I agree with the sentiment that the RPC should simply be a hub for roleplayers. A place for fair discussion, a place for planning. Hell, even a place for simply socializing OOCly.
Personally, I've always thought most roleplayers to be a fickle bunch - myself included to an extent. With that, I believe there's the possibility to salvage what's left of the RPC forums and turn it into something great once again. I agree with the idea that the RPC has garnered a stigma that seems to just be warding everyone off, save for a small handful of people. It also seems to me, personally, that there still is quite a bit of animosity floating around. Some people just don't click, it's just human nature and it's completely understandable. On a large enough scale, though, it can end up dragging an entire community down, albeit slowly.
First off - as stated in the OPs, I think everyone needs to be able to set aside their differences if this is going to work. Any past drama, any grievances, any arguments need to just be let go. If we can't all get along, it's just not going to work out.
Secondly, I believe people in general are going to need to just go the extra mile every now and again. It's fine to get involved with a linkshell, and get involved with their RP. It's fine to make a clique of friends, and develop storylines with those characters. RP gets richer over time, and we all strive for that. Yet when groups and groups of players constantly roleplay with the same people over and over, it begins to fade out those who aren't involved. I'm not saying people don't roleplay with strangers or acquaintances - I see it happen all the time. What I am saying though is I think we could afford to see it more often. Have public tavern nights, hold masquerades and auctions like we used to. Places where everyone can just mix and mingle and not be afraid of being barred out of a conversation because they're not a part of a specific clique or linkshell. Again, I'll reiterate that I don't think that's a bad thing - we could just afford to see it less. The only way that's possible is if people bite the bullet every now and again, and say "Hey, I'm going to go strike up a conversation with that stranger and get them involved instead of roleplaying with my regulars today." However, it shouldn't feel like a chore. Not everyone might be cut out for the idea, and that's fine.
Even if it starts out slow, getting that mentality running day by day will form bonds between people who could have never bonded in the first place. I think that's a first step in uniting our community. Actually putting ourselves out there and meeting others - even if we're content with what we have.
I think once we start bonding again, things will slowly start to fall back into place. People might be more inclined to spark up events and story-arcs with strangers, and the RPC forums might end up having more use over time. That is, if we can get over the hurdle of it's stigma. I don't have many suggestions for that other than attempting to convince people to just put it aside and take a peek back inside for a change.
In regards to the OOC shell idea. It's been attempted before a few times, even by myself, and I think we should maybe(I'm not even sure if it's a good idea, myself. Just putting it out there for now.) look down the alley of once again forming one. A shell with absolutely zero ties to any one linkshell - just simply a neutral ground for all roleplayers on Besaid to have a channel of conversation in-game if they want it - not everyone will. No leader, no officers - just simply people who can invite others into the shell since that's necessary. Some might argue that it kind of phases out the point of the RPC, and I can understand that point of view completely - however I believe that actually being able to get in touch with a bulk of the community hassle-free would be more of a boon than a hindrance. People would hopefully still use the RPC for large planning, discussions, and getting in touch with people who they were unable to get in touch with in game. Again, I know this is a hot-button subject with quite a few opposing views, so I'd love to hear other opinions on it.
Personally, I've always thought most roleplayers to be a fickle bunch - myself included to an extent. With that, I believe there's the possibility to salvage what's left of the RPC forums and turn it into something great once again. I agree with the idea that the RPC has garnered a stigma that seems to just be warding everyone off, save for a small handful of people. It also seems to me, personally, that there still is quite a bit of animosity floating around. Some people just don't click, it's just human nature and it's completely understandable. On a large enough scale, though, it can end up dragging an entire community down, albeit slowly.
First off - as stated in the OPs, I think everyone needs to be able to set aside their differences if this is going to work. Any past drama, any grievances, any arguments need to just be let go. If we can't all get along, it's just not going to work out.
Secondly, I believe people in general are going to need to just go the extra mile every now and again. It's fine to get involved with a linkshell, and get involved with their RP. It's fine to make a clique of friends, and develop storylines with those characters. RP gets richer over time, and we all strive for that. Yet when groups and groups of players constantly roleplay with the same people over and over, it begins to fade out those who aren't involved. I'm not saying people don't roleplay with strangers or acquaintances - I see it happen all the time. What I am saying though is I think we could afford to see it more often. Have public tavern nights, hold masquerades and auctions like we used to. Places where everyone can just mix and mingle and not be afraid of being barred out of a conversation because they're not a part of a specific clique or linkshell. Again, I'll reiterate that I don't think that's a bad thing - we could just afford to see it less. The only way that's possible is if people bite the bullet every now and again, and say "Hey, I'm going to go strike up a conversation with that stranger and get them involved instead of roleplaying with my regulars today." However, it shouldn't feel like a chore. Not everyone might be cut out for the idea, and that's fine.
Even if it starts out slow, getting that mentality running day by day will form bonds between people who could have never bonded in the first place. I think that's a first step in uniting our community. Actually putting ourselves out there and meeting others - even if we're content with what we have.
I think once we start bonding again, things will slowly start to fall back into place. People might be more inclined to spark up events and story-arcs with strangers, and the RPC forums might end up having more use over time. That is, if we can get over the hurdle of it's stigma. I don't have many suggestions for that other than attempting to convince people to just put it aside and take a peek back inside for a change.
In regards to the OOC shell idea. It's been attempted before a few times, even by myself, and I think we should maybe(I'm not even sure if it's a good idea, myself. Just putting it out there for now.) look down the alley of once again forming one. A shell with absolutely zero ties to any one linkshell - just simply a neutral ground for all roleplayers on Besaid to have a channel of conversation in-game if they want it - not everyone will. No leader, no officers - just simply people who can invite others into the shell since that's necessary. Some might argue that it kind of phases out the point of the RPC, and I can understand that point of view completely - however I believe that actually being able to get in touch with a bulk of the community hassle-free would be more of a boon than a hindrance. People would hopefully still use the RPC for large planning, discussions, and getting in touch with people who they were unable to get in touch with in game. Again, I know this is a hot-button subject with quite a few opposing views, so I'd love to hear other opinions on it.
![[Image: 7Ho5y7x.png]](http://i.imgur.com/7Ho5y7x.png)
