Focusing on a player because she can't / won't speak up IN CHARACTER to get involved is unfair to others. The character should have been built with contact to another PC if this was a worry. I *never* heard her speak up IC, even when Tess directly addressed her or made eye contact / expressions at her (which is technically more forgivable, even though any other PC would have noticed them and responded). Responding is okay and talking won't USUALLY get you eaten (unless it's a Tremere ... J/K).
Just a heads-up: Tess is not a key choice for a new Vampire, mostly because she's also new and partially because she is all work and no play. And just not a nice person.
It's nice that she didn't trust other PCs - that's part of the game, though: you *pretend* to trust everyone in the city while you note their potential downfalls. At least, that's what the books indirectly recommends until your character forges alliances. That's all you can hope for in the WoD: alliances.
It's great that you have plots for next time ... especially if it is a matter that sort of forces most of the PCs to work together and get to know one another's strengths and weaknesses.
My only other concern is that the interaction of the two of you (cutesy stuff which, while you mentioned earlier you didn't do, you majorly do) making other players uncomfortable. As I mentioned in response to the other post (which may or may not still exist): Carl and I have struck our delicate balance while in the presence of certain players / staff. Now you need to do the same.
And Jon, you know I have never had a complaint about you before. Don't take this as personally as you might initially (I can imagine how I would respond and it wouldn't be pretty). I do not have a problem with the situation between the two of you because I am physically unable to care - not that I don't care for your feelings, but because I sympathize and, if anyone on the planet can claim to understand, I can.
I also have a disgusting amount of LARP and gaming experience - two years more than the next more experienced player, to be exact (regarding LARP). Our group has always had problems and I am tired of seeing miscommunication and hurt killing the system / chronicle / campaign / group ... especially since it is honestly usually miscommunication that's the trigger for the emotional "gun".
Please take my input as respectful and, above all else, experienced. I am one of the elders of the group! (Wrinkles and, soon, grey hair.)
First off I dont take your input as an insult. I"m sorry that I reacted the way I did. I'm even now still a little hot-headed over the whole thing.
Its all fine and dandy that you and Carl understand your boundaries. Julie and I tend to be more affectionate people. Whether thats a good or bad thing with company around I'm not arguing.
I'm not killing the chronicle in any way. If I happened to not go anymore, for any reason, the larp would not fail. So while the fight and argument affects the game, it should not control it.
I will not be at larp next time. That will give me almost a month to cool down and straighten things out. Until then I just probably will try to avoid arguing anymore since all it does is throws the whole group in an uproar.
Oh, trust me - Carl and I are disgustingly cutesy and affectionate when in private. Anyone - no matter how well they liked us as a couple - would vomit. His newest nickname is "my wittle bite bite" b/c his character is "Frostbite" ... see, that's cute and totally outrageous. :) We just CAN'T behave that way around the gamers, extenuating circumstances excluded, b/c it's a private thing (and I don't want him mocked eternally ... ssshhh that I told you).
Your not killing the chronicle - but our group is more reactive than philosophical and that can do the killing for you (or me or whomever). With any luck any fights will go on the back burner for the game during sessions - but our group is very ... uh, personal ... and it *might* not.
Regardless, you're right about the time away maybe helping. If for no other reason than giving everyone time to simmer and think about it (or not think about it, if that's what will help). I am not saying you should bottle your anger or frustration, but understanding that others cannot be expected to is key.
There's only a couple things I can say, especially since I wasn't even there:
1) Communication (specifically, clear and calm) is key to any social group. They tell you that in management classes, and it's just as important (if not more so!) in a LARP group.
2) If one does need to let out some emotions, use them to make your RPing better! (I know I've done it.) i.e., use whatever emotions you have around and focus them in a productive way.
Just a heads-up: Tess is not a key choice for a new Vampire, mostly because she's also new and partially because she is all work and no play. And just not a nice person.
It's nice that she didn't trust other PCs - that's part of the game, though: you *pretend* to trust everyone in the city while you note their potential downfalls. At least, that's what the books indirectly recommends until your character forges alliances. That's all you can hope for in the WoD: alliances.
It's great that you have plots for next time ... especially if it is a matter that sort of forces most of the PCs to work together and get to know one another's strengths and weaknesses.
My only other concern is that the interaction of the two of you (cutesy stuff which, while you mentioned earlier you didn't do, you majorly do) making other players uncomfortable. As I mentioned in response to the other post (which may or may not still exist): Carl and I have struck our delicate balance while in the presence of certain players / staff. Now you need to do the same.
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I also have a disgusting amount of LARP and gaming experience - two years more than the next more experienced player, to be exact (regarding LARP). Our group has always had problems and I am tired of seeing miscommunication and hurt killing the system / chronicle / campaign / group ... especially since it is honestly usually miscommunication that's the trigger for the emotional "gun".
Please take my input as respectful and, above all else, experienced. I am one of the elders of the group! (Wrinkles and, soon, grey hair.)
Reply
Its all fine and dandy that you and Carl understand your boundaries. Julie and I tend to be more affectionate people. Whether thats a good or bad thing with company around I'm not arguing.
I'm not killing the chronicle in any way. If I happened to not go anymore, for any reason, the larp would not fail. So while the fight and argument affects the game, it should not control it.
I will not be at larp next time. That will give me almost a month to cool down and straighten things out. Until then I just probably will try to avoid arguing anymore since all it does is throws the whole group in an uproar.
Reply
Your not killing the chronicle - but our group is more reactive than philosophical and that can do the killing for you (or me or whomever). With any luck any fights will go on the back burner for the game during sessions - but our group is very ... uh, personal ... and it *might* not.
Regardless, you're right about the time away maybe helping. If for no other reason than giving everyone time to simmer and think about it (or not think about it, if that's what will help). I am not saying you should bottle your anger or frustration, but understanding that others cannot be expected to is key.
I hope that helps some. :)
Reply
1) Communication (specifically, clear and calm) is key to any social group. They tell you that in management classes, and it's just as important (if not more so!) in a LARP group.
2) If one does need to let out some emotions, use them to make your RPing better! (I know I've done it.) i.e., use whatever emotions you have around and focus them in a productive way.
Reply
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