Author Topic: Hipshot Thought (Read 1059 times)

Chongo · « **on:** July 17, 2011, 02:43:42 am »

[SIZE=10]***post theme music* Sorry if you don't like bluegrass covers. Lonn... you can put on some Celtic Frost or whatever it is you proud deviants listen to**[/SIZE]*

I'll admit I haven't given it more then 60 seconds thought. Probably the problem with most my posts in the past. That and I'll spend a half hour posting on a 60 second thought, instead of thinking for a half hour before writing. I'll take the good with the bad on that one I suppose. Anyhow.

Can you imagine how fun it'd be if everyone started a new character in two weeks and stuck with them as their primary? Plot quests and everything?

I know its easy for me to say. Back after two years, the few real roleplay attachments of PC's have left or died off, or moreso they're just not around much. The best is dead. No offense to the dudes I always played with... especially you Milty - I know Steel's sensitive to that sort of thing.

Logged on today... got luckier with emeralds then I ever have. Seemed fun to do. But yeah - didn't even see Storold sitting around to maybe have a chat that's pretty much like old senile guys playing chess at a park, complaining about politics from the last four decades. Saw Ang and Alantha on, but there was a DM there so I figured I wouldn't interrupt. They like their European thing and usually have a conversation that's tough to break into. Tea, gravlax, and men playing field hockey... that sort of thing. The sophistication usually cripples me.

Back on point... holy cow it was a lot of emeralds for three veins! Even ran so long my daughter's naptime ran over and I had to scramble out of the deep knowing I was emotionally scarring her with abandonment.

Hold on... back on point - think about it. What if two weeks from now every player logged in with a level 1 they could be in love with? Excited about the character... and knowing everyone else was there. It wasn't just a microgroup based off a mini-plotline that maybe everyone isn't 100% into rp'ing (which is great - don't get me wrong, I respect the efforts)... but every active player, not a theme group.

You can argue a million points, each of which have a lot of value... but there's not one of you that can say you don't get that itch with the server status when you see a bunch of folks your level. And it's not in a two year old plotline you can't jump in or are afraid to join. It's just folks in the same boat as you, in the same place as you. It's a great server. The graphics are horrible, the million and four overrides like to break people's computers so that you see stacked squirrels instead of gnomes... but it's all here. The story is there. The people are there. We're just so spread out, and in our own stories, and usually not willing to start anew with the new within the mmo waiting around the difficult corner that we cling to the abandoned coffee houses of 24 timezones, viable level brackets, and character relationships.

Think about logging into Hlint, looking around, and seeing 15 people that you know are in the same boat as you on both ability... and story. Think about that plot quest where you're not the one who's story backbone is a pelt quest you finished yesterday... standing next to Plen ---- and likewise not the 410 year old epic human who's trying to both enjoy what story and presence you've created while not drowning out the crowds you want so much to find common ground with around you. It's hard for both sides. Think about logging into that old Hlint. Maybe it lasts three months, maybe it lasts a year before every old concern creeps back in... but it'd be a great time while it lasted... and it'd be better then 19 emeralds in one run, as lucky as they were.

But like I said. Easy for me to say.

Still going to say it though. It'd be a heck of a time.

geloooo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2011, 02:46:46 am »

This just gave me the inspiration I wanted for a Corathite wizard. The Dark Lord shall rise again!

Hellblazer · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2011, 02:57:03 am »

With the TLP (even though it will take a couple of months to see those out of there) I decided to actually create yet, an other new char so I'd have someone to play with those new char's and a few others on equal grounds for faith views. So yeah I do get what you mean

Tanman · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2011, 07:36:15 am »

I have to agree with you there Chongo, Its what brought me back time and time again back when I first started and before RL kicked in...

Dorax Windsmith · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2011, 08:58:38 am »

It's been over a year since I started a new character....yea, maybe it's time. The question now is....what do I want? Another bard? I miss playing Sniv, he was a hoot...never played a rouge or a ranger, might be fun....I'll have to think about it. Thanks for the idea Chongo...thinking possibilities has always been super fun here in the World of Layonara.

Alatriel · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2011, 09:16:31 am »

I started a new character that is my primary for Aussie timezones. It's been fun. However... she's not my primary. While I have a primary plot character, however, each of my characters sort of fills a different role.

The TLP was designed with this sort of thing in mind though, and while we're still only getting started, the idea was to have a group of characters that -would- be able to develop that sort of bond, so I do get what you're saying.

Chongo · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2011, 12:51:54 pm »

Yeah - I hear you on the TLP Alatriel. It's a neat idea and it oughta work. What I'm suggesting is that folks consider what it would be like if we all started something new and just gave it a try for a month. An honest serverwide effort. Hang up the mains, and see what happens during quests with a quest group full of just our level 5's.

I think we'd see a few things: More people would be consistently logged in, we'd have an instant urge to log in due to the number of PC's in a similar game situation, RP and story would find more commonality between PCs instead of comparing 8 years worth of notes between characters, quests would be funky, more collaborative, more fun for the GM's to run, and serve more as a true adventuring group... and things would in general feel more fun and socially rewarding.

A one month attempt at bringing back the new character adventuring company style of community. Just for kicks to see what happens.

I think about the first time I got a chance to go adventuring with the original folks here who had all started out together, Plen was level 14, and Ozy was the highest level at 17 or something. They'd all gone through an initial golden age where it was all new characters relatively at the same time. And it felt neat, even though I'd missed it... and ultimately I botched it, badly, socially. With the metamorphosis of this server into its old age, it might just have the foundation coupled with low but mature playerbase population to feel the same way. Think about it.

Alatriel · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2011, 01:11:11 pm »

Well, the thing is, Chongo, I understand what it is that you're asking. It makes sense. However, there are a lot of things that are going on already that people -can- still get involved in regardless of their level. Asking people to stop what they're doing on a server-wide basis and "hang up their mains" is kind of extreme, especially considering that a lot of people are in the middle of some fairly involved things with those main characters. There are also a lot of people who have recently started new characters that are still fairly low level (5-12 range) and I'm sure that you could easily make a new character and pop in and join in on those adventures without having felt like you've really missed anything. Most people are pretty open about letting new characters in, and most of us on the server actually probably -do- have a low level character that if you wanted to re-explore the server anew with a fresh start you'd have plenty of people that would probably accept you, or join with you with the characters that they already have.

Good luck!

Masterjack · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2011, 01:33:46 pm »

Personally I try to have a character in each level range so I can join who ever is on at the time. I'm still working on the upper epic levels but so far I have a level 25 monk, 17 Fighter/Rogue, 12 Rogue/Fighter, 8 Cleric (who is tied up in a time frozen gnome plot).

That covers most level ranges so I can play with who ever is on at the time. The only hindrance to playing with them is RP, like it should be.

Chongo · « **Reply #9 on:** July 17, 2011, 01:55:18 pm »

It's not about the 'can get involved'. Its more the 'is inherently involved'. Living in the same village instead of applying to university. If that makes sense.

But yeah, more a theory than anything else. I'm not asking anyone to hang up what they've worked on. You Alatriel, and a lot of other folks, have highly vested characters with a fantastic clutch on multiple plots. And everyone worked really hard to get there. There's just part of me thats sad when we all log in for a quest we've a place in, but then the names just disappear until the next quest. Or we coordinate a trip and everyone finds the character that will fit the level bracket. Afterwards we search around for the next event. It feels fragmented. It is fragmented. It's not wrong or bad - its just where it is.

All that said... the mmo will do it for us. So that's a good thing that will one day come.

I have my favorite character I've ever made. I love him. Acacea's dead so there's not much he has to cling onto. Gulnyr's been nice and working me back into some plot... but it's going to be fragmented. Just don't have anyone to build a story with outside of a trip here and there, and waiting for the next quest. Think I might retire him. Shake up the auctions and donation pools. Pretty much all I have with him. Start something new and stick with it. Hope for a crowd doing the same, and hope for a GM that sees an adventuring company trying to make it happen. Ride that wave for awhile and see if it's something every night instead of once a month.

Just a hipshot idea and something to think about. Not holding anything against anyone, nor will I ever on this sort of thing. I completely understand their position. But anyone who feels like starting something and seeing where it goes... I'm in.

Alatriel · « **Reply #10 on:** July 17, 2011, 02:23:14 pm »

Well, once again, there is a new plot that Rowana has been working on that has just started. It's WL centered, but it's not solely WL affecting, and others can be involved regardless of the level. It all starts with information and what you do with it.

Once again, I do understand where you're coming from, and I agree to a point. It's been started a few times in ventures like this with low level quest series' (The gnome quest series) and the TLP as two examples. Some people decide to create characters with their friends so that they can all come on at the same time and play characters that are connected through some way from their background.

I guess my question for you would be, what is it that you want from your character specifically? If it's just a group to start from the bottom and go on quests with, that's very easily done, you just have to say what kind of group it is that you want. If it's a questing group, my suggestion would be to go ahead and create a new character (or even take an old one if you wanted to) and figure out which group, either existing or brand new, that you wanted to be a part of. Then talk with the people in that group on what goals you have as individuals and as a group. This can be done either in or ooc.

Once you figure out some sort of goal, figure out what the very first step for that goal would be and contact a GM. Start setting up a series of GCDQ's. It would mean that you'd only have 1 GM run quest every 3 weeks (at minimum) that was specifically for your group, but it would give you a bit of consistency, which is what it sounds like you're looking for.

Also, if you wanted to ask for a gcdq-type quest but didn't care who was on it, you might want to discuss the possibility of a server-wide quest that was relating to your group's goals but not selective to invitation. There may be someone that would be willing to work with your ideas to get something interesting going.

As I said, I understand where you're coming from, but I do think that you could achieve something along those lines, RL permitting of course for the players.

If you want any help with any of it please feel free to ask. I've had a lot of the same feelings before, and I've had to ask myself the same types of questions.

~A

Filatus · « **Reply #11 on:** July 17, 2011, 02:58:04 pm »

I'm pretty slow to submit new characters and even then it is hit and miss. I think if you want to regain that fresh experience, you need to avoid letting your new char develop along established patterns. Doesn't mean you avoid players, but I think if your new PC hangs around with the same PC's as your old one, there can't be much about it that feels fresh and new.

Chongo · « **Reply #12 on:** July 17, 2011, 03:11:13 pm »

Quote from: Filatus

Doesn't mean you avoid players, but I think if your new PC hangs around with the same PC's as your old one, there can't be much about it that feels fresh and new.

Absolutely agree. Even with Abiorn it felt like I was reliving Ketil because it was the same folks, only I was a different character.

Alatriel, I appreciate that last post - and I know the methods and how good the server can be about providing that sort of opportunity. Its the crux of what Filatus said that is the thorn in my brain. That of course, is nobody's problem but my own. But as selfish as I am, with a new personal start I'd love to have a whole new crowd of characters I don't already know everything about from another life. So by all means... everyone should comply so I can be happy.

Seriously though... it's the fresh that everyone would appreciate. Not just me. Get 10 or 15 new PC's in your timezone and you can do all the things you've done before... not like the server is going to change... but you'll have fresh character stories around you making it shine like new.

RollinsCat · « **Reply #13 on:** July 17, 2011, 03:42:28 pm »

I'll have a new pc to run with any lower levels as soon as Andrew's son is old enough to submit (oct maybe?), but I'm a one-char kind of guy so Andrew is it for me right now. That said I have no problem hanging around lowers, uppers, whatever...find me and we'll rp and see if we can start some trouble.

ShiffDrgnhrt · « **Reply #14 on:** July 17, 2011, 03:56:12 pm »

I've always had characters at various levels, but I'm always happy to RP with any one. Just keep an eye out for my various characters

Alatriel · « **Reply #15 on:** July 17, 2011, 04:05:23 pm »

Quote from: Chongo

I'd love to have a whole new crowd of characters I don't already know everything about from another life.

Well, you don't know my characters

I don't know what your time availability is, but you're welcome to get to know mine if you want.

willhoff · « **Reply #16 on:** July 17, 2011, 10:12:33 pm »

I've always thought it woulld be cool to have all new characters start at the same time based on a certain theme. Maybe every month. Have them do a few quests with a designated gm and see were it goes. I loved the gnome quests and wish they would continue. Its a great idea and creates continuity with those involved like the Toran quest that Alatriel has started.

Commmonality between characters who have never met except to start at the same time is a special thing. Great idea Chongo but I dont want to drop my other characters and all the've invested for such an idea.

geloooo · « **Reply #17 on:** July 17, 2011, 11:20:50 pm »

Just to mess around, I say we all create dark elves and join the war against Voltrex! Yes? Yes?

Lance Stargazer · « **Reply #18 on:** July 18, 2011, 12:01:33 am »

*Throws a pie to Ni'haer for the shameless self adverisement *

geloooo · « **Reply #19 on:** July 18, 2011, 12:05:46 am »

Come on! Without the nefarious PCs, the world of Layonara would be dull! Without us, you'd all get bored to death as your character stabs that unresponsive and unintelligent giant or those dark elves in the deep that just jump you and yell curses. Join us and discover a new world that's just as colorful as it is dark!