The importance of character stories...

[Drake]

It seems to me that people put too much weight on a character's story. I'm not just talking about a basic character history... Those are relatively easy, four or five paragraphs pointing out the major points of a character's life. What I'm talking about are the stories, multi-chapter extravaganzas written out less like a history and more like a novel.

Now this is fine, for people who like to write stories. But writing stories and role-playing are two entirely separate, thought related, things. But it seems like some people seem to assume, perhaps even demand, that every other 'Good Role-Player' (or everyone who wishes to join Faction X or fly Ship X) will write these long complex semi-novels.

I ask you now: Why?

I mean, some people enjoy writing fiction, and most people playing on the RP server should enjoy role-playing. But while we should expect that people on the RP server enjoy their RP, and demand some level of RP from everyone (whether they like it or not... if they don't, they really shouldn't be on this server), stories are entirely different. Writing stories and role-playing with other people are not the same thing. Most writers do not role-play, and many role-players do not enjoy writing (play-by-chat RP is not writing, and while play-by-post RP is similar, you're still interacting with others, not just writing a story of your own).

Now, I agree that certain things should require some form of explanation in the form of a backstory, such as unusual ships/loadouts/whatever, but anything which can be explained can be explained in a few paragraphs of background. Just because someone enjoys writing and comes up with a great(?) three-chapter story, why should they be treated any differently than those who might not be so long-winded, but have a basic story which explains their character?

For that matter, assuming someone isn't flying/shooting anything restricted/huge (like a cruiser or battleship), what's wrong with a freelancer/mercenary/unaligned trader/whatever who led a very normal life, inherited his/her ship, and leaves all the interesting bits to whatever RP events may happen now that they're a part of the game?

Disclaimer: All just personal opinions, based on general impressions I've gotten from the forum, not directed at anyone or any faction in particular.

Opinions? Thoughts? Flames?

[kingvaillant]

Indeed, some players tend to judge others just because they don't really go on forums alot, but still do a big chunk of nice RP in-game

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Director of the Liberty Security Force: Fidelity, Bravery and Integrity

The Amundsen Zone-21 Restrictions

[Horon]

I'll be honest, I have the creativity of a piece of toilet paper. I have tried writing a story, and if it ever found its way to the internet, I would really have to commit suicide...

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While being quite funny, your sig was the biggest one i've ever seen so far. No more than 700x250 please. ~utrack
http://pastebin.com/SYQXBufs

[Magoo!]

...Most writers do not role-play...

*glare* I beg difference, although I suppose you could argue the definition of "most".

Anyways, the only real story I've written was for a now deleted character *glare at admins* which somehow didn't get frozen during bannage. Or they deleted him just to be -filter- mean people. I had two characters on that account related to my 51 page bio, a third one was made and waiting to be introduced. But oh well...

I get off topic alot. Right... Umm... So anyways, I write for kicks. AND *cough, hack, nudge, wink* RP in the process. Lyca? He RP'd like a delusional psyco and incidentally was written as one. Oh, and I'm sure Zapp will love to read this one too... He's like me... Only nicer and slightly more obnoxious.

[John Keel]

Interesting point. Someone with a long, detailed and well written backstory is more likely to be seen as a competent roleplayer than one who's got little to show in terms of fleshy backstory. But like you say, that isn't to say they aren't good roleplayers, just that they don't like writing that much.

I think to be a good roleplayer you need to be able to lay at least a groundstory, but also have the imagination to carry it through into the Disco universe and evolve your character and his story through your actions out there. What's the point in creating a brilliant backstory just to have some character that's doing missions for the Kusari Police when he's a patriotic Bretonian or something? I think the key is to incorporate both good roleplay on the forums and ingame.

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A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin.
~H. L. Mencken

Levi Ripley // [Civilian]

[Zapp]

...Most writers do not role-play...

I am offended! Nah, I know I'm in the 'few' that you said there... I write because I thoroughly enjoy it, and it's sort of therapy for me, and I'm good at it. I expect(ed) to see at least minimal effort put into a biography for all BLS applications, explaining where they're coming from, but I must agree: if not explaining something out of the norm, such as a Terrorist ID, otherwise ooRP guns/ship, or anything else, it's not exactly necessary.

I just love writing. NOW READ MA STORIES!:D

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[MB52]

Personally I think a background/story is less for the person writing it, and more for everyone else they will interact with. It does help to learn something of background... who the character is, what they do.. etc...

Lots of times I see a ship and am curious who they are exactly to be disappointed when there is no story, no background, not even a short bio...

Even if you don't write down the background for all to see, its nice to at least have it, incase say someone asks your name.. etc...

One of my peeves.. is capships with OORP names and no captains..... just a ship with an odd name floating around killing people.

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I’ll carry this flag
To the grave if I must
Because it’s flag that I love
And a flag that I trust

[Drake]

One of my peeves.. is capships with OORP names and no captains..... just a ship with an odd name floating around killing people.

That is true. The only major story I wrote for any of my characters was the one for Xavier Hackworth and the Daedalus (my only ship larger than a gunboat). A shame he got deleted before I really got the chance to play him.

I'm not that big on writing up long stories myself, but even for a more mundane character, I always know his background in my head... Though often I come up with new elements to his background as I RP the character more. I like things to come out in-play.

And as for the 'most writers don't role-play' comment... Well, most being more than 50% of published writers. ;) Though some of my favorites (Steven Erikson, Jim Butcher, etc.) do actually, or have in the past.

[n00bl3t]

There is too much emphasis on forum stories. Look at it. If someone buys a cap without a forum story just watch the flak they receive.

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Anything I say is not intended as offensive, and to try and deliberately misinterpret it as such would be an attempt at trolling via misrepresentation.

It's not a conspiracy, it's localised bias. They're not intelligent enough to form a conspiracy.

[Zapp]

There is too much emphasis on forum stories. Look at it. If someone buys a cap without a forum story just watch the flak they receive.

One of my peeves.. is capships with OORP names and no captains..... just a ship with an odd name floating around killing people.

There's your answer why there's too much emphasis on it.

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