game as this is, it still needs rules (as all games do, other than Calvinball), and breaking the rules just because you don't agree with them is not really a very mature way to act. I doubt anyone's going to tell you to quit playing, but on the other hand, I'd be surprised if anyone decides to play along with your character either.
I'd just like to add that really, at its most core level, I just want everyone to have fun with this. I'm sorry if you disagree with the ground rules, but I don't feel the rules are that steep or difficult to follow.
Sorry that you disagree.
Quote from: Ishmaylbut on the other hand, I'd be surprised if anyone decides to play along with your character either.
Going to disagree here, Ishy. I feel pretty comfortable assuming that the average member of our cozy little community knows better than to turn the results of OOC discussion like this-- even when there is disagreement-- into IC ostracism or conflict.
I trust that as a community, we can have mature, intelligent discourse, and that includes being able to express disagreement and dissent without turning nasty or resorting to personal attacks.
Quote from: Luminous CrayonI'm not about to ask anybody to leave a freeform CBG activity, and I'm not about to mock anybody, either. I'm just asking questions because I am honestly confused. I can't imagine skimming over the settings here without ever saying to myself, "Hey, that's really interesting," so you're coming into this discussion from an angle that is completely foreign to my experience.
You aren't me. That might sound harsh, but it's true.
Quote from: Luminous CrayonThe process of worldbuilding is the process of giving players a context and a set of tools with which to express themselves.
Yes, yes, yes, I
understand that, but you also have to remember that when people sign up for games they deside beforehand whether they wish to work within the system of the world given or not join up at all. I assumed that this being freeform that I had some leeway, and I wanted to try it out enough that one rule that can't detract from the enjoyment of the game didn't matter.
Quote from: Luminous CrayonAre you suggesting that you cannot write a unique and self-expressive character unless you have written the entire world that goes with it?
No, I am capable of creating characters within other peoples' worlds. But I must say that I do always feel limited. I'm willing to be limited in a certain way, and that way requires many more restrictions on concepts than given for this freeform. You could tell me exactly who you want me to play and how you want me to play them, basically provide a script for me, and I'd enjoy playing that part. But saying that the only thing I'm not allowed to be is myself means I'm adrift in a sea of confusion because I don't know
how to be anyone else.
Quote from: Luminous CrayonI would guess that you won't find anything at all in other settings unless you read them.
I'm not saying you need to read through everything on the whole site, because nobody has done that. But it's sort of hard to have much sympathy for your situation when your justification for going outside the parameters of ElDo's event basically boils down to: "My own work is the only material on the whole site that is even a tiny bit interesting to me, because I won't read enough of anyone else's work to actually find something interesting in it."
How much of each thing am I supposed to read? Usually I just search for the races' section because that's what this thing is about at the moment. I read them, I really do, but at about 80 threads, some of which contain multiple pages, and some that don't have information on races I don't have the attention spand to read
all of them. I've read some. Yet they haven't interested me enough to want to play as one of their characters.
Let me try to summerize: I'm willing to play what you tell me to play, but I can't do that unless you tell me something much more restrictive than "not something you wrote into one of your own settings". I still want to play, but I have to improve the way I want to improve because
I have no way to know how to do it as anyone else. Please stop assuming things about me.
QuoteYou aren't me. That might sound harsh, but it's true.
trying[/i] to understand.
From what I have seen of your social interaction in this community, I can conclude that you are not an antagonistic person, nor a spiteful one. That is why I do not understand what would prompt you to come out and say, in a community full of writers, that nothing anyone has written here is interesting. Surely you can see how that might give people a negative impression.
QuotePlease stop assuming things about me.
I do not believe I have been making assumptions, and I do not believe I have been unfair. I have merely been reading what you have written and responding with questions. If you would like to point out to me, specifically, statements that I have made that are unfair assumptions about you, I will retract and correct them, with humblest apologies.
I have said before, and will continue to say, that I bear you a great deal of respect, even when we disagree. That is why I am trying to give you the honesty and sincerity that I believe you deserve-- which is all I have been trying to do today. If my words have wounded you, I apologize. I am only trying to understand where you are coming from, and to help you understand where others are coming from, not to put you on the defensive.
I would remind everyone to keep a cool head about things and that personal attacks will not be tolerated.
Both sides of this debate have been made. I would appreciate that everyone follows the rules for this game, and if you are not willing to, then I suggest that you don't participate in the game. It's that simple. As mean or as cold as that may sound, it isn't too much to ask.
This isn't an argument about your character, an argument about your willingness to look at other settings, or any of that. This particular debate is, plain and simple, about the casual suggestion to break one of the rules of this thread.
There aren't very many rules on this site. I wouldn't want there to have to be. All I ask is that the few rules that are in place, specifically those on games, be followed. I can't see how that's a very hard thing to ask.
Please, please, please. Do not encourage new members to break rules set by moderators and staff members of the site. That sets a bad example, and it's not the kind of relationship the staff likes to have with posters here.
~ElDo
I don't know why I'm like this right now. Maybe I'm tired, maybe going off my meds was a bad idea (and I'm not joking around about that).
@Luminous Crayon: I say what I said because I wanted to make a point. However, the point was not that if I can't take interest in something that anything's wrong with it. I have very unique tastes, so much so that I should never be taken as an indicator of what other people will think. I also said what I said the way I said it because that was the short way to say it. To really express what I meant I'd have have to write a huge post about how while pieces of each thing were okay and interesting, the way they were put together just didn't motivate me enough to want to take it up. Everyone must have felt that way about something, for me it's just very many things. But, stupid me, I wrote a short version which wasn't what I meant.
I get on the defensive because I don't get why other people can't read me like a book. This is not an insult: I really can't understand this because everyone around me always seems so much more aware and so much faster and processing things than I am. And it leaves me stumped when they don't, so i feel like they just aren't trying. I keep telling myself that's not how people are, but it doesn't change me.
@Elven Doritos: Sorry, I thought this freeform was going to be like the other one I play in, where it's all about having fun and getting laughs, and the only rule is don't rewrite someone else's character unless they don't mind. You want to be more serious here, so I'll leave. I wasn't trying to encourage the sort of rule-breaking that takes way from the fun, I was trying to loosen things up.
Quote from: SilvercatMoonpaw@Elven Doritos: Sorry, I thought this freeform was going to be like the other one I play in, where it's all about having fun and getting laughs, and the only rule is don't rewrite someone else's character unless they don't mind. You want to be more serious here, so I'll leave. I wasn't trying to encourage the sort of rule-breaking that takes way from the fun, I was trying to loosen things up.
Sorry that you feel that way. If you change your mind, we would all enjoy your participation.
Don't sweat it. We all have off days.
I regret this little verbal scuffle, and I hope there is no lingering resentment or hard feeling because of it.
Perhaps the both of us would benefit from taking a little time off the internet and doing something constructive and relaxing in the real world, to unwind a bit. Think I'll do a little cooking, then retire to the hammock with public radio and a cup of coffee. Here's hoping you have a peaceful and enjoyable evening, however you decide to spend it.
-LC out.
Quote from: Ishmaylbut on the other hand, I'd be surprised if anyone decides to play along with your character either.
Just for clarity's sake, and not for continuing the discussion, I was merely suggesting that people who were interested in playing by the rules would not necessarily be interested in trying to play two games at once: one that included the rules, and one that didn't. It was in no way any sort of condemnation about the intelligence or maturity level of the members here. Sorry for the confusion.
Quote from: Luminous CrayonPerhaps the both of us would benefit from taking a little time off the internet and doing something constructive and relaxing in the real world, to unwind a bit. Think I'll do a little cooking, then retire to the hammock with public radio and a cup of coffee. Here's hoping you have a peaceful and enjoyable evening, however you decide to spend it.
I have to do this every now and then as well. In fact, I've already done it once today; my fiance and I went out to look at houses for sale, then we washed both our cars, then we went out for an excellent dinner and a few beers at Natty Green's. It's been a perfect day, and I feel better about coming back to the site now.
Quote from: Ishmaylit still needs rules (as all games do, other than Calvinball)
I disagree. Calvinball does too have rules, they just change constantly.
Except you're in the negative zone, so it doesn't have rules!
Quote from: RaelifinExcept you're in the negative zone, so it doesn't have rules!
But you didn't say "Simon says" before it, so I'm immune to the Negative Zone for the next 2 minutes! Nyah! :-p