Molag Bal 11 Discussion

[OblivionDuruza]

Putting this previous Molag Bal aside, let's take a moment to plan the next one so we can get the games back on the wonderful track record they have seen.

I think we should discuss this while it's still fresh, and I have a few suggestions.

Firstly, it should be forbidden and punishable for players to reveal player cards or discuss secret business. Basically, if you break this rule, a moderator will edit or delete your post, and you will be warned. Depending on the severity of the incident, you may be disqualified from competing in the next game, and other sanctions may be imposed as necessary. It may seem harsh, but for the games to work, we need to run a tight ship.

Secondly, we should discuss protectors and the number of players and worshippers. I think that too many players can be difficult, but I also think that if we limit numbers to much, there is the chance for people to drop out and the game to be ruined. I propose having a starting limit of 12-16 depending, including a seer, (possibly) a protector and two worshippers.

Thirdly, voting should be given a fairly defined period. After a certain duration, if you have not voted, your vote should be void. If you are inactive, you should contact the host, and if not, you should be PMed by said host, before appropriate action is taken, and you are removed from the game if needed, and are replaced so that their card is not revealed, regardless of who they were in-game.

If all are willing, I would like to host the Molag Bal Game 11, aiming for December, after the initial hustle of Skyrim's release. I have a few ideas, have hosted Mafia-esque games in the past, and I want to see this game as successful as it can be.

How do we feel about a 'Ministry of Truth' style, rock in the sky setting? Or just the more ordinary village setting? I'm also feeling that the narrative could be strengthened with a .. Dunmer spin on it, particularly concerning he Daedra. Nothing major to effect the game itself, but a bit of backstory to keep it interesting.

Members:
1. ZeRoc
2. AddictedtoMorrowind
3. The-Shadow-One
4. Arch-Mage Matt
5. PerPenger
6. LtGt72
7. Mars
8. JVElEven
9. Unionhack
10. videogmer314
11. Samaelthedestroyer
12. Mithrandir

[MARS]

It should be forbidden to talk about the game OOC altogether. Now, about the number of players:
I think that 2 worshippers and 1 seer are enough no matter what the number of villagers is. The only thing that changes is the duration and the difficulty for the worshippers. I think 12-14 players is ideal especially if we choose to include the protector role.

Backstory is not that important in my opinion. Everyone in the RP section is more or less a decent writer and I believe we can manage to give ourselves a backstory without posting it before the game. Just choose a stance (or personality in other words) that you think will serve you best. The goal is to win after all, and a certain character personality can help with that. However I don't think we should give this too much thought. This isn't a story driven RP after all and I don't think we need proper characters. What could be fun would be a different setting for each MBG like Duru proposed (a Dunmer theme for the next one for example. We could use 'real' cities or settlements like Gnaar Mok).

One thing I want to stress. Think(!) before you join. If you are unsure about whether or not you will see the game through do not join. I realize that this is a bit rude to say, but it can be a real annoyance for the other players if everyone keeps dropping out and being replaced.

[OblivionDuruza]

Good point, although sometimes it is impossible to pre-empt how busy your real life may get, so there should be some sort of contingency. Still, it is important not to overbook yourself or to make commitments you can reasonably foresee you will be unable to meet.

As for talking OOC about the game, I can see your point, but it is really important to ensure that nothing secret is discussed, while it is less serious to stop people discussing how the game is going, as far as how it's working. Either way, if people are willing to stick to a no talking rule, then I'm just as happy, but the main thing is that if that is what is decided, then people must stick to it. I'll change the poll, after this one, so we can decide on that as well.

Also, by backstory I meant that I would write a bit explaining why that particular town was chosen, or something along those lines. But more fundamental to my idea, was giving Bal a different character every time. We know that different races see the Princes and Gods in different ways, so there is a large potential to create very different feeling games each time.

[MARS]

Of course, life is unpredictable. I didn't mean to sound so absolute. All I was saying was that if someone is unsure about whether or not he will be able to see the game through they should truly think it through before joining.

About what I said about OOC talking: I think it should be that strict because conversations can get out of hand quickly. Someone may decide to drop a subtle hint and et voila. We have a domino reaction...

[OblivionDuruza]

True. I think that a blanket ban is probably the safest, so long as people stick to it. All in all, for it to work, a certain level of self control is necessary, and a fair degree of regulation. Keep the game fast-paced, interesting and engaging, and people are less likely to get bored and to chatter. Sometimes problems can arise when people die off. The game is no longer engaging, and they have nothing to lose by blabbing.

Also, on the side, don't worry, I got what you were meaning, just clarifying my own point before, that contingency is better than improvisation in many circumstances. Of course you have to look at the situation, but better to have a blanket response like, we'll bring someone new in, than to have to bring someone in if a worshipper drops out for an uncontrollable life issue.

[Leilah]

I agree with a blanket ban on OOC discussion. Also, no more of those damn spoiler tags in the game. They ruin everything. OK, if you're apologising for being gone for a bit, or trying to explain that you will be gone for a bit, it's OK. But as far as I'm concerned, I'd like to enter the thread as Leilah the drunk or the crazy cat lady, and not post in there as Leilah the normal ol' UESP member. A limit on the time for voting sounds good. Also, less idle banter. I took part in some myself, but personally, I like going with: discover body, panic, accuse, say some stuff after the lynching, then off to bed. Dialogue in the thread stays good if it furthers the plot. It's when dialogue wanders from that that things go bad.

As for members dropping out due to life happening: I'd say to bring someone new in, taking over that character completely, like we did in (I think) game 8?

Also: no protector, I think. If there are two worshippers, the protector isn't necessary.

And finally: pleasepleaseplease, if the game starts and I'm not on my honeymoon or about to embark on it, I'd like to reserve my spot right now. I freaking love these games. Seriously. Ask boyfriend. When one is in progress, I constantly tell him about it.

[OblivionDuruza]

We do now have the Roleplaying General Discussion, so as much as possible, OOC posts should be made their, if necessary.

Generally my rule is, if it's not something everybody in the RP needs to see then don't post it there. If it's just a question or something, it can happen in the RP GD, if it's something like an explanation like you mention, then it is something just as important as an in character post.

Also, congrats on the engagement (I realise I never got the chance to say that earlier), I'm excited for you, and that cake sounds amazing . Of course you can reserve a spot, provided I host it. It'd be a pleasure .

[Avron the S'wit]

Just some thoughts from one of your local moderators...

Given the results of this last Molag Bal game, and how upset it made people and the amount of nonsense it generated from a moderator point of view, I would appreciate it if you kept me/one moderator on board for this - just to keep an eye out. It's a game but rules about spam still apply.

Also, the very nature of this game is that it's a guessing Whodunnit? type, meaning that discussion outside of the game is strictly forbidden. This is pretty straightforward. Anyone who discussed this game in public, on a "general discussion board" or not, is just, I am sorry to say, being rude. I know we are of a vast collection of ages and maturity levels around here, but you must remember to be respectful and thoughtful toward other members.

I trust everyone to work it out and start another successful one after this little hiccup. Molag Bal is my favorite game around here. I can't wait for my chance to get in on it.

[Per]

I've already had my say on this over in Future RPs. I mostly agree with what is said here, I've nothing to add to that.

There were some points that was disputed in this game that has not been adressed here, though:

The character colours. They're pointless, I say. Everyone should manage to keep players form eachother by username.
When the majority of players have voted for a player, he is dead. There is no point in waiting for everyone to vote if there is no way the result can be changed. Two more of my cents.

[MARS]

But by seeing everyone's votes you can see everyone's disposition.

[Eltee]

That is... True. But I agree with Per's assessment of colours, though.

[Per]

But by seeing everyone's votes you can see everyone's disposition.

Fair enough. But waiting several hours for the last player to vote, when the tally is 9-2?
Oh, and there should not be allowed to vote "no vote". That is a very cheap way of not revealing your intents. At the very least, such vote should be counted against yourself.

[OblivionDuruza]

On colours, I think that they should be allow as in normal forums use, but not a requirment.

I agree on Per's point about votes, and I'd suggest giving about a day after a majority has been reached, for stray voters on different timezones, before the killing.

As for keeping the mods in the loop, it's almost a must. Any mod who's willing to help, would be much appreciated. I know Matt and Avron in particular are fairly active in this section of the Forums.

It might be an idea to get a rough idea of numbers now. Obviously no comittment can be made this far out, but maybe expressions of interest for December would be useful in getting an idea as to how many special characters there should be?

[ZeRoc]

Khajiit-err- I'm sorry that the last game ended the way it did, I think that everyone should be able to vote, even if the majority already has, simply because it shows alignment. I'm sorry if my ghost was one of the reasons that it ended early.

[Wolfie]

We all know the real reason it ended was I died i mean what was the point afterworlds?
joking aside I had no clue that any type of talk was going on out of the Rp, was surprised that every one quit.

A few things, some big talk on rules came up, are the rules not clear enough or do you think it was jut a time thing?
as has been said saying who is who ruins the game

[Eltee]

I hereby move that the game be called Molag Bal Game XI instead of Molag Bal Game 11.

[ZeRoc]

I second LT's motion
Also, I agree that we (assuming that I am part of game XI) should keep discussion of the game to a minimum in the general roleplay thread, plus we should also watch the amount of spoiler tags that we have to use. (probably 30 pages of game X was in spoiler tags.)

[The-Shadow-One]

I move that I propably shouldn't talk out of char and that I shouldn't really go near this game. I am sure I single handedly caused the death of it in X

[Eltee]

You know we love you, Shadow. But you are a merciless RP killer.

[The-Shadow-One]

I didn't mean it. It ran into my knife 10 times! But I propose I should go under radio silence in the game and out for discussions involving it.

[Eltee]

Yup. We know you're trying, bud.

[ZeRoc]

hmm...we lynched you first and AKB kept playing with Nyx, and if the game ran into your knife so many times... so AKB stabbed the game with your knife!
But I look forward to the next game of Malog Bal, I probably won't be a khajiit again though, it got to the point where I would say "Khajiit blahblahblah" out-loud, Maybe I'll be Ze Gro-Roc or something... (is it just me or does there seem to be a lack of Orcs in the games?)

[The-Shadow-One]

I think it's cuz orcs are "dumb" and my autocorrect changed orcs to orca and IRS 0.0 werid.

[OblivionDuruza]

I hereby move that the game be called Molag Bal Game XI instead of Molag Bal Game 11.

I prefer Roman numerals too, but chose 11 in honour of 11/11/11

[Avron the S'wit]

About the voting system (and game in general): Guys, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Don't forget all the successful Molag Bal games we ran before this last one. Why don't you guys read through those? They worked.

Also: Resist the urge to spam. I know it runs in your veins. I know it's sweet. But you can do it. I have faith in you. In the end, spam is what kills stuff. That, and impatience!

This is the way of the Avron.