Socialising

[Ria]

Ok.

People are saying that OB life sucks. There is no one around, guilds aren't functioning well, people are just becoming assistants. But I don't think the lack of membership in guilds is why the OB can be boring.

Hence my poll.

Before the existence of assistants as we have them now, attending socials were a key way of gaining favour. I'm going to use Lady Amoret's Social Serenade as an example. Those of Honoured Guest status or above were allowed to attend, and some people were able to bring special guests from the Outer and were given passes.

For any socially minded OB person, those rare spots were to die for.

I recall back a year and a half and some when I played Koteri. She was Sansamor's little pet and he brought her as his special guest to the social where she sung a song he had written for her. I remember that the place was crowded. Not like Court, but there were a lot of people there. I remember seeing my first Lady and Lord and being so nervous I could barely type. It was exciting. Knights and Courtiers and Important People. It was amazing.

I recall going to a social as Darcy sometime more recent and it was barely attended. The Prince put in a showing, but it was still empty. Maybe my mind is more jaded (quite possible), but I think Socials just stopped happening because there wasn't attendance.

Afterall, why vye at a social when you can become an assistant? I really hate the advent of assistants, because I think it made gaining IB access too easy. Why work a bit or lend a hand to the OB to prove yourself when you could just snuggle up/befriend someone who was of the rank to be allowed an assistant? Especially having seen how much work an assistant does as I was once an assistant myself as Briseis.

I intend to try to re-establish a type of social and I'm going to put a lot of hard work into it, but I also want to see people come and take advantage of it.

I know the things can be deathly boring but if you're playing intrigue, they can be fun. Think - you want that promotion? Well, who are the enemies of the person you need to backstab? What are the skeletons in their closet? Where can you observe this? At a social. You can find out who their allies are, who you can go to for assistance. You can find out if there is a secret romance in the works that you can use for blackmail.

So I really just want to know who would attend or not..not all characters are obviously made to attend, which is why I placed the 'other' option. So say, for instance, Darcy may go (so I click one box), but Briseis would go on this condition, I can click other and explain.

I'm also interested in the views of others, so if you could post anyways, please feel free to do so.

[Ria]

And following my own advice:

Darcy would go because he needs to figure out who's who in the Court. He's massively out of touch and there's not been any real opportunity for him to get to know the people he is supposed to interact with - nor they him.

Briseis would go if she wanted to dress up - because there's never a chance for a guard to dress pretty since they go to Court in their uniform.

[Kuma]

Jarviss would. All the way. He is a socializer.

Kumaro would not, unless there is a very important reason for him to appear. Such as, for example, meeting a sleek black cat so he could draw a portrait of the furry little thing

[Xoic Merrill]

Xoic would so be there if he had the time, as long as it didn't conflict with Guard practice or meeting.

And Leo, wouldn't you rather the lithe little black Kat, then that mean ol' sleek Quill? Hmm...I think Kat and Quill...ooo....Later! I got an idea.

[Juliane]

Juliane would go.. not a shocker to anyone, I am sure. But there is actually already something in the works along this line.

[Diedra]

Okay, I'm basically going to say other or no for this answer. Honestly, Di would go to a social ... BUT (and here is something that causes me huge problems on a regular basis with most functions) ...

Unless we are talking about a Midnight Social, or something otherwise held in the very late nights or overnight into the early mornings, I can't do it. As it is, its a huge stretch to be able to be on by 10pm castle time for Chancery meetings, much less any earlier. So, because of that, I miss alot of stuff.

On another note, if I did not have the schedule issues I do... it would depend. If it were an actual 'social' sure, she'd go. But if the gatherings begin to degenerate into little groups of truth-or-dare junk... that is just really annoy her, so, if they started to get like that she'd stop going.

~ Nicole ~

[Charlott]

Since I don't play any alts in CM, I have selected 'no' to this. Mainly because it's not something my character would do unless she was asked to go or to help out in some way. Never been to court and I think only once to an Amoret social, when Amoret wasn't even there.

However! More socials are always good to keep people occupied, and to make them excited. So good luck with it! I hope lots of people attend.

[Dionar]

Dio would, in fact he even hosted a social once for the Courtesy Circle.

I voted yes.

[Ysanne]

Neerie is planning socials for the Courtesy Circle But planning takes some time, especially when you start.

[Dalla]

Dalla would definately be there, I voted yes also, I think they're a great way to meet people, and make new friends and aquantances, as well as meet people for who they are and not follow romurs and such. It would give everyone something to talk about, and bring people closer as a group of people, like we're all in this castle, can't go anywhere else but the castle, we're basically and over sized family or a small village, and everyone knows everyone in villages :P

Well, so I think so anyway.

[Mairead]

Mairead probably wouldn't go. While she's a courtier, she still feels more than a little nervous/shy around the higher ups.

So unless she was specifically asked, then she would be unlikely to attend of her own volition.

Paul.

[Tristana]

Trist would go, though probably stay away from those high ups she doesnt know (a bit traumatized in that department), but yes I have stayed up late into the night just to attend IB socials before, I dont see a reason why I wont do it in the OB, where she knows most people.

[Rikka]

Rikka probably wouldn't go unless someone else went with her. The only reason she went to the last court was because Sagen and Carissa were there. Rikka also went because she thought that the ghost wolf would make an entrance. So unless someone is going with her or theres going to be entertainment value, Rikka doesn't go to socials because she thinks their horribly boring.

[hollydragon]

Especially having seen how much work an assistant does as I was once an assistant myself as Briseis.

You didn't work for Charmiam!

But seriously, yes, I would go to a social. I've Wanted to go to Lady A's for ages, but the times (v. late at night for me) and then her 'taking ill' as well as a few other things have conspired against me.

As for alts, It'd depend on the nature of the social as to whether they'd attend.

[SPXios]

There should be more and different social events to attend within the castle. In many of the cases, the only reason they aren't happening is because people are not putting them together.

Certainly the Royals and Nobles can host a party. Definitly a good way to gather favor by showing up. Or at least to get introduced to someone.

But that hardly means there can't be commoner sauna or hayloft parties. Honored Guests gathering down in the IB kitchen to gossip about those higher members of court and how to gain more of their favor. Courtiers tasting wine late at night in the Banquet Hall of the Inner Bailey. Knights gathering in the knight's hall to drink beer and spar. You don't need to have an NPC to have a party. Just need a bunch of people looking to socialize.

My advice is pick a general group that you are looking to see socialize more. Cater a party around the likes and wants of that group. Invite people. Worst that happens is nobody shows up. Which can be good for those looking for motivation within their plots. Picture the person who keeps throwing parties and nobody shows up. So long as the player doesn't take it personal, this can lead to some interesting stories. Such as why you never turn down a party invite from the Royal Venifice.