wynken vanaril

When this gets going, if we're looking for staff/instructors, I'd like to say that my character would be interested. Philosophy, cosmology, and theology are kind of hobbies of mine...

^ I know Storm, I accept your apology, but I don't think you were being an ***. Maybe just a tad over defensive Let me attempt to clarify some things that may break this down for those of you who oppose. I'm not asking whether or not RP should be rewarded. That system is apparently already in place. What I am trying to suggest is a method by which to balance and manage said reward distribution through clearly established goals and requirements. I'm not even saying that my system of points is the correct fit, and perhaps I don't know enough about the current system and there really is no problem. It just seemed to me that Manu may be open to suggestions in this area because of his announcement(s) during and after the festival. I've seen the points work but that was in a moderated environment where a handful of dedicated staff members monitored action nearly round the clock. As I said, I don't know that it's the right thing for MD, but I don't see how anyone can be against my desire for fairness and balanced. If anyone has any other suggestions, or if the current system isn't broken just post about it. I'm really not trying to stir the pot...only to help you and I as the players by creating balance, and also the development team by creating a method of management. The point suggestion wouldn't require anyone to RP constantly. It's typically very obvious when someone is in or out of character and talking about things out of game or just casual chatter wouldn't warrant negative points. When I talk about doing something out of character, I'm referring to instances such as doing good deeds when your character is supposed to be "evil" or stealing/murdering when your character is supposed to be "good". Only actions that are in contradiction to your role or personality would be reviewed... I don't know how to determine positive points because I have never personally implemented a system like this and I don't really know what criteria people or Mer specifically would like to see established here if this is the method that's decide to be used. I do believe that quests and riddles aren't likely to be the main source (if they're a source at all) for earning points mostly because they typically already have a reward. [quote name='maggot' post='16640' date='Sep 13 2008, 10:46 PM']Rather regular players be able to review other people's roles and their ability to act them convincingly, and categorize their review as either a negative or positive reaction, periodically: like every month. Actually, be able to do only one review and then edit in updates if impression expressed changes. Wouldn't be as casual as handing out or penalizing points at every instance of roleplay observed. Number of +/- reactions could be tallied up for Manu to review if he wants.[/quote] The problem with a peer review type of system is that it lends itself to bias. Perhaps not even purposefully, but someone may write a negative review simply because they don't like that character, role, or even that personality type. The bias may be evened out because of the sheer volume of reviews, but that presents another problem. If every player could write a review of every other player, that's a lot of reviews to manage and to read in order to reach a conclusion. Your suggestion is similar to what I was saying about RPC's or some designated moderators writing notes about specific instances which warranted positive or negative points so that those decisions can be reviewed by a collective of responsible people or even by one unbiased individual (Mer) before the points are actually given/taken. In that case, you'd have a system where there may be only a handful of reviews by people who understand and agree to a set criteria for judgment while still maintaining the checks and balances that will hopefully alleviate cheating.

[quote name='dst' post='16958' date='Sep 18 2008, 05:40 PM']No. He picks on me cause I do not agree...[/quote] Why does everyone on this board assume I'm trying to pick fights? I don't even know that my suggestion is a good one or the right one, it's merely the only one... I'll have to read maggot's post when I get a bit more time. I must have missed it in the midst of the last fire I had to put out (I'm lookin at you Stormy!).

[quote name='dst' post='16749' date='Sep 15 2008, 07:12 PM']Ok...here's my 3 cents: I don't agree with RP points. Why? Because they are players, like me, who don't play a role. Even if it is an RPG I don't really like playing a role. I am who I am. I act as I feel in a certain moment. I don't want to censor my actions, words because it would not fit the character I choose. Also I like playing this game in a more different way than most of the players. I like taking it to the limits. Discover new things, trying to find new ways of playing. I'm amazed that every week I find a new thing! And every time I do I say that that's the last thing and that there are no other things to discover. Guess what? I'm wrong. I always have projects on the run. I always have a quest to complete, a riddle to solve. THIS is my role. And it doesn't fit the description. And I don't want to fit the description (although I know what Mur told me some time ago about this game and role playing). So , unfortunately I need to say a big NO to RP points.[/quote] I don't think it would change your style of game play any...you just wouldn't amass any points Ok, maybe there is a better system to track RP progress. I've entertained quite a few angry rants without a single alternative solution. I'm starting to feel like a politician...if you think my idea sucks so much, how about coming up with a better one (not necessarily you dst, just the naysayers in general)?

While asleep, Wynken dreamed deeply of himself and the world in which he exists. He envisioned himself as a mere vapor moving amongst the vast and immense celestial bodies of the universe until finally coming to rest inside the cave beside his physical body. He watched as his body faded from existence followed by the cave and the rest of the MD lands. Before long only the essence of his cognitive self remained in a dark expanse. He believed he saw a light in the distance, a mere pin prick in the infinite space, and then he opened his eyes. Awakening from his state of unconsciousness, Wynken found that he felt much better. "I suppose the past day's events had gotten the better of me", he thought while brushing the dust from his travelers cloak. "I had gotten myself quite worked up. It's no wonder I collapsed". He rubbed his eyes trying futilely to hold on to the dreams that now rushed from memory and lingered only in his subconscious. Feeling somehow enlightened to the world around him, he desired to commit his adventure to paper, and to record what little he recalled of his vision. Wynken imagined that the knowledge gained was the sword's good fortune already beginning to shower him with blessings. However, the cave was much more dim than it appeared when he had first arrived so he once again picked up the sword and moved to the opening in the mountain. Realizing that he would need both hands to balance on the narrow walk, Wynken quickly fashioned a rough holster from a linen sash, and he placed the sword on his left hip. Once outside, he was compelled by curiosity to examine his newly acquired weapon, and he noticed that the blade was showing sines of tarnish. Possessing none of the materials needed to attend to that now, he made his way along the northern shore, away from the fort where he began and toward Wasp's Totem. He hoped to find Penelope and Tarquinus there as well as a place to sit and append his memoirs.

Such hasty and materialistic action is uncharacteristic for one so skeptical of what "is". Had he stopped to observe and evaluate his motives, Wynken may have recognized this contradiction. However, such is the nature of the book and the enchantment written in to its pages. So focused was he on his discovery that Wynken payed no attention to the mental distractions that he had become so accustomed to. The haunting feeling of a past forgotten was lost in the presence of this magically inspired determination. Wynken now calmly walked the path to the Oak Fort. The uneventful encounters with Storm and Tarquinus coupled with the peace of the quite forests of Loreroot helped to settle him. Wynken called to mind the heroic deeds made possible by the enchanted blade as he traveled, and allowed his imagination to wonder about what he may accomplish with such good fortune and such a well crafted weapon. He smiled as his mind conjured images of his great renown, a fame earned through noble and courageous adventures to the benefit of peaceful peoples. The fort came in to view and Wynken quickened his pace. Moving up to the lake, Wynken again took in his surroundings to ensure his privacy. He had made that a habit as of late, but it was one that he didn't recognize as such. Wynken carefully walked the rocky eastern shore, if it could be called that for in places it afforded him only inches between the lake to the west and the stone face on his right hand side. After some time, from the cliff high above, came the faint sound of children's laughter, and he guessed that he was below Marind's Round About. Had this been a typical day Wynken may have stopped to muse about the innocence of such a sound, but he was so close now and every step carried him one footfall farther from ordinary. Wasp's Totem became more prevalent and the coast behind him receded as he had finally happened on the first evidence that the book was not a work of fiction. There in the mountainside was a small puncture. It was an almost perfectly round portal standing chest high as if someone had carved a window into the side of the rock. The way it was worked made it difficult to see from any angle other than straight ahead, and it would easily be missed from a distance. The entire scene was such a microcosm for mortal existence, the narrow path and the small opening into the fulfillment of dreams. However, the symbolism was lost on Wynken who without any forethought climbed head first into the opening. After weathering the short fall, Wynken found himself in a small and unremarkable cavern. It was surprisingly dry and also well lit as light reflected from the lake's surface and onto the ceiling. On the back wall on a small alter carved into the rock, Wynken saw what he had come for. As he moved closer, he found that the sword was not at all as he had pictured it. The blade was certainly a thing of beauty, and looked like silver freshly and perfectly polished. However, it was entangled by what appeared to be a stone vine that wound up and around from the guard. On closer inspection, Wynken found that it was neither stone nor a vine. The hilt was fashioned in the likeness of a very miniature and very dead tree, and was made entirely of petrified wood. The guard formed the roots, one of which wrapped clear around the blade. The grip was the trunk of the tree whose dead and leafless branches formed a spire shaped pommel. Having come this far and marveling at the contrasting beauty of the blade and it's hilt, Wynken picked up the sword. He felt a twinge inside of himself but ignored it as he looked at his own image reflected in the polished edge. At that point, reality failed and all went black.

If ever there's a need, I would also like to aid the game through writing. In the past, I've typically written concept lyrics or poems, but I've always enjoyed fantasy fiction writing. I've got a story going on the message boards here that may give you an idea of what my writing style is. [url="http://magicduel.invisionzone.com//index.php?showtopic=2279"]http://magicduel.invisionzone.com//index.php?showtopic=2279[/url]

I voted the Archives, mainly because I'm yet to be able to enter Sage's Keep...

Hearing Tarquinus' introduction, Wynken recognizes the name from his previous meeting with Miss Lightmoon (in game not in this thread). Doing well to mask his nervous excitement he replies, "Ah yes, well met Tarquinus. The answer to all three of your questions is simply, that there is no answer, for I am nowhere you are no one and that", he says mimicking Tarquinus by pointing skyward, "is nothing." The two engage in a brief conversation before both of them gesture to end the encounter. "I hope you understand, but I am pressed for time at the moment. The three of us should meet when more can be spoken of such matters." With that, the two depart and Wynken resumes his course once again heading toward the Oak Fort.

Recognizing Stormrunner as a frequent of the Wind and Rain Tavern, Wynken politely declines his kind gesture to help and continues on his way. The journey from Marind Bell to Loreroot had never seemed so far but anxiety has a tendency to prolong even the shortest of events. Upon finally reaching the Maple Road and the entrance to Loreroot, Wynken once again nervously ensured that he was alone and that he was not being followed before entering.

One book caught his attention and seemed almost to leap from it's place of rest, it so stood out amongst the others it was nestled with. It seemed almost as if the book had been meaning to be found, or that someone had placed it there for such a purpose. Looking around to ensure he was alone, Wynken pulled the book slowly from the shelving. It was not a large tome, no bigger than a standard piece of writing parchment that had been folded in half lengthwise. So rich were the colors of the finely woven cover that the vivid forest scene displayed across it and the spine seemed nearly life-like. The stream seemed to flow gently over the rocky ford, and the bows of the trees could be imagined to sway to and fro with the breeze. Looking once more over his shoulder, Wynken opened the cover and began reading. The cover cracked as it turned indicating that it was scarcely opened, if ever. The pages were so crisp that the book appeared to have been fashioned that very day, but the tale it held claimed to be of an earlier age. Skimming the pages, Wynken read of a nameless hero of the Chaos Wood and the lands that would be called Loreroot. The book portrayed the man as a defender of truth and a boon to the needy. Given good fortune by the magical sword he carried, the hero would travel the lands and share his luck through charitable giving and other good deeds. Feeling a desire for privacy Wynken moved into the Study Room, and anxiously began reading where he had left off. So enchanted was Wynken that he failed to notice when the book had turned from recounting the exciting deeds of the hero to detailing the boundless powers of his magnificent blade. Wynken shifted uncomfortably and looked up from the book to survey the room before continuing. The exact origin of the sword was neglected, but the history of how it came to the hero was discussed. Wynken payed no mind to the book's inconsistencies in time frame or historical inaccuracies. He now focused solely on one passage that he deemed of great importance, a segment that he felt would lead him to the sword's current resting place. Visibly shaking with sheer excitement and adrenaline, Wynken surveyed the room once more and tried to calm himself as he thought of his recent discovery. He stood and, keeping his fingers on the page of interest, he simultaneously closed the book and applied pressure so as to tear the page from its backing. Confident that the page was now loose and that, even if the room had been filled with onlookers, no one would have recognized the action, Wynken moved once more to the Index Room. In a similarly masked action, he removed the page and slipped it into his memoirs after returning the volume to the empty place on the shelf. He lingered a while longer once again skimming the titles of books in various locations before exiting and turning toward Loreroot.

Still unclear about his own existence and angered that he can't recall the past, Wynken wanders from the dojo. As his mind focuses on attempting to recollect anything from his previous self, Wynken's legs carry him subconsciously east and north toward the MDA lands. He had heard much about the archives and those who tend them and had been privy to much talk about the recent campaign against the denizens of Necrovian. "An extensive history would surely give credibility to a world beyond one's self", he spoke aloud as he walked the nearly deserted streets beyond Marind Bell's capitol city. As Wynken moved through the forest path, the magnificent building came into view. The meticulously tended gardens and wonderfully detailed architecture dragged him from his contemplation as his eyes struggled to take in all of the beauty they beheld. Stepping into the entranceway and in to the large foyer, another of Wynken's senses were assaulted. The unmistakable aroma of books, both new and old, filled the room with a sense of gravity. If importance and seriousness could be described as a scent, Wynken was certainly experiencing that now. Drawn by that alluring smell, Wynken passed through the doorway to the left of the foyer and the grand staircase immediately across from the buildings front, and he found himself standing in the midst of countless volumes. His eyes quickly surveyed the many bookcases that lined the walls of the room from floor to ceiling. He approached one of rows and gently ran his fingers along the spines of several of the books there as he read their titles.

Again, whether you saw it or not, the gorilla was still there Two offtopic points that I find interesting: 1. Our eyes share about 97% of the genetic structure of any creature with eyes. Although there are 5 independent phyla of life who have eyes, they are all the same genetically. 2. Octopuses, squids, and other mollusks have eyes in which the nerve does not pass in front of the retina resulting in an eye identical to that of humans without the blind spot.

[quote name='Morrel' post='16703' date='Sep 14 2008, 08:01 PM']actually even scientists are wondering about that too. One of the most amazing things is that we seem to be changing 'reality' just by observing. In quantum mechanics an electron can be both particle or wave. only by being observed the waveform collapses into a particle. The quantum world is full of 'magic', particles being at 2 places at the same time, disappearing at one point and reappearing at another at the same instant. communicating with each other at speeds faster then light.. and many more strange things like that. It hard to find understandable explanations if your not a scientist.. If interested look for Thomas Young or Richard Feynman the experiment is called the "Two Slit Experiment." or "double slit experiment" That's a weird one, but the experiment is easy to follow.[/quote] You're talking about a photon, and it's referred to as particle duality. Basically, light has the properties of both a particle and a wave, but just because we don't understand something fully does not mean that it's magic.

[quote name='stormrunner' post='16637' date='Sep 13 2008, 10:19 PM']Wynken just because I don't run around doing random things to impress people does not mean what I do it's nothing do you think I should run into willow's shop yelling I am the lord of bunnies fear me(no offence metal bunny)I prefer doing my business with those it matters to, when I regen or just want to relax I hang around where I want to if that is unimpressve to you, then you can kiss my hairy, white butt for all I care and isn't Zleiphneir Guardian of Bob that is not impressive (sorry Zleiphneir) if you have a problem with me because I point a large and glaring flaw in your idea that some people are I don't know, deep and would make deep charaters that are more then 2d say so, don't go and insult what I do while regening p.s.I'll amit I have done useless thing like say I could summon ghost and balor if i can get a role the will o wisp thing will have a use and i'm going to change my kick the wall thing for some better, the rest is staying p.p.s I'm truly sorry if any one besides Wynken is offend[/quote] Heh. Easy there...I wasn't even trying to pick on you. Haven't noticed that I've been sitting around yapping in the capital as well? I was merely saying that those aren't the type of encounters you would be getting points for. Also, are you trying to imply that I have no depth? I need a laughing emoticon... If you seriously think you or anyone else on this board is going to offend me, you're mistaken.

[quote name='stormrunner' post='16630' date='Sep 13 2008, 09:00 PM']some charaters are hard to judge if there out of charater because there charater are so board and same can even be contradictory with how they may seem and i'm not talking about spys or muti Personalitys[/quote] Well we do have a Comments on Self page...and the forums. The "moderators" should be able to tell when you are or are not in character. You'll usually be getting points for something grand and losing them for something ridiculous anyway. Chatting in the pub isn't likely to cut it

[quote name='stormrunner' post='16612' date='Sep 13 2008, 02:35 PM']one problem with that some charaters can be more then they appear[/quote] I don't see how that's a problem. Be more specific.

Or more accurately, "what we think is reality may not be". We really can't test anything absolutely. It's a concept that my character delves into a bit. The only absolute is that I or my consciousness exists, and everything else is an assumption.

See, but the beauty of objectivism and objective reality is that it matters not what our opinions are. Existence exists and what is is regardless of how one person's opinions contradict my own. I live in the U.S.

I don't understand how we arrive at the conclusion that reality is the perception of society. I think you're confusing some terms in there because, as I said in game, it seems like when you say objectivity, you're really talking about social subjectivism. Let me provide some examples. You claim that reality is a function of the perception of the majority. That notion is actually a logical fallacy, argumentum ad populam. However it can be illustrated to be false simply. Consider the fact that at one point in history the vast majority believed that the Earth was at the center of the solar system, or that the Earth was flat, or that the universe itself was infinate and without beginning. In each of those three situations, we know that the accepted paradigm of the masses did nothing to change the objective truth, being that each of those three claims is and was false. Now on the other hand, social subjectivism would be the acceptance of socially established and generally accepted paradigms but most people will have some difficulties accepting that as truth once they really consider the implications. If social subjectivism can establish truth or reality than one must accept that, at least in certain portion of the world, acts such as genocide, child sacrifice, and cannibalism are not only acceptable and moral but possibly necessary for survival... You're talking about ideology or still social paradigms. It really has nothing to do with reality...only what is thought of by a community.

That question is actually flawed semantically and thus inherently contradictory. There are two ways to show this. First because nothing claims that God can "do anything". The definition of omnipotent is "possessing all power", and the possession of all power doesn't grant the ability to manifest logical or linguistic contradictions. Basically, God can create water from wine, but not a substance that's both at once. He also can't create a square triangle...it's a linguistic impossibility because even if it were to be created you would look at it and see either a square or a triangle...we simply can't define an object that is both. In the same manner, God can not be both all powerful and not all powerful or both God and not God simultaneously. The second is much the same but has to do with the way you define the terms. If you evaluate what the question is asking you will find that God is only God because He is all powerful. The moment the rock becomes more powerful than God...it becomes God. So, you're really asking if God can create himself to be more powerful than himself...which just doesn't make sense and is explained as a trick of semantics. To weigh in to this thread, regardless of my interpretation or perception of it, the fact remains that data exists. Furthermore, the creator of those illusionary images knows exactly what they look like because he's engineered them in such a way so as to consistently create a desired result based on his understanding of the objective chemical processes taking place in the brain. Similarly, we know that the words on our monitors exist because we understand that 5 volts dropped over a given series of transistors will produce an ASCII code which is deciphered by this message board and that through more objective electrical processes, those codes are then displayed on a monitor which through yet more objective biochemical and electric processes are then read and translated within the brain. Once you understand that there really is no magic happening behind this monitor or the illusions, you can see that many of your arguments are actually self defeating. You're attempting to use objective and consistent situations to prove the inconsistency of reality... Hallucinogens are also bound by the objectivity of reality. Although they alter the chemical reactions in the mind, they do it objectively...for example, have you ever experienced hallucinations as a result of eating marshmallows (that weren't soaked in LSD) or M&Ms? No...because they lack the chemical makeup to produce them.

Sure. Stepping out of character or doing something that is contradictory to your characters typical personality could result in negative points...

Right. You would be judged and given points based on character accuracy or RP content. This way there is a comprehensive and fair system and criteria for point distribution and rewards/promotions.

I'm not a proponent of the over medication going on especially here in the states so don't get me wrong. I don't think every school aged child should be on ritalin or adderall and I don't believe in psychiatry or psychology, but there are obviously some mental disorders that are genuine. OCD is obsessive compulsive disorder. It's kind of a form of perfectionism. Basically everyone has little rituals or habits they do on a daily basis or certain ways they like things done. For example, I'm a little compulsive about rinsing my hands after washing, I simply can't leave any soap on them. However, severe cases could be anything between washing your hands for numerous hours per day to having to lock and unlock the door to your house a precise number of times before exiting the door.

In response to the recent announcement about the difficulty of tracking RP progress, I had thought that implementing an RP Point system may help. Points could be given to players by existing RPC's according to some guidelines or requirements, and a description or note could be written at the time so the reason for the point(s) can be logged. That may help to alleviate bias or cheating by unfairly awarding undeserving players RP points. During events the points can easily be given and tallied making the distribution of rewards or promotions far easier. I've seen this done on many MUDs and it works great. They typically will also use points the same way you use credits in the MD Shop. Players can opt to trade points for various RP rewards like a custom description or title.