Best Of
Re: Conflict feels too much like a numbers game currently
The common happiness denominator is Gaudiguch. You are all welcome to revel in Freedom and Liberty! 
With that said, it is incredibly difficult (more difficult than people would admit) to get out of a slump. "Get good" or "just try" are generally unhelpful sentiments, if not borderline condescending.
If it's a morale issue, rather than a pure numbers issue, maybe you could highlight victories in non-combat "conflict"? Things like Psychodrama and Culture (stage and library) all contribute to orgcredits scoring despite being outside the combat mechanics of the game. It might also help foster a stronger sense of community between the players in the org, something that tends to suffer when you're experiencing a string of defeats.
edit:
Oh, and since it's pretty well-known that timezones are a huge factor in the current alliances, maybe also temper your expectations around that. For example, when we're going in to a timequake during the prime time of the SL alliance (props to the IHC skeleton team of Akyevin, Rekath, Kethaera, a few others I have forgotten I am sorry
), we fully expect to not win; we're going in just to have a good time and to try out 'underdog tactics' like scissorflip/greatpent/barrier. Sure, we try hard to win or at least get an anomaly out of the ordeal, but if we don't, that's all right with us, too.
With that said, it is incredibly difficult (more difficult than people would admit) to get out of a slump. "Get good" or "just try" are generally unhelpful sentiments, if not borderline condescending.
If it's a morale issue, rather than a pure numbers issue, maybe you could highlight victories in non-combat "conflict"? Things like Psychodrama and Culture (stage and library) all contribute to orgcredits scoring despite being outside the combat mechanics of the game. It might also help foster a stronger sense of community between the players in the org, something that tends to suffer when you're experiencing a string of defeats.
edit:
Oh, and since it's pretty well-known that timezones are a huge factor in the current alliances, maybe also temper your expectations around that. For example, when we're going in to a timequake during the prime time of the SL alliance (props to the IHC skeleton team of Akyevin, Rekath, Kethaera, a few others I have forgotten I am sorry
), we fully expect to not win; we're going in just to have a good time and to try out 'underdog tactics' like scissorflip/greatpent/barrier. Sure, we try hard to win or at least get an anomaly out of the ordeal, but if we don't, that's all right with us, too.
Mboagn
6
Re: QUOTES 8: THE QUOTING
This is newlywed life. Don’t go AFK around Nep.
You circle around Afrit, studying him and carefully noting aspects of his physical properties.
A study in gluttony, he is a fierce rapscallion dracnari demigod of tremendous proportions, reaching nearly three metres in height. Scales of deep burgundy stretch over his body, round with pointed tips. A starburst of pristine white scales splashes across his face, traced with cobalt along the border of each scale. A set of sweeping grey horns crown his head, curving backwards before rising to a short peak. Chains of rose gold have been strung in between them, providing a dramatic flair. Grey eyes flecked with gold stare outward, appearing sharp and focused. A large jaw full of well-maintained teeth and a broad snout rounds out the rest of his thick skull. Though muscular, his arms are nonetheless further burdened by a gratuitous layer of fat, with hands ending in short grey claws. The same white-blue scales as before adorn his wine-hued forearms in curving figures. His chest is broad and his belly is immense, a testament to his all-consuming vice in its massive sway. A huge tail drags on the ground behind him, heavy and sanguine, complete with a black feathery fringe running down its length. Powerfully built legs allow the dracnari to stand without great effort, yet there is nonetheless a slight wobble to his gut with every movement the man makes. A chaos butterfly is resting on his shoulder. Scarlet hieroglyphs dance along his cheekbones and swirl towards his temples, filling the area about his head with the clear indication of Mysrai, the Scarlet Courtesan's truefavour. A sparkling circlet of sugar crystals dances about his head, marking the truefavour of Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights.
He is wearing:
a refined monochrome satchel
a tiny onyx lizard pendant with ruby eyes
mechanical goggles
a heavy rose gold bracelet inset with garnets worn fashionably on his tail
harsh and raw eucalyptus incense beads adorning his thick neck
a glowing gold tongue stud
obsidian prayer beads dusted with gold draped over his right arm with languid ease
white onyx prayer beads embellished with quartz strung over his left arm in a pleasant pattern
a compass ring of tessellated crystal
the Golden Belt of the Enlightened displayed proudly on his prodigious waistline
an astrologer's ring
a flowing kilt of many colours which constantly shifts in whorl of hues
an opalescent armband of flame-kissed silk
a mottled wedding band of chocolate chalcedony.
You mix the tinctures together and create a palette of fine paints.
Nepenthe dips a padded finger in some periwinkle tint on a paint palette and draws a little heart on Afrit's chest.
Nepenthe dabs another finger in a lurid red paint and adds some squiggles around the heart to suggest an excited pulse.
Using his little finger, Nepenthe traces over the blue-white scales on Afrit's forearms, enhancing their coloring to a vivid turquoise.
You say, "Jeez this is too easy."
You ponder for a moment and say "Hrm..."
Nepenthe presses his thumb pad into some yellow-gold tint and applies it in sporadic clusters of three or four thumbprints upon Afrit's belly, forming something like a field of golden clovers.
You murmur, "Probably should have planned this out."
His fingertips each adorned with its own color, Nepenthe drags his paw in whimsical arcs and whorls across Afrit's front, filling in any undecorated space with a streaky rainbow.
Nepenthe wipes the remaining paint residue off on Afrit's kilt, the colors blending in with the riotous fabric.
Nepenthe steps back to admire his work, and can't help but laugh at its juvenile quality.
Your loving spouse Revelrous Afrit, Lazula of the Sands has left the realm of Lusternia.
Afrit is enveloped in translucent fire for a moment and is gone, his soul safe until he returns to Lusternia.
Nepenthe
7
Re: Conflict feels too much like a numbers game currently
Let's tone it down a bit here.
I personally don't believe that encouraging people to make the best out of a low point is generally unhelpful, it can be quite fun and exhilarating to run into a fight underhanded and pull off a victory you should have lost. I don't think reminding people that this is a game and sometimes you just need to take a break is unhelpful either.
I will point out that it wasn't too long ago that these same comparisons between how players approach things were switched with Glom/Celest/Gaudi (the alliance at the time) being lauded for how they approached PvP etc in comparison to how Mag/Halli/Seren did. We're seeing a reversal of things here.
I personally don't believe that encouraging people to make the best out of a low point is generally unhelpful, it can be quite fun and exhilarating to run into a fight underhanded and pull off a victory you should have lost. I don't think reminding people that this is a game and sometimes you just need to take a break is unhelpful either.
I will point out that it wasn't too long ago that these same comparisons between how players approach things were switched with Glom/Celest/Gaudi (the alliance at the time) being lauded for how they approached PvP etc in comparison to how Mag/Halli/Seren did. We're seeing a reversal of things here.
Orael
2
Re: Conflict feels too much like a numbers game currently
If you're looking for balance you're coming to the wrong place.
Try to enjoy the underdog role and become the leader/moral support that your alliance needs.
But don't expect or hope for things to go your way. Enjoy the struggle if you can. There will be highs and lows. And if you're not having fun any more play something else. There are too many ways to spend our time to decide to take on a virtual job.
Try to enjoy the underdog role and become the leader/moral support that your alliance needs.
But don't expect or hope for things to go your way. Enjoy the struggle if you can. There will be highs and lows. And if you're not having fun any more play something else. There are too many ways to spend our time to decide to take on a virtual job.
Chogan
4
Re: Conflict feels too much like a numbers game currently
Yeah, I'm def not having a go at you about it. I can get just as frustrated, I just explode in different ways and ragequit.Parhelion said:Yinuish said:I love Parhelion but people also have concerns that he asks for people to show up but isn't great at gentle motivation.
Yeah, I'll admit that I'm horrible at motivating others. I get frustrated when people try once and then give up, and I'm not good at nor comfortable with calling people out who are just standing around. But sometimes I have to
People are going to help or they won't.
I also think our issue is more than just conflict. As a while I find people are WAY less motivated to do -anything at all- and it's a problem I'm trying my hardest to work out how to approach that and try and make it better. We do have some amazing people around but I think burnout, feeling less capable, numbers, apathy, etc, all contribute to not competing as well.
Yinuish
1
Re: Conflict feels too much like a numbers game currently
I was more objecting to Azula being seen as THE motivating force for Shadowlight (we really need a better name), rather than A motivating force. I've had a bit longer to think about it and we really don't have as many people that take up that role and have the chops to back it up.
Luce
1
Re: Conflict feels too much like a numbers game currently
As someone else said on combat spam, you really do just have to get used to it and learn what you can delete/replace with shorter lines. It's overwhelming at first but it gets easier.
I think there's a bigger problem here, personally. Zagreus is not necessary for people to try, and the IHC side has more people who step up when he isn't around. That, and having played and still playing on both sides... People have higher morale in IHC more consistently, and this felt true even before Ascension. There was a timequake recently with me and three/four other people that I won't all remember correctly vs like 12 or so from SL. We knew we'd lose, but we went in for the heck of it and got one anomaly before quitting. And it was fun, and I don't remember anyone on my side complaining about the numbers or the loss or anything else.
And sorry, but that's not been my experience on the SL side, most of the time. It's often unpleasant listening to the ooc clans over there, and very few people who ever want to try against difficult odds.
Though Trakis, you can always ask people on the other side for spars. Maybe not everyone is willing to do that, but I think you'll find quite a few that will.
Right now I would call the most prominent "we're gonna try something" people are Azula for one side and Zagreus for the other.
I think there's a bigger problem here, personally. Zagreus is not necessary for people to try, and the IHC side has more people who step up when he isn't around. That, and having played and still playing on both sides... People have higher morale in IHC more consistently, and this felt true even before Ascension. There was a timequake recently with me and three/four other people that I won't all remember correctly vs like 12 or so from SL. We knew we'd lose, but we went in for the heck of it and got one anomaly before quitting. And it was fun, and I don't remember anyone on my side complaining about the numbers or the loss or anything else.
And sorry, but that's not been my experience on the SL side, most of the time. It's often unpleasant listening to the ooc clans over there, and very few people who ever want to try against difficult odds.
Though Trakis, you can always ask people on the other side for spars. Maybe not everyone is willing to do that, but I think you'll find quite a few that will.
Kethaera
1
Re: Conflict feels too much like a numbers game currently
Aramel has not been playing other than an hour here or there due to RL concerns for weeks now. I love Parhelion but people also have concerns that he asks for people to show up but isn't great at gentle motivation. It's something that's a bit of an issue for us, for sure. I don't think saying Azula is seen as a motivating force is all that unfair tbh.
Yinuish
1
Re: Artifact Ideas
Manse Beehive!
Generates honeycombs over time when placed in a manse, for all your cooky needs.
Generates honeycombs over time when placed in a manse, for all your cooky needs.
Kali
9
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