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Topic:
Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
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Kev-Mas_Colcha
Registered:
Dec '02
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Date Posted:
5/26/06 9:31pm
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
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I'd like to enroll in section two. I am having some troubles with Game Management, according to my friends.
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Kage Umbris of the Templars of Twilight (as Kev-Mas Colcha) Jedi Master of the Jedi Order (as Kexx Mazinn) http://kevmascolcha.twilightmainframe.net/links Colcha/Mikaru '08 
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jedi_whitelight1
Registered:
May '06
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Date Posted:
5/27/06 3:50am
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
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OCC: Is it to late to join the school -- jedi_whitelight1
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Farm girl born and raised  Toto I don't think we're in Kansas any more. e-sis to kahn-iceay Sliver Master to Arclite in the GA http://z8.invisionfree.com/Temple_of_the_Force/index.php?act=idx
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LightSide_Apprentice
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
May '01
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Date Posted:
6/2/06 5:26pm
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
- Date Edited:
6/2/06 5:44pm (3 edits total)
Edited By:
LightSide_Apprentice
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CLASS 1.3: ADVANCED ROLE PLAYING TECHNIQUE [Session I][Continued]
Students Present: darth_nemisis & Trimaj
I'm glad that someone brought up the topic of semi-colon usage. You'll find that you're not alone in questioning whether or not its use is appropriate in some circumstances and not in others. darth_nemisis, for your own reference please see the examples provided here. Essentially they're used for two main purposes. The first is to make lists or list-like descriptions where the individual items of reference are referred to using commas or other punctuation marks. And, the second is when you're joining two thoughts or descriptions, the second of which is a continuation of the first. The link will offer you a better explanation, and one that is more correct than my own.
Spelling, grammar and punctuation tools are especially important in writing. They're the 'tools of the trade' or the 'rules' to follow. While role-playing is generally informal, the use of proper spelling, grammar and punctuation--a general attempt at mastering English--cannot go astray. Further learning comes with time, constructive criticism, instruction, and research. I imagine that you will only benefit in this regard so long as you continue to learn.
Before we move to the next stage of this class, I'd like to analyse, in greater depth, both posts that were made earlier. Since the analysis will be open to additions and comments of your own, I'll begin with the first post and move on to the second later. This, of course, means that Trimaj will be first. It does not mean that the class is exclusive to him, however. The purpose of this effort to to encourage involvement.
The Good
One of the good points of the post is the opening. Having "IC: Azhmodin" and then listing the location of that same character immediately thereafter, is a common technique used in role playing. It helps us all know who you're playing and where you are. The use of bold text in this regard to highlight the significance of the item earns you bonus points in my eyes.
The Bad
In your second paragraph you wrote: "Only time would tell, and only time would tell if it would even come to pass for that matter." The use of the words 'only time would tell' twice, so near one another, is repetitive, obviously. Repetition is not a good thing. If you did it on purpose, that's fine. I suspect that more people would frown rather than praise it.
Your last line from the first piece said: "Yes, you were a fool! This was a different voice... and Azhmodin knew he had a rather large problem on his hands that didn't include this shadowy form before him." My concern is the word 'this'. It seems that 'include the shadowy' would be more appropriate.
The Ugly
In the third paragraph you wrote: "There was no way Ocklimar wouldn't deal with this thing now, rather than later." I found the statement rather ambiguous. It confuses the reader. Or perhaps it just confuses me. I understand that you're saying it requires Ocklimar's immediate attention. It is the wording that I find odd.
Another line I found odd was "He nearly shivered, but was able to control himself enough not to." Those woulds could be written in so many other ways. Perhaps that's the problem for me, perhaps it's too wordy.
There are instances where you use the word Wraith with a capital 'W' and others where you do not. Be sure to use capitals when you're reffering to the word Wraith as a name, or title.
Other Notes and Comments
A listed location "Ur-Karpathos, Ocklimar's Cave of Wonders, Item Shop" in the opening of the post is generally a good thing. Having both it and the character name in bold, however, brings the two into the same type of category. My personal preference is to use italics for locations and bold for character names and tags. The reason I do this is to separate the two as distinct items.
The order in which you list the descriptive points of location is important. You've chosen "City, Place, Category/Description". There is nothing wrong with that, so long as you're consistent. Again, my personal preference differs. I'd have gone with something like "Ocklimar's Cave of Wonders, Ur-Karpathos, Dominion of the Dark" which would be akin to "Place, City, Country".
When you're listing a location you're essentially listing an address. When you receive a letter in the post is it addressed "United States, California, Los Angeles, High Street" or "High Street, Los Angeles, California" as a general rule? I hope you see the point I am seeking to make here.
All that said, the post was actually fine. If I had to rate it as far as grading it in comparison to other posts in the RPF, I'd say you were in the top 30-40% of posters, if not even higher still. A better grade could probably be offered through analysis of many more posts, as I'm sure you know. I figured it was important to remind you that you're definitely in the 'upper portion' as far as skilled and quality role playing goes.
jedi_whitelight1, it's certainly not too late to join. If you'd like to choose from one of those classes available I'm sure we'll be able to offer you some help.
CLASS 3.2: GAME OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT [Session I] [Reposted]
Students Present: Kev-Mas_Colcha
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.
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Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
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Kev-Mas_Colcha
Registered:
Dec '02
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Date Posted:
6/2/06 5:40pm
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
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So, what questions are you asking me to answer?
Also, one thing that I realized I am struggling at, is grabbing the viewer's attention and making them want to join, since, often, my RPGs are way too complicated. Such as the one I have open now.
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Kage Umbris of the Templars of Twilight (as Kev-Mas Colcha) Jedi Master of the Jedi Order (as Kexx Mazinn) http://kevmascolcha.twilightmainframe.net/links Colcha/Mikaru '08
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LightSide_Apprentice
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
May '01
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Date Posted:
6/2/06 6:13pm
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
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CLASS 3.2: GAME OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT [Session I][Continued]
Students Present: Kev-Mas_Colcha
Let me explain differently. If you read what I said you'll notice that I stated, after my list of questions, that 'these are all thoughts that you should consider as you work to gain some sight of what it is you're striving toward achieving.' Naturally, you don't have to answer any of them. Or, you can post responses to them all. You're here because you want to be, not because I asked you to be here. What value you gain from anything I can offer is limited only by what you're willing to give and take, and what I'm willing to do, or am capable of.
We'll start with what you've given me to work with. If you're seeking to attract the attention of players at the game's opening, then you're more likely to benefit from a 'class' focused upon game design and creation, but management includes maintaining interest so perhaps it doesn't matter.
If you're referring to A Game of Custom Faction Galaxy Domination - Star Wars - Faction Wars then my first bet as to why you're having trouble attracting attention is because the title is long and the first post is even longer. A lot of people won't even read it for those reasons. What you need is something that they want otherwise you're likely to find that the majority of players will just ignore it, regardless of how great it might be, or how much potential it has.
It seems to me that you already know the problem. If the games you create are too complicated then perhaps you need to make ones that are more simple or straightforward.
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Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
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Kev-Mas_Colcha
Registered:
Dec '02
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Date Posted:
6/2/06 7:06pm
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
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Hm. That is something I will take into consideration for my next version, since this one has already gotten at least some interest.
And, yes, I was referring to that one. I will have to take polls in this forum to determine what people actually want. There's an idea... But, I still need to be able to compact all those mechanics into creating the unique ships down into little details. Maybe I could have them come up with their own stats, and I go through an approval process in the PM they send.
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Kage Umbris of the Templars of Twilight (as Kev-Mas Colcha) Jedi Master of the Jedi Order (as Kexx Mazinn) http://kevmascolcha.twilightmainframe.net/links Colcha/Mikaru '08
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darth_nemisis
Registered:
May '04
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Date Posted:
6/2/06 8:01pm
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
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I have been forgotten!  
Thanks for that link. I will spend a good amount of time looking at that site, for sure. I appreciate the links you have provided.  I must say, Role-playing for the two years I have been here has greatly improved my writing skills as a whole: grammer, spelling, vocab even. I am so glad I have taken this up because it has spurred an interest in me that I didn't know I had.
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 ~Dark Lord - Acolytes of Darkness (SWC)~ My new homepage! http://www.aaronnemisis.com !~!~stormBoards now available~!~! http://stormboards.aaronnemisis.com/
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LightSide_Apprentice
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
May '01
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Date Posted:
6/2/06 8:49pm
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
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CLASS 3.2: GAME OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT [Session I][Continued]
Students Present: Kev-Mas_Colcha
Getting an idea of what people do and don't like is always a good idea and, ideally, should be done before creating a game. All too often people create games because they think the idea is fun, as opposed to seeking to create a game that others might enjoy. Hopefully you'll be able to find a balance between the two. As you've noted, this is the perfect forum to gain that insight, or knowledge.
Having players create their own ships and stats is certainly not a bad thing. It's very much like character creation. Often players will want custom ships for 'standard' games anyway. Extending that notion to allow for mass produced ships is not too far a stretch of the imagination.
darth_nemisis, I wouldn't worry. You haven't been forgotten at all  For my part I was, and am, to a degree, just waiting for responses before analysing the post that you offered earlier. As to your role playing and writing experiences, however, I'm certain you'll find that a lot of the other members here possess shared experiences that might mirror your own. Role playing is an excellent way to improve one's writing skills, as well as social skills, all while having fun and enjoying a productive activity for recreation.
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Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
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Trimaj
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
6/19/06 1:34pm
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
- Date Edited:
6/19/06 1:36pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Trimaj
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my apologies. i haven't really been up to anything requiring a huge amount of thought lately.
will attempt a reply by the end of the week.
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I'm just a figment of your imagination.
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benkenobi151
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
7/20/06 4:40am
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
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Professor Lightside, I'm hoping to enroll in the following class.
1.2 Intermediate Role Playing
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"The Force will be with you. Always." Jedi Knight/Healer in the Jedi Trials; Master of Waldo Twin Suns Squadron 15; EUC Senator: Lead/Commander Emeritus Member of People Against Waru: Save the Hoojibs! I own StarWarsFreak444 
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LightSide_Apprentice
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
May '01
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Date Posted:
8/5/06 7:39pm
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
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CLASS 1.2: INTERMEDIATE ROLE PLAYING [Session I]
Students Present: benkenobi151
An Introduction: Since this class falls between that offered for beginner and advanced role playing, it is designed and intended to bridge the gap between the two. As you might be able to imagine and appreciate, it will cross over and parallel with a lot of the points that might be covered in those other classes. The focus here is to ensure a student learns and understands how to be, or what skills might qualify one as, a decent role player so that they might capably enter and roam the RPF with a basic level of confidence and ability to match.
Some of the most common things that a player will need to display, learn, or present in their posts, to prove their ability and competency level, relate directly to post quality and structure. These things usually include paragraph usage, spelling, and grammar. More to the point they include such things as the use of tags, IC/OOC notation, markup codes and general clarity of presentation.
Can you think of anything else that might qualify or define someone as an intermediate player, or a competent one? There are a number of factors, a lot of them subtle, so I've only listed the first few that have come to mind. If you can think of anything else, feel free to offer your thoughts.
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Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
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EmoJawa
Registered:
May '06
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Date Posted:
8/7/06 1:18pm
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
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It would be great if you could teach on 2.1!
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benkenobi151
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
8/23/06 10:02am
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
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Sorry I've been gone, I though this place had died.
I feel some other qualities that determine an intermediate player are:
-Respect: An intermediate player will understand that they must respect the rules, and more importantly, other players. Even if a RPG is getting heated, they must keep their cool and avoid flaming others.
-Character Depth: An intermediate player will know that a good character didn't just appear out of thin air. They have back stories, emotions, a history. A great intermediate player will elaborate on this story throughout an RPG to give depth to their character.
-Post Length: A good intermediate player will know that post length does not directly correspond to post quality, but generally longer posts offer more to the RPG. Instead of just writing "He jumped on the roof to avoid the blaster bolts," they should write something like:
"As Ben approached a wall, he knew he was at a dead end. He turned around, standing there were several hostile troops, all with guns pointed at him. They began to fire. Desperately trying to escape, he mustered all of his meager Force power and jumped on the roof. He was safe, for now."
-----signature-----
"The Force will be with you. Always." Jedi Knight/Healer in the Jedi Trials; Master of Waldo Twin Suns Squadron 15; EUC Senator: Lead/Commander Emeritus Member of People Against Waru: Save the Hoojibs! I own StarWarsFreak444
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LightSide_Apprentice
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
May '01
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Date Posted:
8/25/06 7:34pm
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
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CLASS 1.2: INTERMEDIATE ROLE PLAYING [Session I][Continued]
Students Present: benkenobi151
I can't help but find your response an excellent one, and very well presented. Any player who manages to incorporate all that you've said into their posting style would be a great player indeed. The degree to which they encompass and reflect those points would probably be a measure of where they stand in the eyes of their peers, and of course, on a general scale of role playing ability and skill.
There is very little I can say to argue or debate your points since I agree with them all. Though, I suppose I should mention how important I believe it is for players not simply to understand these attributes as necessary for good role playing, but to encompass these characteristics in their posting. You're probably only too well aware that the use of these skills in practice is so much more valuable than the simple unapplied knowledge of them alone.
Knowing these things as you do, I'm led to ask the question: where do you feel you could use the most improvement? We all have them, so I'm curious as to yours. Perhaps we can work to strengthen whatever it is that you feel could be better about the way you approach various games and scenarios.
CLASS 2.1: GAME CREATION AND IDEAS [Session I]
Students Present: EmoJawa
An Introduction: As its title suggests, this class focuses heavily on creativity and the generation of ideas. Coming up with an idea is not an incredibly difficult thing for someone who is already creative. For that idea to be a good one, one with vast potential, however, is more difficult to achieve. This class takes these items into account and aims to develop an idea into a game that might be presented here in the Role Playing Forums.
Before I even begin to offer comments or a lecture, I feel it would be best to start with a goal. What would you like to achieve here? Would you like to learn how ideas are brought to life, and where to find ideas? Or would you like to discover how an idea is shaped into, and presented as, a role playing game? Or do you seek something else entirely? Once you know, or decide, we'll work together to reach that goal.
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Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
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benkenobi151
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
8/26/06 1:54pm
Subject:
RE: Diamond Institution: A Preparatory School for Role Playing Excellence
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Thank your for kind compliments, Professor.
I feel that a good role-player will know that they can always learn more. I can always learn more from all those attributes, but I think I'm most lacking in character depth. Looking back on some of my previous characters, it seems like I almost always use the same basic backstory. I'm not a very creative person, but I was wondering if there was a way I could be more diverse in my role-playing.
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"The Force will be with you. Always." Jedi Knight/Healer in the Jedi Trials; Master of Waldo Twin Suns Squadron 15; EUC Senator: Lead/Commander Emeritus Member of People Against Waru: Save the Hoojibs! I own StarWarsFreak444
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