Re: Ideas for Events

[Illysia]

However, while it may be better to have rippling RP, not everyone has the time to devote to its creation. So many people don't try to run anything since they can't have the ideal and thus you have a net of zero... Better to have some events then none. Lillia and Edaru were not connected to the regular character pool but they were still able to have enough of an affect that allowed others to care enough to join in.

What you need is a compelling reason for characters to interact so make sure you use a storyline that better suits characters that people don't have a previous connections to... If you run into town screaming that your brother died, it might be less effective than if your character comes in with "business" propositions for the local populace.

[Celroc Amaul]

What I mean in point #4 by new characters should be clarified a bit.

New players, I have no problem with.

Sometimes GMs or players will create a brand spanking new character for an event or for a rp chain - whatever you want to call it. GMs did this all the time - I don't know if they still do.

The problem is that these new characters have no history and are not connected to anyone. They are complete strangers - which can be ok if a stranger is needed. When this stranger gets into a conflict or has a crisis or whatever, it really doesn't affect anyone. There is no ripple effect, there is nothing for characters to gossip about. You end up with a situation where either you bend your character so that he or she cares, or you just walk away.

This is not a mortal sin, but it could be done better. Taking the time to introduce a character to the group, establish them, and know them would make a big difference. When that character is bonded and connected with other characters, things that effect that characters will be more likely to affect others. The former example results in isolated rp, the latter in contagious, long lasting rp.

Actually, the "no history" thing worked to the character's advantage.  Because nobody knew them, it started a whole bunch of rumors in the RP that they were spies for one side and kept people guessing and entertained. I think that, sometimes, the effect of a mysterious new face can add a bit of a twist or turn to the RP.  But, I do have to agree that this is not always the case.  ;-)

[tman]

I didn't want to post on this at all because for a while it seemed like more of a passive (or not-so-passive) aggressive flame war.  But whatever.

About using a totally new character, it depends on the situation.  Yes, ideally RP would be ongoing character pieces with other characters you know and interact with.  But a lot of people have school and/or work and just don't have time to be on a lot, or have to take long breaks from the game, and having these ongoing relationships between the characters is difficult, especially when so much goes on when you are away.  Sometimes people just want an "episodic" RP, where some event happens that captures the character's attention, a group forms, and stuff happens.  This is what a lot of GM events seemed like to me and I really enjoyed them.  Plus, they put you in a position to meet other characters who can continue the RP after the "episode" is over.  So, I think using a new character for "episodes" in this way is ok because it brings other characters together.

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