AMIA ARCHIVE • View topic

This...

Nekhy wrote:

- RPing by yourself. Might seem a bit weird, but doing stuff like regular prayers to your character's god when you're alone is something that attracts DCs.

...has brought up a question I've had but haven't gotten around to asking.

On previous servers I have played on, IG prayers were done through the DM channel rather than that say channel (for those not actually said aloud atleast). This wasn't for any expectation of immediate response from one's deity, but more of a way to draw it to a DM's attention, as prayers are a very in depth thing and can really bring out the "true character" of a character.

That being said, those were servers with generally a bit lower population, and I can see how having even 2-3 people on a 65 person server, spamming the DM channel with IC prayers, especially if during an event, could be a pain for the DMs.

So, question is: To DM channel or not to DM channel?

I cam imagine this quickly devolving into people blithely clogging the DM channel, fishing for DCs, and then getting petulant when they don't get one. Setting up a system by which certain types of RP are to be engaged in exclusively for the purpose of garnering DM attention seems like a recipe for bitching, IMO.

I'd say use extremely sparingly. Like if you don't have time to give the DM heads up earlier saying "Hey, I'm trying to get a sign outta my deity here, could you be around in a few min if you're free?". Something like where your PC is asking, begging, pleading the intervention of their deity in some dire manner or way.

But day to day prayers? You'd just be clogging the DM channel with as many players as we have. Just say it out loud, in talk channel. DM's can see that just fine too, you know. And it's possible to subtly get their attention through it. Which is what your character is trying to do through prayers to their deity, most of the time. Think about it.

Unless your character is falling off a cliff or about to be killed by their deity's (im)mortal enemy, they're just saying "Hey -insert deity-, I'm still here. Still doin' your work. Be with me and all that." Which is what saying a prayer out loud in Talk does for DM's equally. Not a quick an urgent plea that pulls them away from other things they're doing, but just letting them know you're thinking about them. Like a postcard to grandma.

I don't see a problem with doing it which ever way. DM's can see all chats, although the DM channel being more direct. They can choose to respond, or ignore as god wills so it really doesn't matter if it is because they are busy with something else, or just feel your character doesn't deserve any particular favor.

when rping with others..and i sent something to the DM channel cause i didnt switch back..thats just awful! Ive done that a few times and i get mad cause i have to retype what i said to the ones i rp with..just plain annoying.

Actually, I would like to see this, personally. There's no guarantee it will ever be answered, or that you will see any kind of response...

...but you never know. And a message to the DM channel detailing your prayer is more likely to reach us than simply the talk channel. And it won't be bad so long as you don't overdo it and ask for stupid shit.

Gold plz!

Seriously though, I've done quite a few prayers in my time with several different chars. In my experience though, if you don't do them alone but have one or two people with you, you can always DC wand eachother before starting off.

I don't mind it but also don't be offended if I ignore it 'cuz it's not thematic and dramatic and cinematic and serving a purpose to answer it in some way or form.

I'll be honest, only read the DM responses in here. No offense to anyone but this really was a question directed at the DMs here, who would be dealing with the potential spammage.

Yossarin and Tormak, thanks for your responses, that's pretty much how I've always understood things player-side / responded to it when I was a DM elsewhere.

Any other DMs who want to chime in, please do so

In my opinion, anything which is said aloud, should be said aloud, particularly if it gives insight into the heart of your character. You may THINK you're alone, but you don't know it. There might be a spy right behind you, about to sell your secrets, and if there is, they should be able to hear every word you say. Its the same as sending whispers as tells, in my opinion. No opinion on repeating it in the DM channel once you've done that, mind.

Prayers don't necessarily have to be spoken aloud. If you are truly in tune with your god, your god is never far from your mind and prayer can be done in thought and feeling.

Wood Please.

Selvec Darkon wrote:

Wood Please.

Didi wrote:

In my opinion, anything which is said aloud, should be said aloud, particularly if it gives insight into the heart of your character. You may THINK you're alone, but you don't know it. There might be a spy right behind you, about to sell your secrets, and if there is, they should be able to hear every word you say. Its the same as sending whispers as tells, in my opinion. No opinion on repeating it in the DM channel once you've done that, mind.

Completely negated by the drow-sign and its use on this server which is done primarily in tells from what I've witnessed.

OT, the way I see it, roleplaying is about interacting with other people. Of course you can't destroy a village as a paladin even if there was no one seeing it, but talking to yourself just isn't healthy.

On topic, I'd always rather ask a DM, but rather, if I wanted that kind of RP, I'd claim a random dream as a prophecy given by the chosen god itself. A lot more fun that way - a zealotic dolt who really thinks that his deity cares about him that much.

I'd say, send an initial message on the DM channel, so if there's someone up there we'll notice you're doing a prayer on your own. The initial message could be something like "*Begins setting up the altar to XYZ for a quiet prayer moment* // I'm going to pray to my god, in case the gods are listening." or something. Handy to check for DMs from the sidebar counter first!

Uncle-Opustus wrote:

OT, the way I see it, roleplaying is about interacting with other people. Of course you can't destroy a village as a paladin even if there was no one seeing it, but talking to yourself just isn't healthy.

Sorry, I don't agree with this at all.
Role-playing is like acting, you are assuming the role of that character, essentially being them. Your character will do things that you won't do and vice-versa.
My character talks to his Gods' idol all the time, he talks to non-responsive NPC's, he talks to the animals that follow him around...all this whether anyone is around or not. Sometimes he talks to himself out loud too. (patrols can be boring)
It's all a part of role-play.

Interaction comes from the role you take on, otherwise it's just the player interacting with other players.

Not that RPing alone necessarily means talking to yourself. If you're emoting, your character isn't actually talking, and emotes were just as fine RP last I checked.

Dark Immolation wrote:

I'd say use extremely sparingly. Like if [...] your PC is asking, begging, pleading the intervention of their deity in some dire manner or way.

But day to day prayers? You'd just be clogging the DM channel with as many players as we have.

Unless your character is falling off a cliff or about to be killed by their deity's (im)mortal enemy

This is how I see it. When I actually get down and do my cleric's daily prayers, I do so in paragraphs, and I'm not going to dump 100-200 words into the DM channel. If she's actually praying for divine aid for some reason, that's a different story, but then it's usually "/dm Hi, the Temple of Love is being invaded and Xavi is praying for divine aid if anyone's listening" and then I'll blurt my invocations out in the Talk channel as part of the RP that's going on.

Stone please.

I've done this! I don't think I've annoyed any DMs by it before? Maybe they haven't even noticed. *shrug* Makes it even better! It's like real life-- where you're some super awesome Blessed individual if the Gods you believe in even make it known they care about your stupid prayers. That's why you're supposed to have faith or whatever that bullshit is called.

Usually I do it in both the Talk and the DM channel.

And you were answered with my presence, Estara.

A stupid question:

Were a character doing research or spell/item development , would the same sort of idea be applicable (IE: Send emotes of what's being done up to the DM channel if you're by yourself?)

*Mainly because I admit freely, Tuomas over the course of the stuff he's been doing of late has an exceedingly high amount of inspiration filling his noggin'. *

I'll admit, I've DM-channeled "thoughts" before. Just so the DM might see my character's mental process.

If my Good character runs up and decapitates a bugbear child, I sure as hell want the DM to know the PC's reasoning, even if it still ends up getting him in trouble.

Dark Immolation wrote:

If my Good character runs up and decapitates a bugbear child, I sure as hell want the DM to know the PC's reasoning, even if it still ends up getting him in trouble.

This makes sense. If just observed by a DM, the reasoning behind the action won't be known.

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