Experiences Whats making you angry today? Rp pet peeves

[Crenando]

Although, for the record, while finding anime faceclaims for monster/mutant characters is mathematically infinitely easier than realistic ones, it's still pretty difficult to find ones that are actually unnerving or creepy and not cute monster girls.

I feel that.
Sometimes, you gotta deep dive into an old VHS-rip on youtube of an anime from a few decades ago to find the real good shit.

 

[defenderofberk]

There is nothing inherently wrong with having a generic-looking character. The point was that just because some people use dollmakers or photos does not make them any less creative when it comes to character creation than people who use descriptions. Which was the point Specter was trying to make, that people who do descriptions are making more unique looking characters than people who don't. I was simply saying that is not at all a distinction in my experience.

Admittedly generic characters can be generated regardless of how they choose to present their characters appearance, I was more critical of how you seemed to be "well all of my characters are unique". We all make generic characters from time to time, and even if that's not the case, are they unique compared to your other characters? Or do you frequently play the same character or same few characters just altered slightly?

 

[rae2nerdy]

Admittedly generic characters can be generated regardless of how they choose to present their characters appearance, I was more critical of how you seemed to be "well all of my characters are unique". We all make generic characters from time to time, and even if that's not the case, are they unique compared to your other characters? Or do you frequently play the same character or same few characters just altered slightly?

Perhaps I worded it wrong then. It was not my intention to offend anybody. I was merely making the point that people who use the generic description of characters are going to do so regardless of the format you pick for appearances. And for that matter, you can find ways to make your characters unique in appearance if your using visuals. Heck if you read my posts I said visuals help with more generic descriptions because they help you differentiate your character from the other characters with the same basic description. I had a co-worker who had the exact same basic description as my youngest sister: dirty blonde hair, blue-grey eyes, shoulder-length hair, and dresses in college t-shirts and leggings. The differences in real life were one has a rounder face, wears a different style of glasses, has slightly darker hair, and is maybe a few inches taller. I would not mistake one for another with a visual. I would if all I had to go on was a description.

 

[LazyDaze]

Something that I find slightly annoying is that when you join an RP that has gone on for quite a bit, lets say 13-15 pages, and so you insert your character in to the story by reading the most recent post so you can at least get the gist of what is going on. Now here's what I get a little peeved, when you ask the GM a few questions about the story since it's not answered in the Lore or any other place on the thread and instead of just telling you the information, they ask if you've read through pages of pages of existing content. I mean, one I just joined a day or two ago, and I'm only trying to introduce my character. Two, the information is imbedded in previous posts so I would have to sift through quite of bit to actually find the information I'm looking for and even then I'm not sure if it fully answers the question I've asked. Third, why is it hard to just answer my question or give me a brief summary of what's going on than requiring me to have read every post from page 1 to 15?

Admittedly, I do think you should read post if it were just like 1-2 pages since it's not to deep into the story, but I'm kinda skimming through 10+ pages. Maybe I'm the minority in this, and you should read all the post prior to posting yourself. However, I think it would be nice if the GM would answer my question or just direct me to where I can find it instead of implying that I haven't taken the time to read through the rp post of 13+ pages. I've has a few GM here and on other websites that insist on reading through every post so you understand what's going on. Again, I have no issue with reading through everyone's post if it's just 1 or 2 pages, but I'mma have to cut it off at 3. Especially if we the rp is already 15 pages in. I mean if I have time I would try reading a bit more, but even that's a bit of a stretch. I just dislike when GM wants you to go digging through days worth of content to answer something they could have told you right then and there. If it's frequently ask then place it on the Lore page or something so newcomers aren't constantly repeating the same questions.

-rant over-

Like no I’m not going to do that under no circumstances. Listen, I’m a read the lore, and then maybe go back like 2-3 pages but I’ll need a summary. I don’t think it’s disrespectful to not want to go through 15 pages of content. Not to mention how the average post is like 2 paragraphs probably. Sometimes I think we just get hung up on the wrong things. It would be a lot easier for all involved to give them a summary of what’s happening. If ur going to invite someone into an established RP I think u should try to integrate them as smoothly as possible.

 

[SP3CT3R]

I think we mean different things when we say those roleplay types. When I say Urban Fantasy I basically mean roleplays like Harry Potter in premise only not set in that world. So a world where there are witches and maybe magical animals but no mutants or monster type creatures. For my superhero roleplays (which are by far the least frequent of the roleplay types I do) also have mostly human character who happen to have extra-human abilities.

And so I think it really is a case of just very different roleplay circles when it comes to the face claim discussion. I am mostly in roleplays where the characters look pretty much the same as people in real life. Some might have a few scars or be a different skin color but there is nothing that would need a whole lot of makeup to recreate in real life.

Which I think is where the difference is coming in. The people I roleplay with take an exactly opposite approach. Most of them will actually have a very short description of the character first and then find a visual that fits that description. So, in that case, they are starting out with the generic description and just finding a visual that fits that description after the fact.

I think it might be a difference in 1x1s and groups too. As you seem to be describing group descriptors whereas I'm doing exclusively 1x1s. So that might also account for our different experiences on the matter. To be clear I'm not saying your experience is invalid simply that it doesn't match up with my own on the matter.

That's fair, people are probably less concerned with character appearance in general while doing 1x1 RPs. But, the thing is, if they write a description with the intent to add a faceclaim later, then they're probably going to make a generic-looking character that's easy to find a faceclaim for.

And the characters usually look like real people in the roleplays that I'm in, too. If exceptions are possible, then I'm usually the most obvious or only one. If not, then my character still probably has a weird hairstyle or sense of fashion.

 

[defenderofberk]

That's fair, people are probably less concerned with character appearance in general while doing 1x1 RPs. But, the thing is, if they write a description with the intent to add a faceclaim later, then they're probably going to make a generic-looking character that's easy to find a faceclaim for.

And the characters usually look like real people in the roleplays that I'm in, too. If exceptions are possible, then I'm usually the most obvious or only one. If not, then my character still probably has a weird hairstyle or sense of fashion.

While it can work really well, sometimes I prefer a generic looking character to a unique one. The whole "unique eye/hair/skin colour" thing can get very overused and is often used as an excuse to have other characters lust over them or admire them by going "wow she's so cool!" every five minutes. A unique exterior doesn't mean a unique interior, and I'd much rather have a well written generic looking character than a poorly written unique looking one.

 

[rae2nerdy]

SP3CT3R yeah it's definitely been my experience that appearance is by far the least important part of most characters descriptions in 1x1s. I think it's a by-product of few people doing character sheets in general, so the ones who do have a CS are basically giving you an elevator pitch. So there might be like two or three sentences describing the character or a visual (if they have one already available).

It is also admittedly easier to make your characters distinct looking even if you are using just simple generic descriptions. There are typically only two or maybe four characters. So all you got to do is look at what your partner made and make your characters different from that.

Ex. My partner makes a slender and curvy brunette and a redhead with freckles all I got to do is make my characters a chubby blonde and an athletic girl with rainbow-colored hair. Boom they're generic but at least they are all distinct enough that you can tell them apart. (Admittedly mine are all POC and with different body types so they're usually standing out for that alone.)

 

[defenderofberk]

SP3CT3R yeah it's definitely been my experience that appearance is by far the least important part of most characters descriptions in 1x1s. I think it's a by-product of few people doing character sheets in general, so the ones who do have a CS are basically giving you an elevator pitch. So there might be like two or three sentences describing the character or a visual (if they have one already available).

It is also admittedly easier to make your characters distinct looking even if you are using just simple generic descriptions. There are typically only two or maybe four characters. So all you got to do is look at what your partner made and make your characters different from that.

Ex. My partner makes a slender and curvy brunette and a redhead with freckles all I got to do is make my characters a chubby blonde and an athletic girl with rainbow-colored hair. Boom they're generic but at least they are all distinct enough that you can tell them apart. (Admittedly mine are all POC and with different body types so they're usually standing out for that alone.)

I know you were only using it as an example but if someone submitted a rainbow haired character I'd probably quit with the assumption they were trolling me.

 

[SP3CT3R]

While it can work really well, sometimes I prefer a generic looking character to a unique one. The whole "unique eye/hair/skin colour" thing can get very overused and is often used as an excuse to have other characters lust over them or admire them by going "wow she's so cool!" every five minutes. A unique exterior doesn't mean a unique interior, and I'd much rather have a well written generic looking character than a poorly written unique looking one.

I don't do it with the intent to stand out or anything, I do it just because I like character design.

 

[defenderofberk]

I don't do it with the intent to stand out or anything, I do it just because I like character design.

I wasn't suggesting that you were, but it does happen, especially amongst younger writers.

 

[Squid]

ah geez i started a very big discussion

to chime in, i definitely think more interesting character design is in order but i also think it has to fit with the character. a character with dyed rainbow hair wouldn't really stand out that much if the character sounds like they'd genuinely have it. maybe they like being the center of attention and wear/do very flashy things to stand out. maybe they're a bit shy and do it to express themselves a bit more (that's why i dyed my hair vibrant pink the first time).

depends on RP and what the tone is though. i agree though that while sometimes a "normal" looking character (depending on your definition of normal ) may be needed, i think people choose prettiness over sense sometimes and that was my main point. its like people who write characters that are brave warriors that are all pretty, wiry, no-muscle frames (especially with female characters it seems) with no scars or blemishes. a few scars or blemishes makes sense for the roleplay and can add a bit of character outside of appearance. where did they get those scars? how do they feel about them? a little can go far in character design.

 

[Melpomene]

I wasn't suggesting that you were, but it does happen, especially amongst younger writers.

This is very true, young and new writers tend to be very obsessed with making a "special" character that stands out, not realizing that really what matters is making them interesting to play against.

Which is why we see overly complex and tragic backstories that go no where or do events that makes sure their character always is the center of attention. I find that it gets remedied with experience and learning to be a team player, because I think we've all been there before hehe.

 

[defenderofberk]

This is very true, young and new writers tend to be very obsessed with making a "special" character that stands out, not realizing that really what matters is making them interesting to play against.

Which is why we see overly complex and tragic backstories that go no where or do events that makes sure their character always is the center of attention. I find that it gets remedied with experience and learning to be a team player, because I think we've all been there before hehe.

Oh yeah, my first character had red eyes, was so pale they might as well have been painted white, had been whipped (and still had the scars) and was in a very abusive relationship with her murderous father that she was also sleeping with. Oh, and she murdered her mother and was one of the most powerful people in existance. All in all, a very toxic character that pretty much hated anyone and everyone.

 

[Melpomene]

Oh yeah, my first character had red eyes, was so pale they might as well have been painted white, had been whipped (and still had the scars) and was in a very abusive relationship with her murderous father that she was also sleeping with. Oh, and she murdered her mother and was one of the most powerful people in existance. All in all, a very toxic character that pretty much hated anyone and everyone.

One of my first characters was half angel- half-demon, the last of her kind, abused by her family (who she killed) and also hated everyone.

I think we're kindred spirits.

 

[defenderofberk]

One of my first characters was half angel- half-demon, the last of her kind, abused by her family (who she killed) and also hated everyone.

I think we're kindred spirits.

These two should've met, it'd of been legendary. She was also the heiress of an old and powerful house and had a supremacy complex so to learn there were demons and angels would've seriously pissed her off

The amusing thing was the character knew she was incredibly toxic to the people around her but that just made her act ever more toxic, including her becoming an alchoholic and getting an abortion of a baby of her and her father which he subsequently nearly murdered her for.

 

[Gowi]

One of my first characters was half angel- half-demon, the last of her kind, abused by her family (who she killed) and also hated everyone.

I think we're kindred spirits.

It was a very popular archetype once upon a RP moon.

 

[BellePotter_Stormcloud]

OKAY what's making me mad today?? ierncn

person:

1) i hate when people ghost me and aren't active that often
2) i like *insert fandom rp*
3) i like OOC chat, i wanna be your friend!

Me:

1) active all the frickin time, replies within ten minutes when i'm online
2) has been looking all over for that fandom
3) planned it all and genuinely enjoyed persons OOC ness!

we plan the whole darn thing! i make a starter! i'm falling in flippin love with this rp!!! guess what?? person sees every bump, every ooc comment about something random, online constantly...NEVER. REPLIES. their biggest thing was getting ghosted!! like...what?? RNWVO$NV!! rage!!

 

[defenderofberk]

It could be that they're too polite to tell you they aren't keen on your writing, it can be hard to tell someone as some people take that as an insult.

 

[BellePotter_Stormcloud]

no, see, the thing is, i literally asked if we needed to revisit the starter, if they wanted to change anything, still nothing!

 

[Gowi]

I mean, was this before or after the pandemic hit critical mass?

 

[BellePotter_Stormcloud]

no, it wasn't. it was a couple weeks ago

 

[Gowi]

The pandemic hit critical mass, like, two months ago.

 

[BellePotter_Stormcloud]

i know, the thing is though, they see every single one of my messages, they just won't reply. not even a, 'hey, i'm ok!' just like, literally, and this is the plot line it happened: we plan things out in one evening, i ask who they want to start. no reply, i go to bed, wait till the next night. no reply, so i just start for them. they see it, the next day i bump it, the day after that i ask if any revisions need to be made. from how enthusiastic they were, they were excited to start this rp. it was a complete team effort coming up with the plot, not just one sided.

 

[Kazami42]

The pandemic hit critical mass, like, two months ago.

True, but there's people that used brexit to justify leaving one RP.


To then join another RP and be active in it.
There's at least a 50/50 chance. It is varyingly harder depending on which country and which region of it thereof, but it doesn't rule out doing crappy things under the guise of life.

 

[Gowi]

i know, the thing is though, they see every single one of my messages, they just won't reply. not even a, 'hey, i'm ok!' just like, literally, and this is the plot line it happened: we plan things out in one evening, i ask who they want to start. no reply, i go to bed, wait till the next night. no reply, so i just start for them. they see it, the next day i bump it, the day after that i ask if any revisions need to be made. from how enthusiastic they were, they were excited to start this rp. it was a complete team effort coming up with the plot, not just one sided.

Okay, then they are definitely not being honest and forthright with you.

That's really scummy by my metrics, and I completely understand where you're coming from. People who don't communicate are the absolute worst.