Something I have seen happen in other role-play experiences but not in ARR yet anyways, is where one or two role-players will constantly and continually kind of overshadow others. I don't think this is intentional when it happens, but it seems like these people are so focused on the storytelling aspect of things that they lose sight of the fact that there are several others who are also trying to tell a story as well. These players' characters often exhibit Sue-like tendencies and have a very hard time "letting things play out" without in some way having to involve their character. There is maybe some argument to be made for characters having to "sit on the bench" during some things and some players, and arguably some characters, don't like this.
I see this as different from that character archetype "captain of the table" where a self-important character exerts that sort of arrogance in-character. That can still happen while other characters' stories play out normally. What I'm speaking to is the character who involves himself (or herself) in everything, and the role-play effectively drowns out other peoples' stories.
I think a good role-player and storyteller realizes that his or her character may be a compelling force in their own story arcs, but also serves as secondary/supporting or backup character in others' story arcs and owns this.
One of my biggest grievances with the Internet in general is that it has almost become a cacophany of people talking, complaining, voicing thoughts and opinions and concerns and making "noise" but too little actual reading, analyzing, and appreciating of the words written. That was the biggest put-off in other role-play communities: too much "memememememe!" and not enough "wow you're awesome too!!!" I am happy to say that I haven't seen much of that mentality on Balmung or the HRPC. You folks are great!
I see this as different from that character archetype "captain of the table" where a self-important character exerts that sort of arrogance in-character. That can still happen while other characters' stories play out normally. What I'm speaking to is the character who involves himself (or herself) in everything, and the role-play effectively drowns out other peoples' stories.
I think a good role-player and storyteller realizes that his or her character may be a compelling force in their own story arcs, but also serves as secondary/supporting or backup character in others' story arcs and owns this.
One of my biggest grievances with the Internet in general is that it has almost become a cacophany of people talking, complaining, voicing thoughts and opinions and concerns and making "noise" but too little actual reading, analyzing, and appreciating of the words written. That was the biggest put-off in other role-play communities: too much "memememememe!" and not enough "wow you're awesome too!!!" I am happy to say that I haven't seen much of that mentality on Balmung or the HRPC. You folks are great!