NationStates Jolt Archive

Hello, everyone.

You may be wondering what this thread is for, and aside from the fact that it is a result of my boredom over Christmas break, I believe that it could ultimately be quite beneficial. The Kiosk, as I will refer to it as from now on, will hopefully evolve into a large question and answer thread regarding things as general as roleplaying tips or character development to specifics such as the geo-political structure of the Orion Sector, post- and pre-Civil War. There will also be a current or former roleplay category, in which questions or comments relating to the current RPs of mine in my info or the completed ones in the archives.

In addition to answering each and every question, I will be editing the questions and answers into one of the three following posts: general roleplaying information and assistance, Steel Butterfly/Orion Sector information, and Current and Completed RP’s. This should be an effective way of both helping those in need of assistance in character-oriented or plot-driven RP’s, as well as giving the general public information about Steel Butterfly itself, and discussing my RP’s in the process.

Hope it works out well, and I look forward to all sorts of questions.

-Steel Butterfly

General Roleplaying Information and Assistance

Steel Butterfly/Orion Sector Information

Current and Completed RP’s

Q: I'm just joining Wasteland, and I know Rei Warheit's been in some other RP's, but I don't have the time to read them with my busy schedule. What is his motivation?

Back in the day, my sole main character outside of my former Emperor was a man named Rei Warheit. He was an Aural, the last of a dying race, and was the focus of two RP’s. The first one, “A man is a god in ruins…” lasted from October 25, 2003 to November 8, 2003. After a bout of memory-loss, Rei, who was currently the Sky Marshall for the Empire of Steel Butterfly in the Orion Sector, quickly realized who he was through a horrible experience known as time compression. Ending the threat and escaping physically unharmed, Rei left his post with the government and ventured into parts unknown, unsure of himself and who or what he was. The second, titled “Ardente Veritatis, Urite Mala Mundi,” began only two days after the first let off, on November 10, 2003, and lasted until December 12, of the same year. In this sequel, Rei became possessed by a lifeform unknown prior to that occasion who went by the name Leandro Heroth. With Leandro's drive and Rei's power, Rei went on a murderous streak and was classified as the Empire's most wanted man, before purging the demon from of his body and ultimately stopping him, saving the Empire. Nevertheless, Rei's quest for an identity and answers was far from over, and he did his own research during the time of the Civil War, coming across many answers which only brought up more questions in the process. Meeting with Alexei Ivanova, who displayed Aural traits, Rei gained access to the ancient Aural archives, realizing that NiMBUS Biotechnologies was to blame for his people's near-extinction. After Alexei killed Dr. Ackerman and the New Empire eliminated NiMBUS, Rei still felt lost, and began to think that it was his beliefs which were causing that feeling.

From this, you could say that he has two main motivations, both of discovery. For one thing, he desperately needs to discover who he is, and he is slowly learning that finding out who he is is more important than discovering who he was. As for his other motivation, he is developing a strong interest to say the least in the ancient beliefs and culture of his people. Rei is a man who has all the power in the universe at his fingertips, and yet ultimately feels powerless, due to his lack of understanding of the universe around him. It is this quest for understanding that drives him, something that I hope Wasteland will help define...being that I wrote the previous two entries a long time ago and they aren't quite up to standard anymore in my opinion.

While you may be bored and we may be..bored... I have to say for this thread, "Nice try, but no thanks."

There are already tons of resources in which people can search for good RP tips and anything else they want to know. The Gameplay forum has provided that.

As far as your assertion that Steel Butterfly's roleplaying is somehow supreme (inadvertently, or not), I find it quite..irksome. You do know that the Archive forum exists, right? Those who are interested in reading quality RP's can do that there. (And, quite obviously, there are many that would disagree your RP is good enough for standard. I've never read them, so I wouldn't be able to judge.)

What I'm basically trying to say in a very nice, constructive way is that I think your idea has simply already been done, on a much bigger scale across the entirety of these forums that includes all those who roleplay. And, on top of that, I don't think people care that much about your RP's to have them be set as a standard of excellence.

Just sayin'...

...you have to be kidding me...

I was putting up this thread for three reasons, specifically, the three reasons I had stated above.

1. To help people with RP questions. Believe me or not, I've had a number of people ask me questions in regards to how to effectively write or set up certain things. I'm tired of the telegrams. As for the other resources, I'm one of the original founders of the Role Playing University (now under new management I presume if not gone completely) and I had a part in establishing these "other resources." Still, I know more about writing and roleplaying now than I did a month ago. It is always a learning process.

2. To give people added information about Steel Butterfly. You see, many "facts" about my Empire are written in or embedded in my RP's. For those who write with me, these things are common knowledge, but for most, as you said yourself, they don't know because they don't read what I write. There are a growing number of people who have OOC threads about their nation. Ma-tek and Automagfreek come to mind, and I'm sure there are others. What I'm doing here is not much different.

3. Finally, to give those I RP with or some others a chance to ask questions about my RP's. This is not to get "OMG how'd you do that?" responses. This is to get "I'm just joining Wasteland, and I know Rei Warheit's been in some other RP's, but I don't have the time to read them with my busy schedule. What is his motivation?" type questions. Sure I take pride in what I do, and yes, I do think I write certain things especially well. However, I'm hardly a gold standard, and I don't think anyone on these forums is unless they are published certain times over. If I was some sort of writing god, I'd have book deals and magazine articles to wave in front of your face. Asking me if I know that the Archive forum exists is stupid, because I stated above that I have threads in the Archives. I also know that there are many other types of threads other than RP's in the Archives. Notice that I did not provide links to my RP's (outside of my sig for my own benefit) but that I just briefly mentioned them. This isn't a Steel Butterfly ad...people don't have time to read others work for fun most of the time.

I tend to rub some people the wrong way with what I do now and then. Certain people see me as arrogant or self-important. To be honest I could care less. I know my reasons for doing what I do, such as posting this thread, and what a small number of other people feel about it doesn't matter in the least. So...you can take your goddamn smart-ass attitude and leave. You act as if I have some sort of god complex...who are you to tell me what or what not to post? Frankly I don't see why you posted here in the first place other than to troll, and if you continue to post here I'll report your ass for it.

If you don't have a question, pass the thread by. It's that easy. Show some self-restraint.

Amen, Steel Butterfly... Amen.

By the way, I noticed you wrote this as an example, "I'm just joining Wasteland, and I know Rei Warheit's been in some other RP's," and I was wondering if you could possibly answer it. Thanks.

I'm just joining Wasteland, and I know Rei Warheit's been in some other RP's, but I don't have the time to read them with my busy schedule. What is his motivation?

For the most part I've already answered this in the Wasteland OOC Thread, but for the sake of getting this Kiosk off the ground, I'll run with it.

Back in the day, my sole main character outside of my former Emperor was a man named Rei Warheit. He was an Aural, the last of a dying race, and was the focus of two RP’s. The first one, “A man is a god in ruins…” lasted from October 25, 2003 to November 8, 2003. After a bout of memory-loss, Rei, who was currently the Sky Marshall for the Empire of Steel Butterfly in the Orion Sector, quickly realized who he was through a horrible experience known as time compression. Ending the threat and escaping physically unharmed, Rei left his post with the government and ventured into parts unknown, unsure of himself and who or what he was. The second, titled “Ardente Veritatis, Urite Mala Mundi,” began only two days after the first let off, on November 10, 2003, and lasted until December 12, of the same year. In this sequel, Rei became possessed by a lifeform unknown prior to that occasion who went by the name Leandro Heroth. With Leandro's drive and Rei's power, Rei went on a murderous streak and was classified as the Empire's most wanted man, before purging the demon from of his body and ultimately stopping him, saving the Empire. Nevertheless, Rei's quest for an identity and answers was far from over, and he did his own research during the time of the Civil War, coming across many answers which only brought up more questions in the process. Meeting with Alexei Ivanova, who displayed Aural traits, Rei gained access to the ancient Aural archives, realizing that NiMBUS Biotechnologies was to blame for his people's near-extinction. After Alexei killed Dr. Ackerman and the New Empire eliminated NiMBUS, Rei still felt lost, and began to think that it was his beliefs which were causing that feeling.

From this, you could say that he has two main motivations, both of discovery. For one thing, he desperately needs to discover who he is, and he is slowly learning that finding out who he is is more important than discovering who he was. As for his other motivation, he is developing a strong interest to say the least in the ancient beliefs and culture of his people. Rei is a man who has all the power in the universe at his fingertips, and yet ultimately feels powerless, due to his lack of understanding of the universe around him. It is this quest for understanding that drives him, something that I hope Wasteland will help define...being that I wrote the previous two entries a long time ago and they aren't quite up to standard anymore in my opinion.

I don't think there's anything particularly big-headed about this thread. If I were to RP with you, I'd want to know the basics of your particular universe. You've often raised points about writing that I've enjoyed discussing, and your satire on the writing styles of the different forums was, to my mind, even-handedly unfair to all (what good is a satire that doesn't offend?).

So, best of luck from here at the pink-'n'-fluffy end of the writing spectrum.

The Kiosk won't make you universally popular, but somehow I doubt you'll lose much sleep over that.

You've often raised points about writing that I've enjoyed discussing, and your satire on the writing styles of the different forums was, to my mind, even-handedly unfair to all (what good is a satire that doesn't offend?).

...damnit I just went looking for that through my computer files and can't find it. I had to have saved it somewhere before I posted it...it was deleted wasn't it? Or was it just locked?

Why am I asking questions in my Kiosk? lol

snip

Alright. I just forgot about you posting it in the OOC thread, though I remember now.

I've just taken a nostalgia trip through my subscribed threads and I can't find it either. As far as I can recall, it was judged so universally infuriating it was expunged from the record. Quite an achievement, in its way.

Steel, I think it would be a good idea to explain as to why you think it is a good idea to threaten someone who simply criticisized your post, something that is well, normal and expected.

Steel, I think it would be a good idea to explain as to why you think it is a good idea to threaten someone who simply criticisized your post, something that is well, normal and expected.

I think it would be a good idea not to post here anymore, ElectroX. I threatened no one. I merely pointed out that if Etaros continued to break game rules I would report him. That's how it works here. Speaking of breaking game rules, you are spamming and flamebaiting after I had already told someone else not to, and frankly no one is impressed. I already stated my purpose for making this thread, and if you don't agree with me, take it elsewhere because it doesn't belong here. Get out of my thread.

I think it would be a good idea not to post here anymore, ElectroX.

I think you should stop talking like a moderator.

I think it would be a good idea not to post here anymore, ElectroX. I threatened no one. I merely pointed out that if Etaros continued to break game rules I would report him. That's how it works here. Speaking of breaking game rules, you are spamming and flamebaiting after I had already told someone else not to, and frankly no one is impressed. I already stated my purpose for making this thread, and if you don't agree with me, take it elsewhere because it doesn't belong here. Get out of my thread.


For one, spell my name correctly if you're going to continue to yell at anyone criticising you for your actions.

Two, how in the bloody hell is criticism, and I assume you know what that word means, flame-baiting/trolling? Sure, it is probably a nuke to your ego, as it is to most peoples, but it is certainly not a malicious attack on your person. Claiming that Etaros, a very well respected poster and all around nice individual, is flame baiting you is the most absurd thing I have read to date.

I'd also like to know how a question is spamming, or how calling you out for your unjustifiable response to Etaros is flame-baiting.

If you think your the shit then fine, that's your opinion and no one can change it, but don't go off on people when they criticize/disagree with you.

...i cannot believe this...

I think you should stop talking like a moderator.

I didn't know I was? I told him (assuming) to stop posting when all he was going to do was post off-topic bullshit. Is that not within my right as the thread author?

I didn't know I was? I told him (assuming) to stop posting when all he was going to do was post off-topic bullshit. Is that not within my right as the thread author?

Not when you phrase it as an authoritive ruling:

Speaking of breaking game rules, you are spamming and flamebaiting after I had already told someone else not to, and frankly no one is impressed.

And not in this kind of thread, read the one-stop rules shop.

Noteworthy point here: OOC RP threads not directly connected to a actual RP thread [ie discussion of general ideas or design] are subject to the same rules as the general forum to avoid people trying to stifle criticism of their ideas using the 'originator controls thread' RP post rule.

The RP 'originator controls thread' concept exists to prevent unwelcome players from disrupting roleplaying and detracting from in-character posting. It is applied to out-of-character posts directly linked to in-character threads because only the posters in the in-character thread have any real need to use the attached discussion thread. It is not a blunt instrument to be used to silence criticism in pure OOC threads discussing general concepts, be it history, nuclear weapons, ship design or anything else.

It is entirely relevant if people wish to criticise this thread, as it isn't an OOC thread connected to a specific RP thread. We're not going to stop people criticising RP guides just because the authors don't like it, because that's not how you get good RP guides.

It is entirely relevant if people wish to criticise this thread, as it isn't an OOC thread connected to a specific RP thread. We're not going to stop people criticising RP guides just because the authors don't like it, because that's not how you get good RP guides.

They aren't criticising the guide they're criticisng the author, hijacking and ruining my thread. People see the nonsense that's going on in here and they won't ask questions...which is the ultimate point of the thread...and therefore the thread is ruined. They do no know my intent, as much as they like to assume that they do, even after I extensively wrote about what my intent was.

As for me acting like a mod...should I have put "in my opinion" you are breaking game rules? Anyhow...

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=10187885#post10187885

and you can add your post and this one to the list as well.

For one, spell my name correctly if you're going to continue to yell at anyone criticising you for your actions.

Two, how in the bloody hell is criticism, and I assume you know what that word means, flame-baiting/trolling? Sure, it is probably a nuke to your ego, as it is to most peoples, but it is certainly not a malicious attack on your person. Claiming that Etaros, a very well respected poster and all around nice individual, is flame baiting you is the most absurd thing I have read to date.

I'd also like to know how a question is spamming, or how calling you out for your unjustifiable response to Etaros is flame-baiting.

If you think your the shit then fine, that's your opinion and no one can change it, but don't go off on people when they criticize/disagree with you.

As for you...first things first...

Read some of my posts. This is not about me thinking that "i'm the shit." I've made that clear. If you believe me or not that's your problem...but saying it over and over again isn't going to make it any more true or false. Truth is, you will never really know my intent, so thinking about it one way or the other is pointless. Take my word or not, just don't ruin my thread over the disagreement.

Now I finally get why you came to this thread...and it is because somewhere or somehow you and Etaros are friends. I got upset at your buddy and you got pissed about it. Make your own damn thread. I'll be happy to come.

A question is spamming when it is off-topic and "calling me out" for what you think was unjustifiable is flame-baiting when it inspires flame. That's not me trying to be a mod either. Spam is off-topic and unwanted and flamebait inspires flame.

They aren't criticising the guide they're criticisng the author, hijacking and ruining my thread.

They are allowed to question your ability to offer the service you are claiming to offer.

As for me acting like a mod...should I have put "in my opinion" you are breaking game rules?

No, you shouldn't make explicit statements on games rules at all. You should post in Moderation if you think someone is breaking the rules. At most you should say 'I think this is spamming,' not 'You are spamming.'

They are allowed to question your ability to offer the service you are claiming to offer.

Had I defended my ability to help with general roleplaying advice, it would have come off as bragging about myself, merely proving their original point that I was somehow full of myself and that was my reason for starting this thread. As for information about Steel Butterfly or RP's which I have written, I frankly don't see how anyone else would have a higher authority on them than I do. Still, they aren't questioning my ability at all. None have said that I'm a bad source, and in fact both have said that they have no clue what kind of writer/roleplayer I am. They are questioning my motive for posting the thread, something which is impossible to determine outside of what I said it was and what they feel it is. Therefore any posts after the originals are unnecessary.

No, you shouldn't make explicit statements on games rules at all. You should post in Moderation if you think someone is breaking the rules. At most you should say 'I think this is spamming,' not 'You are spamming.'

Ok...perhaps I have a very authoritative way of talking when I'm irritated. This isn't the first time someone's said something to that effect, and I'm not simply talking about NationStates either. Still, like I've said, it's rather confusing that of all the things occuring in this thread which are potentially against site rules, you chose to pick that of all things.

As for you...first things first...

Read some of my posts. This is not about me thinking that "i'm the shit." I've made that clear. If you believe me or not that's your problem...but saying it over and over again isn't going to make it any more true or false. Truth is, you will never really know my intent, so thinking about it one way or the other is pointless. Take my word or not, just don't ruin my thread over the disagreement.

Your berating of people who criticise you in anyway is what has let me to believe that you think of yourself as The Great Holy Pope Bob of Roleplay, not some renegade thought that zipped through my mind because I feel the need to debase you so I could feel superior to someone I have never spoken to before up till today.

Now I finally get why you came to this thread...and it is because somewhere or somehow you and Etaros are friends. I got upset at your buddy and you got pissed about it. Make your own damn thread. I'll be happy to come.

You're damn right I came to this thread because I think of Etaros as a friend. Wouldn't you come in and ask as to why someone is treating a friend of yours in a way you think is wrong?

A question is spamming when it is off-topic and "calling me out" for what you think was unjustifiable is flame-baiting when it inspires flame. That's not me trying to be a mod either. Spam is off-topic and unwanted and flamebait inspires flame.

It was off-topic up until the point that you started harrassing Etaros and threating to 'report him for trolling', and then when I asked why, you proceed to tell me not to post in here, though I have every right to ask as to why you just berated someone for doing something as so simple and benign as criticizing you.

And the only one inspiring flame is you by flying off the handle at people who have done you no wrong.

It seems to me, SB, that you're perpetuating the clutter by continuing the discussion. Perhaps it would be best for you to just let it go and focus on the purpose of the thread.

They are questioning my motive for posting the thread, something which is impossible to determine outside of what I said it was and what they feel it is.

They're still entitled to do that. Just like people are entitled to question AxisNova's motives for his endless anti-superdreadnought threads, for example.

It seems to me, SB, that you're perpetuating the clutter by continuing the discussion. Perhaps it would be best for you to just let it go and focus on the purpose of the thread.

The thread is, as it stands now, effectively dead. Hijacked. Ruined.

They're still entitled to do that. Just like people are entitled to question AxisNova's motives for his endless anti-superdreadnought threads, for example.

So they are entitled to debase my character while ruining my thread by hijacking the first and second pages...but I'm not allowed to call a shoe a shoe when talking about the rules? If someone announces an OOC shift to communism, like "I'm tired of being a democracy...I want to be a communist dictator" I'm allowed to ask them if the fact that they are soft and stupid is why they decided to be communist, much like it has been said that I made this thread because I am supposedly full of myself? There's just something not right with this whole situation.

The thread is, as it stands now, effectively dead. Hijacked. Ruined.
It strikes me that you are overreacting somewhat.

Your berating of people who criticise you in anyway is what has let me to believe that you think of yourself as The Great Holy Pope Bob of Roleplay, not some renegade thought that zipped through my mind because I feel the need to debase you so I could feel superior to someone I have never spoken to before up till today.

You're damn right I came to this thread because I think of Etaros as a friend. Wouldn't you come in and ask as to why someone is treating a friend of yours in a way you think is wrong?

It was off-topic up until the point that you started harrassing Etaros and threating to 'report him for trolling', and then when I asked why, you proceed to tell me not to post in here, though I have every right to ask as to why you just berated someone for doing something as so simple and benign as criticizing you.

And the only one inspiring flame is you by flying off the handle at people who have done you no wrong.

I was told "I don't think people care that much about your RP's to have them be set as a standard of excellence." It kinda pissed me off because I take pride in what I do. I went on to further explain my intentions for creating this thread, and my dissatisfaction with the statement that was made. In my opinion, it was trolling. What good could come from a statement like that?

I would not have had a problem had you created another thread, even in moderation via a report against me, or if you had telegrammed me with concerns about my remark. I took offense when you hijacked my thread, and then tried to debase my motives later.

An insulting statment is, in my opinion, wrong. Whatever I said was justified when I said it.

It strikes me that you are overreacting somewhat.

Perhaps...

But if you come to a thread which is offering help and the first post you see by someone else is an attack on the credibility of the author, let alone two entire pages worth, would you really want to ask anything? Hack has refused to clean this thread up for me because a mod talked in it and the supposed right of people to hijack threads that have no official author (although for some reason I remember coming up with the idea for this thread and posting first...) and therefore the thread will die. I'll be lucky to get a question or two after this.

Am I overreacting in my prediction? Eh... Am I right in my prediction? Yeah...

So they are entitled to debase my character

No, they are allowed to question your motives for posting a particular thread. People do that when you do something like claiming to be able to write a guide to proper RP after just coming back from a three-week forumban for illegal sexual content in your posts.

They're still entitled to do that.

Perhaps the only question I can ask now is "why?"

What good does it serve? What purpose is there to ask questions that take up space and clutter threads when they cannot even be answered or proven? This thread is not a debate on me.

No, they are allowed to question your motives for posting a particular thread. People do that when you do something like claiming to be able to write a guide to proper RP after just coming back from a three-week forumban for illegal sexual content in your posts.

Oh aren't we cute? Funny how that wasn't brought up at all but you still needed to throw it in there. Nothing like being impartial, eh? Not only that, but I was never writing a guide. I was answering questions. If someone needed tips on character development, I would supply them. If someone wanted suggestions on a possible plot twist, I would give suggestions. If anything, from my experiences with the "law" I could give better advice. "No explicit sex in RP's."

Fine then. They questioned. I answered. They continued to question. What exactly was I supposed to do to get my thread back on topic since apparently their hijacking was not only legal, but supposedly expected?

What exactly was I supposed to do to get my thread back on topic since apparently their hijacking was not only legal, but supposedly expected?
I would have recommended ignoring them. They have a right to complain, but you're the one that's allowing the exchange to grow by becoming defensive. I'm no moderator, probably wouldn't be any good at it if I was. I do know, though, that you're defaming yourself by continuing what I can only describe, despite my respect for you, as whining.

I do know, though, that you're defaming yourself by continuing what I can only describe, despite my respect for you, as whining.

Perhaps I'm just too fed up with certain people and certain situations to think rationally right now. I do think, though, that if their complaints were not challenged, that what they said could be interpreted as fact. I had to make my intentions clear, and in doing so you're saying I fanned the flames? Hmm...seems like a rock and a hard place type deal to me.

Perhaps I'm just too fed up with certain people and certain situations to think rationally right now.Then perhaps this would be a good time to walk away from the computer.

Then perhaps this would be a good time to walk away from the computer.

But then what would that solve, Hack? What answers would that give me?

There's something intrinsically wrong with this whole situation, be it my reactions, the fact that apparently the fact that my thread was hijacked in not a concern, yet me speaking in an authortative tone is a big concern, the fact that neither of the other two had anything said to them about insulting my character by questioning my motives, the fact that GMC felt it necessary to bring up a past ruling against me when there was absolutely no reason to do so...

I don't know. Maybe it'll come to me later on...maybe it won't...but there's something that doesn't make sense about all of this this...