Proposal

[Lex]

'Kay, been thinking lately...

We're all a lot older than we were when this thing started, so at this point in our lives we all have more demanding schedules. We all obviously love this RP or we wouldn't try so hard to keep it alive... But I've got to admit, lately I feel like even though we love it and we're trying, it's slowly dying anyway.

This RP has fourteen active characters. I think that's part of the reason why.

I'll be honest... The real reason Al and I split the characters into three different groups is this: all of these characters in one group would probably make for an out-of-control experience. There would just be way too many voices and too many things going on. It wouldn't be coherent. If everyone was in one single group, I'm not sure I could make enough ST posts to keep things from getting confusing. And then of course when things get confusing, people don't want to post because everyone is lost in the convolution and nobody knows what the hell is going on or what their character should be doing. So the RP dies.

Splitting them up felt like a solution, but now I'm not so sure it was a very good one. Does anyone feel like the story has been crap lately? Don't be afraid to say it; I do. And I think it's because we're spreading ourselves very thin -- me included. With all these characters and three threads running at once, this almost feels like three different RPs. I'm sorry guys, but I can't do it. I'm not saying I want to quit (I DON'T!) I'm just finally working up the nerve to admit that this is overwhelming me, and I hope me saying that doesn't piss you guys off.

Anyway... I guess I'll try to get to the point of this whole post now. I want to propose a change. It's kind of a big change and it involves sacrifices on all of our parts, but I personally feel like it would greatly benefit the story.

How do you guys feel about giving up characters?

Keep in mind that I'm including myself when I say this. I have three, which is actually three more than what I really should considering I'm an ST. But anyway...

Let me say right off the bat that I don't mean we would have to give them up completely. Maybe we could just have some kind of rotation going. Or maybe, instead of "giving up" any of our characters, we could just operate under a new rule that only one of our characters can be actively participating in the RP/mission at a time. Everyone would I guess choose which character they want to use for the upcoming thread, and then the picks would obviously be the people Squall assigns to a mission. Once the RP came to a reasonable stopping point, i.e. regrouping in Balamb or another briefing with Squall or something, we could switch characters and use a different one for the next chapter of the story.

The misc sessions area wouldn't count as the RP, of course. That area is kind of just there for character development and I guess "life outside the mission" so to speak, so it's pretty much completely free terrain to have our characters do whatever they do when they're not "at work" haha.

I know it would suck to have to choose just one character to post for at a time. I personally don't even know which of my boys I would choose, I don't think I'll EVER be able to choose a favorite between Zacke and Reese haha. But on the other hand, don't you think it would make the RP a little less stressful and a little more fun if all you really had to worry about was one character? And plus, that would cut the "group" down from 14 to 6... a lot more manageable if you ask me.


Anyway... let me know what your thoughts are guys. If everyone hates it, forget about it. I'm just bringing it up because I'm not having an easy time of keeping track of everything going on right now, and I'm starting to feel guilty for the toll it's taking on the RP. I don't want to admit that I've over-extended myself, but I also definitely don't want to withhold the fact that I'm having a difficult time here and something needs to change...


P.S. Al, if you're thinking this post is mostly directed at you, you're right. I mean seriously, ONE character? That's just absolutely ridiculous and I don't think any of us should have to tolerate it any longer. You really need to get your priorities straight and narrow the number down.

[ani]

Ahhh are you guys having trouble? =( I know you guys have been doing a major ST postage lately (esp Lex) and doing a good job too, but I can see why it could be a bit stressful with all your other priorities =P So, really I'm sorry for giving you guys the helm and all. ^^ I still have a week and a half till school starts, so I can definitely help out with ST-ing for the meantime. Or even after school starts if necessary. Yep, in other words, I'm volunteering to be your cushion. Just say so, I absolutely, positively don't mind! ^_~

Anyway, even if we're moving really slow (w/c is okay by me since it's not like we have to meet deadlines and all XD), I don't think the storyline is crap. =/ I love each character's personality. I think even if the story is boring, their personalities won't make it seem so. The storyline is more like a background for me. They're like the stars of the portrait *_* That's prolly the reason why I've no problems having 14 characters. I didn't even notice they're that many until you put down the actual numbers haha ^.^

But I guess if the others want to drop some of their charries, then I've no problem with that too. =( I have 3 and I'm really having trouble dropping one of them though. ~_~;;

And lastly, I'm so glad you spoke up. *hugs* Don't stress about this too much. Let me help, please.

[Lex]

*hugs*

:\ well to be honest with you, it's not as much me wanting help as it is just me wanting things to be cohesive... I mean Al is a help, she doesn't do as many ST posts as me but she definitely does half the planning work with me.

and don't get me wrong, I love our characters... they are my favorite thing about this RP.

I just feel like the sheer amount of them is what's slowing us down and killing the excitement. If I only had one thread to work on it would be great. Thing is, it's pretty much impossible to have everything in one thread because it's pretty much impossible to give 14 different characters each something to do.

[ani]

Don't worry! Before Bun left, we were able to handle 13 characters I still think the excitement lies on the ratio of guys to girls though ahaha The minority gets overthrown. And if some of us will want to cut one or two of their characters, then I guess now is the time?

Do you want me to like handle one of the threads though? I'm good at improvising LOL Just tell me the "DON'Ts" just in case I overstep some future plans.

*edit*
Is that okay with everyone? Or does someone else want to volunteer?

[Lex]

It's alright, we have plans set for how each thread goes down, and if things don't happen as they are supposed to then it's going to massively affect the larger story we have in place behind everything. So me and Al will continue to handle them.

Thanks for offering your help though Ri... *huggles*

[Lex]

okay, I just got a new idea that (I hope) should be something that pleases everyone...

unfortunately I have to get to the office, so I guess I'll describe it when I get back home tonight.

[Myacu]

Hey Lex, so I know you already have an idea you want to share with us, but I was thinking.

Yes, I would love to 14 of our characters in the RP. I just think that their such developed characters, especially ani's, lily's,ash's, and lex, all of you guys who have been in this RP since Trinity. I think that if we were to pull some charries out, it might even ruin some of the "chemistry" that makes the RP so great and fun to read.

That being said, I do understand the challenge that you and Al have as ST's to manage everyone, and yes, the plot can get very convoluted with too many charries. But like ani said, back when Bun was RPing, we had two seperate threads going on and we posted about 13, 14 pages for each one. Again, I know I'm not an ST so its easy for me to kick back and just be like, "Oh Lex, I'm sure you cann figure something out, bleh bleh bleh!" Lol...

But honestly, if I were to choose one charrie to RP with...gosh I really couldn't pick one.

So I guess want I really want to say is that while I'd love for things to remain as they, and for you and Al to have no pressure to ST on time or make the story "exicting" or anything else. But like I said before, it's not really fair on my part to demand something I personally do not have to claim responsibility for. :]

[Lex]

it means a lot for you to say all that Mya... haha I feel bad now because I feel like I'm complaining or something. I'm really not wanting to sound that way -_- I do this 'cause I love it haha


I don't want to try and get all explainy with my idea just yet because I haven't eaten dinner and I still have a crap-ton of freakin' financial things to sort through and filing and blah... upcoming taxes + trying to get an apartment + studying for my upcoming hydro test = <--- me. sometimes being an adult sucks a little bit ^_^

but anyway... what I will say is that my NEW idea doesn't involve cutting out or suspending characters.

[Lex]

and btw, you have just as much right to an opinion as me whether you do the ST work or not. *huggles*


and just for the sake of saying it: I really don't mind if everyone else just outright disagrees with my idea 100%... if everyone dislikes it then everyone dislikes it *shrug* the whole reason I posted it is to find out.

[Stella]

I feel as if I have to come to my defense here.

Let me start off by saying that all though I don't make ST posts as often as Lex I have done a ton of work on this RP. I have pages and pages of notes about story lines. Details about every NPC you are going to come across. Quite honestly we have some pretty awesome stuff planned in the future for your characters.

The reason I don't make a lot of ST posts is the time difference. I am hardly ever on at the same time as you guys are so if you have questions or whatever its easier if Auria makes the ST posts.

So its cool if you guys don't want to give up your characters because trust me we can handle 14. It simply feels like everyone is losing interest. Days go by when no one posts. That's why the suggestion of setting some characters aside. People hardly have time to post for one let alone two or three.

Anyway at the end of the day this is supossed to be fun and we are all friends here. Let's not cause any more unnecessary drama. If you guys aren't on board with this than just say so and we'll keep moving a long like we have been. ^_~

[Ash]

Lex, Al I totally see what you're getting at here. As much as I love everyone's charries and have a feel for each one, it seems like the only way we can possibly get an intimate rp is if we are constantly having split up teams. This does feel like 3 separate RP's to me.

During the ball I noticed that everyone had their own plotlines going, even when all the charries were together it still felt like everyone was being split up. Certain charries are not interacting with certain other charries. It feels distant and not intimate.

I myself am willing to give up Deo. I love Deo and think he's a great charrie and had great fun with him but I dont' feel the same intimacy and excitment I do when I rp for Blaze. Plus I'm sure he'd rather be sleeping anyway XD I feel like not all the charries are getting the same amount of attention because it needs to be evenly split between the two or three charries we have.

That being said I can see why nobody would want to give up a charrie, it's like losing a part of your soul! Maybe we could add another ST? I'm too lazy and it's too much work for me >_< but Lex is being way overwhelmed here. She did a great job rp'ing when it was just blaze, zacke, reese, stardie and Jun and this is such a huge step up.

But anyway I think i'll give up deo and keep him as an NPC.

[ani]

Aww Lex, are you wholeheartedly sure you don't need help? =( Just say so, k? I'm willing to help as much as I can.

And I get Al's point about the dwindling interest. I guess it can't be helped if this RP isn't the center of our world anymore, (I mean, I even neglect DJ I should go there and post something. It's starting to hate me. >__<!) but even if it's not anymore, I don't want to quit XD I still love it. ^.^

And most importantly, I see this RP as a stress-reliever. It shouldn't be a stress-producer. I post here when I want to procrastinate about work or when the previous post forces me to post (like if someone punches Stardie XD lmao Stardie wants instant reply). Things like that, y'know? XD

I'm gonna miss Deo though Maybe I'll have Van accompany him. But gah, I bet most of the Opps will follow suit >_< It's like if you pull away one, there'll be strings attached and it's gonna disrupt everyone LOL

[Myacu]

I guess the RP has been very inactive. As for myself, I probably should have told you guys that I started school this week. I'm not saying that that's an issue, but its just that right now, I am only enrolled in one class. Yes, that's right, only ONE class. I'm on the waitlist for the rest of them right now, so in order to have "backups", I've been going to seven classes this week, and the work is really killing me. Hopefully once I get into some of them, I can find more time to do posts.

Anyways, so what is the verdict now? Are we dropping charries? I've been thinking about this a lot...and here's my rational. On one hand, Jax is very fun to RP for, he's so much more chill and funny...on the other hand, I feel like I'd rather develop Gemma's character a lot more...so yes. If it comes down to it, I might be dropping Jax.

[Lex]

I'll say right now that I am definitely dropping Lawric.

And I know I keep saying this, but I'll post about my idea later. I'll probably make another thread for it. I'm too braindead and hungry right now to even want to start it -_- just got home.