I said I'd post the logs from the meeting here in case anyone wants to read them or point them out to people that missed it. This also makes it easy to open up for more discussion if needed/wanted. Things got a bit silly and off-topic towards the end and i think I cut some off but I think even if you just read the first bit or skim it you might pick up a thing or two. I would love to do this more and hopefully with some people who are actually new to PS or roleplay and we can give more examples and encourage them to try it, I've had several people tell me they have never done it, don't know how, are scared, are not very good. the list goes on. The big thing about roleplay is the more you do it the more you learn and the better you get. But no one is perfect and there are also so many ways to do it, anyways most of this is explained below a bit better (I hope):
EDIT: I asked for suggestions on what to call this and so far my favorite response is "Ralph" I asked why that? (I think they were being funny and just said a random name) But we came up with: Roleplay Advice, Live Players Helping, so I think I'm going call this event RALPH for now.
Emaline says: Hello everyone and welcome! I'm really shocked and in yet EXCITED so many have shown up! This is an OOC meeting so feel free to speak however in main for the time being. First off I do want to say that and make it very clear: There is no wrong way to RP, and everyone does it in their own special way. And the more you do it, the more you learn and better you get. I find I learn new tactics and ways with each new person I RP with.
Hangatyr says: Estyo Thoraro
Emaline says: I'd also like to share this awesome book I have that might be useful to some
Emaline says: A player gave me this once, and I thought it was great, Oretara if you guys want a copy just let me know when we are done and i'll load some up for you.
Larili says: If I recall the wiki has a good page on it as well
Emaline says: ah okay, cool!
Thoraro says: One of the biggest thing with rp within the game is not many people as there use to be and that people are to busy lvling then to rp.. is what i have noticed.
Emaline says: you can always just type "/emote" in game for a full list of them but this shows what they say when you do them with or without a target
Fesara says: I think I looked at the PSwiki once for them and it was lacking several of the emotes, Larili.
Larili says: ahh didn't know that
Emaline says: Yes Thoraro and that is an issue. And the more we get out there and just RP ...about whatever the more noobs and such will see what we are doing and want to join in and it will become a snowball effect
Migg says: Thoraro, you can always try chatting with anyone you see, and might get a reaction from some
Soociki says: I think it goes back to the fact that RP is... hard to "get" on an understanding level with new people.
Thoraro says: tried for a few years now and had no effect
Soociki says: The unspoken principle of RP is the separation of avatar... from player. Easy? Not at all...
Emaline says: It seems that most of you who showed up are actually not very new to RP and have a good understanding of it
Soociki says: You get attached to your character.
Silak says: I think it is helpful to think of RP as though everyone you met is speaking a slightly different dialect, and that your agendas are unclear until well expressed. The different dialect means listen more carefully as you cannot see body language or expressions.
Larili says: Thoraro, I almost always reply unless I'm afk for a moment.
Emaline says: I'm hoping hte new crafting/market area might make it easier to find rp and still be able to craft and work or sell items.
Migg says: well, if you try with me Thoraro you will get a response, unless I am AFK
Thoraro says: ok
Emaline says: yes Silak--a good pointer is it write out the body language in text. like you are writing a book
Fesara says: Ooo, I do that.
Emaline says: just saying /me smiles gets boring. use adjectives...how do they smile?
Emaline says: mischievously? slyly? shyly?bright? etc
Fesara grins broadly at Emaline just to be an example.
Thoraro says: I have rp for years and also use to set up rps..
Migg says: Well, I think people should start simple and build on what they learn
Emaline says: I'm actually quite honored to have drug some hammers into this ;-)
Fesara says: Yes, Migg.
Emaline says: RP is something you NEVER master.
Migg says: You actually had to drug them to get them to RP Emaline?
Emaline says: you always adapt, grow and learn and it's okay to change your style
Thoraro laughs
Emaline says: well that I did something that got them in and are participating I guess is what I meant?
Migg says: beer was it?
Hangatyr says: Drug? me ain't see any ale here!
Soociki says: Actually, there's something I've wanted to discuss for a while now. The decade old issue of... RP versus Game Mechanics.
Emaline says: I say that and another sends atell asking for a taxi! oh my!
Emaline says: yes Soociki go ahead please
Edico says: Hello!
Soociki says: Many will end up maxing many skills, for various reasons. By Game Mechanics, they have mastered many skills... but would they RP all of those skills being maxed, or would they "void" those skills in an IC sense?
Thoraro waves "dovoy brodr"
Hangatyr says: Hi Edico
Emaline says: Hello and welcome to those just arriving!
Soociki says: How do some of you deal with the issue of having maxed several skills, but it wouldn't make sense for your particular character?
Edico says: Estyo
Fesara says: I don't max skills. Ever. Never even maxed a single one.
Emaline says: That's a personal preference I think Soociki.
Migg says: well I am not maxed out either
Emaline says: Some max everything and only RP they have actually done some. Some max non...some only RP what they have.
Larili says: Well, I haven't maxed anything and I don't really plan on maxing any skills I don't use ICly
Soociki says: I understand. I want to hear people's ideas on it. It sounded like an interesting thing to talk and critically think about.
Migg says: but it does makes things esier to have higher stats I guess
Emaline says: It is frustrating for you to go around saying I'm the BEST swordsman around no one can beat me!
Emaline says: ...but you have 0 in swords.
Deryna says: It doesn't really matter for successful rp. Consequently folks don't need to know everything you've maxed or not.
Emaline says: They don't need to know. and they cant' tell unless you tell them.
Emaline says: or have it open on myplane
Emaline says: Or are a GM (muahaha)
Fesara says: But I try only to train the skills that make sense for my character. However, I view stats as purely OOC... say, I could've trained Strength up to 400 but my character is a weakling, so I RP her as such.
Migg says: You only get a generic magic and physical aptitude evaluation in desc
Thoraro says: aye, i have for years been unmaxed for the sake of my char..
Emaline says: descriptions! that's a good topic as well.
Migg says: ^
Fesara has a description.
Thoraro says: unless you want a good beer them me the best
Larili is reminded she needs to redo it at some point
Soociki says: My personal preference is that the IC desc doesn't have a scrollbar. I just don't like reading through a background story in what I feel is supposed to be a "physical" desc.
Emaline says: And again everyone is different. some change theirs daily to reflect any changes in RP.
Emaline says: Yeah. your desc should be if I walked up to you on the street..never met you or saw you before what would I be able to see?
Fesara says: A scrollbar, Soociki, does NOT mean that it's a background story in the IC description.
Hangatyr says: Even if I have maxed some, I still RP my character without pointing out the skills unless I have to. E.g. crafting a weapon. I made some many RP weapons like special Daggers wih ornaments, or even an index finger, cos one lost his.
Larili says: Soociki, yours does though
Soociki says: Uhh... no it doesn't!
Soociki hastily edits his desc.
Emaline says: a lot of yours is the spaces
Fesara says: Soociki, it's a little longer when other people view it than when you view it.
Soociki says: There we go... minor edits.
Soociki says: Okay, correction: As long as it doesn't have too many paragraphs.
Emaline says: Short is okay with them, long tends to lose peoples interest, they want to be able to interact with you to learn about your char not read a novel before they even say, "Hi"
Larili says: fair enough 4 isn't a lot
Dawna says: It's understandable that people would want to make a very detailed description, but the thing is, a text too long may make other people lose interest
Emaline says: Exactly
Migg says: Agree
Thoraro says: agreed
Larili 's description is too short thought I think
Hangatyr says: As we all look alike, I use it to be a little different
Soociki says: Exactly, thank you... I couldn't express that well
Tinabobina says: I didnt do a description right away but I did do one later on though
Emaline says: and while we love your creativity in the description, we want to see more of that being described out as we interact with you
Migg says: Focus on prominent characteristics, things one would readily notice
Emaline says: people tend to skim when it's too long.
Soociki says: What Migg said.
Migg says: If your character is missing a hand or is limping say so
Hangatyr says: I am missing an ale
Migg says: if they are injured write that down
Hangatyr says: does that count?
Fesara says: lol
Emaline says: I should have made notes for this, I'm totally winging this, but the discussion is going great so far!
Larili says: If you often go by a different name than that the game shows then you should included that at the top somewhere as well
Emaline says: If I could spawn items Hangatyr I'd fix that.
Migg says: Hangatyr appears to be more somber than any stonehammer ever has a right to be
Emaline says: Oh I can do this...
Dawna says: A Stonehammer without an ale? Unheard of!
Fesara says: Also, something that bugs me... don't write other player's character's reactions into your description.
Soociki says: I like Larili's suggestion
Dawna says: True Fesara
Emaline says: now lets see...this MIGHT take me a moment..
Fesara says: And unless you're wearing a name tag, they can't look at you and know your name.
Soociki says: Agreed with Fesara on writing other player's reactions in your desc.
>You were given 1 Beer Mug by GM Emaline.
Soociki says: That actually swings us right in to the topic of "godmoding"
Emaline says: Ohhh I did it!! I think it worked...
Migg says: Yes, agree with Larili, I'd suggest at the very top
Tinabobina says: It worked
Larili says: they can't but it;s hard to remember other peoples names while if they just have it at the top it is a lot easier
Fesara says: Well, in that case Larili, yes. I've actually seen some people do that.
Emaline says: So there you all may enjoy a beer.
Hangatyr raises his mug "A cheer to the donor"
Fesara says: Another nifty thing is that if you have them on your buddylist, you can edit the name there to include whatever alias they go by.
Thoraro holds up his beer mug "Cheers all"
Tinabobina says: thanks for the beer but I don't drink
Soociki says: A mistake I've noticed new RPers make back when I played other roleplaying games is not giving the other person a chance to react.
Soociki says: For example...
Emaline says: Yes! I used the edits all the time
Soociki swings at person, hitting them and putting them on the ground unconscious.
Soociki says: I've just assumed that 1. I would hit them
Migg says: swings hitting them hard would be better
Soociki says: 2. They would go unconscious
Larili says: that bugs me so much in some other games! PS isn't that bad in it though
Soociki says: So I just powergamed.
Emaline says: Yes, something to keep in mind.
Emaline says: another big big thing I see happen a lot
Soociki says: Part of RP is trust.
Migg says: or swings hard aiming their head
Soociki says: Trusting the other player to be fair with their RP
Emaline says: No one wants to loose. No one wants to be the loser or the failure at things...but you know what? That's what makes things interesting. Are you 100% perfect all the time in RL?
Soociki says: That they're not going to dodge every one of your hits, or be invincible...
Dawna says: That is most important indeed
Migg says: well, you can agree on a dice roll to see if that succeeded
Soociki says: Agreed with Emaline.
Emaline says: yes I do see /roll being used to help as well, and that's one option but usually agreed upon oocly first.
Fesara says: Something I notice a lot is that people will /greet you and then run away... it's hard to tell if they wanted to RP and just didn't wait long enough, or if they just felt like they NEEDED to /greet even though they weren't interested in RP.
Soociki says: It's not roleplay if it's just you doing all the actions.
Soociki says: So always give them a chance to react to something you do
Soociki says: You may be surprised
Fesara says: Yes.
Larili says: actually, if someone wold just randomly role a die then I would just factor than into the action taken and estimate my actions upon that
Emaline says: And it's also okay to adapt to others styles for the current RP...some hate using /emote some over use them...just try and blend in and it will go more smooth I find.
Dawna says: You could RP someone so addicted to gambling that they would use a dice for many actions
Larili says: Right, I /greet a lot of people as I walk by, most as a polite curtisy like saying "good day" if you walk past someone in the street
Emaline says: Also right now...as much as I hate to or suggest you RP a certain type of char... I would like to say..
Migg says: have a GM rename a sack to a sack full of dice?
Emaline says: RPing a hermit who wants to be left alone all the time in this player base would be a bad idea...so try and create your chars personality to fit the current community.
Emaline says: I'm not saying they have to be SUPER outgoing and talk to everyone. they can be shy...but you get my point?
Thoraro says: Its a good thing for char to stop and say hello as we use to do..
Fesara says: RPing the hero all the time gets boring as well, however.
Emaline says: You can't expect to encourage RP if your char's personality hates interacting with people
Migg says: No birds to RP with here
Soociki says: Actually Emaline that reminded me of something I wanted to talk about
Migg says: well, perhaps you can RP even a shy person
Soociki says: Even though there aren't really placable tents or such, outdoors hunting RP is still possible by laying down animal hides and campfires.
Migg tries to stay as unnoticed as possible wile crossing the street
Soociki says: Getting creative with how you RP can make just about any RP possible even if mechanics don't support it.
Fesara says: Yep.
Migg says: Ever been to the tailor?
Soociki says: Haven't. Didn't know there was a tailor.
Emaline lost her train thought but had another good point...what was it..
Emaline says: There are few who RP them Soociki
Soociki says: They're never online when I am...
Thoraro says: there is a guild that use to run like tailors.. Crystal weavers..
Emaline says: because that's not implemented...they are very creative
Soociki says: So I just put it in my physical desc what I am wearing.
Migg says: yes, you order clothes and get a desc in a book
Soociki says: Never bothered, never knew who the tailors were ICly
Emaline says: I'd also like to suggest the use of /me or /my for 's more of a descriptive sentence to what your char is doing vs just having it always standing there and saying, saying, saying saying.
Emaline says: does that makes sense?
Fesara nods to indicate that it does make sense to her.
Fesara says: Then again, I'm one of those weird people that likes detail/description. Sooo...yeah.
Larili chuckles
Migg says: well instead of typing "smiles" type "/me smiles"
Soociki says: In the beginning when I was talking about separating your avatar from yourself, I did want to mention one big tip.
Soociki says: It's been an issue in roleplay games since villain characters were even a thing.
Emaline says: Oh yes! I recall now! thanks Soociki haha
Soociki says: Don't PC hate. IC is IC, OOC is OOC.
Thoraro 's beer is empty
Soociki says: Terrible things might happen to your character, and you can hate that character... but hating the player isn't cool.
Fesara says: Definitely agreed.
Soociki says: I've always befriended those who IC are villains, and they're pretty cool dudes
Thoraro says: cheers friend
Emaline says: Yes! we need those villians to help create RP and stir things up
Soociki says: Exactly what Emaline said. Conflict = RP
Emaline says: and just cause they are bad IC does not mean they are a total jerk IRL...although okay sometimes it does ;-)
Emaline says: But I've also met total jerks oocly who RP the goodie two shoes.
Thoraro says: aye that we do.. as long as they don't start on noobs... that was a problem with some villains
Migg says: well Migg hates Izzy and her forked tongue
Hangatyr says: I should be possible to use the emotes anywhere in a sentence, not only at the beginning. Start every second sentence with /me or /my is rather ... erm .. restricted to say it polite
Fesara says: There are all types.
Migg says: but the player is cool and makes excellent RP
Tozaun nods
Fesara says: Depends on how you look at /me and /my. You can type something like this
Fesara says, "What a lovely day," and then nods in agreement with so-and-so, continuing on to babble about something on the topic of juiceberries.
Migg says: I'd say split that in parts
Emaline says: That's one thing I think we all need to keep in mind too...No one is perfect, we are all just people in rl with actuall feelings, a lot of the times the annomosity of the internet lets us hide and forget that and we we need to be more understanding I think that its okay.
Emaline says: Also no one expects you to get along with EVERYONE, do you get along with everyone you have ever met?
Fesara says: Well, Migg, sometimes it's hard to tell when someone is done saying something if they
Fesara says: keep
Fesara says: posting
Fesara says: more
Fesara says: posts
Fesara says: and sentences
Soociki says: Fesara, I soooo resemble that remark
Fesara says: xD
Migg says: yes but it's hard to interrupt if they just post a wall of text
Migg says: and by the time you read it it usually is too late to reply
Fesara says: And sometimes when you're typing
Dawna says: That's one of the limitations we have to work with
Fesara says: multiple posts
Fesara says: they say something and you're like
Emaline says: Yes, well that's an example of adapting to someone, lets pick on Fesara and Soociki here
Tozaun says: I do think most of the time, feelings are too soft and they are quick to get oocly upset about an ic thing.
Fesara says: Oh, I'ma rep-
Fesara says: and then they move on
Fesara says: and you can't
Fesara says: because they're typing like this so fast
Emaline says: lets say Fesara is a slow reader and typer...and Soociki is fast...so he's going to need to slow down his rp and wait for Fesara to keep up.
Fesara does take a while at times.
Soociki does type too fast at times.
Migg says: well some people take time to reply in RL
Migg says: just RP a slow talker
Fesara says: Migg, that's not a good way to go about it. That's limiting what other people can RP solely on the basis that "they're too slow to keep up with my super-fast fingers"
Emaline says: well I'm not saying just cause you type slow your char has to be slow. it's okay for the rest of us to wait a moment to give them a chance to type.
Thoraro says: Aye its not fun trying to keep up with all that is said.. it took me awhile to keep up and i still miss alot
Fesara says: I think it's nice to wait for them. You might find RP to be really rewarding if you show more patience waiting for their responses.
Migg says: well I usually try to interact
Soociki says: I've actually found that people we think type slow... are about to drop the biggest description bomb, which would blow our minds.
Migg says: and I hate walls of text
Soociki says: It was always worth the wait in my experience.
Fesara says:
Soociki
Deryna says: one can use ooc brackets to say [slow down Im having trouble keeping up]
Emaline says: I'd also like to ask/point out that with this small player base...hogging all the RP and hiding your guildhosue is mean
Migg says: cool idea Derry
Soociki says: lol!
Larili says: I love wall of texts to read, just not for rp
Fesara says: That isn't always the easiest, Deryna, when they're in the middle of typing their response
Fesara says: Imagine somebody made a comment and you're typing your reply, then they say something else... so you try adapting your post, but they keep moving on
Fesara says: you can't really tell them to slow down without getting rid of what you're typing
Migg says: One particular player comes to mind
Migg says: and Fesara tell me what you'd done
Thoraro says: lot of players come to my mind
Migg says: he posted half a screen worth of text
Fesara says: Migg, what do you mean?
Migg says: in it were 3 questions on different subjects, 5 observations
Fesara says: By "Tell me what you'd done"
Fesara says: Nobody is perfect at RP.
Migg says: by the time I could read and reply to the first question he had a second wall fall on me
Fesara says: Everybody can continue learning it, if only they allow themselves to.
Soociki says: That does bring up another point...
Migg says: well he has fixed that now
Thoraro nods
Dawna says: Well that's a perfect opportunity then to say [slow down there]
CONTINUED ON NEXT POST (who knew there was a char limit?)