A player plot annoyance
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You know lately when I'm on the server back in 2014 there was a significant amount of private player plot, these plots unfortunately had a mentality that prevented new characters from actually joining in, I don't believe that anyone did this on purpose but for me it become really really boring on the server for a level 9 character of which not a single other character that even knows his name due to never being able to join in with conversations, I see this often when there are about 10-15 players online and I find maybe 5 of them having a private conversation, so if I could request people be a little bit loser with how private they keep their groups as it would be nice for characters to get groups instead of them being effectively forced into flying solo for the span of their puny little lives.
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I don't really see this at all unless characters are discussing secret plot issues or are enemies for obvious reasons. Most people on the server are very inclusive and actually looking to give someone a chance to get involved with their plots. I know that is how I feel about it and I know many others are much the same. I'm not sure where you had this issue but player plots are pretty much a constant attempt to get other players involved, if they want to be successful in any way.
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Some people openly advertise all their plots, like me!
/topic/18633 -
Honestly. The best way to get in on plots, get involved on conversations happening in public. You're more likely to be noticed for those private conversations if you make your opinions clear when you see the public conversations.
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I have taken to plot in the open, for precisely this reason. I dont want minions however, I want sidekicks and co plotters for my plots. I want people who find them as fun as I do, and want to push them on their own. But I assure you, we are far more approachable than we have been… ever. Just PM us, talk to us IC or OOC.
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I made a brand new character a week ago, without any sort of prefabricated relations or metagamed inclusions, and I was privvy to private conversations within 20 minutes of hitting creation. CoA does not have a problem with people beeing too private with their secrets, CoA has a slight problem with people not making enough of an effort to be included.
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There is a misconception that plots should be completely open. This is not true.
A successful plot requires a balance of openness and secrecy that is difficult to achieve. A plot that is too open will result in players becoming bored. Mystery and intrigue are required to keep people interested - If they know or think they know everything about a plot they will loose interest. Likewise, a plot that is to secretive will never catch enough attention and interest to succeed.
Even plots that would seem to require complete secrecy should have some element of openness. Planning a Thieve's Guild / Assassin's Corps / Spy Network and think you need to be super secretive? Wrong. Build in a way to make your group open as well. Perhaps your Thieve's Guild will masquerade as a group of performers, etc.
Even plots/groups that seem to require complete openness also require some element of secrecy. Maybe you can give that Knightly Order you're thinking about launching some hidden secret it guards that is known only to its leadership, a dark past, or something to keep people interested.
Lastly, successful plotting is a give and take. You need to be trying to engage others in your plots, and trying to become involved in others. Try to learn what others are doing, and decided how to involve yourself in it, be it by support or opposition. You cannot sit idly by and wait for someone to drop you a plot hook. This is why I often say that everyone, including minions and casual characters, should have some sort of plot idea. Otherwise you have nothing to plot-barter with.
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Ok well I don't think I got what I had initially wanted for the post, so I will revise what I said to attempt to make it better as I am terrible at communicating with other living organisms, I'll probably fix it in a few hours when I'm off work.
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I've been pretty much cramming my player plots down people's throats.
If you're not involved in my plot, you need to meet Frado. -
Ok what I was hoping for less finger pointing then what seems to have occurred here. This issue isn't really any one person's fault but it is sometimes rather hard for a new player to get the ball rolling with a plot they may wish to do, out of the 7 people I have recruited 5 left due to an inability to push character plot, one said she felt too intimidated by how well everyone around was able to be so quick to respond. I'm sure you as well as I can all agree getting new blood into the server will be a good thing but when I was asked the question how do I get my character this, how do I make this happen, etc. I had no other thing to point them to other then "Just do it." I was hoping we could fix this by having a thread of tips for the newer and maybe even some older players to help them further a plot they have instead the whole "Go be social person who already obviously has trouble in this field."
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L.M.'s impression is quite accurate and quite about what I might have been talking about a few months ago.
Simply put, it is easier to find someone willing to crush your well-thought plot outing attempt instantly; than it is to have willing hands for it.
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I have not found it that hard to get up on plots in the game, true there are characters who have good reason not to include me, but that is a RP thing and not a player thing.
I sometimes even join plots if i have time and feel so inclined
Do I have a plot? actually I do, and it has been shared with others(I have not shared it with any DM, but they are busy and it can easily run without them having to worry about it), they may not know they are involved, but many have been, pity they cannot expand their lifespans in game a little bit, but that is part of the fun and challenge I have found
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I have found when I take the initiative, players will let me in on plots. Wear your ideology on your sleeve, that helps get attention as well. The problem you may be running into is a population issue, not a player issue. Fewer players means yelling a bit to get attention. Not like the old days when you plots would fall into your lap, you need to put a bit of leg work in. Otherwise, I have found little issue getting into trouble.
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I make sendings for infernal lore, and plot in the street. shrugs
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I think that with the mature player base we have the situation is such that we now have most characters arriving with definite goals and ideas of their own.
this creates an issue that we have 'too many chiefs and not enough Indians' because people are busy trying to push their own plot and not thinking about how they can further someone else's.
so I would always say do the quid pro quo thing and offer your help in return for a bit of back up on your own idea, even if all you get is bodies along that can help you to get to a place in the server you couldn't reach alone you will then have the opportunity to talk about what you want to do and make a pitch to others about how interesting and involving your ideas are.
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Really, if people want more indians they have to reward them.
Why should people play indians when the Chiefs get all the cool loot, lots of gold and DM attention?Now, I realize this doesn't apply to anyone, but it should be considered.
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I play a few tabletop RPGs where player goals are how the story is driven forward. There is a bit of mental shift, when the DM isn't laying out plots in front of you.
You can take this game play style and adapt it to CoA really easily. Sometimes it takes a bit of thinking on the matter, but it can be super simple.
When your pal is heading out for a patrol of a caravan run, but you'd rather be searching for your lost relic, shoot off a DM tell saying something like 'My character is looking in to caravan problems with this group, he really hopes there is a clue to that missing relic among some bandits possessions.'
Maybe you'll get a bite, maybe you won't. But when ever you help another player further their plot, find away to further your own while doing it. Even if it is just talking about it loudly in front of people you probably shouldn't. Get the knowledge out there. Get people interested. And, keep updating those plot tickets and communicate with the DM team.
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I think the notion that there are "plot PCs" and "support PCs" is wrong, or at least bad. All PCs should have their own plots, and be getting involved in others. All. Even minions.
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Yeah, what Hominid says. My PC's are always joiners, and tend to not have goals, except for vague alignment based ones.
I let the environment shape what the PC wants to do, so I tend to have slow burning, somewhat longer lived pcs who get slapped in the face with plots and say "WTH lets follow that along and see where it goes."