Character Development Thread--Discussion

Our main issue appears to be that we want something that a wide variety of characters can appear in, but we don't want anyone to be saying "How did I get here, and where is 'here' anyway?". So basically, what does everyone, across all of space, time and whatever else, want or need?

Since practically all of us have more than one character in Mansion, I'm going to assume that we're all adept at having at least two characters in play simultaneously. Toying with the whole "Damsel in Distress" cliche, we could each have two characters - both connected to each other in some way - with one seeking to retrieve/meet-up with the other after this other has ended up in this world-between-worlds by some means that are as-yet unknown. Of course, this would probably still involve one of the (at least) two characters going "Where am I?", but I suspect it doesn't have to, necessarily... Oh, and it most certainly doesn't have to be 1 Distressed Damsel + 1 Heroic Knight. There are numerous more connections between characters than just "victim and saviour" that would make them want to find each other. And assuming all "seekers" start off in the same place and head to the same place to find whoever it is they're looking for - and thus, all those being sought are in the same place, (possibly imprisoned? Working towards escape?) - characters in both groups will need to rely upon and trust each other, getting to know one another in the process. Incidentally, this fits well with a Character Quest.

Obviously, this idea has its fair share of issues. But we're not going to get anywhere by being mopey and declaring "I don't like it!". What don't you like about it, specifically? Why don't you like it? What would you change? This idea is open to amendments, after all, no matter how drastic.

We may also have to come to terms with the fact that we may never reach a total consensus.

Not entirely dead.

The problem with exploration is what the characters are going to find. In a collective writing project, the ideas for what each participant wants their characters to find might well conflict with one-another. The only practical way I see Quest succeeding is if it's turned into essentially a Dungeons and Dragons game without the dice-rolling.

I think it's worth noting that Mansion was put together by a handful of people with a shared vision in mind and I think I'm safe in saying it's been very successful so far.

As for your suggestion of characters bringing a plot into a thread, instead of just having the plot all develop within a thread, seems relatively safe to me. Just so long as what goes on between those two characters isn't too disruptive.

edited 7th Mar '13 6:54:32 PM by Gault

yey

And on a completely non contributary front I'm going to a model united nations conference this weekend (I leave Friday afternoon). I'll probably be able to post, but given my only internet access is my laptop and I might be occupied so totally I won't be able to post even with wifi. In that case I'll just hand off my characters for control to Leung. (woohoo phone)

As for suggestions, I do like the duality suggestion (and wanting to find the other person could probably range from ripping their guts out to making out passionately) but if we want something of a journey (even if it's one party linear) we're going to need some people to babysit the thread pretty thoroughly. Making things up as you go along has a tendency to turn into a "Hey, who's awake at this hour and types quickly" game; and though the individual characters will have their reasons for finding each other I'm pretty sure we're going to need some overarching obstacles and plot.

edited 7th Mar '13 7:48:00 PM by Aqueos

Bet you didn't see that coming

On Blackfire 667's suggestion: interesting, and I can already think of a pair that would work. Although I might have to think of another, since half of that pair is the present-day version of Amu.

Which brings up the age-old question of relative character power levels. There's a very real chance that even he wouldn't be the most powerful character in that thread. How could we keep less powerful characters from becoming dead weight, or demigods from dominating the thread?

edited 7th Mar '13 7:51:47 PM by KillerClowns

The actual plot of this concept needs to be hashed out a lot more, that's definitely true. But we'll get to the specific obstacles and whatnot of the plot when we can agree on a general concept. Which, hopefully, we can do pretty soon...

As for demi-gods, I would personally prefer a thread that lacked any Cosmic Entities. When god-like beings take an active role alongside mere mortals, well, it's just not a winning formula. In my opinion, anyway. And that's not to say they can't make good characters, I just think they should be more in the background. Generals back at the HQ, and not front-line soldiers. In any case, if we do allow demi-gods and PhysicalGods in, then I suppose we could just ask the player behind them to not be a huge Jerkass. Barring that, I say we implement some kind of reality-warping Sentient Cosmic Force / truly omnipotent being that will serve only to keep other god-like beings from acting out.

Not entirely dead.

On Mansion: I think my complete and utter inability to start a conversation in real life is starting to leak over to the CDTs. I kinda want to have Grimhilde start chatting up Agustin (or possibly follow Elisif and Krajn out into the entry hall), but I can't think of a decent conversation starter. The fact that Grimhilde's extended period of silence is already out of character for her isn't helping matters.

On the new thread: The "two people looking for each other" idea sounds interesting, but at the same time it sounds like it could easily veer into "other side of the forums" roleplaying, especially if it's being strictly monitored.

Icon by Civvi the Civilian!

Yes. I think we're veering into overly high-concept ideas now.

Wish I could come up with some more positive feedback.

edited 7th Mar '13 9:41:10 PM by nrjxll

The point of each people writing two characters also gave me another idea of a more antagonistic version where one group could be fugitives and the other group hunt them. Not the best of suggestions but just laying out alternatives.

(Braces self for negative feedback)

edited 7th Mar '13 9:57:15 PM by PsychoFreaX

Help?.. please...

If you wish to find someone else there are many reasons for this.

That, is indeed one of them. I think that forcing people's characters to have a specific reason for searching for another one is just needless red tape.

I'll admit that it is most definitely walking the line. I have no idea what to do though.

edited 7th Mar '13 10:46:45 PM by Aqueos

Bet you didn't see that coming

Indeed, one of many reasons one character could be searching for another is that one is hunted and the other is the hunter.

If my idea sounds too much like a proper RP rather than a CDT*

, then what are going to do about it?

Not entirely dead.

...You know, maybe I'll just sit this one out.

Sit what out? The new thread that nobody can agree should be a certain way yet?

And since Agustin is free, sitting at the bar and doing nothing, I would suggest Grimhilde speak with him instead of Elisif who is busy doing something with another character.

yey

No, the discussion about the new thread. I feel like I just keep saying "this is a bad idea" every other post.

The 'looking for each other' thing sounds too... eh, complex/specific for the CDTs and not compelling enough for the right side of the forum. Quest sounds only a bit better to me, but note that traditionally, literal quests in adventure fiction tend to lean towards the plot and settings rather than the characters. I think that's my main gripe here.

When it comes to story gods, our policy has always been to entrust the writers to be mature enough to keep their phallus out of matters, something a little more would probably be nice as a precaution.

Also, regarding the Theater group, how are people feeling about just skipping past the movie?

edited 8th Mar '13 3:38:36 AM by CrystalGlacia

"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."

Fuck it. Do it. I might as well get Samira back in circulation, and I'm sure others feel likewise.

Also, while I'll probably end up participating in the final product, don't expect too much participation from me in the design of the next CDT. Personal reasons.

edited 8th Mar '13 3:45:50 AM by KillerClowns

I'm fine with just skipping to the end of the movie. We've been at it long enough anyways, and I'd like to start writing for Anne again.

Icon by Civvi the Civilian!

It certainly has been long enough for the movie to end... Who would like to do the honours?

It's all well and good to say what's wrong with my idea - the main issue seeming to be "it sounds too much like an RP", which confuses me quite a bit because CD Ts and R Ps seem pretty darn similar - but how about some alternatives? Ideas to make it seem less like an RP? Anything at all?

Not entirely dead.

I think the distinction between the CDTs and normal RPs is that the former is very loose (no sign-up sheet, excuse plots, etc.) with a emphasis on characters, while the latter is rather strict with an emphasis on plot.

Perhaps we should decide on a setting first, and then see what potential plots/other things could be derived from said setting?

As for the movie: I'll end it, considering I was the person driving it along for the most part anyway.

edited 8th Mar '13 1:40:15 PM by Yomegami

Icon by Civvi the Civilian!

I like your idea a lot though!

Well, this IS TV Tropes, so finding a good setting, or at least the base idea of one isn't going to be hard.

Despite my current silence of most things happened, I'd love to help flesh out any details of the thread. ^_^

"Life is eternal; and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight." - R. W. Raymond

Sorry about not posting. I'm in the process of moving out for spring break and it's a real pain to type on this phone.

As for the new thread, the idea that I keep coming back to is an urban setting. We're always doing things set in isolated wilderness areas or buildings in the middle of nowhere - it might be nice to try something different.

I concur with that statement, it would be a rather nice change as opposed to what's normally done.

Anyway, sorry for not posting in Mansion when I said I would... week ago (Head currently banging against wall).

I could use an update on Mansion if that's not a problem.

Note to self: Pick less edgy username next time.

Where everyone's at:

• Parlor: Irilemi, John, Oswald, Andrew
• Smoking Room: Elisif, Krajn
• Art Gallery: Sora, Thomas
• Dining Room: Nara, Linna, Harry, Allisa
• Kitchen: Linza, Mary, Leo*
• Balcony/Second Floor: Abieyuwa, Jonathan
• Wine Cellar: Franklin, Talbot, Donovan, Grimhilde, Koyel, Agustin, Xavier, Lance, Wylfing
• Sparring Room: Sven, Mai, Aseyu, Gabrielle
• Theater: Bianca, Tamara, Claire, Ryu, Matthias, Samira, Nathan, Anne

(*) = Seriously inactive.

edited 11th Mar '13 8:11:01 PM by Yomegami

Icon by Civvi the Civilian!

Thank you very much

EDIT: You can pretty much take Donovan and Talbot off of the list by this point. Been so long that I've posted with those two that there's not really a point in considering them to be there anymore.

edited 8th Mar '13 6:08:27 PM by DarkbloodCarnagefang

Note to self: Pick less edgy username next time.

Tehpillowstar, at this point I'd appreciate if you were able to post back before too much gets cracking in the Parlor.

this place needs me here