Holiday Mansion 2020: The Party Where Waters Poisoned Everyone

Well, seems we got one down (up?) and one to go....

Sorry, @risto--but, I guess I answered the ladder question already   

Holiday Mansion 2020

@Wren, No worries. I figured it out.  

So, I’m noticing it spreading amongst the characters that 1. Junior slapped the bull (in my original post, I did write that it was a pat) and 2. Junior is ill-mannered. I want to clarify that Junior can be single-minded and will defend his honor, but he is not meant to be, generally speaking, an ill-mannered character. Quite the opposite. He is however, (coincidentally) a bull in a china shop ( ) which I understand may be taken as bad manners by certain characters, especially, in this case, the bull. So yes, I understand if some characters are put off by Junior, but I wanted to make it clear that it is not my intention to make Junior a villain.

Holiday Mansion 2020/Character Development

@risto, I guess this is a good point to reflect on how a character's character shines through. Junior comes across as an overbearing, egocentric man--a sort of "bride at every wedding, corpse at every funeral" sort of guy. Usually, when someone brings a character like this, they are meant to be full of themselves and unaware of the inconvenience and irritation they are causing everyone else (see Mr. Waters and the squirrel-toting Lady Ottillia for reference). I certainly thought that was your intention--and thought it was a rather brilliant way to illustrate how "gentlemen" convinced women to invent poke bonnets, hoop skirts, and the infamous long hatpins.

But all that is beside the point--if you feel Junior is not meant to be that sort of character, I recommend sitting down and taking a close look at how you write him, rather than telling everyone to read him differently. Perhaps it is time to figure out what Junior's weaknesses are, or why he feels compelled to solve everyone's problems the moment they are thought of. There might be some really interesting backstory potential there! You might also take a listen to Ginny Di's advice for roleplaying in a group (please ignore the title--the points are useful, even to the most experienced roleplayer)!

If you would like someone to help you workshop Junior into a more likable character, feel free to drop me a note! I've done a lot of work on characters in a lot of different roleplaying settings, and I don't mind doing a little bit of mentoring. 

Holiday Mansion 2020

@risto
So, I read the initial pat as a heavy one since it wasn't qualified - the equivalent of walking up to someone and giving them a firm clap on the shoulder - and that was how the bull viewed it too. I agree that the kick was a bit of an overreaction, but I also know people who - if you would walk up behind them and startle them with a clap on the back - are very likely to punch you first and then ask questions (and maybe apologise) later. The bull already admitted it was an overreaction and apologised for any injuries, but he also wasn't going to stand there docilely and not bat an eye. Again, slap vs. pat to me seems to largely be due to a) force and b) intention - the bull couldn't read Junior's intention and force can be misjudged when you've been startled by it. The villain comment was solely the bull's internal dialogue and was definitely a dramatic reaction/exaggeration.
All that to say, though, the bull has now walked away, leaving Junior free to carry on with your other objectives for him.

@Ryadian, I don't remember for sure if Faye is at the dessert table (where is the dessert table? Are there multiple dessert tables?), but she doesn't seem to have followed the Baxters outside. If she has or does, the bull will adjust.

Holiday Mansion 2020

@wren, Thanks for the offer to workshop Junior. I’ll take you up on that offer.  

@valiantarcher, I think Mr. Norro kicking Junior was understandable and made for a humorous and exciting episode.
Also, thanks for the explanation above, as it confirms that I was interpreting the character more-or-less correctly.  

Holiday Mansion 2020

Movie Aristotle, I'm glad that helped clarify/confirm things.

Does anyone know if there is actually any character at the dessert table currently? Otherwise, the bull may resort to helping himself to the cookies.

Holiday Mansion 2020

@valiantarcher

I don't mind if he helps himself, but other people might be more finicky.  Molly could be there if you'd like her to be Getting something to keep Mr Waters out of mischief

Holiday Mansion 2020

@aileth, that was my thought too - no one seemed to mind Mel-the-St-Bernard helping herself, but the bull might be a different story. I'll wait a bit longer and will let you know if it becomes necessary to take you up on your offer - thank you!

Posted by: @valiantarcher

@Ryadian, I don't remember for sure if Faye is at the dessert table (where is the dessert table? Are there multiple dessert tables?), but she doesn't seem to have followed the Baxters outside. If she has or does, the bull will adjust.

Sorry for the late reply! Faye was in kind of a nebulous place, so now I'm pretending she was by the dessert table. 😉

Holiday Mansion 2020

No problem - thanks, Rya! Thanks for letting Faye actually be at the dessert table - the bull made it over to reply to Faye (and acknowledge Ian).

I dont know which character to use for the blossom festival, I could use the one I have been using but I also have my DnD character if that is allowed. Or my OCs from the games I play...its been awhile

Character Selection

@arwen_daeneri31 I am assuming your D&D character is an original character, so I think that would work! My only advice would be if you have a very specific to D&D race, like a genasi, that you perhaps redefined them as some thing else (like a fire elemental).

@wren I have a high elf character if that works. I can just call her an elf.

Character Selections

I think high elves span a variety of types of literature. It is up to you what you decide to do. I look forward to meeting her!

Blossom Festival 2021

Mel the writer has a shopping list for Mel the dog, should anyone want to help dress her in fair attire:

• pastel sunglasses
• a necklace of tiny eggs
• possibly also a necklace of flowers
• bunny ears