 |
|
 |
 |
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Xian Fei Kalavati
Mook
Joined: 18 Jul 2007
Posts: 16
|
 Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 1:19 pm Post subject: My thoughts |
|
|
I had a very large problem on this camp. This was my first time doing anything like this. There were do proper explanations for people like me (I am aware that some of you have been doing this for MANY years!). There was nothing for me to do, being a companion. Together this meant that I got fed up partway through Saturday, and gave up playing properly.
Part of the problem was my character. I was supposed to be a greedy, moneygrabbing bitch. No doubt Tobias Rieper will agree that I am! But I couldnt play the character. You may have noticed that i barely said anything, all weekend. That is a major problem for me, cos i am very shy, and find it difficult to talk. So next time, please talk to me, give me a hand, cos I do want to talk, but i dont know how. Its hard enough in real life, when I do have some idea what I'm talking about. but i would like to thank XavianYu, who did try. Constantly!
I found it difficult, and it would have been easier to have somewhere to go to be OOC, cos sometimes I just wanted a normal conversation, an the ref hut was a bit intimidating. Give me some guidance...if someone does engage my services...what happens? to we have a brew in the ref hut for an hour or so? Its possibly something obvious to the peeps who have been doing it awhile, but not to me!
ive found out im never going to use my name the way it is - its too long, so ill be partially changing that, and the background to my character. she may as well be shy like me...a definate fault for a companion!
By the way, I charge only 100 credits for a simple massage, so please give me money!
Xian
|
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
Xian Fei Kalavati
Mook
Joined: 18 Jul 2007
Posts: 16
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 1:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Oh yeah, a few more things...
When people disappear around 12-1 am that means they have gone to bed. SO SHUT UP!!! I spent three extra hours listening to conversations about pony and poontang outside my tent, getting colder and colder, trying to sleep. Maybe you didnt realise just how lound you were.
Also, i dont wanna go to bed early, but dim light affects me and I get really tired. so more light in the hut? 
ok, thats it. Thanks for listening
xx
Last edited by Xian Fei Kalavati on Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:13 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
Capt Tom Crowson
Not-so-green
Joined: 01 Mar 2007
Posts: 68
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I must admit that this is something that I brough up after the last one in that for people who are naturally OOC quite shy that it can be difficult to integrate themselves into the game
I hold my hands up and will admit that I don't think I spoke to you at all for the entire weekend, so apologies for not making the effort, but then there were quite a few people that I didn't speak to
I certainly found at the first one that not having a "purpose" made things more difficult. Our crew wasnt needed to do do cortexing, or fighting, and whilst my medic certainly found himself busy it was more of a "all hands to deck". No-one really wants to hire a crew of bloke who are just looking for the next party to go to
I can imagine that a Companion is quite difficult to play when you're surrounded be people who wouldnt know how even to talk to one, let alone actually pluck up the courage to ask for their services
I don't really know how to remedy it unfortunately.
I certainly found this game more enjoyable because there were more opportunities to talk to people just for the sake of talking, rather than needing to further plot, but to some degree that was more of a conscious effort on my part, as well as the fact that there were more Core-World PCs and NPCs to deal with . Whilst brief conversations with the GunSharks are all fun and amusing they're not the sorts of people that Captain Tom would normally associate with.
I was thinking of actually trying to do a "recruitment agency" as my ships "thang". Go round and speak to everyone find out what they can do and see if theres anyone who needs someone who can do their skills, but then my characters concept is a party-boy so I figured that he wouldn't want to be working too hard IC
Perhaps a different character concept is what might be required. I've certainly noticed that being a Cortexer or Medic puts you more in demand than a pilot or a mechanic (certainly in IC time) so one of those roles might make it easier should you decide to come to the next one
I know that there were OOC sleeping place but I don't know where they were or whether they were any quieter. I can only suggest that next time ear-plugs might help, or that there be a seperate area for people who like to go to bed earlier.
Just sorry you didn't really enjoy it |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
Shikoba
Pilot
Joined: 06 Jun 2006
Posts: 226
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm sorry but who'se to know if there is anyone in tent or not? If you slept in the incharacter tent area then it means you were more or less 24 hours time in. This mean you could expect to be surrounded by potential incharacter rowdies until the wee small hours, though of course you could have asked folks incharacter to quieten down. The out of character camp was marked on the map that was sent out a week or so ago. If you come along on future events, which i really hope you do, it may be an idea to camp in the OOC area which will be much quieter.
As to the role play angle of it, companions are notoriously difficult to play as the average character in the game world is intimidated and uncomfortable around them and it's often considered rude to approach one with out invite. Especially as the contracting to hire a companion is so difficult, for instance only those who are already registered as clients on the guild books are allowed to place a bid for contract. (That's explained in the Serenity table role play book and the series and seems to be the approach most people are taking in the live game.) I play one on another event and they are tough cookies in many aspects but maybe a companion suppliment would not go amiss.
However when it comes to people role playing with you, well I know I spoke to everyone, I made a point of it, so it then becomes the other person responsibility to continue the conversasion. If i get a blank then I will take it that they have no wish to talk to me, respect their descision and leave them alone. Especially when they are a graceful companion and I'm a form of low life scum. I think most folks tend to respond like that. playing a shy companion is kind of sweet but as you said it will be a flaw but could well be something played upon and add to the role play  I'm shy, painfully so but I've become pretty good at working through it as I recognise that the person responsible for my having any interaction is me and only me.
Feel free to shorten your name everybody else does.
You will find the next game you attend much easier and now you will have more of an idea what to expect and feel more comfortable around folks. Maybe bring a friend along or hire someone to do your talking for you, or perhaps you could join Captain Tom's ship, he's a party boy you are a Companion, sounds like a good arrangement.
_________________
Shikoba Cheng - The Jien Huo
Fighting makes Buddha cry.
Last edited by Shikoba on Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:44 pm; edited 2 times in total |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
Mai Lee
Not-so-green
Joined: 05 Mar 2007
Posts: 46
Location: Kent, the 'verse
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My first event was very quiet, as I didn't know many ppl and was a little unsure about throwing myself in, but I loved the 24 hour time in and the second one was anything but quiet for me, lol. I was more confident as I at least knew everyones faces and knew what to expect.
I would suggest giving it another go. I personally felt that it was my best LaRP experience yet and I aplaud everyone, refs, crew and players alike for making it so enjoyable.
_________________
I dont want to hurt you....
Don't mean I aint capable of it though. |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
DrugCrazedPony
Mook
Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Posts: 20
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I can sympathise. I suffer from pretty crippling shyness myself, and first time I did a LARP thing I spent a lot of time out of my depth and confused and not sure what was happening.
Random thoughts:
I would possibly suggest crewing for the next event. You get the chance to play several different characters, and interact with lots of people, and there's plenty of OOC time for you to pick people's brains. You also get to interact a lot with the players and see how they deal with things. If you do this, do try and grab a few parts that are slightly outside of your comfort zone. Someone a little pushy where you can get in peoples faces.
Would urge you not to make your character as shy as you are. Part of the fun of the game is being someone you aren't. Screw social conventions. Be loud! Be offensive!
Don't be too intimidated by the crew hut. We are all there to make sure you have a good time. If you have any specific issues ask someone on the crew or a ref OOC (yeah - I know. Shyness. Makes it hard. Take a deep breath and dive in).
If you stick to the same character, try to work out what she wants. Money? Respect? a bevy of men to be her slaves? Bully, persuade, cajole, seduce other characters and NPCs to help you achieve this aim.
Sorry about the noise at night... Not sure what to do about that. People are going to be loud if most people are awake. |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
Blibs
Recruit
Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 6
Location: Shaft 15
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Next time you're having problems like this then please come and talk to crew/refs/organisers as there is a lot we can do to sort things out. We hate anyone to have a bad weekend, but there is nothing we can do if we don't know there's a problem.
The crew hut may look a bit intimidating at first as there is a constant stream of people coming in and out of it, but you're always welcome to come in and sit in the warm for a bit if that's what you want to do. If you're lucky you'll even get a biscuit and a cup of tea. |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
Sonza
Recruit
Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Posts: 6
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 4:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I must say although I enjoyed myself immensely, my one major suggestion for improvement would be to have a designated person to welcome newbies - players and crew alike. My friend and I turned up for the first time - him playing and me crewing - and everyone was so busy that no-one could spare the time to talk to us properly and tell us the really basic things like where we should put our stuff, what time the crew briefing was, or even which part of the site we were each supposed to be on!
I understand that this was just because everyone was so busy. If there was a specific person who was in charge of doing this, it might solve the problem.
The website is not very newbie-friendly either. When I first went on it, there weren't even any contact details! I've done lots of larp before and have friends who were doing the system, so I muddled through. If I'd been new to the hobby, though, I think I'd have been very intimidated by the whole thing, perhaps to the extent of being put off. This would be a shame, because it's such a great game, and I know that's the last thing you guys would want to put across.
S
XXX |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
Gonner Hendershot
Not-so-green
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 74
Location: Norwich
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It can be a bit intimidating at your first event, the refs have been made aware of this so it should hopefully be less of a problem in the future.
The level of noise in the IC areas generally increases as night falls and tailors off only when everyone is asleep, usually around 6-7am. I slept in one of the IC bunk areas, as is my custom, and I did so in full knowledge of how loud it could get. It is unfortunate, but as Heather has pointed out there was an OOC camping area to use if you had wanted.
_________________
Gonner Hendershot: Location - CLASSIFIED. |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
XavierYu
Mook
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 23
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I totally agree with what Captain Tom said. Whilst my character found quite a bit to do (what with the parties and the high-level negotiations, both particular things he was interested in), the lack of overall purpose in my crew did mean some of them were a bit bored.
Anyway. Hello Xian! I spoke to you mainly because you were another cultured character, and I fully understood that you might not want to talk to the rowdy cowboys we were surrounded with most of the time...
Also I sympathise a lot with the shyness issue. When I first started doing re-enactment and roleplay I was quite a bit more shy and retiring than I am now. I must say, it's a good hobby for making you less shy! I've always found playing a different character helps me break down my shyness, playing a confident character makes me more confident myself. I've used my experiences in pretending to be confident to then help remove my shyness in the real world.
"Give me some guidance...if someone does engage my services...what happens?"
The players handbook does specify this is a non-contact hobby except for fist fighting!
I assumed you retire to a tent, tell your crews to leave you alone, and drink tea for an hour or so. (Hell, Inara never seems to do anything except drink tea in the series...)
Sadly I didn't have enough money on me to afford tea with you, sorry. The most a PC can start with is 150 credits; 100 was all I had and I spent some of that. And haggling seemed awful uncultured and I thought would get me a slap!
Still, if this next downtime goes well then maybe I can afford tea at the next event... |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
DrugCrazedPony
Mook
Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Posts: 20
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| XavierYu wrote: |
"Give me some guidance...if someone does engage my services...what happens?"
The players handbook does specify this is a non-contact hobby except for fist fighting!
I assumed you retire to a tent, tell your crews to leave you alone, and drink tea for an hour or so. (Hell, Inara never seems to do anything except drink tea in the series...) |
Well, there's no reason not to do a bit of screaming from inside the tent. Depending on how much of a whore you are:) |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
Xian Fei Kalavati
Mook
Joined: 18 Jul 2007
Posts: 16
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
lol
I didn't mean to give the impression that I wholly disliked being there...I will definately be coming back! I did enjoy listening to everyone, I just felt like a spare part. And it was cold.
I do also have my "doctor" qualifications, but with so many other fine doctors at the event, with real equipment that hummed and seemed to do fancy things, I felt a bit silly  Ive since decided that I might just be a "womens" doctor, who unfortunately only has a dodgy male crew to treat. Can wind my captain up by asking whether or not hes expecting yet
XavierYu - for merely a tea party, I only charge 20 creds
As I say, I havnt done this before so I wasnt aware of the levels of noise...other organisatons I have been with (non role play) tend to say quieten down around 1, or go to an area away from the tents.
I was camping with two others, in the same tent. when I rang to ask my captain where we were camping he grunted "IC of course".
I wouldnt have midned the noise as much if I hadnt been so cold. But it would have been difficult to put on any more clothes than I had on at that point already!! and getting up to complain would have only made me colder. Whatever the weather, next time Im sleeping indoors!
I was going to wear normalish clothes as well, to try and fit in, and not seems quite so aloof, but when I made the attempt, my captain informed me rather bluntly that I "didnt look much like a companion", so I ended up with jeans and the silly floaty jacket on
 |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
XavierYu
Mook
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 23
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I mean for an OOC tea party, IC Xavier quite fancied engaging a companion for proper business... |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
Tobias Rieper
Seasoned
Joined: 22 Apr 2007
Posts: 76
Location: Outbound from Ariel......
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Whinge whinge whinge.
why am i not supprised? 
=============================================
I'll interrupt myself here, just to warn you good folks to look away now. You are about to witness a brother/sister argument, of a kind where i demolish her argument, and make her look a fool in a public forum.
Ok, enough of that - on with the show.
=============================================
"This was my first time doing anything like this"
And it was mine last time. You had the advantage of being told what to expect, and having me explain how some of it worked. You just have to go with the flow, speak to the refs (that is why they are there), and go with the flow until you have a vague idea of how things are supposed to work.
"There was nothing for me to do, being a companion. "
Which is like me saying "there was nothing for me to do, being a pilot". You go out and find something to do - be it talk to the others, listen to the tall tales, or help out the rest of your crew. You are not just a companion, remember? You are also our medic! So there was something for you to do, should you have wanted.
"I was supposed to be a greedy, moneygrabbing bitch. No doubt Tobias Rieper will agree that I am! "
Based on my current/past experience of your behaviour, yes i most definately will.
" i am very shy, and find it difficult to talk"
And i don't??! when the hell did you last see me swanning around talking to strangers? But if you won't talk, how d'you expect to have any fun?
"if someone does engage my services...what happens?"
To quote my own response to this one during the event: "how the bloody hell should i know? i'm not the companion! go and ask at the ref hut".
As far as i know, you didn't, but you shouldnt be so intimidated by jon/andrew etc. Feel free to ask them any stupid/random questions you like - it is their job as organisers to answer it, no matter how pointless or innane it might be. (such as my question about trying to retrieve the "no limits" from police custody, by ramming it with our leviathan, and hopefully flipping it into the cargo bay without it exploding)
"By the way, I charge only 100 credits for a simple massage, so please give me money!"
you cheeky horror! I told you folks that she was a gold digger....
"When people disappear around 12-1 am that means they have gone to bed. SO SHUT THE HELL UP!!! "
Awww diddums. If i hadn't been so ill, i would have joined them. The fact that i was drugged up to the eyeballs just to make me fit to play, kinda put a damper on this. In any case, the level of sound was less than on the scout jamboree - we spent over three WEEKS there, exposed to that and more at night, so pipe down. I warned you MONTHS in advance, that we would be 24hrs in character - it is not my fault if you failed to understand this/forgot/did your usual and ignored everything i said before the event.
Remember, i did offer you the option of a separate tent (which you refused). As Heather said, you could have told them to "shut the hell up , you uncultured backbirths!" Alas, you did not, and instead resorted to whining at me, sunday morning.
==============================================
ok, y'all can look again. Angela-bashing session over.
==============================================
The main problem that you have, is that you didn't believe in your character - your costume is just set dressing, and whether your character is believable to others is immaterial. If YOU do not believe in what you are doing, it will appear hollow and false, and you won't be able to act the part. In order to project the image of the person you are trying to portray, Angela, you have to essentially picture that persona in your mind, and emulate their probable actions, reactions and general characteristics. All in, it's a form of escapism - a way of getting out of your skin, and into someone elses, just like most computer games are at their most basic level.
Dan/Tobias
_________________
Tobias Rieper - The Vital Spark
Captain & Errant nephew of Blue Sun Chairman! |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
Tillymint
Mook
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Norwich/Reading
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: My thoughts |
|
|
| Xian Fei Kalavati wrote: | | Give me some guidance...if someone does engage my services...what happens? to we have a brew in the ref hut for an hour or so? Its possibly something obvious to the peeps who have been doing it awhile, but not to me! |
As (I believe) the only person who has engaged a companion (as an NPC) in-game, I can indeed attest that that is exactly what you do! Well, we went in the companion's tent, and then had tea and a nice OOC chat for half an hour or so before going back IC for the afterglow 
So if you want time OOC, I suggest you find clients.
Don't worry about being shy - I was on my first couple of live events too. It does take a lot of courage to walk up to a random person and start talking to them. Do you have anyone that you know IC? Whose ship are you on? It always helps to be with people you know (or just pretend to know).
_________________
RL: Lizy
Event I: Scarlitt/Ffion/Hope
Event II: Blossoms of Spring/Lucille/Sister Clementine
Event IV: Rhee the Hostess/D.I. Keane/Sgt. McAvera the shellshocked
"Kill you, rape you, turn your skin into clothes" |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
XavierYu
Mook
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 23
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I was going to wear normalish clothes as well, to try and fit in, and not seems quite so aloof, but when I made the attempt, my captain informed me rather bluntly that I "didnt look much like a companion", so I ended up with jeans and the silly floaty jacket on
Pft, who needs to fit in? Inara never fits in (except at the shindig where everyone else is also dressed fancy), and that's why she's ace.
And in the Philosophy of Poontang conversation late sunday morning, I remember the point being raised that the reason companions can charge so much is because they're so obviously special. Being aloof is a good thing, your costume was definitely appropriate. It was a good floaty jacket
Unless you're doing the stealth companion thing, like Saffron... |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
Jon
It's all my fault
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 149
Location: Londinium
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 7:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Although in fairness I must admit we did fail to keep our promise of providing Companions with clients this event.
It is one of the critical 'Brass-tacks' Serenity components that we'll be spending the next few months nailing down and something I'll be sure of integrating into the next event when I sit down and start writing it next week.
_________________
"I aim to misbehave..." |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
Tobias Rieper
Seasoned
Joined: 22 Apr 2007
Posts: 76
Location: Outbound from Ariel......
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Xian Fei Kalavati wrote: |
I do also have my "doctor" qualifications, but with so many other fine doctors at the event, with real equipment that hummed and seemed to do fancy things, I felt a bit silly Ive since decided that I might just be a "womens" doctor, who unfortunately only has a dodgy male crew to treat. Can wind my captain up by asking whether or not hes expecting yet
|
Just you try it, mei mei.
Or have you forgotten that you will be coming home from birmingham this friday? I'm sore tempted to serve you up a generous portion of my special "baked beans and paraffin supprise" for that! 
| Xian Fei Kalavati wrote: |
I was camping with two others, in the same tent. when I rang to ask my captain where we were camping he grunted "IC of course".
|
Utter twaddle - this was discussed months in advance. In fact, it was you who was pestering me to let you stay in the same tent as me and chris!
_________________
Tobias Rieper - The Vital Spark
Captain & Errant nephew of Blue Sun Chairman! |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
Tobias Rieper
Seasoned
Joined: 22 Apr 2007
Posts: 76
Location: Outbound from Ariel......
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| XavierYu wrote: | [i]
Unless you're doing the stealth companion thing, like Saffron... |
Try buying her services, and you will find out!
_________________
Tobias Rieper - The Vital Spark
Captain & Errant nephew of Blue Sun Chairman! |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
Shikoba
Pilot
Joined: 06 Jun 2006
Posts: 226
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think we can be pretty sure that there are very few in the player base who can afford a companion
Trust me you will find it much easier next time. My trick is this
walk up to a person, smile
Hello, my name is X and you are? What brings you here, are you well etc. inane chat is always a good start. no matter how nervous you are stick on the smile and say hi. I've been known to throw up before event through people nerves so i find that tactic really work.
companion are in fact much more likly to get away with thsi than anyone else as everyone is polite or tries to be polite to them so you're less likely to be told to clear of. and trust me, there will never be too many medic, if you see an injury declare "I'm a medic" and get stuck in. folks will make the room.
DEefinatly camp ooc though, I'ma fraid lrp actually gets noisier around 1pm and folks ahve had plenty alcohol by hten and a chance to get intense in their character
another point and a very important one.
never judge anyone by the charatcer they are playing, no matter how loud or obnoxious they may seem the player is lovely and only wants you to enjoy the game as much as they do. Serenity is privaledge with the nicest bunch of people out there.
_________________
Shikoba Cheng - The Jien Huo
Fighting makes Buddha cry. |
|
| Back to top » |
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
