Backstage - OOC Forums

EVE-Online RP Discussion and Resources => Player Driven Content => Topic started by: Tressith_Sefira on 13 Sep 2016, 14:25

Title: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Tressith_Sefira on 13 Sep 2016, 14:25

You've had this problem before. There's an event you want to do. A pair of characters is seeking out a third person for wisdom or advice. A small group is exploring a new world. Your character needs to contact a shady business for a shady business deal. You want to put your character through a good fight. You crave confrontation. In roleplay, we frequently encounter times when we lust for the spontaneity that comes from having a clear, unbiased game master to take control of the environment and all NPCs in a roleplay.

When do you want a game master?

When characters are in a new environ that the players aren't familiar with.
When a player craves an interaction with variable outcomes.
When a player and character seek confrontational, adversarial roleplay to drive character growth.
When the usual avenues of roleplay become dull and monotonous.
When you want to disperse roleplay responsibility.

When do you want to be a game master?

When you have a story to tell that's more environmentally based than character based.
When you want to explore another's character without having to work through a proxy that is another character.
When you want to put your worldbuilding to the test by seeing if characters find gaps where you didn't define enough.
When there's a theme or concept you want to fully explore in a way playing a character won't allow you.
When you're seeking creative challenge.

So you want to be a volunteer GM? Fill out this quick template to let your fellow roleplayer know that you're single and ready to mingle.

Code: [Select]

[b][color=red]MAIN CHARACTER:[/color][/b] (name of your main)
[b][color=red]ALTS AVAILABLE FOR ONE OFFS:[/color][/b] (do you have a cleric or a lawyer or a psychiatrist existing characters could use to further a plot?)
[b][color=red]CONTACT INFORMATION:[/color][/b] (best way to get in contact with you - evemail, out of game email, slack)
[b]Available Events:[/b] (I have already set up <event location> which is available for all/one faction characters to enjoy)
[b]Currently Seeking:[/b] (I would like to GM/ find a GM/ brainstorm/ make new connections)

[b]Situational specialities[/b] 
(color in red your preferred topics and styles)
politics | exploration | business
combat | dungeons | dialogue
lengthy arcs | one shots | events
relationship building | personal development | adversarial relationships
Other:

[b]Lore speciality:[/b] 

True Amarr | Ni Kunni | Khanid
Deteis | Civire | Achura
True Gallente | Intaki | Jin-Mei
Brutor | Sebiestor | Vherokior
Empire | State | Federation | Republic
Sisters of Eve | Guristas | Angels | Serpentis
Nation | Blood Raiders | Intaki Syndicate | Mordu's Legion
Other: 

[b]Mediums:[/b]

Slack | Google Docs | IG space
IG text | Other:

Example work: 
(Link to pastebin of logs)

List of Available Volunteer Game Masters:

Empire:
Aldrith Shutaq http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118737#msg118737 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118737#msg118737)
Lord Kailethre http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118760#msg118760 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118760#msg118760)
Lunarisse Aspenstar http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118745#msg118745 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118745#msg118745)

Federation:
Xun Yu http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118738#msg118738 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118738#msg118738)
Charles Cambridge Schmidt http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118739#msg118739 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118739#msg118739)
James Syagrius http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118742#msg118742 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118742#msg118742)

State:
Diana Kim http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118740#msg118740

Republic:
Kolodi Ramal http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118741#msg118741

Pirate:
Velarra http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118787#msg118787 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118787#msg118787)
Vlad Cetes http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118788#msg118788 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118788#msg118788)
Kalaratiri http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118792#msg118792 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118792#msg118792)

Villains:
Anyanka Funk http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118735#msg118735 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118735#msg118735)
Charles Cambridge Schmidt http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118739#msg118739 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118739#msg118739)
James Syagrius http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118742#msg118742 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118742#msg118742)
Aldrith Shutaq http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118737#msg118737 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118737#msg118737)
Lord Kailethre http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118760#msg118760 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118760#msg118760)
Kalaratiri http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118792#msg118792 (http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=7134.msg118792#msg118792)

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Farhat on 13 Sep 2016, 15:36

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Aldrith Shutaq on 13 Sep 2016, 16:15

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Tressith_Sefira on 13 Sep 2016, 17:32

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Charles Cambridge Schmidt on 13 Sep 2016, 17:42

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Lithium Flower on 13 Sep 2016, 18:07

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: podling38 on 13 Sep 2016, 18:24

MAIN CHARACTER: Kolodi Ramal
ALTS AVAILABLE FOR ONE OFFS:

Mirabi Tiane (Republic social worker, retired capsuleer, Federation expatriate of Gallente ethnicity)
Mengyao Chemineau (former Sang Do heir, formerly a sniper in the Jin-Mei civil war on the "Consolidation" side, formerly an anonymous exotic dancer in Caille, currently on Lirsautton III performing Internal Security duties for Sanxing)

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Syagrius on 13 Sep 2016, 18:37

MAIN CHARACTER: James Syagrius

CONTACT INFORMATION: Slack, EVE-Mail, In game channels: WNWN2, Federation OOC, or Gallente Lounge.

Available Events: No telling :)

Currently Seeking: To expand substantively sensible role play. I am willing to help anyone within James character limitations with their themes or events.

Situational Specialities
politics | exploration| business
combat| dungeons| dialogue
lengthy arcs | one shots | events
relationship building | personal development | adversarial relationships
Other: While James can be grumpy and even advocerial, ‘I’ am not, and try to be as helpful in eve as possible, especially to new role players or industrialists who aren’t… silly,

Lore Speciality:
True Amarr | Ni Kunni | Khanid
Deteis | Civire | Achura
True Gallente |Intaki | Jin-Mei
Brutor | Sebiestor | Vherokior
Empire | State | Federation | Republic
Sisters of Eve | Guristas | Angels | Serpentis
Nation | Blood Raiders | Intaki Syndicate | Mordu's Legion
Other: Gallente history, politics including the nuances of the Federal system, and religion. I do have a passable understanding of Amarr, Ni Kunni culture and The Faith, and the Mandate.

Mediums:
Slack | Google Docs | IG space | IG text

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Farhat on 13 Sep 2016, 19:28

Quote from: Aldrith Shutaq on 13 Sep 2016, 16:15

Lore speciality:

True Amarr | Ni Kunni | Khanid
Deteis | Civire | Achura
True Gallente | Intaki | Jin-Mei
Brutor | Sebiestor | Vherokior
Empire | State | Federation | Republic
Sisters of Eve | Guristas | Angels | Serpentis
Nation | Blood Raiders | Intaki Syndicate | Mordu's Legion

Other: Cyber Knights, Space Combat, Ground Combat, Amarr Politics, Amarr Culture, Amarr History, Equilibrium of Mankind

=) Shutaq! We should talk! I'm Anyanka Funk in game.

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Lunarisse Aspenstar on 14 Sep 2016, 08:12

MAIN CHARACTER: Lunarisse Aspenstar /Maria Daphiti
ALTS AVAILABLE FOR ONE OFFS: Benedicta Sechah (Abbess and Mother Superior/Holder), Johanesse (Gallente lawyer), Vincentus Azizora (retired NCO, owner of Holy Grape with.. ties to security organizations in the Empire) (note my psychiatrist got killed off :P), and NPC Monsignor Ziyad Berker Teke (Amarr clergy), Johanes Beaumonte (eccentric elderly ni kunni and a deacon) and... a villian (name undisclosed)
CONTACT INFORMATION: evemail or comm me in game
Available Events: (I have already set up The Holy Grape which is available for all who can icly dock at Emperor Family Academy (essentially excluding Matari/Gallente militia and open heretics, e.g. EoM, Sani. The New Eden Fair Gardens of the Empire for tours, picnics and special events, various "places" in the Empire ranging from cafe's, estates, ski lodges, etc. and i am always open to helping with special projects/events or arcs whether icly or as a DM/NPC).
Currently Seeking: (I would like to GM/brainstorm/ make new connections)

Situational specialities
(color in red your preferred topics and styles)
exploration | business
"dungeons" | dialogue
lengthy arcs | one shots | events
relationship building | personal development
Other:

Lore speciality:

True Amarr | Ni Kunni | Khanid
Empire | Angels | Blood Raiders
Other: Speculative, e.g. "Boldly go and explore new worlds...or parts capsuleer's don't see 'in-game'", Amarr Culture, Amarr History.

Mediums:
IG space | IG text | Other: Backstage

Example work:
(venue space) NEF EXHIBITIONS - TES Empress's Bounty - http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=6876.0
(world building/forum RP) Amarr - http://backstage.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?topic=6524.0
(religious service - memorial service - monsignor) http://pastebin.com/RZkAdsPf
(religious service- funeral and grave side prayer - abbess) http://pastebin.com/NWCpQuCw (part 1) http://pastebin.com/Bd9D1qkq (part 2)
(religious service -a fun wedding - johanes) http://pastebin.com/wdFbs0fM
(matchmaking - lunarisse) http://pastebin.com/3JnnUXup
(station adventures - DM) http://pastebin.com/s56gPuEn
(Link to pastebin of logs - To be supplied)

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Tressith_Sefira on 14 Sep 2016, 11:14

Ok I see a lot of people who favour adversarial roleplay and relationships. I'm interested. What kind of adversarial relationships do you like? Rivalries? Villain-hero? Ideological divides? Do you go back to the traditional narrative conflicts? Like man vs man, man vs society, man vs nature, man vs self, man vs machine, man vs god? Which do you think make for the most fun and rewarding roleplay?

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Charles Cambridge Schmidt on 14 Sep 2016, 14:09

Quote from: Tressith_Sefira on 14 Sep 2016, 11:14

Ok I see a lot of people who favour adversarial roleplay and relationships. I'm interested. What kind of adversarial relationships do you like? Rivalries? Villain-hero? Ideological divides? Do you go back to the traditional narrative conflicts? Like man vs man, man vs society, man vs nature, man vs self, man vs machine, man vs god? Which do you think make for the most fun and rewarding roleplay?

From my personal experience, the best part about villains is when you obsess over them just as much as the villain (typically) obsesses over the character or an ideal. It's just as much as cultivating the IC relationship as much as it is the OOC, which a lot of people do not invest in, typically. Traditional narrative is... difficult to work with, sometimes, because as far as RP concerned, it's very much often man vs man. Sure one can focus on their grudge against a slimy business owned by a wretched lawyer or a valorous group run by chivalrous lawkeepers, but even then, you need a lynchpin at the head for the RP to bounce back from once the initiator/protagonist throws the first ideas out there.

I personally believe the best adversarial relationships are ones of mutual disdain but begrudging respect. What makes a villain a threat if he has no dangerous or egregious traits to fear? What makes a hero enjoyed by the people if he has no significant or heroic qualities? It's natural then, if we continue along those lines of thought, for the villain and hero to have a mutual understanding and respect - not so much a polite respect, but the acknowledgement - of the others' ability and power. Without that, it needs to have a lot of working under the hood to make sure both players are getting out of it exactly what they'd like/need for their character/themselves.

For example, if there's an all-powerful Stockholder, or something, and there's a man who's destined to bring him down, the issue is that our common-man hero has no base of power to work from, IC or OOC. The Stockholder, then, has the opposite: he is likely to have IC resources, OOC acknowledgement and respect for the concept that is his character, et cetera. This means that the Villain and Hero must meet OOC and discuss ways to actually fuel and continue the rivalry in a way that won't keep the Hero insignificant. As an example within an example, if the hero made friends with one of the villain's financial contacts, it's up to the villain OOC to discover a way that the villain can be hurt by this in a capacity that does damage the villain but keeps him in the playing field, giving the hero ground.

I have a lot of thoughts about adversarial relationship stuffs, but I'll summarize what makes it at its absolute best with a quote I heard:
"Sometimes, it's fun to lose."

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Aldrith Shutaq on 14 Sep 2016, 17:26

I just like to ruin people's egos.

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Syagrius on 14 Sep 2016, 18:49

I like much of what Charles said above.

Many of the 'IC relationships' James has in Eve are adversarial, but not necessarily hostile. I think this is a natural extension of being around for a while and having a complicated and nuanced past. That doesn't preclude working with or agreeing with others.

Relationships are complicated, often times it seems that folks are willing to do things, that their 'characters' would never do, just to foster RP. Now I understand that being purposefully opposition is different and will get you a cold and lonely game. But my advice is to beware the 'your not doing it right crowd'.

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Tressith_Sefira on 15 Sep 2016, 12:16

@charles

"the best part about villains is when you obsess over them just as much as the villain"

I agree. I think a good adversarial relationship is also a matter of self-exploration. A good villain can create a mix of often conflicting emotions. A good villain can make a "hero," a "protagonist," question themselves. Discomfort is the hallmark of growth.

It's not enough for an antagonist to elicit hate. Hate's one dimensional on its own. Hate's boring. A better antagonist can get a mix and even encourage double-think: hate for the antagonist and self hate. Respect for the antagonist's goals if not their methods. Sympathy. Empathy. Even investment. That's engaging, and the exploration of those emotions creates extra depth. The chemistry and dynamics in winning and losing, too, creates a variety of emotions at once and prompts introspection.

@Aldrith

Why?

@Syagrius

Are you differentiating between effective and ineffective ways to use adversarial relationships to enhance roleplay? After interacting with you in character, I feel like you've got a lot of experience on the topic.

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: kailethre on 15 Sep 2016, 12:51

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Aldrith Shutaq on 15 Sep 2016, 17:02

Because OOC egos get in the way of good RP, while IC egos get in the way of interesting change.

Honestly I think most players are too afraid to let their character fail or lose, and one of the best ways to do that is through adversarial RP. As long as both parties trust and respect each other and are fair in their planning, failure and loss can be one of the best ways to initiate character development. Aldrith has done so many times, including instances where he was both the winner and the loser, such as when he delivered his message to Silas Vitalia or tried to stop Vincent Pryce from running off on a date with one of his subordinates.

Realistic feeling hard-earned victories and bitter defeats can only come from these kinds of RP's, and the script needs to stay loose enough to allow for tension while still being stable enough to make sure unexpected butthurt does not arise. It all takes a lot of traits that not all RP'ers have; patience, detachment from their characters, care more for the creative process than the end result, selflessness, and a good sense of how their character's traits might lead them down one path or another. It's fun if done right, but can explode in a fiery mess if not approached with the right attitude.

Also, egos suck and they all deserve to die.

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Syagrius on 15 Sep 2016, 17:39

Quote from: Tressith_Sefira on 15 Sep 2016, 12:16

@Syagrius

Are you differentiating between effective and ineffective ways to use adversarial relationships to enhance roleplay? After interacting with you in character, I feel like you've got a lot of experience on the topic.

Yes indeedy, but I am not sure that is a good or bad thing. I think if used correctly adversarial relationships can be fun and rewarding. But understand it can be a minefield and have actually lost Eve-friends over misunderstanding, I or James didn't have the energy or desire to mend.

How many of us from earlier generations especially, have those very relationships with our father or brothers? My mother hated how my father, brothers and I mercilessly picked on each other. She didn't understand the dynamic and our motivation.

I and James for that matter, am often left scratching my head at how folks mistake or take something said, often contrary to James actual meaning. We have to remember that using text limits the emotional and nonverbal subtext.

My favorite quote and guiding principle when I created James is, "I am indeed a villain, but a very honest one."

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Charles Cambridge Schmidt on 15 Sep 2016, 19:19

Quote from: Tressith_Sefira on 15 Sep 2016, 12:16

@charles

"the best part about villains is when you obsess over them just as much as the villain"

I agree. I think a good adversarial relationship is also a matter of self-exploration. A good villain can create a mix of often conflicting emotions. A good villain can make a "hero," a "protagonist," question themselves. Discomfort is the hallmark of growth.

It's not enough for an antagonist to elicit hate. Hate's one dimensional on its own. Hate's boring. A better antagonist can get a mix and even encourage double-think: hate for the antagonist and self hate. Respect for the antagonist's goals if not their methods. Sympathy. Empathy. Even investment. That's engaging, and the exploration of those emotions creates extra depth. The chemistry and dynamics in winning and losing, too, creates a variety of emotions at once and prompts introspection.

Agreed! Lots of agreement coming your way, from me. Aldrith phrased a lot of good thoughts that I agree with, mostly that the issue with a lot of the RP that GMs set up needs to be thoroughly communicated OOC. Not a script, per se, but definitely guidelines. Just like with textfights, it's important to establish before continuing further. It'd be as inane as a non-DUST civilian beating a heavy-armor ground-pounding DUST murder machine in a fist fight because people think "dice rolling" is an acceptable way to determine fights >_>

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Elmund Egivand on 15 Sep 2016, 19:55

Quote from: Charles Cambridge Schmidt on 15 Sep 2016, 19:19

Quote from: Tressith_Sefira on 15 Sep 2016, 12:16
@charles

"the best part about villains is when you obsess over them just as much as the villain"

I agree. I think a good adversarial relationship is also a matter of self-exploration. A good villain can create a mix of often conflicting emotions. A good villain can make a "hero," a "protagonist," question themselves. Discomfort is the hallmark of growth.

It's not enough for an antagonist to elicit hate. Hate's one dimensional on its own. Hate's boring. A better antagonist can get a mix and even encourage double-think: hate for the antagonist and self hate. Respect for the antagonist's goals if not their methods. Sympathy. Empathy. Even investment. That's engaging, and the exploration of those emotions creates extra depth. The chemistry and dynamics in winning and losing, too, creates a variety of emotions at once and prompts introspection.

Agreed! Lots of agreement coming your way, from me. Aldrith phrased a lot of good thoughts that I agree with, mostly that the issue with a lot of the RP that GMs set up needs to be thoroughly communicated OOC. Not a script, per se, but definitely guidelines. Just like with textfights, it's important to establish before continuing further. It'd be as inane as a non-DUST civilian beating a heavy-armor ground-pounding DUST murder machine in a fist fight because people think "dice rolling" is an acceptable way to determine fights >_>

That's why there are modifiers, to ensure that a civilian beating a DUSTer is highly unlikely (thought I would love to see the civilian somehow beating the DUSTer in a fist fight and try to explain that away without resorting to RNG LOL).

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Aldrith Shutaq on 16 Sep 2016, 02:08

Well in situations like those a good GM will recognize what the chances of a particular scenario playing out are and adjust the narrative to make more sense. In the case of a civilian getting incredibly lucky and beating a pimped-out cyber-dude, you could say his tech had a hiccup at the exact wrong moment, or some other environmental factor intervened.

Although an even better GM would skip the dice roll, say the Duster mushed the player's face in, and tell the player that was a dumb idea.

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Lithium Flower on 16 Sep 2016, 18:49

Quote from: Tressith_Sefira on 14 Sep 2016, 11:14

Ok I see a lot of people who favour adversarial roleplay and relationships. I'm interested. What kind of adversarial relationships do you like? Rivalries? Villain-hero? Ideological divides? Do you go back to the traditional narrative conflicts? Like man vs man, man vs society, man vs nature, man vs self, man vs machine, man vs god? Which do you think make for the most fun and rewarding roleplay?

I prefer playing adversarial relationships as conflict of interests or ideological divides.

In a villain-hero relationships I try to show villain to be a hero as well and being driven by good will (having good heart besides showing at first as offensive and evil, etc), and that the hero is not as clean as others thought. (Thus I don't recommend playing with me for those, who loves classical hero-villain divides). Probably the best hero-villain scenario for me is the one where hero and villain in the end not just turns to be equal, but really swap places.

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Tressith_Sefira on 19 Sep 2016, 12:33

@Aldrith

Surely not all OOC and IC ego is bad. A certain amount of it is what prompts risk taking. The simple act of saying hello in a quiet channel; the creation of a new venue; the writing of a new IGS post: these are all things that take a little gusto. That gusto keeps us going when our hellos go unanswered, our venues go unused, and our post goes unnoticed.

I think I agree with you when you say that it can get in the way. I think good adversarial relationships are a check; can your ass cash the check that your mouth is writing? If it can't, you better work on it fast before your opposite shows you up. Too, no matter how hard we try, our OOC character shows through our IC characters. The give and take, the winning and the losing, and how we do both. Maybe that determines the quality of us as roleplayers.

@Sygarius

How do you differentiate between productive and nonproductive adversarial relationships? What do you think makes a difference for you? And how would you characterise that picking back and forth between your brothers and father; was that productive? And how do you think that we can avoid those pitfalls of misunderstanding over this challenging but rewarding type of interaction?

@Charles

I'm tying back to that last question I asked James. You think OOC coordination is key to keeping fights productive and fun?

@lithium

That's nuanced. What's your philosophy on balancing winning and losing in conflict?

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Velarra on 19 Sep 2016, 15:22

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Vlad Cetes on 19 Sep 2016, 19:01

MAIN CHARACTER: Vlad Cetes/Vlad Cettes (due to game mechanics I have to have 2x chars, one is for RP one for PVP)
ALTS AVAILABLE FOR ONE OFFS: No RP alts
CONTACT INFORMATION: @vladcetes on slack or evemail
Available Events: I have the La Grace Castle available for events (Vehrnichtung in game), a fortified castle perfect for sensitive meetings
Currently Seeking: (I would like to GM/ find a GM/ brainstorm/ make new connections)

Situational specialities
(color in red your preferred topics and styles)
politics | exploration | business
combat | dungeons | dialogue
lengthy arcs | one shots | events
relationship building | personal development | adversarial relationships
Other:

Lore speciality:

True Amarr | Ni Kunni | Khanid
Deteis | Civire | Achura
True Gallente | Intaki | Jin-Mei
Brutor | Sebiestor | Vherokior
Empire | State | Federation | Republic
Sisters of Eve | Guristas | Angels | Serpentis
Nation | Blood Raiders | Intaki Syndicate | Mordu's Legion
Other:

Mediums:

Slack | Google Docs | IG space (look on zkill for why no in space RP)
IG text | Other:

Example work:
http://vladcetes.blogspot.com/2015/12/virtual-jove.html (http://vladcetes.blogspot.com/2015/12/virtual-jove.html)
http://vladcetes.blogspot.com/2016/04/staring-into-abyss.html (http://vladcetes.blogspot.com/2016/04/staring-into-abyss.html)
http://vladcetes.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-shining-and-light-without-whom-i.html (http://vladcetes.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-shining-and-light-without-whom-i.html)

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Charles Cambridge Schmidt on 20 Sep 2016, 18:26

Quote from: Tressith_Sefira on 19 Sep 2016, 12:33

@Charles

I'm tying back to that last question I asked James. You think OOC coordination is key to keeping fights productive and fun?

I do! Even if someone takes a rather narratively hands-off approach (as with the dice rolling thing I mentioned), you still have to set boundaries. Elmund said it in a roundabout way: modifiers need to be applied to individual characters for specific traits, and if the players operating under your GMing or fighting disagree with the capacity you've assigned to the people they're musing, things get awkward and messy OOC, fast.

"Fights" doesn't solely apply to physical actual fights, either. The longer, lengthier conflicts that arise need a subtle guiding hand, especially if the goal is to have the two key players - hero, villain - incorporate others into the RP for the sake of content generation. The hero/villain pair, or HPV (ha ha ha), then needs to find ways to generate conflict between the rivalry that's accessible and fun for players.

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: kalaratiri on 20 Sep 2016, 19:00

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Veiki on 23 Sep 2016, 05:02

Ah, adversarial relationships. People always say they want it and then get mad when they get it. Mostly because they try to OOC metagame a meta-master and get butthurt as a result.

Because as a career space villain I can count on one hand the people who ever bothered to right click -> start convo/send mail me for some real talk about IC boundaries and conditionals before getting super salty.

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Lunarisse Aspenstar on 23 Sep 2016, 08:29

What Veik said. For that reason, I tend to shy away from those sort of RP's unless the adversary is an NPC for that reason or there has been a rather extensive discussion of the likely end games and "lines" for such a RP. With one or two exceptions (and one in particular, he is missed and he should know who he is), usually it ends in OOC meta flames, drama and angst.

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Tressith_Sefira on 23 Sep 2016, 11:58

@Gesakaarin, @Lunarisse

I've had this kinda problem too before. I think we all have.

I think there's a few key things that help: ooc consent and ooc coordination. If some guy on the IGS I've never met before, and neither has Triss, starts calling her out, I'm going to assume the worst about them. Because they're going into dangerous, murky territory, and I don't know if I can trust them. And because I haven't consented to this type of RP with this person. It's not a nice thing to do. It's not a fair mindset. But - what if I'm not receptive to adversarial roleplay? They don't know that unless they talk before they try something so volatile.

I like to know the other party well before I try something new and risky like that. I like to know how strong their IC/OOC separation is. For my own selfish sake, I like to have a gentle sense for how they tick, what they enjoy, what they don't, whether they're happy or not. I think "good" adversarial RP is more difficult and challenging than normal RP, so I like to be as well informed as possible so I can be a good partner. And so I can trust in my other partner.

I try not to think about a good adversarial relationship as being about winning or losing. I like to think of them as a journey, with new and different ways to explore characters, and new and different avenues to let them change. The fact that Triss is a DUSTer and therefore super strong/powerful is a sidenote, in my opinion. It's only one of the layers or levels that conflict can happen. What's more important is - why is there a fight happening? What will happen as a result of the fight? How do characters feel before the fight? After the fight? Was a fight really the best option?

If you win a battle for the wrong reasons, in character and in life, that's worse than losing a battle for the right reasons. The first might be a physical victory but it's a character defeat. The second gives opportunity to try, try again.

Let me call out to @Syagrius. James and Triss don't get along well, as Triss is poor in diplomacy and politics, which James is stronger at. It reflects poorly on Triss as a person and as a professional. That's such a unique and wonderful dynamic. His player has strong separation too. Thank you, my friend.

I think I take it too far. Probably the only two things people absolutely need are consent and coordination for, yes, boundaries, like you said Gesakaarin. What kind of set boundaries have you found that work well for all parties involved?

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Veiki on 23 Sep 2016, 19:01

Quote from: Tressith_Sefira on 23 Sep 2016, 11:58

I think I take it too far. Probably the only two things people absolutely need are consent and coordination for, yes, boundaries, like you said Gesakaarin. What kind of set boundaries have you found that work well for all parties involved?

The boundary setting for me isn't in general, but rather specific to the nature of the character Veikitamo Gesakaarin. She is not a nice person. Her entire animus as a character is a fanatical drive to serve her Company and fulfill the vision, as she sees it, of Matias Sobaseki and his legacy as it exists in Kaalakiota. That she is willing to do anything, and sacrifice everything to achieve that aim. As such the establishment of boundaries in an adversarial paradigm revolve around a) why she would involve herself with a character given the above context and b) a recognition that if she's the type of woman who will gladly burn her own reputation and machine gun as many people as needed next to a ditch for the Company she is not going to care about the welfare of their character if given due cause.

That's why I find having a convo window open helpful for OOC rapport building and discussion while scenarios unfold so that parties involved have a clearer understanding of what they want out of it. However it's always dependent on the personalities and characters involved as to whether or not the particular RP descends into a complete shitshow or slapfight.

My own experience of RP, and not only in Eve, is that it usually does because those involved desperately want the validation/attention/pat on the back by, "winning", and wanting to show others how super awesome they are. Instead of just looking at it as trying to create interesting interactions between those involved and working towards building something everyone can get something out of.

Which is why 90% of RP in Eve is just mediocre drama driven by mediocre personalities to me.

Title: Re: Volunteer GMs
Post by: Veiki on 24 Sep 2016, 02:05

In retrospect that last sentence was a bit of hyperbole on my part, but to elaborate on it: roleplaying is a lot like doing improv drama/comedy. It's about collaboration in good faith and taking an interest both in the other player and the character they have constructed. When all parties involved do it, it's great. However when people just want to have the attention and spotlight shined on them at all times, and act like a diva when it's not, that's when RP rapidly becomes a shitshow.

So yeah, when an adversarial scenario becomes about one or both parties trying to fish for the win in some kind of absurd one-upmanship contest that's when all the drama comes out.