Post by Bishimi on Mar 3, 2008 15:15:18 GMT -5
Tenebrous is writing up some great advice on Rp and how to go about and handle some situations. i personally think the posts are great and can teach all of us quite a few things. so i asked his permission to copy and paste em here as he posts them. here is the first one.
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A few years ago, Redlow put up a great post called "The Elements of Roleplay" which took a very deep look into why people choose the characters they do, and roleplay them as such.
I decided a few nights ago that it might not be a bad idea to post the "formula" I used to employ when beginning a 'quest' or 'plotline'. Lets start there, shall we?
A quest is UO-common term for a campaign, that being a string of scenarios that could/should lead to a climax/conclusion. The quest portion of your UO experience should really be enjoyed within game, almost exclusively.
A plotline is the driving force behind your quest. It should involve the establishment of why or how the initial 'trigger' characters or events occur, or do what they do to ignite the first quest. The plotline CAN be done in game exclusively as well...but it requires a greater deal of time to do so. Stories are very good at shedding light on things you missed IG, or may have felt were a little too tedious to explain IG.
When the Atalan plotline was established way back in '02 (I promise, this will not be a walk down <A> Memory Lane...I just need to cite a few examples from time to time!) we made a crucial error initially. We were 2-3 people and we went to a High Council Meeting and made a noise. We entered thier forum and let out a string of threats and tales of foreboding.
We were pissed afterwards because we were essentially disregarded...an annoying firecracker tossed into a church, if you will.
I then realized that we didnt have any buisness making threat until we had something to back it up. We needed some basic (and I do mean BASIC) history, as well as some recognizance.
THE HIGH COUNCIL IS A PLACE TO INTRODUCE YOUR PLOTLINE...NOT THE PLACE TO SELL YOUR PLOTLINE.
I've said it for years.
If you are a good guy and you are coming to pledge your services to Cove, you will be heard. If you are a looking to start a local town gov't...the HC will usually begin with "...and how do we fit in to your gov't in Cove?" If they like what you have to say, you'll probably get some bonus airtime.
On the other hand, if you're evil and you come to the HC with a statement of intent, your chances of making it out of there feeling fulfilled are next to none. They have heard it ALL. Besides, what criminal walks into Capitol and spouts off about some ill intent that isnt 1. taken seriously, and 2. gets the 'bums rush' out the door?
I stated earlier about the importance of recognizance. While I understand that taverns are pretty dead right now and the only consistent gathering of souls is the HC meeting, this is NOT your only shot to be seen or heard. The greatest thing about the Council is that everyone, at some point, is granted the chance to be heard. This is your Andy Warhol moment.
I always found that rather than possibly make an idiot of myself in front of the entire council by taking on 30+ predisposed opinions of me, I would chip away and see what I could sell to whom.
"Yes, m'lord DaKaren. My name is Arman Kharas and I am a historian of sorts. If it wouldnt be too much trouble, I'd love have your ear for a few moments after the meeting, or when your schdule allows. Thank ye, sire...that is all."
-silence-
I've just created minor intrigue...even if for one man. If he pressed me for more information, I would simply state:
"With respects, m'lord...it might not be for public consumption just yet...sorry to be so secretive about it, bringing it up at Meeting and all....but your a busy man, and this was the only chance a fellow like me could reach you!"
No one in the chamber can poke fun or lambaste my potential plotline because I have betrayed nothing of intent, been polite and respectful; in other words I acted in the PROPER MANNER one should act, good/evil/otherwise, in the High Council Forum.
Most importantly, I stayed out of the corner. No creature should wear their characters alignment on their sleeve.
Maybe DaKaren will forget about me by the end of the meeting. Do I chase him down and pester him? If the nature of my character is a pest then certainly I should do so...but I should also be prepared to be considered a 'pest' and be treated accordingly.
I put myself into the mind of my character. Arman was a meek fellow who was used to being neglected and looked over. At the next meeting I might make a second stab, sounding even more meek and pathetic to be asking for time (a second time), but I need to allow that it was just a mistake, too!
I've been in sales a LONG time. When I walked into massive architectural firms bidding on multi-million dollar contracts with some 4-man operation backing me up, I went in with my hat in my hand. Thats just the nature of buisness.
The High Council are the roleplayed government of the ROLEPLAYING GAME we enjoy. Their characters, while in those halls, deserve that respect. The line gets skewed when our OOC bigotries cross the screen.
We're not thinking with our characters anymore.
Moving along...
OK, we've 'made contact' with another lifeform outside our guild. I used DaKaren...a pretty potent example. To me, this is playing roleplay on the EASY setting. DaKaren is high-profile with a gift for gab and you WILL be mentioned again. Additionally, the post-game wrap-ups are VERY well done, so you'll get minor airtime.
Go to the HARD setting by possibly pulling some recruit or guard aside...one of those poor bastard who have to stand at the door just to earn a merit badge. Tell him your opening 'hook'. See where it goes. Maybe he mentions it to his boss. Meet up with him next week and ask if your message got passed on.
Offer to buy him a beer in Skara afterward in appreciation. If you get spurned...dont get frustrated, move on to the next chap or gal.
DELIVERY
Whatever your plotline is, dont give it all away. Prepare yourself before hand. Remember, conversation is a two way street and you need to be aware that if you get someone to hear you out, you kind of need to be engaging. You also need to avoid letting everything fly out of your face in your effort to keep the person interested. Have a definitive "point" you wish to convey, and know when to END the conversation. Keep the encounter short and engaging. Ask yourself objectively at the end of your meeting...'Would I want to talk to me again?'
Keep the venue small, but in a place that might attract passers by. The Shattered Skull was always great in Skara...right near the Bank.
You should rinse and repeat these small gatherings and one-on-ones. Gets you recognized, and gets your infantile plotline out there. Naturally, as time goes on...you'll be recognized at that High Council meeting and it might be DaKaren asking for a moment of your time at the meetings conclusion.
The next section I'll discuss is STORIES AND OOC MEDIA.
Until next time.
>=E
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few years ago, Redlow put up a great post called "The Elements of Roleplay" which took a very deep look into why people choose the characters they do, and roleplay them as such.
I decided a few nights ago that it might not be a bad idea to post the "formula" I used to employ when beginning a 'quest' or 'plotline'. Lets start there, shall we?
A quest is UO-common term for a campaign, that being a string of scenarios that could/should lead to a climax/conclusion. The quest portion of your UO experience should really be enjoyed within game, almost exclusively.
A plotline is the driving force behind your quest. It should involve the establishment of why or how the initial 'trigger' characters or events occur, or do what they do to ignite the first quest. The plotline CAN be done in game exclusively as well...but it requires a greater deal of time to do so. Stories are very good at shedding light on things you missed IG, or may have felt were a little too tedious to explain IG.
When the Atalan plotline was established way back in '02 (I promise, this will not be a walk down <A> Memory Lane...I just need to cite a few examples from time to time!) we made a crucial error initially. We were 2-3 people and we went to a High Council Meeting and made a noise. We entered thier forum and let out a string of threats and tales of foreboding.
We were pissed afterwards because we were essentially disregarded...an annoying firecracker tossed into a church, if you will.
I then realized that we didnt have any buisness making threat until we had something to back it up. We needed some basic (and I do mean BASIC) history, as well as some recognizance.
THE HIGH COUNCIL IS A PLACE TO INTRODUCE YOUR PLOTLINE...NOT THE PLACE TO SELL YOUR PLOTLINE.
I've said it for years.
If you are a good guy and you are coming to pledge your services to Cove, you will be heard. If you are a looking to start a local town gov't...the HC will usually begin with "...and how do we fit in to your gov't in Cove?" If they like what you have to say, you'll probably get some bonus airtime.
On the other hand, if you're evil and you come to the HC with a statement of intent, your chances of making it out of there feeling fulfilled are next to none. They have heard it ALL. Besides, what criminal walks into Capitol and spouts off about some ill intent that isnt 1. taken seriously, and 2. gets the 'bums rush' out the door?
I stated earlier about the importance of recognizance. While I understand that taverns are pretty dead right now and the only consistent gathering of souls is the HC meeting, this is NOT your only shot to be seen or heard. The greatest thing about the Council is that everyone, at some point, is granted the chance to be heard. This is your Andy Warhol moment.
I always found that rather than possibly make an idiot of myself in front of the entire council by taking on 30+ predisposed opinions of me, I would chip away and see what I could sell to whom.
"Yes, m'lord DaKaren. My name is Arman Kharas and I am a historian of sorts. If it wouldnt be too much trouble, I'd love have your ear for a few moments after the meeting, or when your schdule allows. Thank ye, sire...that is all."
-silence-
I've just created minor intrigue...even if for one man. If he pressed me for more information, I would simply state:
"With respects, m'lord...it might not be for public consumption just yet...sorry to be so secretive about it, bringing it up at Meeting and all....but your a busy man, and this was the only chance a fellow like me could reach you!"
No one in the chamber can poke fun or lambaste my potential plotline because I have betrayed nothing of intent, been polite and respectful; in other words I acted in the PROPER MANNER one should act, good/evil/otherwise, in the High Council Forum.
Most importantly, I stayed out of the corner. No creature should wear their characters alignment on their sleeve.
Maybe DaKaren will forget about me by the end of the meeting. Do I chase him down and pester him? If the nature of my character is a pest then certainly I should do so...but I should also be prepared to be considered a 'pest' and be treated accordingly.
I put myself into the mind of my character. Arman was a meek fellow who was used to being neglected and looked over. At the next meeting I might make a second stab, sounding even more meek and pathetic to be asking for time (a second time), but I need to allow that it was just a mistake, too!
I've been in sales a LONG time. When I walked into massive architectural firms bidding on multi-million dollar contracts with some 4-man operation backing me up, I went in with my hat in my hand. Thats just the nature of buisness.
The High Council are the roleplayed government of the ROLEPLAYING GAME we enjoy. Their characters, while in those halls, deserve that respect. The line gets skewed when our OOC bigotries cross the screen.
We're not thinking with our characters anymore.
Moving along...
OK, we've 'made contact' with another lifeform outside our guild. I used DaKaren...a pretty potent example. To me, this is playing roleplay on the EASY setting. DaKaren is high-profile with a gift for gab and you WILL be mentioned again. Additionally, the post-game wrap-ups are VERY well done, so you'll get minor airtime.
Go to the HARD setting by possibly pulling some recruit or guard aside...one of those poor bastard who have to stand at the door just to earn a merit badge. Tell him your opening 'hook'. See where it goes. Maybe he mentions it to his boss. Meet up with him next week and ask if your message got passed on.
Offer to buy him a beer in Skara afterward in appreciation. If you get spurned...dont get frustrated, move on to the next chap or gal.
DELIVERY
Whatever your plotline is, dont give it all away. Prepare yourself before hand. Remember, conversation is a two way street and you need to be aware that if you get someone to hear you out, you kind of need to be engaging. You also need to avoid letting everything fly out of your face in your effort to keep the person interested. Have a definitive "point" you wish to convey, and know when to END the conversation. Keep the encounter short and engaging. Ask yourself objectively at the end of your meeting...'Would I want to talk to me again?'
Keep the venue small, but in a place that might attract passers by. The Shattered Skull was always great in Skara...right near the Bank.
You should rinse and repeat these small gatherings and one-on-ones. Gets you recognized, and gets your infantile plotline out there. Naturally, as time goes on...you'll be recognized at that High Council meeting and it might be DaKaren asking for a moment of your time at the meetings conclusion.
The next section I'll discuss is STORIES AND OOC MEDIA.
Until next time.
>=E
