Rping when a DM is around

[Ithildur]

Something that has come to the attention of another player and myself recently when it becomes known that a DM is around or you're on a DM event and there's a DM controled NPC to interact with... Please take this as constructive feedback and criticism and do not respond with 'you can't tell me how to RP' kinds of statements. There are both IC and OOC issues to take into consideration.

If you play a PC that normally is not overly outgoing, intelligent, wise, charismatic, etc, don't suddenly change their persona in an attempt to try to get some kind of an edge or favorable results for yourself and your PC. I've seen events where a bunch of PC's are talking nonstop and acting so much more aggressive and vocal than they normally would just because of the 'DM factor'. I understand everyone likes DM attention and wants to be noticed, etc. but sometimes it's better RP and better for the sake of other players just to chill and take it down a tone; sometimes it's just outright selfishness that I see in some players that try to 'take over' an event and singlehandedly do everything by themselves. It's as if the other PCs don't exist.

Two examples I'll point out: there is an ongoing quest where a Paladin of Torm is involved, and repeatedly people have acted like he does not exist when making decisions or speaking to NPCs. In most situations the paladin would be looked to as a natural spokesperson and leader and do a fair amount of the talking (unless of course, all the other PCs despise paladins in which case I have to ask what are they doing traveling with him?), or at least be given a chance to.

Another example: we had the quest with the banite sacrifice where a half dozen PCs jumped into the quest in the middle of things not knowing what the heck was really going on. I have no problem with people joining in time to time in the middle of things as that's the nature of a PW (as long as the DM does not object and the size of the group is manageable). What I object to is all of a sudden these people who have no idea what's going on (one in particular) suddenly start acting like they're the main protagonist of the story and doing all the talking to NPCs, commanding other PCs to do this and that, making decisions without consulting the original PCs involved etc. Now unless your PC is specificly a meglomanical type, that's rather silly for someone to do in that situation. Even a very confident and able PC would try to find out what was going on and listen first before trying to 'take over'. On top of the IC issues, it's very disruptive and annoying OOC and often breaks the flow of the event/story.

We're after a good story/RP experience; sometimes the way you can best help that along is to shut up for a while and let things develop, or let other PCs get a word in once in a while if your PC has no idea what's going on.

Now if you're PC is like Jan from BG2... that's a different story.

[GodBeastX]

Don't worry yourself, we DM's notice these things as well Which is generally why some people end up dea--- *Coughs* ...sacrificing themselves as leaders should in times of trouble. *Nods sagely*

Ithildur has a point, the point of events is RP, not winning. I don't have planned executions on any of my events and many other DM's don't either. The point of the event is player reaction to them, not OMG I WON! As cheesy as this might sound, we're all winners if we stay in character and deal with the situation how our character would.

I'd love a DM event where I spawn a monster and a scared character just turns and runs XD I'd laugh so hard I'd probably accidentally give him a level

[Ichbin]

I'd love a DM event where I spawn a monster and a scared character just turns and runs XD I'd laugh so hard I'd probably accidentally give him a level

I think I did that once in another PW in 1. Everyone got a kick out of it....I didnt get a lvl though *sobs*

[Scarlett]

Story > Rewards. :O

That being said...lol@level thing.

[GodBeastX]

I have to admit, I reward those entertaining me or other DMs It's hard not to. So many people on Sundren just have characters that are so quirky and well thought out it's enjoyable to watch them play. Quirks for the win.

[Jhiroth]

Well.

What I object to is all of a sudden these people who have no idea what's going on (one in particular) suddenly start acting like they're the main protagonist of the story and doing all the talking to NPCs, commanding other PCs to do this and that, making decisions without consulting the original PCs involved etc.

I would just report this behavior to the staff rather then posting it here in a forum of 'what not to do' or 'what to do'. It might be best to let the staff make the decision if they agree with this behavior or not, as they may be more privy to information that you may or may not have access to. Not speaking specifically, just in general. As to the 'meat' of your post, I agree with the general scope of the topic, and I bet 5 gold I can name the character you are referencing.

[Raksha]

The main problem with the Banite quest was that there was just too much chaos -- too many people involved, goblins spawning, Banites killing each other due to factions, and so on. At varying points, it seemed that various characters had mandates, and multiple plans were agreed on and then disrupted. Any attempt to try to make order of that was going to have to be a little intrusive... sorry if any toes got stepped on, wasn't intentional. ^^

In general, though, agreed... naturally, people are going to put a little more thought into roleplay when they know they are being watched, but changing the nature of your character tends to throw things off. And, as GodBeast has said, the DMs will notice too. ^_^

[GodBeastX]

The main problem with the Banite quest was that there was just too much chaos -- too many people involved, goblins spawning, Banites killing each other due to factions, and so on.

This is partly why I tend not to run events out of hostile areas. If you want DM events, from me, go take a walk about the world

[pook]

I totally agree with the original post in this thread. I actually have had, for awhile, a very similar concern regarding when a DM is not around.
I posted the statment "Are you saying I have to acknowledge every PC who talks to me or rolls dice at me?" in a different thread to try and start a conversation on it, but I don't think anyone responded.
Basically, it seems like a few people have a tendency to hijack conversations and I find it pretty annoying. I've seen a few cases where a group is talking, usually in some sort of circle, and a PC comes along and just walks right into the center of the circle and starts talking to everyone, giving opinions and answer questions that weren't even asked of them.
These players are the cases where I may ignore them. I try to RP with everyone, but sometimes there are just too many people talking, or worst case, I've had a specific player jump in like this and I just don't want them to take over another conversation.
Everyone is playing a different personality and maybe you're playing a nosy or "but in" type of person, but sometimes, especially when there are already several people in the conversation, it can be best just to listen or keep walking.
If a subject comes up that is very important to your PC, like someone bad mouths your diety, OK I can see getting right in the middle of it, but other times take some time to work your way into the conversation, not just jump right in the middle.
We all came here with the main goal being to RP with other PC's. I'm not saying to never get involved, we all want to. I just hope that a few would use a little more discretion on when/how they get involved because it can hurt other players experience when you don't.

[Ralek]

Another aspect of the same case (dms online) is that some of the semi-roleplayers seem to roleplay fine when a DM is online, but revert to the powergaming mind at the times where the server is less crowded, and there's no DM.

I remember back in nwn, it was possible for a server to hide the server logging showing when a DM logged in. Is that possible in nwn2? And if it is, is it something that could be implemented?

[GodBeastX]

Another aspect of the same case (dms online) is that some of the semi-roleplayers seem to roleplay fine when a DM is online, but revert to the powergaming mind at the times where the server is less crowded, and there's no DM.

I remember back in nwn, it was possible for a server to hide the server logging showing when a DM logged in. Is that possible in nwn2? And if it is, is it something that could be implemented?

Already on the list. And yes, it's doable and will be done. Whenever I'm less lazy.

[Ithildur]

It's called stealth DMs. It is possible and I would recommend it especially if some of the more severe problems continue.

Having said that, let me clarify as some of you seem to have misunderstood; lack of DM presence wasn't the issue with the cases I cited, so reporting this to staff is a moot point; both cases were right in the middle of DM events and it was not a case of someone grossly violating a server rule so much as it's a case of recommendation for appropriate behavior both from an IC and OOC point of view.

To put simply, RP appropriately and don't be a selfish jerk OOC unless you are intentionally playing a selfish jerk, and even then, do it with the fun of others in the back of your mind. Don't hog the ball, especially when you just got in the game and have no idea what the score is, to use a sports analogy.

[Jhiroth]

To put simply, RP appropriately and don't be a selfish jerk OOC unless you are intentionally playing a selfish jerk, and even then, do it with the fun of others in the back of your mind. Don't hog the ball, especially when you just got in the game and have no idea what the score is, to use a sports analogy.

I am not sure what to make of this statement, some characters are selfish jerks, not their players. Some people hog the ball ICly, and thankfully, ICly, you have an IC means to resolve this either through RP or if RP requires it, PK. In fact, if an evil player is being nice only because of OOC they don't want to piss off other players, they are being OOC or metagaming because they are letting OOC affect their IC actions.

I guess I just don't understand why any of this should be brought to an OOC forum. Appropriate RP is up to the player and the staff, not the player affected. At least in my noob opinion

[GodBeastX]

I am not sure what to make of this statement, some characters are selfish jerks, not their players. Some people hog the ball ICly, and thankfully, ICly, you have an IC means to resolve this either through RP or if RP requires it, PK. In fact, if an evil player is being nice only because of OOC they don't want to piss off other players, they are being OOC or metagaming because they are letting OOC affect their IC actions.

I guess I just don't understand why any of this should be brought to an OOC forum. Appropriate RP is up to the player and the staff, not the player affected. At least in my noob opinion

Technically, you're both right. Jhiroth and and OP. However, he's basically saying stop hopping into events and hogging the show. Think pen and paper on this one. DM's give people time to make actions and decide what to do. Evil AND Good people. However, in PW players have to behave enough to allow everyone to make actions that DM's can respond to.

ALOT of Sundren players have an issue with this. I've been in events where people -think- they figured out everything and rush over to go handle it while I'm giving another player time and start yelling "DM I'M DOING SOMETHING! PAY ATTENTION TO ME NOT THAT GUY!" which is basically bad form. However, IC'ly a character is perfectly able to boss another one around all he wants.

This isn't a Black and White thing, it's very much a gray area. It's hard to describe unless you actually witness it happening. It's kind of like some players treat Sundren like it's the single player campaign and only revolves around their actions, you see what I'm saying?

[Maxx Powers]

[QUOTE=Jhiroth;5177]I am not sure what to make of this statement, some characters are selfish jerks, not their players.QUOTE]

No, i know of a couple players.. their characters are much like them...