Talk amongst yourselves

Question for Mr. Kane. Is the format of the post in the IC thread the expected format of this game? As opposed to what I'd consider 'normal' Play-by-Post, where a PC posts their 'action' and the GM posts the result? Instead, are we writing our own scenes in their entirety?

In reply to Tendril (msg # 2):

I have the same question, but it seems everyone is writing huge intros anyway, so alright.

It might differ when we get into combat or action scenarios, but right now I figured we're just in the fluffy narrative mode.

Alright, that makes sense.

Hi again- I'd like to start writing my intro thing, but I have a question for GM:
With my playbook being Janus, and the whole thing being secret identity, I was just a bit confused as to how secret secret it should be. Would I have to be fully suited up all the time or never be suited up when I'm in school? How does being suited up at school work anyway? I know the staff would have to know me, but as for students knowing me, what would that be like?

That's largely up to you. There is no uniformity here. Some students can't hide who they are, either because they're too famous or infamous (see Diana Duchess), or because of some physical trait that makes obfuscation impossible (MAIDEN, the Android student), or something else together. Others have to hide who they are: One of the kids here is the child of a prominent politician, a few would be disowned by their parents if their Mask ever came off. And still for some others, like you, it's a matter of preference.

You are allowed to present yourself in whatever manner you feel is appropriate.

Okay, thank you. That helps.

Horizon is in the same sort of situation, as she'll be suited up 100% of the time while on campus and with the group.  None of the student body know her real identity and odds are there's probably some campus rumors that she's actually a robot or alien under the suit.

When it comes to being a Janus, there's sort of a spectrum of how secret your identity is.  The reliance isn't inherently on keeping your secret alter ego entirely hidden but rather how you contend with the dual nature of your life and the way it pulls you in different directions.  You could go full Spider-Man with it and keep your identity secret from everyone, including your loved ones.  Or you could be more like Batman who publicly presents as Batman but has a group of trusted fellow heroes and confidants who know his secret.

It's kind of on your desired story and how you prefer to take it that determines who you might let in on the secret.  If you feel Byron would be comfortable with his name getting out, he might unmask around campus.  If he worries that it might negatively impact him or those he cares about, especially if potential villains learn of his identity, then he might be more inclined to keep his secret close to his chest and only let trusted allies know.  In Horizon's case, she keeps her identity secret because it's the only way she can ever have a semblance of a private life by taking the mask off.  She's already a known public figure as Horizon, so being Isabella is her only chance for normalcy.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:18, Mon 20 Feb 2023.

Thank you! I decided to go with a similar approach as Spider-Man. Byron will just be in normal clothes while inside school, or, if he was going to be suited while in school, then he just wouldn't take it off until he was somewhere private, and keep it hidden. That way someone would only ever see Byron or Shutterbug, and aside from his general body shape, and maybe his voice, it'd be difficult to match them together, so he would be fine with that.

So, I hate to do this with the game having taken so long to finally get going, but I have to admit that I have not been firing on all cylinders for the past few weeks.

Whether it's this game, my other RP endeavors, my job, my classes, or my family, I can't seem to focus and am not where I want or need myself to be.

I still want this game to happen and to make it the best I possibly can, but right now, I can't do that.

It happens to everyone sometimes. I hope things get a little easier for you.

Thank you for all the effort putting this together.

And thank you to everyone else too!

Honestly, I appreciate that you even bothered to own up to it at all.  Most DMs around these parts just ghost the game without the decency of an explanation.

Life and fleeting motivation do what they do, so don't feel bad about it.  We had a fair bit of a hiatus early on already, so there's no reason to say we might not return at some later point if you feel up to it down the road.

Hi,I have a lot of brain problems so I totally get it.
I hope stuff clears up and you'll have a better time of it soon.
Like Horizon said, we could always come back to it later.
And thanks to everyone for being patient with me personally as I'm still new to group rping and Masks.
Later days and better Frito Lays!

Echoing the others, I appreciate you letting us know and absolutely hold no hard feelings. I just hope you take care of yourself. Gaming is supposed to be fun, and when it isn't, it's a good idea to step back and reevaluate, even if it's only in the short term.

Took some time, and I think I've got my head back on straight.

One I wasn't getting enough sleep. I still don't get great sleep, trying to spend time with the wife after putting Angelica to bed (which, not kidding, takes over an hour from starting to get ready to her finally falling asleep), and waking up at 430-445 to start my day at 6, but I'm at least more cognizant of what I'm doing, and so is Sandra.

Two, I was trying to do too much with the time in my day. Work + School + Wife + Toddler + This Game + Other game I started to run + writing a CHYOA + WorldAnvil = overload.

I'm not dropping any of the things I was doing before I took a time out, but at least trying to take the foot off the gas. That and planning which thing I'm working on which days should also help, rather than opening everything up at once and struggling that nothing comes out for anything.

It was never a matter of lack of motivation, just struggling to find the capacity. Thankfully, as I get this game moving again, y'all playing together can help take off some of the pressure (whereas my other game is a collection of solo adventures, with everyone waiting on me).

I will never be the most prolific GM on this site, so if y'all can be patient with me, I'll make sure I put my best foot forward.

In reply to Bob Stanley Kane (msg # 16):

Hi, that's totally cool, I'm glad you came back. I'm ready to jump back in if everybody else is game.

I'm still here!

:)

Present and accounted for.

I'm really glad to hear that things are looking up for you! Finding that balance is super important. I think that I'm going to bow out, however. I've got more than a few projects on my own plate, and I could use a bit of extra space.

All the best, though!

In reply to Lorelei (msg # 20):

Farewell!

Did I get any info from my assess?

Given that Horizon, Diana, and Anubis would all qualify as being part of that situation, I am kind of curious to see where Horizon ranks in the "who's the biggest threat" tier.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:05, Mon 20 Mar 2023.

I hate to do this to y'all, and am very appreciative of the time that you gave me to try and figure out how to fit this with my schedule, but it's just not happening. With pressure for the end of the semester coming up in the last month, I don't know that there's going to be much change.

I have to cut this loose. If time opens up and I can try this again, y'all will get first priority.

In reply to Bob Stanley Kane (msg # 24):

No problem man. I wish you success in your life.