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RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 21 Mar 2005 10:35 AM |
This thread is for everyone to contribute to, to help us all bring our characters "to life" as much as possible. It was prompted by me hearing of a couple of things IG that as a DM would irk me, but players may not realise or even have thought about. I know when I first joined here there were a whole host of things that I had never considered in RP'ing my characters. It is my hope that if people all post things they either do themselves, or have seen others do, that really makes the character come alive for them...then maybe we could all pick up a few new rp tricks. :0)
Please keep all posts to the topic, if you want to debate / comment or discuss stuff raised here, please start another thread.
And NONE of my suggestions, or any that follow from others, are rules. Just suggestions, though some I would say are really, really worth following.
Ok, a few to get it started:
Thieves. I love playing rogues. And I love DM'ing them. But the NWN engine can be really tough for them to be played well. Yes, there should be a whole assortment of mansions to rob, where in fact the same one(s) gets revisited over and over again. As DMs we wont persecute a player returning to the same place over and over, unless they are doing it every reset or camping the place out to the extent that other players never get a look in. But PLEASE rp the robbery -every- time. Doesnt have to be huge complex rp. A simple invis spell. Or hiding. And for pitys sake, please, please close doors behind you. This is my biggest deciding factor as a DM as to whether to get involved and set the guards on someone.
Doors always make that annoying noise when opening. And they open fully. There is no way to represent opening a door just a crack, slipping through, then closing it gently behind you. But if you step through a door as a thief, and then immediately close it behind you, as a DM I will assume you have done exactly that...just slipped through as quietly as you can. And as a player for that matter I would assume the same. So one, please be sure to do this if a rogue, and two, if a player and you see a door open and close like this and cant see the person doing it...might be nice to give the rogue a break and unless you have a high spot / are paying particular attention, maybe ignore the fact the door just opened. But if a rogue, or anyone, just runs through a place, leaving every door open and barging past the guards, then you are begging for a DM to try and make life very difficult for you. And perhaps more importantly, you are not really rp'ing your character. I remember when I was playing the doppelganger of Sirac I deliberately stopped closing doors behind me in places I normally would, and a character who knew me actually commented on it...although the player probably thought they had caught me being lax it really made me smile at the time. But when I first joined Vives...I would never even thought of this. So no criticism being levelled at people, we all have different levels of online rp experience, just a pointer that can make a big difference.
As rogues are my favourite character...to really excel in playing a rogue, you might maybe consider having emotes set up on your quickbar. *cuts a hidden wire* *deftly inserts a wire and the lock clicks* *rolls away from the explosion* etc, etc can really add to the immersion, and can be done at the press of a button. Admittedly, as Sirac I dont do this anymore, cos the quickbar is sooooo full for me. So when I can, I type these things or similar instead. Definitely if I am playing with others, or with DM activity. And if a DM sees you robbing somewhere, emoting each step of the process as you lockpick / disarm traps / distract the guards / oil the hinges, etc, etc then boy are you going to get some kudos for it. We dont all have the time or patience to do this every time, but try it once or twice...not only is it likely to really please and impress the DMs, but you'll find yourself a lot more immersed in the game.
Indeed, a few custom emotes if you have space on one of your quickbars can be really useful to any character. Just right click on the space on your quickbar, choose the option that looks like a star (think its called custom text macro), insert a name for the emote, and then you insert the actual text that will appear every time you press that quickslot. Really useful for any mannerisms that your character would use a lot. Luthers might be *looks like a bald ugly man in a dress* whereas Elvalia might be *fires an arrow into each eye of the troll*. :0) You get the idea anyway. My best known one is probably for Muga *eats the scroll and belches arcane power*. :0) Takes a bit of time to get the perfect emotes within the letter limit, but it is a trick I like using for most of my characters anyway.
Priests. If you are raising the dead, please offer a prayer first. Every time. Really. This is a miraculous power, truly miraculous. It is the one spell that really should be accompanied by a devout prayer to your deity. Even if you dont want other people to hear it...just emote *prays quietly* and then send the actual prayer in the DM channel...prefix the prayer with /dm and no one else will see it.
Seeing around corners. I have seen some great little rp events that have benefitted from players being sensible about this. Even though ooc they were aware that another PC was there, IC they realised they couldnt possibly see them cos they were obviously not in line of sight. And so they continued what they were doing, the well hidden PC got to observe, and great rp ensued.
Treat the world and its people as alive. You might say hello to your favourite innkeep 99 times without any response. But then one day he might just turn round, say hello back, and ask you to help him with some problem or other. Again nobody expects you to do this every time with every NPC, but be aware that its another thing that can really help immersion, both for yourself, other players, and definitely for the DMs.
Summons. Dont walk through towns with a pet Balor in tow. Or in Minotaur shape. Or anything of the ilk. Or if you do, be prepared for consequences.
....................
Hmm, longer than I intended already. Might post a few more later if other people dont cover them first, but think that's enough to get the ball rolling.
Cheers,
Sirac |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 21 Mar 2005 10:50 AM |
Spot, Listen, Hide in Shadows, Move Silently and True Sight
Mentioned by Sirac above, but I would like to elaborate on it further.
1/ True Sight does not let you see around corners or through walls. If someone is hidden around a corner and became visible because you cast True Sight, RP it as not being able to see them unless you get line of sight.
2/ Spot, or Listen?
There are two ways using skills to "discover" a hidden character. Spot and Listen. Be aware of what skill your character has.
A high spot skill will allow you to see someone who is hiding through the characters superior eyesight, experience, whatever, but not let them see around corners.
A high listen skill will allow you to "hear" something that is nearby, perhaps even letting you hear something that is around the corner, but not necessarily who or what. Someone with an epic listen skill may be able to determine who it is.
Unfortunately, the engine does not distinguish between a successful spot skill (when you should be able to see when something is in Line of Sight and a Listen skill (when you should know something/someone is near and you can hear them moving, breathing, whatever, but you cannot see them).
Please keep these in mind when you "see" something and figure out if you really can see it, or hear it and emote or react appropriately.
- Paul |
Purpose in life: finding better ways of allowing players to kill themselves. Repeatedly.
--
"...Cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good."
--
<@James42> Lawful good isn't in your vocabulary, it's on your menu.
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 21 Mar 2005 11:05 AM |
Takes a bit of time to get the perfect emotes within the letter limit, but it is a trick I like using for most of my characters anyway.
Not much time to comment on the moment, but I'd just like to add that you can get around the limit if you type it elsewhere then copy and paste it in. May take a few trys but it works. |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 21 Mar 2005 11:22 AM |
Sirac, great post on rogues. I play rogues probably 80% of the time, and love 'em to death. I know I've complained to myself a thousand times when I walk through the town and see every bloody door open. I think that might not be a bad idea for a lot of people. When you walk into a friends house, don't you close the door behind you? I remember when Attycus literally RAN through the Unicorn with myself and Salt standing right there, and he sprinted into the basement, looted the place, set off a trap and went into the Fire Knives. Wow, that was some great RP. I expect next time he'll be a touch more cautious ;)
The custom text macro's and stuff, I'd never even known you could do that. Great idea, glad I saw it. I'll put it in when I get a chance to play (AKA: Tomorrow)
In addition: Evil characters: You probably DON'T want people to know you're evil. I know I don't even tell anyone OOC if someone's evil unless they really need to know. I'm not going to say that people will use the OOC knowledge against you, but we're all human, and our subconcious will make us more wary than we ought to be. Also, if you're evil. Do something evil occasionally, or at least work towards your goals :D
True Neutral: I remember this being something where you're supposed to see a balance in all things and activly attempt to keep the balance in nature. Just keep that in mind, and try and keep the balance in nature.
Hrmmmm... Actually, I am looking for ideas on how to do a gnome real well, as my PnP character is a Gnomish priestess w. an 18 CHA, and I don't have a WHOLE lot of ideas on how to play with her to make her truely unique, so I'd love to hear from you on that. |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 21 Mar 2005 11:25 AM |
2/ Spot, or Listen?
There are two ways using skills to "discover" a hidden character. Spot and Listen. Be aware of what skill your character has.
A high spot skill will allow you to see someone who is hiding through the characters superior eyesight, experience, whatever, but not let them see around corners.
A high listen skill will allow you to "hear" something that is nearby, perhaps even letting you hear something that is around the corner, but not necessarily who or what. Someone with an epic listen skill may be able to determine who it is.
I normally get round this with common sense, Elvalia has an excellent listen skill, low spot, if somebody appears that she knows well, Macha for instance, then I figure from tyhe length of time they've known each other and travelled together Elvalia would know the sound Macha makes, recognising her tread, whatever, and react accordingly - "You really must learn to be quieter Macha" If it's somebody she doesn't know very well, she reacts to the sound but not necessarily who it is - *turns at the sound of footsteps to the right*
Dungeon/cavern crawling is a little different, she will quite often stand at a corner or junction and *tilt her head, listening*. Again, if it's somewhere she's travelled often, she may say there are x number of trolls ahead, linked to a ranger's track skill it can be quite useful (that is also something by the way that can enhance roleplay by being emoted rather than just typing /dm /track - something I've been guilty of myself on more than one occasion). Again, if it's an area she has visted rarely if ever " I can hear something up ahead, perhaps more than one " If you roll high on the listen check, embellish it, "I can hear claws scrabbling on the ground/the sound of heavy rasping breathing/grunting/voices" |
Elvalia - Chosen of Aros
Elrith Mellin
Perin - 'Cleric (an' drewid) o' Elbreff' Weddin's an' pies a speciarality
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 21 Mar 2005 11:29 AM |
| Oh - missed something.... the custom text macros. I use them a lot too, Elvalia has some set up for greeting guards, warriors, fellow elves in elven (yes it works if you make sure you type /dm [xxxxx] as you would normally). Perin has a shedload of them set up for humming, whistilng, calling Spot, Spot nodding, shaking his head, belching - you name it. A VERY useful tool |
Elvalia - Chosen of Aros
Elrith Mellin
Perin - 'Cleric (an' drewid) o' Elbreff' Weddin's an' pies a speciarality
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 21 Mar 2005 11:42 AM |
God - now I've started I'll never finish
Sitting - very few of my chars will ever just *sit*, they *sit by the edge of the pool*, *sit and lean against a rock/tree/fence*, *sit cross-legged*, *sits hugging her knees to her chest*.
As for standing? Emote it as well as hitting the W or S key, *stands slowly*, *stands shakily* etc
The same can be done for any other emotes, bowing, nodding, praying, shaking your head - not much difference but it adds a lot to the overall effect |
Elvalia - Chosen of Aros
Elrith Mellin
Perin - 'Cleric (an' drewid) o' Elbreff' Weddin's an' pies a speciarality
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 21 Mar 2005 12:36 PM |
I'll admit when I first started playing vives, I was kind of against typing emotes for everything. I e mote a lot now as I came to understand that other people need to know what my character is doing to play off of him. However I will say that there are ways to do certain things without typing emotes, and there are ways to show emotions without being direct.
The reason I bring this up is I remember my first time in a big event, there was probably ten of us, but at the time it felt like twenty...anyway someone in the party got a worried look on their face, and EVERYONE turned with concern and asked what was wrong, and I remember laughing to myself and thinking, "holy crap she must have a big face".
One thing that I try to do during conversations in groups is to put my cursor over the person I am looking at or talking to this saves a lot of *looks to so and so* also by what I say or by emoting when I say it I can save myself the trouble of having to emote how I'm looking at someone ie *with consternation or jokingly* Also if embarrassed or just not wanting to look at the person I'll put my cursor over someting away from the person so I look away. Some people don't notice these subtle actions, but to me that's good, because not everyone should. It'd be annoying if I emoted *looks away in embarressment* and some tool on the other side of the room piped up "dont worry Johe" ;) |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 21 Mar 2005 01:00 PM |
Great tips, esp. the quick bar stuff. Had no idea!
For RP purposes, give me one or two solid weaknesses. Its one thing to play your 17s and 18s, but another thing to play your 7s and 8s. I understand that one school says that you don't want to reveal your weaknesses to other characters as they might use them to screw you, but that result of this keeping-it-inside is a somewhat flat character.
I suppose one could take this too far...
Wasn't there something in the old AD&D rules about the possibility that you could get a dispensation from the DM to re-roll a character that was deemed "unplayable"? It would be fun--for ten or fifteen minutes--to have a character so inept that (s)he was brought along on adventures for entertainment only. A real fool! |
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about dying."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means lying in the ground with dirt on your face and holding your breath forever."
-Burt Reynolds, "The End" |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 21 Mar 2005 03:05 PM |
Sirac, I think they are some really really good points. I certainly know I have never seen Carlton raise someone without a prayer. Sometimes a really long prayer. Sometimes a prayer so long the other characters want to whack him round the head and say "cant you perform miracles a little quicker!" but it does in some bizarre way make death far less of a "process" and I think thats the the rping clerics favour.
I have to say when I first came here I did just this, I talked to pretty much all NPCs, I emoted alot, I even talked to my familiar when no-one else was around, just for my own insane amusement.
I have to confess I have let this side of me fall away and I thank you for the gentle reminder. I think it does add a lot. That said, I think we need to remember the type of characters we are RPing.
As for RPing stats, I think that in an RP server its essential otherwise it simply becomes a game of top trumps. It is hard, granted, but one thing that irks me slightly is how everyone's character reads "This godlike beautiful ya da ya da ya da.." when you know full well they have dodgy charisma. I've just made a cleric that I wanted to have a real beauty and to do so meant I had to compromise on my wisdom, but there we are. Same with Evaramier, I wanted him to be really persuasive but that meant I had to put points in Persuade as opposed to other things, despite it not being used IG much (though more nower days).
I think I am a) a little hardcore and this and b) somewhat guilty of late of not standing by my own gaming principles, so thanks again Sirac. |
Never argue with an idiot.
They drag you down to their level
and then beat you with experience.
Akril
Quinellieth. 20th Circle of the Order of the Ring |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 21 Mar 2005 03:16 PM |
Great tips, esp. the quick bar stuff. Had no idea!
For RP purposes, give me one or two solid weaknesses. Its one thing to play your 17s and 18s, but another thing to play your 7s and 8s. I understand that one school says that you don't want to reveal your weaknesses to other characters as they might use them to screw you, but that result of this keeping-it-inside is a somewhat flat character.
I suppose one could take this too far...
Wasn't there something in the old AD&D rules about the possibility that you could get a dispensation from the DM to re-roll a character that was deemed "unplayable"? It would be fun--for ten or fifteen minutes--to have a character so inept that (s)he was brought along on adventures for entertainment only. A real fool!
I think the rule you're referring to is if your total ability score is -1, or if you have any 3s. Might just be a house rule. I know we reroll our 1s.
As far as RPing your weaknesses, I have a lot of fun doing that with Balthor and I don't think a lot of people realise it. I'm sure you've said to yourself "dang, how can Balthor be so smart and so stupid at the same time?" it's pretty easy when you have a 30 intelligence and an 8 wisdom. It's just a matter of determining which is which. Common sense for me falls under intelligence whereas tough decisions are wisdom-based. Granted a higher intelligence means that he can solve puzzles and he can come up with more options or ideas when presented with a problem, but he's usually not going to take enough time to consider them until he picks what "seems like the best idea at the time." |
- [Rob], Balthor, Jake, and Thomas. |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 21 Mar 2005 03:32 PM |
See, for me I've always done it vice versa. I do common sense as wisdom and intelligence as book-smarts/ability to pick up things. I never actually realized it myself, but people keep telling me how easily I can pick up on things going on and how quickly I learn. I try to be as observant as possible, and I've noticed a lot of "smart" people I know are very similar in that trait, in that they can really learn how to do something bloody fast. So I've connected the two.
By the way, any ideas on things gnomes might do? I'm looking at some D&D Fri night into Sun morn and we got a chap coming along for the first time, I'd love to blow him away with my lovely gnome :D |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 21 Mar 2005 03:57 PM |
By the way, any ideas on things gnomes might do? I'm looking at some D&D Fri night into Sun morn and we got a chap coming along for the first time, I'd love to blow him away with my lovely gnome :D
As said before, please keep this thread on topic. If you want help with your gnome, start another thread, and maybe someone will oblige. Really dont want to see this thread divert off on a tangent.
And cheers folks for all the input, hopefully more to come, and already learnt one useful tip myself.
Cheers,
Sirac |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 23 Mar 2005 05:27 PM |
One thing that I try to do during conversations in groups is to put my cursor over the person I am looking at or talking to this saves a lot of *looks to so and so* also by what I say or by emoting when I say it I can save myself the trouble of having to emote how I'm looking at someone ie *with consternation or jokingly* Also if embarrassed or just not wanting to look at the person I'll put my cursor over someting away from the person so I look away. Some people don't notice these subtle actions, but to me that's good, because not everyone should. It'd be annoying if I emoted *looks away in embarressment* and some tool on the other side of the room piped up "dont worry Johe" ;)
I always thought that were your character looked was client side only...someone correct me if I'm wrong.
In addition: Evil characters: You probably DON'T want people to know you're evil. I know I don't even tell anyone OOC if someone's evil unless they really need to know. I'm not going to say that people will use the OOC knowledge against you, but we're all human, and our subconcious will make us more wary than we ought to be. Also, if you're evil. Do something evil occasionally, or at least work towards your goals :D
Sometimes thats not always easy. You can't really be a follower of some gods without letting others know, like Naruth, but I agree with that with the exception of follower of some of the Evil gods. |
Juylina Komthya | Portrait - Priestess of Naruth |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 23 Mar 2005 05:35 PM |
Oh - missed something.... the custom text macros. I use them a lot too
Custom macros are great! But make sure you put /tk in front of them so that they come out in the talk channel .
On emotes, they *are* great, but one of my pet annoyances is people emoting things like *thinks that so-and-so is completely barmy* or *wonders what in the world to do next* . Emotes are great for demonstrating PC expressions, etc, but you can't tell what another PC is thinking! I vastly prefer *looks at so-and-so with a bemused expression* to *wonders what on earth so-and-so is talking about*.
Xerah's right, the direction in which your PC is looking is client side, not server side, so if you mouse over something to denote where your PC is looking, it's probably only going to show up as such on your own screen, not on the other persons.
Great topic by the way . |
Barnas: *coughs up a small gangster*
Barnas: ... I like pretty flowers.
Barnas: I'm not a transvestite! |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 24 Mar 2005 03:08 AM |
Actually, in Vives you dont need to prefix the /tk bit to custom emotes, as shout is disabled for players here. Though DMs do need to remember this, as I found out by accident! :0)
I love seeing emotes that betray people's thoughts, as Yas describes above, or even better their tone of voice. Text can be a very unemotive form of communication, so tone of voice in an emote can utterly change the way words are read. For example:
Ahh, Ms X, what a pleasure to see you again. *warm, sincere tone*
Ahh, Ms X, what a -pleasure- to see you again. *scornful, sneering tone*
.......
Also, an issue that has risen it's head of late is the amount of solo activity occurring on the server. Be it crafting, incessant looting, or simple exploring and fighting the good/evil fight, when it gets to the stage that whatever activity that is being followed takes precedence over rp for the vast majority of your time IG, then something is wrong. Really not wanting to be too harsh in this, just offering some thoughts, as we all know people sometimes have limited RL time and cant afford a lengthy rp session, or it is a quiet time on the server with few people on, etc, etc. It is -only- when it is happening much more often than not that it is a problem. And none of this is aimed at any individual, just for all to keep in mind. So just consider this:
If crafting, try to involve others if possible. Dont be afraid to ask others for help, even if it involves them going elsewhere to get something you need, it will over time increase your interaction with other characters. And dont be so focussed on crafting that you miss out on rp'ing with other characters / joining in with their adventures. You will still get that extra lvl in tailoring and be able to make the next stage of bag or whatever in time, dont become obsessed with it! :0)
If you love finding loot, there is nothing wrong with this. But try and do it -with- other players. Involve people. And go together, rp along the way, and you will enjoy the experience more and be much more likely to get some DM attention. Even if solo because it is a quiet time, if rp'ing along the way, even if occassionally, will be a lot more immersive experience for you and the DMs.
Same with going off to level. Party up every chance you get. Sure sometimes certain people you just would not party with. Dont party if it is against your IC reasons, but still try to interact.
Too often at the moment a select few players tend to slip into the "computer game" mentality and forget what Vives is about. The same few are focussing solely on their own individual pursuits, to the exclusion of interacting. If all you are doing is waiting for reset so you can go get the next batch of loot, and praying that no dang rp'er gets in your way in the process, then something is really wrong! *grins* Not saying anyone is that bad, but you get the idea I hope. And sometimes that style of play is attractive, but there are some great PWs for the powerbuilding, item grabbing, pure crafting pursuits, so nothing wrong with having a spare PW when you feel like really indulging those playing styles. Each PW tends to have its "theme", Vives' is RP. Pure and simple. The more RP you put IG, the more enjoyment, and longer term you will get out of it. Most of us like to level, like to build a character than can survive, like to craft *involuntary shudder* :0), hopefully love to rp, etc, etc. Guess what Im saying is finding the balance is very important, it is very easy to slip into one of these pursuits to the exclusion of all others, happens to many players from time to time, but sometimes it helps just to sit back and remember the reason we are all meant to be playing here. The Vives community is a damned great bunch of rp'ers, so many of you will already believe all the above, but sometimes worth saying it aloud anyway.
*disengages preaching mode* :0)
Umm, didnt mean to waffle on so much, but once I get started... *grins*
Cant wait to get back IG, havent killed a player in way too long. *evil grin* Sol and I should be back IG in a few weeks hopefully, until then, have fun...
Sirac |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 24 Mar 2005 04:22 AM |
Can I just say, and I am speaking as someone who came to Vives solely because I wanted a strong RP server and has found myself ever increasingly in the spiral down to "computer gamer", that this post is very very useful.
Sometimes criticism (constructive or otherwise) is hard to receive, but when its given gently and more like holding up a mirror it really makes you stop and think.
Sirac has done just that and as I've read through his posts on what a good RPer would do and what a bad RPer would do (though he hasnt used those tags and I probably shouldnt either) I have found myself saying "Yep do that, ooh and that to, yep that sounds like me" and in looking at the positive stuff I've gone "Oh yeah, I remember when I used to do that" and "that was such a laugh when I did that".
Without feeling criticised I've been given a really good insight to how my style has changed and my intentions for coming here twisted.
Thanks Sirac |
Never argue with an idiot.
They drag you down to their level
and then beat you with experience.
Akril
Quinellieth. 20th Circle of the Order of the Ring |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 24 Mar 2005 06:14 AM |
I love seeing emotes that betray people's thoughts, as Yas describes above, or even better their tone of voice. Text can be a very unemotive form of communication, so tone of voice in an emote can utterly change the way words are read. For example:
Ahh, Ms X, what a pleasure to see you again. *warm, sincere tone*
Ahh, Ms X, what a -pleasure- to see you again. *scornful, sneering tone*
Yeah, this is exactly what I meant.. this sort of thing is fantastic, it really adds a lot to the roleplay.
Also, an issue that has risen it's head of late is the amount of solo activity occurring on the server.
Actually, although I agree with this in part, I have to say also that I have often seen players roleplaying to themselves, or with their familiar, even when there is no one else around, and I love to see this. Although it's obviously more fun to RP with someone, if you can't find anyone or don't have time to spend on a lengthy RP session as Sirac says, it's still great to see people roleplaying, even when they're playing solo.
...havent killed a player in way too long. *evil grin*
Now I for one know that is not true.... |
Barnas: *coughs up a small gangster*
Barnas: ... I like pretty flowers.
Barnas: I'm not a transvestite! |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 24 Mar 2005 06:24 AM |
I've read through his posts on what a good RPer would do and what a bad RPer would do (though he hasnt used those tags and I probably shouldnt either)
It all varies person to person - RP - which is what makes it so nice and varied and so much better than just playing NWN as a stand alone thing. I normally hate chatting to npc's now because it just seems pointless and if anything brings me more OOC than IC. I realise that DMs can't be everywhere and do everything, and I'm not suggesting that they should be.
But take for instance the other day when my low level character went into the sewers to get some spider silk for his crafting, found loads of huge trouble down there, and ended up running about in a panic. I found a nice new guy I'd never met before (either IC or OOC) - which was great. We RP'd about what we should/could do - ran to the captain of the guards to tell him of the trouble, told all the nobles we met on the way about the trouble, spoke to the guard captain about it - it was all good and quite exciting. However, the absence of a DM (and I'm not criticising - I'm just saying for an example) meant the people we spoke to didn't speak back. So for me - it totally did nothing other than to break the RP of the moment, as I had to come up with RP excuses for why the guards weren't bothered - and then go back and deal with it on our own (like we were going to do anyway).
So, walking up to a merchant and emoting to him or saying 'Hi', just because I want to buy some more rations - does nothing for me.
I love partying with people and doing stuff. Sometimes I don't have time to do big convoluted party things, and sometimes there aren't the right people on to party with (don't want to/wrong levels/wrong types/etc.). I used to always come online and use the player tool (or whatever it's called - the little red gem?) and look for people's levels and locations and set my status to 'looking for a party' and I occasionally got responces (think I met PDW that way) - but I almost never saw the same status on other people. Not saying it's a bad thing - and maybe it's changed - I haven't done that in a while now.
Each person has their own unique take on what makes good RP and what/how they like to roleplay. Me, I love interraction with people and DMs - but I don't like all the *sighs with melancoly as he stares at a tiny flower - a depressing tear forming in his lower eyelid*.
High fantasy means different things to different people. |
Jack Sprat - Dashing half-elven 'pirate' rogue
Rasputin Kalarmander - Old human cleric of Elbereth
Coral Shadeleaper - Timid elven wizard
Fenris Wolf - Barbarian elf ranger
Leaf Barksson - Elven druid
Xyfar-noo - Dwarven traveling cleric |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 24 Mar 2005 07:07 AM |
It all varies person to person - RP - which is what makes it so nice and varied and so much better than just playing NWN as a stand alone thing.
Each person has their own unique take on what makes good RP and what/how they like to roleplay.
Yup, that is why almost everything in this thread is aimed as guidelines rather than rules. With a few exceptions, it is very hard to legislate how people should rp. But hopefully there will be something for everyone that can be taken from these posts. It is only the total / near total absence of rp that would ever be a "problem" per se, otherwise variety -has- to exist...heaven knows even amongst the DM team we have totally different playing styles and likes / dislikes.
For me, when appropriate, it would actually break rp to not say something to an NPC that I really felt my character would say. And I have been made to really jump, and become more immersed when the NPC did unexpectedly talk back, much moreso than when a DM took over a monster and tried to kill me! Probably cos the DMs love doing that to me!! *grins* For Jack Sprat, it's the other way round. And that's cool.
Though I probably rarely speak to an NPC just to buy rations...for a threat I've discovered or the like I definitely would, DM on or not. And think about it from the DMs point of view. They set up a raid of fearsome kobolds that are going to overrun Midor! And the horde is so huge the low level players are chased off. If all they do is run off and continue killing something else, the plot comes to an end rather abruptly. But -if- the player runs to the Midor defenders outpost and breathlessly inform them of the looming threat, then the quest can continue, re-inforcements can be found, etc, etc. I have actually occasionally seen potential DM stories end in this manner, due to players not interacting with the world around them. Normally not, because playing standards here are high, and DMs inventive, but just keep that in mind if you do encounter something odd, DMs find it a lot easier to run a story if you actually react. :0)
And good point on the player stone, I do think this is an underused tool, and can be very conducive to getting into some rp / partying.
Me, I love interraction with people and DMs - but I don't like all the *sighs with melancoly as he stares at a tiny flower - a depressing tear forming in his lower eyelid*.
LOL. Couldnt agree more, but some folk do like that style of rp. And that is fine. As above, all different styles are welcome, and nobody is forced down one particular avenue I hope.
Cheers,
Sirac |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 24 Mar 2005 07:08 AM |
...havent killed a player in way too long. *evil grin*
Now I for one know that is not true....
*chuckles*
I havent. Maybe popped in and gave the ocassional DM a scare when they were playing. But no players...honest. :0)
Cheers,
Sirac |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 24 Mar 2005 08:02 AM |
lol dms are players too Sirac.
Just wanted to say that this has been a great post and its nice to see the good things people rp. I have been really lucky with alot of new characters who all have there own little quirks and problems but they all work together just to belong to somthing.
some of the funniest things ive seen ingame have been when a dms got a funny hat on and you walk past a cow who suddely goes moooooo or the goblin that treatens your 20th level cleric with death if she doesnt surrender. ha ha ha so funny.
Over the past week i have seen some great things in game to the swarming of the vale with orcs to the sudden rabbit like breading of the Kobolts and I have to say its been amazing.
so as well as for the rpers who do like there tear on there bottom eyelid and for the ones who just say *crys* lets all work together to *whispers and looks from left to right* distory Vidus.... |
Its easy clinging to your moral high ground when you have everything, try it when you have nothing left.
Cain Angus |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 24 Mar 2005 10:37 AM |
Just wanted to say how much I am enjoying this thread. The role-players on this server are what keep me coming back for more. Unfortunately I am one of the players who only gets to log on for maybe an hour or so at a time. But when I do log on the first thing I do is check the player stone to see if anyone is nearby, then I try to "run into them". Also I was happy to see that the last time I was logged on there were three people with the "looking for group" tag. That is something I need to remember to set when I log on myself.
I just wanted to point out, that a great thing about Vives is that you can group with people of different levels without worrying about losing tons of XP. You will still get quest XP and Discovery XP. I typically do not even consider levels when looking for a group, I just look at how far they are from me and how much time do I have available to play.
And on a side note, thanks to the DM's who breath life to the many creatures/people throughout Vives. I often find myself wondering if a creature is possessed or scripted, so now I just try to RP my combat regardless. Nothing like slinging insults at a creature/NPC only to hear them return the favor.....
Great RP + Great Areas + Great DMs + Great Fun = Devoted Vives Player.
-->I only have one game installed on my PC and only play in one place ;) |
-Kalos
"When in doubt, tell the truth. It will amaze most people, delight your friends, and confuse your enemies" -Mark Twain
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 24 Mar 2005 11:28 AM |
I know I personally love playing with Edrik and Salt, can do some great RPing back and forth Also, I *do* look for people of a similar level. Personally, I find it boring as all getout to set there and watch the denziens of hell be blasted away by the person next to me, while I feebly fire an arrow at it :P
Besides, dieing next to Edrik is just a *tradition*. Still though, I'd love to find a dwarf to just mine with me in Bregodim. Kinda boring to mine solo Then the duergar showed up, lol! I knew I couldn't run away with 250 pounds of crap in my pack. An assassin shot at me from about 5yds away, so I pulled out my longbow and it was like a game of punch for punch, it was hilarious from my point of view. Hopefully soon the dynamic trio will find this dwarf I gotta find.
By the way, kudos to the DMs, but even moreso to the players. Many an interesting night has been spent, and many an event planned around so as to take part in the greatness that is Vives. |
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Re: RP'ing in Vives
Posted: 26 Mar 2005 10:30 AM |
I truly love those moments when bloodlust takes the DMs. Like a recent raid on the kobold encampment. Walked in with a couple of party members, killed all kobolds and turned our noses back home. But we suddenly found the way back to be filled with fire traps that resembled gaps to hell and a kobold army with flaming arrows waiting at the gate.
And when I say kobold army, I mean kobold army.
It causes great stress and regular death of characters, but I still love those "DM-frenzy" moments. Thank you whoever did it. |
Vurbag Usko - Missing
Melinne Carshall - Missing |
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