As a LS leader, people have come to me with this type of complaint before about a character or two. I highly agree with everyone who has suggested to be cognizant of the other characters in the scene, and to share the spotlight whenever possible. To give some more specific examples of what has put others off to interacting with a character, though-
1.) Don't "force" people into RPing with your character. What I mean by this is, don't create a scenario that has such a high degree of emergency that characters MUST drop what they're doing and intervene.
A specific example might be a character getting so drunk during a social outing/event that they have to be constantly babysat in order to prevent them from falling off a cliff, drinking poison, etc. Another example might be that someone orchestrates a scenario over a linkshell where a baby is alone and in a room that's on fire, and the guardian (e.g., the character) is not able to save the baby themselves. This creates a situation where people have to drop whatever scene they're in, or whatever OoC thing they're doing, lest they be ICly labeled as baby murders. It is a very uncomfortable situation for others, even if the writer innocently believes they're just throwing out an exciting series of prompts.
If you want to go the "emergency danger" route in writing, it's best to do so in a formal event of your own creation, OR you can also talk to a friend OoC beforehand to ensure that they're on board with [emergency scenario] prior to casting out "if no one helps I/someone will die" hook. With the latter, it ensures that at least one person will answer the call to facilitate the RP, without pressuring anyone else to RP when they might not feel like it (although with the open invitation that they're welcome, if they're interested.)
2.) Be aware of the posts going on around you, and play off those posts/characters sometimes instead of generating your own independently. This usually works out very nicely, as it includes others instead of saying "look at me and what I'm saying!"
For example, instead of this:
DM: There is an orb. It glows ominously and such.
Mimimi Mimi: Um... I'm not sure we should touch that.
/em reaches out and grabs the orb, "We haven't got time to squabble!"
Try this:
DM: There is an orb. It glows ominously and such.
Mimimi Mimi: Um... I'm not sure we should touch that.
/em reaches toward the orb, but stops. His ears flicker irritably at the chatter around him before he remarks, pointing at [random character who hasn't said much so far]. "And what? You think [said character] should be the one to test it, instead?"
This not only pulls a potential wallflower into the scene, but it gives a moment of pause for other people to jump in and interact. Wait for what is said, and then respond. Sure, if literally no one is saying anything or trying to address the situation, then it's okay to take action -- but wait first, and see if anyone else wants a piece of the fun.
I actually have a couple of more suggestions, but I'm running late to work. I hope these help out some, regardless!
1.) Don't "force" people into RPing with your character. What I mean by this is, don't create a scenario that has such a high degree of emergency that characters MUST drop what they're doing and intervene.
A specific example might be a character getting so drunk during a social outing/event that they have to be constantly babysat in order to prevent them from falling off a cliff, drinking poison, etc. Another example might be that someone orchestrates a scenario over a linkshell where a baby is alone and in a room that's on fire, and the guardian (e.g., the character) is not able to save the baby themselves. This creates a situation where people have to drop whatever scene they're in, or whatever OoC thing they're doing, lest they be ICly labeled as baby murders. It is a very uncomfortable situation for others, even if the writer innocently believes they're just throwing out an exciting series of prompts.
If you want to go the "emergency danger" route in writing, it's best to do so in a formal event of your own creation, OR you can also talk to a friend OoC beforehand to ensure that they're on board with [emergency scenario] prior to casting out "if no one helps I/someone will die" hook. With the latter, it ensures that at least one person will answer the call to facilitate the RP, without pressuring anyone else to RP when they might not feel like it (although with the open invitation that they're welcome, if they're interested.)
2.) Be aware of the posts going on around you, and play off those posts/characters sometimes instead of generating your own independently. This usually works out very nicely, as it includes others instead of saying "look at me and what I'm saying!"
For example, instead of this:
DM: There is an orb. It glows ominously and such.
Mimimi Mimi: Um... I'm not sure we should touch that.
/em reaches out and grabs the orb, "We haven't got time to squabble!"
Try this:
DM: There is an orb. It glows ominously and such.
Mimimi Mimi: Um... I'm not sure we should touch that.
/em reaches toward the orb, but stops. His ears flicker irritably at the chatter around him before he remarks, pointing at [random character who hasn't said much so far]. "And what? You think [said character] should be the one to test it, instead?"
This not only pulls a potential wallflower into the scene, but it gives a moment of pause for other people to jump in and interact. Wait for what is said, and then respond. Sure, if literally no one is saying anything or trying to address the situation, then it's okay to take action -- but wait first, and see if anyone else wants a piece of the fun.
I actually have a couple of more suggestions, but I'm running late to work. I hope these help out some, regardless!
