Hey all,

I've noticed that there has been a decline in activity during our social RPs, both in terms of the level of activity (simply eye-balling, how interested do people seem in what we are doing at the given time) and also the number of attendees at each RP event. Some of this doesn't go just for social RPs, but for mission RPs as well.

I wanted to ask you all what you feel the contributing factors are to this slowed period. Am I wrong, and people are satisfied with the RP in its current state? Are people feeling like its a bit of a drag to come to RP? Do you feel ToV has simply run its course? I'm just trying to feel out what the issue may be.

There were a couple of things that I was thinking of, especially with regards to some of our latest socials. I wanted to clarify what the socials are really there for and what the intent is behind adding them into the schedule to begin with:

We've always had socials but I have been scheduling many more lately, and more frequently and more grouped together, as part of suggestions that were given to me from the group a few months ago because many felt that the RP was running on rails so to speak with the frequent mission RPs we would have, and that socials felt like they were merely idle filler material to fill in the gap between missions but in the scope of the RP were relatively insignificant. In order to set Chains of Promathia (and the rest of the RP henceforth) apart and give the RPers more opportunity to develop their own plots for their characters we decided that we would make missions somewhat rare and include more back-to-back socials, providing RPers with more time to play out a longer plot that lasts across numerous social RPs that would play a significant role in the story and our characters' lives.

What I have been seeing lately is that socials have been working very much to how they used to months and months ago… it seems that in a lot of them people seem lost and unsure of what to do with their characters. Individual social RPs tend to remain that way; individual and relevant to only themselves without a lot of overarching development for characters or the side plots. Please keep in mind, I am generalizing here. There have certainly been significant events over the past couple months that have happened in social RPs. But I feel as though its a little bit stunted.

I also wanted to ask, how do you think that I can best serve the RP? In the past I was sometimes criticized for micro-managing the RP plot and organizing events and have since been trying to back off. But I still often find people gathering near my character expecting all the 'good stuff' to happen when she is around which, in the event that I don't have anything specific planned for Avina and that RP session, or if my idea is only interesting to me and not for others, leads to some pretty slow, and grindingly painful RP.

So I would like you would like to see more of from me, in both an OOC and IC sense. OOCly speaking, how big of a role do you all need me to play in terms of managing the world and the storyline events that are going to impact our characters. ICly speaking, since I see a lot of RPs go where the characters tend to follow Avina around or tend to meet up with me when they know my plans, and whatever small amount I had planned for her kinda ends up becoming the story for that RP (which may not be significant). So the question I have is, regards to IC stuff and whatnot, should Avina play more of a main character role in the RP in the sense that I need to spice up her adventures and make her more of a core that others work around? I have been trying to avoid this (and more or less make Avina kinda boring in the process), but yeah, let me know what it is you want to see from me.

Also I wanted to just add that although I am in the game less, I can always be reached by PM here on Guildwork, so please don't hesitate to send me any RP related questions etc.

I’ve been meaning to make a post like this for some time, but I thought it was just me and I just couldn’t drudge up the energy to type it all out. I am going to try very hard to keep this constructive and to not sound like I’m simply whining. If I do come across as just complaining though, I’m sorry and you can blame my job for putting me in a perpetual bad mood lol

I can’t speak for everyone but I can speak for myself. One of the main reasons I feel my character is somewhat stagnating in RP is because I am no longer able to attend weekend RP because of my job. Because I cannot attend the weekend RPs I feel as though I am always missing out on a major chunk of RP plot. I don’t know what’s happening during the RPs I miss. I feel out of the loop, and whenever I do get a chance to attend a RP I spend most of my time off alone trying to figure out how to get involved with a plot a know little or nothing about.

I’ve had an idea for a while now but I’ve been reluctant to bring it up because I don’t know if anyone would have time for it. I know I’d probably have trouble keeping up with the idea myself without some kinda feedback.

But, my idea is for each character to have an IC diary. Use real world dates just to keep the entries straight OOC but write the entries IC as if you were your character. Sometime after each RP everyone writes down how their character saw the events in the RP. Will then let people know how the RP went and how our chars feel. Of course the real trick is to keep from abusing what would clearly be OOC info IC. Also each diary should have a companion thread where other people can post comments without mucking up someone else’s diary posts. I for one think comments are necessary if only for people to know that others are reading what they wrote. Can be anything from a simple “hihi, read our diary interesting stuff!” to a lengthy discussion about character development and potential future plots.

What I find most interesting about RP is character development namely the development of relationships friendships love hate grudges etc. between the characters in the party. But these elements are often hard to focus one and often get buried under mush kill this or that to save the world etc.

Doesn’t help that the plot I want to explore with my char is how a selfish brat focused only on her own power is pulled out of her shell and actually starts to care about those around her. Well one of the plots, but if I was to list all the lil subplots, tropes and themes I wanted to work into my story for Kaolla I’d be here for hours and I need to get to work…. HATE MY JOB ; ; oh well. I should have lotsa time off around the holidays I hope so maybe I can get back IC then. Gotta run maybe I’ll post more later if I think of anything worth saying to post.

I know I haven't been around much but I have popped in once or twice during RP's and noticed a few things.


DISCLAIMER: Sorry if this comes off cross it's not meant to be in any way.

1: Everybody has their noses up their own ***s.
Everybody has character developement going on but it is unwelcoming to others who wish to join. This makes for nothing but solo's & duo's.

2: Reflecting #1: The linkshell is unwelcoming.
Because of this people who want to get into the rp can not. It makes it hard for people to join in when others just simply won't bring them in/welcome them in. I watched Aurou trying to RP with the group for an hour one day. She couldn't get in and didn't know what was going on IC because nobody would tell her.

3: Fall:
We have hit the Autumn season so a lot of people are back in school, college, whatever. This hits every kind of linkshell in FFXI.

4: For me personally:
I've been doing a lot of things for my friends lately. I made promises to them and am trying to make them come through. Since I only have a few limited days during the week to do this plus real life stuff. I can not attend.



That's all I got for now…

Wait got something else…

Avina smells like a monkey!

#3 Mostly. It isn't that college started, it's that we're at "Crunch Time" now. Finals are only several weeks away, and I've had my hands full. I still check the forums frequently, I've just been busy. Working full time and then coming home and doing HW doesn't tend to leave big stretches of free time.

I think another thing that might help is if more people other than Avi scheduled RPs. And this is a must, but people need to post RPs they schedule on the webpage. Every so often some people will decide to just RP which is fine but people can feel left out if they notice someone doing an impromptu RP and either though people not knowing they’re on or just not wanting to bother them decide not to invite random members to join in.

The best times for me to RP are around midnight Sunday and around noon on Monday and Tuesday. I know that not many people are free at these times but if anyone wants to RP with me at these times send me a PM or a /tell or message in game. I’m not always on FFXI at those times but if I get a tell from people saying they want to RP at those times I’ll schedule a RP time and post about it on the webpage calendar. I might even make a thread post for random RPs if there is enough reason to.

Also, I think we need to spend more time together as a group not RPing. I know it might seem counterproductive at first, but. My best RP group ever was a DnD group I RPed with in collage. The reason the group was so awesome was because once a month we got together on a Friday night RPed till we got too silly to keep going, then we all camped out in the room sleeping on the floor. We’d wake up the next morning go out to eat and talk about random shit. Then we’d go back RP some more then watch a movie and talk about the RP OOC and talk about more random shit. The point being that I think RP would be vastly improved if we just got together on the LS from time to time to just talk about RP OOC and also to talk about random shit. It’d be nice if we all became kinda friends instead of just a group of people who only get together cause we want to RP. I mean sometimes I feel like the only reason we all get together is because there are no other RP LSes on Siren so we’re the only option. I’ve got some issues IRL which can be blamed for this, but I can’t help feeling at times like I’m tolerated rather than welcomed in the group. Could be because I RP a somewhat antisocial char lol but that’s just another reason for us all to spend some time together OOC. Okay I’m once again reaching the point where I’m just rambling so I’ll stop now and give other people time to respond. I’ll write again if I have more to say.

Laters :3

As Nod pointed out for me already… it's been a bit hard to even get into an RP with anyone. Everyone is doing their own thing, and that's great! But it sucks for whoever isn't in on it… I don't like to interrupt or intrude, so I don't butt my way into an RP. Some RP's definitely give the "Only us" vibe, too… which is even more off putting.

Coming back from my RP hiatus I was really excited to join you all again.. but it really has not been all that fun for me since rejoining. I don't really have a place in the LS anymore with the way things are. I've tried to make Aurou a bit more talkative and involved the past few RPs.. but then I hit a wall..

I have a story all planned out.. but I'm not even going to bother typing it up at this point. Maybe if things pick up more… I do like RP. I love to RP. but at this point it's just not all that fun for me…

The second scenario that was talked about before sounded fun, if it ever gets implemented. And I'm all for OOC LS events, 4/5 times I will help with something if you ask. 1/5 times I'm tired and a bit pissy, won't lie >.>

My schedule has opened up a bit recently. Abyssea nights are a no no, but that's 1/2 the shell anyways… most other times as long as I see something on the schedule I make sure I'm free to go. and traffic doesn't try to eat us…


Sorry for the jumble of thoughts, been a long day lol

This is why I think we need to talk more OOC we can think of ways to get past that awkward start problem we’ve been having. I’m not saying we script out RPs OOC, but maybe set up some minor scenarios. For example Kaolla can be working on her alchemy and someone’s char can bump into her and ask her to make him/her something. Then there can be a talk about price, materials maybe some hunting for crystals and general goofing off.

That’s just a quick one off the top of my head I’m sure if we all talk together we can think of much better ways to get people involved IC. This is also something an IC diary could possibly help with. Say someone feels like the last RP focused too much on one of the “niche scenarios” they can write in their diary IC about how char A and char B seemed to be too focused on whatever it was they were doing to even notice they were around. Oh just mention how no one seems to be around and wonder what’s going on etc.

It’s kinda odd I admit, but I think it works better than having your char stand up and be all “PAY ATTENTION TO ME NOW!!!!” I’ve tried versions of that before and all it seems to do is annoy people and ya just end up feeling even more isolated from the group.

I know my attendance has been pretty bad the past few weeks, and with how life is that's probably not going to change until after the holidays. I've got a lot of personal stuff going on, and my work schedule just isn't the best for staying up much past 10pm during the week. Weekends are simply not possible for me, unless we're talking about early mornings or late nights.

… And, admittedly, I have been playing another game… but when I've only got an hour or so to play, this other game lets me do a whole lot more than an hour in FFXI does…

… Okay, now, I'm gonna say a couple things. I'm not trying to be a b*tch, or attack anyone, or force a change of rules. It's just a couple things that are frustrating me, and I'd feel a bit better if I could just talk about it and maybe get (positive!) suggestions on how I can fix/alleviate how I'm feeling. If you don't want to read it, just scroll down to below the line of astriks.. astricks.. ast…

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The little star-symbol-thingies.

Okay, ready?

As someone who is relatively new to the group, I have to agree with one of Nodem's assessments… It's very hard to get in with the group. "Unwelcomed" might be a bit too strong for how I felt initially (now, given my IC arrival I did understand a certain amount of IC distrust towards my character), but OOC'ly I felt a bit like an intruder. I still feel this way at times. And, this will sound stupid, I know EXACTLY what's causing this feeling for me.

It's how the RP is formatted.

Really stupid, right?

Bear with me a couple minutes here. I've been in RPLS's before, and the shell itself was always treated as a long-distance communication tool (a magic walkie-talkie) and, with the use of brackets, an OOC outlet when IC things went quiet, and the RP channel in WoW was used the same way. If an IC statement was made over the shell (or channel), it was nothing but audio; face-to-face conversations and actions were done in /say or /em.

Now, I understand ToV's reasons behind the format – keeps the trolls/griefers in the dark, and keeps us from 'polluting' non-RP'ers chatlogs. I'm not ignorant of the reasoning, but I do find it frustrating. And I'm trying to adapt to, but damn it's hard and frustrating for me. For me, the chatlog tends to get so cluttered with actions and conversations for people that I'm not interacting with, that I'm often confused with what's going on and often lose track of what I'm doing, and on a few occasions I've replied/interacted to someone who I shouldn't have. And sometimes I just end up being a wallflower, watching my chatlog roll on because I feel like I'd be interrupting others by posting my solo actions.

What it comes down to, I guess, is that I'm not used to this 'closed' environment. The /blist and /ignore functions and I aren't strangers, and I've had people who have never considered RP come up and interact with me in an RP fashion, or ask legitimate questions about it because they saw myself and others doing it. Again, I understand the reasoning behind the format ToV uses… I'm just used to being open with my playing preferences.

Moving on to the second thing that's sort of frustrating for me… this is something I know really can't be fixed, but I'm gonna throw this out there:

I never see anyone anyone else in the shell unless scheduled RP time is approaching!

ToV is my only linkshell. The ONLY times I don't have my pearl on is if I'm /away or if I'm goofing off in Brenner with Kiri (okay, I amend my lament: when Kiri's on, he's also in the shell with me) where the game mechanics automatically de-equips my pearl for the duration of the match. I know and understand that I'm not always around during prime-time, but still I almost never see other names unless scheduled RP time is coming.

I'm not saying that everyone should just drop all their other pearls… I'd just like to see more people on a random basis.

Anyways! Enough of me moaning and groaning. Take what you want from it, I'm not trying to stir up a bee's nest.

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Okay, so, Kaolla's idea about the journals?

Love it.

I know she hinted on something similar before, and Gauntlet and ChildrenOfAltana used a similar mechanic. Using it after every RP day, that can be up to the individual user, but a quick diary entry from time-to-time might help alleviate some of the solo RP. My only suggestion would be that journals be treated like an in-game item that could be stolen/dropped/left out/lost – others either don't read or (if metagaming isn't an issue) use information contained therein unless they IC'ly acquire the journal.

… Which reminds me, I need to finish my amended profile with the list of steal-able things…

As for things being centered around Avina… I'm brainstorming a possible solution to that. It's something that was brought up in the past, but I've since lost my notes on the subject. The group itself seems to rely very heavily on Avi, and while I do think (with the way things seem to go) that there should be some sort more recognizable IC leadership, we shouldn't have to rely on Avi and hunt her down to find everyday entertainment.

… An idea along those lines… Maybe we should start 'rotating' and highlight one person a week, or whenever, and have them run the show for that night? Even if it's just RPing while running a couple quests in their quest log? I feel like this was suggested before… Hmmm….

Also. Forum-based RP – Is this something people would be interested in/okay with? This might be an alternative for people who want to do character-building, but would rather clutter the ingame chatlog or do it at a more leisurely pace (or, y'know, while sneaking internet time at work?).

As for things being centered around Avina… I'm brainstorming a possible solution to that. It's something that was brought up in the past, but I've since lost my notes on the subject. The group itself seems to rely very heavily on Avi, and while I do think (with the way things seem to go) that there should be some sort more recognizable IC leadership, we shouldn't have to rely on Avi and hunt her down to find everyday entertainment.Draenen Wen

Okay, working on this right now while it's still on my mind. Check the poll –> http://tales-of-vanadiel.guildwork.com/forum/t/4ebb34f7205cb21144013160-wheres-the-most-logical-place-for-tov-to-gather