The stories we tell…
Posted July 14, 2008 at 04:53 AM by Liselle Vampyler Sapientia
I rarely talk about my personal life around Aelyria, other then basic facts like where I live and my job and things of that nature, because I’ve always felt it is better to keep those things to myself. It’s a wall I put up because I don’t want people using the information against me. It sounds crazy but there -are- people that do that. I’ve watched it happen to others and I have no desire for that particular brand of drama.
However, I’m going to talk a bit about my life…mainly to prove a point that I think a great many people have lost sight of. As always, I tend to wander about in my thoughts so forgive me.
My personal relationships in Aelyria tend to come and go a bit, partially because I feel I’m a very honest person. I try to be as nice as possible but sometimes I just have to tell people how I feel. Call a spade a spade…whatever. It gets me into trouble with people occasionally but I feel that if I didn’t tell someone how I felt, it would be much worse in the end. Festering feelings and whatnot. But in the end, it’s because if I’m going to invest the time into a relationship, I want it to be genuine and honest and not just tell the person what they want to hear. If people want false friends, no worries…there’s tons of them around. I just refuse to be one of them.
Something that I rarely speak about to people is a relationship that means the world to me. Actually, I have two of those that originated in Aelyria and have moved from here to the outside world. I speak of my relationship with Jeremy (Faust) all the time and I think everyone has a pretty good idea of how I feel about him…..but today there is another relationship I want to write about.
Alexis.
I remember the first day I met him. He used to be a rather regular chatter in the chat room…way back when. I remember when I first arrived, I fell in love with his writing. The expressionism and humor that he put into it was simply amazing. I finally trapped him in chat one night and made him talk to me. He is a very guarded individual actually…with a great love of writing. It took time for him to start lowering the many walls he tends to put between himself and people. To those that know him, he seems to be an open person but he will readily admit that isn’t the case.
It took a while…but eventually, the walls came down. We started exchanging emails…letters…and finally packages through the mail. I found this amazing person wrapped inside a beautiful but guarded soul. There is no one like Lou (Alexis). He sent me beautiful journals so I could pour out my heart and soul, books to read, cards for encouragement during the tough times….even though he lives an ocean away in the Philippines and its rather expensive to do so.
This amazing person -does- mean the world to me. He is my heart and soul and has taught me so many things…but most importantly about the pure depth that someone can care about another and be truly unselfish.
Enter Aelyria…Liselle and Alexis. Everything was going fine until recently when people started taking exception to a plot that came into being. Now, we all know the golden rule that OOC shouldn’t effect IC. We all know as well that this is sometimes…most times, very hard to do. Even those that preach it to the highest heavens are guilty of it…and I know this because I’ve been privy to the conversations. So the argument that it’s ’just a game’ never really works in this regard. Alexis and I speak almost everyday in regards to life and our writing in Aelyria, which we consider to be some of our best work. We have always had a sheer appreciation of the stories we write together which include the new plot.
This plot is the perfect example, in my mind, of how as a community, we are failing.
Three years ago, Liselle fell in love with a lovely little dark elf by the name of Faust D’Rinishad, who in turn fell in love with her. Their entire relationship since became a series of miscommunications and never really confronting how they felt about each other. Most people don’t realize that…or that the plot was so longstanding. It was a story that both Jeremy and I felt the need to play out.
Fast forward to today…three years later. Due to certain events, the pair are finally confronting how they feel about each other and what happens? Rude comments regarding Liselle appearing on my reputation log.
Now, let me clarify….I don’t care about the reputation system. Not in the least. I could be at zero and happy. It doesn’t effect me in the least.
The comments however do…especially when one point blank says ‘adulteress’
Now, I don’t have the faith that some others do that the reputation system is solely used for rating a pcs actions….mainly because I know to the contrary and have been privy to dozens of conversations that solidify my belief that the system is not used properly. So that leads me to believe that there is a group of people out there purposely trying to make -me- feel bad about my plot choices…and that is wrong…and that is where we, as a community, have stepped over the line.
We should be able to freely tell the stories of our pcs…and I’ve spoken to several people that feel that we aren’t allowed this freedom. Now, if you are going to tell me that I shouldn’t worry about the comments or anything along those lines, probably best not to cause I’ve heard it already and if I felt that it was just people being silly then I’d blow it off.
I know better.
How does this all tie together? First off, a word to those that I’ve talked to that feel the way I do: Don’t let -anyone- keep you from telling the story you want. Don’t let the OOC silliness keep you from what you feel you need to write. Second, don’t ever assume that IC equates to OOC, because that is rarely the case. Lots of people have a hard time separating the two…and I think as a community, this is something we seriously need to work on.
And finally, what does it have to do with Alexis?
Just this…Everyone that thinks they are supporting him by trashing Liselle….are doing just the opposite. Instead, you are just trashing the writing of three people trying to tell a beautiful story…and it’s a very sad day when that happens. People struggle everyday in life with conflicting emotions. We aren’t perfect. No one is. But when someone tries to convey those emotions into a story, we shouldn’t be trashing their work…but instead celebrating the fact that they are being -real- and adding depth to their story.
However, I’m going to talk a bit about my life…mainly to prove a point that I think a great many people have lost sight of. As always, I tend to wander about in my thoughts so forgive me.
My personal relationships in Aelyria tend to come and go a bit, partially because I feel I’m a very honest person. I try to be as nice as possible but sometimes I just have to tell people how I feel. Call a spade a spade…whatever. It gets me into trouble with people occasionally but I feel that if I didn’t tell someone how I felt, it would be much worse in the end. Festering feelings and whatnot. But in the end, it’s because if I’m going to invest the time into a relationship, I want it to be genuine and honest and not just tell the person what they want to hear. If people want false friends, no worries…there’s tons of them around. I just refuse to be one of them.
Something that I rarely speak about to people is a relationship that means the world to me. Actually, I have two of those that originated in Aelyria and have moved from here to the outside world. I speak of my relationship with Jeremy (Faust) all the time and I think everyone has a pretty good idea of how I feel about him…..but today there is another relationship I want to write about.
Alexis.
I remember the first day I met him. He used to be a rather regular chatter in the chat room…way back when. I remember when I first arrived, I fell in love with his writing. The expressionism and humor that he put into it was simply amazing. I finally trapped him in chat one night and made him talk to me. He is a very guarded individual actually…with a great love of writing. It took time for him to start lowering the many walls he tends to put between himself and people. To those that know him, he seems to be an open person but he will readily admit that isn’t the case.
It took a while…but eventually, the walls came down. We started exchanging emails…letters…and finally packages through the mail. I found this amazing person wrapped inside a beautiful but guarded soul. There is no one like Lou (Alexis). He sent me beautiful journals so I could pour out my heart and soul, books to read, cards for encouragement during the tough times….even though he lives an ocean away in the Philippines and its rather expensive to do so.
This amazing person -does- mean the world to me. He is my heart and soul and has taught me so many things…but most importantly about the pure depth that someone can care about another and be truly unselfish.
Enter Aelyria…Liselle and Alexis. Everything was going fine until recently when people started taking exception to a plot that came into being. Now, we all know the golden rule that OOC shouldn’t effect IC. We all know as well that this is sometimes…most times, very hard to do. Even those that preach it to the highest heavens are guilty of it…and I know this because I’ve been privy to the conversations. So the argument that it’s ’just a game’ never really works in this regard. Alexis and I speak almost everyday in regards to life and our writing in Aelyria, which we consider to be some of our best work. We have always had a sheer appreciation of the stories we write together which include the new plot.
This plot is the perfect example, in my mind, of how as a community, we are failing.
Three years ago, Liselle fell in love with a lovely little dark elf by the name of Faust D’Rinishad, who in turn fell in love with her. Their entire relationship since became a series of miscommunications and never really confronting how they felt about each other. Most people don’t realize that…or that the plot was so longstanding. It was a story that both Jeremy and I felt the need to play out.
Fast forward to today…three years later. Due to certain events, the pair are finally confronting how they feel about each other and what happens? Rude comments regarding Liselle appearing on my reputation log.
Now, let me clarify….I don’t care about the reputation system. Not in the least. I could be at zero and happy. It doesn’t effect me in the least.
The comments however do…especially when one point blank says ‘adulteress’
Now, I don’t have the faith that some others do that the reputation system is solely used for rating a pcs actions….mainly because I know to the contrary and have been privy to dozens of conversations that solidify my belief that the system is not used properly. So that leads me to believe that there is a group of people out there purposely trying to make -me- feel bad about my plot choices…and that is wrong…and that is where we, as a community, have stepped over the line.
We should be able to freely tell the stories of our pcs…and I’ve spoken to several people that feel that we aren’t allowed this freedom. Now, if you are going to tell me that I shouldn’t worry about the comments or anything along those lines, probably best not to cause I’ve heard it already and if I felt that it was just people being silly then I’d blow it off.
I know better.
How does this all tie together? First off, a word to those that I’ve talked to that feel the way I do: Don’t let -anyone- keep you from telling the story you want. Don’t let the OOC silliness keep you from what you feel you need to write. Second, don’t ever assume that IC equates to OOC, because that is rarely the case. Lots of people have a hard time separating the two…and I think as a community, this is something we seriously need to work on.
And finally, what does it have to do with Alexis?
Just this…Everyone that thinks they are supporting him by trashing Liselle….are doing just the opposite. Instead, you are just trashing the writing of three people trying to tell a beautiful story…and it’s a very sad day when that happens. People struggle everyday in life with conflicting emotions. We aren’t perfect. No one is. But when someone tries to convey those emotions into a story, we shouldn’t be trashing their work…but instead celebrating the fact that they are being -real- and adding depth to their story.
Total Comments 5
Comments
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I have no idea of a lot of the politics that goes on here - and for that I'm grateful. But I've got to say that I've followed the Alexis / Liselle /Faust story with interest and for one simple reason.
It's amazing role play.
If people have an ooc issue with you for an ic relationship, then they've got their heads screwed on funny. Liselle is doing what she feels is the right thing to do - I see no predetermined story here, it's looking like it will play out the best way it can... honestly, and with RP from the three people involved. Much better than some "I love you.. now I love you... now I love you!" scenario.
This is fabulous, honest role play. This is the first time I've replied to a blog, but I had to. Good on you guys for fantastic RP. If that links to RL in any way, then it's wrong - in this great world, your ic worst enemy can be your ooc best friend. We are blessed by the friends we make and if you and Lou have become such friends then I'm sure he won't be posting anything negative.
Which is, at the end of the day, what really matters.
Don't let anything like that get to you. Liselle is being played - and if someone IC calls her an adulteress, she can deal with it IC. The reputation system is on that fine line, between IC and OOC and can be used to hurt people's feelings. But don't be in any doubt. Tis great RP to watch and I'm loving it!Posted July 14, 2008 at 03:31 PM by Nikki de L'Evienne et Lylles
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Nicole --
I have already given my opinion on the matter and I know you probably don't care to hear it again, but I'm going to voice it anyway.
It shouldn't matter what other people think about a storyline you're writing. If you enjoy it and think it's the right then to do, then go for it. Allowing this to bother you isn't hurting anyone but you. You say that it doesn't bother you but... if it doesn't bother you, then why become upset by a comment someone makes on your post? Obviously it touched you negatively in some way for you to allow it to drive you to write a blog post.
Yes, we do need to take extra care to separate the OOC from the IC -- that also goes for how we respond to reputation and karma. I think it's safe to say that most of us have received negative rep from something. It's not that big of a deal and the great thing about karma and rep is that if we don't like the responses and results we're getting, we have the option of refusing to take part in the system by editing our options in the User CP.
I have never once felt like I was being oppressed or unable to tell a story here on Aelyria. I'm sure you remember the very short-lived love triangle between Avrie, Larien, and Venn that could have become a very fun and dramatic affair IC if I had had more time to write it out. However, I didn't have the RL time to dedicate to such a storyline so I wrote myself out by having Larien leave Natura and flee to Syl
If you do believe there is a group of people on Aelyria trying to make you feel bad, then it is my personal opinion that writing a blog about it isn't going to help matters. It's like in second grade when the mean little boy pulls on the little girl's pigtails. Her telling him to stop just urges him on. Her ignoring him and not giving him the satisfaction of knowing that he's hurting her makes him give up and move on to something else.
It's great that you have found good friends in Jeremy and Lou. I know I wouldn't trade my Aelyria friends for anything in the world.
[/two cents]Posted July 14, 2008 at 07:21 PM by Larien Gil'dae
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I will answer this, and I will answer it honestly. I am one of the people that gave you evil rep, and made comments.
I don't know about anyone else. I did not contrive to do this as part of a gigantic OOC plot to upset you, and I did not do it as some sort of vindictive and petty way to spout negative things about you.
I did it for one reason, and one reason only. Because I was being honest. I thought that Liselle truly was being unfair to Alexis, and that he deserved better. I thought that he got the short end of the stick in all of this, and that she was being completely unfair to her and to her family. But instead of seeing what you might desire to perceive in this comment, please try and look deeper.
I say those things because I am emotionally invested. in this game, in these characters, in the world. I am immersed in it, to such a degree that when following the story you three have been weaving, I objected not because I wanted to be spiteful or mean, but because I pained for Alexis. Why? Because of an amazing job making all these characters lifelike.
No one expects her to be perfect, but to, essentially, incite an affair? Yes, I think it's dishonest to poor Alexis and harsh on the family they've crafted, but I say this not because I don't care, but because I do. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have bothered to write anything at all. Probably wouldn't even have bothered to read the thread.
But the fact that I read and the fact that I was so moved as to say something says that I was in some way affected by the story you were telling. You said you don't care what your rep is so much as the comments, so all I've touched on is that so far, but lemme explain the rep too: I base it on IC stuff. Actions I see that I think are positive or negative IC, I rate them for it. If I think someone's doing something mean or sneaky or dastardly or hurtful, I'll give 'em evil rep. if I see someone doing something nice and good or, if the post is neutral but is written well, I might give good rep.
I can't speak for whomever it is you suspect makes up this shadow organization you fear is plotting your downfall, but for me, Rep is and always will be an IC thing. So yes, I'm not ashamed of giving you evil rep and making a comment, but not because I'm a hurtful ass, but because I thought it was something deserving of comment because it affected me as a reader in some way that caused me to see the character in a more negative light, which means negative or positive, the characters are three dimensional. That means you must be doing something right.Posted July 15, 2008 at 11:34 AM by Motito Gil'dae
Updated July 15, 2008 at 11:40 AM by Motito Gil'dae -
I skimmed this. Read the bits I felt were important. I didn't give ya evil rep or anything, lol, I just found the whole story line rather funny. Anyone who is offended by what your PC does in the game or whatever really isn't worth the time of day to even bother talking about. It's a game. Big whoop. Although it's clear it's bothered you to some outside of the game itself, I really think it shouldn't. I wouldn't let whiners or weiners get to ya.
But that's just my advice. :PPosted July 19, 2008 at 03:05 PM by Jamie Almari
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I laughed at this. Very hard.Quote:No one expects her to be perfect, but to, essentially, incite an affair? Yes, I think it's dishonest to poor Alexis and harsh on the family they've crafted, but I say this not because I don't care, but because I do. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have bothered to write anything at all. Probably wouldn't even have bothered to read the thread.Posted July 19, 2008 at 03:10 PM by Jamie Almari
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