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May 2, 2011

Fireside Chat -- Text-Based Combat – part 2

Previous    

Present:
Gwindolyn Spiritor        (playing a drow)
AelKennyr Rhiano         (playing an elf)
Lihan Taifun                   (playing a dwarf)
Leo (leonardo.rainfall) (playing a drow)
Cinnamon Raymaker    (playing an elf)

Summary:
(Realize that this summary is only as good as Lihan's understanding of the class. I'm learning here too.)
The general principle is to recap what your character observed happening in the previous character's actions, and then tell what your character does in response.

Keep in mind both your character's racial traits and personal characteristics. An elf has better distance vision than a dwarf. A blacksmith moves differently from a dancer. A student of magic might perceive more about a spell than someone untrained.

Describe your character's words, actions and body language – things other players could perceive. Combat is not the place for internal monologues – what your character is thinking.

Remember to include the grunts, yelps, and other verbal reactions.

Especially during fast-paced action, the rule of thumb is “one action --> one reaction”. Your opponent makes one move; you make one move; back and forth. Give the other players a chance to react to each move that could affect the outcome of the roleplay. If you string together several actions in one post (“... leaps out of the chair, runs across the room to grab the knife, and stabs ...”), you are assuming things go according to your plan, without input from the other players.

The more crucial your action is, the more important it is to give everyone a chance to respond to your attempt. If the pace is slower, and the direction of events less likely to change at any second, this can be relaxed, and you can post more at a time. It is always fair to ask another player to shorten their post, to give you a chance to react to something.

Talk to the other player in IM if you don't feel their action was realistic or in character (“could you really move that fast?”), or if you don't understand what their character is doing (“where exactly are you standing?”).

Your character can't be paying attention to everything at once. If your attention is focused on one character, you will be less attentive to other things . And in real life, no one meditates on every detail of what they see.

Don't tell people your character's personality. Show it, by their physical actions. (What does a brave – or cruel – or startled – person do in this circumstance? What expression is on their face? What do they do with their hands? their voice? their breathing? their eyes?) There is always some physical sign, even on a person attempting to look impassive.

If there are more than two people in the battle, it is common for the players to agree on an order for posting, so each player gets a turn.


Gwindolyn Spiritor:         ok. So let's see what we learned from last week. I want everyone to respond to this emote so I can gauge where we are.
Gwindolyn Spiritor holds her hand in front of her. A dark cloud of swirling energy surrounds it. it feels chaotic to any who might be able to tell. Looks alone would tell most all 'not good'. She grins wickedly and looks from one face to the next as if deciding.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Not to be disrespectful, but if someone offered that in a rp, I would not respond.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Ok, why?
AelKennyr Rhiano:          I would watch their next few emotes to see if they intend to godmod.
Leo:                                     Should I respond...? o.o
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         As you would, Leo.
Leo keeps his eyes on the dark cloud, his face unaffected by it's presence but his mind at work at trying to decide what exactly it was and what it could do. He wasn't one about to underestimate anything, no matter how it appears...and that appeared pretty dangerous. He shifts in his seat and casually reaches a hand up to tuck a few white strands behind his ear, his hand resting on the hilt of his top sword in a seemingly nonchalant manner. He rests his elbow on the arm of the chair, resting his chin in a fist.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         I need to see what people are seeing/thinking.
Lihan Taifun: Aztryd shifts uneasily in her chair, balancing forward in case she needs to move quickly. Her eyes remain focused on the mysterious dark cloud.
Leo:                                     ugh that was sloppy upon inspection. *mental note, always triple check*
AelKennyr Rhiano:          How did it appear dangerous?
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Leo, you might want to keep the introspection down. It often gives away too much and allows others to godmod too easily.
Leo:                                     Ah, ok
AelKennyr Rhiano nods
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Lihan, good response.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          I agree...well done, Lihan.
Leo:                                     And how does it appear dangerous? I dont think a swirling dark cloud of chaotic energy is safe...
AelKennyr Rhiano:          How did you know it was chaotic energy?
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Depends. It could be healing
Leo:                                     " it feels chaotic to any who might be able to tell." Wouldn't another Drow be able to tell?
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         I heal with chaotic energy. I serve a chaotic goddess.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          it feels chaotic to any who might be able to tell. Looks alone would tell most all 'not good'. That is almost godmodding... It is one character directing us on how to respond. You are assuming all drow are the same...are they? Do they all serve the same goddess?
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         almost, but not quite. It does lead in directions, true. But your character can be oblivious or more insightful.
Leo:                                     I am not assuming they are all the same or that they serve the same goddess but that they are the same race and that it could have an effect on what one is able or unable to sense.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         No, not all drow do serve the same goddess. Some drow are good.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          but therein lies a dangerous assumption.
Leo:                                     it is true I am not quite yet completely knowledgible of drow. That is why I am here as one. To be corrected. And to learn.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          right Not picking on you....sorry if it sounded that way :P
Leo:                                     Lol its cool. Can i try again? More in character for how I want this drow to be one day?
AelKennyr Rhiano:          However, to assume everyone in a race would react and have the same knowledge and abilities is to shortchange your rp character.
Leo:                                     I understand that point
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Depends Ael. There is a lot of well earned stereotypes and prejudice to the drow.
Leo:                                     There are also plenty of lore where all of a race can sense something. Like magic. I was piggybacking off that and stabbing in the dark
AelKennyr Rhiano:          sense and discernment are different, but I did see where you were coming from.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         For mostly only the servants of Lloth initiate contact with surface dwellers and not for good reasons. Many react to the drow that way.
Leo:                                     I wouldn't do that during real RP
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         And drow can't normally tell what another's alignment is by sense. Only a few and others wear enchantments.
Leo:                                     Ok
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Leo, we need to see real RP.
Leo:                                     Ok
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Ok. Then let me do my next emote.
Gwindolyn Spiritor throws her hand and a ball of complete darkness shoots towards the chair Lihan sits in. the globe cannot be moved once it engulfs the chair. It is not solid, things can move in and out of it. The inside is so magically dark, that even drow of the underdark are blind in it. There is no damage from the dark. Just darkness.

Lihan Taifun jumps forward as she sees the dark ball heading her way. Standing, she discovers she can't see anything. She continues to stand on the spot, turning around slowly in confusion.
Lihan Taifun:                    (although it is possible I accidentally stepped out of the ball of darkness. How big is it?)
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         (shoot. forgot to mention that. lol. three paces from center would take an average drow/elf/human out of it. So dwarf would be about four/five paces from center.)
Leo keeps his hand steady on the hilt of his top blade, refusing to put down his guard. His eyes follow the scene, the muscles in his legs tensing for quick movement at a moment's notice. He sits calmly, almost stoic.

AelKennyr Rhiano: Movement out of the corner of his eye catches the elf's attention, and he swings his head around to see the drow extend her hand. A black, dark orb flies toward the dwarf and engulfs him. Of it is her? The elf corrects himself, remembering the delicate features of the face beneath the beard...her. The orb swallows the dwarf, and chair, in a deep blackness. Elven ears can hear the slide of the dwarf's body, and the boots hitting the tile floor. He clasps both arms of the chair, his figners tighening, and rise quickly, both feet plant firmly on the floor, eyes watching the drow., ears alert for sounds from with the ball of blackness.
Leo:                                     Should I of made mine longer...?
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         No. Each person's was good as it was.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          :)
Leo:                                     Ok.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         but let us talk about Ael's for a moment. Ael set himself up for future emotes without godmoding. To some degree, so did Lihan and Leo, but not as much. Leo prepared to take action. Good. But Ael gave grounds upon which future action could be based. His ears perking.
Leo (leonardo.rainfall) nods
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         now he has set himself up as a more experienced warrior than Leo.
Leo:                                     I didn't want to make mine to long...but I will keep that stuff in mind for the next emote...
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Lihan and you both gave me something I could react to.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Right. Lihan did a great job with realistic reactions. Except many would be verbal - especially dwarves. So I would wonder if Lihan was mute.
Lihan Taifun:                    not enough shouting?
AelKennyr Rhiano:          But that would depend upon her experiences... She is a female dwarf...and her av looks youngish.. well, sans the beard. She could be a teenage dwarf who has run away from home? :P
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         But she made no verbal noise at all. Most people/beings who didn't know what happened to them would make a verbal reaction.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          "I swear, that girl. Her beard's grown in, and now I can't do a thing with her. She runs off and hangs out with elves and drow. Elves and drow, I tell you!"
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         lol. Lihan, most would yelp, eep, scream or start yelling "hey, what's going on?"
Lihan Taifun:                    You're right, a yelp would have been very appropriate
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         The rest of what you did was very realistic. Very proud of you. But if you had reason not to verbally react, then you were right.
Lihan Taifun:                    no no, just forgot that part
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Perhaps you are mute? But then you might have gasped.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          I get what you are saying.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         That's ok Lihan. No one is perfect. And you came a long way from last week. I'm very proud of your growth.
Cinnamon Raymaker looks around and hopes she is not too late
{Greetings.}

Gwindolyn Spiritor uncurls her fingers and some residual black energy that she was holding onto shoots towards Cinnamon. To keep those around her guessing, it is healing power. However, healing from a drow comes with a price. It is laced with a pain spell. Should it hit the target, the target would be racked with pain as well as minor healing.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         (A normal being would be racked in pain- oops. my mistake now.)
AelKennyr Rhiano:          How would one define normal, please? Would there be something in the rules of the rp's engagement that would spell that out?
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         not wrapped in magic protection, not inherantly magic resistant. dwarf is magic resistant. surface elves not really. Nimros isn't a normal surface elf, so half resistant.
Cinnamon Raymaker spies Gwen's fingers uncurling but is unsure of what to expect - not seeing anything else untoward happening, then she senses that same chill she has sensed before and quickly stands and hides behind the chair on which she is sitting.
Leo:                                     Can these chairs fall over?
Cinnamon Raymaker:     hehehe sorry you put me on the spot
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         NO, but I would call for a ruling on this on this one Ael.
Leo:                                     lol
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         lol. Cinnamon, it is perfect as I get to point out things. Thank you.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     well I have had some rp in vana and my experience in the exploration and then the taking of nimros pointed to s chill in the air - I am following my intuition here - although I may be wrong
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Ael, given how magic flies when throw and how Cinnamon delayed reacting - not seeing anything before - would she make it behind that chair?
Cinnamon Raymaker:     I probably should have shimmered and flown ;P
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         lol.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Probably not, given she is not a warrior. A good rule of thumb is action > reaction
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Now that is something I would have talked to you in IM for that post.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          one action = one reaction. In this case there one one action and then 3 reactions.
Cinnamon Raymaker nods. because i don't do combat. i run. hehehe
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         I might have asked you to rethink it. Or if it worked with what we wanted, I might have fudged things a bit.
Cinnamon Raymaker nods
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         But we would have talked it over in IM first.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Cinnamon could have had time to see the hands uncurling, gasp and attempt to duck...
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         As making it behind the chair with such a delay would have taken super-human ability = godmoding.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     always good to hear a more experienced person's view - particularly as i am new at this
Leo:                                     Is this better? in response to the recent ones...
Leo tightens his hands around the hilt of the top blade, the one easiest and quickest to draw at a moment's notice. As his grip tightens, he pulls a foot up to where he is sitting, resting it against the stone and prepared to evade. He keeps his exterior cool, not letting his body betray which direction he would go if attacked. His eyes closely follow the dark energy, but his eyes snap back to the drow, his senses sharpened and focused on any movements she may make.
Leo:                                     *looks around nervously*
Cinnamon Raymaker smiles
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Yes, Leo. That makes you a much more experienced warrior. You set yourself up for reaction and quick response quite nicely.
Cinnamon Raymaker smiles
AelKennyr Rhiano:          But be careful.
Leo (leonardo.rainfall) waits for Ael. lol
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Cinnamon, your response was perfect in that it allowed me to point things out.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          You cannot be in constant preparation for every action of every rp character.
Leo:                                     True.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         This is class and imperfect emotes work for teaching.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     great :)
AelKennyr Rhiano:          So, Leo's was perfect in that he would, indeed, be watching Gwin, but that means his attention is focused more on her atm.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         So don't take me pointing things out as saying anything less than 'thank you.'
Cinnamon Raymaker:     :)
AelKennyr Rhiano:          So, to pick on poor Leo, if there were a rper behind him rping an action, it would begin to be suspicious if he were as attentive to every little move they made behind his back.
Leo:                                     lol. Unless he heard it coming. But he wouldn't of because his attention was focused on Gwindolyn.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          AND still maintain this high a level of focus on Gwin without some plausible explanataion.
Leo:                                     Right?
AelKennyr Rhiano:          right
Gwindolyn Spiritor watches as the darkness around Lihan's chair fades and dissipates, revealing the dwarf once more. She grins as the dazed dwarf has not moved. "you could have been drow dinner, dwarf." Her smile is smug and cruel.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          He might hear the person behind them, and I suspect he would, but then he would turn his attention to the threat behind him.
Leo:                                     Well i didn't say he would be aware of everyone.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Oh, no, no...I know.   :P
Leo:                                     :)
AelKennyr Rhiano:          but it is so easy for us to forget what it reasonable in the press of real time rp. oops...Sorry, Gwindolyn.
Leo:                                     This drow's strongest attributes would be agility and dexterity, btw...if that applies...
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         That needs to be in emotes, Leo.
Leo:                                     I know, but when would I of been able to put that in? Didn't you say low introspect?
Lihan Taifun turns back to glare sullenly at the drow. She sits down again, this time in the chair closer to Cinnamon, still glowering.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Good emotes include body language, facial expression, movements. There are ways express agility without making a bald statement to that effect.
Leo:                                     It is difficult to do that from a chair. And him putting his foot to that chair instead of preparing to simply run out of the way could of been a hint...
Gwindolyn Spiritor sees the dwarf move further away from her and she laughs loud and hard, drinking in the dwarf's unease like fine wine. A hand slides down her stomach as she bends over in laughter and slides the dagger from the silken ropes on her thigh. She pulls it up under her body as she is bent so none might see it.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         ('so' should have been 'in hopes none might see it')
Leo:                                     (lol i was about to say, with all these perspectives, someone had to notice)
AelKennyr Rhiano: The elf remains standing as his eyes follow the dwarf as she moves to another chair. Though he keeps his eyes upon the diminitive figure, he gives a little turn of his head so that the drow remains in his peripheral line of sight. Lifting his head a little as the dwarf climbs into her new seat, he hears the laughter erupt from the drow. He keeps his body alert but not tense. Her hand slides down her stomach, and she bends over. The elf keeps his feet shoulder's width apart and his hands relaxed by his side. A small scowl crosses his face.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     (I tried again on the one you sent Gwin - tell me when to post it in chat?)
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         WONDERFUL! I wish to point out how he acknowledged so much, but emoted so that he realisticly missed little bits.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Post it now, Cinnamon.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          yes, please!
Cinnamon Raymaker looks expectantly around the gathering noticing a distinct chill in the air - such as that which she experienced when Nimros was taken from Vana. Looking at the drow standing across the fire with her weapons, and knowing that somehow this used to be an elf, she feels a shudder beginning to move through her body. She spies the drow's fingers uncurling and notes one pointing in her direction, sending a strange black substance shooting towards her. As it hits her arm, she recoils in excruciating pain, experiencing the feeling of icy shards piercing her heart. Overcome with shock, she cannot move and sits mesmerised by the warmth she can see in the flames of the fire - then suddenly as it appeared, the pain is gone. Cinnamon shakes her head and blinks, taking in more of the drow's appearance and mannerisms.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Not quite how I pictured the spell working, but great detail without giving too much away.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          If you comment on every little thing another does, that becomes very unrealistic. Even if you were to somehow notice everything she did, the mind would need time to process what was observed. If you listen to everyday speech, we seldom notice every single thing about a situation in the first observation.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Good, Cinnamon!
Cinnamon Raymaker:     too much info?
AelKennyr Rhiano:          No, no
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Also it was quite realistic in responses both to taking the hit and how you reacted to how you described the spell affecting you.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          I was just making that remark in general.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     was trying to establish the knowledge and background
AelKennyr Rhiano:          I think you did well.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     as well as the action
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Yes, you drew upon background information to explain why you react the way you did.
Leo:                                     *gulps nervously*
Leo keeps his attention on the laughing Drow, fully expecting another surprise from her. As she leans forward and bursts into laughter, his instinct can't shake the distrust he held for her. Easing the grip on his blade he gives a false sense of lowered defense, his hand still a twitch away from drawing that top blade. His heart remains at an even pace, not letting his nerves affect his judgement or reaction. He lowers his foot back to the ground and tucks a strand of white hair behind his ear. He leans to the side of his blades, hopefully obscuring the view of his hand and the ready position it sat in.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     (very sneaky ;P)
Lihan Taifun grits her teeth at the sound of the drow's laughter. She leans tensely on the arm of her chair, drumming a foot against the chair leg.
Leo:                                     *gulps* This silence is going to give me gray hairs.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          lol
Cinnamon Raymaker:     your hair is already white :)
Lihan Taifun:                    lol, I was just thinking that ..
Leo:                                     eh?
Cinnamon Raymaker:     hehe
Leo:                                     I know it is o.o
AelKennyr Rhiano:          You are peppering good reactions with a lot of things that really are obscuring the emote. If I may?
Leo:                                     Of course
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Why say "fully expecting another surprise?" "His instinct can't shake the distrust."
Leo:                                     So there is reason behind his action so someone doesn't say "oh you only said that because your typing!" and to give a bit of personality to him
AelKennyr Rhiano:          "False sense of lowered defense" Show us
Leo:                                     Because that is all part of his character.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          don't tell us...show us.
Leo:                                     oh ok
AelKennyr Rhiano:          No, it is really clouds the emote.
Leo:                                     I dont quite understand how it clouds the emote.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          A good emote is not just "I respond...blah, blah, blah..." It is everything. For example...If you are an experienced warrior... and you are expecting another surprise, what do you DO? How do you move your body? Do your eyes narrow? Do you grit your teeth? Clench your fist?
Leo:                                     Why would he have to move his body to expect another surprise?
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Do you shift in your chair to give yourself better access to your blade? Ah...
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         There is always a physical reaction.
Leo:                                     He totally did the thing with the blade
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Even if it is just breathing harder in preparation.
Leo:                                     And part of the character's personality is that, on the exterior, he tries to remain largely stoic. Breathing harder, I see that
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Don't tell us all the time...show us.
Leo:                                     Ok
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Besides...
Leo:                                     I must go DJ! And I shall DJ as a Drow! XD
AelKennyr Rhiano:          If you tell us he is stoic, you are giving away information. Let US learn it for ourselves.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Then you do't have to state "expecting another surprise", your body is speaking for you.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Right
Leo:                                     Alright. I will remember that
Lihan Taifun:                    oh, dancing drow DJ!
Leo:                                     But I must go DJ for some people! xD
AelKennyr Rhiano:          We don't instantly know everything about a stranger we meet.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     :)
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Have fun :)
Leo:                                     He isn't very stoic if everything he thinks comes out on his body and face. Thats why I mentioned it instead of showed it
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Even the stoic have bodily reactions. They just find ways to stifle it better.
Cinnamon Raymaker nods
AelKennyr Rhiano nods
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Such as "breathes out a slightly opened mouth to hide his harder breathing.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          No Warrior dodges every blow. No mage delivers every spell.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         ok, my emote might be choppy, I paused several times to comment. But here it is.
Gwindolyn Spiritor takes advantage of being bent half over. She curls her head in a bit as she puts the knife between her teeth. Her hands shoot to the ground. Her legs press up with a bit of a hop. Her goal is to cartwheel and flip towards the slow responding dwarf and the already off-guard Cinnamon. With many years in combat training and formal dancing, she hopes her speed and grace surprises and awes so that she can achieve her intent.
Lihan Taifun:                    right through the fireplace?
AelKennyr Rhiano:          hahahaha! BBQ Drow!
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Cartwheel would take her away from the fireplace towards where Lihan's avatar sits in animation.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          but not towards Cinnamon.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         IN RP, she sits one chair closer to Cinnamon, so she would flip to there.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          But Gwin did say that she paused many times to make comments.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         I thought I put that in right order though? Cartwheel first, then flip?
AelKennyr Rhiano:          You did the Carwheel first, yes.
Gwindolyn Spiritor crosses her arm and nods her head "I did right." She raspberries the group. However, that does bring up something very important - when in doubt - ASK!
AelKennyr Rhiano:          I am not sure if the fireplace would still be in the way.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          yes! and please don't take it personal if someones asks you.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         No, the cartwheel would take her to here.... from here, she would flip.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          It is not that they are challenging. They just don't know. and please, may I add another point?
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Sometimes what we understand in our words is not seen so clearly by our RP partner. Of course.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          And I don't mean it against any person, but as tonight is a learning experience for all of us. We all are learning...even the most experienced learn, or they don't become experienced, they become people no one wants to rp with.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     hmm here is one way of reacting
Cinnamon Raymaker looks carefully as the drow starts moving yet again and clutches the arms of the chair tightly, tensing her muscles for flight should the drow try another piece of trickery. She notes the distance between her and the drow, and smiles at the thought of having the fireplace between them. Seeing the drow start to move, Cinnamon pushes herself out of the chair and quickly pirouettes around behind it, at the same time noticing the glint of the fire reflecting from a steel blade held between the drow's teeth. She ducks behind the chair tensing for the sound of further movement as the drow lands on the floor in front of her.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          But in general, if you find yourself "justifying" what you are emoting...either one of two very important things is happening... either you are rping with people who do not understand the basics, and in that case, politely withdraw rather than become frustrated... or two...you need to review the comments made very carefully. It may be that you are ignoring some very good advice.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Hmm. Cinnamon, not sure you would notice the blade while I am flipping and you are pirrouetting. It would be a very lucky chance.But otherwise, you did good.
Cinnamon Raymaker smiles. ty   i should have put that before the pirouette
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Notice, though, that Gwin said "her goal is to cartwheel and flip towards..." She did not say she was successful.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     well after being spooked by that last move would I be taking any chances? i don't think so
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         I almost got my leg cut off once that way. lol.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     ah
AelKennyr Rhiano:          [20:44] Gwindolyn Spiritor takes advantage of being bent half over. She curls her head in a bit as she puts the knife between her teeth. Her hands shoot to the ground. Her legs press up with a bit of a hop.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Renor brought down a very sharp blade at her leg as she lifted her lower body into the air.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          that is all she has done so far.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         He meant to take my leg from me.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     you are right Ael
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         I fell to the ground in a crumple, bleeding horribly.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     I need to read more carefully
Lihan Taifun:                    hmmm
AelKennyr Rhiano:          And you can always ask the other rper to shorten their action...to one action per post if you need.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         And that is why. To allow people to react. If Ael were throwing some daggers at me, I might get hit and not make it to Lihan.
Cinnamon Raymaker nods. having more than one person around is something i also don't have a lot of experience with so its my inexperience showing again
AelKennyr Rhiano:          And that is ok. We learn by doing.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     I am learning :)
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Ael, the problem with that is that sometimes a person is doing more than one thing at once. For someone experienced, this would be one smooth motion. One action. You can picture someone skilled in weapons, putting a knife in thir teeth and flipping to a target in one movement.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Yes, but again, when we are in a rp situation with an inexperienced rper, or someone new. the idea is to help them...and sometimes, slowing down helps.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         That is true.
Lihan Taifun:                    it seems like here the question is how far has she gotten on her flip?
AelKennyr Rhiano:          I have to agree with Cinnamon. I get lost when the combat rp post is a long one with many parts and I have to read it several times.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Well, only one person has responded. So far, she just started with intent. If no one does anything to stop her, then she succeeds in landing by Lihan.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         For all intensive purposes, she is in motion, but not complete.
Cinnamon Raymaker nods
Lihan Taifun sees the drow in an off-balance position. She leaps out of the chair, aiming herself directly her.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Good reaction. Very dwarfish and hard to counter.
Lihan Taifun:                    (now what happens when I post that, and Cinnamon posts what she posted, which aren't entirely compatible events?)
AelKennyr Rhiano sees the drow tuck in her head, and a glint of steel catches his attention. With surprising speed, she rolls her body down from the waist up to the ground and suspends herself balanced on her hands, her legs in the air. The elf gives a shout of warming and launches himself out her, his arms extended to wrap around her waist and carry her to the ground with him.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     (wow!)
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Cinnamon is behind her chair. She is nowhere near bothering your action. But normally, in groups, we set an order of play. So I would post first, Lihan would post second and so on - every round. That way, you don't get conflicting responses.
Lihan Taifun:                    ah, ok
Cinnamon Raymaker:     so in this case Lihan might get squished beneath Ael and Gwin
AelKennyr Rhiano:          no, probably not. She has not begun her cartwheel in my post.
Lihan Taifun:                    hard to predict who might end up on top of the tangle
Cinnamon Raymaker:     hehe
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         now, I make a judgement call. But wait until you see my reaction.
Gwindolyn Spiritor continues her cartwheel, unable to stop. She manages to pull to the upright position, but her feet are taken out by the dwarf's head. Her upper body is slammed by the elf. She falls hard to the floor. Her head collides with the marble and an echo fills the room. She cannot breathe. She hears the knife clatter in the back of her mind, but is too distracted with trying to breathe and the stars before her eyes.
Lihan Taifun:                    now, Ael, did I collide with you, too?
AelKennyr Rhiano: He feels his right arm tighten about her waist as he puts the full force of his body against her to block the drow. Unexpectedly, he feels another force hit the drow from in front, and the drow's legs give way. Unable to check their fall, he lands on the marble beside the drow, a "whoosh" of air escaping his lungs, and the marble impacting with his left shoulder, sending shooting pain down that arm. He shakes his head a little, and looks down at the drow, to see if she is conscious and over her form to see what the obstacle before them was.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Wonderful. I'm on the edge of my seat to see what will happen next!
AelKennyr Rhiano:          lol
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         The best RP's are hard on my nails! Blah, I don't even like the taste of nails!
AelKennyr Rhiano:          lol
Cinnamon Raymaker hears the blade clatter to the marble and the gasps exploding from several pairs of lungs and peers around from behind her chair cautiously to ascertain the state of things. Spying the drow lying dazed, she quickly crawls over the cool marble and grabs the loose blade, then standing over the drow she checks to see how the dwarf and elf fare.

Lihan Taifun feels a heavy impact against her head, as she rams the drow, then a second impact that sends her body skidding sideways across the floor. She comes to a stop with her rump against the rim of the fireplace, and takes a couple deep breaths to orient herself.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Ok, Cinnamon, a caution....
Cinnamon Raymaker nods
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         you took one too many steps. In doing something crucial, like grabbing a loose blade, you need to give others a chance to stop you.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     okay, also should have awaited Lihan's movement. so many things happening at once. sorry
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Likely, with how we were posting, none of us would be able to. lol. Ael and I were too short of breath and Lihan sliding across the floor... but you would say "makes a dash at the blade with intent to seize it" only in your own words.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     ok
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         It gives intent, so that all can see the direction you are headed without you taking the result unfairly
Cinnamon Raymaker nods
AelKennyr Rhiano: The drow appears to be unconscious to the elf. He slowly struggles to sit up, and tightens his grip around her waist, just in precaution. Panting still, he quickly glances up to see Cinnamon moving across the floor and the solid form of the dwarf next to the firepit. In common, he pants out, "Everyone all right?"

Gwindolyn Spiritor is not unconscious, just fighting to stay not unconscious. AS his hand tightens around her waist, her hand reaches for his. Her jaw clenching in hard focus, fighting past the threatening darkness. Her hand filling once more with chaotic energy as she moves to Ael's hand.

Lihan Taifun: "Never been better!" she says with a grin. She stands up, brushing the dust off her pants and stomping her feet. "Now where is that smug, pointy eared vermin who was going to eat me for dinner?"
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         ROFL PERFECT!
AelKennyr Rhiano:          lol!
Cinnamon Raymaker chuckles
Lihan Taifun:                    not too much at once?
AelKennyr Rhiano:          NO! It was great!
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Nope.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Well, except for "pointy ear" :PPPP
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         It showed character, reaction and that you were far enough away to not know what was going on with them.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          nod nod nod
Gwindolyn Spiritor points to her ears as she lifts her hair "Pointy eared!"
AelKennyr Rhiano brushes the hair over his.
Lihan Taifun:                    only one person in the room with flat ears
AelKennyr Rhiano:          I was teasing.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         See? lol. Not even prim points!
Cinnamon Raymaker:     I hope this is appropriate post but possibly over the top :
/me notices the drow's jaw clench, and that chilling feeling prickles the back of her neck yet again, and picks up the blade, bending down over her she points the blade at the drow's neck, "I don't think so"
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         You do have to move from the blade to the drow. But you are getting it. you were allowed to take the blade as none emoted stopping you in any way.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     well in the initial post i did say i was standing over you - Ha ha ha ha - he he he!!! =D jumping all over the place
AelKennyr Rhiano:          lol This has been a great class. Thank you, Gwin!
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         You all did the work. I just played. lol.
Cinnamon Raymaker nods - i hope i have seemingly learnt something. Thank you Gwin and Ael and Lihan for your help!
Lihan Taifun:                    It was fun
AelKennyr Rhiano:          It was fun.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         I got to be mean to Lihan and get thanked for it. *winks playfully*
Cinnamon Raymaker giggles
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Although I think people were a little apprehensive at first.

AelKennyr Rhiano:          What should we cover next week?
Lihan Taifun whispers to Cinnamon "Don't call her Gwin, she hates that"
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         But Cinnamon, you don't know me very well, so I will just inform you tonight, only my lovers call me Gwin.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     hahaha okay
AelKennyr Rhiano:          And Ael. She has landed enough times on m lap, I've EARNED the right.
Cinnamon Raymaker:     sorry - i didn't know
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Practice never hurts. Combat is something tricky to get the hang of.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          It is
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Though everyone is doing so well.
AelKennyr Rhiano:          And I think we should have classes on it in the future as we go along.
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         Next week, I would talk more structured though.
Lihan Taifun:                    yes, it will take a lot of practice
AelKennyr Rhiano:          Great!
Cinnamon Raymaker:     hopefully it will be on the blog?
Gwindolyn Spiritor:         I want to talk about order of posting, godmoding and metagaming.

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