#1. When you first started RPing what was your most common mistake?
"Believe it or not, I think my most common mistake was getting too detailed.I used to - and sometimes still do - lose my fellow players in excessivedetail. Details are interesting to me, but sometimes I can get into themtoo much. This also sometimes gets me assuming other people's actions,which is a definite mistake."
#2. What is your worst pet-peeve in RPG's?
"Definitely god-moding. Everynow and then, I don't mind someone making a small assumption about mycharacter or the environment around them. In fact, on the Plaza,assumptions are made by players all the time; that's just the way free-formis. But when people begin to make themselves invincible, or take control ofother players, that's where I draw the line. I've seen a lot of it invarious forms throughout my years as an RPer, and it never fails to get meirritated."
#3. In what way(s) did you develop your character into what he is today?
"Well, this one's difficult to answer in a short amount of space! Mycharacter, I think, is unique from many others in that he began with a sortof dual-development. I was creating him both on the Plaza and in a fantasystory format simultaneously. The Plaza has been a sort of proving groundfor Mathen Nors; the aspects that work I then often include in the novelthat I am writing for him (which, by the way, is not related to LOTR or MEin any way). The aspects that didn't work I either revised or discardedcompletely. I spent many hours thinking over how I wanted Mathen Nors tobe, and I wrote many "scenes" (short stories) including him in them before Igot all of his characteristics the way I wanted them. Mathen Nors has had along and detailed evolution. He started out as a sort of minor noble, thenturned into a sort of wanderer. Later, I had him take on the form ofHunstman for the Queen of a small, embattled nation. After that, he waslong dormant, lost in the many pages of written material I have layingaround. When I found the Plaza, I brought him back to life as a BountyHunter, the form he is currently in. In short, it was a lot of trial anderror, a bit of inspiration every now and then, and a whole lot ofimagination."
#4. Any advice to those still wanting to create an elaborate rpingcharacter?
"Think about your character carefully. Where is he or shestarting out? Where do you want them to end up? Personality is thecornerstone of your character. What is his or her personality like? Get the major aspects worked out -write them down so you can remember them.Then, when you RP, play true to your character's personality. One of theworst things for excellent character development is when someone says, "JoeBighammer is the strong, silent type," and then goes and writes about thatsame character frolicking about the town like a child at the fair. Planyour character's profile, and then play along with it. Of course, it'spossible for a character to change, over time. In fact, the best charactersalways do, in some way. How they change is entirely up to you. Youcharacter is your story; your imagination is the only limit."
#5. What are some do's/don'ts for the new rpers out there?
"
Don't try to dotoo much at the beginning. Start small. When I first arrived on the Plaza,I was still getting a grasp on what I wanted Mathen Nors to be. I showed upin two or three places, and learned from them. I wasn't all over the placein one day. Do take some time to work out the bugs in the system, so tospeak, before bringing your character onto the big scene. Mathen Norsdidn't become the infamous Bounty Hunter, Gray Death, a Muinamacar Sergeant,and many other things besides, all in one day. It took time and hard work.Do have lots of patience, and do accept advice from RPers who areexperienced. Don't get frustrated and give up. It takes a lot of effort,but it's always worth it. Do share the great story of your character withus, writing it out over time through your role-play."
#6. What kind of rping style do you prefer?
"I prefer play-by-post RP, if that's what you're referring to.Free-form is also cool, and has many advantages, like developing a morecomplex character over a short period of time. But PBP is much more orderedand even paced, allowing people of all posting rates to keep up. It alsoprevents about 75% of god-moding before it even starts. PBP does take morepatience and time, but those are attributes that any good RPer needs to have.
#7. Any specific tips on writing rpg's?
"Plan, plan, plan! A good RPG iswell-planned, from beginning to end. Even the best RPGs have crashed andburned halfway through, because the GM didn't think up a good ending for it.Good ideas for the beginning of the game are great, but it has to have amiddle and an end, too, just like a book. For the Hunt for Therion RPG, Iwrote up a four page plot summary, rules and guidelines, and suggestions onhow to make things work. I presented it to the admins before I even letword leak to the Plaza in general that I was thinking one up. Now,obviously, I probably did a little more than necessary (there's me and mydetails again!), but the same basic idea should be applied to most RPGs. Ifyou have a good idea, that's great, but you're only halfway there. Makesure you've got the whole plot worked out, along with alternate ideas shouldthe players take it in a different direction than you already planned. Thisis flexibility, another good attribute of good RPGs."
#8. In your opinion, what is the worst thing you can possibly do in a rpg?
"There are a lot of bad things you can do in an RPG, among them, god-moding.But in my mind, the worst thing you can do in an RPG is try to get throughit too fast. You can't always go from one big battle to the next. In orderto develop a good plot and good characters, you need to remember that andRPG should mirror RL in a lot of ways, in that you can't always be fightinga battle, or hunting the foe day and night for two months. Stop and talkwith other characters, develop relationships, explore characteristics andpersonalities. Just because the pace slows a bit doesn't mean the RPG is indanger of stalling. The players need time to give color and depth to theworld, besides the color red smeared all over the silver of your blade! Butyou also don't want to spend too much time chatting it up with your new warbuddy, because a lot of that can stall and RPG. In other words, use detailand exploration in moderation."
#9. Any words on Rping etiquette?
"Always be courteous to your fellow RPer.Just because you know something doesn't mean they do. Don't get on theircase because they haven't figured it out yet. Be sure that everyone knowswhat's going on, and be patient with those who are newer or slower. Try tohelp the game out in every way you can, which is mostly by following therules and doing your best to RP the way you should. Everyone has a uniquestyle, so try to work with others to make it happen in a harmonious manner.And, above all, listen to the GMs who are in charge. They always know morethan you do... and if they don't like your character, they can send alighting bolt from above to smite you! So be nice!"
#10. And finally what was your favorite rpg and why?
"Well, I would have tosay the Hunt for Therion RPG. It included so many people and so manydifferent styles, that I still don't know all of what went on it in, and Iwas the one in charge. It enable so many different stories to take place,and I think it did a lot to define how the players view RPGs. It gave thema chance to see how big and how far these games can take their characters,and themselves. But I must say that I also really like the STS RPG takingplace in MT right now. Naith has done an excellent job planning andcreating, better than I ever did, and I'm looking forward to the rest evennow. My compliments to him and everyone who helped out on a job well done!"
Thank you Mathen (Mathen Nors,The Bounty Hunter, who is called Gray Death by mortal souls.Lord of Minas Mordae) for answering all of my hard questions and doing so with such expertise!
By Düncirithion
|
|
Rivendell 
Khazad-Dûm
The Shire
The White Council
Minas Tirith
Lothlorien
Meduseld
Fangorn
Mordor
Poetry and Plaza Art
Through the Keyhole