[OOC] Starless

[Tuujaimaa]

Consider this a proclamation of my interest.

And I see y'all in the Characters tab, taking M:tG planeswalkers. I see you Sorin, I see you Sarkhan!

[Dead Cruiser]

...I feel like... we need to draw a line somewhere.

Not to disparage our new and newly interested players, but this is an established game that is already more than 70 posts along. And yet our prospective player count has jumped by about 50% in our last week or so. Now I'm not one of the GMs, but the number of players supposedly joining us feels kind of burdensome. I personally find it kind of disruptive, with this many characters joining in when we're already nearing the end of our second chapter. At the very least, I feel like we could be more discriminating with whatever applications we continue to get. Allowing new players this far in should be the exception rather than the rule. In my opinion, a new character would have to be really exceptional and bring something totally fresh to the table to be allowed in at this advanced stage of the RP.

[Dawnscroll]

...I feel like... we need to draw a line somewhere.

Not to disparage our new and newly interested players, but this is an established game that is already more than 70 posts along. And yet our prospective player count has jumped by about 50% in our last week or so. Now I'm not one of the GMs, but the number of players supposedly joining us feels kind of burdensome. I personally find it kind of disruptive, with this many characters joining in when we're already nearing the end of our second chapter. At the very least, I feel like we could be more discriminating with whatever applications we continue to get. Allowing new players this far in should be the exception rather than the rule. In my opinion, a new character would have to be really exceptional and bring something totally fresh to the table to be allowed in at this advanced stage of the RP.

@Dead Cruiser

Those of us who already have a character and a few posts in would be allowed to stay, yes?

We also need to consider that many people who are joining, or may join, may not stay to see this through to the end. Others may not be as patient for posts or get togethers. So, while I think it should be stricter, we shouldn't exactly close it completely. We want quality, but we also need a pulse.

[Celaira]

Two, maybe three things:
1. The OOC is beautiful, wonderful job.

2. I am interested in this.

I would like to point out that this is a concept many people do not join until they see it actually going somewhere. It is a testament that this RP is likely going to last a long time.

Edit: Just for clarification that is not why I want to join. If I had seen this RP when it was first posted, I likely would have joined then. I was not that fortunate.

[Dead Cruiser]

<Snipped quote by Dead Cruiser>

Those of us who already have a character and a few posts in would be allowed to stay, yes?

@Dawnscroll

I would assume so. I wouldn't kick already active players; I'm not Hitler.

We also need to consider that many people who are joining, or may join, may not stay to see this through to the end. Others may not be as patient for posts or get togethers. So, while I think it should be stricter, we shouldn't exactly close it completely. We want quality, but we also need a pulse.

@Dawnscroll

The thing is that out of the original eight players that first submitted characters, seven are still thoroughly active. That's a solid player base by my reckoning. Some of us may leave in the future, but we've stuck it out for nearly a month so far. From my perspective, the players most likely to drop off are those that joined midway through (no offense), and so we'd be disrupting the RP for not very much future benefit.

2. I am interested in this. And would like to point out that this is a concept many people do not join until they see it actually going somewhere. It is a testament that this RP is likely going to last a long time.

@Celaira

I've never really heard of this. Maybe I'm an old fogey, but I rarely join an RP unless I was with it from the interest check. Joining an RP after you "see it going somewhere" is an honestly alien concept to me, and it just feels like piggybacking off of the efforts of the more senior players. Call me cynical but it sounds like, "This RP has a strong GM and player base. I had better join in now while the getting is good."

[Vigfast]

I'll also be a bit droll and say that I'm also feeling a bit worried about continuing this rapid growth of players.

Not to be a downer, but with 17 characters, there's already remarkably heavy workload for the GM/co-GM.

Maybe there's a compromise option possible of people submitting characters for a waiting list?

[Dextkiller]

I just came back to the guild. For a long time I was so occupied with school that I couldn't come back to what I love to do, which is roleplay.

I came in looking for something exceptional, something that could rise up to my newly elevated standards. Having taken many writing classes and blah blah blah. My point is that this is a top notch rp.

I didnt do it to pop in once the going got good. I saw a very strong concept and people taking it just as seriously as the GM. Which was very heartening, as in the past it has been the playerbase that has fallen apart.

But, having been the GM in several RPs as well I can also understand that the workload can get collosal, which I'm assuming is why transience brought raven in as a co-GM.

I agree with all of you. @Dead Cruiser, @Vigfast, @Dawnscroll. It would be disheartening to be dropped out after I've created a post and a character, but if that's what ends up having to happen then I can deal with that. I wouldn't want something with such obvious promise to fall apart because it got to big for its boots.

Oh, and Also.
Happy Halloween everyone!

[yoshua171]

Well this is distressing *fidgets as he continues searching for pictures to help solidify his ideas so he can write*

[Celaira]

Disheartening is a better word. But, I'm going to wait for one, or both of the GMs, I guess.

[Vigfast]

I agree with all of you. @Dead Cruiser, @Vigfast, @Dawnscroll. It would be disheartening to be dropped out after I've created a post and a character, but if that's what ends up having to happen then I can deal with that. I wouldn't want something with such obvious promise to fall apart because it got to big for its boots.

@Dextkiller

To clarify, I don't think anyone is arguing for booting people from the RP, but rather, that perhaps it's wise to contemplate how many players is actually sustainable (which might require some eventual limitations to accepting new players, wait lists, staggering the entry of new characters into the RP, etc.).

In the end, it all really comes down to what Transience/ravenDivinity feel comfortable with (their conduct so far has been exemplary, so no complaints in regards to that from me).

I also hopes no one takes this personally or sees me as unreasonable, I'm just trying to air my thoughts and I'm by no means opposed to other points of views.*

*TL;DR: Vigfast views represent Vigfast's opinions and thoughts and nothing more. :D

[Dawnscroll]

@Celaira@yoshua171@Dextkiller

Look you guys. In the end of the day, it's Transience who ultimately makes that call. While I can't vouch for what the GM is going to say, here's what I can say for fact.

The only thing that has happened thus far is Dead Cruiser stating his opinion. And while it's a valid one, ultimately, the decision of when to stop accepting people isnt his, mine, or yours to make. It's Transience and if he feels that its doable and he just needs another GM to pull the workload, than I'll be the first to welcome you to our little family.

Because, to the rest of the people here... these guys have a point. This IS an incredible RP, with incredible writers. It has veterans, and talented folks, and beginners who want to hone their craft. When I join, I hadn't rped for nearly a year, and while I'm relatively new in RP, I feel almost giddy sitting down to write again. Starless is a cut Above the rest in terms of potential, style, and creativity.

So who cares if the people who joined were 1st, 10th, or 29th. I say, that if we have the means to support them, let them in. Raise the bar so we aren't letting the noobs from the Free RP section in, but don't discourage them from enjoying what we're taking for granted.

My two cents.

[Corvidae]

Momentarily interrupting all this discourse to apologize for the lack of activity on my end! Coursework has kind of been consuming my life.

But, uh, wow, I have a fair bit to catch up on.

[Vigfast]

Momentarily interrupting all this discourse to apologize for the lack of activity on my end! Coursework has kind of been consuming my life.

@Corvidae

I know that feeling. :'(

[Dextkiller]

<Snipped quote by Corvidae>

I know that feeling. :'(

@Vigfast

Ditto. It gets rocky sometimes.

[Celaira]

@Dawnscroll I appreciate your sentiment and am waiting for ravenDivinity, or Transience to post on the matter. It doesn't change the fact that the majority of people who have posted thus far have been in favor of closing the gates to such a glorious concept. It is disheartening, and I certainly didn't expect it.

This is the first RP in nearly six months that has truly inspired me to want to write. So, it makes me a little sad to be told established players don't want anymore people in the RP seeing as they played just as big of a part in my wanting to join as the story behind Starless. I've been reading the IC since early this morning, and it's amazing.

All of you write beautifully. It would be a shame to be unable to participate in the world you've built thus far.

[Dextkiller]

@Dawnscroll I appreciate your sentiment and am waiting for ravenDivinity, or Transience to post on the matter. It doesn't change the fact that the majority of people who have posted thus far have been in favor of closing the gates to such a glorious concept. It is disheartening, and I certainly didn't expect it.

This is the first RP in nearly six months that has truly inspired me to want to write. So, it makes me a little sad to be told established players don't want anymore people in the RP seeing as they played just as big of a part in my wanting to join as the story behind Starless. I've been reading the IC since early this morning, and it's amazing.

All of you write beautifully. It would be a shame to be unable to participate in the world you've built thus far.

@Celaira

I don't think it's that any of us dont want more people joining. We're just worried about the workload that would be placed on the GM/co-GM if people keep rolling in. Like @Dawnscroll said though, it's Transience that makes the decisions. People are just expressing opinions.

[rivaan]

@Celaira don't worry ^_^ I personally am indifferent about more players. From one side more the marrier as they say, but from other it could end badly(seen it happen). As some have expressed their concerns and they have the right to do so, but I have the fleeting feeling that the GM will still keep the doors open.

[ravenDivinity]

To disseminate any misconceptions, I will make a statement to affirm my position on the matter.

Bear in mind, however, that I am only proxy to Transience, and my opinion does not necessarily represent Transience's stance.

Starless will continue to accept new players in the meantime, and we will never close our doors to fresh minds and new insights for now. To my knowledge, there are many people who are new or returning to roleplaying, and I am open to them if they add special flavor to the roleplay.

That said, I would not go as far to indiscriminately allow new players. The bar has been set by those who came before them, and if new players do not meet the roleplay's standards, then we reserve the right to deny them entry. It is a GMs job to assure that each character is different and game-changing, and it is a storyteller's job to preserve the evolving nature of a story; as such, I echo the sentiments of other veteran players when I say that I would like for new players to create truly interesting and unique characters who impress us and build on the expectations which our first players set.

We will not prohibit joining entirely unless the roleplay has progressed to a point where accepting new players is unthinkable. That is not and has never been our policy. It is not conducive to writing improvement or to lively roleplaying for veterans to behave with hostility and imprudence towards novices. I, like most, want a roleplay that has consistently active players, and I do not think accepting one-and-done players is productive to that end. That said, I also believe that taking on active players who are not terribly far below our standard is not out of the question. We should keep an open mind and welcome players who are inspired by and interested in the roleplay, and we should encourage them to grow as writers and as storytellers with us; it has been said before that this roleplay is, after all, closer to a collaborative story than it is to a game. We are not yet in the thick of the roleplay, and until then, when it will be too late for anyone to join, we will likely continue accepting players.

Lastly, I want to seek a solution to the issue that will allow Transience and I as GMs to control our workload. I do not want to be incredibly burdened with an excessive influx of newbies. A staggered-entry system and a waiting list are among the ideas which I found best for flow control.

I think that some newbies are a little paranoid that the opportunity to join might disappear entirely, and I promise you that it won't go away for a while. There's still time left to join, and if you're worthy, we're not opposed to letting you in. In kind, I also think that some veterans are concerned that the roleplay will become overrun with novice players and that the expectations that they had when they first joined might collapse. Rest assured all, I will try and do what I can to satisfy as many as possible without hurting anyone.

[Dextkiller]

I've alerted a Mod to the presence of the jerk spam posts just stuffed into the IC.

[Harbringer]

Its an old member who was banned trying to get his petty revenge. Kinda funny when you think about it.