One problem that has to be addressed is the definition of the word \'Roleplayer\', since the word\'s meaning is so broad that it encompasses activities so dissimilar as to be comparable only in name. Broad, frankly, to the point of uselessness.

This is a problem who\'s solution is so blindingly obvious that it took me forever to think of it.

Defining it by goals rather than activities, the distinction between Roleplayers, Levelers (1) and Explorers becomes quite clear (2).

Sticking close to the definition of the word, we can define a \'Roleplayer\' as someone who is primarily concerned with the advancement of their role. More modern trends include a tendency to focus on story (even to the point of possible detriment to the character) so we will add a desire to advance the story as part of the definition.

A \'Power-leveler\' (\'Leveler\' for short) is more generally understood and, thus, easier to define. Inevitably, the \'Leveler\' is concerned with advancing the power or influence of their character. Combat prowess is simply the most obvious choice and the easiest to recognize.

An Explorer is primarily concerned with exploring some aspect of the gameworld. Which aspect is a different story, sometimes it is the obvious exploration of the gameworld\'s topography, or it might be the details of the magic system (3). Occasionally, just to confuse that matter, an explorer will concern themselves with the exploration of a character, thus causing some overlap with Roleplayers.

Not only do most people know what their interests are, but are also quite willing to say what it is.

With that out of the way, let us now attempt to describe how these types (4) interact with Roleplayers (5).

Explorers tend to get along with Roleplayers, since they can often understand Roleplaying as the desire to explore another personality, or to explore possibilities in the form of a story.

Roleplayers, likewise can appreciate the depth and breadth of knowledge that an explorer possesses, at least in their field of interest, and often appear in a Roleplayer\'s story as scouts, wise men, magi, etc. Whats more is that explorers will often dabble in roleplaying, improving the already amicable relationship between the two.

Levelers, however, present a bit of a problem, since they will happily sacrifice role, story and atmosphere in order to gain power. Such things are as meaningless to Levelers as they are sacrosanct to Roleplayers. They are less of a problem to Explorers however, since what the Explorer values can not be stripped from them, the worst that can be done is slow them down. Explorers tend to be a patient lot.

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I wanted to address additional points in this post but, frankly, I don\'t write that fast and this post is already a day late!

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More footnotes:
1. Examination of some of the earlier posts reveals some minor confusion of my use of the word \'Leveler\'. In this post an all my earlier posts it is simply a abbreviation of \'Power-leveler\'

2. I imagine there is a great deal of other goals that could be distinguished, but these seem the most relevant to the discussion.

3. The magic system\'s current (lack of) implementation not withstanding, it looks like what the developers have in mind will encourage this kind of exploration. My inner explorer squeals with delight at the prospect!

4. Not to be confused with either the MBTI or Bartle\'s HCDS. (see references)

5. Since the official position is that planeshift is focused on its \'Core-Roleplayers\' these comparisons are the most relevant to the discussion at hand. However, it might be worth while for me to make a more complete address of the types at another time (depending on interest)

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With added recommended reading:

Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, Spades: Players Who Suit MUDS - R. A. Bartle
\'The Window\' Roleplaying game - by Scott Lininger (Methods in the Madness)
The Forge\'s artical pages - from \'The Forge\'
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator - from \'TypeLogic\'

Originally posted by mikewsnc
In MB the rp to pl was maybe 5 to 1

I suspect that the lack of, well, anything made it rather hard for Levelers to avoid dieing of boredom. Roleplayers, conversely, tend to manage with considerably less features, requiring only enough to anchor a reasonable concept of the game world upon.
It seems was right to think MB would of suited me.

With the induction of CB rp\'ers have lost there
grab on being the majority it would seems more
like a 30/70 split with us on the rp side losing out
and losing ground rapidly.

Nevertheless a far better ratio than is presented on most other games. One can only hope that it turns in our favor, or at least descends no further...

but on that same note, I\'ll meet you in the Tavern.

*Yoink!*

Are you playing fullscreen? I\'ve noticed that the error dialogs don\'t agree with PlaneShift when its fullscreen, they tend to make the screen go black. (I assume your using windows?)

Next time it happens press once, wait a few seconds then press it again. It should drop you back to desktop and create a Diagnostic (*.dmp) file in the main PlaneShift directory.
Theres a thread where you can post the dmp file so they can fix the bug.

Oh, and in future please try to post your system specs along with your problem.

Once they put the final spit and polish on \'/unstick\' it\'ll become the standard way of removing yourself from cracks in the Death realm and keeping yourself from being  an Enkidukai-shaped chandelier, anyone who used \'/spawn\' legitimately should have no problems with this.

As for why anyone would die, well once \'/spawn\' is removed 733t d00ds and such might consider the, effectively penalty-less, death system a quick way to get to hydlaa spawn. If thats where you want to go theres no reason not to... unless you\'re a roleplayer, in which case you would realize that most sane people don\'t have what it takes to let themselves be torn up just because wandering through the death realm is the fastest way back.

(Edit: I just realised its not clear whos idea on the death realm you liked, also there seems to be afew posts before mine that i haven\'t read and I honestly don\'t know how I missed them...
Edit 2: Just read the posts over and they seem to be presenting some of the ideas that went into my first post.  strange, I could *sware* my brain was online...)

Nice to know that you like the idea on Death realm quests, but once you assert that the Death realm is going to be a complete place (and i believe they did) then the rest becomes fairly obvious, I just put it in pixels.

As for young players dieing often, last I heard PS is being designed with an eye on roleplayers, so I imagine that killing innocent creatures won\'t always be the only way to advance, perhaps not even the best way.
I also imagine that the same way stats and skills are given according to your character creation choices so will starting equipment, eventually.

This is just my understanding of it though.

I\'ve seen a few missent tells in my short time playing, one of the more amusing things i saw though was a missent *responce* to a missent tell.

As in:
X tells you: blah
you tell X: blah

Talk about putting words in my mouth! I\'ve still got the log.

I thought i\'d meantion it since it might help to know that it can happen bothways.