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I get that we've drifted, but as this was originally chartered as an experiment to begin with, I will stick around and be part of this game until I no longer visit these boards. Just try and give some warning before starting, and when starting after a break, try and give a bit of a recap.
Tarq accepts the vials graciously and gives a small bow before heading farther into the sewer.
FIGHT...FIGHT...FIGHT...FIGHT...FIGHT!
Tarq bows slightly to Janiven, "As you desire." After that gesture, Tarq makes for the secret door with all possible haste, rushing downward toward the sewer, stopping only to grab a (conveniently placed light source) from the tavern before plunging into the darkness below.
After the young man bursts in, Tarq, having finished his food, rises calmly and pushes his chair back to its place at the table. "Thank you for the food, it was delicious. Being a gracious hostess, the rules of hospitality bade me to offer you no harm, and defend against others who wish to visit it upon you. I will aid you in the manner which you desire, whether it be to flee as Stanley proposes, or it be to kill them as Marroar seems inclined. Time is of the essence however, as Stanley pointed out, if we are discovered here, we will all be branded as traitors, the only way to avoid this is to not be here when they arrive, or to be the only ones to leave here after. Choose as you will, but do so quickly."
"The heathens must be held to account. Their actions have consequences beyond their reckoning. My body is molded to combat the corruption that has infused itself into this land, but how do you plan on combating it? I am curious to hear the answers to the questions that Stanley has posed."
Tarq is content in analyzing, attacking, conquering then devouring his food. When the old man rises suddenly, he is startled and jumps to his feet, prepared to defend himself. When the old man expresses his paranoia, Tarq takes a few moments to glance about, not seeing any signs of an ambush he decides to brush himself off, collect his chair, and resume his seat and meal quietly.
So, today I have learned something very important, it's not a good idea to make a bunch of posts while on narcotics, it leads to a lot of rambling. Don't take anything I've posted too seriously, its light doses, but have been on narcotics for the past day and a half, so not sure everything is as coherent as it seemed when typed.
So my most recent post read: As the others begin to trade comments and lightly veiled insults, Tarq takes the opportunity to start devouring his meal. As man who calls himself Marroar goes on his bend, Tarq wonders to himself, what has befallen this man to make him so angry, to hate existence so much? He also notices the ease with which the insults roll of the back of Da'Ka, in his line of work he supposes he's dealt with much worse. As the verbal onslaught focuses on him, Tarq glances about, not sure what sort of reaction would be appropriate, but then the focus moves on, and to his relief, he shoves another bite of food into his mouth, it has been a long time since he had warm food in his belly. However, this provides Tarq's perceptions and reactions to what is happening around him, and it reads well, and from a story perspective, is a lot more productive. However it provides a lot of information that wouldn't be obvious to others, to provide only what would be visible to others it maybe should read: Tarq seems to grow uncomfortable when the insulting comments turn to him. He looks about awkwardly, but is visibly relieved when the attention turns away from him. He takes the opportunity to scoop another heaping portion of his meal into his mouth as the conversation turns. Just a different style, that doesn't really give away any of his inner motivations, this leaves it up to the player to decide why, and skills can be used if another players wishes to try and use insight into his actions to determine his motivations. I trust in the other players to be able to separate player/character knowledge, but I already know that Marroar is self hating, and uses bitterness and insults to cope with a world that has dealt him a wrong. I know this and it will change how I perceive him and his actions from now on. I can choose to act as if my character doesn't know this information, but then I am choosing a course of action that is willfully ignoring information, vice working from possibly incorrect or correct impressions. It’s a subtle but real difference. Once again though, if it makes the game more fun, then there is nothing wrong with that. So do think it does in fact make the game more enjoyable?
Obviously the merits of this style of play are varied. In the vacuum medium of pbp, I see the value of the additional narrative, I also see the point that other may read along. Also, however I realize and embrace the fact that I am here to play a game, not perform dinner theater for others. The fact that my post(s) include more inner thought and expression were not contrary to my feelings, they were written that way to mesh with the style that was already there, so like Marroar said, I did it on purpose, but that purpose was not because I thought it was better, it was because it seemed in style, since Da'Ka posted that he wasn't sure why that style was present, I assume he thought it might not be the best way to doing business so, that's when I felt it would be prudent to express my thoughts. Finally I think it really comes down to a measure of, what means the most fun for all involved? I am very much in favor of there being a standard and expecting all to abide by said standard, so my issue comes there, what is our standard? Are we all expected to narrate all of our posts? Are we expected not to? Are we somewhere in the middle? Also, I'm always up for a good discussion/debate, I find it an interesting way to learn other points of view, and to me, it’s just a good way to spend some time.
So, within moments of typing up my reply, I thought about it. The rash of expressing one's inner monologue at this stage of the game might simply be the pbp way of discussing/introducing characters. I'm not sure this is correct, or the best way of doing things, it just occured to me, and thought I should take that into consideration as well.
I have to say I agree, in other games I've played, I tend to see that, and take some issue. Some players often post what their character is thinking, but should I, as another player, know what your character is thinking? It does make for a better read, and in a play by post which is slower paced by nature it gives for a more substantial post, but then it forces me as a player to separate player from character knowledge more actively. This itself isn't a very big problem, but one that is easy to avoid, and in fact requires one to do less work to solve. If this is the way we want to run the game, I'm down with it, as I said, it does add some value, and one can make the argument, if it adds fun, then it’s only a bonus to the game. If we're only doing because its thought of as being, "correct" then I say it’s time we dispel that illusion.
As the others begin to trade comments and lightly veiled insults, Tarq takes the opportunity to start devouring his meal. As man who calls himself Marroar goes on his bend, Tarq wonders to himself, what has befallen this man to make him so angry, to hate existence so much? He also notices the ease with which the insults roll of the back of Da'Ka, in his line of work he supposes he's dealt with much worse. As the verbal onslaught focuses on him, Tarq glances about, not sure what sort of reaction would be appropriate, but then the focus moves on, and to his relief, he shoves another bite of food into his mouth, it has been a long time since he had warm food in his belly.
Tarq is already sitting as the others arrive. He nods politely as they are seated. As Da'Ka arrives, his nod seems to be one recognition more so than for the others. As Janiven begins the conversation he listens intently, that is, until the food arrives. Before the server even arrives to the table, his nostrils flare, and as the plates are passed, his eyes grow wide. His mouth drops open half an inch, and hangs there while he licks at his chapped lips. He seems about ready to dive head first into the plate, but moment before he strike, he shakes his head quickly and regains his composure, he listens to the others as they tell their tales, he finds Stanley's deductions to be intriguing, but begins to grow board, and impatient, wish for the man to finish soon so that it would be polite to start his meal. The man's final statements hang in the air a moment, but Tarq jumps up before the lady can begin to address the final statement. "I'm...well, you can call me Tarq, I am, well I guess I'm an investigator. I'm in the same sort of work as Da'Ka here, I know of his work in this city. I broker more in information than items however. I, ah, I'm looking for answers." He pauses, his last words hanging as though he intends to continue, but instead he just looks about, a bit awkwardly and hurriedly sits down, nodding definitively, indicating that he is done, and looks to their hostess to continue.
Still adding the finishing touches, but the mechanics are in place. Sorry for being so pokey. |
