General Discussion

[sunshadow21]

Yep. I've come to the conclusion that introverts/strong, silent types have no place in pbp.

I don't know that I would say this for all pbps, but for a setting like this with constantly changing groups, it's definitely a lot harder to play. I'm thinking that I may try to play Ausk, or something similar, in a more stable environment where the flow is more conducive to bringing out the quirks and subleties of the character over time.

 

[GlassEye]

Strong personalities are generally the way to go but they can be problematic...

That may be true but those strong personalities are a joy to follow and read about. I've certainly enjoyed those bits of Daylily that I've managed to catch in the DWI and Sylla and Boots have been a highlight all through 'Howling Horde'. I also enjoy Borric's totally inappropriate banter. There's a bunch of others I could name but a lot that I haven't had the chance to read about. So I'll just say thanks to all of you out there who work really hard at making your characters (and LPF) an enjoyable read.

 

[dammitbiscuit]

Maybe a bit beyond LPF's mandate but I get what you mean. I would personally like to play something different rather than run it. Probably most people feel the same way. I will, however, start thinking about things and see if anything inspires me to DM something.

Oh sorry, I didn't mean you specifically, I meant "you" as in "any given person" - because calling people "one" will always sound awkward no matter how correct.

It's actually something I could see myself doing. I love Burning Wheel (and by extension MG/BE), I've always wanted to try Dogs in the Vineyard and Microscope, and a friend and I are building a setting for a Pathfinder home game. I'd enjoy testing out the tone and setting on LPF people in a one-shot - especially for a DM credit or two!

 

[perrinmiller]

I don't know that I would say this for all pbps, but for a setting like this with constantly changing groups, it's definitely a lot harder to play. I'm thinking that I may try to play Ausk, or something similar, in a more stable environment where the flow is more conducive to bringing out the quirks and subleties of the character over time.

As one who has played and DMed Ausk, I totally agree with GE that strong silent types usually only bring games down in PbP, SS21. Being in LPF or otherwise has nothing to do with it. For it to work, your fellow players need to like interacting with him, despite him being strong and silent.

However, a good role-player/writer that can make one come alive and interact without yammering is another thing entirely, but that appears to be rare at EnW.

The point that I think many people miss is that they feel role-playing is mostly about what your character says. I will try to quickly give an example for what someone could be doing with Ausk. I am not to picking on you SS21, but he has been around awhile and I am familiar with him. Also many people have seen him in games so he provides a good example .

Ausk follows the conversation between the gruff man and the chatterbox half-elven slip of a girl, glancing at each in turn. Finally he rolls his eyes as they continue to bicker like brother and sister once again without signs of stopping.

Some days it is entertaining, yet other days it is a distraction. But right now, they have work to do. He grunts out, "Enuff. Let's move." To emphasize his impatience, he squeezes his right hand and the knuckles crack.

He grasps his weapon tighter and rolls his shoulders, slightly flexing his muscles in anticipation as moves into position to descend the stairs.

I also agree with GE, that the other side of the spectrum is not good either with continual internal monologues and nothing for other players to react to. That is character development, but not really role-playing with others.
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I started a proposal thread as well:
http://www.enworld.org/forum/living-pathfinder/326077-proposal-special-magic-item.html#post5963228

 

[sunshadow21]

The problem with Ausk is that I do have a very clear picture of him in my own mind, but it's next to impossible for DMs to really write even one scene around an individual character and he rarely adventures with the same characters twice. In a normal pbp campaign, both of those difficulties are much less of a problem, and the sublities of the character could emerge over time. Ausk has the pieces to start the process; Alf especially is an important aspect when I can work him in. It's just that ever time I get something started to develop, I run into real life issues and/or the adventure ends, so the next time I have to start more or less from scratch again. In a real life campaign, if the posts are all simple for a level, they can still build on each other to create the greater effect. Ausk also has the problem that not all silent characters do, and that is that his concept is really a complex one, and anything before level 7 really isn't going to show the full concept off very well. Level 7 and beyond, all of the core pieces would be in place, but with life not showing any signs of calming down, he'd still be a big challenge in this setting. In a setting where I could use a lot of small, short posts over time to build up the same effect that one or two big posts have, it would be a lot easier.

 

[sunshadow21]

I think Ausk's biggest problem, to be quite honest, is that I've never been able to reconcile the mechanics with the flavor of his personality and his class concept. I may continue to play around with him once he's retired, but I definitely think emphasizing the martial aspect doesn't work because the oracle levels inevitably fall flat on BAB and HP. I still like the rage prophet prestige class, but it needs a different approach. I just haven't figured out what that approach is just yet.

 

[dammitbiscuit]

Ausk follows the conversation between the gruff man and the chatterbox half-elven slip of a girl, glancing at each in turn. Finally he rolls his eyes as they continue to bicker like brother and sister once again without signs of stopping.

Some days it is entertaining, yet other days it is a distraction. But right now, they have work to do. He grunts out, "Enuff. Let's move." To emphasize his impatience, he squeezes his right hand and the knuckles crack.

He grasps his weapon tighter and rolls his shoulders, slightly flexing his muscles in anticipation as moves into position to descend the stairs.

I like this. It's not just rambling about your character's internal feelings and backstory - this is an example of still interacting with the other characters even while using few or no words! Which is pretty dang cool, imo.

The text informs entertains the players, who now know that you're reading and participating in their RP and only being impatient IC, not IRL. The body language and actions inform the other PCs of your PCs feelings, too, if they want to react back in-character with words or body language of their own.

The same exact reactions could be made by an extroverted character, just with more red text:

"Oy! Mistah bullhead and miss chatta-box!" exclaimed Chunkybuns. "Can ye pipe it? Some of us are trying to get the JOB done!"

He sighed loudly at them, then to no one in particular, he muttered, "Some days, ha ha. Other days, it gets in the way. But there's work to do..." Addressing them directly again, he barks, "Enuff! Let's move." To emphasize his impatience, he squeezes his right hand and the knuckles crack.

He grasps his weapon tighter and rolls his shoulders, slightly flexing his muscles in anticipation as moves into position to descend the stairs. "Dunderheads, all o ya..."

With or without the additional red text, it sends the same message! Diggin it.

 

[perrinmiller]

I like this. It's not just rambling about your character's internal feelings and backstory - this is an example of still interacting with the other characters even while using few or no words! Which is pretty dang cool, imo.

The text informs entertains the players, who now know that you're reading and participating in their RP and only being impatient IC, not IRL. The body language and actions inform the other PCs of your PCs feelings, too, if they want to react back in-character with words or body language of their own.

Exactly.

Maybe someone will take notice and invite me to the cool games.

 

[mfloyd3]

One thing that can give the "strong, silent type" more personality are some mannerisms. They can crack their knuckles (as Ausk in the example above), grit their teeth, grunt assent, let their axe swing impatiently in their hands, crush stones to gravel with their bare hands when they are frustrated, whatever. It actually makes these characters more lifelike if they use the same gestures or mannerisms often.

 

[dammitbiscuit]

I just want to state for the record that we're not gangbanging on Ausk, whoever he is, or his player... if the guy doesn't work for you, then the guy doesn't work for you! There are too many cool concepts in the world to stick on one you're not enjoying.

I've been in a couple short PbP games, mostly one shots, over the years... never really had the opportunity to discuss PbP theory though. Finding it quite fun! No offenses intended along the way.