I think I'm going to bow out of this game. Sorry DM, you are fantastic and you're doing an amazing job. Beagan will just pack up his things and head out from Sandpoint, looking for new adventure. Unless you want to keep him around as an NPC, which you are more than welcome to do so.
Good luck everyone and have fun.
But, but, but . . .. Beagan!
To be honest, Beagan has been a fair part of what I've enjoyed about this group.
His departure is a pretty serious blow.
You know that whole question about when the group would jell? Aleks' behavior just undid a big portion of the gains on that. Gudada would gladly help Viviana, Dolgrin or Beagan. But he's going to try to find ways to avoid Aleks at this point.
There was nothing about that display to engender or sustain any trust. Quite the opposite.
Thanks for the kind words, Gudada. You have been a blast as well.
I'm not trying to put anyone down. I will admit, I was a bit frustrated from that scene. On one hand, Alek is roleplaying his character, and quite well I will say. He has a good writing style and he commits to his ideas. Big kudos for that, seriously.
On the other hand, certain RP styles just don't work well in the Play-by-Post format. Because of the already slow nature of the game, it's important to create hooks that involve/include fellow players and the GM to draw off of, not exclude. Running off alone to tackle issues, having private conversations... they aren't really conducive to the format, because it forces everyone else to be a non-participant for possibly days at a time, depending on how long it goes.
So I've been pretty patient, mostly sitting and watching as Alek does his thing and handling the conversations. But when I finally decided to jump in and try to let the GM know I'm still here, I didn't appreciate feeling attacked or talked down to. Sure, out of character, I have a pretty solid idea of what's happening. But Beagan certainly doesn't, and I wanted to at least have an opportunity to show that he's trying to work these ideas out in his head.
Does that make sense? Again, I'm not trying to be an ass about it. And I don't think you were either, Alek. Sorry to hastily decide to bail. But if we can possibly identify a few of these issues and iron them out, I'd be happy to resume, because I think this group and GM have tons of potential. If not, then I don't want to continue feeling like I'm on the sidelines.
Well. I wasn't expecting a blowout quite like this, so I'm going to man-up and confront the issue.
To the player of Beagan Burlesquetu - Regardless of intent, I behaved like an ass and I apologize fully for my actions and choice of character. It was not my personal intent to offend, nor to downplay the contributions of your character.
I'd like to think that I had all my cards on the table from the start - I've made mention of Alek's instability since the character creation thread. To the players at the table - you signed up for an adventure, not an exploration of the fragility of the Human mind. On that level, I screwed with everyone else's expectations by playing up those aspects. I apologize.
For the most part, I've managed to enjoy myself, at the expense of people's desire to participate. I believed that by unraveling the entire background of the case, I was helping as a player - I will readily admit what I believed was wrong. I came to the table with an entirely different expectation from the rest of the group on how to handle what appeared to be a Sandbox.
I've seen firsthand that what I do well and enjoy about this character doesn't work in a group environment. If it will improve the situation, I'm stepping out. It's not out of a misguided martyr complex, simply the straightforwards recognition that I was the spare and it doesn't make sense for another player to leave to accommodate what I've done so far, especially given how divisive an influence I've been.
The thing to remember/learn is not that a specific character concept is unworkable, it is the Social Contract.
We sign up to play these games looking for an opportunity to do a whole bunch of things, exploring the human mind fits easily in that basket. But because we sign up to play these games together, we need to focus on finding ways to do that while promoting inclusive play.
I don't think the concept behind Aleks is inherently unplayable in a group setting. I think making the exploration of any one character's issues a focus of the game that everyone is forced to work with is about hogging the game. When those issues are the sort that make it difficult for a personality to work with others, then forcing them to become a central focus harms the cooperative game play opportunity for everyone.
Anyone of us could start writing a solo novella about our own character, and justify it to ourselves as proper exploration of the character. That's the trap. PBP games provide far more opportunity to explore that part of role-playing than most groups sitting around the table (and especially than any groups playing organized play events) can ever allow. You avoid the trap by keeping the Social Contract in control of how you present the character and how much his issues become group issues.
That Social Contract is about keeping everyone involved and trying to help everyone enjoy the shared social experience that RPGs are supposed to be. That's it. It really is very simple, and the core of why table-top RPGS appeal to the gross majority of players.
Again, I don't think Aleks is unplayable. I think you forgot the Social Contract and started trying to write a character study. I think that your character study actually worked hard to exclude the other players from the core story line, intentionally or not. I could, of course, be wrong, but I think it is very possible for you to dial back the intensity of your character study and recover this group and game.
I can only speak for myself, of course.
I think the primary goal for all players (DM included) is to have fun. It is a game after all. If some of you aren't having fun, then I haven't done my job properly either. I must have missed that subtext.
If you are not having fun in the game, and you don't think it will/can change then feel free to leave. However, I think talking most things over, either publicly or privately, before taking a drastic step would be in everyone's best interest.
In my opinion, there is a little tinkering that can salvage the game for everyone (including some by me).
If don't want to alter your play to get along with your teammates, I respect that. Purity of character is important. Good luck in your game future.
If you think you can't enjoy the game anymore or don't "fit" in with the group, I can't force you to have fun (believe me I've tried). Perhaps a different game would suit you better.
I would like all the players to PM stating their desire (or lack thereof) to continue the game. If there are still, at least, 4 players we can go on, if not, we have options to end, or recruit to replace.
Sorry, DM. I didn't mean to make a hasty/emotional decision before talking to you. As someone who has dealt with clinical depression their entire life, which has led to oversensitivity in many ways, I didn't mean to turn tail and run like that. Apologies.
I've chatted with some of you and mulled it over, and I'm willing to stick around and give it another go. I think everybody was just on different pages and mindsets about their expectations for this game and their own characters, which led to some growing frustration that suddenly boiled over unexpectedly. Again, I think this group has a lot of untapped potential, so I'd be willing to work past it and push on with everyone still in tow.
Just my two cents. I'll wait for DM's judgment call.
How did i missed the whole 4th page???
I don't really understand what the problem is and i won't dwell on it.
1) i like the game ,the dm, and the other characters
2)i think every problem can be easily solved :when someone dislike something -say it in the discusion tread and we work it out.
Something big just landed in my department's lap and I'm going to have to take some time off the game to put the whole dog and pony show together.
I'll be following the posting from the shadows, but I'll likely need a couple of days to get this sorted.
I'll post and update when I next can.
I think we can stall your part of the story line until you can pick up the thread again. If not, and something exciting happens, then I'll DM-PC you.
I think everyone is sticking around the game for now, perhaps with a renewed focus on the group so let's see how that goes. I'm glad to see we're working on it!
As always, let me know if there's anything I can do to improve or increase your gaming pleasure. Fun is what we're all after, I think...
As a head's up:
I moved 1,000 miles 7 months ago. Thursday night my wife finally arrives.
The movers MIGHT arrive on Friday.
My internet connection changes from one apartment to another on Saturday.
So, the odds are REALLY good that the last meaningful connection with me for this weekend will be on Wednesday.
Understood, Gudada. Hope your reunion is happy, and you shouldn't be on posting; we look forward to seeing you back on the other side.
Data Gathered, Statistics Checked, Reports Written, Review Board Contacted, Conferences Attended...
I'm green. Good to go.
Jump in as you see fit. I was having you block the back door, but perhaps the ruckus in the middle of the house is noisy enough to draw your attention.
Welcome back
Wife and household goods both showed up. The bathroom, bedroom, part of the living room and some of the kitchen are in order. Enough that we can live day-to-day while she goes through the rest of what she brought and gets it all put away. I hope she can make it all fit. I'm really not certain she can. Still have boxes scattered in the dining room, living room and kitchen, and the second bedroom is about 50% full of boxes, too.
She's spent the last seven months getting rid of stuff, too.
Moving and unpacking are no fun, but i'm glad you all get to be together. Welcome back to the game!
I apologize if my posting is even slower than before. I picked up new job responsibilities at work, which leaves me little time for PbP like I did before. I'm hopeful that it stabilizes soon... but I don't know.
Just posting as a heads up, because I hate for things to slow down because of me. I hope it improves.
Sorry DM for the absence again. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to bow out. I just don't have the available time for PbP like I did before and it's hard to find time to make meaningful posts.
Thanks everyone for the game, especially you, DM. You all are great and I've enjoyed my time with you.
Hey Beagan, I get RL issues. Sorry it has taken all your time away and that you have to leave the game. Good luck on your adventures both in-game and in RL, my friend!
Be sure to look us up if you get back in the game at some point!
Bye Beagan,have fun.
Ok, so Beagan has dropped (for real this time). I have some serious questions about whether the rest of you want to continue the game. It has never really gelled for me, and I think you all feel it too.
I'll let you vote for one of four --in no particular order -- options (either here or by secret ballot PM) and go by majority. If there is no majority, I'll break the tie. Here are the choices as I see them:
1) End the game and go our separate ways, no hard feelings. This is the fate of most PbP eventually and we've had a good run.
2) Continue as is, with just the four of you
3) Continue as is, with just the four of you and add an NPC arcane caster that I run.
4) Go to the recruitment well for an arcanist. If we choose this, I think the party would be better off choosing the new member than I would, so I will let you ask the questions and make the choices.
Please give it serious consideration and then either vote here or by PM (chickens...) some rationale behind your choice is appreciated but not required.
Let's see . . ..
1) But, but, I don't WANNA!
2) As I understand this AP's reputation, "party balance" is actually something it expects us to worry about.
3) Normally I try to avoid games with GM run party members, for hopefully obvious reasons. I have some faith built up in Doc Evil, so I am willing to consider this option.
4) Seems the traditional method for continuing on.
My preferences, in order, are 4, 3, 1 and then 2, I think.
I freely admit that the way I check my games normally, I keep a tab open for each one (on the game's Discussion tab) and then run across them refreshing the pages, and then go back to see if the page shows updated gameplay posts. Sometimes it takes me days to notice a Discussion post has happened. It did this time.
And, I agree, sadly, that this is the longest-lived of the PBP games I've gotten into. I would much rather that this discussion about what to do made this an exceptionally short example of the genre.
My turn.
:)
1)Unless the DM is tired of us that's out of question,i dont want to abandon the game.
2)That's ok and may speed up the game , but if we manage to get to the more challenging levels we gonna need arcane support.
3)That's fine too but you have LOT of work already.
4)I think that's the best option.
My personal preference is for 4 or 3. Personally okay with either.
Apologies for the slightly snippy reply. Squeezing this out between case reviews.
No word from Dolgrin, but it seems the three of you voted the same way. I will continue the game. I will run Beagan as NPC until we get out of the Glassworks and have a chance to encounter some one else.
If you have a player you'd like to recommend feel free, if you don't, I'll want your help finding the right person from public recruitment forum for a 1-2 lvl arcane caster.
I'm here. And vote along the same lines as the rest.
I must say the PC participation on this thread is quite disheartening to me.
We have 14 posts this week, and 7 of them have been by me. I should only be posting in between your interactions, not running the story singlehandedly.
Daily posts was one of the criteria when we started the game. I think there's enough going on to justify them...I gave you the chance to get out two weeks or so ago but it seems like running on fumes since then.
If you guys are too busy, bored, or otherwise involved to play, then say so, otherwise... you know, play!
You are not alone in your frustration.
Sometimes days like today happen. I got stuck at work and got home late, and then my wife demanded I spend time with her of all things. Such nerve! <grin>
I still managed to sneak in long enough to say SOMETHING that attempts to be more productive than "Heya!" The thing is, "Heya" is about all there was to say.
I know Doc knows that. He saw it just as I did, I think.
I realize my posting has been spotty as of late. I'm currently on my Air Force Reservist call up so it's likely to continue to be erratic until next year.
After all... I would much rather spend my Christmas on duty rather than spend it with my family. [/sarcasm]
DM Doctor Evil: Please run my character as necessary.
To Everyone: Merry Christmas and Bah Humbug.
Aleksander, take care and keep your head down. I'll run you as necessary up to a point.
Happy holidays to all. Hope to see you in the game soon!
Happy Ho-Ho to one and all!
Please note, tomorrow will be another significant travel day for me, and I may be unable to post at all. I should be able to return to routine posting on Monday.
Tomorrow is the last big travel day of my holiday season. Should be back to normal posting on Saturday. Thanks for your patience.
Happy new year everyone:)
This weekend I am helping run the Winter Camporee for the local Boy Scout District. I MIGHT (depending on when I leave work) try to make a post Friday before I head out to the campsite, but I won't be back until Sunday.
frownie face
At what point do I pull the plug on this game? With only one or two regular posters, and it taking two weeks for 1.5 rounds of combat, I think we have reached the point where trying to continue is just prolonging agony.
I have tried to hint and warn others to post regularly, but it has seemed to have the opposite effect.
Without a chime in from all 4 remaining players and a re-affirmation to post DAILY, I will sadly withdraw.
I need to hear in 48 hours that we can comply with that schedule, or I'll move on.
Hope to see the continued interest.
I am here and can post daily aside from weekends, although I will likely be away for a period in Feb/March.
I understand the sentiment and I think you have the right idea with a warning before a pulling of the plug. Better than to let it waste away any further.
I don't want it to be over, but the frownie face was supposed to be a public acknowledgement that what I want is apparently no longer relevant.
Such is the nature of the environment.
Thanks for checking in guys, i thought I'd hear from you two. We'll see about others.
I'll be honest, I almost missed this call to check in. I tend to keep tabs open with my games, and keep the games on the Discussion page, then I runt through the tabs hitting <F5> and look to see if there are entries on the Gameplay page.
I KNOW I checked my games later than you posted this call. I just didn't actually check the Discussion page last night. Oops.