Tooting ALFA's Horn

[ElCadaver]

Perhaps advertising for groups (with a DM) to come and play. Obviously this means bringing the DM up to speed, but if you work on a referral basis, like getting people known to other prople, perhaps we can make sure we are getting responsible DM's.

[Rotku]

Perhaps advertising for groups (with a DM) to come and play. Obviously this means bringing the DM up to speed, but if you work on a referral basis, like getting people known to other prople, perhaps we can make sure we are getting responsible DM's.

I've always liked that idea. This is where Nalo Jade was good (or what ever he was called).

[Ithildur]

I actually tried to do something like this last year... along with Lakhena and a few of her RP buds I threw out a feeler for ArielT (formerly DMed on ALFA's Waterdeep server, tech staff as well iirc) who was DMing a Maptools campaign for some of us at the time. He had some complementary things to say about ALFA's RP, mixed in with some hints that he had no desire to deal with the politics/bureaucracy/craziness which he saw back in the day.

So the end result was Lakhena, myself, and two others (eventually we got Wvincenti in too) tried to generate some fun sans DM. Initially TSM did have Jadyemoon and Mirabai around and doing some stuff... but over time I think they got stretched too thin over two, three servers, and we saw very little DM coverage after a while. Suffice it to say these people eventually left basically out of boredom, and I found myself somewhat embarrassed for tooting ALFA's horn so hard.

They were good RPers too, not PGing farmers. Except for Bill, we all know he is one.

[Keryn]

It was indeed a shame, and we might as well try to get those same players back. Though i think it is a shame ArielT doesn't give it a try to see how things actually changed a bit.

[Ithildur]

It was indeed a shame, and we might as well try to get those same players back. Though i think it is a shame ArielT doesn't give it a try to see how things actually changed a bit.

We are trying Keryn...

So Lakhena is really really looking for a RP community that she can sink her teeth into, and just doesn't seem to be finding game on TSM on a regular basis for whatever reason. Maybe BG will help; maybe she just has horrendous luck/timing. She does have a life outside of the game unlike some of us.

One player was told by a DM to 'not emote so much' or some such, and was turned off and probably not returning. That's a first.

One player came back, but logged in only a couple of times; Lakhena wasn't around, I am stuck down in the underdark (which is fine for me), and he seems to be rather shy, and after losing a lvl 2 PC last year, afraid to set foot outside of a city. Haven't seen him much.

So, I would love to see players return/come check things out, etc. But atm my experience leads me to think that simply tooting our horn and getting players to get in the door may be only half the game.

[Keryn]

Well Ith, I also brought a player in, and have told her already that maybe the best for now is to log in sporadically and try to find some folks IG untill my own PC is out of the UD and able to RP with her and maybe make it a smoother transition. TSM will gain new life once our group is out again, and I know Lakhena is a good RPer, we will also likely see see some more folks around and that means there will be plenty of lowbies to play with and have fun with. TSM can be quite fun and chalenging for lowbies without a DM. So hopefully if we are able to bring them back in when we are out, we will also be able to make them stay this time around.

On the too much emote level... I think folks not really understanding how DMage is taken care of around here might get upset. Though we all know each DM has their own style, and I confess overemoting is something that can indeed be tireing.

Also JLM has been back actively DMing, and looking for players here and there to make their lives miserable.

[ElCadaver]

You know, that brings to light a large hole in ALFA's processes and information sharing (or a large hole in my knowledge about ALFA).

We have a players handbook, but I have not yet seen a DM's handbook?

Things like, channels of communication, dispute resolution, custom items, do's and don'ts. How well have we really examined our induction process for Dm's? When I was DMing, half the work was trying to find out stuff like the above, rather than being in game. A DM manual with all that stuff it might make poeple feel at home sooner, and give them some confidence in the system.

[Brokenbone]

There's a DM Documentation link top of forum screens that may only be visible to those with the right perms. Stabs at different tips and hints in varied DM forums too.

Again though, if alone, consider the activity of neighbor servers if things aren't looking up. If you've got someone "too fragile or poor" to travel, may be pleasantly received if asking a neighbor teams for a "break" on validations if new and looking for game.

[Ithildur]

There's a DM Documentation link top of forum screens that may only be visible to those with the right perms. Stabs at different tips and hints in varied DM forums too.

Again though, if alone, consider the activity of neighbor servers if things aren't looking up. If you've got someone "too fragile or poor" to travel, may be pleasantly received if asking a neighbor teams for a "break" on validations if new and looking for game.

Eh? What are you saying BB? I've never heard this was kosher before, though I for one would be supportive if things were as lean as they were last year.

[Brokenbone]

DMs can and do validate folks whenever they want. If someone is plain old "looking for game", especially if new to the community, why wouldn't they? DM function is not to drain gold, it's to manage the stories in their part of the world, could always have a ship captain NPC give a "looking for game" new PC the job of unloading crates or doing a favour for a mysterious stranger at the local seaside tavern, whatever. Someone desperate for game throwing themselves at DM mercy, may often find it, all here for fun and all that.

Abuse by hypothetical event hoppers or wealthy PCs dripping with gold who say "I wanna unload crates and have an NPC chat too!", DMs may just smile and nod and see 'em IG later.