I'm thinking of creating a topic for our newer members to ask whatever questions they want. There were opinions about how this forum is unfriendly to new members, and to be frank, I don't know if it has changed even after I relaxed the roleplay creation system or not. I am paranoid enough to think it hasn't changed. So...

1) Will such a topic be helpful?
2) Should it be created in Incubation or this main forum? Or both?

Depending on the response, I'll create one for trial purposes. But more opinions would be great. As well as any for improving the forum or the community, or both.

Another question that is kinda related as well...

Have you read the RP Forum Rules, General Roleplay FAQ and RP Creation Rules & Guide before?

Don't be shy to admit if you haven't, I won't be too hurt by it. I just want to know if they are serving their purposes or not. If you have any comments regarding them, do voice them out. Ways to make the FAQ look not so intimidating is appreciated since there was a complaint of them being long. However, I will not shorten them, because they are the shortest they can go without losing any information.

Oh, just a little update on Drache (the roleplay archive site I'm hosting), for those who care. I am in the middle of upgrading it. Actually the upgrading part is more or less done. I'm testing it out while updating, but I have been spending most of my time doing other things, so it's a little slow now.

Last bolded question first...Yes! Before I started RPing (even though Flame and others gave a colorful explanation and example in LC how it works. >.o.) I read through them because I get extraordinarily worried that I’m going to mess something up otherwise. Personally I thought they were helpful and not in the least bit too long, but I guess people can just be too lazy to read them because they’re in a hurry or something. Or they just assume RPing on another site would be the same on this one. Something like that, I guess.

It might help for newer members to be able to post in a topic with questions that they have, but chances are good things will probably get repeated an ungodly amount of times due to people not really reading through it. Not to sound too degrading, but from looking at other RP sites too, generally speaking newer role-players aren’t too bright. =/. I don’t know if they’re just young tikes or what, but rules and regulations are basically shot to hell with them and they don’t really care. But a topic (in both the Incubation and normal RP forum) would probably be good, and if it doesn’t do much good we’ll all find out. >.o.

I think when role-players first join the forum, someone should post in the Introduction topic, linking to the FAQ / Creation Guides, otherwise they’re probably not going to get read by the average newbie (sorry Sel. >.o.). Maybe you could ask Eva add something in the Intro PM that has the links in case someone is coming to join role-plays? I dunno if that’d even work, but it’s just a thought...

I'll go the same route as Dragon, last first.

~ I didn't fully read through it, since I had already been RPing for a while, but I skimmed through it and read the parts regarding the rules specifically for this site, and also any points I saw that were a bit hazy for me. And yes they are... to some extent. From personal experience on MANY RP sites, Noobies tend to not like to read excessively long posts. They tend to just simply breeze through it or skip over it entirely. Something I help with on one site once was a panel. Basically it was a locked sticky thread that an RPer would PM a mod about, if he wanted to try to add something to it. Also what I've seen work fairly well many times is a "*Name here*'s Tips and Tricks for RPing" Thread. Basically one person wrote a good intro on how to easily and effective RP, dealing with Godmoding, metagaming, and overall good writing, all with examples so that noobs would be well informed.

Okay, that's enough with that... NEXT QUESTION!!!

~ Yes I think that this will come in very handy, since some posters do have questions, but don't know where to post them. Or who to ask in general, so they assume and mostly make bad assumptions.

~ As for where, either or, preferably both. However, you would have to find a way to make it stickied in both sub-forums, which I have seen before.

I don't think that anything like that would be very helpful... The rules and explanations are quite well written, and when I started here, my major problems were that I was taking bad examples and was too young to know better. It's not like you don't make things clear (although this is a matter of personal opinion), but many of the posts that may seem quite..... "newbish"(?) seem to have been posted by inexperienced and your Rpers. Perhaps they are recent immigrants from Gaia?

Also, since the Roleplaying FAQ and the Creation guidlines are split into two different threads, people coming from other RPing communities with different rules and standards shouldn't have much difficulty adapting *if* they read the rules. I think that a FAQ thread would be similar to the sort of thing you get in a tech support IRC channel... a whole bunch of "rtfm".

However, if you do decide to make one, perhaps you could make it a sticky in the main RP section with a symlink in the incubation section to the main thread?

And to address the final question: Yes. I have read all of both sections. I'd read most of what was there a long time ago, back when Tony watched everything, and I participated in the discussions that came with you taking over moderation again, and after I left and returned recently, I have re-read them. And they make quite a bit of sense.

DB's idea of requesting that Eva put something in the introduction PM seems nice, but I dunno how possible/plausible that is. If it is possible, there would be absolutely *no* excuse (is there one now) for some of the posts that seem to show up here.

Oh, and yeah, Drache is cool . I actually used it to try to explain to my friend why she was too old for Gaia RPs and give her examples of what *real* RPs are like.

1.) Yes I think this can be helpful. I think to the lazy nooby (which is sometimes a majority of them), a topic like this would be more open. I guess they think rules are stingy or something, who knows. But if their confused about something, they probably could get a quicker response than PMing Sel. You seem to constantly have quite a bit on your plate, but I think you could trust the experienced RPers on here to answer questions just as well as you can, or you could later evolve on that. Reading rules and talking to a mod, however friendly, can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. Talking to another RPer at the 'same level' (status wise I guess) as you can help more as well.

2.) I notice the newbie RPers are smart enough to start RP's in Incubation 99% of the time, they just are retarded on the OOC part. But I still think you should put the topic in both places, perhaps as a precaution so they just about CAN'T miss it. If there's some way for you to have the same topic in both places that is. I'm not sure if that's possible, if not, then Incubation would probably make more sense.

And for the personal question. Oh yes, I read it, I read it more than once. And I'd be in trouble if I hadn't. Know why?



Hergh. But really, my first time I was pretty nervous. For a number of different reasons, hadn't RPed in a long time, didn't know anybody, was a different type of roleplay, etc. So I think this can help calm some nerves where a non postable rule topic can't quite do that. It's once you get past the first 'big' RP that you loosen up a lot more. Having a character denied fueled my nervousness for my second attempt as well. XD

I really wish that more will speak up because this concerns them as well.

But for now, what I get is that the FAQ and Guides are fine the way they are. But to make them known, it's better if there's some sort of compulsory/optional link that can be accessed before they add a new topic or something like that? Hm, I don't know if that can be done, I'll have to ask Eva about it.


That's exactly what I thought, to be honest. I can't always be around and I find that being guided by a normal member is a lot less overwhelming than if a moderator is doing it.

The preferred method is to sticky the 'new members come here' (title not settled, suggestions wanted for it) topic in the main roleplay forum while having a link to it from Incubation? I tried something like this before for the FAQ and Creation guide, I succeeded in leaving the redirecting links (without going through a post saying to go here and go there), but I couldn't get the redirecting links to be stickied. Gonna have to ask Eva too. >.>

Anyway, anymore suggestions or opinions? Even if you're new, as long as you have something say, you can just post here.

I gave this one whole week for more opinions or replies, but I got none. To be frank, I'm very fed up with this waiting game that I'm constantly playing in here. I'm not waiting anymore, I'll do the newbie intro/ask topic as I see fit.

Just an update for Drache, due to some mistake on my part, the live site (the ones you guys see, not the one I use to twiddle backend stuff with) has been upgraded to be on par and even a bit more advanced than the test site in a hurry. So if you happen to visit and see any bugs or glitches, let me know. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to update much in, though I'm trying to see if I can pick a day to do so.

I didn't really do a really close check, but I haven't noticed many bugs or anything in the RP ICs or anything on Drache...I use a Safari web browser, and things have looked fine. To answer your monthly poll though, the site hasn't been too laggy. Sometimes it takes a little while to load, but it's nothing that’s really major. It just takes a few seconds longer to load than usual, so it’s not that bad (at least nothing I'd complain about, but that's just me. >.>.).

As for the actual topic, I hadn't anything more to add...Sorry for a lack of any sort of reply though...

Finally, a discussion thread. -lurks profusely-

The topic has been created. Only time will tell if it will be helpful. If you guys want to post a brief self intro or something, go ahead. But don't scare off any new members, okay? *glares*

Thanks for the feedback on Drache, DB. I appreciate it.

Oh, you know we won't do that, Seluna.

Well that goes without saying. We can't afford that in the first place.

Hopefully it will make people a little more open and perhaps increase activity. Tis a shame that the 'new members' seem to be creating new RP's the most. I have a feeling some of the RPers may have to suck it up and join something to help things a little bit.

For me, it's moreso getting back into the groove of rping. I love it as much as the next person, but school somewhat has me busy.

I just found this thread, and I think that it would be a good idea to put something like this as a sticky. I didn't come in here to ask several questions that I had (simply because I hate taking risks of being in trouble needlessly), but I simply tried to figure them out on my own (successfully). But yes, I think that this should go in the normal RP forum as a sticky.

Meh, I'll answer.

I read some of it, just enough to kinda get the gist of what went on here. I've never RPed before this, so I found it useful.

Also, I don't know if a General Q&A would be good since each RP mod has different tastes. I think posting questions in the OOC would be better.

There's a new Pinned topic in Incubation. Those who have some intentions of creating RPs in the future, read it please. I know most of you know better than to create an IC topic for a non-freeform in Incubation, but some apparently don't. I've had to move at least two IC topics out of Incubation, and I don't like being shocked with seeing them in Incubation at all, it makes me grumpy very fast.

Oh yeah, I'm thinking of revising the new roleplay approval system. Sorta. Right now, there are:

1) serious roleplays with OOC and IC topics, require 3 approved profiles for 'full roleplay status'
2) freeform roleplays with OOC and IC topics, require 3 approved profiles
3) freeform roleplays with only IC topic, require 15 IC posts

'Full roleplay status' means moving to main RP forum, able to start IC. I'm thinking of allowing these:

4) serious roleplays with OOC and IC topics, require 15 IC posts
5) serious roleplays with only IC topic, require 15 IC posts

Or to scrap the 'freeform' or 'non-freeform' and just add a second option for approval. RP creator can choose to go the IC posts approval way or the profile posts approval way.

I'm still just thinking about it, so your opinions are very appreciated (you better give me some, or I'll go pissy after all of you). ^^

Maybe it would be easiest to just have the RP creator choose to get either IC posts approved or the profiles approved. Free-forms are most likely to just start right out with IC's and people will join in from there, whereas more non-freeforms with OOCs and ICs will probably just want to worry about getting profiles before chugging away with IC posts...

Just my two-cents. =).

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking except I over-complicated things again. >.<; Would that make things a lot less confusing? And I'm a little worried that it will cause the Incubation to have a lot of IC topics even if the chosen approval method is by profiles.

You could always add that if people choose the method of profile acceptance, they absolutely cannot have an IC until the OOC is approved by both the GM *and* you. Right now I guess it's not totally clear that you have to move things from Incubation to the main RP forum before an IC can start, so perhaps if you make it clear that you have to approve them after the GM has before they can start, maybe that'd make it easier for people and save from some of the hassle of having ICs in the Incubation sub-forum...

Well I have a question, and it is related to an RP.. So, I came to ask the experts.

Which is more unrealistic.

Blocking bullets with the side of a katana? Being fired from across a bar?

Or

A sports car with a mounted gun?

I suppose I haven't been clear about the 'moderator's approval required for IC to be created' part. >.>;; Now it's coming back to bite me in the butt.

Okay, I really have to revised the RP Creation to make it even clearer, it seems. So it is alright to allow two approval methods if we iron out the finer details?

That question is from a already in play RP, but nobody seems to agree with me that blocking a bullet is impossible.

@ Orph. The blocking of the bullets is less realistic, people mount guns on cars quite often during revolutions and gorilla warfare.

And thats 1 for Orph's side, anyone else agree with Lupin?

@ Orpheus: I already responded via PM, but I'll respond here as well I guess. I don't consider either unrealistic, but rather highly unlikely.

Having a gun-mounted car is something I'd consider more God-mode in an RP; very possible to do, but is it truly appropriate for a given RP, unless it's something extensively military (ie: tanks). Blocking a bullet (*once*) by just getting lucky is also unlikely, but sometimes people *do* get lucky. If anyone's seen Gettysburg (movie), during one of the fights the commander/generals is shot, but the bullet blew a dent into his sword instead. If made convincingly, it's always possible as just some added luck. =).

@ Sel: That should work. ^^.

I'm assuming you're talking about Hell has Saints? I read some of the argument that you guys are having there. I believe the RP is set in a rather modern setting, right?

In the real world, blocking bullets with the side of a katana will require extremely good reflexes. I won't outright say that it is not impossible. Minus the human factor, a katana can in fact cut bullets into half. Yes, in real world.

http://digg.com/educational/Japanese_Katan...flect_a_bullet#

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sHTJAKN-5k

I don't know about using the side of the katana to deflect them though, but I imagine if a real person were holding the sword, the strength needed to withstand the impact, and the ability to hold it just right to deflect the bullet would definitely have to be above average. And as for the distance, meaning across the bar, that will depend on how big the bar is. I can't judge distance very well anyway. I also don't know how fast bullets can travel, and how fast the character can react.

As for sports car with a mounted gun, that is possible even in the real world. Just super-gluing a pistol onto a car is still called mounting it on the car, although that's very amateurish and tacky. Even if you have some fancier way of mounting a gun on top or beside your car without making it look ugly or sending law enforcements after you, I doubt it will do your character any good. The gun cannot hit anything when the car is moving unless it is a machine gun, and the places to mount it is very limited, even for a person to use it when it's stationary. If you mean to conceal it somehow and have it appear when you push a button or something so it will look really cool, I doubt that's going to be possible or realistic with real world normal technology. Military technology probably. From what I read, your character does not have access to military technology.

Another thing. It is one thing to consult if something is possible. It's another to drag the conflict from that roleplay out to involve other people. Please make sure you are not doing the latter.

I'm just asking other people, and from what I have read a bullet can go from 800 feet per second to 3000 feet per second.

Orpheus drop the damn subject about the katana already will you? People gave you perfectly good reasons for that.

Sport cars with mounted guns are possible, but God-damn it would be a stupid idea to drive. What you want is manoeuvrability over speed, resistance does not agree with steady aims and sport cars don't have wind-shields either, you may as well open the window and shoot. Hell you can't even properly store bullets in a sports car. Unless you drive slowly, it won't do you any good. A Jeep would make more sense, if not only for the sheer fact you could turn around the (machine) gun and shoot surrounding targets.

You're just trying to get your 'rights', so if you would find people supporting your PoV, you'd just post in the OOC "look <person> said this and this. I'm right."

You're getting on my nerves and I don't think I need to tell you why anymore.

My new best friend. He's more relentless than a hurricane.



I'm not sure if you edited or clarified things in the pinned topic you created, but I read it and it seems to compliment really well with the Roleplay Creation Rules. I think it reiterates things just fine. Personally I always feel freeform or not, an IC should be complimented with an OOC. There are always things to discuss or ask, better in a topic than interrupting the roleplay. But that's just my own personal opinion, doesn't have anything to do with the rules. But still, at the same time the incubation could get clogged if a lot of IC's suddenly start up.

No, the RP is supposed be realistic. And someone doing ##### like that isn't, and sports cars have windshields.. Last time I checked all cars do. And about the car thing, ya it was a stupid idea but when it comes down to it the katana thing is of much more concern.

A windshield to cover the gun. End of argument.

Katana-issue has been handled. Though unlikely, it is scientifically possible to use it as a shield. The bullets fired from a regular handgun will not bend the steel because they do not have enough weight to do so. Now if it were a rifle of some sort, then we'd be talking. If you think it is not possible I suggest you try proving your PoV.

... This is exactly what I warned you about, Orpheus.

To me, both the katana deflecting bullets and gun mounted on sports car are borderline unrealistic. One requires very good physical capabilities and a very healthy dose of luck, the other one is just plain illogical, and it doesn't take a genius to know which is which. I didn't want to step in and put my foot down, but you made the decision for me when you continued pushing the issue outside of that roleplay's OOC topic, especially after my warning.

I give you two choices now, Orpheus. Number 1. Accept that both are unrealistic, get over it and don't do it again. I'll even play nice and tell InouKai how I feel about her katana deflecting bullets. Number 2. Don't accept it, post one more post arguing about which is more unrealistic in this topic, and I will delete all the posts in this topic regarding this issue and ask Ghani if I should do the same for the relevant posts in that OOC.

Now choose.

And yes, I'm pissed off. I specifically warned you. I don't like it when my warnings are brushed away like some insignificant speck of dust.

I don't want another post about this from any one else too.

Now, tell me if allowing IC approval method is do-able or not. ^^ (<- yes, I am still pissed off, don't be fooled by this smiley).

Approval for characters?

Well I guess that very free-form thing is fine. 'cause like, you don't need much OOC for those anyway. But for the more serious RP's that do need OOC, obviously not.

What you could do is getting "Character profile" threads, which can be reviewed by the community or something.

I think it'd be easiest to just have character profiles posted in the OOC and have the GM take care of those...

More or less the only issue (I believe) is that ICs are being made in the Incubation forum, instead of waiting for Sel to move them to the main RP forum before ICs are started and liter the Incubator.

If we had character profile threads started and have people in the community check them over, that seems a bit more daunting (to me) of whether or not my profile would seem widely accepted, and then probably a bunch of changing would be recommended, etc. (which, really, isn't a bad thing, but sometimes it goes a little too far). Instead of just having the GM's blessing, you'd have a bunch of other people look it over (instead of just the people who check out the OOC, you'd have *everybody* going over it).

I don't mean to really brush the whole idea off as if it's not good or anything. It just sounds like a lot more (stressful) work, and it's best to keep things simple and more "friendly" (ie: if new members join, it might seem a little daunting to submit a profile, as a new member, and then wait and see what happens. And that's not just with new role-players, but sometimes for the more experienced as well. Maybe that's just me though...).

I agree with DB. Character profile topics can work in certain RP forums, but not all of them. Each forum that has an RP is its own very separate beast. Having RPed for a few years on one just like that, it worked for what it was. But it worked because people reused the same characters multiple times, in multiple roleplays for a long period of time. It was a thing where people hooked up their RP Character links to their sigs. But it's different here because in general, when there's a new RP, you make a new character. So I think it would be easiest to keep how we do profiles the same as how it's always been here. Keep it in the OOC, I think it still saves less time. Plus all that ultimately matters is that the RP creator approves it, and of course that the character keeps with the RP rules. But for the latter, 99% of the time it takes care of itself.

I think this is more appropriate for the one character many roleplays type of RP forums? I don't think it'll work out with how we have one (or more) character(s) per roleplay type here. So we end up having 'Character profile' sections in the OOC for each roleplay.

DB is right, one of the issue is the premature creation of IC topics in Incubation, which ticks me off because they aren't supposed to be created until the roleplays are moved. But I also realized that there are roleplays that can start without character profiles, but still may require a display of background info and a place for discussion. That is why I brought this up. So, the questions that should be answered here are:

1) Should we try having two types of roleplay approval methods? The default one will the profiles approval, since it's what we are used to, but if this is to be done, there will be the choice of going for IC approval.

2) Are both approval methods of the same level of difficulty? I don't particularly want people choosing the IC method and cluttering the Incubation because it is more likely for the roleplays to be approved. In fact, I am thinking of making IC approval harder than profiles approval so that only the roleplays that will work better with this will choose it.

3) How do you tell what roleplays are freeform or not? Or rather, should it make a difference whether a roleplay is serious or freeform?

For now, let's go over these questions.