Well, interesting post here, especially since I'm usually not one to play characters with nobility. But really, to try and remain unbiased and assess both sides of the situation, in a world of something like RP, it doesn't matter how rich you are. It doesn't matter how powerful you are. It doesn't matter how skilled you are. Does not even matter how competent, stupid, prissy, sophisticated, or whatever adjective you want to use to describe yourself, you are. What I believe RP comes down to is the same thing that comes down to a good story or movie...good writing. You could be the most powerful noble or whatever it's called in the game, but if it doesn't make sense to everyone else well, you're not only not going to get any attention for it, it probably means you're doing something wrong, not in the sense that you are playing your character wrong, but in the sense that the way you are writing things out may not make sense. Now with that said, I don't really like following the bandwagon, because to me that's just boring and I feel it's much better to start your own thing if you WANT to, rather than just do what everyone else is doing, because that is a form of indifference, which leaves little room for diversity and creativity.
I think what people forget is that they can talk all day about how something works or how something "should be done," but that in itself is limiting, especially in a universe that's not real. Just because it is nobility that means there has to be etiquette, or some form of dress or attire? That's a limiting factor, and just by that alone you may turn people away. Nobility to one person could mean fancy dresses, pretty makeup, and sophisticated hairstyles, but nobility to someone ELSE could mean being a master of weapons, or commanding an entire militia, or being something of a Shogun, for example, which, to me, sounds a WHOLE lot cooler, but that's my personal opinion, because I've always preferred the "warrior princess" persona in things like this. Now if you're INTO dressing up and looking fancy then by all means, but don't imply that THAT is the "proper" concept of a word or term, especially in a game. That's putting realism into a game, and last I checked I thought people came on to ESCAPE reality. After all, it's like SE says "Escape reality, live the fantasy." (I think that's right, lol.) But, keeping RL elements out of a discussion about a game, people argue so much about what should be and what shouldn't be they forget what REALLY matters, and that's having the capabilities required to create something that is accessible to all, or at the very LEAST, make sense enough for people to understand and realize what it is. What people ALSO forget is that when words like "should" are used in a response, without even MENTIONING the subject yet you are already limiting a person's experience, unless it is referring to something the creators of the universe have implemented, which, if I may add, is a bit flawed, especially many of the class and job quests, but that is my own opinion.
Lets walk away from the subject of nobility for a bit. When you create a character or story, many things come into play. When you create a character, you have to think: What is their name? Do they HAVE a name? If they HAVE a name, where does it come from? Is there any meaning behind the name? WHY were they named this way? Does this have any bearing on the world around them? Does their name give any kind of hint as to who they are? How old are they? When were they born? HOW were they born? For what REASON were they born? Is HOW they were born have an effect on the world around them? What have they done in their lives so far? Have they made any connections during their life or WILL they make connections later on? How do they look? WHY do they look that way? Is it because of family genetics? Is it because of some underlying force or power that they look the way they do? Is it a defect? Is it something passed down a generation or group of people? Does it affect others, or rather, CAN it affect others [if given the privilege, not RIGHT, beforehand]? What is their conflict? Does their conflict involve the universal story or just their own? Does it involve other people? Does it cause people to act a certain way towards you? Does it cause YOUR character to act a certain way towards other people? Is it an internal or external conflict? Is it something that will be dealt all throughout the remainder of their lives or is it something that can be overcome, whether by yourself in time or with the help of others? Are there consequences to your actions (because I feel that should be necessary in SOME way or form, which is why I don't like characters like Superman, characters like Superman piss me the hell off, which is why I believe in keeping things like godmoding out lol, unless there's a valid means or reason for it, which I myself doubt, but again that's another subject that's based on my opinion.) or does something happen to you when you do this thing or that? Does your character adhere to society, and if not, what likely happens to him/her or what do they do, or intend  to do if they are treated accordingly for not doing so, if adhering to society is required (because mind you, not EVERY place has a form of society or balance. This is why there are cults, hovels, areas of lawlessness, etc., so adhering to society is not NECESSARY OR mandatory, in my opinion, unless it's in a universe where there is a set rule or guideline in place by the CREATORS of said universe, not the people who inhabit it, because AGAIN, it is an non-restrictive limiting factor, or it's something that limits people's ability to be creative.)? Do they prefer order, or disorder? Are they evil? Are they good? Are they neutral? Do they give a damn(This is why I admire Fable's alignment system, because it gives players not only a way to be creative, but really dive in and know just what their choices in the game will do to their immersion and how their character will grow and be affected, and not just "follow the will of so-and-so and abide by them," but again, opinion.).
What is the character's story? Where is their place in it? What is the objective? Is there a main idea? Is there a hook? Who is considered the protagonist, or in this case, are there others who can be considered protagonists in the story? Is there an antagonist(s) or is there room for one to surface? What is their role in the story and how much power do they have in it? What is the point in the story? Is there a beginning, middle, and end? Is there some point of climax? What KIND of story is it? Is it one of action? Romance? Comedy? Tragedy? Power struggle? Is it a story about fate? Is it a story about DEFYING fate? Will the character die? HOW will they die? WHY do they die? What happens as a result of this occurrence, or any occurrence? Why do these things happen to the character? What is the story's influence on the world around it? Can others influence the direction of the story(Which is kind of an important question considering you're playing with well over 1million other people with stories of their own, and if you're not going to open up your story, than there's really not too much of a point to RP it out. That said I know that can be difficult especially if you have things planned out, but sometimes it's good for you to let others in and possibly have some influence on it, because at some point we all work with someone and we have to learn to get along with them in order to make something great and/or successful, because we all have flaws and there could be people out there who compliment them with their own strengths, as with yours, i.e. someone who can play a sophisticated character when your strength lies in characters that "fight first, ask questions later.")? Can the story be continued by someone else or is that where it ends?
Many many things go into a character and story, and I feel some people don't realize that. A subject like nobility, or any subject for that matter, isn't determined by what SHOULD be or SHOULDN'T be that ISN'T explained OR created by the ones who MADE the game as canon, it is determined by your ability to create it as well as knowing HOW to create it and manage it in such a way that people can not only understand it, but be allowed to take part in it if they choose to and are allowed to. After all, you are creating something AND someone for millions of people to see and have a chance to interact with, knowing that you have to expect what can and, fortunately AND unfortunately, will happen. You have to be prepared for consequences and mishaps and make the necessary measures to combat many different situations, and that is not easy. Writing a truly genuine story with a genuine set of characters takes a lot of work and commitment, and a lot of times people drop the ball or leave out important details thinking it won't affect anything, when in fact leaving out the SMALLEST things have the potential to cause problems, and that's saying nothing of creating a story that allows for open interaction. You are playing an MMO, a game genre that is all about nothing but interaction. You have to consider all the possibilities, variables, and outcomes that are entailed with the story and characters you create in an RP community, otherwise, when a problem arises, you won't know how to combat or solve it, and before you know it, people will argue and problems will arise, a reason why I really hate ret'cons...in my opinion I find it a little cowardly, but I understand why it has to be done in some situations.
I joined the RP community because I love to write stories and make characters, and I think RPing is an EXCELLENT way to practice at it and become better at from the experience. I play MMOs because I love the feel of being in another world that is not reality, and being someone else that you enjoy being. When you are up against other people who love to write and create, sooner or later there may come a time when you may start to work together with them, and BOTH sides have to respect the others preferences and elements, while understanding each others weaknesses and strengths, and possibly do what you can to help each other out and compliment those weaknesses. This is how you can create something great, and something that not just you yourself enjoys, but something everyone has the opportunity to be a part of as well. Now, with that said, RPing is just like being an artist...often it's not best to love your work too much. If you have to move on, move on. Try to obey the very limits and rules you yourself set for your own character. If you love your characters too much one tends to "kick down those rules" and totally ignore the entire framework you laid out for yourself, causing unwanted things to happen, like godmoding, for instance, and you start to lose that genuine trait of the story and character you had in the beginning. It hurts to have to leave a character or kill them, but it happens all the time in stories, and it's a choice you have to be willing to make if such a thing has to happen, for whatever reason. That said, having other people do that job is another story, and I do agree that having consent is a required thing before such steps can be taken. It's pretty much like asking if you can tear out a page from your friend's book, so like I said, it's important to be mindful of other people's feelings and preferences. On that note, it's unfortunate to have to say, but not everyone will agree to what you put on the table, especially if you're aren't going to allow for any wiggle room or influence to the elements and concepts you have set up. They will either ignore you, or simply tell you you do not control them, and they are right on that. NO one in this kind of setting controls anyone at any given time. It is not a RIGHT, it is either a privilege or something that's agreed upon, and no player has the power to do that. That said, I don't really know anyone for that matter who is even responsible enough to handle something like that without letting it go to their head, or abusing it. Hence why one needs to be mindful of people's feelings and preferences. One doesn't have to acknowledge someone's character or story if they aren't a part of it, just as they don't have a right to be a part of it if they aren't allowed or do not have a permission, but I DO believe it's important to acknowledge that they are there, and part of the RPC community, who also has their own idea and way of doing things. To acknowledge is to be aware that, other people have ideas, and they want to share them with everyone just as much as you do. The world doesn't revolve round you.
Not everyone is a good writer, nor does that have to be the case. Everyone comes here with a different level of writing ability, whether it's just as good as yours, worse than yours, or better than yours. That is why I feel like RP in this kind of setting is perfect for people who love to write. You're able to create your own story and character and actually put it OUT there and interact it as though it's actually a part of the universe you share it in. Sure, in a lot of cases your writing may need work, but that's why you're here, with all sorts of other people, so you can learn, and be better for the experience. It really kind of annoys me that people feel like they have to bring "should" statements and RL concepts into a game of fantasy, despite a game that often takes elements from the RL. But that itself does not mean that a game's concepts have to adhere to RL concepts, just because it LOOKS like RL. All that does is unnecessarily limit people's creativity, and that's just about the worse thing you can do to an artist or writer. We are, for the most part, here to ESCAPE RL, to just bring it in with us is, well, detrimental to our having a good experience, and it's an easy way to start a fight. But more importantly, as an RPer, as a WRITER, you have to consider every possibility possible when you create and bring your ideas up into a world of people just like you in that sense. In my honest opinion, a person who loves to write has no problems taking the time to assess as many possibilities, paths, and variables as they possibly can, is able to make choices they may not WANT to make for the betterment of both themselves and those around them, and "enjoys" their work but not "obsess" over their work, if you know what I mean by that statement. There's always going to be times where we might have to make a choice we don't want to make, but if we can get past that, we'll be that much prepared for what comes afterwards.
Whew, that's alot. AAAAANYWAY That's my two cents, sorry if I seemed to have gotten off-topic here, but I'm sure you all can tell just how much I take this kind of subject seriously. But yeah, that's all I wanted to say. ^^
I think what people forget is that they can talk all day about how something works or how something "should be done," but that in itself is limiting, especially in a universe that's not real. Just because it is nobility that means there has to be etiquette, or some form of dress or attire? That's a limiting factor, and just by that alone you may turn people away. Nobility to one person could mean fancy dresses, pretty makeup, and sophisticated hairstyles, but nobility to someone ELSE could mean being a master of weapons, or commanding an entire militia, or being something of a Shogun, for example, which, to me, sounds a WHOLE lot cooler, but that's my personal opinion, because I've always preferred the "warrior princess" persona in things like this. Now if you're INTO dressing up and looking fancy then by all means, but don't imply that THAT is the "proper" concept of a word or term, especially in a game. That's putting realism into a game, and last I checked I thought people came on to ESCAPE reality. After all, it's like SE says "Escape reality, live the fantasy." (I think that's right, lol.) But, keeping RL elements out of a discussion about a game, people argue so much about what should be and what shouldn't be they forget what REALLY matters, and that's having the capabilities required to create something that is accessible to all, or at the very LEAST, make sense enough for people to understand and realize what it is. What people ALSO forget is that when words like "should" are used in a response, without even MENTIONING the subject yet you are already limiting a person's experience, unless it is referring to something the creators of the universe have implemented, which, if I may add, is a bit flawed, especially many of the class and job quests, but that is my own opinion.
Lets walk away from the subject of nobility for a bit. When you create a character or story, many things come into play. When you create a character, you have to think: What is their name? Do they HAVE a name? If they HAVE a name, where does it come from? Is there any meaning behind the name? WHY were they named this way? Does this have any bearing on the world around them? Does their name give any kind of hint as to who they are? How old are they? When were they born? HOW were they born? For what REASON were they born? Is HOW they were born have an effect on the world around them? What have they done in their lives so far? Have they made any connections during their life or WILL they make connections later on? How do they look? WHY do they look that way? Is it because of family genetics? Is it because of some underlying force or power that they look the way they do? Is it a defect? Is it something passed down a generation or group of people? Does it affect others, or rather, CAN it affect others [if given the privilege, not RIGHT, beforehand]? What is their conflict? Does their conflict involve the universal story or just their own? Does it involve other people? Does it cause people to act a certain way towards you? Does it cause YOUR character to act a certain way towards other people? Is it an internal or external conflict? Is it something that will be dealt all throughout the remainder of their lives or is it something that can be overcome, whether by yourself in time or with the help of others? Are there consequences to your actions (because I feel that should be necessary in SOME way or form, which is why I don't like characters like Superman, characters like Superman piss me the hell off, which is why I believe in keeping things like godmoding out lol, unless there's a valid means or reason for it, which I myself doubt, but again that's another subject that's based on my opinion.) or does something happen to you when you do this thing or that? Does your character adhere to society, and if not, what likely happens to him/her or what do they do, or intend  to do if they are treated accordingly for not doing so, if adhering to society is required (because mind you, not EVERY place has a form of society or balance. This is why there are cults, hovels, areas of lawlessness, etc., so adhering to society is not NECESSARY OR mandatory, in my opinion, unless it's in a universe where there is a set rule or guideline in place by the CREATORS of said universe, not the people who inhabit it, because AGAIN, it is an non-restrictive limiting factor, or it's something that limits people's ability to be creative.)? Do they prefer order, or disorder? Are they evil? Are they good? Are they neutral? Do they give a damn(This is why I admire Fable's alignment system, because it gives players not only a way to be creative, but really dive in and know just what their choices in the game will do to their immersion and how their character will grow and be affected, and not just "follow the will of so-and-so and abide by them," but again, opinion.).
What is the character's story? Where is their place in it? What is the objective? Is there a main idea? Is there a hook? Who is considered the protagonist, or in this case, are there others who can be considered protagonists in the story? Is there an antagonist(s) or is there room for one to surface? What is their role in the story and how much power do they have in it? What is the point in the story? Is there a beginning, middle, and end? Is there some point of climax? What KIND of story is it? Is it one of action? Romance? Comedy? Tragedy? Power struggle? Is it a story about fate? Is it a story about DEFYING fate? Will the character die? HOW will they die? WHY do they die? What happens as a result of this occurrence, or any occurrence? Why do these things happen to the character? What is the story's influence on the world around it? Can others influence the direction of the story(Which is kind of an important question considering you're playing with well over 1million other people with stories of their own, and if you're not going to open up your story, than there's really not too much of a point to RP it out. That said I know that can be difficult especially if you have things planned out, but sometimes it's good for you to let others in and possibly have some influence on it, because at some point we all work with someone and we have to learn to get along with them in order to make something great and/or successful, because we all have flaws and there could be people out there who compliment them with their own strengths, as with yours, i.e. someone who can play a sophisticated character when your strength lies in characters that "fight first, ask questions later.")? Can the story be continued by someone else or is that where it ends?
Many many things go into a character and story, and I feel some people don't realize that. A subject like nobility, or any subject for that matter, isn't determined by what SHOULD be or SHOULDN'T be that ISN'T explained OR created by the ones who MADE the game as canon, it is determined by your ability to create it as well as knowing HOW to create it and manage it in such a way that people can not only understand it, but be allowed to take part in it if they choose to and are allowed to. After all, you are creating something AND someone for millions of people to see and have a chance to interact with, knowing that you have to expect what can and, fortunately AND unfortunately, will happen. You have to be prepared for consequences and mishaps and make the necessary measures to combat many different situations, and that is not easy. Writing a truly genuine story with a genuine set of characters takes a lot of work and commitment, and a lot of times people drop the ball or leave out important details thinking it won't affect anything, when in fact leaving out the SMALLEST things have the potential to cause problems, and that's saying nothing of creating a story that allows for open interaction. You are playing an MMO, a game genre that is all about nothing but interaction. You have to consider all the possibilities, variables, and outcomes that are entailed with the story and characters you create in an RP community, otherwise, when a problem arises, you won't know how to combat or solve it, and before you know it, people will argue and problems will arise, a reason why I really hate ret'cons...in my opinion I find it a little cowardly, but I understand why it has to be done in some situations.
I joined the RP community because I love to write stories and make characters, and I think RPing is an EXCELLENT way to practice at it and become better at from the experience. I play MMOs because I love the feel of being in another world that is not reality, and being someone else that you enjoy being. When you are up against other people who love to write and create, sooner or later there may come a time when you may start to work together with them, and BOTH sides have to respect the others preferences and elements, while understanding each others weaknesses and strengths, and possibly do what you can to help each other out and compliment those weaknesses. This is how you can create something great, and something that not just you yourself enjoys, but something everyone has the opportunity to be a part of as well. Now, with that said, RPing is just like being an artist...often it's not best to love your work too much. If you have to move on, move on. Try to obey the very limits and rules you yourself set for your own character. If you love your characters too much one tends to "kick down those rules" and totally ignore the entire framework you laid out for yourself, causing unwanted things to happen, like godmoding, for instance, and you start to lose that genuine trait of the story and character you had in the beginning. It hurts to have to leave a character or kill them, but it happens all the time in stories, and it's a choice you have to be willing to make if such a thing has to happen, for whatever reason. That said, having other people do that job is another story, and I do agree that having consent is a required thing before such steps can be taken. It's pretty much like asking if you can tear out a page from your friend's book, so like I said, it's important to be mindful of other people's feelings and preferences. On that note, it's unfortunate to have to say, but not everyone will agree to what you put on the table, especially if you're aren't going to allow for any wiggle room or influence to the elements and concepts you have set up. They will either ignore you, or simply tell you you do not control them, and they are right on that. NO one in this kind of setting controls anyone at any given time. It is not a RIGHT, it is either a privilege or something that's agreed upon, and no player has the power to do that. That said, I don't really know anyone for that matter who is even responsible enough to handle something like that without letting it go to their head, or abusing it. Hence why one needs to be mindful of people's feelings and preferences. One doesn't have to acknowledge someone's character or story if they aren't a part of it, just as they don't have a right to be a part of it if they aren't allowed or do not have a permission, but I DO believe it's important to acknowledge that they are there, and part of the RPC community, who also has their own idea and way of doing things. To acknowledge is to be aware that, other people have ideas, and they want to share them with everyone just as much as you do. The world doesn't revolve round you.
Not everyone is a good writer, nor does that have to be the case. Everyone comes here with a different level of writing ability, whether it's just as good as yours, worse than yours, or better than yours. That is why I feel like RP in this kind of setting is perfect for people who love to write. You're able to create your own story and character and actually put it OUT there and interact it as though it's actually a part of the universe you share it in. Sure, in a lot of cases your writing may need work, but that's why you're here, with all sorts of other people, so you can learn, and be better for the experience. It really kind of annoys me that people feel like they have to bring "should" statements and RL concepts into a game of fantasy, despite a game that often takes elements from the RL. But that itself does not mean that a game's concepts have to adhere to RL concepts, just because it LOOKS like RL. All that does is unnecessarily limit people's creativity, and that's just about the worse thing you can do to an artist or writer. We are, for the most part, here to ESCAPE RL, to just bring it in with us is, well, detrimental to our having a good experience, and it's an easy way to start a fight. But more importantly, as an RPer, as a WRITER, you have to consider every possibility possible when you create and bring your ideas up into a world of people just like you in that sense. In my honest opinion, a person who loves to write has no problems taking the time to assess as many possibilities, paths, and variables as they possibly can, is able to make choices they may not WANT to make for the betterment of both themselves and those around them, and "enjoys" their work but not "obsess" over their work, if you know what I mean by that statement. There's always going to be times where we might have to make a choice we don't want to make, but if we can get past that, we'll be that much prepared for what comes afterwards.
Whew, that's alot. AAAAANYWAY That's my two cents, sorry if I seemed to have gotten off-topic here, but I'm sure you all can tell just how much I take this kind of subject seriously. But yeah, that's all I wanted to say. ^^
![[Image: b2f236386880f8de20bbce61dc1c828e.png]](https://i.gyazo.com/b2f236386880f8de20bbce61dc1c828e.png)
