Jedi Council Forums - Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence

Jedi Council Forums » Role Playing » Role Playing Resource »

Locked Topic | Read Only Topic | Previous Active Topic | Next Active Topic

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 - ~~Previous~~ | Next | Reload

Author	Topic: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
LightSide_Apprentice Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: May '01	Date Posted: 4/8/06 3:29am Subject: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence - Date Edited: 8/5/06 5:56pm (3 edits total) Edited By: LightSide_Apprentice
	STUDENT POSITIONS VACANT: Three. (No more than 5 students will be accepted at present. Apply via Private Message or Post an expression of interest). TO THE WILLING STUDENT: It is important to recognise the value of learning. No matter how old or young, how strong your background or diverse your experience, there is a lifetime of learning available to you. This thread has been designed as a community, and modelled around a school structure, for the purposes facilitating learning. What will you learn here? The art that is Role Playing, the skills and knowledge that might help you to succeed, and those elements that will help to maximise not only your enjoyment, but to allow your experience to be more fulfilling and value added. This school is open to all, for the duration of its existence, though class spaces are limited and enrolment must be conducted via Private Message or a post expressing interest. Welcome, students. I have no doubt that some of you might consider yourselves wise, or humble, some as self proclaimed teachers and others as eternal students of life. I invite you all to join me in a school quite unlike any other, a class, unfortunately, where enrolment is a challenge, where class spaces are limited. But, where, above and beyond all else, those that graduate are among the finest and skilled in the area of Role Playing, whether it is in character play or game creation and management. I ask you to join this preparatory school, which offers classes for members of each of the areas of these Role Playing Forums, if your desire is to improve your own skills. Most welcome will be those people who possess a true and sincere intention to remain here and dedicate themselves to learning for the purposes of community enrichment, and not simply the advancement of self. Bring to mind your own primary schools and high schools, colleges, and universities. Merge them into one combined institution, and you will take your first step toward gaining some small measure of understanding for the scope and intention of this place for learning. I seek not only those who feel it is their place to be taught, but those, too, who feel that they might be capable and ready to instruct. For this is a place not for students alone, but for teachers, too. It is a place for leaders and followers, for mentors and mentees, for all who desire not simply a chance at attaining greater knowledge, but all that that knowledge, once acquired, might offer them. Should you wish to enrol at this school, or apply for a position in its staff, you need only ask. There is a single limitation in the opening, management, functioning and operation of this school, and that is that it has only one, for lack of a better word, headmaster or principal. This does not mean that classes will not grow, or that enrolment will not become easier with time, or less restrictive. If anything, it means that there is a strong desire for growth. More information will be revealed with time. For now, I will mention that there will be classes for all aspects of role playing, there will be some classes that offer homework, and some that offer examinations or practical assessments. There will be both teachers and students and both of these will face trials and tests. Report cards may be used with grades, and performance reviews may very well be undertaken. Mentor programs will also be offered. And, that's just the beginning. Referred to as the School of Hard Knocks by some, and as a college of Higher Learning by others, Diamond Institution is an establishment where both students and teachers are held accountable and responsible for their actions and futures. Success, or lack thereof, is within their hands alone. -----signature----- Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Master_Valar Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 4/8/06 3:23pm Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
	I'm interested. I'd like to have more infromation LSA. Always looking to improve myself. -----signature----- Sith Trials: Level 4 Apprentice
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
LightSide_Apprentice Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: May '01	Date Posted: 4/8/06 6:52pm Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
	Classes within the Diamond Institution are diverse, with new courses and opportunities being adopted and introduced as times and interests change. At present, there are more than a dozen distinct classes, which are open to enrolment. Teachers may disallow enrolment into certain classes, or may issue entrance exams, background checks or assessments when considering student applications. Long time students, or students from other schools may act as mentors to newcomers, or as 'buddies'. Successful students, and mentors may apply for graduation from certain levels of the school upon completion of their enrolled program and through satisfying minimum attendance requirements. Graduates may then apply for positions as Teachers, with some class participants studying as Student Teachers in preparation for such a course. Professors may visit certain classes as guests into the school, or as expert visitors and specialists into the school in their own capacity as teachers for enrolled students. SUGGESTED CLASSES: 1) Role Playing 1.1 Role Playing for Beginners 1.2 Intermediate Role Playing 1.3 Advanced Role Playing Technique 2) Game Creation and Management 2.1 Game Generation and Ideas 2.2 Game Operation and Management 2.3 Game Mastership 3) Elective Classes for the Player 3.1 Characterisation and Character Creation 3.2 Character Development 3.3 Successful Confrontation 3.4 Duels and Battles 3.5 Knowing your Equipment and Attributes 4) Elective Classes for the Game Master 4.1 Story Creation and Game Foundation 4.2 Scenario Creation and Background 4.3 Sub-plots and Story Arcs 4.4 Integration of Peoples and Events NOTE: Students are limited to one class each. At present, no more than three students may be present in any given class. Transfers between classes before completion of assignments and course requirements are allowed, though they are discouraged. Transfers after class completion, however, are encouraged as a path to advancement. CUSTOM CLASS: It is important to recognise the different needs and wants of different students. Those that wish to learn in an area that does not fall into one of the available classes are asked to contact the school headmaster with an expression of their wishes to that effect. -----signature----- Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Penguinator-176 Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 4/8/06 8:15pm Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
	I'm interested. Hoping to enroll. -----signature----- "Good god, Peng's a mentat!" ~darthramza GDG
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
agap_afima Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 4/9/06 6:49am Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
	All right, I PMd LSA and he granted me a postition. -----signature----- "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our lord..."
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
LightSide_Apprentice Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: May '01	Date Posted: 4/9/06 7:11am Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence - Date Edited: 4/9/06 7:14am (1 edits total) Edited By: LightSide_Apprentice
	Welcome to the first semester at the Diamond Institution. I trust your stay here will be a pleasant one. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask them. Until such time as I retire, resign, am dismissed, or our school closes down, I will act as this institution's headmaster. And, like you, I will be a student that is willing to learn. As a first order of procedure I will ask those who have already expressed an interest to do two things, the second of which is tied to the first. The first is that you choose a class from those listed above, and, if you cannot find one to your liking, to ask for a custom or personalised class by posting as much within this thread. The second is to consider why you are here, and to use that piece of knowledge in making your decision for subject or class choice. If it is your purpose to become a better game master, you would want to choose a class that will help you in that regard, just as you would chose a class that relates to role play if you wished to become a better player. In the odd or rare instance that your reason for being here is to seek a purpose, some motivation or inspiration, then please express as much. I consider it my responsibility to help you as best I know how, now that I know you are willing to learn right along side me. NOTE: To those who have already expressed an interest in enrolment and/or participation within this school, you have been accepted. Thus far you will not be subjected to any obvious screening test or examination, except through your participation from this point forth. Should you falter, you will receive a warning. Should you struggle after that notice has been given, you will likely face some form of disciplinary action, executed through this school. There is no serious punishment or need for concern. This school is designed for the willing student, and those that are not willing are certainly free to find alternative arrangements. At the heart of this school there is a strong desire for enrichment of the community and the school itself through the excellence of its members. Any implied hardship is precisely that, and not at all actual. -----signature----- Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
DarthSeti5 Registered: Jan '01	Date Posted: 4/9/06 9:12am Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
	I am now a full-time student here at the Diamond Institution, ready and prepared to dive in. I will be focusing on Character Development. ~ DS5 -----signature----- What you feel only matters to you. It's what you do to the people you say you love, that's what matters. It's the only thing that counts.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Penguinator-176 Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 4/9/06 9:18am Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
	Looking forward to 1.2, 2.2, and 3.2. ~P -----signature----- "Good god, Peng's a mentat!" ~darthramza GDG
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
LightSide_Apprentice Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: May '01	Date Posted: 4/9/06 11:05am Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
	Since both of you have indicated an interest in the class for Character Development, I'll begin with that as our focus for the moment. Penguinator-176, should you wish to explore those other two classes you mentioned, at some future point, please express your concerns when the time for doing so presents itself. Should you wish to drop this class and pick up another, you may do so at any point in time. Know that you may only participate in one class at any given time. CLASS 3.2: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT [Session I] An Introduction: Character Development takes place when you have a character in mind, once you've thought up an idea, and a name and established a 'character sheet' or 'biography' (a bio). These things offer you information about the character, usually in relation to their description and their past, respectively. Character Development, however, is not the simple presentation of this information, but rather an extension of it. For further information on Character Creation, including Character Sheets and Biographies, please see or enrol in Class 3.1: Characterisation and Character Creation. As far as I see it, Character Development is everything that takes place after the character's 'birth'. The reason I do not include elements of character creation in character development is because I feel that the two, while similar, and definitely related, are both quite involved and require a different focus of examination when they are being addressed. The first step to character development, however, is to know your character. Not surprisingly, the best way to do this is to have a character sheet or a biography on hand. Once you know who your character is, it is easier to set them along a path that suits them. Character development is all about bringing the idea of a character to life. It is about using the information contained within character sheets and biographies to establish a credible, living, breathing being that is true to itself, that has feelings and thoughts of its own, just as we do. I want each of you to think of a character of your own, or a character that you know from a film or a book. If you can choose a character from one of the Star Wars films that is probably easiest to begin with, but try to consider a unique character, too, for this first activity. I want you to imagine that character in the phase of its creation. I want you to know the character. What does the character look like, what is their gender, are they human, what do they like, what don't they like? Think of them as real, living, breathing beings. The more you know about them, the better and more credible they will become as you develop them. Here you can probably see the benefits of an extensive character sheet or biography. Such references of information provide you with a physical guide and copy that you can follow and refer to at any given time. Without a good character sheet, you risk the chance of inconsistency. At the heart of it all, I will reinforce that knowing your character is of primary importance. The reason, quite simply, is because you have to know them to be able to play them. What would your character do if faced with a challenge? Would they rise up to it and face it head on, or would they run from it? Would they take a step back and assess the obstacle ahead of them before they consider how to pass it? These are all options, and even a single character might use every one of those options in a number of different circumstances. It is your task, as the player of that character, to know how a character would react, or act, in any given circumstance once that scenario or situation presents itself. I want you to call to mind the character I asked you to think about earlier. I want you to consider all of the things that have been said thus far, and I want you to get into your character's head. The first question I am going to ask you is this: Who is your character, and what makes them special? Post your answers and responses to this question. Remember, this is a classroom. It is an open forum. You may ask questions of your own, you may post comments or tips or make observations or offer insight as to your own thoughts and experiences. We can all learn something here, even if we are only beginning. -----signature----- Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Penguinator-176 Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 4/9/06 11:14am Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
	What Makes Tyler Durden Special Many characters in fiction are good, noble individuals. Tyler Durden is not one of these indivicuals. While at heart, his beliefs are, indeed, good and noble, the way he brings them around is not. Radically anti-establishment, Tyler has no qualms against using force to achieve his ends. These ends are often philosophical in nature, but range from incredibly deep to very immature (urinating in soup). Tyler displays a streak of masochism, and cares little for his own body. Tyler Durden is unique in that he goes his own way in everything. -----signature----- "Good god, Peng's a mentat!" ~darthramza GDG
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
agap_afima Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 4/9/06 3:34pm Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
	1.3, 2.1, 2.2, and 4.1 look fascinating, to name a few. -----signature----- "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our lord..."
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
darth_nemisis Registered: May '04	Date Posted: 4/9/06 7:19pm Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
	I have already expressed interest to you in the Game-Mastering and Game Operation courses. -----signature----- ~Dark Lord - Acolytes of Darkness (SWC)~ My new homepage! http://www.aaronnemisis.com !~!~stormBoards now available~!~! http://stormboards.aaronnemisis.com/
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
LightSide_Apprentice Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: May '01	Date Posted: 4/10/06 6:18am Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence - Date Edited: 4/13/06 5:13pm (1 edits total) Edited By: LightSide_Apprentice
	CLASS 3.2: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT [Session I][Continued] Students Present: Penguinator-176 & DarthSeti5 To learn of a character with good and noble beliefs, but a questionable series of methods in living out those beliefs, I must admit, is interesting. We are commonly faced with characters that are either mostly good, or evil, or characters that have shades of both and can be referred to, in some capacities, as neutral. Perhaps the subject at hand, Mr Tyler Durden, simply believes that the ends justify the means, and his ends, his goals, are what he sees as noble ones. The thing that strikes me as most interesting of all is his affinity for both philosophy and immaturity. These two are rarely seen hand in hand, unless, perhaps we see the talk of what some people might refer to as a madman. Whatever the case, the example is a good one, and easily worthy of discussion and further examination. When developing a character of this nature, knowing the man's behaviours and tendencies as you do, I can only imagine that play would be not only challenging, but also amusing. Before I go on to suggest what approaches I would take on my own, I am curious as to what you have done in the past, or would do, as a step toward developing this character. Would you simply display some of his eccentricities, or would you give greater meaning to these antics and their polar opposites--those pondering moments of reflection? agap_afima, feel free to choose one of those classes that you have listed. We may very well be able to work through all of them, given time. Presently, it's a lot more manageable if we take it one step at a time. CLASS 2.2: GAME OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT [Session I] Students Present: darth_nemisis Since you may very well already have a potential game in mind for future release, I ask that you keep it in your thoughts as we run through this class. I will make no specific mention of the game myself, simply to ensure that it remains in confidence. In the event that you follow through with the idea, it is probably best delivered as a surprise, and not exposed to the risk of being stolen, unless it is a risk you are willing to take. An Introduction: Game Operation and Management refers to the running of a game, it comes after Game Creation and Design, and before Game Mastership, which is the final phase of acting as Game Master within a given RPG. Operation and Management of any given game is a combination both of starting up, maintaining and holding the game together. It involves keeping things interesting for the players, and the game master alike, and it also involves all of the day-to-day activities that might come in a supervisory capacity or as that of the guiding hand. I have often found that it helps to have a vision of sorts before you get too heavily involved in operation and management. The vision I refer to is the concept or idea that you have as to the way things will work. This is not a simple reference to game mechanics, though systems are certainly a part of it. More than anything it is what you see, through your own mind, as the game's foundation or structure. If your game were a building, this would be its blueprints, its concept art, and prototype model. If you do not already have a vision in mind, now is as good a time as any to work on one. Think about such things as how you want posts to be presented. Do you want a single GM acting as the scenario builder? Do you want two game masters, or even more, each one overseeing a particular faction or aspect of the game? Do you want players involved and encouraged to post in free-form, or will there be preferred styles of posting? Will the game master lead them along? These are all thoughts that you should consider as you work to gain some sight of what it is you're striving toward achieving. When you have a vision in mind, it becomes easy to build the machine, to begin work on turning the wheels or the cogs, and setting things in motion. Once you have achieved that, you will find yourself working to ensure that the system remains functional, that any loose equipment is bolted down, and any pressure points are prevented from popping. As with the other class that is running, I want you to remember, this is a classroom for a reason, it is a school for a purpose. It is an open forum. You may ask questions of your own, you may post comments or tips or make observations or offer insight as to your own thoughts and experiences. We can all learn something here, even if we are only beginning. -----signature----- Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
agap_afima Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 4/10/06 8:07pm Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
	I choose 2.2. -----signature----- "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our lord..."
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
darth_nemisis Registered: May '04	Date Posted: 4/11/06 10:27am Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
	I have a slight question that I am not sure you will have the answer, but it's worth a try. You know what I am planning on doing...so I want to ask, how many co-GMs do you think I should have? I am thinking one co-GM for each side, and then me as the head...Or would that not work? -----signature----- ~Dark Lord - Acolytes of Darkness (SWC)~ My new homepage! http://www.aaronnemisis.com !~!~stormBoards now available~!~! http://stormboards.aaronnemisis.com/
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
DarthSeti5 Registered: Jan '01	Date Posted: 4/12/06 8:40pm Subject: RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
	The first character that enters my mind is Leo McGarry. Leo is an elder statesman of Democratic politics and the President's best friend. Leo McGarry is an addict. Not only is he a recovering alcoholic, but he is addicted to his work. His wife left him because he felt that his job was more important that their marriage. He spends too much time at work, in fact, and has a heart attack because of his stress. He is addicted to politics--having worked in the field all his life. He is addicted to his friendships--his fierce loyalty forces him to put himself between the President and the Congress during a scandal involving the President's health. Leo's addictions define his existence. If he wasn't addicted to alcohol, he would be able to indulge in it occasionally. By the same token, if he wasn't addicted to politics, he would be simply a cursory member of his party, not the powerful man he became. You see, it is not a simple love of these things that drive Leo's actions, it is a basic, unexplainable need. "I drank and did drugs because I'm an alcoholic and a drug addict." This idea can be applied to his work. He is in politics because he is addicted to them. They form an integral force in his life without which could not live. This is who Leo is. He is an addict. (This post is dedicated to John Spencer, an amazing actor who left us before his work had been finished. You are missed.) ~DS5 -----signature----- What you feel only matters to you. It's what you do to the people you say you love, that's what matters. It's the only thing that counts.
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 - ~~Previous~~ | Next | Reload

Jedi Council Forums » Role Playing » Role Playing Resource »