Psh... my comment still goes as valid. Just because Yossi made a funny joke about it doesn't make it meaningless! And Stormak, give him one of those "self-aggrandizing" speeches. He's using this thread as a begging tool for compliments. Psh... we all know he's funny. We're just used to it. And this is the DMs SUCK thread, not DMs are funny thread!
No, I actually have a bit of a different speech to give this time.
I guess I've been told a lot, and well, I knew it too, and a bunch of DMs tell me all the time too. And I listened but I guess I didn't really do anything about it because most of the time I didn't feel like I needed to.
I've treated a lot of you like shit. Pretty unnecessarily at times too. Both players and the other DMs... You guys don't deserve that, not from a player and especially not from a DM. I always believe in blunt honesty, in not sugarcoating the truth, but I guess I've finally come to realize thanks to you guys, and the DMs, that, well, I need to try to be honest without being hurtful. I get told I come off that way a lot and I don't really understand why, but I do.
With NWN2 and Amia2 just around the corner, I want to try to present a fresh face for all you guys. I want to be a better DM, so I can help you guys be better players. I know this attitude thing of mine is a long standing thing... it's almost a gimmick at this point... but I really do want to change it. I always have. I don't want to be The Bad Guy. I always thought I was just being harsh but fair, but I guess I scared a lot of you away from me, and I don't like that. A player should never be afraid to talk to a DM, either in game, out of game, in MSN, whatever.
What it comes down to is, I'm sorry for treating you guys like crap and acting like a jackass more than my fair share, both in game and on the forums. If you guys ever do have issues with me, I really do urge you to come talk to me in MSN. It's always open, and I'm always happy to discuss issues, calmly and rationally. I give you guys honesty, and I will happily accept it in return. I always have.
This isn't meant to be a pity thing, god no. I just want to apologize for my conduct, and my demeanor. It's not proper, it's not befitting a DM dedicated to being here for *you guys* (because that's what I firmly believe I am here for. You guys. The players.), it's just not cool all around.
I'm sorry.
_________________ Davion Telemos - Monk of the Four Winds Korthan Isharnos - Dragon Shaman of Thunder Spirit Zamasham
Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Location: Leather chair, USA. Tell me about your mother.
And what happened then? Well…in Amia-ville they say,
That the Tormak’s small heart Grew three sizes that day!
And the minute his heart didn’t feel quite so tight,
He whizzed with his DC wand through the bright morning light,
And he brought back the love! And the food for the feast!
And he, HE HIMSELF! The Tormak... carved the roast beast!
It was a Mylock. I had mine medium rare.
We love you buddy.
_________________ We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don't know.
Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Location: Kohlingen, and a Basement in Canada
*pats Tormak on the back* ..
It's hard recognizing the worst in yourself. Trust me, I know how it can be on your side and even still, I manage to make stupid mistakes. Regardless, I do my best to be good to my fellow players and to the DMs whenever I'm involved with something, even if I make mistakes and tick people off.
No, I actually have a bit of a different speech to give this time.
I guess I've been told a lot, and well, I knew it too, and a bunch of DMs tell me all the time too. And I listened but I guess I didn't really do anything about it because most of the time I didn't feel like I needed to.
I've treated a lot of you like shit. Pretty unnecessarily at times too. Both players and the other DMs... You guys don't deserve that, not from a player and especially not from a DM. I always believe in blunt honesty, in not sugarcoating the truth, but I guess I've finally come to realize thanks to you guys, and the DMs, that, well, I need to try to be honest without being hurtful. I get told I come off that way a lot and I don't really understand why, but I do.
With NWN2 and Amia2 just around the corner, I want to try to present a fresh face for all you guys. I want to be a better DM, so I can help you guys be better players. I know this attitude thing of mine is a long standing thing... it's almost a gimmick at this point... but I really do want to change it. I always have. I don't want to be The Bad Guy. I always thought I was just being harsh but fair, but I guess I scared a lot of you away from me, and I don't like that. A player should never be afraid to talk to a DM, either in game, out of game, in MSN, whatever.
What it comes down to is, I'm sorry for treating you guys like crap and acting like a jackass more than my fair share, both in game and on the forums. If you guys ever do have issues with me, I really do urge you to come talk to me in MSN. It's always open, and I'm always happy to discuss issues, calmly and rationally. I give you guys honesty, and I will happily accept it in return. I always have.
This isn't meant to be a pity thing, god no. I just want to apologize for my conduct, and my demeanor. It's not proper, it's not befitting a DM dedicated to being here for *you guys* (because that's what I firmly believe I am here for. You guys. The players.), it's just not cool all around.
I'm sorry.
Awwww.. I got all emotional reading it. You grew a lot on my point of view, for real. I always thought you disliked me personally, but honestly I don't care if you do anymore. You are trying to be a better DM, a better player and with it all a better human being, one has to admire that.
*huggles* You just acquired the right to be grumpy around me now.
Wow, thats realy good/wise.../idontknowthefreakingenglishwordsforit from you to apologize publicly like this.
I admit, you scrared me a little bit over the past weeks, like for the portrait change im currently applying for, i wasnt sur of the words to use so you can take it in consideration as i tought you didnt liked me as a player (yes, i worry to much about what poeple think of me >.<).
But reading what you said, i gives me a little more understanding about you and that change my point of view.
*send Tormie a pack of chocolate cookies*
Just send me your adress if you realy want them XD
EDIT: and this have nothing to do with the spam warning lol
_________________ By Jaydn
Last edited by Acrid on Fri, Mar 13 2009, 3:15 AM, edited 1 time in total.
There is really only one player (save Sakkran, who I knew personally outside of Amia prior to either of us ever coming to play here) in Amia that I would consider a friend, and it is Tormak. Some of you know I do not typically make any relationship beyond fleeting conversation across the internet, but Tormak is an exception. I was very much drawn to his roleplay early on, I really liked his characters, and the guy is knowledgeable and very helpful. If it weren't for him, I really wouldn't have figured out how to DM well, and just how to navigate NWN in general. Beyond that, he's got a great sense of humor, he means well, and he genuinely has more dedication to this job as a DM - and, in truth, more dedication to principles - than I do, and probably most of the rest of the team.
When he says he is always open and willing to talk, I can tell you he is serious. There is one thing those who get to know Tormak come to understand: he is that representational force proving that the internet is "serious business". I don't need to tell you he can be blunt to such a degree that to the softer species of internet users, he comes off as rude and abrasive. If you've ever thought he either doesn't know, or does know and doesn't care, you're wrong. He cares an awful lot about Amia and its playerbase and genuinely wants to make it a fun (and FAIR) place to play.
I don't mean to speak for Tormak, but I sometimes get the sense he's been stuck in a vicious cycle, offending a portion of the playerbase, getting flak for it, trying to make amends, having things thrown in his face, and then, naturally getting upset at the lack of forgiveness, and this is a huge downer for him...which makes him enjoy his time here less...and that makes him edgier, more of the jackass we know (and some, love). Now he is taking a step forward and apologizing and, I think more than that, asking for some forgiveness so that his role as a DM in bringing us the incredible stories he is capable of bringing is easier and more enjoyable.
My thinking is that Tormak is as fair and unbiased as a DM gets. He gets ticks of appproval from me in that box. The blunt tongue is fine once you get to know him but for newbs, it can be a bit daunting when you first get here and can easily lead to misunderstanding when DMs are harsh or blunt towards you.
Once you realise and accept its just part of that person's personality and not actually that he or she hates you, you can adjust to suit. Where the problem arises is when people take those words to heart or personally, easily done since egoes/people in general, are fragile.
I'd hate to tell Tormak, Won Won or another DM not to be themselves, but for newbies, I feel they need to take the above words into account so that you don't scare the poor sods off...lol. Once they get used to the server and understand the DMs a bit more, then be yourselves once more I guess...as long as they know its tongue in cheek and nothing more.
_________________ Illithira Frostmaiden (Snow Elf) Guardian of the Frostfell Elithiel Issatheerin (Shadow Elf) She who Lurks Isolia Oussea'lylth (Sun Elf) Apprentice Wizardess
Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Location: Leather chair, USA. Tell me about your mother.
Tormak knows exactly how much he's helped me. Whether in MSN or otherwise, and dealing with my inherent goofiness and urk-iness towards heavy duty e..e..Emoootion *gag* . (Hence the Grinch post).
He's a great guy, one of my first Amian friends, and a damn good DM.
_________________ We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don't know.
Joined: 26 May 2006 Location: Down Under, calculating your demise with blunt expressions.
It's expected of WonWon to be an arse to other Australians, that's a given due to city rivalry. You all know our sense of humour: sharp comments that don't have alot of weight behind them. It's funny.
Yeah, Aussies are some of the more mysterious people on earth. They are so blunt and crude that it is hard to locate their intelligence at all. Perhaps they are being truthful when they are asking me for advise on how to pee standing up. I'm not even lying!
Meh, I actually met some Australians and they were quite open and quite truthful. I thought they were blunt but nice and they drank more beer in the night than I could in a week. But, oh well, cant judge an entire country by three people now, can I?
I honestly dont know what to think of WonWon, I had I hate him moments, I had freaking Mother of God what is this $#@! doing now moments, I had awwww that is soo cool moments, I had moments I honestly didn't know what to think at all and I had moments I quite liked what he was doing. So, I guess I cannot decide what to think of him, but somehow I really think his new avatar fits.
In retrospect, I didn't like me as DM (though it was short). There wasn't really a lot of plotting, and I seemed to hate all the characters for no real reason.
In an unrelated note, you think you have lots of bored epics now, Cordor was stuffed to the gills with them back then. And oh, PVP enabled, so street fights (and by street fights I mean mages flinging spells at each other with mutually assured destructive glee) were frequent enough to be remembered by characters years afterward.
I'm like the beta-variant of Tormak. Honest, rather civil, but as blunt as a bloody warhammer. I'm just not as good at the blunt and sharp part as Tormak is.
Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Location: Kohlingen, and a Basement in Canada
Selmak wrote:
In retrospect, I didn't like me as DM (though it was short). There wasn't really a lot of plotting, and I seemed to hate all the characters for no real reason.
In an unrelated note, you think you have lots of bored epics now, Cordor was stuffed to the gills with them back then. And oh, PVP enabled, so street fights (and by street fights I mean mages flinging spells at each other with mutually assured destructive glee) were frequent enough to be remembered by characters years afterward.
I admit that I got scared away from you, Tormy. You spoke the truth at a time the truth was something I didn't wish to hear.
You helped me out with that bluntness.. like a smack upside the back of the head by an older brother when I needed that most, not people telling me what they thought I wished to hear. I realized things had been out of order in my life in all of its facets.
I never got a chance to thank you for that. I've been holding it back, I wished to tell you but didn't for fear you'd snap at me..but there is no better time than now for me to say this. Thank you.
I think I'm going to try talking to you more, like I use to. I missed that.
/fangirl on
Also! You're way too awesome of a DM to have players hide from you.
/fangirl off
Amia2 is.. likely going to be a milestone which several people want to 'turn over a new leaf'.. I myself am one.. as well.
_________________ Dwagin [Duh-wa-GIN] N. - 1a. Small and cute thingum, particularly fond of four legged scaled creatures of the metalic and chromatic varieties.
I'm like the beta-variant of Tormak. Honest, rather civil, but as blunt as a bloody warhammer. I'm just not as good at the blunt and sharp part as Tormak is.
I'm trying, though!
And you're civil.
I actually thought Ron was a real dick once, but I can't remember why. O.o
Then again, when I think people are dicks, I usually shrug it off as them either having a bad day, or thinking that I'm a tosser. In either case I don't really give much of a damn, and that helps a lot.
As for Tormak being blunt, no one can really disagree there. It's fine, really, even if it does seem to get out of hand at times. At least we have Yossarin to toss in the random mother comment to calm it down.
_________________ Profiles: DakoDako & ElWacko
Characters: Currently trying my best to stick to Beridoc Brushgale
It's expected of WonWon to be an arse to other Australians, that's a given due to city rivalry. You all know our sense of humour: sharp comments that don't have alot of weight behind them. It's funny.
Problem is the rest of the world doesn't get it.
Eh? That humour was invented in Britain. You guys stole it. A tendency for which we shipped you off there in the first place, mind.
Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Location: Goldcoast, Australia
Galenson wrote:
Uberuce wrote:
Eh? That humour was invented in Britain. You guys stole it. A tendency for which we shipped you off there in the first place, mind.
You guys moved on, we're still what you were like over 200 years ago.
Yeah give us 100 years and we will be storming the streets headbutting anyone wearing colors diffrent to our local football team (thats soccor for all you other aussies that dont know what im on about)
That said, good on Tormak for comeing out like this...
Shame on all of you for breaking the mans spirit..
Tormak you can be as honest as you like with me whenever you like ive always figured youve ment well by it anyways. *salute*
Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Location: On a Disk, carried by four elephants, which stand on a gigantic turtle.
I'd like to amend my post's earlier of any angry vibes people got from them, I wasn't really going for the whole anger thing. I just believe that if someone is to be human, they will make mistakes, but they can only learn from those mistakes, if the mistakes are brought to light. Just because we are human, doesn't mean it should be an excuse not to try and improve ourselves, to be a better class of human.
_________________ I keels u with my axe!
"Do ye know where the Holy-Flamin' Frost-brand Gronk-slayin' Vorpal Hammer o' woundin' an' returnin' an' Shootin'-Lightnin'-out-yer-bum is?"
I forgive ya. Some of your self-criticism is true, you can be a jerk sometimes. Having said that, I don't think anyone here doubts that you have anything but the players best interests at heart - even if you're not PERFECT at what is a difficult and often thankless job.
_________________ Born to a [wealth level] family, you spent your early years doing [early activity] in [town type]. Your father was [father status], while your mother was [mother status]. You left your homeland at the age of [chosen age], seeking [reason for leaving].
Here's another one. What can I do differently, (aside from have a consistent DM schedule)?
The one thing I would like to see from the DM team, is to have random, mini events, nothing big though. small things like maybe an orc patrol, a drow patrol through the hollow caverns and so on. small things that can add or lead up to big things.
Here's another one. What can I do differently, (aside from have a consistent DM schedule)?
The one thing I would like to see from the DM team, is to have random, mini events, nothing big though. small things like maybe an orc patrol, a drow patrol through the hollow caverns and so on. small things that can add or lead up to big things.
This would be awesome. Or the old lady at the Bomb Shop would come carrying a bag, and Sakon the Thief would steal it!
Joined: 13 Aug 2005 Location: Oregon ('OR-ə-gən') [-8 GMT]
herkles wrote:
Leggomi Eggolas wrote:
Here's another one. What can I do differently, (aside from have a consistent DM schedule)?
The one thing I would like to see from the DM team, is to have random, mini events, nothing big though. small things like maybe an orc patrol, a drow patrol through the hollow caverns and so on. small things that can add or lead up to big things.
I actually do have enough time to do things like this, but I was concerned that I should be spending that time working on conclusions. I guess If I get an idea, I'll try to run with it?
_________________ Those trees won't burn themselves down. (by Maryn)
Here's another one. What can I do differently, (aside from have a consistent DM schedule)?
Quit mathematics. Can't be good for you.
Do More evil stuff!(TM), that goes for all the DMs.
Particularly Yoss.
I want my gods to be Petty And Cruel... In character of corse.
_________________ Dwagin [Duh-wa-GIN] N. - 1a. Small and cute thingum, particularly fond of four legged scaled creatures of the metalic and chromatic varieties.
The one thing I would like to see from the DM team, is to have random, mini events, nothing big though. small things like maybe an orc patrol, a drow patrol through the hollow caverns and so on. small things that can add or lead up to big things.
Sir Horace was great with these types of things. I cannot say I've ever witnessed one of these in years, except for perhaps the black caravan which eventually became a long ongoing thing.
Could just be bad timing on my part.
OH! Except the DM who sicked servants of Lloth on the Elvan band in the Abyss. There was that one.
_________________ Direct Connect spamming champion two years running.
"The pointer fingers are insured"
I actually do have enough time to do things like this, but I was concerned that I should be spending that time working on conclusions. I guess If I get an idea, I'll try to run with it?
they should have a conclusion but for the most part they are small enough to easily make one, for instance in protecting a merchant caravan mini quest it is concluded when the merchant gets to its destination. if it is something small the conclusion should come easily enough, ie an attack on a random patrol is over when the attacker is dead or gone.
The one thing I would like to see from the DM team, is to have random, mini events, nothing big though. small things like maybe an orc patrol, a drow patrol through the hollow caverns and so on. small things that can add or lead up to big things.
I agree greatly with this. It would add that element of unpredictability that would save Amia from becoming a static and boring server. In addition to all the epic, worldly events going on, if more DMs did this it would keep adventuring parties on their toes.
_________________ ~ Alexandria Do'Maetri, Champion of Tyr
~ Glam Snowfell, of mysticism and magery
You'd be surprised at how many of those end with a cleave through spawns and a run forward like it was just another spawn. It's a bit frustrating to try to work an idea for an event and the players don't take the bait, so to speak.
_________________ Davion Telemos - Monk of the Four Winds Korthan Isharnos - Dragon Shaman of Thunder Spirit Zamasham
You'd be surprised at how many of those end with a cleave through spawns and a run forward like it was just another spawn. It's a bit frustrating to try to work an idea for an event and the players don't take the bait, so to speak.
Maybe it's because players aren't used to those kinds of mini-events. I have never experienced such a thing, for example, and the knack of just rolling with an event as it pops up instead of planning ahead for three days and worrying my lip about timezone differences is new to me.
I think once you get the ball rolling, the "success rate" of these mini-quests will really increase. There will be disappointments, it's true, but though you may not enjoy it, I hope that being DMs for a time would have rendered you at least partially resistant to the sting factor from that?
_________________ ~ Alexandria Do'Maetri, Champion of Tyr
~ Glam Snowfell, of mysticism and magery
Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Location: ANU, behind the coffee mug (+10 GMT)
TormakSaber wrote:
You'd be surprised at how many of those end with a cleave through spawns and a run forward like it was just another spawn. It's a bit frustrating to try to work an idea for an event and the players don't take the bait, so to speak.
The big thing that got me in on one DM event was not a different type of spawn, but the spawned creature yelling away, running and shouting for his buddies. DM minievents are fun - I know if I see anything odd I stop my slaughter to look.
_________________ 2009's Second Most Overall Contributing Player
I also enjoy porting to dead people and, if the spawns are still standing around, having them gloat about finally taking down the adventurer for a change.
Poking at dead adventurers is fun! So is randomly possessing Npc's when no one expects it. Having players cut through the spawns you set up or run by the placeables can be disheartening though.
_________________ Chiania Windleaf-nervous druid/shifter who's happily in love and married to her Seabird, with three "cubs". Darby Mirth-troubled half-elf with an interest in the sea. Kaci- short...moody... faithful of Lord Firemane.
Actually, those random mini quests are pretty much all I do, aside from city/NPC management. Granted, I don't do a whole lot of them, because I don't DM nearly as much as I should in the first place.
If I spot a party RPing during a hunt, and I have something handy in mind that doesn't require me to create several new NPCs, monsters and items on the fly (because that takes time, at least for me), I'm actually pretty likely to do something. I've experiened everything from simply running through the spawns with no reaction to getting into RP that goes on for much longer than I had ever intended. I've even had to (indirectly) tell the players that, sorry, I have no greater plan here and I need to log off soon. It's a bit of a drag, but on the other hand, it shows how much the players crave for interaction like that and at least I managed to give them some of it.
I'm pretty bad when it comes to running events, though. I usually have a reasonably impromptu idea, but if I don't get a chance to run in that session, I probably ditch it and can't come up with anything else on the spot. I'll try to work on that, when I get more time to DM.
_________________
On Joon, Kjetta wrote:
The guy that probably has sexual fantasies about masturbation. I mean, Iron, you're a bookworm nerd that even in your wildest escapism fantasies flee to the internet to play the role of another bookworm nerd? Come on!
The thing with mini-events is that no one will ever get -used- to them. With the large amount of people that play on this server, if a DM was to do one of these daily at different times of day, any one person would be incredibly lucky to have been involved in 2 within a 6 month span.
Unless of course DMs are playing favorites with certain people, in which case, refer to Dwagin
_________________ Direct Connect spamming champion two years running.
"The pointer fingers are insured"
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