Lesson 04: Character Interaction
Introduction
Very few of us joint the sim for anything other than to play and pretend with a group of people that share our interests. No different in concept than playing football or soccer, except you don't work up a sweat. One of the more difficult things about relating "simming" with team sports is the fact that you can't look your team mate in the eye and say "What's up". It's a bit uncomfortable or awkward at first, but that soon changes.
Section 1: What are the things I want to avoid doing?
(a) Never play Superman
One of the first and most annoying things a person can do is play the superhero. *Yawn* Boring. You have to look at this one from both sides. If your not the superhero then your bored because this guy/girl has done it all. Pretty soon you just won't attempt to play anymore. If you are the superhero, you'll soon find yourself all alone. There are several races in many universes that have special abilities, but be cautious using those abilities excessively.
Bottom line - don't make your character too perfect. Imperfections or lacking abilities make the character more approachable and opens the door to teamwork situations.
DON'T:
Cadet XXXXX, knowing that no one was smart or fast enough began to work. He/she checked the computer readout, typed in the needed changes. When he/she was done with that she ran to the turbolift and headed to the science lab where they would need to know what was happening and how to save the ship.
DO:
Character XXXXX, looked at the computer readout then contacted the science lab. "Cadet YYYY, I've got an idea on how we could save the ship. "I'm going to make a few course corrections which will take us out of the nebula. I'd like you to let me know if this works."
<<<Cadet YYYY... respond (e-mail me privately if you need to know what I am thinking>>>
(b) Don't put too many words in other characters mouths
Writing up a short answer such as yes or now or something equally light is alright. But the moment you start writing whole dialogues or you start creating emotional responses or actions for another character you're crossing that "team" line. Instead of writing a response, leave an opening for the other character to respond on their own.
DON'T:
Cadet XXXXX sat down and smiled at Cadet YYYY, "I got a promotion." The cadet say lifting his head high to show off his new insignia on his collar. "What do you think?"
Cadet YYYY looked over that Cadet XXXX and frowned, "You suck, you're always kissing up to the supervisors. If I did the same I would be promoted too."
DO:
Cadet XXXXX sat down and smiled at Cadet YYYY, "I got a promotion." The cadet say lifting his head high to show off his new insignia on his collar. "What do you think?"
<<<Cadet YYYY....>>>
(c) Don't ignore an opportunity to speak up.
Take advantage of opportunities to join into the game. If you ignore the opportunities too often then your eventually going to be left out. As discussed in earlier lessons the opportunities can be direct or indirect. If you come across a post that has one of these opportunities and you don't respond then others are going to be a bit more hesitant in putting in another opportunity.
What to look for (samples):
<<<Cadet YYY....wanna respond>>>>
<<<Security Cadets.... what would you do???>>>>
Cadet XXXXX - it's all yours
(d) Don't step on another person's post...
The mission and the posts are follow a flow or a direction. You need to keep up with that direction or you'll start annoying people. Basically this is a matter of paying attention to what others are doing or saying. Don't repeat something that someone has already done and try to avoid contradicting something that someone has already done (unless that is the intent).
(e) Don't hit the reply button and add a sentence
This one is annoying to one and all. Many ships get a lot of mail and the reading through each and every post is time consuming. If your hitting the reply button and keeping the entire previous post then you are forcing others to weed through something that has happened before in order to get to what is new. It's alright to use a paragraph or a portion of the previous post in order to make your addition fit in to the plot but the moment you find yourself just hitting "reply" without editing out the unrelated stuff, you can be sure that you are getting on peoples nerves. (the sample that follows is rather large but this is a big pet peeve of most people in the games)(MEANING - only use what you need from the previous post)
Look for the differences in the posts..... ask yourself which one you would like to read.... the second one should be your choice.
DON'T:
>
> <Gul Terok, Office>
>
> Elim paced the room, not being too happy about the way
> things were going. Dir'ram has not found anyone yet,
> S'Tell was reporting that they need 2 days worth of
> repairs over the clock to get the bridge back in
> shape... And then this PO... For now she was reading
> some older reports, catching up to the situation but
> that won't last for long... She already asked for
> another appointment in 6 hours... Make it demanded and
> Terok couldn't refuse...
>
> Well not yet. But he will get some way to either get
> rid of her... Or get her under control... Or she will
> control him...
>
> Elim growled at the computer as if it was to blame for
> all that took place today.
>
> "Gul Terok, We found a suspect and were in the middle
> of interrogating him when they decided to make there
> brake. If we catch them, we should have who ever else
> is to blame for the bomb."
>
> "Good work, Dir'ram. Keep it up. And... assign a
> couple of bodyguards to our PO... we need to make sure
> she is safe... make the guards report to us two every
> three hours telling us what is she doing... Yes, two
> guards, three shifts, total of six. Choose good ones."
>
> And it immediately felt better... Elim looked up at
> the screen, quickly typing a message to the PO... he
> needed to explain to her what he was doing...
>
> "Legate. We need to make sure you stay safe aboard
> this ship. That is why two guards will follow you
> everywhere effective in 30 secures. Be sure that this
> is a merely safety feature."
>
> Cheers. :)
>
> ===
> Galt Marat
> Security, DCS Erdani
>
> Gul Terok
> Command, DCS Res Traedor
> Talsvar Cardassu
> _________________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was not acceptable, not in the least. She calmed herself in order to make the presentation she desired,
then sent a message to the Gul.
Legate Shiana Tevakar
Political Officer
DCS Res Traedor
~Treason can be found where it is least expected~
DO:
> "Legate. We need to make sure you stay safe aboard
> this ship. That is why two guards will follow you
> everywhere effective in 30 secures. Be sure that this
> is a merely safety feature."
>
When Shiana checked her messages she was furious. Guards, the Gul was
attempting to control, or monitor her activities. She hit the wall with an
open handed slap. How dare he! She stormed to the entrance of her quarters
and found that two guards had already been posted. She glared at both then
retreated back into her quarters. This was not acceptable, not in the
least. She calmed herself in order to make the presentation she desired,
then sent a message to the Gul.
"Gul, how kind of you to think of my safety. Admittedly, the posting of
guards disturbs me greatly, due to the message it is sending. It is now
clear that the Cardassia Government was not aware that the situation on this
ship. Obviously, you are aware of so much more. If there are malcontents
on this ship that require you to take such actions, then I will inform the
Government immediately. As you know, they need to be aware of all threats to
Cardassia and it's citizens. In addition, I will need to know who your
suspects are, and a list of those you feel may be at risk, other than myself
that is, so that I submit a complete report to out Government. Once again,
thank you for your concern, and I shall await your report before submitting
my own. Legate Tevakar out"
Shiana sat down, satisfied with what she had sent to the Gul, and now she
looked forward to his creative response. He would have to explain
himself..... or risk having the Government informed. She tilted her head
back and laughed as she imagined the look on the Gul's face when he received
her message. He would soon learn that she was not so easily trifled with.
NRPG: Naughty, naughty Gul mussant mess with Political Officers..... they
are known to bite back.
Legate Shiana Tevakar
Political Officer
DCS Res Traedor
~Treason can be found where it is least expected~
Section 2: How do I make my interaction fit in?
The answer to this one is:
- Have a perfect memory
- Use the cut and past features of any number of notepad or word-processing programs, or
- Respond to each post that contains your character as they happen.
Answer (1) and (3) are somewhat impossible for most of us. Very few of us have a perfect memory and even fewer of us have the time to respond to each individual post as it occurs. So that means for the large majority of us, we need to use the "cut and paste option". This section will concentrate on how to do the "cut and paste" since that is what most of us need.
This works for with all e-mail programs.
- Pick a point to start and open that e-mail
- Open your notepad or word processer
- Highlight and copy the portion of the post that will apply to what you are writing.
- Paste the section you selected into your word processing program. At the top of that portion pasted, mark it <<<From XXwhoeversXX post>>>
- Go to the next post pick out and past anything that may apply to your post. Keep doing this till you've gone from the post you've started from to the last post received. What you'll end up with will look something like the following:
<<From Cadet De'Reth >>
Cadet De'Reth scanned his readings.
Tamur: Captain, I have scanned the system and it appears that there is
a Malcorian vessel only has phasers, but the appear that they are
disabled. The ship is only minor damaged by a unknown weapon type.
There are asteroids in the moons gravity.
{{Space for new stuff}}
<<<From Captain Ronak's previous post>>>
> Ronak was in mild disbelief as to the surprising deterioration of the
>vessel. Apparently, the Malcorians had been stranded for several
>
days. "On
screen, maximum magnification" Ronak said.
>
> Meebit was a intriguing puzzle. to look at him, he seemed to be a
>
normal
human and yet, he was a surprise at many a turn.
>
>The view screen blinked from the dark void of space to show a small
>
oblong
vessel caught in the >orbit of a large crater riven moon. The
>
moon's
atmosphere shimmered a sickly green and De'Reth quickly
>
answered her
thoughts as to the moon atmospheric composition. The
>
moon had also caught
in it's gravity several asteroids and the Malcorian
>
vessel had taken damage
from those chunks of space debris. "Cadet
>
Meebit, open a channel to the
Malcorians," Ronak said to the android.
>
<<<From Meebit's post>>>
"Aye Captain" he said. His fingers flew over the controls faster than that
of a human but not as fast as he could go "I don't want to be too much of a
show off" he thought. "Channel open Captain" he said.
{{Space for new stuff}}
<<<From Captain Ronaks previous post>>>
> Ronak looked to Lcdr. Long. "Commander, you have the bridge. I will
>
be
joining the away team on the Malcorian ship, "Ronak told a
>
startled Long.
<snip>
{{Space for new stuff}}
<<<From Captain Ronaks previous post>>>
> "I understand that Commander, however, due in part to the nature
>
of our
mission, Starfleet have requested that I meet with the scientists on
>
that
ship and supervise the repairs myself," Ronak paused and a smirk
>
flicked on
her face and her eyebrows arched, "besides, I do have the
>
Engineering
skills."
>
> Once Long accepted her reasons, Ronak stepped onto the turbolift and
>
asked
for Deck 7, "transporter room 1," she told the computer.
>
{{Space for new stuff}}
- Make your additions. It will end up looking something like the following when it is
done:
<<From Cadet De'Reth >>
Cadet De'Reth scanned his readings.
Tamur: Captain, I have scanned the system and it appears that there is
a Malcorian vessel only has phasers, but the appear that they are
disabled. The ship is only minor damaged by a unknown weapon type.
There are asteroids in the moons gravity.
<<<New for Captain Ronak's Character>>>
The Captain considered the information. Something was not right. "Cadet
De'Reth, do a scan of the area to see if there is anything else out there.
There has got to be something either man made or natural that has disabled
the Malcorian's ship." Something, possibly some warning from the prophets
seemed to be bothering her. She tapped her combadge to contact the science
department. =/\=Cadet Td'kan, this is the Captain, I want you to do a scan
of the area surrounding the Malcorian's ship. I am looking for a natural
cause for the ships malfunction., Ronak out.=/\=
<<<Cadet Td'kan, this is your opening.... we are looking for some subspace
disturbance that would cause the ship to malfunction.... e-mail me if you
have any questions ^_^.........>>>
There, it was done.... De'Reth was looking for a man-made cause and Td'kan
was looking for a natural one. For a moment Captain Ronak felt a wave a
nausea but it left quickly so she pushed it out of her mind. A quick glance
around the bridge gave her cause to think that the others had felt the same.
<<<From Captain Ronak's post>>>
> Ronak was in mild disbelief as to the surprising deterioration of the
>vessel. Apparently, the Malcorians had been stranded for several
>
days. "On
screen, maximum magnification" Ronak said.
>
> Meebit was a intriguing puzzle. to look at him, he seemed to be a
>
normal
human and yet, he was a surprise at many a turn.
>
>The view screen blinked from the dark void of space to show a small
>
oblong
vessel caught in the >orbit of a large crater riven moon. The
>
moon's
atmosphere shimmered a sickly green and De'Reth quickly
>
answered her
thoughts as to the moon atmospheric composition. The
>
moon had also caught
in it's gravity several asteroids and the Malcorian
>
vessel had taken damage
from those chunks of space debris. "Cadet
>
Meebit, open a channel to the
Malcorians," Ronak said to the android.
>
<<<From Meebit's post>>>
"Aye Captain" he said. His fingers flew over the controls faster than that
of a human but not as fast as he could go "I don't want to be too much of a
show off" he thought. "Channel open Captain" he said.
<<New for Captain Ronak>>
=/\=This is Captain Ronak from the Federation Starship T'Pau, we are here to
provide assistance, please respond=/\= Captain Ronak said in a commanding
voice. When there was no response, she added, =/\=An emergency team will be
beaming over shortly, repeat we are here to provide assistance.=/\= Captain
Ronak turned to Meebit, "Cadet Meebit, but that on automatic repeat, I want
to be sure that we are heard."
<<<Meebit???? Care to comment? >>>
After contacting Sickbay to warn them of potential casualties, Captain Ronak
turned to Tactical and Security, "Cadets Emerald, and Dekor, your with me.
Prepare for hostile environment and have standard hand phasers set to stun
in case we run into resistance."
<<<Cadets Loder and Dekor....ready to go? Comments?>>>
<<<From Captain Ronaks post>>>
> Ronak looked to Lcdr. Long. "Commander, you have the bridge. I will
>
be
joining the away team on the Malcorian ship, "Ronak told a
>
startled Long.
<<<Commander Long??? care to argue... ^_^ and lose??>>>
<<<From Captain Ronaks post>>>
> "I understand that Commander, however, due in part to the nature
>
of our
mission, Starfleet have requested that I meet with the scientists on
>
that
ship and supervise the repairs myself," Ronak paused and a smirk
>
flicked on
her face and her eyebrows arched, "besides, I do have the
>
Engineering
skills."
>
> Once Long accepted her reasons, Ronak stepped onto the turbolift and
>
asked
for Deck 7, "transporter room 1," she told the computer.
>
<<<New for Captain Ronak>>>
Captain Ronak and Cadets Dekor and Loder materialized a short time later on
the Malcorian ship. The first thing that the notices was how quiet it was.
A shiver coursed through the Captain as she looked around. It was like
being on a ghost ship. She tapped her combadge to make contact with the
ship and as she did there was another wave a nausea worse than it had been
on the ship. Ronak shook it off again and spoke. =/\= This is Captain
Ronak. We have arrived, but the ship appears deserted. De'reth can you
find any evidence that there is a crew on board? And Commander Long I want
that report from the Science Department, I have a bad feeling about
this.=/\=
<<Cadets Loder, Dekor, De'reth and Td'kan Comments? Anything to say?...
Commander Long.... anything from you?......Lt. Johnson..... is all well in
Engineering or is something interfering with your Engines? Doc.... post
please... I know you have something to say.>>>
NRPG:
Anyone care to write up a phasing out of the Captain? ....... Could this be
what happened to the Malcorians? Did they just phase out into space because
of an anomaly? Will the T'Pau be able to escape from this region of space
or is something eating away at the soundness of the engine? Oh what fun we
could have with this?
Section 3: What can I do to make my posts and my interactions real good?
Communication. On any ship and in real life communications is a major key. If you have questions ask. Do not hesitate to communicate privately with your crewmates. We join this game for fun. In order to make have fun and avoid too much work we need to use some of the same skills we use in real life. (a) Listen and (b) Understand and think, and finally (c) Respond based upon what you've heard and understood. Communications will take place on the lists on NRPG comments, and through private e-mails.
This concludes Lesson 04. Please select from the following options:
GO BACK || TAKE TEST
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