Intro-ing your character/plot - tips from the pros

This is basically an attempt to stop the hijacking of CD's latest plotline thread that seems to have started, regarding character introcudion and plot introduction.

Everyone has a pet idea regarding how to introduce a new character or plotline to the RP scene, and sometimes they fall flat.

This thread is intended to be a hints and tips thread for people who have experienced difficulty in the past with either of these ideas, from those of us who seem to find it easy.

Here goes with a few from me:

Don't force the issue: Under no circumstance should a plot demand that any other players get involved. If their characters would be interested, they'll find their own way to get involved.

Don't demand attention: A character who appears to be demanding attention will be ignored by a lot of people. I'd rather see someone limp around quietly, muttering to themselves, than have them drop out of the sky and break their legs. The first entices attention, the latter demands it.

Do be sociable: I know that the "hard-nosed loner who don't need nobody" is a wonderful character concept for a comic-book or novel character. But it doesn't work in RP. Sorry. If your character is open to conversation, then people will talk to them. If they're not, they won't.

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The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise. ; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*

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Do be sociable: I know that the "hard-nosed loner who don't need nobody" is a wonderful character concept for a comic-book or novel character. But it doesn't work in RP. Sorry. If your character is open to conversation, then people will talk to them. If they're not, they won't.

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This. This to the nth degree.

There's many an occurance on fantasy RP's for a brooding character to sit in the darkest corner of a tavern, his hand on his sword hilt, looking angry and scowling at all who pass near.

People then wonder why they get no interaction on a character like this. People rightfully -stay away- from such. You don't wander up to a psycho looking nutter with a weapon in the bar and start asking how he is.

Even sociable unsociable characters will have themselves ignored eventually. There's not many who will wish to put up with someone being rude and snappy.

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Absolutly, hug everything that moves, that's my advice.

More seriously though, empty air emoting very rarely brings dividends. Five minutes of saying hello and introducing himself to people are worth an hour of sharpening a sword/smoking a cigarette/watching the sky.

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More seriously though, empty air emoting very rarely brings dividends. Five minutes of saying hello and introducing himself to people are worth an hour of sharpening a sword/smoking a cigarette/watching the sky.

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Which is not to say that empty air emoting is a bad way to start. Consider the following scenes.

[u]Scene 1[u]

New Character stands casually by the wall, sparking up a smoke, then looks around at everyone, blowing smoke rings.

Established character glances at new character, then returns to her conversation.

New character notices the glance, but says nothing, continuing to blow smoke rings.

...20 minutes later...

New character stubs out his third cigarette, and stalks off, muttering about unsociable people in the world today.


[u]Scene 2[u]

New Character stands casually by the wall, sparking up a smoke, then looks around at everyone, blowing smoke rings.

Established Character glances at new character, then returns to her conversation.

New character notices the glance. "Hey there, Miss. Nice weather we're having, huh? Glad the sun came back since those zombie-things left town."

Established Character looks at New character. "Sorry, were you talking to me?"

New Character: Sure was, Miss. Sorry to interupt.

Established Character: Hey, no problem.

... 20 minutes later...

New Character: Nice to have met you, Established Character. See you around.

Established Character: You too, New Character. See you soon! *waves*


At the end of the day, the important thing is to use opportunities that are presented, without squandering them, and step forward when you can. It's not always easy, but it does work.

I had the devil of a time with Richard, to be frank. I knew he was a friendly, sociable chap, but his first trips to Galaxy Girl were for a very specific reason, and he was scared of being there. So he was pretty quiet, to start with, but as soon as anyone showed him any attention, he perked right up into being the person he's meant to be.

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The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise. ; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*

Sometimes, it just doesn't work.

I remember introducing Operative Seven one night a couple of years ago. People saw a new character, didn't know who it was, and GG was being at its most cliquey back then... I was plain ignored.

Sometimes, you just hit things at the wrong time. Gideon hit that this last week trying to introduce Savage Angel. Introductions kind of got lost when there was major angsty plottage appearing out of the rock (not to mention zombies).

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I know that the "hard-nosed loner who don't need nobody" is a wonderful character concept for a comic-book or novel character. But it doesn't work in RP.

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When I started LARPing, I was lucky enough (I think) to fall in with the kind of people many players don't get to meet for a long time. Seasoned, experienced players who were good to hang around with and would tell you all the wonderful stories aboutt he past.

One of them made mention of the people who turn up to LARP events, sit in the bar, dressed in black, and hardly talk to a soul (aside from joining the Scouts' Guild). They've come up with a loner persona, and they're playing it. It works, if they can play an entire four day event in their own mind. Otherwise, they decide LRP sucks and never come again. Ya gots ta talk to people.

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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.

Even I have trouble getting new characters into conversations at times. Or old characters for that matter. Some times the night just isn't the night for it. Text flowing fast/people concentrating on conversations/plottage and et cetera.

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TBH, if the status is having a busy night, it's probably NOT the best time to intro a new character. With all the fast moving text, it greatly increases the chance that people just won't NOTICE you!

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@FloatingFatMan

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Well I do try to talk to everyone. Horizon is keen to have everyone know her name and Emily just can't sit on the fence when people are having an argument.

It may feel like butting in, but as long as you're not spiteful when you do it really it's fairly easy to get into a conversation.

Otherwise I fall back on these few extra handy ways.

1 Knowing people's names without asking.
Half the statues famous after all! And people really seem to take notice when you bust out thier name without being told it.

"How did you know my name? I never told you my name!" "Uh... your like one of the richest people on the planet and famous to boot" "Oh yeah..."

2 Persistently saying hello to one person.
And I do mean persistent.

3 Telling a story.
I usually go with a slightly extended "[censored] faction X, they're a real pain who's with me?" if the statue isn't willing to talk about how easily they destroyed five billion Malta on their lunch break then it's REALLY not a day to introduce a new character.

4 Asking out loud for help with something.
Doesn't really matter what as long as they don't have to move to answer the question. People always want to be knowledgeable. Then you can segue into the "Thanks, I'm Whoever. What's your name kind soul?"

Then you can wonder how you've suddenly become a nun. But that's your own problem.

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The best advice is don't hold back, let people know what your charecters like right away. Then judging on responses you can tell weather it's the right char for the enviroment.

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The end is just a new beginning, Goodbye all my coh friends and even the enemies, its been a blast I will miss you all. Thank you Paragon team, you gave me a home from home I will always appriciate it.

If any of your characters just don't talk to many people outside of their own circle right, maybe you need someone friendly or even to say, as above, 'Hey there <Famous/Rich Person>'

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[Union Roleplayers]Kiken: Tick the off in your Observer Book of Lesbians
[Union Roleplayers]Nitro v. IV: we need a perma-man feature
[Union Roleplayers]Nitro v. IV: I'd trust you more if you did it in front of me

Gotta love dem dere RolePlayers

Bog-standard, ordinary every-day requests.

'Excuse me, do you have a match/the time/a quarter for the phone/know where I can find [place/person]?'

It's an opener that's nice and non-intrusive, and can be followed with:

'Thanks. So, Kindish-Person, do you live 'round here/know the [City/Isles] well/come here often?'

If your char's lacking a group, you can move onto:

'Hey, I'm new to the [City/Isles/planet]/just got my powers/am down on my luck, do you know any groups who could help me out/hire me/feed me/house me?'

Again, pretty ordinary stuff and, depending on the person asked, can lead onto as deep a conversation as the person wants with your char, plus you get to RP the intro to other people's char, get overheard by open ears, etcetera.

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One note on the ol' 'loner' type characters, they can sort of work, if you lurk in the right places. For example, one of my Heroes is a Rogue Clockwork, and at first he was petrified being around people in case they tried to take him apart. In D's, I hung him around near the technical people (it helps that he ticks) and people wandered over to see who/what he was. If you 'look' interesting, people will probably engage. Sitting in the corner in a suit ain't going to help ya =]

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Personally, I tend to forget names and details...
So I make a list of people my char meets and sometimes add notes to it too. Every char has his/her own list...so I atleast won't mess up with the names.. or start talking to a person my 'other' char met instead the one I'm RP-ing with at that moment...that would be awkward! .

Plotting sure if fun...but it's hard work too if you want to make it work.

So that's my advise and warning

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Right click player name, click on "Add Note", type. Voila!

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@FloatingFatMan

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

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Right click player name, click on "Add Note", type. Voila!

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But be aware that the note is stored by global name. If you write a note in there, it will appear on every single character that player ownes.

It's also stored in a text file on your PC, which is good, and bad. Good, you can go edit the file while offline. Bad, shift PCs and you lose all your notes.

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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.

Especially because of the last reason...

I keep the list on paper...yes..written by pen..or pencil
Call me old fashioned, but it works!

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[ QUOTE ]
Especially because of the last reason...

I keep the list on paper...yes..written by pen..or pencil
Call me old fashioned, but it works!

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Cute? Yes.
Dizzy blonde? Yes (If the engine is running in my car! )
Dirty minded? Yes.
Wicked sense of humour? Also yes.

Old fashioned? Naaah...

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@FloatingFatMan

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Heh! Actually I do seem to have fallen into this problem myself again even on my mains.

Not sure what it is but I sometimes go whole nights without people actually responding to me, which is a little disheartening to say the least.

I guess it's just hard to hit the tone of GG sometimes and I only really do debate, action or light hearted stuff, which means if the statues currently not in one of those moods I'm less having a conversation with people and more running a commentary on a conversation happening nearby.

Or possibly it's when half the statue dips into plot stuff and getting involved in that always seems even more teeth pulling and frustrating than just getting a hello out of people at times! It'd be nice if people would at least explain this stuff when asked or move it away from the statue if that's not an option, so others don't get totally excluded when all the 'in' people join in.

Or perhaps I'm just playing characters people don't want to talk too! It's hard to tell!

I'll have to work on it I guess as it's causing my characters to get a little moody, which means I'm getting a little moody and I don't RP to wind myself up!

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