HMD the seventh

[thelostmods]

You know what time it is, my friends; HMD MEME! The most dreaded meme in the lands of rp, but worry not, it is 100% optional here.

If you feel like you want clearer directions on what to do or if you're worried about your character's progress, please feel free to post here! Keep things constructive and play nice!


<b>YOUR NAME HERE</b> <b>Characters:</b> YOUR CHARACTERS NAME <user name="username"> ANOTHER CHARACTERS NAME? <user name="username"> <u>Anything else?/what are you looking for crit wise?:</u>

Comments

[kingroadie]

Sora
Characters:
Lili Zanotto justshutupraz
Eddie Riggs kingroadie
Anything else?/what are you looking for crit wise?: Is my grammar clear? My spelling solid? Has my sentence structure taken a brutal beating?

Anything in particular about modding you want to mention too? Lay it on me.

[hiddenanon]

The modding in this game really very inflexible and does not seem to take the considerations of others into account at all. It feels as if the mods are uninvolved and unaware of what is happening in the game as a whole. RP is a collaborative processes and the modding in this game is instead very top down and detached as if the players and characters do not matter.

Wording in posts from the mod account often comes off as very abrupt, blunt and uncaring to the point where I do not feel comfortable in approaching you or talking to you directly. That you do not allow anon and track IP on all HMD pages does not help this either.

[kingroadie]

I'm not super sure how the modding is top down and detached, could you please give me an example of this? I'd really appreciate more input on that, since I want to make people feel comfortable. I want people to know they can come talk to us about problems.

As a whole we generally try to let players have a decent amount of free range in the in game world and wiggle room to do things. There are some things we say no to or turn down, but we usually try to keep an open mind. I've recently been informed the plot itself is lacking this month/could use a lot more detail to help players get more involved. I plan on giving it that after conferring with Amanda on it.

Do you mean our personal HMD pages? I thought I had anon on for mine? For the comm, we do have anon on, I'll check for IP's to see if that's enabled. It's something that likely went under the radar for us, and I can easily fix it up for you, friend.

[preuxchevalier]

Just a heads up, but anon posting does appear to be disabled in this comm. I think it's only turned on for the Meme Comm.

[thelostmods]

Thank you for both for giving me the heads up on the anon setting. I appreciate it. I need to discuss flipping the switch with Amanda first, but it'll likely happen soon!

ETA: IP tracking has been turned off for OOC and main comm. Hopefully that helps!

[psionichax0r]

The mod tone is at times inflexible. When people want a discussion, instead they just get a flat statement effectively ending the discussion. This contributes to the top down detached feel. I've never felt this way myself, but I've seen it happen to other people on plurk and elsewhere.

In addition, the way the plots are sprung on us as a surprise is a personal pet peeve as I like time to plan out an event knowing what will happen in the long term. Perhaps this is a stay over from my fac days were we know 2 weeks in advance what would happen in the long term, but I did find it useful for plotting and even helping to get longer threads done by posting them in advance.

Furthermore I think for mods who are both so concerned with being welcoming to everyone and having a community where everyone feels comfortable I find it difficult to believe that in a situation where someone with a medical condition is coming to you asking for help the response is just an effective conversation shut down of "take a strike."

I don't think there's anything wrong with being so strict when it comes to activity, but it clashes with the attitude I see from both mods on a day to day basis regarding the treatment of others and how I have been treated in the past in regards to making sure everyone feels comfortable. To be honest, it's upsetting.

I'd hope in the future you can at least be willing to have a conversation with any player who comes to you for help do to a physical/mental condition whatever it may be that is inhibiting them from playing in the game at that time. Or if you're not going to show the same fend for yourself attitude in every area of the game.

I'm hoping in discussing this, if such a discussion is necessary, you will avoid mentioning personal names and specifics to protect the privacy of those involved.

[preuxchevalier]

I don't know if it's really feasible to do with the ever-evolving nature of the game, but maybe a plot calendar that outlines the plots for the next 2-4 months would help?

[thelostmods]

We can definitely try an event calendar! I'll bring it up to Amanda and see if we can code monkey that into existence.

[thelostmods]

Thank you for giving us a solid example of what 'top down and detached' means. It was something I was trying to puzzle over. Having an example helps clear up the mystery considerably.

We'll be working on fixing that actually! More clarity and information will be given in plot posts. Alongside start/end dates. We'd like things to be a lot clearer for everyone involved! So players and mods in turn don't stop communicating out of frustration with one another.

If we're talking about the same conversation that happened privately I think we are, taking a save wasn't a punishment or reprimand. One of the mods also took a save that month for very similar reasons. Saves give players the rest of the month to work on tagging around/planning CR. We will step in with further suggestions if a person knows for certain they can't make the save next month or need to take an active hiatus right then do to personal reasons. Hiatuses are also encouraged if players know things are going to get rocky for them or if things do get rocky for them.

I'll discuss this with Amanda though and see if we can come up with an alternative method? So far we honestly didn't think going 'Go for a save' was somehow a bad thing.

[psionichax0r]

It's not a bad thing. But when someone comes to you saying I need help what can I do, when you just give a one sentence answer that effectively ends the conversation. It adds to the detached-ness and does not make people feel like they can come to you for help. Quite the opposite in fact, it makes people feel you're unaccommodating. Again, a save is fine, but I just wanted you to know the tone you're sending across to players as mods.

[sanctus_dei]

Lan
Characters:
Theo Crawford sanctus_dei
Elmer C. Albatross keep_smiling
Anything else?/what are you looking for crit wise?:
My tagging is going to come in spurts over the next five weeks thanks to school. I don't like letting tags go for three or four days, but it might happen sometime depending on what my workload is like (I work full time too). If there's any other issues you have, lay it on me! Each of my character journals also have HMD posts.

[preuxchevalier]

I've enjoyed the threads that I've had with both Theo and Elmer so far. I think tagging consistency is the only thing that I've really noticed with regard to things that could use improvement, but it sounds like you've got some RL things making that difficult, so that's understandable.

The only other comment I have is re: something I saw in one of your plurks about worrying because no one was coming to you for plotting. I just wanted to mention that it really helps if you're the one to reach out first to folks you want to get involved with. Sometimes people are shy with talking to/tagging folks they don't know very well, or maybe they don't know your characters so well to know how to get involved with them. Most folks haven't received comments on their entries for the CR Meme. Might want to try hitting up some yourself!

[scruffy_mcjackass]

Thalia
Characters:
Dustin Silver scruffy_mcjackass

Anything else?/what are you looking for crit wise?: Is Dustin being Dustin enough? Or is Dustin being too Dustin for comfort?

As usual, if you'd rather post crit on his personal HMD, feel free! It has (should have?) all the usual bells and whistles.

[preuxchevalier]

I think Dustin is being just the right amount of Dustin. I always enjoy our threads and stalking the ones you're in. You give excellent hooks to work with for tags and push forward on the action of the thread without being domineering, which is something I find refreshing and really bumps up my excitement. I'm also glad I'm getting to see some of Dustin's vulnerability that isn't event-related lately. It's just a nice insight into the character and what makes him tick.

[xochipilli_cursed]

Spazzy
Characters:
Aaron Taylor xochipilli_cursed
Anything else?/what are you looking for crit wise?: Let me know what you think so far! He hasn't been around much but I enjoy crit, so hit me!

[preuxchevalier]

Haven't played with Aaron, yet, apart from our little back and forth on the bulletin board, but what I see I like! He seems like a genuinely nice kid... if a little awkward. He's an especially awkward coyote, which is adorable.

I think you do a good job giving things to work off of when he's in his coyote form. Playing a non-verbal character can be challenging, but it still looks like you've got plenty of hooks for the people you're tagging with.

[xochipilli_cursed]

Thanks! He's pretty awkward all around at times and it's hard enough knowing what to do as a teenager let alone as an animal you have only ever seen in books.

Glad it's coming through!

[geometry]

Archer
Characters:
Equius Zahhak (AU) geometry
Anything else?/what are you looking for crit wise?: I've been playing Yelloweq for a really long time, so I'm always cautious of him stagnating... Though really, everything is welcome.

[preuxchevalier]

We've only had one thread together so far, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. As far as stagnation goes, it seems like you've got some good ideas for interesting directions to take him what with those masks in his dream. He didn't seem complacent, more like curious about still discovering new things about himself (and probably the world by proxy). So keep on keeping on?

[geometry]

Thank you so much for the input! As part of his character arc he's getting over a big thing about complacency, so I'm glad that is coming across well. I thoroughly enjoyed our thread too -- do you want to have them meet one another in realspace some time?

[preuxchevalier]

Yes, yes! I saw that Sora posted something about Lili dragging him around to meet people at Ammond's party. I would totally be up for threadjacking that with her dragging him over to talk with Zoe. Alternatively (or, rather, in addition), I think there should be plenty of opportunity for them to say hullo in the upcoming plot.

[geometry]

Oh, for sure! I was wondering about who we were going to snag with that too. I'll give her a shout on plurk. And yeah, they can totally work together again! n_n I think they'd be able to figure some things out between the two of them, haha.

[amourtician]

Ira
Characters:
Jay Zimin amourtician

Anything else?/what are you looking for crit wise?:

1. Is he consistent?
2. Is he sympathetic?
3. How does he come off, personality-wise? This is so I can compare my intentions to the result.
4. Is he fun to play with?
5. How am I handling the whole recent PTSD and dysphoria thing?

[preuxchevalier]

1. Yes! He is consistent or at least when he's inconsistent with his usual, there appears to be a good reason for it.

2. He is sympathetic in most things! His interactions with Dustin tend to make me frown because both of them start acting horrible at each other. This is one of those inconsistencies that I think is well-explained by circumstances, particularly after the revelation in one of their recent threads that Dustin reminds Jay of Raimut. I have sympathy for Jay, but when he's needlessly cruel back to Dustin, all I can think is 'Don't go down that road, Jay. Don't become abusive right back.' I guess that's me being worried for and about Jay, though... so... that is sympathy? I'm not sure!

3. Prickly, flamboyant, and really not as bad as he makes himself out to be most of the time. Also morbidly cute.

4. Indeedy!

5. I think you're handling it pretty well! I don't really have a lot of personal experience to draw on to comment as to how realistically it's being portrayed, but they both seem to be following along a progression from where Jay started out in Jarjammed. They aren't overbearing, I suppose I can say. But they're there and important in the narrative.

[preuxchevalier]

Terri
Characters:
Bertie Wooster | preuxchevalier
Zoe Washburne | subtleserenity

Anything else?/what are you looking for crit wise?:
Is there anything I can do to improve your RPing experience with me? Also, I'm particularly concerned with Zoe's voice if anyone who is canon familiar has any concrit on that. She's got a case of amnesia, but my goal is for her to still sound and feel like Zoe.

[spitefulvitae]

Lampdevil
Characters:
Natalie Waters spitefulvitae
Kain Highwind ajealouswind
Dakki Sigal photonicfighter

Anything else?/what are you looking for crit wise?: Has my sentence structure been coherent enough, lately? I've been really run down and I've sort of felt that my tag quality has suffered as a result. Please let me know if the responses that I've been providing have been sub-par!

All other forms of crit and concern are very much accepted, too!

[preuxchevalier]

I haven't had any trouble reading your tags and I'm one to talk about coherency in things... ahah! The only thing I've really noticed is tagging speed/consistency. I don't mind backtagging, of course! But I hope you're RL situation improves so that your being run down improves, too. I know that can definitely affect speed (particularly stress, which I imagine you're under).

[spitefulvitae]

Ahaha, the first time in a while that I don't throw in a "I am slow an terrible" disclaimer... Yes! I have been outlandishly behind on things. Life has been kicking me in the pants fairly hard lately. I hope to have things back on track sometime this weekend, assuming that this cold doesn't linger overly long.

[preuxchevalier]

No no! I don't mean outlandishly and I can certainly understand life handing out a solid beat down. And hell colds. I truly understand hell colds. What this is really getting at is that you're awesome when you're active. I just wish events were conspiring to make you less active.

[spitefulvitae]

I understand! It's okay! I'm feeling pretty down on myself for being so behind, and it feels pretty outlandish even by my usual standards. (And this is most certainly a hell cold. My fingers aren't quite making proper keyboard contact and my eyes are mostly sliding off the screen when I try to read stuff. Yarrrrgh.)

I will strive to be more active! And then things will be awesome?

[preuxchevalier]

They will be even more awesome because they're pretty awesome right now. Just some extra room to be out of this world!

[chalicejoker]

Airdra
Characters:
Hajime Aikawa chalicejoker
Anything else?/what are you looking for crit wise?: So I will readily admit that I use Darkroach as kind of a crutch to drag Hajime into being social where he might not be otherwise and wacky minion shenanigans. If anyone has an issue with that, please let me know. Other than that, any general crit is welcome too!

[preuxchevalier]

I don't think there's any harm in using Darkroach to get Hajime involved. It would be really cool to see him sans 'roach a little more often. Maybe at least for the folks he's getting to know better he might come out of his shell a little more and actively engage them.

Really this is all to say that I think we should get Hajime drunk again and have him be social because he is a hilarious drunk.

[chalicejoker]

I will keep that in mind and can work on that! Sometimes, the bug needs to stay at home. Or with a sitter. Or doing some other thing where Hajime isn't involved so he can try this socializing thing more often.

He really does, but he doesn't want to get banished to the couch again when Natalie's unhappy with him for it...such a conundrum.

[preuxchevalier]

Spiking his drink for a laugh is clearly the only way to go.

[chalicejoker]

Someone needs to do this and then hope he never finds out who, oh yes

[psycheslantern]

BRAMBLE
Characters:
Ammond Raidie psycheslantern
Murai godsword
Anything else?/what are you looking for crit wise?:
I feel like I've been better about tagging speed and consistency lately? I'm not sure how it looks from outside my head, though, so if my tagging habits are causing you problems please let me know.

I don't really have anything else in mind ATM; if there's anything you want to bring up, I'm all ears!

[preuxchevalier]

Ammond seems to still be a little more consistent than Murai, but I've noticed definite improvements on tagging speed/consistency for both of them as I stalk your threads!

[psycheslantern]

Ammond does come easier to me than Murai does, and sometimes I do end up prioritizing her tags because it's easier to just drop into her voice. I'll try to keep my activity on the two of them more even.

[caligulasaqua]

KYA
Characters:
Eridan Ampora caligulasaqua
Anything else?/what are you looking for crit wise?: I know my activity has been spotty the last couple months and I would like to apologize for that up front. Things have settled down now so I should be good to go there. I can't think of anything else in particular though, so hit me up with anything!

[preuxchevalier]

Just wanted to mention that I've really loved playing off of your Eridan. You play him as the unapologetic jerk that he is. It's galling for Bertie, but definitely spot-on.