My 15th Year Alliance-Nero Anniversary
That’s right, I have come to the realization that I am old…hehe. A short 15 years ago, not long before my 15th birthday, my brother and I stumbled upon some chuckleheads dressed up at the park hitting each other with PVC/foam weapons and said “this is the game for us.” We have been playing ever since. Who knew that the years to come would bring me to meet my husband, give me some of my closest friends and grandest moments, and even provide me a couple of turns on plot (both Seattle and Oregon and being the PR rep (Seattle). I have in turn learned a great deal in this time, things that have proven true for me anyway, and was hoping to share them with you. These are realizations or experiences that I had along the way that I feel have made my game and friendships stronger and kept me having fun and coming back all these years. Who knows, maybe some of them are things you do too or might help you along the way.
1) I made a decision very early on that I would never make a character (PC on NPC) that shared all my ideals and opinions. I feel that this was probably the best decision I have made in those 15 years of gaming. In many ways it has allowed me to not only experience feelings, situations, and gambles I would have never experienced playing myself – it has also helped prevent me from walking away OOG with hard feelings when things did not go my characters way. Example: Slice (the person most of you are familiar). She was intentionally created with a few characters flaws/quirks that keep her distinct from me. She has an extreme since of confidence (she likes her ego). She will tell it like she sees it, with little emotional padding for those who engage her. She will go with her first instinct with determination, unless deviated by others. She has minimal belief in political hierarchy (this may surprise some of you who do not know her as well). These characteristics are ingrained in her creation, and were intended never to be changed. It is who she is. Her sense of family, ambition to follow things through, and refusal to go through life without laughter are all aspects I pull from myself.
2) I let my characters grow without a distinct OOG end goal. Beyond the characteristics described above, I let the world influence who they become. Trillian (Oregon NPC) is the perfect example of this. We created her base personality quirks, and then I let the world shape her ideals, passions, and skills. Slice came in as a thief with little care for anyone but her ‘brother’ with an intent to become rich and well…things changed. By creating a clear trajectory for a character (some NPC role excluded) I feel it is easy to come at odds with or forget to create your base character quirks, and eventually one finds themselves playing themslef with a new goal and environment(becoming the knight of the penguins in Castleville, etc). Now some people play the game for that exact goal, and that is not bad, it is just not why I play.
3) It is important to understand the type of character you play. It took me 3 years of playing Slice, and not having very many female friends at Nero, to realize some people thought Holly and Slice were the same person and secondarily they were afraid of me. I play an extreme, but the truth is, all character types give off impressions, and it is worth considering them. That said upon this realization, I have tried to make a point to engage new players OOG for both myself and my group, say hello and give them a heads up “hey IG we are kind scary, OOG we are pretty chill and cheery though, so never hesitate to say hello or ask a question.”
4) Know that your characters actions will set things in motion, even when you wish they didn’t. Know matter what kind of character you play, sometimes things just don’t turnout the way you planned….and the consequences are rough from time to time. Sometimes people don’t like the egotistical cat lady and hire people to permanently kill her (3 times, NPC and PC, 2 deaths on my card). Sometimes you destroy an evil death spire only to discover later it was a sanctuary for lost souls, sometimes you rob some poor dead shlub only to discover later he was a slumped over paralyzed knight (beheaded in town square, first death on my card), sometimes you learn your trusted source that told you the secret entrance to the evil lair was a liar and you walk your friends into a death trap. Things don’t go the way my characters thinks they will all the time and they might be a grouch about it, but Holly has learned to laugh. Damn…Slice got me into trouble again (benefit of not playing Me)
5) Play your character, but don't let your OOG fear of consequences limit your character. It may seem easy for me to say this because I play a high level-ego driven-loud mouthed character, but know that I was a ego driven-loud mouthed character from level 1. Anyone who has known my primary character 10 or more years knows Slice has mellowed out a lot, and I survived to do it. Now survival is not a guarantee, I have more deaths on my card than anyone on the West Coast, but the point is play the character, and if that means ruffling some feathers IG or taking a blow to the IG ego, that's ok. My experience has been that people are 95% talk and 5% action IG. Sure PVP happens, but only once in 15 years have I actually seen people kill the same PC multiple times to make the same point. And really, actual PVP deaths only happen once in a blue moon (like I said I have a PVP death on my card). Hell, Peter is still alive. OOG people are pretty cool, they know you are here to have fun too, so yes their are consequences to what you do IG...but if you want to play your character as an ego driven-loud mouthed character from level 1, do it. You might be surprised at where you land.
6) Costumes, accents, cabin and tavern decoration, great NPC costumes…they all add so much to the game. The longer I have played the more elaborate my gear has become. That said I did not start there. Slice started with bright orange make-up with circumfrencial black stripes that made me look like a pumpkin, a burnt orange long 70’s leather jacket and a pair of pirate pants by brother wore for Halloween when he was like 12. As you make friends with made skills, gather funds, become a thrift store pro…things get more awesome. Keep trying.
7) I find it helpful to mix it up a little. Some people make a second or third character, some people NPC, some people join plot. I have meddled in all three and find it helpful to see the game from different perspectives. I think my biggest perspective shift was when I joined plot. It was amazing to see how things were interpreted, what information was picked up and left behind, how different PCs thought. It also gave me a chance to get to know NPCs, PCs and characters I did not interact with much as a PC and created a lot of new friendships I did not have prior to that.
8) Never forget the hard work people put in to making a game for you. Sometimes an event/mod is over/under scaled, does not go your way or takes a turn you were not planning for. It is very easy to get frustrated by this OOG, spread negative energy to those around you, or dwell on that experience. Appropriately constructed feedback is very helpful, but do remember the plot and NPCs take a great deal of time, often spend their own money, and often really stress over making sure they deliver a great game. They are all creative volunteers who want to try new things, push new boundaries and give you new cool experiences – and sometimes their ideas don’t work. It happens. It stresses them out too – but nothing is gained by negative non-constructive feedback. It only makes them wonder why they bothered.
9) Remember what game you are playing. It sounds silly, but all games have different rule sets and expectations and within a game, different chapters may be even more sub-specialized rules/abilities. You will like some, you will hate some. But remember, you chose the game knowing the rules (I hope). I have seen a lot of people get very upset over the years because they did not like Alliance rules…and the desire to change things is great and appropriate…but I personally feel during an event is not the time. I am lazy and indifferent to most rules, so therefore I don’t complain much about rules and special features, but there are established ways to encourage change and game growth….and there are a lot of awesome folk who take their desires for change to the appropriate venue (the Alliance boards, Chapter heads, Mike V, etc) . Be those people.
10) Look out for each other OOG. Remind each other to eat and drink, take a breather, put on dry socks, sit out a fight when they are injured. Tell people if you are uncomfortable. Warn people in a friendly way when a fight is getting unsafe (obstacle, hard hit, too much adrenaline) and remember to take the kind word if someone gives you such a heads up.
Well, thanks for reading. Hopefully, it was at least an interesting trip through my psyche. 15 years….oh man.
That’s right, I have come to the realization that I am old…hehe. A short 15 years ago, not long before my 15th birthday, my brother and I stumbled upon some chuckleheads dressed up at the park hitting each other with PVC/foam weapons and said “this is the game for us.” We have been playing ever since. Who knew that the years to come would bring me to meet my husband, give me some of my closest friends and grandest moments, and even provide me a couple of turns on plot (both Seattle and Oregon and being the PR rep (Seattle). I have in turn learned a great deal in this time, things that have proven true for me anyway, and was hoping to share them with you. These are realizations or experiences that I had along the way that I feel have made my game and friendships stronger and kept me having fun and coming back all these years. Who knows, maybe some of them are things you do too or might help you along the way.
1) I made a decision very early on that I would never make a character (PC on NPC) that shared all my ideals and opinions. I feel that this was probably the best decision I have made in those 15 years of gaming. In many ways it has allowed me to not only experience feelings, situations, and gambles I would have never experienced playing myself – it has also helped prevent me from walking away OOG with hard feelings when things did not go my characters way. Example: Slice (the person most of you are familiar). She was intentionally created with a few characters flaws/quirks that keep her distinct from me. She has an extreme since of confidence (she likes her ego). She will tell it like she sees it, with little emotional padding for those who engage her. She will go with her first instinct with determination, unless deviated by others. She has minimal belief in political hierarchy (this may surprise some of you who do not know her as well). These characteristics are ingrained in her creation, and were intended never to be changed. It is who she is. Her sense of family, ambition to follow things through, and refusal to go through life without laughter are all aspects I pull from myself.
2) I let my characters grow without a distinct OOG end goal. Beyond the characteristics described above, I let the world influence who they become. Trillian (Oregon NPC) is the perfect example of this. We created her base personality quirks, and then I let the world shape her ideals, passions, and skills. Slice came in as a thief with little care for anyone but her ‘brother’ with an intent to become rich and well…things changed. By creating a clear trajectory for a character (some NPC role excluded) I feel it is easy to come at odds with or forget to create your base character quirks, and eventually one finds themselves playing themslef with a new goal and environment(becoming the knight of the penguins in Castleville, etc). Now some people play the game for that exact goal, and that is not bad, it is just not why I play.
3) It is important to understand the type of character you play. It took me 3 years of playing Slice, and not having very many female friends at Nero, to realize some people thought Holly and Slice were the same person and secondarily they were afraid of me. I play an extreme, but the truth is, all character types give off impressions, and it is worth considering them. That said upon this realization, I have tried to make a point to engage new players OOG for both myself and my group, say hello and give them a heads up “hey IG we are kind scary, OOG we are pretty chill and cheery though, so never hesitate to say hello or ask a question.”
4) Know that your characters actions will set things in motion, even when you wish they didn’t. Know matter what kind of character you play, sometimes things just don’t turnout the way you planned….and the consequences are rough from time to time. Sometimes people don’t like the egotistical cat lady and hire people to permanently kill her (3 times, NPC and PC, 2 deaths on my card). Sometimes you destroy an evil death spire only to discover later it was a sanctuary for lost souls, sometimes you rob some poor dead shlub only to discover later he was a slumped over paralyzed knight (beheaded in town square, first death on my card), sometimes you learn your trusted source that told you the secret entrance to the evil lair was a liar and you walk your friends into a death trap. Things don’t go the way my characters thinks they will all the time and they might be a grouch about it, but Holly has learned to laugh. Damn…Slice got me into trouble again (benefit of not playing Me)
5) Play your character, but don't let your OOG fear of consequences limit your character. It may seem easy for me to say this because I play a high level-ego driven-loud mouthed character, but know that I was a ego driven-loud mouthed character from level 1. Anyone who has known my primary character 10 or more years knows Slice has mellowed out a lot, and I survived to do it. Now survival is not a guarantee, I have more deaths on my card than anyone on the West Coast, but the point is play the character, and if that means ruffling some feathers IG or taking a blow to the IG ego, that's ok. My experience has been that people are 95% talk and 5% action IG. Sure PVP happens, but only once in 15 years have I actually seen people kill the same PC multiple times to make the same point. And really, actual PVP deaths only happen once in a blue moon (like I said I have a PVP death on my card). Hell, Peter is still alive. OOG people are pretty cool, they know you are here to have fun too, so yes their are consequences to what you do IG...but if you want to play your character as an ego driven-loud mouthed character from level 1, do it. You might be surprised at where you land.
6) Costumes, accents, cabin and tavern decoration, great NPC costumes…they all add so much to the game. The longer I have played the more elaborate my gear has become. That said I did not start there. Slice started with bright orange make-up with circumfrencial black stripes that made me look like a pumpkin, a burnt orange long 70’s leather jacket and a pair of pirate pants by brother wore for Halloween when he was like 12. As you make friends with made skills, gather funds, become a thrift store pro…things get more awesome. Keep trying.
7) I find it helpful to mix it up a little. Some people make a second or third character, some people NPC, some people join plot. I have meddled in all three and find it helpful to see the game from different perspectives. I think my biggest perspective shift was when I joined plot. It was amazing to see how things were interpreted, what information was picked up and left behind, how different PCs thought. It also gave me a chance to get to know NPCs, PCs and characters I did not interact with much as a PC and created a lot of new friendships I did not have prior to that.
8) Never forget the hard work people put in to making a game for you. Sometimes an event/mod is over/under scaled, does not go your way or takes a turn you were not planning for. It is very easy to get frustrated by this OOG, spread negative energy to those around you, or dwell on that experience. Appropriately constructed feedback is very helpful, but do remember the plot and NPCs take a great deal of time, often spend their own money, and often really stress over making sure they deliver a great game. They are all creative volunteers who want to try new things, push new boundaries and give you new cool experiences – and sometimes their ideas don’t work. It happens. It stresses them out too – but nothing is gained by negative non-constructive feedback. It only makes them wonder why they bothered.
9) Remember what game you are playing. It sounds silly, but all games have different rule sets and expectations and within a game, different chapters may be even more sub-specialized rules/abilities. You will like some, you will hate some. But remember, you chose the game knowing the rules (I hope). I have seen a lot of people get very upset over the years because they did not like Alliance rules…and the desire to change things is great and appropriate…but I personally feel during an event is not the time. I am lazy and indifferent to most rules, so therefore I don’t complain much about rules and special features, but there are established ways to encourage change and game growth….and there are a lot of awesome folk who take their desires for change to the appropriate venue (the Alliance boards, Chapter heads, Mike V, etc) . Be those people.
10) Look out for each other OOG. Remind each other to eat and drink, take a breather, put on dry socks, sit out a fight when they are injured. Tell people if you are uncomfortable. Warn people in a friendly way when a fight is getting unsafe (obstacle, hard hit, too much adrenaline) and remember to take the kind word if someone gives you such a heads up.
Well, thanks for reading. Hopefully, it was at least an interesting trip through my psyche. 15 years….oh man.