RP Quality on CotH and the Community it Breeds

[NoSecrets]

I've rather plainly said, on a number of occasions, probably solutions to these 'problems'. Roleplaying itself hashes the vast majority of them out. Don't like yesterday's rp? Rp to make it better. Bored? Make it exciting. Stagnant? Move. Don't like the 'newbies'? RP with them to make them 'better' and stop bitching about it.

That's right, I said bitching.

Because it's bitching.

So stop bitching.

The 'lower rp quality of this server' does not annoy me. I see it, the remedy is so simple it's laughable, and it'll fix itself in a short time anyway. What I also see is that there are mindsets which are inherently prohibitive to any sort of improvement ever happening. First and foremost: No, you are not on the 'high end' of rpers here.

No, you are not 'better' than other rpers here.

No, you are not 'more talented' than other rpers here (and the word 'talent' in an amateur fictional writing medium is worth a laugh all its own seeing as a measure of 'talent' is only a measure of creativity and we've all got that).

There is no one, not a single person on here, with any appreciable right to look down upon others in any way shape or form. Creating some group centered upon those who are a 'cut above' cutting apart those belong to create something better is only a benign suggestion on the surface. The absolute surface---I'm talking a micron of thickness before that breaks down into the elitist or ego maniacal blather it really is.

You want to improve rp you see around you? Get into it. Be a part of it. I had an rp with someone in the Ghostlands just the other day---now, this individual was obviously new to things. Did some things that were out of line, awkward, maybe even *gasp* a bit environment-breaking.

Did I hit the ostracize button? Or decide I need a whole comittee of fellow whiners to help me whine about how this individual wasn't up to some invisible set of standards I may have? No. Why? Because that would not have helped him. At all. And he didn't need to be helped---he was having a good time. If you do not like how someone rps, chances are they are not doing it so they too will be uncomfortable. Plainly, they see nothing wrong with what they are doing.

It might be below your 'standards'. It might be slightly inappropriate for the environment we foster here---but that is OUR problem. Not theirs. It becomes their problem once we've done our job...that is, getting them involved enough for the style to change, and for a happy amalgamation to occur. I have proof, from that instance just the other day, that this will happen. Within one session, things changed. Just a little bit. Did I chastise him, or just leave because I felt that he was an affront to my standards?

No. Seemed like a pretty cool guy, and I'd bet given a few weeks no one will be able to pick him out from anyone else. In fact, I doubt after that session anyone could pick him out now.

With that said, my slight ire vented, I offer solutions. Because criticism should be constructive.

Don't like how the newer folk rp? Bring them into rp in the form/style/'level'(I typed it with a straight face...sort of) you're used to. Ask yourself a question---do I rp enough at all for me to be able to complain about this? Maybe there's nothing to model off of, because I don't do anything myself. (Ask yourself that several times. Then ask it again. If you get tired of asking, go rp and you can pretend the answer was always yes.)

Feel that rp lacks cohesion? Then be an rp adhesive. Make a group that matters. Better yet, do something interesting. You do not need to coach others on this---just go do it. If you rp, they will come. The ones that really want to rp anyway. (Ask yourself---is the group/guild/party inviting to other rpers? Does it have a purpose aside from giving my character some form of status? Do I believe I have some form of status? Am I inviting to other rpers?)

Feel that newcomers need some sort of leadership to 'better' themselves (mocking grin included on this one)? Then lead. Do not gripe. Lead. Leaders typically do so with minimal noise, unless noise is necessary. The only noise that should be heard, on the grounds of improving RP...is more RP. Shut up and play.

Feel that people should shut up and play?

...

Yeah. I do.




Still optimistic, and think it's another swath of 'problems' that really aren't,

~AmyT, minus a few secrets

[Aruen]

^ Agreeing with above post, I lack the argumentative skills and vocabulary to put it nicer then him/her so I'll keep it with agreeing.

[DrinkArizona]

I agree to AmyT, but my point is a bit different from their own.

Why? To answer that, answer this question: Why are we all on CoTH? Why are we all role playing?

I can't answer that for you, but..honestly I feel like CoTH and RP in general is my 'happy place'. It's my grove in the woods, my mountain side peak, and I'm glad that we're all role playing together, because the joy of rps is ours to have, and we are all unique because we do it. (Quite honestly, I don't think anybody in my school, at my age role plays or even bothers to spell correctly) BUT, away from the extremely emotional post up there...

I personally don't criticize new players because I feel like I'm an elitists (All that pretty stuff..) But, like Amy said, criticism should be constructive, and..I want my grove, my happy place, (Blah blah..) To keep being the good place where I can relax and sip my cup of Arizona in peace. So, quality has to keep up.. It always has to keep up. Because if it doesn't, then it degrades.


And we don't want that, do we? Just my own opinion.

I'm DrinkArizona and I approve this message.

[Gricca]

*Total rant removed due to lack of cohesiveness and vulgarity.*

Am I a better rper than some people? Why yes, I like to think I am. The ability to generate full sentences, occasional punctuation and some what interesting scenes (that lay with in the bounds set by sever lore) might give me a little feather in my cap. It's blue, in case you were wondering. AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.
I'm proud of my abilities, of my high and low points in this game. And there isn't a force in this cosmos that will convince me that having to work a bit to get something ever hurt any one.
You can spit out 'elitist' until you turn blue, I won't refute it. I believe that people who perform well, above average, or even down right spectacularly should be rewarded. There are ways to do that with out punishing those who are less so.
Now, if any one is still reading, with out being righteous, high handed or good intentioned I would like to point out that both Moose and NoSecrets are supporting the same thing. People getting involved with each other. It's just that Moose seems to want to set up a vehicle for people who want to help but might not other wise be tact inclined. Whereas NoSecret seems to believe that every one has the ability on their own and the perils of 'elitism' are to be avoided at all costs.

[Moose]

Alright, guys. I appreciate your input and have given it some thought. I'm not going to participate in any internet arguments that flare up here, just for the sake of time and decency. The last thing I read before I headed off was Mikain's, which I had a detailed response to half-typed. But it can be summed up as: I know there are other styles of RPing besides mine, and I asked the community as a whole to give this some thought because I /don't/ want just my style of RP represented.

As for the rest of these posts, here's why I put up this topic in the first place: I had an idea. This was my suggestion for helping the community, not because it was really, truly a problem that totally wrecks the server--but because I see other things being done to address this. Ideas have come and gone before, and it's about time this one leaves.

I've looked into it and decided this wouldn't be a good idea mostly for reasons stated above. Theoretically? It'd be just fine.

Moose seems to want to set up a vehicle for people who want to help but might not other wise be tact inclined.

Gricca summed what I've been hoping to do perfectly. It's not looking like it's going to happen, but I felt I may as well try. I've noticed that I tend to stick to a select few people for RP rather than getting out and seeing what I can find, which I figure is the way it goes for a lot of people here--if the silence when people ask for RP is any indication. You can call me elitist, you can call me condescending, you can call me whatever you like--I want to see people get better. If it doesn't happen this way, that's fine by me. I appreciate everyone who's read this and weighed in either way; I'd still be interested in doing something like this.

I'll likely end up checking this topic again, but I don't plan on responding unless absolutely necessary. Have a good day, folks.

[ChocoboKnight7]

The reason there is a silence when people ask on LFG for RP is either because there is no notable open RP going on or people are too busy with some srs bsns RP to respond. But most of the time, such comments over LFG are responded to and the people generally get a list of current hotspots depending on their race. Clearly you are just on at bad times.

[Errata]

I help or atleast try to help. Just little things which I think help the community.

Okay, I don't think I'm cut out to post something like this. Mostly because I feel my mind is drifting.

Now, back to what I was about to say and keep in mind that thing that was mentioned above this sentence. I try to help the server with little things, respond to someone saying hi or asking for roleplay, even if it's just to make them feel heard. Give out tips to others, they'll understand where you're coming from if you atleast form a coherent sentence. And last but not least (for now), use smileys. The internet is a cold place because of a lack of emotions. Smileys (Emoticons) help people understand!

Uuuuh, so let's not try these posts again, I can hardly understand myself if I read over these past few lines.