So, aside from dropping the game (which I don't want to happen even as that looks more and more like a healthier alternative than what we're doing right now) would resetting to a certain point/starting over be feasible?
I don't really think just trying to do better heading forward would work, as we've already had this conversation in a different form before. With all that we've skipped/missed and the inertia of the current state of the campaign and characters/players I don't we can salvage things in the long run.
So to be blunt, the choices I see are turning the game off, or resetting to an earlier save, and doing better.
If anyone has any other suggestions I'd be more than happy to hear them.
I'd be open to a reset. YBD can give us some reading to catch up on the lore, then we can proceed from there.
Unfortunately, I don't believe that even a hard reset will be enough to bring the magic back. Things have been bad for far too long, and the root cause still isn't being addressed. You aren't a party (as Neverhome said), but the longstanding lack of player communication is something I don't see changing. Even now, while I'm actively contemplating ending this game, people are basically just responding to me - if at all. You can't fix player issues through in-game actions.
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When we started we had a bunch more people, Zses and Vashti liked interacting with everyone, we had our comfort zones and rapports but we also interacted with them and it let us all interact together. And then they left, and we started skipping over stuff so the few times we could do anything that wasn't a combat, we stayed with who we had the most rapport with.
We didn't even start the game together, we were two groups, that got combined. Outside of interacting in the bar during recruitment we didn't make our characters to interact with one another, Neverhome and Sigrun were in two completely different groups for example.
Now over the past 3 books skipping over all the non-combats we don't have the opportunity to interact, to goof off, is my perception. That sense of urgency which I have no idea why it's there, but it is, and it doesn't allow us any downtime.
We've been on a conveyor, and we haven't interacted outside of our rapport, but we also haven't had any apparent need to do so.
We're not a group, so we'd need to fix that before we fix the campaign. This group pretty much feels like me and my coworkers and family in real life. We interact when we have to do something together (combat), and that's it. We don't interact out of it, we don't want to, we have no need to, there's no reason for us to interact more than we have to.
That's a pretty interesting point. Maybe the only way to fix it is to stop the game for a bit, in a way. To sit down here with Anastasia and see what happens?
That's not quite the point, honestly. Neverhome's comment about coworkers is close, but still not there. The real issue is there's no connection or communication between players. Remember, you've all said that you've felt disengaged since early Book Three, and yet precisely nobody has spoken up about it. I get that Percy and Neverhome don't have any reason to chat in-game, but why does it take the threat of the campaign ending to make Choon and Rysky talk to each other?
We've been tablemates for five years, and what do we have to show for it? Rysky and MarkThomas send each other PMs, Choon and Whack-a-Rogue PM about interpreter stuff every now and then, Rysky and Whack-a-Rogue text about novels and such from time to time, and that's pretty much it. That, in my opinion, is the real reason this game has been slowly dying over the last few years. Having a nice campfire bonding scene in-game can make Percy, Neverhome, Hobbes, Sigrun, and Silence finally become a party, but the underlying issue will remain: their players have no connection to each other. It also won't solve the longstanding lack of player communication. Again, by your own admission, you've felt disconnected from the story for years! ... and I'm the only one who's said anything.
That's really what this all boils down to: silence. Players feel disengaged from the story - and say nothing. Players don't know where they're supposed to be going - and say nothing. Players are confused about something - and say nothing. Players aren't enjoying themselves - and say nothing. If nobody talks to each other, nothing gets fixed, and things just get worse and worse. I've brought this up before (in a much softer fashion), but nothing's changed - and has, in fact, continued to deteriorate. And I don't think that's something that can be easily fixed - if at all.
I haven't said anything so far cause so far when I've complained, in this in and other games, it just makes things worse, so I just stop talking about things. Or at least that's what it's like in my head.
The main reason I haven't said anything, though it ties into the above, is everybody else was still posting and carrying on like they had. So I thought it was just an issue for me and I didn't want to stir things up cause when i do it usually just makes things worse and rather than resolve anything and everything just simmers after.
Yea I kind of feel the same way. I've been having bad luck when it comes to voicing my concerns lately so I've been hesitant to do so here. But ultimately that is on me. As afar as out of character goes, I find it hard to bring stuff up and I'm better at responding to stuff. I don't want this game to die either.
I don't want the game to die, either, but I'm almost certain that's going to be the best course of action. For me, even though we've been having a difficult talk over the last few days, when I think about Reign of Winter, I mainly feel relief that I haven't had to post anything in Gameplay. It lost its magic for me quite some time ago, and I've basically just been going through the motions because I feel obligated to finish the campaign. As an unbiased third-party reminded me, this is just a game. If it's not enjoyable, it's okay to stop playing. I think that's what I need to do.
*nods*
Do what’s best for you. I’m sorry for contributing to it coming to this.
I hope you’re able to have fun in your other and future games.
Doing whats best for you is always best.... Do we all live happily ever after and save all the world?
Naturally. You'll find Baba Yaga, defeat Elvanna, stop the eternal winter, and live happily ever after.
I am also sorry that or must be this way, but I understand the reasoning and agree with it. It is unfortunate that we have ended with a whimper, yes, but now all of us can move on to more enjoyable projects. :)
It has been an honor, everyone. Truly, it was one for the memory books.
Playing through the first book is probably the happiest I’ve ever been, and the most fun I’ve ever had. It’s what got me into Pathfinder majorly, and involved in this site. I probably wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t gotten into this game.
Take care everyone.
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Back before things started falling apart, I'd begun writing up an ending to the campaign. It never got completed, but I still remember the important bits. Perhaps this short summary will bring closure.
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It's done. The Witch Queen has been defeated, and Grandmother Crone has been freed. Thanks to you, everything can now be returned to how it once was. Or perhaps not entirely....
Freed from its icy prison and reunited with its animating spirit, Gurren Slaygonn remains in Irrisen. Its enormous wooden form is formidable, and it serves as the immortal guardian of those who are oppressed and mistreated. Evil quickly learns to stay far from its unblinking gaze.
Neverhome and Sigrun set off on a journey away from Irrisen's frozen land, to a place far from witches, frost giants, and winter wolves. There, they set about creating a new life for themselves. One with no need for bloodshed or war. Simply two broken heroes learning to become one.
Percy and Hobbes leave as well; their quest is not yet done. Hila's shapeshifting amulet is only a temporary solution, but if Imbrex wills it, it's surely only a matter of time before Percy can break the spell. Then the three of them can truly be a family, with Hobbes' stoicism becoming a rock of stability and Percy's unpredictability becoming a fount of excitement.
Silence finally reunites with Greta, who's been patiently awaiting his return. Then, they travel far across the world to Silence's homeland. There, among the flutterbys and cherry blossoms, they find peace. The season of the ronin is over; perhaps it's time to open a tea house. Mule, of course, remains always by Silence's side.
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It's been quite the ride, everyone. While I'm sorry that it had to end like this, I wouldn't trade the memories we've made together for the world. Thanks for everything.
While I wish I could blame you, I cannot. For what it's worth, I'm sorry for my part. Thank you for the game. I guess I'm basically done on the boards then. It was probably my favorite PBP that I've played in.
It has been a wild ride with more good times than bad. I am glad to have taken this journey with you all. I will see you all again in some form or another i am sure, heck i know i am in several games with a few of you already.
Thank you YBD for the run. My own dming has certainly grown better having played with you. ( holiday bonus gifts are a thing I will encorperate if it makes sense in the campaign for it >^.^< )
Good travels all and see you when i see you again... yes yes >^.^<
That end is wonderful, YBD. Thank you.
I'm sorry for the part my own absence has played in this. Had a lot going on in real life 98actually filed for bankruptcy this morning) and haven't been as communicative as I should have. When it was good, it was very good and I think we can all take a valuable learning experience from this.