Regarding Imms and Character Progression

[Lexi]

The very recent thread about standardization/transparency of what is required to gain cabal promotions to Trusted and beyond made me think about how different character goals are realized, and that the paths towards them often differ. Yet in most of the cases, the Imms act as gatekeepers to these rewards: only those that are worthy obtain them.

Just at a quick glance, there are a fair bit of goals I've had for past characters: race restrings, qraces/classes, cabal ranks (Elder/Leader), noble, tattoos, global plot involvement, artifact quest, and more. Now, I usually have an idea of what I want out of a character when I roll them up, but sometimes new goals appear on the distant horizon during gameplay. In a few cases, these goals may intersect; I am assuming that a lich or vampire already embodies the ideals of their respective religions, and that pursuing that roleplay aligns further with gaining a tattoo. But in many cases, cabal roleplay is not the same as tattoo roleplay, or qrace/class roleplay is not the same as noble/royal roleplay.

Cabal membership is the most obvious and often most defining part of a character. If you are a Knight, you are a Knight. If you are a Watcher, you are a Watcher. When your roleplay and interaction with the world aligns with the ideals of your cabal, immortals with notice. But what about all those other cases? If I want to be a noble down the road, maybe not something I am in pursuit of immediately, but in a month, or two months, how do I convey this to the immortals? If I want a tattoo as my ultimate goal, but I am a Mystic religion in Tribunal, how do I get the Imms to look at the undertones in my roleplay that suggests that the mysteries magic and the power of the mind is the primary drive, when most of my days my character is hunting criminals? Likewise, if I really want cabal Leader on a character, if that is my goal since the moment I roll them up, can I make sure the Imms know and view my logs/journals through that lens?

Maybe I am just overthinking this, but with the discussiong regarding players expectations vs immortals expectations that came up in the thread about cabal promotions, I felt like there are other goals and other paths of progression where it sometimes is difficult to know exactly what is expected of a character.

Essentially, I am hoping people could offer some tips and suggestions based on their experience, and I am hoping some of the Immortals could chime in if they have any helpful advice on how to pursue specific character goals instead of just floundering about and hoping they see what you are trying to convey.

[Archbishop Monk]

I tend to make my characters based upon what I want to express, not what I want to accomplish.  This means if I want to make a paranoid beholder who is constantly trying to protect itself from all possible avenues of attack, I then roll that character and RP it.  I then let events and/or opportunities shape the path that the character will take.  I met Dezlo on Belsoqse and boom, I ended up being in despair.  The Chosen plot jumped off and I took the opportunity to integrate myself into the plot, never expecting that I was going to actually become a Chosen, but if I did or did not, I would work my own RP into it regardless.  While this works sometimes for me, it doesn't always work because you tend not to get things done if you are not a threat.  If I tried this on a faerie bard I'm sure I would have been bashed into oblivion before I could get RP moving UNLESS I had some cabal powers that mitigated that.

But, part of the problem of this is there are some cabal paths/tattoos or even noble status that give PK power to certain class/combos, which is one of the major reasons I've seen people pick the combos they do.  The last time I saw a halfling warrior was over a decade ago.  Why?  I doubt it was because someone couldn't think of an RP reason, but more because people desire the PK powers.  The fact of the matter is, the direct benefit of getting T and beyond is skills that augment PK with the exception of Herald.  Even Herald get beneficial skills which can be used in PK.   This is why I think that RP should take priority (though PK is not ignored).

I can see it as difficult because PK is a large part of this games dynamic.  Do you reward someone who has a stellar PK record and solid RP?  Do you reward someone who has Extraordinary RP but is getting stomped flat in PK?  In either case, you are going to please some and make others very mad, which is why each of their decisions has to be thought out.  Some of that will take time and the players don't know what is going on behind the Imm curtain.  It can lead to frustration if you interact with everyone, spin great plots, fight everyone who you can and are constantly trying to get something done.  I'm all for an Imm adding in a "good job" or "keep going, you're doing well" to inform players that they are being watched and to give encouragement.  But, it is also on the players themselves.  If you are going for the Leader position and RP/PK your ass off for it, there is nothing to say that someone else isn't doing the same thing equally.  Because there can be only one leader, it won't matter what the Imms do, at least one person will be frustrated if they don't get it.

 

[Rygothran]

I have always felt that journals can work well to not only hint at or explain goals outright but also as a way to show that those goals are on the forefront of your character's role play. As long as you aren't being overly cryptic, the immortal staff should be aware of your religion, your cabal, and other information regarding your character so it should be relatively easy to figure out where you want to go. You can also use notes as a tool to get your point across. If you want to be a noble/royal, write a note to a city official (including immortals) that has some type of RP. It may be confusing at first depending on how your write it but chances are it will become clear to the staff. When it comes time to apply you have this to point back to as evidence that effort was made, if required.

My own experience posting RP logs to get character information/details across is to add a brief synopsis of what the log was, why it took place, and any important facets of the log that I felt showed what I was getting at. Then throughout the log I would make comments about the things I would say as a way to explain my character's thought process when I replied in a normal conversation. I did not want there to be any doubt as to the direction of my character and so I went to this length to ensure there wasn't. Later as a staff member I realized it is very helpful in understanding motives of characters. I am not saying you have to do this in order to achieve your goals, but it is a tool you can use.

Quote

Araethil aided Ashkizar with something when they were lower level. Hence the greeting. If you are wondering why most of my logs are tells... well... Araethil is a coward and hides in caves most of the time. haha.

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Ashkizar tells you 'Hello.'

You tell Ashkizar 'Oh, the impatient one. How do you fare, friend?' <--- This character was impatient when she asked for help. I still helped her but didn't forget.

Ashkizar tells you 'Would you be up for a trip to gear should we find a suitable third?'

Ashkizar tells you 'Well enough, with a it of work ahead of me I fear.'

You tell Ashkizar 'Oh that I could, I haven't the time for such ventures, dangerous and honestly, I fear for my own safety.'

Ashkizar tells you 'I can navigate us without much concern, we'd merely need the man power.'

Ashkizar tells you 'Is there anything you require in the realms reachable without a third?'

You tell Ashkizar 'Nothing I require at this very time. The work seems awfully dreadful as it is.'

Ashkizar tells you 'Yes, it can be distasteful.'

You tell Ashkizar 'Fighting and sleeping and more fighting. Doesn't that make you not want to take such adventures?'

You tell Ashkizar 'I prefer gifts myself. No work involved but a smile and an ale.'

Ashkizar tells you 'Gifts, sure! The best gift is one they give without knowing their giving it.'

Ashkizar tells you 'It takes a bit of Guile to pull that one off though.'

They can't hear you. <--- Rude!

They can't hear you. <--- Even more rude!

Araethil frowns slightly. <--- Does not like being in the middle of a conversation and folks randomly sleep through it.

You tell Ashkizar 'I would never involve myself in such dishonesty.' <--- Wow, what a dishonest statement!!!

Ashkizar tells you 'I prefer a good cold ale, a table of cards, and a night of swindling.'

Ashkizar tells you 'Its such a rush.'

You tell Ashkizar 'I prefer a dark room, corpses, and a hint of intrigue.' <--- Yep, I just went four layers of creepy!

Another tool I used was the prayer forum to get some points across. This is especially true if I wanted to do some kind of plot, be involved in a plot, or just had something in mind that I felt like the immortal staff should be aware of. I would send outlines of my plans, run ideas across the staff, or just outright making something known. There are a lot of characters that are created and deleted, so realize that some things may fall through the cracks. Don't be afraid to bring something up to the staff if you feel something was missed. I will give you a caution with doing this: we communicate in text and often times I have seen a simple post be misconstrued and turn into something it wasn't. Be concise with your intentions.

It is up to the staff to ensure that all of these facets are taken into consideration. The staff needs to communicate to other staff members in order to ensure the information gets to the right eyes.

[Trick]

19 minutes ago, Rygothran said:

I will give you a caution with doing this: we communicate in text and often times I have seen a simple post be misconstrued and turn into something it wasn't. Be concise with your intentions.

This. I can't count how many times I tried to be ambiguous in my intent so that I didn't seem like I was demanding or pushy and it ended up biting me in the ass or the IMM doing whatever it is I had been trying to do just plain asking: "WTF do you want here?"

 

It feels scummy to say it outright, but that often yields the best results. Something I do is write my journal or what have you then at the bottom put a little:

Quote

OOC: <Insert what it is I am wanting/aiming for.>

 

[Lloth]

On 7/31/2020 at 6:49 AM, Trick said:

Stuff about an ooc tagline on journals

Maybe don't do that. Journals are meant to be all RP. Can just as easily send a note to immortal with that information. Less likely to get chastised or reduced award. From me at least.

[Trick]

Really? Rather than keeping all that information contained to the journal in question you’d rather it spread out with a note that will fade away over time and risk losing that information for future reads?

[Kassieti]

42 minutes ago, Trick said:

Really? Rather than keeping all that information contained to the journal in question you’d rather it spread out with a note that will fade away over time and risk losing that information for future reads?

Some people also post their journals on the Character RP forum, too.  Nothing saying you can't make OOC comments there.  You won't get points for posting your journals there (double dipping), but it's a way to collate them and talk about the direction you hope your character could grow in.

It's an idea and you obviously don't have to if you don't want.

[Trick]

Oh yeah! Great idea @Kassieti!!