How do you roleplay notes?

General out-of-character discussion among players of Cantr II.

Moderators: Public Relations Department, Players Department

User avatar
Alladinsane
Posts: 3351
Joined: Thu Mar 11, 2010 9:09 pm
Location: Fla

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby Alladinsane » Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:33 am

That was exactly what I was asking about, but I thought it would be better to generalize it just for the sake of discussion. But I had recently seen notes--- example:

Person C says: Moo!
You say: interrupting cow wh---
Person B says: interrupting cow
you say: Who's there?
Person C says: knock knock

I agree, that maybe its a bit lazy to keep the person qualifiers included and its certainly not the best of RP. Being still new to all of this, I was not aware that the notes could be edited when they were that type of correspondence. I know that notes you begin can be edited, so I learned something that everyone else probably already knew. Thanks to those who inputted, it didn't really give a hard and fast rule, but at least provided some ideas as how to roleplay those situations.

BTW: the above conversation was not c/p'd (as if you didn't guess!). I am working hard for you all! ;)

Be well
A famous wise man once said absolutely nothing!
User avatar
DylPickle
Posts: 1228
Joined: Sun Aug 15, 2004 6:01 pm
Location: Canada

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby DylPickle » Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:56 pm

Open two wordpads and at least copy paste it so it reads top to bottom. It doesn't take long, especially since you can quickly abstract out all the repetitive crap like attacks and picking up items. Instead just jot down something like (Bills takes a lot of tools//Loots corpses//Takes keys), whatever. If you don't have five minutes to spare to do that, then you might just need to give it up and let someone else do it. But that's just my opinion. C/Ping directly sucks.
Rumaan
Posts: 196
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 7:16 pm

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby Rumaan » Fri Jul 23, 2010 1:44 am

I don't know why so many are against copy pasted event logs. Agreed that it is a pain to read hundreds of lines of text but I think it is far easier to detect any lies with event logs, specially if you can find two witnesses with dissimilar interests.
User avatar
MikeH
Posts: 74
Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 6:55 pm

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby MikeH » Fri Jul 23, 2010 1:45 am

I've always thought of notes as some sort of papyrus-y rough paper product that is so easy to make it doesn't even need to be set up as a project.

And that you can use them for things other than writing on. ;-)
User avatar
Addicted
Posts: 973
Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2010 2:42 pm
Location: Australia

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby Addicted » Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:13 am

Alladinsane wrote:Sorry to bring this one back, but I have a question for all of you top notch RP (thats as much kissing up as I will do).
---------------------
Q: How should one react to what essentially looks like (and is) just C/P'd conversations used as evidence of a task you did, something somebody else said, the exact time something happened etc,?
---------------------
I guess anyone who has the reports mailed to them can just go back to refer to those emails if they so choose and if they are digging more than 4 days into the past. It might not be CR breach, but seems a bit iffy if everyones character is rp'ing that they have photographic memories. Plus, it again leaves the possibilities of c/p'd evidence.

Be well


Being a new player also, I approached the game with an open mind and began a very steep learning curve. The easiest way to learn was to copy what others do and don't and to read the wiki, FAQ and the forums. Copying others is fraught with danger as we all play differently, but being a pleaser and not fully realising this I picked up the habits of those chars around me (especially the bad habits). I found myself frequently being OOC'd to not do such and such, when I had copied the behaviour from another.
Reagarding notes, on occasion, my verbal descriptions were not used as evidence (rejection), whereas a log (copied events) was taken as truth even though I knew it was not true. Another chars handwritten notes, signed and all, were less believable then a log also. I presumed it was allowed and approved of in game and continued to use these logs instead of roleplay or re-writing. I have seen some brilliant notes describing events since then, but prefered to be believed in game and continued with logs - until reading this thread. I am leaning now towards being a purist, but not to the extent of chastising others for doing it differently, I know how bad it made me feel when I was trying so hard to please.
Please keep talking about such things on the forums as I've still a lot to learn and enjoy seeing the various points of view. This has helped me develop and firm a up a playing style.
Reveal to me the mysteries
Can you tell me what it means?
Explain these motions and metaphors
Unlock these secrets in me
Describe the vision, the meaning is missing
Won't anybody listen?
User avatar
Doug R.
Posts: 14857
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:56 pm
Contact:

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby Doug R. » Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:18 am

Addicted wrote:Another chars handwritten notes, signed and all, were less believable then a log also. .


It is for this reason, regardless of how bad of form it is, I'll always use copy/pasted logs in game. I'd much rather be believed than put effort into good roleplay and lessen my chances of being believed. That's just how it is.
Hamsters is nice. ~Kaylee, Firefly
User avatar
MikeH
Posts: 74
Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 6:55 pm

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby MikeH » Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:35 am

Doug R. wrote:
Addicted wrote:Another chars handwritten notes, signed and all, were less believable then a log also. .


It is for this reason, regardless of how bad of form it is, I'll always use copy/pasted logs in game. I'd much rather be believed than put effort into good roleplay and lessen my chances of being believed. That's just how it is.


I've spotted the same thing, and so I have tended to do just that myself, especially when I wanted to be taken seriously. Interestingly enough, though, there's nothing to stop someone from copying and pasting a log, and then editing it to insert a complete falsehood... so there's absolutely no logical reason to think they are more accurate or truthful.
User avatar
Addicted
Posts: 973
Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2010 2:42 pm
Location: Australia

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby Addicted » Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:47 am

MikeH wrote:
Doug R. wrote:
Addicted wrote:Another chars handwritten notes, signed and all, were less believable then a log also. .


It is for this reason, regardless of how bad of form it is, I'll always use copy/pasted logs in game. I'd much rather be believed than put effort into good roleplay and lessen my chances of being believed. That's just how it is.


I've spotted the same thing, and so I have tended to do just that myself, especially when I wanted to be taken seriously. Interestingly enough, though, there's nothing to stop someone from copying and pasting a log, and then editing it to insert a complete falsehood... so there's absolutely no logical reason to think they are more accurate or truthful.


That's exactly what happened! Logs were falsified. And believed. And not my char who told the truth!
Reveal to me the mysteries
Can you tell me what it means?
Explain these motions and metaphors
Unlock these secrets in me
Describe the vision, the meaning is missing
Won't anybody listen?
User avatar
SekoETC
Posts: 15526
Joined: Wed May 05, 2004 11:07 am
Location: Finland
Contact:

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby SekoETC » Fri Jul 23, 2010 3:06 am

One problem with copypasted events is that you don't think about what you're "writing" because you aren't actually writing, you just mindlessly select an area and copy it to a note. A certain somebody got locked up to starve because of that, just because he happened to describe his town leader having an emotional breakdown. Maybe if he had had to write about it using his own words, he might have stopped to think that hey, maybe this episode would be embarrassing if it came to daylight.
Not-so-sad panda
User avatar
Addicted
Posts: 973
Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2010 2:42 pm
Location: Australia

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby Addicted » Fri Jul 23, 2010 3:40 am

SekoETC wrote:One problem with copypasted events is that you don't think about what you're "writing" because you aren't actually writing, you just mindlessly select an area and copy it to a note. A certain somebody got locked up to starve because of that, just because he happened to describe his town leader having an emotional breakdown. Maybe if he had had to write about it using his own words, he might have stopped to think that hey, maybe this episode would be embarrassing if it came to daylight.

Yep that happened to me too. *winks at Rumaan* I missed several points in a copied events note that looking back on are extremely embarrassing and showed my newspawn inexperience. :oops: I really want my char to steal back that note.
Reveal to me the mysteries
Can you tell me what it means?
Explain these motions and metaphors
Unlock these secrets in me
Describe the vision, the meaning is missing
Won't anybody listen?
Rumaan
Posts: 196
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 7:16 pm

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby Rumaan » Fri Jul 23, 2010 3:56 am

Addicted wrote:
SekoETC wrote:One problem with copypasted events is that you don't think about what you're "writing" because you aren't actually writing, you just mindlessly select an area and copy it to a note. A certain somebody got locked up to starve because of that, just because he happened to describe his town leader having an emotional breakdown. Maybe if he had had to write about it using his own words, he might have stopped to think that hey, maybe this episode would be embarrassing if it came to daylight.

Yep that happened to me too. *winks at Rumaan* I missed several points in a copied events note that looking back on are extremely embarrassing and showed my newspawn inexperience. :oops: I really want my char to steal back that note.


:D That is another reason I prefer logs. It gives you information on all sorts of things, not just on what the author wants you to know.
Rumaan
Posts: 196
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 7:16 pm

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby Rumaan » Fri Jul 23, 2010 4:05 am

Addicted wrote:
Alladinsane wrote:Sorry to bring this one back, but I have a question for all of you top notch RP (thats as much kissing up as I will do).
---------------------
Q: How should one react to what essentially looks like (and is) just C/P'd conversations used as evidence of a task you did, something somebody else said, the exact time something happened etc,?
---------------------
I guess anyone who has the reports mailed to them can just go back to refer to those emails if they so choose and if they are digging more than 4 days into the past. It might not be CR breach, but seems a bit iffy if everyones character is rp'ing that they have photographic memories. Plus, it again leaves the possibilities of c/p'd evidence.

Be well


Being a new player also, I approached the game with an open mind and began a very steep learning curve. The easiest way to learn was to copy what others do and don't and to read the wiki, FAQ and the forums. Copying others is fraught with danger as we all play differently, but being a pleaser and not fully realising this I picked up the habits of those chars around me (especially the bad habits). I found myself frequently being OOC'd to not do such and such, when I had copied the behaviour from another.
Reagarding notes, on occasion, my verbal descriptions were not used as evidence (rejection), whereas a log (copied events) was taken as truth even though I knew it was not true. Another chars handwritten notes, signed and all, were less believable then a log also. I presumed it was allowed and approved of in game and continued to use these logs instead of roleplay or re-writing. I have seen some brilliant notes describing events since then, but prefered to be believed in game and continued with logs - until reading this thread. I am leaning now towards being a purist, but not to the extent of chastising others for doing it differently, I know how bad it made me feel when I was trying so hard to please.
Please keep talking about such things on the forums as I've still a lot to learn and enjoy seeing the various points of view. This has helped me develop and firm a up a playing style.


I agree logs are not that easily questioned but they can provide the context for something that was said and are also is in some sense objective.

I think doctoring is not an argument against logs. In Cantr anything on a note is potentially fake, be it a log or a properly written account or a signed treaty. I suggested sometime back for notes to be made of some material, so that treaties and such may be signed on some costly and rarely available materials and are not easily forged. But it was rejected because it was considered too drastic a change.
User avatar
Alladinsane
Posts: 3351
Joined: Thu Mar 11, 2010 9:09 pm
Location: Fla

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby Alladinsane » Sat Jul 24, 2010 9:19 pm

Just to throw a little gas into the fire.

What if you c/p'd something that was said to you in a 'private room' (i.e. house, etc.) or you c/p something that was whispered to you and presumably not overheard?

I guess that with the editing ability, it turns into a 'my word against his'; unless of course the c/p info was of a nature that only the speaker or a very few would know.

Just thinking here, or maybe not.
A famous wise man once said absolutely nothing!
User avatar
DylPickle
Posts: 1228
Joined: Sun Aug 15, 2004 6:01 pm
Location: Canada

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby DylPickle » Sat Jul 24, 2010 10:19 pm

Players who allow their characters to believe c/p logs over hand written or verbal accounts will never have my respect for their playing style. (Of course, if they don't care enough to reward extra work over laziness, then they definitely don't care what my opinion of them is anyways :P )

Consider for a moment that these copy-pasted transcripts of the event logs make extremely fun, but already rare scenarios, such as trials, even harder to achieve and enjoy. C/P logs hamper much of the possibility of intrigue within the game, and intrigue is critical for games like cantr to survive. How many awesome books and movies have been based almost entirely on the tension and surprise created by deception, lies, bribes, testimonies... It goes beyond courts for things like murder or stealing carrots, but plays in to why it can be so seemingly impossible to maintain real sentiments of rivalry and distrust between powers in the game. Leader says "Oh, well now that I've read the robotic visual and verbal log that you just printed out of your ass, I'll totally help you out now! I mean, the 'Dolorians' sent me a messenger, but he was all just big clever descriptive words and offerings and character, but YOU... You shit truth!"

Copy/Pasting transcripts doesn't -completely- kill the chances of these happening. And sure, anyone could fake a log if they really wanted. But it's just so cheap and cheesy. It's really not fun. It gives players an OOC knowledge of what -really- happened, and it's just that. Out Of Character.
Rumaan
Posts: 196
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 7:16 pm

Re: How do you roleplay notes?

Postby Rumaan » Sun Jul 25, 2010 1:56 am

I don't know where you have had your chars but mine have seen plenty of intrigue and lots of lies spread almost exclusively through event logs in the short time I have played.

DylPickle wrote:Copy/Pasting transcripts doesn't -completely- kill the chances of these happening. And sure, anyone could fake a log if they really wanted. But it's just so cheap and cheesy. It's really not fun. It gives players an OOC knowledge of what -really- happened, and it's just that. Out Of Character.


Oh then your characters should maintain a special "memory note" in which they can record the events of each day in their own words (with a 500 word limit for each day?) and may be you as a player should never again look at any of your char's events that are more than a day old. May be your chars should even stop using the displayed time, because that is clearly OOC info. May be your chars should make their own in-game clocks with meat drying projects. And I wonder how your chars travel or navigate, because that is nearly impossible without using OOC info.

In my opinion, they shouldn't be treated as using OOC info but rather as Cantrians having some extraordinary abilities. So, from this point of view there is nothing wrong with using event logs.

Return to “General Discussion”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest