Demonia: Fighters Guild

[Aerif]

After quite a bit of catching up (I really am having limited internet access at the moment) I think I've came to my conclusions.

Seeing as Alexander isn't present and a lot of club affairs haven't been finished/confirmed (nobody has a rank yet, discluding Slim) I'm assuming that the 'monarch' method of judging is still in play and as such I've drawn the victor and the runner-up from the first completed match-up of Red and Musicmuse.

Red
An overall impressive performance for someone so new to the TFF system. I particularly liked how you adapted from Musicmuse's posts for purposes of your own posts, that is too say, instead of copying and pasting the other writer's work to elongate your own post, you re-told Musicmuse's post in your own words. That is something I really like to see when it comes to newer members to TFF.

It should be noted that you had some rather sticky-outy writing errors in some of your own posts (writing this makes me feel hypocritical, but I'm not the one RPBing so there ). Though these 'large' errors may seem small they are a big deciding factor in writing, and missing punctuation, specifically the absence of commas can make it seem as though there is more wrong with the writing than they're actually is (believe me, I was ready to criticise a large list of errors until I realised they where just the work of a missing comma or two).

Overall though, I can see that you are well on the way to high standard RPBing. Probably enough to win a TOA if you keep working on extending post length and using less-obviously-fatal attacks (it seems to me like nobody took any hits at all in that RPB)


Musicmuse
Wow, I am really quite impressed with this work, especially as it seems to be your first RPB (correct me if I am wrong).

It's obvious from your posts that you have done more RPing than RPBing as the writing style seems to stem from a pre-dominant RPer rather than an RPBer. Yours is a good combination for both fronts though at times it did seem oddly more RP-y than RPB-y.

You do have a few wee errors in your writing but thankfully none of them are too-serious. Something that should be changed in your posts, however, is a fault shared with Red, your attacks seem to be too powerful and skills to skillful for either of you to accept a hit. An RPB without the successful attack of a competitor does become quite bland and making your attacks so powerful might be considered god-modding due to the fact that if the opponent was actually hit by one it would probably render them unable to continue the fight... It's something that you should both be wary of.


As I've already said I'm quite unsure of whether the democratic system is in play yet, but assuming that it is not I've drawn conclusion that Musicmuse is the overall winner of the match as her posts seemed to hold slightly more content. I have to admit that the match was a close one and not one I'd enjoy judging twice, this post took nearly an hour!

Because of that match I assume that Musicmuse is to recieve a slightly higher rank than Red, but seeing as it's not my place to give out ranks and because the rest of the trials have yet to be judged I really can't tell where these two are going to end up on the Demonia Rank Ladder.


EDIT: It seems there where some hits taken, though not very many. And it seemed rather sloppy so the points stand the same way folks!

[Mistress Sheena]

Actually, Musicmuse has been in the TOA. This is not Musicmuse's first time RPBing.
Why Alex thinks Musicmuse is a first timer is beyond me. -_-

But anyway.. yeah.. I knew Musicmuse would win. >_>;

[Darkwolf]

Yeah, I remember fighting musicmuse in the toa, but since both of us didn't really post much the battle went nowhere and I was putting the only two characters in there at the time and they just couldn't be considered a team just because Lance was a good guy and Dragoth was evil.

[Musicmuse]

Thanks for the critque, Aerif. Definately some things for me to work on, and I actually have a general question.

Obviously a RPB entails fighting, but I was wondering if it's a good idea to try to develop a character during a fight or just stick mainly to the combat. I have far more RP experience than RPB, as the TOA has been my only RPB'ing previously, and I found myself wanting to expound on Niah's personality. Just wondering what the more veteran members think.

Also, a thanks to Red for an exciting bout and he made me think a few times there about what the best course of action would be. It was definately fun

[LocoColt04]

Originally Posted by Musicmuse

but I was wondering if it's a good idea to try to develop a character during a fight or just stick mainly to the combat.

It really depends on the type of thread you're wanting to run. The little side-project I'm starting up with Slim will be one of those battle threads that has a lot of story behind it, so there will be plenty of character development to be found.

Traditionally, you wouldn't expect much development within an RPB thread. The idea is to already have a flushed out character with a defined background, and just toss him into a fight with someone, making up valid reasons for fighting (the most popular of which being a competition of some type). The TOA, for example, focuses less on character development and more on theatrics. This isn't to say that it's a bad idea to develop a character during a fight -- just that it can be sloppy and really slow down the flow of battle.

So, again, it depends on the type of thread you're wanting to run. For competition, it's best to leave the development to a minimum. For casual play, it's something you would want to discuss with your opponent. I ALWAYS suggest collaborating WITH your opponent when writing simply to provoke the most fluid and entertaining thread possible.

[Slim Perfect]

I'm feeling very restless about the end of Red and Musicmuse's fight, storywise. There definately needs to be a finishing post typed up there. If I may be so duly inclined, I'd like to ask that I be the one to write the final posts of each fight. In that I mean, after the judge has made their decision, I will write up a glorious end to the battle.
Alex has his job, judges have their job, I'd like to have that job; somewhat like the Angel of Death, here to collect the souls of the fallen. (Without actually killing the characters of course. )
I want to mean something to this establishment, y'know?
For now I think it's safe to say I should go ahead and do that... until Alex either approves or disapproves of it; seeing as he has not been online.

On a related note, I think battles turn out of much higher quality when it is the story that is focused on most prominently. I much prefer to read 20 posts of quality 'writtenwork' then 20 posts of unorganized petty barrages.

Also, it is very unproffessional of Itachi to leave me sitting here. Okay, maybe I shouldn't rush him, but soon enough he is going to just say screw it. A good writer should be able to adapt to the surroundings/conditions of a battle and come up with something creative. Not sit on it for 2 weeks then finally type up a post to 'tide-me-over' for another 2 weeks. This is terrible for me. By now, a decision should be made. If he is not going to be committed enough to finish the fight, then he cannot get the position he requested; end of story. I know Alex had said that there is no time limit, but that should be to an extent, I don't want to sit idly by for such an extended period of time.

Anyways, that's my 'update' post. Thanks for the support.

[LocoColt04]

Originally Posted by Slim Perfect

On a related note, I think battles turn out of much higher quality when it is the story that is focused on most prominently. I much prefer to read 20 posts of quality 'writtenwork' then 20 posts of unorganized petty barrages.

But again, that all depends on the type of thread.

Using the TOA as an example again, all of the groundwork is already laid out. The story is pre-planned, and you're just filling in the blanks. By focusing less on character development and more on character actions/interactions, you can create a more tightly-knit battle.

I feel that you may have perhaps misunderstood what I was implying the first time. I never once said that story wasn't important -- story is always important. How deep you dive into character development and layers of depth will be the variables depending upon the situation.

[Mistress Sheena]

I actually agree with that, Slim. No time limit is fine, but I wouldn't want to wait for a whole month, you know? Or even a year. >_>;

I wonder what's up with Itachi, anyway. XD I should talk to him next time I see him on MSN.

[Slim Perfect]

Originally Posted by LocoColt04

But again, that all depends on the type of thread.

Using the TOA as an example again, all of the groundwork is already laid out. The story is pre-planned, and you're just filling in the blanks. By focusing less on character development and more on character actions/interactions, you can create a more tightly-knit battle.

I feel that you may have perhaps misunderstood what I was implying the first time. I never once said that story wasn't important -- story is always important. How deep you dive into character development and layers of depth will be the variables depending upon the situation.

Oh I completely agree with you Loco, no worries.
My post was merely a general statement towards the whole club.
I actually really enjoy RPBing under set guidlines (provided they aren't too uninteresting to my personal preferences; i.e. my ordeal with the TOA a couple years ago ). It's a whole new ballgame when you RP that way, and a fun experience at that.
I now only regret that my 'vacation' from TFF had not come during this years TOA.

P.S. Again, I apologize for my abandonment of said TOA.

EDIT: P.S. x 2: If I in fact am given the pleasure of finishing up the story on concluded battles, may I be given the pleasure of offering a reward to the combatants? Perhaps an accessory, or item they can put to use if they so desire? I like the idea. Like "CONGRATS ON FINISHING THE BATTLE! GOOD SHOW! HERE'S A COMPLIMENTARY GIFT!" It'd be cool. Gives people a motive.

P.P.S. I'll type up a description of the character i will use to distribute gifts, as well.

[Red]

k I haven't posted her in awhile but I guess I have my 2 cents to put in so here goes...

first off I would like to thank Musicmuse for that awsome battle, for my first RPB it was really fun and I was glad to have such a co-operative oponent.

second I would like to say that I agree with a more story driven RPB system, however I think it should be that both fighters agree before hand on what type of battle it is, if you have one poster who is focusing on fighting it's not very fair to the other one who's trying to make good post.

next I would like to expand upon Slim Perfect's "Angel of Death" idea. I think it's interesting and in a case like mine and Musicmuse's I believe it would be fun, seeing as we both ended up sort of "not having a winner" in the actual battle itself. However, I think that both of the competitors, and whoever this "finisher" is, should both discuss what the final post should be like via PM, email, msn, etc. I think that with that you can create a unique final post that both writers can agree on.

and finally I agree with Slim Perfect, that if Itachi doesn't start dedicating just a little bit more of his time to this club, than maybe he should be sent a PM giving him a warning, and if he doesn't come within a certain time limit Slim should get a different competitor. anyway that's just my oppinion.

[Slim Perfect]

My only concern with your idea on agreeing upon an end post, Red, is that I will be posting my finish based on who the judge deemed winner. Therefore, they will win regardless. My decision on how to word it will also be based on the judging, for example, if the judge says that it was a very close match then I will make the ending a very close finish; and vice-versa; if the judge says that one player whooped the shit out of the other, my post will fit that calibur as well.
Don't worry, my posts are simply to clean up loose ends as I am an absolute perfectionist and would lose sleep over an unfinished quarrel. I also like to hand out goodies!!

[Red]

yes I like the idea of rewards, but what I meant when I said to have everyone discuss over PM's I meant, that from that they could come up with ideas for a post that involves story, not just a way to finish the fight. if you understand what I mean.

[Slim Perfect]

Yeah, well that, of course, would be no problem.
Anyways, that's my basic idea, with the whole 'cleaner-upper' dealeo.
If anyone else thinks it's a decent course of action feel free to speak up!