The
Thrill of the Hunt, started by bloodedIrishman (thank you) and participated in by dozens of folks, has concluded. My congratulations to all who participated, in and out, through the ups and downs, missteps and brilliance, of these five days of rp.
Since RR was in a coma the whole time, until he and Vire were both saved last night through the extraordinary efforts of many, olbies, midbies, newbies, ftimers and ptimers, mains and alts; his player had a somewhat unique opportunity to observe the rp in the sanitarium tent. So I thought I would list a few curious observations. These are offered as discussion starters, not as a 'how to' manual.
I'm gunna focus on the conversational rp. I hope others might add their insights in the more conflict, action rp, and /or anything and everything else rp.
Three things occurred to me.
1)
"Waiting is doing something." Sometimes, when a plot isn't moving forward and no big crisis is occurring, there is down time. These may be great opportunities to flesh out and fill in your character's daily or habitual behaviors. You may discover insights about your character. If you're reading a book say, because you're a herbalist in training, say, you might talk to others who are also waiting, by quoting something from your ig book- even one of your training manuals for example. "Huh, who knew oropheillia is not only a sedative, but can induce cleansing vomiting?" or something tastier...
Advantages- it may open up possible conversation, increase your character's knowledge of your interests, and increases other character's knowledge of settings... "Oh? Where does orophillia grow?"
2)
Be observant. Bloodedirishman kept encouraging that the first day. Your character can perhaps help by leaving rp 'notes'- books and artifacts- for others to see and inspect. Leave some opened ended clues that might lead to action. "Roled lies on the bed his clothes caked with drying blood, and his bandage seeping over the wound." Then rpers coming into the scene might think, "oh! I bet the elfboy might appreciate cleaner clothes, or changes in his dressing on the wound, or , maybe, rinsing the forehead of sweat and dirt... which might lead to more rp discussion among the waiting people... based on your own character. "Hey get away from the femros" for example, Sacho said at one point when someone he didn't know approached Vire and tried to perhaps cast magick on her inert form.
3) my biggest take away?
BE CURIOUS about the others who come in and out of the waiting situation. As rpers, we each want to forward our own uberobjectives, be true to our inner monologues and advance our motivations, of course. AND learning about others might just do that as well. ASK QUESTIONS, not only overt questions "Who are you?", "Why are you trying to choke that elf?" but motivation- based, subtle, or even silent inquiry. Part of Sarren's backstory emerged slowly during the past four days in the tent, for example. As a rper in the scene, you might ask yourself "Now why did that person just check under the bed," or "Why is that person sitting so silently at the side here? What relation does that character have with the injured people? Why are they here? Why do they stay here? What are they trying to learn or find out? Why are they pacing?"
Try to figure out the covert
relationships if you can, for those little slivers of information ["Why does Aleeane faint at the sight of blood
?" "Why does Vire cuss so much
?" Why is that Dermorian putting his hand on the victim's forehead like that
?" "Why is Roled drinking so much these days
?"] might lead you, in rps down the line, to deeper relationships, to conclusions, or insights, or maybe even save your life. Be nosy! in a good, non godmodding way.
I guess that's my bigger take away- there are excellent opportunities to BUILD RELATIONSHIPS during these situations of waiting for the next big action to happen.
The Curios Observational stance is perhaps a very useful tool to have in your rping repertoire. 
Thoughts? Additions? Insights? Pie?
RR
