@Heap241

Before I say anything, I actually do quite like this character concept you have in mind (both 'Public CS' and 'Private CS'), and it's cool to see someone noticeably older in the bunch at last.

I've decided to mention some of this here, and some of it through PM -- mostly because I don't want to complicate something for you. I don't have any problem with the character idea you're presenting for the role-play, but there's a couple details in the rules that've been missed (I know you did this before sleeping, and were rushing to get it out from what I can tell, so I'm not angry or anything but rules are there to be followed), so I'll bring them up.

Firstly, refer to the following quote from the opening post in the OOC:

Place a 'character portrait' picture into the [img][/img] BBCode, and make sure it's appropriate for this role-play. I don't care if you've drawn it yourself or gotten it from somewhere, but keep it fitting. The reason I've listed the 'Anime/Manga' tag for this role-play is that I'm envisioning it as an anime or VN/game (not inherently inspired by anything specific, since I'm more a fan of the style than I am of any particular fandom), and subsequently the character pictures used are expected to follow that sort of style of art for the purpose of maintaining proper aesthetic. If you've got a problem with anime or its style, then this role-play isn't for you -- I'm extremely picky regarding aesthetics and I won't be lowering my standards just to role-play with someone who can't appreciate this form of art. The role-play is using that aesthetic, and I don't want the portraits chosen to ruin that, just like how someone creating a role-play using a live action setting would be thrown off by having cartoon character images introduced. Character portraits are obligatory here for a few reasons, so make sure you have one here -- this isn't negotiable so 'take it or leave it'. Also, try to make sure it's accurate -- if your character is meant to have a different hair colour (for example) to the portrait or is meant to have freckles (another example) then I recommend using an image program to correct it.

A few people've slightly missed the rule about making sure the portraits are completely accurate, but it hasn't been a major issue. With this quote in mind though, the current portrait is going against the rules. There's a few reasons why having a character portrait is important, and also why making sure that the aesthetic was somewhat similar between them to an extent. One of them is that a picture showing the entire main cast will be included in the opening post once everyone is registered and it'll took stupid if they're jarringly different, while another reason is that those same portrait icons will also be used to show where everyone is on the map of the setting that'll be added soon (and will similarly look weird if inconsistent to an extent).

These are some (though not all) of the reasons I insisted on portraits, and wanted them to have a similar aesthetic, since if I wasn't planning to use the portraits for something and simply wanted them to maintain the 'Anime' aesthetic of the role-play then it'd be easy for me to just imagine the characters that way in my mind; in fact, I already have a few ideas of pictures I might have used for a character who looks like the one you're presenting. I wouldn't have made portraits a requirement at all if I didn't want them to have some consistency.

To give an example of what I mean by posting up a picture of everyone together in the opening post, I'm going to quote an example my fiancé made (keep in mind this wasn't complete, and was just a rough example of how it might look -- they might also be changing to legit portraits instead of circle icons):

Okay, so I guess now would be a good time to present these really rough drafts for map icons.

Rough Draft *Art Not Final* [+]

Anyway, apart from that there's no real issues with the 'Public CS' itself. It shouldn't be too hard to iron out the CS and get it accepted. There was a few typos, but you're hardly the only applicant who's had that come up so it's not a major issue, but do take a look at it when you have time since this is an 'Advanced' tag role-play. My standard procedure is to have a person's 'Public CS' accepted before their 'Private CS' is discussed or accepted, but I've got a concern I need to bring up over PM just so you don't end up being cheated out of a fair chance at the game like everyone else.

@Heap241 I like the idea of your character and it's quite nice to see that picture of Tanya Drouginska being used for this. The only thing I can thank bloom for. XD

@Eidolen

Yeah, the main issue was the whole 'don't put live action portraits in an anime role-play, or put anime portraits in a live action role-play' problem. So that'll need to be taken care of. It wouldn't be a problem if I hadn't already explained to everyone that I plan to create map icons using our character images and I'd like them to be somewhat consistent in appearance.

I'm around on Skype mate, just so you know. There's something I want to bring up without spoiling information about your character here in the OOC.

I don't know the person who it's a picture of, but it doesn't work for an anime-orientated role-play.

Just thought I would mention I added more theme music to my public character sheet and that is all I should need to, so if anyone feels like they wanna hear it, go for your life.

Looking forward to seeing what goes on and keeping this all alive.

I was just happy to see Satie as the theme music, was going to use him in the Tea House scene. As someone who always plays older characters as often as 20 or 30-somethings, I can always appreciate seeing one.

@Shoryu Magami Alright! I issue discussed in your PM has been fixed. I changed photo to a more anime type image. I don't have time to get into photoshop this very moment to put her in an icon but, if it's requested, I can probably do it tonight. I also fixed the grammar issues.

@Eidolen I just loved her elegance in the photo. Since I typically design my character after finding the image, that particular image just spoke volumes to me.

@Snagglepuss89 Yes, Satie is wonderful! I just love Debussys orchestrated adaptations of his Gymnopedie pieces.

@Heap241

Just for the record, if you'd like to actually add an additional note in your 'Notes' section stating that she physically resembles X person and make their name a clickable link to that original picture you used, I'll have no problem with that. I know one other person thinking of joining us who modelled their character on a real life person too. I just need the portraits to fit the intended aesthetic for consistency in terms of map icons and opening post stuff, otherwise I'd have not made them obligatory.

As for the 'Public CS' itself, with the minor fixes done it's now been accepted. I know you don't have a lot of time right now, so if we don't get the 'Private CS' accepted before you head off to work then we'll deal with it later. Either way, I'm going to do what I always do to 'stamp' a 'Public CS' as accepted.

First Edit: No need to worry about character portrait icons, since no one else followed a set rule for this and I never asked them to. We'll be created those for people, and then making sure everyone's happy with what we create. The examples my fiancé gave were just that -- an example.

Second Edit: Wasn't able to say this earlier (PC issues means I can't click links sometimes, and I hadn't used my other method of listening to the music until now), but I really do like that piece of music you've picked too. Sounds really great. I'll have to listen to more of their music. Big lover of classical music here, so this struck a cord with me.

So, heads up: Called into work again, and had to get another post up for a different RP. Still planning to work on that post today, and hopefully finish it, but if it's not up in the next 8 hours, I would expect it late tomorrow. I have three days off after tonight so there will be ample opportunity.

Almost time to start adding NPCs to the Conrad harem, Mademoiselle Paulette

Work's been pretty rough on my end too, given how uncooperative the PC's being; in fact, I've had a very nasty headache for a while now. I'm still managing to get something done though, even if I'm pretty tired. It sucks that you keep getting called in, but I'm looking forward to seeing the responses from you, Aewin, and Melo.

On the subject of Paulette (apart from being amused about the harem comment), I figured I'd give you all some random trivia:

During the initial draft phase (so when I drafted this role-play the day or so prior to posting it up in the interest checks), Paulette was originally conceived as the 'main character' (I say it that way because, as a role-play, all the player characters are technically the lead character, but you get what I'm saying) instead of Leonard (who was yet to be created). It just didn't end up happening when I completely fleshed out and reworked the ideas, and her role changed considerably.
@Aewin@Pudding@Melo@Ailyn Evensen@Snagglepuss89@tsukune@Shadow007@Eidolen@MayLien@Heap241

Status update:

• The entire roster of characters currently listed in the 'NPCs' section of the character tab have undergone a bit of an edit, mostly adding details that I didn't include due to having so much going on right now. This information is still subject to getting replaced by different/more fitting stuff, particularly in the 'Notes' areas, but I figured you should all know they're potentially worth giving another read if you have time. By the time the role-play 'officially' starts, I don't imagine I'll need to edit them again outside of potentially 'Theme Music' changing or getting added.

I posted, though there wasn't that much to respond to besides witnessing the situation and answering Lawrence's question.

I'll be heading up the road to get lunch (even if I haven't slept in almost a day), but a post has been in the work.

@Melo

Like I said in the PM, there's no need to worry about the post length, considering you met the 'two paragraph' minimum, and without collaborations (which I potentially would be open to) there's a limit to what you can say in a conversation without the flow coming across as unrealistic. I pretty much set two paragraphs as the minimum because even in a conversation or battle situation I feel like one paragraph for thoughts and one for actions/dialogue is reasonable as a minimum.

Even if I do tend to write a lot more than this, I'm not obligating others to do so because in my eyes the 'Advanced' tag is more about quality characterization and attention to detail rather than about posting a lot -- I simply post a lot because of my detail. The tag is also about being dedicated to a role-play. Since you've mentioned collaborations are more viable to you only on weekends, we can just post back and forth in a shorter manner like this.

I'd have tried to create more of a situation to respond to, but I didn't want to make too many things happen without you being able to react first. Not only that, but it could've felt unnatural or forced.

@Snagglepuss89

How're things going on your end? In general, I mean -- not just with the post.

Hah, going all right I guess. It looks like it's going to be another night where I don't sleep before work, but I don't exactly expect work to be busy tonight either. So, mixed bag there. Looking forward to my days off that are coming up.

Went ahead and saved the text from the RP so I can look over it all again at work and at least plan my post there when I have nothing to do tonight.

@Snagglepuss89

Ah, right. That makes sense. Sounds like a good plan too.

I've already got about five paragraphs (a little on the small side compared to my usual paragraphs) worth of content for Melo's reply, but I wanted to see if he was interested in converting his post into a collaboration or not before I go ahead and actually post the response.

Either way, hopefully work won't be a pain in the ass for you. I'll be back in about an hour or so.

@Heap241

Nice opening post. Once again, an introduction that did a good job of reflecting and showing the 'feel' of the character without spoiling anything. I actually found listening to the music you picked for her CS very fitting to that post as well.

'Private CS' is accepted now too, as you know. Since you posted the 'Public CS' into the character tab prior to me making the acceptance official (against the rules, but I was okay with it only because I was planning to accept it anyway), I don't need to tell you to do it now.

@Melo

Your response is up. Would've had it up hours ago, but figured I'd wait until I got that PM back from you.

As stated privately, you've also been given a picture over PM of the person who they're looking for. What you choose to do with it is essentially up to you.

@Shoryu Magami

Yeah.. I don't know why I did that.. Sorry.

Anyway! Thank you! I enjoyed visiting the places I mentioned through my character probably as much as the character did! haha

@Shoryu Magami

Every time I picture Lucifer entering the room this song starts playing in my head and he hasn't even been introduced in the RP yet! lol (Be sure and play it louder then normal so it has a bigger effect. Particularly the first 2 minutes)

Hey, I'm here and I'm still interested. Just been having some difficulties coming up with an opening post.

Yeah.. I don't know why I did that.. Sorry.

Anyway! Thank you! I enjoyed visiting the places I mentioned through my character probably as much as the character did! haha

Every time I picture Lucifer entering the room this song starts playing in my head and he hasn't even been introduced in the RP yet! lol (Be sure and play it louder then normal so it has a bigger effect. Particularly the first 2 minutes)

It's alright. I wasn't angry about it or anything.

I've never been to those places, but I like how you were able to draw from personal experience for the post like that. I know it's a bit unusual (to some people) that I comment on people's IC posts, but I always thought one of the purposes of OOC was for people to be able to chat about how they thought regarding things going on within the IC.

I like that piece of music. It's also cool when I get to hear people thoughts regarding NPCs or other potential events that will come in the story. It's definitely helpful to my motivation when I see players excited or engaged with all this, and generally I always welcome people's opinions.

Hey, I'm here and I'm still interested. Just been having some difficulties coming up with an opening post.

I appreciate you saying this.

Also, since you decided to open the door to an extent, I think it's time I bring up something that's been due for roughly a week now...

@Aewin@Pudding@Melo@Ailyn Evensen@Snagglepuss89@tsukune@Shadow007@Eidolen@MayLien@Heap241

Important.

I don't have a new status update in the conventional sense, but there's something I've been thinking about asking for a bit under a week. Specifically, I want to confirm if people are actually still interested. This has nothing to do with the activity within the IC, because we're currently in the non-obligatory opening phase anyway, but I've noticed a sharp decline in activity within the OOC/PMs lately and - as Snaggle put it - a healthy role-play is usually largely related to a healthy OOC. Certain people have reasons for why they're more busy, but that doesn't seem to really be stopping people from posting IC/OOC in other threads, so it did make me wonder if maybe they'd lost interest or if I'd done something wrong here somehow.

Honestly, I'd appreciate everyone being straight with me about this. I have and still do put a lot of time and passion into this role-play, and while I don't have a problem putting in that much effort it's all fundamentally a waste of time if the players don't actually care/have interest anymore. A few of you have (in and out of the thread) even complimented me on multiple occasions about my level of dedications and detail with this project, and how you believed it'll be really enjoyable due to that and how the premise is exciting and anticipating. That's why I find it sort of disheartening that things've become so quiet no more than a week later from those statements.

If the fact that we currently lack a Discord chat is somehow causing issues for people maintaining communication (I know some people don't like really using the OOC for their, well, OOC discussion), I'd even probably be willing to create it for us earlier than planned. Overall, I just want to know how you all feel about the thread, because I'm actually not the only one who finds the current state of the OOC concerning. I'm not inherently trying to pressure people to post in the OOC often, nor do I want to come across as a tyrant regarding anything in this role-play, but without actually knowing what's going on in people's heads regarding this it's becoming more difficult to motivate myself to work on the role-play. This is another reason why I appreciated it when Snaggle kept me up to date about his collab with Aewin during that last quiet period.

Among our group, I should point out that Eidolen and MayLien speak to me fairly regularly about the thread outside the site, so I know they're interested. tsukune confirmed his own interest over Skype shortly prior to me making this post, due to me bringing up the concern with him.