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[Dreygun]

So I am new to this RP community, but I really want to get involved. I am wanting to at very least start posting stuff in the intergalactic summit and trying to get to know the other RPers.

My question is how much leeway do we usually have when crafting a story. I am a WH pilot and I like the sleeper lore and such. I would like to make a post on the IGS saying something vague about sleeper behavior maybe suggest odd behaviors cropping up etc...

Obviously that's not really happening and I am not trying to make some massive arc that changes how people view sleepers bc that would be inconsistent with what is actually happening.

My goal is really to introduce my character flesh out that he is a WH pilot and see if I can bait a conversation with other RPers about WHs and sleepers IC. What do you guys think is this taking to much liberty?

[Nissui]

Well, I have seen a couple posts which were made in the spirit you describe, though not specific to WH. If you are not well-versed in the official lore (prime fiction), you may get an in-character dressing down for straying too far. Even so, in that example thread, a number of players used it as a jumping-off point for tangential interaction.

So, even if your storyline starts off somewhat vague (i.e. unexpected changes in Sleeper behavior), it might provide good opportunities for characters to develop as well as for us new RPers to get a better handle on 'being' in New Eden.

IME, lore in EVE requires some digging. Find what you can, read well what you find.

[Ollie]

Perhaps one of the better ways to do it would be to announce on IGS that you've noticed these "oddities" but you're not sure whether they represent "normal variance", an error in your own measurements/method/analysis or something as yet unconsidered and you intend to run further research to see if you can determine the facts.

Whether said research results in any new findings or simply confirms that which has come before (ie, the game mechanics/established lore) is inconsequential - it's simply there as an RP hook to base your actions in game (and hopefully the interactions of others) around.

That sort of post would get me and perhaps a few other SYNE folks interested. It might also catch the eye of RPers in groups like Alexyva Paradox or other WH roleplayers.

While you're running the research you could also take the time to look at some of the in-game lore as well as some of the player driven stuff that emerged from it: the findings of the first Seyllin conference, certain parts of the Arek'Jalaan project, the report on the Awakened Infomorph, the discovery of Bureau's shuttle in a C6 system in YC113 and Moira.'s report on trinary data (to name just a few).

The juxtaposition of a fixed background which is there (primarily) to support a set of repeatable/replayable game mechanics with our desire to explore "what could be" in an RP context and keep it all consistent is one of the more difficult balancing acts in MMO roleplay. Doubly so in a game that is a decade old and more than a little inconsistent to begin with. Good luck, because with a little care when it comes together well it's a pretty rewarding result and probably a big part of what playing a sandbox MMORPG is all about.

[Lyn Farel]

Hello,

Keep in mind that posting a new subject on the IGS is even more subject to vitriolic potential and flaming. I would advise to do it when you really have something solid or interesting to say. If it's too trite people will usually turn really nasty by answering with the usual uncouth "thank you for wasting 5 min of my time reading this". I have seen that so many times that I could publish a novel with all of it...

Otherwise, be modest/humble. Especially if new. It works wonders and make a character really hard to attack and will maybe also prompt others to defend him.

Note : i'm maybe a bit paranoid, but that's the IGS after all, and the IGS is as ruthless as Eve.

[Silas Vitalia]

You could always poke one or two people OOC to help move your IGS thread along in a positive way ahead of time and let things develop organically from there

[Dreygun]

Perhaps one of the better ways to do it would be to announce on IGS that you've noticed these "oddities" but you're not sure whether they represent "normal variance", an error in your own measurements/method/analysis or something as yet unconsidered and you intend to run further research to see if you can determine the facts.

Whether said research results in any new findings or simply confirms that which has come before (ie, the game mechanics/established lore) is inconsequential - it's simply there as an RP hook to base your actions in game (and hopefully the interactions of others) around.

That sort of post would get me and perhaps a few other SYNE folks interested. It might also catch the eye of RPers in groups like Alexyva Paradox or other WH roleplayers.

While you're running the research you could also take the time to look at some of the in-game lore as well as some of the player driven stuff that emerged from it: the findings of the first Seyllin conference, certain parts of the Arek'Jalaan project, the report on the Awakened Infomorph, the discovery of Bureau's shuttle in a C6 system in YC113 and Moira.'s report on trinary data (to name just a few).

The juxtaposition of a fixed background which is there (primarily) to support a set of repeatable/replayable game mechanics with our desire to explore "what could be" in an RP context and keep it all consistent is one of the more difficult balancing acts in MMO roleplay. Doubly so in a game that is a decade old and more than a little inconsistent to begin with. Good luck, because with a little care when it comes together well it's a pretty rewarding result and probably a big part of what playing a sandbox MMORPG is all about.

Thanks those are all really good points, I was planning to do something similar to that, but that really frames the scene well. I am familiar with a ton of WH lore, but I will definite brush up on the particular topics you listed to make sure I am as consistent as possible. Its great that there are actually WH roleplayers I hadn't ever seen any so I hope I can attract their attention would certainly be the group I would want to run with.

[Dreygun]

Hello,

Keep in mind that posting a new subject on the IGS is even more subject to vitriolic potential and flaming. I would advise to do it when you really have something solid or interesting to say. If it's too trite people will usually turn really nasty by answering with the usual uncouth "thank you for wasting 5 min of my time reading this". I have seen that so many times that I could publish a novel with all of it...

Otherwise, be modest/humble. Especially if new. It works wonders and make a character really hard to attack and will maybe also prompt others to defend him.

Note : i'm maybe a bit paranoid, but that's the IGS after all, and the IGS is as ruthless as Eve.

yea I have seen a lot of posts espeacially from new RPers crash and burn. Thanks for the tips, I will definitely try to put them into practice and make sure this post has something interesting/consistent/and humble.

[Dreygun]

You could always poke one or two people OOC to help move your IGS thread along in a positive way ahead of time and let things develop organically from there

thats a good idea, After I get it up I will see if anyone around here is interested in joining in the scene. Thanks.

[Xepharious]

Dreygun,

I am also new to the group and I thought I'd pass along some of the things that I've been told by some very friendly people:

The Cronicles are your friend. They are easy to read when you have a spare second and they are full of great background understanding.

Don't be afraid to talk to someone ooc. Period. I know it sounds silly, but IRL people are not alwasy as intimidating as their character.

Let others impact your story. Don't write the whole thing before bringing it in, otherwise you risk becomming a one-man act that others eventually avoide because they don't think that they can be part of your story.

Maybe really obvious, but thought i'd pass em on.

[Dreygun]

Dreygun,

I am also new to the group and I thought I'd pass along some of the things that I've been told by some very friendly people:

The Cronicles are your friend. They are easy to read when you have a spare second and they are full of great background understanding.

Don't be afraid to talk to someone ooc. Period. I know it sounds silly, but IRL people are not alwasy as intimidating as their character.

Let others impact your story. Don't write the whole thing before bringing it in, otherwise you risk becomming a one-man act that others eventually avoide because they don't think that they can be part of your story.

Maybe really obvious, but thought i'd pass em on.

thanks always appreciate helpful input.

[Merdaneth]

Design your story with the classic bait-hook principle in mind.

You start with a bait, something that gets people's attention. This should be something they are interested in.

Then you offer your audience the opportunity to influence the story with something they do. This gets them involved: the hook.

Finally you keep on interacting with them, keeping their choices significant: the line.

Good: sleepers are doing something vague
Better: sleepers are doing something vague and it seems to be related to [insert interest of group of characters here]

Good: can somebody help me investigate the sleeper mystery?
Better: can somebody provide scouting support on day X? Can somebody help me analyze this encrypted mission log I found?
Even better: can somebody analyze this encrypted mission log I found among the sleepers, I found it on what seems to be the remains of a Amarr vessel with Royal House markings

[Dreygun]

I like that, My concern is that I will do something that people will say violates canon. I Have read up on most the literature on WHs and Sleepers, but I don't really know how much leway I have to write my own story.

I could come up with several ideas for interesting discoveries and codes messages, but how do I know if what I suggest is going on violates some future CCP event that reveals more info about the sleepers?

If I just pull some random story out of thin air about lets say a group of sleepers warping out of system as soon as I arrive. I suggest that I tracked them to a C4 site and I need help clearing the site to investigate the ruins they were guarding, Then I produce an enxrypted mission log that has to be taken some where in null sec to be decoded, and then have it say something about the awakened infomorph.

Something like that could lead to some interesting disccusion both on chat/forums and some really fun in game events. It would take a lot of coordination, but would be great. However, would that be take to much freedom. What would be some good suggestions for what teh encrypted mission log should say?

totally open to any suggestions.

[Ollie]

One way to go is to not have it say anything more than a few disjointed words/phrases that hint at something bigger or mysterious ... And then observe what people do with that and which of the directions they take it that appeal to you. Once it gets rolling you need two things - an ability to draw the varied player created threads together (or dispose of those you don't want to deal with) and an ability to close it all down in a satisfactory way once you've done that.

[Dreygun]

sounds good I will try to work something up.

[Merdaneth]

I like that, My concern is that I will do something that people will say violates canon. I Have read up on most the literature on WHs and Sleepers, but I don't really know how much leway I have to write my own story.

Then just pose your observations as opinions or questions.

Example: The wreck seems to have Amarr markings of house Kador. Is that even possible in Wormhole space? I don't know a lot about Amarr Royal House identification or traditions, perhaps someone can help me out?

Example 2: My crew claims the Sleeper wreck is different from the standard sleep tech. I'm not a technician and I have some doubts about the skills of my crew. Can someone assist me in identifying the remains.

If you might not know a lot and/or are unsure, then simply play your character as someone with limited knowledge that is unsure.

Of course, if you're skilled at doing so, you can also play a very knowledgeable character while you as a player know very little, but if you can't pull that off IRL, better not try it when RP-ing.