Post by Hez on Aug 7, 2015 16:11:11 GMT -5
Lesson 0210: Self-Assessment
I'm amazed and pretty happy with how this class went down, considering I asked people to click a link and download something onto their computers, and not only got a handful of people to do it, but got what we set out to do accomplished. I expected this activity to not only be way more difficult, but also that the people watching would have 0 input or reason to be there. Thankfully I was wrong.
Before the lesson I asked everybody to download, install and run OggDude's Character Generator for the tabletop Edge of the Empire game. This guy made a nice little program that still preserves in my opinion the work involved in building a character for a tabletop RPG without doing everything for you. He also advised you which books/expansions you needed to buy if you wanted more than just numbers, doing what I consider the company and the community a good service. What the hell does that have to do with RPing in SWTOR? My idea was to demonstrate the value in creating balanced characters, not just mechanically, but in RP.
As a group, we designed a very very basic character as a whole, using only things common to both SWTOR and EotE: species, mostly, since unfortunately they went with Togrutas instead of Wookies on this latest DLC. Once that was finished, I had participants design a character that was as close to their SWTOR character as possible, given the restrictions of the tabletop game, assuming only starting XP to spend. I then used that to have them explain in character what their strengths and weaknesses were to those attending the class.
This is the part where I get all preachy about making over-powered or over-complicated characters. Yes, roleplay is fun. It allows you to emulate a being which cannot exist in our natural world, be that a being who can manipulate objects with her mind or a being with blue skin. It allows you to put yourself in the position of someone of the opposite gender, or another skin color, or ethical standpoint or whatever it is you'd like to be. The key to engaging roleplay on the other hand is how well you play that role, and I find the less believable a character, the less compelling. Yes, I understand some suspension of disbelief is in order and appropriate. And the most important thing is to have fun. But good RP is part acting, part writing, part improvising and part entertaining. If you want to do all that well, try not to go overboard. In a tabletop RPG, math restricts you from making an unfair character. In this game, try to do it on your own.
*climbs down from high horse*
Good evening, class, distinguished guests. This, as I'm sure you're all aware of, will be the last class of our second semester in operation. This semester has proven challenging, as expected, but I believe we have come into our own as of late. Whereas during our first semester, we were often derailed and interrupted, admittedly often due to my own personal distractions, I feel as though this time around we've been able to concentrate on defining ourselves as an institution. And self-definition will be the focus of tonight's exercise, for those contracted cadets and staff members. Tonight members of the Academy will be assessing themselves as operatives--their strengths and weaknesses, and will be presenting this information to you all, their audience.
This will naturally be very difficult for my associates to do, and especially in front of a crowd; after all, self-expression does not come naturally to the type of person attracted to this line of work, and after everything we've focused on of late speaking honestly about one's self will be extremely difficult for some of them. For those of you in the crowd, I'll do my best to involve you in the conversation as they begin the self-assessments. I feel that we can learn a lot from those who have an objective, uninvolved perspective.
These men and women, both Instructor and Cadet alike, will be evaluating themselves based on a number of features that play an important part in what it is that we do. This includes everything from hand-to-hand combat ability, dexterity, leadership skills, persuasiveness, and the ever-important ability to deceive. That being said, it is my hope that in presenting to you, the community, our skillset in an honest fashion, you'll consider the work that goes into training into each of our graduates, and keep that in mind when looking to employ freelance Intelligence Operatives, be it for a short-term assignment or a full-time position.
Semester wrap-up notes:
The Infiltration Initiative
Unfortunately this did not turn out as expected. All-in-all, we were only to explore a single organization capable of being infiltrated, but in doing so I may have permanently lost one of my most capable students of all time. The blame, of course, lies solely on my shoulders--it was foolish to send her on assignment before having her complete courses on this semester's primary focus. I myself am reminded of a valuable lesson: infiltration means nothing without an exfiltration plan.
Graduates and Promoted Staff Members
As before, I am proud to have awarded the following students and staff the appropriate recognition for their hard work and devotion to our cause. Without them this dream would've vanished into thin air, as often we're accused of doing ourselves.
This will naturally be very difficult for my associates to do, and especially in front of a crowd; after all, self-expression does not come naturally to the type of person attracted to this line of work, and after everything we've focused on of late speaking honestly about one's self will be extremely difficult for some of them. For those of you in the crowd, I'll do my best to involve you in the conversation as they begin the self-assessments. I feel that we can learn a lot from those who have an objective, uninvolved perspective.
These men and women, both Instructor and Cadet alike, will be evaluating themselves based on a number of features that play an important part in what it is that we do. This includes everything from hand-to-hand combat ability, dexterity, leadership skills, persuasiveness, and the ever-important ability to deceive. That being said, it is my hope that in presenting to you, the community, our skillset in an honest fashion, you'll consider the work that goes into training into each of our graduates, and keep that in mind when looking to employ freelance Intelligence Operatives, be it for a short-term assignment or a full-time position.
Semester wrap-up notes:
The Infiltration Initiative
Unfortunately this did not turn out as expected. All-in-all, we were only to explore a single organization capable of being infiltrated, but in doing so I may have permanently lost one of my most capable students of all time. The blame, of course, lies solely on my shoulders--it was foolish to send her on assignment before having her complete courses on this semester's primary focus. I myself am reminded of a valuable lesson: infiltration means nothing without an exfiltration plan.
Graduates and Promoted Staff Members
As before, I am proud to have awarded the following students and staff the appropriate recognition for their hard work and devotion to our cause. Without them this dream would've vanished into thin air, as often we're accused of doing ourselves.
- Zephr--Alumni
- Rinoa Yamato--Alumni
- Kattarina Viir (Dueral)--Alumni
- Thayta Larr--Promoted to Vice Headmaster
- Violet-Sky Rollin--Promoted to First Cadet
- Codoyall--Tenured / Selected as Ambassador Candidate to the Chiss Ascendancy
Next Semester
I'm amazed and pretty happy with how this class went down, considering I asked people to click a link and download something onto their computers, and not only got a handful of people to do it, but got what we set out to do accomplished. I expected this activity to not only be way more difficult, but also that the people watching would have 0 input or reason to be there. Thankfully I was wrong.
Before the lesson I asked everybody to download, install and run OggDude's Character Generator for the tabletop Edge of the Empire game. This guy made a nice little program that still preserves in my opinion the work involved in building a character for a tabletop RPG without doing everything for you. He also advised you which books/expansions you needed to buy if you wanted more than just numbers, doing what I consider the company and the community a good service. What the hell does that have to do with RPing in SWTOR? My idea was to demonstrate the value in creating balanced characters, not just mechanically, but in RP.
As a group, we designed a very very basic character as a whole, using only things common to both SWTOR and EotE: species, mostly, since unfortunately they went with Togrutas instead of Wookies on this latest DLC. Once that was finished, I had participants design a character that was as close to their SWTOR character as possible, given the restrictions of the tabletop game, assuming only starting XP to spend. I then used that to have them explain in character what their strengths and weaknesses were to those attending the class.
This is the part where I get all preachy about making over-powered or over-complicated characters. Yes, roleplay is fun. It allows you to emulate a being which cannot exist in our natural world, be that a being who can manipulate objects with her mind or a being with blue skin. It allows you to put yourself in the position of someone of the opposite gender, or another skin color, or ethical standpoint or whatever it is you'd like to be. The key to engaging roleplay on the other hand is how well you play that role, and I find the less believable a character, the less compelling. Yes, I understand some suspension of disbelief is in order and appropriate. And the most important thing is to have fun. But good RP is part acting, part writing, part improvising and part entertaining. If you want to do all that well, try not to go overboard. In a tabletop RPG, math restricts you from making an unfair character. In this game, try to do it on your own.
*climbs down from high horse*