[Enzo]

At The Pattern's End, you can RP your character into earning different talents. The one I'm after is called Blademaster. You can all this skills called "forms" OOC'ly, RP getting those forms IC'ly, and then also do a lot of extra training sessions IC'ly. The admin also has to make the player a blademaster officially by giving them the talent in RP.

The problem is: Many people are trying to be blademasters, and the admin picks out the best person (I think). What could I do to help them choose me to be a Blademaster?

[Brody]

I really don't think the Top MUD Sites Roleplaying discussion forum is the place to find that answer, unfortunately. That answer, more likely than not, will come from the admins and players at the MU* in question.

[Enzo]

"Everything you want to know about roleplay, and then some!" seems fit to my question. I'm trying to get some ideas of what to involve into my roleplay.

Bring it up with the administrators if you want to. I don't want this thread locked.

[Brody]

As the moderator of this forum, I can tell you: I have no intention of locking the topic, or asking that it be locked.

However: This forum is more for general advice about roleplaying, and not about how you might persuade people - admins, no less - we don't even know to give you a shot as Blademaster. The problem here is one of specificity. It would be like someone coming on and asking in this forum how they might best go about becoming a High Priest in the Vox Nalia Church on OtherSpace. The correct answer is: Go to OtherSpace and ask folks there. Most games have discussion forums on their websites or bulletin boards or FAQs *just* for this sort of issue.

I'm really not trying to be a hardcase. But I don't want this forum to turn into an Advice About Acceptance Into Guilds 101.

[Robbert]

Actually, if being a BladeMaster on that particular MU* is anything like what it was on the one I once played, there's quite a bit of Roleplaying advice one can give.

However, as Brody said, specificity is also the key to the situation. Most viewers of TMS, most likely, would not know how to go about becoming a BladeMaster, or even what one is.

You would do well to do a search for Ganon Chelbian's (Alias name) discourse on emote combat. This was written about three years ago, and at one time was widely disseminated. It covers the broader aspects of how to truly create depth to your character with regards to combat.

Avoid cliche's. Don't be a Garet Jax, Lan Mandaragon, Garth, or someone similar who has no weaknesses, reads minds, and moves faster than quicksilver. Be surprised, lose sometimes, and remember above all else that enjoyment for you does not equate to enjoyment for others, but that it can if you all work to it. Avoid cliche's.

Did I say, avoid cliche's?

And now for the sad news: Typically, on WoT MU*s specifically, power is distributed among those who cavort the best with the Immortals. It's a tangible aspect of the game, and therefore is used as barter material. A real shame, too, because there are numerous talented roleplayers stuck in the WoT political quagmires.

--Robespierre

[Brody]

While I agree with most Robbert posted, I do admit I am
rather bent by this final comment.

I think on many MUDs you are going to find this occuring.  Its
a matter of social interaction.  Hekk, you find it everywhere
in real life - your government, your place of employment, your
own social circles, etc.  Would you be willing to lend $50 more
to a good friend for something he didn't necessarily need, as
opposed to wanted, or donate $50 to charity?

I think saying "on WoT MU*s specifically", is in bad taste.  On
any well run MUD or business, power is distributed amongst
who deserves it, whether they are social or not.  It is a matter
of the maturity of the hiring staff - not the MU* genre.

It is wholly possible to bring someone on your staff you do
not personally like, but respect their abilities in whatever
quality they possess for the betterment of the MU*.

Players who cavort well with immortals may be in better
positions to receive grants and boons - but that could possibly
be just because they are exposed to the immortal staff more.
A player might be the greatest role-player on a RP-MU*, but
if all they do is rp with mortals how is an immortal staff
supposed to realize this (barring an rp experience rating
system, being emailed logs, hearing it from other players) ?

...


As for the link suggested, I've never seen it but it sounds like
a pretty good idea.  You also may wish to cruise around WoT
info sites just to make sure your realm knowledge is up to
snuff.

Another suggestion, if Brody or Syn could lend me a hand with
this, would be to dig up the web addy for the "Got Logs"
thread from the OLD version of the site.  I somewhat recall
seeing the Pattern's End banner flaring vividly at the bottom
of a number of posts.  Perhaps if you check the logs your
administrators have posted, you can get a feel for the type of
role-play they are seeking in others.

As for others helping you figure out how you should win favor,
again, as Brody suggested, you would be better off consulting
your individual MU*.  I could list for you seven days from
wednesday what it would take for you to be called a
blademaster on my MU*, but that would be an entirely
different judge.  Personally, I'd agree with Robbert in
the 'avoid cliche's and 'humility' aspects, but from what I
recall of TPE's postings on the Old 'Got Logs', the posters
definitely seemed to err more on the side of the .... dramatic.

A final suggestion would be to make sure you know who is in
charge of what.  If the judge of the role-play tells you you've
had enough, don't kick him in the shins.  Its sometimes a good
idea to carry an olive branch when dealing with situations
involving moder- your MU*s administrators.

At least, its good 'form'.

Rant over, going for some coffee so I can wake up, reread this, and regret posting.