Pen N Popper, metagamer

[Pen N Popper]

When I first joined the server, I was astounded by how much IC info I could find on the forums. I thought, "This is terrible! Everyone will metagame!" It wasn't long, however, before I realized how much I truly appreciated the wealth of information I could find out about others. You see, I have a problem: I am a metagamer.

Yes, it's true. You see I play this game because I like a good story. I like epic battles, heroes and villains, intrigue and plot. More often than not I am quite content being a voyeur of the tale rather than its star. Unfortunately, sometimes the stories get obscured by this layer of obfuscation called NWN.

I strongly believe that more of this would be beneficial in our day-to-day RP as well. All of our PCs have their little stories, histories, flaws, fears, and dreams. Sometimes I feel like we're all in rubber bubbles, in our own little worlds. I can see your PC but his/her story is bouncing around inside out of sight. I try very hard with my PCs to pop your bubbles. Unfortunately, I am a bubble too and we just bounce off each other mostly.

That sums up what metagaming means to me. I want to know your stories OOCly more than ICly. Layonara is a place where I can see those stories and enjoy them.

Some choose to use these wonderful stories to abuse and cause angst to others. Why? They use the information they learn ingame so that their PCs can dominate another, control them. Why? I know why: They think it is how you win the game.

Layonara is a novel, no a library of novels. There is no winning alone. The more novels you can read, even partially, should be your goal. How many stories do you know? Only your own? Do you have one?

I started to write this thread in the General Discussion thread. I realized, though, that this is who I am not just my opinion. I am not a bard, but a reader. Metagaming is good. Story writers call it foreshadowing.

My PC asked ICly the following:

How will you be recalled in legend and lore? Or will you be remembered at all?

Well, will you? When Layonara fades away and we find each other later in life on other forums, what will people remember of you and your PCs?

I have a rock named after my first PC on a PW. Now that's what I call winning.

[s0ulz]

Bravo, PnP, Bravo!

[hawklen]

How will hawk be remembered? Hmm. Who would ever forget him!

And nice post PnP. I do enjoy OOC journals and the submissions. They are fun to read.

[LFFF]

PnP, I accually agree with you whole heartidly on this one. I unfortunately don't have the time to detail myself on other stories, but I did have a fear. It was why I wanted to do a WLDQ. I figured my time in playing Lia was almost numbered, either by having to stop for varrious reason, or giving her to the DM's for various reasons. The last thing I wanted, even far moreso then her dieing, was to have the character forgotten.

Heh, unfortunately most of her story, her past, ideas, events, personality are all in my head, and not quite as much written at all. I decided to rectify this with Silaqui and already with a lvl 6 character I have 10 pages worth of journal entries in microsoft word. This post however inspired me to get my butt moving on writting the life of Lia Di'makiir for her tombstone in Willows weep .

I think we need more people like you onboard PnP (and there probably are alot, heh). The main reason I enjoy Layonara, is because in heart, I consider myself a writter, a novelist of sorts, and I think most players here are. Even though this is just a hobby of mine and will never be more, why write if noone will read and share your stories?

[Hellblazer]

Well i guess that makes me a metagamer too. I love to read the stories and journal of other and do a good job at leaving it on the forum. I think you are right on many point on how much we do not know enough of the others stories and how thy interact with the world that is layonara with their own actions and thoughts.

[Anamnesis]

I love to write and tell stories. I love to share them. I love to know that I have an effect on others stories too which is why I love Layo so much. There are soooo many talented writers here that alot of times stories seem to write themselves with various character interactions. My favorite by far recently to write has been between Krysthalien and Elohanna, but in the midst of all this I have developed a real friendship with the person behind Krysthalien and been able see how other characters develope in their lives. How we all grow together by sharing a part of stories with each other and in ways I have been tempted to move my journals back to the regular forum because, even if there is a bit of metagaming involved. The stories are wonderful!

And if you know a bit OOCly you can sometimes collaborate to enrich the world we all have come to love by creatively molding our characters lives into one anothers.

SO LONG AS ITS AGREED UPON.

I love stories that flow and don't feel forced though, that feel as if its the right fit for the characters, and will shy away from interaction with those who can't seem to RP without obvious metagaming or forcing themselves into a situation.

[Tanman]

I'd have to say PnP that the definition is not quite right. Urban Dictionary and Wikipedia state that:

The act of using outside or previously gained knowledge within a gaming universe for personal gain or advantage.
John was accused of metagaming when he immediately moved his player to the most protected area of the map to snipe the enemy team members, since he had played the map before and knew from experience.

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Urban Dictionary: metagaming

There is a whole post thread here EN World - Morrus' D&D / d20 News & Reviews Site - General - Meta-Gaming: Definition that define what metagaming is. So by in large...PnP what you do is not metagaming but the abuse is.

This does not transcend to just CDTs AT all however. It's using any external information to dictate what your character is going to do is metagaming. . .knowing that another player is leaving and doing something causes your character to do something totally out of the blue or things that just doesn't make sense is one such example.

[Harlas Ravelkione]

Thank you for making this post, a reminder to us all what this is about

[Blackguy]

This is also one of the reason why I keep writing those shortstories with Gotak. A good reminder that he will be remembered past the years.

Maybee its time to write a new shortstory.

[Lilswanwillow]

ya know, I want to write a story... A long story.

But I don't just want it to sit and rot away.

Where would I place this story other than in my journal?

at least, the strongly edited version...

[Pen N Popper]

I'll be on Layonara less frequently over the coming months. I've always played at off-peak player number times but it's gotten to the point where I have to chose between standing idly about or soloing. Hopefully I can pop in for a GM quest now and again.

My computer doesn't support any of the higher end graphics games so I'll be riding NWN as far as it will take me. I am very much looking forward to the next incarnation of Layonara.

Many thanks to everyone over the months for teaching me so much more about RPing, NWN mechanics and systems, and community. My sincere gratitude to the NWN team of area and system designers: You really let me bring my character ideas to life with a depth I wouldn't have thought possible. Layonara is the benchmark by which I will compare other PWs for years to come.

I will continue to visit the forums here.

"I've thought up and ending for my book!" said Bilbo and turned to face the wizard to tell him aloud, "'And he lived happily ever after... to the end of his days.'"

[stragen]

It will be sad to see you go. All characters will be missed.

-Stragen

[Varka]

It is a shame to see you leave mate but I hope to see you again..somewhere or somehow.

May it be via IC or a few tells - always nice to chat with you over various aspects/themes.


I guess that your other idea:
"WANTED: RPers to join strict group" it will be put on hold until further?

[Pen N Popper]

I told myself I would explore other PWs until Nibor/Chongo's release came out, and though it took longer than I really wanted to be away the experience was positive.

Chongo's areas outside Dalanthar are superb! He definitely has an eye for mountains and encounters. (Bumblebee met a quivering palm on the return journey but managed to sneak past the Soul Mother.)

I'm very much looking forward to catching up ICly on your PC's stories, and OOCly on your own summer adventures.

See you ingame!

[miltonyorkcastle]

SWEET! PnP's back!

[s0ulz]

I'm so glad you came back PnP. The moment I saw you IG, I just rushed in to see if it was true and I must say... it felt great to have you along

[Honora]

PnP is back!!

Pen, you need to check out Prantz re: that thing I sent you...you remember...

[LynnJuniper]

Welcome back PnP! I'll try to get the story about how we all brought light back to Layonara to you, if I can get off the first paragraph