Background.

Ok this is an idea I suggested ages ago - and got shot down by quite a few players (understandably as no-one likes having to wait a long time to get approved for things) but I'd like to suggest it again - as recently i've had no problem at all getting descriptions approved - and also i've seen a number of threads recently all end up complaining about the lack of depth in a lot of the RP out there.

A lot of people complain when they see yet another "cookie cutter" RP - the arrogant intelligent drow. The dumb fire giant etc.. But currently there is little to no incentive to actually think beyond that. Characters need to provide a minimum level of RP to justify their PK, and not go OOC, thats about it as far RP enforcement goes.

My idea would be to have a hold on ranking at 30 - the same as the description one at 15, but you would have to right a background, a history of your character that would need to be approved before ranking onwards.

I would suggest that Heralds also be able to approve these, and also that we push the idea of off-line approval to cut down on waiting times. Have the Background submitted in the form of an Application maybe - so that it gets looked at quickly.

This would require people to put a little more thought into their characters. Rather than thinking - my combo is a good elf killer - So I'll make my RP that I hate elves - people will need to think about why their character hates elves.

Not only would this make characters think about their RP more - but it would also highlight important facts about certain characters to the Immortals - making IMM - Player RP much more accessible.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Flames?

I don't like this idea based on two points

1. This is something that should found out through player interaction.

2. I do not want everyone in the realms knowing about my character's background.

Characters wouldn't know, only IMMS - Unless you mean the thing about Heralds - and I only really put that in their to avoid complaints about holding up ranking.

I dont know about this.

For:

1.Deeper player interaction.

1. Will deter (in a small way) people who roll up chars just to kill so and so.

2. Will create deeper depthed characters - you will know where you've been completely.

3. May increase the likely hood of RP.

4. Will give the heralds something more to do.

5. Can be used to help characters who are new flesh out who they want to be. Instead of being overwhelmed by a bunch of text flying by.

Against:

1. Another maybe 'un-newbie' friendly thing.

2. Wait times?

3. Puts another hold on the game - maybe seen as Pbase a 'hassle'

4. I read a few descriptions, but I know alot of people out there dont.

5. Power gamers will always be power gamers.

6. Drain on imm time.

EDIT: If players cant see it then WTF is the point

The whole point is all the bits you listed as for..It will make players take their characters RP a bit more seriously.

But I could be barking up the wrong tree - I just think that as a game that balances PK and RP, the balance has shifted so much toward PK recently that we're not far away from a PK mud where your not allowed to go OOC, and I think the game can be more than that.

It doesnt sound like a good idea to force possibly newer players or players who have less pkill skill to sit longer within the range of those who are motivated (even if it is wrongly so) to kill en masse at lvl 30 for qclass/races.

Not to mention that the lvl 15 stop is a real hassle as it is for veteran players, now its presence is warranted...no debate there....but that single filter does enough.

The best way, IMHO, to improve upon the RP at pinn is to incorporate more RP into clans and cabals.

The main reason I don't like this idea is that I don't like the idea of needing an Imm's approval of my RP and/or playing style. I'll definitely agree with you on the point that I see a lot more of the regular ol' "I kill everything I see" chars, but I most definitely don't agree with needing the approval of someone else just so I can live my char's life the way they deem fit. I also think that it would detract from the very reason why some or most of us play this glorious game: because we can be who we want, when we want, and do what we want, (to an extent of course).

Knowing where your character came from, as well as his/her beliefs, motivations, likes, dislikes, quirks, strengths and weaknesses is an essential part of good RP. I'm not really sure there's a way to mandate that players put this much thought into their characters, though. I can see this becoming a major drain on the imms' time, and it's something into which people will put minimal effort into just so they can rank again. Also, does this do anything to enforce RP beyond that initial approval?

The biggest problem, as I see it (other than the ramblings of grumpy old men ) is in what we call RP. Roleplaying is coming up with a character, then acting the way that character would act. Too often. it seems like people act however they feel like, and that ends up being called RP. It's a subtle difference, but I think it's a very important one. And I have yet to see an idea that really addresses this matter--The best I can come up with it to commission a staff of RP babysitters, but no one wants that, and no one wants that job anyway (myself included).