Casual Stroll - An Introductionary RP mainly around Equestria OOC [Open Entry For All]

[Widdershins 9,959]

@Dji & @Blitz Boom

 I DO intend to play off Razzle Frazzum as "gigantic puppydog that doesn't have enough intelligence to put together that ponies don't like being half-swallowed as by means of a Hello."

 That being said... Do think Tatzelwurms are seen canonically as more plant than animal? Like you could likely shove a machete full in, leak clorophyll out and it'd be just a minor pruning. Though, It really isn't Full Tatzelworm…

 Really debating on whether I'm sticking with the backstory of my Draconequus just made him when he was bored.

Hey now! What I do in the depths of the dark forest is my own business! Besides, beastie, sos not like Razzle's in a place to give detailed explanations.

    ...Does this effectively make it my OC's OC?

   

 Hum. Anyhow, do I just start in on a setting description?

[Blitz Boom 4,627]

@Califorum

I'm sorry about the long wait time for a response. The last handful of days have had a lot in them, and I totally sweat it out.  My apologies.

As for the character, I like the idea, though I am somewhat worried that by the looks of things, she doesn't really have any obvious weaknesses, which is an important part for an OC that seemingly amass magic and stays forever young. COuld you perhaps elaborate on a few things which can be worked to keep her in check, in case things are to happen? I am rather loathe with the idea of getting a Mary Sue in you see, and in worst case scenarios, would want to know what I could do to keep things... Manageable, so to speak.

I have a few idea for interaction partners as it is, but I am afraid that we'll have to take one step at a time here, and first seeing to getting your character sorted.

[Widdershins 9,959]

 @Califorum              *Steeples hands*

 You want a straight review, Moondancer? Because I've been meaning to be blunt with you.

 There's an undercurrent theme to the characters you create and while I'm not one to dissuade or discourage, there be just a flaw I would wish to point out.

 At your permission of course.

[Blitz Boom 4,627]

@Califorum

Sounds like there's something to work with then. Like Bruce Willis before you, water is how to win.

Though, with your permission, I do wish to see what @Widdershins might be thinking off. He tends to be good at spotting things that can help the RP'er in question.

[Blitz Boom 4,627]

@Widdershins

For the record, I did not forget you mate, just that it is Dji's turn to answer. Great post though. Looking forward to seeing where this will go. Knowing you, it will end with Last being eaten by your plant, Victreebel style. :p

[Widdershins 9,959]

@Blitz Boom @Dji

 Personally, I'm aiming to chomp Twilight Sparkle. More thematic, y'know. Go for the protagonist. 

 Feel bad pickin' on a mare who still has to heal... but I'll be doing that a bit more subtly anyhow. Let 'er know just where this creature may have come from. 

  Way I figure, itsa sorta lot to draw.  "Well... that... looks like what we're searching for. Though a bit... disconcerting. …. …. You go poke it first."

 

    There's a turn based battle roleplay system? Considering my interruption, might as not matter two much if you go twice in a row, but Deege did say they were having as much trouble as I in getting time to respond.

[Seamore Sandwich 471]

@Blitz Boom  

 

I’m stopping at one post for today.  I put a lot of thought into this last post, and now it’s getting late, so I don’t think I would be able to put a good enough effort into the other responses.  I know some of the stories are trailing behind a little right now, but I will continue to at least post one response each Monday.  I meant to post for Marcus last Tuesday, but I never got around to it.  I have some really big plans for some of these characters, and I’m looking forward to seeing it all play out.

[Widdershins 9,959]

 In short @Califorum,

 You place a bit too much emphasis on merely power. Liking the villains is one thing, but the reason those villains hold such a spot in our collective memories is that they believe what they are doing is right & important. It's why Sombra doesn't have a fan club or much fan art beyond menacing somebody. All he did was show up & roar a lot. (...though he may have gotten another episode since then, I'm not sure.)

 This Cali of yours has almost no way to respond or react with anything but hatred. You state she wants to murder the important ponies around... despite the fact that she has no way of knowing who they are, where they are, what they do or anything more specific than just merely being important. You state that her greed is "insane," yet she manages it. If it's managed, it's not insane. Trust me on that.

 We have had fellows in here as the Edgy, Shellshocked Warrior who only talked of how war is bad... despite the situation having nothing to do with what memories they might have. You can go ahead, sure. But how is your character going do anything other than just claim her hatred or steal things?

 She has a castle she just walked into. She has some magic door or spell she just stumbled onto. She thieves because of her guessing things have importance.

 This character has no goals, no personality, nothing to do but be hateful. You don't have a role; you have nothing to play with.

 

 Sure, it can be an inciting tail for her to come in & nick something and the story be about chasing her down & getting it back... but those kind of thieves tend to end badly & forgotten.

 Think the most important thing is to give a good backstory... but not have the character strangled by it. To where they cannot do anything but constantly refer to their past. What, praytell, do you see yourself doing? Wander into town, have some cheery shopkeep greet you hello and you just sneer back to say that you're evil?

 Don't get me wrong, a character can be mean & grumpy. There's plenty Goth pones out there. But you got to do something else to interact with a world. I can't see Cali just walking into town to buy food reserves. What, does she freak out near anything remotely magical until she can steal it?

 Start with a villager, just another face around town. You don't have to be the big bad the story centers around... because they don't get happy endings.

 

 Besides, the more Edgelord you go with your OCs like this, the more I want Widdershins to come in and ham it up to force them into a Straight-Mare Comedy routine!

 There are things you can't fight after all.

[Widdershins 9,959]

Oh, go ahead as is @Califorum! Blitz has given you the go-ahead & they get the final say, especially as they intend to be the one you interact with!

 I'm certainly the last being to be saying powers should be toned down. Just keep in mind what'd be day-to-day common interaction, not "HaHAH! I have magical transformation blasts & will shoot up anypony who displeases me without warning to befit my own maniacal whimsy!!"   ...though I have been reading a webcomic where that's the primary basis and they get a LOT of drama & story out of that. But anyhoodles!

 Think of it as in real life. Would you continue talking to the stranger who only opens his mouth to dramatically recap his own dark backstory? Or for example: there's a difference between another character idly bringing up their house, then you loudly bragging about your gothic castle you managed to wander into & lay claim... then there's waiting for them to ask, or comment on some other living place and you calmly adding on that you're more used to more space since you live in a castle. 

 Personally, I see roleplay as Interaction Practice. Ya don't make it about yourself unless you're asked to.

Though that's kind of the genesis of Widdershins. He's had just so much backstory than is healthy; he's supposed to be the hyper-friendly, creepy, weirdo that ya gotta deal with now!

[Seamore Sandwich 471]

@Califorum 

 

If you don’t mind me butting in, I read through your character’s bio, and I have a few things I would like to say.  From what I read, you don’t exactly spell out your character’s motivations, but there is enough information to guess at what they might be.  You’ve basically written it as if she hates the princesses and Mane 6 just for having authority or for being in the spotlight.  However, there is a small detail which shows a possible reason why these things bother her so much, and may also explain her desire for power and knowledge.  You mention briefly that the town she lived in as a filly was on the poorer side, but you write it off that “Her early foalhood is not really important...”  I feel like this detail is probably much more important than you make it out to be, and it could use a bit more emphasis.  Her town was poor, so she probably wanted to change her situation by gaining knowledge and power to bring herself out of poverty.  The ponies with authority may not have done enough to help her town, so now she probably believes nobody who doesn’t help her has any right to tell her what to do.  The spotlight might bother her because it only shines on what people want to see, and not on poverty stricken towns like hers.  It could also be a matter of wanting to put her powers to the test to see if she could outwit those who had done nothing to help her town.  She may want to prove to the world that she is more than just a poor little filly from a poor town that nobody seems to care about.  Sometimes it can be easy to skip over some of our ideas when we have too many at once, and from reading the bio you wrote, I can tell the idea for her motivation was there, even if my interpretation of them is wrong, but the ideas never reached the page, at least, not completely.

Edited July 10, 2019 by Seamore Sandwich

[Seamore Sandwich 471]

3 minutes ago, Califorum said:

How come I never thought of that?

My point is that I think you did, but the thought wasn’t fully realized.

[Emerald Claus 24,868]

May I join with my OC Mariposa?

[Widdershins 9,959]

Think Seamore is better explaining the thought process I was attempting to convey. Think that was my gist anyway.

[Blitz Boom 4,627]

@Widdershins @Seamore Sandwich @Califorum

Real sorry my response on the conversation you folks have are so late, but yesterday was just such a mess, I didn't have any time.

So, I think Widders originally brought up some fair points on this whole matter, and I'm happy to see that you have been receptive to the input Califorum. That being said, it seems Seamore gave you the biggest push, and I can see that it have helped on things. As such, I see no issues fully approving you, though that now makes us come to the part where we need to find you a study partner, so to speak.

I can offer myself, with a variety of chars (Perhaps you have a certain type of personality you'd like to play off that I may offer?) and of course, others are more tan welcome to join in or take over if they wish to.

May I ask what sort of start setting you may have in mind?

[Widdershins 9,959]

@Blitz Boom 

 So, like, RP question, Blitzy.

 What's, like, the limit on manipulating others' characters?

 Like, I feel there's a pretty big difference between, say: picking up one of Cerbie's cats and saying that its hooked onto my tail and I'm danglin' the kitty n' playing with it

 As opposed to the more Monster Encounter approach i'm doing with you which basically boils down to the narration saying: "And now you're in the mouth of a giant plant."

 Like, if my ongoing plot i'm trying to write hinges upon putting you in peril or having that one blow hit ya, or I just like the image I can do wit' what ya given me... what's the line on... what's it called? Appropriating the detailed work of others?

Plagiarizing? 

Yeh, that.

Truly a flattering sign of creativity. A sign of all the great poets of past!

[Blitz Boom 4,627]

@Widdershins

The limit basically goes to where you refuse any sort of reprisal, even in thought. As an example, you can say that your plant reach out and suddenly grabbed hold of someone. That will be the limit of things, as you still leave some room for a reply that doesn't mean you take over every action or thought. Safer still would be to leave it more open-ended, like for example " Suddenly, the plant snapped forward, and within a second would have the hapless being locked in its maw." This gives a little time, which is likely not enough to avoid it, but a reaction like say, using another hoof to try and hit the creature could be given an opening there.

Usually I prefer going with things such as *It would attempt to lash out, and unless something extraordinary happened within a few seconds, would have hold of what it aimed for."

It also sorta depends on the situation. I think say, surprise hugs are fine to just burst on, and lifting an NPC critter like a cat, or doing other harmless things to another will generally go over well. It is just in attack situations where you either need to leave some degree of a chance to have a reaction, even if futile (you can add that, by writing about how the speed and surprise would make it nearly impossible to dodge at the best of times, etc). Generally, if it harms someone else, ask permission of the individual in question, or leave them a chance to salvage things a bit, but sure, go grab a cat.

Oh, it does remind me, before you start taking Last's stomach wound into thought: It's not there anymore. I had them run into Anomaly, and she felt like healing up the bitter looking pony more or less because she could. She's still not top of her game though, as it have still been a long few days, and she haven't had the time to rest. The draconequus here just put her together, not adding new energy. It will slow reaction times some.

Hope this answers things, if not, I messed up somewhere, and you might need to dumb it down. xD

===================================================================================================

 

@Emerald<3

Oh, hello there. Didn't see ya.

Before we can get you in, we need to know some things about your OC, so please, information like some background story, looks, and potential powers. The more stuff you can think off the better, but please, don't think I demand an entire essay.

==============================================================================================

 

@Califorum

A mansion you say? Where there is the chance for something to steal, hmmm?

Oh, I do have a few with mansions, but I think this guy is free at the present moment.

Billowing Smoke (Or Smokey among friends) are an adventurer who have made quite a good living for himself by selling off the varied gold, diamonds, etc that he finds on his adventurers, whilst keeping his nose clean by donating most of the historically important things to museums. The things he doesn't secretly sell on the grey market that is, but he have a great accountant that keeps his tracks hidden, so long as he doesn't mess up, things are great.

He have a big mansion in Canterlot he isn't always in, that's locked with varied physical and magical means, but a crafty one such as you might find it merely a challenge, and think him not home.  Fair warning: He's not the strongest, but he makes good use of smoke based magic to control the field a bit better. He cares more for the safety of himself and his friends than his money though.

And speaking of friends, a few more is also in the mansion at this time.

Rose. His cousin who have a secret, unhealthy obsession over Smokey. She maintains the stunning gardens around the mansion.

Sorrow. She's visiting the caretaker of the mansion, whom are her father. I can't remember his name right now, but neither of them are threats really. Though Sorrow can speak with the dead, whom tends to hang around in the necklace around her neck. No powers though. At best, they can make a bit of a show of turning some light on around them, but there is no like, soul tearing or something like that. She's also a friend of Smokey, just for your information.

Not sure which ones will come up, but there is a mansion, there's riches, and you want to steal. Up for this challenge?

Oh, be warned though. There's been a certain @Widdershins who've been known to meddle around the place for his own amusement. I am not ruling out that he gets tempted again and swings by.

And yes, the setting can easily be at night, if that is your want. If this is a bit too close to the princesses for comfort, lemme know, and I'll think of something else.

Edited July 11, 2019 by Blitz Boom

[Emerald Claus 24,868]

2 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

@Widdershins

The limit basically goes to where you refuse any sort of reprisal, even in thought. As an example, you can say that your plant reach out and suddenly grabbed hold of someone. That will be the limit of things, as you still leave some room for a reply that doesn't mean you take over every action or thought. Safer still would be to leave it more open-ended, like for example " Suddenly, the plant snapped forward, and within a second would have the hapless being locked in its maw." This gives a little time, which is likely not enough to avoid it, but a reaction like say, using another hoof to try and hit the creature could be given an opening there.

Usually I prefer going with things such as *It would attempt to lash out, and unless something extraordinary happened within a few seconds, would have hold of what it aimed for."

It also sorta depends on the situation. I think say, surprise hugs are fine to just burst on, and lifting an NPC critter like a cat, or doing other harmless things to another will generally go over well. It is just in attack situations where you either need to leave some degree of a chance to have a reaction, even if futile (you can add that, by writing about how the speed and surprise would make it nearly impossible to dodge at the best of times, etc). Generally, if it harms someone else, ask permission of the individual in question, or leave them a chance to salvage things a bit, but sure, go grab a cat.

Oh, it does remind me, before you start taking Last's stomach wound into thought: It's not there anymore. I had them run into Anomaly, and she felt like healing up the bitter looking pony more or less because she could. She's still not top of her game though, as it have still been a long few days, and she haven't had the time to rest. The draconequus here just put her together, not adding new energy. It will slow reaction times some.

Hope this answers things, if not, I messed up somewhere, and you might need to dumb it down. xD

===================================================================================================

 

@Emerald<3

Oh, hello there. Didn't see ya.

Before we can get you in, we need to know some things about your OC, so please, information like some background story, looks, and potential powers. The more stuff you can think off the better, but please, don't think I demand an entire essay.

==============================================================================================

 

@Califorum

A mansion you say? Where there is the chance for something to steal, hmmm?

Oh, I do have a few with mansions, but I think this guy is free at the present moment.

Billowing Smoke (Or Smokey among friends) are an adventurer who have made quite a good living for himself by selling off the varied gold, diamonds, etc that he finds on his adventurers, whilst keeping his nose clean by donating most of the historically important things to museums. The things he doesn't secretly sell on the grey market that is, but he have a great accountant that keeps his tracks hidden, so long as he doesn't mess up, things are great.

He have a big mansion in Canterlot he isn't always in, that's locked with varied physical and magical means, but a crafty one such as you might find it merely a challenge, and think him not home.  Fair warning: He's not the strongest, but he makes good use of smoke based magic to control the field a bit better. He cares more for the safety of himself and his friends than his money though.

And speaking of friends, a few more is also in the mansion at this time.

Rose. His cousin who have a secret, unhealthy obsession over Smokey. She maintains the stunning gardens around the mansion.

Sorrow. She's visiting the caretaker of the mansion, whom are her father. I can't remember his name right now, but neither of them are threats really. Though Sorrow can speak with the dead, whom tends to hang around in the necklace around her neck. No powers though. At best, they can make a bit of a show of turning some light on around them, but there is no like, soul tearing or something like that. She's also a friend of Smokey, just for your information.

Not sure which ones will come up, but there is a mansion, there's riches, and you want to steal. Up for this challenge?

Oh, be warned though. There's been a certain @Widdershins who've been known to meddle around the place for his own amusement. I an not ruling out him getting tempted again.

I haven't set up her character sheet yet, so forgive me if I only have a drawing. Here you are:

Mariposa is a pegusus (I barely use her, so I wanted to this time). You can see her cutie mark and talent as pictured above.

She was born in Cloudsdale, where she spent most of her life before eventually moving to Ponyville at the age of 18 to pursue her career. She's only 19, so she's been there a year. 

She doesn't really have any "powers" per se, but she can talk to insects (because her talent is zoology).

She has a magenta coat and violet mane and tail. Her eyes are a pale yellow. She is very sassy and is not afraid to stick up for herself. Sarcasm is her best weapon.

She is also very brave, and very stubborn. She will help others, but will never accept it from others.

Is that good?

Edited July 11, 2019 by Emerald<3

[Blitz Boom 4,627]

@Emerald<3

Perfectly good summary mate, and the insect thing is kinda fun. Gives me some... Ideas. :p I will approve you here, and then come back later tonight, or tomorrow, to offer some chars for ya.

Thought one question: You say she lives in Cloudsdale? Would you like the RP to at the very least start there, and potentially revolve around the area? I have 2 ponies who live there.

===============================================================================================

 

@Califorum

Feel free to write the first post. I will respond to everything tomorrow.

[Emerald Claus 24,868]

26 minutes ago, Blitz Boom said:

@Emerald<3

Perfectly good summary mate, and the insect thing is kinda fun. Gives me some... Ideas. :p I will approve you here, and then come back later tonight, or tomorrow, to offer some chars for ya.

Thought one question: You say she lives in Cloudsdale? Would you like the RP to at the very least start there, and potentially revolve around the area? I have 2 ponies who live there.

===============================================================================================

 

@Califorum

Feel free to write the first post. I will respond to everything tomorrow.

She's FROM Cloudsdale, but lives in Ponyville 

[Blitz Boom 4,627]

@Emerald<3

Eh, I'll think of something else then, though right now, I need to get some sleep, then go to work. I'll respond here when I can.

[Emerald Claus 24,868]

26 minutes ago, Blitz Boom said:

@Emerald<3

Eh, I'll think of something else then, though right now, I need to get some sleep, then go to work. I'll respond here when I can.

Sounds good! Talk to you later, then!

[Sekel 693]

@Widdershins

I have no idea how, but that post about your Tatzlwurm made me laugh out loud. Luckily, I was quiet enough that no one on the tram looked at me.

[Widdershins 9,959]

@Dji & @Blitz Boom

 Well, Like, thing is... kinda what I'm aiming to do...

 Is that Razzle Frazzum's gonna chomp a pone, and, as likely response to that, of course, would be for the rest of the party to launch an attack on it... which then would cause Razzle to drop said pony in confusion. As It wouldn't know why ponies would take offense to being chomped. Then we all go from there! Like, I want this to be a surprise... but if I don't say it, then it ain't gonna happen, and if I'm playing the part o' givin' others stuff to deal with and have fun with then surprises is kinda important...

 Oh, and Deej! It's TatzelPONY! A mutant hybrid of the both. I just ain't had the time ta fully describe it, as its yet to lunge out!

 

 And wanted to say! @Emerald<3!

 That is some amazing hand-drawn work! I'm astonished & jealous, lol! Makes me want to practice my own drawing skills! What is that, a double outline?! Awesome!

 As much as I dislike the phrase "Mane Six," its a theming set for OCs I've been working on too!

  ...though I suppose a Hydra kind of doesn't count for that.

[Emerald Claus 24,868]

Just now, Widdershins said:

@Dji & @Blitz Boom

 Well, Like, thing is... kinda what I'm aiming to do...

 Is that Razzle Frazzum's gonna chomp a pone, and, as likely response to that, of course, would be for the rest of the party to launch an attack on it... which then would cause Razzle to drop said pony in confusion. As It wouldn't know why ponies would take offense to being chomped. Then we all go from there! Like, I want this to be a surprise... but if I don't say it, then it ain't gonna happen, and if I'm playing the part o' givin' others stuff to deal with and have fun with then surprises is kinda important...

 Oh, and Deej! It's TatzelPONY! A mutant hybrid of the both. I just ain't had the time ta fully describe it, as its yet to lunge out!

 

 And wanted to say! @Emerald<3!

 That is some amazing hand-drawn work! I'm astonished & jealous, lol! Makes me want to practice my own drawing skills! What is that, a double outline?! Awesome!

 As much as I dislike the phrase "Mane Six," its a theming set for OCs I've been working on too!

  ...though I suppose a Hydra kind of doesn't count for that.

Wow, thank you very much! That makes me feel so happy! I've grown a lot since 2011 when I first started drawing ponies hehe.

Yeah, drawing is fun! You don't have to be good at it, you just do it because you like it. 

I just need to figure out where to start with her in the RP.

Oh! I'm also open for requests if you ever want anything. I do digital and hand drawn. Hit me up in the DMs if ur interested!

Anyway...

Yeah, where should I start...?

*Places thinking cap on*

This isn't helping.

*throws cap in the garbage*

[Widdershins 9,959]

@Emerald<3

  Find you in the... uh, DungeonMasters?