What does it all mean?

[The Old and the New]

Hello, yes I'm posting anonymously however I have a character both in Golden Horn and GoldenMyst. I'm not on here to create a heated debate..however a discussion of perhaps the two greatest mind-boggling questions to date would indeed be a healthy thing for us all.

Question 1) In accordance with the Roster, and the new ranks, I found at first that I rather liked the idea of it all, and I thought it was even cool to the point of saying things like "Lieutenant General" and so on when referring to other characters' ranks. However, on paper while it may look great...rping it in other chats besides KoGM is making it quite difficult. I don't know about anyone else, however when I am in a tavern, inn, or even another castle chat outside of GM, and my character speaks his name, rank, and kingdom when introducing himself...I get bombarded with people saying to me OOC..(This is a medieval chat room, we don't use terms like that) or my personal favorite (This is not modern rp, please go to another room). I had absolutely no problem with the rank system, and I thought it would great in practice..but honestly..at least over my end..it's not. Terms like Air Command, and other terms such as that are indeed modern-day terms..you would never hear them back in the medieval ages and it is becoming increasingly difficult to mount an argument for the ranks when you try and think of valid reasons for such modern-day terms existing in a kingdom. Perhaps it's just me, I don't speak for anyone else but myself, but even my own friends who know about GM's ranking system find it too "modern" for their tastes and when I invite them into a GM they decline.

Question 2) I guess this one has plagued me for as long as I have rped, more of a general question than a specific one relating to this kingdom. Is it just me, or is peace absolutely boring? Oh sure, we get somewhat excited when there's an event going on like jousting or something..but then afterwards it feels like I'm just missing that certain 'something'. My character, lately, has had the pleasure of drinking, talking about nothing (or past wars and conflicts that I missed unfortunately), and staring at people. Now, I don't know about anyone, but I like to get excited about a good, in-depth storyline involving a much more powerful evil being trying to take over some region, or mounting an offensive against the kingdom..I think that sort of thing brings out a side of our characters we like to be able to show. Now, for some odd reason, when there's an sl to be had like that, some rpers out there like to put an end to it too quickly..or my personal favorite they just go after the main 'baddie' and the hell with trying to build suspense for everyone else. I guess what I'm saying is, all the great villains of the past are seemingly gone now, people like Magus, Kraikken, Lanic and so on. They knew how to get your character's blood boiling, and how to keep you in suspense until an epic confrontation..I miss that sort of thing..and above all..I just tend to dislike the fact that when people in chats..even GM rooms..when they complain of being bored..then when a villain crops up don't just shoot down whatever scope of an sl they have planned..how about giving it a shot first?

[Kia very lazy]

Kraikken is still around. His mun is out doing Military things. But he is still around. I rp with him often.

[Kolava]

Despite being anonymous and having a corny name, your points are both very valid.

As for the titles, I maintain that a little anachronism never hurt anyone, especially in a kingdom that doesn't technically exist at any point in Earth's timeline. If others gripe about the terms sergeant, lieutenant, and private, just point at that these terms have been around since the 13th, 14th, and 15th century (respectively), and don't interfere with the setting's "realism" any more than the influences of eastern or fictional cultures do.

Concerning peace being boring, I agree wholeheartedly. Villainous s/ls are scarce, and often shot down before they fully bloom. Peace cannot last forever, though, and sooner or later a mun with enough wits will get something going so we can have our characters' blood boiling again.

[Solace]

Amen.

[Tanya]

I normally just read the boards and never really respond, however this particular thread caught my attention.

Those are some valid points you made there Old and New person, although I know little about GM's roster so I cannot comment on that, I *can* comment on your second point of the lack of villainous SL's and peace being boring. First, I appreciate the fact that you considered Magus to be a great villain and lopped him in there with Kraikken whom I've RP'ed with and is one of the best RP'ers out there, and other "villains" of the past.

Secondly, I'll just say to you that while the past evil characters are becoming scarce or being killed off in your view, there will be someone, like Kolava-mun said, that'll take up the reigns and create a villainous character that everyone'll love to hate. It is hard to do it though, I'll tell you that. It takes a lot of patience and knowing..even before you begin a storyline..that your character *will* lose 98% of the time. That happens because most of the players that I've came across over the years who RP "good, decent" characters will not allow for an evil scheme to play itself out to the end...as it should be. Evil rarely wins out in the end, and when it does it's only because you have consentual agreement with a mun that'll allow for the extreme things to happen to his/her character.

Old and New person, and for those people who want to have a villain charrie and be able to create lots of fun with him/her, then the most important thing you need to know is that the primary focus NOT be on your villain...but on the people that want to bring him/her down. You want for those people to have the best time RP'ing of their lives with every single SL you do. It's why you're on here, it's why they're on here, everyone wants to have fun and relax. On a last note, you absolutely need excellent RP'ers to carry the War, Adventure, or Horror-type of SL along and you'll find PLENTY of excellent players in GoldenMyst that are willing to do just that..if not anything else than for the sake of getting their character out of the doldrums heh.

[Cherise]

On the first thing, about the military rank? Yeah, on my other screen name, I have a character involved with a King Arthur SL. The rankings used in that are basically what we use here. Now, if that ain't medieval, then I don't know what is. If people misunderstand the rankings, just give an OOC explanation. As Kolava said, they have been around for a while, so it's just an innocent mistake.

[I have no name]

As for your first question, i would have to agree entirely. I have seen the ranks and also realize that it does seem much like something that would be done in modern day. Any imbacile could see how it would cause confusion in other rooms.

It was more your second question that interested me. Or should i say intriqued. Perhaps you will get your wish. You never know what is brewing within Goldenmyst's shadow. And there are some who fight to create a world of suspense in the roleplay universe. In due time... you will get your s/l. Perhaps sooner then one would suspect.

[Kolava]

I let the first guest slide because they had valid points, but "I have no name" has no such redeeming qualities. In addition to remaining anonymous for no reason, creating a flat, banal sense of mystery, and spelling atrociously, their points aren't even very good.

As I've said before, the terms used in our ranking system were by no means invented in the twentieth century. Muns will always tend to balk at things that remind them of the real life they're trying to leave behind, but the fact remains that simply because we have people with the title of "sergeant" today, that doesn't mean there can be no "sergeant"s in this psuedo-medieval RP world. We have candles, dogs, and shovels today, but that doesn't make them modern. (unless you are an "imbacile")

[Solace]

Woot! You go Kolava! ::huggles the furball whether he likes it or not:: Nicely Put!

[Shara Reneia]

Just wanted to put my two cents in. On the first point of the ranking system, I have no fault with it. I think it's a good way of knowing just where your character stands on the totem pole. The only criticism I may have about the ranks is about the civilian section. Civilians, by definition, are not part of the military or any military outlet. However, the ranks of recruit, corporal, and so on are instituted for the civilians as well. I, personally have no preferance on whether my character is called a recruit or a civilian, however giving ranks to civilians means they are not actually "civilians" but have been or are either: A) drafted into the armed forces or B) are part of a militaristic society in which there are no real 'civilians' at all.

If answer B is correct, then simply disregard the civilian section and place those listed as civilians into other qualifying divisions where their skills and talents would be useful to some degree. If the answer is A, then a line either on the application or elsewhere should decree that, in fact, if you are a civilian then you will be called up for duty and given a rank when you qualify to becoming a civilian. I have no problem with either of these when it comes to Shara, I'm just speaking as to technicalities and giving some constructive criticism.

On the matter of peace being boring..oh heck yeah. Don't worry though, Shara has been causing up a stir lately, and no doubt there will be others in the future that will love to get our character's "blood boiling" as you put it Old and New.