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Special Sections: Shadowbane Related
Note: This Article originally appeared on our Shadowbane Affiliate Site, Aerynth Atheneaum This is the second installment to Sachant's series titled "So you want to be a board role-play jockey!" Be sure to read part one "The Guest!" I’ve been a tad busy of late but didn’t want to drop the ball on this topic as of yet. I told you I would be coming at you with a bit more of my view of board role-play and how it can be made fun for all those involved and here it is. Please please… hold your applause. *Listens to the staggering silence and coughs* Anyway, on to the topic at hand. When perusing the boards for a good story or two, you will notice they all seem to take place in the same place, a tavern in or at the edge of such and such town. Everyone comes in and out, orders an ale and stew, scowls at those that inhabit the inn and then slink to a corner hoping to encounter someone they know or to get involved in something more. Typically, more people would be involved but they tend to get ignored and drop out of the story having not been engaged in any meaningful conversation. Here is something else I see happen in boards…. Romance. Not to say that romance isn’t a good thing but let’s face it, when some “winsome vixen” (because we all know none of us women are hags in our role-play) catches the eye of the wayward traveler, they bandy words about and then somehow end up becoming the focal point of their own little soap opera. It is truly boring for all those that have come to the inn looking for something more. Everyone is then stuck with the role of either trying to break him or her apart or fighting over him or her. Why? I have really no idea. In general it tends to get old fast as you read exchanges such as… Gabriella peeked at the handsome stranger through lowered lids. She couldn’t quite understand the strange magnetism that he exuded. Thorbald pretended he didn’t notice the faint scars that lingered over the beautiful girl’s arms as he fetched them ale from the bar. How in the world do you interject an entire community into something that has now become closed for just two? You really don’t. At least an entire community doesn’t. But how can you fix it so it doesn’t happen? There is no sure fire way to prevent others from feeling left out but I have thought up some intriguing ideas. When you are the host of the board or the story, try to think of a setting that will allow for as many types of people to come and visit as possible. It doesn’t matter if they are good, evil, neutral, wandering bards, a fat man with a hair lip that dances the tarantella, it really doesn’t matter, just bring them all in. How you ask? Simple, bring on the Faire! Most of us have experienced Bazaars in games, fairs outside of games and carnivals as well. When you have looked around at these places, you’ve most likely noticed a few things. There are people there that you may never have encountered anywhere else you normally went to. In game fantasy settings you have dwarves mingling with elves mingling with trolls or what have you. At real life fairs and carnivals you have thieves intermingling with the middleclass mingling with the upper class mingling with barnyard animals. Err.. Never mind. We won’t go into the barnyard animals shall we? If you decide that the setting is a community faire, those that have merchant characters can set up their own booths, thieves can bump and run and the law enforcement (if they catch on) can hunt them down through the crowds. All kinds of characters are able to show up and contribute something. Just think of the wandering bards that could show up and start to compete for who has the best tale? If you are feeling ambitious enough you could even outline events and try to get others involved. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination and the imaginations of your guests. What if you don’t want everyone showing up and want things more specific? Then make them more specific. It’s really much simpler than you think. You are a thief and want to start an information exchange center and um…*cough* goods and services exchange, for role-play purposes. Fine, then set up the den and let the thieves find you. You are a knight hoping to call all those that have the same virtues to join you in brotherhood. Fine, then where is the hall and the round table waiting to be filled by those who are brave enough to fill them? Like I said, the possibilities are endless but it’s up to you to figure out where to start. Trust in those that come and contribute. They will understand the work you went into if it’s apparent to them. If things begin to take on a life of their own, please don't become an rp nazi. Take a look at the whole. If it surprises you and makes you open your mind a bit, then don't worry. If it disgusts you and has gone somewhere you never intended it to go, then brush it off and think of it as a progression of learning. One thing you don’t want to do, is let the action move somewhere else. People tend to get bored if there isn’t enough going on and next thing you know they are gathering some hunting party to go adventure. Once that happens, everyone else gets left behind and you’ve lost control. Keep their attention even if it means you suddenly develop a split personality and start referring to yourself as Sybil. It is all in good fun and that’s what it’s all about isn’t it? While we are waiting for beta to pick up the pace, now is the time to sharpen those role-play skills and start building that global community we all look forward to participating in. Until next we meet… May the shadows embrace you with whispers of stories yet untold. Or for those of you who prefer this more.. Get off your arse and start writing some great stories. Discuss: Your thoughts!
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