Post by Avelon on Aug 13, 2006 6:44:42 GMT -5
Please see the Tournament Guidelines thread for rules regarding this board. The same rules which apply to tournaments also apply to story-based duels. However, here are some guidelines and rules regarding this board specifically, the Arena.
1.) The story comes first. It isn't about writing circles around your opponent. It isn't about looking cool (although that IS a plus!), and it isn't about nitpicking your opponent's words and finding loopholes in their actions. It's about the story. Use common sense and, if you just don't understand your opponent's post or can't follow his/her actions, ask them about it. Private messages, contact via e-mail, a quick post using (parenthesis) asking WTF, m8?, or if you have them on a messenger, there. For your part, try to make your actions easy to read. Complex actions are okay, so long as you describe them well. Here is an example:
a.) Avelon brings his sword up to catch the axe and follows it with his fist at Chaos' head in a wide arc around his arms that are holding the axe.
This is pretty simple, but bad for several reasons, some kinda nitpicky. For one thing, it describes Chaos as using both arms for the attack. Yeah, like I'm gonna block that with one hand - overhead. Next, I'm apparently countering with a punch. Where mah leverage, homie? I say nothing about the movements of my body except for my arms (bad story-telling, but technically acceptable). The uppercut is poorly described. It's a d**ned run-on sentence. I HATE those things. So on and so forth.
b.) Avelon widens his eyes slightly, not expecting such a quick retort from such a heavy weapon. Instinctively doubling his grip on his sword with his off-hand, Avelon sidesteps to the right while bringing his sword up to divert the power of the blow to his left, knowing a block would be his end. Taking only a split second to set his feet, Avelon turns his blade upward and slashes at Chaos' unguarded face.
Not only does that reek of awesome, it's a much more well thought-out response - but not so thought out that it couldn't be a split second decision. There is one flaw, and that is that the direction the sword is travelling is not written here. Ideally, the position of the sword would be in Chaos' post, as apparently his attack is a COUNTER-attack - see where I said 'retort'?
Another thing that will be obvious to some but I feel should be pointed out anyway is that, even though Chaos is in a very poor position to defend, I did not assume that I hit him. I leave it up to him to decide if he's going to be hit, and how badly. The perfect strike would cleave his head in two - but he might just lean back up (he would be doubled over slightly from his axe hitting the ground unexpectedly) and take a step back, possibly letting go of his axe, and take only a cut across the cheek or forehead.
2.) Try to be realistic. Yeah, this was kind of covered above, but I should stress this. If Chaos did some Matrix bullnuts right after my attack, I would be upset. I gave his post serious attention and made sure that what I did was within the laws of physics - so it would be an insult to that respect I showed him if he just bent backwards lightning fast and headbutted me while I stumbled. Being realistic doesn't center around non-fiction. You can be realistic with magic or high technology - an example:
I throw a ball of magical ice at Chaos. The spell, I note, is able to home in on a target, meaning that if he's far away and runs to the side, it will curve to follow him. THAT DOES NOT MEAN IT AUTOMATICALLY HITS HIM! Honestly, how fast is a ball of ice going to move through the air? I'd say between 30-60 MPH, possibly depending on the power of the mage wielding it. So we'll go with 45 MPH. At 45 MPH, a ball of ice magically suspended and projected through the air COULD defy the laws of physics more than necessary and be able to turn on a dime and give you change. But I prefer to think that magic propells it, but that you cannot directly influence it. That seems more fair to me. So, I'd say it can't turn very fast in the air. If you're in a huge open meadow, then maybe it'll circle around for another go at your target. If there's a wall a few feet behind your target, then I'd say it would probably smash into the wall if it misses.
3.) Be fair. In fact, be charitable. Never, ever force damage on your opponent during an attack. If you put a gun to their head and pull the trigger, your post stops there. THEY will be the ones to decide whether they live or die, whether a miracle saves them, whether the gun hangs up, etc. If you don't WANT the gun to work properly, or if you know you ran out of ammo, then that's fine - go ahead and post your reaction to your gun not working. It doesn't affect your opponent (not directly, that is), so it's okay to go ahead and post in the results of a failure.
Chaos is rapidly backing up, having dropped his axe by mistake. He's just posted that as he runs backward, he's reaching into his duster for his gun.
It's fine for me to post that I slash at him but miss. It would even be okay for me to tag his clothing. But if I were to post about slashing across his hand as it emerges from his duster with the gun in it, that's not fair. If your opponent is keeping the story ahead of winning, then you WILL land hits from time to time.
4.) Don't get upset if your opponent isn't as good at this as you. Seriously, don't sweat it. Some people just can't write. Others can write, but have trouble with paragraph-RP style writing. I myself sucked ass at paragraph RP when I was but a humble newb. Just be patient, and offer HELPFUL, CONSTRUCTIVE, NON-MOCKING criticisms and suggestions if you really just CAN'T keep your mouth shut. Often, and many people do not know this, soliciting your advice is the best way to help somebody out. However, don't try to take higher ground and act holier-than-thou, or you'll just end up coming across as rude. Probably because that IS rude.
5.) Don't use conflicting perspectives. Generally speaking, third-person looks far, far better than first-person in most cases where multiple characters are involved. Here's a small example:
a.) I raise my axe and, with a bloodcurlding warcry, bring it down toward your head.
I grip my sword in both hands and swing at your axe, pushing it far enough off course to miss my shoulder.
b.) Chaos lifts his axe and, with a bloodcurlding warcry, brings it down toward Avelon's head.
Avelon grips his sword in both hands and swings it at Chaos' axe, pushing it far enough off course to miss his shoulder.
Which of those is easier and more pleasant to read? In my opinion, the second - by far. What perspective you choose to use is entirely up to you and your opponent (or the tournament director if s/he wants to enforce a particular one), but at least please use the same perspective. First and second can coexist well enough, but seriously... Do you WANT to write in second person?
And this last one is just a suggestion, NOT a rule:
6.) Ask for help. If your posts just don't seem to flow well, or you realise that you just don't know how to write in this style, ask for advice! I, for one, will gladly offer advice and tips to anyone who asks.
1.) The story comes first. It isn't about writing circles around your opponent. It isn't about looking cool (although that IS a plus!), and it isn't about nitpicking your opponent's words and finding loopholes in their actions. It's about the story. Use common sense and, if you just don't understand your opponent's post or can't follow his/her actions, ask them about it. Private messages, contact via e-mail, a quick post using (parenthesis) asking WTF, m8?, or if you have them on a messenger, there. For your part, try to make your actions easy to read. Complex actions are okay, so long as you describe them well. Here is an example:
a.) Avelon brings his sword up to catch the axe and follows it with his fist at Chaos' head in a wide arc around his arms that are holding the axe.
This is pretty simple, but bad for several reasons, some kinda nitpicky. For one thing, it describes Chaos as using both arms for the attack. Yeah, like I'm gonna block that with one hand - overhead. Next, I'm apparently countering with a punch. Where mah leverage, homie? I say nothing about the movements of my body except for my arms (bad story-telling, but technically acceptable). The uppercut is poorly described. It's a d**ned run-on sentence. I HATE those things. So on and so forth.
b.) Avelon widens his eyes slightly, not expecting such a quick retort from such a heavy weapon. Instinctively doubling his grip on his sword with his off-hand, Avelon sidesteps to the right while bringing his sword up to divert the power of the blow to his left, knowing a block would be his end. Taking only a split second to set his feet, Avelon turns his blade upward and slashes at Chaos' unguarded face.
Not only does that reek of awesome, it's a much more well thought-out response - but not so thought out that it couldn't be a split second decision. There is one flaw, and that is that the direction the sword is travelling is not written here. Ideally, the position of the sword would be in Chaos' post, as apparently his attack is a COUNTER-attack - see where I said 'retort'?
Another thing that will be obvious to some but I feel should be pointed out anyway is that, even though Chaos is in a very poor position to defend, I did not assume that I hit him. I leave it up to him to decide if he's going to be hit, and how badly. The perfect strike would cleave his head in two - but he might just lean back up (he would be doubled over slightly from his axe hitting the ground unexpectedly) and take a step back, possibly letting go of his axe, and take only a cut across the cheek or forehead.
2.) Try to be realistic. Yeah, this was kind of covered above, but I should stress this. If Chaos did some Matrix bullnuts right after my attack, I would be upset. I gave his post serious attention and made sure that what I did was within the laws of physics - so it would be an insult to that respect I showed him if he just bent backwards lightning fast and headbutted me while I stumbled. Being realistic doesn't center around non-fiction. You can be realistic with magic or high technology - an example:
I throw a ball of magical ice at Chaos. The spell, I note, is able to home in on a target, meaning that if he's far away and runs to the side, it will curve to follow him. THAT DOES NOT MEAN IT AUTOMATICALLY HITS HIM! Honestly, how fast is a ball of ice going to move through the air? I'd say between 30-60 MPH, possibly depending on the power of the mage wielding it. So we'll go with 45 MPH. At 45 MPH, a ball of ice magically suspended and projected through the air COULD defy the laws of physics more than necessary and be able to turn on a dime and give you change. But I prefer to think that magic propells it, but that you cannot directly influence it. That seems more fair to me. So, I'd say it can't turn very fast in the air. If you're in a huge open meadow, then maybe it'll circle around for another go at your target. If there's a wall a few feet behind your target, then I'd say it would probably smash into the wall if it misses.
3.) Be fair. In fact, be charitable. Never, ever force damage on your opponent during an attack. If you put a gun to their head and pull the trigger, your post stops there. THEY will be the ones to decide whether they live or die, whether a miracle saves them, whether the gun hangs up, etc. If you don't WANT the gun to work properly, or if you know you ran out of ammo, then that's fine - go ahead and post your reaction to your gun not working. It doesn't affect your opponent (not directly, that is), so it's okay to go ahead and post in the results of a failure.
Chaos is rapidly backing up, having dropped his axe by mistake. He's just posted that as he runs backward, he's reaching into his duster for his gun.
It's fine for me to post that I slash at him but miss. It would even be okay for me to tag his clothing. But if I were to post about slashing across his hand as it emerges from his duster with the gun in it, that's not fair. If your opponent is keeping the story ahead of winning, then you WILL land hits from time to time.
4.) Don't get upset if your opponent isn't as good at this as you. Seriously, don't sweat it. Some people just can't write. Others can write, but have trouble with paragraph-RP style writing. I myself sucked ass at paragraph RP when I was but a humble newb. Just be patient, and offer HELPFUL, CONSTRUCTIVE, NON-MOCKING criticisms and suggestions if you really just CAN'T keep your mouth shut. Often, and many people do not know this, soliciting your advice is the best way to help somebody out. However, don't try to take higher ground and act holier-than-thou, or you'll just end up coming across as rude. Probably because that IS rude.
5.) Don't use conflicting perspectives. Generally speaking, third-person looks far, far better than first-person in most cases where multiple characters are involved. Here's a small example:
a.) I raise my axe and, with a bloodcurlding warcry, bring it down toward your head.
I grip my sword in both hands and swing at your axe, pushing it far enough off course to miss my shoulder.
b.) Chaos lifts his axe and, with a bloodcurlding warcry, brings it down toward Avelon's head.
Avelon grips his sword in both hands and swings it at Chaos' axe, pushing it far enough off course to miss his shoulder.
Which of those is easier and more pleasant to read? In my opinion, the second - by far. What perspective you choose to use is entirely up to you and your opponent (or the tournament director if s/he wants to enforce a particular one), but at least please use the same perspective. First and second can coexist well enough, but seriously... Do you WANT to write in second person?
And this last one is just a suggestion, NOT a rule:
6.) Ask for help. If your posts just don't seem to flow well, or you realise that you just don't know how to write in this style, ask for advice! I, for one, will gladly offer advice and tips to anyone who asks.