Path of the Vampire forum

Azraeth wrote:Plots tend to get attention over childer requests in my experience.

Asking someone to make a childer under your character when they have limited slots available has also inadvertently become something of a trust issue. For example - Whitaker is under Peter because we're friends and I know I can plot with you. My first character is sired under my housemate's character. So on and so forth. I'm not saying that you're not trusted, but a lot of people aren't willing to break outside of their closed writing circles.

Which isn't your fault.

This.

There's also something (I've noticed, at least) of what seems to be a competition. Whenever a new character concept is pitched, or a new human crops up, or a new player comes around, the world and his brother are all vying to... Get the new childe sired under them. It's never, in my experience, talks of specific plots or how characters might meet, how an RP or a series of RPs might grow and one day lead to a siring, but rather a siring first and worrying about the logistics of it later. To me, as someone who likes to write and develop various characters, it seems like a backwards approach.

So, it might serve, in the hunt for childre, to go from a story perspective first. Elliot is broody - that's a good start. So... Is he actively looking to sire, or is that an OOC thing to seek out more writing/writing partners? What does he do, where does he go, what sort of characters would pair well enough with him that they could/would realistically interact on at least a semi-regular basis? And so on...

Mircea wrote: There's also something (I've noticed, at least) of what seems to be a competition. Whenever a new character concept is pitched, or a new human crops up, or a new player comes around, the world and his brother are all vying to... Get the new childe sired under them. It's never, in my experience, talks of specific plots or how characters might meet, how an RP or a series of RPs might grow and one day lead to a siring, but rather a siring first and worrying about the logistics of it later. To me, as someone who likes to write and develop various characters, it seems like a backwards approach.

This. Soooo much this.

I think a little bit of that sort of enthusiasm is really nice, but when it persists and people seem to want their plots solely based around siring a new character, it is somewhat offputting. At least I think so? Because then it just seems like people are snatching up players just for the sake of doing so and I know for one, that I don't like writing characters when I feel like they're just numbers.

You also have to remember that the community is pretty small. I love spreading my characters out, but some people aren't comfortable having characters in a lot of different groups. Especially because it can complicate gameplay and RP. When issues happen between factions, it's ALWAYS the people who have characters in both groups that get targeted (on both sides) as potential drama makers, or 'spies' or what have you.

Some people are just comfortable playing 1-2 characters.

I also think, and this is my personal opinion, if you're planning to try and sire new people, you need an end game in mind. Like uhh, you need to have some ideas for plots going into it. Which is a big part of the problem with these 'make a character under mine' threads. They are, in my experience, devoid of a solid plot idea going in.

Maybe you could try focusing on creating plots with existing childer? Like Lex or Skylar? Or focus on getting Elliot some more friends? Or even enemies.

I also clicked just to see what was going on. The title's a little vague. I was actually hoping to see some sort of character need that Cass could help out with (money, support, abilities, etc).

Since returning from my little Pathcation, I've noticed that people are a lot more withdrawn. It doesn't seem like they've learned to get along better, they've just learned to be less obvious about the conflict. I was surprised at the number of people who have avoided me because of some spat we had months ago, when I don't even remember who a lot of people are.

Also, additional characters take additional time. If I use all of my one character's daily energy and write a 500-word post, that's all of my free time after work plus my lunch break. I can't imagine running and RPing another one.

Also also, along the lines of what someone else mentioned - I've wanted a reliable writing partner for years, and I've been regularly disappointed. People can't generally keep up with thread replies, let alone stick to a new character concept. I guess personally I've been jaded out of it.

Also x3, and I hope this doesn't come off nearly as caustic as it's been stated elsewhere - the "I need a babeh to spoil" thing does, to me, come off a little pedantic. The (statement? request?) is actually focused on fulfilling the desires of the potential sire, not meeting a need/desire of the potential childe/player. What's the incentive for this hypothetical player? Free in-game items and a responsibility to come up with plot customized to a pre-existing character? It seems like people are more likely to seek out plot ideas here.

Mircea wrote:There's also something (I've noticed, at least) of what seems to be a competition. Whenever a new character concept is pitched, or a new human crops up, or a new player comes around, the world and his brother are all vying to... Get the new childe sired under them. It's never, in my experience, talks of specific plots or how characters might meet, how an RP or a series of RPs might grow and one day lead to a siring, but rather a siring first and worrying about the logistics of it later. To me, as someone who likes to write and develop various characters, it seems like a backwards approach.

It kinda seems like it's necessary around here. I've seen more than one player join the game, get told OOC to "let me/us help you out, teach you the ropes", and the first thing they're told in private is who not to get involved with. Gotta be quick on the trigger if you want new people to play with, apparently.

Mircea wrote:Lex is adamantly opposed to all things Pi, which makes things worse there, those two being all together and all.

Yeah, I never understood this. His siring thread was based on Lex hitting on Pi, Elliot losing his ****, then near to killing the poor guy, getting the guilts and turning Lex. Since then, Pi has steered clear of Lex, well, cause Elliot was hardly rational :)

(which might be fun stories later when you feel like writings)

But the hating and not wanting to have anything to do with Pi? But get along with Elliot the overly jealous ******** who beat Lex so much he bled out and was going to die? O.o - That struck me as odd.

*leaves the thread to Chloe to answer!*

Mircea wrote: So, it might serve, in the hunt for childre, to go from a story perspective first.

I think this is a good suggestion :)

Mircea wrote:Elliot is broody - that's a good start. So... Is he actively looking to sire

and this is a good question to answer too I think.

It does say specifically in the first thread:

"And. Well. Someone else to come in and knock Elliot around a bit, plot-wise. Maybe. I'm open to ideas. Things. Anything."

I was a bit vague. I could have been more specific. Yes, I am looking to just RP him generally and with Elliot, there's a very good chance that he'd hang around with a human beforehand. He'd get to know them. Hell, I'd love more people from his past to come through (which I've tried to get someone to play his half brother before, but it didn't happen).

Anyone who knows me will know that I'm always down for a good and dramatic plot. I live on IC drama.

No, Elliot would actively be looking to sire - that is a good question and it is a good point. An awesome plot behind it would be fantastic. I suppose I was waiting to see who might be interested before plotting things out - and am very happy if it takes six months for plots to reach their end-goal.

I'm not a selfish person and it's not about numbers. It's about writing, and plot, and I think the best writing occurs when the characters are neck deep in some kind of emotional turmoil. A turning could be rife with that kind of emotional turmoil.

Anyway. Thanks everyone for your answers! I haven't responded to everyone because this thread kind of exploded. XD

Azraeth wrote:

Mircea wrote: There's also something (I've noticed, at least) of what seems to be a competition. Whenever a new character concept is pitched, or a new human crops up, or a new player comes around, the world and his brother are all vying to... Get the new childe sired under them. It's never, in my experience, talks of specific plots or how characters might meet, how an RP or a series of RPs might grow and one day lead to a siring, but rather a siring first and worrying about the logistics of it later. To me, as someone who likes to write and develop various characters, it seems like a backwards approach.

This. Soooo much this.

I think a little bit of that sort of enthusiasm is really nice, but when it persists and people seem to want their plots solely based around siring a new character, it is somewhat offputting. At least I think so? Because then it just seems like people are snatching up players just for the sake of doing so and I know for one, that I don't like writing characters when I feel like they're just numbers.

You also have to remember that the community is pretty small. I love spreading my characters out, but some people aren't comfortable having characters in a lot of different groups. Especially because it can complicate gameplay and RP. When issues happen between factions, it's ALWAYS the people who have characters in both groups that get targeted (on both sides) as potential drama makers, or 'spies' or what have you.

Some people are just comfortable playing 1-2 characters.

I also think, and this is my personal opinion, if you're planning to try and sire new people, you need an end game in mind. Like uhh, you need to have some ideas for plots going into it. Which is a big part of the problem with these 'make a character under mine' threads. They are, in my experience, devoid of a solid plot idea going in.

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I can relate to these two posts. I agree wholeheartedly. What is truly disappointing, however, are things like this:

Cassandra wrote: It kinda seems like it's necessary around here. I've seen more than one player join the game, get told OOC to "let me/us help you out, teach you the ropes", and the first thing they're told in private is who not to get involved with. Gotta be quick on the trigger if you want new people to play with, apparently.

Out Of Character drama is the absolute worst thing that could ever happen. It's pointless, and to get right to it, that sort of drama is the very thing that will drive even the best of games into the ground. I can't tell you how many sites I've seen crash and burn, despite being utterly magnificent and well-kept, just because the writers felt some need to engage in clique-like behavior, push their grudges and negativity onto newcomers without daring to let them have an opinion of their own. It's maddening behavior. And for the art of roleplay, it is suicide.

That said, the blame does not fall solely on those who push this sort of "they suck, we rule" mindset. If you come into any situation where you're being told 'oh don't listen to them, they're losers, etc etc' and you end up buying into anything said to you without first doing your homework and forming your opinion by getting to know those so-called losers....you are, in fact, as much of the problem as anyone else.

Now, it's been mentioned that I've played here before. Some of these people, I have written with. And a good portion of them...I was never fond of. We didn't get along. And why? Because someone thought that out-of-character was the best way to attack me for something my character did. Senseless. I didn't come back to this game and instantly go..."Oh who do they play, I hate that vampire. I still can't stand them." No. And more to the point, I'm not too worried about that person at all. I am here to write. And play a game. And if I can't do that, and do it well with a passion, what's the point?


So I know that got a little off topic, but...It kinda just needed to come out, ya know? But yeah, Elliot seems cool. If Soul were a vampire, who knows. But if you're ever in the market for some human plottage...hit me up.

Pi dArtois wrote:

Mircea wrote:Lex is adamantly opposed to all things Pi, which makes things worse there, those two being all together and all.

Yeah, I never understood this. His siring thread was based on Lex hitting on Pi, Elliot losing his ****, then near to killing the poor guy, getting the guilts and turning Lex. Since then, Pi has steered clear of Lex, well, cause Elliot was hardly rational :)

(which might be fun stories later when you feel like writings)

But the hating and not wanting to have anything to do with Pi? But get along with Elliot the overly jealous ******** who beat Lex so much he bled out and was going to die? O.o - That struck me as odd.

*leaves the thread to Chloe to answer!*

Just quickly here... The steering clear is sort of where his issue stems from. To his mind - which isn't to say if he's right or not - Pi had ample opportunity to prevent or alter the events of that night, but chose to do nothing. She could have told him he was unavailable when he hit on her, made it clear Elliot was her boyfriend, stopped the two of them going out to fight, stopped the fight before it got Lex killed and probably some other things too. From there, he got turned, and Pi continued to do nothing. He's angry and he blames Pi for what happened and she hasn't made any attempt to connect or reconcile. He and Elliot have spoken about it and reached a sort of truce between them, so it's less tense there, but Pi... He's got twisted up notions about Pi. I wish I could draw to portray just how he sees he because words in this case are much harder, but they're what I have at my disposal, so we'll have to make do.

Szabina wrote:Just skimming the first post, this is my red flag:

Elliot dArtois wrote:He's got one childe who is actively written.

It makes me wonder why that is. He's got a lot of childer; what made them inactive? Would this same thing (or things) make me not want to play the character actively?

Madison wrote:Asteria - Runs her own forum RPG, also moved and got a job.

I'll be honest, Asteria is still actively written. Is she written much on the forum? No, and it does have a bit to do with OOC.

I realize that there can be gaps between when I write on forum, and it's not an intentional lapse. Those who know me know that I can get insanely sick and end up hospitalized; Those who know me even better know that I'm working hard to try and get my acting up and going which means a lot of man hours away from the computer. Generally still have my phone on and I still read/reply/play from my phone when not busy. On top of that, I do run my own RPG and have since prior to path; self-hosted and the like, so when the server goes out or there's a bug, it's me fixing it.

However, what got me most was back when you still had Zelda, and even prior to it. I offered to plot with you because you were desperate for writing...but, you wanted people more active. Despite the fact that I was a willing participant, a willing plotter and writer, you said you were looking for something else. That didn't make me much want to write, overall, as it felt like, "oh, you need to live on the computer to be worth the effort to write". While that may not have been the intent, that's how it felt and I shut down a bit more.

I am still active. I write, but not much with Lancaster, despite Asteria's want to try and write with Lan. In my mind, I'm not active enough for the player behind the man.

Does that mean I won't ever write with him again? No, not at all. That just means that, unless I have more time to devote to faster replies, I didn't see a point in bringing up ideas.

And, I'm sorry if this reads any sort of way as it isn't intended to. It's merely my honest viewpoint, cut to the quick, on why Asteria is seemingly not in the picture.