Role Play Discussion.

[BLZBUB]

 I can see the helpfulness of Evshell's idea using the Horizon, with her integrated Polaris escort. Thus there is actually 2 crews in one ship.
 Of course, a Polaris Captain would be subordinate to the Horizon captain ... more likely akin to a 2nd 2nd officer of the Horizon. However that would work out is secondary to fulfilling the needs of using as many, or all, of the RP'ers we currently staff.
 And on the other note, of having a GM AND Captain is sound, I think. Although in the past the captain knew the plot of the entire storyline, this idea would give our captains some ambiguity towards where the story is heading, offering them a more satisfying RP adventure than what we've previously offered captain,s ( imho).

So, on to Jeff's template for choices:

Primary Role: Rogers, Human/Romulan

1. CEO
2. Tactical
3. Devil's Advocate**

Like mentioned in the previous post, CEO could be split into specialization's on the same ship.

** Devil's Advocate: Meaning I could play an antagonistic role within an RP plot if so desired. ( I think Admiral Jeff T has an idea of what I am capable of. )

Ship: Any

Mission: Exploration or pew/pew. ( I can adapt ).

~

[Jureth]

I am not opposed to any of the ideas presented even if it means I would have to switch roles/create a new PC especially if it will mean better participation and a more enjoyable experience for all.  As Kheren can attest to the current staffing position on the Horizon just to give you an idea has Jureth in the role of Chief of Strategic Operations/Second Officer and captain of the Polaris. The strategic operations department serves as a sort of expert advisory department staffed with young bright officers (currently NPCs of my creation) from each profession along with a Marine complement. 

Primary Role: Oseno Jureth, Bajoran

1.)XO
2.)Current Positon (Chief of Strategic Ops USS Horizon)
3.)Tactical/Security
4.)Other department using a possible new PC. (love creating characters and writing backstory so I thought I'd throw that out there)

Ship: Any

Mission: Any

[Jeff T]

Anyone else adding input regarding intent and preferences?

[Sorripto]

I am all for more RP time.  I would be able to post at least once a day if needed.  My work schedule has balanced out and I have more free time with my school winding down.  I have also shown the ability to balance a primary character and npc if needed.

Primary Role: Joshua Riker, Human, Commander

1) Current Position - XO USS Phoenix
2) Command
3) Character driver

Ship: Any
Mission: Any

Other Primary: Sorripto, Cardassian, Lieutenant

1) Current Position - Prisoner / Unknown
2) Engineering
3) Nanotech expert / Science

Ship: Any
Mission: Any

[Hera]

Hi guys,

I wanted to add my commentary about Rp with the fleet.  Ive heald off though because I was worried it might be taken wrong.  So let me start out by saying this isnt meant to be an attack.  Nor is it a literal version of what was intended or happened rather my perception of events - hopefully that are accurate but human, emotion, etc, etc.

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The process to join the ship was mostly a one I did alone.  Little feedback or interactions beyond a few random chats. 

I was told I had to rush and finish to be able to be in the RP - since I came in too late to join in at all on the previous story.  I did and found the info was wrong and that I wasnt allowed to do anything more with the academy so I sat and twiddled thumbs. 

Efforts to generate some rp in the game or in something of a prequel failed. 

The Rp finally started and I ran into a lot of assumptions on what I should know, and how I should do it.  I was told to contact person B by person A and logically I need to talk to C and D and no one is replying, even A is unhelpful.  Finally Im told to just make it up and shoved out on a stage in front of a bunch of strangers for the first time I tried.  As communication broke down even more I found myself unable to handle the anxiety of posting not wanting to tread on written or unwritten rules of behavior. 

When I finally get into a scene its fun but I get a 'thought attack' from person B about how terrible my character has failed and so on for the stuff I was forced to do.  Stuck between wanting to start 'replying' in my own characters thoughts and ignoring it I asked for help and couldnt really find any. 

I tried to solve my problems using the official process but that didnt work well at all.  I was told I should stay where I am so I dont look like Im making waves. 

I tried to get some little bits of RP but I wasnt really listened to.  I was surprised to find out I no longer was assigned to a ship at all when I tried to do some sort of rp.



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So there it is.

Ive come to like you guys, some of you quite a bit, so I have hung around in the fleet in game.  I dont want to make this sound like its a 'screw you guys Im going home' thing.  but it is a pretty big thorn in my paw. 

Communication would of helped a great deal with my problems.  Someone that i could talk to and help me understand how the rules work in this nitch of the net.  So perhaps someone to engage with new people when their considering the academy and during - who can help them with our nettiqute. 

I have many characters, all with some sort of story, so if anyone is interested in rp please let me know. 

[Kheren]

Let me say first, as the new RP Director, and on behalf of the former one who I do know share my position, that I am sorry you underwent through such and so many problems.

I will not go back on the whole situation you describe and assume or give blame or explanations or reasons about what or did not happen, neither to you or anyone involved then. I will just see the whole thing as one simple problem: Communication.

Therefore, the first thing I will say to try and help avoid such a situation is this: whenever a player or GM has a problem, PM the RP director (currently me).

You can reach me through here (site PM to Kheren), through Skype (Kherenkalel) and/or through the PM system of the RP site (Captain Kheren). All my messaging are also related to my personal e-mail so: 1- I always know when someone is trying to contact me and 2- I always answer in a promptly manner. A LOT of people in the fleet can attest to that.

A player can also try to resolve any situation through his/her GM/captain and he/she too can contact me on behalf of the player and about his/her problem, need or suggestion. If the GM/captain is unable to respond, his assistant-GM/Exec  can step in to do the same.

I am not reinventing anything; this has always been the communication line in place and work perfectly as long as players DO communicate, which means ask/tell and answer/discuss and the RP Director is able to respond. The only new thing is ME; and I took this job and was accepted by the Fleet not just because of my experience with the system and play, but most of all because i have the will AND THE TIME to do it.

So, from now on, such a regrettable situation as you went through should not happen again, as long as the PLAYER does his/her part in the communication process. And I WILL certainly see to it.

This does not mean you will receive a positive answer each and every time you discuss/ask for something. But it does mean that you WILL get a response/discussion and this in a timely manner. I take this as my first personal responsibility in this job.

The second thing I will do is learn from the regrettable problem you faced and review the current structure to see what can be further done to ease integration into RP for new, old and returning players. One of the ideas I am considering foremost is too systematize the Junior officer Cruise and possibly implement a Cadet Cruise following the Kobayashi Maru/Survival RP which is handled separately by the Academy. This way, any player could return or enter play at any time wether the main ship(s) is already underway or not.

Again, this will be possible because I HAVE the will and the TIME to do it.

And of course, I am open to ideas and suggestions.

[BLZBUB]

 If I may suggest, when using the PM function to query a Role Play communication or problem, that players use the "RP Leaders" group function when selecting recipients to their message. This function is available at the top right of their 'Compose Message' form. It is entitled "Groups" and has an "RP Leaders" group in the drop-down list.

 The current Group leader is Evshell, and others ( there are currently 3 others ) can be added to "Approved Members".

I would suggest that we add another group, say for ""RP moderators"", or some appropriate title, which could include the current players ship captain, along with Admiral's Evshell and Kheren. This would allow the RP moderators to keep on top of current discussions regarding problems/idea's/ what-have-you's within the players story arc, or with the players character IC'ly or OOC'ly.

Of course, we can decide on appropriate group members relevant to the ship and/or current running RP scenario's. Groups are easily created and deleted per the ACP.

[Jeff T]

So where are we at this point in regards to starting a new RP story or two?

What decisions, if any, have been made?

[BLZBUB]

 I believe that we are awaiting the wrap-up of the current RP on the Horizon, in order to enable a full roster of participants for the next chapter in ...

The contiiiiinuuuuiiinngggg Stoooooory of Lotus Fleet.

[Kheren]

Exactly right, BLZBUB.

The Horizon's current story will end with the month. September will see how we will impelment the next play in our RP and with whom doing what.

The more the current players will involve themselves in the story, the quicker it will end and the sooner we will work on our next RP phase and start a new story or stories for everyone to enjoy.