I look at these things simply.
(I'm a simple sort of guy) I'll answer the questions at the end
skip the guff in the middle if you are pressed for time and would rather get back to playing.
The WorldThe world is large play, performed in many different halls of a large theatre all rooms interconnected in some fashion.
The plot is free form on the small scale but there is an injection of story line from the directors as needed.
The players are the actors, the characters their parts.
The GM's are both the audience and the directors, stage hands, lighting, sound, behind the scenes people. These roles are taken on by the keener actors to some degree.
The players are also the audience to some extent.
Quests are scenes of a play where a directory pays more attention than usual.
As the play is mostly free form it is the characters and actors of them that have the most influence on the stories, only involving a director when needed or available as the theatre is very large and time is necessarily finite.
The actors (or players as they are sometimes called) will have a large influence in the level and quality of acting in the theatre in general, through their interactions with each other and with the directors.
The actors are paid in roleplay, items, gold, XP, lots of different things, this leads me to think about theatre balance...
The ActorsThe theatre of Layonara is closed to the public, a small donation (a bio) is required at the door before a prospective actor is allowed access to the theatre. They are welcomed, depending on their time zone, by a variety of other actors through their parts in the grand play.
The actors do not know each others parts initially and in time, as the scenes allow, more and more information is relayed to the other actors (some of which may never meet the actor in charge of a part) as to the exploits of a particular character in the play are retold for the amusement of others.
Without the actors there is no play.
The Parts (characters)
Some parts are writ large upon the canvas that is Layonara, epic battles, world shattering quests, daring deeds. Others are but the smallest bit part with the chance to grow into much more with time and attention. As the story unfolds those parts interact sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly.
There are no great injustices in pay scales for the actors of Layonara, there are no overnight stars who suddenly have the funds, equipment and power to battle the demonic hoards despite being a terrible actor and only being around for a short time (power levellers). Things must be earned and developed here.
With merit based pay for the actors, the inequities of hollywood are, on the whole, absent.
PropsLayonara features crafting as a dominant force in it's economy. You too can make a better future for everyone, literally. The need for props is important in a play, in the case of Layonara the actors can use their parts/characters to work together for the natural resources available in the theatre in order to make their props. Along the way there will be extra props but of course they can be exchanged with others in the theatre and the actor's part is rewarded handsomely for their time and effort.
Sometimes a large group of parts are required work together to achieve certain resources for upcoming scenes, this takes time and most importantly cooperation from the actors responsible for those parts. With a common purpose in mind these free form actors are now working together to a common goal, they form social bonds, get used to working together and grow comfortable with one another.
Working together for a common goal makes for a healthy society.
The LoungeWhen not actively engaged in the play, the actors get together in the lounge (forums)and swap stories, banter about the theatre, how the current plot lines are going, have a drink and put their feet up. This is important to them, they spend a lot of time in the theatre and really need to wind down or up again before heading back into the fray of acting. It’s a good place for the directors to let people know of what is coming up in the next few scenes in a broad sense and to let people know where certain special scenes are going to be performed.
Talk to people and they will talk back, that’s how conversations start.
What does it all meanIt means that you have what you need for a great RP server, all the ingredients are there for a great experience for all involved. The particular implementation that you have made works well when all the components are added to a sum. There are static quests and crafting to get the characters together. There are GM run quests for more targeted things to do and to develop the story as a whole.
Now I can’t speak for your GM’s as I’m yet to have any interactions but the level of good feedback on the forums is very encouraging. The players are keen and involved, always a good sign. There is an atmosphere of encouraging roleplay and encouraging partying.
You are asking for feedback and are genuinely interested in making things the best for everyone; this is also a very good sign.
1. What would make the world a better RP (roleplaying) place to be? More roleplayers and more interesting ways for them to interact. Is there some way to get characters together that has not been done before, that people have to find out in game? Is there a new gem appearing, what is it used for? Has an enemy been spotted where it shouldn’t be, what does it mean?
2. What experiences have you had in Layonara that have made you want to stay in layo forever? The players and the characters, friendly people. High level characters that take the time to talk to low level characters.
3. What was your favorite Roleplaying Moment in Layo? (if different from question 2) Too hard to pin down yet, so much more to do. Needless to say so far my favourite moments have all been character interactions.
(in no particular order)
Gloinar catching up with Gloin finally and following him around like a lost puppy dog to buy an iron hammer, eyes bulging at seeing inside his house.
Culling the lizard men in the swamp with Turor in the most lawfully organised party in history. Six characters formed up in a variety of fighting formations and everyone being berated for not doing it properly.
Having Araleth scare the bejesus out Gloinar by shape changing into a bear.
Gloinar stubbing his toe on his armour when he kicked it out of frustration for not being able to find any clay and having Araleth tend a very grumpy and ungrateful dwarf with a broken toe.
Making iron arrow heads with only a 5% chance of success o.O
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. No one can possibly know your life's history by looking at you and to include such an excessive amount of detail in a bio is just asking for Meta Creap when you play.