Samanayr World Integrity

[Jennalyn]

Heya! I've honestly wondered this for a little while now, so I just figured I'd throw it out there and see what peoples' views on the subject are.

The Samanayr world as set up by Sushi is a pretty easy-going place with lots of room for interpretation by roleplayers. There are a few restrictions and species considerations, though, that play heavily into the flavor of the world and its magic.

For example, Mystics possess magic that is generally considered by the Samanayr community to be of benefit to all. Having more than one Mystic in a Song is considered to be "selfish" of the Mystics, hoarding all of their power in one place when it can theoretically do more good spread out between more Songs.

This being the case, I fashioned one of my earlier Songs around the premise that three Mystics banded together to create a flourishing oasis spring out of a formerly dry and abandoned oasis and it takes their collective power to keep their home running smoothly. Many of the Songs in their area, however, just look at the sheer collection of power and they've suffered some social setbacks and faux pas for their living situation. This was the foundation Song for my long-spanning Mystic lineage tree. Their Mystic daughter felt more comfortable in a Song with another Mystic due to the social situation she came from and mated with a Mystic stallion. She, in turn, had twin Mystics. Her very timid daughter embraced her philosophy and joined a Song composed of /only/ Mystics, owned by Orasteele. Her son, in contrast, felt that his parents' ideals were selfish and formed a Song of non-magical mares where he felt he could do the most good.

The point of that ramble is that I try to play off of the world's stated social situation when doing something "against the norm" and I try to limit myself to readily explainable situations. I honestly prefer to fall within the "average" of world standards and keep to one Mystic per Song, but it can be fun to make exceptions every once in a while with a good reason.

Another point of contention: Miseries.

It's stated flat-out that Miseries and Mystics hate one another due to a conflict in their very nature and makeup and the fact that Miseries are born from either a union between Mystics and Sa'krien (world-blasphemy!) or from another Misery. When I did the little RP for an out-of-Song breeding between a Sa'krien and a Mystic, it wasn't a consensual pairing and the Misery that resulted is not a nice creature, nor is she accepted by society (world-norm). She has plenty of her own personal angst regarding Mystics, but generally deals with that by hating them and falling right into the stereotype.

Does it irk anyone else when every Misery out there breaks the mold? o_o Maybe it's just me taking things too seriously. I dunno. It just seems like a lot of Miseries "reject their tragic past" or "become stronger from it" and "vow to be a better person to overcome" etc. Of course, exceptions happen! Exceptions make things fun. But on the more negative species aspects, or the more limiting ones, it seems like the easy route of "nope let's keep this story sweet and fluffy" is the only one taken.

That being said, I think a ton of people play their Sa'kriens beautifully. xD Whether they hate the guts out of other Sa'kriens in a territorial fashion or whether they embrace their own kind in a pack mentality of "us against the world", it's super fun and well-played. The sweet Sa'kriens seem a lot more scarce than the sweet Miseries.

I mean, I know that's because everybody wants a Mystery. Heck, I really want one too and am in the process of plotting a far-less-than-fluffy RP. I guess it just makes me pull a sad face when I see the path always taken to be that of sweetness and light or angst and redemption when this particular aspect of the world and its species is decidedly darker.

Anybody else have any opinions on this? Or stories of exceptions-with-good-reason to share? I love hearing about this sort of thing.

[oakleafwolf]

I agree on a lot of the points, actually. I'm not any sort of Samanayr-world-knowledge-buff and still feel an awful lot like "the new kid" around here, but I love world-building and figuring out stories and how pieces fit together.

Personally, I'm a big fan of stories where people from a bad situation somehow make the most of it (It's probably why I play Horde in WoW). It's a good Trope that is very popular because it a) makes us feel better to see people rising above circumstances and b) plays on that part of our brain that remembers all of our insecurities to make us identify with the character. It's true, though, that the story doesn't work without an unaccepting world to be adverse in the first place.

People like making unique stories to Rp out, and it's possible that as Miseries with happy stories become common, people will start making more with dark stories to be unique. I don't know.

I think it's an issue that comes up in any Rp world because who wants to be a janitor when you could be a half-dragon following a prophecy?

[silvermoondragon]

I'd have to agree. It's nice that people are roleplaying their 'nice' miseries but there do seem to be more nice than mean ones. Of course that could be that the people with the not so nice ones are not roleplaying and using them quite as much which could also be because of their meanness...

[LvSoulFriend]

My problem is that I can't play anything mean. I've tried, and I can't XD It's why my Misery is a sweetie, mostly, and Whip's a really laid back Sa'krien >> I've tried to play mean with Cynic, but yeah, I decided that she was nasty, and that's just about it XD


I think I'm too nice >>

[amazondreamer]

I can totally see where you’re coming from Jenn, and I’ve got to say I agree with most of what you’re saying. Personally I see a Misery as having way too much angst, emotional baggage and just general psychological instability to overcome easily. Sure it might happen in rare cases, but I don’t see it being very common.
Perhaps the Mystery species has just become too much of a carrot on a stick for people. They’re lovely and they’re rare, which makes them valuable and this leads people to do things they might not otherwise do?

On the other hand, I can see where people don’t want to have their Misery be as dark and antisocial as the species standard is. If they were Rp’ing they might end up monologing the whole time. If you can’t stand to be around others, that would take away a lot of storyline potential.

Sa'krien intrigue me, I see them as having very feral and unpredictable temperaments, but not necessarily malicious or hostile… their brain is just hardwired differently than other Sams. I see them being governed more by instinct and response to stimuli where as other species process and think more completely, taking into account consequences and alternatives. I’m not saying I think of Sa’krien as dumb, but I think it would take a lot of work to get one to explain its motivation or analyze its emotions. Oh gosh… now I’m having a mental image of Oak’s Vigil on a therapists couch a la Freud >.<

What baffles me as far as societal norms and perception are the Elementals. It is established that Mystics are held in some degree of deference, by most Sams, on account of their powers. But where do Elementals fit in? In many cases their powers seem to exceed those of the Mystics, their appearance can be downright bizarre (beautiful, but bizarre). I can see Sam society responding in two ways to an Elemental, either reverence bordering on worship on account of their powers or suspicion bordering on fear on account of their alien nature. I mean honestly, how could a simple normal little Sam possibly relate to an entity that embodies primal power? It would be like a mouse trying to make friends with a thunderstorm.

Blergh. That was a big long ramble. Thanks for starting this post Jenn, I’m enjoying seeing other perspectives on these issues.

[Jennalyn]

Sa'krien intrigue me, I see them as having very feral and unpredictable temperaments, but not necessarily malicious or hostile… their brain is just hardwired differently than other Sams. I see them being governed more by instinct and response to stimuli where as other species process and think more completely, taking into account consequences and alternatives. I’m not saying I think of Sa’krien as dumb, but I think it would take a lot of work to get one to explain its motivation or analyze its emotions. Oh gosh… now I’m having a mental image of Oak’s Vigil on a therapists couch a la Freud >.<

Adding on to their natural tendencies are society's perceptions of them and your average Sam's reaction to them. Enough people telling you that you're an unpredictable maniac might prompt some sort of subconscious sympathy to the idea. Similarly, if people always treat you like a dangerous entity and act with hostility then you might develop a distinct dislike for people in general pretty quickly and become a misanthrope, whether or not you had the natural inclination towards hating others.

What baffles me as far as societal norms and perception are the Elementals. It is established that Mystics are held in some degree of deference, by most Sams, on account of their powers. But where do Elementals fit in? In many cases their powers seem to exceed those of the Mystics, their appearance can be downright bizarre (beautiful, but bizarre). I can see Sam society responding in two ways to an Elemental, either reverence bordering on worship on account of their powers or suspicion bordering on fear on account of their alien nature. I mean honestly, how could a simple normal little Sam possibly relate to an entity that embodies primal power? It would be like a mouse trying to make friends with a thunderstorm.

This intrigues me as well! I would agree with your interpretation of the two norms - I know that in past events, some reference has been made of Elementals as idols for some of the local populace. In other cases, they're probably a holy terror. I'll bet there are conflicts between them that normal Samanayrs just can't even fathom the scope of, beyond the rare Mystic or Sybil in tune with that element. It probably scares the bejeezus out of some of them. "Keeping the local Elementals happy" is probably a running theme with those sensitive enough to know what's at stake...

[RikkuGirl]

I just came upon my first misery...and to be honest, im totals smitten!! I am in love with my self made misery and to be honest, he doesn't really...fit...into the mold nor does he really break it.

Misery of the frozen stream is neutral. He hates his own kind, as he shoud and that is about it. He has limited feelings and tends to keep to himself, though his personal thoughts are far from warm and fuzzy.

He was born a child born out of wedlock when his mother was "stolen" (really chased away) from her song and forced into the situation which brought mfs into the world. He despises all misery's due to this fact. He was exiled at a young age since his mothers stallion refused to foster a damned colt (she found by her song a year or so after his birth...she created a bond with him...he did feel love however short lived).

He was never aware mystics even existed and if he did see one would never know the difference from a normal Sam as his contact with others was cut off when he was chased away from his mother.

Ora and I are currently in an rp of the encounter of her illi mystic and my ice misery. We just started so things will pick up. Im hoping for it to be quite detailed and extensive but we shall see.

In my eyes I see it like this... there is someone for everyone. Even jerks find sweet and loving people to spend their lives with...why should misery's and mystics be any dif? Though I totally understand your view about the ways of the world and the stereotypes. I personally feel its ok for there to be some broken molds.

I say go for it! Especially if you have an rp with it. I enjoy reading the stories you all come up with, not only do they give each Sam a character but they help to make them come to life. that's just what I gotta say.....yyyaaaaaa o.o


And in terms of elementals....I always saw them to be elusive and powerful being's that show themselves to instill awe, pride, happiness, hope, fear, etc. To those sams in need of inspiration or other such feelings... god like I guess.....

[Janalee]

I think the problem here is less about how many nice Miseries there are out there (or, the opposite side of the same coin, how many Sams are willing to be nice to Miseries), than about the RP board not actually being a slice of the Sam world by its very design. There's only two reasons people go there, as far as I can tell- because they're hoping to get an interesting breeding out of it, or because they enjoy it for its own sake. Now, neither of these reasons are necessarily bad, and I'm actually quite fond of the latter one, but it definitely skews the types of Sams you'll see being roleplayed. In both cases, I would think it would favor rarer species (or traits), and kinder personalities. I can't blame people for enjoying playing a more redeeming character over a darker one, and I don't see a reason to try and make them feel badly about it either. I've tried playing Calamity before, and after having people think I was being personally insulting, instead of playing a cruel character...I can understand if people see no reason to have a darker character around, let alone be the one actually playing them. If there's no fun in it, there's no point to it. And even with Sams that aren't really evil but are stuck in a species that makes interactions with other Sams difficult, such as the typically elitist Elementals...how much fun can they really be to roleplay? I was sorely tempted to bring Inferno out to meet your Misery when she was a filly, since her extremely elitist disdain without any fear of her species might have led to an outrageously unsugarcoated conversation...but I just couldn't think of a situation where she'd willingly talk with her, or anyone else, at all, and so she stayed inside her narrow little world.
As far as breeding is concerned...well, I think you understand that draw as well or better than I do. *grins* I doubt anything short of a ruling by Sushi that Mysteries will only ever be available through very special events, and not through roleplay and subsequent breeding, would encourage people away from having kinder Miseries...and even then, I still have my doubts. And in the end, I'm not even sure there should be an effort made towards curbing those types of characters; if people are enjoying their Sams, how wrong can it really be? Is there any reason why the RP board should be an accurate reflection of the Sam world as a whole, when most Sams will never be roleplayed anyway?

[Raenia]

I quite agree with everything that's been said, and just wanted to add that the discussion is making me want to create a sam who is the kind of character to get trapped in an unhealthy relationship with a "normal" misery

[oakleafwolf]

Is there any reason why the RP board should be an accurate reflection of the Sam world as a whole, when most Sams will never be roleplayed anyway?

That's an interesting point. On the one hand, no--as long as people are having fun and people are willing to play with them than it would just be...vindictive... to say "Ur not doin' it rite! No sam for you! *angryface*" And really, the point of breaks-the-mold characters is that they do just that.

On the other hand, it can also lead into a negative (or would it be positive??) feedback loop. At time=1 all a person has to go on is the cannon description of how miseries are and how they are treated by other Sams, so they make a rather angsty little thing that eventually overcomes it's manifest destiny and gets accepted. At time=2 many redemption stories have been played out and the "world" seems to be a more accepting place despite the description of how it's supposed to be and the stories are a little bit happier. At time=-??? miseries and sams march together in parades and sing songs of acceptance? I don't know.

It think the question is not so much about why we should or shouldn't be able to Rp a certain way, but more a question of do we have the right (as site users) to change the world over time? Is it a malleable world that can be changed, or is it more static intellectual property and we're doing a disservice to Sushi by not representing it accurately?

...Okay. That was like, seriously dramatic. Hyperbole aside, I'd say it comes down to a balance between what users want and the artistic vision of the world. Also, probably how variable a personality can be... You wouldn't rp that a blue Sam is bright red, does that mean a misery shouldn't be nice? Tough questions with very 'gray area' answers.

[Sushidragon]

Well, I was going to go to bed, but this is such an interesting topic to me that I have to stay up for just a little while XD

There's a lot in the Samanayr world that's fairly fluid or just briefly explained because I haven't really sat down and fleshed things out the way they are in my head XD And there's still a lot that I need to actual figure out. For example, I still haven't decided how Miseries are wired exactly. Is it nature or nurture that leads them to be the way they are? A combination of both? How much of a role did Samanayr society, specifically treatment by the Mystics, play in shaping what they are today? What was the motive in creating the Sa'kriens, leading to Miseries (well, I have something in mind for that)? That kind of thing.

However, I don't want to add so many details that it becomes restrictive. I like seeing how others interpret the world! And there's already enough to keep track of, especially when you're new-arrived to Samanayrs.

I also want RP to be as accessible as it can be to everyone, since it can be a daunting task to join in when you've never participated before. On the other hand, I'd like the experienced RPers to be able to play mean characters and such without having to worry about offending someone. I love having a variety of characters (in fact, my cannibal fallen Mystic will be making a comeback if I can ever find the time XD) and I don't want them to all be nice! I'm trying to figure out how to deal with this. Maybe having an 'advanced RP' board where you need to acknowledge that people are playing their characters, not themselves, and that everyone's not going to be sunshine and light? Nobody really ended up using the private adult board, so I'm not sure that's the solution.

I don't like to say that Samanayrs should be played a certain way, and I try to make sure there's something for everyone. Sometimes you might be interested in developing backstories and reasons for their Sams to get together, other times it might be 'hey, these guys look good together, let's put them in a Song!' and I don't think either way is better or worse than the other. It can get irritating when a bunch of a particular type of Samanayr who shouldn't necessarily be in a Song together end up together, but I haven't been enforcing that kind of thing because I'm not sure if I should.

As far as Elementals go, I see them as creatures utterly immersed in the magic that shaped them and that they can control, generally distanced from normal Samanayr society. But that wouldn't necessarily quell urges to live like a regular Samanayr (which could lead to joining a Song to 'fit in' if they could find willing participants), or the desire to use your power to control other Sams (I would love to see an RP with a cult formed around worship of an Elemental). I see them as having trouble with empathy and societal niceities and not necessarily having regard for others around them. A Fire Elemental wants to wallow in a nice big fire next to a Song's hotspring? Well, they didn't need that grazing ground anyway, right?

When it comes to other magical Samanayrs trying to connect with them, they're pretty much speaking different languages. I haven't added the detailed magic info to the Sams webpage yet, but there is some info about how magic works in the world on the Enkeyns page. There's three types of magic - Spirit, which uses the magic-user's personal life force; Elemental, which uses the magical energy of the surrounding world; and Celestial, which is magical energy of an unknown origin and seems limited only by how much the wielder feels they can control. Mystics have a combination of Spirit and Elemental, and Elemental Samanayrs are the only Sams who control any Celestial magic, in combination with Elemental magic. Mystics are limited not only by their own abilities but by the amount of natural energy available to them, while Elementals are always 'charged.' I imagine that must inspire a deal of fear and awe in the Mystics, who consider themselves to be the top Samanayr magic users. Elementals probably don't come into contact with other magical species often, but when they do, I imagine it's interesting XD

Okay, now I'm going to bed >:[

[silvermoondragon]

Hmm, that's interesting! That will certainly help when coming up with a personality for Vapor and perhaps a little with my Kirin Mystic as well.

So many Samanayrs I would like to RP just not enough time

[amazondreamer]

There's a lot in the Samanayr world that's fairly fluid or just briefly explained because I haven't really sat down and fleshed things out the way they are in my head XD And there's still a lot that I need to actual figure out. For example, I still haven't decided how Miseries are wired exactly. Is it nature or nurture that leads them to be the way they are? A combination of both? How much of a role did Samanayr society, specifically treatment by the Mystics, play in shaping what they are today? What was the motive in creating the Sa'kriens, leading to Miseries (well, I have something in mind for that)? That kind of thing.

From my perspective there has to be something inherent, something physiologically different about any of the “magic” species (Mystics, Miseries Mysteries), in order for them to manifest their identifying hair traits. Even as a newborn foal, these traits are apparent. While social conditioning can reinforce personality traits (positive or negative traits), that would only come into play after the foal has been born and is old enough to be cognizant of the social currents swirling around them.

Ooh! Unless… there’s some sort of biochemical/hormonal/magical chain reaction that occurs during gestation which influences the development. Say a Mystic mare, has a nonconsensual encounter with a Sa'krien stallion. Afterword she’s plagued by a whole host of complicated and unpleasant emotions and her mental and emotional state has a decided impact on the in utero development.

I’m not saying that all it takes to have a Misery baby would be unhappy pregnancy thoughts, more that the constant presence of the adrenaline and other hormones and neurotransmitters might set up some sort of chemical feedback loop which, paired with the genetics provided by the sire produces distinct physical features.
These features become something of a stigma, for what they represent. And as other people have said there can be assumptions and prejudices foisted upon a Misery through no fault of their own.

I’m probably reading way too much into this, but it makes sense (at least to me) ^_^

[RikkuGirl]

Amazon dreamer your name lives up, you are causing me to dream scientifically into it....I love it I think that could be one of those small %'s that occur one in a few hundred. I like that the idea could be possible.

As far as magic goes in the hierarcy are mystics more powerful than misery's? Or are they all of differing power levels. Some just more powerful than others? I feel my misery is elemental and celestial as he is able to turn objects that are as big as or smaller than himself, unless he is freezing water. He is able to freeze larger masses, not too huge...maybe the top layer of a smaller lake or stream.

I had spoken with sushi about his powers as I didn't want him to be too much. We came up with the above and im very pleased that his powers are limited. I don't want to rp an almighty character unless it is an elemental with a huge ego and napoleon couplex...I feel that would be awesome fun!!!!

I am all for limitations and the semi restrictions with song creation (though I do feel exceptions can be made if effort is put into an rp.) I also think that the way they are raised should have a huge impact on their personality. That is life.. how you are raised impacts any animal or human alike. Personally. That is why my misery is not annoyed by the mystic he has encountered in the rp. He doesn't know of the world and its inhabitants.

[Jennalyn]

As far as magic goes in the hierarcy are mystics more powerful than misery's? Or are they all of differing power levels. Some just more powerful than others? I feel my misery is elemental and celestial as he is able to turn objects that are as big as or smaller than himself, unless he is freezing water. He is able to freeze larger masses, not too huge...maybe the top layer of a smaller lake or stream.

I think, by Sushi's explanation, that only the Elemental species have any aspect of the Celestial magic in them. They're unique in that, which makes the other magical species leery of them. Makes sense, too, with their composition!

Also, in terms of Miseries vs. Mystics, Sushi once explained it to me as the focus of their magics. Lemme see if I can dig up that old PM...

Drat, can't find it. But the gist that I got was that the magics follow a very constructive/destructive path of thinking. Basically, an Earth Mystic might be able to cause a plant to grow. An Earth Misery would be able to wilt a plant.

[RikkuGirl]

Ooooohhhh ok I got ya Jen. That does make sense for them to be celectial based only....does make them stand apart.

To be honest at first when I heard of mystics and misery's I thought it was like the dark crystal....where they are just two parts to a whole that was sepperated at birth or by some random elementals bidding. Id be very interested in something like that. Where upon union they converge into one huge celestial like being..... *dreams*


*shakes head* so ya! I understand what your saying. And thanks for it, I want to be as spot on for Sam ways and lore. makes coming up with their past and present so, ugh more challenging and gratifying.

I just came up with the perfect idea for a misery that I would love to create as a "mean" character. I would LOVE to have an rp where it is a given that characters can and will be mean or evil. I can't lie, before when I first started sams and rping I was very new and didn't understand how when people rp they are the character, not themselves. I had taken small offense and learned later it was apart of the story. Im so glad that I have grown in my rp to understand this now. and im eager to try it myself.

Oooo tell me what you think btw...

Name: Misery of the Oceans Nightmare
Gender: Misery stallion
Traits: Back mane,horizontal pupil, biped, ear fins, combined wings (fin draconic), spike feet.
Colors: dark purple, black, neon blue, sky blue and white
Pattern: mimicking the depths of an ocean trench,dark at the feet. And lightening as you get to the top (the dark colors would almost swirl into each other) with sparce white bubbles throughout.
Personality: hateful and cruel. Causes mischief an chaos for dwellers below and above the ocean.

[Janalee]

Maybe having an 'advanced RP' board where you need to acknowledge that people are playing their characters, not themselves, and that everyone's not going to be sunshine and light? Nobody really ended up using the private adult board, so I'm not sure that's the solution.

I think in most roleplaying situations, just having the person playing the meaner character ask permission to join in, or maybe even writing a note in their first post about the temperament of their character, would suffice; I doubt there are enough people roleplaying to sustain two different boards, and really, people are generally fine with it once you explain what's going on. I know I'm excited to see Sliver of Broken Prism come out some time, anyway. XD

And I was thinking...what if there was a 'Slice-of-Sam-Life' roleplaying event? Say once a month, people post a single entry on one of their Sams' day in a thread; it could be as long or short as they liked, as mundane or epic, and wouldn't really relate to any of the other entries unless people wanted to work that out ahead of time...it'd just be a collection of stories from across the Sam world. It might encourage people to play characters that are antisocial or cruel or otherwise off, and hopefully from a much wider selection of Sams- you could even have a theme for each month to ensure that, maybe one month would be play your first Sam themed, another play a Sam being unkind, that kind of thing. I know it'd take the interaction out of roleplaying, which is kind of counter-intuitive, but maybe people would find characters they'd like to throw together that way? At very least, it should show a much more accurate version of the Sam world, which might be worth something in and of itself. *smiles and shrugs* Just thought I'd put that out there.

[Novanight]

And I was thinking...what if there was a 'Slice-of-Sam-Life' roleplaying event? Say once a month, people post a single entry on one of their Sams' day in a thread; it could be as long or short as they liked, as mundane or epic, and wouldn't really relate to any of the other entries unless people wanted to work that out ahead of time...it'd just be a collection of stories from across the Sam world. It might encourage people to play characters that are antisocial or cruel or otherwise off, and hopefully from a much wider selection of Sams- you could even have a theme for each month to ensure that, maybe one month would be play your first Sam themed, another play a Sam being unkind, that kind of thing. I know it'd take the interaction out of roleplaying, which is kind of counter-intuitive, but maybe people would find characters they'd like to throw together that way? At very least, it should show a much more accurate version of the Sam world, which might be worth something in and of itself. *smiles and shrugs* Just thought I'd put that out there.

Oh, I do like this idea. It would be a nice thing to mix into the RP and would also be helpful with figuring out a new character. Plus then if you wanted to learn about the character before playing with them you could always read there journals/diary/stories.

[RikkuGirl]

I like that thought alot as well! Where you get to make up a story in the life of that sam for one day. *wiggles*

Oh how waltz and I would adventure!

[amazondreamer]

Two thumbs way up for Janalee’s idea. It’s a good way to help develop characters and practice writing skills. I’ve been in (or lurked in) other communities which have weekly or monthly RP/writing challenges and it is always a lot of fun to see how differently people interpret a given prompt to fit their characters.

[Zincht]

Janalee's idea is very similar to the one I had.. only, mine was more related to the idea of different boards. Like, a board for closed RP's, a board for event/ open RP's, one for character intro's, one for character development or story RP's with a specific goal.. then you would be able to read any of them, but not be confused (as a new person to the boards) by all the masses of info..

I'm not sure how to get into the RP myself, I'm still trying to figure out 'character' and 'story' and not step on toes 'in-world'. (I often use short stories to illustrate/develop something about a character, so that's why Janalee's suggestion seems altogether brilliant to me).

[Sushidragon]

I really like the idea of a monthly RP event like that, thanks for the suggestion! Do you think there'd need to be prizes or would the reward of developing a character/situation/scene be enough? XD We do tend to get the most RP participants when there's a reward of some kind, but those mass RPs are a killer to run!

[LvSoulFriend]

Give people a promt, and have their responses count as a raffle ticket, and limit them to say 2 or 3. Have a modiem as a prize, and raffle it.

No judging for you XD

[Janalee]

I was debating the same thing myself, and as much as I'd like to say that roleplaying is its own reward...I'm pretty sure prizes of some sort would be necessary to keep it going. *crooked grin* I think LV's on the right track though- it wouldn't have to be a terrible effort or time constraint on your part, as long as there's no judging involved. Raffles for modiems or tradeable items might work out best, though maybe a pet raffle would draw more people in? You could even make a reward system based on the number of months each person entered as well, if you think that'd work better somehow... *smiles and shrugs*

[Seren]

You all are so deep. I can't follow this conversation, unless I sat down for like an hour. XD So much thinking. <<

But the idea sounds really cool... helps get creative juices flowing, perfectly for prompting more roleplay.