The Balance of RP in Groups

[ozmiz]

Sub-Title: Balancing Role-Play during Group Exploring or Questing

Right-off-the-bat Statement of Fact, I enjoy a good role-play as much as the next person.
However, here are a few things I have noticed that seems to remain consistent from group to group whether its been questing, exploring, or even just flat out xp grinding that I found interesting. I found them needing balancing from a role-playing perspective.

#1. Walkers
To clarify, walking while in a group is normal, reflects reality, and is more consistent with a cautious group on the look out for traps, ambushes and etcetera; but consider this:

In what army ever, was a soldier trained to continue calmly walking as an Archer is turning you into a pin-cushion from about 30 yards away? I mean come on.. really!?

In what fantasy world does a melee slowly stroll towards a Magic caster that is Buffing the bezeebers out of himself and all of his cohorts, casting every summoning spell he knows, and then burning, blasting, electrifying, cursing, and debuffing you, while your "Charge, looks like your on a downtown stroll enjoying a festive holiday atmosphere?

I love to role-play, but to me "Charge!" has a vastly different meaning to me than from what I am seeing from party to party.

I know role-play will not always be a reflection of reality, but walking during combat is so far out there, as to be out of any frame of reference that I have.


#2 Bashers
Being able to bash Crates, Chests, and I'm assuming somewhere a Door, is within reason; after all I can beat down a door or bash open a chest in real life if motivated enough.

However, bashing can be another role-play balance that doesn't seem to fit, but to the opposite spectrum.
You notice the fauna, you role-play your fears of the dark.. then charge in a beat the crap out of a chest when there is a perfectly skilled person that is so trained they could draw a schematic of the lock, determine its make and origin, and write a detailed thesis on it.

I appreciate that there is potential for fine loot in the chest, but keep in mind others dump precious points into skills such as disable device, and open locks for a reason.

I have literally seen the following:
Rogue: "Hold! that chest is trapped" *moving in carefully*
Basher: Rolls hit -- Trap Triggers - Everyone dazed, held, and/or damaged with the rogue still squatted down in front of the lock with his thieves kit, blackened face, singed hair, and smoke rising off of his burned Leather Armor.

which leads me to one last gripe comment:


#3 Looters
When I am with a group, because I am not the aggressive, snatching type, I am usually pretty certain all I am going to get out of it is the fun of being in a group and some XP.

The reason is I have YET to be in anyone group (yep, looking at pretty much everyone of you guys I have grouped with), where the looting was a shared event.

Typically its one person, most commonly the leader, and they are usually a "Basher" that bashes all of the chests and then never says one word about.. "Lets take turns examining chests", or "Hey this may help you, come get it".
But I have seen it when we hit town, they went to the auctioneer, while the rest of us stood around with our bare faces hanging out.

I know that can be a role-play of, "I'm a greedy, money-grabbing, swindler", but once again that role-play doesn't balance, in that it is weighed so heavily against the other peoples time and effort to deliver your sizable hind-quarters to the lootable objects.


#4 Runners

And on a side-note the RP you get during adventures between encounters are my favourite thing about this game.
Too often I meet people who runs all the time when adventuring.
It's fair enough to do that when you are alone. But it's a shame so many continue to do it when they group up with others.

[Silver_Lining]

#3 Looters
When I am with a group, because I am not the aggressive, snatching type, I am usually pretty certain all I am going to get out of it is the fun of being in a group and some XP.

The reason is I have YET to be in anyone group (yep, looking at pretty much everyone of you guys I have grouped with), where the looting was a shared event.

Typically its one person, most commonly the leader, and they are usually a "Basher" that bashes all of the chests and then never says one word about.. "Lets take turns examining chests", or "Hey this may help you, come get it".
But I have seen it when we hit town, they went to the auctioneer, while the rest of us stood around with our bare faces hanging out.

I know that can be a role-play of, "I'm a greedy, money-grabbing, swindler", but once again that role-play doesn't balance, in that it is weighed so heavily against the other peoples time and effort to deliver your sizable hind-quarters to the lootable objects.


This isn't a rant, just a thought and opinion; like all such, I usually seek the perspective of others. So if you have something to comment on, or even to add, please feel free.

I'm very happy to say that while Desrah (my pc) is likely one of the most greedy people around, she is only guilty of this with her closest friends who she knows are happy to step back and let her be the greedy B* she is. Just yesterday, for instance, I was in a fantastic group with those she doesn't know quite so well, and she was not only the leader, but very insistent that not only do we kept the pecking order going from chest to chest, but that
we remained in the dungeon until the very last person had a shot at boss loot *knowing that another would return to claim the area just as soon as they realized it's previous inhabitant was put down*... So. this may be true for many, but not all. I assure you, there are those of us out there that do still very much want everyone to have their fair share.

Another thing I have done in the past is have one person collect everything, then sell it off and divvy up the loot.. of course, it just depends on how the group wants to do things.. There's also nothing wrong with having your pc stand up and say "Hey. Person X, this is really not ok. Why don't you stand back and let other people have a shot at the loot, before I take a shot at your rump"

[Passiflora]

You should be the one initiating the dialog about sharing loot.

I've never been in a group that loot wasn't shared, unless it was with everyone's approvement.

[mrieder79]

Yeah. Loot sharing is pretty standard. You should say something about it.

[ozmiz]

I'm very happy to say that while Desrah (my pc) is likely one of the most greedy people around, she is only guilty of this with her closest friends who she knows are happy to step back and let her be the greedy B* she is. Just yesterday, for instance, I was in a fantastic group with those she doesn't know quite so well, and she was not only the leader, but very insistent that not only do we kept the pecking order going from chest to chest, but that
we remained in the dungeon until the very last person had a shot at boss loot *knowing that another would return to claim the area just as soon as they realized it's previous inhabitant was put down*... So. this may be true for many, but not all. I assure you, there are those of us out there that do still very much want everyone to have their fair share.

Another thing I have done in the past is have one person collect everything, then sell it off and divvy up the loot.. of course, it just depends on how the group wants to do things.. There's also nothing wrong with having your pc stand up and say "Hey. Person X, this is really not ok. Why don't you stand back and let other people have a shot at the loot, before I take a shot at your rump"

That is a great ideal about the 'round-robin' or sell and split the coin is equally fair.
{I deleted some stuff here after some thought and editing the reply}


"Shooting them in the rump" is a novel ideal that I also liked! I may keep that option on the table.

Edit: After thinking about it, I will follow your advice on 'saying something' and add this.
To imply that the burden in some way rests upon people to say something, suggests that their actions are in someway ok until then... No, just no.

I don't say stuff in real-life at times, but don't mistake my silence for approval.
I may not say something when a glutton takes 5 pieces of chicken out of a 8 piece bucket, but myself and others will think he is seriously bankrupt of manners.
I may not say something when a man shows verbal disrespect to his wife in a public setting, but as a man of decorum, I will think he is a sleaze bag and unworthy of his companion.
There are degrees of actions, that are so egregious, verbal protest becomes a moral obligation, but not so in every small thing of life.

In other words, you pick your battles... This is just one of those small day to day courtesies that is so common it stands out when ignored.

[jester]

It's sometimes better to just leave the group if one person is bothering you OOC (regardless of how or why).

The game's for fun, and you can seek XP elsewhere or with others.

[mireigi]

Walkers:
Some characters are overly confident in their own abilities, and will try to remain calm in the face of danger in an attempt to unnerve their opponent.

The above should still be RP'ed though.

Bashers:
A large majority of melees use Wisdom as their dumpstat, which would likely explain their actions, since, in their mind, it's just as easy to bash the chest as it is to pick the lock, and in the past they have done do succesfully despite any traps.

The above should still be RP'ed though.

Looters:
Not really much to say here that haven't already been said.

[AC81]

Who doesn't run to cut down distance quickly once combat is initiated?!? I've never seen anyone just walk ... Walk when you are exploring, run when you're fighting.
I liked it when I played my rogue and people would bash locks or run into traps, it gave me a chance to insult and degrade them for being the dumb barbarians they are.
Be the person to demand there be a loot system , take turns, roll highest or whatever. Be specific with what you want - I always ask that no-one opens the chest except for the person whose turn it is.
And as always, if you don't like what's happening, just leave the party and go find greener pastures. Whatever you do, do it all IC.

[NeOmega]

Also, who walks in the pouring rain?

and

When someone has lights or a lantern up in daylight, to have someone complaining about the "glaring light" obviously needs to spend more time outside when it is sunny.

and

I prefer to walk in groups, but I also prefer low level groups... ...which brings up a conundrum, sitting around talking and walking saps up precious spell time. Those shield spells only last a minute or two.

And as always, if you don't like what's happening, just leave the party and go find greener pastures. Whatever you do, do it all IC.

if someone is taking all the loot ooc, I see no reason to even keep playing with them IC, I just leave the party, and don't say a damn thing. Not that it matters. Most of the time, rude looters are also LOLing everything and talking constantly ((like this or //like this

[Seventh Sister]

Your points are good and sadly often the same I experience.

#1. Walkers
It should really be so simple:
While between combat you walk and RP and when the enemy shows up you charge, hide, start casting or whatever your combat preference might be.

And on a side-note the RP you get during adventures between encounters are my favourite thing about this game.
Too often I meet people who runs all the time when adventuring.
It's fair enough to do that when you are alone. But it's a shame so many continue to do it when they group up with others.

#2 Bashers & #3 Looters
I often find looting of treasure to be something you do in a hurry and on to the next encounter.
People should slow down, RP it and take the loot in turns.

So while all these three subjects should be simple to follow too many doesn't.
At least when you are with "new people" you don't normaly team up with.
If you are so lucky to have a "regular" group then you will of course not experience this.

[Tsidkenu]

Also, who walks in the pouring rain?

Anyone who wears a cloak

[Deathgrowl]

#1. Walkers
It should really be so simple:
While between combat you walk and RP and when they enemy shows up you charge, hide, start casting or whatever your combat preference might be.

And on a side-note the RP you get during adventures between encounters are my favourite thing about this game.
Too often I meet people who runs all the time when adventuring.
It's fair enough to do that when you are alone. But it's a shame so many continue to do it when they group up with others.

This is something I've tried to articulate many times. I'm glad to see someone else do it!

[ozmiz]

I prefer to walk in groups, but I also prefer low level groups... ...which brings up a conundrum, sitting around talking and walking saps up precious spell time. Those shield spells only last a minute or two.

Excellent point! One with which I have wrestled with myself; how to balance low level, short duration spells while RP questing.

The only compromise I have found thus far, is to be very conservative with spells, and to only buff when danger is imminent.

[Narsil]

#1. Walkers
It should really be so simple:
While between combat you walk and RP and when they enemy shows up you charge, hide, start casting or whatever your combat preference might be.

And on a side-note the RP you get during adventures between encounters are my favourite thing about this game.
Too often I meet people who runs all the time when adventuring.
It's fair enough to do that when you are alone. But it's a shame so many continue to do it when they group up with others.

This is something I've tried to articulate many times. I'm glad to see someone else do it!

Seconded ! Very well said. It most certainly appears to me that the concept of "RolePlay-adventuring" is fast becoming a rarity here. ( At least during my playtimes.) A real shame, as that is also MY favourite part of the game.

Hells, maybe someone needs to start a "club" to collect like-minded players. Being in the minority of a Scry full of characters kinda stinks............

[TheKai]

#1. Walkers
It should really be so simple:
While between combat you walk and RP and when they enemy shows up you charge, hide, start casting or whatever your combat preference might be.

And on a side-note the RP you get during adventures between encounters are my favourite thing about this game.
Too often I meet people who runs all the time when adventuring.
It's fair enough to do that when you are alone. But it's a shame so many continue to do it when they group up with others.

This is something I've tried to articulate many times. I'm glad to see someone else do it!

Seconded !

Thirdeded