March 2010 Highlights

Getting to go on Khitan plot and fight Onii for the first time

almost forgot about that. It was nice to finally be involved in the Khitan plot. sorry to all the NPC's that were waiting on us to finish tho.

My one beef?

-High-level people, let the low-level people know what's going on.  We all waited for you to get organized, went along with your battle-groups plan, fought like hell for you, and then waited around in the dark and cold while obnoxious knife-wielding Agaurran dopplegangers were walking around in our midst and you were doing god-knows-what.  I'm sure it was important and helpful and everything, but I'm only guessing at that, and we had to just sit and wait while you did it, so don't take our cooperation for granted.

I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents about this, since I've heard similar complaints in the past.  It is not my intention to sound like a jerk about this, but I might.

Really what this comes down to is RP.  No one is going to just come out and make some big announcement saying "Hey guys, we formed a treaty with bizzaro-world Travance!"  It's just not practical.  Want to know what's going on?  Try asking someone.  What you put into an event is what you'll get out of it.  There are plenty of low level characters who make it a point to stay involved in the going-ons throughout the weekend.  I think James and Kyle did a particularly good job this event involving anyone who wanted to be involved.  I mean heck, James even made an IG post saying that anyone who wanted to know what was going on could seek him out as the Count.  I fully understand that it can sometimes be confusing as to what's going on.  The mods throughout a weekend are force-fed to the PCs, but the information is not.  What this can lead to is a sense of "Why are we doing this?" if you don't make it a point to keep yourself involved.  And really, there are very few people who will turn you away if you come to them seeking information, or looking for a way to help.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's not our intention to keep you in the dark.  At the same time, we're not going to make it a point to tell each and every person individually what is going on.  If you find yourself lost in a "huh?" type moment, just ask someone IG.  Just keep in mind that not everything will be shared with you all the time.  This doesn't have to do with your level, but rather the IG politics surrounding certain situations.  Even as a high level character, I'm certain that I would get stonewalled if I tried asking questions about the Dragoon plot, because well, I'm not a Dragoon.  More often than not, however, I think that if you try asking around, you'll find people pretty receptive and approachable about your IG questions.

With that said, I had an excellent time this weekend.  Well played, JamesCKimball.com.

--Sean

I agree with what Sean said and will add that if you feel left in the dark as your character, make an issue about it as your character. If you feel as though the plot is too exclusive, then certainly make your opinions known in an OOG context such as this (or better still, and event recap form). But if the problem is with how other characters treated your character, take it up IG.

All too often I think that low-level characters get shafted because their players think that's just how the game is. Break out of that mode of thinking and imagine that your character has been asked to put his or her life on the line, or to wait in the cold and darkness for an hour, without getting a straight answer out of anyone. Now act accordingly. You will find that the players (and staff) at this game will praise that kind of role-play.

Even if their characters continue to stonewall you. 

Regarding my own event highlights, as always they involve characters that I cannot name and incidents that I cannot divulge. But you ladies and gentlemen are awesome and you make running the plot a ridiculous amount of fun.

As another storyteller at KR, I absolutely would like to echo Matt White's comment above.  Don't let other character's stonewall you in-game.  You will find when somebody tells you "you can't go with us".. it's rarely an OOG game logistic, but rather somebody else trying to make sure they get all the loot and glory. 

Same goes for interesting looking NPCs that show up with important information.  Go right on up and talk with them and find out what they're all about.  Who knows where it'll take you... but quite possibly it's to a mod site.  Don't wait for somebody else to go talk to them and find out what's going on, in fact..  get there first. 

Doug

I'm not disputing anything said in the last 3-4 posts because I agree with ALL those points! Over all the many years I've larped I've noticed one major consistancy, and this is in several game systems, and that is that those who inquire and ask and try to get involved, they wind up in the know (unless they are total a$$'s when doing so lol). Those who are wallflowers, they usually sit back in the corners and mutter about all the wrongs they think are done to them by being left out. Its like your first school dance, guy or gal, you ask someone to dance with you, you dance. You don't, you sit and watch.

Now, with that said, I also would like to give a retort to plot on the other side of this While doing so I wholeheartedly endorse the Post-Event Feedback forms (tap tap - new players!!!) as I do have faith that they are not only being read by staff, but are being responded to (within reason, I'm still awaiting my uber artifact of nu-nah and I'm gettng impatient - j/k). So......storytellers, if you aren't doing so already, consider sending out pieces to your plot puzzle specifically targeted to the lowbies, and not just in mods please (although that is a nice means to do so). There's lots of ways, that aren't on a silver platter, that will force the info to flow up from the lower levels (and non-high ranking titles) rather than have to make it flow down. I know this isn't something new, but it can often be forgotten. In a simple militaristic format (yeah, I'm dumbing it down), scouts get the info and report it to the Sgts, who go to to the Lt's and thos to the Captain, and up and up each rank to the Generals. Its rare that a birdy will land on a General first. This gives players who aren't in the power structure a chance to be the hero in small ways, and an opening for them to get involved. Spood fed? No, but a small effort can spread the wealth around and a low level player discovering a goblin in the woods who pleads for his life to be spared, or an undead who just wishes to be released from the bonds of his Lich master to tell a low level something critical that can go up the chain to become an important piece in a larger plot puzzle could be a shining moment for that player (or players).

Again, I'm confident you all get that, but both sides need to be represented

Mitch, I love you.

Highlights coming soon.....