Roleplayer of the Month, and race/class requests

[Vonjan]

Too easy being evil.
just hate being born and the rest comes naturally.

[JotunWarrior]

I've just noticed that of the people who win RPotM, the majority tend to stick with the already well established characters that won them the title. I feel like making certain races application only instead of RPotM only would encourage more main-character types of the rarer races, instead of the characters that are played for a few weeks and then forgotten.

I also suggest the RPotM only class be switched from warlock to favored soul, but that's just me.

[Yastin]

Damn... How will I ever be as manly and awesome as Root? See! I've lost all hope already, becoming but a jiggling mass of cowardice and "feelings" when compared to him. Surely such competition is unfair? Anyways, I think a server-time then vote would be good, although that'd still not solve my friend's issues, but they seem to have moved on anyways... I think that looks like a better solution, though I'm still only a newb to the server (not new to RP in general thank god), and have the opinion of one as such. Of course, I'll be asking for Lycanthropy soon enough... MUAHAHAHAHA!

[Kaizen]

Come closer, Kirin, I would like to stamp you with the honorary deMoin/Blurry stamp of approval.

RPotM was and is the worst thing ever implemented on any server.

Tips to Win RPotM:

1) Get in the 'in' group's Vent channel. Become OOC friends and share Metadeliciousgaming secrets.

2) Be online, all the time.

3) Your PC must have broooooooooad and ooooopen interpretation to the Good/Evil axis. As in, pretend it doesn't exist. Alternatively, make your PC Neutral and do whatever you want. Also, don't cling to any views or uphold any personal/moral standards. Ignorant Bigot.

4) Make a PC that is a social animal. With rabies. See point three.

5) Find an excuse to insert said PC into any and all events. See point three.

6) Drama. Create it. Even if you have to pull OOC strings and break character to do so.

7) Become IC friends with everyone. Especially the ones that are online all the time and an active part of the forum community. See point three.

What to Avoid

1) Well thought out, time invested roleplaying stories on the roleplaying forum aren't as important as you think. Seriously. Write them for fun. If you expect anything else out of it then you're doing it wrong.

2) ICly avoiding large crowds and events because its something your PC would do. If it's an event, get your PC in on it! Who cares about how much sense it doesn't make for your nature loving Spirit Shaman trying to save the soul of a Kelemvorite Monk in a Kelemvorite Temple while ignoring the pleas of a Kelemvorite Cleric? GET YOURSELF IN THERE. Reread point four in the above.

[Root]

Suddenly, Kaizen wins RPoTM, and all of our faith in the order of the universe is shredded to ribbons.

[Kirin]

I always wonder why people attach class onto this. The only class locked to RPotM is warlock and hellfire warlock. All other restricted classes can be requested by posting a well written character request that includes character bio (or link to bio) with detail on how the character plans to progress. Then we take the request and slap it up on the big ole DM white board and discuss it. Sometimes we might make you do things but its suppose to be fun. I believe Root here was pretty successful with her request with Helga, who I believe to be one of her first characters on the server if I'm not mistaken.

Well, Warlocks are a part of this. In many ways they have the exact same issues as the ECL races and should probably be lumped in the same category. They take a considerable amount of tact, planning, and patience to play properly. And the consequences of flaunting it can be dire.

My point of contention is merely that I don't feel RPotM is the best way to determine who is capable of playing something challenging.

[Saulus]

There has yet to be an acceptable solution to replace RPotM because of the extra DM overhead in going through and approving applications, something which we will not get buried in again.

The last thing we need is people complaining because we didn't get to their bio's quick enough (yes it happened in the past). RPotM represents an easy way for us to select one person for that month, which is a far more reasonable timeframe for us to respond to the extra benefits that are to be considered.

Yes, it's a popularity contest... but the DMs also review the votes, we look at who else was voted for, etc. It is true it's unlikely someone with a lot of play time will be as eligible for such a thing, but that doesn't make it impossible... nor should we cater to people who don't play as much (We want you guys to play more).

I would phrase the other question, is it really so important to be another race to have interesting RP? It may help, but it's just a different model with some stats when it comes right down to it. Someone of the same race could still have drastically different culture and beliefs.

[Saulus]

There has yet to be an acceptable solution to replace RPotM because of the extra DM overhead in going through and approving applications, something which we will not get buried in again.

The last thing we need is people complaining because we didn't get to their bio's quick enough (yes it happened in the past). RPotM represents an easy way for us to select one person for that month, which is a far more reasonable timeframe for us to respond to the extra benefits that are to be considered.

Yes, it's a popularity contest... but the DMs also review the votes, we look at who else was voted for, etc. It is true it's unlikely someone without a lot of play time will be as eligible for such a thing, but that doesn't make it impossible... nor should we cater to people who don't play as much (We want you guys to play more).

I would phrase the other question, is it really so important to be another race to have interesting RP? It may help, but it's just a different model with some stats when it comes right down to it. Someone of the same race could still have drastically different culture and beliefs.

[Root]

Play the rarest race in the entire history of NWN!

The Accurately Portrayed Elf!

[Kirin]

There has yet to be an acceptable solution to replace RPotM because of the extra DM overhead in going through and approving applications, something which we will not get buried in again.

The last thing we need is people complaining because we didn't get to their bio's quick enough (yes it happened in the past). RPotM represents an easy way for us to select one person for that month, which is a far more reasonable timeframe for us to respond to the extra benefits that are to be considered.

Yes, it's a popularity contest... but the DMs also review the votes, we look at who else was voted for, etc. It is true it's unlikely someone with a lot of play time will be as eligible for such a thing, but that doesn't make it impossible... nor should we cater to people who don't play as much (We want you guys to play more).

I appreciate the direct response, and the last thing anyone wants to do is put an additional workload on the staff over this. I believe someone suggested a player-council of previous RPotM winners who can review these apps, filter the worthwhile ones out, and only forward those to staff. I imagine you would get plenty of RPotM volunteers for such a task!

I, like many other players would love to play more often. Unfortunately, this is not dependent on our love or willingness to be a larger part of the server, but our real-life schedules and commitments. Players who can play more already have the opportunity for extra xp and extra RP in general; I don't feel they should be the only ones for a chance at applying for a ECL race or restricted class in addition to that.

I would phrase the other question, is it really so important to be another race to have interesting RP? It may help, but it's just a different model with some stats when it comes right down to it. Someone of the same race could still have drastically different culture and beliefs.

While it's never required to have a unique race (or class) to be a good character, it is absolutely required for certain character concepts and ideas. There are a ton of potential character archetypes, from the outcast gensai to the warlock who sold his soul and damned himself for the chance to protect those he loves, which are impossible to play with the standard, openly-provided races and classes. They should be the exception rather than the rule, certainly; but with RPotM, many of us may never get the chance to even try.

[Saulus]

^ Right but to you a solution of player volunteers works, to me to filter apps runs into the same issue, what if they stop doing it, fall behind etc... we have to find other people to do it. What if it's their friend and they are playing favorite.... What if it's someone they don't like...

To me all of the same problems are there perhaps just not as evident.

[Kirin]

^ Right but to you a solution of player volunteers works, to me to filter apps runs into the same issue, what if they stop doing it, fall behind etc... we have to find other people to do it. What if it's their friend and they are playing favorite.... What if it's someone they don't like...

To me all of the same problems are there perhaps just not as evident.

If you're open to us using this thread to suggest more possible alternatives, there are a number of ideas we can come up with that may be more suitable than the RPoTM:

One simple idea is to allow only one app per player; if you wish to try a different request later, that would require RPotM. If a player complains about it taking too long, well, that's a mark against the player, not the system. Set a month-long wait period before they should send a (polite) PM asking for a status update.

Another idea? Perhaps the bar for the application should be exceptionally high, and require a detailed RP story to be considered. Such an undertaking on the player's part would greatly cut-down on the number of incoming applications (Set a minimum word limit! 1000-word story!), while allowing those with the talent and dedication to make the character benefit the server the chance to apply.

It's not that RPotM members are not capable and deserving, but that many are capable of making an exceptional character who are not RPotM winners for whatever the reason.

[Root]

Reward greatness, and more people will strive to be great.

[Doubtful]

Another idea? Perhaps the bar for the application should be exceptionally high, and require a detailed RP story to be considered. Such an undertaking on the player's part would greatly cut-down on the number of incoming applications (Set a minimum word limit! 1000-word story!)

Volume =/= Quality.

Word limits are pretty weak. Some people can write short, concise pieces that speak volumes about a character, others can write pages and pages of generic dross.

Personally I'd like people to get away from one of my personal bugbears - Characters with epic backgrounds. We've seen them all, from people with Gold-dragon-in-human-form lovers / BFFs, through to those who've commanded celestial armies or are the CG offspring of some evil demonic drow overlord and Drizzt's third cousin.

What we want to see is people that have a track record of being able to take a character concept and develop it over time on the server. RPoTM may have its flaws, but for the most part it is effective at rewarding those who've stood out on the server.

[Kirin]

While I did not mean to suggest "epic" backgrounds in scope (merely in quality), you are correct that a word limit is a bit of a silly idea upon further thought. I regret adding that bit.