Ingenuity of Independent Initiative
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CoA has always been plagued by a horrible trend that goes around and around when it comes to plots. Today, I feel more so than before! To me, it appears a lot of the current conflict in the server, is heavily focused around specific DM plots, and thus it's mostly left to the DMs to plant the seeds of conflict and ingenuity. And when this specific DM either runs out of time or health to continue providing said seeds, another DM is "forced" to step up to fill the boots, until he or she burns out. And when that happens, and the said plot gets put to a halt, players get frustrated and start to leave. And then a New DM comes in and starts filling the boots with a new plot, and some players may or may not come back. All in all, it's a vicious circle.
Independent initiative is what needs to be more, imagination needs to be used more widely. Think about what your character can do on its own when there are no DMs in town to run their plots. When you log in, I have always thought that you have to have an idea about what you plan on doing. Entertain yourself, make plots of your own, and jump aboard when someone else wants to do something. I'm not saying you should fill the boots of a DM and start being the main star of the show if your character is not the type, all I am saying is- dont wait to be bored or frustrated, but make fun stuff happen with the time you game.
Now, it should be obvious this is not directed at any specific player, or DM. I felt like writing this, because I believe the server could use a fresh point of view. And since everyone here is mature enough to understand this wasnt a rant, I hope this brainstorm will inspire to assimilate new sort of A&I ingame.
Cheers!
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I'll add that I've personally indulged myself in this flaw and found myself depending on a DM with a couple of my characters to create fun, in the past, but I've always tried to be optimistic, and sought out ways which would not bring my ideas to a halt just because there was no DM presence. And doing this, has kept me enjoying the game.
I'm also aware that there are a number of folks out there doing their own thing even as I write this. I only wish more people did, and vocally while at it, as it's always blast to see people entertaining themselves without the need for quest or DM plotz.
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This is not a rant, only an observation. :-)
Some folks are really good at driving there own stories with or without dm help.
Some folks are really good at driving DM plots, with or without DM p help.Some folks sometime step in a plot up to there knees and come out smelling like roses.
Some folks wouldn't know a Plot if it ate them and pooped them out on sunday.Some folks just like to quest, rp with friends old and new, and are along for the wonderful ride that is CoA.
Some of us are all of these on different days.
All of us are here to have fun, and that is our least common denominator.
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I want to make a case on behalf of Intrigue.
Interpersonal character development is part of what makes stories good. You should never have to log in, glance at the character list, hit up the DM channel, and be like "Lol there's nothing to do" because that's silly. Some of my best RP's and stories have been because I sought out interpersonal connections with other characters beyond 'you are relevant to my plot, we should talk'.
In its most base form, intrigue and adventure involves interacting with other characters. Yes, we do not want to encourage CoA sims, but I've found that interaction with other characters has never actually hurt my plots so long as I used those interactions to push them. In absence of a DM, or in absence of a 'mover and shaker', I think it's acceptable form to RP anyway. Part of the reason I liked playing a bard (when I was Lark) was that I got to listen to the stories that the players wrote for themselves and that can be quite enjoyable.
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I played against RedGallant, once upon a time, before V4 ended. The intrigue of fighting a paladin with everything you had, was amazingly fun. I miss intrigue.
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I would like to bump this. I feel like a lot of the current DM responsibilities are left on the shoulders of one DM, and without a doubt its wearing him out.
At the same time though, I feel like just last week there was a good number of people IG doing their own thing, playing thuggish characters and whatnot, making rivalries, exploring places and otherwise involving other characters without a need for a DM.
I suggest people to stay open minded and keep using your imagination to involve folks with said methods! If you need help with making said events fun, dont hesitate to PM me. We can brainstorm together :-) cheers coa.