jay
New Member
Posts: 42
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Post by jay on Oct 3, 2011 23:42:59 GMT -5
First off, I'd like to thank everyone that stuck around and helped with the cleanup. Come Sunday morning we are 100% spent, sore and exhausted. We appreciate your help more then you can imagine.
Bill and I have been going over the event and what we can do to fix some issues. This event seemed to be a polar opposite of the last one. The good news is that shows me the range to be in plot wise for the balancing act of RP, mass combat, problem solving and modules.
GAME START For the next event I want a firm start time of 8 PM. There are a few ways we can accomplish this.
1) I believe we are going to do away with opening ceremonies. In it's place we will hand out a sheet with everything you need to know at check in.
2) We will have at least a few NPC's out by 8 PM
3) PC's can go in game as soon as they check in. (check in issues have been addressed and should not happen again)
DURING THE GAME
1) We are toying with the idea of not running quite so late into the morning. It's killing Bill and I and affecting Saturday and Sunday morning.
2) By not completely depleting ourselves we can ensure things run far more smoothly Saturday morning and we can run for a short time Sunday morning.
3) Running a short time Sunday morning will allow us to wrap up some of the weekend plot stuff and give you more for your money. (IE Grilus never had an opportunity to speak to the people that we hired to do jobs or pay them)
As Bill already mentioned, we will not use the tavern building for monster camp next time. Instead we will use the center and left side of the Academy building. This also leaves the right side open for PC's.
I can't thank you all enough for your patience and understanding as we progress as a chapter and plot team. Your input, especially honest criticism, is invaluable to us.
What are your thoughts on these ideas?
-Jay
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Post by Bud Lewis on Oct 4, 2011 9:28:23 GMT -5
Jay,
I fully support the 8PM firm start time. And even though I'm usually one of the people running late as can be, I look forward to actually being in game before midnight and I now have a reason to actually tell my brain to stop making excuses about being late. Though I am really not a fan of doing away with opening ceremonies. I feel like it gives an idea of how you guys run your game alot more than any sheet of paper would. A sheet saying saying no machine gunning and Bill standing in front of everyone giving an idea for what NPCs will take just gives a very different feeling.
Once the game begins is where I think things get confusing because you get players who want to play unitl 5 am and then you get players who want to play at 8am once they wake up. I'm for eaither really because as soon as my head hits a pillow I can fall asleep, but I see both sides have pretty solid ground to stand on. Exploring as the sun rises is always fun, but so is NERO in the dark.
One possibility would be to for you guys to swap nights for "late shift" So on friday night one guy crashes earlier to get the sleep and then saturday night the other is allowed to crash early so they can handle most of sunday's early stuff.
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jay
New Member
Posts: 42
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Post by jay on Oct 4, 2011 9:47:29 GMT -5
Bud, We are considering doing a switch shift for late night. Maybe I stay up late on Fri and Bill crashes earlier and gets up earlier on Sat then vice versa for Sat night and Sun morning.
As for opening ceremonies. I enjoy it as well but it's not worth starting late for them. Everyone that plays here regularly knows our stance on incants and machine gunning. We wouls like you all as PC's to help enforce these things. In our experience it's a lot more effective when both NPC's AND PC's are calling someone for machine gunning, blown incants etc. It shows a unified front as a chapter and helps reduce the "Plot is picking on me" feeling.
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Sticks
Full Member
Fetch!
Posts: 143
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Post by Sticks on Oct 4, 2011 10:20:06 GMT -5
Sounds awesome. I think 8pm is probably an ambitious start time considering the number of travelers but even if you said game on will happen by 10pm I would be pretty happy compared to our midnight or later start times the past couple games. It nice to have a confirmed solid start time even if it's just gonna be minor stuff at first.
Another suggestion might be to get a 2nd logistics volunteer to help with check in. To my knowledge right now Ceilyn handles check in with help from the GM's as needed, but if we had a 2nd logistics person it could happen twice as fast and hopefully would mean less need for GM assistance with check in.
-Evan
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Post by Flinglecask Digroot on Oct 4, 2011 10:56:55 GMT -5
I had a good time at the event. Many, many thanks to Bill, Jay, and Jordan for pulling off another rich gaming experience. I know a lot of work went into the event, and it was plainly obvious at every turn.
Others have posted about the late start and some slow periods. We now know those were the result of some logistical hiccups. I just wanted to say thanks to Bill and Jay for always being open to constructive criticism, owning mistakes, and always seeking to improve. That makes it exciting as a player, because you can't help but know the game is going to continue getting better (and it's already good!).
Having all of the production tags pulled, printed, and stamped ahead of time was amazing. "Here's your envelope" was a magical experience for a LARPer. Yes there were other problems getting the sheets and whatnot, but there was real progress in logistics this weekend, despite those readily fixable issues. Thanks for putting in the time in the weeks prior to make that go so well.
I have to agree that the black and blue tarps did not add to the ambiance of the PC cabin. I like the idea of cutting it up into smaller rooms so the PCs can have their own wards and whatnot, but the tarped out building just didn't feel right. Maybe we could consider getting some brown cloth or something in the future.
Also, in my opinion, the PC cabin lights should not be on during game time. Having battery candles, lanterns, and torches in there is just 1000 times cooler, and more realistic to boot. I think this should be a formal policy.
The story of the chapter took many steps forward this weekend. I was part of the story many, many years ago, and as a player, I find it simply awesome that the same story (albeit with many new twists) is still going on today. Reading books of bound up in-game newsletters from back then, of the founding of Sanctuary, and the like really brings an excellent sense of continuity to the game. That, and of course exhuming Tesloke's remains. Never have I seen something so cool in a LARP. When the blade of the shovel finally hit the box, the hair on my arms stood up and I couldn't help but drop to my knees and dig with my hands. Simply amazing. I'll never forget it.
The stuff in the woods was awesome. As I have mentioned to Bill and Jay, I didn't find any of it, despite hours looking. It could be that I didn't look hard enough or off the beaten path enough. It could also be that others cleaned it out before me. Hard to say. One way or the other, though, I saw the looks on the faces of the people who did find things, and they were fired up about it. Not only did that make it worth it, but in the big picture I think this added incredibly to the feel of the game, and would greatly encourage this sort of thing in the future.
I really enjoyed my roleplay with Jordan as the troll king and the messenger. Jordan, you have an uncanny ability to make characters come alive. Thanks for jumping in their skin so well, and letting us really experience such interesting encounters.
Bill as Ashkollin frantically trying to get us to go deal with the chaos goblins was awesome. You could feel the intensity of his desire to go now, now, now, and after the whole question of whether he was in his right mind was dealt with, the town did just that. Charging across the field in an epic bum rush was great times.
Jay, I loved how as Grilus you played off the wanting the will here and now so well. We really got a sense of the tenuous relationship between Grilus and Larin. You kept it up for what seemed like a couple of hours, and it was great to watch.
I am a major fan of the intensely detailed plots you guys put out. Although I did not have a role in figuring out the plague scroll destruction, knowing that it was a really hard, yet solveable, puzzle, is so inspiring. Challenges to the PCs should not be easy, and we should sometimes fail. I like that it was a real challenge, and look forward to more like this in the future.
Responding to Jay's points, I think a hard start is a great idea. The challenge is to have NPCs available, but not make the initial encounters so brutal that young players are afraid to go in game. In another game, I saw a similar situation where several people rezzed in the first hour or so because they went into game early while others were still getting ready. You think they went into game early again? No way. Of course there should still be danger in those first encounters, but you do not want to discourage people from getting into game quickly.
I am ok with not running to late into the AM hours. Especially if we as players have a sense of that ahead of time. I am always up early in the morning anyways, and to be able to do some stuff during the pre-lunch hours would be great. That said, others I know of work nights or want to sap the most out of every hour on site. That was awesome when I was 16, but now that I am over 30 (bones creak), I need sleep. Like Bud, I think this is a balancing act, and I can see it from both sides. Running for a short time Sunday morning would be a great opportunity for wrap up, regardless.
In closing, thanks again for a fun weekend. I know you guys put in so many hours making the game great--despite having jobs, families, and the like--and we really appreciate it as players. Can't wait until the next one!
Joe
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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2011 13:02:45 GMT -5
Bud and Evan,
I agree whole-heartedly that a firm start time is the way to go. It's not fair for the people who get there early to have to wait until out-of-towners show up (like happened at the last event). The opening speech is a nice touch, but it really doesn't add that much to the game. In my opinion, it's better to get the NPC's and PC's out there having fun than it is to spend a little time talking.
We DID have a second person set up to help with logistics (actually, two). Unfortunately, Bill and Kelly Taylor emailed me Friday morning to tell me that they couldn't make it. This left it all to fall on Ceilyn's shoulders for the last event. We will get him some support for the next one.
-Bill
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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2011 13:22:31 GMT -5
Joe, Thanks for the feedback. We will definitely be enforcing the cabin lights rule at the next event. I'd intended to do so before this one, but then I forgot to post about it before the weekend. Without adequate notice that we would be enforcing this rule, I did not think it would be fair. Having the lights on really detracts from the feel of the game in my opinion, and I'd like to see that changed. I'm glad that you appreciated the woods-goodies. I can say that the answer to your question is that you must not have searched hard enough, because there were still a few items in the woods when I went out during clean-up. Off the beaten paths, yes, but at least one of the items was visible from the path. Brown cloth might be a solution for the PC cabin issue, but I am hesitant to do even that. It will still look cheesy, and there's nothing wrong with a little in-game tension between PCs about sleeping areas. On the issue of the earlier closing of monster camp, all I can say is that something needs to change. Simply put, our player base is not content with playing the game at a reduced plot level while Jay and I are asleep. It is painfully obvious when I wake up after three hours of sleep to a line of demands before I get my first sip of coffee. Unfortunately, this sets a bad tone for the day and takes some time to recover from. In theory, we could rotate, with one of us going to bed earlier and getting up earlier. The problem here is that it really takes both of us to fully run things. If Jay's asleep and I'm up and there are a pile of PC's asking plot-specific questions, then Jay's not there to keep things running while I'm distracted... and the same the other way. Off the top of my head, the best solution might be to close down plot at, say, 3 am. At that time, there would still be monsters running around randomly, but plot would be "closed" until the following morning at 9 or 10 am. This would let the people who want to stay up late fighting continue to do so. There'd still be the back-log effect in the morning, but it would be a lot easier to handle after a more reasonable amount of sleep. Plus, it would probably trickle in a little more slowly than under the current plan, where Jay and I go to sleep at 9am and then get bombarded when we get up in the early afternoon. Just some thoughts, and some more things for us to work toward improving! -Bill
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Post by Flinglecask Digroot on Oct 4, 2011 13:35:44 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses, Bill! I would be happy with just not allowing intra-cabin tarping to make smaller rooms. With the new celestial spell to essentially ward boxes, people's stuff could still be safe for the most part. That minimizes the need for separate rooms, in my opinion.
I'd be totally content with plot closing down at 3 a.m., especially if there were still random monsters wandering about. For those NPCs and PCs that have later schedules in real life, these monsters would present something to do and an opportunity to earn treasure.
As for the woods goodies, I'll look harder next time ;-) That, and vertigo down anyone who gets out there before me. What, did I say that out loud?
Can't wait until the next one!
Joe
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tim
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by tim on Oct 4, 2011 15:15:48 GMT -5
A firm start time of 8pm would be sweet.
Plot closing at 3am would also be sweet, so that those running the show can get some real sleep.
Maybe appointing someone as head of npc camp who can send out various crunchy stuff and encounters relating to the plot lines of the event after 'plot closes' would work?
Tim
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Dieben
Junior Member
NPC Living in a Surrealistic Society
Posts: 54
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Post by Dieben on Oct 5, 2011 1:26:47 GMT -5
I'm really sorry that I screwed up as bad as I did as the apprentice. I made several mistakes over the course of the event that broke the in-game atmosphere for people and I misheard a few of the directions I was given. The shortfalls there rest solely on me. I am going to learn from my mistakes this time around so that I do not repeat my errors from this event. I apologize again for my lackluster performance.
I'm also sorry I didn't wake up earlier on Saturday to help set up the library sooner and on Sunday to help clean up as much as my medications generally knock me out like a ton of bricks. I'm going to try to prevent such mistakes by bringing an alarm clock (or two) with me so I can wake up earlier. Should I be needed before my alarms go off, plot is welcome and encouraged to awaken me by any means they deem necessary.
I did enjoy the event though and I do hope that those who looked at the exhibits were pleased.
Looking forward to the next event!
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Post by Admin on Oct 5, 2011 6:18:08 GMT -5
Ben,
Did you make some mistakes as the apprentice? Sure you did. But we all make mistakes as NPCs, especially more involved ones like that. Working from the write-up plus some verbal instructions is hard and far more experienced players than you have made much bigger mistakes when dealing with this kind of part. Whatever mistakes you made were minor, and the overall job that you did really enhanced the PC experience. Thanks for taking on such a difficult role for us. I am sure you'll do even better next time.
Things like sleeping in as a result of medication you can't help. And, after our efforts to wake you Sunday morning, I don't think an alarm would have helped. It's something that I knew about you, and something that I should have thought about when I set you up as the apprentice who would be opening the Academy on Saturday morning. Had I been awake myself, it would have been an easy workaround.
As always, Ben, thanks for your hard work at this event. I heard more than one PC talk about how great a job you did as the apprentice, and how much you added to the atmosphere. And I had no idea you were going to go to such lengths on the art gallery. That really added a lot to the game.
Thanks,
Bill
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Post by Eileen Gallagher on Oct 11, 2011 4:44:18 GMT -5
Ok, so I am a more then a little late getting to this, but after an event spent researching for the plague scroll I had to come home and do a ton of researching for real life! Ben, as the PC who probably spent the most time with you on Saturday I think you did a great job. There will ALWAYS be mistakes made when you are playing an NPC that long at any given time but overall, I think you kept the feel of the library well and to be honest, a lot of the fumbling for information just made you more believable as a basic apprentice. I may be biased though as I know for a fact that I only got as much done in there as I did because you were in there all day. So really, your NPC is as much responsible for the plague scroll destruction as the PC's are. As for a set start time I agree that having one will be great. As an out-of-towner I know that we will not always be there in time for it but I still think its a great idea. I do not know how I feel about not having PC talk or as you refer to it Opening Ceremonies. I think that time is invaluable as a way to discuss new policies and go over any changes, local rules or play tests. As a chapter we seem to have new people every event and I think that we need that talk in most cases. For example, its the perfect time to go over clean up policies and such so that no PC can say they were unaware of anything later. I think that if there is a hard set start time, taking five minutes first to go over anything that needs to be gone over is a good idea. As for impressions of the event, I loved the Trolls and thought you guys did a great job. Anything I would have stated needed improvement has already been addressed there. For the Academy, I can't comment on pacing or any of that as I was literally inside the Library from the shortly after it opened till after the crumbling of Begshallah. I will say that I was REALLY impressed by the books you guys took the time to write and I hope that we have access to what was in the aesthetic arts section again as I literally couldn't look through the ones that I "wanted" to review due to the time it took researching the ones that I "had" to get through. Loved the interaction with Lerrin and Grilius and look forward to seeing how that works out in the future. he he. And Jay I loved being asked about the paper I have not submitted. I am up to my ears in research papers in my real life and I swear I just wanted to strangle Grilius at that point! I am really excited to hear you guys say the Tavern will be soley Tavern from now on as I am used to that being the heart of any town and with the tarp and the small space it hasn't been here. I am looking forward to seeing the Tavern become the location that PC's will gather and interact more in the future. Loved the event on the whole. I guess my one request for the future (selfishly) would be that we don't have events where I have to research for nine hours again until after May 19th of next year. Let me graduate first and then you can just pile me down happily with books and I'll put together any information you need! (It was so hard not to underline and make notes directly in your books but I didn't want the library kicking me out.) Jennele
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