honestly same hat as traveller, and i feel like it warrants sharing this tumblr post on a semi-similar subject, since choosing to take this approach re: characters and plots and dealing with "how do i (writer) get you (character) to do what i want" did a lot for me. may not be the same for everyone but, like, hey, worth a shot to share?

these days i tend to be more of a "have an idea of what i (writer) want in the end and then fill in the blanks of how to get there (character) as i go on". i think the same approach applies rlly well to dm-ing too: you set the goal, then just see what you can do to get there. sometimes, it takes grabbing your characters by the hair and going "no we're going THIS way" but tbh, as long as you can come up with some reason why (i.e. as the tumblr post mentions, "what would drive you to go this route") then that can be enough. sometimes too, all it takes is a light nudge — introduce something new to Get Them to follow your crumbs, or being willing to handwave if necessary and explain reasons later. end of day, you're the one writing. the characters are words (or drawings, or etc) on a page. 

edit: damn the link's broken. putting the image under a spoiler tab due to length.

i have a problem. the problem is that i can't stop accidentally making goro akechi persona 5.

i make a character. he ends up a goro akechi. i make another character who is meant to be his opposite. he ends up a goro akechi. i make a girlboss. she ends up a goro akechi. i make a test character for a new tabletop game system my dm found. they end up a goro akechi. i make an npc for a boss fight in an event. he STILL ends up a goro akechi.

if this was just in my head i could pretend its fine but i don't notice it until someone mentions it and at this point maybe i'm gonna go goro akechi.

please set me free.

update my gf is sending me to my grave, goodbye everyone

a mod post i wrote for a mini-event i've been running, but i do love how the scene was a serious thrashdown in fantasy hell against an eldritch horror demon revealing itself after it stole the face of an npc and then this happens



tonal shift but 100% worth it

genuinely the most fun i've had in tabletop rp was moving from playing girlboss characters who are absolute powerhouses in control of everything to playing girlfailures who cry over 90% of the things that go on that they did NOT sign up for and have no clue how to deal with ANY of it and are SO stressed out

posted this three days back, still think it slaps

assuming you mean canon as in "site canon" / leadership roles. in which case, generally on the same boat as phim, ink, and lilac. i tend to prefer taking canon roles only if i know i'm 100% willing to commit to the site and trust the community and staff enough. there's a lot of pressure and expectations when it comes to making a canon, imo, so it's very much YMMV and just know what you're in for and what you are and aren't willing to do. i'll do canons if i feel like the position fits my concept and i know i have some kind of plot / direction / source of conflict i can use to get things moving. if i don't have that, then it's no dice.

i tend to view "taking canon roles" as "offering to be the faction's DM". you make stuff happen, manage people in the faction, and ensure that when shit hits the fan icly (and oocly, even) — you're ready to respond, roll with the punches, get things moving, plot with a lot of people, set personal biases aside, etc. it takes a lot of work, but hey, it's a responsibility you chose to shoulder and app in, yk? and i think that if you view canons in this kind of light, yeah they do somewhat become a "much helpful presence", since someone is taking responsibility for a big aspect in the site.

however, echoing what phim said that you don't need to be a canon to make waves and impact the site. while it does offer you a "leg up" to do so, i think that it all boils down to initiative and drive to pursue plots, jumpstart things, and be there for the ride. any oc can do that, when written by a willing rp-er, imo. i also think that the view that "canons" = "plot important" = "necessity" sometimes harms sites, since there's a lot of reliance on a specific set of characters to be around and generate momentum. i've seen a lot of non-canon characters cause impact far more than canons (hell, been there myself) and vice versa (also been there). it's very possible.

got slay the princess and started it on a whim and all i have to say is goddamn

update: so i may have already finished 3 full playthroughs.

the way i really want to play dragons dogma 2 but hell nah am i giving capcom $80

time to live vicariously through screenshots my friend sends me

thank u hoyoverse for that acheswan short, it was the nail in the coffin i needed to finally get my rl friend to play star rail after i've spent the past year drawing them into it using hot women

this is the last time i trust banner leaks

sam and screwllum......

just comm'd a rlly cool artist for art of my main for almost 3 years and a scene thats just stuck in my head, crying at our exchange going

me: feel free to deprioritize this comm and take your time! i can wait <3
the artist: i'll work on your sketch right now!

literally just got out of the theatre after part 2 and GOD if this aint the biggest mood