Do you stay...? (Two questions, actually.)

[Strawberry425]

I didn't really want to start two threads. So, here goes.

Do you stay if the GM is a godmodder or a special snowflake maker? Since rejoining Guild I've been so limited in how many RP's I join that I forgot all about this aspect of RPing.

But, as I'm sure I'll encounter these people some time in the future, its a genuine question. If the GM is godmodding or powerplaying the hell out of your and other's characters, do you just drop out, or do you say something first? Or do you stay, and why?

I've seen people very passively take this kind of behavior before...but I don't particularly like it. The superhero RP I was in just prior to Guild going down had a GM who was like that, and a lot of us took it in silence, me included. My typical tactic would have (as in past tense; not something I generally do today) just been to silently disappear without saying anything to the GM, or anyone for that matter, but I really particularly connected with one of the people I was RPing with and really didn't want to just drop out.

But I'm a changed woman now. I tend not to respond passively to things anymore, at least not in real life. But is there even any merit to telling a GM they're being unfair or godmodding? Or telling a GM off when they say 'NO SPECIAL SNOWFLAKES' and their character is the epitome of a special and unbeatable snowflake?

Also anyone know any good superhero RPs that are presently open? Or, actually, maybe not. I don't even know if I remember how to write a superhero anymore. All I know now is that Batman is my secret boyfriend and Batgirl is my secret girlfriend

---

SECOND QUESTION

WHAT ARE ONE X ONE'S LIKE?

Because, to be frank, I've considered putting myself out there for a one on one. The only thing I don't like is the amount of MxF, MxM, FxF, stuff that I see in the interest checks. Not because I'm against romance in an RP (though I generally hate when romance is the only focus of an RP that is not expressly advertised as a romance only RP, especially an Advanced one), but because, while I quite enjoy romance, I'm also really heavy on friendship driven RPs, maybe because all my close friendships have been...so good and so refreshing and so just as good as romance that I believe friendship deserves its own spotlight. I really love friendship as much as romance.

The other thing is, I'm not into writing smut with other people. I'll do it for private writing or fanfiction, but I won't do it with another person, 1) because I can't really verify the age of another person online, and 2) I just don't like it. I had a very...weird experience, when I was practically a kid, RPing with a sixteen year old teenager. I think I was twelve. Anyway, not to elaborate on it, it's not my favorite thing to do.

And 3) What I would really want in a 1x1 is a partner who's main focus isn't always sexy time or romance. Someone who's into to deeper conflicts, or even roleplays stylized after contemporary adult fiction...that is, very devoid of exaggerated and fake flamboyance of Young Adult fiction, and more...toned down.

Like I never watched Her, but to RP something like it with someone else sounds intense. It's something I'd really like...but will I find someone, preferably an Advanced RPer, in the 1x1 Int Chk to fit the bill? Is it even worth the try? I think most of my negative impression comes from the overwhelming amount of "mature RP'ers" titles that I see in the Int Chk, that I usually take to mean, "RP WILL HAVE SEX IN IT"...But yeah. Pls help.

---

EDIT: ALSO

I don't want a superqueer. I like my same-sex relationships, but god, I don't want a fetishsizer or a QUEERS ARE THE BEST DESTROY ALL CIS HET SCUM type of partner, just because I also happen to identify on some spectrum of the Kinsey scale. Of course, I think I wouldn't have to worry about this one too much...actually I'm not sure.

[Engel]

I wouldn't stay in an RP where the GM did any of that.

I don't think that specifying the gender of the characters necessarily needs to have anything to do with romance or smut. It could be friendship relationship too, or just a preference by the one who started the interest check. It might even be that you see everyone else writing interest checks like that and you end up doing the same.

I don't know if you'd find someone like that. I'd say it's worth the try though. It can be very difficult to find someone who's serious for a 1x1, but it's also the most rewarding, fun and creative way of RPing in my experience if you do find a good partner.

[Strawberry425]

I wouldn't stay in an RP where the GM did any of that.

I don't think that specifying the gender of the characters necessarily needs to have anything to do with romance or smut. It could be friendship relationship too, or just a preference by the one who started the interest check. It might even be that you see everyone else writing interest checks like that and you end up doing the same.

I don't know if you'd find someone like that. I'd say it's worth the try though. It can be very difficult to find someone who's serious for a 1x1, but it's also the most rewarding, fun and creative way of RPing in my experience if you do find a good partner.

@Engel

Yeah, you're right. I'd prefer to put my romantic pref in the actual thread, because I'm not too focused on romance, but then, thinking about it, putting it in the title is better. People who aren't interested in the pairings I like won't end up uselessly checking the thread and wasting their time only to see I'm not into the same thing as them.

I shall stay thinking about it. I'm very tempted to have a go and see who if anyone would be interested.

[Ellri]

As a GM, we detest it when players drop without a word. We know sometimes that an RP doesn’t turn out to be right for someone, but that doesn't make it right to drop without any word. It doesn't have to be a long explanation. In fact, all we'd need really is something like "me dropping. Me no like how RP goes." or "me dropping. Me too little time."

Some GMs might even need to be told their character is terribly overpowered and that that makes the RP unenjoyable. Realizing that might not be something they do on their own. It certainly is that way with many players, so it stands to reason that it is that way with GMs too.

[Strawberry425]

Er, just have to clarify that dropping out silently was something I would have done, as in past tense, back then. Now, I give heads up if I'm dropping out. Both because its generally rude not to say, but also because I can notify people that I'm taking my character down and that I in no way want the character's presence to persist in the RP or be played by someone else.

[Fillet]

1) I don't mind a good GM who powerplays the characters for consequences. I was in a game before and the GM seemed experienced in what he was doing: he would post a scene, we reacted to the environment and each other, he dictated what our actions entailed and sometimes he would drag our characters into actioning the next plot point. (The game style was forewarned in the opening post.) While it felt unnatural at first glance, I liked that he was respectful about it - he didn't powerplay excessively, only in doses - and in OOC he was always open for a contention. It moved the game along at a fast pace instead of having six players waffle on for ten pages.

2) It's difficult to find a good partner who would stay on committed to the game and more importantly, who's communicative OOC about where they're at in the story, how they feel about it, or when they're going to post because of real life. Most people I've come across bail after the first few introductory OOC or IC posts, even after showing keen interest at first, and straight up disappear on me despite being around in the Guild. I blacklist all the players who've gone AWOL or do not have the courtesy to tell me they're not interested in playing with me when I initiate a PM for their interest check. But when I found a good partner, the 1x1 provided a safe space to write that's different from an open thread. There's less pressure to post in a set time because I could tell them how slowly I was going. They were willing to accommodate sudden, different, weird ideas (and vice versa). We could work out something together and it's nice to have a chat with somebody OOC to get to know them better.

I'm not into smut. The 1x1 here seems mainly into romance and PWP. I don't get the incest and other kinks here, tbh. It sounds like a call for cyber. I'm not fond of relationships being the primary focus in a story. I like adventures and slow burn, so I feel terribly awkward about potential sexytimes from the get-go (god forbid I try to write a sex scene) and our instant-chemistry interactions always feel forced to me, which means I find it unnatural and not a good story. That said, I'm female and gay, and in 1x1 play characters like that; I also look for open-to-FxF female writers. I just feel more comfortable in such a setting that may lead to IC romance than to play a straight or male character I've little confidence in. I guess that same reason could be why some people specify M/F in their wanted pairings, even if romance isn't the main concern.

[Strawberry425]

@Fillet

Hmm, I get you for the powerplaying part. I've both had GMs do that to me, and done that as a GM, and usually, in both cases, it was to advance the plot, no harm done. But I've also had GM's make their characters invincible to some other character, even when, at some point it'd be nice for someone other than the GM to always come out on top. And I just don't agree with that type of powerplaying, cause honestly, at that point, I really don't think it's for plot advancement.

Umm...I really hate it when people silently disappear. I'm sure lots of people must have cursed me to hell when I was younger for doing it so often, and I wouldn't really blame them for doing so So, definitely not looking forward to that! I think I have a few 1x1 ideas that I'd like to try, so I'm going to drop in, say hello, and see what happens. I think I feel a little more confident knowing not everyone is begging for smut. The rejecting of people is not what I'm looking forward too, but I don't like to leave people unanswered (unless I know them in real life ) so I shall just have to deal with it.

[NuttsnBolts]

Sometimes God Modding and power playing from a GM's perspective can help with the story. It can be used to force the players into a certain situation where the story would excel far more than just by letting things occur naturally. In saying that it depends on how often it is used and to what extent...

Eg: Possible reason to PP: forcing a player to lose a fight so they can be captured.

But as I said, it depends how it's done and for what reason. The GM might have a certain goal they want you to achieve and change your motives.

The one thing that I remember from ages ago is that ANY GM has to realise that the players will naturally think that they are a main character. This is important because if the GM starts to overpower the story the players will feel like they had no part or investment in the RP. I had this happen once, I could have made my character do something cool, but my GM forced me into situations to limit my options in a bad way. Eventually the RP died because we could see that it was more of a narrative story telling as opposed to a genuine role play. We were never in control of our characters and it was made apparent the more we tried go push certain situations.

[Nemaisare]

1) A GM taking occasional control of other people's characters is not a bad thing, as far as my opinion goes, provided they can do it respectfully and in good taste. I have kinda strange limits that way in that I don't mind if someone moves my character, most especially in situations where they couldn't get out of it anyway, without asking me. But I don't like it when they put words into my character's mouth, or give them thoughts. And, of course, everything is easily circumvented by simply asking, or offering a forewarning at the beginning of gameplay.

If I was in a group roleplay where I didn't like how the GM was running the show, whether railroading, porwerplaying, metagaming, or bunnying, I'd likely leave. If I really liked the idea, or thought it might be useful, I might explain the particulars before I left, but otherwise, I'd probably just say something like 'sorry, too busy, bowing out.' Ordinarily, however, I'm a shy little pansy who doesn't want to risk starting a war of opinions just to possibly change someone's view on their actions. If I really, really, really liked the idea to start with, I might try to stay on for a little while just to see if things get better, or I might attempt to be as diplomatic and wishy-washy as possible about saying that they could maybe, probably, possibly, just a little, use a bit of redirection in how they're going about their writing. *sinking farther into my chair all the while*

2) I think 1x1 is quite possibly the best ever method of writing that exists. Except possibly really good novels, but that's not collaborative, so, meh. I will expand to 1x1x1, but I prefer small group dynamics over large, mainly because I am a slow poster who does not want to feel like I'm holding anyone up or disappointing more than one person if I can't continue an rp. I also like it because there's only two minds to accommodate when writing, and you can browse the inordinate number of interest checks to try and find exactly what you're looking for. And there really is something for everyone, honest, it's just not always on the same site you're on. :/

One on one's can most definitively, become a smut fest, or a long running romance, or an oops I have to post to this again, damn it I should just say sorry, no more. If you're looking for well-written multiple paragraphs, detail oriented, character developing posts, you do have to go on a bit of a treasure hunt through the more usual 'M looking for F!' etc. But I assure you, it is a treasure hunt. When you find that partner who is just right for you, whose writing and humour and wondrous ideas resonate with your own, it's a brilliant moment. It might take a while. Indeed, it's taken me ten years to amass all of 10 writers I will never let go. But it's worth every ignored message and not quite as advertised discovery.

I've never written my own interest check, so it is possible that would help you along in finding these people that are just right for you, indeed, I should hope it does, but I certainly encourage anyone and everyone who's interested to give it a try.

It is very possible to find and maintain a 1x1 storyline that doesn't involve romance or sex. You have to be a little pickier and strict with your fine tooth comb over of each interest check, and the partners you accept, but rpers are certainly capable of it. ;) I have five? I think it's five, on the go right now that do not involve and do not have a future of, romance. I've spoken with quite a few others who weren't looking for it either. I'm not sure about the Her finding. There's bound to be at least one person out there with a similar desire and drive to write the way you'd appreciate, but the movie, to my mind, was geared towards a romantic relationship, there might not have been any actual sex, but that was not platonic love.... >.>

Anyway! Yes, go for it! Be prepared for some iffy troubles and discouragement, but do not give up! It is worth the effort to find a writing partner who fits the bill. (and really, really depressing when they vanish off the face of the earth and you can't find them again, but still worth knowing they once existed and might again)

[Ruby]

I didn't really want to start two threads. So, here goes.

Do you stay if the GM is a godmodder or a special snowflake maker? Since rejoining Guild I've been so limited in how many RP's I join that I forgot all about this aspect of RPing.

But, as I'm sure I'll encounter these people some time in the future, its a genuine question. If the GM is godmodding or powerplaying the hell out of your and other's characters, do you just drop out, or do you say something first? Or do you stay, and why?

I've seen people very passively take this kind of behavior before...but I don't particularly like it. The superhero RP I was in just prior to Guild going down had a GM who was like that, and a lot of us took it in silence, me included. My typical tactic would have (as in past tense; not something I generally do today) just been to silently disappear without saying anything to the GM, or anyone for that matter, but I really particularly connected with one of the people I was RPing with and really didn't want to just drop out.

But I'm a changed woman now. I tend not to respond passively to things anymore, at least not in real life. But is there even any merit to telling a GM they're being unfair or godmodding? Or telling a GM off when they say 'NO SPECIAL SNOWFLAKES' and their character is the epitome of a special and unbeatable snowflake?

Also anyone know any good superhero RPs that are presently open? Or, actually, maybe not. I don't even know if I remember how to write a superhero anymore. All I know now is that Batman is my secret boyfriend and Batgirl is my secret girlfriend

---

SECOND QUESTION

WHAT ARE ONE X ONE'S LIKE?

Because, to be frank, I've considered putting myself out there for a one on one. The only thing I don't like is the amount of MxF, MxM, FxF, stuff that I see in the interest checks. Not because I'm against romance in an RP (though I generally hate when romance is the only focus of an RP that is not expressly advertised as a romance only RP, especially an Advanced one), but because, while I quite enjoy romance, I'm also really heavy on friendship driven RPs, maybe because all my close friendships have been...so good and so refreshing and so just as good as romance that I believe friendship deserves its own spotlight. I really love friendship as much as romance.

The other thing is, I'm not into writing smut with other people. I'll do it for private writing or fanfiction, but I won't do it with another person, 1) because I can't really verify the age of another person online, and 2) I just don't like it. I had a very...weird experience, when I was practically a kid, RPing with a sixteen year old teenager. I think I was twelve. Anyway, not to elaborate on it, it's not my favorite thing to do.

And 3) What I would really want in a 1x1 is a partner who's main focus isn't always sexy time or romance. Someone who's into to deeper conflicts, or even roleplays stylized after contemporary adult fiction...that is, very devoid of exaggerated and fake flamboyance of Young Adult fiction, and more...toned down.

Like I never watched Her, but to RP something like it with someone else sounds intense. It's something I'd really like...but will I find someone, preferably an Advanced RPer, in the 1x1 Int Chk to fit the bill? Is it even worth the try? I think most of my negative impression comes from the overwhelming amount of "mature RP'ers" titles that I see in the Int Chk, that I usually take to mean, "RP WILL HAVE SEX IN IT"...But yeah. Pls help.

---

EDIT: ALSO

I don't want a superqueer. I like my same-sex relationships, but god, I don't want a fetishsizer or a QUEERS ARE THE BEST DESTROY ALL CIS HET SCUM type of partner, just because I also happen to identify on some spectrum of the Kinsey scale. Of course, I think I wouldn't have to worry about this one too much...actually I'm not sure.

@Strawberry425

I wouldn't go anywhere near such a GM. And if I found myself in such a game, I'd communicate my dissatisfaction on my way out of their thread.

I've got a strange comic game about to get started right now. We're full right now, but the one reserve CS we got has already been called up due to drops--so it may be worth your while. I promise I'm a WAY better GM than the one you're talking about. Probably more fun to write with, too.

As for question 2...I've gotten into some pretty amazing 1x1s with some pretty amazing writers. It's all about putting out what you're looking for, and then doing a little research on interested parties. And sometimes you've just got to find someone on the site whose writing you love, and send them a PM.

Look and you'll find like minded folks. It took me a while when I first got to the Guild, but wow was the payoff worth my patience and persistence.

(And, for the record, I'm bisexual--so you can absolutely find great writers that will play same sex relationships not smut based.)

[Mirandae]

@Strawberry425
If a GM is like that, they probably have a lot of other quirks and morals that don't resonate well with me. In fact, when I join a group roleplay that I don't host myself, the GM's actions weight equally to the concept of the roleplay itself, if not more. However, my days of being loud and telling people what I feel is more or less over. Now, I just smile and politely close my affiliations with the roleplay in a good way. Most people just aren't willing to change, no matter how much you express your dissatisfaction.

As for the 1x1 question. I've found, just like many others, that it's difficult to find and keep a good partner. I don't particularly enjoy smut and I find friendship relations far more interesting. I tend to stick to writing with other females whenever possible, because it's really difficult to convey non-sexual wants to certain guys. A good relationship between characters through hardships in the story triumphs everything.

I'm like and with @Ruby, so there are definitely gems out there. You just have to look for them a little extra, because they don't tend to be as loud as everyone else.