Okay. There have been several instances where other eidolons have said stuff to me IC expressing surprise at my reactions to things etc. The implication is that eidolons are not supposed to have emotions, at least not in the same way as mortals. There is nothing in the background sheet to say that this is the case, but I am aware that players establish a 'correct' way of playing stuff over time that builds and expands on the background sheets. The same is true of, for example, Flambard - many 'traditions' etc have been invented since the start of the system that a new player would have no way of knowing about.
I feel a little bit like this is some kind of secret club or clique and I don't understand the etiquette. I'm not sure I'm capable of playing an entirely emotionless character, and if I were I don't think I'd enjoy it. I'm considering quitting altogether.
That suprises me, as most of the eidolons that spring immediately to my mind I'd describe as emo-tastic, rather than emotionless. I'm certainly playing an emoting eidolon (specifically a different set of emotions and personality for each form). I know at least one eidolon is specifically playing with emotion as the basis of their concept.
There is an argument for our emotions being different from mortals, but I don't think even this is a requirement, so much as making a certain amount of sense for an eternal being.
I haven't had that much to do with Dreambird, but she seems great to me. She definitely seems to have a purpose in the world - there need to be some of us bringing light to the darkness with a smile rather than a sword.
Don't feel you have to fit into some narrow stereotype, as long as you are staying true to the PD briefing material.
From your posts on rule7 it sounds like you had a lot of fun at the event, which suggests to me you are Doing It Right, whatever anyone thinks.
Certainly the way I play Samahazai it's supposed to be very clear he does have emotions, he just tends to try to conceal them.
Thanks for your support, guys, that does help. It's just that playing an eidolon has been difficult to get into. I am an experienced roleplayer, but I'd have to say this is the most challenging thing I've ever done and I've been feeling a bit uncertain about it all. The rules are complicated, some fo the backgroundy stuff is a bit unclear, and some players have interpreted things or added bits that everyone is accepting as a given but that aren't in the rules, and I feel like I don't know what I'm doing.
I've had a bit of a blow to my confidence, and I was beginning to think I might not be cut out to play an eidolon. If what you guys are saying is true, thought it may be an IC issue rather than an OOC one, in which case it's workable.
I was just worried that I was somehow not 'getting' the whole eidolon concept and was not gelling with the rest of the loyals group. This is why it'd be useful to have an event to meet up in between Maelstrom events, I suppose - even if it's just an OOC eidolon moot or something. It's always tricky playing with a new group of people, and the problem with eidolons is they aren't a group as such, and don't necessarily get to spend much time together (they're all far too busy!).
I don't want to come off as really needy here (IC or OOC!) and I'm not asking for someone to be holding my hand all the time, but I'd really appreciate some help OOC in getting to grips with things and becoming a part of things. Thanks to those who have already done so a bit (mainly IC) - it has helped.
I'll have to have a think, I suppose, and not make any rash decisions.
It might be worth going back to the player(s) on an OOC level privately to talk through their comments. I'll lay good odds on what they said being an IC comment based on IC motives - for example, Sul expressed quite a degree of disaproval towards some Eidolon characters at the last event, but that is entirely because he and they are like chalk and cheese. Nothing at all to do with one "doing it right" and the other not. Hell, I'd be mortified if I thought their players took it as OOC disaproval for even a second.
imo. the only hard and fast rule about role playing is, as long as you are within the published material and IC, then there is no such thing as "doing it wrong". And anyone that says otherwise is wrong, OK?
If people make up traditions and customs not in the published material, and claim it as fact in the world, you are actually within your rights (as far as I am concerned) to ignore them and if it causes a problem point them at the refs to go deal with it. Basically, if it was such a well known tradition and so set in stone, it'd be in the source material for all the players. If its not, its small time, regional, clan based or just plain rubbish.
I think its a great thing for players to add matertial to a system that creates depth and greater feel for the world around, but it has to be done carefully otherwise it becomes a barrier to new players getting into the system. If that happens, its the creative players who have made the mistake, not the new players.
imo. the only hard and fast rule about role playing is, as long as you are within the published material and IC, then there is no such thing as "doing it wrong". And anyone that says otherwise is wrong, OK?
Nope, dreambird is made off adorable awesome and doing it right.
There is alot of room for interpretation within the eidolon brief over alot of matters and it's cool to see where everyone has run with it.
There are plenty of gaps that (myself) and others are filling in ourselves and getting guidance from PD over and I'll try and keep you upto date with them if you want to ask or ask PD directly.
_________________ Khaniel- Liberated Angel of Enlightenment
Seriously, thanks very much for your lovely comments. Wibble averted.
Azzi - yes, this was partly due to that IC conversation, but that was just one of many things. I did suspect it was an IC thing, but it happened to coincide with a bit of a confidence-low point (it happens periodically) and it was the last in a list of IC and OOC things that stacked up to initiate Sonza-wibble-mode. I got myself out of it eventually and told myself not to be silly, but all the same, your reassurance in this is appreciated and is, I'm slightly embarrased to admit, more of a relief than I thought it would be (I like to kid myself that I'm a tough cookie and don't care what anyone thinks).
Wibble aside, it is still good to know I'm not breaching anyone's idea of what is the 'right' way to play an Eidolon. Yes, you can say that what's in the background sheets is all that matters, but the fact is that a system like this one develops organically. The players fill in the gaps and bring the thing to life - that's one of the best things about it. I love the little customs and things that players bring in - it's one of the things that makes it seem more real and not just a flat, 2-dimensional setting that's written down on paper. And yes, you can play an exception and do things differently from other players, but if I'm going to do that I always like to know what the 'norm' is to begin with!
And I still want an OOC eidolon moot. Anyone live near Birmingham? And I'm still gonna push for an IC event too.
It's true to some degree but fundementally although it is player convention that the Fidelians speak with a pseudo-russian accent, not all fidelian characters have said russian accent, indeed in the promotional-video the heirophant doesn't have any sort of accent bar dramatic-LARPer-speaking-slowly.
_________________ Khaniel- Liberated Angel of Enlightenment
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