I'm taking this dicussion to private with Vander. My ruling stands.

I hate to just block Jobol's attempts at setting up some kind of relationship between himself and Doherti, but I'm not sure how to deal with an insulting approach. I'm not interested in a battle of wits unless the players agree upfront who is going to win it and play to that. Otherwise, I'm happy to discuss it.

I assumed he thought he knew you from elsewhere, Doherti.

I'm happy to back it down if it makes you feel uncomfortable.

I don't think it's necessary to have a "winner" in any battle of wits, as you put it. The way I see it, either Doherti gets riled by Jobols barbs and gives back as good as he gets, ignores them entirely (as you've done for the moment) or accepts it as a part of who Jobol is in relation to Doherti. The question you have to ask yourself is how would Doherti react to being insulted in that way? Anger? Incredulity? Hurt? Confused? Amused? It's really no different a question than how he'd react to being complemented, being given an order or being asked for assistance, for example.

For me, it's an important distinction that I remember that I am not my character. If my character is insulted, that has no impact on me as a player except where it takes the story and relationships of that character. The same goes for any insult given by my character to another. I have absolutely no intention of ever insulting another Player, even though I might berate, cajole or even (in more PvP style games) steal from or attack their characters.

I also appreciate that others have more personal relationships with their own characters. All any Player need do if anything I do In-Character upsets them or makes them uncomfortable is to say as much and I am happy to dial back, edit or otherwise make amends.

@Logresia: Nope. Just Jobol being an ass in reference to Doherti being our tracker.

it doesn't make me uncomfortable. I just don't find improvised interpersonal conflict interesting. In a situation that is cooperative in-character or out (ideally both) improv is likely to lead in a constructive direction, even if the situation is antagonistic. Otherwise, it leads nowhere, at least in my experience.

I recognize that not everyone sees it that way. Some, for example, see anything done in-character and any outcome from it as all to the good. I see it differently and others see it yet other ways.

Edit: So, do whatever. I just probably won't have Doherti respond to anything antagonistic.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:51, Tue 07 Dec 2021.

If improvised conflict isn't interesting, would you prefer to discuss an outcome?

I mean, it's a completely alien concept to me because I don't see the value in either predictable outcomes or an "everything is awesome super friends" series of relationships; either feels as artificial to me as a GM running a series of white room, unrelated encounters. Especially among characters that don't have a lot of history together.

By way of example of how less than friendly relationships can be engaging and entertaining, I'll use Legolas and Gimli from LotR, who begin their relationship with distrust and end it with literal eternal friendship. If you knew, as a reader, that they'd end up as friends, the initial antagonism would lose its impact.

Conflict is interesting to me, whether it's between the party and their foes or between the members of a party themselves. So long as the party come together to achieve their shared goals, to "play the game" as it were, the interpersonal relationships they have are open game.

Jobal is a servant. If Lady Magister orders him, he'll obey so long as it doesn't overtly threaten his life (he's not about to take a bullet for her or jump into a bottemless pit on her say-so). That's a relationship I want to explore; how far she's willing to push him and how far he's willing to go are things I don't know and look forward to finding out.

He's also a massive a-hole to everyone else. That's also a relationship I want to explore; how much others are willing to tolerate him, how far his douchebaggery will go, how his significant actions when it comes to the crunch will impact the rest of the parties impression of him...if he saves someones life, for example, or has his life saved, how will that impact his or others' future attitude? Again, I don't know and look forward to finding out.

In reply to Jobol Harguld (msg # 91):

Thanks for the response. I'll follow up in a private message.

I think I got this right, but just to be sure;
* Doherti & Jobol will go ahead to scout.
* The rest will wait outside.

Correct on my part.

Oh.  I thought they'd done that.  My mistake.  Good job I didn't jump the gun more than a little (enough to embarrass myself.

I wasn't going ahead to scout. I was waiting for everyone to join me.

At no point was I pursuing stealth. I didn't realize other were. I didn't intend to wreck that plan. I had stated earlier that I planned to have Doherti call out, and it's plausible that Doherti would have called out earlier. It's a reasonable thing to do when trying to find someone.

That said, I didn't intend to make Doherti into a stealthy character.

In Jobol's post it was referring to being stealthy.  He even looked DIRECTLY at you when he mentioned DOG-BOY so I'm not sure why your not understanding that he was calling Doherti it.

I ask that could the PLAYERS read what others are posting.  We are posting something for a reason.  Not fun when its skipped or falls on death ears.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:39, Wed 08 Dec 2021.

I do read what others are posting. I could always read more carefully and I will try to do so.

I'm going to start summarizing my actions or intended actions at the ends of my posts, along with what I think the current relevant details are. If anyone wants to copy the party status information, to add to it or correct it, they're welcome to.

I understand you aim for clearer communication but an action summary is unnecessary in my opinion, in fact I find them distracting when we're not in round-by-round combat mode, where such summaries might be very helpful.

Regarding this "ignoring stealthy approach" situation; well, that just happened due IC actions. Let' see where it takes us, no sweat. Story perhaps proceeds slightly differently now due player actions - as it always should!

Just to be clear, there is only one person berating you vocally.  What ever Lady Magister is thinking is something you wouldn't know unless your able to read her mind.

In reply to Lady Magister (msg # 101):

Would you be open to keeping private thoughts in spoiler blocks?

No cause I never used it.

Unless it’s posted in color as speaking then you wouldn’t hear my thoughts

I don't understand what you mean.


I understand the concept. I find reading a character's private thoughts distracting, particularly when they are negative thoughts about my character. I wouldn't ask you not to write such things, of course, but I don't think I should be necessary for me to read them.

I agree with Nick.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
I mean Doherti
Or maybe I mean Lady Magister.
Or perhaps the De'il's Ain Sel'

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I hope that worked
This message was last edited by the player at 19:13, Thu 09 Dec 2021.

I realized I started using Private Message sections out of old habit... What's your preference, shall I keep using Private Messages or shall I write everything openly for all to see?

In reply to Game Master (msg # 106):

A compromise position would be to include it but in spoiler blocks.

Doherti, may I ask how old are you?

OOC
Doherti, I think the chamber currently contains you, me and the men from the village.  Jobol and Lady Magister are about to enter the cavern and I have no idea where Vander is.

In reply to Logresia Skrieven (msg # 109):

Agreed, thanks.