Alright...after tonight's event, it is pretty obvious we need some standard rules of engagament for something like this. I will start with this suggestion, and then we discuss that till we reach something we can all agree on. Once that is done, consider this a RULE THAT WE WILL CONSISTENTLY USE AND ENFORCE. None of this is to keep anyone down. It is only in the interest of making the rp better and things flow better.
This isn't as much a suggestion for a rule, as it is a plead for a bit more courtesy towards each other.
We are all roleplayers. We all wanna be the big hero. And we all try to be that in very different ways. However, when in a group, and indeed in a BIG group like we were tonight, we need to give each other space. This is very very important.
When in pressed situations, make sure to do a brief analysis...if ten people are flinging emotes across the screen at the same time, nobody gets heard, and nothing gets read properly.
Do an effort to have the overview to know when to step down and let others have what I and others call "thunder"...limelight, scene-space, call it what you will. And try to gauge whether your emote adds to this scene, or just clutters up the chat. You may have a side-plot yourself you want to bring in, but do so at appropriate times, when it can be appreciated fully.
This goes out to all of us, and it is important that we ALL go by it. Step down from being the hero-of-the-hour, and let somebody else get that bad guy or pick that lock. Example: When entering a battle, you do not necesarrily have to start by trying to fire an arrow at the heart of the main villain. Storm-troopers die first in heroic combat, THEN you can try yourself against Darth Vader. Sure, it would be ever so cool if you COULD take out Darth at the start and be oh-so-uber, but it makes for lousy storytelling. ^^
Always remember: The point of the Thorn is to tell STORIES. NOT to "win". The GM may carry the heaviest load, but you, the player, can help immensely by not trying to grab it all for yourself. And even more importantly, this is not a punch at anyone in particular. This is just a good rule I try to go by myself, and which is in my opinion important to remember, but can quickly be forgotten.
Please discuss, pros and cons.