@bobert778Two things first off; to be fair, I did mention the argument about Mono's character. Secondly, I did not mention Kapu's character because there was no real argument there, we stated our points on it and that was pretty much it. I stated my concerns, he responded, and I responded, and then all this happened. I will touch back on that in a moment.
Now, let's start here. This situation with the characters started out because I did trust them to govern themselves. So, let's talk about Mono's character first. The only shackle that was placed on her character wasn't a real shackle, it was a shackle Mono envisioned upon herself based on what I was saying, she failed to understand the point I was trying to convey. I had said, "By manipulating metal, it becomes compromised, like it's not as strong as unmanipulated steel would be." I then tried to ease her concerns by letting her know that what I had said was purely aesthetic, it had absolutely zero effect on the strength of the metal she wields. I then followed it up by how unimportant what I actually said was. Keep in mind, this argument comes after a host of other arguments against creative ideas I was pitching for constructive feedback. It is very apparent to me now that if she does not like something, she is going to argue the point to death regardless of how much you try to end the conversation. I made it repeatedly apparent that the compromised nature of the metal literally did not matter, purely an aesthetic statement.
So casting that aside, there real argument we have about Vladimira was about how her power actually functions within my world. Kapu proposed something along liquid style manipulation, which he later corrected/changed to agree with Mono. Mono envisioned her character's power functioning more like molding clay. This had never been discussed before, and when it came up my thoughts were more forceful. Let me explain my reasoning. Essentially, clay and liquid style manipulation are pretty similar. The implications for either style would be too powerful, considering the fact that Vladimira is the most powerful character in the game. To me, clay-like manipulation doesn't require the kind of exertion that a more forceful manner would. I have placed constraints on characters and their powers, and I don't feel this was being met by either of them. The application of clay-esque manipulation felt too powerful to me, and I'm definitely the person in charge of making sure your characters stay within the guidelines I have set. In her first IC post:
" The scrap metal clumped together in a jagged spike of steel as she clenched a fist"
I was not exactly put under the impression that she could fluidly melt it together. This point, is also moot, because I gave her what she wanted anyways as a special ability that only she would have, and other metal manipulators were not likely to have. No, the two+ hours of arguing was over the "durability" of the metal, because she couldn't understand that it was Aesthetic, no matter how much I repeated myself. I do not appreciate being constantly redrawn into an argument over basically nothing. Literally what that phrase meant was, "The metal is different than the unmanipulated metal," and that's it. So honestly, I feel all of Mono's concerns about her character are null points. This are figmented problems which resulted in her tireless efforts to argue with me. I'm really too lazy to take screencaptures and blot out the personal information just to prove my point, I'm honestly not that concerned about it.
Now, lets move onto Kapu. When he created his character, by his words, she was a guardian type. She would have some offense, but would be mostly defense, and with her knowledge on healing. Now, when I read the draft, I approved his "teleportation"-esque power, where Evelina dissolves into light particles and moves very rapidly for about two seconds. I also made this clear that it was not something to be used lightly. If you've been keeping up on the posts, Evelina used that power four times within a very short period. I also repeatedly asked them to keep their characters in check, even if it meant just mentioning the strain their power use was causing. Admittedly I slacked just a bit on Aeshma, but I do not feel that he did all that much exertion, I felt this way towards Vladimira as well, but brought it up anyways because the entire purpose of her being partially awakened was that she was not as powerful, as she was a guest in events that Kapu and I had originally planned ourselves, but I allowed her to be a part of because I'm a nice guy. That special exception on Evelina's power set is definitely within my right to express my concern, and request that it be kept in better check. It's a very overpowered ability. Kapu and I were in agreement on this. The amount of power use Evelina actually does during that fight is pretty high before Awakening.
The second issue I had with Kapu's character was the reflective-spring-punch. A complex move all in its own, but even more so for a character that was created primarily for defense. Without actually pitching the idea to me Kapu insisted that Evelina could wrap her hand in a "reflective" barrier,
Deflect Aeshma's lightning bolt into the ground, and have that barrier-punch absorb the power from the reflection/deflection by compressing the barrier punch like a spring, and thus giving her an attack that is three times as powerful when she started. That latter statement was made by Kapu, the 3x power. Obviously, that is one hell of an offensive move for a defence oriented character. Now, to get something clear, Kapu and I did discuss reflective barriers at one point, but were never really got into it. To reflect an attack, would be to send it back. This implies that Evelina could stand before a thousand man firing squad and send their first volley reflected back and kill them all. I said I was onboard with deflection, or to divert from the attack's intended course.
The third problem I had with his character was that she had a mental conversation, albeit only threes lines, but (and I quote) "Within the fraction of a second" before Aeshma's attack hit her so that Fianna could tell Evelina to reflect it. I don't care who you are, nobody can have a conversation that fast except for MAYBE James Knight. There is no possible way she has the perceptive abilities to accomplish the recognition of thought, the process of contemplating the meaning of it, forming a response, recognizing the response, and processing that-- All managed before that bolt of electricity reached her, "within the fraction of a second." This point however, is moot, because we agreed.
The fourth problem I had with his character is that he had pitched her to me as a defensive character, but was using her as both in equal parts, actually it may have appeared that she was offensively stronger than defensively, but that's all up to personal interpretation. This also follows a redundancy that I found in his character sheet. He states that Evelina is weak, and underneath states that she is easily pushed around. I thought this meant that she was weak in the magically offensive regards, the way we discussed, and that pushed around meant she was physically weak. The changes I proposed here were clarifications on his character sheet to better fit what we had discussed about his character when he pitched her to me. Here's what I said. Clarification in this case means that it needs to be reworded so it can be understood better.
Considering the nature of your character's CS, that it is in question. I request the following changes.
-Clarification for offensive weakness.
-Clarification for physical weakness.
-Clarification for enhanced defense.
-Additional Stipulation that repurposing her defensive abilities for offensive measures takes much more effort.
(Next one is from Skype)
In addition to the other clarifications, and one change, I want to be clear that is it a -deflective- barrier, not reflective. The application for a reflective barrier is too powerful.
Repurposing a static shield into a kinetic attack should take more effort than just erecting a shield in the first place. The problems Kapu is having concerning myself and his character evolved from lack of clarity, the expectations that he would follow his own idea on her, the expectation that he would adhere to my expectations based on approving that idea, and the usage of undiscussed power applications. Don't get me wrong, do whatever you want with your powers, but if I feel it's too overpowered I will ask for you to change it. This is well within my right, and I've also outlined this in rules #1 and #5. You all were asked to read them, and nobody has come forth and notified me of any problems they have with my rules. You can implement new things, especially new ways to use your character's powers. That does not mean you can do anything you want and expect me to shrug my shoulders and let it fly. There's an arena section for that called defeat the godmodder or something.
So let me make this clear to you bobert. I gave Vladimira clay-manipulation. I took
Nothing from her. I gave Evelina an overpowered move that I told everybody was off limits (Teleportation, in all rights, it technically is.) I gave Evelina the clear to have some sort of offense. I took away an overpower mechanic
ADDED to that offensive barrier-punch I approved of. I
DENIED Kapuchu's wish for reflective barriers, and
Instead approved deflective.
I would hope everybody has read the rules. I did not overstep my bounds as a GM by attempting to keep their characters in check, and from acting overpowered. I do not have a clear reason why they left, but it is apparent they were frustrated. Perhaps they are used to getting their way? Perhaps it was because I started putting my foot down because I was tired of arguing all the time? Perhaps it was because they did not have 100% creative freedom with their characters? To be honest, none of you do. Take
@Darcs' character for example. 100% Creative freedom would allow Lucania (Did I spell that right?) to get super angry and Kamehameha style sonar-scream a skyscraper into dust. So then I ask you, what's the point of having a system of checks and balances? Perhaps they got too comfortable getting their way, and found it highly displeasing when I stood my ground? I couldn't tell you, and honestly I don't care what they tell you. The bond of trust is broken, and the ties of friendship were suddenly cut. Whatever their issue was, or is, no longer matters.
The only thing that concerns me are propaganda attempts at slandering my name. I do not put it above Kapu trying to coerce my players away so he can start his own interpretation of my world. Why? Because that's how Kapu and I met. I was kicked out/left a roleplay because of my differences with the GM. Kapuchu came to me and said he was starting his own idea of the roleplay, and stated that he had other players willing to join him. I'd rather this roleplay not be destroyed because of our differences. It was wrong for him to bring this into the OOC, it did not involve any of you. He should have said his goodbye, given his reason whether it be our differences, or how he felt. But when someone starts slinging your name in mud and spouting unpleasant things about your character and role of GM, you tend to lose faith in them. To be clear, I am not accusing either of them of this act, just that I am slightly suspicious of it.
If something isn't allowed in Dust, it's probably because I have ideas for something you don't know about. If something is asked to be changed or correct about your character, it's because I feel there needs to be clarification on something. If you have an idea, pitch it, even if I don't like it as is, we can hammer it out. If you have a problem, come to me about it.
If you feel the need to be excessively bullheaded-argumentative, the need to force a desired response from me, refuse to be constructive, break my rules, or tell me how to run my world, then do as Kapu and Mono did and leave. In all rights, they are you characters, but they still have to abide by my rules. In an RPG you create your character, but that character will always be limited by what that world sets out for them and allows them to do.
Not to be rude Bobert, but you only know what they want to tell you.
