a nation of creation |
december 2024 newsletter
love
When you take a look into the sky, and you see the stars what do imagine the constellations think about the universe around them? Do they love like we do? I would believe the love of stars to be rather powerful; it makes you wonder. What if the stars and the constellations and the universe loved us? Would we love it back?
Love exists in so many forms romantic or platonic, it is strong and ethereal. Love makes us raise our hand to help, it volunteers our hearts to those around us; just like the stars in the sky, shines brightest in the dark. Love for our friends, love for our family, our partners, our pets. Love for our creations and our work, love for our characters and the stories we weave for them. Love for the process and the effort, for the late nights and early mornings.
Love for love.
For Reader's Discussion:
"N-not like I wanted your... your opinions, b-baka!" - Staff-chan (2024)
Love exists in so many forms romantic or platonic, it is strong and ethereal. Love makes us raise our hand to help, it volunteers our hearts to those around us; just like the stars in the sky, shines brightest in the dark. Love for our friends, love for our family, our partners, our pets. Love for our creations and our work, love for our characters and the stories we weave for them. Love for the process and the effort, for the late nights and early mornings.
Love for love.
"N-not like I wanted your... your opinions, b-baka!" - Staff-chan (2024)
What are your favorite romantic and platonic pairings in roleplay? What makes them interesting?
housekeeping
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β’ To see the specific guidelines updates, check out our Patch Notes for more details.
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guideline highlight
Recruitment information for roleplays, even those happening off-site, must be hosted on RpNation. Off-site contact information should only be shared in your profile identities, PMs, or the Off-site Ads. Discord servers can be linked from OOC threads or PMs for OOC purposes, but off-site roleplay links must be posted within Off-site Ads. RpNation does not moderate content outside of its webspace, so users should exercise caution when going offsite for roleplays. Please refer to the Offsite rule to learn what is and is not allowed when posting offsite links.
While RpNation is not responsible for what happens off our site, we can control who or what is advertised on our site. All of our Community Guidelines apply when making recruitment posts.
For example, users may not make an off-site recruitment post for any of the following (or any other rule-breaking behavior):
- Bypassing Community Guidelines
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roleplay of the month
For readers who are new to "πππππ πππππ", could you provide a brief synopsis of the storyline?
What inspired the creation of Rogue Waves and what are its primary themes and concepts?
Since the roleplay is divided into chapters, how do you approach each storyline and bring it to a conclusion? What techniques do you use to tie everything together?
How do you drive character arcs forward? Are they intertwined across chapters, or does each chapter serve as a new beginning?
Could you share a particularly memorable moment or highlight from "πππππ πππππ"?
Have you encountered any unexpected twists or outcomes in the roleplay that surprised you or the players? If so, how did you adapt to those developments?
Are participants aware of possible character death in the roleplay? How did you handle the difficulty of navigating this situation?
Once the character death occurs, are they allowed to re-join the game within a new concept or perhaps with some meddling, something for the future? Or, it's one and done?
When did you first start roleplaying, and how long have you been writing?
What was your first experience roleplaying like, and how does it compare to the way you approach it now?
How did you initially learn the ropes of roleplaying, and what tips would you share with newcomers who might feel a bit intimidated?
Do you have a favorite roleplaying experience that stands out in your memory? And, of all the roleplays youβve been a part of, which one holds a special place in your heart?
Would you like to give a shout-out to your players, friends, etc.? If so, please feel free to tag them here for us!
roxybirdie
The way you write character reactions and expressions is so polished, and I have always admired (ahem, envied) how you manage to portray these. We have written intermittently over the years together and it is very nice to now have a platform where we can yap often.
AnimeGenork
our treasured archivist, I believe all of Rogue Waves is grateful for the unpaid work you do for us. On the days when I feel I do not have enough energy to tend to Rogue Waves, I always know that you are present and frolicking about, and it encourages me a lot. I am lucky to have someone who is actively present. Sorry for making your character kill someone (#oopsie).
Nifty
I truly enjoy the familiarity of encountering someone from my own country, it is nice to share that connection. Seeing how Dolores was such a new personality for you to explore and seeing how you handled this challenge in a way that looks so natural and easy, it is undeniable that you have amazing range in your writing. It has been (and will continue to be) a delight to plot and write with you.
escapist
the creator of our favorite old man. There are not many written works that have made me physically react, but Maltke always makes me giggle. I had reservations that coming into Rogue Waves with an older character may be difficult, but you consistently serve posts with activity and such perfect characterization.
sollie
the creator of my favorite murderous woman and the delectable Miss switzerland. All of us are really glad to have you return to Rogue Waves, and whenever I read your posts I always feel inspired to write something. A beautiful wordsmith with a gawjus personality, I am very glad to meet and share this creative space with you.
picklemouse
I thought I knew most people on RPN, but you were an unexpected surprise. It is almost unfathomable how consistently kind you are, and there is always a sweet compliment or extension of support when you speak with others. I love you and your little freak berry-loving woman, and I am greatly looking forward to your future character.
ComplexDragon
it is always exciting seeing a familiar name post an application for Rogue Waves. Your personality has such a good energy to it, and I feel this roleplay has been a great opportunity not only to write together, but to spend time together ooc as well. Your character Tallulah is a dreamboat and we are lucky to have both of you.
The summary of Rogue Waves is so painfully simple that I may have to fluff it up with pulchritudinous wording to make it sound meatier than it actually is.
The storyline follows the guests, crew, and stowaways of The Leviathan, a royal vessel partaking on its maiden voyage across the realm of Solas. With a cast composed of different social classes, histories, skill-sets, personalities and most importantly motives, we get to explore the bonds and conflicts that emerge from the junction of such a diverse gathering.
The story is a combination of both light-hearted and serious themes, some low-level fantasy, found-family, choice-based gameplay and morality, played through a mix of sandbox opportunities, solo-writing prompts, and structured story chapters. While there isnβt an overarching plotline to drive the narrative forward outside of fulfilling obligations on behalf of the crown (for now), players are able to carve out their own scenes while still partaking in structured sequences.
What inspired the creation of Rogue Waves and what are its primary themes and concepts?
This is embarrassing but RW was created as my final attempt at writing with groups. I do wish I had better inspiration and maybe some grand epiphany other than βdejectionβ to make this answer sound cute, but truthfully it was just having witnessed the start and immediate end of many roleplays.
What brought the conception of RW was procrastinating exams, and on a whim I decided to try GMing for the first time and picked a high-seas theme. Every location was given a central conflict, and some of these reflect societal issues that are very real and very familiar. Wealth disparity, prejudice, cult manipulation, academic expectation, patriarchy, resource inequality, abuse by the crown, destruction of the environment, marginalization; itβs gritty subjects that many people are subject to on a daily basis, either directly or indirectly.
But the primary theme of Rogue Waves is character development and relationships, and seeing how these evolve (or devolve) when put into different environments and soon to be some moral dilemmas. World-building is a huge weakness of mine, and Rogue Waves is a skeleton of a concept that only becomes substantial through its cast. The writers are the ones who bring interesting characters and dynamics and make the roleplay have actual depth.
Since the roleplay is divided into chapters, how do you approach each storyline and bring it to a conclusion? What techniques do you use to tie everything together?
My approach to more story-oriented chapters is segmenting into digestible pieces.
I provide the context to the lead-up of the chapter, a basic overview of what the chapter will entail at each part so that writers understand the layout and what they may have to prepare for, and momentum is kept by scheduling when each segment will arrive.
Although a story chapter may draw to a close, characters will be taking that experience with them to new locations and to new conflicts, and what they have been subject to will very likely impact their decisions and relationships with others.
I take on the role of planning out story-oriented chapters well in advance (as an example, our current chapter began in October and it had been planned from sometime in July), as well as introducing and concluding them. It's a bit like assembling a burger: I lay down the foundation with context and guides to what to do (the bottom bun), and then I leave writers to fill in the middle. When the time comes there will be a conclusion (the top bun).
Organisation can only provide so much, and the real βtechniqueβ that ties everything together is the collaboration and involvement of the writers. Without their investment in the roleplay I would be sitting alone with burger buns just twiddling my thumbs. A lonely bun twiddler.
How do you drive character arcs forward? Are they intertwined across chapters, or does each chapter serve as a new beginning?
Many character arcs have already begun without much of my own meddling (ignoring the character who committed manslaughter, I may have meddled), and before the end of our first season we are seeing some changes in characters.
As the cast continues their travel to other locations, I am hoping to begin carving chapters based on character storylines and/or histories. One of my favorite pieces of writing advice is: If you do not know what to do next in a story, do the worst thing possible. (Ooo, foreshadowing). If any of my writers feel safe just remember that I'm out there.
As the cast will start to make decisions that affect not just themselves, but communities and the world itself, the aftermath of these may be permanent and present throughout future chapters. I think character arcs will be intertwined because charactersβ much like people, are constantly in a state of development. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. I do not believe these arcs will ever really finish, just fluctuate with their circumstances.
Could you share a particularly memorable moment or highlight from "πππππ πππππ"?
At the time of writing this, Rogue Waves is nearing the end of chapter three which is the season one finale. Majority of this season was tailored as a sandbox to interact and get some personal drama going on between characters, but chapter three was our very first story-oriented chapter. I had been stewing on this for months with the self-control of a peanut.
As very quick context, The Leviathan got caught in a storm and sustained damage to the freshwater supply. Dinghies of the cast went ashore to an unknown location with a simple objective of finding water. They located an inn to stay the night, yet things escalated in oddity when the innkeeper appeared to each of them and offered a cup of tea. Writers were given three choices: to drink, not to drink, or attack her.
Those that drank the tea were subject to physical and mental effects. Those that did not drink the tea were left unaffected, and those that chose to attack the innkeeper actually attacked one of the cast as assigned through the nefarious spin-wheel. The aftermath of their choices was not disclosed until the results arrived (one of these attacks resulting in a character death #Oopsie), and several writers have said this was a very memorable moment.
One writer mentioned in regards to the above, βreminds us that we can plan all we want but there are always surprisesβ.
When a time comes for Rogue Waves to be archived away, I just personally hope the experience and getting to write together is something memorable for them.
Have you encountered any unexpected twists or outcomes in the roleplay that surprised you or the players? If so, how did you adapt to those developments?
From a GM standpoint that knows what the chapters will entail, it is the writers themselves that always manage to surprise me. How they interpret solo writing prompts, their styles of writing, the evil schemes and ideas they have in mind for their characterβs fates and getting to see all the interesting connections theyβve built be revealed in-character, it all makes my experience equally unpredictable.
As part of some of our decision-making, we utilize a spin-wheel that has become quite an evil little tool. So far it has been used to allocate targets of attacks and recipients of injuries in chapter three, but it is sure to find more use in the future.
As mentioned earlier, there has been a character death in our current chapter. One of our writers left the roleplay and with their permission I chose to write out their character by having them perish. I mischievously selected a very passive characterβsomeone who was hesitant to explore their own personalityβto be the one to unintentionally cause the event. No one was made aware of this decision until the in-character post went up.
Twists have never been something negative that had to be mitigated, and adapting to these new developments has always been (I hope) with positive feelings and excitement.
Are participants aware of possible character death in the roleplay? How did you handle the difficulty of navigating this situation?
Participants are aware they can occur, but they are also aware that I will not have them happen without permission from the writer. Some players already have deaths (or potential ones) for their characters in mind, and I think theyβre waiting for the perfect time when that loss will become the most impactful.
As someone who feels attached to every character, one can imagine the distress this looming threat brings.
I could have revised the writerβs withdrawal with a simple βthe character departed from the ship at the next dockβ, but I decided to hail our season finale with some extra drama. Of course when writers leave it disrupts plots, but itβs a difficulty that can also pose as an opportunity.
Once the character death occurs, are they allowed to re-join the game within a new concept or perhaps with some meddling, something for the future? Or, it's one and done?
Absolutely they can. The travelling aspect of Rogue Waves makes the introduction (and departure) of characters very flexible and feasible. Majority of our writers do possess more than one character in Rogue Waves, so even collecting a little roster to write with is an option.
I am all for entertaining evil little schemes, so I love having writers come to me with ideas that make me want to retch and rip my hair out on the floor because theyβre so diabolical.
When did you first start roleplaying, and how long have you been writing?
I think it began at the age of seven on Roblox, then IMVU, and then a forum called Roleplay Eliteskills (rest in peace) before finding RPN at a later age. I am now a weary 23 but I took a considerable gap from creative writing from about 12 to 19 because I didn't really have a place for it.
Iβve never been good at organising thoughts into words which I can find frustrating. The luxury of roleplaying means I can take as much time as I need to when trying to express things or make them coherent, in comparison to conversations where I just spew recreational words in an incomprehensible manner.
What was your first experience roleplaying like, and how does it compare to the way you approach it now?
Well I now have all my adult teeth (Β΄ο½‘β’ Ο β’ｑ`) !
My early experiences with roleplaying are mostly positive. There is no better peak in life than the rapid fire one-liners while using your drow elf wolf-butterfly-shape-shifting shadow manipulation demon neko who is the daughter of lucifer.
I was young when I got into roleplaying and one can surmise the unsavory interactions this can attract. Although I found a friend my age to write with (and still occasionally do), I was very intimidated by all the talented novella writers that the website was filled with at the time. I wanted to replicate their length, and even now for very simple posts I notice I am quite long-winded when there is no need to be. I am still trying to unlearn this.
Iβd say I put more effort into writing now, but thatβs to be expected with the woes of maturity. At least now I do not have to lie about my age to be online.
How did you initially learn the ropes of roleplaying, and what tips would you share with newcomers who might feel a bit intimidated?
I will admit that when and where I first started forum writing, the layout of posts was far more simpler than what can be seen nowadays. Weβd slap a little anime picture in the corner (or the center if we wanted to get really wild), and bold or color some text. There was nothing wrong with this, but I can understand how the extra customization and complexity of codes could make new arrivals a little apprehensive.
With how things can vary per website, my advice would be to observe. Look through interest checks and applications to understand jargon and expectations, and then replicate. Whenever I have seen someone ask for clarification or help in some aspect, roleplayers tend to be very responsive.
My biggest tip to new (and existing) writers is to write what you want and write how you want it. It took me multiple long breaks from Rpn to give up this unwarranted anxiety that if I wrote in a style I liked or made a real effort to be proud of what I made, Iβd be bashed with rocks and eaten.
If you want to write a character or a roleplay or use a certain style of writing but are afraid it will be subject to judgement, recall we are on a floating rock in space and have to pay taxes and then write it anyway. What matters is if you enjoy it, not the opinions of others.
You are allowed to use the word moist. It feels like a war crime but I promise itβs not. Sometimes we have to be brave and use the M word.
Do you have a favorite roleplaying experience that stands out in your memory? And, of all the roleplays youβve been a part of, which one holds a special place in your heart?
It must have been one of the very first roleplays I joined on here, a little zombie apocalypse group that was rather casual and perfect for someone like me who was just getting back into writing. I remember it being a very nice group, and the back-and-forth between characters was very fun. It did not last long, but that early glimpse into what a good roleplay is like was the anchor that kept me on Rpn.
Every roleplay where I got to befriend someone is special to me. Although I may not remain in consistent contact with them all, running into familiar names in threads makes it a nice reunion. I enjoy the connections Iβve built with people.
Would you like to give a shout-out to your players, friends, etc.? If so, please feel free to tag them here for us!
Phew⦠I gotta get out my long scroll that unravels across the floor for a comical amount of time. Obviously I must pay respect (this makes it sounds like they died) to my delicious writers who have made Rogue Waves into a very pleasant experience.
@qunqun one day when we reach an age ready for retirement homes, weβll still be tip-tapping away on our keyboards at each other from across the globe. Thank-you to my favorite old man and my longest friendship from RPN. Please donβt die because that would be inconvenient for me. Plane tickets are really expensive. Thanks x.
roxybirdie
The way you write character reactions and expressions is so polished, and I have always admired (ahem, envied) how you manage to portray these. We have written intermittently over the years together and it is very nice to now have a platform where we can yap often.@q r o w I will always support womenβs wrongs, and you provided one that Iβd be willing to be a defence lawyer for. You are someone who is very unassuming at first, like a stray cat. Your personality really blooms the longer someone is around you, and Rogue Waves served to be a really good catalyst for getting to know you in this light.
AnimeGenork
our treasured archivist, I believe all of Rogue Waves is grateful for the unpaid work you do for us. On the days when I feel I do not have enough energy to tend to Rogue Waves, I always know that you are present and frolicking about, and it encourages me a lot. I am lucky to have someone who is actively present. Sorry for making your character kill someone (#oopsie).@Pepsionne our server cryptid. A true monarch in crafting little guys, I knew the moment I saw the aesthetic of your application that you were everything I wanted to be when I grew up. Your color usage and characterization is perfect, and it would be near impossible to not adore the characters you create. I am very grateful to meet and get to write alongside you.
@CrimsonInk where do I begin with this BEAST of a writer (complimentary). The distinction of every single character you create, the pace and style of your writing, your personality that is nothing but funny and friendly at all times, you are wonderfully reliable and highly valued by everyone in Rogue Waves. You are also very evil but for today I will overlook it.
@Harrowhark guardian of the orb, the narration inside your writing has always been something that made me smile. It has a personality to it in reflection of your own, and I greatly look forward to when you will be available to write with us again.
@Wyll a new friend, a wonderful GM, and a downright goblin for a smoothie. I liked your energy the moment I encountered it and you are very valued for what you contribute to RW. I feel it could read as cumbersome or awkward when differentiating, but the way you personify a character who is caught between two identities is always so cleverly and smoothly done.
@Mypilot I could tell immediately by the cohesive colors and images used in your applications that you possess a forte in aesthetics. Everything you touch is so appealing on the eyes, and this does not even consider your written work. The poetry you create is gorgeous and I want to take your characters in my teeth and shake like a dog (threat or omen, idk).
@floralmoon the sheer contrast between the two characters you have in Rogue Waves is significant, but what is also significant is how you make time for us despite having such a busy schedule. Getting the privilege to see your life change drastically through our years of friendship has been monumental and you are very special to me.
@peachpuff my favorite thing about meeting you has been seeing you grow in confidence when it comes to speaking on the server. I adore your characters as they are just so easily likeable, and Iβve loved getting to scheme and plot together. We are like little flies rubbing our hands when we get cooking.
Nifty
I truly enjoy the familiarity of encountering someone from my own country, it is nice to share that connection. Seeing how Dolores was such a new personality for you to explore and seeing how you handled this challenge in a way that looks so natural and easy, it is undeniable that you have amazing range in your writing. It has been (and will continue to be) a delight to plot and write with you.
escapist
the creator of our favorite old man. There are not many written works that have made me physically react, but Maltke always makes me giggle. I had reservations that coming into Rogue Waves with an older character may be difficult, but you consistently serve posts with activity and such perfect characterization.@floral a character that appears very unassuming on the surface, yet possesses one of the most heart-wrenching motivations in all of Rogue Waves. You are a very gentle and sweet writer, and your presence, much like your character, is incredibly calming. It has been lovely to meet you and your partner through RW.
@erzulie that malevolent woman you made is so special to me. She encapsulates themes that I adore, and I am always looking forward to indulging in every post you make for us. Your writing has always been top quality, and I recall before we even properly met in other rps, that Iβd see your applications and Iβd stop to read them because I knew theyβd be good.
sollie
the creator of my favorite murderous woman and the delectable Miss switzerland. All of us are really glad to have you return to Rogue Waves, and whenever I read your posts I always feel inspired to write something. A beautiful wordsmith with a gawjus personality, I am very glad to meet and share this creative space with you.
picklemouse
I thought I knew most people on RPN, but you were an unexpected surprise. It is almost unfathomable how consistently kind you are, and there is always a sweet compliment or extension of support when you speak with others. I love you and your little freak berry-loving woman, and I am greatly looking forward to your future character.
ComplexDragon
it is always exciting seeing a familiar name post an application for Rogue Waves. Your personality has such a good energy to it, and I feel this roleplay has been a great opportunity not only to write together, but to spend time together ooc as well. Your character Tallulah is a dreamboat and we are lucky to have both of you.@M4R5 your wonderful application was testament to the fact you collaborate very well with others, which is an absolute dream for any GM. Despite your busy schedule, seeing mentions of your character through Pickle feels as if youβre around. We all look forward to when youβll be available to get involved with us in the future.
And one that is not in RW, but is important to me nonetheless: @weldherwings I remember being so worried that youβd think I was stalking you around RPN because I joined your roleplay right after weβd met in a different thread. If I was to know how kind you were, I would have stalked you sooner. I am very proud to see what youβve achieved in the years Iβve known you, and what you may yet achieve in the future.
There are many others I could put here, those in Utopia, those I used to write with several years ago, those I have not spoken with for a few months, those Iβm no longer contact with; note that if we have written together or giggled in ooc, I do remember you and had a lot of fun.
member of the month
How did you come up with the username, Aviator?
How would you describe yourself in three words and why?
Is there a particular quote or phrase thatβs been circling your mind as of lately?
From all your favorite stories within different types of media (books, TV shows, video games, etc.) which character would you say relates to you? Or maybe is your favorite?
Stemming from the previous question, what is your favorite story and why?
What genre of stories do you usually leans towards?
Aside from roleplaying, are there any other hobbies you enjoy doing?
When did you start roleplaying?
How did you come across RPNation?
What has been a memorable moment for you in the entirety of your roleplaying career thus far?
What are your perspectives on both sides of the coin on having experience being a GM and role player?
What advice do you have for Newsletter readers and role players?
At the time that I chose the username Aviator, I was just finishing university, and I felt very much divided between where I viewed my home between my birth city and my college city. During breaks in the academic calendar I would take several trips back and forth by plane between the two places every semester, and I thoroughly enjoy the experience of flying. So much so that I came to see the airborne interval between destinations as my home more than either of them. My life was feeling very transitional and temporary at the time that I was finishing school, because until then I'd been constantly flip-flopping around the United States. Being on an airplane comforts me because it feels like the start of a new journey, and so long as that mode of transportation exists, I don't have to choose between where I want to call home. And thus Aviator was born!
How would you describe yourself in three words and why?
Stolid is probably the first word that comes to mind when I think about myself. I'm a calm person with a level head in a crisis, and it's usually pretty hard to rile me. I work really well in fast-paced, high-stress environments because I almost always manage to keep my cool. The second word I'd use is inquisitive because I love learning new things! I like understanding things and talking about concepts more so than day-to-day life, like the origins of blues music, various card and board game strategies, and whether people with robotic enhancements will be the norm in the future. I keep flirting with the idea of going back for a PhD simply because I love research and data collection and money. The third word I'd use to describe myself is otherworldly, because I tend to feel a little disconnected from most people. I have several friends who are planning futures with spouses, having children, making huge moves for better job opportunities, and next to them I feel like a fish! I've been told I'm hard to read by several people too, which probably doesn't help my case lol.
Is there a particular quote or phrase thatβs been circling your mind as of lately?
A Disney quote that always hits me really hard is in Frozen, when Anna chastises Olaf for putting himself at risk to save her, and he replies with, "Some people are worth melting for." Every time I hear it my heart swells and I'm reminded that Disney movies really aren't just for kids, haha! To me, Olaf's quote encompasses the ultimate idea of love: putting someone else's well-being and needs before your own. Anyway, this particular quote came to my mind because last night someone in my D&D group started spontaneously singing "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" during an encounter and had the whole table in stitches!
From all your favorite stories within different types of media (books, TV shows, video games, etc.) which character would you say relates to you? Or maybe is your favorite?
I was in middle school when the first Divergent movie came out, and like so many other people in my grade I band-wagoned onto the book series and was absolutely taken. More than anything, though, I found the protagonist, Tris, to be breathtakingly relatable. She was everything I was at that age: wary and prickly and distrusting of others, but also an underdog who was desperately trying to find her place in the world until she came to the conclusion that there wasn't one. Tris had something to prove and the backbone to stand up for ideals, which seventh-grade me thought was the coolest thing ever! To this day, I'm still horribly smitten with Divergent. Anyway, my favorite fictional character is a tossup between Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders and Mr. Fox from Fantastic Mr. Fox for similar reasons: They're both larger-than-life schemers with no limits to their ambition and a knack for stirring up trouble. Both Tommy and Mr. Fox make morally gray decisions, yet their loyalty is deeply rooted in their families. And, most importantly, they are active protagonists who drive the plots of their stories, not the other way around.
Stemming from the previous question, what is your favorite story and why?
Peaky Blinders is definitely among my favorite stories, but I feel like I've already fangirled over it too much lol. One of my favorite books is The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter, which takes place in a Zulu-inspired fantasy world with dragons and a deeply entrenched caste system. At the end of the day, it's a good old-fashioned revenge story with a bleak view of humanity and an incompetent misfit for a protagonist who rises to become a legendary warrior. It's a horribly gory and violent book, yet it's also oddly coming of age, and the worldbuilding is... *chef's kiss* There are so many dark twists surrounding the magic system! Sacrifice is a huge theme of Rage of Dragons, so I might not recommend it to someone who doesn't like heavy stuff.
What genre of stories do you usually leans towards?
As I alluded to, most of the books I read are either fantasy or futuristic, but my preference for movies is drastically different. I tend to like goofy, light-hearted, gory romps in a comedy-action-horror fusion. One of my favorite movies is Cocaine Bear, which I very mistakenly thought would be horribly stupid until one of my friends convinced me to go to the movies with her and her boyfriend. And then, the entire week after it came out, my coworkers and I were quoting it nonstop! It strikes just the right balance between ridiculous and dark with sharp, snappy dialogue. Another of my favorite movies that falls into a similar genre is Zombieland (the first one, not the sequel). Hot take: Tallahassee was dead wrong about Twinkies being superior to Snowballs! Other than that, Z-land was as close to perfection as I could ask for.
Aside from roleplaying, are there any other hobbies you enjoy doing?
Yes, I have quite a few hobbies! I like playing ping-pong and pool, though I'm substantially better at the former. There are some days when I shoot pool so badly that I shouldn't be allowed to hold a cue stick lol. I am also a huge hockey fan and love watching NHL! The Penguins are my favorite team despite me having never been to Pittsburgh. Recently I've started doing aerials, which is a form of acrobatics with silks, and having to remember all the sequences whilst performing them and having all the necessary strength definitely makes it a mind-body exercise! Lastly, I thoroughly enjoy reading contemporary poetry, but I don't pretend to write it well. I actually used to hate poetry until I took a creative writing elective in college that completely changed my mind.
When did you start roleplaying?
I started RPing when I was in sixth grade, I think, so it's been a minute! Back when I first started my favorite RPs were all popular fandoms like Warrior Cats, Harry Potter, and Hunger Games. Presently I'm in a Harry Potter thread, actually, although it's an AU with no canon characters.
How did you come across RPNation?
I used to RP on FeralFront, but when that site shut down a few years ago, the mods were kind enough to redirect my friends and me to this site. Which was awesome because we were all deeply enamored with a Divergent group thread at the time and couldn't imagine abandoning it! The forums on RPN are definitely a lot more organized; I love not having to surf through interest checks, CS threads, and RPs all in one cluster.
What has been a memorable moment for you in the entirety of your roleplaying career thus far?
One of the most hilarious exchanges of posts happened during my Divergent RP. My character and someone else's character, neither of whom had much relationship experience, had just started dating and were off to a rocky start. Meanwhile, Dauntless training was ongoing, and because the initiates are trained to become soldiers, they were doing some free-for-all combat with holographic weapons, a la Hunger Games style. And so, armed with weapons, their fight accelerated real quick. It was a blast to write, them never letting their petty drama go for a second while slashing at each other with swords! In the end, their argument was pretty meaningless, because the other RPer's character ended up taking a "fatal" hit for my character while he was distracted and saved him from getting snuck up on. @Nerdy. Dysfunctional relationships with a good splash of comedy are one of my favorite dynamics.
What are your perspectives on both sides of the coin on having experience being a GM and role player?
Honestly I haven't RPed in a thread that I wasn't the GM of in quite some time! I very much enjoy slow-burn threads, so while I only may be participating in one or two at a time, they're my babies. I would go to battle for these threads and the wonderful RPers in them! Anyway, as a GM more so than a regular RPer, you really have to pay attention to pacing and have a general idea of a timeline for your thread. I always make a point to ask everyone on the chat thread if they're ready to move on to the next major event or if they want some chill time for their charries first and just gauge the general vibe I get from them. Learning how to read a room becomes super important when GMing. As a regular RPer, I'm very sensitive to pre-established "posses," especially if they involve the GM. If I get this vibe, I'll typically link up with someone who's more in the background and try to create a mutual plot that gives both their and my characters a foothold in the plot, so that way everyone feels involved. For this reason, when I am the GM, I try really hard not to show favoritism, and if there's a competition in the RP, I do my best to organize a system that's as objective as possible to determine the winner.
What advice do you have for Newsletter readers and role players?
I'm flattered that you guys would ask me for advice! Stay cool, I guess? Lol. A little bit of advice I can give (and this comes from my own RP experiences) is don't stick with one type of character all the time! Take a step outside of your comfort zone, and you may be pleasantly surprised. It will give you a new challenge, something to think about as you write. One of the things I've recently started doing in my RPs is playing two characters, but they're usually very different personalities designed to be foils of one another in the small but significant moments that they do overlap. But I have the highest respect for RPers who can write a vast ensemble of characters all with equal plausibility. One of my fellow RPers
honeycoves
is a master of writing both bumbling heroes and calculating villains who we sometimes feel sympathetic for.
honeycoves
is a master of writing both bumbling heroes and calculating villains who we sometimes feel sympathetic for.featured thread
Filled with introspection and tension, Clyvelle's poetry stands as a unique work of art. Each piece explores varying depths of the human psyche and delves into identity, emotions, and complexity. If you're looking to explore the world of poetry, I highly recommend reading Clyvelle's I was a writer once.
so excited for you!!!
