Illarion.org

This thread isn't exactly hospitable right now, but I'll add my two cents:

I don't frankly see Ceigan Ibatha as an insane character so much as a mischevious character and a trickster, possibley, from what little contact I've had with him (nothing but on the boards.)

How can I tell that he's a mischevious trickster and not someone who likes to cause trouble in online games? Well, admittedly I can't, but Ceigan can tell us how he feels about it, if we can give him the chance, rather than crucifying him on a message board while off-topic, might I add.

Yes, this has grown horribly off-topic. If you who are reading this, are planning on reading something on-topic, just pretend you didn't see this big-ass post. It is merely about "insane characters", nothing else.

Dyluck wrote:For example, how would you explain this to someone new who was trying to learn how to properly roleplay an insane character?

First of all, I'd strongly recommend that anyone who does not have strong experience with role-playing, should not play an "insane" character at all. Period. Alot of players of other RPGs will try to cover up weak role-play by stating that their character is insane. The funny thing is, the weaker the role-play gets, the more true this statement becomes.

Dyluck wrote:I still have no idea where the range of your "proportion" is, except by number present online, but I don't think that's a very effective way of measuring "proportion".

32-2; 16-1; 7-0; do those numbers sound good to you? Well if not, ain't too bad; I just made them up.
My "way" of "measuring" "proportion", was not "based" on perceptions of the actual numbers of characters online, but only of characters encountered in-game. In other words, and regarding your words, my observations aren't worth jack. My subjective observations have no mathematics to them, they are derived from the perspective of simply playing the game.

Dyluck wrote:Maybe you never thought of an overall proportion, but that's fine.

Excuse me Sir; I have actually thought of that. You might have thought of the fact that I do not have insight in the "overall proportion". So, how's the current "overall proportion"?

Dyluck wrote:So how do you tell if a character is one or the other?

Spur-of-the-moment analysis and gut instinct.

Dyluck wrote:What reproducable qualities can you observe to make your decision?

Following, are some examples of behaviour the character Ceigan Ibatha has shown in-game, which lend to the impression of a believable, insane character (you'll find examples of a "poorly-played" insane character in brackets at the end of each point in the list):
• Obsessiveness: Whether it's his ranting and raving about the Magenta Troll of power, teaching his "mastership" as a tree remover, or simply buying some arrows at the market despite insufficient funds, the character Ibatha will ride around on any point of attack he can find. But only certain ones. Most things fly by Ibatha as if unnoticed, but if something is really in his interest, he continues at it like a madman. PO Ibatha is very clever about this. (the opposite example to this point would be a character that simply acts completely random - there's a method to every madness)
• Naivety: If your char tells Ibatha he/she's possessed by the Magenta Troll of Power, Ibatha would believe it for a while - until someone convinces him that he was only being made fun of. (the opposite example to this highlight are the characters that fall out of their own consistency, temporarily losing the weaknesses impaired by their mental illness)
• Psychosis: Ibatha the character obviously can't distinguish between right or wrong. He tried, but it seems like he failed miserably somewhere in his childhood. He'll call himself a hero for removing trees from the gates of town. In the next, he's running from trolls that are attacking town, shrieking like a woman that his prophecies are coming true (while he's in fact only getting himself and the other people in danger). Returning to the example of him raising his bow when your character claims to be possessed by besaid Troll - he could fire the arrow - he describes it quite well that he's tempted to believe it and sling that arrow. By not doing it, he's simply hinting at it. The message gets accross though. It does get a little frightening when you realize he's serious about it, and he's suddenly lost all his qualities as the town jester. However you know he wouldn't harm a fly if didn't have a good reason to. (the opposite example of this, obviously, is the stupid pk who blames his lack of understanding of RP on his character supposedly being a psychotic)
• Conviction: Trying to put a finger down on Ibatha's mental state, you'd say he's somewhere between a grown-up and a child. No matter what kind of strange things he's saying or doing, he's absolutely convicted about them; convinced that there is no fault to his thinking. This goes so far that he as self-named Tree Remover is recruiting disciples in the "Art of Tree Removing". (the opposite example of this would be a player who plays an insane character, and falls flat when inquired why they're doing whatever nonsense they're doing. PO Ibatha always shakes a sleek answer out of his character's sleeve).

Dyluck wrote:"contributes to the game"

Reason: The character Ibatha contributes in the form of being a "sleeping threat". While yet seemingly harmless at the moment, Ceigan Ibatha could be the walking time bomb ticking himself. While he ineffably leaves the impression of being insane, I can only speak for myself that ig encounters between characters and him (initially humorous, like Konstantin wrote) are becoming rather creepy. Keep in mind the character is a Novice Chaos priest now. He may seem like the town jester at the moment, but Ibatha could eventually become a serious threat. I'd have nothing to object against that. Is there a God of Chaos in Illarion? Yes. Do priests of besaid God, and even the deity himself, act peculiar and strive to wreak confusion and havoc? Uhm, yes.
I rest my case.
Now, I'm not saying that adhering to the chaos axis of the pantheon is a freeway ticket to "insane" behaviour. What I'm getting at is that Ceigan Ibatha is a well-rounded character (in the sense of character conception). He's made for the world of Illarion, and I can't picture him anywhere else.

Dyluck wrote:"stays memorable"

If, in a year from now, anybody still remembers how Ibatha once began on his quest against the Magenta Troll of Power, the evil trees, and some other strange terrors he swoons about - I wouldn't be surprised. And then there's always a Search function. Imagine it from the point of view of a player joining in a year from now - browsing through old posts. Reading the ones by Ibatha will definitely be very entertaining. Ibatha contributes some good humor as well, and he will be remembered for that. Hopefully more vividly than someone like twe. And not to mention what he could possibly do in the time of that virtual year.

I hope this covers your needs for now, Dyllie. But I'm always up for more. I'd just suggest we move this to a new thread.

(contents edited)

I have noticed a few new characters that have balanced out the "Everyone is happy and good and sane and loves daisies" problem we've had lately. I've met someone who wants to be a prostitute, some crazy Troll fearing lumberjack, and heard of some rude disturbed teen that's angering people left and right. There is an increase in people following the darker gods, and the jumble of people is a lot better. The only problem with this is all these new characters are played by old players, I assure you. None of them are New. The new players seem to stick with the normal oddly intellectual mega fighter. I think Illarion will always be cursed with 5-20 people online at a time, I prefer it that way. Although a few more at a time would be awesome. Maybe we could try to advertise more, if we're in chat rooms tell people about it. Go to Tibia or Runescape and run around yelling "Join Illarion!". Don't say "but then those l33t n00bz will show up." Becuase they'll have to pass the account request test also. Personally I've told about 3-4 people about Illarion and they've gotten in (2 failed.. poor saps) and I'm sure everyone has had a chance to at least tell someone where to come to request an account. I think the only reason new people aren't showing up is because they haven't heard about the game. Either that or just that or just none of them can pass the test.


Off Topic: If Ibatha makes you mad, call his troll purple! BWAHAHA I found out how to push his buttons in only ONE meeting.

I agree, Dom.

On a little side-note, I got to illarion not because someone told me about it, but because I was desperately searching the internet for a good role-playing game. It was more like a coincidence I found to this game and community.
And I don't think everybody has the some preferences and tastes as myself. I had searched for about 1 hour+ under the following criteria:
• An RPG that is not just text-based
• An RPG that is rather on the realism-side than from the style of monster-stats-gaming (à la Diablo)
• An RPG where it's... actually about role-playing.
The search narrowed down until I finally found Illarion, and the account request time did not deter me from joining it, because I had hopes it was finally the game I was looking for.
I think a little player advertisement wouldn't hurt it. Especially because it would probably also attract some people who could actively help out in the development of the game - not just in the form of expanding the community with valuable players and characters, but also in the technical aspects of the game, like working on the site and the client.
If I think about all the good P&P RPers I've met in my time, I'm sure some of them are secretly dying to find a game like this one. I know I was.

I found Illarion before it was about RP, and it wasn't anything too special, but now it's the ONLY RP game out there that's true to it's name. I brough in all the gamers from my home town, and try to work it into conversations online. Most people only get to the "You have to pass a test to get in though" part and stop. Half of the ones that take it, fail it. But that's all good, because those that pass, are well worth it. We have an entirely new graphics pack to woo people with, we ought to be out there getting more people. Maybe everyone could refer to 1 person, that would be 100's of new requests. And haven't the GMs hinted at a new automated account request system? It all seems to fall into place.

I referred three people:

• One failed.
• One's computer broke before he could download the program.
• One found out that I was leaving Illarion for a time and decided to wait until I got back. He lost interest since then.

I have no luck.

I telled some people about it. One didn't want it, one couldn't make a character, and two maked characters.
One of the "new" got his brother playing.
One other got a freind playing.
So, I have make atlest four people have the game.

/Sylian Steelfighter and Tyrien Windrunner (The same)

Lol, why is it that when Dyluck posts something, I just can't understand it? I just can't! I am trying, but ... lol. His style is so complicated!
By the time I swim across one paragraph, I confuse myself completely.

But K, it's possible to follow. It's not really a matter of complications, it's a matter of how verbose you are. Apparently, being verbose makes you look smarter.

Well, me being dumb as a dud, can you translate, are they saying Ceigan is good or bad?

I didn't say he was either. I've never even met him, which is why I asked Morier to describe the qualities that makes him feel Ceithan is good at his role.

I'd be happy to explain to you what paragraph you didn't understand, but the discussion has already been taken elsewhere. I don't think I used any complicated vocabulary other than that which I quoted from others, but mukluk osculation is a strident acquiescence to accord.

but mukluk osculation is a strident acquiescence to accord.

25 brownie points for Dyluck.

My take on Ibatha, just in case it still isn't clear: I think PO Ceigan Ibatha rocks. So does the character, from my OOC-point-of-view. (:

To return on-topic, I have a 100%-success rate so far in recruiting new players - 1 of 1 are already accepted and playing.

Anyway- I still don't get it from this thread- does the majority think it needs more players on Illarion, or not?

Moirear Sian wrote:Anyway- I still don't get it from this thread- does the majority think it needs more players on Illarion, or not?

I am not the majority, I am not even a real player, however I do think so.
A lot of things are simply not possible if we do not have enough players online.

I think that, at some time, we will enlarge the map which again will have influence on the density of players, which will decrease the playerinteraction (but increase the RP-possibilities).

Martin

@Dyluck:

Dyluck!!! Stop it!
What the hell is "osculation is a strident acquiescence to accord."
What does this mean, lol?

@martin:

Yes! Please, oh please, build us a cave, a monastery, an underground city or a surface city, or well anything... well just a different city, so we can have a war at last!

@Konstantin:
www.dictionary.com
I thought there already was one coming up, as it is?