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If someone can come up with a reason why two dozen people who all want to take over the world for themselves would get together to discuss the latest gossip on who Lord Recluse is sleeping with... then I'm in. Otherwise... CoV is just a computer game.
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What's the point in dispatching a hero with a particularly fiendish death-trap if you don't have anyone to tell it to?
Villains are people to (well, for the most part,) and even the most diabolical mastermind will have some social instincts. Why, even the esteemed Doctor Fu Manchu or the dread Emperor Ming the Merciless -- world class evil overlords whose evilness and ambitions are beyond question -- have been socialising enough to end up as fathers.
Of course, not all villains are masterminds vying to conquer the world -- some of them would settle for a private island in the Caribean, a small European kingdom or similar, more realistic, ambitions. There are also the usual complement of thugs, henchmen, trusted and not-so-trusted lieutenants, mercenaries, hit-men and tax accountants.
RP between villains doesn't have to be all "Mwahahahahah. Pathetic earthlings. Soon I will rule you all. Mwahahahahahah!" It can also be "Do you know what Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' is really about? It's about this girl that's..."
Good points. As an additional thought...
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If someone can come up with a reason why two dozen people who all want to take over the world for themselves would get together to discuss the latest gossip on who Lord Recluse is sleeping with... then I'm in.
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... none of my villains want to take over the world. OK, yes, admittedly, one of them is a revenge-driven freak who would quite happily destroy the world... does that count? 
It's a very narrow view of super-criminals though, to say that they all have great world affecting plans. Do they all have to have twirly moustaches and black capes, too? 
Quite a few of my characters want to become personally wealthy and/or powerful, but couldn't give a pair of fetid dingoes kidneys about the world. It's perfectly possible for villains to meet up to discuss deals, form alliances (possibly leading to missions and/or PvP teaming) or even friendships provided they are three-dimensional characters.
Then again, I guess the same is true of any sort of character when you think about it.
Hear hear!
Plus I really need to RP some evilness...
We must find a place!
Perhaps what ever spot is chosen could be picked for some supposed significance, such as being the epicenter of some cosmic forces that re-impowers the villains? Or the spot where some great evil is reputed to arise, meaning that they gather awaiting just such a time, in hopes of earning favour/capturing the power for themselves/putting down the threat to their own plans...
fortunately April's vision is to knock some common sence into people who can't just accept themselves and deal with what their life entails.. ie, heroes
She hates the secret identity problems heroes have, beating them until they can just get on with being who they really are is about he only goal.. urm.. well not her only one but the others are diabolicle master plans bwhahaha
What about the Rikti Monkey Fight Bar in Sharkhead? It's the perfect reason for villains to all gather around. Everybody loves monkey fights, gambling, drinking. All that stuff. Only problem is that it's in Sharkhead, guess that's too difficult for low-levels to reach.
I've got a suggestion for a location...
The beach to the left of the entrance to Fort Darwin. There's plenty space and no bothersome mobs... It's easy for new characters to get to...
A possibility, non?
STOP PRESS! Actually, an even better location that than would be the beach underneath the back of Fort Darwin...
my keyboard lives once more!
as before, just send me a tell for random rp goodness.
I consider myself a casual role-player at best, but after coming across many lost role-player souls, and given the surprising lack of anything more established, I have decided to lend my organisational skills, such as they are, to the task of getting the CoV RP community going.
In order to do this, and after having discussed it with some of the - I feel - prominent members of the CoH RP community, I am going to use the premise behind my main, and the SG I belong to, as a foundation to arrange a gathering of Villains. Please read this thread for details.
This is a specific response to Ravenswing the Doomsayer: the simplest and I would think the most likely reason for a multitude of villains to get together would be self-interest, but if such an obvious point failed to escape your notice, perhaps the other even MORE obvious answer would be Paragon City. If I were a villain just recently released from incarceration in Paragon, and trying to make a name for myself in a new place, a place which has a history of conflict with that *same* city, I'd be willing to ally myself with whoever I had to, in order to exact my vengeance, and possibly gain some notoriety in the process... I mean, I could always turn on my allies later, when an opportune moment presents itself... Maybe when I find stronger allies. There... that took me all of 5 minutes. Amazing what the mind can do, when you choose to use it.
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This is a specific response to Ravenswing the Doomsayer: the simplest and I would think the most likely reason for a multitude of villains to get together would be self-interest, but if such an obvious point failed to escape your notice, perhaps the other even MORE obvious answer would be Paragon City. If I were a villain just recently released from incarceration in Paragon, and trying to make a name for myself in a new place, a place which has a history of conflict with that *same* city, I'd be willing to ally myself with whoever I had to, in order to exact my vengeance, and possibly gain some notoriety in the process... I mean, I could always turn on my allies later, when an opportune moment presents itself... Maybe when I find stronger allies. There... that took me all of 5 minutes. Amazing what the mind can do, when you choose to use it.
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It's one thing to disagree with someone's opinion, but insulting them and calling them out like that is uncalled for. It's also not a great attitude to present when you're trying to set up a regular RP meet for a large group of roleplayers, and if I were a CoV player, I'd be less-inclined to attend based on the manner in which you presented yourself there.
I saw no direct insults, i did see a carefully worded response that may be a bit sarcastic of not thinking it through properly.
Noir is indeed right, method used to make the point notwithstanding.
I'd assume you don't turn up based on real people attitudes in CoH, as then you imply that all that person's alts are exactly how they are in real life. Certainly not the case.
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I saw no direct insults, i did see a carefully worded response that may be a bit sarcastic of not thinking it through properly.
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If someone told me that something would be obvious if I'd bothered to use my mind, I'd be insulted.
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I'd assume you don't turn up based on real people attitudes in CoH, as then you imply that all that person's alts are exactly how they are in real life. Certainly not the case.
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Actually, no, I never once mentioned what I thought of someone's alts. There is more to roleplaying than IC attitudes and events. I want to roleplay in an environment where I can feel secure that, just because someone disagrees with me, they'll have the decency to accept that our opinions differ, and not make snide remarks about me.
This attitude is of utmost importance to someone who is trying to organise a freeform RP environment, especially when it is based on his own character and SG.
Let me put it this way, no-one will play in a game if the GM running it is known for making fun of his players if they disagree with him.
EDIT: I'm really not trying to start a flamewar here, I was just pointing out one person's interpretation of what was said, and how it could be damaging to an attempt to establish organised roleplaying in CoV. Anyone who feels otherwise can feel free to PM me.
Quilla, I do see that as an insult, but I've decided the forum moderators can decide if it's bad enough to be considered worth sanction. As Wordy says, it's one thing to disagree with someone, another to basically call them stupid because they don't see it your way.
As for this gathering, I believe it's on Friday night. Were it not for the fact that I have guests this weekend, I'd be happy to turn up and see how things work out. I do have a Villain PC who would make a good flunky, though he's a little low level for messing about in Cap Au Diablo. If you keep going with this, perhaps I could pop over and join you one evening.
Disclaimer: The above may be humerous, or at least may be an attempt at humour. Try reading it that way.
Posts are OOC unless noted to be IC, or in an IC thread.
Ah.. that reminds me birdy... You guys be on MSN at some point yeah? So those of us that aren't joining you can at least say hi! 
@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Happily freeform means you don't need to be happy with a gm cause you can do your own plot or opt out. I'm not trying to start a flame either - just stating my view. Apologies if it sounded like i was getting riled.
((erch, evil rain, horrid weather and feeling not so great is bad for trying to make detailed intelligent posts))
Edit: there is an insult - but I mentioned that i saw no direct insults.. possibly "crude, loud, obvious flaming insults" would have been better words.
Ah, I see.
Well, I do wish this endevour luck. Roleplaying's what keeps me in CoH, and it's always good to see it promoted.
Fair enough. I was being facetious, and you're right in that it was uncalled for. No excuses.
I apologise to Ravenswing.
However, I would like to say that a negative attitude fosters negative responses from your environment, and I will attempt to take my own words to heart 
My initial response was specifically to Wordmaker's post. After reading a few more posts, I'd also like to point out that I did not insult his intelligence. I make a point of never insulting another person's *ability* to think. I simply do not have the right.
I was insulting his inclination or *desire* to think, and therein, as I said, I was completely out of line. I pride myself on my use of langauge, and I could have said my piece without resorting to verbal thuggery.
Enough! Back to the matter in hand...
*drags the thread back on topic*
Having sat and had a wee think about things'n'stuff™, I think the possibility of a GG-styley meet on CoV is not really workable...
GG is total free-form, we can happily make alts that exist purely for RP purposes as non-supers. Quickly made, random powers, make 'em look purdy, into Galaxy City. No hassle. In CoV we don't really have the same liberty to do that as quickly and effectively due to having no choice but to go through the tutorial. Personally it annoys the hell out of me, I know it makes lots of sense in the long run of the overall story, blah blah blah... But it does rather limit the patience for making throwaway alts...
The RP that has been put forward by Noir fits in with the surrounding story of the game. (I'm going by the references to "Destined Ones", having needed to have escaped from the Zig, then proved yourself to Arachnos.) Which does kinda limit the free-form opportunies slightly, no? (By free-form I'm basically meaning in direct comparison to GG...)
Perhaps it might be the case that RP in CoV suits a different sort of player than the random free-form splatter that is GG in CoH... I would like to RP in CoV, but I don't feel any of my characters are of the particularly scheming, hand-rubbing, manical laughing stock out for revenge or wanting to take all the power and glory... (Plus I'm such an infrequent player it will take me some time to reach a level at which I can safely leave Mercy Island.)
Just my thought-through thoughts on the matter, reflecting personal opinions, and not slating anyone's choices of how, where, why, or what to RP. Or just a long-winded way of saying "RP in CoV? Not for me, guv."
Time keeper raises her hand "i'm none of the above.. just a misuunderstood person doing a job with more income and less tax.. Ain't nasty or anything..."
ooo we should rp in the zig!! hehehe
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ooo we should rp in the zig!! hehehe
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FFM and I were going do the breakout together, as a bases for the teaming up of our villains... we each ended up in a different instance of the Zig, no way to get to each other.
Though this was back when Mecry Isle also had a double: Mercy Isle 2. So it might be posible now.
But, I have to agree, RPing in the Zig does sound like a nifty idea
@ShadowGhost & @Ghostie
The Grav Mistress, Mistress of Gravity
If you have nothing useful to say, you have two choices: Say something useless or stay quiet.
That reminds me.. Important note for all RPers (and teams in general) If you're working with someone, agree beforehand which instance to zone too when there's more than one!
@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
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The RP that has been put forward by Noir fits in with the surrounding story of the game. (I'm going by the references to "Destined Ones", having needed to have escaped from the Zig, then proved yourself to Arachnos.) Which does kinda limit the free-form opportunies slightly, no? (By free-form I'm basically meaning in direct comparison to GG...)
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I don't really think it does. Sure, it takes a few minutes to hurry through the tutorial; but compared to the time most roleplayers spend on designing the costume for even the most throw-away alt, I don't think it raises the threshold that much.
As for the "straight-jacket" of the Zig entry and "detsined one"; well for roleplaying purposes we can just ignore it. For my characters, once they're through the tutorial it never happened. Same with the "destined one" thing. I'll go through the missions and talk to the contacts; but the missions and what the contacts say will only be vaguely reflected in the IC reality.
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However, I would like to say that a negative attitude fosters negative responses from your environment, and I will attempt to take my own words to heart
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Well, my opinion on RP in CoV falls quite a lot inline with Wonka's, so feel free to tell him about his negative inclinations.
I see more chance of RP working within SGs where a specific hierarchy can be set up, than in a free-form setting of the GG kind. If I expressed negative thoughts regarding such a free-from meeting (that is, afterall, what this thread was started about) it's because I don't think it works in CoV. If you can get it to work in CoV, then more power to your elbow.
Negative thoughts may produce negative reactions, but enormous poistivity which results in failure tends to result in worse reactions. It's called expectation management. Cryptic are terrible at it.
Disclaimer: The above may be humerous, or at least may be an attempt at humour. Try reading it that way.
Posts are OOC unless noted to be IC, or in an IC thread.
Well, you see now, there is where we differ. I don't see failure as an end. I see it as a stepping stone.
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My opinion on the thread topic:
I feel you are only limited by the game in so far as you allow yourself to be.
It you *really* want to RP, you won't let something like hardcoded plotlines get in your way. Even the free-form RP in GG basically deliberately ignores certain in-built game plotlines, which are evident even if you don't do the tutorial. The City design limits you doesn't it? The fact that there are hundreds of other heroes limits your RP as well doesn't it? I mean, rather difficult to play a Batman type alt when every 5th person you pass on the street is yet *another* caped crusader. There are no 'dark' urban zones either.
However, no one who plays in GG is limited by these things. Why? They choose not to be. Simple as that. I fail to see how the same degree of free-will cannot be applied to CoV.
Anyway, now I've said my piece, this will be the last I say on the matter. No point in posting anything else. See those who want to be there, at the event tonight. Otherwise, enjoy your RP wherever and however you do it.
Later
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IMHO, villain roleplay will rapidly turn into either an enormous angst-fest, or an enormous contest to see who can come up with the most sick/perverted/psycho character without getting banned.
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I seriously disagree with this and actually think that the villains have more RP potential than the heroes. Saying that villains must all be unsociable cackling madmen and women is seriously promoting a flat stereotype character, same as a hero who is always goody-good and never does anything wrong and has great teeth that blind you when the sun hits them.
I mean villains have a lot of potential to be just people who are selfish, arrogant and impatient, and take what they want instead of doing it the "proper" way. There's nothing saying villains need to be unsociable wretches who lurk in graveyards at night with only their dead minions as companions.
Just look at Ghostwidow's memoires: that certainly doesn't seem like the archetypical mad villain to me.