RolePlay onLine RPoL Logo

, welcome to DnD 3.5 Forgotten Realms - The Shadow of Ubtao

20:39, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Comments and Suggestions.

Posted by The Thread-WeaverFor group 0
The Thread-Weaver
GM, 67 posts
Look upon my works
And despair!
Tue 21 Jul 2009
at 12:30
  • msg #1

Comments and Suggestions

Given that we've had a few players seemingly lose interest in the game, I was starting to get worried that I might be doing something wrong in the DM department.

Considering this, I thought I'd post a thread for you guys to put up any comments or suggestions about the game - what is working and what isn't working for you, any preferences about what you want to see happening or anything about how I'm running the game you'd like to see changed.

I had been away from PBP gaming for a looong time up until only a few months ago, so I'm still very rusty, and I will happily take on board any suggestions you guys might have. Feel free to really lay into me here, I will not mind! ;]

I would just really like this game to make it past the difficult 'introduction' phase during which so many games seem to falter and fail in and I think the key to this is making sure my players are happy.

Good suggestions may also have a direct influence on bonus exp come August 1st! heheh

Let me know anyway!

Cheers.
Lambrac
player, 18 posts
Lantanna Rogue
I'm not a thief!
Tue 21 Jul 2009
at 12:53
  • msg #2

Re: Comments and Suggestions

So far I'm quite enjoying this, though not much has happened yet. I appreciate the detail, style and effort you put into your posts, something I work for in my own games. I hate minimalist GMs who spit up a few vague mispelled lines. I'm glad to finally find someone who might be as good as I am. ;D

Losing players is a common problem, independent of the quality of the game or GM, I think.

I'd like to go faster, I eagerly await the next posts in this game. But that depends on all us players. I try to be prompt, though sometimes I wait to think how to respond.

A battle might add some action. I presume that's what you're working for on this evening trip down Calishite streets with a chest of treasure. ;) I didn't mean to metagame my actions, I just thought it would be something Lambrac would do, even if he failed terribly at it.
Jibril
player, 38 posts
Cleric of Azuth
Tue 21 Jul 2009
at 13:35
  • msg #3

Re: Comments and Suggestions

I think you're doing great. I am surprised that you lost both of the players you brought over from another game (apparently ones who pleaded with you to be part of this game and then deserted it--strange).  I was fortunate to be 3 months into my game before I lost my first player. I think it's better to have players drop out early, instead of finding out later once the game has progressed.  More interesting is that one of your MIA players applied for the open slot in my game (I didn't select her). However, it sounded like she was quite involved in D&D and PbB, so I imagine RL issues came into play here.

I'm still trying to get a feel for my character and the rest of the group. I can't say I'm not disappointed that I didn't pick up Jala's slave, but c'est la vie.  I think summer time is also wearing on all the games, including my own.  Personally, I live in a place where the temperature hasn't been less than 110 degrees for the last past 10 days (until today thank God), and such heat drains my motivation for practically everything.  I'm trying to beat the heat slump though...
Krogan
player, 7 posts
I'm always up
for a fight!
Tue 21 Jul 2009
at 13:45
  • msg #4

Re: Comments and Suggestions

*grins*  I think Jibril and I are neighbors.  His weather sounds depressingly like mine.

I'm the "new orc on the block", but I'm enjoying myself.  The detail is very impressive.  I don't have much to go on yet, but I'm certainly hooked so far.  :)
The Thread-Weaver
GM, 69 posts
Look upon my works
And despair!
Tue 21 Jul 2009
at 14:47
  • msg #5

Re: Comments and Suggestions

Well thanks for the praise guys :] as I'm sure you other PBP GMs have experienced, losing players can be quite disheartening. However I'm really enjoying DMing this game so far and I am very excited by what I've got planned for you guys so I will not allow it to affect me, fear not :]

Fareeda was not so much of a surprise. I took a gamble on her if I'm honest, I played alongside her character in another game which the DM abandoned and I really enjoyed the seductive and promiscuous elements she brought to the game (hell, I'm a 22 year old male go figure;) so I invited her to the game, hoping that her character would really spice up the party interaction. Unfortunately she seemed uninterested from day one, and despite constant prodding has never improved and now, quite clearly, has left all together. My gamble didn't pay off, which is a shame, but what can you do?

Linni on the other hand was a complete surprise. Her player was a great roleplayer who I have known on RPoL since early this year and who has always seemed very active before. She put tonnes of effort into Linni - and I mean tonnes - when she created her for my last game. All I can think is that the fact she had to do little work for this game made her disinterested?

Anyway, I'll take your comments on board. Lambrac, I know you're very keen to get going, which, after dealing with Linni and Fareeda, I'm very thankful for :] Now we've weeded them out, hopefully things will flow along at a much better pace. I'll let you know in advance it's my graduation ceremony this friday, which means I'm likely to be getting very drunk for the whole weekend and won't be on RPoL :D I'll leave you in a good position to roleplay anyway.

And for those of you complaining about weather - try living in England! It's supposed to be our summer right now yet it's rained pretty solidly for the last 2 weeks. This has been the case for the last 3 summers.

Be grateful for the sun! And at least it helps you get in character for this game!!
Abbas
player, 38 posts
Tue 21 Jul 2009
at 15:06
  • msg #6

Re: Comments and Suggestions

That type of weather is what had discouraged me from moving to Newfoundland.

Of course, now that we found a nice sunny prairie-like spot in central NL that DOESN'T have 24-7 fog/drizzle, she won the argument and we're here.

Been beautiful all year really, and especially nice the last month or two.
Krogan
player, 9 posts
I'm always up
for a fight!
Tue 21 Jul 2009
at 21:29
  • msg #7

Re: Comments and Suggestions

*laughs*

We had baseball sized hail and two near-tornados about a mile from the house last night.
I'm not saying that we win the "freaky weather" contest, but I wouldn't mind some English weather for a change.  *grins*


Don't take the leaving of players too hard, TW.  Sometimes good players leave for various RL reasons.   It might not have anything to do with the game or her character.
Jibril
player, 40 posts
Cleric of Azuth
Wed 22 Jul 2009
at 00:28
  • msg #8

Re: Comments and Suggestions

Krogan:
Don't take the leaving of players too hard, TW.  Sometimes good players leave for various RL reasons.   It might not have anything to do with the game or her character.


Yes, but I believe it is only common courtesy to let the DM know you're leaving and why.
Abbas
player, 40 posts
Wed 22 Jul 2009
at 12:33
  • msg #9

Re: Comments and Suggestions

Yep.  Now, in fairness, ye know sometimes computer prbs surprise us, or there's a major family emergency/etc., and computer access isn't available (as a former northerner who ALSO had computer head for long period and no public computer available - it happens).

Beyond that, yeah... takes a couple moments to say "Sry, Boss.  Availability time for gaming has changed/work's require cutback in gaming/your feet smell and I can't take it anymore, so I must regretfully resign my place so someone else can enjoy the seat and contribute to the game like it deserves."  Voila... 15seconds and happiness or at least comprehension for DM.
Krogan
player, 10 posts
I'm always up
for a fight!
Wed 22 Jul 2009
at 12:50
  • msg #10

Re: Comments and Suggestions

Yes, I've had characters do that in games I've played in or even run, as well as Gms do it to.  There's one who's friends with the GM of a different game I'm in and they mentioned to him that the players were annoyed at the "vanishing act", and He STILL didn't come back to say anything.

Common courtesy is far from common, it seems.
Abbas
player, 42 posts
Wed 22 Jul 2009
at 13:13
  • msg #11

Re: Comments and Suggestions

yeah.. fortunately, ppl like that make us look better, and I'll take any ego boost on which I can put my grubby widdle paws.  :p
The Thread-Weaver
GM, 73 posts
Look upon my works
And despair!
Wed 22 Jul 2009
at 13:22
  • msg #12

Re: Comments and Suggestions

Again it's the relative smoke screen that is the internet. People know that if they disappear, there is in truth very little anyone can do to find them. Therefore it's completely down to the individual's conscious about whether they are decent and let their GM/players know or not.
Lambrac
player, 24 posts
Lantanna Rogue
I'm not a thief!
Wed 22 Jul 2009
at 13:59
  • msg #13

Re: Comments and Suggestions

I've vanished from a game twice. Both circumstances I think were justified.

Once, I was the DM, volunteering for players from Wanted - GMs. I spent several weeks hard-work setting a homebrew world up, against persistent "suggestions" from the PCs, and outright abuse from one who I wouldn't let play a half-nymph, half-sand-dragon grey elf psion. Finally ready, I asked the remaining PCs to submit their characters. No response. I waited, and waited. Finally I was exploring options and accidentally deleted the game and couldn't work out how to undo it. I didn't miss it, but felt awkward for it.

Second time, I was a player in the only lasting Eberron game I could find, but it was just an endless series of dull dungeon-crawls loosely related to the setting. I discussed my failing interest with the DM, who gave me a week to decide whether to go or stay. I was one day late for some reason, and got shut out. I RTJed again just to apologise.

I guess some people didn't care enough in first place and just "forget", or are too embarrassed to say they don't want to play any more, but it's damn annoying to clean up after them, or to have made a character pointlessly.

I tend to wait for a missing PC for a period proportional to the time I've known them. A week or two, completely forget them soon after. Over a year, I still half-expect them to return years later. That's the worst, someone you know relatively well for quite some time suddenly vanishes, and you wonder if they died or something.

As to the weather, I'm in Australia, and it's winter. We got hail the other day. Hail! We only get that once a decade.
Abbas
player, 44 posts
Wed 22 Jul 2009
at 14:11
  • msg #14

Re: Comments and Suggestions

yesterday, he:
Of course, now that we found a nice sunny prairie-like spot in central NL that DOESN'T have 24-7 fog/drizzle, she won the argument and we're here.
... Been beautiful all year really, and especially nice the last month or two.


And thus, in the way of things, it is foggy today.  Rofl.
Krogan
player, 11 posts
I'm always up
for a fight!
Thu 23 Jul 2009
at 12:53
  • msg #15

Re: Comments and Suggestions

In reply to Lambrac (msg #13):

Yes, both of yours were pretty reasonably (in fact, when you were a GM, it sounds more like the players are the culprits, not you).   I'm talking about GMs who vanish while the game is in full swing.
I try not to get too worked up, though, as real life issues can by anthing, and can certainly be urgent enough to keep someone away from a computer, even for weeks at a time.  With the anonymous nature of "internet friends", I'll be the first to admit that anything's possible.

Still, I will always try to give SOME kind of warning, if at ALL possible.
The Thread-Weaver
GM, 179 posts
Look upon my works
And despair!
Sat 17 Dec 2011
at 18:40
  • msg #16

Re: Comments and Suggestions

I would like to get this thread going again. Any suggestions or ideas you might have for the game can be voiced and discussed here. I like to be open with my players about what they want from me and the game and if you guys feel anything could be improved please speak up!

As you know, I've been leading the game on a fairly linear route so far with little room for the players to influence the general scheme of things. This was due to the fact that I did not want to linger in Calimport, despite it being an amazing city - this game is a Chult adventure first and foremost. Now we've reached the jungle however, all that changes. It will be your choices that determine what happens. Obviously I still have things planned that I would like to occur at some stage but there's no more leading you down the linear hallway - I'll be reacting to the actions of your characters (for good or bad ;) and inventing new locations and encounters on the fly.

Cheers.
Krogan
player, 158 posts
I'm always up
for a fight!
Sun 18 Dec 2011
at 02:18
  • msg #17

Re: Comments and Suggestions

I have little to add, being fairly satisfied so far.   Perhaps a thread for the "jungle crawl"?
The Thread-Weaver
GM, 180 posts
Look upon my works
And despair!
Sun 18 Dec 2011
at 09:25
  • msg #18

Re: Comments and Suggestions

I prefer to make threads on a day by day basis to help give a sense of time. However if nobody has anything to add I'll move us along later this evening.
Linni
player, 41 posts
Eccentric gnomeling
sorceress extraordinaire!
Mon 19 Dec 2011
at 00:38
  • msg #19

Re: Comments and Suggestions

Everything's going great, can't wait to meet the new people and have even more conflict within the group!

But seriously I love how not all our PC's are happy to be in Chult, or even too thrilled about the company they've been thrown in with. Makes for fun times.
Jibril
player, 116 posts
Fashionable and stylish
Cleric of Azuth
Fri 30 Dec 2011
at 01:36
  • msg #20

Re: Comments and Suggestions

Linni:
But seriously I love how not all our PC's are happy to be in Chult, or even too thrilled about the company they've been thrown in with. Makes for fun times.


Are you speaking of moi?  Actually, I'm not a big fan of the happy-go-lucky, completely unified and happy party. I don't think it's very realistic when you get a bunch of diverse characters together.
Abbas
player, 141 posts
Elven sworddancer
"Caution breeds success."
Sat 31 Dec 2011
at 13:05
  • msg #21

Re: Comments and Suggestions

Artificial issues I'm not so keen on, but genuine character issues can be great.  We had a major ethical/religious split in one party that took a unified group to almost combat with each other - fabulous RP grp.
Krogan
player, 270 posts
HP 17/ AC18
Orcish Dragon Shaman.
Mon 27 Feb 2012
at 12:17
  • msg #22

Re: Comments and Suggestions

This seemed like a good spot for this:
I might be out of touch this weekend (March 1-5) or so, depending on my internet connection while traveling.
The Thread-Weaver
GM, 257 posts
Look upon my works
And despair!
Tue 28 Feb 2012
at 07:44
  • msg #23

Re: Comments and Suggestions

Thanks Krogan. At the current rate I don't think it will even be noticeable however. The recent IC and OOC disputes seems to have killed us off somewhat. Not sure whether you guys want to continue.
Krogan
player, 271 posts
HP 17/ AC18
Orcish Dragon Shaman.
Tue 28 Feb 2012
at 13:04
  • msg #24

Re: Comments and Suggestions

gamers are a prickly lot.  Easily discouraged by misunderstanding.  And I'm no different.

That being said, I would love to continue.   I'm anxious to see what happens next.
Jibril
player, 182 posts
Fashionable and stylish
Cleric of Azuth
Tue 28 Feb 2012
at 13:12
  • msg #25

Re: Comments and Suggestions

I'm just giving Jibril a rest, as asked.
Fareeda
player, 105 posts
Come, let me entertain
you with song and dance
Tue 28 Feb 2012
at 13:21
  • msg #26

Re: Comments and Suggestions

I fully intend to continue.  But I think as a group we're pretty bantered out at the moment and not much is happening IC except dinner.  Probably just need to fast-forward until morning (or earlier, if something happens overnight).
Abbas
player, 196 posts
Elven sworddancer
"Caution breeds success."
Tue 28 Feb 2012
at 13:36
  • msg #27

Re: Comments and Suggestions

I would echo Fareeda's comments.
Sign In