Proper Roleplaying (Hints/Tips Appreciated)

[the_antisocial_hermit]

I would try to incorporate it into the conversation or I would just leave. Incorporating it often comes from most characters in some form of, "Well, I need to rest for a little bit" etc. Or even a simple action. No need for any OOC for any sort of brief disappearance. Many try to incorporate even long absences (such as a week long vacation) in game instead of posting an OOC to someone they interact with a lot. Most people just assume a character's gone to sleep for a while and go on their way; it's not usually difficult to continue the conversation after a couple of hours, even if some things have happened in between. Most leave without any mention for a couple of hours and save the tired or similar excuse for when they're done for the day. It's kind of up to you, but better to incorporate it if you feel you must let them know your char will be silent for awhile.

[the_antisocial_hermit]

As far as you know. But your character and their character are not making that reference nor do they know it. It's just a name to the characters, nothing more. It is only you and the other player putting any OOC meaning on it.

Yes, but role playing puts restrictions on the player as well as the character. You should immerse yourself in this game world, not mix in stories from other fiction or your OOC life (unless perhaps there is a very good fit). I am not talking about just a name. I am talking about a name plus other references, which together are more than coincidence. Using OOC references works against immersion and suspension of disbelief. It's like talking loudly during a movie. It is not the other moviegoers' responsibility to tune you out.

This isn't the same as someone talking during a movie. How often do you have to stare at the name of the building on a screen (you can change the name dynamically so you don't see it anyway)? It's just a relatively name and should be treated as thus, no matter what you as a player think. It might break some of the immersiveness, but to let it affect your character is a CRB. Some people wouldn't even know what Bag End was anyway, so it would not bother them. That particular instance is too generic to be a good one. And it doesn't sound like Frodo Baggins lives there any longer if that was the name of the character that built it.

[Chris]

It might break some of the immersiveness, but to let it affect your character is a CRB.

Then why isn't using OOC references a CRB? It's not some freak coincidence that Bilbo Baggins built Bag End. It is the player using OOC knowledge to affect the character. RP is an invitation to other players to build a story together. Using OOC story references waves a story in other players' faces, but the CR forbids them from building on that story. Not fair at all to your fellow players.

[faolan]

Then why isn't using OOC references a CRB? It's not some freak coincidence that Bilbo Baggins built Bag End. It is the player using OOC knowledge to affect the character.

In my opinion, why can we have OOC titles and things like that then. I've seen people named Praetorian and I instantly start to think of the Roman Guard. It doesn't really affect the way I role-play, except of how I think the character looks (if they have an OOC name) because they don't normally act like the actual character. As someone said earlier, it's a little different if they start saying "I'm Harry Potter, my arch-nemesis is Voldemort." That's just my thought, though.

[Chris]

I figure that if it's just one isolated thing, without any connection to other OOC things, then it's not too jarring. The following doesn't feel OK to me: "I am Ford Prefect. I am a hitchhiker, and I am writing the Hitchhiker's Guide to Cantr. Don't panic, and always carry a towel."

My characters can't be bothered to respond, and I can't be bothered to tattle. But if we are going to discuss RP, that's my opinion.

[kinvoya]

Using a name from rl shows a lack of experience and/or imagination but I find that I quickly get over the OOC shock and relate to them as an individual character as long as they don't attempt to perpetuate the OOC role.

Austin Powers is always a good example of this. No one thought about the movie character for long. Still I wish he'd had a different last name.

I hate, HATE!, even more when rl titles are used, such as Queen, Emporer, Bishop, lieutenant, etc. It's not that hard to make up new words for positions.

Nick Blackrock and Erin decided to make up new position titles and they were accepted quite easily. The only one I remember is that Nick was called Rau, meaning leader. All the titles were forgotten when TBR was wiped out as far as I know.

I wish everyone would try to make up Cantr specific words. Some of them would probably catch on and spread throughout the island or world. Wouldn't that be fun?

[the_antisocial_hermit]

It might break some of the immersiveness, but to let it affect your character is a CRB.

Then why isn't using OOC references a CRB? It's not some freak coincidence that Bilbo Baggins built Bag End. It is the player using OOC knowledge to affect the character. RP is an invitation to other players to build a story together. Using OOC story references waves a story in other players' faces, but the CR forbids them from building on that story. Not fair at all to your fellow players.

No one said that Bilbo Baggins built Bag End in Cantr. Someone suggested a Frodo Baggins might have. If either did, they are not living there anymore so it is a moot point. And in some cases using OOC references are CRB's. But which ones are is up to the PD.

[Frits]

Using OOC story references waves a story in other players' faces, but the CR forbids them from building on that story. Not fair at all to your fellow players.

I find this an excellent point, it's distracting. I remember that hitchhiker person in character, i actually enjoyed being made to think of the towel and all the things i might need it for cos i also liked the book. But i couldn't think of a twist so i ended up ignoring the hitchhikercharacter altogether.

The appearance of kings, queens and emperors is irritating, i agree. Some chars will go "what's a king?" but that doesn't solve it, on the contrary, they explain why they have power and for how long it has gone on. It's hard to wield power in cantr (cos you can't do things to people to scare them efficiently, and every victim can always use the power of sleep.) but a lot of characters like the feel of hierarchy, especially newspawns and visitors, cos it makes things clear, who's governing and whom not to cross, they can point at who's bad and who's criminal, many chars side with the powers that be upon arrival so it's beneficial too for kings and the like. But who's the criminal is not always straightforward.

I got distracted there but i was trying to make the point wielding power is hard and using a RL-title is what people resort to. How does your char achieve status? being rich is one way, good roleplay is another, even better, way but you have to be consistent and maintain that level regularly so it requires a lot of time and effort. There needs to be a group of chars around you that consents with that power but they need to be rich as well and they also need that same assertion of their power, so in fact your char's might is already decreased to that extent.

[Chris]

I don't mind titles like king, queen, emperor, etc. Those are such common words in the English language, and you really can't play the game effectively if you eliminate natural human languages from game play. The fact is that every word has an etymology and is tied up with historical events and cultural concepts.

[Doug R.]

I hate, HATE!, even more when rl titles are used, such as Queen, Emporer, Bishop, lieutenant, etc. It's not that hard to make up new words for positions.

You can use this argument against incorporating anything from the English language. Why stop at titles? Why not make up new animal names? Weapon names? Ship names? (there are already a few made up ships).

Those are such common words in the English language, and you really can't play the game effectively if you eliminate natural human languages from game play. The fact is that every word has an etymology and is tied up with historical events and cultural concepts.

Exactly

Kinvoya, if the Blackrocks didn't have their rank hierarchy posted on the ground, do you think it would have been as easily accepted or recognized?

[UloDeTero]

If a character is obviously trying to "be" a RL fictional character, that's a bad thing. If they just have the same name, it's acceptable but I personally find it off-putting. The beauty of the game is the ability to use your imagination. That's why I agree with kinvoya: "I wish everyone would try to make up Cantr specific words." That's an excellent point that we don't tend to think of, I think. Real-life 'positions' and 'titles' are okay, imo, but Cantr-specific ones would be way better!

By the way, ADM598, I wrote an article for the latest issue of Stolen Notes as a guide for newbies. I hope it'll be useful. (Slight delay on release, should be out soon!)

[ADM598]

By the way, ADM598, I wrote an article for the latest issue of Stolen Notes as a guide for newbies. I hope it'll be useful. (Slight delay on release, should be out soon!)

LOL. Cool. No worries on the delay.

I seem to have started thinking about my CANTR responses on the train to work. And got to a gym session late from waiting for the hour to go over to register the progress on an activity Can you say: Someone's getting hooked?

Next stupid question from me. Soooo, I know we can set up a leave for a few days. But I assume it's nice if townies had a clue.

Question 4) If I had to say leave for an extended period, would be acceptable, and pretty obvious if it's set up ingame like: *Yawns several times* Hey guys, I think I feel a little more tired that usual I might need someone to help me get to...*Drops face-first in a pile of carrots*

[kinvoya]

I hate, HATE!, even more when rl titles are used, such as Queen, Emporer, Bishop, lieutenant, etc. It's not that hard to make up new words for positions.

Why stop at titles? Why not make up new animal names? Weapon names? Ship names? (there are already a few made up ships).

Kinvoya, if the Blackrocks didn't have their rank hierarchy posted on the ground, do you think it would have been as easily accepted or recognized?

Answer #1: I think that would be super-groovy. I'd love to see all those things happen.

Answer #2: No I don't. Posting things on the ground is the best way to spread information in a town. I don't think I get your point here. If the Blackrocks had survived my hope would have been that other groups would adopt some of the new titles and maybe one (probably Rau) would come to be incorporated into everyday Cantr vocabulary.

I think there are some Cantr specific words out there but I can't think of them. Anybody know some?

[the_antisocial_hermit]

Next stupid question from me. Soooo, I know we can set up a leave for a few days. But I assume it's nice if townies had a clue.

Question 4) If I had to say leave for an extended period, would be acceptable, and pretty obvious if it's set up ingame like: *Yawns several times* Hey guys, I think I feel a little more tired that usual I might need someone to help me get to...*Drops face-first in a pile of carrots*

Yup.

[faolan]

Question 4) If I had to say leave for an extended period, would be acceptable, and pretty obvious if it's set up ingame like: *Yawns several times* Hey guys, I think I feel a little more tired that usual I might need someone to help me get to...*Drops face-first in a pile of carrots*

In my opinion, but probably different from everyone else's, is to maybe say "*yawns* I think I'm going to nap a while." or not say anything, people understand that the sleeping sickness is common and hits at random intervals.

And I'd say that "sleeping sickness" is pretty much a Cantrism because how many people in reality, that aren't narcoleptic, can just randomly fall asleep (but still continue walking or doing stuff).