A Semi-intellectual Rant/discussion On Military School Balance

[Optimalfriskies]

Hello there, everyone!

For the past three weeks, I've been met with a conundrum, one that has left me at a standstill. This problem is as follows; Is my Isldar Warrior really useless in the current military scene? I've come to the conclusion that, even if he's not usefull, that he's severely outmatched by everyone else. Let me paint you a little picture:

Say you have a female warrior, we'll call her Jane Doe for simplicities sake. Now Jane is 35 years old, and she's been a Mariposa warrior since she was ten years old. She never got to attend the school though, due to her being a Varran. Now, she progressed to Warrior level, and moved into the Regalian army after this. She served on the frontlines for years, training amongst fellow soldiers, and going on several tours of duties.

Now, here we have a Noble Ailor man. He was (as we say it from where I come from) born with a golden spoon shoved far up his arse. He trained at the Fonseca estate, and progressed to Expert level, but when he traveled home to Regalia, he rarely ever trained. The Nobleman spent most of his days sipping wine, chatting with his friends of the peerage, and maintaining the economical success of his House.

One day, Jane Doe and the Nobleman get in a spar. What I find to be wrong here, is that the Nobleman can mop the floors with the seasoned war veteran, just because she's a Warrior level, and he's an Expert level Mariposa.

I have a few propositions:

• Give players the capability to progress from Warrior ton Expert even if they've had private tutorage, through serving in armies, and the likes. One of the main arguments for why you need to be Expert level to attend a school is that the environment of warriors helps you improve, well the Military can do the same.

• Give players the capability to pay themselves into Schools such as the School of Mariposa, and be under a highly racist and strict regime, with increased costs.

Thank you for reading my semi-intellectual rant, I'd love some ideas or feedback in the comments.

 

[GoodDreamer]

The honest truth about CRP is that combat skill level hardly comes into play. Most characters are above fighter level in everything from swords to semi-automatics, so all characters are highly skilled anyways. The real edge in CRP comes from race and OOC ability.

Things like strength, speed, instinct, and armor all secretly level a character up if used the right way. For example, a Dakkar without a weapon or any real combat training can give hell to an expert Turall, simply because of armor and instincts. An Orc fighter with a simple sword can blow away an expert Viridian with a little luck, simply because of his overwhelming strength.

Just remember that training is not the only important thing in combat, and things will seem a little fairer.

 

[TutiDias]

The honest truth about CRP is that combat skill level hardly comes into play.

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That happens in CRP fights done in the sewers which end up in ooc discussion. In good crps, the result is predermined and combat skill is evaluated.

 

[CainsTedTalk]

Why not develop a system where if you don't keep up your training, your skill gradually decreases to fighter level. Just like in magic or with the Viridian Order?

 

[Optimalfriskies]

That happens in CRP fights done in the sewers which end up in ooc discussion. In good crps, the result is predermined and combat skill is evaluated.

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That is where my argument comes in, Is it fair if a Varran that has trained for most of their life, lose to an Aristocrat that barely ever lifts his sword anymore?

 

[Conflee]

That happens in CRP fights done in the sewers which end up in ooc discussion. In good crps, the result is predermined and combat skill is evaluated.

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I think in a lot of ways it should be a balance. Character skill vs how good the person is at it OOC. Its like in Political RP, you can write your character as a smart politician but if your hopeless at politics OOC, your going to fail. You can write your character as a skilled warrior, but if you dont know what end of a sword to hold or literally anything about actual sword fighting, your emotes are going to suck and youll be easily stomped by someone who does know.

I also dont like predetermined fights because it takes out the room for you, and your character, to suddenly realize something and creatively exploit it in the fight. Which, granted some thinner skinned people might consider powergamey but if your character is smart enough to notice something theres no reason for you not to use it lol .

 

[TutiDias]

how good the person is at it OOC.

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Please no. This is just terrible. Results in too much god rp. I can make a more detailed post regarding this if you want later.

 

[GoodDreamer]

That happens in CRP fights done in the sewers which end up in ooc discussion. In good crps, the result is predermined and combat skill is evaluated.

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I do loads and loads of Crp in the sewers, and rarely get into major OOC discussion about IC action and reactions.

 

[Conflee]

Please no. This is just terrible. Results in too much god rp. I can make a more detailed post regarding this if you want later.

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Its literally like my political example. You can SAY your character is good at something all you want but if YOU dont actually know jack shite about it your RP will look stupid and clumsy to anyone who does. That's how it is for Political RP, Combat RP, Literally anything beyond simple tasks.

IE: All the "Spy" and "Assassin" RP that new players tend to do. Where they walk around in public with edgy gear saying "i'm an assassin here to kill the emperor" to anyone who buys a drink for them in the tavern.

You have to be competent about something OOCly to Roleplay it well in most cases.

 

[MonMarty]

Had a long rant about this a few thread back. The outcome conclusion is that while yes, it would argue against logic, logic is a really nitpicky thing that people apply very selectively. Logic also dictates excessive piles of paperwork that are unreasonable on staff or players who average an an age of 15.

We have opted for stricter controls in the Rosewood Order, because it's supposed to be "best of the best". That takes lifestyle choices into account even down to the dietary habits of the character. But this is not practical anywhere else as it would just be too much work.

 

[Optimalfriskies]

Had a long rant about this a few thread back. The outcome conclusion is that while yes, it would argue against logic, logic is a really nitpicky thing that people apply very selectively. Logic also dictates excessive piles of paperwork that are unreasonable on staff or players who average an an age of 15.

We have opted for stricter controls in the Rosewood Order, because it's supposed to be "best of the best". That takes lifestyle choices into account even down to the dietary habits of the character. But this is not practical anywhere else as it would just be too much work.

Click to shrink...

I can see that, I'm a little bummed out that some of my characters are left in the dark, I suppose I can just wait for a school that allows them in.

 

[Anseran]

The way I see it, as I've always taken the logical approach in CRP, is that in the end? No, your character is not useless. You just need to find where he's most suited. Logic comes into a fight with every scenario, remember. Some scenarios might be obscured by staff for the player's sake, or by other's for their own selfish sake.

For your Isldar to become relevant as you desire, find an area that suits him and make the most of what you have played of him so far. For example, your character isn't defined by how well he can wield a sword and shouldn't be. Does he know strategy and other such methods of fighting? Because that's what's happening in the World Progressions as we speak; players; nobles must make informed decisions in order to save the day but are in the end just players with a permission slip. Take into account that every player in my mind has the chance to turn the tide, so who can tell what would happen if you got into Chris Black's ear on the defense against (possibly) Isldar troops? Convince him your words are worth just as much as the weight of your sword and influence him, or perhaps guide him into a victory that wouldn't have been accessible because of his privileged and wealthy background.

There's always something to bring to the table, whether it be a move made in a CRP situation or an idea that could topple a city.

Perhaps this is just a useless dialogue on my behalf, but it's what I love about roleplaying most of all. But... Always keep a logical mind.