AMIA ARCHIVE • View topic - rantrantrant

No, not another dice vs. RP conversation..or even anything to do with the mechanics at all. No, this is a far simpler question: ..what happened to simple social interaction?

The scenario is fairly simple. You meet someone, conversation begins and my character will introduce himself. It would seem to me that it is the proper thing to do when making a new acquaintance. A disturbingly common reaction though seems to be to respond with "ok." or "alright." "sure." etc. Often it seems more as though I shook their hand and said "I fondle sheep."

On a character of mine who has recently started I noticed this bizarre phenomenon and started keeping actual count. Out of 31 people he's had any real interaction with - actual RP, not nodding to someone when you pass - 16 of them have seemed utterly at a loss to how that social exchange flows. "Hi. I'm Tom." "Well met, tom. I'm dan" etc etc. "Hi. I'm tom." "Er. Okay."

As well, from a what-if-this-were-in-real-life perspective, I'm amazed how often two adventurers will meet in the field and "join forces" ..and the other party never thinks to ask who it is they are trusting their life and safety to (about 40% of the time.) I can't help but think that if I were to be going out into the dangerous wilds with an armed stranger where death was a real possibility, I'd at least ask the stranger's name - if for no other reason than to be able to get his attention suddenly when something nasty is creeping up behind him/her... or to get his attention when something nasty is about to glomp me.

bwarg. /end rant.

Yeah, I noticed that myself. It leads to some rather odd conversations after sometimes when all you get is OOC stuff after joining a party to get some XP. Yeah, we all use the widget sometimes and it sorta forces a metagaming moment when you fun half way across the world to meet people just to party, but it's kinda silly when there's no RP after you arrive to get you in the party (even cheesy lets get you in the party an get back to XP). Honestly though, my main character pretty much ignores people in Cordor unless they approach her, believing that the water there leads to the rotting of people's brains.

I blame texting.. >_>

*coughcough*

Anyway, I haven't run into this yet but I'm still in Cordor mostly mucking about the sewers before venturing outside the city. The few people I've meet have been cordial and I've even had offers of help when we got lost. (And thanks to those of you who were patient, getting re-familiar with the crappy NWN keybinds and controls is being a pain... which is why sometimes I'll suddenly veer off due to a stupid misclick or keypress...>_<)

At least they didn't say 'k'

*leans against the wall, smoking a dark wooden pipe, possibly ironwood, and gives a peircing glance toward brooks*

"what say you join me and mine, and put that shiny axe of yours there to good use eh?"

but yea, no, there is no problem. just takes long to type and most are too impatient to wait five seconds for a reply. so naturally you put a *nods* or *acknowledges -blank- as he walks by in a hurry*

I remember darthion though spweing paragraph after paragraph of text at you, I swear he used commands and had it pre-written though. no WAY can you type that fast.

also you have to remember, half the people on the island want to kill you out of spite or "good", *nod* is generally a safe social action as compare to speaking to each and every person you see.

ed: also in cordor if you want to be moving, *nod* is about the best idea, the amount of times i've been stuck by RP for maybe an hour when I was supposed to be catching up to a party is unreal.

Glyph wrote:

*leans against the wall, smoking a dark wooden pipe, possibly ironwood, and gives a peircing glance toward brooks*

"what say you join me and mine, and put that shiny axe of yours there to good use eh?"

but yea, no, there is no problem. just takes long to type and most are too impatient to wait five seconds for a reply. so naturally you put a *nods* or *acknowledges -blank- as he walks by in a hurry*

I remember darthion though spweing paragraph after paragraph of text at you, I swear he used commands and had it pre-written though. no WAY can you type that fast.

also you have to remember, half the people on the island want to kill you out of spite or "good", *nod* is generally a safe social action as compare to speaking to each and every person you see.

ed: also in cordor if you want to be moving, *nod* is about the best idea, the amount of times i've been stuck by RP for maybe an hour when I was supposed to be catching up to a party is unreal.

I specifically said NOT that

brooksthegreat wrote:

Out of 31 people he's had any real interaction with - actual RP, not nodding to someone when you pass - 16 of them have seemed utterly at a loss to how that social exchange

And "there is no problem" is not an appropriate response in any way shape or form, unless you're saying a) It's like that but its fine or b) It's not like that and I'm calling the actual numbers you started taking false because I have data proving so.

As well, I've had a number of occasions in which someone will go "okay bye." and use invis as an exit to a conversation.. Which would in reality make anyone draw a weapon and keep their guard up for want of knowing what on earth they were about to do next. Or just as absurdly "Ok bye! *RUNS OFF AT FULL SPEED BEFORE ANYONE CAN RESPOND*"

It's uncanny.

I bow my head and nod and say fare well when I leave in most cases, and I play an evil character. if you want more than that go join the triadic.

(infact ignore that, ima go play now and stop getting bugged out by the forums as usual =) calm calm...)

Typically, when RPing and we do the name exchange thing, I've noticed it's not uncommon for people to simply forget - and half way through and adventure they'll be like:

"Forgive my manners! I am Flaflaflaflah of the Flahflah Tribe, sacred bellyscrubber of the Flahbeast of Flahnders"

At this point, yes, I am at a loss for what my character is supposed to say. I mean there's only so many times you can say:

"Yes, I know. You told me before we got here... I'm absolutely 100% certain I told you that my name is ShhhhshshSsssssssh of the Whitenoise Bunch". before you lose the will to live. Before I lose the will to live, anyway.

Glyph wrote:

I bow my head and nod and say fare well when I leave in most cases, and I play an evil character. if you want more than that go join the triadic.

..this has nothing to do with anything I've said whatsoever, and I have no idea what on earth you're talking about with the alignment based argument which has no grounds in the topic at hand.

rants go in off topic, i've said my peice.

also "well met" is a faerunian thing, its the equivilent of hello.

i really have no idea what you want from us here, ima leave now.

I blame the floaty names and the conversation buffer.

Also, the bizarre names people pick out for their characters which promptly get shortened to three/four letters or never get used.

'If you think the Triad is all happy-cuddly-chit-chatters through-and-through, Glyph, you have a problem. Just because they're good, does not mean that they will always give you a prolonged farewell, or, for that matter, does not mean that they are polite. I have a Helmite that is a member of the Triad.
Brooks, while your data is acknowledgable, I sincerely doubt that, on average, 16/31 of the people talked to on Amia are socially awkward and/or play socially awkward characters. I don't doubt that -that night- you counted and that 16/31 players you talked to -that night- were like that, but, chances are most people are not like that. I don't exactly play very social characters, but when I did play my party-guy sorceror, the probability of finding someone that just said "Hi... Bye." was low.

[/end rant]

Edit: [Short rant that really isn't a rant because it's short.]

Glyph wrote:

rants go in off topic, i've said my peice.

Explain to me why a rant about amia or nwn is off topic to a forum based around amia and nwn?

Glyph wrote:

well met is a faerunian thing...

Nuh-uh...
[/Short rant that really isn't a rant because it's short.]

I think it might be useful to note that there's a significant distinction to be made between rude players and rude characters. A rude character is something I will rarely have a problem with. If someone wants their character to have low social skills, that's perfectly fine by me (this is a game with a Charisma score after all, and that score will occasionally be lower than we'd prefer). But a rude *character* is one whose player goes out of his/her way to take the time to RP the character's rudeness. A rude *player* is one who can't be bothered to RP a character properly or plausibly. Any attempt at social interaction with these "roll players" just sort of slides off them like they're coated with RP teflon, so they can get back to the massively important business of clicking on hostiles to unlock their XP.

Lizzie wrote:

I think it might be useful to note that there's a significant distinction to be made between rude players and rude characters. A rude character is something I will rarely have a problem with. If someone wants their character to have low social skills, that's perfectly fine by me (this is a game with a Charisma score after all, and that score will occasionally be lower than we'd prefer). But a rude *character* is one whose player goes out of his/her way to take the time to RP the character's rudeness. A rude *player* is one who can't be bothered to RP a character properly or plausibly. Any attempt at social interaction with these "roll players" just sort of slides off them like they're coated with RP teflon, so they can get back to the massively important business of clicking on hostiles to unlock their XP.

QFE (Quoted For Emphasis.)

jafman30 wrote:

I don't exactly play very social characters, but when I did play my party-guy sorceror, the probability of finding someone that just said "Hi... Bye." was low.

Really? I encounter these people all the time. People who limit their IC interactions to the absolute minimum ("You're going hunting? I will come with you and trust you implicitly, complete stranger!"), people who refuse, under any circumstances, to RP during a hunt, people who chatter endlessly OOC in the /Party channel about their stats, people who say things as //ooc when the thing they said would have made perfect sense actually spoken by their characters IC. These people are everywhere, to such a degree that I''m actually relieved when I find myself in an adventuring party where they comprise the minority. A party where we they are actually not present at all would be a luxury that I dare not hope for.

Unfortunately, there will always be occasional influx of non-RPing players who don't care to learn or change with the RP nature of the server. Then there are those who learn and get converted! All you can really do (in addition to gritting your teeth, etc.) is to set a good example to them, and if they are really out of hand, you might try to send a polite tell about server rules. ....or if it gets insane, of course screenie and report.

Er, when hunting, yes Lizzie, those people are EVERYWHERE. But when just roaming, I tend to find few. Of course, when hunting with those people, I either leave or force RP upon them.

Again, note that the IC social interactions between characters are limited by the characters' scope of social interaction.

For instance: If you say hi to Crunch, you're likely to get a blank stare, and if you're lucky, a "Tha feck ye want?"

I, personally, would leap on you, with a terrifically bright grin, and be all up in your business with the introductions. But, would he? Nah.

You also have to bear in mind that going into the "wilds" against "dangerous" beasts is something these adventurers do everyday. They're used to the concept. Having someone tag along in these adventures isn't exactly something new to them either. Eventually, this very concept can inhibit social interaction, unless your character is specifically made to -want- that social interaction.

davis114 wrote:

I, personally, would leap on you, with a terrifically bright grin, and be all up in your business with the introductions. But, would he? Nah.

that would be f*cking terrifying. I'm just SAYING.

I'm going to agree with the OP and say its about 40%. About 10% RP in battle.
RP in battle makes it more bearable to me because I hate just grinding and being dragged along.
In fact the player who plays Atlas whom I played with today is a great example of saying things IC that most say in party chat..down to tactics.

I have two characters I play.. one is very social and the other isn't..and she won't give her name out unless asked.

I understand where you are coming from Brooks. But you understand it is a Rp server, and the PC's you play with may not have ever had proper manners, whether they are slumdogs or royalty. Either that or the players behind them lack social interest with others and feel like killing mass amounts of random creatures with a complete stranger is normal.

Mayhaps they are trying to conceal their name. In that case it sparks some more with making or breaking your 'party'.

Glyph wrote:

also "well met" is a faerunian thing, its the equivilent of hello.

It's also a Greyhawk thing, and a Krynn thing.
I won't mention Eberron though, because they probably say g'day or some such nonsense.
Don't feel bad dude, you ever just stop and try talking to someone in (enter any big city name here)?
They would most likely just stare at you or walk away, or worse.

The most likely place that you'll find people willing to roleplay while you hunt with them are in the lowbie levels. I think it gets bred out of them not too long after as they focus on killing the enemy rather than continuing a conversation. I think it's a shame, really.

I think that it's the same with those people who don't respond in the appropriate manner in IC conversations. They need to be bred out of the habit of responding to a name with an "Eh, okay," and respond with a "It's nice to meet you, sir/madam," with the added ", my name is _____" if so wanted. It's not so helpful if people just ignore them and continue to chat with other people rather than tending to the problem.

Fix it by just taking how people react to you ICly....ICly.

"What kind of a half-assed response is that?"

"Well..um..okay someone isn't terribly social..."

"Are you mentally deficient?"

"Am I keeping you from something important?"

"OH! Not going to tell me your name eh, You a spy? I bet you are! hey everyone, this guy's a spy!" *point*

" Hard of hearing? A bastard says what?"

"Apparently you have better things to do than introduce yourself. Understood. be on your way good sir."

"Did I stutter?"

" What did you say your name was? Sorry, I saw a squirrell"

Lally wrote:

Fix it by just taking how people react to you ICly....ICly.

"What kind of a half-assed response is that?"

"Well..um..okay someone isn't terribly social..."

"Are you mentally deficient?"

"Am I keeping you from something important?"

"OH! Not going to tell me your name eh, You a spy? I bet you are! hey everyone, this guy's a spy!" *point*

" Hard of hearing? A bastard says what?"

"Apparently you have better things to do than introduce yourself. Understood. be on your way good sir."

"Did I stutter?"

" What did you say your name was? Sorry, I saw a squirrell"

about 50% most people would claim as a reason to PVP you in amia forest ; )

corypx wrote:

about 50% most people would claim as a reason to PVP you in amia forest ; )

Trust him he spends all his time there.

Lally wrote:

Fix it by just taking how people react to you ICly....ICly.

"What kind of a half-assed response is that?"

"Well..um..okay someone isn't terribly social..."

"Are you mentally deficient?"

"Am I keeping you from something important?"

"OH! Not going to tell me your name eh, You a spy? I bet you are! hey everyone, this guy's a spy!" *point*

" Hard of hearing? A bastard says what?"

"Apparently you have better things to do than introduce yourself. Understood. be on your way good sir."

"Did I stutter?"

" What did you say your name was? Sorry, I saw a squirrell"

Actually, that's been something of a running gag among the group, and the way we've been playing it off.

Awesome.

As the best RPer on Amia. L2RP.

The Peacock wrote:

As the best RPer on Amia. L2RP.

Ah. yes. I didn't know how to role play. Word, that totally explains it. Thanks for clearing that up!

Is k.

I missed the ... thread. you wanna know what it means? it means ..., it means, I'm looking at you deciding if I should carve your head off or continue surveying the situation, it means, ...

rants, off topic, that way ^---

also yes if you call someone mentally deficiant, in cordor infact, expect some sort of responce, as for the point of this topic, I think i'll take another read, and just stick to what I do best, i'm not writing a steve king novel for you i'm roleplaying.

Want to spark RP in your hunting trips?

Have your Tank built warrior stop right after a spawn and go "Wait here, have to drain the sea-elf".

It worked for me. :lol:

Gravemaskin wrote:

Want to spark RP in your hunting trips?

Have your Tank built warrior stop right after a spawn and go "Wait here, have to drain the sea-elf".

It worked for me. :lol:

<_< boys.

Lally wrote:

" Hard of hearing? A bastard says what?"

SLICE!

Ya knoooow, i posted a million responses and you guys alllways focus on the negative. Sheesh.

*farts rainbows*

Its a double rainbow!

MY FIRST FAN ART!!!!!

rantrantrant - social skills

Who is online