Post by Tallaith on Jan 2, 2011 15:26:53 GMT -5
Heya! My name is Tabitha, also known as Tallaith, Ceallian, Bethenn, Coltsfoot, and more... I have quite a few alter-egos. I'm the Fearless Leader of Lond Treneri and it's a pleasure to meet you.
I've run a heavy role-play Kinship in Lord of the Rings Online for more than four years now and I've learned a lot from my experience. Even with all the work I've put into structuring the group and how it functions, I realized lately that I've neglected to give a good description of what I do (and do NOT) do.
If my job description doesn't fit what you're looking for in a Kinship leader, we may not be the right group for you and I'll be happy to help you find one that suits you better.
First of all, leading a Kinship does not mean that I'm the sole source of role-play or entertainment in the game. My job is very simple: I assemble people to spend time together, in-character and out-of-character, ask them what they'd like to experience in the game, and do what I can to make this happen.
This is also part of how our Kinship works in the most fundamental way. Lond Treneri is not meant to be an all-inclusive group. We're a home base for people to come back to; talk to us out-of-character and find questing groups and role-play companions, but please don't assume that we're the kind of Kinship that does inclusive, self-centered RP. I encourage you all to interact with other players and groups on the server to have the richest possible gaming experience. Some of us have interests and stories that take our play away from the core of the Kinship. Make friends with people in all aspects of the game and enjoy what they have to offer you.
In the most basic terms, this is what CAN and CAN'T I offer you as a Storyteller:
~ OOC advice, companionship, and conversation. I can't be all things to all people in the game, but when I can, I try to offer a shoulder to lean on, a sounding-board, and a friend along the way. Everyone has bad days, myself included, and sometimes we just want someone to talk to. Since I'm allergic to drama, I'm a great listener and I'm discrete. Feel free to talk to me about whatever you like, but understand that sometimes I'm busy, have things going on in real life, or other obligations. Don't be offended if I can't be your personal therapist or offer support all the time. I do what I can.
~ Advice and constructive criticism regarding role-play, character development, and story structure. I'm not the end-all resource on a lot of the lore for Lord of the Rings because it has some very complex themes and histories. I do the best I can to offer help and advice with lore, but at times simply doing a web-search for answers can yield better results than I can. There are also Officers available most of the time that can answer questions. However, I think I'm a good role-player and storyteller and I can offer you tons of advice on character development, the technicalities of role-play and etiquette, and help you find ways to move along your personal story. However, I'm not here to just hand you a plot-line. I can help you find structure or move your own along, but it's not my job to point-by-point lay out your role-play for you. There are Kinships that offer this sort of plotted role-play and if that's what you're looking for, I can help you find the right group.
~ In-character companionship. In the past, I've been told that I can be cold or snobbish to characters because I don't make time to role-play with them. This is not my intention. Sometimes I'm so busy in the game it can be weeks or months before I can interact with your character face-to-face because of obligations in the game and in real life. We all have families, jobs, and other activities that keep us busy and just like you, I use gaming as a way to unwind and enjoy some fantasy time. I like to have my share of fun too, and a big part of what I enjoy is leading my Kinship. There's a ton of work that goes on that no one sees but myself. I administrate this forum and handle our public face on Landroval's forum, come up with funds to maintain our Kinship's home and functions, try to build both out-of-character and in-character relationships, forge friendships with other Kinships and players for our benefit, handle conflict resolution, come up with event and recruitment ideas... There are so many things that I do on a nearly-daily basis that I can't list them all.
~ My play style is as individual as yours. I can only role-play with one or two people at a time. In crowded situations even having three chat windows doesn't help me keep up with scrolling walls of text from role-play, global channels, the two OOC channels I moderate, and tells. I take time for myself to role-play, quest, and enjoy the game. Otherwise, my time in LOTRO would be a job and not a past-time. Please understand that if I can't make time for you, it's not because I don't think your character is unique or interesting or that I don't care about you as a player. I spend enormous amounts of time and energy coming up with activities for us to enjoy as a group so please allow me to have my personal stories and some alone time so that I can enjoy the game as much as I hope you do.
So, I hope this helps explain what my job is as Fearless Leader. I'm here to provide you with the setting and tools to make your own fun. I'm not here to BE your good time.
Happy travels to you!
I've run a heavy role-play Kinship in Lord of the Rings Online for more than four years now and I've learned a lot from my experience. Even with all the work I've put into structuring the group and how it functions, I realized lately that I've neglected to give a good description of what I do (and do NOT) do.
If my job description doesn't fit what you're looking for in a Kinship leader, we may not be the right group for you and I'll be happy to help you find one that suits you better.
First of all, leading a Kinship does not mean that I'm the sole source of role-play or entertainment in the game. My job is very simple: I assemble people to spend time together, in-character and out-of-character, ask them what they'd like to experience in the game, and do what I can to make this happen.
This is also part of how our Kinship works in the most fundamental way. Lond Treneri is not meant to be an all-inclusive group. We're a home base for people to come back to; talk to us out-of-character and find questing groups and role-play companions, but please don't assume that we're the kind of Kinship that does inclusive, self-centered RP. I encourage you all to interact with other players and groups on the server to have the richest possible gaming experience. Some of us have interests and stories that take our play away from the core of the Kinship. Make friends with people in all aspects of the game and enjoy what they have to offer you.
In the most basic terms, this is what CAN and CAN'T I offer you as a Storyteller:
~ OOC advice, companionship, and conversation. I can't be all things to all people in the game, but when I can, I try to offer a shoulder to lean on, a sounding-board, and a friend along the way. Everyone has bad days, myself included, and sometimes we just want someone to talk to. Since I'm allergic to drama, I'm a great listener and I'm discrete. Feel free to talk to me about whatever you like, but understand that sometimes I'm busy, have things going on in real life, or other obligations. Don't be offended if I can't be your personal therapist or offer support all the time. I do what I can.
~ Advice and constructive criticism regarding role-play, character development, and story structure. I'm not the end-all resource on a lot of the lore for Lord of the Rings because it has some very complex themes and histories. I do the best I can to offer help and advice with lore, but at times simply doing a web-search for answers can yield better results than I can. There are also Officers available most of the time that can answer questions. However, I think I'm a good role-player and storyteller and I can offer you tons of advice on character development, the technicalities of role-play and etiquette, and help you find ways to move along your personal story. However, I'm not here to just hand you a plot-line. I can help you find structure or move your own along, but it's not my job to point-by-point lay out your role-play for you. There are Kinships that offer this sort of plotted role-play and if that's what you're looking for, I can help you find the right group.
~ In-character companionship. In the past, I've been told that I can be cold or snobbish to characters because I don't make time to role-play with them. This is not my intention. Sometimes I'm so busy in the game it can be weeks or months before I can interact with your character face-to-face because of obligations in the game and in real life. We all have families, jobs, and other activities that keep us busy and just like you, I use gaming as a way to unwind and enjoy some fantasy time. I like to have my share of fun too, and a big part of what I enjoy is leading my Kinship. There's a ton of work that goes on that no one sees but myself. I administrate this forum and handle our public face on Landroval's forum, come up with funds to maintain our Kinship's home and functions, try to build both out-of-character and in-character relationships, forge friendships with other Kinships and players for our benefit, handle conflict resolution, come up with event and recruitment ideas... There are so many things that I do on a nearly-daily basis that I can't list them all.
~ My play style is as individual as yours. I can only role-play with one or two people at a time. In crowded situations even having three chat windows doesn't help me keep up with scrolling walls of text from role-play, global channels, the two OOC channels I moderate, and tells. I take time for myself to role-play, quest, and enjoy the game. Otherwise, my time in LOTRO would be a job and not a past-time. Please understand that if I can't make time for you, it's not because I don't think your character is unique or interesting or that I don't care about you as a player. I spend enormous amounts of time and energy coming up with activities for us to enjoy as a group so please allow me to have my personal stories and some alone time so that I can enjoy the game as much as I hope you do.
So, I hope this helps explain what my job is as Fearless Leader. I'm here to provide you with the setting and tools to make your own fun. I'm not here to BE your good time.
Happy travels to you!