Time for some thrilling heroics

[Tristram Kelly]

Yeah, I'm loving all of this, but it isn't so much he likes his job as he doesn't feel right leaving members of his crew while they're in the hospital, but the crime boss thing might be what it takes to get a move on, especially if protecting family is involved. And I try to stay as active as possible. Some days, I'm a little too tired to actually RP after work, but I'm almost always in the cbox, and it isn't usually more than a couple days before I'm ready to go.

[Casey Carter]

For everyone else who didn't have access to those multiple PM's, Tristram is referring to Casey when he means the protection of family.

via PM, we agreed it would be nifty if Casey and Tristram were cousins who grew up together.

Before I make the first post, we should also consider laying down a few rules/tips. In my experience, having some sense of order makes the whole experience more enjoyable when forum RPing.

We need a posting order, and we need a time limit.

My recommended posting order.

Casey
Annette
Tristram
Roger

That's based on the level of early involvement between characters in the RP.

Also note that it may take a turn or two before Casey finds Annette. Which means that for those who haven't been interacted with yet (Tristram and Roger) have to do some "off-camera" actions. (i.e.- In one turn, Roger wonders about Trinity, in his next turn, gets contacted by Tristram, etc etc)

As the forum rules recommends, we should never assume anything. So early on the order will be a little clunky, but once characters start bumping into each other (literally) then the story should flow/connect more.

The other thing I wanted to lay down the rule for was a timeframe/timelimit in posting.

I understand people have lives and people don't always have access to a computer. But being able to maintain the order and posting when its your turn shouldn't be too hard.

I was thinking that we should have a timelimit of 24 hours when it is your turn to post. For example, If i post at 5pm tomorrow, then Annette would have until 5pm the next day to post a response.

Failure to post in the 24 hour timeframe means automatically skipping to the next person. Story-wise, we would assume that the character has either finished his/her current action, busy doing something that may take another turn, or tagging along in the group silently.

It sounds like a harsh rule, but its nothing personal. Its just an attempt to keep people posting.

Hypothetically, if people took advantage of the 24 hour time limit, then it may/may not take days until everyone has taken a turn. Conversely, if people are actively responding, then your turn may come up sooner than expected.

Either way, I don't think that's asking for much. Best case scenario imo, is that people post frequently and the story moves along quickly and smoothly. Being able to update it quickly will make the story overall more appealing to people and encourage them to continue posting in order to find out what happens next.

Worst case scenario, it takes people 24 hours to post. So although its hours apart and moves slower, it technically means at least one post a day, for people to either read or write. And that, is more of a little taste each day, enough to keep people interested.

Does that sound reasonable to everyone?

I'd like one final confirmation from Annette, Tristram, and Roger before I start the first post.


-Casey

[Roger Davis]

I can appreciate your enthusiasm and desire to keep posting steady but I think you might be over thinking all this. More rules can actually hurt RP even if intended to strengthen it.


Yes, it's important not to skip people but a heavily structured system isn't best either. For example, I'm probably not going to enter this RP for quite a while (depending on how much you all RP together). I expect an exchange between the carters for a few posts, and then a few post cycles with Tristram before I ever show up. In you system I'd need to post at least a half dozen times talking about how I'm just chilling out and waiting to get added to the plot (I have no issue waiting OOC but IC it's silly).

Also, it's not always needed for everyone to post. For example, in the current Bjorn Star thread, we've kind of split into separate little groups operating in the same ship and event. I've been posting a lot with the Doctor because people are posting with me. Others are not receiving these posting prompts (because they are currently working on something else and not involved in conversation or whatever) and thus don't need to respond as much or even at all. Thus I have posted quite a bit more in there.

It's best to try and follow post orders but to use your discretion. A firm post order forces some people to post when they don't have anything to say (a bigger issue with large crews) and forces others to wait to reply even if the action is currently focused on them. I'd suggest just strong guidelines for posting. If someone greatly crosses those guidelines then you can speak with them about your concerns.


Post time limits are a good idea if, like the above issue, you use your own discretion. If you're waiting for Tris to post and he's not on for five days due to RL issues then it might be best to skip him. But it might not be best to skip him if his response is critical to the RP continuation.




All that being said, I see no reason why you should continue delaying your own post. You should start it off and worry about sorting Tristram into the mix later. Rules need not be enforced unless someone is breaking common post courtesy and needs to be reminded and nudged in the right direction.

[Tristram Kelly]

^^^

[Annette Carter]

Reason's for Inactivity from Annette: Either she's lost and for some strange reason thinks it's someone elses turn, or her computer hates her.

Otherwise I try to post regularly.

And in starting, I'll follow your lead Casey.

[Casey Carter]

Just posted. Hooray!

I tried to be all artsy and named the thread like it was a Firefly episode or something (the caged bird being Annette stuffed into a storage space of course )


watchasisoar.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=ariel&thread=3424&page=1

[Annette Carter]

I couldn't think of a good way to start, so I just started her in the contaner

[Jack Winters]

By the way, I've been PMing Rogers.

Just to keep everyone up to date, Casey Carter and Jack Winters are (currently) both my characters.

However, I am officially going to be handing Casey over to my cousin soon. She really wants to RP and despite my insistence on making her own character, she chose Casey.

Our previous discussions have been focused on tying Roger, Casey, Tristram, and Annette together. However, it has also been recommended to me that we try to incorporate Jack Winters in at some point as well.

Based on the available positions aboard Trinity, Jack Winters is a gunhand that I'm planning to add to the Trinity crew (and I have already received Roger's blessing).

Roger recommended that I tie myself in as Jack towards the end of the RP thread when the characters ultimately escape. Also, based on similar backstories, we agreed that it would be nifty if Jack remembers Roger from the war.

Roger said that his character had been evacuated during a battle because of his injuries. And Jack is an evac pilot. So theres some potential crossover there, if only brief.

I haven't had a chance to sit down with my cousin and explain everything of how we've planned the RP so far. Once I do so though, I will make an announcement via this thread just to keep everyone appraised. And in the meantime, I will continue to RP Casey before she is handed off.