Many have already stated that this is a situation where personal experiences differ. Mine certainly differ from the OP's. There are indeed a lot of variables.
That said, I have been in the community since January of 2014. I've watched it change, develop and change again. Maybe I can offer some general advice that might apply more broadly to those having a hard time.
Firstly, when your style is to actively approach others for walk-up RP, you are a brave soul, and should consider your chances of finding good RP a coin flip. This is not me discouraging people from approaching others. I am just saying there are cliques, plots and preferences held by other players which may cause them to be not so welcoming to walk-ups.
Read search info of characters because many players will specify "walk-ups welcome" or "please send tell for RP". Let that be your guide on who you approach, and how you approach. It will result in less rejection and grief.
Secondly, if you are more the type to prefer being approached, there are things you can do to encourage that. For example, putting key details about your character in your search info. Mine on Kiht says "Traditional Moon-Keeper. Hunter, Scout, Beastmaster. RP=IC".
Another thing to do is make idle RP posts that tell other RPers around you that you are currently willing and able to RP. Bigger posts are more likely to be seen, but also add to chat scroll which may cause players to skim them rather than read them. Good thing to keep in mind.
I often prefer being approached because when other players approach me for RP, it is far less likely that they are doing it just to grief me, much more likely they have interest in my character and a heavily reduced chance of rejection. And no, I am not talking about ERP interests, but that risk comes with the territory.
If you're afraid of one player having their character approach yours because they want their character to bang yours, you will find yourself very afraid of casual RP in general. This is one area in which I advise players to grow a thicker skin. There's the ability to say "no", the blacklist and doing things like putting "NO ERP" in your search info.
Thirdly, this site has the "welcome desk" and the "making connections" forum. Look through them. Players posting ads to make connections are not likely going to grief you for trying to RP with them; especially if you are looking for the same things they are.
Sending tells or PMs to reach out to people can be the hardest things to muster courage for, but I've done it a few times, and usually it pays off!
Lastly, for those that do this, stop changing your character's race and story to suit what you think players want. You will find -no- consensus on what the community as a whole thinks is awesome.
Seriously, it has been said before, and it is one thing that is not subjective: play what race and profession you love, and others will come to like them.
Be very patient, be bold and don't fixate on what the horrible minority do or say.
That said, I have been in the community since January of 2014. I've watched it change, develop and change again. Maybe I can offer some general advice that might apply more broadly to those having a hard time.
Firstly, when your style is to actively approach others for walk-up RP, you are a brave soul, and should consider your chances of finding good RP a coin flip. This is not me discouraging people from approaching others. I am just saying there are cliques, plots and preferences held by other players which may cause them to be not so welcoming to walk-ups.
Read search info of characters because many players will specify "walk-ups welcome" or "please send tell for RP". Let that be your guide on who you approach, and how you approach. It will result in less rejection and grief.
Secondly, if you are more the type to prefer being approached, there are things you can do to encourage that. For example, putting key details about your character in your search info. Mine on Kiht says "Traditional Moon-Keeper. Hunter, Scout, Beastmaster. RP=IC".
Another thing to do is make idle RP posts that tell other RPers around you that you are currently willing and able to RP. Bigger posts are more likely to be seen, but also add to chat scroll which may cause players to skim them rather than read them. Good thing to keep in mind.
I often prefer being approached because when other players approach me for RP, it is far less likely that they are doing it just to grief me, much more likely they have interest in my character and a heavily reduced chance of rejection. And no, I am not talking about ERP interests, but that risk comes with the territory.
If you're afraid of one player having their character approach yours because they want their character to bang yours, you will find yourself very afraid of casual RP in general. This is one area in which I advise players to grow a thicker skin. There's the ability to say "no", the blacklist and doing things like putting "NO ERP" in your search info.
Thirdly, this site has the "welcome desk" and the "making connections" forum. Look through them. Players posting ads to make connections are not likely going to grief you for trying to RP with them; especially if you are looking for the same things they are.
Sending tells or PMs to reach out to people can be the hardest things to muster courage for, but I've done it a few times, and usually it pays off!
Lastly, for those that do this, stop changing your character's race and story to suit what you think players want. You will find -no- consensus on what the community as a whole thinks is awesome.
Seriously, it has been said before, and it is one thing that is not subjective: play what race and profession you love, and others will come to like them.
Be very patient, be bold and don't fixate on what the horrible minority do or say.
