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"Most of Ed's rants were about a lack of wars, in a manner of speaking - at least as far the expansion and such are concerned."
Yes, political animosity and prejudice create wars. It's sad that the values he listed which would create this environment no longer exist in any of the kingdoms currently here. But the same rants can also be directed towards the roleplaying factor, in that all of these kingdoms have very little to offer besides for their setting, and the social support for game mechanics (help with leveling, answering questions about how to do things in the game, etc.).
"Really? That's exactly my point. Even though the example wasn't meant to stand up to a test, if we want wars, we need reasons for them. They don't even have to be valid, just believable. And the best reasons, IMHO, are those based on interaction, spiced with creativity."
It wasn't a very good example is all I'm saying. Although, I'm sure it would be pretty comical and that pet might need a shave anyway. I agree with the reasons for wars, but as everyone aligns with each other, that idea dies slowly as everyone becomes one big kingdom with different states.
"For one, things change - there are family-ties now between Dustari and Zormite, and - while this is rather ooc - many Samurai/KJ wouldn't know honor if it stepped them on the feet."
The family ties would have gone against the original values of these kingdoms. There sure was a lot of 'Romeo and Juliets' running around in those countries eh? If we go with that excuse, then let's just call them Dustmites and be done with it, and find some other evil kingdom ruler to create the fifth kingdom.
I am a member of Samurai now. There is a lot of material to work there, and there is a LOT of potential as well (almost all of the members are otaku's, not hardcore, but they have joined for a reason). It's the same as the people who like pirates. They just need to be guided into their roles, and insulting them isn't going to help. You can at least admit that there has been a change within the Kingdom, and it is changing for the better.
"But let me ask you - what should we do? Most players wouldn't be able to handle such a situation - or rather wouldn't want to and just keep pking. Besides, why should we all of a sudden rp hate against a former ally? While we need dynamics, changing them without some reason will be very counter-productive."
What should be done? I think Kingdom leaders and their members need to get together and start writing the histories of their Kingdoms. Not just the actions that have happened since the kingdom was created by some players, I mean, myths, stories of conflict and war from years past, songs; create the culture that their Kingdoms deserve to distinguish them from all the other Kingdoms. There's more than setting and the way graphics look and the name of your ranks. There needs to be lore, and the creative people will have a field day since I see very little of it.
I'm not saying that people should roleplay hate for their allies, but I believe as the culture of all these kingdoms drifts apart and become unique, the alliances will be seen as unfavorable to some. They will eventually drift a part, perhaps limit the alliance to a trade agreement, and then at some point arguments arise over trade routes or the control of certain... islands *wink*
"I see a difference between what you rp and how you do it. You can portray a pirate by talking about boats and attacking ships at sea (simplified), and while saying arr every now any then might add, it doesn't make you a pirate on it's own right."
I agree with you on that, and that was the point of that little bit. So far, all I've seen is a document about how to talk like a pirate. Then I've seen how certain people talk to one another. Language is important, you must understand. Look at Lord of the Rings. That entire universe was created around the elven language. It is a tool to be used in roleplaying, just the same as your wars.
The pirates should honestly be at odds with everyone. They should commanda fleet and own the seas. Any boat in their waters without the jolly roger should be sunk down and their crew to sleep in davey jones' locker. An angry group, composed of the races and culture of the other kingdoms, who form crews that are allied together under the name 'The Crescent Pirates.' Pirate-talk is an important tool, as it sets them apart from the other kingdoms a great deal. I also think they should be running around blowing up other boats quite often, and 'looting' quite a bit as well. I don't encourage stealing of course or scamming, but proper roleplayers probably couldn't help chasing down some pirates that ran off with their diamonds and are off to make the quick escape in their pirate vessel.
Nothing is going to change without the active participation of the kingdom leaders and their members. Isolation isn't going to solve it, and neither are alliances. While additional support with in-game mechanics that would allow ease of 'wars' and such, wars are not going to save the state of roleplaying within the Graal Kingdoms universe.
There's a long road ahead, nothing can be changed quickly. Rome wasn't built over night, and no quick fix is going to change habits that have developed over the span of this game's existance. As an individual I know I will fail in this, just as Ziro failed in his attempts to bring a global improvement in roleplaying. By joining together as a group, though, I think everyone will benefit and there will be a vast improvement overall. There will be resistance to those who like the way things have been, but I'm sure that after a while they will realize the fun that comes out of a well-done roleplaying session. But don't forget, roleplaying is only a tool in that fun, and no one would put all their faith in it to save everything. That's where we agree on the game dynamics issues. |