Discussion Thread number 2 Of Nazgûl-Kings-Friends-Rings Campaign

[Rían]

Nice new avvy, Willow!

OK, I added character bios to the formal info thread for Tyaron and Alagos, those mysterious elven guys ...

[Willow Oran]

Evil double post.

[Willow Oran]

Thank you!

All righty now... it's three in the morning here and I can't sleep and the reason I can't sleep is because I've been thinking which means you all get to hear a rant, which you will hopefully find useful.

In light of Sane's assertation that the previous solution I suggested has been tried and has failed I started trying to think of other solutions.

Why?

Because I hate needless conflict. It's number one on the list of 'Things That Maggie Cannot Stand' and it really pisses me off to see people who I generally like and respect wasting their energy in argument that will inevitably result in hurt feelings. That in this case has resulted in hurt feelings.

That said, the topic of this rant is Problem Solving through Creative Usage of Point of View.

No two players are ever going to view a scene or character in precisely the same way. Similarily, no two characters will ever view the same scene or charatcer the same way. This can be used to our advantage, the intrinsic differences in point of view allow to smooth out the bumps that occur when someone describes our personal charatcer as looking or behaving in a way that we don't agree with and they allow us to do so in a way that doesn't trample all over our fellow players.

For example: Since I introduced my character she's been described as dour, gaunt, scary, and 'the lovliest creature [he] had ever seen'

Not only are these descriptions somewhat contradictory, but I didn't write any of them. The only physical description I ever wrote for her was that she was 'unmistakably noldor' and 'just beginning to show signs of age'.

So why do all these different descriptions work? Because they're all from different points of view. The elf that I imagined as being very muscular could very well seem gaunt from a nazgul point of view. And while she may look old to other elves, a middle aged human could easily find her attractive. It works.

Admittedly it gets a little trickier when writing reactions. But that's where specific details come in. If your character has been written as reacting with laughter when you feel rage would have been appropriate, perhaps you could have specified that her expressions of rage and mirth sound similar and are easily mistaken.

Remember, we aren't writing this from third person omniscient viewpoints. We're all of us writing from third persom limited, therefore the only thing we can be certain of is our own character's view point. However, our character's are constantly interacting and are just as liable to misinterpret eachother within the storyline as we are to misunderstand eachother outside of it. The best way to solve those misinterpretations is to explain what was really happening from the misunderstood point of view, just the way we would when interacting while out of character. Except with more of a storytelling flare.

Granted this requires some mental flexibility, but in the end it's worth it as it makes for a richer story in which everyone can participate without feeling squashed.

To end: Remember the first Rule of Improvisation which applies both to the stage and to collaborative writing:

Never say no. The answer is always yes, no matter how much you disagree because when one says no, the story dies.

That's all. I'm going to go back to trying to sleep now.

[Gordis]

Dear Lotesse,

I am sorry if my opinion distressed you. Really I am.

Please, observe that everyone agreed that your post was of excellent quality. Nobody (not even CS) has ever asked you to delete it entirely. I agree that CS should have been more diplomatic.

But CS only asked you to end your post at the moment when Viv started laughing, to let the others react to Viv' s angry admonishing words and her laughter in a way, which everyone chooses for his character.
Perhaps some would laugh, perhaps some would continue to fight, perhaps some would attack Viv. That is exactly what makes the game interesting - letting people react in their own way, unpredictable to others.

I understand and I appreciate that you pay your own money, wait for your turn in libraries and take hours from much needed sleep to take part in this game. Your contribution is invaluable, and I know everyone here feels the same. I am sure that you have taken away your post because you got very distressed. Sorry.

I only hope that you still have this post saved somewhere, so you could put it back. Of course, Viv should hurry to Orrodel! Of course she should admonish the others angrily. And of course, if laughter is her natural reaction, she should laugh!

Gordis

[Willow Oran]

She doesn't have it saved, I asked.

[Lady Marion Magdalena]

Cheese. I got a new name. Just lettin' you all know.

[CrazySquirrel]

Sorry for putting an empty message in the Main. I wanted to post here, but then decided for a PM.

Good luck with the new name, WO-LMM.

[The last sane person]

Oh god, more split personalities.... Ms Marion... Stick with Willow!

[Rían]

Will-OW! Will-OW!! Will-OOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!

(I like Willow Oran!)

[The last sane person]

I take it the loss of her original name pains you? Yeah, Willow is the best.

[Lady Marion Magdalena]

You know, the irony here is that I've had these two names far longer than I've had the name Willow. Sorry guys, I've been wanting to make the name change for a while now and couldn't do it before because I didn't have a second e-mail to use, Willow was getting too childish for my liking.

[Rían]

yeah, I always liked her user name *sniff*

Now she comes down with BoP/Sheeana disease!

It's not too late, Willow! Come back! Come back! To Mordor - er, Willow we will take you!

[Gordis]

Congratulations, Willow.

You seem fond of the letter M, Marion-Magdalena-Mahtaliel
Perhaps you care to post for MM's sometimes?

[Rían]

I don't think Willow is childish; I think it's kinda sexy and beautiful- I think of willow-y elves...

(but it's up to you, of course )

[Lady Marion Magdalena]

I suppose I could always post from both accounts. Maybe switch off... wouldn't that be fun!

[Rían]

Gordis and others who are running the reception - rpg-Rian's about ready to leave, she's had enough for the night. Is there any protocol you want her to observe, besides taking her formal leave of the Chancellor and his daughter and thanking them for the lovely evening? Or is there any reason why she should stick around? I'll have her wait a while if that's the case.

[The last sane person]

Good lord, thats...gonna be fun. Well, I dont think that there ought to be a protocol, Marty and Ray kinda left, but I can always work into my post that they said their farewells!

[Gordis]

Originally Posted by RÃ*an

Gordis and others who are running the reception - rpg-Rian's about ready to leave, she's had enough for the night. Is there any protocol you want her to observe, besides taking her formal leave of the Chancellor and his daughter and thanking them for the lovely evening? Or is there any reason why she should stick around? I'll have her wait a while if that's the case.

I don't think anything else is planned, actually Val said it was the last dance. The Reception is closing. Come say goodbye. Soon the hosts will be seeing the King to his carriage.

EDIT: But wait! re-read Val's last post. Rian went into the garden, Earniel stopped her dance with the King and followed you anxiously. Why?

[Rían]

*rereads Val's post*

Oh, yeah - hmm, it's unclear if he meant Eärniel was following RÃ*an, or if Eärniel just wanted to go back to the garden (maybe to check out the fountain again?), or if she was following someone else... Eärniel and Val - I'll leave it up to you - I'll have RÃ*an wait in the garden a bit.

[Udukhaturz]

I have edited my post Number #357. This should give an opening for TD, CS or anyone to make a follow-up.