DM Q&A: RP SUGGESTIONS & FEEDBACK/AN OPEN LETTER TO STAFF
Dec 27, 2019 9:34:59 GMT -5
ShadowCatJen, MTGPackFoils, and 14 more like this
Post by Dakarizon (Shroud) on Dec 27, 2019 9:34:59 GMT -5
Shroud shroud New Member 63 Aug 22, 2006 at 7:10pm Nov 16, 2019 at 6:21pm
Shroud xshroud Proven Member 223 Nov 25, 2014 at 7:14am Member is Online
These are both my forum accounts. I have no others (that I can remember). I first joined the server back in 2005-06ish (When I first logged in, I didn't have an account on forums). I've been here longer than most, and I have -never- had an Epic character, and I don't consider myself a well-known player. I am drafting this "Open letter" to staff, because I -really like this server-. I want to be honest, and transparent about my thoughts. I've no intention of singling any players or staff out in particular. I've had really -fun- and engaging RP since I've returned. I seen a lot of old faces return. I see a lot of newer players joining.
I'm just looking to share a bit of myself with you all.
What follows is my opinion. The facts here are as I perceive them to be. I understand there are many things I don't know or see. I am not a staff member, I've never DM'ed and ....
I don't believe I'm a good role player.
My problem is I bounce a lot of character ideas in my head, try something out, change my mind, try something else.... Sometimes it's mechanically, sometimes is RP based. I enjoy using game mechanics and character design to make unique play-styles and "builds". One of my favorite things about NwN in terms of character design is the sheer amount of options you can have. There is no "perfect" character, everything has it's strengths and weaknesses. I tend to prefer to "power build" my characters to a point, but I "scale them back". I believe the best mechanical characters come from a place of balance.
I also tend to start and stop playing for months at a time, then take a break for a while. Most of my time here has been "lurking" on the forums, too busy or uninterested to play. That is until I get that "itch" to start again.
Why am I mentioning this? Because I have a unique experience on FRC. I came from a couple older "rp-lite" and/or action servers. FrC was a completely new experience for me. I am proud to have been here for so many years. I have memories and knowledge of older players and places that many will never have. I suppose you could say I feel a bit of a sense of "entitlement" about it. But what do I have to show for it? Well... nothing, except fun memories of a different time on the server.
It's common for people to remember fondly things past. How much "better" everything was at a certain time and place but I can honestly say that I was never a good RPer. Not compared to the people that used to log in.
I am not suggesting that there aren't good role players playing now. Most of you are probably better role players than I am, but I do think that the server has lost something along the way. It's a difficult thing to pin-point but I think what I'm missing here is that old Forgotten realms "feeling".
Have we become casual? Lazy? Jaded?
We've adapted habits and shortcuts and some of the "magic" that used to be here is lost. We've evolved into more reality TV than fantasy fiction. We've become more "realistic" in terms of rping modern day people in an alternative universe. I'm as guilty of that as anyone.
I used to be nervous about creating an elven character, because of all the lore/history/customs/behavior that goes along with it. RP beyond what I could keep up. I never played a Paladin, because I thought I would mess it up, and didn't want to break anyone's immersion. I've spent days looking up forgotten realms lore and history about a certain race, region, or class I wanted to play.
I don't do that as much anymore, because I've gotten lazy. I -need- good role players around me... otherwise I also suffer.
"Let us play the way we want"
I hear that a lot. I really hate that. It grinds my gears to hear someone defend mediocrity. We should be welcoming change, but also striving to better ourselves. I welcome any suggestions and tips that would make me a better role player. Our world would be a more lively place with a bit of a harder push.
We've taken quality RP for granted for so long, I think a lot of it has disappeared. Now we praise it on the forums when it appears again. I want so much to bring back what is no longer here for me. I want to bring back a time when "Epic" was epic. When it was about the adventure, not the XP. When our actions had consequences. I feel now we've become "too big" or the world has become "too small". Too many people are "epic" that it means nothing anymore. The realism of our world is lost, if everyone is a god.
Our goals have shifted to XP and GP, instead of RP....
I'm calling on the DM team to challenge us.
Challenge our rp abilities, challenge our characters. Give us realistic fantasy plots. Give us intrigue, give meaning to our characters.
Let the players rise to the challenges, and let them become the heros and villains of this world.
Don't tolerate mediocrity. Call us out. Show us how to be better.
Be active! Be ambitious, but also subtle.... Make the world come alive! Shine a light on the players.
To my fellow players :
Hold me accountable, and let yourselves also be held accountable. Don't be selfish, don't be closed minded. Be better tomorrow than you are today. Show off your abilities. Emote your actions. Ask questions, send suggestions! If you care about the place you are playing... help make it better. Respect your environment.
With much respect,
Shroud
Shroud xshroud Proven Member 223 Nov 25, 2014 at 7:14am Member is Online
These are both my forum accounts. I have no others (that I can remember). I first joined the server back in 2005-06ish (When I first logged in, I didn't have an account on forums). I've been here longer than most, and I have -never- had an Epic character, and I don't consider myself a well-known player. I am drafting this "Open letter" to staff, because I -really like this server-. I want to be honest, and transparent about my thoughts. I've no intention of singling any players or staff out in particular. I've had really -fun- and engaging RP since I've returned. I seen a lot of old faces return. I see a lot of newer players joining.
I'm just looking to share a bit of myself with you all.
What follows is my opinion. The facts here are as I perceive them to be. I understand there are many things I don't know or see. I am not a staff member, I've never DM'ed and ....
I don't believe I'm a good role player.
My problem is I bounce a lot of character ideas in my head, try something out, change my mind, try something else.... Sometimes it's mechanically, sometimes is RP based. I enjoy using game mechanics and character design to make unique play-styles and "builds". One of my favorite things about NwN in terms of character design is the sheer amount of options you can have. There is no "perfect" character, everything has it's strengths and weaknesses. I tend to prefer to "power build" my characters to a point, but I "scale them back". I believe the best mechanical characters come from a place of balance.
I also tend to start and stop playing for months at a time, then take a break for a while. Most of my time here has been "lurking" on the forums, too busy or uninterested to play. That is until I get that "itch" to start again.
Why am I mentioning this? Because I have a unique experience on FRC. I came from a couple older "rp-lite" and/or action servers. FrC was a completely new experience for me. I am proud to have been here for so many years. I have memories and knowledge of older players and places that many will never have. I suppose you could say I feel a bit of a sense of "entitlement" about it. But what do I have to show for it? Well... nothing, except fun memories of a different time on the server.
It's common for people to remember fondly things past. How much "better" everything was at a certain time and place but I can honestly say that I was never a good RPer. Not compared to the people that used to log in.
I am not suggesting that there aren't good role players playing now. Most of you are probably better role players than I am, but I do think that the server has lost something along the way. It's a difficult thing to pin-point but I think what I'm missing here is that old Forgotten realms "feeling".
Have we become casual? Lazy? Jaded?
We've adapted habits and shortcuts and some of the "magic" that used to be here is lost. We've evolved into more reality TV than fantasy fiction. We've become more "realistic" in terms of rping modern day people in an alternative universe. I'm as guilty of that as anyone.
I used to be nervous about creating an elven character, because of all the lore/history/customs/behavior that goes along with it. RP beyond what I could keep up. I never played a Paladin, because I thought I would mess it up, and didn't want to break anyone's immersion. I've spent days looking up forgotten realms lore and history about a certain race, region, or class I wanted to play.
I don't do that as much anymore, because I've gotten lazy. I -need- good role players around me... otherwise I also suffer.
"Let us play the way we want"
I hear that a lot. I really hate that. It grinds my gears to hear someone defend mediocrity. We should be welcoming change, but also striving to better ourselves. I welcome any suggestions and tips that would make me a better role player. Our world would be a more lively place with a bit of a harder push.
We've taken quality RP for granted for so long, I think a lot of it has disappeared. Now we praise it on the forums when it appears again. I want so much to bring back what is no longer here for me. I want to bring back a time when "Epic" was epic. When it was about the adventure, not the XP. When our actions had consequences. I feel now we've become "too big" or the world has become "too small". Too many people are "epic" that it means nothing anymore. The realism of our world is lost, if everyone is a god.
Our goals have shifted to XP and GP, instead of RP....
I'm calling on the DM team to challenge us.
Challenge our rp abilities, challenge our characters. Give us realistic fantasy plots. Give us intrigue, give meaning to our characters.
Let the players rise to the challenges, and let them become the heros and villains of this world.
Don't tolerate mediocrity. Call us out. Show us how to be better.
Be active! Be ambitious, but also subtle.... Make the world come alive! Shine a light on the players.
To my fellow players :
Hold me accountable, and let yourselves also be held accountable. Don't be selfish, don't be closed minded. Be better tomorrow than you are today. Show off your abilities. Emote your actions. Ask questions, send suggestions! If you care about the place you are playing... help make it better. Respect your environment.
With much respect,
Shroud
