Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
- 6.2K All Categories
- 3.1K Everything Achaea
- 1.5K North of Thera
- 26 Archives of the Terraformer
- 257 The Matsuhama Arena
- 885 The Golden Dais of Creation
- 299 The Scarlattan Theatre
- 149 The Blank Canvas
- 2K Getting Help
- 412 General Questions
- 258 Quick Class Questions
- 1.3K Tech Support
- 313 Client Help
- 486 Curing Systems and Scripts
- 841 Off-Topic
- 255 The Wander Inn
- 586 The Universal Membrane
- 298 Class Discussions
- 298 Individual Class Sections
- 20 Alchemist
- 9 Apostate
- 30 Blademaster
- 9 Depthswalker
- 14 Druid
- 4 Infernal
- 20 Jester
- 19 Magi
- 34 Monk
- 11 Occultist
- 8 Paladin
- 7 Priest
- 29 Runewarden
- 18 Sentinel
- 26 Serpent
- 20 Shaman
- 9 Sylvan
Non-romantic apprentice, house servant, etc.
My character's background includes a story of growing up in Cyrene's subdivision, working from childhood for a household where her trickster nature had eventually caused enough frustration for her to be removed from her position. Nothing unreasonable there that I can perceive.
After a lot of years of wandering and mostly playing pranks on people in their groves, she misses the small level of security that came with steady work or a particular place safe to rest.
I thought about the benefit of joining a city or house, and I'm not at all interested in those dynamics. I'd much rather a one-one-one or one-to-few kind of long term roleplay. I imagine someone who is really interested in their craft to take on an apprentice to pass along their trade and have daily help. I imagine things that aren't always related to game mechanics alone. For example, instead of just things like "Go get x commodity for me," there could be a heavier emphasis on emotes -- for example: emote nods toward a small tin on the shelf while he/she expertly fillets [some kind of meat], "Some of that. Just a pinch, mind you." I imagine my character eagerly trying to succeed, but sometimes bumbling or falling into her trickster habit.
So I decided to occasionally mention a wistful desire to return to long term employment to a household or craftmaster. I must be very terrible at communicating what I'm looking for because the almost universal misunderstanding is that I am somehow looking for a BDSM setup. I've heard, "Oh, they'll beat you up in Mhaldor if you want. They like that kind of thing." I have nothing against BDSM. I enjoy an imbalance of power. I just really don't want to roleplay something sexualized. A handmaiden of sorts who will plait a lady's hair or something is acceptable-- that's like the background, almost. I do believe it is possible to have this kind of thing without romance.
How can I possibly approach this in the game without sending the wrong kind of message? I accept I might not ever find this, but at least I'd like to avoid the BDSM assumption.
tl;dr: How do I tell people I want a master/apprentice relationship without them thinking I want a master/slave relationship?
After a lot of years of wandering and mostly playing pranks on people in their groves, she misses the small level of security that came with steady work or a particular place safe to rest.
I thought about the benefit of joining a city or house, and I'm not at all interested in those dynamics. I'd much rather a one-one-one or one-to-few kind of long term roleplay. I imagine someone who is really interested in their craft to take on an apprentice to pass along their trade and have daily help. I imagine things that aren't always related to game mechanics alone. For example, instead of just things like "Go get x commodity for me," there could be a heavier emphasis on emotes -- for example: emote nods toward a small tin on the shelf while he/she expertly fillets [some kind of meat], "Some of that. Just a pinch, mind you." I imagine my character eagerly trying to succeed, but sometimes bumbling or falling into her trickster habit.
So I decided to occasionally mention a wistful desire to return to long term employment to a household or craftmaster. I must be very terrible at communicating what I'm looking for because the almost universal misunderstanding is that I am somehow looking for a BDSM setup. I've heard, "Oh, they'll beat you up in Mhaldor if you want. They like that kind of thing." I have nothing against BDSM. I enjoy an imbalance of power. I just really don't want to roleplay something sexualized. A handmaiden of sorts who will plait a lady's hair or something is acceptable-- that's like the background, almost. I do believe it is possible to have this kind of thing without romance.
How can I possibly approach this in the game without sending the wrong kind of message? I accept I might not ever find this, but at least I'd like to avoid the BDSM assumption.
tl;dr: How do I tell people I want a master/apprentice relationship without them thinking I want a master/slave relationship?
6
Comments
Like, Nim's been wanting an apprentice for a while, but she's a hardcore warrior monk type (thus, to echo your post, her crafts might be seen as combat and philosophy), who would probably make you spar with her twenty times before even accepting you, and then five thousand more after that, sooo unless you're into pvp, it'd probably not work out.
Not much to be done about that except to clearly communicate what you're looking for as best you can. Especially if you are approaching it from an avenue of apprenticeship/employment, treat it like a job interview. "I'm interested in learning a trade or maintaining a house, but I'll be no one's mistress." Being direct isn't a bad thing, especially with strangers; meek or coy demeanors get misconstrued than being clear about what you want. And honestly, if you find someone who meets your criteria and seems interested, I don't think a quick OOC session to lay out what you're looking for would be out of line, just to make sure both parties know where the boundaries are and you don't wind up in an awkward situation down the road.
I may have an avenue for you. I'll shoot you a message.
I have limited time to spend on interpersonal RP, since I am always out and about, on mission, or working in the lab/extracting. To enter this with me would be dooming you to a lifetime of boredom and solitude.
I can see the benefit of seeking an individual who already has a story set up to accommodate this. I also see the benefit of making it very obvious that I'm not looking for something in bed.
I think I did fall into that trap of seeming like I might be open for something I'm not while assuming that others would just naturally know my intentions in that regard.
... and what is a WM?
Rival family to the Azagnannan Brood.
Medi says, "If kit says to show up somewhere, bring an apron."
Medi says, "Rule of thumb."
If I had my own personal courier, butler or bashing ent, I think it would be hella fun to play out. Especially if you did it properly for long enough, you could actually get known for it.
"Oh hrm, Aepas' slave has arrived. I wonder what message it brings."
Sounds super awesome to me. And I think the really fun part would indeed be playing out to the part of the slaves sort of graduation, in which case I bestow with a large manor and a special weapon or something. So proud of my little slave growing up. -singletear-
Plus it would be a very interesting bond to grow, seeing as how a slave or butler or whatever could also offer their own insight into things at times.
The only problem I would see in this would really be that it might be boring after a time. Being at somebodies whim is a pretty neat idea in itself, but if you're just out hunting or doing something, it would be bothersome to get called back if you didn't really feel like you were in the mood for it. Then again, that's how I feel about raids. At the same time, I wouldn't want a slave to come asking me for things to do. Seems like there would have to be a good balance between the master giving day to day tasks to the servant, and the servant not being too pushy about wanting to well.. serve.
Still, while the dynamics itself might be a bit sticky to work out, do it! If that's what you want to do I think it would be a really interesting and unique role to play out. I would suggest more established players that actually have duties though, and could legitimately use help in small things while seeming that they are a higher person worthy of having a servant.
As far as the pet-play goes on the BDSM side, just really tell them that they have the wrong idea. And contrary to popular belief, Mhaldor does not engage in constant BDSM parties. As of right now they are a pretty rare occurance, usually after a Gala.
-
One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important
"Yes."
If you just randomly ask to "serve", people will easily misinterpret it in a sexual way, as it might seem strange that someone would simply wish to serve without a personal benefit in mind. If you, however, ask to be taught a certain trade, your motivation will be much more obvious and you're less likely to be misunderstood.
I think master/apprentice relationships are something really cool and may be fun to play out. They do, of course, have one particular disadvantage: the development of your character now depends a great lot on a single other person, who may or may not lose interest, become less active, or even go dormant after some time.
That's a problem with many mentors and one of the main reasons houses are so useful: they allow you to undergo some kind of "apprenticeship" as well, but base it on a wider range of individuals who can take over when someone becomes less active.
Still, I certainly don't want to discourage you from seeking that kind of one-on-one apprenticeship. Even if it doesn't hold up forever, it may work very well for a good while.
→My Mudlet Scripts
Houses are probably for most people, for the reasons you stated. However, I want to only have one or a few people to answer to, to be able to easily move on when my character's employer goes inactive, and to avoid checklist rank climbing.
I am not too interested in permanence.
-
One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important
Also: Siduri said: Why did no one inform me of this? 0_o
Behind the imposing walls of Blackstone Fortress, hidden by the glittering Silverveil River, muted by the roar of the Eusian Falls, a shadow war rages between the Wintermournes and the Brood of the Azagnannan, competing for supremacy over the most valuable currency of the world: information.
And hoes.
i demand Pokemon rival music.
Terms such as 'slave' are likely to predispose you to partners who would like to assume the lewd horizontal tango with your character. However, terms like, say, 'minions', 'Mercedes lackey', 'black butler', 'Sith apprentice' will likely be more appropriate for what you are seeking in your one-on-one RP interaction.
-
One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important
Bring it on!
If this is the case, poor scheduling, time zones, or having a life could easily leave the unmotivated servant at a loose end in game, generating frustration and resentment.
It is important that each player be responsible and the driving force for their own experiences, interactions, and engagement.