Roleplaying assistance.

[Lightwielder]

This is the board where anyone can come to ask someone for help developing or progressing a Roleplay. Basically, if you have a question about a Roleplay, come here to see if it has been answered, and if not, ask it yourself.

Here are some basic questions answered, so that nobody has to ask them.

This quote is from Badstench.
Havoc was right to a point.

First, rules governing the general etiquette of the forum always take precedent:

No content of a sexually explicit nature
No gratuitous use of swear words
No posts aimed at members that are of a malicious or derogatory nature.

Other than that, the rules for any particular role play can be instigated by the person who starts the thread. A few examples follow:

1) The roleplay is by invitation only.
2) The roleplay is open to anyone and everyone.
3) The roleplay has a central theme which the participants are asked to adhere to.
4) etc, etc.

Really, it's up to the person who starts the thread.

There you have it. If you have a question about a Roleplay, these might answer your questions. If not, ask your question, and let it be answered.

[Lightwielder]

I myself want some help with a Roleplay. I have it set up where there are ten alignments. Each one has an opposite, or opposing alignment.

I have
Alignment of the Path <---> Alignment of Invention
Alignment of Trickery <---> Alignment of Wisdom
Alignment of Battle <---> Alignment of Tranquility
Alignment of Force <---> Alignment of Spirit
Alignment of ??? <---> Alignment of ???
Feel free to suggest ideas for the other Alignments that I haven't gotten to yet.

(Also feel free to ask why I chose an Alignment, or it's opposite; or what each one is about. Questions and ideas help refine my Roleplay.)

Thank you.

EDIT: Keep in mind that my Roleplay is NOT related to Sryth, so the ideas don't necessarily have to be within Sryth physics.

[Badstench]

I will need to know exactly what you mean by "alignment".

I know this term in the traditional AD&D sense of Law, Chaos, Good, Evil, Neutrality.

By reading the few categories you have listed so far, your meaning is entirely different, leaning more toward spheres of influence governing Human vocations.

I'm thinking the "Alignment of the Path" and the "Alignment of Invention" is akin to religion vs. science?

[Lightwielder]

By reading the few categories you have listed so far, your meaning is entirely different, leaning more toward spheres of influence governing Human vocations.

Actually, I could not have said it better myself. The alignments even affect what lifestyles aligned people tend to be, though none are good or evil, specifically. For example, the Alignment of the Path can tend to produce both highway patrol guards and bandits (and more). Get it? It also affects their natural instincts, but I'll get into that later.

I'm thinking the "Alignment of the Path" and the "Alignment of Invention" is akin to religion vs. science?

Somewhat warm, but not quite.
The descendants (Any common person who is aligned) of the Path favor the exhilaration of walking the trail, path, road, or any other form. Even the sea is one massive path to them. Unless the matter is ABSOLUTELY urgent, they prefer to walk to where they are going, enjoying their stride to the fullest.

The descendants of Invention are most home to factories or forges. They use their inventions and machines to increase productivity and efficiency. This puts them at odds with descendants of the Path, because they are more concerned with the results, and not enough with the journey or the process to get there. Plus, the inventions that they make shorten traveling time, or make it difficult to get lost; with detaches people more and more from the true feeling of being in the wild.

Make sense?

Also, they do not have to be polar opposites. The Alignments of Trickery and Wisdom are not polar opposites, just different aspects of the same concept. Hope that clears things up, and I eagerly await your next questions and suggestions.

(By the way, Badstench, do you like this thread? I found surprisingly few Roleplays on this Forum, so maybe this will encourage people to throw their ideas out, and let other players help refine them, so they can start well-developed Roleplays.)

[thingirl]

Alignment of Battle <---> Alignment of Peace

I read it and came up with it.

[Badstench]

... or something along those lines. If the "Alignment of Battle" suggests warrior types, then the opposite would be pacifists. I would view this similar to Thai monks: healers, holy men, very adept at martial arts, which they only use in defensive mode for disarming enemies and dodging attacks, proficient pharmacists (herbalists), etc.

How about the "Alignment of Tranquility"?

[Lightwielder]

How about the "Alignment of Tranquility"?

Yeah, that was one of my ideas, but wasn't sure whether or not to choose that, or the Alignment of Diplomacy, or something like that. That is a good idea, I'll think about it.

[Lightwielder]

I came up with another idea for an Alignment.

The Alignment of Force. The Alignment of Force deals with the basic components, nature, and influence of matter. They can tend to be scientists, strategists (of many kinds), engineers, and more. They prefer utilizing whatever is around them to their advantage, and enjoy experiencing and experimenting with new concepts.

Any comments, questions, or suggestions on this Alignment, or what should be it's opposing Alignment are helpful and welcome.

[thingirl]

The alignment of Industry. (Because factories pollute the air.)

[Lightwielder]

The alignment of Industry. (Because factories pollute the air.)

First of all, that is pretty much the Alignment of Invention. Second, how would that be the opposite of the Alignment of Force? (Unless that's not what you were saying; in which case, please tell me.)

[Badstench]

I'm reminded of the saying...

What happens when an irresistable force meets an immoveable object?

Can you work this into the idea?

Perhaps a society that actively works to promote the future, while the opposite works to maintain the present?

[thingirl]

The alignment of Industry. (Because factories pollute the air.) First of all, that is pretty much the Alignment of Invention. Second, how would that be the opposite of the Alignment of Force? (Unless that's not what you were saying; in which case, please tell me.)

Umm, I was going for the clean air (nature) VS. pouted Air.

But, an Idea I had while I was reading your post: Ao Invention Vs. Ao Destruction. The Inverters make stuff, and the Destroyers destroy stuff.

[Lightwielder]

Umm, I was going for the clean air (nature) VS. pouted Air.

But, an Idea I had while I was reading your post: Ao Invention Vs. Ao Destruction. The Inverters make stuff, and the Destroyers destroy stuff.

Read this quote

The Alignment of Force deals with the basic components, nature, and influence of matter.

I didn't realize that this would be misunderstood. It's a list. The Alignment of Force deals with the basic components,(of matter) nature(of matter) and influence of matter. It has nothing to do with nature itself, just matter.

[Lightwielder]

I'm reminded of the saying...

What happens when an irresistable force meets an immoveable object?

Can you work this into the idea?

Perhaps a society that actively works to promote the future, while the opposite works to maintain the present?

Sheer brilliance, Badstench. The Alignment of Spirit.

The Alignment of Spirit associates itself with understanding the intangible parts of life.(Thus, your "immovable object.") Morals, religion, love, peace, even math. Technically, anybody, regardless of Alignment, can choose any religion, any morals, any of these concepts that they want, but the descendants of Spirit focus themselves on understanding these, their origins, and why they exist. Their most recent focus(or conundrum) is the concept of the human soul.

They are the opposing Alignment to Force because, as the knowledge of the world and how it exists increases, the understandings change. Religions bring this into consideration, and interpret accordingly, moral standards change, processes of math, the definition of love, social etiquette; they all change and develop. That is not as welcomed by the Alignment of Spirit as one might think, but the Alignment of Force is determined to learn as much as they can.

I like this idea. What do you think?

EDIT: (By the way, I am going to camp for a week. If you have a comment or suggestion, go ahead and leave it, and I will address them all when I get back on Saturday.)

[Badstench]

I like it very much.

The way you describe Force/ Spirit gives the concept a meaning beyond the immediately obvious: Faith vs. Proof, Creationists vs. Evolutionists, etc, but these examples lend the whole thing a religious conotation that is not the basis of the respective alignments.

[Lightwielder]

The way you describe Force/ Spirit gives the concept a meaning beyond the immediately obvious: Faith vs. Proof, Creationists vs. Evolutionists, etc, but these examples lend the whole thing a religious conotation that is not the basis of the respective alignments.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Mind explaining what you mean just a little bit? Thanks.

[thingirl]

I don't stink (well OK, maybe a little), but I think it's a good thing. It means that there is religion, but it isn't a religion (my opinion) that is Worship of the one True God and how He sent His Son to die for our sins (rant over, hey didn't I do this last Sunday?) or created by man, so there can't be wars over what the Ao Spirit is.

[Lightwielder]

I like it very much.

The way you describe Force/ Spirit gives the concept a meaning beyond the immediately obvious: Faith vs. Proof, Creationists vs. Evolutionists, etc, but these examples lend the whole thing a religious conotation that is not the basis of the respective alignments.

Badstench, it's been a week (Just got home from camp. Haven't even gotten on Facebook yet. Sryth Forums are just that cool, that I'd check Sryth Forums before Facebook.) and you still haven't replied to my last comment. Would you please do so? I am still curious as to what you meant.

Original quote:
The way you describe Force/ Spirit gives the concept a meaning beyond the immediately obvious: Faith vs. Proof, Creationists vs. Evolutionists, etc, but these examples lend the whole thing a religious conotation that is not the basis of the respective alignments.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Mind explaining what you mean just a little bit? Thanks.

[Badstench]

I should have stayed with the very first sentence:
Originally Posted by Badstench
I like it very much.
The rest of it was superfluous, equating the terms "force" and "spirit" with religion. In the context of your alignments this doesn't apply.

[Lightwielder]

Ok, thank you. I just wanted to figure out what you meant, so, thanks for the suggestions.

Anybody's still more than welcome to suggest something about the other Alignments.

[Zeriken]

Ah, I have read a bit of the rp here, but not much. I quickly noted that the style is very different from what I am used to. What are the rules for success and failure? Also, are there any particular formats that we need to go through for characters, or is it a copy of our actual Sryth characters?

Not sure if I will end up joining/starting any kind of rp anytime soon, but whatever information you guys/gals can give me is very much appreciated.

[Lightwielder]

Well, most of it just depends on the Roleplay. Some are and aren't related to Sryth, so the character you use might depend on that. Also...success and failure...Nobody likes a character who never fails, and a character that never succeeds might get boring quickly. Most of it is up to your good judgement to decide, so just play fair and realistic and you'll be fine.

[thingirl]

In A Modest Proposal, your character(s) are characters from your roster and Susses/Fail is the same formula as in Sryth. If/when you join, you have to post a link to the characters' profiles that you're playing in the RP so that Zmflavius can get his/her stats and S&P levels.

[Lightwielder]

I have another idea.

The Alignment of the Tides. (Or the Alignment of Current.)

The descendants of the Tides have a special tuning to the flow of energy. (Positive, negative, powerful, weak, etc.) They tend to follow such energy accordingly. They follow the ins-and-outs of trends and fashions; blending in, yet standing out at the same time. If a battle is going horribly, the resulting flow of negative energy will most urge them to retreat, but if they are performing well, you will see them fighting with a fierceness seen nowhere else, even if their body is about to entirely collapse. Some descendants who have honed this ability can even sense the flow of energy in another person's body. Courage, fear, strength, weakness; these can all become known to a descendant of the Tides.

I have an idea for it's opposite, but I want to see your ideas first.

[thingirl]

The Ao the stones/ rocks. They think everything through. They flee if the battle is going badly, and also if their troops are tired. They never do anything without reason. They are also quite good at strategy games like chess and shogi.

[Lightwielder]

How does that work? If they never do anything with reason, how are they so good at strategy games?

[thingirl]

I thought I typed "they never do anything without reason" Guess I should learn to read what I post, huh.

[Lightwielder]

I thought I typed "they never do anything without reason" Guess I should learn to read what I post, huh.

Do me a favor please, thingirl. Make that a habit. I find that a lot of internet misunderstandings are the result of people not reading what they are typing. (I, myself, am guilty of such, too; but I have gotten a lot better about it.) You will eventually make a mistake, and somebody is going to interpret it the wrong way. Definitely a good idea to choose your words carefully when you type.

Either way, an interesting idea. (Except I have a better name for it.) I'm still waiting to see if Badstench has an idea.

[thingirl]

My style of writing posts is that I'll read someone else's post, then I'll think of what I want to say, then I'll type it. Usually, I'll misspell something, because I use quick reply 99% of the time, and spellckeck isn't automatically on in quick reply. And often times when I remember to read what I write, I read what I thought I wrote. And what is your Idea for the name of the alignment?

[Lightwielder]

My style of writing posts is that I'll read someone else's post, then I'll think of what I want to say, then I'll type it. Usually, I'll misspell something, because I use quick reply 99% of the time, and spellckeck isn't automatically on in quick reply. And often times when I remember to read what I write, I read what I thought I wrote. And what is your Idea for the name of the alignment?

Patience, you'll see it in time. I told you, first, I want to see if Badstench has anything to say.

[thingirl]

Fine (Is he here yet? Is he here yet? Is he here yet? Is he here yet? Is he here yet? Huh huh huh?) I'm not good at waiting.

[Lightwielder]

Sorry for the overly excessive wait, Thingirl. I was waiting for Badstench, but he never showed, and I just sort of fell out of it. I do still want to do this. I just forgot for awhile.

My idea is the Alignment of Steadfast.

The descendants of Steadfast often come off as incredibly stubborn. They will not retreat just because it's going badly, or because the odds are against them. Likewise, they won't press forward aggressively, and likely suffer heavy casualties, JUST because they are going strong. They often make for excellent personal or royal guards, because they are difficult to persuade, and even more difficult to bribe. Unlike the descendants of Tides/Current,-who will follow the flow of energy more than money- the descendants of Steadfast are content to ignore that flow, and do things their way. Keep in mind that while they are stubborn, they aren't stupid. If a battle is hopeless, they wont stick around and certainly get killed. If they're going strong, they might continue to press forward, based on the conditions.

[ValothBranstrommer]

Here's another couple quick questions concerning RPing in the forum and it has to do with an earlier post in this thread concerning success/fail rolls. Even if one were to use the stats for a character of theirs, different things would come into play that could make it very difficult to 'recycle' this stat base into a Roleplay. Keeping in mind how, in Sryth, the numerous ways that certain stats are chopped up thrown around in the wok together and added to a d20 or d100 roll, it isn't nearly as cut and dry as a straight d20 plus stat. How would a GM/DM make a decision concerning a success/fail without a more standardized algorythm
(ex: If (insert applicable stat here) + d20 roll = (base success value) then Success Else Fail)
And secondly, does the GM roll these (engendering distrust in his players after several bad rolls) or does the player roll these (engendering distrust in the GM after a peculiarly long lucky streak?

Sorry for being difficult, but I was curious and thinking seriously about starting a Roleplay myself.

VB

[zmflavius]

Here's another couple quick questions concerning RPing in the forum and it has to do with an earlier post in this thread concerning success/fail rolls. Even if one were to use the stats for a character of theirs, different things would come into play that could make it very difficult to 'recycle' this stat base into a Roleplay. Keeping in mind how, in Sryth, the numerous ways that certain stats are chopped up thrown around in the wok together and added to a d20 or d100 roll, it isn't nearly as cut and dry as a straight d20 plus stat. How would a GM/DM make a decision concerning a success/fail without a more standardized algorythm
(ex: If (insert applicable stat here) + d20 roll = (base success value) then Success Else Fail)
And secondly, does the GM roll these (engendering distrust in his players after several bad rolls) or does the player roll these (engendering distrust in the GM after a peculiarly long lucky streak?

Sorry for being difficult, but I was curious and thinking seriously about starting a Roleplay myself.

VB

When I do RPs, I generally use the buffed stat.

[ValothBranstrommer]

At the risk of sounding like a complete noob...(oh wait I AM a complete noob here... oh well...) What is a buffed stat? Is it like a stat modifier in D&D?

[zmflavius]

At the risk of sounding like a complete noob...(oh wait I AM a complete noob here... oh well...) What is a buffed stat? Is it like a stat modifier in D&D?

You have 2 stats for each stat: A base stat, and a buffed stat. The basic stat is the stat you rolled at the start. You can only change one basic stat once in the game. A buffed stat is your stat after you factor in all your stat modifiers.

[thingirl]

And the reason to do so is because you have to ask the player what their base stat is. Whereas you can just look on their profile to find their buffed stat.

[ValothBranstrommer]

Okay. that answers that but what about the die rolling? I have no problem with using established methods but I'd rather know what the established methods for this are, exactly.

Oh and one other thing: I'd feel awkward taking artistic liberties with another GMs mental property. Would having a campaign take place in another 'world' with some of the same characters be considered a faux pas?

VB

[zmflavius]

Okay. that answers that but what about the die rolling? I have no problem with using established methods but I'd rather know what the established methods for this are, exactly.

Oh and one other thing: I'd feel awkward taking artistic liberties with another GMs mental property. Would having a campaign take place in another 'world' with some of the same characters be considered a faux pas?

VB

I use a random number generator.

No (in my opinion) although I think it might create some sticky points.

[ValothBranstrommer]

sticky points? because it's a non-sryth thread in a sryth-related forum? hmm...perhaps this could be sidestepped by putting it in a non-sryth related area of the forum?

VB

Just askin :p

[zmflavius]

sticky points? because it's a non-sryth thread in a sryth-related forum? hmm...perhaps this could be sidestepped by putting it in a non-sryth related area of the forum?

VB

Just askin :p

I mean because it causes plot contradictions.

[ValothBranstrommer]

I concede that a character ripped directly from the storyline and installed in a new world with all of their old history intact would definitely cause such problems, but utilizing such literary techniques as amnesia, dimensional alters and, if someone should so desire, the creation of a non-sryth character using Sryth-like stat sets and skill/power sets would, I think, enable a GM to run a storyline that could run parallel (ie:similar but unconnected) to the original.

VB